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ASSENG/2015/64205

Vol. 1

Time for Action on Sri Lanka War Crimes Page 8

Issue 221

Dibrugarh, Sunday, January 17, 2016

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CM inaugurates many development projects Endangered Hoolock Gibbon as Tuki camp organizes mega vikas rally brutally killed in Margherita ET Bureau Dibrugarh/Tinisukia /Margherita, Jan 16

The people of Arunachal for giving the mandate to the Congress in the last election. “But some political leaders are hurting the sentiments of the Arunachal people.

The allegations of financial mismanagement is incorrect.

There are many central govt. agencies that can conduct an enquiry if there is improper implementation of the Govt. funds.

Amidst intense apprehension in the ruling party, the Congress Tuki team was seen together again in the mega vikas rally (development rally cum development meeting) hosted by parliamentary secretary of home, sports and youth affairs, Likha Saaya who was also the incumbent MLA of Yachuli constituency held in Yachuli town, Lower Subansiri District.

“Yachuli is the gateway to many districts in Arunachal. It is a home for tourists, whether domestic, national or international. Because of this I prioritise to construct the circuit house with proper facilities. Yachuli has the highest potential growth in horticulture and agriculture, therefore I personally shows interest in constructing KVK (Krishi Vighyan Kendra) office for the farmers to avail proper training in ag-

ET CAPSULES

Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh ji observed Golaghat, Jan 16: Golaghat Gurudwara Samiti celebrated 349th Birth day of Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji at Gurudwara premises with a day long programme, here.

A team of three from Butala lead by Sardar Mangal Singh, Jagjeet Singh and Paramjeet Singh came and chanted Shabd Kirtan. A Langar was organised in which people of all religion took part. President Yuvraj Singh and Secretary Satvinder Singh expressed their greetings on the occasion. (Correspondent)

Arrears to be released Guwahati, Jan 16: Government of Assam has announced a release of arrear pay salaries for six month to the State Government employees on Thursday that is on January 14.

The announcement has come in sync with the assurance of the Chief Minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi in a meeting with the Sodou Asom Karmachari Parishad on December 22, that the Government would announce payment of arrear pay before Bhogali Bihu.

(Staff Reporter)

CM Nabam Tuki hands over aids to a beneficiary during the rally. Pic - ET Photo riculture and horticulture sectors. I see the need of proper ground for sports after seeing the potential of the youth of my constituency excel in sports, therefore the mini stadium was constructed for that purpose,”

said the host of the rally, Likha Saaya during his welcome speech.

He further thanked the Nabam Tuki led Congress govt. saying, ‘despite many

ups and downs, it is under Nabam Tuki’s leadership these development projects were able to see. Nabam Tuki -led Govt will achieve greater heights’.

APCC (Arunachal Pradesh

CM Nabam Tuki Congress Committee) President Padi Richo while giving speech highlighted the history of Yachuli politics.

Contd. on Page 3

Minister stress on distribution of ration items fairly A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Jan 16

Taking serious note on various complaints raised by people of various parts of the state regarding irregularities in selling and distribution of rations items to the beneficiaries and card holders by Fair Price shops, Minister of Food and Civil Supply and Mining Tirong Aboh, while interacting to the media persons at his office said, “We are looking into the matter and an inquiry would be constituted if needed.” While adding that the civil supply department is working dedicatedly to ensure

that essential PDS items should reach to the genuine card hold-

ers especially poor people residing in remote and far flung areas of the state. He said that every ration card holders have rights to receive the allotted commodities prescribed in the card. “Such malpractice must avoided by the FPS or officials who are dealing with the supply and distribution of essential commodities like rice etc.

Necessary actions will also be initiated against defaulters involving in practicing such activities as per laws,” the minister said. He also appealed to the consumers to report about such activities to the civil supply office of the area of the dis-

trict. He also appeals the officers to be sincere and dedicated towards nation building.

On Thursday, the Gauhati High Court stayed its own earlier order of allowing traditional bulbul bird fight at Shri Hayariba Madhav Temple, while hearing a petition by the Animal Welfare Board of India.

For the 52-year-old Rajendra Deka from Hajo in lower Assam, this time round Bhogali Bihu, the traditional

harvest festival of Assam held on the day of Makar Sankrantri, has been incomplete.

Deka did celebrate Uruka– the grand feast with family members, woke up early, burned Meji, the traditional bonfire and danced around with friends on Bihu numbers.

But he could not witness the greatest attraction of Bhogali Bihu, the 400-year-old bulbul (songbird) fight that draws thousand of people across the

Villagers set on fire a Meji in Dhakuakhana. Pic - UB Photos

An image of Kalia, the Hoolock Gibbon.

Pic Rajib Rudra Tariang. parents were reportedly killed by poachers earlier. Later, her male partner too was killed after which Kalia became more closer to the Ninda family. She use to roam around the trees in and around the area and often came back when guests came to the house of Ninda. Ninda said he was away from his home when the incident took

Speculations and confusions still prevail on the issue of Barpathar OC Vinod Phangsu’s killing. The only crucial question arising that whose bullet hit the brave cop on his back? Was it the bullet of miscreants or of his own policemen? Meanwhile, on Friday afternoon a press meet was held at the office of the Superintendent of Police Golaghat where additional SP Numal Mahato's press briefing cleared some confusion.

Probe is on Some of the villagers unofficially organized buffalo fight at Ahatguri in Morigaon. Pic - UB Photos

state to Deka's town Hajo, 40 kilometres away from Guwahati.

ET Correspondent Morigaon, Jan 16

On Thursday, the Gauhati High Court stayed its own earlier order of allowing traditional bulbul bird fight at Shri Hayariba Madhav Temple, while hearing a petition by the Animal Welfare Board of India. The earlier order of the single judge bench of the high court had allowed bulbul fights.

Contd. on Page 3

Despite Supreme Court’s ban on buffalo fight and Bulbuli birds fight, the local buffalo keepers today organised buffalo fight at Ahotguri in Morigaon district on the occasion of Magh Bihu.

It may be mentioned here, that Gauhati High Court also banned two traditional events of Assamese peasantry class which are generally held dur-

cmyk

A meeting to review the progress of preparation for Kameng River Festival, proposed to be conducted from 21st January'16 to 23rd January'16 at Seppa, was convened today at the Kameng Hall, DC Office, Seppa. Dr. Joram Beda, Secretary (Tourism), Shri Sandeep Kumar Singh, Deputy Commissioner, East Kameng District, and host of HODs, Administrative Officers, EKSWCO members and Festival Committee were present in the meeting.

eloquent and articulate individuals and sensitized them.

Besides giving various inputs, he suggested for informative signage on trees and artifacts and places of religious, cultural and historical importance. He stressed on the preparedness of security arrangement and traffic management.

By welcoming the house, DC has briefed about the status of the overall preparation. Displaying appreciation over the undergoing maintenance and widening work of Township roads and approach road to the festival venue, he expressed gratitude to the EE, PWD, Seppa Division and its staffs, and the RWD staffs for their tireless jobs.

He also expressed gratitude to the festival committee and others who are involved in this endeavour. Stressing the importance of liaising, he has directed the EAC (Hq) and the committee to prepare a list of

Organizers during the review of the 1st Kameng River Festival

Expressing gratitude to the house for attending the meeting on such short notice and holiday, he underlined the importance of this festival and its implication on after-success.

He exhorted the festival team to exert more energy to make this festival a grand success.

Giving impetus to conserva-

Hoolock Gibbon is a schedule 1 animal and as per the provisons of Assam Ammendment Wildlife Protection Act, 2009 anyone killing this animal if convicted will be imprisonment in jail for a period of 3 years.

Contd. on Page 4

ET Correspondent Golaghat, Jan 16

ing the Magh Bihu season on the plea that those were cruelty to the birds and animals. The Supreme Court also issued ban order on Jallikatu in South India during the festival of Pongal. However, today the organizers of the Ahotguri Buffalo fight Committee formally did not organised the traditional buffalo fight as a mark of respect to the SC order. But, Buffalo keepers of the areas organised the fight in an informal manner.

Preparations in full swing for 1st Kameng River Festival ET Bureau Seppa, Jan 16

place.

Who Killed OC Buffalo fight held at Morigaon despite ban by SC Vinod Phangsu?

He observed that any government prerogative is for the development of the state and especially the TCL Deptt. is for development of Tirap, Changlang and Longding and in compare to successive year the allocation of fund has been increased and many new schemes are getting started for the development of the district as a whole. “We are on job and trying to deliver the goods to the masses,” the minister added.

Assam celebrates Bihu sans 400-year-old bulbul fight A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Jan 16

When everybody was busy in celebration of Bhogali Bihu elsewhere, the brutal and mindless killing of a hoolock gibbon in a distant village Ketetong in upper Assam's Margherita had not only deeply pained animal lovers but also sparked serious reactions among various section of the people. Ketetong is around 6 kms away from Margherita town in Tinsukia district.

Sources said that the around 40 year old gibbon popularly known as 'Kalia' was mercilessly beaten up to death by shovel like weapons by two persons - Moni Chetia and Debojit Chetia - as the duo was angered after Kalia 'attacked' their children. However, Bhupeswar Ninda, the owner of the gibbon said that Kalia had bitten one of the children of the Mahanta's as they had attacked Kalia with catapult.

"Many people had met Kalia in the past, she was even filmed by internationally reputed channels National Geographic and Animal Planet, she was never aggressive. If anybody annoyed her she retaliated.

But, it does not mean that she will be killed in such a manner", Ninda said. Ninda, a nature lover, had found her at a very tender age and injured as she was bitten by dogs. Her

Hoolock Gibbon is a schedule 1 animal and as per the provisons of Assam Ammendment Wildlife Protection Act, 2009 anyone killing this animal if convicted will be imprisonment in jail for a period of 3 years.

tion of flora and fauna, he advised the committee to exercise restriction on selling of wild animals.

While requesting for making this district a hub of adventure tourism, he simultaneously cautioned the committee about the risk associated with the river rafting and paragliding.

He advised the committee to undertake precautionary measures beforehand and be prepared with medical emergency services. On security front, he suggested for arrangement of walkie-talkie, installation of CCTVs at stra-

tegic locations, deployment of volunteers as people police and proper traffic management plan. He emphasized on giving priority to tourists, cultural troupes and media persons as they are the media of publicity and advertisement.

Many in the house delegated with various tasks have also spoken and highlighted about the progress made so far related to their respective charter of duties. Later the Secretary (Tourism) and the DC along with the HODs, Officers and festival team have visited the venue and took stock of the ground status.

According to the senior police official on the night of January 10 receiving information of vehicle theft OC Vinod Phangsu was chasing a Tata ACE bearing no.

AS-09 AC 0428 which was plying on the busy streets of Barpathar area without obeying police and traffic signals. Police set up Nakas to stop that vehicle.

When the Tata ACE reached near Chungajan Police Station a constable of 3rd APBn fired 6 rounds with his AK – 47 rifle. In the meantime, OC Barpathar Vinod Phangsu along with his team in his Bolero reached the spot and thus it was supposed that he lost his life in the crossfire. Meanwhile the arms and ammunition of that APBn constable and other policemen who were on duty that night were seized. However, the Tata ACE vehicle was recovered in Bokajan on Thursday night and the driver and his associates and the owner of the vehicle had been apprehended by the police. The remarkable point is that the police had fired on the vehicle to stop and three bullets hit the windshield still the driver instead of surrendering took the vehicle to Dimapur in Nagaland and repaired the vehicle with a new windshield . In the press meet, ASP Mahato added that all arms and ammunition related to the incident had already been sent to Forensic Science Laboratory and SDPO Dhansiri D Baruah is investigating the whole incident.

Phangsu was a brave cop and whoever found guilty in the investigation report stern actions will be taken as per the law. So it is time to rely on facts and not to make any speculations, he added.

cmyk

A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Jan 16

PAGE 2

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, JANUARY 17

Head Mistress died in road mishap a resident of Ananda Nagar Mangaldai has been killed when the Mahindra Verito bearing registration no.

AS01 BP 891, she has been travelling hit a road side tree after hitting a motor cycle ( AS13 E 2972) in the opposite direction near Deomornoi under Mangaldai PS at around 3-30 pm today.

Bhogiram Boro (57) , rider of the motor cycle has reportedly also sustained serious injury along with two others who were also injured in the mishap. Injured The car which meted with the accident. have been immediately ET Correspondent Geeta Hira (56) , head Mangaldai High School shifted to Civil HospiMangaldai, Jan 16: mistress of Uttar at Chapai near here and tal here.

TRADITION ALIVE

Villagers witness buffalo fight held at a village near Laipuli in Tinsukia. Pic - Arjun Mishra

ACHIEVER

Aries If you are aiming to marry soon, you can start making preparations today. However, before you take the final decision, it would be better to look at both sides of the coin, advises Ganesha. Activities related to such an alliance will dominate today, and by the end of the day you may feel very elated.

105th NKBA Annual Conference Sushanta Roy Diphu Jan 16: The Hanjanglangso sports Field,( Sarihajan near Bokajan) the venue of the 105th Annual Conference of the Nihang Karbi Baptist Association, is teeming with devotees from various Baptist churches located in parts of Karbi Anglong. The Theme for the Conference is “The Christian Association” with a reference text of Ephesians 4:13-16.

The Conference will continue till Sunday, the 17th January, 2016. According to the program highlight, the Pandal of the Conference

was dedicated by the President of NKBA Mr Sarwan Kro. On Friday morning, the NKBA flag was hoisted by the President, NKBA which was followed by the morning devotion.

evening will witness a dedicated service for the youth where Rev Dr Solomon Rongpi , General Secreatary of CBCNEI will speak on the Sub-theme “The youth and association”.

Today the session begin with Bible Study session for men, women and youth on the Sub-theme of “Biblebased Association” which will be conducted by Abraham Taro, he Treasurer of NKBA. Mr Calwin Hanse, Assistant Teacher of the Hutton Bible Institute will conduct Bible stoty telling for children called “Bible Stories”. Saturday

On Sunday morning a dedicated service for the women will be held which will see Rev Dr Solomon Rongpi presenting the Sub-theme of “Women and their association in God’s works”. The 10:30 service is a special “Ordination Service” when the Executive Secretary Benting Teron will be ordained a full Minister of the Baptist Church. In the after-

East Kameng DC reviewed various schemes undergoing at Pakke Kessang Seppa Jan 16: Sandeep Kumar Singh, Deputy Commissioner, East Kameng District has convened a meeting with all the government officials posted at Pakke Kessang Hq. to review the implementation of various government schemes in the Pakke Kessang Circle. In the meeting all the line departments, which are Education, Health, ICDS, Power, PWD, PHED and CD Blocks, have explained in detailed about the programmes and activities taken up by them. The Project Manager, Sushee Infra was also present in the meeting. He has highlighted about the progress made so far by the company. He informed the DC about the problems facing by the company. He informed the

DC about problems facing in the construction of Trans Arunachal Highway in few pockets, which are Suchung and Palove.

DC has constituted a committee with V. Bellai, EAC, Pakke Kessang as its Chairman along with GBs from the respective villages and R. K. Singh, Site Engineer, Sushee Infra as its members to resolve various local issues such that the progress of the TAH works is continued without any hurdles.

Dispute Redressal and issues under CSR activities will also be taken care of by the committee. He expressed satisfaction over the progress of the TAH till date where BT carpeting has been done by the company from Khodaso to Alangtapte including Pakke

Kessang. He appreciated the efforts put on by the EAC, Pakke Kessang and local leaders of Pakke Kessang who helped in early construction of the TAH. He appealed the villagers to provide the same support to the company officials so that the work can be completed at the earliest.

However, there is a delay on the part of Power department in the shifting of the LT and HT lines. In that regard, he has directed the JE (Power) to complete the shifting work by 31st January'16. In response to the security issue pertains to the company, the DC has assured the company to make security arrangement very shortly. He expressed satisfaction on the performance of Education department.

On water supply crisis in

schools, he has directed the JE (PHED) to sort out the problem as soon as possible. He has directed the EAC, Pakke Kessang and the MO in-charge to conduct meeting to review the progress of NHM activities regularly on 25th day of every month.

Sushee Infra has assured to make the Pakke Kessang Hydel functional and undertake the channel works under its CSR activities.

CDPO, Pakke Kessang has informed the DC that ten anganwadis have been selected as model angawadis and second tranche of SMP items are being distributed to all the centres. Many present have also spoken in the meeting. Later the house present have visited the Base Camp of the Sushee Infra.

New political organization declares its formation on the soil of Eastern Nagaland A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Jan 16: The office bearers of the Eastern Naga National Government (ENNG), a new political organization has declared its formation on the soil of Eastern Nagaland on dated 27th Dec”2015, under the Presidentship of Mr. R. Stephen Naga, the Minister for Home Affairs Mr. Khongwong Mossang, Minister for Defence Mr. M. Saimon and the Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Kim Juv NG, by the blessing of the People of Eastern Nagaland. Guided by our faith and deep belief that God has a plan and purpose for the Eastern Naga People, we affirm that it is our calling to survive and regain our rightful destiny as Eastern Naga, a press release e-mailed to the media by

the organisation stated.

The ENNG will have Armed Wing known as Eastern Naga Independent Army (ENIA). We honour the histories and traditions that had made us Naga. We will uphold our economic resources, and right to exercise Political rights in our own nation. We commit ourselves to advancing the economic, Political, and Social and spiritual well being of the eastern Naga People, the release added. The ENNG, the New Political Organization, which is known as Eastern Naga National Government is based on the Political Strategy over the Eastern Nagaland and the People and Tribes of Eastern Nagaland. The ENNG, manifesto is deem and more satisfaction for People of the

land and there is a fortunate blessing of almighty God for our nation, the release stated.

“We lift up our hands high above the almighty God to bless our land and our nation in the name of Jesus Christ.

Because the People of Eastern Nagaland have suffered from untold terrible pain, agony, extreme poverty, and human tortured black and white during the past few decades due to mismanagement by various Naga National Political leaders and wrong Political philosophy and misguided Policies of various Naga Groups under the influence of other north east militant groups. So, the need of emergency formation of New Political Organization was necessary for the welfare and Gover-

Taurus You may face conflicts on the personal front and find your thoughts leaning towards aggression today, says Ganesha. There is a possibility of suffering losses due to loved ones. Exercise restraint in arguments with relatives and siblings, advises Ganesha.

noon service Rev Dr Solomon Rongpi will again speak on the Sub-theme of “Preparing for association with God’s works”.

The closing service will be held tomorrow at 6:30 PM where former Executive Secretary Rev Lawrence Engti will deliver the final Sub-theme “Surrendering for association in God’s works” The other highlights of the Conference will be Praise and worship, Special numbers and choir songs will be presented by NKBAYD Worship Team, NMBAF, PHABF, NDBCF, SABF, DABF and AKBCLF.

nance of the People of Eastern Nagaland and for bringing peace and tranquillity in the land”, the release said.

The ENNG will fully concentrate on the Myanmar Eastern Nagaland and take care of their own People to become a recognize nation in the days to come. And the People of Eastern Nagaland shall never and ever disappoint of doing their well being among the races of human beings. Moreover the Eastern Naga National Government will have a privilege to discuss with the new democratic Political Party (NLD) Government of Myanmar about the Nation Statement of Eastern Nagaland in the days to come.

ASTRO FOR YOU

Gemini You will try very hard to strike a balance between logic and emotions. Though you may succeed in doing so in front of the world, you may not be so discreet with your friends.

You will have an excellent time with your sweetheart, but your physical appearance will be a cause of concern to you, says Ganesha.

Miss Anuska Bhattacharjee, a student of Class - VII of Doomdooma Lotus Flower Academy won the first position in Flowers Exhibition and Go As You Like and third prize in hindi recitation during the annual meet of her school. Pic - S.L.Bhuyan

SSB rendering yeoman’s service in Udalguri Shajid Khan Tangla, Jan 16: The Sashastra Seema Bal, popularly known as SSB, has been rendering yeoman’s service in Udalguri district since it was stationed at Bhairabkunda.

The SSB has a glorious past as it was formed for the internal security of the border regions along Nepal and Bhutan immediately after the 1962 India-China war and since then, the security force has been doing a lot of people-friendly activities in the border region.The SSB as a part of their service had recently organised a two day free health check up camp and Free Veterinary Health Camp in two remote and inaccessible villages namely Orangajuli and Gamgaon near the Indo-Bhutan on January 11 and 12 last.

The free health camp which was flagged off by the Udalguri SSB Commanding B.K Sharma was attended by a great number of population.

The persons were also given medicines free of cost.

The medical healthcamp was attended by Dr. Devi Charan Boro. Such iniatives by the paramilitary forces in remote villages of Indo-Bhutan border is applaudable.

Lost I have lost my registration card bearing no 1311 of 1995-96 of Dib. university Raju Ghosh Paltan Bazar Dibrugarh

Cancer Today looks set to be a day full of extremes, especially when it comes to your shifty moods. However, you will need to keep reminding yourself of not getting overly emotional or impractical. Otherwise you may end up being in complicated situations, warns Ganesha. It is high time that you gave due consideration to your health and eating habits.

Consciously cultivate change. Overeating is a strong probability!

Leo Nothing will overshadow your love for your kids today, and they will be the number one priority for you. It seems like a good day to take time out and monitor their progress in school; so, do not skip that PTA meeting. Remember, there are various ways to teach children, so consider taking them out on a small picnic or a field trip to help educate them better. virgo You will begin your journey on the long, hard road to success, predicts Ganesha. Hard work will be the key to any progress that you make. Avoid short cuts, and all the toil and trouble will pay off with rich returns as recognition and rewards will come your way. You may let a few opportunities fly past because of fear of taking risks.

Libra Today promises a definite sense of pride and joy from children who bring home glory, says Ganesha. Fiscal gains are also on the cards, and you may consider it worthwhile to put your money into lucrative businesses. Money-lenders and stock brokers are likely to make handsome earnings on this charming and enchanting day.

Scorpio It is more than likely that you will be in high spirits today, says Ganesha. All your energy and exuberance may not yield expected results. That is no reason to lose heart though. Keep up the effort from your end and you will eventually taste success in the days to come.

Sagittarius You will find yourself rubbing shoulders will Lady Luck today. Sharpen your multi-tasking skills as you will keep busy and have only occasional moments of respite. Good will and green print, you might find them both with ease and in abundance, predicts Ganesha.

Capricorn Patience is tested when one is in trouble; your patience could be tried today. The trick is in keeping your composure, says Ganesha. Avoid getting into an argument or scuffle with those around you, as luck may not be on your side.

Aquarius Be sure of your strengths and decisions, and Ganesha guarantees you success. You don't care what others think about you, but don't be so indifferent that you ignore their choices, preferences and comforts completely. The smile of you sweetheart will work like a charm and you will forget all your worries, feels Ganesha.

Pisces The apple of your eye is what you will have your sights set on today. It is likely that you will find yourself attending a Parent-Teacher meet, says Ganesha. However, fortunately, it is likely only to receive news about how proud your children are making you. Buy them something to make them happy, or take them out on a picnic.

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

17-1-16 (SUNDAY) 5-35 A.M-Bhaktigeeti(Devotional Songs) 6-10 A.M-Swasthya Charcha (Health Programme) 6-15 A.M-Classical Music 6-50 A.M-Dihanaam 7-15 A.M-Aajir Dinto (Morning Information Service) 7-30 A.M-Geetanjali(Assamese Modern Song) 8-35 A.M-Surar Panchoi(Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 9-05 A.M- Antara (Composite Programme of Hindi Film Songs) 12-30 P.M-Ghar Jeuti (Women's Programme)-1.Talk-"Krishtir Anupam Upadan Magh Bihu" by Minti Gogoi, 2.Radio Report on "Mukhyamantrir Sonali Saishab Prakalpa" 3-30 P.M-Mishing Geet 3-45 P.M-Programme in Miju Mishmi 4-05 P.M-Programme in Khamti 4-25 P.M-Programme in Wancho 4-45 P.M-News for Arunachal Pradesh 5-00 P.M-Programme in Idu 5-20 P.M-Programme in Tangsa 5-40 P.M-Programme in Nocte 7-15 P.M-Yuvavani 8-00 P.M-Gyanmalini (Sponsored Programme of Directorate of Distance Education, D.U) 8-30 P.M-Aapuni Sajag Ne? 9-30 P.M-Ei Mahor Atithi-Dr. Anima Guha, Veteran Social Activist, Writer. InterviewerTribeni Das Gogoi

Sd-/H.O.P

PAGE 3

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, JANUARY 17

Arunachal’s Keralites celebrate Makar Sankranti/Makara Vilakku

Naharlagun, Jan 16: Kerelites settled in Capital complex or doing jobs in the Land of Rising Sun celebrated Makar Sankranti/ Makara Vilakku with special prayers and lighting of traditional bronze or brass pedestal wick lamps.

The ceremonies and rituals were held at Shiv Mandir in E-Sector Naharlagun as well as in Itanagar where hundreds of Ayyappa devotees cutting across caste and

belief systems flocked in to worship the Makaravilakku on Makarasankranti day on Friday.

The place of worship where Swami Saranam was placed look completely different and beautifully decorated with flowers. The front podium with the figure of Lord Ganesha made up of marigold flower petals surrounded with lit coconut lamps was a great sight for visitors to see. The lamp

that was lighted as part of the festival akin to Makar Sankranti is called Nilavilakku-meaning a tall lamp, which is an integral part of festivals and ceremonies. Nilavilakku can have one, two or five lamps.

The ceremonies and events such as Kalash puja, Nirmalayam, Ganpati Puja and community meal were the major attraction of the celebration. (DIPRO)

Stayzilla workshop at Hotel Pybss held

Stayzilla workshop under the deal with Department of Tourism, GoAP A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Jan.16: Stayzilla, the online marketplace providing hotel stays, is fast moving into the alternative stay segment of homestays.

“It is a case of demand and supply. India has a huge demand for rooms, particularly on weekends, and here BnB options can play an important role. The demand is much more in the tier-II and tier-III cities. Places like Arunachal Pradesh run of out options on weekends and the price that is charged often makes you rue house honor decision,” says Priyanka , ManagerSpeaker of Stayzilla. What makes Stayzilla different from other contenders in the market is that it strengthens hosts by allowing them to pick guests according to interests and educational and professional connections.

“There is an old lady in Chandigarh who only wants to host fans of Jagjit Singh.

There is a Punjabi aunty in Delhi who wants to offer cooking classes.”

It reminds Yogi, as he is fondly called, of his younger days when he could not find an Aye Rand fan in his vicinity. “I had read all her works by the time I was 16 but had nobody to talk about them. Then I discovered that there are Yahoo groups on the Internet with people with common interest. Internet empowers you in many ways and this is one.” Then, he says, there are people who want to host people who belong to their club or institution. “Like exIITians. It opens a whole new window and takes care of the anonymity aspect.”

Claiming that Stayzilla already has 20,000 rooms to offer in the homestay segment, Yogi says the company is ahead of the competitors. Stayzilla charges

15% of the amount as its commission and has a checklist of 60 points which a team verifies before giving a place go ahead. “A liquor shop in the vicinity can be problematic for single girls but for a section of boys it could be the USP of the place,” says Yogi. Then they organize town halls in different cities to generate interest and dispel myths.

“There are a large number of properties that are lying unoccupied because people don’t know what to do with them.

Recently we organised a townhall in Delhi. Some 250 people registered and out of them 180 signed up.” Now its time to Arunachal Pradesh for memberships at STAYZILLA, and make profit from its turn to opportunity from stayzilla.

APPCS Coaching Camp Organized by Arunachal Seva Bharati Concludes Aalo Jan 14: A week long orientation cum coaching programme from for APPCS and UPSC aspirants conducted by Seva Bharati from 6 to 13th concluded in Conference Hall of DIC at Aalo. Seva Bharati which is affiliated with Rastriya Swayam Sevak Sangh has been over the years working reluctantly for human resource development .This is the third consecutive year that Seva Bharati in collaboration with Jnana Prabodini Pune has successfully arranged such initiative for the tribal students.

The West Siang DDSE Shri Tumto Lollen inaugurated the camp along with RSS

Prant Pracharak Shri Sunilji Mahanti with participation of nearly of 46 students. A team of 3 resource persons Kiran Sawankar Circle Officer in Maharastra, Sunil Lahana Sales tax Inspector, Dr. Sandeep Devkate MBBS Assistant Commandant CRPF engaged. The concluding Ceremony was conducted on 13th Jan and Shri Gomar Angu, Dy. Director Industries and Kamesh Kumar Vibhag Pracharak Siang and Shri Gejum Ete Rtd Deputy Commissioner, Smti Yayum Gangkak attended the camp.

APPCS and UPSC aspirants during the coaching camp conducted by Seva Bharati from 6 to 13th concluded in Conference Hall of DIC at Aalo.

A Yoga Camp was daily was organized by Yoga ex-

pert Dhananjay Chetia form Yoga Nilayam Centre Guwahati. Shri Gumken

timely implementation of all health related schemes in the district. Appreciating the DMO and his team Dai stated that enrollment under APCMHIS was very encouraging and successful.

He said that doctors and their associates were doing commendable job, as a result, there was no report of abnormal delivery, disable child and mortality. He advised the department to maintain good relation with the PRI leaders for successful implementation of all government beneficial schemes and to make East Siang healthy.

Pasighat, Jan 16: Governing body meeting of District Health Society (DHS) was held here at Siang Guest House Pasighat today under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner Incharge Deepak Shinde. Addressing the house, Shinde gave emphasis on timely implementation of all health related schemes and urged all too strictly adhere to the norms and guidelines provided by the government.

The DC while urging the members to render their best services to the needy people hoped that joint efforts of administrative officers, medical officers and PRI members by organizing awareness camps in rural areas could go a long way in improving the overall health scenario of the district. People should be made aware about various health facilities being provided by the department. He advo-

Speakers during the Governing body meeting of District Health Society (DHS) held at Siang Guest House, Pasighat. cated that the doctors should conduct village/ block level coordination meetings in their respective PHCs and CHCs to study the health scenario and submit report to the higher au-

Aalo, Jan 16: The occassion of 68th Army Day was celebrated

by Indian Army at DSA ground, Aalo on15th Jan last. Indian Army celebrates Army Day every year on 15th January as an event to comemorate Late Field Marshal KM Carriappa taking over as the first Commander-inChief of Indian Army from Sir Francis Bucher, the last British Commander in 1949.

On this auspicious occassion, the chief guest was Mrs Yapu Yajo, mother of Late Naik Tape Yajo, KC (Posthumous) of First Assam Regiment who laid down his life in service of the nation on 22nd September 2008 in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

The conduct of events started

Speaking to the bee

Taggu distribution equipments of bee keeping to a woman trainee.

Siang and Siang District was distributed Bee keeping equipments. When requested by beneficiaries from Pangin and Boleng for lifting their equipments upto Pangin, Director Ete gave Rs.6000/from his own pocket to hire a Tata Mobile to which farmers deeply appreciated and got encouraged. Sille-Oyan ZPM Tajing Taki also spoke during the programme and urged the authorities concern to give more benefits to the

thority on findings. They must educate the rural masses how to live clean and hygienic life to avoid various diseases. They should mobilize the people for institutional delivery

and timely immunizations for safety of mother and child, added Shinde.

ZPC cum Co-Chairperson Kaling Dai stressed the need for thorough and

Earlier DRCHO Dr. T Gao gave a presentation on ongoing schemes, achievements and proposals and held an open house discussion. DMO Dr. M Perme, Medical Supdt. Dr. YR Darang and ZPMs of East Siang district also spoke.

(DIPRO)

Indian army celebrates 68th army day, pay homage to its martyrs with Run for Fun, which was flagged off by Station Commander, Along Military Station, followed by Painting Competition and Inter School Patriotic Song Competition wherein students from various government and private schools of Aalo participated with zeal, enthusiasm and displayed their patriotism in the form of sketches and songs.

On this occassion Army felicitated Mrs Yapu Yajo and 11 ex servicemen by presenting them token of remembrance for their selfless service to the nation. Army pipe band and jazz band display alongwith weapon display was also organised.

In the end Station Commander, Along Military Sta-

We must reap the benefit of this scheme: Taggu rearers Commissioner Taggu urged all of them to reap the benefit of this scheme which is for the economical upliftment of the villagers.

While taking reference of the other states like Panjab, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh which has already excelled into this field, he said that farmers or rearers there are earning huge benefits and making good earnings out of it. “Of course this is a new chapter in the context of our state as we are beginning it late like an adult education programme teaching the techniques at the later stage, but we have to learn it fast to reap the government’s assistance and make good living out of it as government can’t give employments to all these days”, added Taggu.

Derector Peto Ete and ADS Opung Jamoh Dai also spoke besides programme being led

by ADTH Pasighat Maklek Pertin and DO Talong Tadeng. In total of 50 beneficiaries from both East

Prasad and Jumli Jini also spoke on the occasion.

(DIPRO)

Governing Body meeting of Distt. Health Society held

Bee keeping training cum distribution of equipments held Maksam Tayeng Pasighat, Jan 16: As a part of state government’s initiative to create self employment across the rural populace, the department of Textile and Handicraft held a Bee keeping training cum distribution of bee keeping equipments to the bee rearers at the Sericulture Farm, Sille under Pasighat Block today which was attended by Commissioner Textile & Handicraft, Govt of AP Tahang Taggu as Chief Guest, Director Textile & Handicraft Peto Ete, Joint Director Haj Dodung, Dy. Director Sericulture, Bornali Sur, ADS (HQ) Taku Tath and Opung Jamoh Dai, ADTH Pasighat, Maklek Pertin, ADTH Pangin, Libang Perme, Development Officer (HQ) Hage Tapu and Development Officer East Siang, Talong Tadeng besides beneficiaries from East Siang and Siang district.

Lollen, Town Secretary, Shri Geba Angu District Secretary, Shri Gena

interested farmers of Sille Oyan areas so that their success stories could be an example for others in the district.

The officers from Itanagar led by Director also paid a field visit to certain plantation at Lingka Village before lunch time which was of Mrs Olen Tapak, Osi Tadeng and Mum Tapak. The sericulture plantations there were not that healthy due to

shortages of water, however, the team decided to provide a tube well to feed water. In the second half programme, the same officers addressed the various self help groups’ to take up sericulture activities as good source of income. While many interested farmers put forwarded their problem like fencing, as without such it was not possible to due open grazing of Cow, Mithun and Goat etc.

DDS Bornali Sur and Chief Executive from Institute of Integrated Resource Management, Tezpur, Assam (an NGO doing social mobilization under Central Silk Board), Dhattereya also educated the beneficiaries about the scheme and how to reap the benefits. Similar such programme will also be held at Sericulture Farm, Borguli under Mebo Block tomorrow, informed ADTH Pasighat Maklek Pertin who is ensuring cent percent success of the scheme at this part of the state.

tion addressed the conggregation and conveyed his gratitude towards

the chief guest, ex servicemen and the people of Aalo followed by National An-

them which marked the culmination of the event.

(DIPRO)

CM inaugurates many development projects as Tuki camp organizes mega vikas rally Contd. from Page 1 He challenged those who are against the development works carried out by Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, to resign from the MLA post and get ready for reelection.

Koloriang MLA cum Parliamentary Secretary of Agriculture, Pani Taram while giving speech praised MLA Likha Saaya, said that he witnessed development in Yachuli area so much. He highlighted many Chief Minister’s Scheme and Agriculture scheme as well.

“There are many CM mechanism schemes for all progressive farmers, including power tiller, tractor etc.” He said the Govt. is allocating Rs. 10 crore for agriculture sector.

He informed the public about the inclusive integrated farming, etc. for income generation. He said the Govt. is allocating Rs. 5 Crore for farmers for this inclusive integrated farming. He called the public to come to his office or meet the officers in the directorate to get all the details about various agriculture scheme.

Home Minister Tanga Byaling in his speech said he will establish Police Station

very soon in Yachuli. He asked the public to provide land free of cost.

While speaking as the Chief Guest, the Chief Minister appreciates all executing departments/agencies especially the Water Treatment Plan. He assured to build the SE office, circle office, PHE office, PWD office etc. “I want to see permanent RCC building in every department office. We must get stadium for indoor and outdoor games, cement concrete road to link every area,” the CM said.

CM also assured to fulfil all the demands placed in the memorandum. Demands including divisional commissioner office west, IT park, college, circle office near Raga, infrastructure, man power upgrading in CHC (community health centre) Yazali and posting of specialist doctors. A tourist circuit that will cost Rs. 8 crore will also be constructed in Yachuli, the CM informed.

He thanked the people of Arunachal for giving the mandate to the Congress in the last election. “But some political leaders are hurting the sentiments of the Arunachal people.

The allegations of financial mismanagement is incorrect.

There are many central govt. agencies that can conduct an enquiry if there is improper implementation of the Govt. funds.

We are inaugurating many buildings and whose money we are making all these, only through govt. money. People will judge and I have faith in the judiciary system. Congress has the majority, other party cannot form the Govt. with 11 MLAs,” the CM lamented.

Prior to the program the Chief Minister inaugurated the circuit house, 33/11KV, 3.15MVA switchyard sub-station, Krishi Vighyan Kendra office, Water Treatment Plan, foundation stone for SE PHED, foundation stone SE PWD office, ADC office, mini stadium. Distribution of LED Television to the Gaon Burahs enlightened the program towards the end.

Many traditional mega dance were also seen during the long hours programme.

The program was attended by host of ministers, MLAs, congress workers, head of departments, gaon burahs and the public of Yachuli. Organising committee chairman of the program Toko Puna submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister.

PAGE 4

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, JANUARY 17

Rangia Dead Body Recovered ET Correspondent Rangia Jan 15: A Dead body of a male was recovered from a pond of Vill Bisennala under Tulsibari outpost near Rangia this morning. After being informed police rushed to the spot and recovered the dead body with the help of local public. The body was latter identified as Shukleswar Halio (48) of the same village who had been missing for last 4 days.

The unnatural death of the farmer creates mystery.

The body was sent for post mortem. Police started investigation to find out the cause of death of the poor farmer.

AASA calls 12 hour Karbi Anglong strike Sushanta Roy Diphu Jan 16: The ‘All Adavasi Students Association’ (AASA) Karbi Anglong unite has called for a 12 hour Karbi Anglong strike (bandh) beginning from 5.00 AM of 20th January 2016.

The strike has been called demanding relief and rehabilitation of thousands of Adavasi people settled within Lahorijan and Nirmal Kumar tea estate as the whole landed estate is going to be handed over to Defense Estate Department by Assam government and Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council for security purpose. It may be mentioned here that the whole area is located in Assam- Nagaland border within Bokajan subdivision of Karbi Anglong autonomous district and the strategic location of the estate has drawn the attention of defense exparts for acquiring the place for defense purpose.

KV Mangaldai parents move KVS for appointing regular principal ET Correspondent Mangaldai Jan 16 : Parents and guardians of Kendriya Vidyalaya Mangaldai , the only non residential educational institution in Darrang district under HRD Ministry , Govt of India have expressed grave concern over the absence of a regular principal since the month of August in 2014. A section of the conscious parents of the institution have already moved the regional office of the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) at Khanapara Guwahati with an appeal either to extend the deputation period of the principal appointed from other school for at least two years or appoint one regu-

lar principal for not less than two years . In a memorandum sent to the Deputy Commissioner of KVS , Guwahati Region on Jan 7 last pointed out that since the inception in March, 2003, the most of the time the school has been run by temporary in charge principals . If one looks back to the thirteen years history the school only four regular principals served the school against eleven in charge principals. It has been observed from records that out of the five regular principals only two of them were able the continue for more than two years.

The memorandum also stated that after the departure of regular principal S

Toppo in August, 2014 , the principals have been appointed twice on deputation for a very short span of time and the rest of the time it is run by in charge principals.

The parents also expressed surprise to know that the authority was yet to decide on the extension of the deputation period of principal S.K. Chaudhary who reportedly completed his six months period of deputation on Tuesday last. In the petition it was highlighted that over the years the school with more than 700 students and the construction of permanent school building is still in progress has suffered in all aspects including academic environment , administrative functions ,

infrastructural development etc due to the absence of a regular principal and with Board final examinations of both Class X and XII round the corner students are likely to suffer even more with rapid change of principals .

It may be mentioned here that the intervention of the Governor of Assam in this serious academic matter was reportedly also sought by a group of conscious guardians of the school in presence of Deputy Commissioner , Darrang and the Chairman of Vidyalaya Management Committee (VMC) at Mangaldai Circuit during the visit of Governor to the district in October, 2015.

Spl Correspondent Pasighat, Jan 16: The 3 days Arunachal Agri Expo2016 cum National Seminar on ‘Horticulture for Prosperity’ has got under way at College of Horticulture & Forestry (CHF), Pasighat today being attended by Vice Chacellor Central Agricultural University, Imphal Prof. M. Premjit Singh as Chief Guest, Prof. P.K. Das, Director, NERIST, Nirjuli, Prof. S.S. Nagra, Director Instruction, CAU, Imphal, Isha Khosla, DC East Siang and many other dignitaries with huge number of farmer’s turn up to participate the expo.

Various farmers and self help groups from East Siang, Siang, Upper Siang and Papum Pare District participated in the Expo where exhibition with their various produces like food crops, fruits & vegetables, medicinal plants and other horticulture produces of the

restoration of the environment, etc. He dwelled a wide range of topics on sustainable management of natural resources like integrated watershed management programme, interrelation on management of natural resources and income generating activities (IGAs), use of

District task force meeting in connection with IPPI held Khonsa, Jan 16: The District Task Force meeting in connection with IPPI,2016 was conducted at DC's chamber, Khonsa on 14th January,2016 under the chairmanship of Shri Ravi Jha, Deputy Commissioner, Tirap district, Khonsa.

While speaking on the occasion, the Tirap Deputy Commissioner Ravi Jha appreciated District Health Society led by DMO Dr. N. Lowang for the preparation being carried out for ensuing IPPI programme and asked all the members of District Task Force to co-operate for the smooth implementation of the programme. The Deputy Commissioner also appealed all the parents to extend full co-operation to the medical team by bringing their children on the immunization day for vaccination.

In her welcome address Dr. N.

A view of 349th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh Ji in Golaghat.

Pic - Amit Nagori

3 day long Arunachal Agri Endangered Hoolock Gibbon brutally killed Expo-2016 begins hilly state were shown. Inaugurating the programme, Prof. M. Premjit Singh said that Arunachal Pradesh having different agro climatic condition was suitable for cultivation of various food crops, spices and other horticulture activities.

He further added that in spite of having sufficient resources, farmers of the region has yet to harness the rice potentiality in the field of agriculture and allied sectors. While talking about the success story, Prof. Singh also added that, CAU has received 2nd position in whole of India two times which was honoured

by Prime Minister Naredra Modi last year.

University has launched some ambitious project to train up the rural farmers about improved agriculture procedures in phase-wise manner and we are planning to set up community

Radio Station here at the CHF, Pasighat campus in order to guide the farmers on technical know-how in their agriculture and allied activities through local dialogues like Adi, added Singh. East Siang Deputy Commissioner, Isha Khosla, urged the farmers to avail the training benefits to improve their cultivation activities. She said the farmers of the region earlier faced problems for technical guidance in agriculture and allied activities, which has now solved after setting up the CHF and Krishi Vigyan Kendra at Pasighat as well. She appreciated the organizers for conducting such programme to train the farmers on farming activities and assured all possible cooperation from the administration’s end.

The slogan- Jai Jawan Jai Kishan is still relevant in our country, she opined.

Others like Director of

CAU cum Horticulture Adviser of Arunachal, Prof KK Jindal, Director of Instruction (CAU), Prof SS Nagra, BHU Director of Agriculture Institution AN Maurya, NERIST (Nirjuli) Director PK Das, Dean of CHF Pasighat, Dr AK Pandey and Prof BN Hazarika spoke on the inaugural function.

The inaugural programme was followed by a seminar with the theme “Horticulture for Nutritional Security and Economic Prosperity”, wherein the scientists and agriculture experts presenting technical issues pertaining to improvement of cultivation procedure to boost production, plant protection, pre and post harvest management and production of climate resilient horticulture crops.

A technical bulletin on Nematode Management in horticultural crops was also released during the day.

Two days training on natural resources management cum on field demonstration Khonsa, Jan 17:Two days training on trainers programme for PartnerNGOs staff on "Natural Resources Management-cumfield Demonstration" was organised by NERCORMPTirap and Longding from 1314th January, 2016. The programme starts with key note address and training objective given by Project Manager Mrs. Lily Rose Jajo. Mr. Mihin Dollo, Coordinator, Natural Resources, N E R C O R M P / I FA D , Shillong was the resource person for the programme.

The resource person begin with the presentation on the broad objective of NERCORMP/IFAD and shared in detailed the key words concept in the project objective like livelihoods of vulnerable groups in a sustainable manner, improved management of their resource base, preservation and

HOLY HYMS

participatory rural appraisal (PRA) tools and classification of resources for planning in rural developmental programme, reactivation and strengthening of traditional practices, community to community exchange of knowledges or seeds, key sectors of project interven-

tion, community resource management plan through integrated natural resources management, strengthening and building of community institution such as the Natural Resource Management Group (NaRMG) and Self Help Group (SHG), SWOT analysis, etc. He also dis-

cussed and shared to the participants the concept of contour hedgerow farming system, system of rice intensification (SRI), paddy cum fish culture in Apatani plateau, low cost technology for sustainable development including vermi-compost, weed composting, liquid manuring, weed, water and soil nutrient management, multi-tier cropping, biobriquetting. The programme ended with on field demonstration by the resource person along with the participants and some NaRMG leaders of Khonsa village on conversion of jhum fallow into permanent terrace fields, techniques on development of double contour hedgerow and inter-cropping system, technique for bamboo propagation, etc. Altogether a total of 46 Partner-NGOs staff was participated in the training programme. (DIPRO)

in Margherita Contd. from Page 1

Kalia was also very closely known to many scribes and nature lovers who used to visit the area.

"When ever, I used to come here, she came in touch with me, she used to play with me a while and they again went back to the trees and groves", Hira Phukon, a local scribe and nature activist said over telephone. Another, nature activist Rajib Rudra Tariang who knew the gibbon for the last 18 years demanded exemplary punishment for the killers.

"These people cannot be termed as human beings", Tariang, an assistant professor of Digboi College said.

“After being informed by the villagers we rushed to the spot at around 4 pm and recovered the carcass of the gibbon,’’ said Podum Borpatra Gohain, Range

gion of Tinsukia too there are about 27 Hollock Gibbons. We have to think for a permanent plan for the conservation of the species.

It must be mentioned that Hoolock Gibbon, the only ape species found in Indian sub-continent are known to be intellegent animals and during evaluation it has been proven that the resemble humans 95 percent.

It is also widely accepted that unlike other monkeys, Hoolock Gibbon are very disciplined in nature. For instance, if you give them two bananas they will touch the second one only after eating the first one completely.

As Tinsukia district and bordering Arunachal districts is largely covered by wet tropical evergreen rainforest, Gibbons are found in protected and reserve forest areas.

Assam celebrates Bihu sans 400-year-old bulbul fight Contd. from Page 1

"From childhood in every Bhogali Bihu, the prime attraction of Hajo is the bulbul fight. This has been passed on for generations by our forefather. The Court had to consider that law is now coming in the way of religious and cultural belief of thousands of people of Assam. Without bulbul fight Bihu is not complete for any Assamese," Deka said.

"Since the High Court has issued an order not to organise the bulbul fight we have decided to cancel it.

We will fight it legally in the

DIFFERENT ROLE

Lowang, DMO said that along with rest of the country, the District Health Society Tirap is also conducting IPPI, 2016 adding that the National Immunization Day (NID) have been declared on 17th January and 21st February,2016 in which 2(two) drops of Oral Polio Vaccine will be administered to the children of age group 0-5 years for which 126 repeat 126 IPPI booths have been set up.

Earlier the DRCHO Dr. T.D. Namsa highlighted centre wise IPPI booth plan was displayed through power point presentation in projector screen. The meeting was attended by DD(ICDS) Smti A. Lowangchha, DDSE Pubi lombi, Medical Superintendent Dr. Khogen Socia and technical and para medical staff. (DIPRO)

officer of Marghertia East and West forest division. He added a case has been registered at Margherita police station. Debojit Mahanta, officer in charge of Margherita police station said that a case no- 9/16 under section 429 IPC R/ W 51 of Wildlife protection act, 1972. “The accused had fled after committing the crime but we will nab them very soon,’’ the OC said. He added near about 50 women with small children came to the police station and told that their small children’s were the victims of the Gibbon. “The killing of Kalia is a great loss for all of us.

On Sunday, we have organized a meeting to discuss the issue at Ketetong. We appeal to all the villagers not to kill or cause any harm to the endangered species which is very rare,’’said Ranjan Kumar Das, DFO, Digboi Forest Division. He added in the Barekuri re-

A friendly match was played between the teachers-employees of Doomdooma College and members of Doomdooma Press Club. After winning the toss, Doomdooma College scored 150 runs in 15 overs losing 6 wickets. Doomdooma Press Club fell 6 runs short of their target as Doomdooma College won the match by a close margin. Pic - Manoj Kr. Ojha

court of law. Unlike bull fights and other animal fights across the country, here birds are not captive always nor are they hurt. If they get hurt they are nursed and left free after Bihu is over," said Shiva Prasad Sarma the Doloi (Chief priest) of the Panchatirtha Parichalona Samiti, the committee that runs the historic Shri Hayariba Madhav temple.

Sarma has launched an indefinite hunger trike against the HC's decision.

Meanwhile, a Guwahati based news channel has aired visuals of bulbul fight being organised 'discreetly'

at few homes in Hajo.

Over 100 families in Hajo, a small town known as the religious confluence centre of Assam, are engaged in rearing the bulbul birds for the annual fight which did not take place this year.

"We hope that Shri Hayariba Madhav Temple at Hajo will implement this order and celebrate a cruelty-free Bihu. This day will go down in the history as the most victorious day for animal welfare," said NG Jayasimha, member, Animal Welfare Board of India and managing director of Humane Society International, in a press statement.

PAGE 5

REGION

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, JANUARY 17

13 years on, Tripura power plant runs at peak capacity Agartala, Jan 16: Thirteen years after work on it commenced, a state-owned 101 MW combined cycle plant in Tripura has started generating power at peak capacity, beating many an odd along the way. Northeast India's third biggest gasbased power project at Monarchak, 70 km south of Tripura capital Agartala and just eight km from the Bangladesh border, is run by the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO), under the union power ministry.

"The plant's 36 MW steam turbine successfully synchronised late on Thursday night. The 65 MW gas turbine has started generating its full load a few weeks back," NEEPCO general manager (Electrical) Samar Ranjan Biswas said.

"The entire 101 MW electricity is being supplied to Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL). The commercial production of electricity from this power project would start by February end," he added.As the plant is located close to the IndiaBangladesh border, it would be technically feasible to supply electricity to powerstarved Bangladesh if the Indian government so wished.

VK Singh inaugurates Passport Seva Kendra in Nagaland Kohima, Jan 16: Union Minister V K Singh inaugurated a Passport Seva Kendra at Chumukedima in Dimapur district of Nagaland on Friday and said that it would cater to the greatly felt need of the people of the state. The newly opened centre would cater to the greatly felt need of the people of the state and they would now get the facilities at their doorstep, the Union Minister of State for Cultural Affairs, Statistics and Programme Implementation said.

This is the seventh Passport Seva Kendra in the Northeast region. Henceforth an applicant from Nagaland need not be physically present before the passport authority at Guwahati in Assam.

Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang said that the opening of the Passport Seva Kendra in Dimapur will provide great relief and convenience for applicants from Nagaland. He pointed out that earlier, additional verification was required by Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau (SIB) for most of the Northeast states like Mizoram, Meghalaya, Manipur and Nagaland. However this requirement has been done away for other states except Nagaland. Read More: Alert Indians! Your passport might be cancelled post this Diwali "If this additional SIB verification can be done away with in other states then there is no reason why the same cannot be done here in Nagaland," Zeliang said and requested the Union Minister to take up the matter with appropriate authority for the benefit of the people of the state.

Responding to the Chief Minister's suggestion, Singh assured that the ministry would seek solution over the matter. The lone member of Lok Sabha from Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio also attended the function. (Agencies)

The NEEPCO, a mini-ratna company, has invested Rs.1, 000 crore ($148 million) to set up the project. The other two gas-based power plants in the region are ONGC's 726 MW plant at Palatana in southern Tripura, its first in the commercial sector, and the 291 MW Kathalguri plant in eastern Assam's Dibrugarh district.The project's foundation stone was laid in March 2002 by Suresh Prabhu, the power minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led National Democratic Alliance government at the centre.The environment-friendly project was originally slated to be commissioned in 2005. The union power ministry abandoned it in 2007 for a variety of reasons but work resumed in 2010 thanks to the Tripura government's pressure."The ONGC further slashed the gas allocation in 2008, forcing NEEPCO to further scale down the plant's installed capacity to 101 MW. ONGC's dilly-dallying in supplying gas on a regular basis caused the abnormal delay in commissioning the project," said Biswas of the project he heads.An ONGC official said technical problems and NEEPCO's interruptions in taking gas were to blame for the

Union Rilway Minister Suresh Prabhu delay.Biswas said the ONGC, after a series of parleys and interventions by the power ministry, recently began supplying gas to the NEEPCO plant.ONGC Executive Director and Tripura asset manager S.C. Soni told media that the corporation was ready to provide 0.4 million standard cubic metres per day (MSCMPD) gas to NEEPCO "but they did not assure us the gas would be taken uninterruptedly". .

NEEPCO has also installed a five-MW capacity solar power plant at a cost of Rs.50 crore within the Monarchak plant complex.

This is the biggest such unit in the northeastern region, comprising eight states including Sikkim.

"The NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd. (an Indian government company) and the Bangladesh Power Development Board would soon sign an agreement to supply 100 MW of electricity to Bangladesh.Transmission lines are ready to supply the power at any moment.

However, the supply would start after a tariff agreement between the two companies," Manik Dey Credited with installation of several power projects in the northeast, NEEPCO, headquartered in Meghalaya capital Shillong, also plans to generate at least 1,500 MW from solar and wind energy in the next five years.According to union power ministry documents, the hydro-power potential of the northeastern region is estimated at 58,971 MW, which is almost 40 percent of the country's potential. However, only about 2.1 percent (1,242 MW) has been harnessed till last May.The northeast is going to be power surplus and it is an enormous problem to transmit the excess power to the country's power-starved regions.

The eight northeastern

states' off-peak and peak demand on an average is 1,500 MW to 2,500 MW against the current installed capacity of 4,730 MW. This means that most of the plants are working undercapacity.

Meanwhile, Tripura will soon begin supplying 100 MW of power to Bangladesh. The transmission lines have been commissioned on both sides of the border.

"The NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd. (an Indian government company) and the Bangladesh Power Development Board would soon sign an agreement to supply 100 MW of electricity to Bangladesh," Power Minister Manik Dey said.

"Transmission lines are

ready to supply the power at any moment. However, the supply would start after a tariff agreement between the two companies," Dey told media after returning from Bangladesh capital Dhaka.

"In Dhaka, several meetings were held to finalise the power tariff. It was decided that the electricity would be supplied to Bangladesh at Rs.5.50 per unit," he added.Dey, accompanied by officials of the external affairs ministry, power ministry, Central Electricity Authority, and NVVN, went to Dhaka last week and held a series of meetings with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Minister of State for Power Nasrul Hamid and officials.

"During the meeting, the Bangladesh prime minister was very keen to get more power from India as the country needs 8,000 MW of electricity to meet its energy needs."The Tripura government is also ready to provide more power to Bangladesh if the central government has no objection," Dey added.

Bangladesh currently receives 500 MW of power from West Bengal and this will soon be doubled.

(Agencies)

Police yet to trace accused in airman death case Kolkata, Jan 16: Despite the lookout notice against Ambia Sohrab, Sambia Sohrab and their father former Rastriya Janata Dal (RJD) legislators Mohammed Sohrab, who are absconding after a speeding car reportedly owned by them killed an Air Force officer during a Republic Day parade rehearsal, none of them were traced. The look out notice was issued by the Kolkata Police on Friday after the trio were found 'absconding' from their residence at Jorasanko area in the city.

A city police source tonight said that their teams have already fanned out to neighbouring states in search of the trio.Meanwhile, a family member of Sonu, cousin of accused Ambia Sohrab, today lodged a missing diary at Bowbazar police station.

This move followed after he (Sonu) was called by Kolkata Police in connection with the mishap that took place on

Aambia Sohrab Wednesday."We are also trying to spot them through their mobile phone tower locations. But their mobile numbers are switched off," another senior police officer said.Sonu was called for questioning in connection with the airman's death in a hit-and-run case on Wednesday..

In a related development, city police sleuths had seized Ambia's passport during a raid at one of the Sohrab residences on Thursday.The police have already raided five houses belonging to the Sohrabs main accused Ambia, his brother Sambia and their father former RJD MLA Mohammed Sohrab.

The sleuths also raided one of their hotels on Kyd Street, in central Kolkata, in search of the trio. The city police source said the reports on the incident from the South Police Division as well as from the Traffic department have already been submitted to Kolkata Police Commissioner Surajit Kar

Purkayastha acting on the latter's directive. A 22member team was set up by the CP to fast-track the probe into the mishap in which 21-year-old corporal Abhimanyu Gaud was rammed into and killed by a brand new Audi which pierced through three guard rails and barged into the parade rehearsal spot on Wednesday.The forensic report of the car suggested that it was travelling at a speed of around 90 km -110 km per hour when it barged into the guard rails and hit the young Air Force official, who was present at the spot.The investigation also revealed that the car was yet to get the registration number and was delivered to the Sohrabs with a Trade Certificate (TC) number.Air Force officials have already informed the police that only one person was in the speeding car which knocked down and killed the young Air Force officer. (Agencies)

GNLA militant killed in encounter Shillong, Jan 16 :A Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) militant, wanted for kidnapping a block development officer last year, was on Friday killed in an encounter with the security forces in Meghalaya's East Garo Hills district, police said.Acting on intelligence inputs, Swift Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) commandos of the state police raided a makeshift camp of GNLA. As the commandos approached the camp they were fired upon, police said.In retaliatory fire, one of the militants who were in the camp was shot dead and another got shot in his arms.

The deceased has been identified as Kandem, known to be an expert in assembling IEDs, IG (Operations) G H P Raju said.

A shot gun was recovered from the site of the encounter and an operation is on to find his aide, identified as Chondro, and sanitise the area, he said.

Kandem is suspected to have engineered the IED attack at a busy market in Williamnagar last week, the officer said.He was also responsible for the kidnapping of Jude Rangku T Sangma, a BDO in South Garo Hills' Chokpot last October and the most wanted armed cadre of the outfit, Raju said.The GNLA, formed in 2010, has been active in all five Garo Hills districts and named in various cases of kidnapping, extortion and killing of both civilians and security forces. (Agencies)

Bihar villager blinded in fight over supremacy Patna, Jan 16: A man was blinded and badly beaten up allegedly by his rivals in a Bihar village in a fight for supremacy, police said today.The incident occurred on Friday night when Raju Alam of Gaya district's Sirmaur village was blinded by members of a rival group, considered powerful.

"Raju Alam was blinded after both his eyes were badly damaged with a sharp knife. He was admitted in the hospital after being badly beaten.

Doctors treating him told his family members that he may lose vision," a district police official said.Police have lodged a case against six accused

including Mumtaj Khan, Gazi Khan, Chotu Khan, Jamil Khan and Munna Khan on the basis of Raju's statement. Raju told police that he was attacked and caught by the accused while he was passing near their house in the village.

According to police officer Anuj Kumar, Raju and the accused have an old rivalry over maintaining supremacy in the village. "In the past also, Raju and accused had attacked each other and exchanged fire."Raju has a criminal past and was arrested by the Special Task Force for arms smuggling in the past.

(Agencies)

Right-wing outfits protest against Malda violence New Delhi, Jan 16: Rightwing outfits, including VHP and Bajrang Dal, on Saturday protested outside the Banga Bhawan here against the violence in Malda.The demonstrators climbed over police barricades and shouted slogans against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Karuna Prakash of VHP condemned the incident and sought Centre's intervention in the matter.

He sought urgent action against the guilty and said his organisation will hold more demonstrations across the country against the incident.Violence had broken out at Kaliachak in Malda on December 3 over an alleged remark of a right wing leader, following which protesters had set fire to a police station and damaged vehicles. (Agencies)

HC flagged about panel Hundreds of tortoises found dead on report on police excess Shore of Mayurkashi River in Ranchi Kolkata,Jan 16: A "modification application" filed in 2013 in Calcutta High Court by Magasaysay-winner Mahasweta Devi and others seeking incorporation of recommendations for checking police excesses while registering cognisable offences and their investigation all over the state in a court order is yet to be heard.The petitioners' counsel, Pradip Roy, on Friday said that the recommendations made by a highpowered committee are yet to be implemented and the matter was mentioned before the Chief Justice's bench on Thursday and has been directed to be listed.

In 2011 the Division Bench of Calcutta High Court presided over by the then Chief Justice Arun Mishra appointed a five-member committee recommended that a supervision and monitoring mechanism should be

evolved to make sure there is no police excess leading to loss of dignity of innocent villagers, women and children. It may be recalled that widespread unrest followed in Jungle Mahal after alleged police excesses following an explosion near the convoy of the then chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee when he was returning from Salboni inaugurating an industrial project. The committee made a clutch of recommendations underscoring the need to sensitise police officers and personnel at the field level, giving highest priority to human rights and dignity in the interactions between the police and public. The recommendations - which sought to "infuse more credibility in the police force and make them more responsive, pro-active and citizen-friendly in the Left Wing Extremist (LWE) areas -said that the guide-

lines of National Human Rights Commission and the Supreme Court regarding arrest, death due to police encounter and police custody are to be followes.

The committee also recommended that senior officers of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) and state police should periodically monitor the functioning of joint forces stationed in Maoist-infested areas of the state to ensure transparency in the working as well as accountability of the forces.

Reporting of cognisable offences in police stations should be promptly attended to, recorded and investigated, and starting from circle inspectors upwards, supervision must be maintained over police stations at every level, the committee said in their recommendations. (Agencies)

Ranchi, Jan 16: A large number of tortoises released in a dam after being seized by the police from a truck in Dumka district on January 11 have turned up dead on the Shore of Mayurakshi River in the district. Their number could be in hundreds.The police said that over three thousand tortoises, apparently being smuggled from somewhere in Uttar Pradesh, were being taken to West Bengal when they were seized and handed over immediately to the forest department.

The Forest Department officials said that they were assessing the exact situation and attributed the deaths to the fact that the tortoises were kept in highly suffocating conditions. The officials said that the number of dead tortoises could be in hundreds, though an exact count would take some time.Dumka Superinten-

dent of Police Vivek Shukla said that a truck was seized by the force at Dumka police station on January 11 on suspicion. "The truck appeared to be carrying haystack. It was only when it was brought to the police station and a check started that we came to know of the tortoises packed in gunny bags and hidden beneath a tarpaulin over which the haystack was kept," said Shukla. A case under Wildlife Protection Act was registered in this regard.

The police removed the tarpaulin to find more than nearly 100 such bags with 30-35 tortoises kept in those bags. Shukla said that the total number of tortoises could be in the range of 3,500. "We immediately realised that the tortoises were packed in very poor condition and handed them over to the forest department officials. They took a decision to release them

immediately in the waters of Massanjore dam to enable them to survive. Now, we are getting reports that many of them have died and turned up ashore," said Shukla. It was the locals who spotted the dead tortoises washing ashore, who alerted the police this morning.Incidentally, the truck driver and his assistant managed to escape even before the police could realise that tortoises were being carried in the vehicle.

"The driver and the assistant managed to sneak out on some pretext, even before we realised that they had kept tortoises in it. The truck owner is being traced.

It appears that the truck was headed towards West Bengal. Further investigations are on," said the SP. Massanjore, a 155-feet high dam construct with Canadian aid in 1955, is built on Mayurakshi River, which originates from Deoghar

and meets Hooghly in West Bengal. The River is known to have good volume of water in the dry season, while causing havoc during the rainy season.Dumka Regional Chief Conservator of Forests F B Singh said: "We had to shift the tortoises immediately in a pollution-free environment.

That is why they were released in Massanjore dam, where there is adequate water. We do not know for how many days these tortoises were kept in the truck. Obviously, they were kept in inhospitable conditions. It is possible that some of them were already dead, when seized. I have called a meeting of all the officials concerned this evening to assess the situation and take further action. Our effort would be to try and save as many of them as possible. Detailed post-mortem reports would reveal more on the cause of deaths." (Agencies)

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, JANUARY 17

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North Korea International coordination must to destroy ISIS: Barack Obama demands peace treaty Wadhingtom, Jan 16: US President Barack Obama underlined the need for coordination and cooperation among a wide range of global partners to degrade and destroy the dreaded Islamic State terror group in the aftermath of terrorist attack in Indonesia and other parts of the world."Obama convened his National Security Council to discuss the intensification of our campaign to degrade and destroy ISIS," the White House said.

The President was briefed on recent progress by Iraqi security forces in taking back Ramadi, and on ways US and its partners in the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS or ISIS continue to accelerate and integrate the military campaign on all possible fronts in Iraq and Syria, it said.Obama directed his national security team to continue to intensify ongoing efforts to degrade

Audit will help bridge nation's security infrastructure, says Parrikar Jaipur, Jan 16: Defence MinisterManohar Parrikar today said audit will help the government to bridge the nation's security infrastructure, adding that a second audit will be done in February."Security audit will help to see from where we can bridge the security of the base. We are classifying the second round to see which bases are more sensitive. Secondary security audit will be done by February by special teams," Parrikar told media here."The Defence Security Corps (DSC) is a dedicated force, but there are certain shortcomings in its orientation. We are correcting it.

The primary responsibility is of the commando of the base. They have been asked to do security audit," he added.

Earlier, Home Minister Rajnath Singh chaired a meeting on internal security which was attended by Parrikar and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval. Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and Border Security Force Director General D K Pathak were also present in the meeting.Meanwhile, the Punjab Law Minister Sardar Ajit Singh Kohar, has clarified that Masood Azhar, the chief of the terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed who is being touted as the mastermind behind the Pathankot attack, has not been arrested yet.He asserted that Azhar at the present was under 'protective custody' and will be arrested only after his involvement in the attack is proven.Earlier, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Vikas Swarup said that both India and Pakistan have agreed to reschedule the talks in the near future.He also said that India welcomes "as a first step" the detention in Pakistan of leaders of the Jaishe-Mohammed.Swarup informed the media that the Government of Pakistan is considering sending a Special Investigation Team to investigate the Pathankot terror attack."We look forward to the visit of the Pakistani SIT and our investigative agencies will extend all necessary cooperation to bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice," he added while asserting that New Delhi condemns terrorism in all its form and manifestation. (ANI)

US President Barack Obama underlined the need for coordination and cooperation among a wide range of global partners to degrade and destroy the dreaded Islamic State terror group in the aftermath of terrorist attack in Indonesia and other parts of the world and destroy ISIS, including by working with American partners to increase its military cooperation, disrupting foreign fighter networks, halting ISIS expansion outside of Syria and Iraq, countering ISIS financing, disrupting any ISIS external plotting efforts, and countering ISIS's propaganda and messaging."The President emphasised that degrading and destroying ISIS will continue to require coordination and cooperation among a wide range of glo-

bal partners, and the United States is strongly committed to continuing to lead the shared efforts of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS," the White House said.Earlier in the day, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said the Jakarta attack shows the ability of ISIS to spread their violence, mayhem and murderous ideology.

"The first is concern about foreign fighters. These are individuals who have traveled from around the globe

to end nuke test

South Korea, Jan 16: North Korea said it could stop nuclear tests in exchange for the U.S. scrapping joint military drills with South Korea, while also calling for a peace treaty with the U.S. in an echo of demands that were

to Iraq and Syria to take up arms alongside ISIS. The concern obviously is that these individuals could use their foreign passports to return to their home country and organize and carry out acts of violence," he said."There's a substantial number of individuals from Indonesia who have traveled to Iraq and Syria to take up arms alongside ISIS. And so the threat that is posed by foreign fighters is significant, one the Indonesians are keenly aware of.

here."One has to have a strategic view not an episodic view of things. You have to develop a strategy and then you have to run that strategy," he added.

Rahul Gandhi Gandhi said during an interaction session with Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies students

This is also a concern that the President himself is keenly aware of," Earnest said.The second source of concern, is the way in which ISIS has capitalised on social media to spread their ideology and to try to radicalise vulnerable individuals."So there obviously is an aggressive effort that we have mounted both here in the United States and around the world to try to combat their online radicalisation efforts," he said. (Agencies)

Gandhi further said that the agriculture has become volatile today and it faces serious challenges adding that as a nation everyone has to stand up and support it."India used to be an agrarian economy; we have made a slow transition to now knowledge economy and in-

dustrial economy. Agriculture, industry, start ups are all connected to each other," he added.

Asserting that the previous UPA Government had the strategy of supporting the farmers, Gandhi said that NREGA despite getting huge backlash from the corporate helped to shape the growth of the country."This could happen because the scheme (NREGA) was injecting cash into the rural community," he added. (ANI)

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida, center left, speaks with South Korean First Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam, left, and U.S .Deputy Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, right, at the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo rejected by Washington in the past.The U.S. has previously called the North's linking the military drills with its nuclear tests an "an implicit threat" and demanded that Pyongyang first demonstrate its sincerity to nuclear disarmament.

nuclear weapons," the official Korean Central News Agency quoted the spokesman as saying. The spokesman also called the South's decision to restart antiPyongyang propaganda broadcasts along their tense border an "odd" provocation.

An unnamed spokesman of the North's Foreign Ministry called the purported hydrogen bomb test on Jan. 6 a justifiable move to ensure its survival against external

The North is extremely sensitive to outside criticism of the authoritarian leadership of Kim Jong Un and has been retaliating to Seoul's loudspeaker campaigns by

Entrepreneurship requires appropriate ambience to flourish: Mukherjee

President Pranab Mukherjeeaddressed a group of leading Silicon Valley CEOs New Delhi, Jan.16: President Pranab Mukherjee addressed a group of leading Silicon Valley CEOs, entrepreneurs, technologists and venture capitalists at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 15,on the eve of the launch of the NDA Government's "Start-Up India" initiative.Speaking on the occasion, Mukherjee said that in the year 1600, India had a share of 22.5 percent of the world GDP. This declined to 12.3 percent in 1870 and further to three percent in 1950. Today, our GDP is only 2.6 percent of the world GDP."If we have to catch up with our past performance and eliminate poverty, we

have to achieve high growth level of a minimum of 10 percent and sustain it over a period of more than 10 years. It is technology and entrepreneurship that will drive our country's production to optimum levels. The objective is to convert the young minds from being job seekers to job creators. The existing talent and resources are to be utilized to their optimal capacity," he said.

He further stated, "We have people with great competence and talent, but unless we create the appropriate ambience to promote entrepreneurship and risk-taking ability, we may not be able to achieve the intended benefits. Mere political free-

flying thousands of propaganda leaflets across the border. Earlier in the week, South Korean troops fired 20 machine gun warning shots after a North Korean drone briefly crossed the border.The North's H-bomb claims have been met with

Barack Obama

Rahul Gandhi flays Centre for losing focus on farmers Mumbai, Jan. 15: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi today criticised the NDA Government for having lost its focus on farmers."Our strategy was to provide adequate minimum support price (MSP) to farmers and create a floor by bringing NREGA and other programs that helped poor. Sadly, our current government has lost focus.

They have a different focus and they are not focusing on farmers, they are actually putting pressure on them,"

threats."In response to the U.S. continuously invading our sovereignty and making threatening provocations, we will acquire ourselves with all possible nuclear attack and nuclear retaliation abilities, but will not thoughtlessly use our

President Pranab Mukherjee addressed a group of leading Silicon Valley CEOs, entrepreneurs, technologists and venture capitalists at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 15, on the eve of the launch of the NDA Government's "Start-Up India" initiative dom, if not backed by economic freedom, will not solve the problems of the country's vast multitude of people. He stated that there are chances that out of every 100 new enterprises, if 30 are bound to succeed; one has to be prepared that 60 may be bound to die and 10 would be in the grey area i.e. they may succeed or may not succeed."The President said that as Visitor of 114 institutions of higher learning, he had in the last three years been repeatedly pointing out that not a single university figured in the top 200 institutions as per international rating agencies.He refused to believe that there was

dearth of talent in the students, teachers, and institutions.He was happy to note that in 2015, two Indian institutions found place in the top 200. He expressed confidence that in the next two -three years many more institutions will figure in the top rankings.

During the interactions, the CEOs, entrepreneurs, technologists and venture capitalists stated that India is on the cusp of a Start-up revolution.

They saw big hopes and tremendous potential in India and were willing to do their best to share and work to make India as successful as the Silicon Valley. They felt that entrepreneurial energy is the kind of energy required

for economic progress and that it was crucial for India to adopt innovation. They stressed on the need for creating the right environment in India where entrepreneurship could be encouraged and there would be ease in doing business.Among the entrepreneurs who participated in the interaction were Mr. Venktesh Shukla, President, TIE; Mr. Suhas Patil, CEO, Cradle Technologies; Mr. Krishna Yarlagadda, President, Imagination Technologies; Mr. Adil Adi, CEO, World Link; Mr. Sarvajana Dwivedi, Co- founder & CEO, Pearl Therapeutics; Mr. Kanwal Rekhi, General Partner, Inventus Capital; Mr. Prakash Bhalerao, Venture Capitalist, Rainbow Enterprises; Mr. KB Chandrashekhar, Chairman & CEO, Jamcracker Inc; Mr. Vinod Dham, Founder, IndoUS Ventures; Mr. Nimish Mehta, CEO, Lumen Data; Mr. Prakash Iyer, Vice President, Trimble Navigation Ltd., Mr. Sarvajit Thakur, Chairman, Enterprise Solutions Inc., Mr. Manu Rekhi, Venture Partner, Inventus Capital and Mr. Raju Indukari, Chairman & CEO, Mtuity. (ANI)

widespread condemnation and suspicion, but also questions on how to stop the country's growing nuclear threat.The Korean Peninsula remains technically at war because the 1950-53 conflict ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty.Pyongyang has called the annual U.S.-South Korean military drills a rehearsal for an invasion, though the allies have repeatedly said that the war games are defensive in nature. (Agencies)

Can't let our guard down in any manner: Rajnath on ISIS New Delhi, Jan. 16 : Home Minister Rajnath Singh today held a day long interaction with the concerned national intelligence and investigative agencies and law enforcement officers of 12 State Governments and the Union Territory of Delhi to discuss issues relating to DAESH, also known as ISIL or ISIS. Senior officials of the Union Home Ministry also participated.The 13 States and Union Territory, which attended the interaction are Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Maharashtra.

The issues that were discussed included inter-alia misuse of social media; sources of impetus that attract persons, specially youth, to DAESH; the

growth of DAESH influence in India's neighbourhood; the best possible law enforcement response; the need for appropriate welfare schemes for minorities; social media strategies to be followed; and capacity building of State police Organizations, especially in the area of Information technology.In his concluding remarks, the Union Home Minister stated that India's traditions and family values will triumph over even this evil, and that while the traction that DAESH has got in India is extremely limited, and almost insignificant relative to other countries, yet there is a need to keep up vigil on all fronts, and not let down our guard in any manner. He noted that a large number of and, in fact, most Muslim Organizations in India had come out against both DAESH and other forms of terrorism. (ANI)

Nepal shares close cultural ties with India through New Delhi World Book fair New Delhi, Jan.16 :The prolonged crisis in Nepal has not let down the spirit of their people and they have not lagged behind in showcasing their books at the World Book Fair 2016 in New Delhi .Nepal has highlighted its close cultural ties with India through the book fair. The book fair has brought publishers, writers and

authors from across the globe onto one platform.The nine-day event has seen the participation from the Middle East to Europe and South Asian countries, including Nepal.The Nepal stand has displayed books on culture, art, history and politics including maps and postcards.More and more people flocked to

the Nepal stand which was witnessed by tremendous sale in the last two days of the event started.Yutushuy Sharma, a writer and publisher from Nepal, said the book fair is a nice platform to introduce the real Nepal to the World.

Nepal shares close cultural, social and geo-

graphical ties with India in a big way and books displayed on the shelves of Nepal stall highlighted the synchronization of Indo-Nepal culture and history."In Nepal we have a book called 'Nepal Mahatma' in that Shiva, Buddha and Vishnu are put on the same platform. So this is synchronisation of cultures. Sita was born in

Nepal, so Nepal has all kind of economic ties and most of the books that we are selling on Gurkhas who are recruited in Indian Army and also Sherpas, the climbers and the Yeti. Nepalese are exotic in many different ways and we are trying to introduce the real Nepal to them this way," said Sharma.The Nepal stall

has been receiving a good response, as publishers claimed that they sold 70 to 80 books in two days."I have come to this stand of Nepal and I was going through this book Sita Pandey by the name of fever and it is really interesting and I have bought this book as well, " said Vaishali, a visitor.The New Delhi Book Fair

2016 is organised by the National Book Trust in association with the Indian Trade Promotion Organisation. This year, the nine-day fair hosts around 30 countries, with "The Cultural Heritage of India" as its theme and China as its guest of honour country. The event concludes on January 17, 2016. (ANI)

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, JANUARY 17

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NEIGHBOURS

Indonesia identifies convicted SI Masud suspended for torturing BB official militant in Jakarta attacks Jakarta, Jan 16: Indonesia has identified one of five attackers in the deadly Jakarta violence as a previously-jailed militant whose picture snapped amid the mayhem went viral in the country as the grim face of Islamic extremism. All five attackers died in the coordinated suicide bombings and shootings in central Jakarta on Thursday, which also killed two civilians, wounded two dozen people, and appeared to confirm rising fears of the Islamic State group's (IS) emergence in the world's most populous Muslim country.The attack has been claimed by IS, which has ruthlessly carved out a self-proclaimed caliphate in Syria and Iraq, and Indonesian police have

more specifically blamed a Southeast Asian affiliate of the group known as Katibah Nusantara.

Police say they have identified four of the five attackers, and late on Friday released the first name, a militant named Afif. Many Indonesians go by a single name. Afif, who also uses the alias Sunakim, had trained in an Islamic paramilitary camp in Indonesia's semi-autonomous Aceh region in 2010, national police chief Badrodin Haiti told reporters.He was sentenced to seven years in jail for his involvement in the camp but was released last year, Haiti added. He gave no further details.Haiti confirmed to reporters that Afif was the attacker in blue

jeans, black t-shirt and a black hat pictured preparing to raise his handgun in a photo that rippled across Indonesia's hyperactive social media universe.The police chief said Afif has been recruited to IS by Indonesian extremist Bahrum Naim, who is believed to be a founding member of Katibah Nusantara and who police say orchestrated Thursday's attacks from Syria.Haiti added that Naim himself was arrested in Indonesia in 2010 for illegal possession of ammunition and received a one-year jail term."We found ammunitions and we processed him and he received a one-year (sentence). Now he is doing it again," Haiti said.

Indonesian police launched

Indonesia has identified one of five attackers in the deadly Jakarta violence as a previously-jailed militant whose picture snapped amid the mayhem went viral in the country as the grim face of Islamic extremism raids across the country on Friday in the wake of the country's worst such attack in seven years, saying they suspected a broader extremist network was behind it.If confirmed to be the work of Katibah Nusantara, which is made up primarily of Malay-speaking Indonesians and Malaysians, it would mark the first violence in Southeast Asia by the group.Authorities in Southeast Asia countries

with significant Muslim populations have repeatedly warned of the potential for their citizens to return from fighting alongside IS in the Middle East and carry out violence at home.Police have said one of the two victims of Indonesia's worst terror incident in seven years was a local. The other was a dual Algerian-Canadian citizen, Algeria's government has said. (Agencies)

Pro-China party Cyprus and Sri Lanka keen to enhance bilateral ties likely to lose in High Commissioner of Cyprus to Taiwan's election The Sri Lanka, based in New Delhi, Dimitrios Theofilaktou has presented his credentials to the President of Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena, saying Nicosia wishes to enhance its ties with Colombo

Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen prepares to cast her vote at a polling station for the presidential election in Taipei

Taiwan,Jan 16:Taiwanese turned out to vote for a new president today, with the China-friendly Nationalist Party likely to lose power to the pro-independence opposition amid concerns that the island's economy is under threat from China and broad opposition to Beijing's demands for political unification.The Democratic Progressive Party's Tsai Ing-wen is poised to become the selfgoverning island's first female president, returning the main opposition party to power after eight years under Nationalist President Ma Ying-jeou, who is constitutionally barred from another term.The outcome of the contest for a majority in the 113-seat legislature remains uncertain, with independents and smaller parties posing a threat to both the Nationalists and the DPP. "Taiwan and China need to keep some distance," said Willie Yao, a computer engineer voting in Taipei who said he backed Tsai. "The change of president would mean still letting Taiwanese make the decision.""Economic progress is related closely to our leadership, like land reform and housing prices.

People aren't making enough money to afford homes," Hsieh said.A win for Tsai would introduce new uncertainty in the com-

plicated relationship between Taiwan and mainland China, which claims the island as its own territory and threatens to use force if it declares formal independence.Beijing has made that its baseline for continuing negotiations that have produced a series of pacts on trade, transport and exchanges.

Observers say China is likely to adopt a wait-andsee approach to Tsai's presidency, but might use diplomatic and economy pressure if she is seen as straying too far from its unification agenda. China has largely declined to comment on the polls, although its chief official for Taiwan affairs this month warned of potential major challenges in the relationship in the year ahead.Responding to a question about China's attitude toward the election, a spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office was quoted as saying that Beijing continued to take no position on the polls.Tsai supporters appeared confident that ties with China would weather a change in government."As long as Tsai doesn't provoke the other side, it's OK," said former newspaper distribution agent Lenex Chang, who attended Tsai's rally. "If mainland China democratizes someday, we could consider a tie-up," he added. (Agencies)

Colombo, Jan 16: The High Commissioner of Cyprus to Sri Lanka, based in New Delhi, Dimitrios Theofilaktou has presented his credentials to the President of Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena, saying Nicosia wishes to enhance its ties with Colombo. The High Commissioner had the opportunity to exchange views with President Sirinesa on bilateral and international issues, confirming the excellent relations between the two countries.

Theofilaktou briefed the Sri Lankan President on the current phase of the Cyprus problem and thanked him for the consistent position of principle his country main-

tains towards Cyprus.Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UNbacked talks are underway with the aim to reunite the island under a federal roof.Theofilaktou stressed the will of the President and the Government of Cyprus for further strengthening bilateral relations in areas of mutual interest such as shipping and dealing with asymmetric threats such as terrorism.He also referred to the common history of the two island states from colonial times to independence, their participation in the Non-Aligned Movement and the Commonwealth, the good coopera-

tion within international organizations and the promotion of the principles of international law, including the Law of the Sea.On his part Sirinesa stressed the active interest of his Government to further enhance cooperation with the Republic of Cyprus in areas of common interest, asking for support in efforts to promote constitutional and administrative reforms.

Cyprus' High Commissioner had a series of meetings with government officials, including Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, the Shipping Minister Arjuna Ranathunga, the Minister of Labour Thalatha Athukorale, the Director General of the Foreign Ministry Chithranganee Wagiswara and the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Defence Karunasena Hettiarachchi, in which they examined practical ways to expand bilateral cooperation on issues of common interest such as trade, tourism and technical cooperation. (Agencies)

SI Masud suspended for torturing BB official Dhaka, Jan 16: Mohammadpur police station Sub-Inspector Masud Sikder has been suspended for allegedly torturing a Bangladesh Bank official and threatening him with death. Maruf Hossain Sarder, deputy commission (media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DPM) told the media that Masud was suspended on Saturday for

his alleged involvement in torturing Bangladesh Bank Assistant Director Golam Rabbi.

Golam Rabbi, who works in the communications section of the Bangladesh Bank, alleged that the SI had tortured him on January 9 in Tajmahal Road area in Dhaka's Mohammadpur.SI Masud took away his wal-

let and some other documents and threatened to arrest him by showing him as a yaba trader unless he paid Tk5 lakh, Rabbi said.When the banker refused to pay the money, the SI allegedly threatened to put him in "crossfire" and dump his body in the Beribadh area.The next morning, Rabbani lodged a complaint with the Mohammadpur police station. Later, Masud Sikder was closed immediately after the incident.On Friday, the Police Headquarters formed a threemember committee, led by Additional DIG Harun-orRashid, to investigate the allegations of torture on Rabbi and DSCC official Bikash, and submit a report by seven working days.

(Agencies)

Sri Lanka's envoy to China confirms Port City back on track Colombo, Jan 16: The delayed Colombo Port City project, a plan to create a South Asian financial hub, has been given the green light, the Sri Lankan ambassador to China confirmed.The $1.4 billion urban complex project will cover 233 hectares adjoining the Port of Colombo. The deal was signed between the Sri Lankan government and the China Communications Construction Co in November 2013.

"We feel Colombo is ideal for a South Asian financial hub," Ambassador Karunasena Kodituwakku said in an interview.The location of the project will help connect businesses from India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Singapore and the Middle East, he said.The Colombo Port City is one of China's key projects along the 21st Maritime Silk Road. "The

The delayed Colombo Port City project, a plan to create a South Asian financial hub, has been given the green light, the Sri Lankan ambassador to China confirmed most important South Asian port" under the initiative "will be a port in Colombo or another port in Sri Lanka", said the ambassador.Colombo Port City will become "a high-end urban complex in South Asia concentrating industries, including finance, tourism, logistics and information technology", and the whole project will create more than 80,000 jobs, according to the Chinese Embassy to Sri Lanka.

However, the Sri Lankan government suspended the project in early 2015 after Maithripala Sirisena became president.A greater environmental impact assessment to allay public concern was

needed, which was "not the fault of the Chinese company", Kodituwakku said.The construction project's "incremental environmental impacts" were assessed as "minimal/negligible at the reclamation site and the coastal zone to the North and South of the site," said an environmental impact report released in December by the Sri Lankan Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management Department.

"The project will create employment. It will create tax income and indirect opportunities for other services. Everybody will benefit," the ambassador said.

(Agencies)

Quake- hit Nepal formally begins reconstruction Kathmandu,Jan 16: Nepal today formally began the mega reconstruction campaign nearly nine months after the devastating earthquake on April 25 last year.At a special function organised at Rani Pokhari of Kathmandu, President Bidya Devi Bhandari formally inaugurated the campaign amid the presence of Vice-President Nanda Bahadur Pun, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Deputy Prime Ministers, former Prime Ministers, ministers, top government officials and representatives of the international community.

The government had chosen today to inaugurate the campaign coinciding with the 18th Earthquake Safety Day. Nepal since 1999 has been observing Magh 2 of every year as per the Nepali calendar as the National Earth-

quake Safety Day to call to mind the mega-earthquake of January 16, 1934, which was the greatest earthquake Nepal has faced so far since the tremors were recorded.

While President Bhandari launched the reconstruction work of Rani Pokhari amid a special function at 11:56am on Saturday, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli would release the Reconstruction Masterplan of Bungmati Area at Karyabinayak Municipality, Lalitpur, the same day at 4:00pm.Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Deputy Prime Ministers Bijay Kumar Gachhadar and Kamal Thapa, former Prime Ministers Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Sushil Koirala, National Reconstruction Authority Chief Executive Officer Sushil Gyawali, United Nations Development Programme representative to Nepal Renaud

A foreign delegate photographs damaged buildings at the Basantapur Durbar Square heritage site in Kathmandu Meyer among others had addressed the function at Rani Pokhari.They had stressed need of joint efforts from government and nongovernment agencies, international donors, political parties and members of the public to reconstruct the nation in the aftermath of the devastating

earthquake.Home Minister Shakti Bahadur Basnet had chaired the function.

The reconstruction campaign began so late as there was delay in the passage of the Bill on Reconstruction of Earthquake Affected Structures by Parliament owing to disagreements

over the issue among major political parties.The National Reconstruction Authority said that the Central Bureau of Statistics has already started surveying the damage caused by the quake in Dolakha and Rasuwa as part of channelling donations provided by various donors to recon-

struct damaged structures.Likewise, the Authority has started providing formal and informal training on reconstruction work at the local level.Secretariats will be established after forming district coordination committee in each quake-hit district to help with the reconstruction work, the Authority officials said.Precisely 8,891 people were killed in the earthquake while 22,200 were affected in the magnitude-7.6 earthquake and its aftershocks.Likewise, 608,155 houses were completely damaged and 298,998 houses and sheds were partially damaged by the temblor. Similarly, 2,687 government buildings including schools, hospitals and health posts were completely damaged while 3,776 had suffered partial damage. (Agencies)

55 Released Indian Fishermen US Encourages India, Pak to Lodged in Jaffna Marriage Hall Continue Dialogue Process Rameswaram, Jan 16: Fifty five Indian fishermen have been released from prison in Sri Lanka out of a total of 104 which the island nation had decided to free as a goodwill gesture ahead of Pongal festival."The other fishermen will be produced in court at Mannar and Trincomalee on January 18," Mannar district fishermen's association president Manoharan told PTI over phone.To a question, he said he was not aware of the exact date

when they would be brought back to India. The 55 Indian fishermen are now lodged in a marriage hall in Jaffna.

The Sri Lankan government, in a goodwill gesture ahead of Pongal festival, had yesterday decided to release 104 Indian fishermen arrested by the island nation's navy for allegedly poaching in the country's territorial waters.The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources there had said that the letter of recommendation for their

release has been sent to the President by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.Yesterday, the Tamil Nadu government in a release in Chennai, had said that of the 104 fishermen hailing from Nagappatinam, Thanjavur, Pudukottai and Ramanathapuram, 55 were released by Sri Lankan courts and handed over to Indian consulate officials in Jaffna.It had said that the other fishermen would be released over the next two days, it said.

The release also said that Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had issued orders to government authorities to take all steps to safely bring back the fishermen to the state.The fishermen issue continues to be a major irritant in IndoLanka ties.Sri Lanka accuses Indian fishermen of straying into its territorial waters, while the latter maintain they are only fishing in their traditional areas, especially around Katchatheevu, an islet ceded to Colombo in 1974. (Agencies)

Washington, Jan 16: The US today said that it should come as a shock to no one that terrorist groups would try to undermine the IndoPak peace process by carrying out attacks, as it encouraged the two countries to continue the dialogue."It should come as a shock to no one that terrorist groups will try to undermine those sorts of efforts by conducting spectacular attacks, to sow fear and to hopefully sow doubt in the minds of national leaders towards a level of cooperation that can have a practical effect,"

State Department spokesman John Kirby told reporters here.

"Obviously, we don't want to see that happen and we are encouraged by the dialogue that has recently taken place between India and Pakistan, and we'd like to see that continue," Kirby said, referring to the attack on the Pathankot air base on January 2 by Pakistani terrorists.He said the US wants India and Pakistan to "continue to have a dialogue and to continue to look for ways to cooperate against a common threat. We talked

about this not long ago at a recent conversation between both Prime Ministers (Nawaz) Sharif and (Narendra) Modi.""That was a welcome sign, both condemning the terrorist attack on the air station and expressing their shared commitment to fighting terrorism. That was not an insignificant discussion that they had, nor was it an insignificant commitment that they made, and it's exactly the kind of commitment that we want them to continue to make," he said.His remarks came as India and Pakistan

agreed mutually to defer the Foreign Secretary-level talks that were to take place in Islamabad this week.

They have agreed to hold the parleys in the "very near future".The bilateral relationship between India and the United States are excellent, he said in response to another question."There is still much to be done. This is an important relationship that we want to continue to improve. We have excellent relations with the Government of India. We want to make them even better," he said. (Agencies)

PAGE 8

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, JANUARY 17

Time for Action on Sri Lanka War Crimes Organic farming Sikkim Becomes India's First Organic State Organic farming promotes the use of crop rotations and cover crops, and encourages balanced host/ predator relationships. Organic residues and nutrients produced on the farm are recycled back to the soil. Cover crops and composted manure are used to maintain soil organic matter and fertility. Preventative insect and disease control methods are practiced, including crop rotation, improved genetics and resistant varieties. Integrated pest and weed management, and soil conservation systems are valuable tools on an organic farm. Organically approved pesticides include "natural" or other pest management products included in the Permitted Substances List (PSL) of the organic standards. The organic standards generally prohibit products of genetic engineering and animal cloning, synthetic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, synthetic drugs, synthetic food processing aids and ingredients, and ionizing radiation. Prohibited products and practices must not be used on certified organic farms for at least three years prior to harvest of the certified organic products. Livestock must be raised organically and fed 100 per cent organic feed ingredients.

And it is a proud moment for the state of Sikkim as it has become India's first fully organic state by converting around 75,000 hectares of agricultural land into sustainable cultivation. The fully-organic status will formally be announced in the end of December by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a sustainable agriculture conference in Gangtok on January 18. As around 75,000 hectares of agricultural land was gradually converted to certified organic land by implementing organic practices and principles as per guidelines laid down in National Programme for Organic Production. It was 12 years ago in 2003 when the Pawan Chamling-led government decided to make Sikkim an organic farming state through a declaration in the legislative assembly.

Later the entry of chemical inputs for farmland was restricted and their sale banned. Farmers therefore had no option but to go organic. Organic cultivation is free of chemical pesticides and chemical fertilisers as it tries to strike a harmonious balance with a complex series of ecosystems. In the long term, organic farming leads in subsistence of agriculture, bio-diversity conservation and environmental protection. Moreover sustainable farming will also help in building the soil health resulting in sustainable increased crop production.Besides it will also boost the tourism industry in the tiny landlocked Himalayan state. Resorts have already been marketing themselves as completely organic where tourists can pluck, cook and relish fresh organic food from their kitchen gardens.

Water Supply Shillong's Water Unfit for Human Consumption In years to come, water, the need of life, is possibly to pose greatest challenge on account of its increased demand with population rise, economic development, and shrinking supplies due to over exploitation and pollution. In India, with development, the demand of water is increasing both in urban and rural areas. This may create increased tension and dispute between these areas for sharing and command of water resources. The emerging scarcity and unfit consumption of water has also raised a host of issues related to sustainability of present kind of economic development, sustanious water supply, equity and social justice, water financing, pricing, governance and management.

As per reports it came to light that he drinking water being supplied to residents of Shillong and its suburbs under Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme (GSWSS-II) from Mawphlang has been declared as 'unsatisfactory for human consumption' by a city-based research institute.Slamming the Meghalaya state government and its Public Health Engineering (PHE) department, the youth wing of the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) has termed the failure to provide safe drinking water to the people as a 'big crime' as it also opined that it is a fit case for taking up Public Interest Litigation (PIL). Also the report of the King Edward VII Memorial Pasteur Institute and Medical Research Institute, Shillong, it has remarked Physically the Ph is below the prescribed limit chemically, the water sample is satisfactory and bacteriologically it is unsatisfactory for human consumption. According to the microbiologist of the institute, the ph level of the water supplied from the GSWSS - II stands at 5.7, which indicated that it is acidic. The institute had conducted a testing for the purpose of drinking on the water sample that was collected and submitted by the KHNAM from GSWSS 4th mile on January 6, 2016. Interestingly, this is the second time that the institute had found the water from the same source is not fit for human consumption. Earlier way back in 1992, a similar test was conducted on the request of United Christian Youth Organization (UCYO), in which the report found that water from the same source is acidic.

It also indicates that the state government had failed to act since that time and has been continuing to feed the people contaminated drinking water. Many people opines that It only shows that the PHE department is treating the people of Shillong like batteries and not humans, if not, then why has it failed to take the matter seriously since 1992.

Just how committed is the Sri Lankan government to implementing the UNHRC resolution?

On October 31, UN was in September 2015, Secretary-General Ban and was released by the Ki-moon and Interna- Office of the UN High tional Committee of the Commissioner for HuRed Cross President Pe- man Rights (OHCHR) ter Maurer jointly which investigated alwarned the international leged violations of intercommunity about the im- national human rights pact of current conflicts and humanitarian law. on civilians, and apThe OHCHR has conpealed for urgent and veniently provided sumconcrete actions, includ- mary factsheets, offering ing unhindered access an overview of the invesand protection for hu- tigation into alleged war manicrimes tar- Sarava Kanesa Thasan a n d ian crimes peragainst sonnel, facilities and humanity during and afsupplies, internally dis- ter the war. These enplaced people and refu- compassed the holding gees, and the end of the of civilians as hostages use of heavy weapons in by the LTTE and forced populated areas. The two conscription, including also called for condem- of children, as well as a nation and effective in- wide range of other vestigations to hold the crimes allegedly comperpetrators account- mitted mostly by Sri able. Especially poignant Lankan security forces was Ban's comment. "In and paramilitaries, inthe face of blatant inhu- cluding systematic and manity, the world has re- widespread use of exsponded with disturbing tremely brutal torture paralysis. This flouts the and sexual abuse, forced very raison d'ĂŞtre of the disappearances, and unUN." lawful killings, including The joint warning is "emblematic cases" that reminiscent of efforts af- are nearly 10 years old. ter the Rwandan genoMost damning were cide in 1994, when the the crimes allegedly UN and the Red Cross committed during the adopted a series of mea- war's last phase and afsures to protect civilians termath, including the and agreed on the "Re- systematic government sponsibility to Protect" shelling of every hospipolicy. That protective tal in "no fire zones" and system has since worked even attacks on UN huin a number of cases of manitarian facilities and mass atrocities against the denial of humanitarvulnerable ethnic and re- ian assistance, followed ligious minorities, at by intensified use by seleast in limiting violence curity forces of torture against civilians and in and sexual abuse, forced bringing the principal disappearances, and the perpetrators to justice, in unlawful killings of places including LTTE cadres and Tamil Rwanda, Bosnia, civilians who had surrenKosovo and Darfur. dered to the army. The Sri Lanka: A Failure of report estimated that Protection and Account- nearly 40,000 civilians ability were killed during the Tragically, in Sri war's final phase and afLanka these protections, termath. including those under the In fact, the alleged UN Charter, have virtu- crimes had been extenally collapsed. Indeed sively reported years earthere is authoritative evi- lier in two UN reports: dence, principally in the Report of UN Expert three UN reports starting Panel on Accountability from 2011 that horrific in April 2011 and the crimes were committed UN's Internal Review of over many months by the the UN's Actions in Sri Sri Lankan government Lanka (Petrie report) in and the separatist LTTE, November 2012. They with the international were also covered in a community remaining British Channel Four largely silent about the video documentary Sri Lankan government's called Sri Lanka's Killongoing violations, not ing Fields. All called on only during the war but the UN secretary general also after it ended in May to immediately establish 2009. an international investiThe latest UN report gation,

The Petrie report went further and confirmed that the UN had had realtime information, including from satellites, about ongoing alleged crimes during the war and its aftermath, but had withheld information on the Sri Lankan government's violations even from the Security Council during internal briefings. As a result, the Security Council did not meet on ongoing crimes.

Nor has the Security Council ever met on Sri Lanka, even though the postwar human rights situation continued to deteriorate - as documented in successive U.S.-sponsored resolutions on Sri Lanka and reports by the UN High Commissioner since 2012, and in the latest UN report - in violation of war-end commitments given by the Sri Lankan government directly to the UN secretary-general.

In 2013, the UN secretary-general accepted Petri's conclusion of grave "systemic UN failure" and announced a new, global and proactive UN "Rights up Front" policy to protect civilians. At the same time, Ban placed the primary blame on "Member States (who) did not provide the United Nations with support to meet the tasks that they themselves had set."

In March 2014, under U.S. leadership, the UN Human Rights Council called for an international investigation by the Office of the UN High Commissioner, and in September2014, the State Department too acknowledged that the international community had failed to prevent atrocities against civilians in Sri Lanka and several other countries and that if the international community had acted earlier and more appropriately tens of thousands of lives could have been saved and "the future of whole ethnic groups ,states, societies and indeed the world would have been transformed for the better."

A Way Forward The above was the backdrop to the U.S.sponsored report by the OHCHR in September 2015 and the important step of a consensus reso-

lution approved on October1 with Sri Lanka as a co-sponsor.

In his statement to UNHRC, the high commissioner affirmed the report's conclusion that "Sri Lanka's criminal justice system is currently not equipped to conduct an independent and credible investigation" and its recommendation for "the establishment of an ad hoc hybrid special court, integrating international judges, prosecutors, lawyers and investigators, mandated to try notable war crimes and crimes against humanity, with its own independent investigative and prosecuting organ, defense office and witness and victims protection program."

Although the Resolution fell short of the high commissioner's central recommendation, opting again for a "domestic judicial process," it did explicitly "encourage" the Sri Lankan government to implement the specific recommendations that were incorporated in the approved resolution.

Among them were international participation, changes to domestic law needed to empower foreign participation and to handle crimes under international law, and reforms to the security system, including the repeal of the draconian Anti-Terrorism Law, ensuring the protection of victims and witnesses and curbing the related massive and stifling military presence in the country's northeast. It also called for an end to the failed Commission on Disappearances, and for all stakeholders, especially victims, survivors, and civic and human

rights organizations, to be consulted by the government.

However, key commitments have barely been implemented, as reported, for example, by a UN Mission on Disappearances in November.

Even more problematic was the public statement made by the Sri Lankan prime minister immediately after agreeing to co-sponsor the resolution, which raised serious questions as to whether victims would be consulted, whether the new court would have the necessary jurisdiction, especially in regard to alleged crimes by the military, whether foreign participation would happen, and whether the promised new laws would be passed. A central question is the intended role of the powerful "Compassionate Council" chosen by religious leaders, which is not mentioned in the Resolution, with regard to allegations against the military. The president too has made clear that the government's priority is to protect the military.

In fact, it is not even clear whether or how the evidence gathered by OHCHR on alleged international crimes will be used, especially given the continuing overwhelming risks facing victims, witnesses and civic organizations.

Conclusion The current year-old government of Sri Lanka is a vast improvement on its abysmal predecessor.

However, there are already serious questions about its commitment, even as a co-sponsor, to implementing the

UNHRC resolution, just as the UN high commissioner has warned.

The Obama administration has been centrally involved in Sri Lanka over many years and was also the prime architect of the UNHRC Resolution. It now has a heavy responsibility to ensure that Sri Lanka actually implements the resolution fully, credibly, and in a timely fashion so that "the rights of victims to truth, justice, compensation and non-recurrence" are finally realized and the principal perpetrators on both sides, including the military, are brought to justice, paving the way for true reconciliation. In this process, close and independent monitoring by the Office UN High Commissioner will be critical.

The same would apply to other UNHRC Members who co-sponsored or supported the consensus resolution, especially the world's democracies.

It would apply even more to the UN secretary general and Red Cross following on their "joint warning."

Sadly, as pointed out by Taylor Dibbert recently in The Diplomat, there is rising cause to doubt whether the Obama administration will exert the needed pressure on Sri Lanka.

A second failure by the Obama administration in Sri Lanka would of course be catastrophic for the victims and their families. But it would be equally devastating for the integrity of international human rights and humanitarian law and the UN Charter, and for U.S. credibility.

Congress sans Gandhi Family Sir, The political party that played the pivotal role in the independence of India initiated the dynastic rule in India's politics. There is no dearth of deserving leaders in the congress, there is none to bell the cat. None can muster courage to question the status of the mother as the president and the son as the Vice-President. What better example, for taking the cue from the congress, we can have, than the RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav? In fact, Lalu Prasad is literally following the foot-step of the legacy of the congress. Now, many other Political parties are following the foot-step of the Gandhi family. Mahatma Gandhi rightly anticipated this degradation of congress, who never wanted the party to exist once the very purpose for which it had been formed, that is independence of India had been fulfilled. Still we are of conviction that congress sans members of the Gandhi family would do well, given the chance. Meanwhile, we notice substantial erosion of the credibility reposed on it by the gullible people. It is the corruption that plagues the party, a corruption free congress with a bold dynamic financial policy may likely to do

wonders for the party. In Assam, Tarun Gogoi, the Chief-minister is aptly following the dynastic rule and the party's propensity to the Bangladeshi is all set to spell the doom of the greater indigenous society of Assam. The posterity will definitely remember the party with disdain.

Yours etc.

Ashok Bordoloi 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.

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JOBS & career

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, JANUARY 17

Appointment in Assam Administrative Staff College Society, Khanapara, Guwahati (Assam) Applications are invited from eligible Indian nationals for filling up positions under the Assam Administrative Staff College Society in the Assam Administrative Staff College, Khanapara.

Applications in plain paper indicating name, date of birth, present and permanent address, email ID and contact number(s), office address, present post held, educational qualifications with photo copies of certificates, experience and nature of work done with certificates may be addressed to "Director, Assam Administrative Staff College Society, Jawaharnagar, Khanapara, Guwahati-781022". In case of government employees, applications may be submitted through proper channel.

Candidates will have to appear before an interview board where original copies of all testimonials will have to be produced.

No TA and DA shall be paid for attending the interview. Candidates will be informed individually regarding the date and time of interview.

The term of post engagement will be initially for a period of one year renewable every year, Subject to satisfactory performance. Further, the engagement will be on the basis of terms and conditions prescribed by the Board of Management and Executive Committee of Assam Administrative Staff College Society.

The last date for submission of applications for each of the posts mentioned above isJanuary 25, 2016.

Sd/- Director Assam Administrative Staff College Society Khanapara, Guwahati-22

Vacancy of Assistant Professor at Rangapara College, Sonitpur (Assam) In persuance of DHE letter No. G (B) Ac/Permission/247/ 2015/426 Dt. 04.12.2015, applications along with testimonials from H.S.L.C. onward are invited from the candidates having UGC Norms with NET/SLET/SET Degree (as mandatory required qualifications) for the following vacant sanctioned posts of Assistant Professors at Rangapara College in the Pay Band + AGP Rs. 15,600-39,100 + AGP 6000/- with allowance as per rule.

Candidates who have obtained M.Phil degree on or before 1.07.2009 may also apply for the post excluding the candidate obtained M. Phil / Ph.D degree from off campus centre. Provided however, that candidates who are or have been awarded a Ph.D degree in accordance with the UGC (Minimum standards and procedure for award of Ph.D degree) Regulation, 2009 shall be exempted from the requirement of the minimum eligibility condition of NET / SLET / SET. The age of a candidate should not be more than 38 years as on 01-01-2015 and relaxable up to 5 years for SC / ST candidates.

1. Assistant Professor, English 2 (Two) Posts i) 1 (One) Post Un-reserved ii) 1 (One) Post, Reserved for OBC/ MOBC Application with Bio-Data including contact number and all relevant testimonials from H.S.L.C. onwards along with a bank Draft of Rs. 1000/- (Rupees One thousand) only in favour of the Principal, Rangapara College payable at SBI, Rangapara Branch should reach Rangapara College, Rangapara within 5 days from publishing of this advertisement. The candidates must have a PermanentResidential Certificate (PRC) and must know local languages.

Candidates in service must apply through proper channel or submit NOC issued by concerned authority. No TA / DA is admissibleat the time of interview.

Page 9

Applications are invited for the posts of Asst. Professor at N.N. Saikia College, Titabar, Jorhat, Assam.

N.N. Saikia College Titabar

Head Assistant Jobs in SDO, Bijni Office

Applications are invited from eligible candidates having UGC norms with NET/SLET/ SET (as mandatory requirement) Ph.D. (compliance with UGC regulation 2009) M.Phil degree obtained on or before 10.07.2009 (excluding candidates obtained M.Phil/Ph.D. degree from off Campus Centre) for the following sanctioned posts of Assistant Professors in the UGC scale of pay.

1. Assistant Professor- Assamese - 1 post, unreserved.

2. Assistant Professor - Chemistry-2 posts (a) Post reserved for OBC/MOBC (b) 1 post unreserved.

3. Assistant Professor- Geography - 2 posts (a) 1 post unreserved (b) 1 post reserved for ST(P).

The age of a candidate should not be more than 38 years as on 01.01.2015 and relaxable upto 2 years for SC/ST candidates. The candidate must have a PRC and must know local languages. Application with bio-data and all relevant attested documents from HSLC onwards along with a Demand Draft of Rs. 1000/- (non- refundable) drawn in favour of the Principal, payable at UBI, Titabar Branch should reach the undersigned within 5 days from the date of publication of the advertisement. No TA or DA will be paid to the candidates.

O/o Deputy Commissioner, Bongaigaon.

Last Date: 25/01/2016.

Applications are invited in Standard Form from eligible candidates for filling up of the following posts in the office of the Sub-Divisional Officer (C), Bijni.

Name of Post: Head Assistant No of Post: 01 Pay: Rs.5200/- to Rs.20200/- + G.P. of Rs.3100/Educational Qualification: The applicant must have rendered at least 10 years of continuous service as Senior Assistant including Supervisory Assistant and gathered experiences of working in different branches of the Amalgamated Establishment of the Deputy Commissioners of the State of Assam.

Sd/- Principal, N.N. Saikia College, P.O. Titabar-785630 Dist. Jorhat, Assam.

Job posts vacant at Dimoria College, Khetri, Kamrup (Assam) Applications along with a demand draft of Rs.1000/- (one thousand) (non refundable) only drawn in favour of Principal In-Charge, Dimoria College, Khetri payable at Central Bank of India, Khetri Branch along with full bio- data supported by selfattested copies of certificates and mark sheets from HSLC onward and contact number are invited from the candidates having latest UGC norms in the regular UGC scale of pay and will be received by the undersigned within 2 days from the date of publication of this advertisement for the fol lowing vacant sanctioned posts of Assistant Professors.

The candidates having Ph.D Degree in accordance with the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for award of Ph.D Degree) Regulation, 2009 shall be exempted f rom the requirement of NET/SLET/SET. Those who have obtained M.Phil Degree on or before 10/7/2009 may also apply for the post excluding the candidate obtain M.Phil/Ph.D Degree from the off campus centre.

(1) Assamese: 02 (Two) Posts: (i) 01(One) Post: (Unreserved), (ii) 01(one) Post: (Reserved for SC), (2) Political Science: 01 (One) Post : ( Reserved for ST(H)), (3) Geology: 01 (One) Post: (Unreserved), (4) Botany: 01 (One) Post: (Reserved for OBC/ MOBC) (5) Education: 02 (Two) Posts: (i) 01(One) Post: (reserved for ST (P)), (ii) 01(One) Post: (Reserved for SC), (6) Post: Anthropology: 01 (One) Post against FIP of UGC. The candidates should have a Permanent Residential Certificate and must know local languages.

The age of the candidate should not be more than 38 years as on 01-01-2015and relaxable up to 5 years for SC/ST candidates. The OBC/ MOBC, SC and ST candidates must submit their relevant caste certificate from appropriate authorities. Those who are in service must apply through proper channel.

No TA/DA will be provided for appearing interview.

Sd/- Dr. Hem Ch. Deka Principal In-Charge Dimoria College, Khetri, Kamrup (Metro) PIN: 782403, Assam

Sd/- Principal i/c, Rangapara College PO:- Rangapara, PIN:- 784505 Dist:- Sonitpur (Assam)

Job posts vacant for PWD at LGB Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur (Assam) LGB REGIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH (Govt. of India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare) Post Box No. 15: FAX No. (03712) 233623 TEZPUR:: 784001 :: ASSAM No. LGB/Estt/PWD/1804/15/09 Dated 1st Jan'2016 SPECIAL RECRUITMENT DRIVE FOR PWD (2nd Attempt) LGB Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur invites applications in prescribed Format from the Persons With Disabilities (PWD) candidates for the post of (i) Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and (ii) Staff Nurse under Special Recruitment Drive.

Application Form and other details of Advertisement/conditions may be downloaded from the website www.Igbrimh.org. Duly completed application should reach to the Administrative Officer, LGBRIMH, Tezpur- 784001 on or before 21.01.2016. Candidates are advised to follow website for further modification if any from time to time. Candidates may submit application through e-mail at recruitment lgbrimh@gmail.com.

Interview/Selection test is likely to be held on 30.01.2016.

Director, LGBRIMH

Career Options for Human Resources Professionals For anyone studying human resources and getting a human resources MBA, there are many areas to choose from when it comes to careers. You can stay a generalist and climb the career ladder into a management role, or you can distill the aspects of the career you like best-teaching people, negotiating, the technical aspects, etc.-and become a niche specialist.

The jobs below represent the best of both worlds. They are the best jobs in human resources because of job satisfaction, career potential, variety, freedom, monetary compensation and more.

Human Resources Manager Why this career track is great: Personal satisfaction While higher-ranking human resources executives may oversee organizations and strategy, human resources managers get the benefit of personto-person interaction, helping employees directly. HR managers coordinate and plan HR activities, then manage them once executed. This may involve guiding employees through the hiring process, benefits programs, training, labor disputes, and other administrative needs important to workers within a company. HR managers, unlike the people above them, have a direct influence and positive impact on the people in a company. For people who are satisfied when they are helping others, this leads to great social benefit, human connection and the satisfaction of having a real impact on your fellow human beings.

Nonprofit Human Resources Expert Why this career track is

great: You are helping people while helping the world.

A nonprofit human resources expert could be a recruiter, a human resources manager, a human resources executive, or any other HR professional operating within the nonprofit field. Such an HR professional has many of the same tasks as an expert working in a for-profit role, such as recruiting, administering benefits, training and development, assisting with policies and strategy and more. The operative difference is the in the nonprofit world, the human resources professional is working for an organization that exists to make a positive impact on the world around it, whether through health, education, the arts, preserving cultures or any of the many things that nonprofits do. So the impact on fellow workers is magnified in this context. A nonprofit human resources professional truly has the opportunity to impact people directly and, more indirectly, make a strong contribution to the betterment of the world at large.

HR Consultant Why this career track is great: You make a lot of money, when and where you want it.

These days, companies are growing increasingly complicated, and human resources departments are no exception. Enter the human resources consultant, an offshoot of the management consultant who charges companies a high hourly rate to impart muchneeded services. Human resources consultants may specialize in a variety of fields, including benefits,

employee incentives and rewards programs, company culture after mergers and acquisitions, employee motivation, retirement plans, recruiting and even the outsourcing of any of the many functions of an HR department. This highlevel individual assesses a company's current situation and offers and helps deploy systemic recommendations that will get the company to its desired goal. The HR consultant, meanwhile, gets to choose whom he or she works with, when that work is completed, and what to charge.

It is the HR path where freedom meets money.

International Human Resources Professional Why this career track is great: You can visit countries all over the world and experience a great variety of people and cultures.

The job of the international human resources professional may involve recruiting candidates into global positions, training and development standards across an international organization, implementing benefits plans as national laws allow, labor relations, employee programs and many more. This HR track involves the same kinds of tasks that a national human resources professional might engage in, but with a great variety of cultures, languages and locations thrown into the mix. International HR is an ideal field for people who love to travel, speak multiple languages and are adept at engaging successfully with a wide variety of different people who adhere to different customs.

Boredom is not the operative term for this unique and exciting human resources career path.

Human Resources Executive (Chief HR Officer or Vice President of Human Resources) Why this career track is great: Money If you're good at HR and you want to make enough money for a vacation home-and perhaps a boatthe human resources executive track is the best job for you. The Chief HR Officer and, one tier below that, the Vice President of Human Resources each on average make more than $200,000 per year. These executive positions require an individual to devise an HR strategy for the company, including policies, systems and goals. Every aspect of a human resources department, beginning with recruiting and moving through contract signings, training and development, benefits, and more run through the CHRO (Chief HR Officer) or, if the company does not have such a position, the Vice President of HR. With 10-20 years' worth of experience and a proven track record of human resources success, the HR executive can have a satisfying and, above all, well-paying career.

Training & Development Manager Why this is a great career path: If you love teaching, this is a the corporate path for you.

Training and development managers help employees improve their skill sets and careers. They do this by training employees in specially-held classes, workshops, conferences and other kinds of gatherings. Training and development managers are also sometimes in charge of designing the most effective

coursework for employees, given the content that their employer wants to emphasize, while keeping training sessions entertaining and informative. If you like standing up in front of people and helping them learn and improve their lives, this career path is a very fulfilling one.

Employee Education Consultant Why this is a great job: It combines the fun of teaching with the freedom of consulting.

In a survey, 60 percent of education and training consultants said their job was low-stress. Such consultants do similar tasks as training and development managers-that is, they hold workshops, classes and conferences aimed at increasing employees' skill sets and knowledge-but without the full-time commitment. Companies hire them on a contract or retainer basis to help improve their employees' skills. This means that the companies hiring such consultants are already interested in keeping their employees welltrained and happy, so they tend to be welcoming places to work at, according to the survey. The consultants work in an accommodating environment and employees are interested in what they have to say. In addition, training and education consultants can set their own hours and choose their clients. If an education and training consultant only wants to work six months out of the year, she can. Such freedom makes this job a fantastic choice for anyone who both loves to teach and train and wants independence in their position.

HR Entrepreneur

Why this is a great jobOnce you build a successful company, you can hire someone else to run it and make passive income.

Be it a headhunting firm, employee placement company, HR consulting firm, or a professional employer organization (PEO), which takes on the role of an outsourced HR department for a company, launching a successful HR company can be a golden ticket in terms of career choices. HR professionals with an entrepreneurial bent can set up such a firm, find a stable of clients and, with hard work and tenacity, build their firm into a successful organization. The ideal trajectory from there would be to either a) step back from day-to-day tasks, let the firm run itself, and glean a passive income from it-in effect retiring, or b) sell the firm for millions of dollars to a bigger company that wants to buy it. Either method spells one thing, early retirement, and that is the dream of many workers and entrepreneurs. If you like HR and are excellent with people, and have a killer work ethic and high risk tolerance, the entrepreneurial human resources path stands as a potentially lucrative, if difficult option.

But with more and more companies choosing to outsource their HR functions, this path remains a promising one for years to come.

Executive Recruiter Why this is a great career path: You can make lots of money while improving peoples' careers.

If you're good with people and building relationships, a position as an executive recruiter could be one of the most lucra-

tive ways to make friends.

Executive recruiters are tasked with finding and filling job openings for senior executives, the so-called Clevel executives including CEOs, as well as people in vice president positions.

Executive recruiters generally get paid on retainers or paid in full after they have filled a position, and because companies are so interested in finding good senior talent, these fees can be quite high. This is where the making friends part also comes in. Executive recruiters want to build such solid relationships with companies that when an opening occurs, those companies call them first, at which point they launch their executive search, contacting other contacts in other companies-potential executives to fill that position-and trying to see if they're interested. Because this field is so lucrative, it's very competitive, so having a so-called Type A personality also helps.

Human Resources IT Specialist Why this is a great career path: With the advancing role of technology in HR, you'll be much sought-

after, highly paid and advance quickly.

While some HR jobs, such as HR manager, haven't changed too much over the years, the everexpanding world of HR is adding new niche positions, and HR information technology (IT) specialist is one of them. Anyone with a bent for software or hardware and an interest in human resources can combine their skills to become an HR IT specialist, and enjoy the career rewards that come with it, including being sought after and more often than not paid well. HR IT experts could be software developers, systems administrators, IT architects, or have another level of technical expertise that can be applied to a company's human resources systems, which may include calendars, databases, payroll systems and the like. Although there isn't necessarily direct interaction with employees, this member of the IT team plays a crucial role in supporting the human resources team, while facilitating the technology that helps a company stay efficient and organized.

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, JANUARY 17

Bulk deposit rates of UBI to be cut by up to 1.5% from Monday Kolkata, Jan 16: Public sector United Bank of India said it will cut interest rates on bulk deposits of Rs 1 crore and above for various maturities by 0.25-1.5 percent from Monday.

"The bank has reduced its interest rates on deposits up to Rs 1 crore by 25 basis points (0.25 percent) to 50 bps (0.5 percent)," it

said in a regulatory filing.

For deposits above Rs 1 crore, the rate of interest will be cut in the range of 0.251.5 percent in all buckets from 46 days onwards. The Bank said the new rates will come into effect from January 18, 2016. Shares of the bank traded down by 2.43 percent at Rs 20.05 a piece on BSE's noon session.

(Agencies)

'Retail market of India has potential to touch $1,200 billion by 2020' New Delhi, Jan 16: India's retail market has the potential to grow from USD 630 billion in 2015 to USD 1,100-1,200 billion in 2020 on the back of rising income levels and increased urbanisation, according to a Report. "The overall retail market has potential to grow from USD 630 billion in 2015 to USD 1,100-1,200 billion in 2020. Retail sector will reap the benefits of a large, young population adding to the workforce, 70 percent increase in income levels, nuclearization of families and increasing urbanization," the CII-BCG report said. The report forecast the organised retail and ecommerce to grow rapidly to USD 140-160 billion and USD 45-50 billion respectively by 2020. "Whilst the opportunity is massive, Indian retailers would need to transform themselves to win," Abheek Singhi, Senior Partner and Director, The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), India, said. The report also highlights the challenges faced by Indian organised retailers in terms of value conscious & digitally connected consumers, lower bargaining power against suppliers, strong competition from traditional retailers & ecommerce as well as regulatory barriers.

Abheek Singhi, Senior Partner and Director, The Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

The report estimates that by 2020, 350-400 million retail consumers would be digitally influenced i.e. their decision making process would be influenced by digital. These consumers would have retail spend of USD 240-250 billion. "In this context, retail companies would need to examine how they can use digital to disrupt the way they do business. Companies would need to build capabilities in omni-channel retailing, big data & analytics, agile IT and supply chain," it pointed out. These factors result in lower profitability and return on capital for India retailers in comparison with other sectors and global retailers. (Agencies)

BUSINESS

Salary rise by 10.5% expected across industries in 2016: Survey Mumbai, Jan 16: Salaries are likely to increase by 10.5 percent across levels and industries this year mainly due to optimistic economic outlook, a survey has said. "Organisations are expecting to increase base salaries by 10.5 percent across industries and career levels in 2016," according to Mercer's 'All Industries Total Remuneration Survey', released today. The salary increase forecast for 2016 is quite similar to the actual salary increase for 2015. Among the industries surveyed, the projected salary increase ranges from 10-11 percent overall, with relatively higher increases for Life sciences, IT and

Chemical industries. Over the years, salary increase differentiation across industries has narrowed down but there is considerable pressure on talent retention as budgets remain tight, it added. "The current pay increase points toward an optimistic economic outlook driving positive sentiment, with companies expecting to increase their headcount.

The salary forecasts are the lowest for Consumer, Auto and Shared Services, seeing a dip in salary projections for 2016. Firms in India are assertive of their growth plans and will continue to hire, especially engineers and computer science experts," Mercer Principal

Idea's 4G LTE services will be available across 183 towns in these seven telecom service areas by January-end, the statement said. "By March 2016, Idea 4G services will extend to three more key markets namely, Maharashtra and Goa, North East and Orissa, and by June 2016, Idea's 4G footprint will cover 750 cities across ten telecom circles," Idea Cel-

Facebook's COO donates $ 31 million in stock to charity Washington, Jan 16: Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg has donated USD 31 million in Facebook stock to charity, days after her boss Mark Zuckerberg pledged to give away 99 per cent of his company shares.

Ms. Sanderberg, 46, donated 290,000 shares of Facebook stock at "a market value of roughly USD 31 million" to various charities, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission document. The shares are now in the Sheryl Sandberg Philanthropy Fund, a donor-advised fund.

Much of the money will go to causes that Ms. Sandberg has supported in the past.

She has also given to women's empowerment groups, such as Lean In, to help support women in the workplace, Silicon

Valley.com reported. Ms. Sandberg also plans to give to anti-poverty efforts and educational groups. She is the co-chair of the Stand Up for Kids Campaign for Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara & San Mateo Counties. In 2014, Ms. Sandberg signed The Giving Pledge, the commitment by wealthy people to give the majority of their wealth to philanthropy in their lifetime, the report said. In December, 31-year-old Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the birth of his first child as he and his wife pledged to give away 99 per cent of his company shares worth a whopping USD 45 billion to make the world a "better place" for daughter Maxima and other children. (Agencies)

one in two companies are planning to increase head count with Hi-tech, Shared ØThe salary forecasts are Services and Life sciences the lowest for Consumer, leading the pack. The comAuto and Shared Services, prehensive survey represeeing a dip in salary pro- sents 691 organisations jections for 2016. Firms in across various industry secIndia are assertive of their tors. The report further regrowth plans and will con- veal that there is an increase tinue to hire, especially en- in variable bonus pay across gineers and computer sci- industries, from the actual ence experts. payout of 14.7 percent in ØIn 2016, one in two com- 2014 to a projection of 15.4 panies are planning to in- percent in 2015, indicating crease head count with Hi- that business performance tech, Shared Services and in 2015 is better than in the Life sciences leading the previous financial year. pack.

Variable bonuses paid out in 2014 were the highest in the percent of these companies hi-tech space, at 22.4 perare expecting to increase cent of annual guaranteed their head count. In 2016, cash. This was followed by

SALARY EXPECTATIONS ØSalaries are likely to increase by 10.5 percent across levels and industries this year mainly due to optimistic economic outlook. ØAmong the industries surveyed, the projected salary increase ranges from 10-11 percent overall, with relatively higher increases for Life sciences, IT and Chemical industries. and India TRS Product Leader Ruchika Pal said.

The survey revealed that 48

the consumer sector at 15.5 percent. It also showed that from a retention standpoint, sales professional across levels continue to challenge organisations. While hiring, organisations find it hard to attract Research and Development (R&D) professionals as well as engineering professionals. The research ecosystem in the country presents a significant opportunity for multinational corporations due to the intellectual capital available in the country. Teams of Indian engineers working across the globe highlights the highly trained manpower available at competitive costs, the report said.

(Agencies)

2nd tranche of gold bonds Reform, growth to be the to be launched on Jan 18 main focus of 2016 Union to wean investors away Kochi, Jan 16: Aimed at from physical gold. Incurbing demand for Budget: Jayant Sinha dia imports about 1,000 physical gold, the government on Thursday said banks will launch the second tranche of the sovereign gold bond scheme on January 18.

The second tranche of gold bond scheme will remain open till January 22, Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das said in a tweet.

"Next issue of gold bonds will be open from January 18 to January 22.

Conference with bank CMDs held," Das said.

The first tranche of gold bond scheme, which was launched in November, had got subscription for 915.95 kg of gold amounting to Rs 246 crore. The gold bonds are issued in denominations

Economic Affairs Secretary, Shaktikanta Das.

of 5 grams, 10 grams, 50 grams and 100 grams for a term of 5-7 years with a rate of interest to be calculated on the value of the metal at the time of investment. The Gold Bond Scheme will have an annual cap of 500 grams per person. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Nov e m b e r 5 launched gold schemes

tonnes of gold every year and the precious metal is the secondhighest constituent of the import bill after crude oil. The scheme is aimed at reducing demand for gold in physical form by encouraging people to buy the commodity in demat or the paper form. In April-November this fiscal, gold imports have declined to USD 22.65 billion, from USD 24.49 billion in the same period last year. In volume terms, the imports were 689 tonnes as against 628 tonnes in the same period last year. (Agencies)

Idea 4G service now available in four more states Hyderabad, Jan 16: Idea Cellular recently rolled out 4G mobile services in four more states of Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Punjab and Haryana.

Moreover the operator plans to launch the high speed services in the remaining three telecom circles - Maharashtra and Goa, North East and Orissa -- by March this year. The company on December 23 last year launched 4G services in four telecom circles of South India, covering parts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Idea said that it has launched "high speed 4G LTE services across four more states in India (covering three telecom circles) - Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab. With this launch, the company has expanded its 4G LTE service footprint to seven telecom service areas".

PAGE 10

lular Deputy Managing Director Ambrish Jain said.

Major towns that will be covered under the fresh launch includes Indore and Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, Raipur in Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh, Firozpur, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Moga and Pathankot in Punjab, and Ambala, Karnal, Hissar, Panipat, Rohtak and Sonipat in Haryana. Other

major towns including Gwalior, Jabalpur, Jalandhar, Muktsar, Patiala, Sangrur, Charkhidadri and Pinjore will have access to its 4G service by January 31. The company will expand its 4G service to 84 new towns including Ambikapur, Bhilai, Bilaspur, Chhatarpur, Katni, Kawardha, Satna, Ujjain, Vidisha by March 2016.

Idea holds 1,800 MHz spectrum in 10 circles which it is using for 4G services. Additionally, Idea has recently signed an agreement with Videocon Telecommunications Limited for acquiring 'Right to Use' 1,800 MHz spectrum under 'Spectrum Trading Agreement' in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh (West). "Post completion of this transaction, 4G services will be extended to 12 service areas, covering 75 percent of Idea's revenue base in the country," the company said. Idea has 2.7 million 4G devices, nearly 4 percent of its subscriber base in these 7 telecom service areas, registered on its network, the statement said. At present Airtel, Vodafone and Aircel are the other players offering 4G services. Reliance Jio Infocomm is expected to start commercial roll out of 4G services in MarchApril. (Agencies)

Gold, silver turn weak on global cues, sluggish demand Kochi, Jan 16: Gold prices retreated by Rs. 40 to Rs. 26,210 per ten gram at the bullion market today owing to lower global trend amid easing spot demand from jewellers. Silver followed suit and declined by Rs. 230 to Rs. 33,795 per kg on reduced off-take by industrial units and coin makers. Bullion traders said besides a weak trend overseas, fall in demand from jewellers in domestic spot market

at prevailing levels mainly led to the decline in gold and silver prices. Globally, gold fell 0.2 per cent to USD 1,076.37 an ounce in Singapore, while it ended 1.37 per cent down at USD 1,078.50 an ounce in New York in yesterday's trade. In the national capital, gold of 99.9 and 99.5 per cent purity fell by Rs. 40 each to Rs. 26,210 and Rs. 26,060 per ten grams respectively. Sovereign, how-

ever, remained steady at Rs. 22,300 per piece of eight grams in limited deals. Tracking gold, silver ready dipped below Rs. 34,000-mark by falling Rs. 230 to Rs. 33,795 per kg and weeklybased delivery by Rs. 300 to Rs. 33,800 per kg. On the other hand, silver coins, continued to be traded at previous level of Rs. 48,000 for buying and Rs. 49,000 for selling of 100 pieces. (Agencies)

Pune, Jan 16: The government will focus on economic reforms to achieve higher growth in the union budget due to be presented by the end of February, Minister of State for Finance Jayant Sinha said. Sinha, addressing an event organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), said the budget would be presented on Feb 29. A finance ministry official, who declined to be identified, later clarified that the date of the budget, usually delivered in February, would be set

by Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s cabinet.

Finance Minister Arun

Jaitley is holding consultations with the country`s industrial chambers and other stakeholders. Recently, financial regulators, including Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Raghuram Rajan, met Jaitley and called on the government to stick to fiscal consolidation and improve the quality of spending to lift growth.

They also asked him to provide adequate funds to recapitalise banks weighed down with bad loans, and exempt life isurance premiums from service tax. India has revised down its projection of economic growth to 7 percent to 7.5 percent for

the current fiscal year that ends on March 31, from earlier estimate of 8.1 percent to 8.5 percent. Jaitley said economic growth was expected to gain momentum in the coming quarters, as the impact of economic and structural reforms undertaken by the government takes firm root. "We have achieved macro stability to a large extent but the growth moderation in the global economy and policy uncertainties among advanced countries pose a risk to this outlook," a finance ministry statement said, quoting Jaitley.

(Agencies)

GE appliance unit to be bought

by Haier for $5.4 billion Beijing, Jan 16: Haier Group, the world's biggest appliance maker, is buying General Electric Co.'s appliance business for USD 5.4 billion to expand its global presence. The acquisition announced today comes as Haier tries to shed its image as a low-cost brand and move into premium market segments. GE is shifting emphasis from traditional businesses to higher-technology, higherprofit areas such as medical equipment. The two companies said they also agreed to form a strategic partnership to cooperate in areas such as the Internet,

Haier Group chairman, Zhang Ruimin. healthcare, and advanced manufacturing. Haier, headquartered in the eastern Chinese city of Qingdao, reported 2014

revenue of USD 32.6 billion. It said the GE acquisition would be carried out by its unit Qingdao Haier Co., Ltd., a publicly traded entity of which Haier owns 41 per cent. GE Appliances reported USD 5.9 billion in 2014 revenue. It has 12,000 employees, 96 per cent of them in the United States.

"This strategic alliance provides a new starting point for both Haier and GE and I am confident that this partnership will deliver enhanced value to the stakeholders of both companies," said the Haier Group chairman, Zhang Ruimin, in a statement. (Agencies)

November fiscal deficit at 87 per cent of Budget Estimate New Delhi, Jan 16: The Finance Ministry recently said that it was committed to effectively utilising the funds in the Budget to promote inclusive development while at the same time maintaining its fiscal consolidation path.

"The Government is committed to promoting and strengthening inclusive and sustainable development by ensuring proper and effective utilization of funds provided in the Annual Budget without compromising fiscal consolidation," the Finance Ministry said in a statement.

The fiscal deficit-the difference between government expenditure and revenue-at the end of November 2015 stands at Rs 4.83 lakh crore, which is 87 per cent of the Budget Estimate for this financial year. The fiscal deficit target for the entire financial year has been pegged at 3.9 per cent of GDP, or Rs 5.55 lakh crore. "The present fiscal situation is an improvement over the previous year when the fiscal deficit was then 98.9 per cent of Budget Estimates 2014-15.

In absolute terms, there is a

decrease of Rs. 41, 611 crore over November 2014 figure," the statement added.

The effective revenue deficit, defined as the revenue deficit after subtracting the grants for the creation of capital assets, stood at Rs. 2,64,404 crore in November 2015. This is down 20 per cent over November 2014.

The government has incurred Plan expenditure of Rs. 97,788 crore towards the creation of capital assets, which is 72 per cent of the Budget estimate of Rs. 1,35,257 crore. (Agencies)

3rd quarter net profit of Cyrient's falls by 14 % Chennai, Jan 16: Cyient Ltd. has posted a net profit of Rs. 86.84 crore for the quarter ended December against Rs.100.82 crore in the corresponding period of previous fiscal, a drop of 13.9 per cent.

Total income went up by 9.8 per cent to Rs.781.78 crore from Rs.711.81 crore. Managing Director and CEO

Krishna Bodanapu said it was a mixed quarter for the company. "Due to reduction in working days across geographies, capacity for the quarter was lower than previous quarters which put significant pressure on revenue. We were able to make up most of this through growth in the business." Given the backlog and

pipeline, he expressed confidence that the current quarter "will see a material acceleration in growth in the engineering and DNO (data transformation, network and operations) businesses.

Margins will also improve since we will have better utilisation of capacity in Q4." (Agencies)

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DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, JANUARY 17

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Tinsukia Town Club defeat ‘Confident’ Kyrgios downplays injury, Margherita Marine - A by 4 wkts says ready ‘for whatever comes’ 10th Nandadhar Bordoloi memorial All Assam Cricket

Melbourne, Jan.16 (ANI): Downplaying the seriousness of his leg injury, controversial Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has insisted that he ready and confident for the upcoming Australian Open.

Kyrgios claims that after his quarter-finals defeat to world number two Andy Murray last season, he has now improved and feels more confident about himself.

He feels more relaxed and has got a lot of confidence on his game as compared to the previous year.

Nick Kyrgios The 29th seed said that when he lost against Murray, it almost felt like he was exhausted and

was mentally and physically drained, news.com.au reported.

International para-swimmer reduced to washing cars to earn a livelihood gold medalist in World Games, a silver medalist in the World Championship for India, has been forced to wash cars of others to earn his living.

It is such a sorry state of affairs that Kumar, despite bringing such laurels to the nation, is still without a job.

New Delhi, Jan.16 (ANI): It seems that cricket is the only sport in India which enables players to lead a lavish lifestyle, whereas other sportspersons really find it hard to earn their livelihood.

The story of international para-swimmer Bharat Kumar is another example of negligence that sportspersons, other than cricketers, have to face in our cricket crazy nation.

Bharat Kumar, who is a

He has tried a lot and approached a lot of people but has got no response. Distressed by this, the gold medalist has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He wants the Prime Minister to listen to his problems and do something that might help him.

The 20-year-old mercurial player, however, said that this year, he feels like he has grown up, insist-

ing that he has made a lot of physical improvement and is ready for whatever comes his way.

Kyrgios added that he feels more relaxed and has got a lot of confidence on his game as compared to the previous year.

Talking about his leg problem which he had suffered this week at the Open's practice courts, he said that he had overcome it.

Tournament gets underway in Margherita ET Correspondent Margherita, Jan 16: The 10th Nandadhar Bordoloi memorial All Assam Cricket Tournament got underway at the Margherita Public Higher Secondary School Playground, here, today.The tournament is organised

by Margherita United, a Margherita based NGO. Total 8 Teams are featur-

(ANI): India’s ODI skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has said that the Australian bowlers executed their plans well after his team lost second one-day by seven wickets in Brisbane. Rohit Sharma burnished his reputation in limited-overs cricket with a second successive century but could not stop Australia from winning the second oneday to consolidate their lead in the series. Dhoni admitted that the major problem in his side was of execution and the

Johannesburg, Jan.16 (ANI): Former Indian Premier League (IPL) commissioner Lalit Modi has decided to drop a multi-million civil law suit against Chris Cairns in connection with a match-fixing scandal.

Serena London, Jan.16 (ANI): Playing down concerns before tournament opener on Monday against Italian Camila Giorgi, World number one Serena Williams has insisted that she is "120, 130%" ready to defend her Australian Open crown despite suffering another apparent injury scare.

The world number, who had to withdraw from the Hopman Cup with knee inflammation, says that it is fine now and there is no inflammation anymore, the Guardian reported.

Serena, who has been named as the top seed for the Australian Open, says that she has a really good preparation for the tourna-

ment.

The 34-year-old, also said that she is focusing on how to be fit and perform well, insisting that she didn't have the match play she wanted to have.

She added that with the experience of playing on the Australian Tour in the earlier years, she must be able to focus for the upcoming challenge and retain the title.

Serena, who had earlier missed both China Open and the WTA Finals in Singapore after her US Open defeat, won three Grand Slams in 2015 namely the Australian Open, the French Open and Wimbledon.

Abhilash Gogoi of Tinsukia Town Club was declared man of the match.

Late Nandadhar Bordoloi, a social activist of Margherita, is the father of Margherita constituency legislator and former minister Pradyut Bordoloi.

Bordoloi is the main promoter of the tournament which is organised since the past 10 years ago.

Dhoni says Australian bowlers Hazlewood given extended rest, Hastings to replace executed their plans well him in Melbourne ODI Brisbane, Jan 16 71, but George Bailey

Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Australian bowling made it difficult for the Indian batsmen to score at the later stage of the innings. Australia's opening pair eventually fell in quick succession after identical knocks of

added 78 runs with skipper Steven Smith (46) and George Maxwell (26 not out) hit the winning run to complete the chase with one over to spare. Aaron Finch said his 145-run partnership with Marsh gave them an advantage and also praised counterparts’ bowling attack.

Bailey followed his 112 in Perth with a 58-ball knock that included six boundaries and a six.

The third ODI between the two teams will be played on Sunday in Melbourne.

Serena '130 %' Lalit Modi drops multi-million ready to defend civil suit against Chris Cairns her Australian Open crown Modi, who had lost to Cairns in a 2012 court battle after the administrator was sued by the Kiwi player for claiming that he was in-

ing in the tournament this year. Today's match was played between Margherita Marine - A versus Tinsukia Town Club. Margherita Marine A scored 115 runs for 6 wickets in their 20 overs which was later successfully chased down by Tinsukia Town Club who scored 116 runs losing 6 wickets in the process.

Lalit Modi

volved in match-fixing in the IPL, was seeking to recoup 2.13 million USD, Sport24 reported.

Robertson confirmed a Notice of Discontinuance had been filed by Modi to halt proceedings.

However, it has been reported that Modi had 'given up trying to claw back costs.'

Modi had accused Cairns, who had represented his nation in 62 Tests and 215 ODIs, of match-fixing while he was playing for the Chandigarh Lions in the now defunct Indian Cricket League in 2008.

Meanwhile, the former New Zealand star declined to the comment and said that UK solicitor Rhory

Melbourne, Jan.16 (ANI): Fast bowler John Hastings has been retained in Australia's squad for the third one-day international against India in Melbourne as team's bowling spearhead Josh Hazlewood has been given an extended break for the remainder of the home international season.

Confirming the news, Australia's head coach Darren Lehmann said Hazlewood has played all six Tests this summer and has had a high workload, news.com.au reports.

that they have adopted successfully over a significant period of time, especially in the one-day format.

He added that the on that basis only the decision has been made to give him a break to allow him to recharge both physically and mentally ahead of the New Zealand tour in February.

New South Wales's (NSW) Hazlewood played the first one-day international against India in Perth on Tuesday but not the second game in Brisbane on Friday.

Backing the decision, the Australian head coach said that they regard it as sensible management of the player and it is an approach

He'll now be rested from the final three matches plus the Twenty20 series against India that will follow in late January.

Bopanna-Mergea lose in final of Sydney International Tournament

Female drivers would not be taken seriously, says F1 boss Melbourne, Jan.16 (ANI): Formula One chief executive Bernie Ecclestone has dismissed the possibility of female drivers taking part in a grand prix, saying that they "would not be taken seriously" in the sport.

taken seriously.

Ruling out the possibility of participation of a woman in a main event, he replied that he doesn't think that it would happen.

The Formula One supremo, who last year called for a women's series to run in tandem with the main grand soon, prix schedule, in an in- time terview said women news.com.au reported. shouldn't expect to line up on an F1 grid any- Speaking to Canadian

TV network TSN, the 85-year-old said that if even 'capable' female racers wouldn't be

Ecclestone's comments came on a day when former Williams test driver Susie Wolff launched her 'Dare to be Different' campaign, an initiative designed to boost women's level of participation in motorsport.

Sydney, Jan.16 (ANI): Indian tennis ace Rohan Bopanna and his Romanian partner Florin Mergea on Saturday lost the summit clash to Bruno Soares and Jamie Murray at the ATP Apia International and thus settle with the runner-up finish.

The fourth seeded IndoRomanian pair lost the final 3-6, 6-7(6) to the unseeded BrazilianBriton pair in a match that lasted for one hour and 29 minutes.

Bopanna and his Romanian partner had a chance to stretch the match to a Super Tie-breaker by racing to a 4-0 lead in the second-set tie-breaker, but were unable to do so and allowed the rivals to come back and snatch the win.

35-year-old Bopanna, who is a defending champion in this tournament, had won the title last year with Canadian partner Daniel Nestor.

Wellington, Jan.16 (ANI): Pakistan's head coach Waqar Younis has heaped praise on enigmatic T20 skipper Shahid Afridi, who won them the first T20 against New Zealand at Eden Park.

day.

Pakistan started their tour to New Zealand on a winning note as they claimed a 16-run win in the opening Twenty20 of the three-match series at Eden Park yester-

The 44-year-old said that Afridi will leave a significant hole in his side when he retires at the end of the World T20 to be played in March in India.

He, however, said that every

Waqar said in the last 20 years, Afridi has been a wonderful leader as well as achiever for Pakistan, Stuff.co.nz reported

good thing has to come to an end.

felt that game was one that got away from the home side.

The Pakistan coach, who was pleased with the performance of the team, stressed that following the win, there was a good atmosphere in the Pakistan dressing room and they were confident they could carry it on throughout the rest of the tour.

Following the defeat, Black Caps coach Mike Hesson

Chasing 172 for victory, the hosts lost by 16 runs and will rue a middle order batting collapse where they lost five wickets for only 19 runs.

Hesson said that New Zealand batters succumbed to pressure and made some poor decisions after Colin Munro's dismissal, and that was something that the team needs to rectify.

Colin Munro gave the Kiwis a chance with another display of power hitting in his 56 from 27 balls but it was not enough.

Pakistan have taken a 1-0 lead in the series and will play their next match against New Zealand on Sunday in Hamilton.

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Waqar lauds 'Boom-Boom' Afridi post Eden Park's win

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, JANUARY 17

PAGE 12

Bhargav Saikia directed 'Awakenings' wins multiple award Director Hiren Bora The 13-minutes long horror film 'Awakenings', scripted, produced and directed by a 27-year-old Assamese, Bhargav Saikia, bagged as many as 15 awards in international film festivals across the globe, in 2015. The awards include the best foreign language horror film, the best thriller, the best film, the best cinematography, the best actress, the best director etc., in the international film festivals of California, Los Angeles, Dubai etc. Officially selected for more than 100 film festivals, 'Awakenings' also garnered 18 nominations and has been invited to many countries like Canada, USA, Ireland, Germany and Mexico. It has got wide acceptance by the au-

Anushka awaits desperately for Sallu Bhai

Actress Anushka Sharma says she is excited to work in the upcoming film "Sultan" as her role in the Salman Khan-starrer is something that she is eagerly waiting to "dig my teeth into"."I am training to be working with Salman (in 'Sultan'). I am really excited about the film and my role," the actress said on the sidelines of Britannia Filmfare Awards, held here over the weekend. "The role is something that I am just waiting to dig my teeth into," she added. The 27year-old, who has also worked with Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan in the past, is all praise for the "Dabangg" star. "There is nobody like him because of his persona," she said. "Sultan", directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, is slated to release on Eid this year.

diences of Switzerland, Belgium, Australia, Turkey among others. 'Awakenings' also got a raving review from Ivan Villamel Sanchez, the famous horror film producer of Spain, saying that Bhargav has made a great work. A judge also praised 'Awakenings' saying that "it is a stylist little horror opus. The artiste does a good job of eliciting tension and suspense. This was enjoyable to watch and beautifully shot". 'Awakenings' is the second film of Bhargav Saikia. The first was 'Kafiron Ki Namaaz' which also got national and international awards in 2013. Both the films have been produced by his own company - Lorien Motion Pictures, Mumbai.

The awards and honors from various festivals will defi-

nitely serve as an inspiration for him to keep making more films. Bhargav is already onto his next project.

"I am writing another horror film, but this time it is feature length. I hope the success of 'Awakenings' will help me get the horror feature film funded soon. Film festivals have enabled me to network with genre filmmakers and festival programmers from all over the world," the filmmaker said. Bhargav Saikia, who has made Assam and India proud by his rare and enviable cinematic success, is the only son of parents, reputed physician of Biswanath Chariali in Sonitpur district, Dr Amal Saikia and Arundhuti Saikia.

New Mega Serial 'Prahelika - A Ranju Hazarika Series' on DY365 One of Assam's bestloved authors of the popular suspense genre, the very prolific Ranju Hazarika's works have terrified and delighted generations of readers for decades. His well over 700 published books ranging from detective, fantasy, horror stories to mysteries and social romance, are nearly all best sellers.

Hazarika has been attracting readers with his suspenseful literature on the pages of popular magazines like Bismoi, Rahashya among others for the last four decades. His sharp analysis of human nature is something to be admired for. A number of his works have been a big part of television serials and mobile the-

atre entertainment. Like his novels, they kept viewers on the edge of their seats. There have been a couple of movies too based on his works. A new serial entitled 'Prahelika - A Ranju Hazarika Series' is all set to bring thrills and chills to the television screen. This serial will be shown very shortly on the DY365 channel. It will be a first mega serial based on Ranju Hazarika's entire collection of works.

The serial is planned and directed by noted cine-journalist Nimananda Das, who has worked as an associate and assistant director in several films, serials and CD films. It is produced by Dr Gunin Basumatary,

who produced and acted in a major role in the Assamese film 'Durjan'. The script is written by the director himself. Each story make up for 5 episodes per week.

Papon set to make Bollywood debut with Kukunoor

After popular Assamese singer Papon made a name for himself with songs such as 'Jiyein Kyun', he is now ready to enthrall his fans with his acting talent. Although acting isn't an entirely new experience for the 33-year-old singer who made his debut in an Assamese film, 'Rodor Sithi', last year, he does admit that he is 'super excited' for his Bollywood debut that will feature

five real life musicians, and will be directed by Nagesh Kukunoor. "I couldn't say to Nagesh, as he makes meaningful films. I am super excited to work with him," he says. Along with Papon, the other musicians who will be acting in this feature film include Shankar Mahadevan, Sunidhi Chauhan, Salim Merchant and Sivamani. "I just had the first reading session with Shankar,

STAR CAST Prastuti Parashar, Bibhutibhusan Hazarika, Bhagawat Pritam, Gunakar Devgoswami, Amitabh Rajkhowa, Jitu Mahanta, Mukul Das, Vaishali Saikia, Siddhartha Mukherjee, Manoj Das, Dr Gunin Basumatary, Paran Kamal, Pradhan Deori, Lakhyajit Bhuyan, Bipul Das, Sewali Maloibari, Tandrali Murchana, Prabin Saikia, Ujjal Khanikar, Naba Kumar Bora, Ashim Saikia, Ayan Suman, Gautam Nabirun, Rimashree Sarma, Rimjhim Sarma, Tina Das, etc.

Enters Politics We have seen some very successful forays into politics by renowned artists from the world of culture.

People like NT Rama Rao, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, MG Ramachandran, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, today's Jayalalitha, Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha MPs like late Sunil Dutt, Shabana Azmi, Dilip Kumar, Rajesh Khanna, Rekha, Vinod Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Shatrughan Sinha, Raj Babbar, Smriti Irani, among others have journeyed to the very top of politics. Two famous artists who made successful entry into politics from culture are Bishnu Rabha and Lakhyadhar Choudhury, admired by many for their intellect and convictions. Dr Bhupen Hazarika became an Independent member of Legislative Assembly from 1967 to 1972. But despite making a mark with some radical initiatives, including the setting up of the Jyoti Chitraban Studio named after Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, he wasn't quite happy with the overall progress being made in the State. Offlate,

cleaner. Besides that, he is keen to revitalize and turn Kolaguru Bishnu Rabha's home into a museum for posterity and attractively develop Jyoti Prasad Agarwala's Poki. Bora is also keen to bring up some sweeping measures to solve various problems plaguing the Assamese film industry now. Hiren Bora is currently developing an antiwar movie, projecting the trauma, hardships and tribulations experienced by the people of Tezpur during the Indo-China war of 1962.

Bora who bagged the Rajat Kamal for best Assamese film for his debut movie 'Basundhara', is planning to release his new film 'Khyubh' at the theatres soon.

TICKLE YOUR TASTE BUDS

The serial is videographed

by Pradip Daimary (Dhan), Lakhinath and Tirtha Nath.

Editing is done by Jumi and Jun Khaund.

The background score is done

by Bhagawat Pritam. The title song's lyrics and tuning are by Nimananda Das. Music is scored by Bishnu Kalita. The song is rendered

by Mrinmoyee Mamta, Ankita Deka and Meghali Bordoloi.

Sunidhi, Sivamani, Rannvijay and Nagesh.

And I am already having so much fun," says Papon. Revealing more about the film, the singer says, "It revolves around five losers who come together to form a band with the aim to prove that music never dies. It's a fictional story, but its very real in terms of its characters. I like my character's individual story."

Bengali Lamb Curry Ingredients 4-5 drumsticks of lamb

3 tsp ginger paste

11/2 tbs yoghurt

5-6 green chillies (chopped)

2 tsp turmeric powder

2 tsp mustard seeds

3 tsp castor sugar

5-6 chopped almonds Method Marinate the lamb with yoghurt, turmeric powder, castor sugar, salt, red chilli powder and some mustard oil.

2 tsp red chilli powder 2-3 tbs mustard oil 1 onion (chopped)

‘Maniram Dewan’ now Available in DVD format The DVD of the famous Assamese film 'Maniram Dewan', based on the life of the 1857-rebellion martyr Maniram Dewan, is now available in the market. According to the family sources of the late Apurba Choudhury, the producer of the film, the DVDs of the film are available at the various city-based stalls, including the Pan Bazar showroom of the Bharali Brothers. The film made in 1963 had won the President's Silver Medal for the Best Regional Film in Assamese the next year. It was directed by the late Sarbeswar Chakravorty and late Dr Bhupen Hazarika scored its

there have been a lot people from culture coming over to join the BJP at the national level. Assam is no different.

The latest to join the party is the National Award-winning filmmaker Hiren Bora.

Born and brought up in Holeshwar in Tezpur district, Bora has been involved in various socio-cultural activities of the area. He has always been ardent about giving back to his hometown, which he holds with deep love and pride. With a steadfast resolve to work for society, he has joined the BJP with the intention of contesting the upcoming assembly elections from the historic Tezpur constituency.

He hopes to make the historic tourist town better and

music. He was assisted by his brother late Jayanta Hazarika.

Famous Bengali actor Utpal Dutta played the role of Holoryod in the film. It was the first Assamese film which had five prints. It was probably the first Assamese film that was telecast by the Doordarshan Kendra of New Delhi in 1983. It was retelecast by the Doordarshan Kendra with the English subtitles prepared by late Apurba Choudhury, who was basically a tea planter. Choudhury also had the experience of working in AIR Guwahati station. In the late 1950s, he worked in AIR Guwahati station for a brief period. The DVD format of the film was released by noted film critic Apurba Sarma at a function held

sometime back in Guwahati on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the late Choudhury. The function organised by the Apurba Kumar Choudhury Smriti Raksha Samity, was presided over by noted actor Dilip Kumar Hazarika, who played the role of Piyali Barua in the film and on whose lips the famous Bhupen Hazarika number 'Buku Homhom Kore..' was picturised. Noted singer Sudakshina Sarma also addressed the function, besides film critic Chandan Sarma and Choudhury's brother Dipu Choudhury, a well known sports personality of the State.

3 tsp garlic paste

Is Huma Qureshi's rumoured link-up with Sohail Khan the reason why Kriti Sanon replaced her as the face of his celebrity cricket franchise Mumbai Heroes in the Celebrity Cricket League? Rumours of Huma Qureshi and Sohail Khan's romance have kept gossip mills buzzing for nearly a year. The two reportedly came close after she was signed on as the face of the actor-producer's franchise, Mumbai Heroes in the Celebrity Cricket League.

But now we hear the curvy actress has been replaced by Kriti Sanon as the team's brand ambassador. While his wife Seema recently went on record to say that she does not think there is anything special between Sohail and Huma, rumours insist that he has showered lavish gifts on the actress and the list includes a house and a car.

Huma, on her part, also rubbished the link-up buzz and said that Sohail was like an elder brother to her. Vikas

Heat mustard oil in a pan, add onion, ginger paste, garlic paste and saute.

Once the garlic turns brown, add the marinated lamb, green chillies and water. Allow it to simmer.

Boil mustard seeds in water and blend to a fine paste. Add the paste to the lamb and cook till done.

Garnish with chopped almonds and serve hot.

Kriti's gain is Huma's loss Kapoor, a co-owner of Mumbai Heroes, says signing Kriti as the franchise's new face is purely a management call. "Every year, we bring a new brand ambassador on board, hence the change. For the first year, we had Sonakshi Sinha, followed by Kangana Ranaut, Chitrangada Singh, Lisa Haydon for the second, third and fourth seasons. Last year, it was Huma and now, we have Kriti," he says. We, however, wonder if the annual tradition of appointing a new brand ambassador is mere coincidence!