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ASSENG/2015/64205

Page 12

Vol. 1

Issue 282

Dibrugarh, Saturday, March 19, 2016

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Page 11

Pages- 12

13 Parliamentary Secretaries inducted today are Chow Tewa Mein, Punji Mara, Phosum Khimhum, Jomde Kena, Alo Libang, Tapuk Taku, Gum Tayeng, Zingnu Namchoom, Jambey Tashi, Tatung Jamoh, Tsering Tashi, Mutchu Mithi and Paknga Bage.

Arunachal CM inducts 15 Parliamentary Secretaries, Gojen Gadi, Likha Saaya and Pario are left out this time too Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Kalikho Pul has inducted 15 Parliamentary Secretaries into his government today in a swearing in ceremony held at Banquet Hall.

The newly appointed Chief Secretary, Shakuntala Gamlin

initiated the proceedings while the Chief Minister administered the Oath of Office and Secrecy to the 13 Parliamentary Secretaries present on the occasion.

Phosum Khimhum, Jomde Kena, Alo Libang, Tapuk Taku, Gum Tayeng, Zingnu Namchoom, Jambey Tashi, Tatung Jamoh, Tsering Tashi, Mutchu Mithi and Paknga Bage.

Accordingly, the names of those Parliamentary Secretaries inducted today are Chow Tewa Mein, Punji Mara,

Meanwhile, Tirong Aboh and P D Sona could not take part in the oath taking cer-

emony since they were out of station, reportedly. It may be noted that Jombe Kena and Tirong Aboh were former ministers during the Congress led Govt. under Former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki but their luck seems to be unfavourable this tie as they have to face demotion within a short period of time. Tirong Aboh and P.D

If you want to work on the Chakma Hajong Issue you need to be well versed on in: Pul to AAPSU “Student’s welfare should be AAPSU’s first mandate and top priority, other issues are seasonal. It will come and go” ET Bureau Itanagar, March 18

Talking on the Chakma and Hajong issue with the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU)’s leaders today, the Chief Minister Kalikho Pul advised them to first bring awareness in people.

Encouraging the student leader on the issue, Pul said, “When you work on any issue, you must be well versed.

Contd. on Page 3

Sona are on their way from Delhi, CM Pul said.

Questions are being asked as to why the most influential MLAs in the state such as Likha Saaya and Takam Pario and Gojen Gadi aren’t getting an inch of the share in the ministerial berth or as parliamentary secretaries.

When asked the Chief Min-

ister when the rest of the Cabinet Ministry be filled, he said soon he is going to fill the four empty seats in the cabinet. He couldn’t disclose the reasons that led to the delay of appointing four more cabinet ministers to form a solid govt.

The portfolios will be distributed to the newly appointed parliamentary secretaries to-

Among others, the ceremony was attended by the Deputy CM duo of Chowna mein and Kameng Dolo along with the cabinet ministers, MLAs and government officers and officials.

Bijoy Handique Jorhat, Mar 18

Heavy weights politician of the state, the Assam Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi, Member of Parliament, Kamakhaya Prasad Tasa and a veteran leader of the Communist Party of India Kulo Das filed their

nominations for 100-Titabor Legislative Assembly Constituency (LAC) at the Office Chamber of Keerthi Jalli (IAS) the sub divisional officer (civil) who is the returning officer of the Titabor LAC under Titabor election district in Jorhat district here today.

Contd. on Page 3

CM of Assam, Congress Candidate of Titabor Constituency Tarun Gogoi files his nomination paper in the presence of others congress leaders at Titabor, Jorhat. Pic - UB Photos

Let your dream find a way to cherish with Arunachal CM kalikho Pul along with the AAPSU leaders

IIT-JEE (Main & Advanced), AIPMT & CEE

WOMEN POWER SOON

The state government today affirmed its commitment to the welfare of the women, with particular emphasis on their representation at the decisionmaking level.

Speaking to the members of the Arunachal Pradesh Women’s Welfare Society (APWWS) here today, chief minister Kalikho Pul informed that a women member will be represented in the state development council (SDC).

Arunachal Pradesh Women’s Welfare Society met the CM today.

Contd. on Page 3

Planning: A woman member will be represented in the state development council Advising: A woman will be inducted as an advisor to the chief minister Crime against Child: Separate Child Right Commission in the state will be established Crime against Women: The strength of women police officers in the state will be increased Drug abuse: De-addiction centre are to be established at capital complex, Changlang, Lohit, Longding, Anjaw, Tirap, Upper Siang and Siang districts.

SC allows publication of photographs of Governor, CM and Ministers in advertisements A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Mar 18

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govt. with its two third majorities in the 58 seats State Legislative Assembly.

Titabor LAC in Jorhat waits for a big fight as 3 heavy weight politicians including Tarun Gogoi filed nomination today

Women to represent at decisionmaking level in Arunachal ET Bureau Itanagar, March 18

morrow.

Committing to their stand and proving its support, the BJP MLAs were seen attending the event with smiling faces. The Kalikho Pul’s Govt. that claimed to be a Congress Govt. in the aftermath of the political crisis has merged with the People Party of Arunachal (PPA) and declared a PPA

The Supreme Court today allowed publication of photographs of Governors, Chief Ministers and the Ministers of the department concerned in government advertisements. A Bench headed by Justice Ranjan Gogoi allowed the publication of photos while modifying its earlier order by which the court had permitted photographs of President, Prime Minister and Chief Justice of India only in the government ads.

The verdict came on pleas by Centre and states including pollbound West Bengal and Tamil Nadu which had sought review of the Supreme Court judgement.

The apex court had on March 9 reserved its verdict on the review pleas.

Earlier, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Centre, had strongly favoured review of the verdict on various grounds including that if Prime Minister's photograph is allowed in the advertisements then the same right should be available to his cabinet colleagues. Attorney General had also said that the Chief Ministers and their cabinet colleagues too should be allowed to feature in advertisements.

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DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, MARCH 19

PAGE 2

Two candidates of Congress and BJP file nomination at Margherita ET Correspondent Margherita, Mar 18: Stalwart Congress candidate and Former Minister of Assam of Margherita LAC (124) Pradyut Bordoloi submitted his nomination paper here today at Margherita Sub Divisional office (Civil). He was accompanied by more than 8000 Congress supporters.

While ULFA (I) gave diktat to BJP Candidate of Margherita LAC Bhaskar Sharma and BJP party workers to refrain from Bhaskar Sharma for the ensuing Assembly Election.

However, he was escorted by the large number of BJP supporters (more than 10000) with enthusiasm and encouragement to file the nomination paper for Sharma at Margherita Sub Divisional office (Civil).

Both Congress party and BJP brought Cultural troupe which perform various Songs and dances in their traditional way where today filing of nomination paper can be termed as the Semi Final between Congress candidate Pradyut Bordoloi and BJP Candidate Bhaskar Sharma.

While talking to the media

Former Minister Pradyut Bordoloi submitted nomination paper today at Margherita

ASTRO FOR YOU Aries Today you will have to give in to your spouse's demands for improving the environment at home. In your own interest it will be advisable. to hasten the measures needed to be taken and stay focussed on them as you are the one who is guilty of neglect.

INC, AIUDF, RSC and Independent file candidates Nomination at Haflong

Taurus You are likely to confront a turning point in relationships today, foresees Ganesha.

Because you are in need of some compassion and support, you will feel the need to spend time with friends and relatives. Your beloved or better half may bring a change in mood by helping you shed your negative frame of mind.

Gemini You may plan to wash your car, clean your yard and arrange your wardrobe. And you don't trust the housemaid with any of the chores, because no one can clean the house better than you. Personal hygiene will also get your full attention.

Cancer It is a favourable day to engage in household activities, like gardening, cooking or even washing laundry. In the evening, work will be eclipsed by the pleasures of love.

Leo You need to curb down on your expenses. You need to moderate the risks you take on in the share market. It is a good day for financial gains though. You need to understand the value of compromise Virgo Your writing abilities will help you give vent to your emotions without hurting others. You will finish all your incomplete tasks successfully. Ganesha says that you will experience success in everything that you choose to do today.

Libra Of late, you have been very concerned about the health of one of your close friends. Take this day to lay your fears to rest by spending time with that friend.

Work can wait, as today you must prove to yourself, if not to others, that 'a friend in need is a friend indeed'.

Scorpio You may spend a lot of your time brainstorming at your desk. In the evening, however, mental exercises will be substituted for pleasure and fun with friends and family.

Sagittarius For you, appreciation and recognition for the efforts you put in may be delayed, but it's not denied. There's is no point losing heart and getting disappointed. This may only affect your work, instead, wait for a better tomorrow, Capricorn At work, you may love to play the leader, but that makes you accountable, for both the good as well as the poor performance of your subordinates. In all likelihood, you may be held responsible for the poor performance of your team members. But all said and done, you will set high standards for yourself, and a perfect example for others to follow.

Aquarius Your mood will swing by the hour today! Naturally, you leave your friends stumped. But unpredictability does not mean that you take unnecessary risk.

Pisces Just as melting ice caps on faraway mountains can swell the oceans, concerted efforts you make now will have far-reaching beneficial consequences. Do not be disheartened in the face of obstacles and keep soldiering on.

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 19-3-16 (SATURDAY) 5-35 A.M-Bhaktigeeti (Devotional Songs) 6-10 A.M-Swasthya Charcha (Health Programme) 6-30 A.M-Bidyarthir Anusthan 7-15 A.M-Aajir Dinto (Morning Information Service) 7-30 A.M-Geetanjali (Assamese Modern Songs) 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-Hindi Film Songs 1-50 P.M-Adhunik Geet 2-30 P.M-Western Music 3-45 P.M-Programme in Miju Mishmi 4-05 P.M-Programme in Khamti 4-25 P.M-Programme in Wancho 4-45 P.M-News for Arunachal Pradesh 5-00 P.M-Programme in Idu 5-20 P.M-Programme in Tangsa 5-40 P.M-Programme in Nocte 6-15 P.M-Ganya Raijor Anusthan (Rural Programme) 7-15 P.M-Yuvavani (Youth Programme) 7-45 P.M-Daakpakhili 8-00 P.M-Ekalabya (Sponsored programme of KK Handique State Open University) 10-00P.M-Classical Music Sd-/H.O.P

AIUDF Candidate Nikhol Haolai Changsan ET Correspondent Haflong, Mar 18: Accompanied by a huge rally of hundreds of party leaders, members and supporters starting from Rajib Bhawan, the Indian National Congress candidate for 16 (ST) Haflong Assembly constituency Sri Nirmal Langthasa today filed his nomination papers at the office of the District Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner, Dima Hasao for the State Assembly polls scheduled for April 4.

After the filing of his nomination, Langthasa along with Debojeet Thaosen, Chief Executive Member, N C Hills Autonomous Council,

Mahendra Kemprai, President, Dima Hasao DCC(I) addressing the media said we are very confident to win the election. We came to know the problems of our district during this two and half years in the NCHAC there fore we need holistic approaches to resolve these issue.

Apart from INC, Hill State Demand Council Maya Sing Daolagupu, AIUDF candidate Ms Nikhol Haolai Changsan, Rastriya Secular Congress candidate Ilamhuing Daime and one Independent candidate Binod Hakmosa also filed their nominations.

Bhaskar Sharma said that ULFA (I) should give importance to other development work of Assam rather than giving me threatening. “In this Assembly Election I am surely going to win with maximum votes and no force can stop me”, said Bhaskar Sharma. Other Candidates who are Contesting for the Margherita LAC are Puran Chetry from AGP (Ancholiktabadi Mancha), Umesh Bora Independent Candidate, Bishwanath Singha Independent Candidate and Nidan Purty Independent Candidate.

General observer for the five Assembly segments in Tezpur Election District ET Correspondent Tezpur, March 18: The general election observer arrived at Tezpur engaged to strict vigil of the election related matter for conducting free, fair and peaceful election in the five Assembly segments including Dhekajuil(71), Barchala (72), Tezpur (73), Rangapara (74) and Sootea (75) in Tezpur Election District under 9 No Tezpur Parliamentary constituency to be held on April 4 in first phase of the state assembly election.

The general observers who have been camping here at Circuit house are senior of-

Dergaon police caught mid day meal rice carrying vehicle ET Correspondent, Dergaon, Mar18: A TATA Ace vehicle bearing registration No.AS 05-C-3805 is blocked by Negheriting village localities when the vehicle was carrying mid day meal rice allocated for the month of December last.

The rice has not been cooked in school is complained by the president of the school managing committee in a petition in the Dergaon police station earlier.

The head Master Bhogi Rajkhowa of the aforesaid school stocked the rice in own house not getting it cooked and fed school pupils. As it comes to the knowledge of the head master that the president of the concerned school managing committee has filed a case in Dergaon police station a few days ago against the head master Bhogi Rajkhowa regarding the December month's mid day meal rice neither getting cooked nor stored in school.

The head master takes over the rice this morning to the school by the aforesaid TATA Ace which after be-

ing blocked by the Negjeriting village localities has informed the Dergaon police.

The Dergaon police have taken the rice loaded vehicle under custody and led to the police station. Besides, the Dergaon police has caught and led head master Bhogi Rajkhowa to the police station.

After a few hours long secret discussion between the parties led by and for the accused and complainant, the matter has come to settlement without registration any case in this concern.

Settlement of any non compoundable case in any police station means the loss characters of the Assam police. As special source speaks that such a non compoundable case is possible to be compoundable only on the ground of commission in kind and money which will be subject to examination in law. Such fickle police characters in Dergaon police station is a serious concern of grievous crime and corruption.

BSF evacuates an injured Bangladeshi Cattle smuggler A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Mar 18: Amidst multiple injuries to four BSF personnel of Guwahati Frontier, deployed on the IndoBangladesh border, under Sector HQ CoochBehar, in Talai, troops displayed sheer professionalism in successful attempt of thwarting trans-border cattle smuggling. They also evacuated an injured Bangladeshi cattle smuggler to the hospital who sustained injure in BSF firing and saved his life on 15 March.

The incident took place around 10.30 am in the fenced border of the area, along the river Kaljani, which also had few unfenced patches created due to erosion of the river bank, whenever cattle couriers from Indian side tried to exploit this patch for smuggling cattle heads to Bangladesh. This was immediately detected by the BSF patrolling party in the area

and rushed to the spot to intercept the smugglers and the cattle-heads. On seeing the BSF party, the smugglers abandoned the cattle heads and jumped into the river Kaljani.

According to source, when the associates of the Indian cattle smugglers, who had jumped into the river, saw BSF troops efforts to nab them, they, in large numbers, illegally crossed the IB and surrounded the BSF troops.

The BSF troops challenged them to go back but being highly outnumbered, they were attacked and assaulted by the Bangladeshi cattle smugglers. Four BSF jawans sustained severe injuries in the scuffle.

Sensing imminent threat to each BSF jawans life and government property, one jawan was asked to fire one round to disperse the smugglers. However, as the jawan was getting ready to fire, he

was pushed and heckled, due to which the round that he fired hit one Bangladesh national on his pelvic part. Immediately after the firing, the other Bangladeshi smugglers fled from the spot.

Eight cattle heads, meant to be smuggled to Bangladesh, were recovered from the spot.

The injured BSF jawans immediately evacuated the injured Bangladeshi cattle smuggler namely Ali Hussain, of Dhakiyapara village in Char Bhurangamariare under Kurigram district. They were given first aid at BSF Camp and the smuggler was further referred to MJN Government Hospital in Cooch Behar. Later doctors referred him to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital in Siliguri, where the injured smuggler is recuperating well.

However, besides lodging FIR at PS Dinhata, a strong

protest has been lodged with CO 45 to Border Guard of Bangladesh for this grave border violation by Bangladeshi nationals.

In yet another incident, on 16 Mar where two Indian cattle smugglers were apprehended by BSF troops deployed in Old Dewaner Alga under Dhubri Sector at about 05.15 am along with 38 cattle-heads. They were later identified as Amir Hussain and Sahad Ali who are both residents of Muharichar in Dhubri district of Assam.

The arrested smugglers were later handed over to PS Hallidayganj for further legal action. In another incident one Indian cattle smuggler was apprehended by BSF troops of Shyamganj area under Sector HQ Coochbehar in the early hours of 17 Mar. His was identified as MainulHussain of Jagirwalbari village under PS Dinhata, in Coochbehar district.

ficer, Indian administrative service, Ramesh Thete (9435993660) Amit Singla (9435537171), and Asfak Hussain (9435501517).

It is pertinent to mention that Ramesh Thete is for the observation of 71 and 72 No Dhekiauli and barchala LAC Amit Singla will observe the Tezpur (73) LAC while Asfak Hussain will observe in the 74 Ranagapara and 75 Sootea LAC. Meanwhile, Dr. Ananda Sabra will look into the police security related matters in all the five LACS in Tezpur Election District.

Assam Police seized Liquor ET Correspondent, Tezpur, Mar 18: A huge quantity of illegal liquor was seized from the Hgrajuli, Narayanpur, Juradia, Bhootpara, Chenimari etc. areas under the Dhekiajuli PS in Sonitpur District during a joint operation conducted

by Assam Police and Excise department .

“The liquors were of about worth Rs. 80 thousand.”

Sources said.

Meanwhile in connection with the incident seven persons including Nidhu Deb Nath, gopal Nath, Raj Chetry, Narayan Chandra Das, Gobinda Dutta, Kartik Kor and Tarun Dey. Interrogation is on.

General Observer arrives at Tinsukia Spl Correspondent Tinsukia, Mar 18: With 17 days remaining for the first phase of elections, IAS officer Pankaj Rag has joined here as the general observer on Thursday.

He will be looking after violation of model code of conduct and expenditures.

Voters can reach him at 9401740519. He will also meet public between 4pm to 6pm at circuit house.

Rangia Rs 5 lakhs recovered by GRP ET Correspondent Rangia Mar 18: Govt Railway police of Rangia Railway station recovered Rs 4,78,800 from two unknown persons on Thrusday. According to OC GRP Utpal Das Amanullah Mollah and Manir Mollah of Vill Bartejpur under police station Singoor dist Hoogly of west Bengal were carrying this huge amount violating Model Code of Conduct.

During routine checking in the Railway station Railway police recovered the amount. But they could not produce any relevant documents in support of the amount. Police detained them and seized the amount. The amount will be deposited to EC oc informed.It may be mention that no one can carry more than Rs 50 thousands after the notification of Election. Rangia police also seized Rs 5.85 lakhs earlier at Rangia 31st NH near Balagaon.

Rahul, Sonia, Gulam ‘PM Modi is a good magician for Nabi star campaigners his magic before election only’ for Congress: CM ET Correspondent and feel the difference of his mad, asked Gogoi.

Jorhat, Mar 18: Narendra party people who are instiKanhaiya Kumar not to campaign for Assam Assembly Election

ET Correspondent Jorhat, Mar 18: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said that star campaigners for Congress party will be Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Gulam Nobi Azad, cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and one or two film stars who are still MP will attend congress election rally throughout the state, but venues are still to be decided.

Regarding Kanhaiya Kumar’s campaigning for congress he is no way im-

portant to use him as a poll campaigner during this election hours but his hoardings of Kanhaiya Kumar has been placed at several location and places just to establish and prove for freedom of speech which Kanhaiya made inside the Jawaharlal Nehru University for which RSS blamed him and put him in jail and congress has been fighting for the injustice done to him as he had got the right to speak which is among six fundamental right, said Tarun Gogoi.

Modi is a very good for marketing his party products for giving tall and false promises which he made before the Lok Sabha election just 22 months before, alleged Tarun Gogoi in two party workers meeting here at Titabor yesterday.

Tarun Gogoi said Modi is more than PC Sarkar, he has got great magic power and super magical power. So in his party there are many super minders like him which the BJP has hired from several parties even from the congress.

People of Assam could see

gating the Chief Election Commission and to raid their houses by giving false information who has kept huge money for distribution during election hours.

Gogoi allegedly flayed about the act of some opposition party people for giving false information and have raided the house of the cabinet minister and AIUDF chief on Wednesday last which is an act of shame and it is not that easy for any political party candidate to keep huge amount of money for distribution, saying who will keep money, even if they are

“I have very good relation with Modi, when I go to Delhi now and then, and meet in several occasion, talk to each other but my fight today is for his stepmotherly attitude as had curtailed schemes and fund and even stopped our royalty. We the state of Assam is yet to get crude oil royalty for over 80,000 crore which has created us a big problem for development and for other process”.

Gogoi said Modi is a big man who has no relation with common people. He has relation with big countries like US, China, Japan, Australia, UAE etc.

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, MARCH 19

PAGE 3

AdiSUESDU pleads DC for implementation of APDBEP (IDP) Act 2015 in true sense Spl/Correspondent Pasighat, Mar 18: In a letter to Dy. Commissioner here today, the Adi Students’ Union East Siang District Unit (AdiSUESDU) has strongly pleaded the district administration to implement the Arunachal Pradesh District Based Entrepreneurs and Professionals (Incentives, Development and Promotional) Act 2015

Huge cash seizure by surveillance tea Spl correspondent.

Tinsukia, Mar 18 : The Stratic Surveillance Team on Friday seized rupees 7,81,210.00 at Digboi Pengree road. The cash has been seized from the possion of one Trilokinath Sah of Mohong Mura gaon under Bordumsa police station. As per another report the seizure amount can go as high as rupees 8,50,000. However, official figure is awaited.

NSCN (IM) cadre arrested Spl correspondent.

Tinsukia, Mar 18 : In a joint operation police and Assam riflles apprehended one NSCN (IM) cadre, identified as SS Lt. Nokme Hakum, from molong village under Margherita PS on Friday.

Security foeces recovered one pistol, three live rounds, rupees five hundred and mobile handset.

Money seized in Golaghat ET Correspondent Golaghat, Mar 18: The patrolling party of Giladhari police station from Balijan of Golaghat district yesterday seized lakhs of rupees during patrolling at late night.

As per the information a business man named Jeevan Das was carrying 1.34 lakhs in his unregistered vehicle.

When the business man could not produce any info regarding it, the police seized the entire money.

However the businessman said those money was for Gas line purpose. The enquiry is on.

CRPF recovers 9mm pistol in Lakhimpur ET Correspondent Lakhimpur, Mar 18: An incident of recovering 9mm pistol of made in Italy along with a magzin and four round live cartridge provoked sensation in Lakhimpur today.

The weapon was recovered in an Adidas canvas bag in a night super bus named Dristi, bearing registration NoAS01DC9720 which was heading towards Guwahati from Chilapathar, during regular checking at NH-52 near Lakhimpur Central College around 6.45pm.

The pistol was recovered

by CRPF personnels during the checking led by TSI Jyoti Mili.

{APDBEP-(IDP) Act 2015} in true sense so as to give preference to district based entrepreneurs.

Reminding the act passed by state assembly which was widely issued by the state government for its implementation, the union led by its President, Onong Siram has appealed the DC to implement the act in true sense as the district was still

lacking in implementing it.

“As a responsible citizen of East Siang, I genuinely feel that, our fellow brothers and sisters of this district having entrepreneurship skills and interests shouldn’t be deprived of their share in the district”, quoted Siram in the letter.

While saying that priority should be given to the district based firms/entrepreneurs by all concern de-

partments, the union raised apprehension as some departmental heads are seen encouraging firms/entrepreneurs from other district by preferring and awarding works to them.

The more worrying is the work being awarded to Assam based firms. If this trend continues, the day is not too far when our own people will be out of the league, felt the union.

A lack of ‘mandal’ in Changlang District, a matter of concern for the citizens Lomham Tangha Changlang, Mar 18: The district administrations in various circles are without mandal in the department of Land which are posing great concerns not only to the government but also to the general public as well. Many files are pending for allotment of commercials and residential plot in various district circles. One such problem is being faced in the Kharsang circle after the demise of late J.Jugli, a departmental mandal in 2013, the post has been laying vacant without any incumbent.

The circle officer had already submitted a report for deputation or appointment of Mandal in his office to the deputy commissioner but no such alternative had been made so far, according to office communique. There seems to be a lot of encroachment happening around on the government earmarked land for some noble purposes but due to unavailabilty of land mandal, the government could not take any action over the encroacher.

schemes which has come as an infrastructure developments.

One such pathetic condition is in the circle headquarter of Kharsang, where there is no government land left for up gradation of the circle. Now the onus lies with the general public whether they want their circle to be upgraded to EAC, headquarter for which they will have to give up the encroachment on the government land if the development is really to come by. According to office communiqué, the mandal post have been laying vacant for nearly three years, the government should devise a plan to fill up the mandal posts in various district headquarters through deputation basis.

There are many junior engineers in planning of various working department like PWD, RWD, UD, WRD, HYDRO POWER etc who could have been deputed or given extra charges of mandal in the department of Land to solve the land dispute under government as well as private individuals.

It is appeal to the general public of Changlang district that those plots that had been earmarked for setting up of an important offices or to construct some important units like power supply units, expansion of educational institute, and up gradation of circle headquarters into district sub division or EAC headquarters be vacated for God sake because the government would not be able implement any

The Deputy Commissioner should legislate strict law so as to saves the unabated encroachment by private individuals or government agencies. The encroachment of government lands have been happening all over the state unabated. Mostly leaders and influentials had been found encroaching the government properties in many districts as well as in the State capital of Arunachal Pradesh. How do they

preach to the poor electorates during election to bring development without an inch of vacant land being left for expansion?

We as concious citizens concertedly must think twice for future course of development, if we have to strides in all fronts at par with other developed countries.

The officer in charge too should not bow down before anyone, not even to any MLA's or Ministers if he or she has encroached the government land, in the larger interest in view of the future course of development. The time has come for Kharsang circle to be upgraded to Extra Assistant Commissioner headquarter in view of the population and the pace at which the urbanization is taking place. It qualifies in every area to be upgraded to higher offices and the representative of this constituency should look after the matter in the larger interest of the general public. The circle needs surplus forces too to curb the growing crimes due to continuous influxes from outsides and expansion of population in the town.

It is also learnt that many illegal Bangladeshis have entered this town through local aids. The aborigines should be discouraged to shelter the illegal migrants without valid documents of their resident, we must learn from the past mistakes on such issues. The district student union too are out of sight in the matter of illegal influxes happening across the district headquarters and circles.

Deputy Chief Minister, Chowna Mein vows to develop Pasighat on all fronts ET Correspondent Pasighat, Mar 18: “The present state government under able leadership of the Chief Minister Kalikho Pul is determined to bring faster development in the state with transparent administration and people will see visible development soon in all fronts. Our sincere efforts will become a launching pad for heading towards a new chapter for transforming Arunachal Pradesh into a developed and self-reliant state,” said Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein while addressing the officers and leaders in the Siang Guest House conference hall here on Thursday.

The very impressed DCM in his maiden address appreciated the Adi community for their hospitality and zeal and thanked for their continued supports and contributions towards the development of the district in particular and the state as a whole. For all round development with healthy and secured life and high moral values for the citizens, state government would adopt propoor and people friendly programs and policies. Agriculture, horticulture, veterinary and animal husbandry, tea, rubber etc are some thrust area besides health, education and road connectivity, he said.

Maintenance of all old and dilapidated government buildings in the state would be

taken care on priority. Education, agriculture, horticulture, tourism, health, electricity, employment generation, skill development etc would be revitalized with better plan and policies, by the government, he assured. The minister while assuring for renovation and infrastructure development of the Jawaharlal Nehru College (JNC), Pasighat on priority, has urged to preserve hard-earned prestige of JNC, Pasighat and add glory to the premier institution. The meeting was attended by the local MLA Kaling Moyong, Nari-Koyu MLA Kento Rina, DC Isha Khosla, DIG LH Shanliana, SP RS Chauhan, local officers and leaders.

Later, the DCM along with the officers and leaders inspected the ongoing CC road construction of Pasighat Township and expressed immense happiness at the pace of work. During his unannounced visit, the DCM also inspected the PasighatPangin Trans-highway construction and hoped once the project is completed it would not only ease vehicular movements but it would have huge impact in the overall connectivity and socio-economic development of the entire Siang belt besides enhancing easy transportation of local products to Pasighat and nearby markets in neighboring states. He advised the executing agencies to

maintain quality and durability of the road.

Informing on welfare measures taken so far, the Deputy Chief Minister Mein informed the house that the present government has released all pending bills of the government employees’ medical reimbursement and also released salaries of the contingency and casual workers and health workers like ASHAs, ANM, GNM and students’ stipend etc. besides enhancement. The new budget would bring better days, Mein hoped. Before concluding his deliberation, the DCM expressed hope that Pasighat would secure its place in the second round Smart City race.

Early this morning, the DCM accompanied by DVO Dr. J Panor and officials of Veterinary department visited the piggery firm at seven mile area.

He appreciated the DVO for revenue generation of one lakh thirty thousand and felt urgent need of security fencing in the area.

MLA Kaling Moyong updated the DCM about the development and long-felt requirement of the centurion town. While seeking his personal attention, Moyong urged him to take appropriate step to establish veterinary college at Pasighat.

Among others, MLA Kento Rina and DC Isha Khosla also spoke and shared their views.

DIPRO

Titabor LAC in Jorhat waits for a big fight as 3 heavy weight politicians including Tarun Gogoi filed nomination today Contd. from Page 1 Tarun Gogoi who will be contesting from 100-Titabor LAC for the fourth consecutive term since 2001, was accompanied by his wife Dolly Gogoi among four other party officials at the time of submission of his papers to the returning officer Ms Keerthi Jalli (IAS).

Gogoi was led to the Returning Officers Office in a open

jeep as over hundreds of supporters made the street look festive with beats of jhumur, bihu, missing dance and songs as supporters shouting slogans ‘Tarun Gogoi Zindabad’, ‘Congress Party Zindabad’ and ‘Narendra Modi go back’ and rocked the street of Titabor as if it was a time of pre-bihu celebration as his convoy led from Rajiv Gandhi Sports Complex at Titabor Chariali to SDO office at Basic Tiniali.

Prior to Tarun Gogoi’s ar-

rival to Returning Officers Office, Kamakhya Prasad Tasa the Jorhat Lok Sabha BJP MP filed his nomination for 100Titabor LAC and he was accompanied by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal who is also the BJP Chief Ministerial candidate from 99-Majuli (ST) LAC and also the State BJP president among Mahendra Singh –the state BJP in-charge, BJP Dibrugarh MP Rameshwar Telli among hundreds of party workers who rocked the Titabor streets as

Kamakhya, Sarbananda, Mahendra Singh was led to the Returning Officer’s Office at Titabor Basic Tiniali from its main office at Titabor Tiniali.

On the final day CPI’s veteran leader Kula Das tender his nomination of the 100-Titabor LAC for the seven consecutive term since 1985 as earlier Titabor seat was a hot bed of communist party under the leadership of Sarat Chandra Sinha.

Pathetic NH rules the roast in capital Bishnu Rana Itanagar, Mar 18: Disgraceful scene of Capital road! It’s beyond the belief of everyone but it’s a virtual fact that the capital road so called highway is ridden with potholes and ponds like scenario most predominantly in between Naharlagun and Banderdewa.

The PWD NH at the helm of affair to maintain better road miserably failed. “It’s disgusting when capital NH is in worst shape. We are ashamed of this sort of pitiable NH, if the department concerned is incompetent then handing over the entire road from Banderdewa to Holongi to BRO is the best option. BRO, the most versatile organization has always stood true in its endeavor”, expresses a

commuter in the state of anonymity. (This wretched NH road scene is captured at Nirjuli town)

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Kalikho Pul on 16th March vowed to accord top priority during an interaction to the

BRO delegation who were led

by Lt Gen Suresh Sharma, Director General, Border Road at CMO office.

Arunachal Civil Society protests against Principal Finance Secretary in Itanagar A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Mar 18: The Arunachal Civil Society today hold a peaceful rally demanding fulfilment of its six points charter of demands, at Indira Gandhi Park this morning.

Their demands include immediate transfer of Principal Secretary Finance & Secretary Finance alleging them that under their supervision important files needed to be clear before the financial year have been lying pending since last three months without any grounds,

while claiming that as per government standing order the department officers shall not keep the files more than seven days.

Secondly they demanded immediate clearance of LOC and honorarium of Rs, 33.00 Crore for Home department Officials and police personnel deployed during both the Lok Sabha and state assembly election 2014.

Reacting to the governor order dated 10 February, 2016, regarding cancellation of illegal

officiating or functional appointments, out of turn promotion, the society alleged that only technical department is being targeted, “why it is not applicable to the entire non – technical department in the state,'' ACS President Patey Tayum questioned.

Lastly they urged the state government for immediate approval for DDOs for newly created divisions under Department of Urban Development and Housing adding that due

to non-approval of DDOs power to the said division, the concern DDOs could not be able to prepare salary for its staffs since last December.

They further served an ultimatum of two days to the state government to full fill their demands failing which they threatened to launch rigorous democratic movement or dharna during the budget session at Legislative Assembly, scheduled to hold from March 21 onwards at Naharlagun.

Alliance is important to defeat Congress in Assam: AGP President A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Mar 18: The AGP today announced that it is confident that the AGPBJP and BPF alliance will form the next government in the state, and will thereby end the 15 year long misrule and corruption of the Congress government in the state.

This was stated by AGP president Atul Bora after releasing the party manifesto for the 2016 state assembly election, and he also defended the alliance saying that this has been done in the greater interest of the state of Assam and the people.

“The alliance is very impor-

tant to defeat the Congress in the state as the congress reaps the benefits from vote division,” said Bora.

Bora also defended the friendly fight proposed by his party in six constituencies in the state and said that it is essential to ensure that the

Congress loses.

Meanwhile, releasing the party manifesto, Bora said that, the AGP’s main demand is cent percent fulfilment of the Assam accord and also said that all the important issues has been addressed in the party manifesto.

If you want to work on the Chakma Hajong Issue you need to be well versed on in: Pul to AAPSU Contd. from Page 1

All facts and figures must be at your fingertips.”

“Whatever the issue you raise, welfare of people should be the prime objective. When you do good and constructive works, you will get no time to think of other activities” said the chief minister.

Speaking to the student’s leaders, who called on him to discuss on a comprehensive education policy for the state Chief Minister Kalikho Pul urged them to work for students’ welfare with a mission mode.

“When you work, work with full passion and zeal.

Connect with the people for whom you are working for.

Then only you can win their hearts and minds,” said the chief minister.

He advised the student leaders that student’s welfare should be their first mandate and top priority.

“AAPSU is the apex body

of student community. If you do not work for the welfare of the students, how will you represent the student community?

What will you tell the people of what have you achieved in your tenure of 3 years?” Pul asked.

“Other issues are seasonal.

It will come and go. I may be wrong in saying that but education should be the priority, because we are sowing the seeds for better tomorrow,” said the chief minister.

Requesting for cooperation in improving the education scenario of the state, he assured that “in education matter, there will be no discrimination – ruling or opposition. Every school in all constituencies will be provided equal facilities as per the required format.”

Speaking on the duties of the government, Pul said, “A good government needs no reminder from people on its responsibilities. Such should be the conduct that people should not be forced to place demands or stage dharna. Like a good parents, the government must be sensitive enough to understand the needs of the people.”

level.

The chief minister said he was not speaking merely on air but he could be judged through his actions.

“All my welfare policies and programmes announced earlier are already passed by the cabinet. You can feel the difference now. All pending salaries, wages, stipends, MR bills, have been released. Government of India is not providing extra funds today and the state plan size is same as before. But I have made the funds available now. What we need is right intention, proper management and judicious use of state’s resources,” said Pul. “As long as I am the chief minister -- even for a day or a year, I will work for the welfare of the people. For that I need your support. But If I am wrong, you should also correct me,” Pul urged.

Appreciating the chief minister’s zeal to work for better Arunachal, AAPSU leaders acknowledged that it was their first time that they had the chance to discuss on welfare issues at such open and frank

“You have initiated all the actions required for the welfare of the students, without giving anyone the chance to raise the issues. No government has taken such steps before,” appreciated a student leader.

The discussion brought in key issues such as to validate the quality of courses in private universities, shortages of teachers due to deputation to other departments and for a CBSE regional centre in Arunachal.

Shortages of subject teachers and arriving at proper recruitment policy to meet the gap through relaxation in reservation system were also discussed.

The chief minister disclosed that to meet the delay in supply of CBSE books the government was contemplating on printing books locally. He also disclosed that the government is contemplating on privatization of government run schools in urban areas, for which it needed proper feedback and support.

Women to represent at decisionmaking level in Arunachal Contd. from Page 1 According to Pul, the objective of women representation in SDC will be to ensure their fair representation in the development planning process of the state.

The chief minister also informed that the government will give representation to the women at the advisory level by inducting an advisor to the chief minister.

On request from APWWS on establishment for a separate child right commission in the state, Pul assured to look into

the demands acknowledging the need to address crimes against children.

Also to check crimes against women, the chief minister, informed on increasing the strength of women police officers in the state.

Speaking on establishment of drug de-addiction centre in the affected districts, the Pul informed that it will be established with the help of local self-help groups (SHG) with the assurance that it will be equipped with full manpower and all facilities.

To meet up such challenges, Pul assured to incorporate a

separate gender budget.

APWWS identified capital complex, Changlang, Lohit, Longding, Anjaw, Tirap, Upper Siang and Siang districts where the de-addiction centre are to be established.

When dealing with opium cultivators, Pul appealed for a soft approach. “For opium cultivators, it could be their only source of livelihood. So they should be provided with alternative means for livelihood before we try to impose our judgements and actions.”

He also appealed that instead of destroying the opium fields, the cultivators should be made

aware first about the harmful effects of poppy cultivation.

“Thereafter, they must be advised to discontinue the farming from the next season with complete support for them to grow alternative cash crops like cardamoms and oranges,” Pul added.

To take care of the aged population in view of the growing nuclear family, the state government committed to establishment of old age homes across the state. Also the chief minister assured for making functional the mental health institutions in the state and setting up of juvenile homes and shelters.

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, MARCH 19

PAGE 4

Assam Assembly Election: Last Day of filing Nomination 28 persons file nomination for 3 34 candidates file nomination in Dibrugarh

constituencies in Tinsukia district

Spl Correspondent Tinsukia, Mar 17: A total number of 28 nominations were filed here today, 11 from Doomdooma LAC and 7 LAC and 10 LAC from Digboi. The political warhorse amount the nominations include 3 times MLA from Tinsukia LAC Rajendra Prasad Singh of INC and sitting MLA from Doomdooma Dilip Moran of BJP.

The other candidates who have filed their nominations for a political future includes - Sanjay Kisan of BJP, Ananto Jyoti Bhattacharya of Jan Congress, Ram Lochan Singh of Bharat Bikash Manch, Ram Narayan Singh of Shiva Sena, Chintu Baruah of NCP, Lakhojyoti Baruah (Independent) all from Tinsukia LAC. The candidates from Digboi LAC includes - Gautam Dhanwar (INC), Suren Phukan (BJP), Chandan

Independent Candidate of Tinsukia Constituency Lakhya Jyoti Barua on his way to submit nomination for State Assembly Elections 2016 at Tinsukia. Pic - UB Photos

Bag (Rashtriya Secular Congress), Nagen Dhekial Phukan (NCP), Jugal Majhi (Jan Congress), Bishwanath Sarmah Bordoloi (Independent), Arun Sahu (Independent), Pranab Chetia (Independent), Bhabokanta Chutia (Independent), Md Imran Siddiqui (Bharat Bikash Manch).

The candidates from Doomdooma LAC include - Dilip Moran (BJP), Durga

Bhumij (INC), Rishikesh Baruah (Independent), Manoj Kumar Sawashi (Jan Congress), Rajesh Karmakar (Bharat Bikash Manch), Sarfaraz Alam (Rashtriya Secular Congress), Md. Isab Hussain (Independent), Niren Moran (Independent), Ranjit Singh Gaur (Independent), Bhabokanto Chutia (Independent) and Rupesh Gwala (Independent).

Amid thousands of slogan by followers of BJP, Sum Ronghang and Joy Ram Engleng filed nomination for Diphu and Howraghat LAC ET Correspondent Diphu, Mar 18: On the last day of filing nomination for the first phase of the Assam Assembly election 2016, BJP candidate Sum Ronghang and Joy Ram Engleng contesting from Diphu and Howraghat filed their nomination before the respective returning officer at Diphu likewise Congress nominee for Diphu and Howraghat, Bidyasing Engleng and Khorsing Engti too submitted their proposal just after the BJP candidates.

On the other hand, Klengdun Engti, Congress nominee for Bokajan constituency also submitted his nomination before the returning officer and SDO (Civil) of Bokajan today.

Amid thousands of slogan blaring followers of BJP, Sum Ronghang and Joy Ram Engleng entered the Deputy Commissioner’s office flanked by the media hyped dissidents like party president Lonki Phangcho, Padma Maibongsa, Ajit Dey etc.

“Congress is terming us as their B team but we will show them by defeating them once again in Diphu (Congress lost Diphu LA seat in last Lok Sabha election)” said Sum Ronghang after filing his nomination.

“We are confident of winning 3 seats of Karbi Anglong and the lone seat

of West Karbi Anglong” said Joyran Engleng, contesting against e seating Congress minister Khorsing Engti from Howraghat.

Both Khorsing Engti and Bidyasing Engleng of Congress expressed full confidence on retaining their seat however admitted that in the triangular contest with BJP and HSDC (Hills State Democratic Council) its principle opponent will be BJP in all the seats. Campaigning is reaching feverish pitch in West Karbi Anglong and Bokajan while both Diphu and Howraghat is witnessing lackluster and jaded stance of most of the political parties till today.

A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Mar. 18: Altogether, 34 candidates from Dibrugarh constituency filed nomination paper before Returning officers here today to contest in Assembly polls.

The candidates who submitted their nominations include Paban Singh Ghatowar (INC), Jiten Baruah (Independent), Sunil Rajkonwar (AGP-AM), Rubul Buragohain (Independent), Alfred Ali (Independent) from 115 Moran LAC, Chandra Kanta Baruah (INC), Bipul Das (AGP-AM), Avinash Singh (Independent) Padmadhar Phukan (Independent) from 116 Dibrugarh LAC, Rituprana Baruah (BJP), Prithivi Majhi (INC), Priyanath Gogoi (Independent), Ranjit Konwar (Independent), Boga Kumar Nag (Jana Congress) Kumud Gogoi(Independent)Sambhulal Sobor (Independent ) from 117

Congress Candidate of Lahowal Constituency Prithibi Majhi files his nomination paper for upcoming state assembly election 2016 at Dibrugarh. Pic - UB Photos Lahoal LAC, Dhrubajyoti Gogoi (INC),Ramesh Chandra Phukan (Independent) Amiya Gogoi (Independent) Anjali Senapati (Jana Congress) Prabin Hazarika (Independent) Jatin Konwar (Independent) Isak Korkoria (Independent),

Debnath (Shiv Sena), Hrinaya Sonowal (Independent) from 118 Duliajan LAC; Dilip Bharali (BBM) Anup Phukan (AGP- AM) from 119 Tingkhong LAC, Pranati Phukan (INC) Mohan Nag (Independent) Tirtha Gogoi (In-

dependent) Mahendra Dadhumia (Independent) Sadananda Das (Jana Congress) from 120 Naharkatia LAC, Robin Chandra Kachari (Independent) and Utpal Kakoti (Independent) from 121 Chabua LAC.

21 MLA Candidates filed their nominations for 4 Constituencies of Lakhimpur district ET Correspondent Lakhimpur, Mar 18: Today, being the last date of filing nomination for the first phase poll of the Assam State Assembly Poll-2016, twenty one MLA candidates filed their nomination in the four LACs of Lakhimpur District. A total of thirty nine candidates, representing various political parties and independently made their nomination for the poll till the date. Today eight candidates submitted their nomination to the Returning Officer Debeswar Malakar in Lakhimpur LAC. They are Joy Prakash Das of Congress, Uday Sankar Hajarika of Trina

Mool BJP, Minakshi Gohain Bruah of Trina Mool Congress, Fazlur Rahman of Voters Party International. Ex-Congress MLA Ghana Burhagohain, being deprived of party's ticket filed his nomination independently protesting the candidature of Dr. Joy Prakash Das. The other independent candidates are Nanda Kishor Maheswari, Mahim Konwar, and Nitu Saikia. A total of fifteen candidate file nomination in the LAC. Five independent candidates filed nomination for No.110 Nowboicha LAC of the District. They are Safiqul Islam, Saheba Ahmed, Dilwar Hussain, Pavan Majhi Sautal,

and Dr. Debabrat Gogoi. A total of eleven candidates made their nomination in the constituency. A total of six nominations were filed for No. 109 Bihpuriya LAC of Lakhimpur till today. Ex-Education Minister of AGP Govt. Premadhar Borah made his nomination this time from Asom Sangrami Mancha. BJP candidates Debananda Hajarika and independent candidates Sunder Deori, Gargy Deori and Tuleswar Pegu also filed their nominations today in the constituency. On the other hand, a total of seven candidates submitted their nominations in the No. 112 Dhakuakhna LAC of

Lakhimpur District.

Out of them the candidates who filed nominations in the LAC are Naba Kumar Doley of AGP-BJP Alliance, Jyotika Pegu of SUCI, and independent candidate Bhumi Ranjan Pegu. Bharat Narah of Congress, Dilip Choudhury nominated by District AGP of Dhakuakhona, Dr. Rajendra Nath Pegu of Liberal Democratic Party filed their nominations yesterday. It is noteworthy that the candidates displayed their popularity and organisational strength organising rally while coming to submit nominations.

Teok LAC tops as14 file nominations under Jorhat district ET Correspondent Jorhat, Mar 18: Till the last day for filing nomination for April 4th first phase elections, Teok (102) LAC tops among six assembly seats, they were 97-Dergoan, 98-Jorhat, 99Majuli, 100-Titabor, 101Maraini and 102-Teok LACs, informed Dijendra Gogoi the District Information & Publicity Officer (DIPRO), Jorhat here today.

The DIPRO informed that for 97-Dergaon LAC (Total-05) Bhuban Saikai-independent and Rita Das of TrinomoolBJP, Ajit Hazarika-NCP, Bhaben Bharali-AGP, Ms Aroti Hazarika Kachari –INC all

submitted their nominations at office chamber of bubul Lekharu (ACS) the Returning Officer.

For 98-Jorhat LAC (Total- 07) Rana Goswami- INC, Hitendra Nath Goswami- BJP, Nirmal Chandra Gogoi-CPI (M), Bhaskarjyoti Mahanta –Independent, Sanjeev Rajkhowa – AIUDF, Prodyut Bora-LDP and Jibon Chandra Sarma-Independent, at the office chamber of Returning Officer, Mr Solanki Vishal Vasant (IAS).

For 99-Majuli LAC (Total-04) candidates filed papers. They were Rajib Lochan Pegu-INC, Sarbananda Sonowal-BJP, Ranjit Doley-Gana Shakti and

Hemanta Pegu-National Unity Centre of India, at the office of the Returning Officer, Mr Narsing Pawar(IAS).

For 100-Titabor LAC(Total05) Tarun Gogoi-INC, Kamakhya Prasad Tasa-BJP, Kula Das-CPI, Smiti Rekha Shyam -Independent and Biren Gogoi –Independent, at the office of the Returning Officer, Ms Keerthi Jalli (IAS).

For 101-Mariani LAC Rupjyoti Kurmi-INC, Dulan Nayak-BJP, Alok Ghosh-NCP and Jintu Hazarika-Independent, at the office of the Returning Officer,Ms Tarali Das(ACS).

But for 102-Teok LAC, a (Total-14) Pallavi Saikia GogoiINC, Renupoma RajkhowaAGP, Mahendra Gogoi-Independent, Bipul DuttaTrinamool BJP, Krishna Gogoi-Independent, Ashraf Hussain-Independent, Chiranjit Baruah-independent, Sashi Kanta Hazarika-Regional Secular Congress, Pawan Chandra Gogoi -Independent, Gulap Saikia-AIUDF, Jeten Tanti-CPI, Jatin SaikiaIndependent, Ranjanjyoti Phukan-Independent and Gojanan Munda-Independent, filed nominations at office of the Returning Officer ,Pradip Kunar Das(ACS).

Innocent youth shot at by CRPF ET Correspondent, Tezpur, March 18: Sensation prevails in BaliparaKhonamuk area in Sonitpur District following sustaining of bullet injury by an innocent youth of the area in an indiscriminate firing

by CRPF last night.

Sources said that the paramilitary force set up a temporary check post on NH 15 at Khonamukh area. At the same time one Pankaj Thapa who was on bike was stopped by the CRPF jawan.

But for not finding proper room to park his motor cycle he went ahead seeking a place for parking his motor cycle. However, the CRPF jawan noticing that without any delay the jawans fired at him resulting in injury on his right hand.

The family member of the victim youth lodged a complaint with the police seeking a judgement of the unwanted incident.

No clue over youth’s death in Jorhat Bijoy Handique Jorhat, Mar 18: Police yet to find any clue of a brilliant HSLC student Trishav Bordoloi who was found dead between apartments on Thursday early hours in the premises of Satish Residency in Dohabora Chuk under Jorhat police Station in Jorhat district said police sources today.

Although it was suspected to be a murder as police found some clues and waiting for the Foreign sic laboratory report from Guwahati within a week as police investigation is on as to reopen his mobile and the laptop which can be opened by cyber crime experts either from Dergaon or Guwahati, a team is likely to arrive within a day or a two, informed police sources here today.

The Don Bosco Higher Secondary School (DBHSS) Baghchung from where Trishav appeared his HSLC examination held a day long condolence meeting, prayer service and the school remained close today as a mark of respect and to rest in peace to the departed soul of one of the most outstanding student that he school believed, informed a teacher from DBHSS. Meanwhile people from the locality and family members request the media and the investigating agencies to kindly monitor and investigate to find out the culprit behind the death of such a bright and brilliant student.

Raw polymer produced in gas cracker Extraordinary generosity for the ruling Assam Rifle and project will feed industries in Kanpur party nominees: Joy Dip Purkayastha Ledo Police nabbed ET Correspondent Diphu, Mar 18: Today activists and office bearers of BJP expressed annoyance before the media when security personals allowed through passage of 4 SUVs inside security zone of Returning Officer’s office, Diphu which comprised the convoy of Congress nominee and seating Minister Khorsing Engti with carrying at least 25 persons.

ET Correspondent MANGALDAI, Mar 18: “There is huge loss of natural gas in Assam and to utilize this natural gas. The Rs 9,285 crore gas cracker project has been set up in the state after a series of demand from various local public organizations including AJYCP. There were demands to set up other subsidiary industrial unit along with the mega project. It was expected that a big no of local educated unemployed will get employment from it. But nothing happened till date except appointment of about 350 local youths out of the total 685 posts of vacancies.

Significantly the cracked gas from the gas cracker project now will be transported to Kanpur where polymer industries have been set up to feed it as raw materials.” This was stated

by Adip Kr Phukan a senior journalist and prominent intellectual of the state while participating as one of the appointed speakers in a seminar on the subject “Exercising total autonomy is the only way to bring all round development in Assam.” here today.

Highlighting many statis-

“Police allowed only 5 persons along with the candidate and made us to walk from the main entrance of the office, mentioning security parameters how the same police can allow this type of extraordinary generosity for the ruling party nominees? We like to draw attention of the election observer over the whole issue” said Joy Dip Purkayastha, an active member of BJP.

an NSCN (IM) ET Correspondent Margherita, Mar 18: 14 Assam Rifle and Ledo Police today jointly conducted an operation and arrested a SS Lieutanant Nokme Hakum a 40 years

Cycling expedition on181st Assam Rifles Day tics in support of how the state in every year has been losing revenue worth several crores of rupees yielded from crude petrol and natural gas from our soil, he pointed out that the total capacity of four refinery units in the state are around seven million tons per year where as the Barauwani refinery in Bihar which is run by raw materials from Assam recorded a production capacity of nine million per year and the present BJP government in the centre is going to increase it more.

He appealed to the public organizations of the state to create mass public opinion in support of the long standing demand of the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra

Parishad (AJYCP) for exercising the power of total autonomy so that the people of the state can enjoy their rights over the local resources as well as in political exercises among others just like the people of the Nagaland.

Meanwhile speaking on the occasion as the other appointed speaker Dilip Patgiri, the former president and the chief adviser of AJYCP dwelt at length on the historical back ground of such demand all over India and its significance on present day context. Earlier the seminar chaired by Sahir Bhuya, President Darrang Zila Sahitya Sabha was inaugurated by Biraj Kr Talukdar , President of

AJYCP. The seminar was also addressed by Bisitra Kr Medhi , retired principal of Mangaldai College.

The seminar held at the district sahitya sabha complex was attended by members of the various grass root units of the AJYCP Darrang district unit besides local leading citizens and media persons among others. The seminar was organized in connection with the special meet of the district unit of the youth body.

Earlier on the day the organizational flag was hoisted by Kamrul Haque, chief convener of the organizing body while convener Himadri Kr Sharma initiated the ‘Smriti Tarpan” function .

ET Correspondent Nagaon, Mar 18: In an effort to create public awareness about the need of nature and environment conservation, 10 member army team that had embarked upon a 1000 km expedition from Pangsau Pass to Shillong on 08 March 2016 is now on its penultimate destination in Guwahati after traversing through nine major cities to include Lekhapani, Dibrugarh, Sibsagar, Jhorhat and Nagaon.

The expedition organized

by Assam Rifles as part of the 181st Raising Day celebrations was based on the theme "Cycle to Recycle" to encourage environmental awareness amongst the local population.

The cyclists interacted at various institutions like Jaisagar college, Assam

Cycling expedition on181st Assam Rifles Day Agriculture University and the Assam Rifles Ex-Servicemen Association voicing the need for environmental preservation by circulating pamphlets based on the theme and have now joined up with the

IGAR(North) team at Nagaon.

The 'Soldier Cyclists' plan to complete the final leg of the expedition by cruising over another 200 kms over the next four days culminating finally at Shillong.

NSCN (IM) from Malu Gaon under Margherita Police Station. One Pistol, 4 live ammunitions, a mobile phone and Rs 3000 cash recovered from the arrested NSCN (IM).

Administration commands media to prevent strike culture ET Correspondent Diphu, Mar 18: Karbi Anglong District administration and police has called upon the owners, publishers and editors of newspapers who publish from the district not to entertain any strike (Bandh, shut down etc.) related news, circulated by suspicious and anti-social organizations for public interest.

Mukul Gogoi, Deputy Commissioner and Debojit Deury Superintendent of Police of Karbi Anglong in a meeting held with the owners and publishers of local newspapers at DC’s conference hall today has requested not to consider provocative news circulated through SMS by doubtful elements, particularly those related to Bandh, shut down etc.

“Together we can throat the Bandh culture of this district which has taken enormous toll in last 25 years by crippling this place economically, socially and culturally” said Mukul Gogoi, Deputy Commissioner of Karbi Anglong.

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DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, MARCH 19

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Minister admits printing Wushu gold medalist Yumlembam Sapna Devi: Pride of northeast mistakes in ration cards

Consumer Affairs Minister John Rotluangliana Aizawl, Mar 18: Mizoram Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister John Rotluangliana today admitted that gross mistake was committed in printing of ration cards under the Food Security Act (FSA).

Replying to a query from opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) member Dr K Beichhua in the Assembly, Rotluangliana said new and corrected ration cards would be issued in April.

He said 2.4 lakh ration cards were printed for which over Rs 75 lakh was allocated.

Meanwhile, Aizawl-based

anti-corruption watchdog People's Right to Information and Development Society of Mizoram (PRISM) urged Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla to remove Rotluangliana in the ration card controversy.

The PRISM, in a representation submitted to the Chief Minister, said Rotluangliana should be held responsible for the erroneous ration cards.

Dates of birth of almost all the names in the ration cards were found to be January one which, officials said, was due to corrupt files in the office computers. (Agencies)

Assam govt reluctant in resolving inter-state border issue: Zeliang

Imphal, Mar 18: 23year-old Yumlembam Sapna Devi, who hails from Irilbung Village of east Imphal, is amongst the gold medalists of Manipur at the recently concluded South Asian Games in Guwahati and Shillong Born to late Yumlembam Sanatomba Singh and Yumnam Ongbi Jamini, Sapna Devi bagged a gold medal after scoring 9.45 pts in the women Wushu Taulu (Changquan) competition.

Sapna Devi had also par-

ticipated in various national and international level Wushu championships All together, she has won 37 Gold, 7 Silver and 2 Bronze medals in the National and International Wushu Championships in her career.

"I feel very good and happy. Before, I had already played at World Championship, Asian Games, Asian Championship, State and National level but this is my first time that I played at SAG So, I feel very good," said Sapna Devi.

Yumlembam Sapna Devi Belonging to a poor family, Sapna Devi had to struggle a lot to reach where she is at present and her family is happy for her achievements.

Currently, she is also undergoing her post graduation.

"I felt very happy when we heard the news because she had faced so

many hardships during her training but at last she has achieved her goal so, that made us more happy and it is a proud moment for all us," said Sapna Devi's mother Yumlembam Ongbi Jamuna Devi.

"At her very tender age, she Joined Gymnastic which later she was introduced to Wushu since then she never turned back and started her journey," Jamuna Devi added.

Wushu coach Sachidananda Mayanglambam said the

AICC plans major ministry reshuffle in Manipur before Holi Imphal, Mar 18: Battered by the recent intraparty rift in Arunachal Pradesh, AICC will effect a major reshuffle in the Okram Ibobi Singh ministry, probably before Holi. Summoned by the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh and deputy CM Gaikhangam are currently camping in New Delhi.

Ibobi Singh and Gaikhangam, who

rushed to New Delhi on Tuesday after being summoned by AICC leaders, have been holding a series of meetings with the party high command.

The development came after the Congress high command took into account the long-standing complaints of the 25 dissident Congress MLAs. During their visit to the national capital last week, the dissidents submitted a list of underperforming minis-

ters, including three from the hills and as many from the valley area, to AICC leaders. "We have received information that the reshuffle will be effected before Yaoshang [Holi]," one of the dissidents said on Thursday.

The revolting MLAs have been demanding a major reshuffle in the Ibobi ministry, dropping incompetent ministers and inducting posts from amongst the legislators.

They also sought that the

party high command either strip the ministerial berth or Manipur PCC president's post from Gaikhangam, who also holds the home portfolio.

"We don't want autocratic ministers, whose lacklustre performance is out there for all to see.

We demand a major reshuffle," a rebel MLA said. "As assured by the party high command, the conventional 'one man one post' policy of the Congress will be imple-

mented soon," he said.

Acknowledging the dissident MLAs' pleas, Sonia assured compliance at the earliest. She, nevertheless, asked the legislators to work together for the return of the party to power for the fourth consecutive term in the assembly elections.

The dissidents did not seek a change of leadership, saying they retain confidence in Ibobi Singh. (Agencies)

Nagaland unveils Rs.225-crore surplus budget

Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang

Kohima, Mar 18: Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang on Thursday alleged the border issue between Nagaland and Assam is continuing because Assam government does not want to resolve the matter outside the court.

"Government of Nagaland has always been for peaceful and amicable settlement of the issue outside the court but it has been pending since the Assam government filed a suit in the Supreme Court in 1989 for settlement of the matter," Zeliang said while replying to MLA Imkong L Imchen's suggestion in the state Assembly that the state government should focus on resolving the border issue with Assam.

Zeliang said the SC had

appointed two senior advocates as mediators, which worked for two years to know the ground reality, but the Assam government did not cooperate with their movements.

Subsequently, the SC advised the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to explore the possibility of resolving the issue between the two states outside the court, he told the Assembly.

Zeliang said that during the meeting attended by the CMs of both states he had conveyed to the Union Home Ministry the willingness of Nagaland government to resolve the matter outside the court, but Assam government stressed that the matter would be decided in the court. (Agencies)

Tripura celebrates Bangabandhu's birth anniversary

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agartala Mar 18: The 97th birth anniversary of the first Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was celebrated across the state on Thursday.

The assistant high commissioner of Bangladesh hoisted the country's national flag at the visa office here in the morning.

This was followed by a sit and draw competition for students of the neighbourhood.

Bangladesh minister of liberation of war affairs

Mozzammel Haque, accompanied by a group of officials and parliamentarians, also paid tribute to Rahman. Haque and his team, along with chief minister Manik Sarkar, released two books on Bangabandhu and Tripura's contribution to the liberation war.

Both Haque and Sarkar spoke on strengthening bilateral ties between India and Bangladesh and recalled the history of the liberation war. Appreciating the role of the Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh, Sarkar said India, particularly Tripura and the northeast, has come closer to the neighbouring country due to Hasina's efforts at bridging communication gaps. The Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) also celebrated the day in all its outposts along the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura. (Agencies)

Kohima, Mar 18: Without proposing any new taxes, Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang on Thursday presented a Rs.225 crore surplus budget for 201617.

Presenting the budget in the ongoing session of the state Assembly, Zeliang, who also holds the Finance portfolio, estimated the gross receipts for the financial year at Rs.13,870.98 crore and gross expenditure at Rs.13,645.98 crore.

Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang He said with the negative opening balance of

Rs.1,419.35 crore, 201617 fiscal was estimated

to close with a negative balance of Rs.1,194.35 crore.

On the internal revenue collection during the current year, the Chief Minister said the target has been put at Rs.665.06 crore, an increase of 12.15 per cent from last year.

He said because of improvements made in some sectors, this figure has now increased by Rs.17.96 crore to Rs.683.02 crore in the Revised Estimates for 2015-16, which was an

improvement of 15.18 per cent.

For the 2016-17 fiscal, the internal revenue collection was being estimated at Rs.776.90 crore, which was an increase of 16.82 per cent from 2015-16, he said.

The Chief Minister told the House that during the current year, the deficit has been reduced by a projected amount of Rs.123.36 crore from the opening deficit of Rs.1542.71 crore.

(Agencies)

Zeme tribe of Nagaland celebrates 'Milei Ngi festival' Dimapur, Mar. 18: There are about sixteen tribes in Nagaland, each with their unique culture and traditions. Zeme Nagas are one such tribe that have successfully preserved age-old traditions. Recently, they celebrated 'Milei Ngi' festival with great enthusiasm in Dimapur.

Tenyimi complex in Dimapur came alive with the celebration of 'Milei Ngi' festival.

It is a festival of purification celebrated by the Zeme tribe every year.

Dressed in traditional attire, young boys and girls performed traditional dances at the event.

Later, a group of women also performed folk songs to enthrall the audience.

The festival was organized by the Zeme Council Dimapur with the main objective of reviving the traditional practices of the Zeme community.

happy," said Ichao, a participant Zeme Nagas are spread across three states - North Cachar Hills in Assam, Tamenglong district in Manipur and Peren district in Nagaland.

Apart from dances and songs, indigenous games like wrestling and long jump were held where many people from different age groups took part.

People also demonstrated the age-old lifestyle and activities of Zeme people.

"I'm playing for the first time and I feel good taking part in it. I also won the game, so I'm very

Zeme Naga is a group of Naga people from northeastern parts of India.

They also speak a language of the same name.

The term "Zainme" means people, but depending on what tribe you belong to different words can mean different things.

The Zemes that are inhabiting in Nagaland call themselves Zeliang and those of the Manipur bor-

Milei Ngi festival celebrated at Demapur ders are called Zeliangrong.

There are many different tribes that speak Zeme Naga even though it is a endangered language.

The tribes who still use

this language are spread out among different parts of India.

Such festivals should be observed in order to preserve age-old traditions of a community. (ANI)

Tripura hosts workshop on skill development

Youth attainding Skill Development Programme

Agartala, Mar. 18: Emphasizing on enhancing skills of the youth and encouraging entrepreneurship, a day-long workshop on 'Skill Development' and 'Opportunities in Tripura' was organized recently in Agartala by the Directorate of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (NSDC).

The event was held at Pragna

Bhawan with an aim to bring closer multiple stakeholders like trainees, training agencies and certifying agencies and remove disconnect between demand and supply of skilled manpower.

The workshop on skill development opportunities was organized to harness the potential of youth in the northeast by providing them with right

guidance and employment opportunities.

Apart from representatives of the state government, officials from the NSDC, renowned Indian hair stylist Jawed Habib, CSR Tata Motors head Vinod Kulkarni, Usha International Ltd Executive Director Dr. Priya Somiya and Kushal Mitra, Director and CEO Indus, attended the workshop.

The state has set up a separate directorate after the Central Government announced 'Skill India Mission'.

"The government of Tripura is very committed for skill development because there are large numbers of youths looking for employment.

Earlier, government of Tripura had self-employed scheme. After the government of India also launched several other schemes so we formed a separate department to form synergy and co-

ordination among several departments and implementing the skill development program," said M. Nagaraju, Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Government of Tripura Tripura's target is to develop skills and create jobs for around 1.12 lakh youth of the state in various sectors by the next fiscal.

During the workshop, a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Directorate of Skill Development in Tripura, Indus and certifying agencies.

Several training partners have set up training centres in the state to educate and encourage the youth to avail of the scheme. Most of these partners have classroomscum-labs for hands-on training.

"I think there is a great deal

of opportunity in our country today as far as sewing and stitching is concerned.

Women start earning a lot of money around sewing and stitching without leaving their households. Distress migration is also affected and they don't have to go larger towns and cities and they will start sewing and stitching from their households," said Rajiv Kumar, Training Partner from Usha International.

"I have completed my graduation and now I am doing training for CCE. This is a great opportunity for my career and I want to effectively use it for my benefit," said Sanjit Debbarma, a trainee.

Skill development programmes in the northeast help the youngsters earn a decent livelihood. It also boosts the state's economy besides shaping the country's future with skilled manpower.

(ANI)

players from Manipur have won many gold medals at national level in different categories like junior, sub - junior and senior level.

"Even at the international level, Manipuri players have won many medals.

Recently, three of them have been selected for the Arjun award," Mayanglambam said.

Sports in northeast indeed has created a history with number of young and budding talent bringing glory not only to north east but to the entire country. (ANI)

Tripura University brings in new platform for volleyball enthusiasts Agartala, Mar 18: All India Inter-University Volleyball Competition (East Zone) for men, which concluded on the Tripura University campus recently, has become one of the biggest platform for youngsters to showcase their talent, and get selected in the Indian team.

Besides providing a platform to volleyball enthusiasts, the championship is a conglomeration of various cultures, where a large number of players from across the country participate, which in turn helps build and strengthen inter-state relationships.

"The tournament is the biggest platform for the youngsters as they can showcase their talent, and get selected for Indian Youth and Indian Junior teams on the basis of their performance," said Dr. Dalel Singh Chauhan, Director, Physical Education and Sports, Kurukshetra University.

"We have many competent, young and talented sportsperson from various universities, who made it to the Indian Youth team and Indian Junior Team from this platform," Dr. Chauhan added.

A total of 45 universities, including 25 from East Zone and 15 from various other parts of India, competed in the championship this season.

The event has not just created a platform for players, but it was also a treat for sports lovers, who witnessed so many teams competing for the title.

"Perhaps for the first time, such a big national-level sporting event was organised in Tripura, especially in our university. I think we won't not get another chance to watch such an interesting volleyball tourney, and that's why I came here and enjoyed the matches to the fullest. I am overwhelmed and happy," said Netaji Baidya, a sports enthusiast.

In the final, two ultimate teams from the last year's championship came face to face, and after a thrilling contest, Chennai's SRM University team defeated Kurukshetra University to take the trophy home.

After winning the title, Akamuttu, a SRM University player, told ANI: "I am feeling amazed and happy too. Last year, we were defeated, but won the trophy this year.

The match was really exciting and the boys worked hard and played well. The final match comprised five sets.

Though we won the first set, we were a bit uncomfortable in second and fourth sets. But, we won the game finally." (ANI)

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DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, MARCH 19

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A repeat of Arunachal in Uttarakhand: As Cong MLAs join hands with BJP, CM Rawat's fate hangs in balance Uttarakand, Mar 18: Arunachal Pradesh Part 2 is unfolding in far-off Uttarakhand. The Harish Rawat Congress government is in crisis, and in real danger of losing power.

The processes of the unfolding political crisis in Uttarakhand could be different from that of Arunachal Pradesh, but the pattern remains the same — a group of rebel Congress MLAs joining hands with the BJP to overthrow the incumbent Congress government.

The occasion, chosen by about a dozen Congress rebels to raise their banner

of revolt against chief minister Rawat is interesting — the passage of the annual budget by the state assembly. Rawat's government's failure to pass the budget would mean that the government has lost the confidence of the assembly or a majority therein. This could mean that the government falls. The state can't run without authorisation by the assembly to take money out of Consolidated Fund of the state. A constitutional crisis is looming large on Congress government and chief minister Rawat's fate hangs in balance.

If the Congress rebels and

BJP MLA Ganesh Joshi sent to 14-days judicial custody

Vladimir Putin declares Syria operation a success

Dehradun, Mar 18: BJP MLA Ganesh Joshi, accused of allegedly attacking a police horse 'Shaktiman' during a protest, has been sent to 14-day judicial custody on Friday afternoon by Vikasnagar court.

Ganesh Joshi was presented before the additional chief judicial magistrate (ACJM) court in Vikasnagar around 12:20 pm by the police. He was arrested by a team of Dehradun police from a local hotel on Friday morning.

During lengthy arguments before the court of civil judge (senior division) Laxman Singh, lawyers of both defence and prosecution made allegations against each other.

However, the court decided to send BJP MLA to judicial custody.

Earlier, suspecting protests by BJP workers against MLA's arrest, police had taken Joshi to Sahaspur police station and decided to produce him in the Vikasnagar court.

Notably, an FIR was registered against Ganesh Joshi under Section 429 (mischief by killing or maiming cattle,) and 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the IPC.

Moscow, Mar 18: President Vladimir Putin of Russia said Thursday that his country's more than five-month military operation in Syria had been a success, with the upper hand on the battlefield returned to the Syrian government and with President Bashar Assad ready to make the compromises necessary for a peaceful settlement.

In his first extensive remarks on Syria since he ordered the bulk of Russian forces to return home Monday night, Putin said that the Russian military would remain engaged in what he called the fight against terrorism, and he added that it could return if needed.

"If necessary, literally within a few hours, Russia can build its contingent in the region to a size proportionate to the situation developing there," Putin said.

Russian forces remain engaged in efforts to take back the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra, Putin said, adding that he expected it to be liberated soon. The city, built by Romans, was captured from government forces in May 2015 by the Islamic State, which has destroyed temples, triumphal arches and other ancient ruins.

Putin spoke to a gathering of military officers at the ornate St. George's Hall at the Kremlin in Moscow, at an awards ceremony for some of those who partici-

pated in the Syria campaign.

Critics of the Russian operation, which began at the end of September, said that it was responsible for significant civilian casualties, that it left the Islamic State and other extremists in place despite having been advertised as an effort to fight terrorist organizations, and that it succeeded only in the sense of having preserved the government of Assad. Russia has denied being responsible for any civilian casualties.

Another central, if publicly unstated, aim of Putin's was to forge a dialogue with the United States about Syria, and that dialogue had started, he noted. Secretary of State John Kerry is scheduled to travel here for talks next week.

Putin did not specify how many of the estimated 4,000 soldiers and 50 combat aircraft sent to Syria would stay there. But he did say that Russia would keep enough forces there to help enforce a cease-fire negotiated last month.

They include the advanced S400 missile defense system that the Kremlin installed after Turkey shot down one of its jets, he said. Their reach gives Russia control over Syria's airspace.

Putin said that Russia spent 33 billion rubles, or slightly more than $481 million, on the operation, and that the money came

gress rebels actually insist on voting against their own government, then all eyes would be on Speaker Govind Singh Kunjal; on whether he allows a division (voting) or insist on passing the budget through voice vote.

Anticipating the turn of events, the BJP had sought appointment with the Governor KK Paul in the afternoon to appraise him of situation and seek his intervention.

The strength of Uttarakhand assembly is 71 (including one nominated member) and the Congress has a razor thin majority. The Con-

from what had already been allocated to the military budget.

He added that it was money well spent since the operations proved the capabilities of the modernized army, navy and air force.

The Russian leader said the withdrawal of his country's forces would help set the stage for a negotiated settlement to the conflict. Russia would continue to supply the Syrian military with intelligence and financial support, he said.

Assad had been informed of the withdrawal in advance, Putin said, emphasizing that the Syrian leader was ready to make the compromises necessary for peace.

Whether Assad is ready to negotiate is unclear. Assad drew a rebuke from Russia for saying he would fight until he had regained the entire country, and members of his Cabinet have said presidential elections are not in the offing. A political transition is supposed to be part of the settlement.

There have been hints that Russia has been pushing Assad to negotiate, including subtle shifts to more-positive coverage of the main Syrian opposition groups in the official and semiofficial Russian news media. In the past two days, Sputnik reported that the opposition's demands were in line with U.N. resolutions, and

gress has 36, the BJP has 29, Bahujan Samaj Party 2, Independent 3, Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (P) 1. Rawat's government could be in danger even if a small number of Congress MLAs choose to defy the party whip to vote against their own government or abstain from voting.

The Congress leadership and chief minister had been generally dismissive about revolt by Vijay Bahuguna and others. Senior party leaders said the unrest was being used as a bargaining tactic. They claimed that Bahuguna wanted a Rajya Sabha berth, Harak Singh

TASS reported, without comment, on demands that Assad and members of his government face accountability for war crimes.

In Geneva this week, the Syrian delegation sent mixed signals.

Bouthaina Shaaban, a longtime adviser of Assad and his father, appeared far more relaxed and cheerful in television appearances than at previous conferences, and he said "a new era" of Russian-US cooperation might be coming.

But at the same time, Bashar alJaafari, the chief negotiator, declared he would not sit down with his counterpart, Mohammad Alloush, a political member of the Islamist rebel group Jaish al-Islam, until Alloush shaved his beard. It was a striking comment from a representative of a government whose closest ally is a theocratic Iran.

Alloush, who has said that the first step toward a political transition will come when Assad departs or dies, dismissed Jaafari's remarks.

"Nothing has changed," he said.

"If Bashar really wants to negotiate, he will send his secret police officers to the negotiations.

Not this clown."

In painting the operation as an unqualified success, Putin did not address some of the other reasons independent analysts

Rawat greater prominence.

The Congress leaders also charged that BJP was playing dirty tricks for luring its MLAs. Assembly elections in the state are due in next nine months, January 2017 and it appears that Uttarakhand is already in election mode.

This is around the time when MLAs start exploring their future possibilities.

Though the BJP officially denies that it has anything to do with the internal dissensions with Congress ranks, some of its senior leaders including Kailash Vijavargiya and Shyam Jaju are camping in Dehradun. (Agencies)

said he may have ended it. They include a more concentrated effort to get European nations to lift economic sanctions imposed on Russia over its involvement in the Ukraine crisis, and concern that the Russian forces risked becoming just another proxy army fighting for Assad in an endless conflict.

Also Thursday, Syrian Kurdish leaders said they had formally agreed to form a federal region in northern Syria. Participants in a conference in the northeastern province of Hasaka signed a document setting out the principles of what they called a "democratic federation system" in northern Syria.

But the definition, map and structure of that region remained unclear, as the conference participants were still drafting a statement, said Ibrahim Ibrahim, a spokesman for the main Syrian Kurdish party, the Democratic Union Party.

One of those in attendance at the conference was Qadri Jamil, a onetime finance minister of Syria who maintains close ties to Moscow. Russia has declared its support for federalism in Syria and has pushed for the inclusion in the Geneva talks of Kurdish parties and of members of nonviolent or tolerated opposition parties, like Jamil's. He could not immediately be reached for comment.

NIA court sets free 10 Iranians, one Pakistani in dhow case

Kochi, Mar 18: A special NIA court here on Friday set free 10 Iranians and a Pakistani national after the investigating agency submitted a chargesheet giving a clean chit to the men arrested from an Iranian dhow intercepted off Kerala coast last year.

Pronouncing the verdict in the case, the court, however, said the captain of the ship has been charged with a "minor offence" and he may have to remain in jail for some more time.

The Special NIA Court Judge, K M Balachandran, informed

N Korea releases video of US student stealing banner Seoul, Mar 18: North Korea has released CCTV images showing American student Otto Warmbier removing a political banner from a wall in a hotel - a "crime" that saw him sentenced to 15 years hard labour.

The brief CCTV clip, taken in a staff-only area of the Yanggakdo International Hotel in Pyongyang, was submitted as evidence during Warmbier's trial on Wednesday.

The US has accused the North of using Warmbier as a political pawn and condemned the sentence as way out of proportion to what amounted to little more than a misdemeanour.

The grainy, black-andwhite footage showed the 21-year-old student from the University of Virginia removing the metre-long, mounted poster from the wall and laying it on the ground.

The banner carried a slogan in bold white lettering on a red background. Part

BJP succeed in their endeavour, then there could be three situations--imposition of President's Rule in the state, explore possibilities of formation of an alternate government or hold elections a few months earlier than scheduled. But the Congress is still very confident that it will tide over the crisis.

The Congress has been hoping that its rebels which includes likes former chief minister Vijay Bhahuguna, Haraksingh Rawat, Yashpal Arya, Ambika Rawat and others would finally see the reason and take a conciliatory position. If that does not happen and the Con-

of the banner was blanked out at the trial, but it appeared to read: "Let us strongly arm ourselves with Kim Jong-il's patriotism."

The CCTV images, released late on Friday, did not show exactly what Warmbier did after taking it down, and it was unclear if he attempted to take the poster out of the country.

Warmbier was arrested at the airport as he was leaving the country with a tour group on January 2.

Four days later, North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test and experts say the resulting surge in military tensions and the adoption of tough new UN sanctions were probably behind the harsh sentence.

In the past, North Korea has used the detention of US citizens to obtain highprofile visits from the likes of former US presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton in order to secure their release.

the 11 crew members that they will be given proper travel documents by the NIA. All the 12 accused are currently lodged at the Kakkanad district jail.

An order in the case related to captain is likely to be given in two weeks, the court indicated and posted the case for hearing on March 28.

The court has directed the Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO) to take over 11 crew members of the vessel for initiating procedures of their

deportation.

Meanwhile, NIA sources said the agency has contacted Iranian embassy and Pakistan High Commission to facilitate the deportation of the crew.

In its chargesheet, the NIA, which conducted a detailed and scientific probe into the case, had stated that the crew members had no links either with any terror outfit or international drug mafia.

"The captain of the vessel has been charged with violating the Maritime Zones of India (Regulation of Fishing by For-

eign Vessels) Act-1981. It is an Act to provide for the regulation of fishing by foreign vessels in certain maritime zones of India. No other crew has been chargesheeted in the case," the NIA sources have said.

The chargesheet was filed before the special NIA court here on March 14.

The Iranian dhow "Barooki" was intercepted by the Coast Guard and state police following intelligence inputs in July last year off the coast of Alappuzha and brought to

Vizhinjam.

The crew members were detained by the CG and police which recovered a satellite communication set and a Pakistani identity card from the vessel.

The case was later handed over to the NIA and a team of the agency and scientists of Geological Survey of India had conducted a mission on board a research vessel 'RV Samudra Ratnakar' off Kerala coast to recover objects allegedly dropped in the deep sea from the dhow.

Arvind Kejriwal tells PM Modi to focus on governance

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal New Delhi, Mar 18: chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday told Prime Minister Narendra Modi to focus on governance rather than "snooping on opponents".

"Prime minister should concentrate on governance, which is suffering badly under NDA, rather than snooping on opponents," Kejriwal tweeted.

Kejriwal alleged that officials of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had interrogated Delhi government offi-

cials about him.

"Can the Prime Minister explain this? CBI reports directly to him. What does the PM want?"

Kejriwal asked.

He said if Modi wants any information regarding him (Kejriwal), he should set up a team for it.

"PM wants info about me? Let PM set up a team. I will come and answer all their questions. I have nothing to hide," he said.

Kingfisher House auction ends without a single bid

Kingfisher House Mumbai, Mar 18: Auction of Kingfisher House, once the headquarters of Vijay Mallya’s defunct airline, proved to be a flop show on Thursday with no bids coming in, presumably due to litigation fears and a high reserve price of Rs 150 crore — dealing a blow to lenders’ efforts to recover their loans. The auction of the property, with a built-up area of over 17,000 sq ft in Vile Parle area near domestic airport here, started at 1130 hrs and ended in about an hour with no success.

“There were no bidders.

I think the higher reserve price was the reason for it,” said an official involved with the auction conducted by SBI Caps for a consortium of banks led by public sector lender State Bank of In-

dia. The reserve price for Kingfisher House was set at Rs 150 crore, which bidders found to be very high, he added. The 17member consortium, which had given loans to Kingfisher Airlines, will soon have a review meeting and may discuss the reserve price as well, sources said.

The online auction was held by SBICAPS Trustee, a subsidiary of SBI Caps. Lenders had taken over Kingfisher House in February last year in a bid to recover part of their dues totalling over Rs 9,000 crore, which includes unpaid loans and accrued interest. The auction was conducted under the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act (Sarfaesi), 2002. (PTI)

Washington D.C., Mar 18: South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that North Korea has launched a ballistic missile off the east coast of the Korean peninsula.

According to CNN, the South Korean military said it was closely tracking and monitoring the situation and maintaining a readiness posture for any North Korean provocation.

The development comes a week after North Korea

fired two missiles from North Hwanghae province, south of Pyongyang, toward the sea east of the Korean Peninsula, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe condemned North Korea's actions and called on the country "to exercise self-restraint" adding that Japan would take "precautionary measures," including surveillance. (ANI)

Putin has no immediate plans to visit North Korea fires Pakistan: Russian envoy ballistic missiles Islamabad, Mar 18: Vladimir Putin has no immediate plan to visit Pakistan as there were not enough "substance" for a trip, the first by a Russian President, the country's envoy here has said.

"The problem is that usually the purpose of the visit is not participation in ceremonies. The visit should have some substance," Russian Ambassador Alexey Dedov said at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), a leading think-tank, where he was delivering a lecture on Pak-Russia relations on Thursday.

"As soon as the substance is ready, we can discuss the visit," Dawn newspaper quoted him as saying.

Dedov defined the substance as "signing of documents" for cooperation, "preparation of plans" for expanding ties and "declarations".

No Russian or even So-

Vladimir Putin viet president has ever visited Pakistan. Putin had planned a visit to Islamabad in October 2012 for attending a quadrilateral summit between Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Afghanistan, but cancelled it at the eleventh hour.

Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov was then hastily dispatched to Islamabad to explain the cancella-

tion.

Lately, there were renewed talk of Putin visiting Islamabad after Russia agreed to invest in the $2 billion NorthSouth gas pipeline project for carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Karachi to Lahore.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had invited Putin to inaugurate

the pipeline.

The ambassador rued the "unrealised potential" of the ties, but noted that Pakistan was "seen (in Russia) as an important and reliable partner with whom relations could be developed".

He cited the geostrategic position of Pakistan and challenges and interests shared by the two countries as the motivation for Moscow to work for better and stronger bilateral relations.

Reports say Russia and Pakistan are also close to resolving a longstanding economic dispute that led to freezing of Russian assets worth $120 million in Pakistan.

A draft agreement has been initialled and a final accord is likely soon.

In a landmark defence deal, Russia last year agreed to sell Mi-35 helicopters to Pakistan.

ballistic missile

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, MARCH 19

PAGE 7

NEIGHBOURS

Pakistan HC to watch Pak vs Ind T20 clash in Kolkata Karachi, Mar 18: Pakistan High Commissioner in New Delhi Abdul Basit was granted a visa to travel to Kolkata for a World T20 standoff between Pakistan and India scheduled for March 19, ANI reported.

The news agency quoted Basit saying, “I’m glad to be here but somewhat sad that my colleagues who wanted to come could not come.”

Basit was among five Pakistani diplomats who were earlier barred from travelling to Kolkata for

Don't escalate tension, China tells North Korea Beijing, Mar 18: China has urged North Korea to comply with the UN resolutions and stop any action that might escalate tension on the Korean peninsula, a foreign ministry spokesperson said today.

The official made the remarks when asked to comment on North Korea firing of what South Korea military has assessed as a Rodong ballistic missile, Xinhua news agency reported.

(IANS)

China, US N security centre starts operation Beijing, Mar 18: The largest nuclear security centre in the Asia-Pacific region, which was financed by China and the US, started operations here on Friday.

The centre, constructed by the China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA) and the US Department of Energy, is capable of training about 2,000 nuclear-security staff for China and other nations in the Asia-Pacific region every year, said CAEA chair Xu Dazhe.

Construction of the centre, which is the largest nuclear programme to have direct Chinese and US government investment, began in December 2013. (IANS)

Charter plane with 18 on board crash-lands at Karachi Airport Karachi, Mar.18: At least two people were reportedly injured after a charter plane with 18 people on board crashlanded at Karachi's Jinnah International Airport today.

The plane had to make an emergency landing as soon as it took off, reports The Express Tribune.

Rescue teams and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) officials have arrived at the scene and the runway has been closed.

In November last year, a Lahore-bound Shaheen Air flight, carrying 121 passengers and crew members, made an 'emergency landing' at the Allama Iqbal International Airport.(ANI)

the cricket match. It is unclear whether the other diplomats were allowed to travel for the match or not.

A total of 17 applications were submitted by diplomats and officials, including the Pakistani High Commissioner, but only one diplomat had been allowed to watch the Pakistan-Bangladesh match on Wednesday, a spokesman for the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, Manzoor Ali Memon had said.

“Even that diplomat was

The Indian diplomat had assured officials that Pakistan’s reaction would be conveyed to Indian authorities in New Delhi.

Abdul Basit unable to watch the match, as it is not possible to reach Kolkata in such a short time,” he said.

Following the incident, Pakistan lodged a strong protest with the Deputy High Commissioner of India J P Singh.

The match between Pakistan and India, which was first scheduled at Dharamsala, was moved to Kolkata after security concerns. The Pakistan government then sought a “public guarantee” of security from Indian authorities before it sent players over for the international event.

The next day, Mamata Banerjee, chief minister of West Bengal, assured ‘foolproof security’ to the Pakistan team for its match against India in writing.

The Pakistani team arrived in India on Sat-urday evening amid tight sec--urity to take part in the World T20 series and will face off against the Indian cricket team in one of the most awaited games of the tournament at Eden Gardens on March 19.

Sri Lanka takes steps to protect power system Colombo, Mar 18: Sri Lanka on Thursday said there was a serious threat to the country's power and energy system, which had led to military deployment to protect all power installations and sub-stations.

Deputy Power and Energy Minister Ajith Perera told the media that the police had launched investigation into Sunday's nationwide power failure which was suspected to be an act of sabotage, Xinhua news agency said.

President Maithripala Sirisena had appointed a special committee to in-

vestigate the incident.

The minister said the government was putting in place all measures to rectify and upgrade the power and energy system to provide uninterrupted electricity supply to all parts of the country in future.

On Wednesday, the Army, Navy and Air Force were deployed at all Ceylon Electricity Board installations and sub-stations in the country to provide protection.

Following Sunday's island-wide power failure, parts of Sri Lanka faced temporary power cuts this week despite assur-

ances from the government that the country's main coal power plant was back in operation.

The power failure on Sunday, which lasted for over seven hours, was the longest to be reported in Sri Lanka in 20 years.

Investigations have revealed that an explosion in one of the main power transformers on the outskirts of the capital had caused the power failure.

This is the third countrywide power failure to be reported in Sri Lanka since the new government won a parliamentary election in August last year.

Sri Lanka takes steps to protect power system

In September, an islandwide power failure lasting for over four hours crippled the country due to a technical failure in the main electricity plant.

The second power failure

was reported on February 26 which lasted for over three hours, with the government stating that a lightening jolt had struck one of the main power lines in the capital. (IANS)

Musharraf leaves Pakistan after travel ban lifted Karachi, Mar 18: Pervez Musharraf left Pakistan early today for medical treatment in Dubai, hours after the government allowed the former military dictator facing trial in a number of cases, including for high treason, to go abroad.

"I am a commando and I love my homeland. I will come back in a few weeks or months," Musharraf was quoted as saying by the Dawn.

The former military ruler boarded an Emirates flight bound for Dubai that departed from Karachi airport at 3.55 am (0425 IST), a media report said.

"He was the last person to be embarked on the plane and then the gate was closed. The retired general appeared relaxed," the report said.

Vowing to face all pending cases against him, 72-

Pervez Musharraf left Pakistan year-old Musharraf said he was keeping himself abreast with developments in the country and will actively take part in politics after his return.

He said he was going abroad to seek "medical treatment of a decade-old illness which has now developed several complications".

Musharraf has been facing treason trial since

2013 and he was barred from leaving the country in 2014 by the government. The order was declared as illegal by the Sindh High Court the same year.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the decision of the Sindh high court, rejecting the appeal by the government.

Interior minister Nisar Ali Khan on Thursday told a

press briefing that after consultation, the government decided to let Musharraf leave the country for treatment.

He said Musharraf's lawyers had formally asked the government to allow him to undertake foreign travels.

According to the minister, Musharraf had committed to facing all cases against him in court and had "promised to return in four to six weeks".

"The government has decided to allow Musharraf to travel abroad for treatment. He has also committed he will face all cases against him in court," Khan said.

He was referring to several cases faced by Musharraf including the high treason charged in a special court for suspending the constitution in 2007, which has been declared under Article 6 as being punishable

by death.

He was indicted in April, 2014 but since then no progress has been made in the case for various reasons.

Musharraf's All Pakistan Muslim League said on Thursday that he had a backbone-related issue and needed to go to the UAE to see a doctor. PTI It is believed that the decision to let Musharraf go out of the country will help heal a rift between the powerful army and the government, as the former was unhappy over treason trial of the former chief of army staff.

Musharraf came to power in a bloodless coup in 1999, deposing the then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Facing impeachment following elections in 2008, Musharraf was forced to resign as president and went into selfimposed exile in Dubai.

Protesters tell China to urge Oli for peaceful settlement of current unrest Kathmandu, Mar 18 : Leaders of some Madhesi and Janajati-centric political parties, which are protesting the new Constitution, on Friday, told China to urge Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to seek a peaceful settlement of the ongoing political problems.

The leaders held a meeting with the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Wu Chuntai this morning and handed over a two-page letter, which claims the Constitu-

tion was discriminatory and some of its major provisions were rejected by Madhesi and Janajati communities of the nation.

Federal Socialist ForumNepal senior leader Ashok Kumar Rai had led the delegation that submitted the letter under the banner of ‘Federal Alliance, Nepal’, signed by representatives of 15 parties.

“People of Nepal have been continuously struggling for establishing an equitable

society, federal system of governance and inclusive democracy for last six decades,” the letter reads, “We sincerely hope your cooperation in understanding our rightful political demands and convey the same to your higher political authorities so that a diplomatic dialogue is generated for peaceful settlement.”

“We consider this opportunity as very vital since Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is going for state visit to

China in very near future.”

Prime Minister Oli is embarking on an official visit to China on Sunday.

In the letter, the protesters have also accused the government of suppressing their protests by the use of force, going against principles of human rights.

“This is the crime against humanity,” they warned, “Not addressing the demands of the agitating parties by the ruling parties

may lead Nepal into civil war, in coming future, which may be beyond the control of present political parties.”

In response, Chuntai said that he was aware of the protesters’ demands and he would relay the issue to the Chinese government.

He also said that the Chinese government may inquire Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli over the issue during his China visit.

Japanese official to head UN Afghan mission Tokyo, Mar 18: A former Japanese foreign ministry official is set to head the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), the media reported today.

for Afghanistan and the head of UNAMA, public broadcaster NHK reported.

Yamamoto is scheduled to assume the post in June.

Diplomatic sources said the UN Security Council approved on Thursday the appointment of Tadamichi Yamamoto as the Secretary-General's Special Representative

The UNAMA supports administrative operations and peace efforts with Taliban insurgents.

Yamamoto was the Japanese government's Special Representative for

Afghanistan and Pakistan from 2010 to 2012.

He has been serving as the deputy head of UNAMA since 2014.

UN logo

He is the third Japanese official to serve as the UN Secretary-General's special representative, after Yasushi Akashi for Cambodia and former Yugoslavia, and Sukehiro Hasegawa for East Timor. (IANS)

'Lack of substance' reason for Putin not visiting Pak, says Russian envoy

Russian President Vladimir Putin' Islamabad, Mar.18: Russia believes there are still no substantial reasons to justify President Vladimir Putin's visit to Islamabad.

Russian Ambassador Alexey Dedov, who was delivering a lecture on Pak-Russia relations at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), said the visit should have some substance.

"As soon as the substance is ready, we can discuss the visit," Dawn quoted Alexey as saying.

The Russian envoy defined the substance as 'signing of documents' for cooperation, 'preparation of plans' for expanding ties and 'declarations'.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was then hastily dispatched to Islamabad to explain the cancellation.

It was speculated that Putin could visit Pakistan

for performing the groundbreaking ceremony of the project after Russia agreed to invest in the two billion dollars North-South gas pipeline project for carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Karachi to Lahore.

Putin had planned a visit to Islamabad in October 2012 for attending a quadrilateral summit between Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan, but cancelled it at the eleventh hour.

The Russian Ambassador said that the upcoming SCO meeting in Tashkent would provide a good opportunity for a meeting between Putin and Pakistan Prime Miniter Nawaz Sharif.

The two leaders last met on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Ufa in July 2015. (ANI)

Taliban factional leader not to take part in peace talks

Taliban factional leader not to take part in peace talks Kabul, Mar 18: Dissident Taliban leader Mullah Rasool has said that he will not participate in peace talks with the Afghan government which were led by Taliban supreme leader Mullah Akhtar Mansoor.

Rasool has said that he was not opposed to reconciliation in principle, insisting that he opposes Mansoor’s hegemony over the process as far as the Taliban are concerned, Khaama Press reported.

"Earlier we thought Afghan government wanted peace talks with all Taliban, but when we saw that it is interested only in making peace with Mullah Mansoor because of the dictates of the Pakistani government, we decided not to start peace talks," Rasool said.

Rasool further added that he will not sit in the same reconciliation meetings with Mansoor, whose claim to leadership he considers spurious, nor will he start a separate reconciliation track.

He said that he will negoti-

ate only when Mansoor abandons plans for reconciliation or excluded from them.

Meanwhile, Rasool favoured the inclusion of Iran in the reconciliation process, saying the quadrilateral approach (involving the US, Chinese, Pakistani and Afghan diplomats working together to re-launch negotiations with the Taliban) does not sufficiently represent the variety of regional interests.

He said that excluding Iran, in particular, will in his views result in the failure of reconciliation efforts.

The remarks by Mullah Rasool came as the Afghan government was expecting to start face to face talks with the Taliban in the first week of this month following the conclusion of the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) meeting last month.

However, the group rejected to participate in the talks and once again reiterated the group's pre-conditions for the revival of peace process.

(IANS)

Terror charges against Maldives ex-VP over boat blast Colombo, Mar 18: The government of the Maldives says an ousted vice president has been charged with terrorism for his alleged role in an explosion on the president's speedboat last September.

Ahmed Adeeb was arrested days after the blast which injured the wife of President Yameen Abdul Gayoom and two others.

Weeks later Adeeb was voted out of office.

Government spokesman

Ibrahim Hussain Shihab said on Thursday that Adeeb and five military personnel were charged in a criminal court this week.

Adeeb is accused of helping the military personnel plant explosives and abuse of his authority in gaining access to the boat.

The government of the Indian Ocean island nation says the blast was caused by a bomb, but FBI investigators said they found no evidence of a bomb. (PTI)

PAGE 8

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, MARCH 19

WIDE PROSPECTIVE Indra Kr. Bhujel

Open defecation All should take steps against it Open defecation refers to the practice whereby people go out in fields, bushes, forests, open bodies of water, or other open spaces rather than using the toilet to defecate. The practice is Photo: arunimabasu rampant in India and the country is home to the world's largest population of people who defecate in the open and excrete close to 65,000 tonnes of faeces into the environment each day. More than 564 million Indians still defecate in the open - the largest number of people in any country in the world and half the global total. Half of the population excretes more than 65,000 tonnes of poo outside every day. Almost 1 in 10 of the 1.2 million children under 5 years old who die every year in the country succumb to diarrhoea, which is linked to poor water, hygiene and sanitation. Some 40 per cent of the country's children are stunted - chronically malnourished - a condition which is linked to open defecation. India accounts for 90 per cent of the people in South Asia and 59 per cent of the 1.1 billion people in the world who practice open defecation. Open defecation poses a serious threat to the health of children in India. The practice is the main reason India reports the highest number of diarrhoeal deaths among children under-five in the world. Every year, diarrhoea kills 188,000 children under five in India.

Children weakened by frequent diarrhoea episodes are more vulnerable to malnutrition, stunting, and opportunistic infections such as pneumonia. About 43 per cent of children in India suffer from some degree of malnutrition. Diarrhoea and worm infection are two major health conditions that affect school-age children impacting their learning abilities. Open defecation also puts at risk the dignity of women in India. Women feel constrained to relieve themselves only under the cover of dark for reasons of privacy to protect their dignity. Open defecation exposes women to the danger of physical attacks and encounters such as snake bites. Poor sanitation also cripples national development: workers produce less, live shorter lives, save and invest less, and are less able to send their children to school.

In spite of the large number of people still practising open defecation, the Government of India has made progress in reducing the practice. The 2010 JMP report showed that 54 per cent of people were practising open defecation, translating to around 637million people. According to the April 2014 update, this figure has come down to 48 per cent, or 595million people, after taking into account population growth. Open defecation affects every aspect of a child's life putting them at risk of stunting and exposing them to avoidable diseases. Ending open defecation and achieving sanitation for all in India takes a genuine team effort in which all relevant actorsfrom the Government to the people practicing open defecation, from role models to international development partners--play together as one team. Awareness campaigns, media exposure, and pressure from school-age children, are some of the drivers of this awareness. Further, with a growing population and increasing agricultural cultivation and urbanization, the number of spaces available for open defecation continues to reduce.

Aadhaar bill LS passed the bill in its original form The Lok Sabha passed the Aadhaar bill a second time, rejecting five amendments made less than an hour earlier by the Rajya Sabha that underscored its reservations about provisions in the proposed legislation.

The Lok Sabha's disapproval completes the legislative process for enacting the bill to ensure targeted delivery of subsidies through the Aadhaar platform.

The Lower House has the privilege to reject the Rajya Sabha's amendments since the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill, 2016, was treated as a money bill.

The proposed law that will come into force after the President's assent mandates that people receiving benefits from the government should have the 12digit unique identification number called Aadhaar.

Also, the government will have the power to make it compulsory for people accessing its services to have the Aadhaar number. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has issued Aadhaar to 77% of the 1.28 billion people in the country since the first number was issued in 2010. Among the amendments moved by Congress parliamentarian Jairam Ramesh and cleared by the Rajya Sabha was a clause that prevented the government from making Aadhaar compulsory. Finance minister Arun Jaitley defended the bill in both Houses, seeking to address privacy concerns, misuse of biometric data of individuals, circumstances under which it could be shared, and oversight of the scheme. According to him, the bill has better provisions in protecting people's privacy than the one brought by the Congress-led UPA coalition when it was in power.

The Aadhaar scheme has drawn criticism since the number is issued after collecting and registering a person's biometric data, which people felt could be misused. Ramesh flagged concerns about the law being misused as it gave sweeping powers to authorities on the grounds of national security. Revealing that he himself did not possess an Aadhaar card, he cautioned against a situation when it could be required for buying air tickets or getting a phone number.

Aadhaar is set to receive statutory backing after Parliament passed a bill that will make the unique identification project the central plank for delivering government subsidies and welfare benefits. Only the President's signature is now required for the bill to become law, which will enable the government to reset the subsidy regime and deliver state benefits directly to their intended beneficiaries, plugging leakages.

Making the Leader Returning from South Africa, Mahatma Gandhi didn't join the Indian politics instantly; rather he made it a part of his duty to train himself for the battle that he was to lead. His knowledge of India was confined to Gujarat and a few nearby states. He toured India, he experienced the starvation, drought, poverty and life of slam area; he witnessed the real India and her problems, and when he felt that he is really strong enough to fight against all these causes of suffering, he marked his presence in Indian politics.

Mahatma Gandhi is not an antique. But seeing leaders of these days, Gandhi really seems an unrealistic creature.

Albert Einstein had rightly said a long ago about him that; "Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth."

Today, we get leader readymade. Politics and power is acquired in legacy and in heredity, if not, then by dint of money, or by being a member of some marginalized community, or by saying something obnoxious and controversial.

The world is moving so fast that everyone wants success instantly, in a blink. No one will to toil till comes the perfection.

We readily accept this amateurism, and make our choice; knowing fully that it is a fault choice. Truly speaking, we don't have a choice at all, so we don't make a choice. We take things for granted. The harm that our wrong choice does is that it, does not affect us, and those who are affected have no power to make choice.

Now someone may argue how living in a democratic country we don't have a choice.

About democracy, Democracy is really a weapon of self destruction when used by novice.

India is not fit to be a democratic country, as the real ideal

of the democracy can be lived by only those who have better conscious and elevated thought. The statement, "For the people, of the people and by the people" said for democracy is a literary jargon to fool a group of people. Mere voting right cannot make the commoner the most powerful, nor the king maker if he doesn't know the authenticity of his choice. And a voter's choice is always influenced by those who are in power. Those who are the arbiter manipulate everything to change our choice and priority. Starting from the television serial to T.V talk show, ads stories and articles of the magazine to the news papers and the news channel, everything is fabricated and with a changed matrix. We are converted into a product that is used randomly by a few powerful lots. Our thought and priority is changed in accordance to their priority and convenient. We have to save power because they have to use it, we have to save energy because they have to use it, we have to save trees and plant trees because they have to use the product made of it. All that is happening is a systematic exploitation of the common people.

Once the country of the first world did and still are doing with the second and the third world country, now our leaders and the so called savior are doing it to us. That's the system; the powerful will always exploits the powerless.

Changes come in the society for the benefit of a few, but are established it as for the commoners, and our change are unique! We have to mix Horlicks with the milk before we give it to the child as milk alone cannot breakdown the vitamin D of the milk. We have to use NAMAK WALA toothpaste as fluoride only is not sufficient to save our teeth‌Changes come in our

thought process, in the knowledge that is impart to us, the knowledge that is market oriented, company and corporate produced.

We have to choose Mr.X as our leader because he is my brethren, as he and I share the same language and same caste and same tradition, because the other one doesn't belong to our caste or cult. We need to vote to Mr. X because he will do these and that for us, and as he is rich, he will do less effort in filling his account and keep more for us.

Mr. X will not be a man of our choice because he is honest, he is sincere and he has dedicated his life for the welfare of the public, has been in the service of the mankind for so many years, and never had been seen him burning in the ambition of being an MLA, CM or anyone with power and pelf. Never ever had been heard him saying that politics is the easiest mean to gain money, the safeties business of profit, because if he had been so, he would had been a man of unreal world, a man of outdated thought, a man who is not worldly , not practical.

He is regarded as a politically incorrect man.

It is surprise to see how our choice and priority has been changed. We have started making wrong one our Hero. We have already accepted that good qualities, truthfulness, sincerity, honesty and dedicated service are things of the lost world.

But it is not so. The first world is guided by all these obsolete and rare qualities. People there strive for the best.

Leaders there qualified themselves in qualities that will make them great and voters choose their representatives who work for the welfare of the people, for the humanity, for the society.

Mahatma Gandhi, who is more popularly known as "Bapuji or Father of the Nation."

Photo: thefamouspeople If we compare with them, our voters are more than foolish as they choose repeatedly the same candidates who have done practically nothing for the society, for the downtrodden and to them whom they represent.

The sanity of the voters should be questioned because they vote to those who make promise to give them this and that benefits. A political representative should not give us anything; he should make things so progressive that no one needs to ask anything. Our voters are foolish because they sale their votes merely at a meager sum of rupees five hundred or six hundreds when it is worth millions!

Our voters are foolish because bother not to do that is in their power of execution. They can make a true leader by demand-

ing the best from those who represent them. They can make it indispensible for the leaders to have good and great qualities in them. A hero, anti -hero, protagonist of a novel or story that become immortal are not a mere creation of the fiction writer, but they are created by the demand and wish of the common audience and the readers.

It is high time when we should start making leaders who can fulfill our dreams, hope and aspiration.

Democracy can be truly a blessing for us only if we use it for the betterment of the society, and not to be a puppet in the hand of a few power hungers.

The inclusion of NOTA as a choice has given us a good opportunity that should be utilized. Let the entire voters vote

for NOTA if a candidate is not of his or her choice. Let us not think who the ruler at centre is.

It is clear that despite with all good intention, centre alone can do nothing for the people of a state. Choosing those as our representative who can't speak for us, those whose periphery of thought and thinking go not beyond their personal profit and needs can do no benefit to the state or the society.

NOTA will bound the Govt. to conduct election once again, and this time let the demand be made v e r y c l e a r t h a t a right candidate need to b e r i g h t s o c i a l l y, p u b licly, not politically.(The writer is a freelance columnist living at Bokajan. He can be contacted at kumarindrabhujel@gmail.com)

Cafe Sheroes: A Place for Acid Attack Victims in India One Indian cafe has made itself a place of refuge and recovery for India's acid attack victims.

When Ritu Saini tells her story, she doesn't show any anger. She is completely at peace with the pain that life has inflicted on her.

She grows excited when she talks about her days as a basketball player in Haryana, the state she once represented. But in 2012, an acid attack on her by her cousin, whom she rejected, cut short a budding career and ended her dreams of playing for the country. Four years later, Saini still harbors a desire to be an athlete. But regaining the confidence to lead a normal life does not come so easily to the victims of acid attacks in India.

into an existence as the living dead.

The Stop Acid Attacks campaign started three years ago and has come as a great relief for these unfortunate victims of barbarity. The campaign serves as "a bridge between survivors and the society, as most of the victims of this brutal crime ‌ have isolated themselves after losing their face."

The campaign not only created awareness about the issue, but also brought survivors of acid attacks face-toface with a society that had been living in denial of this horrid phenomenon.

Sanjay Kumar

The victims, mostly women, are isolated from their families and society at large; they become complete pariahs in their own surroundings, where they have grew up. Once their faces are disfigured after the attack, acceptability is beyond question and many are forced

"The campaign is now in the second phase," says Alok Dixit, the main brain behind the campaign. "There is a law to deal with such attacks, but the challenge is how to implement it effectively."

"The second challenge is to change the mindset of the people and integrate acid at-

tack victims into India's mainstream society and consciousness," he adds.

Cafe Sheroes is an attempt to take matters in that direction.

The first of its kind in India, the cafe, run and maintained exclusively by survivors of acid attacks, is a serious effort to engage society with the victims.

"Sheroes is an attempt not only to provide jobs, but also to change the mindset of the people; to develop a soft corner in their minds for the victims and sensitize them to the issue. People should be engaged and survivors should be brought to the mainstream," argues Dixit, who managed to open Cafe Sheroes in Lucknow on March 8, International Women's Day, with generous help from the Uttar Pradesh government.

"Despite support from my family, I was feeling uneasy, left out, and isolated. My life got a new meaning when in 2014 I joined the Stop Acid

Attacks campaign. I started living life afresh," says Saini.

"I had stopped wearing red dresses after the attack because the day I fell victim I was wearing a red garment.

When I joined the campaign, everyone offered me a red dress and we celebrated by cutting a cake. That time I realized I have to do something in life. Not everything is lost.

Now I manage accounts for Sheroes," she said.

She believes that it is particularly important for men to realize the pain of an acid victim and, through the cafe, she and women like her want to narrate the anguish of the victims.

"I never felt that anyone should be hanged to death or that anyone should get a life term in prison for the crime committed against me. I feel that when the culprits come out of prison, at least they should realize that they have made a mistake and make sure that such incidents don't take place in our society.

No one should be attacked that way," she says.

Sonia, 31, also believes that

men's mindsets need to change.

She fell victim to her neighbor's vindictiveness in 2004 in Ghaziabad, a suburb near Delhi. She completely lost one of her eyes and her face melted. After living an isolated life for many years, she has found a sense of purpose in her life by joining the Stop Acid Attacks campaign. She now wants to realize her ambition to be a beautician and, with support from civil society, she is going to open a parlor in New Delhi.

"Very soon I will be opening a salon in Delhi with the help of the group. I feel that the way I can come to realize my dreams, other survivors should also be able to live theirs. I want to train them and make them confident," she adds. Sonia no longer likes to cover her face.

Giving inspiration to all these survivors is Laxmi, 26, a survivor who was attacked by a 32-year-old man for rejecting his advances in 2005 at the tender age of 15. She and Alok are at the forefront of the campaign

U.S.A's Contradictory Stand

A F-16 aircraft. (Photo:expressindia)

Sir, A news paper report suggests that the effort by the U.S. Senate to block sale of F-16 aircraft to Pakistan has been rejected. A Republican senator moved the resolution last month under the provision of Arms Export control Act that ended in smoke. The whole of the world knows Pakistan is the ideal breeding ground of terrorists. On myriad of occasions, India has been attacked without any provocation. We can still visualize the day on which, number of terrorists from Pakistan entering India by sea started killing spree in Mumbai Killing more than hundred.

Thereafter, too, there have been number of attempts by the terrorists of Pakistan to let loose a similar reign of terror as that of Mumbai. Many of such attempts by the terrorists of Pakistan have been thwarted by our security forces. Their only obsession of Paki-

stan is to destabilize India. In the battle with India that Pakistan waged, the army of Pakistan always used sophisticated deadly weapons imported from the U.S.A. Saukat Ali, an eminent leader of Pok concedes that Pakistan use, PoK as a haven of the trained terrorists to infiltrate into India to kill innocent people and for espionage. On one hand, the U.S.A. in its bid to check spread of terrorist censured Pakistan overtly on number of occasions, on the other hand, in a show of professionalism, the U.S.A is all set to sell F-16 aircraft to Pakistan. India must leave no stone unturned to modernize our air force to foil any attempt by Pakistan to destabilize India and to be above par.

and have given hope to many survivors. Putting her tragedy behind her, Laxmi not only broke free, but also became a spokesperson on behalf of India's acid attack victims. She now works as a television host and a model, devoting a major part of her time to working with other survivors.

"You ask for a job; you don't get it. Even people don't like to talk to you," says Laxmi, who is now the mother of oneyear-old baby. "Someone has to come forward. Had we not raised our voice, we would not have been here in front of you today. Change has come.

Fighters have emerged."

Cafe Sheroes, thus, is not just a hangout; it is an open home for India's acid victims. The name Sheroes itself derives from the word 'heroes.'

Women like Ritu, Sonia, Laxmi, and many others are the real 'sheroes,' who have not let tragedy blunt their outlook on life.

Courtesy: thediplomat

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

Letters to the editor and articles should be sent to : The Eastern Today Chowkidingee, Near Sankardeva Hospital Mancotta Road, Dibrugarh786003 (Assam) Ph: 0373-2328944 Yours etc.

Web : Ashok Bordoloi editor.easterntoday@gmail.com Dibrugarh

p O

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, MARCH 19

Page 9

ed

Faith Coincidently!

Faith, Conviction and Co- jumped into the freedom incidence - all in juxtapo- movement and dedicated sition are different chap- his life to the freedom of ters of the same book. our Motherland. My Over the years, I have mother has been raised in been trying to correlate the garden life and she narthem and there have been rates lot of fascinating stoinnumerable question ries of the simplicity of the marks to my queries tea garden community (rewhich I am seeking till ferred to as Adivasi or date. I beBagania). I lieve, a strong Binita Baruah also have Faith or Belief some horrileads to solid Conviction fied experiences of my of a Great Possibility in mother bag packing me anyone's life, but there are and my brother to the tea times, when Coincidences garden where my Aunt too play a Herculean task (My mother's eldest of the in making Faith more deep siblings) stayed, to spend by playing its part at the our summer vacations for right time, thereby build- 2 -2 long months. Our ing ones Conviction upon aunt being a very strict Faith also stronger. lady, Maa was of the opinA few years back, I vis- ion that we will learn manited one of the tea gardens nerism and behavior under in Amsoi (a village her guidance. This long panchayat in Raha, period of strict superviAssam) to rejuvenate the sion would not end and at weekend after a usual hec- last, we pretend to fall tic week at work. To re- sick, toothache, homesick call back, our family has etc etc with the hope of a strong association with being rescued. However, Tea gardens. My grandfa- now we all laugh it out ther (Maternal) was an over a cup of tea and ofemployee in a teagarden ten question my mother as during the British Rule, left to how could she be so his job halfway and harsh upon us?

Pursuing the topic of what I started, there is a very common belief in our Assamese culture - a Frog ceremony "Bhekuli'r Biya" (Bhekilu- frog and Biya marriage in Assamese). It is a mythical marriage between two frogs to please the Rain God so that it showers its blessing in the form of rain for a good harvest. The dry season in a tea garden is also equally painful, the tea leaves dry out as if they have rusted to the core. I witnessed the harrowing condition during my stay over that weekend in Amsoi. People were bleeding their heart out for rain but it seemed they had lost all hope. Not finding any way out, the last resort was the "Bhekuli'r Biya"!

A meeting was called, the date was fixed and the venue of the marriage was set - the local Namghar (a community prayer hall of the Assamese people). The Groom and the Bride was also chosen. Both were kept in two different pots in two different houses.

Two couples played the

part of the Groom's and Bride's parents and even fasted the whole day for a blessed ceremony. The idea of the ceremony, at first seemed very amusing to me but the seriousness and passion with which everyone got involved, my excitement rose to witness the event and at the same time to perceive whether Faith play its part or not.

As I took the Manager's Bolero for a short drive to connect to the lush and the greenery within the garden, I saw a huge crowd few steps ahead. It was the Groom's party on their way to perform one of the pre- wedding rituals (Panitula-where members of the Groom's as well as the Bride's family collect holy water in a pot from a flowing river and use it in the ceremonial bath). In the evening, the Groom's family gathered in the local Namghar and with great pomp and show, they local kids made their way to the Bride's home to invite them to the Namghar. To my utmost

surprise, there were drizzles outside by then.

The bride, all decked up made her way out of the pot too. The Zuran (a pre wedding ritual in Assamese marriage where the Groom's mother visits the bride and gifts her the wedding trousseau) was performed. The Pujari (local priest) recited the Shlokas (verse of lines in praise of the God) in front of the holy fire and both the Groom and the Bride were garlanded as my camera captured the precious moments of a Happy Marriage. Everyone got intoxicated with the sound of the drumbeats and the local music. I too tried to shake a leg tuning to their local dance. Finally, time had come for the bride to leave (Bidaai) and the Bride's parents gave a tearful bid. The Groom and the Bride wet set free in the field post the wedding. The Manager of the tea garden order for a movie show (which is also an event in itself in tea gardens) and a huge feast was arranged. To my ut-

A traditional frog marriage in progress. most shock, by that time, there was heavy downpour outside, so heavy that the Namghar had to be shielded with plastic covers on the sides. The localites drained and danced to their hearts content in the heavy rain.

Their happiness knew no bound. Their conviction upon faith had won!

The fact that left me flabbergasted was- their dedication and passion pre-

sented in the ceremony, the way 2 families came forward with so much of enthusiasm to play the role of parents, sharing money for the gifts and the lament act as the bride left- every part was a play but the intensity with which they played was commendable and lastly the heavy downpour- I would not have ever bought this incident had I not witnessed with my own eyes.

As I drove back to be a part of the maddening crowd again after the weekend had gone by, I started seeking the answers once again - was it their strong Conviction upon Faith or it was Coincidence playing its part once again exactly at the right time?? And I am still probing and seeking answers‌. (The writer can be reached at binita_b2002@yahoo.co.in)

All you need to know about Bodoland politics Why is my skin colour more important than my education, ahead of this year's Assam elections For much of our popula- rival in Delhi to clarify the ing" for many people. tion which banks on a cer- same later resulted in an At the same time, Dutta is tain kind of media for announcement of Rs. 340 also highly critical of the news from the northeast- crore as the first install- shift in political aspirations ern frontiers of India, ment by the Development of parties like BPF that 'Bodoland' connotes a sin- of North-Eastern Region have now come down to gular idea: a region that is ministry. Nevertheless, the mere 'developmental' rife with insurgency and initial allotment of only Rs. schemes and how much unending violence 50 crore was criticised by money can be pooled in amongst communities the detractors of the alli- from either the state or the within Bodoland and mili- ance, like C.M. Tarun Centre. tant groups fighting Gogoi.

"As far as the question of against Many the new-found alliance beMinakshi Bujarbaruah l o - tween BPF-BJP remains, t h e state. c a l the one thing that will be However, deeper explora- BJP cadres were not even interesting to watch out tions of the region reveal in favour of the BPF-BJP for is the role of BPF as a a Pandora's Box of every- alliance and wanted the pressure group, not only day battles, daily struggles alliance with Bodoland to pool in resources for and tales of woe that oth- People's Progressive BTC but more imporerwise do not find a plat- Front- Rabiram Narzary tantly, to emphasise and form for expression.

(BPPF-R), formed in April draw attention to the In the run-up to the Assam 2005 after the BPPF split question of a separate Legislative Elections 2016, into two factions - BPPF- Bodo state," Dutta says. there is an increasing buzz R (Rabiram Narzary) and Congress Remains In and curiosity about the BPPF-H (Hagrama The Game new political matrimony of Mohilary). BPPF-H later Monjib Mochahari, an asthe Bodoland People's became BPF whereas sistant professor at Front (BPF) with the BPPF-R started to be Dibrugarh University, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Elections are scheduled to take place in Assam in two phases in April this year.

A 13-year-old alliance of the BPF with the Congress party did not yield the much-desired outcome of socio-economic development of BTC to the extent that it expected.

The BTC or the Bodoland Territorial Council, comprising the four districts of Baksa, Chirang, Udalguri and Kokrajhar was a result of tripartite talks between the governments of A Bodo family from a village burnt down during India and Assam, and the Bodo Liberation Tigers the 2014 conflict. (Photo: Minakshi Bujarbaruah) (BLT), leading to the surrender of BLT cadres (in- called BPPF. In an inter- feels it is too early to forecluding Hagrama esting turn of events, see changes in BTC Mohilary, former chief of Mohilary managed to get through these new-found the organisation) and the BPPF-R to merge into political alliances. He told me that while some imsigning of a Memorandum BPF earlier this year. of Settlement in February Many, like Dr. Uddipan provements might happen, Dutta, a research associ- regardless of who came to 2003.

The shift in political asso- ate at the Omeo Kumar power, the main question ciation of the BPF led by Das Institute of Social regarding the demand for ex-BLT chief Hagrama Change and Development separate Bodoland was Mohilary, alias Hagrama (an Indian Council for likely to remain unanBasumatary (currently Social Science Research swered. also the Chief Executive funded institute in According to Mochahari, Member of BTC), with a Guwahati) are highly the ruling Congress should right-wing national party skeptical of the new shift not be ruled out from the has also made commenta- in the political discourse contest. "The last minute tors sit up and take note. of Bodoland. Dutta, who attempts of the state govhas extensively re- ernment to fulfill some of Why The BJP-BPF Alli- searched the Bodo move- the old demands of All ance Matters And What ment, opines that given Bodoland Students Union the ideological roots of (ABSU) and Bodo Sahitya It Means The alliance faced stormy both the BPF and BJP, Sabha (BSS) (like a sepaweather right away. The which are starkly differ- rate directorate of instrucBPF had sought a pack- ent and opposed to each tion for Bodo and other age of Rs. 1000 Crore for other, the alliance of the tribal languages) is changthe development of two itself comes as a ing the electoral mood Bodoland Territorial Coun- shock. He told me that the within the community in cil (BTC) from the BJP. alliance and its compul- their favour," he claims.

The initial announcement sions should have been Mochahari believes that the of Rs 50 crore as per the questioned in greater de- BJP and BPF have failed latest Union Budget came tail and the fact that it Bodo political aspirations. as a major blow. However, wasn't happening was He pointed out that in the Mohilary's immediate ar- troubling and even "appall- last 20 months that the BJP

government has been in power, "not even a single peace dialogue on Bodoland issue was held."

The entry of this year's new player, the United People's Party (UPP) backed by the All Bodo Student Union (ABSU) might also cause some surprises in the electoral arena. In March, the UPP entered into an alliance with the Congress.

Headed by U.G. Brahma, ex-president of ABSU, the announcement about the formation of this party was made in August 2015 in Dotma in Kokrajhar at a special convention of the People's Co-ordination for Democratic Rights (PCDR).

The UPP, also backed by National Democratic Front of Bodoland-G (Gobinda faction) is likely to win in four to five seats within BTC area and Congress expects to gain Bodo votes outside.

General Secretary of All Bodo Students Union (ABSU), Lawrence Islary claimed that the "BPF has lost local people's support due to misgovernance and the level of corruption that the party has indulged in over time. If people vote for the newly formed UPP backed by ABSU, there is still hope for Bodoland as people can still hope to bring peace and development in the region."

Common People's Demands Yet To Be Fulfilled Pranab Brahma, a middleaged social worker told me that the there was hardly anything he expected to undergo "drastic change" as far as the impact on the lives of common people was concerned, no matter the alliances. While claiming that the BPF ruled BTC single-handedly through "dubious" means, he noted that they had still managed to create a reasonable amount of infrastructure in Korajhar, by constructing roads and bridges. However, he added that other areas in BTC still suffered from a lack of infrastructure and the entire BTC faced issues related to the quality of education and health facilities, among other concerns.

Jobs for young people are also scarce. I spoke to Pronoti Basumatary, a law graduate who has completed her studies in Bangalore. She is eager to return to her homeland and contribute to the development of the region. However, Pronoti feels that there is

nothing much that she can look forward to in terms of a job. "This is a major problem for many like me who wish to return but do not find the best employment opportunities. Political parties need to seriously think about the youth leaving Bodoland for better opportunities elsewhere," she told me.

Fear Of Hinduisation Post BJP-BPF Alliance Some like Solomon Narzary, Assistant Professor, Bodoland University, believe that there might be a polarization of votes in the name of religion, and ethnic terms within Bodoland post the BPF-BJP alliance.

"The BPF-BJP alliance may not necessarily be viewed favourably by Muslims and tribal Christians in BTAD. For the right-wing BJP and its Hindutva ideology, beef eating tribal Christians and Muslims might become a soft target and there are high possibilities of political strain on religious lines," Narzary told me.

Fearing a new wave of Aryanisation/Hinduisation of Bodos through the new alliance, many commentators believe that more than the political impact it is the religious influence that needs to be feared in Assam.

What is now being referred to as a new wave of Hinduisation could possibly happen by way of forceful imposition of food practices, imposition of Hindutva's dogmatic principles, intolerance towards non-Hindus in both manifest and latent forms, among other means, all possibly leading to a Sanskritisation of the Bodo identity which necessarily will not indicate any upward mobility in the real sense of the term.

That said, issues related to recurring violence are yet to be comprehensively addressed by any political formation.

No Compromise On Separate Statehood?

On the question of separate statehood, the struggle will continue, many believe. The aspiration towards this end continues to dominate Bodo people's imagination although the question of minorities in BTC needs more critical deliberations. Irrespective of the government in power and whether Bodoland develops or not, separate statehood is one demand that is unlikely to wither away from people's thought process.

Courtesy: yka

personality or values?

"Dad, I want to pursue higher education in Canada," I said reluctantly while trying to convince my father.

still the same dusky nerdy girl," came auntie's response to my greetings.

"For God's sake auntyji, I was studying in Canada and working two part"Beta, I'm glad you talked time jobs concurrently to to me about it. Even my pay for my studies. I friend's daughter has gone didn't have maids like you to some do to work college in me. By Vishakha Sethi for Canada. I the way, I was thinkdidn't go to a ing of asking you if you'd different country to look like to join the same place. stylish and become light She likes it there. Let me skinned," I whispered. know what you want me My mom, standing next to do to help you," came to me, felt bad as well and his reply. she replied to my aunt on Wow! That was some- my behalf, "Since my thing unexpected or, daughter is too modest to maybe, I just had a wrong let you know herself, let opinion about my father. me tell you that she is a I jumped with joy and excitement as half of the struggle was over.

"How would she survive there? Look at her! Such a thin girl who doesn't even know how to make tea for herself," said a feeble voice of an old relative who was listening to the whole conversation between my father and I. "Have you gone mad?

Aren't there enough colleges in India that you are trying to send her off this far? You are making a mistake. You'll repent later," the voice kept trying to convince my father to change his decision. My father, who is always firm in his decisions, replied, "You need not worry. She has every right to live her dream! For your concerns about her cooking skills, an empty stomach can make everyone learn and earn."

So, here I was, after 4 months and 12 days, breathing in the air of Toronto.

Five Years Later Weddings are the perfect excuses for me to visit India. Someone rightly said, "Home is where your heart is." I was excited to meet everyone after such a long time.

"Namaste auntyji! How have you been?" I greeted one of the aunts I was seeing after a long time.

"Namaste beta! You haven't changed a bit after so many years. I heard people have a fair complexion and they are more stylish when they return from Canada, but you are

dia that make everyone believe that 'Fair is fair', females in India are subjected to such questions about their appearance, irrespective of their education and other skills they might possess. Scrutinising eyes are always on them and they have to dress up to please society more than to please themselves. God forbid if a daughter-in-law is little darker than her in-laws' family, she has to bear mortifying stares and teasing.

Some people argue that we dress as we think and one must dress good to look good. But in my humble opinion, appear-

Image for representational purpose only. (Photo: porcelainfacespa) university gold medalist and a post-graduate with honours from a Canadian University. She neither applies make-up nor does she dress to please anyone. She is capable enough of expressing herself through what she has achieved and not by what others perceive. By the way, Canada does not offer beauty classes where Indians can go and turn white." Proud of you mom!

'Fair complexion'. The term does not even exist in the country where I work. 'Light skinned' does but never in a discriminatory context. Thanks to the beauty products in In-

ances can be deceptive. If a woman is covered up, it doesn't necessarily mean that she is close-minded.

Wisdom and attitude matter more than appearance.

A woman's uniqueness can be in her gentle touch, smile, compassion, little acts of kindness, her sense of humour, self-confidence or her expressions rather than her appearance. In my diverse country, why do I find it difficult to explain what the essence of beauty is?

We must amend the definition of beauty in the constitution of orthodoxy and keep ourselves away from the irrational judgements based on appearances.

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, MARCH 19

BUSINESS

PAGE 10

SBI inks with Uber for instant vehicle financing Railways partners New Delhi, Mar 18: Public sector lender SBI has tied up with taxiaggregator Uber to provide instant vehicle finance to 'driver-partners' on the latter's platform.

The scheme would encourage skilled drivers to overcome liquidity crunch and excess documentation requirements to become an entrepreneur. The loans could be sanctioned in one day using an inbuilt digital offering, and would be collateral free as well as carry a very competitive interest rate. All loans will be covered under the government's Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana

Significant growth not to be seen in PC sales Chennai, Mar 18: Even as the PC sales in the country registered a growth of 10.6 per cent year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2015, research firm Gartner said it does not see "significant growth" in the segment in the coming quarters. According to Gartner, PC shipments in the October-December 2015 period increased to 2.6 million units. Further, the data showed that Lenovo moved to the top rank in PC shipments in India during the quarter with market share of 25.3 per cent, up from 18 per cent in the year-ago period.

The research firm said the state government order execution in the quarter helped Lenovo experience the largest increase in market share.

Lenovo had bagged an order last year from the Tamil Nadu Government for supply of 6.6 lakh laptops to be distributed free to school and college students. HP ranked second with 23.3 per cent market share, followed by Dell (20.6 per cent) and Acer (13.9 per cent). "The PC market in India is facing some challenging market dynamics. The enterprise segment might witness some growth going forward due to government and education projects, however, we do not foresee significant growth in the PC market in India," Vishal Tripathi, Director at Gartner Research said. Sales in the consumer segment, which accounted for 40 per cent of total PC sales in the October-December quarter, were down 52 per cent year-onyear. (Agencies)

Two A 330 aircraft to be added by Air Asia New Delhi, Mar 18: Confident about the immense potential of civil aviation and rising air traffic in India, Malaysian low-cost airline Air Asia is keen on expanding its presence and connect more destination. Speaking on the sidelines of India Aviation 2016 that started here, Air Asia Group CEO Tony Fernandes said that they planned to explore flying on new routes in the country. "We will soon add two A 330 planes to our existing fleet of six aircraft", he said, adding that 5/20 rule of Government of India was hurdle for the growth of the sector. The airline that has a strategic partnership with Tata Sons here, is keen on the Indian market and is of the opinion that Government should reconsider the 5/20 rule, according to which only those Indian airlines that have a fleet strength of 20 aircraft and show a minimum operations of five years could fly abroad. Mr. Tony Fernandes reiterated that the request to Government seeking to reconsider the rule for the aviation sector and that only if it was relaxed, the number of flights would increase largely. The global aviation industry was watching India and seeking to play a role in its growth story, by offering connectivity to new locations. The airline had on static display, an A 330-300 that did attract attention from business delegates on Day One of the air show. (Agencies)

Scheme, SBI said in a statement. "The on-demand transportation segment growth has created a whole new ecosystem enabling lakhs of Indians to earn livelihood by becoming micro-entrepreneurs on such platforms," SBI Chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya said. "In the process, it has also opened up a new world of opportunities for the banking industry," she said, adding that one has to go beyond traditional banking to leverage such opportunities.

SBI Managing Director Rajnish Kumar said the new facility would enable drivers to apply for loans at the Uber Partner Cen-

tre and get loans sanctioned in one day. "This is supported by our digitally integrated back-end system, thereby eliminating the long processing time. The partnership with Uber will also help us simplify the documentation requirements thereby eliminating traditional financial statements like income tax returns," Mr. Kumar said. Further, he said the product is inline with SBI's focus on building a risk mitigated portfolio, which is aimed at significantly improving the customer experience.

Uber is present across 27 cities in the country, more than any other country

PARTNERSHIP BENEFITS Public sector lender SBI has tied up with taxi-aggregator Uber to provide instant vehicle finance to 'driver-partners' on the latter's platform.

The on-demand transportation segment growth has created a whole new ecosystem enabling lakhs of Indians to earn livelihood by becoming micro-entrepreneurs on such platforms.

The scheme would encourage skilled drivers to overcome liquidity crunch and excess documentation requirements to become an entrepreneur.

The partnership with Uber will also help us simplify the documentation requirements thereby eliminating traditional financial statements like income tax returns.

outside the US. "India is a global market priority for us. In such a short

span of time, we've got over 2,50,000 driver partners on our platform who

have become micro-entrepreneurs today," Uber Asia Pacific president Eric Alexander said.

The tie-up with SBI would create tens of thousands of micro entrepreneurs, he added. SBI further said it is exploring opportunities with Uber, including a special scheme for the army men who intend to drive on the Uber platform. Uber India had partnered with the Army Welfare Placement Organisation (AWPO) under the Ministry of Defence to help ex-servicemen transition to civilian life and provide them with entrepreneurial opportunities. (Agencies)

Rasna plans to boost sales by year end Mumbai, Mar 18: In a bid to boost sales, soft drink concentrate manufacturer Rasna has adopted a multi-pronged strategy, which includes brand new TV commercials featuring popular Bollywood star Akshay Kumar, besides freebies and collectibles to go with its different variants. The company hopes the new strategy will help them add one billion glasses of the soft drink concentrate to its existing production volume by the year end.

Currently, Rasna produces five billion glasses of soft drink concentrate annually. The company will be investing Rs.50 crore in its marketing initiative which includes the television commercials and freebies targeting youth, ladies and children.

kids." According to him, Rasna has 80 per cent market share. It is planning to grow its volume by 20 per cent during the calendar year by taking on carbonated soft drink and aerated drink. Mr. Khambatta said they have adopted a multi-pronged strategy to target health conscious youth with fruit and energy drink that ofRasna advertisement featuring Bollywood star Akshay Kumar (Photo: rasnainternational) fers 21 vitamins, minerals, glucose and calcium; laTwo television commer- tions for 2016 and the new dies and housewives with cials featuring its brand ad film are yet another freebies and children with ambassador Akshay endeavour from us to en- specially designed musiKumar along with new sure a gentler and direct cal toys 'Muzos'. It is an additions to the Rasna connect with our consum- ideal health and energy family will be aired this ers and cater to their spe- drink that could be chermonth. The company has cific requirements. The ished by all. Rasna analso roped in the young research we conducted in nounced the launch of Naisha Khanna as the 2015 led us to formulate three new promotions new face of Rasna. Piruz the strategy for this year featuring interesting and Khambatta, Rasna Chair- and come up with new exciting freebies for chilman and Managing Direc- commercial and a slew of dren to go along with the tor said: "The new promo- interesting collectibles for summer drink. 'Muzos'

will be given free with any 32 glass pack of Rasna Fruit Fun. The other two offerings are with the instant drink powder Rasna Fruit Plus. A unique sipper with an ice cooling stick is free with 4 x 125 gms packs. A Mobifan is free with 500gms of any Fruit Plus. The Mobifan is a specially designed hand fan which can be carried along to provide cool air any time anywhere.

Asked how they are going to meet the increased production volume, Mr. Khambatta said they opened a new plant in Hyderabad during January 2016, taking the total number of manufacturing facilities to nine. Besides, expansions were on at Dehradun and Gujarat plants. (Agencies)

YouTube ties with OML, Qyuki, TVF to start new originals Bengaluru, Mar 18: Video sharing website YouTube said its content partners, Culture Machine, OML, Qyuki and The Viral Fever (TVF), are set to launch four original properties. In the coming months, Culture Machine will be launching a beauty and stylecentric programme Beauty Hunt, while OML will launch the second season of Comedy Hunt, YouTube said in a statement. It said 'Laughter Games' will be launched in April, where nine comedy creators will launch their own comedy web series, featuring among

others, YouTube comedians such as East India Comedy, Put Chutney and Kenny Sebastian.

Web show creators TVF will be launching a search for the next generation of web series creators. YouTube's overall watchtime in India has grown by 80 per cent year-on-year with 55 per cent of that watch-time on mobile.

The hours of video uploaded from India has increased at 90 per cent annually, content uploaded by India's independent creators has risen especially quickly.

The watch time of independent musicians grew over 92 per cent, comedy and entertainment grew 100 per cent, while beauty and fashion videos have grown by over 138 per cent.

Tamil and Telugu content saw a watch-time growth of 75 per cent on year.

"Over the last few years, Indian YouTube creators Image for representational purpose only (Photo: have gained millions of telegraph ) subscribers and have taken over the imagina- ing massive growth for online, with advertisers tion of youth in India. In online video consump- looking to tap into this our view, 2015 was a tion." Now, we're seeing space in a meaningful breakout year for the online creators break way," YouTube India young industry and the open the gates for a Head of Entertainment ecosystem has really whole new kind of enter- Content Satya Raghavan, evolved with mobile driv- tainment for Indians said. (Agencies)

Royal Enfield's Himalayan priced at Rs. 1.55 lakh a five-speed gearbox and 24.5 BHP engine. The company would also sell accessories to go with the bike, which has a ground clearance of 210 mm. It is the first model to be built on the two new engine platforms the company is developing.

Multiple products could be launched based on the two new engine platforms. The new

Royal Enfield's Himalayan (Photo: carblogindia ) Mumbai, Mar 18: Motorcycle manufacturer Royal Enfield launched Himalayan, an all terrain 411-cc bike, priced at Rs. 1.55 lakh ( e x - s h o w r o o m Maharashtra). "We are creating a new segment of adventure tourer in India. We hope to get a lot of adventure bikers through this. We will have to wait and see if it is adopted very quickly or gradually picks up," Eicher

Motors MD and CEO Siddhartha Lal told. Himalayan has generated interest in all the markets where the company is present, including the U.S. and Europe, he said. With its purpose-built ground-up design, the Himalayan is a simple and capable "goanywhere" motorcycle that will redefine adventure touring in India, Mr. Lal said. Himalayan comes with

products would be in the range of 250 cc to 750 cc. The company plans to produce up to 9 lakh motorcycles by end of 2018 from its two existing manufacturing facilities and a third upcoming facility in Tamil Nadu. Royal Enfield is also building two new technology centres - one in India and another in the U.K. (Agencies)

HIMALAYAN SPECIFICATIONS Himalayan comes with a five-speed gearbox and 24.5 BHP engine.

It is the first model to be built on the two new engine platforms the company is developing.

Multiple products could be launched based on the two new engine platforms. The new products would be in the range of 250 cc to 750 cc.

The company plans to produce up to 9 lakh motorcycles by end of 2018 from its two existing manufacturing facilities and a third upcoming facility in Tamil Nadu.

with ISRO

Image for representational purpose only (Photo: livemint )

New Delhi, Mar 18: The Railway Ministry has signed an agreement with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to leverage space technology for providing passenger information in all trains, map railway assets and help survey new route alignments.

Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha also requested ISRO to conduct a study to find ways to ensure smooth rail traffic during the foggy season. "A study that will help us to run trains smoothly during foggy season will be a big achievement for us, as railways come to a standstill during winter

days," Mr. Sinha said. At present, Indian Railways uses space technology to provide connectivity to passenger reservation counters, unreserved ticketing system in remote areas, and emergency communication using satellite phones during disaster.

The Memorandum of Understanding, signed on Thursday, aims at developing applications in the field of remote sensing and graphic information system, proposes to provide information such as train stoppages, real-time train tracking, survey of new rail route alignments in hilly and difficult terrain.

(Agencies)

IRCTC to sell tickets for Pawan Hans

Image for representational purpose only (Photo: indianexpress)

Chennai, Mar 18: Seeking to promote helicopter -tourism, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation and Pawan Hans have joined hands under an agreement that would allow flyers to book tickets through IRCTC website.

Pawan Hans is a PSU of the Civil Aviation Ministry. The Memorandum of Understanding has been signed to implement the 'heli project' by making joint use of their capabilities and facilities to give a major fillip to tourism initiatives by the IRCTC, a railways PSU. The agreement envisages both sides to jointly identify areas of cooperation and draw up detailed projects to promote 'heli tourism' in the country and enable selling of online tickets for regular and chartered helicopter services and joy rides. "The signing of MoU with Pawan Hans will give a major push to our tourism initiatives by promoting 'heli tourism' in the country, an area which has enormous potential as a tourist product," IRCTC's

Chairman and Managing Director A K Manocha told.

The two sides will also facilitate marketing or crossselling of products and services through both physical outlets and websites, thus improving the range of services to their own customers. Both will also undertake opening and managing of various catering and hospitality outlets and budget hotels through their joint strength, at Pawan Hans (PH) properties and non-PH locations. IRCTC has already been providing helicopter rides to tourists for an aerial view of Mumbai.

"The MoU will give a cutting edge to such an effort," Manocha said. Founded in 1985, Pawan Hans has been mandated to provide helicopter service to oil companies and has also been working on the development of 'heli tourism' sector through a wide network of offices and facilities across the country.

It has grown into one of Asia's largest helicopter companies with an impressive fleet.(Agencies)

TVS-BMW to roll out its premium bike New Delhi, Mar 18: The BMW Motorrad and TVS Motor Company alliance will roll out its premium bike in the second half of this year, according to the German auto maker. "The market launch of the G 310 R in the second half of 2016 will be an initial step in this direction," according to BMW Group's Annual Report 2015. The motorcycle is designed to appeal to new markets and a younger target group and will be produced in cooperation with TVS Motor. G 310R is the first motorcycle out of the alliance and has already been showcased in many global auto shows. "The motorcycle will deliver a combination of great dynamics and comfort whether in town or out cruising on country roads," it added.

This innovative machine signals BMW Motorrad's entry into the under-500 cc segment as part of the

TVS-BMW shakes hand (Photo bangalorebest: ) strategic realignment of the motorcycles segment, which is aiming for further growth and increasing internationalisation. In 2013, TVS Motor and BMW announced their collaboration and investment plans to develop and manufacture a new series of super bikes that will cater to the sub-500cc segment. While the new bike roll out will mark BMW Motorrad's entry into a new segment, the upcoming models of the alliance are expected to

help TVS Motor expand its presence in the premium motorcycle space, where it currently sells Apache (160cc and 200cc) series.

While the mass motorcycle segment has been under stress, the above250 cc segment has been registering strong growth.

During the 11-month period of this fiscal, the total sales of above 250-cc bikes grew by 52 per cent at 463,546 units, compared to 304,976 units in the same period of the previous fiscal. (Agencies)

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, MARCH 19

Features

PAGE 11

WOMEN'S 10 good habits of women with naturally glowing skin!

It sometimes seems like no matter how many potions we buy, facepacks we try and fresh juices we drink, that perfect, radiant complexion will be forever out of reach.

Let's face it, we've all envied women with flawless, lit-from-within skin and would love to know their secret. Well, it's a no-brainer really great skin requires constant dedication! We give you a few things that women with great skin always do, just remember to be vigilant about it. Welcome to the flawless skin club!

1. She makes her own instead of trying store bought ones Don't shy away from "do it yourself", they're not as complicated as you think.

Simply adding a bit of chandan and rose water to multani mitti can give your complexion that much needed boost.

Spread fresh avocado on your face for 10 minutes

for instant hydration; try tomato pulp to brighten your skin and get rid of a tan - the options in your own kitchen are endless. See what works for you and apply it weekly.

2. She believes in spot-treating Treating different areas of your face differently is a wise idea. Instead of simply slathering a serum or a cream all over your visage, think about each part of your face.

If your forehead tends to get oily, you may want to avoid applying a heavy moisturizer there.

If you have combination skin, then you may want to use a toner on your Tzone only. Acne creams are drying, so try applying them only on spots and problematic areas instead of across your whole face.

3. She gets good sleep We all know the 8-hour rule of beauty sleep, but the quality of sleep you

get is what really matters. Keep your cell phone far, far away from your pillow so that you're not disturbed by texts and vibrations through the night. Even if you don't get in 8 hours of snooze time, getting good, undisturbed sleep every night can make a world of a difference.

4. She's wise about her makeup Use makeup from trusted brands and try as often as you can to use products that are noncomedogenic (which means they won't clog your pores) and not too heavy. Taking off your makeup diligently before bed makes a difference in giving you clear, glowing skin instead of a dull complexion with blocked pores and breakouts.

Give your eye area some extra care while removing your mascara and don't tug at it.

5. She gets moving Some activity and a bit of

daily exercise is essential to boost circulation for that healthy glow. If you're lazy, tag along with a friend for a jog or a yoga class so that the company can help motivate you. Sweating helps lower stress hormones which are connected to breakouts, clogged pores and skin aging. An envyinducing glow is what you should think about the next time you're considering slacking off on your workout.

6. She uses the right cleanser for her skin type If you don't thoroughly wash your face daily, you're leaving behind dirt, excess oil, pollution and grime from the day to block your pores and give you dull, breakout-prone skin. For oily skin that is prone to zits, use a cleanser containing salicylic acid; and for dry skin, try a milky cleanser or a moisturizing glycolic face wash.

7. She keeps her fin-

The best beauty products from your kitchen All good things come at grass The overwhelming smell That's probably the last a price, and beauty is no This detoxing potion is of this vegetable can fruit you'll pick from the exception to that, girls. among the healthiest bring you to tears, quite fruits section in your reAlthough we have a things in your kitchen. literally! But all those frigerator. number of aroma-filled Packed with antioxi- with dandruff problems facemasks flying off the dants, wheatgrass juice - onions are there to the However, that shouldn't shelves at general not only helps those with rescue. Applying onion be the case anymore. stores, there's nothing acne prone skin, but also juice on your scalp daily Papaya flakes on the better than using fresh treats blemishes and before a head-wash can face leave the skin well foods from your kitchen. scars. Add one glass of zap away your dandruff hydrated and even These might be smelly this juice to the water like never before. toned thanks to the enand make you feel a bit with which you bathe 4. Neem to the res- zymes present in the icked out as you con- and soak yourself in it cue fruit, leaving you with a sume them or apply for 15-20 minutes - this The antifungal and anti- brighter glow. It also them to your skin/ hair, helps with thorough bacterial properties of clears dandruff and acts but rest assured that the cleansing and fights this bitter leaf are a as a natural conditioner results will be fabulous!

Presenting some of the best beauty products that make us go "Ewww!" Take it from us, your hair and skin will never have looked THIS fabulous!

1. Multi-tasker eggs!

This one's a "multitasker'. Eggs tackle pores on your skin and double up as a hair conditioner too. It's also believed that applying egg on your face slows down ageing of skin by tightening the skin and Papaya pulp (Photo: cdn-wholesome) keeping it firm. A bit smelly, but goody, we body odour too. say! boon for those with acne for your hair.

2. Wondrous wheat- 3. Oh onions! issues. Application of this leads to clear, glow- 7. Go garlic! ing skin. Fancy shower It tastes great, no denygels aside, bring on those ing that - but the overcakes of neem soap, la- bearing smell of this vegetable‌ Well, let's dies! say we love our garlic breads, but if we were 5. Milky milk Many queens in history, to smear this all over who had luscious hair our face and hair? and glowing skin, had That's hard to digest! their beauty regimes in The allicin present in place. One of them be- garlic has antifungal ing bathing in raw milk. properties, which can It's not pleasant to smell, treat those pimples that but the benefits make it give you sleepless worth it. It can be used nights. Applying garlic as a cleansing agent, a juice on your face can moisturizer, and its AHA even prevent acne alto(Alpha Hydroxy Acid) gether. content makes is an ef- And if that wasn't confective scrub as well. vincing enough, a Throw in some honey facemask with garlic, into that raw milk, and honey, lemon and Neem for beautiful glowing skin (Photo: beauty make it into a facemask oatmeal helps in blackhead and whitehead rethat you can swear by. blog) moval too.

6. Papaya pulp

gers off Touching your face spreads bacteria causing acne, scarring and even wrinkles. Plus, you should also wipe your phone's screen regularly because you're constantly tapping away at it with your fingers and then touching it to your face. If you're noticing blackheads and breakouts around your cheeks, your phone might just be the culprit.

8. She drinks the right liquids Let's be honest, how much water do you really drink? Keep a bottle with you at all times and sip at it day and night. Plus, reconsider the amount of coffee and aerated drinks you have. Remember, green tea is healthy, but it also contains caffeine so don't go overboard with it. Fresh juices made from those dreaded greens, fruits and veggies can actually taste yummy once you try them a few times. It's all in the mind!

9. She doesn't use too

Woman with glowing skin (Photo: cdn.myhealthtips) many products Don't get sucked in by fad products, fancy ingredients and misleading advertisements. Using too many products can confuse your skin too. A cleanser and moisturizer that works for you should be at the core of your routine. A hydrating night cream or serum as well as a once-a-week

exfoliator is all the extra care your skin needs.

Other than that, clear out your dresser.

10. She uses sunscreen all year, every day!

Heat exposure adds up.

So even if you're walking across the street and are not spending more than 5 minutes in the sun, it is still necessary to pro-

tect yourself from the sun's rays. Preventing sun damage is way easier than treating it. Protect all your exposed areas, and if you're out for extended periods of time - reapply!

Not using sunblock will actually make you look 20 years older than you are a few years down the line.

Do your gorgeous skin a favour and protect it!

Tips you need to know to pick the most flattering neckline!

You've got a ton of clothes, but are still confused about what to wear because nothing seems to look quite right? Maybe it is because you confused about the right neckline choice. But worry not, here is all the help you need for picking the right one!

1. Consider your height Heels are not the only way to appear taller than you actually are. The right neckline can do it too.

Elongated necklines can easily create the illusion of height by drawing the eye vertically. So if you are the petite type, V-necks are a wardrobe staple!

3. Do not be extra tall Howsoever endearing extra tall might have been, you know you don't want to look like you have its neck. Move up your neckline if you have got a long neck, please. Or it just looks awkward. Like your neck is suspended on a

spring. That being said, some of the most awesome people have long necks and know how to dress for it. Consider high necklines, a high round neck or a halter neck.

4. Proportions matter Size may not always matter, but proportions almost always do. Low square necklines, for instance, have a tendency to draw attention to the bust, and it is awesome if that is what you are aiming for.

There is too much going on in this outfit.

5. Context matters Like proportion, context matters as well. The tube neckline looks absolutely stunning, of course, and is a great steal-worthy idea. But you also don't want to wear it to work, unless maybe you work in fashion.

What neckline looks flattering on you will almost always depend on the con-

Woman with high collar neckline (Photo: looksgud)

text you are wearing it in.

There is a reason why even celebs don't wear red carpet gowns on streets. As long as you are aware of your surroundings and comfortable with

your body, you can pull anything off. Choosing the right neckline is only one way of achieving it. Whatever you wear, your confidence eventually trumps everything!

Get rid of Dark Circles - Without using makeup!

Are dark circles and puffiness coming in the way of you? Do you hate having to spend ages on that area with your concealer stick?

Well, we give you a few ways to get rid of under eye circles and bags for good, so you no longer have to reach for your concealer. Follow these tips and go ahead!

1. Make an egg white mask A simple egg white mask is great for tightening the skin around your eyes and getting rid of puffiness.

Just apply a layer of raw egg whites on the area and rinse off after 15 minutes (or when it dries).

2. Stop that rubbing If you're constantly rubbing at your eyes then that's a problem. Friction causes pigmentation and darkening, especially in the delicate area around your eyes. Make a conscious effort to stop rubbing your poor peepers.

3. Almond oil massage Gently massage the eye area with almond oil ev-

Applying eye cream (Photo: seealgae) ery day; this is a big step towards reducing those dark circles and bags. Do it every night before sleeping to wake up to fresher looking eyes.

4. You need an eye cream with caffeine A caffeinated eye cream is an absolute must if you have a dark circle problem.

Caffeine helps constrict blood vessels which basically reduces puffiness and under eye circles. You

can store your eye cream in the fridge so the cold works as an added bonus to lessen bags and puffiness.

5. A cold tea compress When you wake up in the morning, warm 2 tea bags in water, then squeeze out the excess water and place the bags in the fridge. Let them chill before taking them out and placing them over your eyes for about 15 minutes. The cold

compress will help reduce puffiness and the caffeine in the bags help lighten dark circles and lessen those bags.

6. Pamper those peepers Unwind after a long day by relaxing with cold cucumber slices over your eyes for 15 to 20 minutes.

You can do the same with cotton balls soaked in rose water. Both will help your eyes look instantly brighter, more awake and combat bags and those dark circles.

7. Prop up your head If you know that you won't be getting in enough hours of sleep, prevent tired-looking eyes in the morning by doubling up on your pillows. By keeping your head elevated, the amount of blood and fluid that accumulates under your eyes is reduced, which helps prevent puffiness the next day. You can follow this up by applying a cold compress in the morning if you like.

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DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, MARCH 19

PAGE 12

Ashwin brands Indo-Pak rivalry as bigger than Ashes ANI Kolkata, Mar 18 : Indian premium spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Friday described the rivalry against Pakistan as bigger than the Ashes series and insisted that neither of the arch-rivals start as favourites for tomorrow's mouth-watering contest in the World Twenty20 group stage match here at Eden Gardens.

"This rivalry is huge. It is probably bigger than the Ashes. I don't think fans watch this match as a game of cricket, it is more of a border rivalry," Ashwin told reporters

while addressing a press conference on the eve of the high-octane clash.

see a lot of pressure in this game. We're used to playing a lot of Indo-Pak games. Every game that India plays is a pressure game.

While India are aiming to bounce back from their shocking defeat against New Zealand in the opening game, a resurgent Pakistan will look to replicate their stunning form displayed in the previous match against Bangladesh.

"I don't think anybody has an edge. No one starts as favourites, its 50-50 I think. Pakistan played against Bangladesh brilliantly. If we can rise up and played to our potential

We should be able to handle it. We have almost put ourselves in a position where we have to win every game from here. So, I think that is more important and pertinent," added the 29year-old.

Ravichandran Ashwin

we can try and win the game as well.

Hamilton dominance continues at Australian GP practice sessions Grand Prix on Friday. \ The British driver, who also topped the opening practice session, reasserted his superiority by clocking a best lap time of one minute 38.841 seconds in the slippery track conditions ahead of Saturday's qualifying, Sport24 reported.

Meanwhile, his teammate Nico Rosberg endured a troubling start to the season as he lost control of the rear end of his car before crashing his Mercedes.

Lewis Hamilton ANI Johannesburg, Mar 18 : Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton emerged as

the fastest driver in the rainmarred second practice session of the new Formula season at the Australian

Nico Hulkenberg of Force India finished second ahead of Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen.

Anand beats Svidler, back in hunt in Candidates PTI Moscow, March 18 : Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand staged a brilliant comeback by crashing through the defences of Peter Svidler of Russia in the sixth round of Candidates Chess tournament here.

The mixed-bag for Anand continued in the biggest challenge of the year as the Indian ace got what he was looking for with white in nearly a lop-sided encounter against the seven-time Russia champion.

The win helped Anand inched up to joint second spot in overall standings on 3.5 points out of a possible seven, while Sergey Karjakin of Russia survived almost a lost position against Fabiano Caruana of United States.

Anand with 3.5 can look up to the coming games with confidence. The Indian ace has been under pressure to perform in similar circumstance for quite some time now.

Caruana obviously missed some

Viswanathan Anand simple opportunities. The American who recently changed federation from Italy was on his toes to figure out a winning continuation but on this day he could not figure that out when it mattered.

Anand has had some remarkable results against Svidler and the Indian ace lived up to the reputation in an Anti-Marshall Ruy Lopez where the Indian played white. Anand got his superiority in the centre as the game progressed and then went for a well-calculated King side

Coutinho helps Liverpool dump Man Utd out of Europa League

Liverpool moves to quarterfinals ANI London, Mar 18 : Liverpool advanced to the quarterfinals of the Europa League after a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford gave them a 3-1 aggregate win over bitter rivals Manchester United.

Anthony Martial ignited United's hopes of staging a comeback briefly in the

32nd minute with a clinical spot-kick before Phillipe Coutinho restored his side's two-goal advantage on the stroke of halftime, the Mirror reported.

United then displayed a listless second-half as they failed to breach Liverpool's defence to make a spirited fightback.

attack that put Svidler on the back foot.

As it happened in the game, Svidler fought but only till 24 moves when Anand made sure there were no defences left.

Results round 6: V Anand (Ind, 3.5) beat Peter Svidler (Rus, 2.5); Veselin Topalov (Bul, 1,5) playing Anish Giri (Ned. 3); ); Fabiano Caruana (Usa, 3) drew with Sergey Karjakin (Rus, 4); Levon Aronian (Arm, 3.5) playing Hikaru Nakamura (Usa, 2).

"I don't think we really

India entered the T20 format's pinnacle event as red-hot favourites on the back of 10 wins in 11 T20 matches, including victory in the Asia Cup.

Inzamam rues Afghanistan's shoddy fielding in spirited defeat

Inzamam-ul-Haq ANI Kolkata, Mar 18 : Afghanistan team coach Inzamam-ul-Haq believes that his side lacked international experience in dealing with crunch situations and cited poor fielding display as one of the reasons behind his side's spirited defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka in the World Twenty20 group stage match.

Afghanistan produced gutsy performance with both bat and ball before suffering a six-wicket loss to defending champions Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday.

Afghanistan recovered well enough from a shaky start to make 153 for seven in their stipulated 20 overs, and then bowled with skill and intelligence to claw back into the match after Dilshan and Dinesh Chandimal's strong opening stand.

However, a careless fielding approach from the Af-

ghans proved too costly towards the end as Sri Lanka won the match with seven balls to spare.

"Our team needed experience. We were playing against the World champions. I think the boys played well, gave them a tough time and could have even won, but Sri Lanka are the defending champions, an experienced side and they handled pressure the way they should've," said Inzamam in a post-match press conference.

"There were fielding lapses. Three to four boundaries were given at crucial junctures. Maybe if we could've saved those, we could have put pressure. But then it is a big tournament and with it, comes bigger challenges," added the former Pakistan skipper.

Afghanistan will next play against South Africa at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday.

Golden Star Club, Nehru Sports triumph Sports Reporter 23 in 3 overs for Young Dibrugarh, Mar 18: Star boys’ club.

Golden Star club beat Young Star boys’ Club In reply, Young Star by 3 runs in the Rajanu boys’ managed to score Bora Cricket tournament 123 for 9 in 20 overs. organized by Dibrugarh Saikat Dutta Gupta unDistrict Sports Associa- beaten on 48 off 26 balls tion here today at DDSA with five boundaries and three stadium. Second Division Cricket s i x e s while Batting first, Golden Star Joyraj Chakraborty conscored 126 for 4 in 20 tributed 24 runs. overs.

For Golden Star, Ranjan Abdul Rajak scored 41 Das bagged three wickoff 38 balls, hitting six ets for 17 in 4 overs and fours and Nizar Ahmed Abdul Rajak took two remained unbeaten on 39 wickets. off 51 balls with four In another match, Nehru boundaries.

Saikat Dutta Gupta Sports Club registered claimed two wickets for 13 runs victory over

GCB. Electing to bat first, Nehru were all out for 106 in 18.4 overs.

Surajit Bhowmick scored 20 off 14 balls with four boundaries and Sanjib Deb contributed 16 runs.

For GCB, Izaz Ahmed scalped four wickets for 10 runs in 4 overs. Ranjt Singh took two wickets for GCB. GCB managed to score 93 for 9 in 20 overs. Izaz Ahmed scored 22 off 25 balls, hitting one boundary and one maximum.

For Nehru Sports Club, Mafiz Khan took three wickets for 19 ion 4 overs.

Saina overcomes Kristina challenge to reach Swiss Open quarters ANI Basel, Mar 18 : Top seed Saina Nehwal has progressed through to the quarterfinals of the USD 120,000 Swiss Open Grand Prix Gold badminton tournament after trouncing a gritty Kristina Gavnholt of Czech Republic in the women's singles event in Basel.

The ace Indian shuttler, who turned 26 on Thursday, claimed a 21-18, 2117 win over Kristina in a contest that lasted 34 minutes on Thursday night.

She will next face Japanese seventh seed Sayaka Sato for a semifinal berth.

On Thursday, Saina dropped three places to sixth in the latest BWF world rankings following a quarterfinal loss at the

Saina Nehwal All England Championship.

She battled through injuries last year and had to miss out on a few tournaments this season, including the Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold and South Asian Games.

Meanwhile, compatriot P.V Sindhu also booked her place in the quarterfinals of the tournament after brushing aside Pai Yu Po of Chinese Taipei in the women's singles event earlier in the day.

`Fit-again` Federer announces comeback at Miami Open

Roger Federer ANI Melbourne, Mar 18 : Swiss tennis maestro Roger Federer has confirmed that he will make

a return at next week's Miami Open after recovering from knee surgery.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion on Thursday

used a string of emojis on his Twitter handle to confirm that he was ready to resume, news.com.au reported.

Federer was expected to return to action in next month's Monte Carlo Masters after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus sustained the day after his semi-final defeat to Novak Djokovic at this year's Australian Open.

However, his recovery from the surgery has been quicker than anticipated.

Due to the injury, Federer was forced to opt out of tournaments in Dubai, Rotterdam and Indian Wells.

Pak envoy `sad` for colleagues over World T20 travel denial ANI Kolkata, Mar 18 : Pakistan's High Commissioner to India, Abdul Basit, on Friday expressed his disappointment after five of his colleagues were denied travel permission

by New Delhi for tomorrow's World Twenty20 match between the arch-rivals here but admitted that he was looking forward to the forthcoming game.

"I am very glad to be

here but obviously somewhat sad that my colleagues, who wanted to come to India, couldn't come. But in any case, we are looking forward to an exciting match," said Basit upon his arrival in Kolkata on the eve of the mouth-watering clash.

Basit was also seen satisfied with security arrangements for the highoctane clash and expressed hope that the two countries would be able to ease their strained relations through the match.

Abdul Basit "So far, there are no issues. Let's hope everything goes alright and we

are looking forward to a great match tomorrow.

This match is all about

creating goodwill and let's hope that the two countries will be able to build on this," he added.

MEA official spokesperson Vikas Swarup had yesterday said that India had granted travel permission for 19 Pakistan High Commission officials and was prepared to consider more such requests.

The Indian Government had on Tuesday denied travel permits to five Pakistani officials, who wanted to visit Kolkata

to watch the match, hinting that they are working for Pakistan's spy agency ISI. The bickering over the issue escalated yesterday when Islamabad termed India's statement that it has allowed 19 mission officials as 'misleading'.

The Shahid Afridi-led team arrived in India last Saturday after the venue for the much-anticipated clash was shifted from Dharamsala to Kolkata due to security concerns.

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