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ASSENG/2015/64205

Page 12

Vol. 1

Issue 294

Dibrugarh, Friday, April 1, 2016

Price -

5.00

Pages- 12

Page 6

Govt to release Salaries Cong backs those who trying of Contractual Employees to destroy country: Irani Rupjyoti Mahanta Bokajan, Mar 31

Wages and Student’s Stipend to be a regular affairs from Apr. 1 The student will get the stipend on enhanced rate of Rs 900 for Class I to VIII, Rs 1100 for Class IX to XII and Rs 1400 per month for technical and non-technical students pursuing higher studies in addition to annual book grant enhanced by the govt recently.

Committed to his words, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Kalikho Pul has given order for the regular monthly drawal of salaries, wages and student’s stipend w.e.f. April 1st.

All the departments of the state govt. vide order No. BT121/2013(Vol-I)/1187 Dtd March 31, 2016 has been directed to release Salary, Wages of Casual Labours, Contingency staffs including those paid on Master Roll basis, Student’s Stipend, Pension & other Retirement Benefits including salaries of Contractual Employees under Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, National Health Mission and other Centrally Sponsored Schemes on regular monthly basis from the month of April 2016.

Fund allocated as per the Budget Estimate 2016-17 has been communicated to all the departments and the directions were given to all the Treasury Officers and Sub-Treasury Officers to entertain all such bills submitted by respective departments.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Chief Minister, Kalikho Pul soon after assum-

ET CAPSULES

Notice issued to two candidates Tinsukia, Mar 31. The Election Commission led by expenditure observers inspected the daily expenditure accounts submitted by different political parties on account of the assembly election.

The commission issued notice to one Ranjit Singh Gaur (Independent), who is contesting from Doomdooma LAC, and Ram Darshan Singh contesting from Tinsukia LAC after they failed to submit their daily expenditure accounts.

If the candidate fails to comply with the notice, the Commission will take action against them as per section 77 of R.P.Act, 1951. (Correspondent)

4 grenades recovered at Makum

CM Kalikho Pul Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Kalikho Pul. ET File Photo ing the highest office of the state has made an announcement to release the salary of contractual employees under SSA, NHM and student’s stipend on regular monthly basis.

It was subsequently approved by the first meeting of the State Cabinet on March 7 and passed in the state budget on March 23 last.

The student will get the stipend on enhanced rate of Rs

900 for Class I to VIII, Rs 1100 for Class IX to XII and Rs 1400 per month for technical and non-technical students pursuing higher studies in addition to annual book grant enhanced by the govt recently.

Students pursuing courses on B Sc (Nursing), ANM, GNM and ITI & Craft Centre Trainees will also get regular monthly stipend of Rs 1400 per month.

Wage earners of the state

Gauhati HC rejects disqualification of 14 MLAs A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Mar 31

and Ujjal Bhuyan, said Senior advocate SS Dey.

The Gauhati High Court on Wednesday set aside disqualification of 14 rebel Congress MLAs of Arunachal Pradesh by erstwhile Speaker Nabam Rebia.

These 14 MLAs, including current chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh Kalikho Pul, were disqualified by Rebia ahead of a controversial Assembly session convened by governor JP Rajkhowa in December last year.

The order was passed by the division bench of Justice comprising Tinlianthang Vaiphei

Contd. on Page 3

7 injured in accident A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Mar 31

An SUV Tata Sumo bearing registration No- AR 02 0312 coming from Mowb-II hit a car, Maruti A-Star bearing registration No- AR 01 E 9561 which was going towards Niti Vihar at tri-junction around the Ministers bungalow at Niti Vihar

at around 6 PM today.

According to the eyewitness accounts, the SUV which was being driven by female driver overturned while negotiating the narrow turning and subsequently hit the hatchback thus injuring the 6 passengers on board including the driver.

Contd. on Page 3

govt will also get wages on enhanced rate of Rs 6000-9000 for unskilled (Area-I) and Rs 7000-9500 for skilled workers (Area-II) per month as per the years of their service. Also the contingency and casual employees serving in area-II shall continue to draw Rs 600 per month in addition to the above enhanced rate. In addition to it, the ASHA workers will also get regular monthly wages of Rs 3000 per month from the current financial year onward.

Sushma Swaraj at Morigaon

"Congress did not think twice before standing by those who shouted slogans for destroying the nation ignoring the sacrifices made by our security forces in protecting the nation," Irani told an election meeting here in Karbi Anglong.

Illegal Bangladeshi problem will be solved permanently : Sushma Swaraj Dalim Phukan Morigaon, Mar 31

Security forces work hard and make immense sacrifices all over the country to protect the nation, she said, adding BJP would not allow a few to destroy the nation's unity.

Irani appealed to voters to bring BJP to power in Assam to ensure that "the country remains secure and united".

Women's status in the North East is high but it was during Congress rule that a girl was dragged on the streets of Guwahati.

She was referring to an incident in July 2012 when a teenaged girl was molested in full public view by a mob.

"Assam is famed all over the world for Ma Kamakhya but it is indeed shameful that women

Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani strikes a pose in traditional attire during her rally in Bokajan.

Pic- UB Photos no longer feel secure to step out in the streets and crime against them are increasing the state," she said.

If voted to power, BJP will set up women police stations in each district, she said, adding presently there is only one women police station in the

state at Panbazaar in Guwahati.

"When Goddess Laxmi comes, she does not hold somebody's hand but comes in a lotus. So I appeal to you to press the lotus button (BJP's poll symbol) and bring Laxmi to your state in the form of development," the Union Minister added.

The recovered grenades. Pic Arjun Mishra

Tinsukia, Mar 31. Four grenades were recovered beneath an oil pipeline along Makum - Doomdooma border on Thursday. Superintendent of Tinsukia police Mugdha Jyoti Mahanta said, the grenades were hidden some 7 feets inside the ground beneath an oil pipeline. The grenade seems to be around 15 years back, he added.

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Mahanta said, labourers were digging the ground when this recovery took place. A case has been registered, he said. (Spl Correspondent)

The third JK Tyre Arunachal Festival of Speed (AFOS) reached its climactic finish as Philippos Matthai of NewDelhi won the overall title after stringing together consistent performances in the Auto Cross, Hill Climb and Rally Sprint events.

But it was by no means a cakewalk for the experienced rally driver as he was pushed to the very end by Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) regular Sanjay Takle and the defending national champion in the Group N 2000cc class Rahul Kantraj from Bengaluru.

Each of the three drivers registered wins in the three categories of AFOS. Matthai threw down the gauntlet by winning the Auto Cross on Wednesday in front of a packed

house at the Lopon Stadium in the centre of the town but Kantraj and Takle hit back by winning the 5 km Hill Climb and the 6 km Rally Sprint respectively.

Kantraj came up a masterful display of speed and car control on the 5 km run up the mountain face at the Rungja Apple and Kiwi Farm. Matthai, who was plagued by car troubles in Hill Climb in the last two editions, finally managed to break the jinx by finishing second behind Kantraj.

Takle came on to his own in the Rally Sprint by powering his Mitsubishi Cedia through riverbeds and sandy soil of the Sangti Valley to beat Matthai by a massive margin of over 10 seconds.

Kantraj claimed third place in the sprint that was good enough to assure him of overall second.

In the 1600cc class, Karna Kadur, who dominated this category in the 2015 National Rally Championship, was the man to

Sushma Swaraj said that illegal Bangladeshi issue in Assam is a vote bank issue for parties like Congress and AIUDF, but for BJP it is an issue of National Security. She said that during the last year good international relation has been built up between India and Bangladesh and several deals are going on.

Contd. on Page 4

Why Mallya, Lalit Modi still abroad? Rahul asks PM The Election is going to be a battle of ideologies, says Rahul

Laxman Sarma Digboi, Mar 31

Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked about bringing back black money from overseas, then why liquor baron Vijay Mallya and former IPL chief Lalit Modi are still abroad, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi asked today.

Sorif Mohommod Sivasagar, Mar 31

Addressing an election meeting here, Gandhi said, "Modi talked about bringing back black money from abroad and putting Rs 15 lakh in each Indian's bank account. I ask why Mallya and Lalit Modi are still abroad then."

Parliament House. I ask what discussion took place between them," Gandhi said.

"(In one hand) Modi talks about bringing back black money and on the other hand Mallya flees the country. Twothree days before his departure, Mallya and (Finance Minister) Arun Jaitley had talked in the

He said the BJP government has launched "kala dhanko safed karlo" (convert your black money into white) scheme while Modi talks about fighting black money, the Con-

Assam CM tarun Gogoi discusses a point with Rahul during the later’s poll rally at Moran. Pic - UB Photos gress leader said and demanded that BJP speak the truth.

He was referring to the new amnesty scheme announced in the Union Budget for black money holders to come clean.

Contd. on Page 4

After Sonia Gandhi, the Vice-President of Congress party Rahul Gandhi today termed the ensuing assembly elections as a battle between two ideologies of the Congress and the BJP. Addressing an election rally at Moran in upper Assam, just a day after his mother and AICC president Sonia Gandhi attended a rally in Amguri Assembly constituency , Rahul said that the ensuing elections is a battle between the Congress party’s ideology of respect, love and non-violence with the BJP’s ideology of violence and hatred.

Matthai wins Arunachal Festival of Speed IANS Dirang, Mar 31

The vexed foreigners problem of Assam will be solved and the BJP led Central government will chalk out a policy for it Union Foreign Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said this while addressing an election meeting at Charaibahi, Morigaon today.

beat right from the first day.

Though Dean Mascarenhas tried to keep the Bengaluru driver honest, in the end it was the flawless driving by Kadur that made the vital difference in the results.

Druva Chandrashekar, also of Bengaluru, finished third.

Another star attraction Suresh Rana, who has claimed the Raid de Himalaya ninetimes driving various SUVs, remained the king of this category. Rana posted the best times in the SUV class in all the three disciplines ahead of Lima Jamir of Nagaland and local favourite Naku.

In the quad class, Chibor from Meghalaya, who finished second last year, managed to take an easy win ahead of Bitu and Kevin Salo from Nagaland.

In the ladies class, Bethadsha Bareh took the top honours by winning the Hill Climb and Rally Sprint.

Gandhi recalling the scenario of the State said, “The Congress brought back peace, development and brotherhood in the State after a period of Darkness. Before the Congress rule, there was violence, bloodshed and tears everywhere. Together with peace, the Congress has made considerable development in the State,” he said.

AICC Vice President Rahul announced a slew of promises for the State. He announced that 10 lakhs new jobs would be created in the State and 2 lakhs teachers would be appointed.

Contd. on Page 4

MBBS student found dead A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Mar 31

A final year Student of MBBS, Ranbir Raj Deka was found dead near AMCH boy’s hostel, here, today. His body was found lying outside the news boy’s hostel no 5. His hostel room was locked inside and windows were open.

Ranbir was from Nagaon. As per the preliminary investigation by the magistrate, the reason of death of Ranbir Raj Deka seems to been an accident. "It seems that he fell down from the window accidentally and sustained injuries due to which he might have succumbed. A deatiled inquiry is in progress and a conclusion can be drawn after the inquiry is completed", M. S. Manivannan, Deputy Commissioner of Dibrugarh said after visiting the site this morning.

He bore injuries marks on his face. A few months ago a girl student was found hanging at here hostel room.

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A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Mar 31

Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani today mounted a scathing attack on Congress, alleging its leaders extended support to those who wanted to destroy the nation ignoring the sacrifices made by the security forces.

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, APRIL 1

PAGE 2 ASTRO FOR YOU Aries Today, you may want to wear your power suit. If you notice people bending and bowing a bit, understand that your hard work has paid off! If not, then you need to get more organised. Either way, there’s work to be done.

Taurus As a manager, you may able to outclass your colleagues by a great margin. You will soften your approach with time and move towards a more democratic style of decisionmaking rather than the arbitrary protocol that you are used to. With this, you will taste success and prove your mettle in adverse situations.

Gemini An extremely productive and fulfilling day awaits you. Alongwith your daily routine, you will also concentrate on your houshold issues. You will feel the need to have someone to call your own. You may find yourself in two minds over things like marriage and partnership. It is a good day to sell something.

Cancer You may donate to a charity organisation, for your mental happiness. On the job front, stick to your routine, rather than taking a new bold step. A good day on the financial front.

Leo You are fond of travelling. You will make plans for a trip or a journey and will include your family and friends in your schemes. For those in artistic fields, you will receive critical acclaim. A progressive day awaits.

Virgo It is not the time to rest on your past laurels, and you will have to carry on with your work unabated. You will have to keep your focus steady and remain organised to get the same level of success that you had in the recent past. Do not to neglect your relationships, as they are the cornerstones of your success and tranquillity.

Libra Today you shall make your competitors and enemies envious of your success in business. Beware, as they shall try to hurt or put down your reputation in varied ways.

Instead of having a fight with them you should try to be politically correct and take care of matters using your intelligence. This afternoon can bring in a new love in your life that will be very good for you.

Scorpio You are in a dilemma and feel like standing at a crossroads of life. Some important decisions of life need time and that’s what you want right now. However, keep personal life and work separate to avoid confusion and disturbance. As per advice, it’s all right if decision making takes some time, but avoid taking hasty decisions.

Sagittarius Your ways to deal with your team mates and colleagues will be strict and disciplined.

However, your perfect ways at work will leave them awestruck. Your personal equations will be least affected by your stern ways. Do not let success go to your head.

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

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

Pisces For those in the creative, marketing or advertising fields, today will likely bring about an important milestone on their path to progress. Your creativity and ingenuity will be at their peak. Remembering that confidence is the key to success will keep you from shying away from challenges, which when surmounted will bring you substantial gains.

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 1-4-16 (FRIDAY) 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) 8-30 A.M-North East News Bulletin in English 8-35 A.M-Surar Panchoi (Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 9-05 A.M- Antara (Composite Programme of Hindi Film Songs) 12-05 P.M- Live Phone in Surar Satsori 1-10 P.M-Troops Programme 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-Chah Sramikar Asor (Tea Garden Programme Programme) 8-00 P.M-Sponsored Programme-Brahmaputra Swasthya Sewa (Sponsored

by BDHL) 9-16 P.M-Barerahaniya-"Good Friday Songs" Sd-/H.O.P

BJP-BPF-AGP poll alliance has drawn flak in Kalaigaon seat ET Correspondent Mangaldai, Marh 31:The alleged lack a daisical attitude of the top BJP leaders to issue clear istructions to their grass root workers regarding their poll alliance with Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Hagrama Mohilary led Bodoland Peoples' Front (BPF) has drawn flak among the rank and file of the party especially in 65 Kalaigon assembly constituency where both their allied partners fielded candidates of their own . The total ignorance of the BJP leaders in this context has led to deep confusion among the office bearers of the Udalguri District Committee and its subordinate "Mandal" Committees which are responsible in building the party organization in Kalaigaon assembly even though administratively the election in the seat will be conducted by Darrang district authority.

The alleged double standard policy adopted by the BJP on the poll alliance has also become a cause of concern for the BPF members of the LAC. This has resulted in the split of BJP workers into two groups -one group supporting the BPF while the

other group supporting the AGP. According to the source of the saffron party, majority of their workers in Kalaigaon LAC as per discussion with the senior leaders of Udalguri District Committee have decided to extend their full support to the BPF candidate Maheswar Boro and accordingly on Monday a function was organized at the office of the BPF at Kalaigaon where the Udalguri District Committee BJP President Keshab Barua, District Mohila Morcha President Nilima Brahma and other office bearers were present and also hoisted the BJP flag in the BPF office. Deputy speaker of BTC Assembly Tridip Daimary, BPF leader Keshab Chandra Deka, BPF candidate for Kalaigaon Maheswar Boro and other office bearers of the BPF were also present in the meeting. Despite the unexpected heavy down pour a good number of supporters of BPF and the BJP were seen attending the function at Kalaigaon.

On the otherhand making the BPJ-BPF poll alliance into a mockery, a section of BJP activists of Kalaigaon

led by Niranjan Singh parallaly attended a meeting in the office of the AGP at Kalaigaon with AGP candidate Mukunda Ram Chowdhury and extended their support to the AGP. In a joint press meet at the BPF office, Udalguri District Committee President Keshab Barua failed to make reply to the queries of the media persons on the simultaneous poll alliance with AGP and BPF and said that the high command of BJP were yet to make any instructions on it and admitted that for this lapse the BJP workers in Kalaigaon LAC have deeply been confused. However he said that the district committee would continue its support to BPF. With election round the corner a section of BJP activists campaigning with BPF flags while another faction moving with the AGP flags have turned out to be a common picture to witness in Kalaigaon now a days . Grass root level activists of the BJP have termed it as very unfortunate and blamed the state leaders for creating this confusion. ''Perhaps the BJP leaders in the state who are dreaming of their Mission

84+ did not think it necessary to issue a clean and clear instruction on their poll alliance. May be they have the idea to accept the winning candidate irrespective of his party affiliation as their alliance partner'' opined an aggrieved BJP activist while talking to media last afternoon at Kalaigaon. However the BPF activists are not seemed to be worried at all over it and termed it as their (BJP) internal party matter. ''We are not dependent on the BJP in Kalaigaon LAC though in all the assembly constituencies of the BTAD the BJP has come into poll alliance with the BPF. BPF is confident of gaining support from all section of the society and internal conflict, if any within the BJP, is not going to trouble us any more '' said a confident BPF activist on assurance of anonymity while talking to media.

Meanwhile the decision of the Udalguri district committee of BJP to extend full support to the BPF in Kalaigaon has been termed as a serious political blow to the AGP as the AGP was hopeful of enjoying the support and cooperation from the BJP workers.

Exhibition held at Golaghat ET Correspondent Golaghat, Mar 31: The Maheswari Mahila Sangathan organised an exhibition which was witnessed with huge gathering today at Maheswari Bhawan.

The Exhibition was inaugurated by lady tycoon of Siliguri Neena Jain.

President Mina Nagori welcomes the gathering and Secretary Ranjana Binnani expressed the aim and objective of the occasion. There were stalls from Kolkota, Benaras, Siliguri, Jaipur, Guwahati, and nearby places displaying their own things of daily use.

The exhibition ended with a vote of thanks from Secretary Ranjana Binnani.

Battle for prestige for Chandra Mohan and Nilamani in Dharmapur LAC Ramen Kalita Nalbari,Mar 31 : The No. 61 Dharmapur LAC in Nalbari district is all set to witness a big fight between Congress candidate former Agriculture Minister Nilamani Sen Deka and BJP candidate former minister in AGP regime Chandra Mohan Patowary where poll is scheduled on April 11 in the second phase.The poll battle in the constituency has become a prestige issue for both Congress and BJP. Altogether 1,29,172 voters of the constituency will decide the fate of four candidates including Nilamani Sen Deka (INC),Chandra Mohan Patowary (BJP),Dipak Barman (Ind) and Shankar Talukdar (Ind). All the four candidates have been trying to woo the confidence of the voters by holding street corner meetings, public meetings, opening poll offices besides a house to house drive.In the constituency the independent candidate Dipak Barman posing a se-

rious threat in the poll prospect of Chandra Mohan Patowary. Barman is quite popular among the women voters of the constituency as he won the confidence of women through the social organization Priyabala at Bongaon. Besides the BJP leader Chandra Mohan Patowary has miserably failed to take the scope of anti incumbency factors against Nilamani Sen Deka for which the former agriculture minister is having an advantage. A popular opposition leader Chandra Mohan Patowary had a strong hold in Dharmapur constituency but he is said to have failed to maintain the relationship with the voters after his defeat during the last assembly and Lok Sabha election. It is widely alleged that Patowary visits the constituency only during the time of election. In 1978 after Dharmapur was declared as an assembly constituency Ramani Barman was first elected with 15,195 votes

Flying Squad seized items in Naharkatia ET Correspondent Naharkatia, Mar 31: With the Assam assembly polls round the corner, flying squad of Naharkatia recovered a huge amount of bicycle, solar light, water pump, mosquite nets, sewing machine at Hapjan. The team

of flying squad acting on a tip of found the items at the house of Dipen Saikia. It is believed that the items were bought to distribute among the voters but Dipen Saikia rejects the allegation. Later the items were seized in presence of the local S.D.O.

votes were polled in favour of Nilamani Sen Deka while Chandra Mohan Patowary got 36,223 votes.

Nilamani Sen Deka defeating senior Congress leader Dr Bhumidhar Barman who got only 11,832.

However in 1983 Dr Bhumidhar Barman was elected to the Assam Assembly getting only 266 votes. During the Assam Agitation, the poll was boycotted by the people following the call given by AASU. The end of Assam Agitation brought a wave to the state and the AGP nominee Chandra Mohan Patowary won the seat capturing 46,843 votes. Congress candidate Dr Bhumidhar Barman got only 11,556 votes.

In the Assembly poll of 1991 former minister of AGP led Government Chandra Mohan Patowary

Chandra Mohan Patowary retained the Dharmapur seat defeating Congress candidate Kishor Hazarika.

While Patowary got 19,490 votes in that election 11,231 votes were polled in favour of Congress nominee Kishor Hazarika. Patowary dominated the constituency with the third time victory in 1996 poll. In the 1996 election Patowary polled 47,894 votes while Congress candidate Nilamani Sen Deka got only 17,339 votes.The situation was not same in 2001 election because heavyweight leader of regional party Chandra Mohan Patowary was defeated in the hand of Congress nominee Nilamani Sen Deka. A total 37,674

However in 2006 poll Chandra Mohan Patowary again won the seat with 51,926 votes while Nilamani Sen Deka was restricted to 42,372 votes.

Again in the last Assembly election former minister Nilamani Sen Deka won the Dharmapur seat defeating Chief Ministerial candidate Chandra Mohan Patowary. Sen Deka was polled 50,786 votes while Patowary got 45,455 votes.

Despite a heavy wave blown in favour of Patowary as he was choice for chief ministerial candidate in last election he failed to achieve his victory. "Now there is no wave in favour of Patowary in the constituency. Therefore, it will not be easy for him to win the Dharmapur seat", a voter said. It can be said that the picture is yet to be clear in the constituency.

60 candidates in fray for 8 LACs in Nagaon district Rockybul, Prafulla Mahanta and Keshob Mahanta among contestants

Holiday on 4th April in Lakhimpur ET Correspondent Lakhimpur, Mar 31: Due to the first phase poll of Assam State Assembly Election2016, public holiday under NI Act 1881 is declared in Lakhimpur District on 4th April. All Central and State

Artists perform Bhowna Kalia Daman at Sivasagar. Pic - Firuz Ahmed

Government offices, public sector undertakings, corporations, boards, banks, educational institution etc. will remain closed on the day as per report released from Lakhimpur District Administration.

Rockybul Hussain

Prafulla Mahanta

Keshob Mahanta

N. Patnaik Nagaon, Mar 31: 60 candidates are in the fray for eight assembly constituencies in Nagaon district. The break up for each constituency is as follows: nine candidates from Kaliabor constituency, five from Samaguri, eight each from Rupahihat, Nowgong and Batadrava LACs, nine from Dhing LAC, ten from Barhampur and three from Raha LAC. According to ground reports main contestants from each constituency are Keshab Mahanta (AGP) and Bindu Ganju (Cong I) from Kaliabor, Rockybul Hussain (Cong I) and Jitu Goswami (BJP) from Samaguri, Nurul Huda (Cong I) and Nurul Amin Chowdhury(AIUDF) from Rupahihat, Durlav Chamua (Cong I) and Rupak Sarma (BJP) from Nowgong, Gautam Bora (Cong I) and Angoorlata

Deka(BJP) from Batadrava, , Aminul Islam (AIUDF) and Anwar Hussain (Cong I) from Dhing, Prafulla Kumar Mahanta ( AGP) and Suresh Bora (Cong I) from Barahampur and Sashi Kanta Das (Cong I), Dimbeswar Das (BJP) and Guneswar Das (AIUDF) from Raha constituency.

There are 215 polling stations in Nagaon Election District in Raha (S/C) Lac of which 26 are very sensitive and 116 are sensitive, 210 in Dhing LAC of which 21 are very sensitive and 44 are sensitive, 167 are in Batadraba out of which 15 are very sensitive and 36 are sensitive, 182 in Rupahihat of which 8 are very sensitive and 38 are sensitive, 195 in Nowgong out of which 7 are very sensitive and 55 are sensitive, 191 in Barhampur of which 7 are very sensitive and 59 are sensitive and 158 in

Samaguri of which 30 are very sensitive and 62 are sensitive.

In the mean time Nagaon police seized rupees 28, 88, 640 from different parts suspected to be used illegally for the election purpose, destroyed 21, 115 litres of country liquor and 176 litres of India made foreign liquor till Sunday. Police also took into its custody 2341 number of legal arms and five illegal arms and 63 ammunitions have been recovered. For the smooth conduct of election Nagaon district has been divided into 28 zones and 127 sectors while 5000 poll personnel have been engaged. Web casting will be there, ten in each constituency. In the mean time three election observers and two expenditure observers arrived at Nagaon to oversee the smooth and peaceful conduct of election and genuine expenditure of election expenses by candidates.

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, APRIL 1

PAGE 3

Bihari - singer turned BJP MP makes a dent in Congress bastion Tinsukia

Bihari singer turned BJP MP Manoj Tiwari. Pic - Arjun Mishra

Rishu Kalantri.

Tinsukia, Mar 31: Registering a victory in Tinsukia LAC, considered to be largely dominated by Hindi speaking voters, particularly, Bihari community, does not seem to be an easy task for the ruling Congress party this assembly elections after popular - Bihari singer turned BJP MP Manoj Tiwari took out a massive rally right from the heart of what is called mini - Bihar of Tinsukia, Chirwapatty on Thursday. A huge crowd full of Bihari teenagers and youths accompanied the rally that only got thicker as it reached Chirwapatty giving a sense that BJP might have succeeded in denting congress vote - bank bastion.

Not just that, the view of the narrow by - lanes of this mini - Bihar, which was full of only Congress flags and posters in the morning, witnessed a major change after BJP flags and posters were seen all - over by the evening. Tinsukia LAC, a stronghold of Hindi-speaking voters has always been considered a Hindi - speaking seat always safe for Hindi-speaking candidate. Even, if one may unfold the pages of history this fact will come out significantly. Infact, congress has most of the times given ticket for Tinsukia LAC to a Hindi-

speaking candidate and today again the candidate of congress for Tinsukia LAC is a Hindi speaking candidate, Rajendra Prasad Singh, 3 - terms sitting MLA from Tinsukia LAC consecutively since last 15 years.

However, even after being a popular face both among Hindi speaking voters, particularly, Bihari community and tea tribe community, it seems it won't be easy task even for BJP to defeat Rajendra Prasad Singh.

But, prime minsiter Narendra Modi rally followed by popular Bihari singer turned BJP MP Manoj Tiwari rally at Tinsukia will certainly make things very tough for the congress party in Tinsukia. Not just that, congress MLA Rajendra Prasad Singh is also facing threat from few insiders who want RP Singh to loose elections so that he can be seen weak during next elections and BJP candidate Sanjay Kisan, from tea tribe community, is all set to get some tea tribe votes as well. Their was a shift in tea tribe voters, always considered congress stronghold, in lok sabha elections 2014.

Earlier, on Thursday BJP MP Manoj Tiwari appealed voters to vote for Sanjay Kisan and bring a change for development of Assam.

AIDS Prevention &Control Committee meeting held at Tezu ET Correspondent Tezu, Mar 31: Under the Chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Tamiyo Tatak, District AIDS Prevention &Control Committee meeting was held at DC's Conference Hall, Tezu, today. District Medical Officer Dr. (Mrs) S.Chai Pul, Dr.A.wailong Med.Suptd.

Government HospitalTezu, Shri A.Taloh, I/c DPO, DAPCU, Smti Geyum Amo Perying DD(ICDS), M.K.Chakroborty, District Food and Civil Supply Officer (DF&CSO), Bojum Lusi Sorum Station Superintendent Transport, and other member and officials of NACO-NERO and DAPCU were present in the meeting.

DC Lohit if possible, asked DAPCU to approach Arunachal Pradesh State Aids Control Society to install CD4 Machine for HIV Positive at Government Hospital Tezu which will cover all the nearest districts of eastern zone to minimize the transportation cost.

DC asked to form District Level Network of positive people within next month and advised DAPCU to include all the HODs of various Deptt, MO incharge of CHC and PHC of Lohit in next DAPCC meeting. He suggested to provide proper counseling to the HIV patients and asked the staff to maintain confidentiality.

DMO,Lohit requested all the HODs to co-operate with DAPCU regarding social benefit schemes to PLHIV. Most social benefit schemes are designed to provide support to vulnerable and marginalized sections of society, for instance women VPL, SC, ST, persons with disability, etc. Many PLHIV

Join hands to make a difference: GOC Bomdila Mar 31: Giving a clarion call to the people of the three districts of Tawang, West Kameng and East Kameng today at Buddha stadium, Bomdila, the GOC 5-Mtn Div Maj. Gen Sukhdeep Sangwan, SM said that the interface and camaraderie between the Army and the civil populace would go a long way in facilitating the peace, tranquility and progress of the nation. Let us join hands and make a difference, he said.

Gracing the Ex-Servicemen (ESM) rally at district headquarters Bomdila, Gen. Sangwan terming the Ex-Servicemen association an Industry with a mission called upon them not to fall prey to the laid back attitude in the post retirement period but to play an active role in nation building.

You have the requisite training, discipline, motto and the much needed perseverance. Reach

out and make a difference and make the army and the country proud, he implored.

Earlier, Deputy Commissioner AK Singh informing of the steps taken by the district administration and the Zilla Sainik Board said that, an office has been provided to the ESM the year before and the issue of the much needed Identity cards has been forwarded to the state government. As the chairman of the Zilla Sainik Board, he detailed the benefits listed under the Zilla Sainik Board for the ESM and urged them to register themselves for availing the benefits. Assuring further co-operation to the ESM, he urged them to be productive and a partner in the development of the society.

To facilitate second career options and to address the pension issues of the ESMs, awareness lectures by officers

and HRGs fall in the above mentioned categories and they can be supported in accessing revlevant sechems.

This is one of the areas that agencies in the HIV Programme have been working towards. DAPCUs too are part of these initiatives.

Their roles in this regard are outlined in the DAPCU Operational Guideline and DAPCU Training Modules.

Broadly, the DAPCU team is expected to support PLHIV and HRGs in availing social benfit schemes by establishing linkages with relevant organizations and departments.

DD ICDS asked the DAPCU to submit list of PLHIV to ICDS office so that they could avail various schemes under the ICDS. DF&CSO,Lohit also suggested that DAPCU provides the Supply Office with a list of PLHIV to avail BPL and AAY cards.

Station Superintendent, State Transport also addressed the concession of transportation charges to PLHIV. In this regard, he too advised the DAPCU to submit an order issued from DMO or DPO, DAPCU to Station Superintendent, Tezu so that PLHIV can avail transportation benefit during their journey to Naharlagun for their CD4 count. They can avail travel concession from State Transportation for twice in a year, he informed.

A. Taloh DPO DAPCU highlighted the present scenario of HIV/AIDS of Lohit district through an impressive power point presentation. He stressed on formation of DLN of positive people in Lohit district so that the PLHIV can avail various social benefit schemes and lead a normal life. DIPRO

4th National Seminar on Hindi literature concludes

ET Correspondent Pasighat, Mar 31: The 4th National Seminar on Hindi literature, organized by the Department of Hindi, Jawaharlal Nehru College (JNC), Pasighat on the theme "Samajik Sanskritik Ekikaran Aur Bhaktikal" was concluded today with a positive note. The two-day seminar was formally inaugurated by the East Siang Deputy Commissioner Isha Khosla yesterday on Mar30, in presence of Prof. AK Pandey, Dean of CoH, Pasighat, JNC Principal Dr. Tayek Talom and litterateurs from various universities and academicians, held in the Upper Campus conference hall.

The seminar was sponsored by the 'Kendriya Hindi Sansathan', Agra (GoI) and many luminous across the nation participated to make the seminar successful.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Guest Khosla appreciated Department of Hindi in particular for organizing such type of seminar in JNC. She lauded the efforts of the college Principal Dr.

Day 2 of Cultural Nit Felicitates Pioneers of Mopin

of the SBI, ICICI, Apex Bank, ICDS, Disaster Management, Horticulture, Veterinary, Fisheries etc were conducted and stalls put up.

Hundreds of ESM along with their families from Tawang, West Kameng and East Kameng attended the one day rally which was organized by 28 MADRAS, RR Hills, Bomdila, wherein the ESM heads, Veer Naris and the war widows were felicitated. Various cultural programmes organized by the district administration and the army were also displayed for the ESM and their families.

Among others, all the senior rank and files of the army under 5-Mtn Div, Maj. Gen Jha (Retd), Ex-MLA RT Khunjuju, HODs and public leaders were present in the day long rally.

Meanwhile, police personnel from Itanagar Police Station rushed to the spot and evacuated the injured persons from the hatchback car-all members of one family residing in F-Sector Itanagar, to the Rama Krishna Mission hospital Aalo, Mar 31: The Day 2 of Cultural Nite of Mopin Celebration that exhibited keen Group Modern Dance Competition was graced as Chief Guest by Shri Eken Riba, former Minister and Guest of Honour by Shri Jomnya Siram, Jt. Director Art & Culture at Gumin Kiin on 30th March last.

On the occasion, the GJCMCC

felicitated Dr. Tai Nyori, Rtd Registrar RGU along with 25 other members of yesteryears who were instrumental in the first Mopin celebration in 1966 at community level. The packed audience stood up to observe one minute silence as a mark of respect to the departed soul of late Pemin Tassar and other members of 1966 Mopin who are now more with us today.

CHF, Pasighat shines in the event by winning trophy of first position

Dean, CHF, Pasighat, AK Pandey while welcoming all the dignitaries and student participants of all the constituents’ colleges of Central Agricultural University, Imphal, said that sports and games is one of the novel area where students can develop sound health, good morale and spirit that can enhance better understanding, positive thinking and better life. While, speaking on the occasion, Director of Instruction, CAU, S. S. Nagra

briefed about the events conducted during three days long programme. All together fifteen athletics events and two indoor games for both boys and girls were conducted, in which a total of 222 students participated from six constituent colleges of CAU, Imphal.

He also expressed his satisfaction for the efforts put in by the entire faculty and staff of local organising committee in making the mega event a grant success and added that the students in this events are performing much better than from those inter collegiate meet conducted earlier at Tripura and Manipur. Registrar, CAU, P.M. Pillai said that this mega event being conducted by CAU every year is just like a National Integration Camp as students from constituent colleges located at different parts of North Eastern Region of India meet in one place and participate in different sports and games events. He also appreciated the food provided by the local organising committee and the way of managing time in conducting various events as well as the technical sports staff from state department.

While on the part of

academics to discuss issues of country's literary heritage. Taking privilege, Prof.

Pandey opined that a healthy nation needs food security and India has touched new heights producing 103 million ton rice and 90 million tons wheat annually. Scientists and growers have achieved remarkable progress in this sector.

Earlier, Prof. Kailash Narayan Tiwari, Delhi University, in his keynote address presented a brief speech on Bhaktikal. He said behavioral changes in society and content in Hindi stories these days was quite different from that penned in the past. Though changes in the literature were a natural process, the present writers must introspect, he added.

The regional director of Kendriya Hindi Sansthan, (GoI) Guwahati, Prof.

Hemraj Meena expressing his happiness on occasion has informed that his institution has produced nine thousand scholars so far and they are in the field in eighty five countries in the world

to promote Hindi literature.

Dr. Tayek Principal Talom, Principal and Dr. SD Choudhury, Vice Principal of JNC gracing on the valedictory function today as Chief Guest and Guest of Honour respectively, highly appreciated the organizing Hindi Department and suggested to conduct more seminar and workshops on other subjects to enrich knowledge. According to them, it was the best way of promoting the Hindi language and spiritual development by inviting people from across the nation. Duo welcomed the writers, poets and journalists to visit Arunachal Pradesh to know more about state's beauty, tradition, art and culture and to explore the hidden treasures through their writings.

The two-day seminar witnessed many eminent litterateurs like Prof. VK Mishra (Tripura University), Prof. M Pandey (NEHU), Prof. Harish Kr. Sharma (RGU) and Dr. Oken Lego (RGU) and other dignitaries from all over the country.

7 injured in accident Contd. from Page 1

3 days long inter collegiate sport & games meets of CAU, Imphal concludes Maksam Tayeng Pasighat, Mar 31: The three day long 3rd inter collegiate sports and games meet organised by Directorate of Instruction, Central Agricultural University, Imphal came to a glorious end today here at the premises of College of Horticulture & Forestry, Pasighat. Vice Chancellor Prof. M. Premjit Singh, Director of Instruction Dr. S.S Nagra, Registrar, P.M. Pillai, Deputy Director of Instruction K.P. Chaudhury of Central Agricultural University, Imphal and Dean A.K. Pandey of College of Horticulture and Forestry , Pasighat graced the valedictory function.

Tayek Talom, Dr. PN Choubey (HoD, Hindi) and Dr. HN Pandey (Coordinator) and expressed hope that rich contributions of several speakers would help the participants. Khosla while pointing out that the seminar was aimed at promoting Hindi literature as it is a widely spoken language has suggested the college authority to conduct more and more seminar inviting students and teachers from several universities in near future too to attract the young generation to take more interest in the national language.

Dean of CoH, Pasighat and noted writer/poet Prof. AK Pandey who graced the occasion as Guest of Honour has spoken at length on 'Hindi literature and Bhaktikal' and role and responsibility of litterateurs in social building. Scholars from different parts have may come forward to know each other, crossing the barriers. JNC has organized the seminar to provide a platform of dialogue for them to create opportunities for

immediately. The family members include Yowa Tajam (Father), Yowa Tashi (Son), Nabam Tubin (Cousin) and daughters Yowa Morto, Yowa Yam-12 years and Yowa Ane-3 years. Later, they were released from the hospital after medication. The injured among, meanwhile till filing

of this report the police was busy in taking care of the injured persons.

As for the passengers of the SUV, a total of five members who were reportedly coming from nearby River of Senki after washing the vehicle, there have been no reports of any sustenance of injury.

Gauhati HC rejects disqualification of 14 MLAs Contd. from Page 1

Rebia’s order was challenged by the MLAs in the Gauhati High Court and a single-judge bench of Justice B. K. Sharma had stayed the order in January this year.

Rebia had challenged the interim stay order passed by the High Court in the Su-

preme Court. The apex court, however, remanded the matter back to the high court with a direction that it should be heard by a division bench.

After prolonged hearing, the division bench ruled that the order passed by the Speaker was illegal and set it aside.

The judgement directed

the Speaker to take appropriate action within the next 15 days to convene the House for the election of a member to decide on the question of his disqualification and that of the remaining 14 members on the basis of the petition. This was keeping in view the fact that the present Speaker of the Assembly is also a petitioner.

GOVERNMENT OF ASSAM OFFICE OF THE SUM DIVISIONAL OFFICER MARGHERITA

NOTICE It is for general information of public, political parties and contesting candidates of 124-Margherita LAC that the following special arrangements are made during conduct of General Elections to the Assam State Assembly.

Model Polling Station : 1. 116-Margherita Town High School (R) 2. 118-Margherita Town High School (L) List of polling station where continuous live web casting will be done are as below: 10 Polling Station selected for webcasting namely.

1. 116-Margherita Town High School (R) Prof. M. Premjit Singh, Vice Chancellor, Central Agricultural University, Imphal, expressed his satisfaction about the development of CHF, Pasighat in almost all the areas besides many hindrance of though located in remote corner of North East, India. He also mentioned about the different programmes conducted by the college like Horti-Expo, National Seminar, Mithun Mela, etc. He congratulates student participants of all the teams and promised to provide all facilities required for the students as soon as possible.

Students from all the teams of the constituent’s col-

leges participated in all these events showing stamina, strength, determination, skill and spirit. The events conducted on the third day of sports and games meet were triple jump, 4x400 m race for both boys and girls. There was a frenzy of excitement when the names of the winners were announced in various categories. Best athlete prize was awarded to Ms Aning Tadeng of College of Veterinary Science, Aizwal, Mizoram for girls and Mr. Suman Nama, College of Fisheries, Lembuchera, Tripura. Students of College of Horticulture & Forestry, Pasighat team shined

like a bright star in various events by adding lot of medals to their tally score and finally awarded overall first position, while College of Agricultural Engineering Post Harvest Technology, Ranipool, Sikkim bagged runner up team.

2. 117-Margherita Town High School (M) 3. 118-Margherita Town High School (L) 4. 119-Margherita Town High School (L)(A) 5. 146-Margherita Public Higher Secondary School (R) 6. 147-Margherita Public Higher Secondary School (L) 7. 148-Margherita Public Higher Secondary School (M)

The final moments of the grant event was marked by lowering Central Agricultural University Flag followed by declaring the 3rd intercollegiate sports and games meet closed by the VC. Deputy Director of Instruction, Dr. K.P. Chaudhury of CAU delivered Vote of thanks.

8. 140-A.R.&.T Co. L.P School 9. 141-Margherita Town Gandhi Vidya Mandir (R) 10. 142-Margherita Town Gandhi Vidya Mandir (L)

Sd/ District Election Officer 124 Margherita LAC

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, APRIL 1

PAGE 4

Congress not interested in development of poor: Gadkari (exploit the poor). They are only interested in coming to power and ensure their and their children's development," he said.

ET Correspondent Diphu, Mar 31: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari today said Congress, being a 'family-centric' party, was interested in its own development only and not that of the poor.

"Congress is a family-centric party and this has been proved again this time in Assam with party tickets allotted to children of MPs, MLAs and senior party leaders," Gadkari told an election rally in the hill district of Karbi Anglong.

"In Congress, Sonia Gandhi is only interested in giving employment to her son while in Assam Tarun Gogoi is interested in the same for his son," the Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping said.

Citing his own example, Gadkari said he previously held the BJP president's post, which was once occupied by former Prime Minister Atal

Voters and EVM Awareness Camp Held ET Correspondent Golaghat , Mar 31: With a view to create awareness among the voters in Golaghat Election District an awareness camps were today organised by the Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation Cell in three places of 95 Golaghat LAC. Awareness camps were held in three voting centres having comparatively low voting percentage in the last assembly elections .

Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer Varnali Deka and SVEEP Cell Nodal Officer Rumi Saikia supervised the camps and appealed all to exercise their democratic right to vote and also tried to aware voters about the EVM.

Illegal Bangladeshi problem will be solved permanently : Sushma Swaraj Contd. from Page 1 So there is a good environment for permanent solution of illegal infiltration problem of Assam, she added. BJP is the only party which in power in centre has proceeded to seal the border completely. The foreign affairs Minister further said that for all round development of Assam and for a corrupt free governance BJP is the only party.

Apart from illegal Bangladeshi problem, Assam is facing the flood and erosion problems simultaneously drought menace as well. The interlinking project of rivers of NE region with the rest of the country will mitigate those problems, she added. BJP will take up scientific methods in this direction.

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to change the face of Assam and has already initiated several projects involving crores of rupees for the development of the state, he said.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Shipping Nitin Jayram Gadkari addresses the gathering during election campaign of party candidate Dilip Paul in Silchar. Pic - UB Photos

Bihari Vajpayee, though he was the son of a farmer.

"My parents were not MPs, but I was the son of a farmer who became a small time party worker and went on to occupy the chair once occupied by the revered leader. Can anybody in the Congress dream of becomning the party president?" he posed.

Pranab Mukherjee is the Presi-

dent of the country and could have become the Prime Minister, but he could "never become the Congress president which is reserved for the Gandhi family," Gadkari observed.

"The Congress is not bothered about the poor, farmers, labourers, youths or women.

They can only give the slogan of 'Garibi Hatao' (remove poverty) but instead (they) 'garibon ke pet mein laath marte hain'

As the Shipping Minister, he said, "My ministry has already taken steps to develop the Brahmaputra as a waterways connecting Bangladesh with the trade route ensuring employment oppurtunities for the youths of Assam."

He also promised that the construction of the ManjaLumding Road via Diphu would begin within three months of the party coming to power in Assam.

The Union Minister addressed meetings at Baithalangshu, Patharkandi and Silchar.

Shambhu Boro Missamari Mar 31 : “This election is not a joke, rather it is a time to take a proper decision to bring the BJP-AGPBPF alliance force to power by casting your vote in favour of the very allied force on April 4, only for the development and safety and security of the region.” It was said today by the Rajya Sabha MP Biswajit Daimary while addressing a huge election rally here at Dhekipelwa play ground under the Dhekiajuli LAC in Sonitpur District. Taking part as star campaigner for the Dhekiajuli LAC, BJP candidate, Ashok Shinghal in his speech, the Rajya Sabha MP further said that the Dhekiajuli LAC was in the hand of an incapable public representative from Congress for the last five years because of which every possible developmental work remained stagnant. “Rampant Corruption against each of the developmental schemes by the MLA of the Constituency was

a major obstacle for which people of most of the areas in the LAC areyet to enjoy the modern day facilities like safe drinking water, electricity, road communication, health and hygiene, school and colleges for better education etc.” He said and added that without a united force prosperity of every community of the region is not possible. So this time three major forces are united in Assam. Disclosing reason behind the breaking of relationship with Congress Biswajit Daimary also said that through the BTC arrangement a sea change could be witnessed in the BTC area reflecting development of every community living within the jurisdiction of council and the remaining works were supposed to be executed with special route map of work. “However, this policy was rejected by Tarun Gogoi led Assam government which irked us.” He said.

Meanwhile, criticizing ABSU and NDFB (P)’s political pact

with the Congress he also said that if anything is happening in BTC or for the people living outside the BTC, that is happening only after the formation of BTC where organizations like ABSU or NDFB have no any contribution. “So they don’t have any right to say against us.” He claimed. On the otherhand, referring to the giving of land patta to the people living in the forest areas in Sonitpur by the chief minister Tarun Gogoi, in a recent public meeting at Chardwar, granting separate directorate for the Boro medium school he also said that it is nothing but a falls arrangement as the land patta arrangement is already done by BTC administration with the pact of central government, and the separate directorate is given only up-to the elementary level education. “So, there is nothing any new in this agenda of Congress and ABSU, it is only a political gimmick.” He mentioned.

Attending the programme, BTC, Chief Hagramma Mohilary urged the common voters to wipe out the congress party. “Congress has ruled the country for 65 years, but what has given to the people? For the unimaginable corruption in all sphares the country has attained in a very devastative state.”

He alleged adding if the congress come to the power once again Assam wouldn’t remain any more as in the days to come by the bliss of Tarun Gogoi fundamentalist leader like Baddaruddin Ajmal will be the chief minister of Assam. In the rally, the BJP Candidate, Ashok Singhal also delivered lecture with an appeal to vote for him for the greater interest of overall development of the area. The programme conducted by local BPF worker, Lenin Basumatary, besides BJP, AGP and BPF workers was attended by many well known personalities of the area.

AJYCP stages sit-in-strike in Lakhimpur District Level Awareness Programme on AYUSH Held in Dibrugarh

ET Correspondent Lakhimpur; Mar 31: The Lakhimpur District body of Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad today staged a sit-in-strike programme in front of Lakhimpur DC Office for 2 hours from 10 am to 12 pm. The programme was the

part of 365 day-long strike agenda from January 1 to December 31 of this year declared by the Central Committee of the organisation. Introduction of pure autonomous governance in the State, introduction of inter-state permit, introduction of bi-citizenship to the

people of Assam etc are demanded through the protest programme. District President Pradip Sarmah, General Secrtary Saurabh Das, Central Vice-President Hemchandra Goswami along with Many other activists were present in the programme.

ONGC, Assam Asset organizes Workshop on "Integrated Waterflood Asset Management" for Eastern Onshore at Nazira ET Correspondent Nazira, Mar 31: Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd., Assam Asset organized a technical workshop on the theme ''Integrated Waterflood Asset Management (IWAM)'' for Eastern Onshore at Nazira, Assam from 17-28 March 2016.

Dr. G C Thakur of M/s TSI, a worldwide renowned reservoir engineer with almost four decades of experience in water flood management was the resource person for the workshop. Mr. Budhin Deuri, Executive Director of ONGC, Assam Asset had briefed Dr. Thakur about the geological aspects of the Geleki Oil field and the expectations of ONGC from the prolific oil fields with special reference to the concept of waterflooding and

Panery LAC . The Union Minister accompanied by BTC Chief Hagrama Mohilary and Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Biswajit Daimary earlier landed in the stadium by a private chopper to launch campaign for the BPF candidate Kamali Basumatary.

A gathering of several thousand of people from the cross section of the society including Adivasi, Bodo, Bengali, religious minority community and Assamese speaking community attended the rally only to extend their support to the BPF. District level leaders of BJP, AGP and BPF also attended the rally. Coming down heavily on the Congress the Union Minister strongly criticized the Congress government which has ruled the state for last fifteen years for their failure to construct roads, school buildings and appreciated the

A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Mar 31: Recognizing the need to raise awareness on AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) the Directorate of AYUSH, Assam and National Ayush Mission, Assam, organized a one day district level awareness Programme on AYUSH, at the NHM Hall adjoined to the Dibrugarh State Dispensary on 31st March 2016. The SDMHO (Head Quarter) Dr. Nabajyoti Gogoi formally inaugurated the programme by lighting the traditional lamp on behalf of the Joint Director of Health Services, Dibrugarh.

Many renowned personalities -the District Programme Manager, National Health Mission Mrs. Minikha Buragohain, eminent homoeopath Dr. Hemchandra Gogoi, noted Yoga instructor Sri Sasankadhar Sharma, prominent Ayurvedic doctor Dr. Sailesh Pujari attended the programme. The programme also brought together quite a large number of Ayurvedic and Homoeopathic doctors from around the district.

Officials and members form Yoga Sewa Bharati and Shivananda Yoga Kendra actively supported the programme. Distinguished doctors Dr. Indira Neog, Dr.

significance of timely water flood implementation through various analytical tools to improve productivity .

The prime focus of the workshop was on the water flood management of Geleki Oil Field of Assam Asset with the objectives to Developing proficiency in

Waterflood Asset Management, Putting Principles into practice on live reservoirs of Geleki field and Charting out ways and means of implementable solutions to improve water flood management in Geleki oil field thereby improving oil production and recovery from the field.

Union Tribal Affairs Minister launched campaign in Panery ET Correspondent Mangaldai, Mar 31: Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Govt of India, Jewel Oram as the star campaigner for BJP and its allied poll partners on Wednesday afternoon took part in a election rally in Panery LAC surrounded by tea gardens close to the Indo-Bhutan international border in Udalguri . "With the motto of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikash"-(With all for development of all) initiated

by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in Assam all the three political parties namely BJP, AGP and BPF got united in Assam only to uproot the corrupted Congress only to create the shining Assam with new ray of hope" said Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Jewel Oram while addressing a largely attended election rally organized by the BPF at Dimakuchi Stadium in

BTC Chief Hagrama Mohilary and Rajya Sabha MP Biswajit Daimary urged the people to reject Congress and bring BJP to power for the development of every community of the state

leadership of Hagrama Mohilary for bringing a total change in the region.

"The Congress has already done a lot of damage and harm to Assam in the development spheres and it is the high time to uproot the Congress in the state only to bring a total change" added Jewel Oram. He also made it clear that after the model code of conduct is over, the Union Government would grant ST status to all the three ethnic tribes in Assam.

Addressing the rally, Parliamentarian Biswajit Daimary described the Congress candidate of the constituency as the seasonal cuckoo which is the harbinger of the arrival of the Rongali Bihu as he is seen in his home constituency only at the time of election. The key person of attraction of all, BTC Chief Hagrama Mohilary in his speech expressed his confidence that BPF-BJP- AGP

alliance would get 72 to 80 seats in the state assembly in this election to form the government.

Significantly, Publicity secretary of All Adivasi Students Association of Assam (AASAA) Francis Chermoko and Vice President Rajen Horo addressing the election rally extended their full support to the BJPAGP-BPF alliance. BPF candidate for Panery LAC Kamali Basumatary in her brief speech appealed all section to cast their vote in favour of BPF only to form a corruption free government in the state and bade goodbye to corrupt rule of the Congress. Executive Member of BTC Jagadish Sarkar along with other BPF leaders attended the rally.

Mention may be made here that Panery will go into the poll in the first phase on April 4 next.

Dr. Sudhir Kumar Bhattacharjee lighting the ceremonial light of a District Level Awareness programme on AYUSH at Dibrugarh State Dispensary. Pic - Jagadish Bharali

Nabanita Barman, also attended the event. The nurses, Ashas, link workers, other employees and general public too took part in the programme.

In his inaugural address Dr. Nabajyoti Gogoi broadly explained the significance of Ayurveda and its evolution over time. He talked about the past, present contribution and its future potential benefits.

Yoga instructor Sri Sasankadhar Sarma, and his

team dazzled the people with their practical demonstration of various Yoga Asanas and techniques.

tem of treatment is in practice ever since the reign of the Ahoms.

Dr. Hemchandra Gogoi's speech sought to make the people aware of the system of Homeopathic Treatment. He emphasized on the care of mother and child through this System of treatment.

Ayurvedic doctor Sailesh Pujari talked about the Ayurvedic system of treatment.

He said that in Assam, this sys-

The technical session was followed by a question and answer session.

The programme which began with Dr. Chakreshwar Sharma's welcome address followed by the District Nodal Officer, Dr. Sudhir Kumar Bhattacharya's keynote address on AYUSH and AYUSH Mission, came to a close with Dr. Bhattacharya's vote of thanks.

FIR filed against MLA Bismita Gogoi Ripul Das Dergaon, Mar 31: An FIR was filed against No 96khumtai MLA cum Assam govt cultural Minister Bismita Gogoi along with the Golaghat North Development Block Officer Jiten Nora in Dergaon police station on 29 March for allegations regarding Old Age Pension under Chief Minister Special Schemas. The fact of the case registered in police station against the Minister cum

Assam Assembly election 2016's congress nominated candidate in the No 96khumtai LAC is that Minister Bismita Gogoi has signed a list of beneficiaries for benefit under Old Age Pension under CMSS parallels with the signature of the Golaghat North Development Block Officer Jiten Nora which is an offence being subject to legal proceeding..

stated in the FIR petition that the valid list of beneficiaries for benefit under the Old Age pension under CMSS is replaced by the list of beneficiaries which is signed by Minister Bismita Gogoi and Golaghat north development block officer Jiten Nora instead of not having been signed by concerning GP President and Secretary.

In the same line it is also

Signature of Minister Bismita Gogoi is an influen-

tial factor in approval and acceptance of the list of beneficiaries is an offence stated in the FIR. Dergaon police continues investigation in this concern as Dergaon Regional Yuba Chatra Paris had submits a memorandum before the Dergaon revenue circle officer cum returning officer of 2016's assembly election to clear-cut report within 24 hrs as Bismita Gogoi is the congress nominated contestant in No 96-khumtai LAC.

Why Mallya, Lalit Modi still abroad? Rahul asks PM Contd. from Page 1

"Modi will lecture in Assam but will say nothing about Mallya, Lalit Modi or the 'fair and lovely scheme'. They (BJP) think they can go on lying and people will go on listening to them," he said.

Referring to the black money amnesty scheme, he said, "I have named it 'fair and lovely scheme' because any gangster, militant, criminal in India can convert their black money into white money by just going to the government and paying

minimum tax on it."

Continuing his attack on Modi, the Congress Vice President claimed, "When Modi comes here he talks of development, but can there be development when an Indian is made to fight another Indian? On the other hand, we Congress live with love with one another.

This is the difference."

The Election is going to be a battle of ideologies, says Rahul Contd. from Page 1

“The Congress party will also fill up all the vacant posts in the State government and give scholarships to 100 students in each districts of the State,” he said.

He also announced 100 special scholarships for the students appearing in UPSC competitive examinations, besides providing free rations and houses to the tea garden labourers.

"BJP-AGP leaders will bring back what was there is the state 15 years ago. There had only been sad news, violence, people dying till Con“The Congress governgress came and restored ment will also construct a cold-storage for the farmers peace," he said.

at each development blocks and provide free treatment to persons whose annual income is less than 2.5 lakhs,” said Gandhi.

Targeting ruling BJP government at the centre, Rahul said that the government must stand for the benefit of the farmers and not for a section of selected industrialists. “Modi spends his leisure time with five selected industrialists by wearing a Rs. 15 lakhs suit and shares his feelings in man ki baat,” he said. He also said that the price of petrol and diesel is raising just because of his few industrialists friends.

REGION

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, APRIL 1

Shillong voted as 'India's favourite hill station'

Union DoNER Minister, Jitendra Singh Shillong, Mar 31: Shillong which was described as the best scenic city not only in the country but also in the Indian Sub-continent by none other than Union DoNER Minister, Jitendra Singh, on Wednesday night received the award for being 'India's favorite hill station', under the category top tourism destinations.

The award was received by Meghalaya Parliamentary Secretary in charge Tourism, Kennedy C Khyriem, in a glittering function here organised by travel website HolidayIQ.com, India's first holiday information portal.

Talking to The Shillong Times after the award, Kennedy said the award was a matter of pride for the whole State and the region.

This will go a long way in promoting tourism in Meghalaya which is picking up very fast with the

government's help, he added.

"Meghalaya is also most peaceful state in the North East now," Kennedy said, adding that taking this as an opportunity the government is trying to attract as many tourists as possible.

As the HolidayIQ.com data shows tremendous rise in jungle tourism, Meghalaya with its pristine forest and beautiful hills will attract more tourists not only for leisure but also for health benefits of a hill station, he said.

In his speech the Union minister said not even one per cent of the tourism potential of the picturesque North East region has been explored or exploited as yet.

Connectivity within the region than outside is creating lots of problem for the landlocked states, he said.

(Agencies)

Dima Hasao BJP released its election manifesto

ET Correspondent, Haflong March 31 : Dima Hasao BJP released its election manifesto in presence of Dethang Naiding, Vice President, Sujay Langthasa, BJP Spokeperson, Anup Langthasa, General Secretary and Monoj Gorlosa, President, Haflong Constituency Committee at the BJP election office at Ramnagar, near Haflong on Thursday.

In the manifest several burning issues were listed while criticizing the ruling

party for its failure in solving issues.

The manifesto also made special mentions for Haflong like water supply, waste management etc.

But the manifesto did not mention any clause of Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) signed between the both DHD faction, Govt of India and State Government or Autonomous State which are also said to be prime issues for the people of Dima Hasao as well as Karbi Anglong.

Tripura: BJP leader assaulted and raped

Agartala, Mar 31: A 45-yearold woman, who is also a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader was reportedly assaulted and raped by a CPM cadre at a remote village of Khowai District. Though the complaint was lodged 12 hours before the publishing of this article, the accused is yet to be arrested, said a senior police official.

The victim is a mother of two and a BJP contestant in the last Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council's Village Committee elections.

Police sources said that the accused identified as Dumpa Hrankhawl , 26, is a resident of Rangamura village. Dumpa allegedly beat up his victim

with a torch on the night of March 25 while she was on her way back home at Budhirai Para under Teliamura Police Station. After assaulting her, Dumpa reportedly raped her.

She lodged a complaint against him at the police station, but withheld the rape incident.

However she later accused him of raping her. Meanwhile, the police are investigating the matter.

"She delayed complaining of rape because of shame. However, later, she lodged a rapecase against him. We demand the police to arrest him soon, otherwise, we will go for an agitation," BJP president Biplab Deb told TNT. (Agencies)

PAGE 5

Assembly Rules panel to examine matter Shillong, Mar 31: Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Speaker A.T. Mondal on Wednesday asserted that the matter pertaining to the appointment of parliamentary secretaries would be forwarded to the Rules Committee of the Legislative Assembly for opinion and necessary amendment of the provisions of the Legislative Assembly rule.

Mondal also asserted that he had received the letter from Chief Minister Mukul Sangma asking him to examine the provisions of the said rule

and effect necessary amendments in this regard.

The Speaker, incidentally, admitted that the rules should have been amended before appointment of the parliamentary secretaries, but somehow 'it skipped their eyes'.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said he would write to the Speaker to look at the provisions of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly rule and effect an amendment as per the mandate of the act.

The chief minister said he

Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has gone through the Act and it is indicative of the parliamentary secretary rules confined to assign-

ments which can be given to them in respect of monitoring of programmes.

He also said that the first Act which was enacted in 1991 has been repealed and accordingly, the new Act of 2005 does not come into any conflict with the provisions of the Constitution.

Even before the State government initiated steps to amend the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly rule which equated the rank of a parliamentary secretary to that of a minister, Parliamentary Secretary in charge Taxation, Lamboklang Mylliem, quit the post on Tuesday to avoid any legal com-

No uneven distribution of Central funds, says KHADC chief Shillong, Mar 31: KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM) P.N. Syiem on Wednesday dismissed allegations by some KHADC MDCs of uneven distribution of Rs 133.12 crore sanctioned by the Centre.

Syiem said that only a general proposal was

made regarding the fund allocation and that Rs 2 crore each for 2015-16 and 2016-17 will be distributed among the MDCs as per scheme proposals.

Earlier, some MDCs had alleged that Syiem and his close associates had taken the lion's share of

Rs 87 crore out of the Central allocation.

According to Syiem, the traditional heads can send proposals for developmental schemes in those constituencies which are no longer represented by the local MDC who have resigned.

"When the State government releases the fund, we will work out the modalities on the scheme proposals," Syiem said, reiterating there is no discrimination as far as fund allocation is concerned.

He said that the Council is also committed to

generate revenue through the implementation of schemes from special central assistance which can ultimately help in payment of salary of the staff as currently salary of staff and MDCs depend on the royalty collected on coal and limestone.

(Agencies)

Tripura Congress calls one-day strike demanding CM's resignation Agartala, Mar 31: Opposition Congress on EW called a day's strike in Tripura on April 18 demanding resignation of Chief Minister Manik Sarkar for his alleged involvement in the assassination of former state health minister Bimal Sinha in 1998.

"Following the report of the Justice Yusuf Commission, which inquired into the assassination of Bimal Sinha, it is clear that Chief Minister Manik Sarkar was in-

Chief Minister Manik Sarkar volved in his murder for political reasons," PCC

President Birajit Sinha alleged in a press conference.

"We demand CBI inquiry into the assassination and immediate resignation of Sarkar from the post of Chief Minister. A 24-hour strike has been called by our party to press for the demand," he said. Earlier, Congress also burnt the effigy of Sarkar.

CPI(M), however, ruled out Sarkar's resignation saying the Commission has no

charge against the Chief Minister.

"Why should the Chief Minister resign? Did the Commission implicate him? Birajit Sinha himself had been imprisoned on charges under Weapons Act. Now, he is bringing these baseless charges. People will not respond to their bandh call," CPI (M)spokesperson and the party's Central Committee member, Gautam Das said.

Bimal Sinha was mur-

dered by insurgents of the banned National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) on March 31, 1998.

The state government headed by Sarkar set up an inquiry commission by retired Calcutta High Court Justice M A Yusuf,which submitted its report to the state government in January 2000. It was tabled in the Assembly on March 23 following an order of the Tripura High Court.( Agencies)

Contributions of Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma recall ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, Mar 31: The influential All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) and Upendra Nath Brahma Trust (UNBT) recalled contributions of Bodofa (Father of Bodos) Upendra Nath Brahma, a great leader of Bodo as well other downtrodden communities of the state of Assam and former president of the students' union towards uplift of Bodos, on his 60th birth anniversary at Tulunggapuri, Dotma in Kokrajhar district on Thursday.

Bodofa(Ftaher of Bodos) Brahma,was a Master Degree with Science from a poor family, born at remote Boragari village in Kokrajhar district on March 31,1956, hold the responsibility of dedictaion to the Bodo and other down trodden communities through launching of democratic mass agitation demanding separate Bodoland state carving existing Assam, bringing total revolution in the

society,besides creating peace and unity among all sections of community in the region.

Bodofa Brahma,who had been dream of creation of separate Bodoland state, mission of Bodo masterrace and upliftment of Bodo and other down trodden communities in the country. Bodofa Brahma have had president of the ABSU in 1986 and led strong mass democratic movement seeking separate Bodoland state till his death in 1990.

Brahma, had dream of master race of Bodos and literate Bodo community in the world through which he had dedicated his whole life towards social uplifting.

Student union activists, irrespective of citizens from different community organistaions,leaders thronged the anniversary observation to paid floral tribute to Bodofa UN Brahma at Thulunggapuri, apart from Promod Boro,ABSU president, Sameswar Brahma, elder

brother of Bodofa UN Brahma,former Rajya Sabha MP Urkhao Gwra Brahma,ex-Lok Sabha MP Sansuma Khunggur Bwiswmuthiary.

Promod Boro,ABSU president hoisted the union flag followed one minute silence condolence to mark the observation and an open discussion was also organised on the day.

Promod Boro,ABSU president said, 'The ABSU and UNBT have been observing the birth anniversary of Bodofa UN Brahma every year on today's day. We recalled him with great respect,who had worked not only for the Bodos but for the down trodden people of the region'.

'Bodofa Brahma led strong mass movement for separate Bodoland state within Indian constitution,who had dreamt of Master Race of Bodos in the world,besides bringing total revolution of change among society',he said.

The students union has

been stepping to bring mission with master race, mission nonviolence,mission total revolution,mission Bodoland, mission quality education.

On the building of great Bodo society Boro said,'We want Bodos to be advance society in the world'. He has urged the government to create early small states across the country including Bodoland separate to meet good and healthy administration.The students union also declared birth place of Brahma as model village,which launching master-plan of the model village on May 1 next."

Former Rajya Sabha MP Urkhao Gwra Brahma said, 'Bodofa UN Brahma, who had established the Bodo, a great community the world. Dedication of Bodofa Brahma was rare for the community.We must respect ideology and philosophy of Brahma'.

Bodofa Brahma had dream master race of

Bodos,besides demanded separate Bodoland state.

He was a leader of Bodos and other down trodden communities for the cause of Bodoland,Brahma said adding that we must try to keep alive the thoughts and philosophy of UN Brahma to the nation as well as to the world.

'The thoughts and philosophy of the then student leader Upendra Nath Brahma has brought a revolution among the down trodden people for their rights to live with dignity and self determination. Bodofa Brahma regarded as torch bearer of the Bodo peoples towards seeking separate Bodoland state and social change',Brahma said.

BTC MCLA Jyotirindra Brahma,former BTC executive member Mono Kumar Brahma,UPP candidate for Kokrajhar east Pratibha Brahma,leaders from different organisation were present on the occasion.

Special measures for voters with disability: K-DAC cell ET Correspondent Rangia, Mar 30: To strengthen the democratic process and to motivate the voters with various disabilities Kamrup Election District has taken special initiative so that this type of people can exercise their right to vote without any difficulty. The Kamrup District has organized a

special cell by the name of K-DAC (Kamrup Disability Assistance Centre) which is designed in a specialized way of motivating the voters with disability.

The K-DAC cell has a Toll free no-1800-345-3975 by which any person can call up and get information about how the facilities will be provided at various

Polling Stations. A Facebook page is also developed in this connection.

Anyone can visit ''facebook.com/ KamrupDAC'' to keep update of the activities of Kamrup Disability Assistance Centre.

As a part of the implementation of this benevolent strategy, certain devices

like posters, booklets, postcards are being sent to the BLOs to communicate the message to these voters to cast their vote. Along with these steps, pasting of wall based signage, hanging of banners in the prime locations to attract the voters along with application of Braille for blind voters in the Polling Sta-

tions are in full swing.

Audio- visual advertisements for visually impaired voters are also played. Accordingly, all the BLOs are trained up and instructed to assist these voters so that they are not to confront any haphazard situation while exercising their franchise on the day of poll.

plications.

Besides Lamboklang, the 17 parliamentary secretaries appointed by the State government are Comingone Ymbon, Samuel M. Sangma, Limison D. Sangma, Winnerson D. Sangma, Kennedy C. Khyriem, Cherak W. Momin, Brigady Marak, Sengnam Marak, Rophul S. Marak, Robinus Syngkon, Michael T. Sangma, Justine Dkhar, Ashahel D. Shira, Stephanson Mukhim, Celestine Lyngdoh, Noverfield R. Marak and Marthon Sangma. (Agencies)

Missing youth back to home ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, Mar 31: A 20years-old youth, who has gone missing since September last, was brought back to his native village Jitpur Bishmuri in Kokrajhar.

The youth was identified as Sibhu Murum, son of late Bisnhu Murum of Jitpur, who lost his both legs at an train accident at Lucknow, he was admitted St. George Medical Hospital, Lucknow on January 29 last. Md. Aziz Mansuri and Neeraj Rastogi Advocate Lucknow High Court helped the youth for treatment and contacted the district administration, Kokrajhar.After response reach, the Discovery Club (NGO) and All Assam Adivasi Students Union (AAASU) Kokrajhar traced the family of the youth which led to travelled for Lucknow to identify and bring the boy back to Kokrajhar and handed over to his family.

Sibhu, who was traveling from Harayana to Kokrajhar by train and fell down and got injured, according to him he traveled to find a job in Harayana and got sum of Rs.1500 after working for 22 days.

Rangia Kamrup suspends 5 arms licenses ET Correspondent Rangia, Mar 31: In view of the ensuing Legislative Assembly Election, Kamrup District Administration had earlier issued an order to the private arms license holders to deposit their arms at their respective Police Stations. But due to the non deposit of the arms by Sarat Ch. Das, Niyamoni Moral, Achyut Ch. Das, Golak Ch. Deori, and Umesh Ch. Kalita under Sualkuchi Police Station, Kamrup District administration suspended their arms licenses with immediate effect and directed the Superintendent of Police, Kamrup to seize the arms and keep these in safe custody.

MTLT demands 24x7 power supply Kohima, Mar 31: The Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem has demanded 24x7 power supply in Mokokchung town given the fact that the citizens are paying electricity bills regularly.

Highlighting the constant power fluctuations in the town recently in a meeting with Power Department officials on March 28, the MTLT insisted that power allotment must be in proportion to payment of bulls.

The MTLT also met PHED officials and took stock of water supply in Mokokchung town.

Executive Engineer, PHED, Mokokchung highlighted the projects of the department to ensure proper water supply to the citizens in town. He said the department is working to take stock of the damaged pipes along the Techipami source.

In the meantime, he said that the Department is initiating short-term relief water supply to meet immediate needs like bore wells and water tankers and such projects have already been submitted to the higher authority for approval.

Expressing satisfaction that the PHED, Mokokchung is taking steps to solve the water requirements in the town, the MTLT, however, impressed upon the Government of Nagaland to speed up the process of completion of such projects. It also made it clear that there must be no charge, which is Rs 30, when there is no water supply. (Agencies)

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, APRIL 1

PAGE 6

PM Modi arrives in U.S. for 4th Nuclear Security Summit Washington, D.C., Mar. 31 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the United States early on Thursday morning to attend the fourth Nuclear Security Summit (NSS).

This is Prime Minister Modi's third visit to United States in nearly two years.

He was received at the Andrews Air Force Base

by U.S. Ambassador to India Richard Verma and Indian Ambassador to the U.S. Arun Singh.

Earlier, the Prime Minister's Office tweeted, "All set for the trans-Atlantic voyage.

PM leaves forUSA

where he will join Nuclear Security Summit."

Leaders of 53 nations and four international organisations will be attending the NSS in Washington.

In the evening, Prime Minister Modi will be attending a leaders-only thematic dinner to be hosted by President Barack Obama at the White House.

This will be followed by three plenary sessions on Friday when India, along with other participating nations will submit their national nuclear progress reports.

PM Modi arrives in U.S. for 4th Nuclear Security Summit

"After Belgium, I will be in Washington D.C. on March 31 to participate in the Fourth Nuclear Security Summit, where

several nations and global organisations would be represented," Prime Minister Modi said in a statement on Tuesday

prior to his departure to Brussels.

"The summit would deliberate on the crucial issue of threat to nuclear security caused by nuclear terrorism. Leaders would discuss ways and measure through which to strengthen the global nuclear security architecture, especially to ensure that non-state actors do not get access to nuclear material," he said.

Earlier, briefing the media in New Delhi, Joint Secretary (Disarmament & International Security Affairs) Amandeep Singh Gill underlined

India's main expectations from the summit.

He said, "India expects that the summit would contribute further to raising high-level awareness of the threat of nuclear terrorism and the need to strengthen international cooperation against terrorists and nuclear traffickers."

"We also expect that the summit would help bolster legal, institutional and enforcement measures to strengthen the security of nuclear material, radioactive sources, associated facilities and technologies," he added.

(ANI)

India-US to sign MoU for PUC re-examination: Will leave no stone unturned building LIGO project in finding culprits, says Karnataka Minister

Modi with Obama Washington D.C., Mar. 31 : India will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States on Thursday for building a stateof-the-art Laser Interferometer Gravitationalwave Observatory (LIGO) project in the country.

The MoU will be signed between the National Science Foundation (NSF) of the US and India's Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Department of Science and Technology (DST).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet scientists

from the LIGO project.

DAE secretary Sekhar Basu will sign the agreement in the US today.

The MoU also states of forming a Joint Oversight Group (JOG) with the scientists from NSF, DAE and DST for better coordination of the project.

A meeting to decide the site for setting up the laboratory in India will take place by April 10.

The machines that gave scientists their first-ever glimpse at gravitational waves are the most advanced detectors ever built for sensing tiny vibrations in the universe. (ANI)

Bengaluru , Mar 31 : In the backdrop of an uproar created by riled-up students over a repeat incident of a 12th standard question paper leak, Karnataka's Minister for Higher Education R.V. Deshpande on Thursday said that the state dispensation will leave no stone unturned in nailing the culprits and will deliver justice to the students.

Deshpande told ANI that it is not healthy that such incidents are taking place repeatedly and added that the state education department will interrogate the matter with full transparency.

"This is not for the first time that this is happening, so many times it has happened it is not good, it is not healthy. Those who are responsible actions should be taken, the government will take actions but you can't call it a government failure. If this has happened due to negligence then action

will be taken against that person," he said.

"The education department will act in transparent manner and will take desired actions keeping the interest of the student intact. The CID is investigating the earlier matter and now it has happened again, the government will leave no stone unturned to do justice," he added.

The second Pre-University Chemistry (PUC) reexamination that was scheduled for today, following a question paper leak has been postponed.

After the paper leak confirmation, the exam was postponed for March 31.

The re-examination, initially scheduled for March 29, was postponed following protests demanding the withdrawal of the re-examination.

Earlier in the day, the students and their parents staged a protest outside the Department of Pre-

Students in protest for question paper leak University Education (DPUE) and pelted stones at the PUC building.

The PUC examination took place on March 21 which was later postponed and rescheduled for today due to the question paper leak.

Preliminary inquiry revealed that the chemistry paper was leaked near an exam centre in a women's college at Ballari, about 330km from

Bengaluru, and at a state-run college at Malur in Kolar district in Karnataka.

The PUC exams in the state, equivalent to second year intermediate course or Class 12 in central schools, b e g a n o n M a r c h 11 across the state.

As many as 6.5 lakh students will be appearing for this exams in the coming academic year. (ANI)

Govt hasn't given a good reason why patriotic Kolkata flyover collapse: Sikhs can't serve in U.S. military: Counsel Death toll rises to 14; Govt. announces relief

Kolkata, Mar. 31 : The death toll in the collapse of an under-construction bridge in Girish Park area of North Kolkata rose to 14 and 78 others are injured, said the Kolkata Police, adding that the death toll, however, is likely to mount.

Meanwhile, the West Bengal Government has announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs. 5 lakh to next of kin to the victims and Rs. 2 lakh to gravely injured people.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Director General O.P. Singh has said that saving the lives of people trapped under debris of the collapsed bridge in North Kolkata is the top

priority of his team.

"I have been told that a100-metre over bridge has collapsed. and our priority is to save all those who have been trapped alive. The most important thing is to evacuate people, who have been trapped inside.

We are using victim locating cameras, air-lifting bags and all other equipment that are needed in this kind of operations; meanwhile, more teams are being rushed to Kolkata," Singh told ANI. Locals, who were present on the scene, claimed that nearly 150 people are stuck under the collapsed bridge.

(ANI)

Kolkata flyover collapse

Washington D.C. ,Mar. 30 :As three new Sikh American soldiers have filed another lawsuit in a federal court against the U.S. Department of Defence for enforcing no beard rule in the military, senior counsel at the Becket Fund Eric Baxter, who is representing the three Sikh soldiers on Wednesday said the government really hasn't given any good reason why it can't let patriotic Americans of all religious flavours to serve in the military without compromising their religious beliefs.

Talking to ANI here, he said this case is about Sikh Americans serving in the U.S. military.

"Sikhs have a long history of serving in the U.S. military from the World War 1 through the Vietnam War. But in the 1980s, for some reasons, the government started enforcing its no beard, moreover against Sikh Americans. So, now we have four clients, who are representing their right to serve their country."

When asked how hopeful he was of a victory in the case, Baxter said, "We are very hopeful. We have been before this judge one time here in the District of Columbia and she viewed our case very

Military, senior counsel at Becket Fund Eric Baxter

favourably. The government really hasn't given any good reason why it can't let patriotic Americans of all religious flavours to serve in the military."

"One argument the government has made is that beards may create a safety hazards if gas mask formed CO, but the truth is there are hundred thousand soldiers even in time in the military, who have beards for medical or other reasons. Sikhs were certainly in the past and never had any safety problems with their beard. So, we think the government has no case," he added.

Talking about the current status, the counsel said there are four Sikh Americans, who are serving in the army currently

with their beards in place.

"They have accommodations, but the government is still refusing to make them permanent. Every time they are transferred from their duty station, they have to re-apply for accommodations. There are still a number of Sikhs who would like to serve, but can't apply due to the beard row," he said.

Asked about the argument that goes in their favour, he said Sikhs have served militaries around the world for a long time. "They are allowed to serve in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and India, of course. There is simply no reason why they shouldn't be allowed to serve in the American Army as well."

"The army has to make a

decision on our first client Captain Simratpal Singh, who is a Brown Star recipient. They have to let us know tomorrow whether they are going to accommodate him; if they do, then it will be a victory for Sikh Americans and for all of us.

And, if they deny the accommodation, then we have a very tight schedule in April to go to a court and get the court to change the army's mind for us," he said while talking about the future course of action.

Specialists Kanwar Singh and Harpal Singh and Private Arjan Singh Ghotra each seek to serve their country without being forced to compromise their religion in the process.

The lawsuit, filed by the Sikh Coalition, the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty and McDermott Will & Emery, demands that the Army accommodate their religious articles of faith, including turbans, unshorn hair and beards, so that each can begin Basic Combat Training with their various units in May. The lawsuit was filed after the U.S. Department of Defence ignored a written demand letter that was sent on March 23.

(ANI)

Cong hails Modi's remarks on terrorism, says PM should expose Pak

Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit New Delhi, Mar 31 ; The Congress on Thursday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks on terrorism and said that he should expose Pakistan every time he gets an opportunity, as the estranged neighbour has been a very old culprit as far as promoting terrorism is concerned.

Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit toldANI that India should bring in to light Pakistan's malicious deeds every time possible, as now many other countries are getting affected.

"I believe that Prime Minister should use every opportunity to expose what Pakistan is doing on India and now that many other countries are getting effected they must

also realise that there are state actors across the world who are indulging in these kinds of activities and Pakistan has been a very old culprit as far as promoting terrorism is concerned," he said.

In the backdrop of terror attacks that claimed many lives in Brussels, Prime Minister Modi yesterday while addressing the Indian diaspora in Belgium, highlighted the dangers posed by terrorism to the world.

Underlining that terrorism needs to be delinked from religion, Modi also said that the menace posed challenge to humanity and those believing in humanity should collectively fight it.

(ANI)

Barack Obama, Joe Biden attack Donald Trump for 'exploiting fear'

US President Barack Obama Washington, Mar 31: In remarks aimed at presidential candidate Donald Trump, US President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden have cautioned against those "formenting division" by exploiting fear among people in the wake of the recent terror attacks around the world.

Obama said the intent of the terrorists was to "weaken our faith" and lead people to turn their backs on those who are most in need of help and refuge.

"These attacks can foment fear and division.

They can tempt us to cast out the stranger, strike out against those who don`t look like us, or pray exactly as we do. And they can lead us to turn our backs on those who are most in need of help and refuge. That's the intent of the terrorists, is to weaken our faith, to weaken our best impulses, our better angels," he said at the Easter Prayer Breakfast yesterday.

"Around the world, we have seen horrific acts of terrorism, most recently Brussels, as well as what happened in Pakistan -innocent families, mostly women and children, Christians and Muslims.

And so our prayers are with the victims, their families, the survivors of these cowardly attacks," he said.

Biden who was also present on the occasion, said that though fear among people in the wake of the terror attacks in Brussels Turkey and Pakistan, was understandable, exploiting that fear is absolutely unacceptable.

"I know there's a lot of fear and unease around the world. The President and I travel around the world a lot, and all you got to do is just look at the recent attacks in Belgium and Turkey and Pakistan."

"And while fear is understandable, exploiting that fear is absolutely unacceptable. When innocent people are ostracized simply because of their faith, when we turn our backs on the victims of evil and persecution, it's just wrong," Biden said.

His remarks were seen as a dig on the recent comments made by the Republican presidential candidates, in particular by front-runner Donald Trump who had suggested a blanket ban on the entry of Muslims into the US. "So it's up to us -- and you've been the leaders in this country -- to recognize that fear, but also try to allay that fear, and to help people understand that what unites us is a lot more than what divides us. And it's embodied in just not what we believe but what we say," Biden said.

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, APRIL 1

PAGE 7

NEIGHBOURS

Pak launches intl offensive over arrest of Indian spy Islamabad, Mar 31: Pakistan today said it has informed the European Union and major world capitals about the arrest of an Indian spy from restive Balochistan province and asked Iran to provide details of his spy network.

Kulbhushan Yadav, the alleged chief operative of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) was arrested by Pakistani security agencies last week from Chaman near Quetta.

Speaking at his weekly news briefing, Foreign

Some elements spreading 'undignified' rumours about Indian spy to undermine PakIran relations: Tehran Islamabad, Mar 31: Days after Pakistan arrested an Indian spy from Chaman, Iran on Thursday claimed some elements are trying to spread 'undignified' and 'offensive' rumours to undermine relations between Tehran and Islamabad.

"During the past few days, some sections of Pakistani media have spread contents regarding detention of an Indian agent and the matter related to it, which could have negative implications on the fraternal and friendly atmosphere of Iran and Pakistan," the Iranian Embassy in Islamabad said in a statement.

Last week, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani made his first visit to Islamabad since assuming presidency. During Rouhani's visit, Army chief General Raheel Sharif raised the issue of Research and Analysis Wing's (RAW) involvement in Pakistan's internal affairs, especially in Balochistan.

"Sometimes [RAW] also uses the soil of our brother country, Iran. I request they should be told to stop these activities and allow Pakistan to achieve stability," the army chief was quoted as saying during his meeting with the Iranian president.

However, the press statement clarified, "The Islamic Republic of Iran during seven decades since independence of Pakistan has always proved itself as a confident partner and neighbour for that country and the western borders of Pakistan have never been threatened."

It further reiterated that Iran considers its borders with Pakistan as borders of peace and friendship. "Security of Iran is security of Pakistan and security of Pakistan is security of Iran," the statement added quoting the Iranian president during his visit to Islamabad.

"Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran believes spreading of such news items is the product of thinking which does not like further expansion of ties between the two countries and against fruitful materialisation of the agreements made during the visit of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran and believes that Muslim and aware people of Pakistan attach special importance and value to the friendship and brotherly ties with Iran and spreading of undignified and insulting contents would not have impact on the positive and cordial views of two countries regarding each other," it added.

A backchannel mechanism between the national security advisers (NSA) of Pakistan and India to discuss security and terrorism related issues is in danger of being scrapped after the name of Ajit Doval surfaced in the ongoing controversy surrounding the arrest of an Indian spy.

Security officials claimed that Kulbhushan Yadav's confessional statement has confirmed the Indian NSA's role as being the architect of Research and Analysis Wing's current policy of stoking violence in Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan.

Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said major world capitals and EU have been informed about the arrest of a serving Indian Navy officer for planning "subversive activities" in Pakistan, Radio Pakistan reported.

The entire world has seen the admission statement of the Indian agent, Zakaria said, referring to the so-called "confessional video" of Yadav released earlier this week by the Pakistani Army.

Zakaria further said that Pakistan had earlier provided the United Nations

Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria with evidences of Indian interference and terror activities in Pakistan.

India has acknowledged Yadav as a retired Indian Navy officer, but denied

the allegation that he was in any way connected to the government.

"The said individual has no link with government since his premature retirement from Indian Navy," said a statement issued by Indias Ministry of External Affairs, while demanding counselor access to him.

Meanwhile, Zakaria confirmed that Indian High Commission here has sought counselor access to the arrested spy.

"A request by India for consular access (to Yadav) is under consid-

eration," he said in response to a question.

Zakaria said that Pakistan has also asked Iran to provide details about the network of Yadav who was reportedly arrested after he entered from Iran.

In the video, Yadav has said that he arrived in Iran in 2003 and started a small business in Chahbahar.

The FO spokesperson said that Iran has assured Pakistan that it would never allow anyone to use its soil against Pakistan.

Pak Tribunal Asks Govt Why it Allowed Musharraf to Go Abroad Islamabad, Mar 31: A peeved special Pakistani tribunal today asked government to give a written explanation as to why it allowed former military ruler Pervez Musharraf to go abroad without its consent.

The three-member tribunal has been holding trial of Musharraf in treason case which is based on Musharraf's decision to impose emergency in the country in 2007. The trial started in 2013 and Musharraf has been charge-sheeted.

72-year-old Musharraf this month flew to Dubai

for purported treatment after Supreme Court lifted bars on his foreign trips.

However, the court had also authorised the federal government to stop him from leaving the country in case it felt that he would dodge cases in Pakistan.

Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel asked state prosecutor Akram Skeikh why Musharraf was allowed to go away when the tribunal had issued orders for his personal appearance.

He asked the government to provide written re-

sponse for allowing Musharraf to fly out of the country when it knew that he was required to appear in person on March 31.

Sheikh requested the court to issue red warrants against Musharraf, which the court refused.

Treason is capital crime in Pakistan, punishable with death.

Musharraf ruled from 1999 to 2008 when he stepped down.

He lived abroad for most of the time until his return in 2013 to contest elections but was implicated in several high-

profile cases and was not allowed to leave the country.

Musharraf had said before leaving that he was going abroad to seek medical treatment for a spinal cord ailment which has now developed several complications and will "come back in a few weeks or months". He flew to Dubai after the government lifted international travel restrictions on him.

The ex-army chief is facing a slew of court cases after returning from five years of self-exile in Dubai.

He is facing trial in high treason case for abrogating the constitution in 2007 and illegal detention of judges same year.

In January 2014, Musharraf suffered a "severe heart attack" on his way to a special court to face the high treason charges following which he was admitted to an army hospital.

Musharraf has also been charged in connection with the 2007 assassination of prime minister Benazir Bhutto and the killing of a radical cleric in Islamabad in a military crackdown.

'Sri Lanka govt will answer critics with results soon'

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe Colombo, Mar 31: Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Thursday told critics of his government to wait for results of the government's action that

would be felt in 2-3 months when it would turn around the current economic slowdown.

"I know that there a few individuals who are not happy. We tell them to

wait and see for the next 2-3 months. They will be able to experience the benefits of our work, Wickremesinghe said addressing his United National Party's (UNP) reform meeting.

He said the priority for the government would be to create 1 million jobs for the youth.

"For that we have to create a larger market, we can't depend on our market of just 20 million people," Wickremesinghe said pointing to his programme to sign trade deals with India, Japan, China, Singapore and European Union.

His single-minded commitment to sign the proposed Economic and Technological Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) with India has come under fire from opposition and political groups who describe the pact as a sellout to India which would deprive Sri Lankans of local employment.

Wickremesinghe's unity government headed by President Maithripala Sirisena is accused by the opposition for the alleged sluggish performance of the economy.

The Sri Lankan Rupee has seen a decline and it

fetched 150 to the dollar on Friday for the first time in the country's history.

Foreign reserves have also declined adding to the pressure on the currency.

The government is contemplating an arrangement with the International Monetary Fund to tide over the immediate economic woes while blaming the previous Mahinda Rajapaksa-led government for borrowing excessively for infrastructure projects which have not yielded benefits to the economy.

(Agencies)

Congress should join UML-led govt, says PM Kathmandu, March 30: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today said the best option for the Nepali Congress was to join his government and not to look for other options.

Addressing a programme organised at 18th anniversary of Reporters Club here today, the PM urged the NC to stick to its pledges and correct its past mistakes.

The PM said he wanted to lead the government to bring relations with India back on track and take Nepal's relations with China to a new height and he succeeded in his mission.

The PM said the new constitution was endorsed by 92 per cent of the Constituent Assembly members and yet some forces were saying that the constitution-making process was unnecessarily fast tracked.

He said some forces were trying to create rift between the people of different regions and ethnic communities but they would not succeed in

their attempt.

Speaker Onsari Gharti Magar said parties needed to seek settlement of constitutional issues through dialogue.

UML Vice Chair Bhim Rawal, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence said the new constitution was promulgated after eight years and therefore those who said the framing of the statute was unnecessarily fast tracked were wrong.

"India passed its constitution with 65 per cent majority. The US passed its constitution with 55 per cent majority and we passed our constitution with almost 90 per cent majority," he said and added that overwhelming number of Madhesi and Janajati lawmakers ratified the constitution. Senior UML leader Jhalanath Khanal said the new constitution was a result of a long effort and the promulgation of the constitution had paved the way for the resolution of socio-economic, eth-

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli nic, regional and caste issues, through dialogue.

Former speaker Subas Chandra Nembang said the new constitution was Madhesi-, Janajati- and people-friendly constitution and participation of Madhesi forces in the prime ministerial election indicated that no one had boycotted the constitution. He, however, said efforts should be made to resolve genuine demands of agitating Madhesi forces.

Earlier, Chairperson of Federal Socialist ForumNepal Upendra Yadav

said the new constitution was unnecessarily fasttracked so as to enable somebody to become the prime minister and hence Madhesi people could not accept the constitution.

He said the constitution was discriminatory and regressive. "Some people say our constitution pledges to become a socialist country. How can a country, which literally begs for assistance, become a socialist country?" he wondered.

"How can peace be restored in the country when the prime minister

terms the citizens of his own country as foreigners and separatists?"

Yadav wondered.

Chair of Nepal Sadbhawana Party Anil Kumar Jha said the major parties claimed that the new constitution was endorsed by over 90 per cent of CA members, implying that the concerns of the remaining 10 per cent should not be addressed. "If there was no genuine grievance against the constitution, then people would not have taken to the streets during Madhes agitation," he argued.

He said the Madhesi forces had given in writing that 110 articles of the constitution needed changes and now the ruling parties are saying that they did not know what changes the agitating forces wanted in the constitution.

President of Nepali Congress Sher Bahadur Deuba said there was no issue that could not be addressed through dialogue.

Myanmar appoints 29 regional ministers

Myanmar government appointed 29 regional ministers Nay Pyi Taw, Mar 31: Myanmar's new government has appointed 29 regional ministers for ethnic affairs for 13 regions and states, an order of the President's Office issued on Thursday said.

The regional ministries of ethnic affairs include those of Bamar, Shan, Lisu, Rawang, Mon, Pa-

O, Chin, Kayin, Rakhine, Lahu, Akha, Intha, Kaya or Padaung nationalities, Xinhua news agency reported.

The 13 regions or states cover Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Sagaing, Tanintharyi, Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Mon, Rakhine, Yangon, Shan and Ayeyawaddy.

(Agencies)

China urges Japan to increase transparency on military spending

Yang Yujun Beijing, March 31: A Chinese defense ministry spokesperson said on Thursday that Japan should be more transparent about its military budget.

Japan has been increasing its defense spending for years, sparking concern among its neighbors and the international community, spokesperson Yang Yujun told a monthly press conference, saying Japan should explain its real intentions.

Japan has approved a record-high 5.05 trillion yen (about 41.90 billion U.S. dollars) military budget for the 2016 fiscal year, a 1.5 percent increase from 2015.

This is the fourth con-

secutive year that Japan has increased its defense budget.

Yang also blasted Japan's criticisms of China's normal military spending growth.

Earlier this month, China announced its lowest defense budget increase in six years.

Yang said the budget covered the building up of national defense and will help safeguard national sovereignty and security.

China's defense budget must be approved by China's top legislature, the National People's Congress, Yang said, stressing that China has no "invisible" defense spending.

CPC official urges national community awareness in Xinjiang Urumqi, March 31: Senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official Sun Chunlan has called for efforts to improve ethnic unity and promote the "Chinese national community" in Xinjiang.

Sun, head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks during her fourday inspection tour, which ended Thursday, to the northwestern autonomous region.

During her visit, Sun talked with experts and scholars in Urumqi and visited local officials, model citizens and veteran CPC members in south Xinjiang's Kashgar and Aksu.

She said more should be done to reinforce the ideological, material and social basis for ethnic unity in Xinjiang, and called on officials to promote unity and improve

people's livelihoods and foster closer ties between the CPC and the public.

Sun paid a visit to an economic development zone, an industrial park, an agricultural base and a school in Xinjiang and talked with workers, farmers, and teachers and students there.

She also visited local religious figures at Id Kah Mosque, China's largest mosque, in the city of Kashgar, and thanked them for their "important contributions to maintaining national unification, ethnic solidarity and religious harmony."

She also expressed hope that devotees will promote the relationship between religion and society and oppose extremism.

The official also visited a unit of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps.

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DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, APRIL 1

Is China's Football Dream Becoming Reality?

Fake currency Rising rapidly in India Unfortunately, the issue of fake Indian currency is a huge problem that's been growing in recent years. Counterfeiters are becoming so clever and the newest notes are made so well, it's difficult Photo: 3.bp.blogspot to identify them. According to a study completed by the National Investigation Agency in 2015, it's 400 crore rupees. However, in 2011, a report by the Intelligence Board indicated that 2,500 crore rupees in fake currency is coming into the Indian market each year. It's estimated that four out of every 1,000 notes in circulation in India are fake. Fake notes are even found in cash withdrawn from ATM machines at banks in India, particularly fake 500 and 1,000 rupee notes. The Indian government is putting a lot of effort into addressing the issue of fake currency. News reports state that detection has increased by 53% in 2014-15. In addition, in 2015, the Reserve Bank of India changed the design of the number panels on the 100, 500 and 1,000 rupee notes to make them harder to copy. However, major seizures of fake currency still continue.

It might be very surprising for every Indian that four in every 1,000 currency notes in circulation in India are fake, amounting to as much as Rs 3,200 crore in 2010, a confidential government report has found in a first-ever attempt to estimate the quantum of counterfeit notes in the country. Fake currency is 0.00040.0012% of bank notes in circulation, it cites the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as saying, which is four in every one million, much lower than the white paper estimate. Fake notes that flowed into India in 2010 from abroad were "in the range of Rs 1,500-1,700 crore", the white paper said. Total counterfeit currency in circulation amounted to Rs 3,200 crore in 2010.

From a monetary policy perspective, if growth in fake currency becomes too rampant, then it reduces the control of monetary policy over inflation by making the monetary actions less effective which can have a destabilizing impact on the overall economy. The incidence of fake notes in various countries has typically been lower than what the white paper has found in India. In Australia, counterfeit notes detected were around seven pieces per million notes in circulation in 2008-09, and in Canada, it was 76 per million in 2008, according to RBI data. As for the euro, there was roughly about one counterfeit detected for every 14,600 bank notes in circulation in 2008. India also faces an increasing inflow of high-quality counterfeit currency, which is produced primarily in Pakistan… (and) represents a threat to the Indian economy. The paper used for fake notes is made of 100% cotton rag and a security thread is inserted during the manufacturing process that replicates several other sophisticated features, making the currency nearly impossible to detect.

However, the best way to spot fake Indian currency is to familiarize yourself with what real Indian currency looks like. The Reserve Bank of India has launched a website called Paisa Bolta Hai(money speaks) for this purpose. It contains printable pictures of each note denomination and detailed descriptions of its security features.

First President Myanmar Swears With No Army Ties Myanmar's parliament swore in the first president with no military ties in more than half a century on Wednesday, after Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) swept to power following a landslide election win in November.

Myanmar's parliament swore in the first president with no military ties in more than half a century, after Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) swept to power following a landslide election win in November. Htin Kyaw, a close friend and confidant of the Nobel peace prize laureate, was hand-picked by her to run Myanmar's government because a constitution drafted by the former junta bars the democracy champion from the top office.

Relations between the armed forces and Suu Kyi will define the success of Myanmar's most significant break from military rule since the army seized power in 1962.

In the oath-taking ceremony, Htin Kyaw reiterated Suu Kyi's stance on the importance of changing the 2008 charter, which entrenches the military's powerful position in the country's politics. Tension had simmered in the run-up to the election and as the NLD prepared to take power. Suu Kyi wants to demilitarise Myanmar's politics but effectively needs the support of the military to do so. The armed forces are guaranteed three ministries and control a quarter of parliamentary seats - enough to give them a veto over constitutional amendments and potentially limit the scope of Suu Kyi's reforms. Suu Kyi is poised to steer the government from within, acting as a super-minister overseeing education, foreign affairs, electric power and energy - and the president's office. Before Htin Kyaw addressed the parliament, he and two newly elected vice presidents held the junta-drafted constitution in their hands and took the oath simultaneously, repeating after the parliament speaker Mahn Win Khaing Than.

Htin Kyaw, elected by the NLD-dominated parliament this month, runs a charity founded by Suu Kyi and has been a trusted member of her inner circle since the mid-1990s. He is not a lawmaker. Hundreds of diplomats and representatives of non-governmental organizations attended the ceremony.

For the first time in 15 years, China is one step from qualifying for the World Cup. For the first time since to win a playoff against a 2001, China's men's na- team from another contional football team has federation to secure its made it into the final World Cup spot). In the qualifying round for most recent stage, each of Asian teams seeking to eight group winners went advance to the World through to the next round, Cup. That puts China tan- along with the top four talizingly close to making second place teams. its first World Cup since China made it through in 2002 - the the latter Shannon Tiezzi category, first and only time finishing China made it to second in its group with football's biggest stage. five wins, two draws, and China went on to lose all one loss. three matches in that That result was made World Cup, without scor- possible by an unexing a goal. pected victory against Ironically, if you look at Qatar, the leading team in China's rankings with the China's group. Playing at Federation Internationale home, China defeated de Football Association Qatar 2-0 - a result that (FIFA), the organization was sorely needed after responsible for the World two frustrating draws Cup, the team seems to with the Hong Kong team have gotten worse - not put China in a difficult better - since its high position. China's team mark in 2002. That year, also caught a lucky break when the World Cup was when its competitors for jointly hosted by Japan the final qualifying spot and South Korea, China - Jordan and North Korea averaged a global ranking - both lost their final of 63. In the latest matches. A victory by eirankings, China is down ther would have knocked at number 96.

China out of the running.

Still, 96th in the world For China, football is was good enough for more than a sport. Like China to squeak through the Olympics, the World into the final round of Cup has become a way to qualifying for the Asian evaluate China's prestige Football Confederation's on the world stage - and, four and a half World Cup to date, China's men's spots (the fifth placed team has come up woeteam from Asia will have fully short. (The Chinese

women's national team has performed much better, making it to the quarterfinals in the 2015, 2007, and 2003 World Cups and all the way to the finals in 1999.) Making the World Cup - and eventually hosting one as well - is not just an athletic goal, but a political one as well. President Xi Jinping, himself a football fan, has taken a personal interest in boosting China's football prowess.

He even oversaw work on a comprehensive plan to reform football in China by wiping out corruption and match fixing and making the game a required part of China's school curriculum.

Xi's personal attention to the problem has inspired nation-wide undertakings to foster and train betterquality talent in both China's schools and domestic league. Chinese Super League clubs recently made headlines for a massive spending spree designed to attract foreign talent (thereby raising the quality of China's domestic play).

In January and February of this year, Chinese teams shelled out $366 million for player transfers, most of them involving foreign players.

The most expensive deal

Is China's Football Dream Becoming Reality (Photo: thediplomat) saw Brazilian striker Alex Teixeira head to Jiangsu Suning for a cool •50 million ($56 million) in transfer fees.

As ESPN reported at the time, "With [Teixeira's] salary reportedly hitting •10m for each of the four years of his deal, it is likely that the whole transaction will end up costing the club in excess of •100m."

With all these moves, the long-term prospects for Chinese soccer look bright. But in the short term, it will be an uphill battle for China to clear the final hurdle

and make it through to the 2018 World Cup. There are 11 other Asian teams fighting with China for four guaranteed spots in the World Cup: Australia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Syria, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, and Uzbekistan. All but Syria and Thailand are ranked ahead of China in the current standings, with Qatar (ranked 80th in the world) the next closest to China's 96th place ranking.

The 12 teams in the final qualifying round will be divided into two groups;

the top two finishers in each group qualify automatically. The two third placed teams will have to compete against each other for a chance to move on; the winner will earn a playoff with a team from another conference for the final World Cup slot. That means China will have to finish above at least three other teams in its group to even have a shot at qualifying.

Ultimately, China's fate and Xi's football dream may simply come down to the luck of the draw when the two groups are announced on April 12.

Courtesy: The Diplomat

Why China Should Not Worry About Japan's New Security Laws Two contentious security However, as I explained laws went into effect this in a piece for BBC News Tuesday in Japan. The last year: laws were passed six Despite much domestic months ago by the Upper and international hysteHouse of the Japanese ria that Japan could now Diet-Japan's parliament- be drawn into foreign based on a July 2014 conflicts, and potentially Cabinet resolution rein- even launch a war, closer terpreting article 9 of scrutiny reveals it still Japan's pacifist constitu- has a long way to go to tion. cast off Franz-Stefan Gady its paT h e laws cific lift a decades-old, self- post-War legacy. imposed ban on collec- For one thing, under the tive self-defense.. Tokyo new legislation, the is now allowed to defend JSDF can only come to allies, even when the the aid of an ally under country is not under at- three conditions: tack itself.

Japan's survival is at The new so-called "Per- stake all other non-milimanent International tary options have been Peace Support Law" and exhausted the use of the "Legislation for force is limited to the Peace and Security"-the minimum necessary to former facilitating the deter aggression deployment of Japan In addition, Japanese Self-Defense Force Prime Minister Shinzo (JSDF) logistical support Abe has repeatedly noted assets abroad, the latter that the reinterpretation providing the legal foun- does not even apply to dation for the reinterpre- UN Security Counciltation of the constitution sanctioned peace enbased on the amendment forcement operations of ten existing laws-have that would involve the caused some states (e.g., JSDF actually engaging China and South Korea) in combat, but is rather as well as the Japanese confined to logistical public to openly fear a support activities, since resurgence of militarism the use of force outside in the country. self-defense remains un-

constitutional.

The only possible exception is a hypothetical blockade of the Strait of Hormuz-around eighty percent of Japan's crude oil shipment pass through there-with undersea mines, which would threaten the country's existence, according to Shinzo Abe.

country even more secure" and "upgrades our deterrence and enables the nation to proactively contribute more than ever to peace and stability of regional and international communities," The Japan Times reports.

"The quality of JapanU.S. alliance has reached the point where we can

Flickr/U.S. Army However, even there, the JSDF would only be deployed in passive mine sweeping operations and not in actual combat.

Shinzo Abe said this week that the implementation of the new law is a moment of "historic importance that makes peace and security of our

defend each other from now on," Abe further noted. "Our ties have become much stronger."

Yet, in reality, these changes will have a negligible impact in the field for now. For example, Japan's Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said last week that the Japan

Maritime Self-Defense Force will not be available immediately to offer protection to U.S. warships until the details have been worked out.

(Both countries agreed to stronger military cooperation in the revised Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation Guidelines of April 2015.)

Also, while Japanese UN peacekeepers in Sudan will now be allowed to engage in "normal" military security operations like patrolling and inspecting vehicles at checkpoints, and come to the rescue of other UN peacekeeping troops engaged in a fire fight (and rescue civilians in danger), the rules of engagement will, in all likelihood, not change until at least the fall of 2016, according to Nakatani, given that troops cannot be trained before the next sixmonth rotation.

Despite the hype surrounding Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's efforts to "normalize" Tokyo's defense policy and military posture, Japan will continue to face more restraints than any other major power in this region for four reasons. First, as outlined above, in spite of re-

The Blasts in Lahore

Men mourn the death of their relatives after a blast outside a public park in Lahore, (Photo: tribune)

Sir, The blasts in the Gulsan-e-Iqbal park of Pakistan's Lahore rocked not only Pakistan but the entire peace-loving countries of the world. The blasts killed so far, as reports suggest 72 persons, mostly children and women injuring more than 300, shocked all of us at the ghastly way in which these innocent persons had been killed. They (mostly christians) were rejoicing in the park on the occasion of Easter celebrated on the next Sunday after the 'Good Friday'.

Most of the world leaders including our Prime - minister unanimously condemned the ghastly killing of the innocent persons expressing sympathy and condolence to the members of the be-

reaved families. For every peace-loving person, words fall short to condemn this horrific action of the terrorists.

Further, reports also suggested that there was paucity of blood and accommodation for the injured. We appeal to the world bodies, particularly 'RedCross' society and other philanthropic organizations to come forward to do something for mitigation of the sufferings of the injured.

cently passed legislation, severe legal restrictions on the activities of Japan's Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) abroad remain.

Second, Japan's defense spending is relatively low compared to its GDP and will not likely rise in the future (See: "Japan Approves Record Defense Budget").

Third, Japan's defense industry, despite the lifting of an export ban, continues to be plagued by inefficienciesmaking it highly unlikely that the JSDF will have the material means to substantially expand in size over the next decade. Fourth, the U.S.-Japan alliancethe cornerstone of Japan's defense policy-is by no means as strong as Tokyo and Washington would want their adversaries to believe with major Japanese restrictions on the use of force remaining in place.

To think that Japan will fight alongside others in a 1991 Gulf War scenario, even with the blessing of the UN Security Council, let alone in other non-UN sanctioned wars, remains far-fetched at best. Courtesy:The Diplomat 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) Yours etc. Ph: 0373-2328944 Ashok Bordoloi Web : Dibrugarh editor.easterntoday@gmail.com

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Adoring mother tongue with literary creations: Prof Bhyrappa's way Celebrated Kannada fluent section, but also the writer Santeshivara lower middleclass famiLingannaiah Bhyrappa, lies today prefer English who is widely regarded as medium schools for their one of modern India's children. The result is that foremost novelists, opines more and more youths in that the children in our country now remain schools across India unaware the local lanshould be taught in guage and literature. If mother tongue. Professor the situation is already Bhyrappa, who was re- acute in Karnataka, the cently at Guwahati Press same may be a reality for Club for an interaction Assam within the next program, however em- few years," added the soft spoken phasized on learning En- Nava Thakuria gentleman, who was reglish as a subject efficiently. "As cently honoured with English medium schools Padma Shri by the Indian are growing in numbers Union government. It across the country, we may be mentioned that have to think over the the Kannada Sahitya implication of the devel- Parishad, the highest litopment seriously. In my erary forum of the south State of Karnataka, the Indian province, pursued English educated youths the matter with are not interested to read the high court, where the anything in Kannada, not verdict pronounced that even the newspaper the selection of schools headlines in language dai- for the kids remain the lies," said Prof Bhyrappa prerogative of parents. during the 'Guest of the The literary forum soon Month' program held on approached the Supreme 28 March 2016. The Court of India with the prestigious Saraswati appeal that the medium Sanman awardee also of instruction for children added that the English should be mother tongue language thus emerges as till tenth standard, but it a major challenge to all was dismissed by the Indian languages. The apex court. "So unless octogenarian author ex- there is a specific law in pressed concern that this regard, we cannot now everybody in India expect wants to send their kids justice. Prime Minister to English medium Modiji also supports the schools expecting a concept to educate the bright future for the chil- children in mother tongue.

But the Bharatiya Janata dren.

"Not to speak of the af- Party doesnot have the

majority in Rajya Sabha and hence it becomes a futile exercise for them to bring a bill unless the Congress assures support. We need the political will here," commented Prof Bhyrappa, who was conferred on 2nd Mamoni Roysom Goswami National Literature Award, constituted by Asom Sahitya Sabha. His comment was supplemented by veteran Assamese journalist DN Bezboruah, who was present in the meeting and asserted that anyone educated in regional languages can also learn English professionally. The former president of Editors Guild of India, who studied in an Assamese school, later learned English as a subject and today English becomes his working language, disclosed Bezboruah. Speaking about his early life, Prof Bhyrappa narrated that he was born in a Hoysala Karnataka Brahmin family at Santeshivara village, around 175 km away from Bangalore and he had to struggle for survival and education. He lost his mother in early days and also a younger brother whom he even carried on his shoulder to the cremation ground.

The poor family worked hard to make Prof Bhyrappa educated and support the

family in future.

With little family resources Prof Bhyrappa completed his primary education in Channarayapatna locality and then moved to Mysore for higher education. He completed his MA from Mysore University and Doctor of Philosophy from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.

Prof Bhyrappa used to teach at various institutions and retired in 1991 from the Mysore Regional College of Education. The Sahitya Akademi fellow has authored over twenty novels in a career spanning more than five de-

cades. Many of his novels were translated into various Indian regional languages inclusive of Sanskrit and English. Prof Bhyrappa has been one of the bestselling authors in Kannada for past twenty five years. For a brief period, Prof Bhyrappa participated in the freedom struggle when he was hardly a teenager.

His first commendable novel 'Bheemakaya' was published in 1958 and he had not looked back since then. Some of his acclaimed literary creations like 'Vamshavruksha', 'Tabbaliyu Neenade Magane', 'Matadana', 'Nayi

Neralu' etc were filmed by acclaimed directors which had bagged critical acclaims from the filmgoers.

'Parva', 'Daatu', 'Jalapaata', 'Anweshane', 'Grahana', 'Saakshi', 'Aavarana', 'Yaana' are some of his most read novels. Answering queries from the participating journalists, the nationalist writer commented that the character of Indian mainstream media has changed a lot in present days. While the media played an important role in the pre-independence era to make India a sovereign nation, it started worshipping first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in post-

Budget 2016-17: Comprehensive plan to develop health delivery system Chief Minister Kalikho Pul pitals, district hospitals, priin his budget speech of mary health centres and March 23 spoke on complete community health centres in overhauling of health sector. the state.

What he proposes to have Having clear picture of the is a comprehensive proposal requirements, each health plan to improve health de- care unit will be then asked livery system in the state to to submit an inventory staprovide high-quality and tus report. Based on the recost-effective wherever Raju Mimi port, care. required the inAs first step, the proposal ventory supplement will be will outline the basic infra- made including filling up of structure requirements and all the shortages. facilities required in all health The chief minister insists care units starting from state that to ascertain the critical level hospitals to sub cen- gaps such as of ambulances, tres - covering all zonal hos- investigation equipment,

Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Kalikho Pul

medicines and other facilities; he would opt for ground visit to have clear picture of the requirements. On any critical situation, decisions would be taken on the spot with the health department to ensure full-fledged facilities in the health centre.

To provide a complete infrastructure face-lift of all the health institutions across the state - the chief minister plans to phase out all hospital infrastructures built during the union territory days, which will be done in phase manner and in planned way.

For other existing buildings, necessary repair works would be taken up for any minor damages, and for the old dilapidated ones; it will be replaced with new constructions wherever required.

On manpower shortages, the state government has created 2541 posts from sweeper to specialists in the health department. For local people to have preference over the jobs, the recruitment process for the group C&D category will be conducted

at district level. Also to prevent random appointments, the process of recruitment will take place on one common date.

The rationale behind the complete overhaul of health institutions as proposed through the comprehensive plan proposal by the chief minister is to "deal with health problems at early stage, before it can grow into something serious".

According to him, timely detection and prevention of diseases can save money, time and lives. This he intend to achieve by providing all the required facilities - manpower, medicines, infrastructures right from the sub-centre level to zonal hospitals.

Also, starting from when a mother conceives the baby, till the child attains the age of six - if proper nutrition, vaccination and routine health checkups are maintained - then almost 80% of health problems can be eradicated.

So to strengthen all the mechanisms to ensure effective health service, the chief

Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Kalikho Pul minister has given special attention to the welfare of the grassroots health workers such as ASHA activists and other community health workers. They are not only the frontline workers but have grassroots knowledge and understanding of the health situations on the ground.

Also, in the last few years, health indicators in the state have shown poor results against the set target as mandated by the government of India. The health indicator, such as, Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Maternal Mortality

Rate (MMR) and Total Fertility Rate (TFR) in Arunachal has increased. The National Health Mission (NHM) target for IMR is 25 by 2017 but in Arunachal in the previous three years, it has consecutively increased to 31, 32 and 33. The TFR target should be less than 2.5 but the state data hovers on 2.7.

Irony it may seem, the state has no data to on MMR, where the NHM target is 100.

Lack of such health statistics will greatly hinder the health planning process, which will have profound effect on service delivery.

Skill based education vs knowledge based education Education is something that Education should be a comhelps us take our judgment. bination of knowledge and It illuminates us with the skills to sustain a progresfacts, knowledge to dis- sive life. Earlier education criminate right-wrong, helped in living simple and good-bad, healthy life, Nidhi Garodia incorporating valuable - no valuable. It values and is the wealth of knowledge performing arts that are manacquired after studying par- datory as per individual ticular subjects and life ex- caste, culture, and creed. perience. Knowledge is the Nowadays many a time familiarity with facts, infor- problems arises that a permation, and skills acquired son is knowledgeable but through experience or edu- not skilled enough to do a cation. It is the theoretical particular job. Our young or practical understanding generation needs to be of a subject. skilled to get employment.

A skill is the learned ability Job along with other skills, to carry out a task with pre- demands the mastering skill determined results often the most to perform aswithin a given amount of signed task, a person may time, energy, or both. Skills not be knowledgeable but if are of different kinds- labour skilled can earn his liveliskills (eg. Electrician, ma- hood. But it does not means sons, etc), life skills, people knowledge is not important, skills, social skills, soft skills, knowledge helps acquire hard skills, mastering skills. skill better and fast. Skill

based education does not demand excellence in studies; rather focus on skills for which training is to be ac-

quired. Skills help person to start one own work, knowledge helps to make correct decision in life. It is same like

a mechanic and an engineer.

A mechanic has skills but lack formal knowledge, whereas an engineer has skill as well as formal knowledge. In practical for a good salaried job just skill is not enough, degrees are required which can be acquired through formal education.

Skills can help to give an initial start, but to progress and sustain in the competitive world knowledge is required.

If a teacher has teaching skills, but lack knowledge on the subject to be taught then his skills are of no-use. Our Hon'ble Prime Minister has started the campaign of Skill India movement. Here skilled based education has gained value as it increase population ability to earn livelihood rather than depending on others. It initiates the self employment movement, where

people don't have to depend on salaried earning, rather can be entrepreneurs and open job vacancy for others.

Those knowledgeable prosper and set examples, others struggle to earn their daily livelihood.

Knowledge gained whether through books or life experience is always beneficial. It gives the confidence of grooming our skill and using it most efficiently. Skill is important to earn a respectable earning, but skill development at the cost of knowledge acquisition can limit a person growth to a certain extend.

Reference: " www.rsablogs.org.uk/2009/ education/276/ " www.debate.org/ opinions/should-debate-oneducation-be-skill-basedrather-than-knowledgebased

independence period.

Anybody who dared to criticize or oppose Nehru was framed as an antinational. Slowly the media turned into a business entity where the politicians started getting involved with the medium because of its influence over the people. The capitalists also did not trail behind and grabbed many media groups. However, with the emergence of alternate media where everyone can participate in the discourses have changed the situation in favour of educated common people, stated Prof Bhyrappa.

Talking about the Indian

history, the doyen of Kannada literature asserted that he always insists on unveiling the truth over any political interest. He asserted that the students of history should know that Mughal emperor Aurangzeb destroyed lot of temples, but at the same time Akbar the Great maintained liberal and progressive policies. Highlighting the recent controversy relating to Jawaharlal Nehru University, Prof Bhyrappa disclosed that the genesis of the higher educational institution could be traced back in the Communist support to the Indira Gandhi-led Congress government in 1969. He also added that there was a time when most of the Indian universities were dominated and influenced by the JNU ideology. Prior to the press club interaction program, Prof Bhyrappa was handed over the coveted national award in memory of Assam's celebrated writer Indira Goswami consisting of a Assamese Cheleng, trophy, citation, collection of books with a cheque of rupees three lakh in presence of Assam's highest literary forum Asom Sahitya Sabha president Dr Dhrubajyoti Borah.

The author is a senior journalist and secretary of Guwahati Press Club

Where did the April Fool's day originate?

The origins of the day are uncertain.

Most people think it stems from Pope Gregory XIII. In 1582, he wanted his new Gregorian calendar to replace the old Julian Calendar.

This called for New Year's Day to be celebrated on January 1 in-

Europe around April 1 and there are refereces to these dating back to the 1500s.

What is clear though is that by the 1700s, the day of hilarity was well entrenched in Britain, and now April 1 is officially the most amusing day of the year.

What easy pranks can

Image for representational purpose (Photo: snopes.com/holidays/graphics/aprilhead)

stead of the end of March.

But some people apparently didn't get the memo and continued to celebrate New Year's Day on April 1.

These poor folk were made fun of and were sent on 'fools errands' for a laugh.

However, others think April Fools' Day stems from the age when people used to hold spring festivals marking the end of winter with 'mayhem and misrule', according to the Museum of Hoaxes.

The Ancient Roman festival of Hilaria celebrated the resurrection of the god Attis and involved dressing in disguise.

Many other cultures have held renewal festivals in

you play?

1.

Change the language on your colleague's computer 2.

Hard boil all the eggs in the carton and place them back in the fridge 3.

Fill a hair dryer with talcum powder 4.

Tr y t h e o l d plastic film on the toilet seat trick 5.

Attach an air horn under your boss's seat 6.

Plant cress seeds in your colleague's computer‌ and watch them grow 7.

Hide a dead fish behind the radiator 8.

Cover a colleague's desk in sticky notes.Agencies

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, APRIL 1

BUSINESS

40% hike in motor insurance premium New Delhi, Mar 31: Insurance of vehicle, including cars and bikes, will become costlier from April 1 as insurance regulator Irdai has decided to increase premiums by up to 40 percent from the next fiscal. Third party motor insurance premium for small cars (up to 1,000 cc) will now be up 39.9 percent to Rs 2,055 from Rs 1,468 being currently charged. The hike in midsegment cars (1,000 1,500 cc) too is about 40 percent. Premium hike in case of bigger cars and SUVs (above 1,500 cc) is 25 percent. It will now cost Rs 6,164 from April as against the current Rs 4,931. "It is observed that the cost inflation index

Indifi, Shopclues partner to offer debt financing support to sellers ANI New Delhi, Mar 31: SME funding enabler in India, Indifi Technologies announced its partnership with ShopClues in a bid to augment business capabilities of the latter's associate sellers.

Under the partnership, Indifi will extend support by providing working capital to merchants trading on Shopclues, through its extensive lender base. The financing aid will enable these sellers to maintain their product inventory and scale up their businesses more rapidly. It is a threefold association that not only boosts Indifi's industry outreach but also amplifies the commercial capacity of both ShopClues as well as its sellers. "Indifi is committed to solving the credit access issues faced by small businesses across sectors in India. Our partnership with Shopclues creates a seamless platform for ecommerce sellers, as well as the data infrastructure to enable strong credit quality for lenders," said Co-founder and CEO Indifi Technologies, Alok Mittal. Adding insights to the association, Radhika Aggarwal, Co-founder and CBO, ShopClues commented, "The association with Indifi will help the Capital Wings initiative of ShopClues offer loans to its partners and help them boost their business." "ShopClues has a seller base of over 3,50,000 SME retailers who can benefit tremendously with the ready access to debt financing that our association with Indifi will provide them.

Indifi Technologies and ShopClues are a perfect synergistic match in our shared endeavor to enhance the business capabilities of India's vibrant SME sector," added Radhika. With this partnership Indifi is now live in four different segments such as travel, transportation, retail sector, and e-commerce. It has associated with brands like Ola and Travel Boutique Online, in some of these segments, successfully addressing the financing needs of their small business partners.

Rs 1,000 crore via Tier-II bonds raised

by Union Bank; OBC to raise Rs 178 crore Pune, Mar 31: Public sector Union Bank of India (UBI) on Tuesday said it has raised Rs 1,000 crore by issuing bonds on private placement basis.

While Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC) said it will raise over Rs 178 crore by selling the stake to the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). "Union Bank of India has issued 10,000 Basel-III compliant Tier-II bonds of face value of Rs 10 lakh each aggregating to Rs 1,000 crore on private placement basis", it said in a filing on BSE. The bonds, issued for a 10year tenure, bears 8.61% per annum of coupon rate.

The bonds are rated IND AA+ by India Rating, the bank said. OBC, in its Extraordinary General Meeting, held on Tuesday said it will issue and allot 2,15,48,758 equity shares at an issue price of Rs 82.79 aggregating to Rs 178.40 crore to LIC on preferential basis.

(A gen cies )

(CII) has increased by 5.57 percent over the previous year, i.e. From 1024 in FY 2014-15 to 1081 in FY 2015-16," Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) said while notifying the rates of third party insurance premium from April 1, 2016. Similarly, premiums have gone up in case of bikes and scooters. The new premium rate for two-wheelers up to 75 cc is Rs 569 as against Rs 519. Twowheelers falling in the category of 75 cc - 150 cc is up 15 percent to Rs 619 while there is increase of 25 percent for bikes in the category of 150 cc - 350 cc. However, premium has been reduced in case

AND THE HIKE CONTINUES‌ Insurance of vehicle, including cars and bikes, will become costlier from April 1 as insurance regulator Irdai has decided to increase premiums by up to 40 percent from the next fiscal.

Third party motor insurance premium for small cars (up to 1,000 cc) will now be up 39.9 percent to Rs 2,055 from Rs 1,468 being currently charged.

Premiums have gone up in case of bikes and scooters.

The new premium rate for two-wheelers up to 75 cc is Rs 569 as against Rs 519.

Two-wheelers falling in the category of 75 cc - 150 cc is up 15 percent to Rs 619 while there is increase of 25 percent for bikes in the category of 150 cc - 350 cc.

However, premium has been reduced in case of motor-bikes which are about 350 cc to Rs 884.

Basic third party (TP) premium for three-wheelers too has been increased. A new category 'e-rickshaw' (capacity of up to 6 passengers) has been introduced and the basic TP premium has been fixed at Rs 1,125.

of motor-bikes which are about 350 cc to Rs 884.

Basic third party (TP) premium for three-wheel-

ers too has been increased. A new category 'e-rickshaw' (capacity of up to 6 passengers) has

been introduced and the basic TP premium has been fixed at Rs 1,125. The premium increase in case of

The hike in mid-segment cars (1,000 - 1,500 cc) too is about 40 percent. Premium hike in case of bigger cars and SUVs (above 1,500 cc) is 25 percent. It will now cost Rs 6,164 from April as against the current Rs 4,931.

public carriers is in the range of 15-30 percent.

However, there is no change in case of goods carrying vehicles having capacity up to 12 tonnes.

Motor third party insurance is mandatory for vehicles. Irdai has asked insurers to ensure that motor third party insurance is made available at their underwriting offices and through all available channels of distribution.

Earlier, the regulator had published an exposure draft which included number of policies, number of claims paid and amount of claims outstanding as on March 2015 for each underwriting year and for each class of vehicle.

(Agencies)

Square Yards doubles revenue with strong real estate supply chain ANI New Delhi, Mar 31: At a time when most online real estate players have been struggling, Square Yards has announced its doubled revenue run rate, which is likely to cross Rs. 200 crore in gross revenues from Rs. 100 crore in a span of six months. In the last six months, Square Yards achieved operational break even, launched a broker aggregation platform, significantly enhanced its tech and marketing capabilities and scaled its International presence to countries.

The team size has also swelled to 1000+ employees. Square Yards now estimate around 600 to 700 transactions a month with a value of Rs. 350+ crore each month. This puts Square Yards on ped-

Founder and CEO, Squareyards, Tanuj Shori.

(Photo: indiatimes) estal with top developers in India on the ability to move such sizeable real estate volumes. "Square Yards has been very successful in striking structured deals and exclusive tie-ups with real estate

developers across the globe. From an end user or a property investor point of view, the two prime factors involved in decision making are the price and quality," said Founder and CEO,

Squareyards, Tanuj Shori.

"This focused approach has worked very well for the company and has achieved great results.

Structured products now form 60 to 70 percent of its monthly transactions," added Tanuj Shori. Square Yards knows first-hand the problem that small and unorganized real estate brokers face and the vast opportunity that lies in aggregating the demand from them. It launched its mobile based aggregation platform, Square Connect app a couple of months ago to help everyone in the channel earn more commission through higher volume based slabs from the developers. Brokers who have enrolled for the program have seen a 25 percent jump in their monthly earnings. The programme has been wit-

nessing a stupendous success and has played an instrumental role in the growth story of Square Yards. So far over 20,000+ real estate brokers across 15 different cities have signed up for the Square Connect programme. Focusing on the supply chain and performance on actual business metrics rather than the vanity factors, the company plans to capture 15 percent share in primary residential sales in India over the next five years. A significant component of growth strategy would be driven through Square Connect, wherein it plans to add 200,000 brokers in next three to five years and Global project marketing, where it plans to replicate its success in India primary market.ck on the same.

NTT Communication to improve telecom services in India, ASEAN ANI Jakarta, Mar 31: Indonesia, a growing populous nation in Southeast Asia, witnesses a steadily economic growth over the last decades. The country attracts multinational companies to invest in manufacturing and financial sector.

Indonesian's Information and Communications Technology (ICT) market is expected to grow about 10 percent annually in 2017, which is exceeding growth in most other Southeast Asian countries. Most of the banks in Indonesia witnesses 10 to 20 percent data volume growth every year. It also indicates the Indonesian banks plan to increase their data management budget by five to 10 per-

cent every year. To meet the increasing outsourcing demand for Data Center cervices, Japan's NTT Communications recently acquired CyberCSF, a Data Center operator in Indonesia. "The country has adopted to data sovereignty. It significantly, exponentially increases the need of data center. NTT with its capability, with the quality, that it can provide the true product called Nexcenter, is the most high quality Data Center in this country," said Director and VP of Marketing and Sales, Alvin Siagian. NTT Communications has clients including HANA Bank from Korea and the company said they understand their needs from international standards with the data sovereignty that requires

Director and VP of Marketing and Sales, Alvin Siagian. (Photo: dcdconverged) high security. The company is currently deploying DC services in more than 140 locations globally and continuing its aggressive investment, espe-

cially in this ASEAN and India region. JFE Engineering started electric generation using garbage to provide electricity for garbage collecting electric car. It is

first experiment in Japan under cooperation with Kawasaki city. That was announced on March 17 in Japan. Takashi Noto, Jfe Engineering Corporation said, "Zero emission in this case is collecting garbage by electric car consuming garbage generating electricity. There is no fossil fuel. It is CO2 free. It is the system of energy circulation. After burning of garbage, electricity is generated and charges battery. That battery is equipped to garbage collecting car." Battery charging is available any time in the station. It takes eight hours.

Change battery takes three minutes 30 seconds to run 45 kilometers. In this case CO2 is reduced 20 ton for each car.

Lovely Professional University offers alternative to cash 'Paytm'

Chancellor Lovely Professional University Ashok Mittal.

(Photo: blogspot)

ANI New Delhi, Mar 31: India's largest mobile payment and commerce platform, Paytm, has taken its cashless solution to academic campuses with a strategic partnership with Lovely Professional

University, Jalandhar.

Known as one of the largest single campus university in India, with more than 25000 students, 3500 faculty and staff, the university will now offer an easy access to the cash alternative with Paytm.

As per the statistics, over 60 percent of the students in the campus are already active users of the Paytm app. The users can now pay university fees and dues, hostel fees, cafeteria bills as well as buy books and merchandise through the Paytm Wallet.

By minimizing cash, the initiative shall be highly beneficial for the students, teachers, the institution and parents alike. With making Lovely Professional University cashless, Paytm aims to create a digital ecosystem, leading to easy transactions within the campuses. A cashless system of payments makes transactions convenient for students and the shopkeepers too get their dues on time. The initiative has been appreciated by the

management as a win-win situation for both, their students and vendors. "In line with our vision for a cashless economy, we are committed to bring more and more use cases of wallet payments across categories. We have enabled wallets for admission and fee collections in some of the most prominent educational institutions and now students can also pay at canteens, cafeterias, tuck shops and other vendors on campus with their wallets. With this, students can now experience a complete cash free environment at these campuses," said Senior Vice President Paytm, Kiran Vasi Reddy. Chancellor Lovely Professional University Ashok Mittal mentioned that LPU is a state of

the art university and we wanted to make the cash transaction in the campus to minimal. "After talking to Paytm and implementing their system all our fees are coming online and even all vendors like hostel canteen etc are also accepting money through Paytm solution. This has really helped parents and students to understand their spending pattern," added Mittal. Upbeat about the cashless campuses concept, the institutes are implementing wallet-based payments in different styles bringing out various offers for the users. These are cashbacks, contests and discounts in association with various brands in the campus.

PAGE 10

Tata Tiago hatchback to be unveiled on April 6

Image for representational purpose only. (Photo: indianautosblog) Mumbai, Mar 31: The launch of Tata Motors' much awaited Tiago hatchback has been confirmed.

Tata Tiago's official twitter page said that the car is going to hit Indian roads on April 06. The Company has already started accepting booking for the car.

Lionel Messi is the global brand ambassador for the company's Passenger Vehicle Business Unit. Customers above 18 years of age can book the Tiago either online or at any of the Tata Motors' authorized dealership with a payment of Rs 10,000. Tiago will add

to Tata Motors' new model line up -- Zest and Bolt -- in its passenger cars portfolio besides the previous generation cars Indica Vista and the Indigo along with the new Nano. It may be recalled that Tiago is the new name for the erstwhile 'Zica'.

As Zika virus became an international emergency, the company announced that to empathise with the victims of the virus, will rename the new hatchback from its stable. The car was expected to be launched in January, but was pushed back due to whole renaming process. (Agencies)

Passenger amenities at 400 stations planned to be redeveloped by Railways Kolkata, Mar 31: In order to provide better passenger amenities, railway has firmed up plans to redevelop 400 major stations with private participation.

The redevelopment of station envisages facilities like shopping complex, foreign exchange kiosk, eatery, book stall, PCOs/FAX booth, medicine and variety store, budget hotel (subject to availability) and adequate parking lot. The entire cost of station redevelopment is to be met by leveraging commercial development of land and air space in and around the stations, said a senior Railway Ministry official. As per the plan, land is only to be leased to the develop-

ers and its ownership shall remain with the Railways.

The developers will be responsible for station redevelopment, associated real estate development and operation and maintenance of the same. State governments/local bodies, PSUs can also be partner in the scheme, if necessary, the official said. However, the official could not commit on the time lines of the mega project. "Station Redevelopment projects are complex in nature which require detailed techno-economic feasibility studies and statutory clearances from local bodies. Thus, it is not possible to provide time limit at this stage for completion of these projects," he said.

(Agencies)

540 mt output estimated

by Coal India Nagpur, Mar 31: Coal India Ltd. seems set to close the fiscal year with production of about 540 million tonnes, against an output target of 550 million tonnes, according to an industry official. That would mark a growth of almost nine per cent over the previous fiscal and a 46 million tonnes increase in absolute terms.

CIL produced 494 million tonnes in 2014-15 against the 520 million tonnes set for that year. Indications are that output topped 530 million tonnes, with the level till March 27 at about 527 million tonnes, according to the official, who did not wish to be identified. While CIL has been tasked to produce one billion tonnes of coal by 2020, tardy offtake has led to a high level of inventories, forcing some collieries to 'regulate' production. In a clarification issued to stock exchanges earlier this month, CIL said that due to regulated lifting by power houses, coal stock had increased in some mines, due to which CIL had regulated produc-

tion. Besides creating stock management problems, high coal inventories affect quality of the fossil fuel, and also pose fire hazards. CIL may be closing 2015-16 with a stock of more than 55 million tonnes, which would be the highest in recent times. It has carried high stocks in the past, but that was mainly due to non-availability of railway rakes. It was learnt that this fiscal's production shortfall was mainly due to delayed handover of forest clearances in Jagannath and Bharatpur, two large mines in the Talcher area of Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd based in Sambalpur, Odisha. Rehabilitation and resettlement problems hobbled production in two other MCL mines - Hingula and Kanhaiya.

These are all brownfield expansion projects. As such MCL which was set to produce 150 million tonnes in 2015-16 may end up with a shortfall of almost 10 per cent. Problems over shifting of villages in Rajmahal area of Eastern Coalfields Ltd too affected output.

(Agencies)

AS EXPECTED Coal India Ltd. seems set to close the fiscal year with production of about 540 million tonnes, against an output target of 550 million tones.

That would mark a growth of almost nine per cent over the previous fiscal and a 46 million tonnes increase in absolute terms.

CIL produced 494 million tonnes in 2014-15 against the 520 million tonnes set for that year.

Indications are that output topped 530 million tonnes, with the level till March 27 at about 527 million tones.

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, APRIL 1

Features

PAGE 11

TRAVEL & TOURISM Arunachal Pradesh - Beauty Unexplored Arunachal Pradesh, the "Land of dawn lit mountains" located in the easternmost part of the Indian Territory is a wonderful holiday getaway and is home to verdurous valleys and unprecedented aestheticism.

Gushing waterfalls, crystal clear lakes and picturesque mountain tops enhance the astounding scenic beauty of this treasure trove of unmatched allure.

Surprisingly the natural beauty of this tranquil destination is unspoilt and there are lands which are purely virgin and devoid of the maddening chaos of the mundane city life, Arunachal has a tranquil environment and salubrious weather that adds to its serenity. This virgin beauty of the last frontiers of India can be

explored through adventure sports like trekking, Para gliding, biking, white water rafting etc.

Home to the mightiest rivers on the planet, the Brahmaputra and its various tributaries commands a lot of attention from rafters those who come for trekking in Arunachal. The Siang, the Siyom, the Subansiri, the Kameng & the Lohit beckon rafters from across the globe. Best time to for such an adventure would be right after the monsoons are over which is normally from early November to end of March. One can experience and witness thick dense jungles, breathtaking views and landscape tribal habitation and the blessed white waters.

Passing through the most

remote areas of Arunachal Pradesh, white water of these untamed rivers houses various gorges and rapids which possess unlimited thrill and excitement of life. Even Army has identified mountain Rivers in Arunachal Pradesh as a potential attraction for adventure tourists, especially among those interested in rafting in Brahmaputra. It has established Aqua Node Center at Aalo, West Siang to train and promote rafting in this state.

Various expeditions are conducted by this node to promote better civil military camaraderie in this state.

State Govt. has already started selling popular rafting destination and routes to attract more and more adventure tourist to

fuel its tourism industry.

Virgin beauty, beautiful landscape and astounding scenic beauty of this treasure trove of unmatched allure need to be explored and if one choose to experience this exquisiteness of nature with adventure, there is no better preference than rafting on white water of the Mountain Rivers of Arunachal Pradesh.

Arunachal finds mention in the literature of Kalika Purana and Mahabharata. This place is supposed to be the Prabhu Mountains of the Puranas. It is a place that is rich with picturesque beauty that offers relaxation and rejuvenation.

The place offers you peace and action; enjoy its salubrious climate and its glorious heritage of arts and crafts and the

colorful festivals that reflect their faith in the nature. Nature lovers, travelers and adventure seekers will find the place engaging, educative and adventurous.

Aalo is one such place which is surrounded by mountains with rivers flowing through them that offers an excellent opportunity for white water rafting. While rafting, one will come across some amazing gorges, tropical forests and remote hill sides.

Also you can witness a distinct rich culture of tribal settlements. Nature has provided the people with art of living which finds delightful expression in their songs, dances and craft work.

River rafting in Siyom and Siang is an undoubt-

Tranquil Arunachal Pradesh edly one of the most enthralling and physical demanding adventure sport. The adrenaline rush and the excitement experienced while riding and tumbling down the white waters of fast flowing river is simply exciting and enthralling.

Overall, Aalo is one of the most enticing places in Arunachal Pradesh that offers serene atmosphere, white water rafting and excellent scenic beauty. The Joint IndoBangladesh White Water Rafting Expedition from 1st to 3rd Oct 2014 from Thumbin to Pangin

and recently by the Indian Army from 18th to 20th March 2016 are endeavors to open up its challenges and opportunities of adventurous tourism.

(A Page from Diary of an Infantry Officer of an Indian Army, Aalo Military Station)

Famous Temples of Northeastern India Brahmaputra- View Temple the temple indicate Northeast India is a favor- Temple is one such in- Temple is one of the an- Bageswari confluence of many relitemples in (Assam) ite destination for tourists stance. Located on a hill, cient at the gions. The hills are also from the country and 27 km from Agartala, Meghalaya. Thought to Located abroad. However, it overlooking the pretty be over 500 years old, this Bongaigaon town, this is replete with rare mediciwould be wrong to as- Kamalasagar Lake, this temple draws a huge one of the ancient and nal plants and primates. sume that tourists throng temple is a major pilgrim- number of pilgrims every prominent temples in This has made the region these beautiful hilly states age spot. It is adjacent to year. It is one of the fa- Assam. The temple is a favorite with nature only for exotic culinary the Bangladesh border. mous 51 Shakti Peethas situated on top of lovers along with pildelights and Arnab Ghosh The image of mentioned in Hindu my- Bageswari Hill. As per grims. amazing deity is made thology. The rituals per- Hindu mythology, the Akash Ganga Temple biodiversity hotspots. of sandstone and the re- formed at this temple are trishul of Devi Durga fell (Arunachl Pradesh) These states are also vis- semblances with Goddess a blend of ancient Khasi at this place when the Arunachal Pradesh is a ited by the tourists for Durga are evident. How- traditions and Hindu cus- goddess's body was cut by state where people from several pilgrimage desti- ever, a shiva linga is toms. Here Durga Puja is sudarshana chakra post various religions co-exist nations. There are plenty found at leg of the idol. performed but instead of her demise at Daksha peacefully. The cultural of famous temples in The lake was dug by an idol, a banana plant is yagna. The temple, owing diversity of state has restates like Assam, Tripura Monarch Manikya used for worship. During to its hilltop position of- sulted in existence of and Manipur that have an- Bahadur in the 15th cen- the puja, animal sacrifice fers a beautiful view of some Hindu temples cient myths and legends tury and the temple was is also done at the temple. the adjacent areas. At the along with Buddhist associated with them. set up in the 17th century. As per the legends, the hill, there is an ancient monasteries. The Akash These temples are visited Lord Krishna Temple temple was a part of Shiva temple as well. ganga or Malinithan Durga mahashtami is cel- temple is among the maformer Jaintia fort. by thousands of reli- (Manipur) giously inclined visitors. This is one of the famous Asvakranta Temple ebrated with much vigor jor Hindu temples and Below listed are some of the eminent temples of the Northeast region.

Kirateshwar Mahadev Temple (Sikkim) Sikkim is a state where the domain religion is Buddhism. However, there is a fair percentage of Hindus in the population of the state. This is why a number of iconic temples have been set up in Sikkim. One of the most famous temples in Sikkim is the Kirateshwar Mahadev temple. Located on side of River Rangeet in Legship, this temple is visited by several thousand pilgrims around the year. The legKirateshwar Mahadev Temple, Sikkim (Photo: farm1.static) end of the temple is assoin the temple every year pilgrimage spots in the ciated with Arjuna and temples in Manipur. The (Assam) and during that day ani- state. Located in Lord Krishna Temple is Asvakranta temple is Shiva. As per the myth, Lord Shiva blessed the located on Imphal river among major religious mal sacrifice is also made Likabali in West Siang District of Arunachal, it third Pandava for win in banks at Brahmpur Guru destination in Assam. Lo- to please the deity. war at the spot, in guise Aribam Leikai. It was set cated in Guwahati, the Sri Surya Pahar Temple attracts plenty of visitors every year. The majority of a hunter. There is a up in 1704 AD. The brick temple is a place for wor- (Assam) dharamshala at temple made temple has a dome shipping Lord Vishnu. Located in Goalpada, Sri of the ancient temple, premises for pilgrims. type hemispherical roof. The reclining god is wor- Surya Pahar Temple is a meant for worshiping The temple is replete with The dome surface is shiped here by pilgrims. major tourist destination goddess Durga is now in people and activity during adorned with floral motif. As per the folklores Lord near Guwahati. Its hilltop ruins. It was built in typithe Shivarati and Bala In the temple, one can find Krishna slayed the demon location has led to its cal Orissa architectural Chaturdesi. It is con- different events in life of named Narakasura here. naming. On the hilltop, style. The origins can be nected with mainland lord Krishna. These idols The scenic beauty of there are a dozen stone traced back to 14th cenare quite artistic. The Brahmaputra River is a carved images of Surya. tury. 20th century excawith a bridge.

Kamalasagar Kali Janmasthami festival is major attraction of the Shiva lingas of varying vations at the spot have celebrated with much en- temple. The carving de- sizes are also found in this revealed sculptures of Temple (Tripura) Tripura is a state with a thusiasm in this temple picting Lord Vishnu and region. The architecture major Hindu deities like other deities reflects ex- of this temple is quite en- Indra and Surya. The predominantly Hindu every year. population and naturally Nartiang Durga Temple cellent craftsmanship. thralling. These remains Akash-Ganga waterfallOutside the temple, there are likely to be from 9th about 5 km from the spot there are a number of (Meghalaya) prominent Hindu Located in the pictur- is a footprint etched in century or so, say the ar- is also deemed holy by temples.

The esque Jaintia Hills dis- stone which is thought to chaeologists. The sculp- pilgrims. Courtesy: Kamalasagar Kali trict, the Nartiang Durga be that of Lord Krishna. tures found in and near Nelive.

from a houseboat

A houseboat sailing through the mighty Brahmaputra (Photo: alfrescogrand)

A group of foreign tour- taking a drop to the ists get a one of a kind Lokapriya Gopinath feel of the mighty Bardoloi international Brahmaputra during a Airport. The houseboat cruise also has six nights to 13 A Gangetic River Dol- nights cruise itineraries, phin bobbed up and sailing all the way to to down on the Kaziranga or to Neamati Brahmaputra. A little ghat near Majuli Island. later, an It Osprey Udit Bhanu Barthakur w a s dived a l from the clear blue sky most late noon when the and cleanly caught a fish houseboat started sailing for its lunch. A group of from Machkhowa ghat Swedes cruising on the and by then tourists were mighty river were in a very hungry. Chef thrall. From the deck of Najibul and his team their cosy houseboat, the cooked up a lunch of tourists were getting a Jeera rice, chapatti, local window of the diverse chicken curry, fish tenga, life along the dal makhani and green Brahmaputra. salad which was topped Sten, Par, Wolfe, Louise, up by the traditional Mary and Elizabeth were Assamese desert rice not new to India but this pudding made with was their first time in sticky rice. The Swedes Assam and as they were gave the kitchen crew a excited as one after the standing ovation. "The other the sights unfolded first lunch has definitely on their three-day cruise. raised our expectations of The beautifully designed the food we are going to houseboat made the ex- get for the coming days," perience even more joy- said Elizabeth. ful. The 3 AC cabins of The owners of the housethe houseboat, lovingly boat have tailored the done up, was chugging cruise in such a way that along Sualkuchi and tourists get the real feel Pabitora Wildlife Sanctu- of the river and the ary near Guwahati, giv- people who live along it. ing the Swedes their first The programme of the experience of the north- houseboat cruise includes east. picnic parties and bar-beTourists have the option queues on the sand banks to continue their journey of Brahmaputra away further to other destina- from the noise and pollutions such as Kaziranga, tion of the city. The houseMajuli, Shillong and boat cruise is on exclusive Cherrapunjee and other basis which can be hired parts of northeast or ter- by a small group of up to minate their journey by 6 people.

The spacious sundeck of is the most attractive part of the boat. Tourists can sun bathe and watch the everyday life of people on the banks of the Brahmaputra. Swede group was curious about India. On the sundeck, under the open sky they were curious to know more about the rich culture of Assam and North East as a whole.

The best part of a boat is being small it could easily moor next to a village.

By the time lunch ended, houseboat was almost in Sualkuchi and the boat's crew boys were preparing to moor just next to one of the villages of the famous silk city, Sualkuchi.

The Swedes visited several other villages during the river cruise and in one of the villages near the Pabitora Wildlife Sanctuary, the houseboat and its foreign guests became a grand attraction for the village kids. Wolfe and Mary, both of them retired school teachers, had an interesting interaction with the kids, learning a little about school life in the village.

As the houseboat sails again, the crew of the houseboat began looking for a nice sand bank to moor for a surprise bar-beque dinner for the guests.

(The author is Director, Eastern Iconic Tours and Travels. He can be reached at udit@easterniconictours.com ) Courtesy: Nezine.

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West Indies enters finals Mumbai, Mar 31 (PTI) : West Indies reached the final of the ICC World Twenty20 after they notched up a comfortable sevenwicket victory over hosts India in the second semifinal at the

Sports Reorter Dibrugarh, Mar. 31: Evergreen Juniors Club defeated Dibrugarh City Cricket by 50 runs in first semi-final of the Rajanu Bora Second division cricket tournament organised

by Dibrugarh District Sports Association here today at DDSA stadium.

Wankhede Stadium here today.

Sent into bat, India scored 192 for two in the stipulated 20 overs, but saw West Indies chase down the target and finish at 196/3 with two balls to spare.

Put Into bat, Evergreen scored 140 for nine in 20 overs. Montu Raut remained unbeaten on 52 ff 34 balls, hitting three fours and five sixes. Umesh Raut contributed 27 runs.

Brief scores India: 192/2 in 20 overs (Virat Kohli 89

For DCCCC, Shravan Baruah bagged four wickets in 17 runs in 4 overs.

Arindam Baruah took two for 19 in 4 overs.

not out, Rohit Sharma 43, Ajinkya Rahane 40; Samuel Badree 1/26).

West Indies: 196/3 in 19.4 overs (Lendl Simmons 83 not out, Johnson Charles 52, Andre Russell 43 not out; Ashish Nehra 1/25).

Du Plessis in no mood to quit Proteas' captaincy

South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis ANI Johannesburg, Mar.31 : South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis has ruled out any plans to step down from the post after his side made an early exit from the ongoing World T20 event , saying he is happy captaining the team.

Despite entering the tournament as one of the favourites, South Africa once again failed to live up to their reputation as they lost a high-scoring game against England before losing a low-scoring affair against West Indies.

However, the Proteas signed off their World T20 campaign with a comfortable eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in their dead rubber contest in Delhi.

Labelling the World T20 as a `tough` tournament, Du Plessis admitted that his side failed to produce

at an ICC event, but believes that it was unfair to heap doom and gloom on the side when they were rebuilding in all the formats of the game.

The 31-year-old, who is aiming to lead the side at the next event in 2019, insisted that he was loving playing T20 cricket at the moment and stressed that he also see himself playing a big role in the team's success, Sport24 reported.

The skipper further insisted that his side had the required bowling and batting options, adding that they were just needed to make the right move at the right time.

Apart from their Champions Trophy victory in 1998, South Africa have never bagged a major ICC tournament title since their post-apartheid return in 1991.

Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium on Wednesday.

Roy played a major role in what turned out to be a perfect chase for the 2010 champions. He smacked 78 off mere 44 balls, including 11 boundaries and two sixes and shared a brisk 82-run partnership with Alex Hales (20) as England chased down a respectable 154-run target with 17 balls to spare.

Describing the win as `special`, the Surrey batsman said that his players were not realizing what they had achieved, adding that it was his side's approach and confidence that had helped them in bouncing back after their

In reply, DCCCC were all out for 90 in 15.5 overs. Ayush Sharma scored 29 off 32 balls with four boundaries and Shravan Baruah scored 16

Simmons

Morgan impressed by England's amazing turnaround ANI London, Mar.31 : England skipper Eoin Morgan has heaped praise over his side after they rolled into the finals of the ongoing World T20, saying it was his side's tremendous hard work and sacrifices that has put them in this position.

"Everybody in that changing room has worked tremendously hard and made all of the sacrifices in order to put us in this position, Mogan was quoted as saying by ecb.co.uk.

England bounced back brilliantly after their opening match defeat at the hands of West Indies as they went on to win four consecutive matches, including their seven-wicket win over New Zealand in their semifinal clash at Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium on Wednesday.

Following the win, Morgan also wrote on Twitter, "Amazing team performance. On to

England skipper Eoin Morgan the next one."

Morgan admitted that his side had taken the positive from their defeat against Darren Sammy's side and were hoping to take that into the finals as well.

"Since then we have taken the positives from the game and game after game we've played

the most confident we've played and hopefully we can take that into the final," he added.

England are now short of one victory to clinch their second World T20 title as they will play either India or West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday.

runs.

For Evergreen Juniors Club, Krishna Sundas scalped four for 5 in 3 overs while Gaurav Dutta took two wickets conceding 9 in 2 overs.

In another semi-final match, Namrup Cricket Academy beat Dibrugarh cricket Coaching Centre by 31 runs.

Put into bat, Namrup Cricket Academy scored 99 for 9 in 20 overs. Akhil Kalita scored 32 off 34 balls with two boundaries and Biraj Chetia contributed 29 off 27 balls with three boundaries and one six.

For DCCC, Albert Buragohain claimed three for 21 in 4 overs.

DCCC were all out for 68 in 14.3 overs. Mirtinjoy Yadav scored 11 runs.

Biraj Chetia bagged three for 9 in 4 overs.

Warne takes swipe at Oz selectors post World T20 exit ANI Johannesburg, Mar.31 : Australian spin great Shane Warne has slammed his country's selectors, saying that the `wrong` choices in the batting line-up had led to their early exit from the ongoing World T20.

Steve Smith's side knocked out of prestigious T20 tournament after suffering a six-wicket defeat at the hands of hosts India in do-or-die group match at the Punjab Cricket Stadium in Mohali on Sunday.

The 46-year-old believes that Australian selectors had messed up with the batting line-up instead of sticking with the proven combinations and consequently the team failed to perform well enough,Sport24 reported.

Earlier, Australian selectors had moved David Warner up and down in the batting line-up.

They had also dropped Aaron Finch for the opening matches

Australian spin great Shane Warne of the tournament at the expense of Usman Khawaja.

Reflecting on the same, Warne stressed that the opening pair of Finch and David Warner should not have been broken up, saying that the decision had upset the balance of the team.

Pointing out that the duo were more destructive than Khawaja, Warnesaid that the partnership

between Finch and Warner would have been an intimidatory factor.

England have already qualified for the World T20 finals after their seven-wicket win over New Zealand. They will now play in the summit showdown with either India or West Indies at Eden Garden's in Kolkata on Sunday.

Djokovic sees off Berdych to reach Sharapova doping hearing likely to be held in June Miami Open semis

Novak Djokovic ANI Miami (USA), Mar.31 : World number one and twotime defending champion Novak Djokovic continued his imperious form as he outplayed Czech Republic's

Tomas Berdych in straight sets to book his place in the semifinals of the Miami Open here on Thursday.

The 28-year-old Serbian frustrated Berdych throughout the quarter-final clash before

eventually claiming a 6-3, 6-3 triumph in one-hour and 40 minutes at Crandon Park.

It was Djokovic's tenth consecutive win over Berdych. He has also improved his FedEx ATP Head to Head record against the Czech to 23-2.

With the win, the five-time Miami Open winner has now set up a clash against Belgian David Goffin, who also made it to his first Miami Open semifinal after beating France's Gilles Simon 3-6, 6-2, 6-1.

In the women's singles event, Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber overcame American Madison Keys 6-3, 6-2 to set up a semi-final showdown against this year's Indian Wells winner Victoria Azarenka.

Elated Roy hails England's approach after reaching World T20 finals ANI New Delhi, Mar.31 : After inspiring his side to the finals of the World T20, England batsman Jason Roy has branded his innings against New Zealand as `one of his greatest achievements` and also hailed his team's approach during the tournament.

"It's the most mind-blowing experience of my life to date, that performance is up there with one of my greatest achievements, so I'm just super happy for the lads to get that experience on Sunday," the 25year-old said following their six-wicket win over Kane Williamson's side at

Evergreen to play Namrup in Final

England batsman Jason Roy opening-match defeat to West Indies.

"The whole team have got that kind of licence and

that opportunity to go out there, do what they want and play freely with our skills," Roy was quoted as

saying by ecb.co.uk.

Reflecting on his strategy, the opener said that he had decided to give his side with a good start in order to make it easy for the middle-orders to chase down the target.

"I just looked at the runs that we needed and knocked them off. Obviously if you let the occasion get to you then it can be to your detriment so I just went out there and gave it a crack," said Roy. England are now short of one victory to clinch their second World T20 title as they will play either India or West Indies in Sunday's final at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Former World number one Maria Sharapova ANI Johanneburg, Mar.31 : Former World number one Maria Sharapova is expected to face a disciplinary hearing over a drug violation in June.

The beleaguered female tennis star had earlier announced that she was tested positive for banned substance meldonium at Australian Open which she had been taking since 2006 for

health issues.

She was provisionally suspended from the sport by the International Tennis Federation and also faces a possible ban of up to four years for her wrongdoings.

Russian Tennis Federation president Shamil Tarpishchev said that Sharapova's disciplinary hearing for doping could be put off until June, but added it was not official, Sport24 reported.

Tarpishchev further revealed that he was in regular contact with the 28-year-old and that she was continuing with her training.

Sharapova's major sponsors Nike, Tag Heuer and Porsche had all distanced themselves from her since her announcement.

Shiva qualifies for Rio Games, heartbreak for Mary Kom New Delhi, Mar 31: World Championships bronze-medallist Shiva Thapa (56kg) on Thursday became the first Indian boxer to make the cut for this year's Olympics by entering the Asian Qualifying Tournament's final but the celebrated M C Mary Kom (51kg) failed to book her Rio Games ticket after losing in the last-four stage here.

Shiva, given the top seeding in his weight category, lived upto the billing as he sailed past 2013 World Championship bronze-medallist Kairat Yeraliyev of Kazakhstan in the semifinal. He will face second seed Chatchai Butdee of Thailand in the final on Friday.

With today's victory, the 22year-old Indian is set for his second Olympic appearance, four years after he became the youngest boxer to qualify for the multi-sporting extravaganza.

"I want to thank god for having managed to achieve this.

I was very worked up about

this bout, it was the most important bout for me. So I am totally exhausted and relieved at the same time," Shiva told PTI. "I have very little time at hand for rest and recovery as the final bout is tomorrow itself. So, it's slowly sinking in.

I can't thank enough my coaches and all those who supported me in this journey.

I hope to come good on expectations this time by winning an Olympic medal," he said.

However, it was heartbreak for another top seed, Mary Kom, who went down to old foe Ren Cancan of China in the semifinals, which will only translate into a bronze medal for her. In the women's category, only the gold and silver medal winners from this tournament will qualify for Rio Olympics.

The five-time world champion and London Olympics bronze-medallist, however, has another chance of qualifying for the Rio Games during the World Championships

in May. Another Indian in fray in the men's draw was Commonwealth Games silver-medallist and fourth seed L Devendro Singh (49kg) but he lost to top seed Rogen Ladon of Mongolia in the semifinals.

Assured of a bronze medal, Devendro will now fight it out for an Olympic quota place by taking on Mongolia's thirdseeded Gan-Erdene Gankhuyag tomorrow.

National coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu was effusive in his praise for Shiva, while also lauding the effort of other boxers.

"It was a very sensible, very planned, and very aggressive performance. His opponent was actually running around to save himself. It was a class performance and one of the best bouts of the day," Sandhu said.

"Shiva has matured tremendously and this was evident in his performance so far," he added.

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