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MAKING WOMEN
Vol. 1
STREETS
SAFE
Issue 256 FOR
Dibrugarh, Monday, February 22, 2016
Price -
5.00
Pages- 12
GNRC HOSPITAL LAUNCHED FREE AMBULANCE SERVICE
STATEHOOD DAY CELEBRATED IN ROING
US 'SUPPORTIVE' OF DEVELOPMENTS BETWEEN INDIA, PAKISTAN TIES
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Anjan Dutta asks BJP to New Arunachal government clearAPCCstandPresident on Hindu Bengali citizenship issue AABYF demand ‘highly illegal’: Nabam Tuki Citizenship for Tuki demanded Governor Rajkhowa's removal for murdering demoracy and the constitution for his political interests Ousted Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki on Sunday described the Kalikho Pul-led government as "highly illegal" and "unconstitutional" and blamed the Modi-led government for destabilizing his democratically elected government. "They (central government) pulled down my government and proclaimed President's Rule citing the breakdown of law and order. They will try to destabilize governments in nonBJP-ruled states by imposing Article 356 and then installing an 'unconstitutional' government like they did in Arunachal," said Tuki. "Why don't they impose President's Rule in BJPruled states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra where the governments have failed to tackle suicide of farmers, job scam and other issues?"
ET CAPSULES All Assam Art competition held at Dergaon Dergaon, Feb 21: Today a Dergaon based NGO, Aswroy organised an All Assam Art competition at Noren Sarmasmiti Pothar. More than 1000 competitors from different districts of Assam have participated in the competition. The chair of judge was given to Noni Pujari who has administered the competition successfully. (Correspondent)
Huge Gathering to witness Marathon ET Correspondent Golaghat, Feb 21: Golaghat Numaligarh Refinery Limited organised a Mega Marathon Event today at Numaligarh which was witnessed by Huge Gathering . In the very event 2500 participants took part .
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With the view to Run to Keep Fit motto the program began from Savra Basti Primary School . 3 km Marathan was inaugurated by Abhijit Baruah , 5 km Marathon by Barkha Rani and 10 km Marathan by Bhogeswar Baruah and flag off was done by Kaziranga National Park Director M.K Jadav. Even participants from foreign countries were seen participating in the event .
“Why don't they impose President's Rule in BJP-ruled states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra where the governments have failed to tackle suicide of farmers, job scam and other issues?" the veteran Congress leader quipped. the veteran Congress leader quipped.
of Rajkhowa as the governor.
Criticizing Governor J.P. Rajkhowa for administering Kalikho Pul's oath as chief minister, Tuki said: "As per parliamentary convention, the governor should invite the single majority party to form the government.
"Instead of safeguarding the constitution, he murdered democracy and the constitution for his own political interests, knowing the simplicity of the indigenous people in Arunachal."
"But in this case, the governor administered the oath of office and secrecy to Pul who is not even the leader of the Congress Legislature Party besides knowing that the matter is pending in the court. Isn't the governor misusing his office? This does not augur well in our parliamentary democracy." The former chief minister also demanded the removal
Nabam Tuki
rebel Congress camp claimed that nine Tuki loyalists are set to shift their allegiance to Pul.
Pul, leading the pack of 19 rebel Congress camp, was sworn in as the eighth chief minister on Friday night.
Claiming that he still enjoys majority in the house, Tuki, the first Christian to be the Arunachal chief minister, said: "With the disqualification of 16 legislators, the effective strength of the house is only 44. Of these, 26 MLAs are with me and my government and, therefore, I still enjoy the majority."
The BJP, which has 11 members in the 60-member Arunachal assembly, has extended outside support to Pul. Two independent legislators are also supporting the 19 rebel Congress legislators. But sources close to the
He also described the formation of the new government as "highly illegal" and "unconstitutional" since Pul had not been elected leader of the Congress Legislature Party. "The Congress cannot
"We will not allow this unholy alliance to continue. We will continue to fight for justice in the court of law." Meanwhile, Pasang Dorjee Sona, one of the 19 rebel Congress legislators, held Congress leader V. Narayanasamy responsible for the political mess in the state. "It was Narayanasamy, in-charge of party affairs in the state, who is responsible for the mess in the state. He never allowed us to meet and share our grievances with Congress president (Sonia Gandhi) and vicepresident (Rahul Gandhi)," Pasang told IANS. "We have to work with the BJP in the interest of the people of the state. Governance has nothing to do with political ideology. Good governance and development of the state come first," Pasang said.
Security forces foil NSCN (K) plan to attack CRPF camp in Towkak ET Correspondent Sonari, Feb 21
Security forces in upper Assam last night foiled yet another plan of NSCN (K) to attack a camp housing security forces following the arrest of a hardcore NSCN (K) cadre from Panigash on the Namtola - Sonari road in Charaideo sub division. Police said that the cadre identified as Tabrao Konyak was arrested when he was moving suspiciously in the area. Konyak hails from Laokho Namsa under Tizit police station in Mon district of
Tabrao Konyak
Hindu Bengali
take the support of the BJP in forming a government. The Congress does not subscribe to the BJP ideology. Therefore, the new government cannot be a Congress government.
Nagaland. The security forces also recovered one pistol, some arms and ammunition and incriminating documents from the arrested rebel. On interrogation by the joint police and CRPF team, the rebel revealed that he along with two other NSCN (K) cadres has sneaked in the area with arms and ammunition to launch an attack on the CRPF camp located at Towkak. "The militants had planned the attack to take revenge after four militants including three NSCN (K) cadres were killed in an encoun-
ter with security forces at Bordumsa recently", a police official said. The police produced the arrested militant before a magistrate today who granted 2 days of police custody of the rebel. Apprehending that the NSCN (K) might try to rescue the arrested rebel if he is lodged at the Namtola police station which is almost on the Assam - Nagaland inter-state border, the police has detained the militant at Sonari police station, sources added. Further questioning of the arrested militant was on.
A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Feb. 21
APCC APCC President Anjan Dutta delivering his speech. Pic - ET Photo A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Feb. 21
APCC President Anjan Dutta today accused BJP of making false promises to garner votes from the people. Dutta made this accusation during a meeting organised today at Santipara, Dibrugarh which is largely dominated by Bengali speaking people and which is a strong hold of BJP. Addressing a meeting, Anjan Dutta said, “Before general election the BJP have assured the Hindu Bengalis that if the party comes into power they would provide Indian citizenship to the Hindu Bengali but
after coming to power in the centre they have not clarified their stand on the vexed issue,’’. “If they are serious about the issue why did not they pass the Foreigners Act bill in the parliament,’’ the APCC President asked. He added BJP is not serious about the matter and have only used the Hindu Bengali only for their vested interest and during elections. Dutta came heavily upon Union Minster and chief ministerial candidate of BJP Sarbananda Sonowal.
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All Assam Bengali Youth Federation today in a press conference came out clear that if BJP government would not clear its’ stand on the citizenship issue for hindu bengalis before the ensuing Assam assembly election then it would intensify its’ movement against the BJP. “Stop step motherly attitude and provide citizenship to Hindu Bengali people,’’ said Dipak Dey, Central Committee President of AABYF. He added Modi government should come out clear on the issue before election. “We don’t need notification from Centre which was false. We have lost hope from BJP,’’ Dey told while addressing media person, here, today. Contd. on Page 4
After Rahul, BJP leaders embark on padyatra to intensify poll campaign in Titabar
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal along with workers and supporters during the rally. Pic - Nekib Ahmed ET Correspondent Jorhat, Feb 21
As the poll dates for the Assam assembly elections draws near, the intensity of the poll battle is increasing day by day. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today took the poll battle to none other than the state Chief Minister and Congress heavyweight Tarun Gogoi’s turf, his home constituency Titabar by organizing a 4 kms padyatra, which is seen as a counter step to the recent
padyatras taken up by All India Congress Committee Vice President Rahul Gandhi in Assam. State BJP President and union minister Sarbananda Sonowal led the padyatra from Rajabahar to Titabar Rajiv Gandhi Sports Complex during which thousands of party workers and supporters took part. Some of the workers and supporters in motor bikes were also seen carrying party flags, banners and festoons. The padyatra also generated much
enthusiasm among the people who are now baffled as to whom they will vote. “A couple of days ago Rahul Gandhi took out a similar rally and many people took part in it, now the BJP is adopting the dame process, we are confused. But there is time till then we will be able to decide whom to vote”, Raju Kalita, a villager said.
Contd. on Page 4
Heart-touching adieu to H M Singh & Kiranjit Kaur Bishnu Rana Tezu, Feb 21: It may be a rare farewell for a teacher who has created various Doctors, Engineers, Teachers, Bureaucrats, political leaders, Businessmen, social workers and good citizens as well as CM in Mishmi society, H M Singh ST (English) retired was given heartfelt farewell by the Alumni of Government Higher Secondary School, Hayuliang here at the Amik Ringya Cultural Hall yesterday evening. “Singh sir was not only our teacher but a true mentor. Who has nurtured, guided, taught and shaped us in true spirit, his concern, task and
teaching was exceptional. Whoever is in top post now in various disciplines of Mishmi community were by dint of Singh sir selfless service, I always cherish him his indomitable task to make us stand here”, expresses B Tawsik, ADC of Hayuliang. “He was our parent, guide, teacher and everything” says Sokhep Kri, Editor of State Gazetteer. “He guided me at every need of hour and inspired me his self-sacrificing attitude”, said S Manyu, DFO of Lohit. “Whatever post is occupied today by our Mishmi brother right from a teacher, clerk, Chief Engineer, Doc-
tors and up to present CM post are the tireless effort extended by the Singh sir”, spoke K Manyu, AE PWD Namsai. All alumni in their unison heart touching voice prayed his good health, wellbeing and peace in rest of his retired life. While expressing his contentment, H M Singh said that he has played a role given to him. He said that in extending services one’s get utmost happiness then getting services. “We should always work with commitment and sincerity without expecting much that gives pleasure and energy in our endeavor to clinch the goal. I have experienced everything in life, insult, respect, pain, agony, happi-
The Singh has served 34 year of his precious service life at Hayuliang since 1982 and 2 (two) years free service after getting retired on 2014 last. He was accompanied by Kiranjit Kaur, JT retired. His son Sonu, grandson, daughter & daughter- in-law were present during the ceremony.
Heart-touching adieu to H M Singh & Kiranjit Kaur ness, contentment, bliss, cry, laugh, suffering, dis-
eases, value, honour and etc which is the real colour of
life and one should accept it”, tells the Singh.
A colourful dance programs were performed by many students of Emon Dance Academy, Mishmi cultural program and Sokhep Kri’s melodious voice with old Hindi numbers were wellpresented as a mark of respect to the outgoing teacher.
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IANS Itanagar, Feb. 21
DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22
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ASTRO FOR YOU Aries You will focus your attention today on your beloved. You will feel very energetic, but your commitment to work will falter. So don't be surprised if your superiors are annoyed. However, Ganesha says today is a day for romantic pursuits. Taurus Professionals in all spheres of work are due for a field day today. The day will be particularly outstanding for Administrators and executives are likely to get richer by the end of the day. Even if you are engaged in some other work, you will stand out and get noticed for your overall excellence. Businessmen can expect to get into new partnerships and joint ventures. This is a very auspicious day for launching new projects. Gemini Dress to kill today! People around you may or may not comment, but they will definitely notice you. Your sense of style and taste will bowl everyone over. People would scramble for a glimpse of you. In short, you will be a celebrity. Most probably, your beloved will share the limelight with you. Enjoy! Cancer You will be involved in a team effort and associated with work like inspection and examination. You will base your opinions on your friends' choices. So select good friends, says Ganesha. You will spend time with close circle. Leo Your decisions today will be not only be correct, but also resolute and steadfast. Your health will be fine. At the work-place, things ought to proceed as usual. However, you will concentrate more on work today. In personal relationships, some minor arguments could crop up. Take care not to let them blow up into major confrontations, says Ganesha. Virgo Today will be a pleasant day full of surprises and unforeseen changes. You may go for a long drive with your beloved. The trip will be very interesting and will calm your frayed nerves. All in all, Ganesha says, it is an optimistic and happy day, so go ahead and get the best out of it Libra Ganesha says today you may be able to undertake travel for business or pleasure purposes. It may be a busy day for you work wise and you may not be able to completely focus on your family or family issues. Try your luck in the stock market today, as it may prove beneficial to you. If there are certain issues or problems they will be sorted out today because of your varied skills and past experiences. Ganesha wishes you a day full of happiness and joy today Scorpio Ganesha feels that your intuitive feelings will rule your actions today. You will need to break past your stress threshold and tackle work with zeal and zest. Follow your instincts and relax to some good music when the burden of work is overwhelming. At the end of the day, it is not the thought that matters but how that thought was implemented into action. Sagittarius Work is likely to keep you on toes. At work place, you and your opinions will be in demand. Those who are associated with stock exchange and shares will be happy to gain profits during the afternoon. Wait and watch the end result in the evening. Capricorn You firmly believe in the concept of 'health is wealth'. You have maintained a very good health so far and it will not be an issue today, also. Successful completion of current projects seem to be a distant target, however, you will finish them off. Your boss may get upset with you for not completing the work on time. You will put monetary issues on the back burner for the day, says Ganesha. Aquarius You roar with absolute bliss today! Simplicity is your new avatar, and naturally, friends and acquaintances are mystified. You may wish to commune with the higher spirit and will seek solace in a quiet temple. Ganesha approves and predicts peace in plenty. Pisces Your spiritual and religious streak comes to the fore. You will likely visit a place of worship to soothe your troubled soul. Meditative techniques may also be resorted to in your quest for peace and calm, says Ganesha.
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 22-2-16 (MONDAY) 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-Surar Satsori (Live Phone in Request Song Programme) 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-Jibanar Dighbani (Radio Autobiography) 10.15 P.M-Classical Music Sd-/H.O.P
CM Gogoi inaugurated newly formed district ET Correspondent Nagaon, Feb 21: Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi formally newly formed Hojai district at Sankaradeva Nagar in Hojai in presence of Dr. Ardhendu Dey, Hojai MLA, Rockybul Hussain, Minister and others. In a function held on the
occasion under the chairmanship of M Ahmed, Deputy Commissioner of Middle Assam. The CM in his speech outlined the development works done by the Congress government during last fifteen years. He told how his government is always alert to alleviate
the sufferings of common people and as a part of it, his government decided to form seven new districts so that common men could get the privilege of expressing their demand and grievances. This will also save their time, he added. In his speech Gogoi criti-
cized the BJP party saying, “The party’s motive is to divide people in the name of religion”. He also urged the people to vote their party in the next election so that the party can serve the people and raise their living standard by alleviating poverty.
38 Assam Rifles organized National Integration Tour for Students ET Correspondent, Haflong, Feb 21: Eight days of National Integration Tour from Harangajao to Agartala was flagged off from Harangajao on 18 February 2016. The tour was organized by 38 Assam Rifles under the aegis of 22 Sector of HQ IGAR (East) with the aim to promote unity among various tribes. A total number of 30 students and four teachers are in the group. The tour will be visiting various places including Gas Hydro project Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Thermal Project (ONGC) and Tripura State Thermal Proj at Baramura, ECO Park Baramura, Sipaijala Zoo, Neermahal, Matabari Temple, Raj Bhawan, Agartala Airport, Border
A Photo of National Integration Tour from Harangajao to Agartala flagged off from Harangajao. area of Bangladesh, Agartala Town, Heritage Palace, State Museum, Assam Rifles and Agartala Garrison. The children will also have interaction with the Governor and the Chief
Minister of Tripura. The group comprises of students from various tribes and non tribes of Hmar, Naga, Khasi, Gorkha, Mus-
lim, Dimasa, Vaiphei and Bengali. Moreover, the students will also learn from the development model of the state of Tripura, apart from learning from various cultural and heritage sites.
Khumtai MLA, Bismita Gogoi CRPF 142 Battalion conducts dominates the agricultural schemes Distribution Cum Free around the constituency: Porag Borah ET Correspondent Golaghat, Feb 21: The president of Golaghat North BJP Mandal Committee, Porag Borah said in a press release that, Minister cum Khumtai MLA, Bismita Gogoi intervenes the agricultural schemes executed and disturbed around the constituency by selecting some favoured beneficiaries through unfair norms. He also added that Cultural minister cum Khumtai MLA, Bismita Gogoi dominates the agricultural schemes around the constituency. The agricultural schemes are generally executed for solving the unemployment problem of the
state. Pointing out the distribution of power-tiller and tractor schemes he said that Khumtai MLA, Bismita Gogoi have selected those beneficiaries who are not even eligible for such benefit. It is also stated in the press release that those who has or had political feedback either for Bismita Gogoi or the congress party are selected for agricultural benefits. In the release Golaghat North BJP Mandal Committee also stated that, such unfair practice in distribution of agricultural schemes shall shortly subject in law against Minister Bismita Gogoi.
Medical Checkup Camp
ET Correspondent Golaghat, Feb 21: A Distribution camp was held under the Civic Action Programme of CRPF 142 Batallion in Merapani region recently. As per the sources, Free Medical Aids were given to the Merapani Community Health Centre of D Sector region in AssamNagaland Border area. Along with it a Free Medical Camp was also organized for the convenience of the border
people. The Border Magistrate and people of organization named Peace Community highly appreciated the programme. Among the officials, Commandant 142 Avinash Saran, P Kharmujai & T Achlaram along with Medical officer Manjari Dutta was found present. Commandant Mr Sarah asked the people to maintain peaceful atmosphere in the region.
Pulse Polio Immunization at Morigaon ET Correspondent Morigaon, Feb 21: Along with the rest of the state, an Intensive Pulse Polio Immunization program was conducted today throughout Morigaon district which has covered around 1 lakh 50 thousand children belonging to age group of 0 to 5 years. According to Dr. Usuf, District Immunization Officer, Morigaon program covered 865 villages in Morigaon district. Around 3 thousand health department officials along with workers of Asha and Angawadi were detailed in this mega program. They administered the pulse polio drops to the children. Dr. Usuf further said that those children who have been left out from the program due to sundry reasons, they will be given the doses by the mobile groups at their homes.
National Food Security Act implemented across the country by April : Paswan A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Feb 21: Union Food and Public Distribution Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said that the National Food Security Act would be implemented across the country by April this year. Talking to newspersons in Guwahati, Mr. Paswan said that as of now, 28 States and Union Territories have implemented the Act. He said that the centre is keen that beneficiaries should get food grains. The Minister said online allocation of food grains has been started in 20 states to make the distribution system leakage free. Paswan said that storage capacity of over 62 thousand MT has been created in North East. He also urged the Assam government to speed up the implementation of Food Security Act in the state.
Protesters Directorate of Field Publicity organizes awareness programme schemes of the Union government blocked passenger train ET Correspondent Dhemaji, Feb 21: Today at 12 noon, D e k a rg o a n Morkongselek passenger train was stopped by protesters before reaching Silpaathar station as a sign of their demand. However, they have submitted a memorandum to appropriate authority in regards to this.
Nurses taking part in Polio awareness rally as part of Pulse Polio in Guwahati. Pic - UB Photos
A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Feb 21: The Directorate of Field Publicity Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Dibrugarh in association with its Jorhat Branch on Saturday (20th February 2016) took up a campaign at Dhemechi-Kochgaon village under Khowang Development block, Dibrugarh to publicise schemes of the Union government aimed at uplifting the economic status of the common people.
An open awareness cum interaction meeting, quiz contest, cultural programme, drum (dhol) playing, onthe-spot bank account opening camp marked the organization of that out-reach programme. Sri Ghano Gohain, secretary village protection force was the president while Sri Durgeswar Handique, village head was the chief guest on this occasion. Other participants included Sri Pradip Borgohain, senior educationist, Sri Janardan Hazarika, Principal of Sankardev Sishu Niketan, Smt Rituparna Bordoloi, resource person of Asom Mahila Samata Society and officials of Panjab National Bank. Addressing a sizeable gathering of villagers at the Raash Mancha Community Hall, the key resource persons urged the community to take benefit of Pradhan
Pranab Kumar Nath, Field Publicity officer doing flag off for awareness rally organized in the special out-reach campaign held at Dhemechi-Kochgaon village under Khowang Development block, Dibrugarh
Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana, a National Mission for Financial Inclusion to ensure access to financial services, namely Banking Savings & Deposit Accounts, Remittance, Credit, Insurance, Pension in an affordable manner. Smt Bordoloi in her address in context with “Beti bachao beti Padhao Yojana (save daughter, educate daughter)”, stressed that -- all schools in the country should have toilets with separate toilets for girls. Only then our daughters will not be compelled to leave school midway.” Also Speaking on “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” She asserted that sanitation is a foundation of health, dignity and development, which
everyone should be aware of. She said sanitation and hygiene provide good health and development to one’s lives and community and such culture starts from home. She exhorted the audience to disseminate the information to their family, friends and neighbours. She as well as other resource persons urged the community to go for the construction of individual toilets in their houses and avoid open defecation.
ing organized in media uncovered area in all over the country with a view to empower the community dwelling on the outskirt of village. The themes identified for the Special Outreach programme are: Swatchh Bharat Abhiyan, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Beti Bachao Beti Padao, Pradhan Mantri Surakhsa Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Atal Pension Yojana, and Skill India Mission.
In the inaugural address, Field Publicity Officer Pranab Kumar Nath said that -- the Directorate of Field Publicity is the mediator and communicator between the Central government and the public. He pointed out that the Special Outreach Programme is be-
A grand Rally of students and village community was also organised which pass through the streets of village Dhemechi which was aimed at to dissemination the information and awareness of these national public welfare programmes among the rural masses.
DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22
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Dc inspected centrulised centralised mid day meal shed
Statehood Day celebrated in Roing
Seppa, Feb 21: The East Kameng DC Deepak Shinde along with DDSE inspected the centralized Mid-Day Meal kitchen shed at Sangkam colony, Seppa yesterday. The said MidDay Meal by an NGOMachi Dene self help group supplying cooked MDM to 743 children of four schools within Seppa town.
Roing, Feb 21:The 30th Statehood Day was celebrated in Lower Dibang Valley District in a befitting manner. At Roing, Sipi Elapra Linggi, Zilla Parishad Chairperson of the district unfurled the national tricolour amidst large gathering of people from all walks of life at General Playground.
DC Deepak Shinde lauded the said NGO for providing quality meal to the children after testing the cooked meal. While interacting with the members of the NGO assured them to extend full Co-operation & help for renovation of the kitchen cum store & widening of the entrance road. He was all praise for the successful
In her Statehood Day message, she called upon the people of the district to work together for the progress of the district in particular and the state as a whole. She said that the drug addiction is spreading like a dreaded disease among the young students that affect not only their parents and family but whole of the society.
The East Kameng DC Deepak Shinde along with DDSE centralized Mid-Day Meal kitchen shed at Sangkam colony, Seppa implementation of the programme despite financial hurdles as no fund provided to them till date.
Further, the DC directed the DDSE to take initiatives for setting up of more centralized kitchens various locations in the district.
Health camp cum health awareness programme at Seppa
District Health Society conducted health Camp cum awareness programme at Seppa
Seppa, Feb 20 : PHC BANA under The District Health Society conducted health Camp cum awareness on Malaria ,ANC, Immunizations and health & hygiene ,under ICDS awareness on Self Help Group and duties of AWW at village and under APEDA - use of solar energy DO and DON,T at SILLA village on 19th February 2016, which is one of the remortgage and backward village of Eask kameng district. Total 115 patients , were benefitted in camp and medicated mosquito nets and solar lamps were distributed to villagers and blood sugar and BP checkup done to adults. Dr. Kapu Sopin MO i/c PHC PAKOTI/BANA who led the camp highlighting the aim and objectives of the Health camp and awareness in collaboration with other departments like ICDS and APEDA which is interlink for villagers benefited and stressed on ANC , Hospital delivery and health & hygiene ,Discourage open defecation, Dr. APA RIMO , DVBDCPO Briefed on malaria dengue, JE etc .and demonstrated how to use mosquito net. Dr SK SUMAN , District ASHA Nodal officer(DANO) Brief on
importance of ASHA at village level and demonstrated steps of hand wash and its important. Shri DK THONGON CDPO Bana , briefed on self help group at village and advised educated villagers to donate anything which is useful for children and open library for children to learned at village. And he also stressed on Anganwadi workers for regular duties at village for children to teach and he took spot interview to AWWs of knowledge about duties. SHRI JULU TAYEM, Senior tech, APEDA East kameng, briefed on solar lamp DO and DON,T for user. Dr. KAYA LAPUNG ,DRCHO as guest of honour stressed on immunizations and ANC. Dr.(Mrs) Chasen Lowang Mallo , District Medical officer, attended as chief guest and appreciated the MO I/C Dr kapu sopin for actively conducting such health camp in collaboration with other departments related to health and others benefited for public, and advised public to follow practically whatever the awareness given and assured to provide health fa-
cilities to public according to availability and stressed on mosquito control and preventive measured, proper use of mosquito nets and allow to spray DDT all house in and outside which is going to start soon as mosquito breading monsoon coming , also appeal the public to change the mind set for good in health. Shri ROBIN HISSING ,Principal Govt, Model Degree college seppa, from village silla , thankful to health team ,CDPO team and APEDA team for Awareness which is basic needed and help for their villagers. He also stressed on education and health & hygiene and he also encouraged multi departments awareness together for villagers which is easy to arrange for all. Participating team were Dr. KAPU SOPIN MO i/c PHC Pakoti /bana, Dr.,C LOWANG MALLO DMO,DR. KAYA LAPUNG DRCHO,DR. APA RIMO DVBDCPO,DR. SK SUMAN ,DANO,SHRI D K THONGON ,CDPO BANA,SHRI JULU TAYEM, TECH . APEDA & other 6 paramedical staffs, PRI members, Publics, GB, Studends, ASHA, AF, AWW,DAI & teachers were present.
Awareness on Protection, Preservation & Conservation of Biodiversity held
Spl Correspondent Pasighat, Feb 21: As a part of sensitizing the local Adi tribal community for minimizing the prevailing unabated hunting system, an awareness programme on protection, preservation & conservation was organized at Takilalung Village under Bosing Banggo, some 10 KM from here today. The awareness programme was organized by the Adi Baane Kebang East Siang Unit led by President Okom Yosung, Women Wing President Yalem Taga Burang and Boken Pao,
ADCF & T. Mize, DFO DEWS attended as resource persons. Both the resource persons laid emphasis on protection, preservation and conservation of biodiversity as the unabated hunting and felling of trees would cause huge damage of mother nature thereby disbalancing the environment which would directly affect human beings. Gaon Buras attending the workshop also spoke and felt the need of minimizing the hunting. Olen Taning, ZPM also spoke besides Attum
Ratan from ABK. On the part of Okom Yosung and Yalem Taga Burang, the duo strongly appealed the fellow Adi brethren to minimize/stop the hunting and harming the forest because of which environmental changes have been observed these days. There are some people who are found to be hunting round the year thereby contradicting the traditional means of sustainable hunting (hunting only during festival) which has deeply impacted the rich biodiversity of the region, felt the duo.
She said that drug addition is the cause of juvenile crimes like thieves and robbery to fulfill their addiction causing social disturbances. She appealed to the guardian, NGOs and all the stakeholders to come forward and eradicate the drug menace from the district and called upon every one to create a drug free society saying, "we must pledge to bring drug free society on this particular day". She also stressed on creating more awareness on drug menace and addiction and its ill effects on the family and society especially among the school children, who are the vulnerable sections of the society. She further said that efforts must be done to bring back those stray children to the main path of living.
At Bomdila Bomdila, Feb 21: The 30th Statehood day was celebrated in the district with traditional fervor and gaiety. At district headquarters Bomdila, Deputy Commissioner AK Singh unfurled the national tricolor amidst a huge gathering. Dwelling at length on the historical background of the state and the rapid progress made since attainment of statehood, DC Singh urged the people to co-operate with the government and be equal partners in all the develop-
She also called upon the Farming community to adopt new varieties of seeds and modern farming technology for better yield and production and also appealed to the farmers to grow more cash crops like Spices, Cardamom and Kiwi etc for upliftment of their economic condition. She also encouraged making of craft items which can provide a source of income to the family. She further informed that Mahila Commission is coming to Lower Dibang Valley District to start Women Awakening Programme and appealed the women to take benefit of the awareness programme and also to take help of the Mahila Commission in matters related to domestic violence and other women issues. Other attractions of the day were Swachhta Rally by the students of various schools, multi-tribe cultural items and exhibition cum food stalls put up by various Self Help Groups and the Education Department. Luyi SHG from Bolung won the first prize in the exhibition cum food stalls while Ergam Sirum SHG from Rayang-I and Ome-Birme SHG from Meka won the second and thrid prize respectively. A friendly football match was played between DC-XI vs ZP-XI which is won by ZP-XI by penalty shoot out. The chief guest gave away the prizes. Ravi Dhawan, DC, Take Ringu, SP, HoDs, PRI
ment and welfare activities initiated by the government. The district administration awarded commendation certificates to Col. APS Somal CO 28 MADRAS and Neeraj Kumar, Officer Commanding 91 RCC for their outstanding performance and achievements in their respective fields. Pipe Band display by Army, colorful folk and traditional dances, exhibition football match etc were some of the highlights of the day. (DIPRO)
At Paglam, Eving Yirang, CO Paglam unfurled the national tri-colour. He appealed the people of Paglam Circle to stop cultivation of poppy and marijuana for better cause of the people.
30th Statehood Day celebrated in Lower Dibang Valley District. Leaders and GBs among others were present to wit-
At Tezu Bishnu Rana Tezu, 21 Feb: On the eve of 30th Statehood Day celebration, Tamiyo Tatak DC Lohit hoisted the Tri – Colour here at the podium of Jubilee ground amid presence of VP Surya (IPS) SP, Nani Grayu Judge Eastern Session Court, Sujan Chai CDPO, Tezu ZPM Haweli Kri, HoDs, Gamburah, PRI member, public leader and student. In his message, The DC expressed satisfaction over the way all flagship programmes are good going and appealed everyone to extend their hands to build a better district in refraining from addiction and other anti – social element. He also retrospect the historical development of Arunachal from NEFA to
At Seppa Seppa, Feb 21: The 30th Statehood Day was celebrated at General Ground, Seppa in a befitting manner with the rest of the state today. DC Deepak Shinde while highlighting the development activities undertaken by the various departments in the district appealed all the HODs especially the engineering deptts to complete all the ongoing projects in a stipulated time by maintaining quality of works. He also urged the HODs to imbibe work culture among the staffs of their department for all round development of the district. He congratulated to everyone who contributed in any form for the successful conduct of the recently concluded Kameng River Festival. While extending thanks to all the stakeholders for keeping Seppa Town clean & hygienic, he ap-
3rd State Level Chief Minister’s Trophy ends successfully Itanagar, Feb 21: The Closing Ceremony of 3rd State Level Chief Minister’s Trophy 2015-16 on Football & Volleyball for the both Men & Women had been organized successfully on Saturday here at Sangay Lhaden Sports Academy, Sports Complex, Chimpu. Shri D.S. Patnaik, IAS, Advisor to His Excellency the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh was the Chief Guest of the occasion. Dani Sallu, Secretary State and Youth Affairs, D.K. Dinglow, Director of Youth Affairs, Tadar Appa, Director of Sports, Gechi Doke, Secretary of Arunachal Football Association, and other officer & officials were present in the Closing Ceremony. In the final match of the men’s football, Capital Complex Vs West Siang remained draw in the normal duration of game which went up to penalty shoot. The Capital Complex won by 4-2 goals against West Siang District. The Goal keeper of the Capital Complex, Tage Pilya defended 2 (two) goal for the team. The scorers of Capital Complex
are Toko Poliam, Rooney Ramching, Gobinso Drai Gyamar, and Kuku and the scorers of West Siang scored one goal each are Limar Loya and Doba Loyi. S l. N o
Final result & cash awards for both men and women’s football & volleyball in the 3rd State Level Chief Minister’s Trophy-2015-16 are given in the table:
N a m e of D istrict
P osition
C a sh A w ard
M E N ’S F O O T B A L L 1
C ap ital C om plex
W inner
5,00,000/-
2
W est S iang
R unner-up
3,00,000/-
3
L im ar L oya Jrsy. N o. 11 (W est Siang)
B est P layer
10,000 /-
W inner
5,00,000/-
W O M E N ’S F O O T B A L L 1
C ap ital C om plex
2
K urun g K um ey
R unner-up
3,00,000/-
3
A chom D egio Jrsy. N o.7 (C apital C om plex)
B est P layer
10,000 /-
M E N ’S V O L L E Y B A L L 1
K ra-D aadi
W inner
2,00,000/-
2
E ast K am eng
R unner-up
1,00,000/-
3
N abam T akio, Jrsy. N o. 9 (K ra-D aadi)
B est P layer
10,000 /-
W O M E N ’S V O L L E Y B A L L 1
L ow er Su bansiri
W inner
2,00,000/-
2
K ra-D aadi
R unner-up
1,00,000/-
3
N abam Y ano, Jrsy no. 5, (Lo w er Su bansiri)
B est P layer
10,000 /-
ness the Statehood Day Celebration.
To mark the Statehood Day, Essay and Drawing Competitions were also conducted in various schools of the circle, informed Yirang. Gaon Burahs were given new Red Coats on the occasion. All the schools under Pagalm Circle actively parcipted in cultural programme on the day. Besides cultural programme, games and sports events were also conducted. (DIPRO)
Union Territory and then to now a full - flagged State. Flag salute from APP and entertaining Band displayed by VKV Tafragam including colourful tribal cultural show, Stall Exhibition and Games & Sports were other attraction of the occasion.
ciaries under Flagship programme of CM Lion Loom scheme from Textile & Handicraft department by Haweli Kri ZPM Tezu were also the part of celebration.
Distribution of LED Television sets each to the Gamburas of Lohit by the DC, Yarn distribution to the local benefi-
afternoon between MLA XI and DC XI where MLA XI thrashed DC XI by 2 – 1 goal to mark the occasion.
pealed the villagers to avail sanitary toilets scheme of PHED deptt. Talking about Trains-Arunachal Highway which is progressing on right track in East Kameng District, he appealed the GBs, PRI members & Public to Co-operate with the executing agency for early completion of the road construction works. While wishing the students going to appear the ensuing CBSE exam, he advised them to study hard to excelled in their academic pursuits. He released the 2nd edition of East Kameng annual newsletters & handbook for GBs & PRI members during the day.
At Pangin
DC also gave away the award to the best cleanliness colony of Seppa town and NGOs under my city my pride. The other highlights of the were the presentation of dance from five tribes of East Kameng District, commendation certificates to Govt staffs, games & sports etc.
At Pasighat Pasighat, Feb 20: With rest parts of the state, East Siang too celebrated the 30th Statehood Day with enthusiasm at the general parade ground, Pasighat here today. The national tri-colour was hoisted by the East Siang Deputy Commissioner Isha Khosla amidst large gathering, followed by Guard of honour by the IRBN Jawans and the event saw people of different tribes showcasing the state's rich cultural diversity. Chief Guest Khosla inaugurated the exhibition stalls, put up by various departments while PMC Chief Councilor Denong Tamuk inaugurated the sports and games event. Addressing the mammoth gathering, Chief Guest Khosla said, "Arunachal Pradesh is naturally blessed and known as the 'Land of the Rising Sun because it is the first Indian State to greet the Sun at dawn". Recalling the political and administrative development and constitutional growth and forma-
Meanwhile, a friendly football match was also played in the
Pangin, Feb 20: The 30th Statehood Day of Arunachal Pradesh was celebrated at Pangin. Addressing a mammoth gathering Dr. N Lego, Deputy Commissioner of Siang district highlighted the evolution of Arunachal Pradesh from a unknown territory to statehood. He appealed to the people of Siang district to avail all the benefits of various welfare programs launched by the state and central government. He termed the government officers and staffs posted in Siang district as the founding members of the newly created district and urged upon them to work hard with full dedication and utmost sincerity to make their names memorable in years to come in the district. The daylong program started with probhatphery by the school children and ended with the prize distribution by the Deputy Commissioner.
tion of modern Arunachal right from the period of Frontier tract, NEFA (North Eastern Frontier Agency), Union Territory in 1972 and full-fledged state hood on 20th Feb, 1987. Our tradition and culture is deeply rooted. Citizens beyond caste and creed should maintain the spirit of 'Unity in Diversity, she added and further appealed to extend full cooperation to the administration in making East Siang a smart district in all fronts. She believes that there are vast potentials in agriculture, horticulture, education, tourism, sports and games etc to lead the state but it's the responsibility of the both, administration and leaders to speed up the pace of development and ensure developmental fruits reach out to the grass-root, added the DC. People should welcome all upcoming development whole-heartedly and participate in state building process. She gave away awards and prizes to the achievers on the occasion.
DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22
PAGE 4
GNRC Hospital launched We are paying more to our workers, Free Ambulance Service says ITA Chairman A.K.Bhargava ET Correspondent Golaghat, Feb 21: Under the initiative taken by Golaghat District Journalist Association the people of Golaghat today got a free ambulance service of GNRC Hospital, Guwahati for cardiac patients. Today a launching ceremony was held at the premises of Golaghat District Journalist Association where state PWD Minister Ajanta Neog flagged off the free ambulance service in presence of MD of GNRC Hospital Dr. Numal Chandra Bora. After the flag off ceremony a meeting was held at the premises where GDJA President, Apurba Ballav Goswami, Chief Adviser, Radhika Ballav Goswami, General Secretary Rohit Gogoi along with
other dignitaries were present. Minister Ajanta Neog in her speech praised the initiative taken by Golaghat District Journalist Association for the greater interest of the public and society and thanked Dr. Numal Chandra Bora for his positive response and for providing this free ambulance service for the people of Golaghat and its nearby areas. This Ambulance is a modern well equipped ambulance with advanced life support, ICU unit having ventilator facilities for cardiac patients. Dr. Numal Chandra Bora in his valuable speech stated about the initiatives taken by the GNRC group in providing free treatment for
AHSTEA passes inquiry order ET Correspondent Rangia, Feb 21: The All Assam Higher Secondary Teacher & Employees' Association passed an inquiry order in respect of incident which took place at Samuguri Higher Secondary School on February during H.S Final Examination2016. A committee constituted Chandeswar Bora, district president of Nawgaon as chairman, Sarbeswar Bora Secretary of Nowgaon, as member Secretary and Pankaj Kumar Nath, Vice
President of Nowgaon district as member of the committee to inquire the whole incident. They have been requested to submit the whole report to Anisur Rahman, General Secretary of All Assam Higher Secondary Teachers & Employees' Association within 7 days. The Association also requested all the members (Teachers) to perform sincere duty so that no such incident take place in near future, stated in a press release.
cardiac and neurology patients and said that most of the patients suffering from cardiac or neurological problems lost their lives on the way to hospital due to far distance and lack of facilities in ambulance for such patients and this ambulance service will reduce such problems. He also added that patients who will be taken to the GNRC by this free ambulance service will have not to spend money in diagnosis or tests. Dr. Bora further said that he is very happy on the thought and initiative taken by Golaghat District Journalist Association and very soon he will set up a Super Specialty Hospital in Golaghat with the theme ' High in Quality, Low in Cost ' and where local youths will get opportunity.
ET Correspondent Jorhat, Feb 21: At a time when there are demands all around to hike wages of tea garden workers, Indian Tea Association Chairman A.K.Bhargava came up with a statement which is bound to further generate reactions from various organizations of Assam. Delivering his lecture at the 126the Annual General Meeting of Assam Branch of Indian Tea Association, held at the Tocklai Tea Research Institute Auditorium here on Saturday evening. Bhargava said that the gardens under the ITA are paying Rs 249 per day to the garden workers which are infact more than what the state government had proposed last year. “We are paying Rs. 249 per day to
the workers who are under our ITA. The package paid to our workers comprises both in cash and in kind benefits, which works out at Rs 249 per day. The state government in its draft proposal last year set the minimum wage at Rs 177.19”, he said. Wages in the tea industry have been traditionally settled through the collective bargaining process, Bhargava said. The Chairman said cash and kind wages integrate holistically to form a wage package. The structure is unique and not comparable to other industries. The industry commits itself to produce quality tea, the phenomenon of un-remunerative prices for teas and high costs of pro-
duction continue unabated. Continuous rise in the cost of essential inputs and employment cost continue to be worrisome for the industry as we set benchmark ourselves to sustainability parameters. On the other hand, it is a good news for the tea industry that the tea industry is planning something very big that to boost the tea export to 500 million kg in coming few years to countries like Kazakhstan, Egypt, Iran, China, US ,Chile, Russia etc. If we could achieve the target then our market will be more to UK, Russia and Germany automatically, the ITA Chairman said. He said India saw a rise in exports last year 22 million kg more than the previous year despite global economic slow-
down. This was due to more orthodox tea being exported from Assam to Russia and Iran. So it is therefore important to increase orthodox tea production, and we are advocating enhancement of subsidy on orthodox tea from Rs 3 to Rs 15. Regarding issue of the climatic change and tropical rainfall pattern Tocklai need to think to give the tea industry a right answer for development of the tea industry, and other artificial irrigation and rain water harvesting as per required by the industry norms. The Chairman of the Assam Branch of Indian Tea Association T. Ahmed highlighted about the threats that has been pointed towards the tea Industry is seriously taken up.
OIL to begin survey in Karbi Anglong ET Correspondent Diphu February 21: The long awaited excavation of oil and natural gas in Karbi Anglong ( Arakan basin) will be shortly undertaken by the government owned Oil India Limited; though the OIL is almost certain about the presence of huge deposit of hydrocarbon in a vastly spared area of this district, this time the explore will be more instance. The official confirmation came on February 5. A team of Duliajan based Oil India officials Diponjoy Daulaguphu, Tridip Hazarika, Diganta Borah, Pallav Borgohain and MR
Deuri met officials of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) and the district administration for two days meeting since they arrived on Feb4. The petroliferous locations identified by surveys in the eastern part of Diphu early are Dilaji, Doldoli, Dhansiri, Rongapahar and Maisibailam areas of Assam-Arakan basin, which is closed to Diphu town the official headquarter of this sixth scheduled tribal district. The autonomous Councial and the district administration assured to provide full police and administrative
support in the hydrocarbon extraction process as the drilling operations will subsequently lend a hand to boost the socio-economic condition of the district as a whole. OIL officials said that the extraction process will start after the ensuing Assam Assembly elections. It is learned that the process of exploration of oil from Karbi Anglong started long back but the militant activity at this high tension difficult hilly terrain area is what has bothered Oil India. “The OIL officials had a meeting with me and the KAAC officials separately
and I have assured all official help and cooperation, it’s a very serious matter all official help will be rendered from my side” Mukul Gogoi, Deputy Commissioner of Karbi Anglong said. On Feb 7, top KAAC delegates met PM Modi at New Delhi demanding separate state comprising Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao, granting special package of Rs 5,000 crore for development of border roads and other infrastructures, direct central funding system to KAAC, immediate settlement with the militant outfit – Karbi Longri NC Hills Liberation Front
(KLNLF) for a peaceful and permanent solution and handing over of all resources of Karbi Anglong under the command of KAAC. The recent political developments may not have direct link with the oil prospect of this district but certainly will have its bearing if the place earns the status as a separate state in near future. “ The team of OIL officials met me recently for discussing security aspects regarding carrying out survey in a vast area, we are ready to extend all cooperation” Debojit Deury Superintendent of Police Karbi Anglong confirmed.
After Rahul, BJP leader APCC President Anjan Dutta asks BJP to clear stand on Hindu Bengali citizenship issue embark on padyatra to AABYF demand Citizenship intensify poll campaign in Titabar Contd. from Page 1
Contd. from Page 1 BJP heavy weights Kamakhaya Prasad Tasa, Rameshwar Teli, former Congress minister and now a prominent BJP leader Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, former MLA Jayanta Mallav BujarBaruah, Dibrugarh MLA Prasanta Phukan, Hitendra Nath Goswami, Hemanta Kalita among others were present during the programme. Most of the BJP speakers heavily flayed the congress for rampant corruption and declared that what congress had done in past fifteen years we will do it in just fifteen months, the speakers Sarbananda Sonowal, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, Jayanta Mallav Baruah
assured the mammoth gathering at the Rajiv Gandhi Sports Complex here today. This is the second BJP meeting at the assembly seat of the Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, where tea voters plays the deciding factor with other tribal voters from the assembly. The BJP leader and former Congress Minister, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma further assured that all developmental activities will start from Titabar soon after the day the BJP comes to power. The people of Titabar welcomed the BJP president Sarbananda Sonowal as the chief minister’s candidate, as Sonowal assured the Sonowal Kachari people for more development in and around the Sonowal Kachari dominated areas of Assam, if BJP comes to power.
No compensation from NHIDCL against loss for four lane at Dergaon Ripul Das Dergaon, Feb 21: The four laning of the existing NH-37 which can be termed as the main artery for connectivity between upper Assam and Guwahati and beyond is going on for quite some time. An ambitious project work on which began during the Vajpayee led NDA government regime, the Guwahati - Nagaon section has almost been completed. On the other hand, work on the Nagaon - Jorhat portion, the Jorhat - Demow portion and Demow Dibrugarh portion has been relatively low. Legal hurdles and change in policies related to land acquisition has been the main cause for the tardy progress. Disputes over holding of government owned land by individuals for years too have slowed down the pace of work. Legal hurdles has caused so much irritation for the implementing agencies that they have started work on the areas excluding the disputed areas. A notice issued by the National High Way Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) by its office file No.NHIDCL/Assam/NH37/
LA (districts)/Oct Dated.14/ 01/2016 to the Competent Land Authority (CLA) of a few districts of upper Assam has not only created confusion among the people but is also likely to further slowdown the process of land acquisition and implementation of the project. This notice directed the Competent Land Authority of Golaghat that no compensation shall be awarded against any loss whether Zirat or structure if it stands in government land alongside of the NH-37 as per new policy of the Central Ministry of High Way and Transport. "It means that if a person had constructed some hotel or dhaba on a roadside government plot by obtaining necessary clearance from the authorities concerned, he or she won't be entitled for any compensation as per the new directive", sources said. It might be mentioned that people had already been paid compensation in same cases earlier in Golaghat district itself. Therefore, the new policy of the government is bound to create more trouble for implementation of the project.
Sonowal said before the Lok Sabha elections that the Hindu Bengalis would be given permanent citizenship but till date their government is mum about the matter. “We should think about the new generation and give them chance in our party because they are the future of Assam,’’ he said. He accused Sarbananda Sonowal alleging that he has created chaos in Assam but dividing them in terms of religion. “Every year we provide blankets to the poor people but this time we are giving more blankets then previous years. But the BJP is not happy that why we should provide blankets to poor people,’’ Dutta said.
He said after Rahul Gandhi’s rally in Sivasagar, BJP has become worried and nervous. “BJP should clear their views on citizenship of Hindu
Bengali. If they really thinks for the community,’’ he stated. He said we are very serious about this vexed issue and our government would do everything to solve the issue. Former Union Minister Paban Singh Ghatowar started his speech in bengali to woo the Bengali voters of the area and asked them not to vote for BJP in the upcoming Assembly election because they would not give you anything other than false promises. He said that when he was the Union Minster he have given many funds for the Bengali schools in Dibrugarh. “Before general election BJP were against the land-swap deal with Bangladesh and said we won’t give any inch of our land to Bangladesh. But after Modi government came to power the land agreement deal with Bangladesh was signed,’’ alleged Ghatowar. He said BJP have said that if they come to power they would oust illegal Bangladeshi
from Assam. “With the instruction of RSS the BJP have treated a tension like atmosphere in Assam by curbing every individual’s rights by bounding them to follow their ideology. But we oppose this kind of fascist rule in Assam,’’ he added. Chandan Mazumdar member of linguistic minority said, “We were used by BJP to fulfill their own motives but now we have understood their motives very well how they used us before the election by making false promises,’’. He added for two consecutive time we have voted for BJP to comes to power in Dibrugarh constituency. “Citizenship is our genuine demand, we want to discuss with Sarbananda Sonowal about the issue but they didn’t want to discuss. We need equal rights and opportunities in Assam,’’ Mazumdar added. Ticket aspirants Sanjib Sur, Chandra Kanta Baruah, District Congress President Anwar Hussain were present among others during the meeting.
for Hindu Bengali
Contd. from Page 1
Nirmal Kanti Seal, General Secretary of AABYF said, “Both the government have used us like a ‘disposal glass’ and played politics with us. In the name of NRC genuine citizen are harassed. Therefore, we urge upon the Tarun Gogoi led government to stop harassment,’’. He added in 40 constituencies the hindu bengalis have majority and hence have the capacity to poll equations in Assam, anytime. The association said that everybody knows that why we have came from Bangladesh after facing religious persecution. “D-voter should be clear up and centre should take some
firm move for proving citizenship right to Hindu Bengali. Stop playing politics with us,’’ AABYF said. The Federation said how the peoples are living in detention camp which is worst. “One girl who is living for last ten years in the detention camp in a pathetic condition but demanding she gets the opportunity to study. We are facing such kind of behavior from the centre,’’ Seal added. The Federation said we are equally working hand to hand with the other communities for the greater interest of Assam. “Within one month if the BJP government would not clear their stand against the citizenship issue then we would intensify our movement,’’ Dey added.
Rangia Inquiry order by AHSTEA ET Correspondent Rangia Feb 21: The All Assam Higher Secondary Teacher & Employees' Association passed an inquiry order in respect of incident took place at Samuguri H S School on February during H S Final Examination-2016. A committee was also constituted with Chandeswar Bora, district president of Nawgaon as chairman, Sarbeswar Bora Secretary of Nowgaon, as member Secretary and Pankaj Kumar Nath Vice President of Nowgaon district as member of the committee to inquire the whole incident. They have been requested to submit the whole report to Anisur Rahman G S of All Assam Higher Secondary Teachers & Employees' Association with in 7 days.The Association also requested all the members( Teachers) to perform significant sincere duty so that no such incident will be taken place in near future.This is stated in a press Release of the Association.
Centre to start work on AIIMS in Assam soon : Union health minister J.P.Nadda A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Feb 21: The Centre has already announced setting up an AIIMS in Assam and work on it will start soon, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J P Nadda said here today. "A new AIIMS has been announced for Assam by our government and very soon the work on the project will start," Nadda said after laying the foundation of a super speciality block under PMSSY at the Guwahati Medical College. "Our government has also decided to upgrade the district hospitals at Nagaon, North Lakhimpur and Dhubri to the status of medical colleges," the Minister said. He said Rs 189 crore would be sanctioned for each of these colleges and as a first instalment Rs 22 crore had already been given to the state government. Since May 2014, more than Rs 1,567 crore had been released for Assam under the National Health Mission (NHM). The Minister said under the upgradation project of the Guwahati Medical College, Super Speciality Department of Pediatrics Surgery, Haematology, Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal (GI) Surgery, Endocrinology and Burns and Plastic Surgery would be created. This would add 190 beds, 60 ICU beds, 6 OTs to the institute at an approved cost of Rs 150 crore. The foundation stone of a similar project had also been laid at the Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh, on February 12 last and tertiary care facilities would thus get a boost with all these projects coming up, the Minister said. "Assam has shown progress on all fronts and I believe that these new initiatives shall improve healthcare facilities in the state," he said.
2 days Arunachal Pradesh Hospitality Workshop begins Preparing Arunachal Pradesh for 2017 IYSTD Maksam Tayeng Pasighat, Feb 21: A 2 days workshop on housekeeping utilities and food beverage service for home-stay, hoteliers and lodges of Siang Circuit began here today at Siang Guest House being attended by representatives of hoteliers and home stays from Pasighat, Aalo and Mechuka besides a group of tourism studying students. The workshop which is being carried out extensively in the state by the tourism department is to prepare Arunachal Pradesh for the 2017 International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development (IYSTD). The Arunachal Pradesh Hospitality Workshop
(Series: February 2016) is being organized by the Department of Tourism, Government of Arunachal Pradesh in coordination with Association for Conservation & Tourism (ACT). The resource persons from ACT namely Soumyadeep Datta, Supratim (Raj) Basu and S.S. Kar from ITDC (Manager, Hotel Donyi
Polo Ashok, Itanagar) trained and taught the various attendants about the ways and means of housekeeping utilities and food beverage services in the context of attracting tourists. While speaking about the importance of promoting tourism, Datta urged the
attendants to take up measures to conserve forest and wildlife as well, as tourism is grossly connected with nature. Arunachal being the hottest biodiversity in the continent today need to be maintained so that no harm is made to Mother Nature as these biodiversity is the biggest attraction worldwide to-
day. By bringing forward the traditional food and marketing it after adding extra effort on it would be also an attraction to the tourists said the Basu. According to them, the importance of tea was realized only after coming of British in India when they took it forward before the world and merchandise it, but the team was in used by the people from this region even before coming of foreigners. Kar from ITDC also enlightened the attendants about the need of developing more skill on hospitality while putting light on how to run or manage a hotel, lodge or homestay.
The workshop from the department of tourism is being actively led by Assistant Director, Bengia Manna and District Tourism Officer, Pasighat, Nuyee Talong and Tourism Information Officer Yedi Duyir B. Other government officials like Soil Conservation Officer, RWC N.D. Pubiyang also attended the workshop and the found the knowledge sharing worthwhile. The workshop will end tomorrow after covering some other aspects and distribution of certificates which will possibly done by DC Pasighat, informed officials from tourism.
PAGE 5
REGION
DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22
ONGC board approves Biman attacks TMC on silence over JNU incident Rs 5,050-cr investment in Tripura Agartala,Feb 21:Investment of Rs.5,050 crore in Tripura for drilling of wells and creation of surface facilities to produce 5.1 mmscmd gas from the state's fields.The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas has announced to develop northeast region as a dominant hydrocarbon hub as part of its Hydrocarbon Vision 2030, the statement said."In line with this vision, ONGC management has put their first foot forward and approved additional investment of Rs 3,104 crore for drilling of wells and creation of surface facilities to produce 5.1 mmscmd gas from Tripura fields," the press release issued by Tripura Asset of ONGC said.The board meeting held at New
Delhi on February 11, had taken this decision. "Earlier in 2008, ONGC board had approved for investment of Rs.1,946 crore for the same and total approved investment in Tripura will be Rs.5,050 crore," the release said.As a result of geological mapping and exploratory efforts, so far 11 gas fields are discovered by ONGC in Tripura and of these seven fields are on production. ONGC Tripura Asset is carrying out its drilling activities with three owned rigs under operation and well servicing operations through two workover rigs.An additional four to five hired rigs are expected to be under operation in this year which will step up the exploration activities, the statement said. (Agencies)
Kolkata,Feb 21:Left Front chairman Biman Bose lashed out at the Trinamool Congress for remaining “silent” on the JNU incident and assault on the student union leader Kanhaiya Kumar when the issue assumed countrywide protests and alleged that the secret pact of the party with the BJP was again exposed. 'We find a deep-rooted conspiracy in the JNU row, police crackdown, attack on the student union leader, his arrest on charge of sedition as well as the saffron
party's raid on Ajay Bhavan (CPI-M central committee office in Delhi)', Bose said.
ties'. The LF chairman slammed the Trinamool Congress for not issuing any statement to deplore the JNU incident as well as the arrest of and attack on Kanhaiya Kumar. Left Front will take to street on Sunday with a march from Mahajati Sadan to the Bhasha Sahid udyan at Surendranath Park to protest the barbaric police attack and undemocratic stance of the BJP government towards the JNU students.( Agencies)
Left Front chairman Biman Bose lashed out at the Trinamool Congress for remaining “silent” on the JNU incident and assault on the student union leader Kanhaiya Kumar when the issue assumed countrywide protests and alleged that the secret pact of the party with the BJP was again exposed
Students and alumni in Nagaland to hold JNU solidarity walk on Feb 22
Police saves the day for a girl student
Drawing a similarity in the unrest in JNU in Delhi and the Jadavpur University in Kolkata, the CPI-M veteran said 'in both the places, the left student activists and leaders were subjected to attacks by the RSS, BJP and the saffron partybacked people and the governments in the centre and the state are instrumental in fuelling the passion'. Bose said that
Gaariwala to open 4th IISFF 2016 Imphal, Feb 21: Gaariwala will open the 4th Imphal International Short Film Festival (IISFF) 2016 which will be held around the Second Week of March this year.Gariwala, directed by Asharaf Shishir from Bangladesh, has already won 24 International Awards. "Telang-Gaa", a Meeteilon film, directed by a young woman filmmaker, Babina Chabungbam, will close the film festival, a press release from the organisers of the film festival informed. The organizers have also invited Short Filmmakers from the state to submit their works to be part of the festival. "IISFF encourages drama, documentary, and animation short films, while providing all filmmakers with the same exposure and benefits as their peers," their release stated.The organizers have so far selected 100 films for the 4th edition from around 200 film submissions. Out of this 100, 40 films will be selected for the screening, it informed. The officially selected 100 films will be part of the competition section and viewed by juries, nominated by the Hosting Company, Legend Studio and the organisers, ASA Manipur.The theme for the
two-day event is "Promoting the Unheard Voice". "We are supporting an association based in Manipur who are working for the uplift of the Differentlyabled persons, The Disabled Development Association Manipur (DDAM)," Festival Director Mohen Naorem was quoted as saying. Naorem added that the 4th Edition of the festival is unique as many films dealing with social issues like Transgender, Problems of Girls in Haryana, Kashmir Conflict, Cultural Conflict etc. will be screened.The festival since its inception has not screened Hindi films due to the ban imposed by some organizations in Manipur. However, continuing its tradition of promoting regional cinemas, the festival will have films made in Bangali, Tamil, Malayalam, Marathi, Kashmiri, Nepali, Meeteilon, Haryanvi and Telegu. Countries like UK, USA, Germany, Spain, Russia, Japan, China, Bangladesh etc. will also participate in the festival, it informed.The festival will award the Best Short Film, Best Documentaries and Best Animations, Special Mentions along with the Best Director. (Agencies)
Gaariwala will open the 4th Imphal International Short Film Festival (IISFF) 2016
Fencing work on track, says BSF Shillong,Feb 21: The ongoing fencing work in Meghalaya sector of IndoBangla border is likely to be completed by June this year.Indicating this here on yesterday, the outgoing Inspector General of BSF, Meghalaya Frontier, Sudesh Kumar said that the fencing work was being monitored at the top level. Reacting to a query regarding the gaps along the porous border, he said that presently BSF is manning those gaps which are not feasible to be plugged. According to Kumar, the BSF headquarter is working on a technical solution on those gaps."Once the technology is finalized it will be implemented throughout the country," he said.
When asked about the large scale smuggling of cattle to Bangladesh through Meghalaya, he informed that steps have been taken to tackle this menace. On Garo Hills situation, Kumar predicted that militancy won't last long in that region.Kumar, who left for New Delhi on Saturday following his transfer, said that Meghalaya police have been able to bring situation under control through counter-insurgency operations in the last six months.He also pointed out that Border Guard Bangladesh has been extending full cooperation to BSF in border management.Kumar's new assignment is IG ( ADM ) in BSF headquarters in New Delhi. (Agencies)
Students and alumni in Nagaland to hold JNU solidarity walk on Feb 22 Dimapur, Feb 21: Alumni of the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi (JNU), along with students and alumni from all central universities, in Nagaland State have decided to come out in solidarity with their alma mater and its students.In view of the events unfolding out of the incident that happened at JNU recently, the JNU Alumni Nagaland along with friends and well wishers have organised a
solidarity walk and a sitin programme on Monday, February 22 from 3:00pm to 4:00pm, starting from the DC Court junction. People concerned by the current atmosphere in the country are welcome to join the programme.A press note from the alumni today stated that the programme will highlight the curtailment of freedom of speech, particularly of educational institutions across the
Left Front chairman Biman Bos it was clear from Kanhaiya Kumar's statement that he never raised any anti-India slogan, 'rather it has been noted
in the TV footages that ABVP activists committed the mischief to put the left student leaders and others in difficul-
country, growing intolerance in India, attack on the democratic and secular ethos of the Constitution and the attack on the media.
siveness where different ideas are discussed and debated and often questions received knowledge and ideas that may be uncomfortable."
In a statement released to the press earlier, concerned students and alumni of JNU in Nagaland State said that since the arrest of the JNU Students' Union President, Kanhaiya Kumar, the University has been branded as a "space of anti-nationals, terrorists and Maoists and its normal functioning has been suspended.""As a result of the above incident, JNU community has faced accusations and threat to our physical safety within and beyond the campus," noted the Nagaland alumni and students of the prestigious University.JNU, they asserted, "epitomizes" unity in diversity.
While every individual, group or party has the fundamental right to freedom of expression, the alumni questioned the wisdom of the members of the BJP, Nagaland unit, in holding a protest rally (and the proposed upcoming campaign) to tarnish JNU and its intellectual, progressive and democratic ethos that have been built over the decades.
"It is a space of inclu-
"We also question the wisdom of office bearers of the Nagaland unit, when the State at the Centre endorses the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, curb the right to food habits, religious freedom, cuts on education funds, aims to establish a homogeneous idea of nation based on
Hindutva ideology," affirmed the concerned citizens.They further maintained that they do not endorse the aforementioned slogans and condemned the "propaganda of slander to defame JNU, the use of physical force, and the curbs on freedom of expression, the disregard for rule of law within and beyond the JNU campus. "The citizens, who resolved to stand by affirmative policies for the upliftment of the weak and poor sections of society, minority rights, justice, democracy and freedom of expression under the provisions of the Constitution, appealed to the local media to ascertain facts before publication to avoid undue defamation of the institution and aggravating the situation, also holding it true for coverage and reporting on other issues. (Agencies)
Man stabbed to death in Imphal Imphal,Feb 21:A man was allegedly murdered last night on the outskirts of Imphal following which the police have arrested an accused couple.Chingakham Panchom, 40, was found stabbed to death in his courtyard at Andro Khoibu Shantipur under Imphal East around 10 pm yesterday, according to police
reports.Yumkhaibam Kulachandra and his wife Y Tejbati Devi have been charged with murder in the slaying of Chingakham Panchom and that a case has been registered at Andro Police Station over the murder and it has started taking up legal action against the couple.The deceased is stated to be the second husband of Y
Tejbati Devi. The wife of a restaurant owner and two customers were injured when unidentified men opened fire on them inside the restaurant at Khurai Angom Leikai in the district yesterday.The incident happened at Ningthibi Restaurant around 11:30 am. The restaurant is owned by one Laishram Senapati
Singh. Sources said the attack was carried out by three armed youths who came on a Honda Activa scooter. The unknown gunmen first attacked a youth who was sitting with a girl who was also shot at and then they attacked the wife of the restaurant owner inside the restaurant.Laishram Romita Devi, 37, wife of
the restaurant owner, received three bullet injuries in her abdomen in the gun attack while Yumnam Suraj, 25, and his companion, a 17year-old girl, sustained minor injuries.Romita is undergoing treatment in critical condition at Raj Medicity here since the incident. No group has claimed responsibility. (Agencies)
Satyarthi keen to work with Mamata on child rights issues. Kolkata,Feb 21:Citing that the Union budgetary allocation for the children as inadequate, Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi on Saturday demanded that the Centre must increase the allocation for retaining the socio-economic growth of the country.During an interactive session with the media here in the city, Satyarthi also expressed his willingness to work with the Mamata Banerjee government on child rights issues. Satyarthi said:“ It is unfortunate that only four per cent of the country's budgetary allocation is for issues pertaining to children. The government must prioritise its needs especially at a time when 41 per cent of the country's population is below 18 years of age.”It
must be noted that the increased allocation must be aimed at the covering issues of children's welfare; health, education and protection, Nobel Peace prize winner further added.Stating that child labour is nonnegotiable Satyarthi demanded amendment in the existing child labour law. He asserted that the present laws are obsolete, redundant and weak. He mentioned that the Centre must make adequate provisions to adopt the global agenda of UN General Assembly on child labour which India is one of the signatories. Satyarthi also demanded the setting up of special courts in each district of every state in India to
be launched by the end of this year. The campaign is aimed at making 100 million children or youth (globally) the spokespersons and voices for another 100 million children who are exploited, abused and deprived of their childhood,” he stated.
Nobel Peace laureate Kailash Satyarthi dispose of cases relating violation of child rights or sexual abuse of children. Convictions in such cases are abysmally low in the country. Meanwhile, the Nobel Laureate announced his
ambitious campaign “Hundred million to hundred million ”. The project is an online as well as offline programme which will
Satyathi viewed that if just one generation is addressed through this programme the rest will follow. He mentioned that the details of the campaign are being worked on.Referring to the increase in the incidents of intolerance and violence among the youth Satyarthi feels energies are not used in the proper way. Such incidents, he said, are becoming common place in Europe and the USA as well. (Agencies)
Shillong,Feb 21: The active intervention of police from Sadar PS helped in averting the crime against a girl student on Saturday.According to police, a girl and three boys- all students from a college outskirts of citywere in an inebriated condition when they were looking for a room in a city hotel at night. All the four students had gone to book a particular hotel where a rape incident involving police personnel from the police station of Hima Mylliem at Barabzar reportedly took place recently. Police said that after seeing the condition of the students, the hotel owner refused to provide any room.Being suspicious, the passers-by informed the police about the matter and before the students could get into any other hotel, they were handed over to the college authorities by police after proper identification. Police have urged the public to bring to the notice of the police any such incidents in future. (Agencies)
BJP 'systematically destroying' democratic institutions: NPCC Kohima, Feb 21: The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has stated that the JNU issue is a "pre-meditated program" of the RSS and BJP to shut down the institution."They are systematically destroying the democratic institutions," stated President of NPCC, K Therie in a press release, listing the attack by the RSS on educational institutions such as FTII, TERI and students like Rohit Vemula. He also alleged that they BJP's ministers are advocating the Gita to be declared as the 'National Holy Book.'"The growing of BJP is dangerous to the nation and especially to the minority communities like us," the NPCC President reiterated. "The RSS Chief is saying that the Tri-colour National Flag is not required and should be replaced by saffron colour. Should we support such a move? Should we allow to happen or stand together to stop from happening?" he wondered while condemning the attitude of the BJP Government for "systematically destroying the democratic institutions." (Agencies)
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22
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Jat agitation: Centre asks Haryana Govt. to ensure water supply is not disrupted New Delhi, Feb. 21: With Delhi heading for a water crisis due to the Jat agitation in Haryana, the Centre on Sunday asked the Manohar Lal Khattar-led government to ensure that the water supply to the national capital is not disrupted.Cabinet Secretary P.K. Sinha today again reviewed the situation in Haryana arising out of the Jat agitation.Sinha spoke to Chief Secretary,
Haryana, in a video conference along with the concerned Central Government Ministries. "Cabinet Secretary said that water supply to Delhi should be the top priority and all measures should be taken to ensure that no disruption in water supply takes place. He directed the authorities to take stringent action against those indulging in violence and other antisocial activities," Government of India spokesper-
Centre asks Haryana Govt. to ensure water supply is not disrupted
son Frank Noronha said."It was informed that the situation is fast returning to normalcy. The Civil
Administration is effectively strengthened by Paramilitary Forces and Army columns have restored law and order in affected districts," he added.Noronha further said that the blocked road between Rewari and Jhajjar has been opened, adding that other road blockades across the state are being cleared fast.Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said there is no water left in Delhi and added that
the crisis is expected to prolong for at least two days. Kejriwal said he is in talks with the Haryana Government to resume water supply from the Munak canal.Asserting that Delhi needs to gear up to battle the severe water crisis, he added that barring the President, Prime Minister, CJI, defence installations, hospitals and the fire brigade, the remaining water will be rationed equally across Delhi. (ANI)
With Delhi heading for a water crisis due to the Jat agitation in Haryana, the Centre on Sunday asked the Manohar Lal Khattar-led government to ensure that the water supply to the national capital is not disrupted
Pampore encounter: Another CRPF jawan martyred as death toll reaches five
Pampore encounter: 'I could not be more proud', says father of slain Army captain
Srinagar, Feb. 21 : At least three Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans, one Army Captain and a civilian died as the death toll in the encounter in Pampore reached five on Sunday.An Army paramilitary captain identified as Pawan Kumar was killed in the ongoing encounter with militants.The CRPF, local police and the Army have been engaging with the terrorists since last evening in which two CRPF jawans were martyred and 11 personnel were injured.
Jind, Feb. 21 : 'No father can be prouder', said 10 Para Army Captain Pawan Kumar's father Rajbir Singh on Sunday, as his son was martyred today morning in the ongoing encounter in Pampore, Jammu and Kashmir."I had one child, I gave him to the Army and to the nation. No father can be prouder," Singh said.Twenty-twoyear-old Kumar succumbed to his injuries today after he led a troop that stormed the EDI Complex last night, in which two to three mili-
The terrorists has opened fire on a CRPF bus near the Entrepreneurship Development Institute following which many civil-
ians were left trapped in the building.A hostage crisis was avoided as all the occupants of the building were safely evacuated by security forces.A large contingent of security forces were rushed to the spot to tackle the situation as they cordoned off the area.Driver/Constable R.K.Raina and Head Constable Bhola Prasad Singh have been martyred in the attack.Among those injured are Constable Rakesh Kumar, Constable Kanhaiya, Constable Sanjeev Kamania, Head Constable Muneem, Constable Thakur, Constable Raju Thakur, Constable Baruna Thakur, Constable J.Negi and Parma Thakur. (ANI)
JNU row: Ex-servicemen participate in unity march
Ex-servicemen participate in unity march New Delhi, Feb. 21 : Scores of ex-servicemen and people from various walks of life on Sunday participated in a unity march against the alleged anti-national sloganeering on the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus over the hanging of 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. The protest was organised under the banner "March For Unity To Save The Country". "People from all walks of life have come here to join this protest against the anti-national sloganeering on the JNU campus. The protest has been organised by an apolitical group 'People for Nation' to sup-
port nation's spirit," said one of the protestors."They should support India because this is the country which feeds us," he added.Another protestor said any sloganeering against the nation is condemnable."And that is why the people of Delhi have come out on the streets in large numbers," he added.Major General (Retd.) Dhruv C. Katoch had yesterday said the rally has been organised by an apolitical group 'People for Nation'.The march, which began at the Raj Ghat at 10.30 a.m., will culminate with a public meeting at the Parliament Street here. (ANI)
Michigan shooting: Six killed, gunman still at large Washington D.C., Feb. 21: At least six people were killed during a shooting spree by an unidentified gunman in Kalamazoo County, Michigan on Sunday. A total of nine people were shot in three locations in which two people are critical and one is in serious condition.The first shooting occurred when a woman was shot four times in an apartment complex parking lot.Shortly after that, three people were shot a
car dealership in which two of the three were killed.Then four people in two cars were shot outside a restaurant a few miles away from the dealership.Three of them were killed; the fourth, a teenager, is in critical condition, authorities said.All three shooting incidents appear to be related, authorities say.The police say the suspect, believed to be a white man in his 50s, is still at large and they are also looking for a dark blue or silver Chevrolet HHR. (ANI)
cessful operations in which three terrorists were killed.
Pawan Kumar tants are believed to be holed up.The captain, who hails from Jind, Haryana, is from 10 Parachute Regiment and has been part of two suc-
At least three Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans, one Army Captain and a civilian died as the death toll in the encounter in Pampore reached five on Sunday.An Army paramilitary captain identified as Pawan Kumar was killed in the ongoing encounter with militants.The CRPF, local police and the Army have been engaging with the terrorists since last
evening in which two CRPF jawans were martyred and 11 personnel were injured.Driver/ Constable R.K.Raina and Head Constable Bhola Prasad Singh have been martyred in the attack.Among those injured are Constable Rakesh Kumar, Constable Kanhaiya, Constable Sanjeev Kamania, Head Constable Muneem, Constable Thakur, Constable Raju Thakur, Constable Baruna Thakur, Constable J.Negi and Parma Thakur. (ANI)
US 'supportive' of developments between India, Pakistan ties Lahore, Feb. 21 : The United States has said that it would support any decisions made towards developing ties between Indian and Pakistan as the Prime Ministers of both nations are set to meet in the US capital next month."We're supportive of any decisions that could be made for this to take place," US State Department spokesman, Mark Toner said when asked if the United States was involved in efforts to arrange a meeting between the two South Asian leaders. Diplomatic observers in Washington say that the United States, India and Pakistan are quietly exploring the possibility of a meeting between Prime Ministers Nawaz Sharif and Narendra Modi when the two leaders visit Washington next month.
Both the Prime Ministers have accepted US President Barack Obama's invitation to attend a nuclear summit which is being hosted by the White House on March 31 and April 1."Certainly, we remain engaged with the Indian government. We want to see this entire effort move forward," Toner added.Both Prime Minister Modi and Sharif have had three meetings so farToner also lauded Pakistan's efforts to fight terrorists, highlighting that no country was more affected by terrorism than Pakistan."I can't speak specifically to ISIL's presence or non-presence in Pakistan. I can say that we've seen elements of ISIL or ISIL-affiliated groups spring up in Afghanistan. I mean, they look for ungoverned spaces. There are parts of Paki-
US 'supportive' of developments between India, Pakistan ties stan that are havens for some of these terrorist organisations," Toner said.He said the United States 'fully recognised Pakistani commitment to pushing back and fighting these terrorists'."No
one's more affected by terrorism than the people of Pakistan, and we're going to continue to support them, whether it's ISIL or other terrorist groups operating on their soil," Toner added. (ANI)
The United States has said that it would support any decisions made towards developing ties between Indian and Pakistan as the Prime Ministers of both nations are set to meet in the US capital next month."
Students awarded degrees at 4th convocation of MRIU Faridabad, Feb.21 : Manav Rachna International University (MRIU) held its 4th Convocation at the MRIU campus on Sunday. More than 1300 (graduate, post-graduate, PhD) meritorious students were awarded degrees by K. V. Chowdary, Central Vigilance Commissioner who was the chief guest on the occasion. 28 gold medals and merit certificates were also awarded to meritorious students by the chief guest.The convocation began with the ceremonial academic procession led by K. V. Chowdary; Satya Bhalla, Chief Patron, Manav Rachna Educational Institutions (MREI), Dr. Prashant Bhalla, President, MREI, Dr. Amit Bhalla, VP, MREI, Dr. N C Wadhwa,
with discipline and dynamism, you are bound to achieve your desired goals," he said. "We need to rebuild the ethical standards of our country for a corruption free society," said K.V. Chowdary.
Manav rachna international university (mriu) held its 4th convocation at the mriu campus VC, MRIU and senior office functionaries of the University, Directors and Faculty Members.In his Convocation address, K. V. Chowdary praised Manav Rachna International University for changing the education landscape of the state and for its significant contribution in bringing many International and National
Laurels, not just for the state of Haryana but also for the Country. Congratulating the students on this momentous occasion, he urged them to work towards the upliftment of the nation."Once you seek out a purpose in life, nothing is impossible. For, with determination comes dedication, and equipped
Dr. Prashant Bhalla expressed his deep admiration for the students with the following words of wisdom: "Graduation is both a concept and a process. It is a concept because in real life you graduate every day. It has always been our endeavor at Manav Rachna to provide our students with the opportunities to evolve as dignified professionals and better human beings. Use your education to the best to serve humanity and come out with flying colours in life." (ANI)
Jat delegation to meet Rajnath again
Jat delegation to meet Rajnath New Delhi, Feb. 21 : With the agitation by the Jats in Haryana showing no signs of subsiding, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is set to meet the leaders from the community yet again on Sunday.The Jat and Khap leaders from Haryana will meet Rajnath at his residence at 3 p.m.After the meeting yesterday, the delegation had said that they were waiting for the formation of a committee which would review the reservation demands of their community. "We had four demands; compensation for those who have died, return of complain, the reservation should be implemented and we demand action on the officers who have ordered firing," a
Jat leader told the media after the meeting. "They have told us that they would be forming a committee by tomorrow which would review the reservation demand," he added.When asked about their course of action, the Jat leaders said they await the formation of the committee as assured by the government.The Jats leaders appealed to the people of Haryana to maintain peace in the region, saying violence would not lead to any solution.Meanwhile, former Haryana chief minister B.S. Hooda is on a hunger strike at the Jantar Mantar in Delhi, as an appeal to the protesting Jat community to maintain law and order and call off the agitation. (ANI)
Congress targets PM Modi over Jat violence in Haryana Lucknow, Feb. 21 : The Congress Party on Sunday held the BJP Government responsible for the agitation by members of the Jat community in Haryana and criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for failing to bring the situation under control."The situation in Haryana is deliberately being deteriorated by the ruling Modi government. The situation in the national capital has become so grim that the water may not be available from tomorrow," Congress leader Pramod
Tiwary told ANI "The BJP government in Haryana is provoking the conflict between the communities, I would like to ask the Prime Minister Modi to hand over the powers to others if he is not able to manage the situation," he added.Five protesters were killed in firing by the security forces in Haryana on Saturday.The death toll in the Jat quota agitation increases to six.The situation continued to remain tense in several parts of Haryana on Sunday. (ANI)
Beef controversy resurfaces, this time in AMU Aligarh, Feb. 21 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders here have asked the police to take stern action against what they claimed was 'beef biryani' being allegedly served in the canteen of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College on the campus at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).Local BJP leaders, led by the mayor of Aligarh, met the SP (City) yesterday to file a complaint and seek a probe into the allegations.The University has refused the allegations saying that the biryani contained only buffalo meat. "Beef has not been served in the canteen. It is the meat of buffalo which gets served. AMU officials also said that cow meat has been banned here since 1884 during the time AMU founder Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. He had even appealed to Muslims to shun cow slaughter during Bakrid, and when the Muslims of Bareilly followed
his advice, he thanked them," a university official told ANI.Mayor Shakuntala Bharti, of the BJP, however, alleged that the biryani contained cow meat, and that the menu board had separate entries mentioning and beef biryani."We have submitted a complaint to SP City, Aligarh, seeking probe and subsequent action into the matter. When cow meat and cow slaughter is banned, how can it be served in AMU?" Bharti asked."We have served an ultimatum of 24 hours to either take action or we will take the matter ahead," she added.The police have said that a complaint has been registered in this regard and they would conduct an enquiry."Few people came to the police station complaining that there was beef served in the canteen of the Aligarh Muslim University. A complain has been registered and enquiry would be done," a police official said. (ANI)
Beef controversy resurfaces, this time in AMU
DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22
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NEIGHBOURS
Foolproof security for Language Day celebration in Bangladesh Dhaka,Feb 21:Security has been beefed up in Dhaka to ensure hasslefree celebration of International Mother Language Day today to commemorate the supreme sacrifice by the students for Bangla language on February 21, 1952.President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Raushan Ershad will lead the nation to pay homage at the Central Shaheed Minar at zero hour.They will place floral wreath at the national monument located between Dhaka University and Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Tens of thousands others will follow them. On February 21, 1952,
dozens of students and political activists were killed when the Pakistani police force opened fire on protesters who were demanding equal status for their native tongue, Bengali.The massacre occurred near Dhaka Medical College and Ramna Park in Dhaka.
Delhi High Court to examine plea on Indo-Pak LoC trade policy
NRA seeks detailed plan from ministries
New Delhi,Feb 21: The Delhi High Court has agreed to examine a plea seeking immediate steps to check violation of Line of Control (LoC) trade policy between India and Pakistan.A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath asked the Centre to respond within four weeks on the plea which sought direction to ensure that items like almonds are not illegally imported in contravention to LoC policy."Respond to the averments raised in petition within four weeks," the court said and listed the matter for April 4. The court order came on a plea by Association of Agro Importers and Indo Foreign Chamber of Commerce, which came in appeal against the single judge's October 2015 decision, by which their petition seeking directions to the authorities concerned to take requisite measures to implement policy of LoC trade was dismissed.It also urged to ensure that the items under the policy are not imported in contravention to LoC trade policy, besides direction to exclude import of almonds from the policy."The said directions were sought in view of the rampant and undeterred misuse of LoC trade policy between India and Pakistan." the plea claimed.It said the single judge had dismissed the association's petition while "ignoring the procedure and guidelines", which are of great concern for honest almond traders. The plea sought setting aside of the LoC trade policy to the extent that the same applies to almonds.It also sought order for complete ban on imports into India of almonds under the cross LoC trade policy. (Agencies)
KL: MoU with Dhaka to remain unaffected Dhaka,Feb 21:The Malaysian government's decision to suspend recruitment of foreign workers from all countries will not affect the validity of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Malaysia and Bangladesh, Malaysian Human Resource Minister Richard Riot has said.The Malaysian minister made the statement on Saturday, reports the country's national news agency Bernama.Malaysia on Friday decided to suspend recruitment of all foreign workers, including those from Bangladesh, just a day after signing an MoU with Dhaka on allowing 1.5 million Bangladeshis to find work in the country. The Southeast Asian country's Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced the suspension of recruiting foreign workers and called on employers to recruit locals instead."It clearly reflects the government's priority in providing employment opportunities for local workers.Terming the Malaysian government's decision to freeze on foreign workers' intake a positive move, Richard Riot said: "Further details on the decision to freeze foreign workers recruitment will be announced by the g o v e r n m e n t . " H o w e v e r, Bangladeshi authorities are yet to receive any official statement from Malaysia in this regard. (Agencies)
A makeshift monument was erected on February 23 by students of University of Dhaka and other educational institutions, but soon demolished on February 26 by the Pakistani police force. The monument was rebuilt after Bangladesh's independence in 1971.Different social, political, cultural and student organisation have
Kathmandu, Feb 21: As part of its preparation to formulate a five-year action plan for reconstruction of earthquake-ravaged houses and infrastructure, the National Reconstruction Authority has asked key concerned ministries to present a detailed action plan at the earliest in accordance with the recently endorsed reconstruction policy.The authority, the central body responsible for postquake reconstruction and rehabilitation, has asked
Foolproof security for Language Day celebration chalked out elaborate programme to mourn the language martyrs.BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, who did not turn up to the Shaheed Minar last year on the zero hour because of her non-stop blockade actions, is likely to turn up to the monument to pay homage to the heroes.On this day in 1952, Salam, Barkat,
the Urban Development, Federal Affairs and Local Development, Education, Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation, Education, and Health Ministries to submit their action plans for rebuilding infrastructure under their watch. "We have urged all the ministries to submit detailed action plans in writing at the earliest based on the reconstruction policy," said acting NRA Secretary Madhusudan Adhikari. The authority has re-
Rafique, Jabbar and some other brave hearts laid down their lives for recognition of Bangla as an official language.The government of the then Pakistan granted Bangla the status of official language in 1956. In 2000, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
cently finalised the policy on how to begin reconstruction works and channelise funds for the quake survivors. The ministries had presented the details on the damage of infrastructure during the preparation of the Post-disaster Needs Assessment. This time, the authority has sought detailed plans for reconstruction projects. The NRA plans to formulate a five-year action plan before beginning reconstruction. "We need key ministry's action plans
Organisation (UNESCO) declared 21 February as International Mother Language Day.The day is a public holiday. The national flag will be flown half-mast atop all government, autonomous and private buildings.Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia on Saturday the entire Shaheed Minar area will be under foolproof security arrangements.Police installed adequate num-
ber of Close Circuit Cameras to monitor the scene. Vehicular movements in the area will be off-limited to facilitate the people to pay homage hassle-free.Some 8,000 policemen in uniforms and 1,000 plainclothes men will be deployed, he saidHe said the people from all walks of life will be allowed to enter the area after the President, Prime Minister and other VIPs leave the scene. (Agencies)
Security has been beefed up in Dhaka to ensure hassle-free celebration of International Mother Language Day today to commemorate the supreme sacrifice by the students for Bangla language on February 21, 1952
before finalising our own," said Adhikari.The authority, which has symbolically begun the national reconstruction campaign by laying the foundation stone of a temple in Kathmandu in mid-January, has set the target of beginning actual reconstruction in all the villages of quake-hit districts by April 25. The NRA is preparing to begin housing reconstruction from Februaryend by laying the foundation stone of a resource centre in Dolakha dis-
trict. It has set the target of beginning reconstruction from one resource centre in each of the 14 quake-affected districts by the third week of March which will be expanded to other areas by the first anniversary of the disaster.The authority is preparing to establish a resource centre in four or five clusters of VDCs. The list of facilities to be provided by the government for the earthquakedisplaced families would be announced at the centres. (Agencies)
Nepal allowed to use Vizag port Kathmandu,Feb 21: Nepal will now be able to use India's Vishakhapatnam Port for its trade with third countries, with the two countries signing a Letter of Exchange in New Delhi .India has so far been providing a single transit route to the sea-the Kolkata Port. India had agreed in principle to allow Nepal to use the Vishakhapatnam Port in 2009, but a final agreement was delayed after Nepal opposed the double lock system that India implemented on Nepalbound cargos. The Nepal-India Transit Treaty has stipulated a single-lock system which means that Nepal-bound third country imports enter via Kolkata with a one-time lock put on the container by the shipping
agent or the carrier authorised by the shipping company. "Nepal initially opposed the double lock system, but later agreed to the provision after finding this would not result in procedural delays," said an official of the Commerce Ministry. The opening of an alternative transit route is expected to ease trade with third countries. Former Commerce Secretary Purusottam Ojha said the latest agreement has enabled Nepal to diversify its transit corridors. "One of the main benefits of getting access to an alternative sea port is it would help reduce traffic congestions that Nepalbound cargos face in Kolkata," he said. Due to heavy traffic at Kolkata port, Nepali traders end
up paying more detention charges for failing to move goods in time. Ojha said as Vishakhapatnam is a deep sea port; big vessels can operate there, which will make it easier for Nepali traders to import bulk cargo. To support the movement of goods between Nepal and the Vishakhapatnam port, the two countries have also signed a separate Letter of Exchange on rail transport. Ojha said India should allow Nepal to set up a consular general office and the office of Nepal Transit and Warehouse Company at the port to help Nepali traders. The two countries also signed another Letter of Exchange on transit, enabling Nepal to do trade with Bangladesh without restrictions from India.
Nepal allowed to use Vizag port Currently, trucks carrying Nepali goods (not less than 25) can travel to Bangladesh through India only in the day time and under Indian police's escort. "We will now be able to transport goods between Nepal and Bangladesh based on documents," said a senior official of the Commerce Ministry.The two sides also signed another Letter of Exchange on rail transit, under which
India will offer rail transit facility through Singabad for Nepal's trade with and through Bangladesh. (Agencies) Nepal will now be able to use India's Vishakhapatnam Port for its trade with third countries, with the two countries signing a Letter of Exchange in New Delhi .India has so far been providing a single transit route to the sea-the Kolkata Port.
Most suspects freed in Indonesia raid as tough law pending Jakarta,Feb 21: Indonesian police today released most of the men detained while attending militarystyle training at a suspect jihadi camp, as officials lamented weaknesses in the current anti-terrorism legislation that is due to be significantly strengthened following last month's deadly attacks in Jakarta.The elite anti-terrorism squad early Saturday detained 38 men at a suspected militant camp on the remote slopes of Mount Sumbing in Central Java province, said provincial police spokesman Col. Liliek Darmanto. Police seized air rifles, knives, and jihadi books and flags in the raid. However, they were released early Sunday after 24-hour questioning as police were unable to prove a string of terrorismrelated allegations, he said. "This is the weakness of our
Indonesian police officers stand guard outside the house of a suspected militant following a raid in Malang, Indonesia,
laws," said Saud Usman Nasution, head of the antiterrorism agency. "We cannot arrest before they have committed a crime even though we can detect a radical network."His agency has been pushing the government to strengthen the anti-terrorism law. It gained momentum following the Jan. 14 suicide and gun attacks in Jakarta, which left eight people dead, includ-
ing four of the attackers.In response to the attacks, Indonesia's government submitted a new anti-terrorism law to parliament this past week. The draft bill, obtained by the media, says an individual suspected of plotting to carry out an act of terrorism could be detained for up to six months without charges. If approved, it would be the first time for
such a tough measure to be enacted since the downfall of Dictator Suharto in 1998.Luhut Pandjaitan, a Cabinet minister in charge of security and political affairs, said he expected lawmakers to pass the revisions within the next two months.The bill would also become an offense for Indonesians to join a militant group overseas such as the Islamic State group, or recruit others, with a maximum imprisonment of seven years. It would also authorize the anti-terrorism squad to execute raids and arrest suspects for interrogation based solely on intelligence reports. In addition to the Central Java raid, five other suspected militants were captured late Friday in Malang.Among those arrested Friday was
Nazarudin Mukhtar - also known as Abu Ghar. He is believed to have planned the Jakarta attack with Muhammad Ali and Afif Sunakin, who was fatally shot by by police when the two were trying to detonate a bomb in front of a Starbucks cafe, said Lt. Col. Arif Makhfudiharto, head of the anti-terrorism squad unit in West Java province. Mukhtar, who had recently completed a prison sentence for his role in a deadly 2004 attack on a police station in Maluku province, "returned to his old ways," Arif said. He alleged Mukhtar joined a new militant cell after visiting Abu Bakar Bashir and Aman Abdurrahman, the country's most radical clerics who are now serving sentences on the Nusa Kambangan prison island. (Agencies)
Myanmar carrier suspends flights to Taiwan
Myanmar carrier suspends flights to Taiwan Taipei, Feb. 21: Myanmar Airways International which just began services between Yangon and Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport on Jan. 26 has applied with Taiwan's Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) to suspend services from Tuesday due to low passenger loads, the CAA has confirmed. After the Myanmar government set 2016 as a tourism year, the airline applied to operate three weekly roundtrip charter flights between Yangon and Taoyuan from Jan. 26 to March 25. Myanmar Airways International launched its first Yangon-Taoyuan charter flight, using Airbus A319s on Jan. 26, when a water salute ceremony was held at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to mark the launch of the services.However, the airline has applied to cancel
the remaining flights during the two-month period, the CAA said. According to a notice issued by the Myanmar airline, the suspension was made based on the company's flight planning and arrangements. But the CAA, said it was because of low passenger numbers on the route.The airline is offering refunds to passengers affected by the cancellations or making flight arrangements for them on other airlines.Currently, in Taiwan, only China Airlines operates flights between Taoyuan and Yangon, offering six round-trip services each week on Boeing 737800s. Another Myanmar carrier, Myanmar National Airlines, also applied to begin offering flights on the same route from Jan. 16 but has not yet launched the services, according to the CAA. (Agencies)
Pak 'upset' as envoys refused Chennai visit Islamabad, Feb 21: The Pakistan High Commission today said it was 'unfortunate' that the Ministry of External Affairs did not give clearance to the diplomats who were supposed to accompany Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit on his visit to Chennai. As a result, Basit had to call off his Chennai visit at the last minute.
Basit was to call on the Tamil Nadu Governor and the CM during his official visit from February 21-23. Due to the uncertainty surrounding the situation, Basit decided to call off the visit. Basit was supposed to interact with the think tank Observer Research Foundation, FICCI, FIEO and students and faculty of the Madras University. (Agencies)
Bangladesh's 'Tree Man' undergoes successful surgery Dhaka,Feb 21: A Bangladeshi father dubbed 'Tree Man' for massive bark-like warts on his hands and feet on Saturday underwent a successful operation to remove some of the growths, a hospital said. A nine-doctor team took three and a half hours to remove the giant warts from Abul Bajandar's right hand at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital, facility director Samanta Lal Sen told media. The 26-year-old was admitted last month for an operation to remove the growths weighing at least five kilogrammes (11 pounds) that first began appearing 10 years ago. 'It was a successful operation. We removed warts from all five fingers of his right hand. He's now happy and was laughing,' Sen said. 'We'll now review his condition for the next three weeks before deciding whether to conduct more operations. It's a big challenge.' Bajandar, from the southern district of Khulna, was diagnosed with epidermodysplasia verruciformis, an extremely rare genetic condition
dubbed 'tree-man disease' that causes the skin growths. He became a celebrity with people travelling to Khulna over the years to see the 'Tree Man' and hundreds visiting him in hospital. He was given the all-clear for surgery after tests confirmed the warts were not cancerous. The Bangladesh government agreed to bear the costs of his treatment and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was given an update on his condition, Sen said. Bajandar's wife Halima Khatun saw her husband after the operation and said he looked 'relaxed and happy'. Hospital director Sen said there were only three known cases of epidermodysplasia verruciformis in the world and Bajandar's was the only one in Bangladesh. Bajandar told media last month that he initially thought that the warts were harmless but slowly as the growths covered his hands and feet, he was forced to quit working as a bicycle rickshaw puller. An Indonesian villager with massive warts all over his body underwent a string of operations in 2008 to remove them. (Agencies)
Bangladesh tree Man
PAGE 8
DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22
Making Streets Safe for Women Manipur sets an example Manipur to get 24Ă—7 Power Supply by March 2017
In June 2014, the Government of India announced that it is committed to bring about transformative change in the power sector and ensure affordable 24x7 power for all in the next few years. The Union Power Minister urged the FOR to develop a road map for providing 24x7 quality power supply to consumers and at least 810 hours of power supply to the farmers. As a result, the Forum of Regulators (FOR) constituted a Working Group to develop a road map for providing 24x7 quality power supply to all consumers within the next five years. The installed capacity for power supply has exceeded 250 GW making India one of the largest producers of electricity. In spite of this capacity, power supply shortages continue to persist in the country across most states constraining the growth of the economy particularly in the industrial sector. Further, nearly one third of the 246 million households in the country do not have electricity supply according to the census of 2011. Gujarat achieved a high per capita consumption and a power surplus situation due to large increases in the generation capacity mainly in the private sector. As per the 18th Electric Power Survey (EPS) of Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the energy requirement for the year 2018-19 is expected to be 1552 Billion Units (BU) and the peak de-
mand about 229,465 MW. But the recent assurance by the Manipur Government that every citizen of Manipur shall be getting better power throughout the day by March this year, only proved that the state's administration is working towards providing 24X7 power supply by March 2017.The earlier constraint faced by Manipur was because it was drawing power through interstate transmission line. This hurdle has been removed with the operationalization of 400 KV D/C Transmission Line (initially charged at 132 KV) from Silchar to Imphal during March 2015. In view of the quantum of future power demand, the state government has taken up construction of a new 400/132 KV sub-station at Thoubal Khunou, and that in the past one or two years, a number of 132 KV, 33 KV power substations have been constructed and made operational in power deficient areas of the state. Of the total 3.5 lakh targeted consumers, 1.14 lakh pre-payment Energy Meters have been installed. Underscoring the achievement in the sectors in the last few years, it is also noteworthy that free referral transport service for pregnant woman and infant up to one year has been launched adding that 9,649 mothers and 6,736 ASHAs benefitted under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) scheme in the state. Moreover, Mission I n d r a d h a n u s h Programme Phase I was successfully completed by achieving 85 percent while Phase II has been completed successfully upto 4th round. These developments by the state of Manipur have once again proved that everything is possible if we try to achieve it.
New Arunachal Pradesh CM Paving the way for new government formation Dissident Congress leader Kalikho Pul has been sworn in as the ninth chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh which has been under Presidents' Rule since January 25 following political instability. Pul's swearing-in came a day after the Supreme Court vacated its interim order to maintain status quo in the Arunachal Pradesh assembly, paving the way for government formation. The Centre had revoked President's Rule in the state before Governor J P Rajkhowa administered the oath of office to Pul. Pul, 46, a veteran of five consecutive victories in the Assembly elections since 1995, has been the lone crusader against the alleged rampant corruption of the previous Congress government headed by Nabam Tuki. According to sources, Arunachal Pradesh's new ruling alliance of dissident Congress MLAs and the BJP that the newly-sworn-in chief minister's biggest challenge would be to expand his council of ministers. However, the BJP, the second-largest constituent of the government, has not taken any decision on joining the government led by Mr Pul and has been extending outside support to the government. Sources in the BJP said central party leaders would take a final decision on joining the government. Kalikho Pul began as deputy minister for finance (1995-97), then became minister of state for power (1997-99), MoS for finance (1999-2002), MoS for land management (2002-03), and finally minister for finance (2003-05) before he was made chairman of a high-powered committee and simultaneously adviser to the chief minister for about a year. In 200609, he once again served as minister for finance, then minister for rural works (2009-11), and then health. Between 2011 and 2014, he was also made adviser to the chief minister, then again made a minister in 2014. In 2015, Mr Pul who was accused to have been conspiring to topple Mr Tuki was not only dropped from the Cabinet but also expelled from the Congress for his alleged anti-party activities in April. However, Mr Pul went to the court challenging his suspension from the Congress, which was revoked at the direction of the court.
A global initiative for women's safety in streets and cities comes to the Philippines. Whether it is in urban or ported experiencing rural areas, in developed sexualized violence in or developing countries, public spaces, according sexual harassment and to a 2014 survey conother forms of sexual vio- ducted by the U.S.-based lence in public spaces are nonprofit organization everyday episodes for Stop Street Harassment. women and girls around It also reported that 43 the world. percent of Angelique Moss y o u n g "I've been asked for women in my name and number by London claimed they had strangers. When I notice experienced it during a group of men on the 2012 alone. street and I am about to UN Women data also pass them, I get scared. show that women's fear I make a turn to avoid of sexual harassment and them. Even if it means sexualized violence taking a longer walk go- forced restrictions on ing home. I also get their freedom and activiscared of our community ties. Women live in fear because a lot of fights of being unsafe outside happen there. So I rarely the home during the day leave the house," a young and at night, stopping girl in secondary school them from going to school from Quezon City, Phil- among other things. ippines shared. This reality is not just She is one of the millions about short-term restricof women globally that tions on activities; it is also fear for their safety when about long-term barriers leaving home. As UN on opportunities and serWomen puts it, women vices, as Women Under and girls fear and experi- Siege Project wrote. ence different kinds of Close to being treated as sexual violence in public second-class citizens, spaces, from cat calls women have a hard time and unwanted touching, accessing the same rights to rape and femicide. and privileges that men This universal issue hap- have. Safely participating pens on streets, in and in public life, and enjoyaround public transporta- ing recreation opportunition, schools and work- ties are not easy tasks for places, public toilets, wa- women, and the stress ter distribution sites, and and inequality negatively parks in urban, rural, and impacts their health and conflict or post-conflict well-being. settings. Free from Fear Women in economically In response to this, UN progressive regions are Women has launched the not exempt from public Safe Cities Global Initiaharassment. Twenty per- tive. It has two flagship cent of women have re- programs. There is the
Safe Cities Free of Violence against Women and Girls which is active in Ecuador, Egypt, India, Papua New Guinea and, Rwanda. The other is the Safe and Sustainable Cities for All joint program with UNICEF, and UNHabitat. It runs in Brazil, Costa Rica, Honduras, Kenya, Lebanon, Morocco, Philippines, and Tajikistan. The first of its kind, the global comparative program encompasses plans, tools, policies and comprehensive approaches that mitigate dangers for women when they are out in public spaces. It works on the prevention of sexual harassment and violence against women and girls across different settings. When the unfortunate happen, the program also includes the response for the situation. Most recently, Quezon City became a part of the Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces Global Initiative. Quezon City has around 3 million inhabitants, with one of the highest rates of urban poverty and number of informal settler families. Some areas in the city have been unsafe due to high levels of poverty, unemployment, drug use, trafficking, and robberies. Women and girls, in particular, have been under the danger of sexual harassment in many of city's public spaces. For example, male perpetrators often grab and grope
women during robberies. "What I like about this program with UN Women is that now we are reviewing our local policy and updating it to make it more attuned with the times, making public harassment also a crime that should be penalized," Aldrin Cunha, Quezon City Administrator, stated. Taking Quezon City under the initiative means that the people behind the program are committed to conduct a scoping study, to collect information about sexual violence against women and girls, in public spaces in two local areas: Bagong Silangan and the Payatas. UN Women Around the World "During each of my meetings with UN Women, our mission was clearly articulated to raise awareness of
the needs of disenfranchised women and to increase funding to support UN Women initiatives," said Lalita Janke, the board president of the US National Committee for UN Women. Janke has been working with battered women and setting up programs for them since the 1980s. Together with her husband, she has also created the Walter and Lalita Janke Charitable Foundation to help eradicate the use of violence and abuse, especially on women, to resolve conflicts. Change that is substantive, sustainable and irreversible is Janke's goal. "To accomplish this change, we need to be committed to revitalizing and reinventing ways to gain support. By collaborating and encouraging like-minded people and
organizations to join us in our mission, we can collectively and universally, work to implement the newly crafted sustainable developmental goals," she added. Human rights violations now include domestic violence, hitherto widely ignored. Yet the abuse and violence, especially sexual harassment, that women and girls experience in public spaces remains a largely neglected issue. The key to solving this lies in empowering women, giving them the tools and opportunities needed to participate in cities' decision making. With women at the helm looking at the cities' spaces, women's realities can be seen more clearly, such that better, safer, and more liberating solutions can follow. Angelique Moss is a London-based writer.
The Islamic State Threat Is Real in Pakistan Pakistan needs to act decisively against all militant groups and their terror loaded ideology. The Director General of Pakistan's Intelligence Bureau (IB), in a recent testimony given before a Senate committee, admitted that the Islamic State (IS) was posing a serious threat to Umair the security of the country. While the Pakistani federal government has constantly denied IS' presence in the country, the mounting evidence suggests otherwise. The clandestine activities of ISIS have been reported in major cities such as Karachi, Lahore, and even the capital, Islamabad. Moreover, there are reports of people being recruited and sent to Iraq and Syria by various militant outfits. Reportedly, the number of people leaving from Pakistan to Syria and Iraq to join IS is in the hundreds. A few months ago, Pakistani security agencies busted a fe-
male terrorist wing of the group and during the past month, dozens of people across the country were arrested in connection with IS. Many banned sectarian groups in Pahave Jamal kistan been forging alliances under the umbrella of the Islamic State. IS' name has also surfaced in a number of recent terrorist attacks which had sectarian motivations. Reportedly, the IB chief also said that sectarian militant groups, such as Lashkar-iJhangvi and Sipah-iSahaba have a "soft corner" for the Islamic State and have been involved in recruitment for the group. Lashkar-i-Jhangvi, which has recently claimed responsibility for many terrorist attacks, closely coordinates with the Pakistani Taliban as well. Indeed, the Pakistani Taliban has also been coordinating with ISIS in the country: "Even TTP in
of these groups are also merging into the Islamic State, making the militant situation more complicated. Recently, Pakistan's intelligence agencies arrested several former Jamaat-udDawa operatives who had joined the Islamic State.
Pakistan coordinates with ISIS though both are dead rivals in Afghanistan," said the IB chief, using the Islamic State's old name. While Pakistan's military operations against the Taliban have proven effective in reducing the group's operational capability, in just the last few months, the Pakistani Taliban has struck back in many places, raising concerns that the group's infrastructure is still intact and as fatal as it was before the military operation, known as the Zarb-eAzb, got underway. In
one of the most vicious attacks reported this year, a terrorist group associated with the Pakistani Taliban attacked a university campus near Peshawar last month, killing more than 20 people. The Pakistani Taliban has vowed to target more schools and universities. While Pakistan claims that it has targeted all militant groups, many still accuse it of not acting decisively against the India-focused militant groups - the single largest hurdle to a cordial relationship between Pakistan and India. Many
The New York Times recently published a report which alleged that Pakistan was responsible for the rise of the Islamic State in the Middle East. The report claimed that "Pakistan was cooperating with Qatar, and perhaps others, to move international Sunni jihadists (including 300 Pakistanis) from Pakistan's tribal areas, where they were no longer needed, to new battlefields in Syria." It further asserted that this was "just another reminder of Pakistan's central involvement in creating and managing violent
Crisis OF LPG in North-East
Source: ste.india
Sir, The Petroleum and natural gas ministry headed lay Dharmendra Pradhan, the minister of state (in charge) recently stated that the acute crisis of LPG cylinders will linger up to 2030 in North East quoting the vision of Hydrocarbon 2030 North-East as reported in a section of the press. I am afraid, how many of us (senior Citizen) will survive by time, the government can tide over the crisis. As reported, owing to the gap between the demand and supply, the NE region will continue to face the crisis. The report further states that the crisis is not only related to production but also relates to the pipe-line-network and bottling plants. The erstwhile UPA government did pretty little to address the crisis. The NDA should not follow suit and should hammer out a solution. In absence of a pipe-line-network transporting the LPG by tankers, too, receives a serious setbacks owing to frequent
'Bandh' calls given by different organizations. Now, a very pertinent question, are we inviting troubles for ourselves, calling for frequent 'Bandh'? Particularly, the OIL sectors are devastated. A news is doing the rounds that OIL, ONGCL, IOC - these profit-making organizations are gradually converted into a losing concern implying that these organizations are being privatized gradually. This implies that our organizations calling for frequent OIL sector 'Bandh' are stalling their own employment avenues. We notice with pain that Oil India Limited (OIL) is the worst sufferer. Through this column of your esteemed daily, we appeal to the organizations, particularly the student organizations not to call 'Bandh', not to stall our employment avenues. Yours etc. Ashok Bordoloi Dibrugarh
jihadist groups." However, the Pakistani Embassy in the United States rejected the report, terming it baseless. After the launch of Zarb-e-Azb in the country over a year ago, militant outfits have been shifting alliances and reorganizing under different names and groups. The Islamic State may not be an imminent threat at the moment, but its potential to wreak havoc cannot be ruled out. Pakistan cannot afford to be soft on militancy any longer. The bottom line is, if Pakistan is to become terror free, it needs to act decisively against all militant groups and their terrorloaded ideology. Pakistan can no longer afford to adopt policies that appease certain militant groups and interests at the cost of its very existence and national unity.
Best Letter The best letter of the month in the Letter to the Editor section will be awarded an amount of Rs 200. So please keep writing.
Letters to the editor and articles should be sent to : The Eastern Today Chowkidingee, Near Sankardeva Hospital Mancotta Road, Dibrugarh786003 (Assam) Ph: 0373-2328944 Web : editor.easterntoday@gmail.com
Page 9
OP-ED
DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22
Growing Up In America, Caste Was Never An Issue. Then I Saw Its Reality In India As an Indian-American stupid questions like that. conducting research in In- Growing up in America, I'd dia for the past six months, never thought about caste. I've had a lot of time to think In fact, I never even asked about my various identities, my parents what castes they non-identities and the belonged to until a month intersectionality between all before I left for India - that's of them. Most recently, fol- how much of a non-issue it lowing the suicide of Rohith was for me. I'd read a lot of Vemula and the agitation literature on caste politics, around the inclusion of the especially as it related to Kapu caste in the Other gender, but it seemed very Backward Classes (OBC) distant to me and it certainly c a t didn't e g o r y, Anjana Radhakrishnan f e e l I ' v e perbeen ruminating over the sonal. ways 'caste' distorts people's I feel a certain sadness in perceptions of themselves saying that that that distance and others in this society. has closed for me, that I've My parents not only follow now felt and seen the realdifferent religions, but they ity of casteism here in Inare also of different castes. dia. Caste bubbles under the When my parents were surface of everyday life making wedding arrange- here. In a social contract of ments, people said: it's fine sorts, people silently agree that you love each other, but that it is natural to treat cerwhat about your children? tain people as if they exist How will you raise them? only to be subservient, as if How can you put your chil- they can only achieve a cerdren through such confu- tain status in life, or as if cersion? Who will want to tain people don't exist at all. marry the offspring of an It's a strange sensation to inter-caste marriage? watch this subtle, yet So, my parents moved to blindingly obvious caste America where people discrimination unfold bewouldn't bother them with fore me, in its varying
forms. Every time I read a story or an editorial piece on caste, I find myself almost stunned, as I'm instantly transported to a different life, a life humiliated and denigrated every minute of every day because of an arbitrary system. I want to stand up and shout, "you all realize that this is stupid? That no belief can ever be supported when it degrades another individual? Where is the right to reduce a human's entire existence to a word, to a surname, to a label? Where is that right in your religious texts?" "Ah, but you were raised in America. You do not understand the way of life here, the importance and fragility of tradition in our modern world. There are some things that are greater than us, things we must not question and must never change. Traditions, beliefs, values handed down to us for millennia. Who are you to question that sort of weight?" And there are moments when I can almost under-
Source: blogspot stand this pigheaded rally to tradition, the indignant righteousness in preserving a way of life - there is a certain sweetness that resides under the shade of peepaltrees here, a romance to the elderly 'maman' on his rusty bicycle that refuses to give way to impatient bus horns and plumes of noxious gas, a sincere affection in the bright, thick flower garlands strewn across the front of a new auto, making you question if the driver
can even see where he's going. Ostensibly, in order to protect the 'Indian way of life', caste-based oppression, violence against women, communal agitation is not only necessary, it is in fact for the greater good - a way to preserve 'pure' names, 'pure' marriages, 'pure' graveyards, a 'pure' India. But, you see, when people try to defend their 'way of life' by pushing down oth-
ers through race, caste, gender, it's not the sweet air and cool shade, the creakings of a rusty bicycle, or the smell of rose petals in an auto rickshaw that they're trying to save. The fact is, these things are things that exist regardless if Dalits marry Brahmins, if a woman loves a woman, or if a person undergoes sex reassignment surgery. It is power, it's the sense of being 'better than', the feeling of looking down on others from a higher pedestal - that is what's preserved by keeping institutional caste-ism, racism, sexism. The tradition of feeling 'higher' because of pushing others 'lower', this is the tradition people are trying to preserve. Often times, this tradition of power is maintained, not through violence, but through every day, minute, stinging abrasions of the soul. Your peers refusing to eat lunch next to you for no other reason than your lower caste. Your friend who refuses to stay the night in your house for no other reason than your lower
caste. Your college ignoring your requests for a doctoral committee for no other reason than your lower caste. While it's true that these acts are not acts of physical, overt violence, the way these acts bring down a person's self-worth is its own type of violence, distorting the self, distorting the perception of self.
not something that has distorted my perception, my identity, my self-worth. I thank my parents for saving me from that pain, but this is not a luxury that is afforded to the 1.2 billion Indians living on the subcontinent (and I suspect, to a certain extent, to many of the Indian diaspora).
The way we define ourselves is a collection of all the reflections we see in the world around us. If those reflections are filled with the ever-present sense you are deemed less than what you are, that you are not welcome in certain spaces, that no matter what you do or what you accomplish, you will never amount to anything more than your low birth in the eyes of others - well, that would make anyone wonder what the point of living in such a world was anyways. I grew up in America, so I never thought of myself in terms of caste. Even now, though I have a greater awareness, a more personal relationship with caste, it is
I wish I could have known Rohith, so I could have told him how I wished the world had been a better place for him too, how powerful his mind truly was, how his life and death would become the power behind a movement, a push for a better world now. I wish there was a clear path, unobstructed by the petty obstacles of those in power, towards a better India - an India unencumbered by gender, race, caste, religion not only in the law, but in the reflections it bounces back to every Indian, in the everyday actions of everyday people. But perhaps Rohith was right, perhaps that clear path cannot exist in this world just on other stars, in other worlds.
The Story of a Naga Being 'Too Thin' Is Also A Problem: Why I'm Girl Who Cleaned the Done With Society's Ridiculous Expectations Ghats of Varanasi
Source: csmonitor While the rest of India continues to ignore the North East and often discriminate against them, a girl from a remote district in Nagaland has made it her mission to not only clean the Ghats of Varanasi but maintain them as well. In 2012, Temsutula Imsong from Mokokchung district, Nagaland, travelled to Varanasi but found it impossible to stroll along the Ghats because of the filth and foul smell. People used the Ghats for dump-
ing garbage and as open toilets. The Ghats had not been cleaned for more than three decades. Temsutula decided to clean the Ghats on her own while people discouraged her initially. Slowly, however, her friends and other volunteers joined in and 'Mission Prabhughat' took shape. The cleanliness campaign then spread to other Ghats as well such as Chet Singh Ghat, Babu Pandey Ghat and Gauri Kund at Kedar Ghat. Till date, she and
her team have removed over 300 kilos of garbage from the Ghats in Varanasi. Every month a shramdaan is organized where people from all over the country participate. Shramdaan is a community-based initiative where people clean up public spaces together and create awareness about a clean India. "There is no way our nation can be clean without our participation. Cleanliness is an attribute which should make us proud of ourselves and we should not feel hesitant to indulge in it," says Temsutula. Shramdaan was held in 100 plus cities. Temsutula uses social media actively to spread awareness about her Clean Ganga Ghats mission. She has over 12k followers on twitter. In fact,# missionprabhughat generated over 30 lakh tweets within one month of the campaign beginning in March 2015. She has just one message - that even with limited resources anyone can do anything, only if one has the will to do it.
"Beta, why are you so thin?" together. My experience of "Don't your parents give you studying in a convent college anything to eat?" "Did you at Delhi University further consult a doctor?" Harassed confirmed this observation. by such incessant questions Girls with a lean frame could since childhood, I often find be seen directing envious myself clenching my teeth glances in the direction of hard, lest someone fall prey those more well endowed to a fatal blow. Resorting to while the latter fumed with sarcasm and rejealousy at the taliating by sayShasya Goel sight of slim figing that my parures. ents have devised a secret Recently, Parineeti Chopra plan to starve me to death, launched a campaign called and thus get rid of me, 'Built That Way' to inspire doesn't help. Neither does a overweight girls to lose extra scientific explanation, en- flab. The initiative in itself is tailing the reason as to why laudable, but not the method people with an ectomorphic in which the campaign was body type find it hard to gain endorsed. More than an exerweight; or why a fast me- cise at promoting fitness, it tabolism prevents them seemed like an act of defiance from attaining a physique on the actress' part to prove like that of the great Khali. that she too can fit within the I've often been told by my narrow realm of Bollywood friends to get rid of the gi- expectations. The pictures of gantic glasses I wear and see her photo shoot that circulated the world with my bare eyes. on the web contained expresIt is not the desperate need sions that urged one to 'leave to 'look good' that startles the average behind' and 'kill me as much as the stereo- the weakness instead of hidtypes that draw a thin ing it'. boundary around the defini- Seen in isolation, nothing tion of beauty, falling out of strikes as objectionable in which one is relegated to the these pearls of wisdom. But not-so-blessed category. The as soon as you scrutinise the irony is hard to miss and subtle connotations and put it harder not to wince at. in context with the issue at Hackneyed beliefs and yard- hand, things don't appear sticks of judgement form an gung-ho anymore. These impenetrable cage that binds simple, straightforward adus with its dos and don'ts, ages disguised as worldly wisimprinting on our minds a dom take on a ghastly appearfixed expectation of appear- ance as you look beyond ance, thus creating a divide words, and realise that the instead of bringing people weakness being talked about
in this case is your inability or unwillingness to lose those extra pounds. This is regarded as distasteful since you're not striving for excellence and settling for mediocrity. Parineeti considered herself "chubby and childish" four years earlier, and now what she wanted the most was to be confident. If one is made to feel uncomfortable in one's skin to an extent that it undermines their confidence, then we need to do a reality check to ascertain the kind of society we are living in. Such a society fosters an atmosphere, not of growth, but one of unhealthy competition that sows the seeds of insecurity and anxiety. More than the need to be fit, it is the media and the people who claim to be her 'fans' who seemed to have played a role in this transformation. Her sudden realisation did not show signs of stemming in the absence of criticism, but only when faced with a barrage of ridicule. Irrespective of whether she may or may not have been happy with the way she looked, the mounting pressure ensured her plunge headlong into this societal construct. A while back, when I went to consult my gynaecologist for some problems I had, I was told that I may be experiencing a slight hormonal imbalance. This would, in the long
Source: dreamstime run, affect the way my body functions. One of the effects it can have on one's body is to slow the metabolism down. The thought of turning into a 'fat potato wedge' for the rest of my life when half of it was spent being 'thin as a stick', amused me more than it should have scared me. Smirking in delight at the prospect of watching shocked reactions of those who were so concerned about my physique, I mulled over the possible questions that would come around this time. "Beta, you've grown really plump, did your parents give you too much to eat this time?" When we walk out of the house with layers of artificial paste stuck to our face, I wonder what it is that we
The power of sewage Maharashtra is planning to use treated sewage water for cooling steam in its coal-based thermal power stations. The idea will be implemented for the first time in the state in April at a 620 MW unit of the Koradi thermal power plant in Nagpur. It will then be extended to other plants. "We will test the proposal at Koradi and then at Parli and Nashik in parallel," says Mukesh Khullar, principal secretary, Ministry of Power, Maharashtra. "This will help in situations where power plants have to be shut down due to non-availability of water. The power plant at Parli, for instance, has been closed for nearly three years." The 1,130 MW plant at Parli faced severe water shortage in December 2012, when the Khadka barrage went dry. In 2010, the 2,340 MW Chandrapur power plant was also partially shut down due to lack of water. The Koradi plant will use sewage water from Nagpur, which will be treated at a
facility in Bhandewadi, 16 km from Koradi. The Maharashtra State Power Generation Company (Mahagenco) has built a 19 km-long pipeline to transport the treated sewage water from the facility to the power plant. The plant will pay the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) R15 crore per year for 110 million litres per day (MLD) of treated sewage water. This is nearly half the cost of freshwater from dams (R7 per cubic metre of water). However, power tariff may not change much because the major portion of it is decided by fuel cost, not the cost of water, points out Anant Deotare, chief engineer of the Koradi power plant. Use of treated sewage water in power plants was first proposed eight years ago by Ajit Pawar, the then state energy minister, and Nitin Gadkari, the current Union minister for road transport and highways. The proposal got the go-ahead in October 2015 by Chief Minister Devendra
Fadnavis. Following the 2008 proposal, an agreement was made allowing Mahagenco to use treated sewage water from NMC. The agreement entails a contract which has to be renewed after one year. Solution to water woes Maharashtra has the largest installed capacity to generate electricity in India, and thermal power plants use huge quantities of water. When Maharashtra faced a drought in 2013-said to be its worst in 40 years-waterintensive thermal plants were adding to the state's woes. The NTPC Solapur power plant was drawing more water from Ujjani dam than the city, according to Fadnavis. In fact, the volume of water used in coal-based thermal power plants (22 billion cubic metre in 201112) is over half of India's domestic needs, according to a study by Delhi NGO Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). By 2050, water demand by the power sector in the country will
increase by 30 times, estimates a 2012 standing subcommittee of the Union Ministry of Water Resources (MOWR). Use of sewage water in power plants can free up freshwater for drinking and agri-culture. Take the example of the Parli plant. For two months before it had to be shut down in February 2013, water was provided from the Mudgal barrage in Parbhani district. The diversion of five billion cubic metres of water from the barrage during that period could have saved the water needs of 600,000 people for 30 days, according to a 2013 Greenpeace report. In 2015, a committee of chief ministers constituted by the prime minister submit-ted a report to the Centre, recommending that thermal power plants use treated sewage water instead of clean raw water. And on January 20, 2016, the Union Cabi-net approved amendments to the Power Tariff Policy 2006 announced by the Minis-try
of Power, requiring thermal power plants within 50 km of a sewage treatment plant (STP) to use treated sewage water. Such a move is not new. Industries, such as the Simbhaoli Sugar Mills in Uttar Pradesh, are already using treated sewage water to meet their cooling requirements. There are more such examples abroad (see 'Power friendly'). Replicating such use across the country may not meet the total demand of the power sector but can lessen the water stress. As per, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), 522 STPs are operational nationwide, which supply 6.89 billion cubic metres of treated water annu-ally. This is 30 per cent of the total water requirement of the power industry. More wastewater can be treated and made avail-able to the sector but this may warrant the establishment of new STPs, as well as conn-ecting pipelines, translating into additional cost for the munici-
pal corporations. Use of wastewater has other benefits as well, such as reduced contamination of rivers and additional revenue for muni-cipalities. Some experts believe such use could also bring down power tariffs but A K Keshri, professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, says it depends on whether the cost of treated wastewater is less than the cost of freshwater. He recommends a subsidy on the sale of treated wastewater to encourage its use by power plants. A few challenges
Sewage water has to be treated up to certain quality standards before it can be used in power plants. If not treated properly, it can damage equipments. Therefore, it is necessary to have the right guidelines and enure that the industry adheres to them. In Tokyo, for instance, guidelines laid down by the Ministry of Construction ensure that target values are achieved before the treated wastewater is used by the plant. The Yokosuka Power Company there does this by using high-velocity filters, which reduce the amount of
wish to hide so badly. Instead of moulding how we look, how about we give ourselves a chance to mould how we think or feel about ourselves? Not merely in terms of appearance, but with regard to our core essence that makes us human. How hard is it to grasp that a mirror is merely glass, with nothing of its own to reflect. It simply throws at us copied images of the universe. Would anyone willingly let such an artist paint a picture of them? For beauty lies in what you see, not in the colour of your eyes. In the words that come out of your mouth, not in the curve of your lips. Beauty lies in what you feel, not in the way you look.
suspended solids in treated water, and an ozonation treatment system performs sterilisation. In India, the guidelines on the quality of water that can be used in the power plant are laid by the Bureau of Indian Standards. "But these are only suggestive," says D D Basu, former additional secretary of the CPCB. It is the engineer's prerogative to adhere to it or not, and he/she cannot be prosecuted for not complying. A CPCB report shows 39 per cent of STPs have been observed to flout the guidelines on the quality of water to be discharged. But the biggest challenge is to lay down an implementation roadmap. To scale up the initiative the government needs to add-ress important questions. "For instance, we need to clarify who is responsible for developing necessary infrastructure? Who will monitor if power plants are complying in the first place? And how will compliance be monitored?" says Sweta Prabhakar, progra-mme manager, sustainable industry, CSE. With inputs from Shruti Issar. Courtesy: Down to earth
DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22
BUSINESS
150 ready-to-eat chicken outlets to be added by CPF Chennai, Feb 21: CPF (India), a subsidiary of Thailand's Charoen Pokphand Foods, a multinational conglomerate, will expand its retail network in India by opening 150 outlets by end-2016, according to a senior official. Rijoy Prabhakar, CPF India Assistant Vice President, said: "We have established ourselves as a neighbourhood brand offering quality chicken at affordable prices. We have a huge market share in Bengaluru, Karnataka and Kerala. We could not replicate it in Chennai as some of the outlets are located deep inside the residential areas.
Lupin to strip two Gavis drugs for deal nod Chennai, Feb 21: India's Lupin Ltd will divest two generic drugs sold by Gavis Pharmaceuticals LLC to clear antitrust hurdles related to its $880 million acquisition of the company, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission said. The two drugs, used to treat bacterial infections and ulcerative colitis, will be sold to New Jerseybased generic drugmaker G&W Laboratories, the FTC said. Lupin last year said it would buy Gavis to revive flagging growth in the U.S. by giving it access to generic drugs that treat niche diseases. If not for this divestiture, the takeover would have combined two of four companies that currently market a generic version of doxycycline monohydrate, an antibacterial treatment, in two doses, likely resulting in higher prices, the FTC said. The merger would have also eliminated one of the few firms likely to enter the market to make generic versions of longacting mesalamine. (Agencies)
GSFC to commission Nylon-6 plant in Vadodara Gujarat, Feb 21: Gujarat State Fertilizers and Chemicals (GSFC) said it will commission the Nylon-6 plant at its unit in Vadodara, Gujarat, at an estimated cost of Rs 140 crore. "GSFC is commissioning Nylon-6 plant at the Vadodara unit at an estimated cost of Rs 140 crore, which will enhance nylon-6 chips production by 15,000 metric tonnes per annum (MTPA)," FM Daymakumar, Senior Vice President, marketing-Industrial Products, GSFC, said. "The company has strengthened its base in nylon yarn by implementing a project of 2,600 MTPA recently at its fibre unit at a cost of Rs 50 crore a p p r o x i m a t e l y, " Daymakumar said. The company has undertaken Melamine project at an estimated cost of Rs 1,000 crore, which will become operational by the financial year 2018-19. (Agencies)
We are reassessing the situation and will come out with more offerings. "Right now, the outlets sell ready-to-eat chicken items such as crunchy masala, Thai crispy and burgers. As some of the customers do not eat chicken every day, we will start offering regional flavoured menu such as biriyani, snacks and parathas along with a whole new range of burger products. This will alter the menu and 30 per cent of it will be vegetarian items." To improve its reach, CPF has recently tied-up with online delivery channels like Zomato, Foodpanda and TinyOwl. It has also made arrange-
GOOD NEWS FOR FOODIES CPF (India), a subsidiary of Thailand's Charoen Pokphand Foods, a multinational conglomerate, will expand its retail network in India by opening 150 outlets by end-2016
CPF Products. Source: bangkokpost
The outlets sell readyto-eat chicken items such as crunchy masala, Thai crispy and burgers.
The company opened shop-in-shops at hyper markets and supermarkets.
ments with amusement parks, shopping malls, railways, tech parks and gas stations for opening more outlets. The company opened shop-in-
shops at hyper markets and supermarkets such as Heritage Foods, Spar and Star Bazaar. Plans are also on to launch mobile apps and introduce home deliv-
As some of the customers do not eat chicken every day, they will start offering regional flavoured menu such as biriyani, snacks and parathas along with a whole new range of burger products. To improve its reach, CPF has recently tied-up with online delivery channels like Zomato, Foodpanda and TinyOwl.
ery. Of the, 150 outlets, Chennai will get 50 taking the total numbers in Tamil Nadu to 95. "From January to December 2015, we clocked sales of Rs.52
crore and this year, we expect to do Rs.60 crore. The investment for the opening up of new stores will be about Rs.18 crore and this will be done by the franchisees," he said. In India, CPF operates 353 small format retail outlets under the Five Star Chicken brand. A majority of these are in five southern states and nine of them in Pune, Navi Mumbai and Goa. With the expansion, the total number of outlets in India will increase to 500. CPF has feed mills, processing plant and hatcheries at Chittoor. It caters to the needs of Bengaluru, Tamil Nadu, Andhra and Telangana. (Agencies)
Madhvani, Sarovar Hotels to plan religious tourism segment Mumbai, Feb 21: Uganda-based Madhvani Group and India's Sarovar Hotels and Resorts plan to establish mid-segment hotels in about dozen popular pilgrimage locations across the country in a bid to tap the growing opportunity in the religious tourism segment, according to top officials of the two groups. The alliance plans to open hotels in pilgrimage locations like Bodh Gaya, Rishikesh, Shirdi and Varanasi and aims at creating an organized pilgrimage hospitality circuit. The average size of the hotels in these destinations
will be between 100-120 rooms. "India is one of the foremost locations in the world for religious tourism and Madhvani Group is quite keen to tap this potential. In pursuit of this goal, we have already purchased land in Rishikesh and Bodh Gaya and are in advanced stage of acquiring land in Shirdi. We are also keen to expand our footprint in Varanasi, Katra, Dharamshala and Puri to cater to both the Hindu and Buddhist circuits," Roni Madhvani, Director, Madhvani Group told. "Funding at all these locations shall be through
combination of debt and equity but quantum shall be decided closer to the execution stage and shall depend on the cost of funds and availability," he said. Madhvani-Sarovar alliance opened their first new hotel in Tirupati recently. Described as India's first theme hotel inspired by the 10 avatars (incarnations) of Lord Vishnu, Marasa Sarovar Premiere, a 121room mid-segment hotel, aims to provide affordable luxury accommodation to the devotees. The company said the existing de-
mand-supply gap provided an opportunity for it to establish a mid-range hotel in the holy town. Religious tourism is very strong in India but unfortunately lacked branded facilities in these locations. We hope to fill that gap by being in most cities. Religious destinations are only meant for mid-segment hotels and we intend to stay in that market," said Anil Madhok, Managing Director, Sarovar Hotels & Resorts. While price-sensitivity is associated with a pilgrimage traveller, prospective visitors are looking at alternatives which provide
them with decent accommodation in the mid-scale category where focus is on hygiene, comfort and internet connectivity. Our brands are being positioned in the mid-scale segment, he added. Madhvani Group is looking at various religious destinations where Sarovar Hotels would be managing the properties. The $500 million plus Madhvani Group is an industrial conglomerate in East Africa with diversified investments in Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and India. (Agencies)
Telecom Minister regulates probe into Freedom 251 smartphone scheme New Delhi, Feb 21: Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has asked Department of Electronics and IT Secretary (Deity) Aruna Sharma to look into the scheme of Ringing Bells offering a smartphone for just Rs 251. This has come in response to a letter from BJP MP Kirit Somaiya. "The minister has received a representation from Kirit Somaiya and mobile phone manufacturers where they have expressed doubt about the veracity of this venture," a Telecom Ministry source told. He added that the minister has asked the Deity secretary to go into the whole issue and if need be, states' cooperation will be sought to find out more about the com-
Telecom Minister, Ravi Shankar Prasad. Source: dnaindia
pany. Somaiya has approached a host of ministries, including telecom and finance, regulators Sebi, Trai, RBI, and state governments, raising issues about the company claiming to offer the world's cheapest mobile phone. The Noida-based com-
pany Ringing Bells on Saturday closed its booking for Rs 251 phone and has said delivery of all handsets will be completed by June 30. Ringing Bells' President Ashok Chaddha said the manufacturing cost of the phone is about Rs 2,500, which will be recovered
through a series of measures like economies of scale, innovative marketing, reduction in duties and creating an e-commerce marketplace. "By going for Made in India components, we can save on the 13.8% duty. Also, we will be selling online first and thus, save the costs incurred on the large distribution network," he said. Chaddha also rejected speculation of the handset being subsidised by the government. "The phone will be manufactured in Noida and Uttarakhand. Two plants will be set up for Rs 250 crore each with a capacity of 5 lakh phones. The money will come in the form of debt and equity (1.5:1)," he said. Chaddha
added that the equity is being met by the promoter family of the company that is "engaged in agri-commodities business" in Uttar Pradesh, but declined to give details. But this has not cut much ice with Somaiya as well as the industry. The mobile phone industry body ICA too has raised some red flags. "We have checked with all operators in the industry and no one has admitted to having been in any kind of bundling deal or partnership with them. I will only say consumers should stay cautious. More than consumers, it may hurt businessmen in small towns if the promise made by the company fails," ICA National President Pankaj Mohindroo said. (Agencies)
PAGE 10
Free video service in trains started by PressPlayTV
Image for representational purpose. Source: techvorm
Mumbai, Feb 21: Video streaming application PressPlayTV has started offering free video service in some trains and is in talks to expand service in about 30 trains soon. "PressPlay TV has tied up with Northwestern Railways to offer free VoD service DelhiBikaner and Delhi Udaipur bound Delhi Bikaner Intercity and Chetak Express respectively. The company is in talks with Northwestern Railways to offer this service on 30 more trains in the next quarter. The service
is absolutely free," PressPlay TV co-founder and COO George Abraham said in a statement PressPlay TV offers video services like movies, songs, news through its wifi spot over it application on Android devices. The airwaves used for wifi are free and company uses it to create its own local wifi hotspot. The PressPlay TV app automatically downloads when phone is connected to the wifi and users can start streaming movies & videos for free without using their mobile data, the statement said. (Agencies)
Ratings of governmentowned banks may be revised by ICRA New Delhi, Fen 21: Rating agency ICRA may revise the ratings of public sector banks as their credit profile has deteriorated significantly following a sharp rise in bad loans during the Oct-Dec quarter. "Credit profile of public sector banks has worsened because of higher than anticipated stress, slower than expected pace of recovery and weak outlook for several credit intensive sectors," according to the rating agency. Many public sector banks have suffered losses during the third quarter after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in its asset quality review identified accounts in which banks have to make higher provisioning. Since most banks provided only 50 per cent that was mandated by RBI in Q3, similar provisioning will be required in Q4 too. As a
result of mounting losses, the capital position of these banks have deteriorated and the rating agency said it will be difficult for these lenders to raise funds from non-government sources. "Higher level of stress is likely to significantly impact earnings and solvency profile of PSBs over next 2-3 years. Additionally adverse capital markets conditions have reduced the prospects of mobilising capital from non-government sources, while there has been no material success in mobilizing capital through Additional Tier I (AT1) instruments," according to the agency. "All these factors contribute to deterioration in credit profile of the PSBs, which may get reflected in ratings / outlook change announcements for some of the PSBs over next few days once the rating reviews are concluded." (Agencies)
Coal, water linkages for new thermal power plant Chennai, Feb 21: Coal and water linkages are in place for NTPC's new 1,600 thermal power plant at Ramagundam near here, a top company executive said. Addressing a press conference at Ramagundam, NTPC Executive Director P K
Mohapatra said coal and water linkages have been obtained for the project, which will house two units of 800 MW each. Environment clearance has also been received for the electricity plant, he said, adding the foundation for the project would be laid next
Duncan Group to deposit Rs.4 cr for workers' dues Mumbai, Feb 21: Duncan Industries Ltd. will have to deposit Rs.4 crore by February 22 for disbursement among the workers of its seven tea gardens if it wants to retain control over them. This follows an order by the Calcutta High Court on two writ petitions filed by the promoters challenging a January 28 notification of the Union Commerce Ministry authorising the Tea Board to take steps for taking over the management or control of the seven distressed tea-estates owned by the DIL. As per the order, the Director Tea Development, Tea Board has already been appointed as special officer for receiving the deposit from DIL and G. P. Goenka Group company Santipara Tea Company Pvt. Ltd. for immediate dis-
bursement. There are about 8,000 workers in the seven gardens and the order said though the petitioners pegged the amount due to the workers at Rs.2.19 crore, a higher amount was fixed by the court "consciously." The special officer will have to supervise the payment process. While pointing out the stay on taking over will continue if the sum is duly deposited, the court order also said "there will be an order of injunction, restraining the companies and their men and agents from alienating or encumbering any assets pertaining to the seven tea estates" without the court's leave. In its notification, the Ministry invoked Section 16 E of the Tea Act,1953 to authorise the Tea Board to take steps. (Agencies)
month. For Phase-I, power purchase agreement has been executed with Telangana State Transmission Corp (Transco), Mohapatra said. "Both units are likely to be completed by October 2019." The PSU already has a thermal power plant at
Ramagundam, nearly 70km from here, and the new facility is part of it. Coal will be sourced from Singareni Collieries, Mandakini block in Odisha and Western Coal fields, he said, adding water will come from Yellampally barrage. The state-run utility's existing
plant at Ramagundam currently generates 2,600 MW. "It is one of the best power stations in India," Mohapatra said. "Once the new units become operational, Ramagundam will house the largest power generating station in the country," Mohapatra told. (Agencies)
Image for representational purpose. Source: topnews.
PerkinElmer explores for gaining Mumbai, Feb 21: PerkinElmer Inc., a technology company focused on improving the health and safety of people, is eyeing acquisition of Indian diagnostics companies in the next 18 to 24 months, said a top company official. "India will be the top three markets for PerkinElmer for strategic investments. We are looking at acquisitions to build our local presence in India to fill the gap. The target company should have local laboratory, manufacturing capability and product channel. If we don't find a company by 2017, then we will think of setting up a unit here," said Prahlad Singh, President, PerkinElmer.
FOCUSING ON HEALTH AND SAFETY PerkinElmer Inc., a technology company focused on improving the health and safety of people. The company is eyeing acquisition of Indian diagnostics companies in the next 18 to 24 months The target company should have local laboratory, manufacturing capability and product channel. PerkinElmer provides instruments and services to customers in India across a wide range of markets including pharmaceutical, food safety, agriculture, chemical, plastics and automobile. The company is also exploring opportunities to partner with the union government to offer its suite of solutions including informatics solutions for building smart cities.
"The acquisition will give us scale and local presence. We can bring in our technology and also take it to other regions. In India, we have tested only four lakh cases even as India accounts for nearly 55 million prenatal and neonatal cases. The market potential is huge. But we have to create awareness about newborn screening to help detect metabolic and other inherited disorders," he said. Mr. Singh was in the city to open the new diagnostics facility of PerkinElmer at Ticel Bio Park in Chennai. It is the fifth laboratory of PerkinElmer. In addition to diagnostics,
PerkinElmer provides instruments and services to customers in India across a wide range of markets including pharmaceutical, food safety, agriculture, chemical, plastics and automobile. The company has 6,000 customers in India, said Jayashree Thacker, President, PerkinElmer India. Ms. Thacker said pharmaceuticals, food, healthcare, chemicals, academia and R&D are going to be the strategic thrust areas for the Indian outfit. The company is also exploring opportunities to partner with the union government to offer its suite of solutions including informatics solutions for building smart cities. (Agencies)
DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22
Features
PAGE 11
ENVIRONMENT Monkey river of Florida A colony of feral rhesus macaques calls the banks of the Silver River in Silver Springs State Park in central Florida its home. The monkeys are part of a larger feral population living throughout the Cross Florida Greenway. Many locals enjoy having the monkeys in the park, but wildlife officials are concerned about overpopulation caused by human feeding, the nonnative animals' ecological impact and the potential for interspecies disease transmission. A study released this week in the journal Primates by anthropologists at San Diego State University has found that the park's macaque population is smaller than many previous estimates and that the vast majority of the monkeys' diets come from environmental--not human-given--food. No one knows exactly how or when the monkeys, which are native to southern and southeast Asia, were introduced to
the central Florida wetlands, but they have lived in the region's wetland parks for decades and have adapted to the environment. Over the years, population numbers have waxed and waned due largely to intermittent trapping efforts. Their presence has been contentious. "The local authorities, like the Fish and Wildlife Service, have been less thrilled with the monkeys," said SDSU anthropologist Erin Riley, one of the paper's authors. "Their purview is to maintain a natural environment, and these animals are not natural to this area. They have concerns about the local ecological impact of these animals, and then there are also health issues if people interface and get close to them." With funding from the National Geographic Society/Waitt Grants Program, Riley and SDSU graduate student Tiffany Wade spent several
months in 2013 taking a census of the monkey population along the Silver River and documenting human-monkey interactions. Over the years, some alarming estimates have suggested upwards of a thousand or more individuals, but the researchers' census came to a much more sober figure: 118 individuals living in four separate social groups. How many monkeys live in other parts of the Florida greenway remains unclear, Riley said. There are likely a number of groups living beyond the Silver River that would raise the overall Florida population into the hundreds, if not more. Another prong of the study looked at how frequently visitors were feeding--"provisioning" is the scientific term--the monkeys, and conversely, how much of their diet came from eating natural foods in the environment. Riley and
Wade observed that the Silver River monkeys, like their relatives who live in other temperate climates like Pakistan, ate mostly leaves, buds, flowers, shoots and a type of dry fruit called a samara. The ash tree formed the cornerstone of their diet. The researchers did note one novel, local adaptation: The macaques also ate grass-like sprouts called sedges that grow in wetlands. When boaters came along, Riley and Wade inconspicuously recorded how many visitors interacted with the monkeys and how many gave them food. "People would sometimes throw them whole oranges and you're like, 'Watch out, don't nail them in the head!'" Riley said. "They love peanuts. Grapes also seemed to elicit what are called 'food calls.' Really, they're excited about pretty much anything you give them."
The researchers noticed the monkeys seemed to have a rule of thumb for deciding whether it was worth their time to come to the tree line in search of human handouts. "They tend to ignore canoes and kayaks because people on those boats generally aren't the ones feeding them," Riley said. "It's the big boats, the pontoons and the motorboats, that are feeding them. As soon as the monkeys hear the sounds of those boats, they come running up to the river's edge." After five months of observation, Riley and Wade totaled up the numbers for the monkeys' feeding behavior and found that 87.5 percent of their diet came from the natural environment and a relatively small 12.5 percent came from provisioning. The researchers do note, however, that even though provisioned food represented only a small percentage of their overall
The third desert tortoise species found in Mexico The huge variability among the desert tortoise populations of Mexico has finally been given an explanation after casting doubts for several decades. The puzzle was solved by an international team of researchers, led by Dr. Taylor Edwards, The University of Arizona, who teamed up to find out whether there has been a previously unknown third sister species all along. Moreover, unlike their predecessors, the team have managed to provide enough evidence to prove its existence. Their study is published in the open-access journal ZooKeys. Distributed over a large area stretching from the Mojave and Colorado deserts in the United States to mainland Mexico, the tortoise populations were noticed to vary distinctly back in 1945, when scientists pointed out that the southern populations
Desert tortoise. Source: basinandrangewatch were suspiciously different. However, due to lack of enough samples and, therefore research, there was not enough evidence to prove that they were in fact two separate species. Over the span of six years, the team of Dr. Taylor Edwards measured a multitude of tortoises during their field trips in Sonora and northern Sinaloa. This is how they concluded that the
southern populations stand out with their significantly shorter tails and flatter carapaces. Unlike its sister species, whose shells are medium to dark brown with greenish hues, while the bodies are dark gray to brownish-gray, the new tortoise is dark tan to medium-brownish with an orange cast. The new species inhabits exclusively thornscrub and tropical
broadleaf forests, which is the reason why out of the three it is the one occupying the smallest geographic range, extending over approximately 24,000 km2. Although there is not much information about their behaviour, it is presumed that the tortoises activity is strongly correlated with the monsoonal rains and the vegetation growth. The biologists have observed that the
adults begin their seasonal activity in June, shortly before plant growth and the monsoons. Then, in December, they would cover underground in their dens, where they would spend the dry and cool winter season. The new species, called Gopherus evgoodei, receives its name in honour of Eric V. Goode, a conservationist, naturalist, and founder of the Turtle Conservancy. "He has contributed generously to the conservation of this species via the preservation of land in Mexico, and he actively pursues the conservation of turtles and tortoises on a global scale," point out the researchers. "Eric sets an important precedent by complementing this taxonomic description with a tangible action that contributes to the conservation of the new species in its native habitat." Courtesy: sciencedaily
Florida's Monkey River. Source: cdn.phys diet, the fleshy fruits provided to the monkeys may be an important fallback food. "From the park's perspective, they know that provisioning occurs, and their sense is that it's because of this provisioning that this population persists," Riley said. "What our data show is that provisioning actually doesn't occur that often anymore, and as a result the monkeys have learned to rely primarily on local food." When it came to interac-
tions between macaques and humans, the researchers found that most were benign. Out of 611 recorded interactions, only two involved people directly handing food to a monkey. That suggests worries about the monkeys' health hazards are out of proportion to the actual risk, Riley said. The river itself acts as a hurdle to disease transmission, as the dense cypress roots all along its banks make it difficult to land a boat and explore the veg-
etation. The findings underscore the need for official education and outreach programs, the researchers said. They would like to see park officials introduce some kind of signage or brochure educating visitors about where the monkeys come from and how to safely interact with them, and they believe increasing patrols along the river would go a long way toward discouraging people from feeding the monkeys. Courtesy: sciencedaily
Conservation hopes for the endangered banana frog As the natural forest cover in Ethiopia is already less than 3% of what it once has been, the banana frog species, dwelling exclusively in the remnants of the country's southwestern forests in only two populations, is exposed to a great risk of extinction. Through their survey, a research team, led by Matthias De B e e n h o u w e r , Biodiversity Inventory for Nature Conservation (BINCO), Belgium, have now extended the species' range, thus making the first steps to saving the charming frogs. The study is published in the open-access journal ZooKeys. Although Ethiopia is known for its high number of both animal and plant species that do not live anywhere else in the world, there is a concerning lack of conservation activities to preserve the local biodiversity. Moreover, while as much as 41% of the amphibians ever recorded in the
country are exclusive for its fauna, there have been only few researches. Without such, pointing the hotspots in greatest need of protection and restoration, as well as taking adequate measures subsequently, is impossible. Concerned about the endangered status of the banana frog, and supported with a Rufford grant, Matthias and his team spent ten evenings, or 111 hours, in August 2014, seeking and collecting as many frogs as possible from seven different locations. When they determined the species status of the found individuals, it turned out that they have managed to discover several new populations of banana frogs from unexpected localities. As a result of their survey, the geographical range of the Ethiopian banana frog has been expanded by roughly 40 km towards the North and 70 km to the East. Its altitu-
dinal distribution already reaches a maximum of 2030 metres above sea level, compared to the previously known maximum of 1800 m. Banana frogs being identified from outside forest habitats is also a good news for the species' preservation since it shows that not only are the frogs more tolerable against forest degradation than expected, but that also there could be even more populations. "Although Southwest Ethiopia is known to harbour the last large tracts of natural forest, forest cover has declined dramatically to less than 3% nationwide," point out the researchers. "Therefore, accurate information on species conservation and distribution is an essential first step to facilitate the delivery of conservation updates, recognize biodiversity hotspots and encourage habitat protection and restoration." Courtesy: sciencedaily
Ecotourism to save endangered species Ecotourism can provide the critical difference between survival and extinction for endangered animals, according to new research from Australia's Griffith University. Using population viability modelling, the Griffith team of Professor Ralf Buckley, Dr Guy Castley and Dr Clare Morrison have developed a method that for the first time quantifies the impact of ecotourism on threatened species. Their findings are published in the journal PLOS ONE. "We know that ecotourism is increasing on a global scale, with visitor numbers to many protected areas ex-
panding each year. We also know that such activities can have negative as well as positive impacts," said Professor Buckley, Griffith's International Chair in Ecotourism Research. "Until now, however, there has been no way to evaluate the net effect of ecotourism in increasing or decreasing the risk of extinction for endangered species, which is the key parameter for conservation efforts." Population viability models are widely used in practical wildlife management. They estimate cumulative population changes by simulating births and deaths itera-
tively, one generation at a time. Final predictions are based on thousands of repeated simulations. The Griffith scientists used the models to calculate future population changes for nine threatened species for which data exists -- the orangutan, hoolock gibbon, golden lion tamarin, cheetah, African wild dog, New Zealand sealion, African penguin, great green macaw and Egyptian vulture. "We converted all ecotourism effects -- positive and negative -- to ecological parameters and found that for seven of the species involved, ecotourism provides net
conservation gains through factors such as private reserves, habitat restoration, reduction in habitat damage, removal of feral predators, anti-poaching measures or captive breeding and food supplementation," said Professor Buckley. Dr Castley, from Griffith's Environmental Futures Research Institute, said the research demonstrates how the net effects of tourism differ among species and subpopulations and that these effects are influenced by local circumstances. "For example, they depend on the scale and intensity of ecotourism, the size of initial populations, rates of pre-
dation and on the impacts of other industries such as fishing and logging," he said. "Other factors, including poaching, are also important." Griffith School of Environment's Dr Morrison said the research confirms that ecotourism is not always successful. "In a few cases, this can have a net negative effect on threatened species," she said. "However, for most of the rare and endangered bird and mammal species analysed, ecotourism makes the critical difference between survival and extinction." Courtesy: sciencedaily
Banana frog. Source: cdn.phys
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Jat agitation: Sehwag Ex-United manager Moyes backs embattled Van Gaal appeals to shun violence ANI New Delhi, Feb.21 : Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag on Sunday urged the Jat community in Haryana to call off their agitation and focus on the development of the nation. The 37-year-old took to Twitter to express his views on the issue. "The country's defence forces, the sports world and others have made the country proud. We must concentrate and use our energies towards the
Virender Sehwag upliftment of the Indian society," Sehwag tweeted. He urged the protestors to
put forth their demands in a constitutional manner, insisting that they are the
'protectors and not violators'. At least 10 people have been killed and 150 injured as protests by the Jat community in Haryana demanding status for Other Backward Classes ( OBC) continued for the seventh day. The Jat stir also hit Delhi with the Centre asking the Manohar Lal Khattar-led Haryana Government to ensure that the water supply to the national capital is not disrupted.
ANI Johannesburg, Feb.21 : Former Manchester United manager David Moyes has offered his support to embattled Louis Van Gaal, saying that the Old Trafford club should not sack the Dutchman.
further misery on Van Gaal. The 52-year-old insisted that his former side should keep faith on Van Gaal, calling on United to avoid turning into a sacking club,Sport24 reported.
Van Gaal's job has been under scrutiny following his side's repeated poor performances in the Premier League, with former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho reportedly in talks to replace him at the Old Trafford. United's recent 2-1 defeat
Moyes further admired Van Gaal for his fighting spirit, saying that he always sticks up for his side even in most dreadful situations. United, who are currently fifth in Premier League table, will play the second leg against Midtjylland at Old Trafford on Thursday.
`Scared` Russell equates playing in Pak to war-torn Iraq
`Injured` Benzema to miss Malaga clash in La Liga
for Islamabad United in the ongoing inaugural edition of the PSL in UAE, also compared travelling to Pakistan with war-torn Iraq and added that he was just going by what he had heard. "It is like me going to Iraq based on what I have heard about Iraq. You are going to have nice places in Iraq. You are going to have nice places in Pakistan. I've seen pictures, beautiful places, and beautiful people. But it is [about] what is surrounding [them]," Russell added. Earlier, PSL league chairman Nasim Sethi said that he has been planning to host few matches in the major cities of Pakistan in the second season.
midfielder Gareth Bale and defender Pepe will also remain sidelined due to injury,goal.com reported. Nacho is all set to partner Sergio Ramos in central defence, while Raphael Varane will miss the match because of suspension. The Zinedine Zidane-led side are currently third in standings and are 10 points adrift of leaders Barcelona. The two sides will lock horns on Sunday at La Rosaleda Stadium. Real Madrid squad against Malaga is as follows: Keylor Navas, Casilla, Ruben Yanez, Ramos, Nacho, Marcelo, Carvajal, Arbeloa, Danilo, Kroos, James, Casemiro, Kovacic, Modric, Isco, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lucas Vazquez, Jese, Borja Mayoral.
Andre Russell ANI Barbados, Feb.21 : West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell has expressed his willingness to play the second season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in the country, but said he is too scared to travel to Pakistan amidst safety and security concerns.
"Based on what I have heard and stuff you know, I mean, I am going to be scared obviously .But, for some reason, I would go to Pakistan. But listen, I am going to be scared. That's the thing," Russell was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. Russell, who is playing
Karim Benzema ANI Madrid, Feb.21 : Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema has been ruled out of the 19-man squad for the upcoming La Liga clash against Malaga due to back trouble. The 28-year-old has contributed a total of 19 goals in his 19 league appearances for Madrid since the beginning of the campaign. Besides Benzema,
Louis Van Gaal at the hands of Danish club Midtjylland in the
first-leg of their last-32 in Europa League tie has put
Richards hails McCullum as `one of cricket's finest ambassador` ANI Johannesburg, Feb.21 : Former West Indies skipper Vivian Richards has lavished praise on retiring New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum, describing him as one of the finest ambassadors of cricket. Richards's praise came after the 34-year-old recorded the fastest Test century during his side's second Test against Australia.McCullum took just 54 balls to reach the three-figure landmark, surpassing Richards and Pakistan's Misbah-ulhaq's record of 56 balls. Richards, who is currently mentoring Quetta in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL), also congratulated McCullum for reaching the milestone
McCullum and for making the game of cricket beautiful, Sport24 reported. The batting legend, who set the record against England in 1986, admitted that McCullum was a batsman whom he would have wanted to surpass his milestone.
McCullum, who is playing his 101st and the farewell match, was dismissed for 145 in the first innings. New Zealand are currently trailing 1-0 in the two-match Test series following an innings and 52run defeat in the opening match in Wellington.
Burns, Smith put Aussies in Charles replaces Bravo in Windies squad for World T20 driver's seat against Kiwis ANI Christchurch, Feb.21 : Opener Joe Burns and skipper Steve Smith crafted brilliant centuries to put Australia in a strong position at stumps on the second day of the second Test against New Zealand at Hagley Oval on Sunday. At the end of play, Australia reached 363 for four and are trailing by just seven runs of New Zealand's first innings.
Burns smashed 20 boundaries in his brilliant knock of 170 to provide an initial thrust to the visitors before Smith contributed a massive 138 runs in his side's first innings. For New Zealand, Trent Boult and Neil Wagner scalped two wickets each. Meanwhile, Adam Voges and Nathan Lyon, who are unbeaten at their respective scores of two and four, will aim to keep Australia in a commanding position when they
Lukaku strikes late as Everton beat Bournemouth to reach FA Cup quarters
Romelu Lukaku ANI London, Feb.21 : Romelu Lukaku smashed a late goal to help Everton seal their place in the FA Cup quarterfinals after claiming a comfortable 20 win over Bournemouth in the fifth round at Vitality Stadium. Attacking midfielder Ross Barkley netted a goal in the 55th minute to put his side ahead before Lukaku struck his 21st goal of the season to pile further mis-
ery on Bournemouth, the Guardian reported. Although Bournemouth had a great chance to take a lead in the first half of the match, midfielder Charlie Daniels saw his powerful first half penalty saved by Everton keeper Joel Robles. Everton, who are 11th in Premier League standings, will now go into their next match buoyed by the good form of Barkley and Lukaku.
Earlier, New Zealand were bundled out for 370, with skipper Brendon McCullum (145) scoring his fastest Test century in his farewell match.
Steve Smith come on the field to bat on day three.
Corey Anderson (72) and BJ Watling 52 were other notable figures for the hosts. Australia are currently leading the two-match series 1-0 following an innings and 52-run win in the opening match in Wellington.
ANI Barbados, Feb.21 : Johnson Charles has been named in the West Indies squad to replace batsman Darren Bravo for next month's World T20 to be played in India.
E a r l i e r, 2 7 - y e a r - o l d Bravo had pulled out of the squad for the upcoming T20 pinnacle event in order to concentrate on the longer format of the game. Charles, who played his last T20 against Sri
`Confident` Dhoni insists India upbeat over World T20 title Kolkata, Feb.21 (ANI): India's limited-over skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Sunday expressed confidence on winning the upcoming World T20 in the country, saying that the team has all the required ingredients and qualities needed to clinch the title. "I have the belief and also the talent as required to win a big tournament. This team has all the ingredient. What will be important is to keep the team fit and at the same time try to give as many games as to all the individuals who are the part of the side. A lot of that will also depend upon where we are positioned in the tournament, in Asia Cup, especially. After which we have two games before the World T20 Cup starts. I feel if everybody gets chance to play, it will be very good for us," Dhoni told the media ahead of Asia Cup. Reflecting on his side's strategy, the 34-year-old said that India would try to dismiss the big hitters as early as possible in order to keep the match in their favour. "It's all about the team and the
talent you have. But ultimately you have to go and do well on the field. That's what cricket is all about. In this format, you have to keep the big hitters away from the game. If you are playing against a team that have two big hitters. You have to make sure that they don't score a runs because if the big hitters are scoring the run then they will usually take the game from you," he added. The wicketkeeper-batsman also hoped for fast bowler Mohammad Shami's quick fitness, insisting that he would strengthen his side's bowling attack. Shami has been ruled out of the Asia Cup due to hamstring injury. His availibility for World T20 is also unlikely. "Of course he will have to prove his fitness. If he doesn't, we have replacement. He has been one bowler who has bowled really well for us with the new ball and also at the depth. If he will be fit then our bowling attack will look better," Dhoni said.
Dhoni further expressed his views on New Zealand retiring skipper Brendon McCullum, who smashed the fastest Test century during his side's second Test against Australia. He took just 54 balls to reach the three-figure landmark, surpassing former West Indies skipper Vivian Richards and Pakistan's Misbah-ul-Haq's record of 56 balls. Dhoni lavished praise on McCullum and described him as a good ambassador of cricket. "He is just a fantastic cricketer. He is also a wicketkeeper-batsman. He has played a lot of ODI, T20s for New Zealand. He is the kind of batsman who really entertains the crowd right from the very first ball. He has been a very good brand ambassador when it comes to cricket," Dhoni insisted. India are going into next week's Asia Cup T20 in Bangladesh as the number one team in the world and will aim to lift the shortest format's pinnacle event title for a second time
Darren Bravo Lanka in November 2014, finished as the third-highest run-getter for his side, St Lucia Zouks, in the Caribbean
Premier League ( CPL) 2015, ESPNcricinfo reported. The ICC World T20 is slated to be held in India
from March 8 to April 3, with the Darren Sammyled side playing their opening match against England on March 16. West Indies squad for World T20 is as follows: Darren Sammy (Captain), Samuel Badree, Sulieman Benn, Carlos Brathwaite, Dwayne Bravo, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Ashley Nurse, Denesh Ramdin Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Jerome Taylor.
Becks-Posh mark son Cruz's b'day with heartfelt messages ANI Washington D.C., Feb. 21 : David and Victoria Beckham's son Cruz David recently turned 11 and they could not help but gush over their son. The couple took to their respective Instagram pages to wish their son. The 40-year-old footballer shared Cruz's pic posing in the pool, captioning it as, "Happy 11th birthday to our little man...11 years of seeing him grow from a cheeky baby to a cheeky 11 year old. He makes us laugh every single day and has the most amazing character plus the biggest heart...Love you big boy," E! Online reports. Showering love on her son, the 41-year-old Victoria shared a pic of
David Beckham
her young kid and wrote, "Birthday boy Cruz. We love u big boy!!X can't believe u r 11 today!!" The proud mother continued, "We r all so proud of u! X lots of love...Mummy,D
addy,Brooklyn,Romeo and Harper X @davidbeckham @brooklynbeckham X kisses from LA X vb." The couple, who got hitched on July 4, 1999, welcomed Cruz on February 20, 2005.
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