24 july 2015, friday

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Vol. 1

Issue 52

Arunachal Govt faces CAG's criticism for implementation failure of Mid-Day Meal scheme ET Bureau Itanagar, Jul 23

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has criticised the Arunachal Pradesh education department for its failure in successful implementation of the MidDay Meal (MDM) scheme in the state. The Union Government launched the MDM scheme in August 1995 with the primary objective of boosting universalisation of primary education by increasing enrolment, retention and attendance and simultaneously im-

ET CAPSULES Tuki-led government appreciated by Arunachal Civil Society Itanagar, Jul 23: Arunachal Civil Society (ACS) extended appreciation to the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki who is also the Finance Minister for introducing a people's first budget especially in the wake of increase in the amount from INR 2 lakh to 3 lakh for the Chief Minister Universal Health Insurance Scheme and dedication of the Year 2015-16 as year of SelfEmployment by making policies to create at least 30,000 jobs for youths through skill development. Meanwhile ACS also thanked the entire entourage of MLAs and Council of Ministers for their co-operation and support for the welfare of the state. (Correspondent)

EMB to organize awareness programme on ‘Superstition and Evil Customs’

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Duliajan, Jul 23: An awareness camp shall be organized by ‘Elira Bigyan Manch’ on 26th July, 2015 in the auditorium of Duliajan club from 1 pm onwards, where superstitions and evil custom awareness programme will be held.

Many socially aware individuals and intellectuals are expected to sign donation papers in order to donate human body parts after their death. A special team of doctors from GMC of Anatomy Department, Dr. Jaydev Sharma, EMB’s joint secretary Isphakur Rahman, working president of EMB Dibrugarh dist. Dr. Dharmeswar Gogoi, Senior Dr Bijoy Borah of AMC will be present to express their views on the subject matter. (Correspondent)

proving nutritional status of primary school children.

The CAG report, which was tabled in the state Assembly on Tuesday by Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, attributed inadequate financial management, short-lifting of food grain, delay in release of funds, inadequate infrastructural facilities and lack of monitoring as the reasons for failure of the scheme.

The CAG highlighted that no household surveys were conducted to identify the total number of children enrolled at the primary stage and no attempts were made to encour-

Price -

Dibrugarh, Friday, July 24, 2015

age high level of enrolment through publicity.

The report stated that in 2010-11, against the Centre's allocation of 6,687.66 MT of food grain for primary and upper primary levels, the department lifted only 5,928.37 MT and during 2013-14, against an allocation of 6,625.01 MT, only 6,598.95 MT was lifted leading to short-lifting of 785.35 MT of food grain.

"There was a shortfall in provision of 47,360 meals due to short receipt of food grain in 137 schools in the state," the report pointed out, adding,

in six schools of West Kameng and Lohit district, 46.61 quintals (23 percent) of the allotted rice was issued as dry ration, instead of cooked meals,violating directives of the Supreme Court. The CAG report said, of 150 testchecked schools, pucca kitchen sheds were not available in 130 (87 percent) schools,drinking water facilities in 35 schools (23 percent), gas-based chullahs in 148 schools (99 percent) and cooking utensils in 9 schools (6 percent).

Contd. on Page 3

Build quality and durable roads: Arunachal Governor

5.00

Pages- 12

Dibrugarh under water Worst flash floods in 40 years wreak havoc in Dibrugarh A Staff Reporter Dibrugrh, Jul 23

Water logging in Dibrugarh has created a strong resentment among the denizens. Due to heavy downpour for at least twelve hours 90 per cent of Dibrugarh has come under water while for the last 40 years Dibrugarh has not seen such a debilitating flash flood. The worst affected residential areas are Khalihamari, Graham Bazar, Gangapara, Lachit Nagar, Kadamoni, Gandhi Nagar, Padum Nagar, Dibrujan, Durgabari, PWD Colony, R.K.B. Path, Kalibari, Vishnu Nagar, Bagchipara, West and Central Chowkidinghee, Milan Nagar, Nirmali Gaon, KP road, Jibon Phukan Nagar and Police Reserve.

Contd. on Page 4

Vehicles move on a submerged Mancota road in Dibrugarh. Pic - UB Photos

Dreaded Ulfa (I) cadre Rupom Asom to surrender soon!

Prasanta Saha Tinsukia, Jul 23

ET Bureau Itanagar, Jul 23

The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Shri JP Rajkhowa chaired a high-level meeting to review the road communication in the State at Raj Bhawan, Itanagar today.

Speaking on the occasion, the Governor said that the State of Arunachal Pradesh has huge potential to prosper in tourism and horticulture sectors. It has scenic beauty and number of places of religious tourism and adventure sports. But due to bad roads, the State has been neither able to fully harness it’s potential in tourism nor economically benefit from its horticultural produces.

The Governor said that road is the most vital and prioritised issue for the public and it is the responsibility of all the road construction agencies to

build quality and durable roads. He cautioned them of time and cost overruns.

Sharing his recent experiences of travelling by road from Guwahati to Itanagar through Hollongi and Gumto and Itanagar-Putin-Ziro, the Governor said that roads are not good and have lots of potholes. There is no drainage system, which adds to its perpetual damage.

Referring to recent road blockage, particularly at Karsingsa, the Governor advised the executing agencies to consult the Central Road Institute, Pune or technical institutes like North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology, Nirjuli and Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati to address the perennial challenges. He suggested for alternate road or flyover over the sinking zone.

The Governor also ex-

pressed his displeasure on the condition of Capital roads. He advised use of latest machines and technologies and suggested that a high-level task force may be formed to address the road conditions. Advising on the bottlenecks in implementation of road projects, the Governor called for concerted effort of the local public, executing agencies and State and Central Governments. He also suggested that the maintenance cost for fixed duration in the cost of road projects must be included to sort out the issue of maintenance of roads.

In the meeting Governor informed that he had already taken up with the President of India, Prime Minister and concerned Union Ministers for

Contd. on Page 3

Asom who is reportedly involved in the recent massacre might surrender before the security forces ‘very soon’.

The security forces are carrying out relentless operations in the Khatangpani, Nalani, Pengeri areas in Tinsukia district after it received inputs that a group of Ulfa (I) cadres comprising Rupom Asom,

The massive counter insurgency operations started by the security forces after the killing of two Hindi-speaking people at Bijulibon under Pengeri police station in upper Assam’s Tinsukia district might bear fruit very soon.

Reliable sources said that dreaded Ulfa (I) cadre Rupom

Contd. on Page 4

Massive corruption alleged in Missing Autonomous Council ET Correspondent Lakhimpur, Jul 23

Missing Autonomous Council has comprehensively failed to fulfill the hopes and aspiration of Missing Ethnic Tribe in the State. On the contrary, the Council has turned out to be a white elephant being unable to effect rapid development with regard to establishing the tribe with a respectable position in the country.

Favoritism and nepotism, misuse of fund, and deep-rooted

corruption have pushed the council to being a profit earning instrument for certain members and the Chief Executive Member. These serious allegations against the MAC were today made by Mithuram Doley, the President of All Assam Tribal Entrepreneurs Association.

Holding a press conference today at 11 am at the North Lakhimpur Press Club, the President of the Association became vocal against the MAC and Ranoj Kumar Pegu, the Chief Executive Member

of the Council. He alleged that the Finance Department of the state allocated an amount of INR 40 crore under the head of construction and INR 13 crore and 70 lacs under the head of supply, a total of INR 54 crore in the financial year 2013-2014. But the officials of the MAC and the Chief Executive Member misused the fund behind the veil of some non beneficial schemes without making any kind of preestimate and issuing no tender.

Contd. on Page 4

Police foil Gecko Lizard Arunachal BJP reacts strongly to APCC’s allegations of political instigation by Kiren Rijiju smuggling bid, 1 arrested Home Affairs, Govt. of India, Arunachal BJP today said there is not an iota of truth in it.

The BJP also said that the press statement issued by the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee and Arunachal Pradesh Congress Seva Dal, is nothing but a desperate attempt to divert the people’s attention away from the rampant financial mismanagement, corruption, highhandedness, nepotism and favoritism indulged by the ruling Congress govt. led

by Shri Nabam Tuki, the

ET Bureau Itanagar, Jul 23

While reacting to the press statement by the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee and Arunachal Pradesh Congress Seva Dal, branding the recent peaceful dharna that turned violent staged in front of the State Legislative Assembly by the Jan Andolan Committee, Bharatiya Janata Party, Arunachal Pradesh, as an instigation and dictated by Shri Kiren Rijiju, the Hon’ble Union Minister of State for

Rise in wholesale onion price

Court frames charges, trial to begin soon

The prices of this essential cooking ingredient have shot up by 30% in

A city court today framed charges against former Bangladesh minister Salahuddin Ahmed, who was arrested here for ille-

BUSINESS

REGION

just three working days at Lasalgaon Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC), the country's largest wholesale onion market, due to decline in supply.

gally entering India. The court of Judicial Magistrate (First Class), K.M. Lyngdoh Nongbri, framed charge against Ahmed under the Foreigners Act, public prosecutor I.C. Jha told journalists after the hearing."

China Starts Naval Drills in Disputed South China Sea

What History Tells Us About the Iran Deal and Regional Order

The Chinese navy kicked off 10-day military exercises in the disputed South China Sea amid heightened

NEIGHBOURS

The historic nuclear deal reached with Iran earlier this month is EDITORIAL

tensions in the region, especially with the US. Playing down the significance of the exercises, the Chinese military said the drills, started yesterday in the east of Hainan Province, are not directed against neighbors."

unquestionably a significant step forward in resolving an issue that has demanded tireless U.S. diplomatic effort.

Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh.

Arunachal BJP is of the opinion that the APCC and APCSD’s press statement has only exposed in the public domain their moral and ethical values especially in the wake of their ways of mudslinging at the democratically launched peaceful dharna.

It also said that the allegations by the APCC and APCSD on the State BJP unit are a figment of their imagination and an attempt to hide their prolonged misrule in the State.

ET Correspondent Bokajan, Jul 23

After drugs, prostitution, illegal liquor trade and other anti social activities, the Assam-Nagaland interstate border has now witnessed a new trend which is smuggling of the rare Tokay Gecko lizards believed to have medicinal value with regard to curbing deadly diseases like AIDS and Cancer.

Contd. on Page 4

The arrested poacher along with the Gecko Lizard

NRC updation process: What happens to the jail inmates ET Correspondent Golaghat, Jul 23

The people of Assam are currently busy with the formalities of NRC updation. Large cues are seen in front of each NRC centre. Amidst all these, a question arises: What happens to the individuals who are in jail? The jail authorities have reportedly taken steps to ensure that jail inmates avail themselves of the NRC updation. The authorities of the District Jail, Golaghat informed this correspondent that there are 453 prisoners at present out of which 431 are male and 32 female.

The authorities have allowed unofficially the relatives of the inmates to meet up and complete the required formalities for NRC updation. Also the jail authorities have issued required certificates in some specific cases. They also informed that in case of Aadhar Card an NGO came forward and took the details of the inmates and now more than 200 Aadhar Cards have been received by them.

Poachers caught on camera at Manas Reserve ET Correspondent Guwahati, Jul 23

Aaranyak, a society for biodiversity conservation in Northeast India, congratulated the officials and forest staff of Orang National Park

on their success in nailing two poachers in the court of the law for illegal entry into the park with arms and killing rhinos. The Mangaldoi Session Court, Assam, recently convicted the two poachers, Haren Daimari and Dharmeswar Basumatary

with two years of rigorous imprisonment and fine of INR 25000 each. Session Judge Mr. G Baruah spelt the punishment on Tuesday, last, citing the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Aaranyak has been closely monitoring this case and has

been involved since the very beginning. It is worth mentioning that Aaranyak and Assam Forest Department have been using camera traps to monitor the tigers and other animals in the Orang National Park since 2008.

Contd. on Page 4

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Every Thursday

Every Thursday & Sunday

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DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, JULY 24

National Children Science Congress of Lakhimpur District Committee to be held on October 3 Ranjit Kakoty Lakhimpur, Jul 23: National Children Science Congress, the Lakhimpur District Committee has appealed to the people of Lakhimpur to be active partners in creating as well as rejuvenating a scientific environment in the district.

In this regard, the Committee has raised a strong demand before the District Administration to play a vital role and work for developing scientific temperament among the people in the interest of developing the innate and latent scientific talents of the children.

Holding a press conference in North Lakhimpor Press Club at 11.30 am yesterday the District Co-ordinator of the committee, Jognoram Bora placed these appeal and demand in the greater interest of the children of the district. At the very outset of the conference he explained the history of National Children’s’ Science Congress and its Lakhimpur District Committee. He said that the Lakhimpur District Committee of the organization which has been working for the development of children scientist all over the nation came into being in Lakhimpur in 1993.

Since then the committee has left no stone unturned to encourage the children scientist and to create a scientific environment. It has organized 12 district level children scientist conferences across different schools of the district.

Moreover a total of 16 children scientist could secure national awards while another two children scientist achieved national level special award under its banner and guidance. The co-ordinator expressed that Niharika Deuri, a class five student of Orient Academy achieved the Best Children Scientist of junior category at the National Children Scientist Congress held in

Bengaluru in 2014. She bagged this feat for her project: Germination of different kinds of seeds in different temperatures. In addition, another three children scientist namely Niranjan Dutta, class eight student of Tantibahar ME School, Jagyapratim Saikia, a class nine student of Sankardev Sishu Bidya Niketan of Narayanpur and Himanku Dowarhm a class eight student of Bishnuram Bailung ME School of Nowboicha bagged the National Award in the same programme.

Meanwhile, a good number of children scientist achieved State level Awards at different times.

The co-ordinator announced that the committee is going to hold the 23rd Lakhimpur District National Children Scientist Congress on October 3 at Bihpuria Girls’ High School. The interested candidates can submit their project on or before September 27. In this regard they can contact him over mobile number – 9859822178. Moreover an in-charge teacher’s training workshop will be held at Dhakuakhona Girls’ High School on August 8.

One teacher and 2 students can participate in this workshop for the training.

He demanded that the education department make for all students within the age range of 10 to 17 reading in the MV, ME, Secondary, Higher Secondary, Schools and Colleges submission of science projects compulsory. He also demanded the patronage of the district administration with regard to the execution of the programme. Academic co-ordinator Nikhil Hazarika, resource person Nitul Gogoi and children scientist Niharika Deuri were present in the press conference. Niharika presented her project in front of the media persons.

ATTSA Margherita Regional Committee concerned over non-declaration of job interview results ET Correspondent Margherita, Jul 23: All Tea Tribe Students' Association (ATTSA) Margherita Regional Committee has expressed concern over the alleged step-motherly treatment meted out by the management of Margherita Tea

Estate towards the aspiring candidates from the Margherita Tea Estate who have appeared for an interview. ATTSA leader of Margherita said that on 28th December, 2014 an interview was held at the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) in

Guwahati where candidates from Namdang Tea Estate, Margherita and Margherita Tea Estate appeared for the same with the results declared in April 2015. However, only the results of the candidates from Namdang Tea Estate, Margherita

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

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

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

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

were declared while partiality was done to the candidates of Margherita Tea Estate, alleged an AATSA leader of Margherita. All the candidates of Namdang Tea Estate, Margherita whose results were declared are now employed at

Namdang Tea Estate, Margerita, he added.

Some officials of Margherita Tea Estate with vested interests are allegedly conspiring and are not declaring the results, alleged the ATTSA leader of Margherita. If within seven days the re-

sults of Margherita Tea Estate are not declared then ATTSA Margherita Regional Committee shall launch a massive agitation against the management of Namdang Tea Estate warned an ATTSA leader of Margherita.

ASTRO FOR YOU Just grab any chance you get to demonstrate your expressive abilities, as it will fetch widespread appreciation. Something about your children may make you proud. However, Ganesha says, don't neglect the aged members of your family.

It is highly unlikely that you will be emotional and sentimental today, predicts Ganesha. Adopt a laid-back attitude towards life to feel at ease. Public servants will have encouraging and affirmative results in their efforts. Your competency will be put to test at the work place.

Today is an important day to completely immerse yourself in your favourite activities, says Ganesha. But don't forget that loved ones come first as lack of warmth may affect family life. Show your family members that you care.

New relationships are also on the anvil. It is an eventful and positive day for you.

Today, you will need to rise above your emotional leanings and will have to choose between doing the right thing and keeping your loved ones happy. So far, you have managed to strike a balance. It is about time that you learn to deal with your fears, suggests Ganesha. Always keep in mind that your emotions cloud your reasoning. You may not be able to think clearly and any careless outbursts may leave relationships strained.

Reinvention and rejuvenation - these are the two words that shall dictate your philosophy for the day. Refurbishing oneself does not always have to be in accordance with something new; taking a look back can be equally enlightening. In any case, it's a small world, and, hence, chances are that you shall revive most of your old contacts either in a social occasion or an official meeting. Do not discount the importance of reconnecting with your near and dear ones, advises Ganesha.

Today, you shall balance business and entertainment equally well. The day will be like an endless party, says Ganesha. The emptying of pockets will be proportional to the amount of time you spend doing nothing. But spend prudently, advises Ganesha, and let it not worry you.

Call it two sides of the same coin, but today, you shall have the uncanny desire to be your own master and servant. But this day is all set to be animated and eventful and full of life. Expect a few run-ins with the opposite sex, as you are bound to attract quite a few of them, mainly because of your killer good looks. Hitting the gym pays its dividends, says Ganesha.

You may find yourself sulking in your shell today, feels Ganesha. One event or another may lead you to shut out work. Hindsight and bitterness will not lead you anywhere, so Ganesha advises that you must steer clear of negativity. Soul searching and inner cleansing may best be complimented with meditation and yoga.

A nice, easy and pleasant day is on the cards. Your professional approach will bring you much appreciation, especially in the way you handle complicated problems. The way you balance people's opinions will help you make many friends.

That you are affectionate towards your loved ones will be more noticeable today than ever before, says Ganesha. In fact, you will enjoy their company and will do everything in your capacity to make them feel wanted. Longterm relationships will also thrive.

You may be sorely disappointed today. With no support from family, and the kids driving you up the wall, you need to keep your cool. Family feuds are highly likely, and neighbours may attempt to interfere. For now, all you need is to remain unruffled, says Ganesha.

Being a friend in need is what today will be about, says Ganesha. Making new acquaintances and associations is also on the cards. Try not to let jealousy mar your better judgement while you are at it.

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

Members of AASU of Ghilamara Unit felicitating meritorious students HSLC/HSSLC students in a felicitation program at Dhakuakhana.Pic - UB Photos

A CLARIFICATION

This is with reference to a news item titled 'PRI Members of Diyun Circle Condemn baseless article published in Arunachal Times' published in the Jun 19, 2015 edition of The Eastern Today.

The publication of this news item in our English daily was an error of judgement on our part and it should not have been published in the same format as it was. Although the attempt of The Eastern Today has always been and will always be to keep publishing news in a manner which is in accordance with the ethics prescribed by the Press Council of India, this represents a one-off lapse on our part and we pledge to stay vigilant in future with regard to publishing these kind of news items in the correct manner.

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

G M Hospital

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

AMC Road, Jalan Nagar Dibrugarh - 786 005

Archana Trauma & Orthopaedics Hospital

Brahmaputra Diagnostics & Hospital

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

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

Assam Medical College

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

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

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

Sanjivani Diagnostic & Hospital

Dr. Pawan Bajaj's Skin Clinic

Aastha Hospital

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

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

Paltan Bazar, Opposite Aditya Hospital Dibrugarh

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

Phone No.-03732325456 E-mail -dibrugarh@air.org.in Facebook Page-All India Radio Dibrugarh Programme Highlights 24-7-15 (FRIDAY)

24-7-15 5-35 A.M-Bhaktigeeti 6-30 A.M-Bidyarthir Anusthan (Students' Broadcast) 6-50 A.M-Zikir 7-15 A.M-Aajir Dinto (Morning Information Service) 7-30 A.M-Geetanjali(Assamese Modern Song) 8-35 A.M-Surar Panchoi(Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 9-05 A.M- Antara(Composite Programme of Hindi Film Songs) 12-05 P.M-Live Phone-In Surar Satsori 1-10 P.M-Troops Programme 2-30 P.M-Western Music Programme 3-30 P.M-Deuri Geet by Joigeswar Deuri and Party 3-45 P.M-Programme in Miju Mishimi 4-05 P.M-Programme in Khamti 4-25 P.M-Programme in Wancho 4-45 P.M-News for Arunachal Pradesh 5-00 P.M-Programme in Idu 5-20 P.M-Programme in Tangsa 5-40 P.M-Programme in Nocte 7-15 P.M-Chah-Shramikar Aasor (Tea-Garden Programme) 8-00 P.M-Jeewanar Deegh-Bani (Radio Autobiography) 9-30 P.M-North East Collage 10-00 P.M-Recordings of Question Hour in Parliament Sd-/H.O.P

PAGE 3

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, JULY 24

Dai distributes barbed wires to promote Mithun preservation Pasighat, Jul 23: East Siang ZPC Kaling Dai who is also ZPM of Bogong (I) today distributed 100 rolls barbed wires to the Bogong Banggo Mithun Rearing Society (BBMRS), Pasighat in a small but impressive function held at the Boying Village Gram Panchayat office in presence of Anchal Chairperson Tamat Tasung and Apo Pangkam and N Rukbo, President and

General Secretary of BBMRS respectively.

The material was procured under Grants in-aids to East Siang Zilla Parishad (Bogong-I) Dai while lauding the efforts of BBMRS, said traditionally Mithun is a unit of wealth and allowed to move freely in jungle but it has religious significance and intimate relation with socio-cultural life of the people. It's a culture made by our

ancestors but we need to take all possible steps to protect and preserve the aged old tradition before Mithun become extinct. How will ones wealth be determined during the weddings and cultural gatherings? Dai questioned.

We have thousand hectors of lands at high altitudes for rearing of this endangered species that needs to be fenced well and MP and local MLA show-

ing their interest have assured to take up the issue with appropriate authorities at the government level, he informed.

He advised the society to prepare a concrete plan for carrying out breeding and artificial insemination to increase in population and improvement followed by time bound medical treatment which is possible only in a well fenced confined area.

Security forces conduct regular check in Jorhat in a bid to prevent any untoward incident by ultras before the Independence Day. Pic - Nekib Ahmed

Hospital flooded with dengue patients, 325 detected positive so far DHS appreciates hospital management Pasighat, Jul 22: Pasighat has been hit by a dengue scare with over 325 confirmed cases. According to the data released by the general hospital authority, 1157 fever cases reported but there is no report of death so far. Hospital has been receiving calls from the patients, with even slight bout of fever, seeking admission in the hospital. Unnecessary panic among the people has hit the health infrastructure. People have been insisting to get admitted to the hospital as they do not want to take a chance with their health. Meanwhile, Director of Health Services, Dr. Kartik Nishing today paid an unannounced visit to the hospital to know the ground reality.

DHS Dr. Nishing along with Dr. M Perme (DMO), Dr. YR Darang (MS) and SPO (IDSP) Dr. L Jampa and SPO (NVBDCP) Dr. A Yirang interacted with the patients and wished for immediate recoveries. He also met on duty doctors (OPDs) and inspected clinical laboratory. Nishing appreciated the medical fraternities for rendering their tireless services to humanity. The cases of mosquito-borne disease has gone up significantly and shares a grim picture as far as the number of cases are

Contd. From Page 1

The report revealed from 2009 to 2014, there were persistent savings ranging from one to 32 percent, while during the same period there were delays ranging up to 21 months in release of central assistance by the state government to the nodal department.

"The state government did not contribute its share aggregating to Rs.12.93 crore towards conversion costs, hono-

rarium to cooks and MME costs," the report pointed out, adding, there were deficiencies in meetings of the state, district and block level monitoring cells to monitor implementation of the scheme.

The report recommended the state government to ensure preparation of annual work plans and budget (AWP&B) with authenticated inputs and ensure strict compliance to all pre-requisites and to streamline and simplify existing procedure to ensure timely transmission of funds to

the implementing agencies.

It also suggested to strengthen the monitoring mechanism and supervision of the scheme and enforce effectively at all levels to secure accountability at various levels of programme implementation.

"Requirements of food grain should be assessed on the basis of reliable inputs from the school level and allotted quantities of food grain should be lifted and distributed on a timely basis," the report added.

Build quality and durable roads: Arunachal Governor concerned, said the visiting Director. He appealed the district administration, DMO and municipal bodies to destroy mosquito breeding places to ensure source reduction. Dengue symptoms include high fever for four to five days usually accompanied by severe headache, pain in the eyes, muscle and joint pain and rashes. Dengue fever is

usually a self-limited illness and there is no specific antiviral treatment currently available. Supportive care with analgesics, fluid replacement, and bed rest is usually sufficient, opined Dr. Nishing. Microbiologist Dr. B Apum informed the Director that she is updating the State and Central health authorities. Her staffs are work-

ing without launch break to deliver prompt services to the patients. Apum urged the people not to pressurize the on duty staffs to get immediate blood reports because it normally takes more than 48 hours. DMO Perme apprised the Director that 2nd round Indoor Residual Spray (DDT) and fogging are under way to ensure source reduc-

tion beside house to house survey as a part of awareness.

In the meantime, Scientists namely CK Sharma, Sumi Chetry, Hirok Jyoti Borchetia Dipanjal Bhuyan from Indian Council of Medical Research, Dibrugarh arrived Pasighat this evening to conduct survey followed by research and vector identification.

Hike in India's import duty raises red flag at WTO Gurgaon, Jul 23: For years the government has been talking about moving to Asean rates of import duty, which is around 5%. But, a recent review of India's trade policy has showed that the average applied customs duty rate went up to 13% in 2014-15, compared to 12% at the time of the last review in 2010-11 - a move that has seen some red flags go up at the World Trade Organization. This means that the applied rate is much higher: Between 10% and 300% for

Arunachal Govt faces CAG's criticism for implementation failure of Mid-Day Meal scheme

farm products and up to 150% for industrial goods. On an average the average applied customs tariff was around 9.5% for non-farm goods. For years, the developed as well as some of the developing countries have been pressing India to lower tariff barriers, arguing that the economy has developed. But given local sensitivities, the government has failed to go for a sharper reduction.

"In UPA-I, the focus was to aggressively towards Asean rates but some of the decisions didn't

come through," acknowledged an officer, who was involved with the deliberations. Sources pointed out that one of the key reasons for the increase in average tariffs was a hike in duty on farm goods as well as items such as gold, silver and even crude oil. In addition, specific duty in sectors such as textiles - which was an important element of the move towards Asean rates - did not materialize as the domestic industry has managed to get the government to retain protection as well as

subsidies. In sectors such as automobiles, despite the reduction in recent years, tariffs remain the highest in the world, although domestic production has gone up significantly and almost all the major auto makers have now set up shops in the country. For long, the domestic industry has managed to convince successive governments that import barriers in the form of high customs duty are needed to ensure that Indian industry is not adversely impacted by higher costs on ac-

count of poor infrastructure and transaction problems. In any case, reduction in import duty on agricultural products is politically unpalatable. But, all these have not gone down well at the WTO with several countries, ranging from Argentina and South Korea to Oman and the US, demanding lowering of barriers to trade. The average tariff on agricultural products is 36.4%, Argentina pointed out.

Oman said 25% of India's tariff lines remain unbound, adding to the complication. (Agencies)

Contd. From Page 1 special consideration on low population based road projects including Pradan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana and construction of bridges of more than 75 meters by the State Department.

State PWD Minister Shri Gojen Gadi apprised that State Government is committed to providing good roads. He said that Chief Minister Shri Nabam Tuki has already instructed him to take all measures to redress the problems of road communication. PWD minister further informed that a bridge has been proposed avoiding the sinking zone in Karsingsa block point.

The PWD minister assured to immediately take

up the road project in the Capital Complex, VKV Chimpu road, ItanagarPoma road, Gumto Road and Ziro Putin road. He also assured that 70% of the sector roads in the State Capital will be completed within this financial year.

Participating in the discussion the senior officials of State PWD and RWD, BRO and MoRTH and NHIDCL informed the challenges in road project implementation including short working season, shortfall of labour availability, law and order issue, land acquisition and forest clearance issues. The BRO officials informed the district administration and forest department are very prompt and helpful but they face problems in

collection of aggregates.

They also suggested for review of central government expenditure norms for the State owing to the different working season.

Secretary to Governor Shri Shurbir Singh, Principal Secretary, Public Works Department (PWD) Shri Satya Gopal, Er. T.H. Tayung, Secretary, Rural Works Department (RWD), Chief Engineers of State PWD, Highways and RWD, Chief Engineers of Border Road Organisation projects, Arunank, Vartak, Udayak and Brahmank and representatives of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and representative of National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation also took part in the discussion.

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Hyderabad, Jul 23: The K C Rao-led Telangana government has awarded the turnkey contract of three power projects - adding up to 6,000 MW capacity and to be built at a cost of Rs 27,360 crore ($4.3 billion) - in the state to government-owned power equipment manufacturer Bharat Heavy Electricals (Bhel) on nomination basis, without floating a mandatory competitive bid. What's more, it has also taken an in-principle decision to award all upcoming power projects to the government firm on a nomination basis, without calling for competitive bids.

The move has raised eyebrows of private equipment manufacturers such as Alstom, Bharat Forge, Larsen and Toubro, Toshiba-JSW, among others, which are likely to approach the competition watchdog - Competition Commission of India (CCI).

They are worried given that

the newly formed Telangana state is likely to award projects worth Rs 90,500 crore to raise its electricity capacity from 4,320 MW to 25,000 MW in the next four years.

Justifying the Telangana government's decision to award power projects to a central public sector undertaking (CPSU), state industries and energy secretary Arvind Kumar told TOI, "Telangana state inherited a massive power deficit situation at the time of its formation on June 2, 2014. Realizing that self sufficiency in power is a precondition for any infrastructure development, the state government, to overcome the deficit in power in the shortest possible time and to achieve self-sufficiency in power generation and in view of the fact that it was to be between a state PSU (TSGENCO) and GOI PSU (Bhel), took a conscious decision to award all upcoming

state power projects on a nomination basis to a government-owned PSU." Justifying the price, Kumar said the price discovery by Telangana Power Generation Corporation (TSGENCO) along with Bhel was based on some of the most competitive contemporary power projects of similar size elsewhere. A Bhel official confirmed to TOI that the CPSU has signed an MoU with TSGENCO to execute 6,000 MW of power projects in the state. Bhel shares closed up marginally at Rs 285 in a firm Mumbai market on Wednesday. "The SC, in its landmark judgment while cancelling 204 coal blocks on a nomination basis, asked the government to allot those coal blocks through transparent and competitive bids. We are denied a levelplaying field. How do you arrive on a price without calling for competitive bids?" questions an official of a lead-

ing private sector power firm on the condition of anonymity. Industry body FICCI, too, has taken up the issue. "Placing such power plant orders on nomination basis without following the competitive bidding route is clearly restraint of trade, anti-competitive and against the Prime Minister's 'Make in India' initiative as it violates the levelplaying field and leads to idling of indigenous manufacturing capacities," said FICCI secretary general A Dildar Singh in a letter to Union power minister Piyush Goyal. "We request the power ministry to advise state power utilities to invite bids on EPC basis under international competitive bidding (ICB) for upcoming power projects. The consumers of electricity will ultimately stand to gain as ICBs will encourage efficient pricing and provide greater choice to equipment buyers," said the FICCI letter.

(Agencies)

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PAGE 4

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, JULY 24

Duliajan Public Library organizes ‘Satirtha Book Fair’ general. Along with the ‘Satritha Book Fair’ DPL has organized various other programmes for the children which started on 20th July, 2015. The other programmes include competitions such as poem recitation, drawing competition, storytelling and extempore speech. The response of the children along with the parents and guardians is very positive who rushed to the Book Fair in search of their favourite books.

The closing ceremony and the annual general (DPL) has been organiz- attract the younger gen- meeting of the managing Pranjal Gogoi Duliajan, Jul 23: ing various events since eration in particular and trust will be held on 25th Duliajan Public Library its inception in order to other studious people in July, 2015.

1-day workshop on state disaster management plan 2015 held ET Correspondent Itanagar, Jul 23: A one-day workshop on state disaster management plan 2015 for department officers of central and state government agencies, line departments was held today at the Administrative Training Institute (ATI), Naharlagun. The workshop was organised by Department of Disaster Management, Government of Arunachal Pradesh.

On the occasion, details of the programme were explained to the participants to start thinking about readiness for minimising the loss/damage caused during disasters. Every department was asked to plan for information sharing, facilitating communication system among schools, colleges, HoDs, etc. All line Deptt officials attended and submitted preliminary views and suggestions related to disaster management in their own Departments and their setup.

The deadline for submission of final proposal related to the Disaster Management Plan has been given as 10th August.

Tinsukia turns into garbage town

Dibrugarh under water

Vehicles move on a submerged AMC road in Dibrugarh. Pic - UB Photos Contd. from Page 1 In most of the areas of the town, the cause for artificial flood has been attributed to clogged drains and unscientific construction of houses. The drains failed to clear the rainwater at several areas, as flood waters spilled over to roads, shops and even several residences. Meanwhile, 22 wards under Dibrugarh Muncipal Board (DMB) are under water.

“The DTP (Dibrugarh Town Protection) drain has been overflowing due to heavy downpour for the last twelve hours. The Dibrugarh Municipal Board (DMB) has not

A lion’s share of the fund was gobbled up by them showing to have been drawn by fake beneficiaries and in the name of reconstruction and repairing of some schemes which were already executed by the departments of the Assam Government.

Moreover an amount of INR 6 crore was misused in the name of establishment of poultry farm, piggery, banana orchard, training of weaver, etc. under Hand Holding Programme. In this regard, according to him, INR 20,000.00 against each scheme was not paid to the beneficiaries and the sum total which was shown to have been used in fake works, was invested by the CEM, Executive Members and General Members in order to purchase luxurious cars and to build residential houses.

In case of material supply, the President raised a

workers’ Federation (AACBWF) from July 20 to 27 has created additional problems for the denizens of Dibrugarh as garbage is being dumped everywhere in Dibrugarh town due to the strike called by the All Assam Civic Bodies’ Workers’ Federation. The federation has been demanding that their salaries be on par with regular state government employees besides other benefits.

The civic bodies’ workers across the state have been d e m a n d i n g provincilisation of their services while demanding pension for the retired employees.

“Every year due to artificial flood we have to

face the wrath of water logging but still the concerned department cannot find a solution to this decade old problem. I've never seen any municipal worker carry out desiltation work,’’ said Raju Sharma, a senior citizen.

Water logging during monsoon has been a perennial issue of the town.

The Dibrugarh town protection drain maintained by the embankment and drainage (E&D) department has lost the capacity to flush out rainwater from the town. The DTP built in 1954, 22 km long, which starts from Dibrujan and ends in Jamira Bogibeel has been overflowing with water.

Dreaded Ulfa (I) cadre Rupom Asom to surrender soon!

Contd. from Page 1 Prasanta Saha Tinsukia, Jul 23: Garbage has been piling up in almost every ward in Tinsukia town for the last few days turning it into a garbage pit. If one witnesses the garbage filled roads these days in Tinsukia town, one is bound to wonder what the objective of the ‘Swaach Bharat Abhijyan’ started

by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is.

On several occasions, the people in Tinsukia witnessed the ‘so-called massive cleanliness drive’ taken up by the district administration or by NGOs and organizations, but today the pathetic condition of the town has turned the commercial town into garbage town.

The main reason for the garbage not being cleaned is the ongoing strike by the All Assam Civic Bodies’ Workers’ Federation (AACBWF) which has resorted to a seven-day strike from July 20 in support of its various demands.

The federation has been demanding that their salaries be on par with regular state government employees besides demanding other benefits.

Japanese Encephalitis too is gradually spreading its tentacles in the district and with such garbage being piled up throughout the town, the situation might soon deteriorate very soon. The concerned citizens of the town have appealed before the dis-

trict administration to intervene and take some immediate steps so that the taxpaying public are not held to ransom in such a fashion.

Ravan alais Laden, Uday Asom have taken shelter in these areas.

Gojen Chetia alias Gojen Asom had surrendered before the police some days back and it is learnt from sources that

Police foil Gecko Lizard smuggling bid, 1 arrested Contd. from Page 1 As reported, a joint team of police, acting on a tipoff, held a Naga youth in the Lahorijan area and recovered a 14 inch Gecko weighing over 250 gm. The arrested have been been identified as Soren Lotha of Dimapur and a Maruti car bearing registration number NL 07 1395 was also

seized from his possession.

Preliminary interrogation revealed that Lotha transited the rare species with the purpose of selling it for Rs 300000. It is also worth mentioning that there has been a significant spate in the illegal trade of this lizard species in the North Eastern region as there are rumours abound that Geckos can fetch up to a million dollar in the international market.

Massive corruption alleged in Missing Autonomous Council Contd. from Page 1

worked to clear the garbage which is regularly thrown by a section of the people and the main drain is clogged with water overflowing due to that,’’ said a local resident.

“We have not seen water logging for many years but this time drain water overflowed and came into our house,’’ said Ritu Raj Gogoi, a resident of Jibon Phukan Nagar.

A water resource department official said that the town recorded 60.96 mm rainfall at 6 am while the overall rainfall in the last 24 hours from 6 am on Wednesday to 6 am on Thursday was 1384.77 mm. However, a sevenday strike called by All Assam Civic bodies’

complaint that the Council tried to distribute among the beneficiaries a good number of items of very poor quality like agriculture toolkit, hand tube well, thread, steel almirah, plastic chairs, football, etc. But it stopped after the intervention by the High Court in the wake of a complaint lodged in the court by the association and afterwards an enquiry was launched into the matter.

But the most serious concern is that the President, as he alleged, was severely beaten up in front of Dhemaji ADC Bhaskar Pegu and other officials by a gang of unlawful henchmen sponsored by the CEM and managed by Prasanta Bori, an executive member of the MAC on July 17 last.

He added that on that day, Harichandra Kaman and Raju Pegu, the District Secretary and President of TMPK and MMK respectively, were involved in the attack on him leading the

gang of 30 unlawful henchmen. He demanded strong legal action against the criminal racket.

On the other hand, the President criticized the CEM Ranoj Pegu using strong words alleging him that he behaves as if he were the

guardian of the Missing Tribe. But he has forgotten to be a good Samaritan for them.

Only he has been engrossed in his materialistic benefits.

He regretted that the Missing nationalistic organization has remained dumb, even after witnessing the collapse of

education system within the MAC area. The common people are compelled to look at them with suspicion after observing their behavior to be vested with selfish interests.

He appealed to them to work for their greater interest of the Tribe.

the police is using Gojen to get in touch with the other cadres and convince them to s u r r e n d e r.

Police sources have also received inputs that Rupom is constantly in touch with his family in Furkating in Golaghat

district. “His family too wants him to surrender and come back to his family”, a police official said. Rupom, a highly trained guerrilla had become the headache for the security forces in Tinsukia district as he is reportedly

involved in a series of extortion related cases.

“His surrender will be a big blow for the Ulfa and a relief for the security forces which are anticipating something disastrous before the ensuing Independence Day”, the police official said.

Poachers caught on camera at Manas Reserve Contd. from Page 1 In the year 2011, Aaranyak installed about 60 cameras in the park and on January 5, 2011, the research team found pictures of three poachers and immediately informed the authorities. It was a series of two pictures, where three poachers, with two rifles were seen inside the park.

Soon after, Mr. Sushil Daila, the DFO, Mangaldoi, Wildlife, created a poster with the pictures and requested the villagers to help identify the poachers. He also announced a reward of INR 25000 to the informer.

Subsequently, the poachers surrendered with the arms and their case was proceeding in the court until recently.

It has been a major success for the Assam Forest Department in convicting the poachers as usually conviction rate is very low in wildlife cases. This time due to evidence obtained using modern technology, automatic camera trap, the poachers had very little option but to surrender and get convicted, says Dr. M Firoz Ahmed, Senior Biologists of Aaranyak, who led the camera trapping exercise of Aaranyak in Orang. He further added that this conviction was possible due to leadership of the DFO, Mangaldoi and team work of the staff of Orang, the layers and evidence support from cameras.

The camera trapping exercise was supported by Panthera, New York and David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, UK. The Panthera, a non-profit based in New York has designed the effective cameras used in the exercise.

However, a new model is being field tested by Panthera that will be able to detect poachers in the forest and beam the images to a computer or smart phone instantly, allowing the forest staff on duty to neutralize the threat instantly.

Aaranyak and Panthera would provide some of these cameras to the Forest Department in near future.

Aaranyak is also assisting the Assam Forest Depart-

ment in apprehending poachers involved in rhino poaching in Kaziranga National Park by providing support from its dog squad, named 'K9'. Currently, two Belgian Malinois, Jorba and Babli are in service. The dogs are making a huge contribution towards controlling wildlife crime, sending a strong message to poachers and smugglers that there is an increase in efforts to track them down. Already 10-15 poachers or their handlers were tracked by the dogs around Kaziranga. Jorba also helped forest staff tracking a poacher about 1.5 km away from the crime scene.

Later the poacher was cornered by forest guards and killed in an encounter when he attacked the guards.

REGION Court frames charges, trial to begin soon

PAGE 5

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, JULY 24

Shillong, Jul 23: A city court today framed charges against former Bangladesh minister Salahuddin Ahmed, who was arrested here for illegally entering India. The court of Judicial Magistrate (First Class), K.M. Lyngdoh Nongbri, framed charge against Ahmed under the Foreigners Act, public prosecutor I.C. Jha told journalists after the hearing."During the hearing, the accused (Salahuddin) informed the court that he wanted to be tried in Shillong even he did not plead guilty in the case," Jha said adding "now the trial will begin."Stating that there are eleven witnesses,

including the Investigation Officer (IO) and six doctors in the case, Jha said that court has fixed July 30 for hearing evidences of prosecution witnesses in the case. Reacting to a query, he said that though there has been some intimation from Bangladesh Government, but there has been no red corner notice issued by any authority. On June 3, the Meghalaya police filed a charge sheet against Salahuddin on charges of illegally entering India. Earlier last month, Salahuddin, who was arrested on May 11 from Golf Link area of Shillong and charged under section 14 of Foreigners

Blockade threat against non formation of councils Imphal, Jul 23: Naga People's Front (NPF) has threatened various forms of agitation including blockades against the Government's failure to take up initiatives for the formation of the district councils.This was disclosed by NPF State Unit President Awangbou Newmai during a press conference held in The ADC elections were held on June 10 and yet the Government is not taking up any concrete steps to form the council even after one month of the declaration of the election results, he said.This is a deplorable development in a democratic country.He set a deadline for the formation of the councils on July 25 failing which various agitations will be launched from July 27.Some elected members had been sworn in while many others are

yet to do so, Newmai said.He pointed out that the oath taking function should be held in the respective districts and it will not be proper to do so in Imphal. If there is a threat perception, security should be provided. The weak kneed government ought to resign, he opined .District councils are self government institutions in the hills and taking the development into consideration, the Government should have expedited the matter. There should be a balanced development in the hills and the valley .He further said that NPF supports the demand for the implementation of the ILPS in Manipur. The government should introduce an effective Bill, said the NPF Manipur Unit President. The NPF MLAs had staged a walk out in the Assembly in protest against the earlier Bill. (Agencies)

Act, was granted bail (with condition that he could not leave the court's jurisdiction) after furnishing a bail bond of Rs two lakh byhis wife Hasina Ahmed and another person who is an Indian citizen. Meanwhile, the Bangla politician said that his wife visited him several times and he has been in touch with his family members in Bangladesh.He ruled that he could not celebrate Eidul-fitre with his family this time.Salahuddin was the communications minister during the government of BNP leader Khaleda Zia from 2001-06. (Agencies)

BJP re-inducts Sabir Ali with an eye on minority votes in Bihar Patna, Jul 23: Eyeing a slice of minority votes in the forthcoming Bihar Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today reinducted former Rajya Sabha member Sabir Ali to its fold.Welcoming Ali, a native of East Champaran district in the state, the Bihar in-charge of BJP Bhupendra Yadav said, "Ali has fought much against discrimination towards the minority community and now wants to contribute to the cause further by joining BJP. We welcome him."Yadav said the policies of BJP champion socioeconomic inclusion of the poor and ensure social justice for all communities and classes in the society, which is attracting people to the party.Ali was a JD(U) MP till March 2014, when he was expelled from the party for praising Narendra Modi, the then prime ministerial candidate of BJP.He joined BJP on March 28, but was expelled the very next day after his induction faced severe criticism within the

party, especially from party vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who in his tweet had insinuated that he had links with arrested Indian Mujahideen cofounder Yasin Bhatkal. Ali filed a defamation case against Naqvi, but withdrew it later after the two arrived on an out of court settlement.Asked about his tiff with saffron leaders, Naqvi said he had been working with BJP all along and there were no differences with anybody anymore."BJP is a very big party and my heart is also very big in comparison to any small comment made on me. Naqvi apologized that there was some misun-

derstanding, misconception and I withdrew the case," he added.Ali also said that he has no plans to contest in the Assembly polls and he will do whatever work his party allots to him.Speaking further on the occasion, Yadav said that lakhs of people from 80 assembly constituencies spread over 11 districts in the state will attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally scheduled at Muzaffarpur on July 25."There is much enthusiasm among booth-level workers and supporters of our party indicating that Bihar is already striving ahead on the path of change.

The rally will be a historic one and usher in the change needed for the betterment of the state," Yadav said.Attacking Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over his tweet using a couplet by medieval poet Rahim Khankhana, purportedly describing himself as 'sandalwood' and RJD chief Lalu Prasad as 'snake', the BJP party in-charge of Bihar said it has brought to

light the reality of alliance between the two foes.Though Kumar clarified later on that his tweet was aimed at BJP, which was akin to a poisonous snake, Yadav said the Bihar CM was a habitual betrayer and used a couple of saint Kabir which tells that 'the thread of love should not be broken, because a knot remains even if it is joined again'."Kumar first betrayed BJP, and then he betrayed the mandate of people against the 'jungle raj' of Prasad. He went on to betray former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, whose growing stature unnerved him. He is habituated of betraying people and it is Prasad's turn now," Yadav said. The BJP leader asserted that his party was not afraid of Kumar, but Prasad should remain cautious about him.

Poking fun at JD(U)-RJD alliance, Yadav argued that if the two parties do not trust each other, how will the public trust them.

(Agencies)

Curfew further relaxed in communal clashes-hit Jamshedpur as situation improves Jamshedpur, Jul 23: Curfew today relaxed for varying time periods today as no untoward incident was reported in the city which witnessed clashes between two communities on Monday.Curfew was relaxed from 8 AM to 10 AM and later for three hours from 2 PM to 5 PM in riothit Mango, Azadnagar, Olidih and MGM police stations area, Public Relation Officer of East Singhbhum district Avinash said. The curfew was relaxed in rest of the city from 10 AM to 6 PM, he said.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Amitabh Kushal and Senior Superintendent of Police Anoop T Mathew visited the four affected police station areas to take stock of the situation.The situation was improving, he said, adding that no decision about reopening of schools tomorrow has been taken

yet. Earlier, the district administration had imposed prohibitory order under section 144 CRPC followed by curfew after violent clashes broke out between members of two communities over an alleged incident of harassment of a girl on Monday.

Addressing a joint press conference here last night, Kaushal and Mathew said no complaint about the alleged harassment was reported."We'll conduct a fair and impartial investigation into the clashes and find out the reason for it," Mathew said and added that there was a possibility that the cause might be something else than the alleged harassment.

Earlier, Jharkhand government has ordered a probe into the clashes by a two-member committee comprising Kolhan Division Commissioner Arun and DIG R K Dhan. (Agencies)

NGO statement creates furore in Northeast New Delhi, Jul 23: An NGO recently moved the Delhi High Court seeking a direction to the Centre to take concrete steps to deal with the "increasing menace" of stray dogs and monkeys in the national capital and have them "eliminated", saying they are "defiling" the Prime Minister's 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan'. The PIL filed by an NGO called Society for Public Cause, even suggested that that all pet dogs must be muzzled when brought in public and stray dogs/ monkeys be sent to Nagaland or exported.

"Street dogs are defiling the 'Clean India i.e. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan'

programme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi," the NGO said, adding that "any person bitten by dog should be compensated suitably by the respondents the Ministry of Environment and Forests and in case of death, a minimum compensation to be paid to the next kin of the victim".The petitioner's counsel L S Chaudhary sought a direction to the ministry and municipal corporations that "if animal lovers want to set up kennels they should do so at their own cost and not at public expenses". The court has fixed the matter for further hearing on August 17. (Agencies)

Kerfuffle between the Mizoram's Chakma students condemn assault Judiciary and Administration Agartala, Jul 23: A case is going on against the Law Secretary of Tripura, Data Mohan Jamatia for his controversial note against the Chief Justice of Tripura High Court. Meanwhile, Data Mohan has been transferred to Kailashahar District Court by the High Court itself on 15th July, 2015.

The High Court asked the

Chief Secretary to take the necessary steps at the administrative level.The Court also directed to bring Kailashahar District Court Judge, Gautam Debnath as Officer-on-Special Duty (OSD) and the directives should be complied within 3rd August, 2015 as recommended by the Court. However, the State Government refuses

to abide by the directives of the Court. As mandated by law, the Law Secretary of a state is appointed by the Court at the request of the concerned State Government citing the post's vacancy. Eminent Lawyer, Manish Kar Bhowmik said, "Such commotions or fuss between the administration and the judiciary is not a healthy sign of democracy." (Agencies)

Supporters and leaders of frontal organizations including the Naga Hoho, the Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights, and the Naga Mothers’ Association gathering in Protest rally organized by Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) agents the Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 and its grave consequences on the Nagas at Kohima Local Ground in Kohima. Pic - UB photos

Kabyanil won gold medal in the 3x3 blindfolded category and became the blindfolded world champion in the Rubik's cube world championship, held at Sao Paulo Brazil. More than 300 Players from 34 countries participated there. Pic - UB Photos.

Aizawl , Jul 23: The Delhi Mizoram Chakma Students' Union (DMCSU) has strongly condemned the "dastardly actions" of the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (Mizo students association) who on Tuesday had allegedly beaten up a Chakma student leader and forcibly removed the Chakma students from the venue of admission counseling conducted at the office of the higher and technical education at Chaltlang, Aizawl. A statement of the DMCSU alleged that the MZP members physically assaulted an office bearer of Mizoram Chakma Students' Union, Gambir Chakma, who was assisting the Chakma students at the venue of counseling. As many as 13 Chakma students

were selected this year in the State Technical Entrance Examination (STEE)-2015 conducted by the Mizoram Board of School Education and they were being given counseling, together with other students in different batches, for admission into various higher and technical institutions in different parts of India. The seats have been allotted by the central government to Mizoram under state quota.In September 2014, the MZP protested that more than 40 non-Zo students are getting seats in various medical and engineering colleges under the state's quota. The student body demanded first preference should be given to students from the ethnic Zo community, which forms a

majority in the state. Following this state-wide protests, the Mizoram government amended the rules according to which, students who are not in category 1 - specified as "Non-Zo-Ethnic people who are non-native inhabitants" -would then fill up the remaining seats. This includes several ethnic minorities as well as those from elsewhere who live permanently in the state.The Chakmas, who mostly live in the Chakma Autonomous District of southern Mizoram, had protested against the new rules, calling it discriminatory. The community's main student the Mizoram Chakma Students' Union had approached the Gauhati High Court and challenged the

new rules, notified in March this year. The Gauhati High Court in June this year stayed the new rules.In Tuesday's incident, Mizoram's Chakma minister Dr B D Chakma and SDO (Sadar) H Lalhmingthanga intervened and called the Chakma students to the office of the higher & technical education.The DMCSU alleged that even in the presence of the SDO Sadar, MZP leaders did not allow the Chakma students to take part in the counseling. "The Chakma students were denied counseling and had to return home while counseling of the Mizo students continued without any problem," it said."After assaulting Chakma student leader and forcibly removing

Chakma students from the venue of counseling, the MZP leaders made public statements that they would take "some drastic measures" to resist inclusion of Chakma students in Category I by any means and that they will ensure that Chakma students who had earlier been allotted seats would be cancelled, the statement said, adding that "This is in total violation of the Gauhati High Court's order."The Delhi Mizoram Chakma Students Union demanded the immediate interventions of the chief minister Lal Thanhawla and the Guahati High Court to make necessary interventions to ensure compliance with its order. (Agencies)

Madrasa teachers in Kolkata on hunger strike Kolkata, Jul 23: Less than 24 hours after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee listed her government's achievements and development work done for the minority community during the Martyrs' Day rally, nearly a thousand teachers from the state's 234 madrasas began an indefinite hunger strike demanding "government aid and proper salaries". Under the banner 'Unaided Madrasah Bachao Committee', the teachers converged at the Madrasah Board compound on Haji Md Mohsin Square in central Kolkata, raising

their demands. "The Chief Minister had promised to give recognition to 10,000 madrasas but so far only 234 have been recognized, and that too under the 'unaided' status.

We demand that the state government accord recognition to all the madrasas, give its teachers proper pay and make arrangements for midday meals, books and uniforms for the students," said Sheikh Sahabuddin, the Committee's joint secretary. He added that last year they had called off their demonstration after receiving assurance from senior leaders of

the ruling party. "TMC leaders Firhad Hakim and Idris Ali had assured us (last year) that they would come up with a solution within a week. A year has passed and nothing has happened. This time, we will not settle for anyone other than the Chief Minister herself.

She must come, assure us and declare before the media that the demands will be met for the thousands of teachers who are living in extreme conditions," Sahabuddin said.

Other madrasa authorities said that Mamata had been "making wild claims" instead of paying the teachers. "Crores have been spent on

Stir beings less than 24 hrs after CM Mamata Banerjee boasted about work done for minority community. utsavs and on film stars who already earn a lot.

TMC's 100th administrative meeting (earlier this month) had cost the State over Rs 1 crore but the CM doesn't want to pay the teachers," said Naushad Ali Mullick,

secretary, Roshan Ali Memorial Madrasah at Dhaniakhali in Hooghly. Fazl Ali Sardar, a teacher, said that the minorities have always been treated as "vote banks and nothing else". "It happened during the CPM rule, it is happening now and it will continue in the future as well. We are always assured of a lot of things before the elections but nothing materializes after the parties come to power. If the CM doesn't keep her promises, then she should remember that we can reply through our votes," he said.

(Agencies)

PAGE 6

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, JULY 24

AAP leaders meet Rajnath, complain against Delhi Police New Delhi, Jul 23: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh at the North Block here on Thursday and briefed him about the police inaction with regard to the recent events in the national capital. AAP leader Kumar Vishwas told the media after the meeting that they handed the video proof and a letter regarding what happened with the party's Delhi unit

convener Dilip Pandey on Tuesday near the Rajinder Nagar Police Station. "The Home Minister told that he was already aware of Pandey's case. And since we have come to him, he said that he would talk to more people regarding this case," he added. Vishwas said that they also discussed the murder of a teenage girl Meenakshi in the national capital's Anand Parbat area. "On

the one hand, the Centre launches 'selfie with daughter' campaign; on the other hand a girl is cruelly murdered in broad daylight in Delhi.

Delhi public is finding the police's investigation dubious as they could find only one witness," Vishwas said. "Our workers were beaten up for protesting over the Anand Parbat case is another issue that we spoke to the Home Minister. It

Additional Sessions Judge Vimal Kumar Yadav allowed the bail application of Tomar

Neyveli Lignite Corporation strike: Jayalalithaa writes to PM Modi

New Delhi, Jul 23: Additional Sessions Judge Vimal Kumar Yadav allowed the bail application of Tomar after imposing several conditions including a bar on his travel outside the national capital without prior permission from the court and joining the investigation as and when required. The court also asked Tomar to deposit a personal bond of Rs 50,000 and a surety of the like amount. The court had reserved the order forThurshday after hearing arguments advanced by the counsel for Tomar and prosecutor. During the arguments on Wednesday, advocate Harshit Jain, appearing for Tomar, had sought bail saying most evidences were documentary in nature and there was no question of

President Buhari accuses US of 'aiding, abetting' Boko Haram London, Jul 23: President Muhammadu Buhari has reportedly accused the United States of 'aiding and abetting' the Boko Haram militant group by refusing to provide arms to Nigeria. The statement came after President Buhari met U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday to seek further assistance. A U.S. law prevents the government from selling weapons to countries, which fail to tackle human rights. At least 10,000 people have been killed since 2009 and hundreds of women and girls kidnapped by Boko Haram militants. (ANI)

him influencing the witnesses. While seeking bail, Jain had said verification and analysis of documents was a lengthy process and there was no need for extending Tomar's judicial custody. Special public prosecutor Atul Srivastava had opposed the bail plea on the ground that investigation was still on and he could influence witnesses.

He contended that several

documents seized from different universities where Tomar allegedly pursued his LLB and BSc courses are yet to be verified and analysed. A magisterial court had earlier rejected Tomar's bail pleas twice. Tomar, an MLA from Trinagar, was arrested on June 9 following a probe by the Delhi police on the complaint of Bar Council of Delhi that he had obtained a fake law degree from a Bihar college. An FIR was registered against Tomar on June 8 at Hauz Khas police station for alleged offences of cheating, forgery, using forged documents as genuine, forgery with intent to cheat and criminal conspiracy under the IPC. (Agencies)

Metro projects implemented under equal joint venture partnership New Delhi, Jul 23: Direction has been issued to all metro companies implementing metro projects under 50:50 joint venture partnership between the Centre and respective state and Union Territory (UT) governments to provide toilets in the paid areas of all proposed metro stations, Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said in a written reply. It was informed on Thurshday ,all the upcoming metro stations including 32 of them under the Delhi Metro will have toilets, Rajya Sabha. He said all stations of metro projects being implemented under equal joint venture partnership between the Centre and respective state and UT governments have toilets in the paid and unpaid areas. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has informed that 32 of its upcoming stations under the Phase-III project in Delhi will have toilets in the paid area. Naidu further said there are no separate funds earmarked for construction of toilets at metro stations. Toilets are an integral part of the station design and the cost of construction of toilets is part of the project cost.(Agencies)

White House in 'final stages' of Guantanamo Bay closure plan London, Jul 23: A White House spokesman Josh Earnest has said that the administration is in the " final stages" of drafting a plan to close the US military prison Guantanamo Bay. Earnest said the closure of the Cuban detention camp was a national security interest. The closure was one of the first directives ordered by the US President Barack Obama two months after he was elected in 2008. The US has slowly been sending

prisoners back to their home countries or to third countries, a process that

needs to continue if the facility is to shut, said Earnest. (ANI)

PM Narendra Modi shook hands with congress member Madhusudan Mistry New Delhi, Jul 23: Modi, who entered the Upper House during Question Hour just before Chairman Hamid Ansari adjourned the House amid uproar

by Congress members and others, walked up to the opposition benches. The ongoing stalemate in both Houses of Parliament over the Vyapam and Lalit Modi row, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thurshday exchanged pleasantries with opposition leaders in Rajya Sabha, in an apparent attempt to reach out to them. After the House was adjourned, he greeted former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and shook hands with him and then fur-

ther walked up to Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad's seat and shook hands with him too. He also shook hands with Congress member Madhusudan Mistry, who had unsuccessfully contested against him from Vadodara Lok Sabha constituency of Gujarat, and also greeted deputy leader of Congress Anand Sharma with folded hands. The Prime Minister also spent some moments with Congress member Karan Singh and stood with him for a while, before greeting Jairam Ramesh, standing three rows behind. While moving back to the treasury benches, Modi met CPI leader

D Raja on the way and then greeted his own party MPs. As members were yet to move out of the House, Modi patted Vinay Katiyar on the back as he was standing in the aisle to leave.

Members from Gujarat also greeted him by bowing before him with some even touching his feet. The attempt was seen as a move to break the ice with the opposition, which stalled parliamentary proceedings for the third day in a row demanding the resignation of Union Minister Sushma Swaraj and Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan Chief Ministers alleging their involvement in the Lalit Modi controversy and Vyaspam scam.

New Delhi, Jul 23 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking urgent intervention in connection with the strike in Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd. Around 15,000 employees of public sector NLC commenced an indefinite strike on July 21 to press their demand for wage revision. The strike, which has been called by 13 trade unions, was followed by the failure of talks between them and the management. Ac-

cording to reports, the decision to go on strike was taken at a meeting of the Joint Action Council

was a cruel act to beat the workers, who had gone to protest for Delhi's daughter," he added. The AAP leaders had yesterday met Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung and Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi. The meeting took place a day after the AAP alleged that a police van had tried to run over Pandey near the Rajinder Nagar police station. (ANI)

of the trade unions, including CITU, INTUC, AITUC and AIADMK union. (ANI)

Agreement to support Energy efficiency projects signed

New Delhi, Jul 23: An Agreement for operationalization of Partial Risk Guarantee Fund for Energy Efficiency (PRGFEE) to support energy efficiency projects was concluded here last week. The agreement which addresses credit risk barriers faced in financing Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) has been signed between Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) and the REC Power Distribution Company Ltd. (RECPDCL) on behalf of consortium between RECPDCL, REC Ltd. & Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) last week. The Agreement was signed by Sanjay Seth, Secretary, BEE and

Somya Kant, Chief Financial Officer, RECPDCL in the presence of Dr. Ajay Mathur Director General, BEE. PRGFEE is an innovative financing mechanism under Framework for Energy Efficient Economic Development (FEEED), which is one of the initiatives under National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency.

This fund has been constituted by Bureau of Energy Efficiency and Ministry of Power, Government of India. PRGFEE is a risk sharing mechanism to provide financial institutions (Banks/NBFCs) with a partial coverage of risk involved in extending loans for energy efficiency projects. (ANI)

Mahajan hopes deadlock in Parliament ends New Delhi, Jul 23: Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Thursday expressed hope that the ongoing deadlock in Parliament would come to an end soon."The bills and laws can be passed only through discussions. Everybody is intelligent and I am sure that the issues will be sorted out," she told the media here. Mahajan, however, refused to comment on Congress president Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra's criticism of the ruling BJP on Facebook. "I don't know. It is for the Privilege Committee to see it," she said. Vadra took to Facebook to slam the BJP, saying he was disappointed to see the country being ruled by them. "Parliament begins and so do their petty

move a privilege motion against Vadra. The House witnessed unprecedented noisy scenes forcing Speaker to adjourn the House till tomorrow. The Rajya Sabha also witnessed two adjournments in the prelunch session amid uproar over the Lalit Modi episode with the opposition Congress continuously pressing for the resignation of the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. As the House re-assembled at noon after its first adjournment, Chairman Mohammed Hamid Ansari wanted to take up question hour but the opposition refused to yield.

As the noisy scenes continued, Vice President Ansari had adjourned the House till 2 p.m., before adjourning it for the day. (ANI)

diversion political tactics...

People of India are not fooled. Regret to see India Led by such so called leaders!!" he posted on Facebook. Amidst uproar for the third consecutive day over former IPL chief Lalit Modi episode and Vyapam scam, both Houses of the Parliament have been adjourned for the day. On the third of Monsoon Session, both the Houses witnessed brief adjournments over the issues. In the Lok Sabha, several opposition members including Mallikarjun Kharge had given notices for suspension of the Question Hour to take up the issues. However, Speaker Sumitra Majahan rejected the notices. BJP chief whip Arjun Ram Meghwal wanted to

The education secretary will be preparing a feasibility report: Thiruvananthapuram Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 23: The education department would conduct a feasibility study to see if state-run schools can open in Middle East countries as told by the Kerala Education Minister P.K. Abdu Rabb in the assembly on Thursday.

Rabb was responding to a submission raised by Congress legislator

Anwar Sadath. "There are lots of practical difficulties in opening a state-run school in the Middle East due to technical and diplomatic reasons," said Rabb."Despite all such difficulties, what we have decided is to see how we can help our people and the education secretary will be preparing a feasibility

report on what can be done and if a state-run school can be opened in the Middle-East countries," he added. Sadath said that the backbone of Kerala's economy is thousands of people from the state, who are working in Middle-East countries."The situation is such that while a large majority of the Kerala diaspora is unable to

fund for the very high fees that is being charged by the present educational institutions in these countries, many of them are forced to leave back their wife and children in Kerala," Sadath said. "Hence, there has been a long standing demand from our people that if a state-run school is opened there, they will be able to live with their

families," said Sadath.

The latest study report of S. Irudayarajan of Centre for Development Studies here stated that 90 percent of Kerala`s 23.63 lakh diaspora is in various Middle-East countries of which UAE accounts for 38.7 percent of the Kerala emigrants followed by Saudi Arabia -- 25.2 percent.

(Agencies)

Congress hits back at Jaitley, questions PM's silence on Lalit Gate New Delhi, Jul 23: The Congress Party on Thursday accused Finance Minister Arun Jaitley of attempting to mislead the nation that the opposition has not asked for the resignation of tainted ministers and alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was aware of the help provided to former IPL chief Lalit Modi by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. "The opposition remains very firm on its demand for fixing of the accountability and taking up action and that's why our notices have been very clear. There is a deliberate distortion, misrepresentation and a clear calculated attempt on the part of the Leader of the House, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, to misinform and mislead that the op-

position has not asked for resignation. The opposition has asked for resignation from day one that is on record of the House proceedings," Sharma

told the media here. "The proceedings of Tuesday, the proceedings of Wednesday have recorded our demand for resignations. Under the rules of

both the Houses, the wording of the Motion has to be very clear. There is no rule in the rule book that you can use the word resignation in the motion but the words used are very clear that the Prime Minister responds to the demand to fix accountability and take action.

This means that it is an open and shut case," he added.

Sharma, who is the Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, further said that the Congress Party refuses to accept that Prime Minister Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah were not aware of the assistance provided to Lalit Modi.

"In case of External Affairs Minister, by her own confession, by the revelations during an inquiry in the UK that she had in a clandestine manner

approached the government of that country, the chairman of the Home Committee, to give travel documents of that country to a person wanted by law in India and kept the Foreign Secretary in dark, the High Commissioner of India in UK in dark, kept the entire establishment in dark and Prime Minister Modi was aware of this," he added. The Lok Sabha has been adjourned for the day and the Rajya Sabha till 2 p.m. on the Lalit Modi episode and Vyapam scam.

Earlier, both the Houses witnessed brief adjournments over the issue amidst opposition uproar. This is for the third consecutive day that the logjam between the opposition and the government continued. (ANI)

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, JULY 24

NEIGHBOURS

Beijing 'highly concerned' as Myanmar jails Chinese nationals for illegal logging

Beijing , Jul 23: Myanmar has sentenced an unspecified number of Chinese nationals to more than a decade in jail for illegal logging, saying Beijing was "highly concerned" and had made representations. The loggers were arrested following a January crackdown on illegal forestry activities in Myanmar's northern Kachin state and sentenced to "more than 10 years in prison," citing China's Foreign Ministry.

An unnamed Myanmar

court official in Kachin state told media that 153 Chinese loggers had been jailed for life for illegal logging.

"Since these Chinese nationals were arrested by Myanmar at the beginning of this year, China has repeatedly raised representation with Myanmar from various channels," Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang was quoted as saying."China has requested the Myanmar side to consider the actual situation of those loggers and

PAGE 7

deal with the matter in a lawful, reasonable, and sensible way," he said.Logging in Myanmar exploded under the former junta, as the generals tossed aside sustainable forestry practices in their thirst to cash in on the country's vast natural resources.But the quasi-civilian government that replaced outright military rule in 2011 has sought to stem the flood of timber from the country with a ban on the export of raw logs that came into effect in April last year. (Agencies)

China Starts Naval Drills in Disputed South China Sea Beijing, Jul 23: The Chinese navy kicked off 10-day military exercises in the disputed South China Sea amid heightened tensions in the region, especially with the US. Playing down the significance of the exercises, the Chinese military said the drills, started yesterday in the east of Hainan Province, are not directed against neighbors."The drills are regular military exercises scheduled in the annual plan, without targeting any other country," the Ministry of National Defence said."Unlike US military forces that can be trained in wars, Chinese navy strength, which lags behind ground forces, needs to be enhanced via regular drills," Maj Gen Xu Guangyu, senior consultant at the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association, told the state-run Global Times.The drills will allow the Chinese navy to share more international responsibilities with the US when providing maritime security, especially since the US has slammed China for being a "free-rider" in international issues for three decades, said Wang Yiwei, director of the Institute of International Affairs at the Renmin University of China.Vietnam, the Philip-

pines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan strongly contest China's claims of sovereignty on almost all of South China Sea. Maritime tensions went up high in the region after the US started backing the five nations to stand up to China's claims.The Chinese drills came after increasing tensions in the waters caused by a spate of incidents involving the US, Japan and the Philippines.The Philippines navy is quietly reinforcing the hull and deck of a rusting ship it ran aground on Ren'ai Reef that China claims in the South China Sea .Philippine Foreign Ministry spokesperson Charles Jose said the ship is

"for the safety of its personnel and safety of navigation."

According to a media report in May, a US surveillance aircraft received eight warnings from the Chinese navy, asking the plane to leave as it swooped over some of the islets of the Nansha Islands chain in the South China Sea.The US and Japan also conducted separate military drills with the Philippines in the South China Sea in June, signaling two major countries' support for Manila.Dismissing speculation that the drills conducted by the Chinese navy have been aimed at the three countries, Xu said the drills cannot be hastily conducted to respond to recent incidents

since the navy has to prepare a drill for a long time in order to fully test the navy's weapons and tactics.Wang Xiaopeng, a maritime border expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, noted that the speculation is intended to "internationalise" South China Sea issues and to "hype the China threat theory." In 2013, the Philippines filed an arbitration case to The Hague questioning the maritime boundaries claimed by China.China's ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua called on the Philippines yesterday to withdraw the case in The Hague and to return to bilateral negotiations. (Agencies)

Kathmandu, Jul 23: Gold buyers thronged bullion shops in the Kathmandu Valley on Wednesday after the price of the precious metal plunged Rs1, 500 per tola. Prices are expected to drop further with miners cutting costs and a looming rise in US interest rates.The yellow metal was traded at Rs48, 000 on Wednesday against Rs49, 500 on the previous day. According to the Federation of Gold and Silver Dealer's Association of Nepal (Fenegosida) which fixes bullion prices in the domestic market, this is the first time gold has dropped to this level since July 29, 2011.The price of gold in the international market fell to $1,094.80 per ounce on Wednesday from $1,105 a day earlier. International media also reported that gold prices dropped fell to a five-year low. A reduction in the customs duty on gold seems to have helped bring down its price in the domestic market. This has increased interest among consumers to buy the precious metal.

Gold has been in free fall since last week after the government slashed the import duty by Rs1, 000 to Rs4, 200 per 10 gram through the Financial Act."As the government reduced the customs duty and the price has been falling significantly, we are seeing

a rise in the number of customers since the start of this fiscal year," said Rajan Adhikari, sales manager at Shree Riddhi Siddhi Jewellers, New Road.According to media, a looming rise in US interest rates, the first in nearly a decade, has dented gold's investment appeal, encouraging more sellers in the market after Monday's 3 percent rout, its biggest oneday drop since September 2013.Holdings in the world's biggest gold-backed exchange- traded fund (ETF), SPDR Gold Shares, fell for a fourth day on Tues-

day, declining another 4.8 tonnes to hit their lowest since 2008. Its reserves have nearly halved from their 2012 peak.Monday's selloff came on the back of huge volumes traded on the Shanghai Gold Exchange after investors dumped more than $500 million of bullion in New York in four seconds during early Asian trading hours.Physical demand has been sluggish despite this week's steep price drop. India is not rushing to pick up slack Chinese demand as would-be buyers wait for furtherPrice drops,

with a wedding season lull and poor rains curbing appetite, according to media.Meanwhile, Tej Ratna Shakya, special member and former president of Fenegosida, said that a fall in international prices and reduced customs duty both contributed to the plunge in prices in the country."Gold has been losing its shine among investors as the US dollar is strengthening against other major currencies with people investing in US dollars instead of gold," he said. (Agencies)

Myanmar returns 155 migrants to Bangladesh Fall in price triggers gold rush

Yangon, Jul 23: Myanmar has returned to Bangladesh 155 migrants rescued at sea after a month-long verification of their nationality.The migrants were among at least 900 rescued at sea and brought to Rakhine state by the Myanmar navy in late May.Saw Naing, district immigration officer in Maungdaw Township, told media that there were another 389 migrants remaining at a border camp in the township. Myanmar officials were working to verify their nationality, Saw Naing said.State media reported in mid-July that Myanmar would repatriate 165 Bangladeshi migrants on July 22. But Saw Naing said 10 migrants escaped the camp, reducing the number of returnees to 155.Myanmar has already

returned 187 migrants to Bangladesh; the government earlier had said that all the rescued migrants were Bangladeshi.However, during the verification process, carried out by Myanmar and Bangladeshi officials, some 195 migrants were determined to be from Myanmar and returned to their homes in Rakhine state in late June.

The rescued men were among thousands caught up in a migrant crisis that spread through Southeast Asia in May and June.The crisis was triggered when Thai authorities cracked down on human traffickers after discovering dozens of migrant graves in abandoned camps near the Thailand-Malaysia border.The crackdown prompted traffickers to abandon their human cargoes, many of

whom were still at sea heading to Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.The ensuing crisis sparked an international outcry against trafficking gangs preying on Bangladeshi migrants looking to escape poverty in Bangladesh and Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in Myanmar.Myanmar officials denied allegations of persecution of the Rohingya. Myanmar's Catholic leader, Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon, has said that nearly 30 percent of Myanmar citizens lack "identity documents" and are not recognized as citizens."Can a third of the population be orphaned from family? Who are these people without a name and identity?" Cardinal Bo said in a July 20 statement.

(Agencies)

Khaleda appears before court

Charge sheets filed against 58 BNP leaders Dhaka,Jul 23: The police have submitted two charge sheets against 58 BNP leaders and activists, including standing committee members Barrister Rafiqul Islam Miah and MK Anwar, in a case filed over an arson attack on a vehicle on January 23.Md Muraduzzman, sub-inspector of Jatrabari police station and also the investigation officer of the case, submitted the charge sheets with the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court yesterday.The IO also filed a petition for discharging 16 other accused from the allegations as the

allegations brought against them were not proved during primary investigation.One of the charge sheets was submitted under the Explosive Substances Act while the other was submitted under the penal code.General Recording Office Sub-Inspector Ujir Ali said the charge sheets would be produced before the court on August 2.The other charge-sheeted accused include Advocate Khandaker Mahbub Hossain, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Amanullah Aman, Barkatullah Bulu, Selima Rahman, Serin Sultana, Maruf Kamal Khan,

Shimul Biswas, Journalist Shawkat Mahmud, Mir Sharafat Ali Sapu, Azizul Bari Helal, former MP Salauddin Ahmed and N a b i u l l a h Nabi.According t o t h e case statement, miscreants hurled a petrol bomb and torched a vehicle of Tarab Paribahan in front of Kajla Mohila Madrasa at the capital's Jatrabari area on January 23 during the blockadehartal programme of the BNP-led alliance.A day after the incident, SI Abdullah Biswas filed a case with Jatrabari police station in this regard. (Agencies)

Dhaka, Jul 23: BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has appeared before a special court at Bakshibazar in the capital for the hearing in Zia Charitable Trust and Zia Orphanage Trust corruption cases. The BNP chief reached Bakshibazar court premises today around 10.3oAM.Hearing on two graft cases - Zia Charitable

Trust and Zia Orphanage Trust cases against BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia will be held today.On June 18, Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadar of the Special Judge Court-3 fixed July 23 for the next hearing in the two graft cases in presence of Khaleda Zia.The court set the date upon two separate petitions

filed by the defence seeking adjournment of the graft cases. Khaleda Zia might remain present during the hearing, defence sources said.Trial of the corruption cases against Khaleda and eight other accused began on September 22 last year.Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed one of the graft cases against

Khaleda and five others on charges of embezzling over Tk2.1 crore in the name of Zia Orphanage Trust.The other accused are Khaleda's son Tarique Rahman, Ziaur Rahman's nephew Mominur Rahman, Khaleda's former principal secretary Kamal Uddin Siddiqui, former BNP lawmaker Kazi Salimul Haque Kamal and businessman Sharfuddin Ahmed.In another case of 2011, the anti-graft body brought allegation of abusing power in setting up the Zia Charitable Trust accusing Khaleda, her former political secretary Harris Chowdhury, his assistant private secretary Ziaul Islam Munna, and formerDhaka Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka's assistant personal secretary Monirul Islam Khan.

(Agencies)

4 killed in heavy rains in China Beijing, Jul 23: At least four persons have been killed and five others are missing due to heavy rains in eastern China's Fujian Province. Major streets in the Liancheng County have been inundated and water and power supplies were cut off after rains hit the area yesterday. All 17 townships were flooded with more than 200mm of precipitation recorded yesterday. Some 2, 43,000 people in the county were affected and 1, 32,000 people have been evacuated. About 8,000 hectares of crops were affected and 40 enterprises suspended production due to the flood, it said. Nineteen roads were cut off and a transformer substation suspended operations in the county, according to the county government.

(Agencies)

China to provide $10 mn for Nepal's reconstruction Kathmandu, Jul 23: China today agreed to provide cash assistance of $10 million to help quakeravaged Nepal in its rec o n s t r u c t i o n process.Nepal and China signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on this following a bilateral meeting on Post Disaster Reconstruction Plan at Nepal's finance ministry here.The MoU was signed by Zhang Xiangchen, vice negotiation representative for international trade of China's ministry of commerce and Nepalese Finance Secretary Suman Prasad Sharma."China wants to see the quick recovery of economic development of Nepal. We are pleased to assist this friendly country in its rebuilding task," Zhang told media.The meeting reviewed China's emergency relief assistance to Nepal in the immediate aftermath of the devastating quake."We are thankful to China for its continuous assistance in the socio-economic development of Nepal. The cash grant will be used in rehabilitation process after identifying and finalising the projects," Suman Prasad Sharma told the media.(Agencies)

Pakistan, India diplomacy just for cosmetic effect: Daily Islamabad, Jul 23: Whatever diplomacy takes place between Pakistan and India appears to be designed simply for "cosmetic effect", said a daily today.An editorial in the News International said that immediately after the bilateral talks between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in Ufa, Russia, "gestures of goodwill were exhibited but quite obviously the skirmishes at the LoC do not show any regard for diplomacy or for pushing forward the peace process". "Pakistan clearly needs to rethink its policy and involving the UN is a good idea - although, as in the past, it is difficult to say how effective this body will be."The daily said that last year, a huge acceleration in incidents of firing over the boundary dividing the two countries had created enormous tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi. "It seems this scenario is being repeated.

"Whatever diplomacy takes place appears to be designed simply for cosmetic effect, and such aggression does not come as good news at a time when regional stability is vital for so many different reasons," it added.

(Agencies)

PAGE 8

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, JULY 24

Some solace... yet it leaves a lot to be desired The bigger question: Is Yakub Memon's hanging closure of the case Every Indian very well remembers the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts. And finally the news of hanging one main accused, Yakub Memon, does provide some amount of solace for all those families who lost their loved ones in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts.

While there is some amount of solace, the bigger question is does it give them the closure? Yakub Memon is one among the many who played a role in the 1993 serial blasts, but then one needs to look at the larger picture and that is where the bigwigs are such as Tiger Memon, Dawood Ibrahim, Mohammad Dosa and 32 others. To cut a long story short most of the accused in the 1993 blasts have been not only absconding but also flourished and this cuts a very sorry picture. After the 1993 blasts, many of the top guns such as Dawood, Tiger and Dosa went out of the radar of the Indian Intelligence agencies. Most of them had pre-planned their escape and took shelter in Dubai and Karachi. Between 1993 and 1996 there was a cooling off period and none of these men attempted anything major.

However the dark reality was that while the investigators continued to dig for details within India, the governments never made getting these men back into the country their priority. Intelligence Bureau officials say that the required push to bring these men back to India and try them was missing. Governments need to take the lead in such matters. However, as far as these accused were concerned there was a great deal of pressure not to push their case hard. The likes of Dawood and Tiger were well aware of the stand that was being taken. After the cooling off period of three years, they realized that an extradition was out of the question and this was when they began flourishing. Tiger Memon began a full fledged real estate business in Dubai and travelled to Karachi very often. Dosa on the other hand became the point man for all hawala deals of the D company from West Asia. About Dawood, everyone is aware of how he turned out to be Pakistan's most strategic asset.

The hanging of Yakub Memon as ordered by the Supreme Court of India, has once again proved that justice can never be wrong and that laws are the same for every Indian. But unfortunately Memon will be the only person convicted in the serial blasts to be hanged on July 30 for his involvement in the incident. Memon, a former chartered accountant, was described by the apex court as the "driving force" behind the attacks and was accused of financing and helping organise the serial blasts that killed over 250 people in 1993. The other main accused in the attack, including gangster Dawood Ibrahim and Yakub's brother Ibrahim "Tiger" Memon have been on the run since the blasts. The real closure of the case however would be when the other key masterminds of the Mumbai serial blasts are brought to book.

The curse of the 'bandh' culture 'Bandhs' have a rippling effect all over the Northeast Bandhs have become an integral part of routine life in Assam. It is used as a tool by political parties, unions and organizations to draw attention of the public towards issues that need serious consideration through disruption of normal life like closing down shops, colleges and banks. Initially, bandhs were effective for they attempted to mobilize the masses towards creation of a progressive and developmental framework for the state. But with the passage of time 'Bandhs' got translated into a negative manifestation of the right to protest or express and proved to be some sort of paralysis supported by a section of the society because of their own vested interests.

The culture of 'bandhs' is more dominant in the Northeastern states like Assam, Manipur and Nagaland and it goes against the notion of individual rights and is a stigma on the effectiveness of local governance structures which is unconstitutional to say the least. For instance, Manipur suffered from 'bandhs' almost every day. While this 'bandh' culture had come down drastically in states like Mizoram and Tripura with a pro-active public and responsive state governments but is still a disease in Assam and Nagaland. The call for 'bandhs' in Assam are issued by the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), the All Assam Students Union (AASU), or any other local group through local newspapers, and is strictly observed by the local people. 'Bandhs' in Assam have a rippling effect all over the Northeast as most basic commodities like rice, pulses, medicines, vegetables, poultry, etc., reach the other states via Assam either by road or by rail. In Nagaland, 'bandhs' are called by either the NSCN (IM) or the National Socialist Council of Nagaland led by S S Khaplang [NSCN (K)] and is followed by the local people for fear of being killed, despite great hardship caused by multiple 'bandhs' in a month.

The very fact that state governments cannot negate this 'bandh' culture, and are unwilling to ensure that common people are secure during the 'bandhs' even if they defy it, smacks of the lack of legitimacy and democratic grounding of these governments. The time has therefore come for citizens of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland to stand up against the negative culture of 'bandhs' issued by armed groups who invariably represent only themselves, and hold their state governments accountable for poor governance, in order to enable their future generations to have a progressive and peaceful life.

What History Tells Us About the Iran Deal and Regional Order Takuya Matsuda The historic nuclear deal reached with Iran earlier this month is unquestionably a significant step forward in resolving an issue that has demanded tireless U.S. diplomatic effort.

What remains to be seen, however, is how it will shape the future of bilateral ties between Washington and Tehran. While the true value of the deal may not be entirely clear for decades - we are still grappling with Chinese assertiveness four decades after Nixon went to China - a major part of any assessment will be how it impacts the regional order in the Middle East.

In the aftermath of the Arab Spring, the Middle East is at a critical historical juncture. Challenges to authoritarian regimes in the region have produced political and socio-economic vacuums which have then been exploited by Sunni extremist groups in pursuit of their jihadist ideology.

Iran's expanding regional influence penetrates almost every corner of the region, from Sanaa to Damascus, taking advantage of emerging ungoverned spaces - as the ubiquitous presence of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC's) elite unit Quds Force Commander Suleimani exemplifies.

Yet as is often the case, while we are clear about Iran's capabilities in the region, Tehran's intentions still remain quite contested.

The way the Pahlavi Shah reacted to the British withdrawal from the Persian Gulf in 1971 offers some interesting insights in this regard.

In the early 1970s, Iran - then a monarchy - was a status-quo power in the Middle East, a stark contrast with the revolutionary nature of the current theocratic regime. Furthermore, it existed amidst a period when leftist Arab nationalists backed by the Soviets were a major regional security concern. At the time, status-quo powers like Iran considered emerging political vacuums in the Persian Gulf littoral left following Britain's departure as a threat to the Middle East order. They were also con-

The early 1970s offer some interesting parallels.

tending with a retrenchment of U.S. global commitment due to the Vietnam quagmire, as evidenced by the Nixon Doctrine, where Washington essentially encouraged its allies to act as regional policemen based on a notion of 'self-help.'

Thus, instead of the U.S. filling the vacuum, Iran with the attendant capabilities and willingness - positioned itself as one of the "two pillars" for security in the Middle East along with Saudi Arabia.

The current security environment in the Middle East after the "Arab Spring" has several parallels with the situation in the early 1970s. First, there are numerous emerging vacuums throughout the region that are exploited by extremists groups. As a Persian and Shiite country in an Arab and Sunni-majority region, Tehran has acted to prevent the emerging power vacuum in the region from being exploited by forces hostile to it: from the Nasserists in the early 1970s to Sunni extremists such as ISIL in the present day.

Back in the early 1970s, the Dhofar insur-

gency in western Oman, supported by the Marxist regime in South Yemen inspired by secular Arab nationalism, gained the spotlight as a potential threat to Gulf security after the British departure. The Iranian armed forces - or the Artesh in Persian - played a major role in this counterinsurgency operation, proving their prowess.

While Iran was then under a different regime, its situation was strikingly similar to the current situation in the Middle East as Iran is involved in supporting insurgencies in Yemen and conducting operations in Iraq and Syria.

Furthermore, the imbalance between Iran and the Sunni Arab nations is a major parallel between the two distinct periods. Back then, the Gulf littoral was becoming an area of "growing power imbalances" with Iran being able to "dominate events in the Gulf in line with Iran's security interests as perceived by the Shah. With Arabism losing its unity, Iran had a clear advantage and could deal with the region's security concerns solely based on its

own security interests. The United States, therefore, suggested that the Shah seek closer cooperation, particularly with Saudi Arabia, to reassure Riyadh of Iran's intentions.

In the present day, with the rest of the region struggling with the turmoil produced by the Arab Spring, a similar imbalance of power is clear. Looking at the regional order in the Middle East, it is difficult to envisage one based on a "balance of power." As many Sunni Arab states remain either in flames or preoccupied by their internal security challenges, it is unrealistic to expect a stable regional order to emerge in such manner. Like it or not, Iran has the ability to act as a prime mover in reshaping the Middle East order, especially in the absence of any significant competitor.

On the other hand, fundamental differences from the 1970s make today's strategic landscape extremely complicated. Most obviously, Iran is no longer a status-quo power friendly to the United States, but rather a revolutionary power that is suspicious of

American intentions and often undermines U.S. interests in the region. While the U.S. and Shiite militias supported by Iran fight against ISIL as cobelligerents, there is no guarantee that American and Iranian interests will converge in the longer term.

In addition, Iran's role in the regional order has also changed. Yes, the rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia also existed back then. However, there was also an informal understanding of sorts between Tehran and Riyadh back in the 1970s that both countries would not interfere in each other's internal affairs, given that both were conservative monarchies. In contrast, after the Iranian revolution in 1979, Iran's explicit objective to export revolutionary ideals emerged as a serious threat to the internal security of the Gulf monarchies. The Revolution effectively dismantled a tacit agreement that had preserved a modicum of stability, thereby dramatically transforming the shape of the regional security environment and

Iran's role in it.

Of course, no parallel is exact, and one should be wary of extrapolating too much from historical analogies. But the comparison between the early 1970s and the current state of the Middle East reveals that one should not underestimate Iran's abilities to function either as a stabilizing or disruptive force in the region. This is particularly so in the complex, risk-ridden, and unbalanced security environment that exists today.

Given all this, now that a deal has been reached, the question is not whether it is good or bad but rather how to effectively handle pressing regional security issues with limited policy options. One of the most urgent challenges - the possibility of a nuclear Iran is under control for now.

But other arduous tasks remain, including filling emerging vacuums, beefing up Sunni Arab nations, and assuring countries of their security amidst rivalry and turmoil.

Under Washington's facilitation, the deal could be a foundation for trust-building among regional players.

The focus should not be on eliminating distrust or achieving total peace and stability - which would be pipe dreams given the current environment. The goal is rather to mitigate and manage rivalry and turmoil to get back to a situation that looks more like the early 1970s rather than the present day.

U.S. President Barack Obama has said that the deal demonstrates that American diplomacy can bring about real and meaningful change. Such diplomacy and change will be even more crucial after the deal now that the hard work has truly begun.

Takuya Matsuda is a recent recipient of a Masters degree from Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), where he studied the Farsi/Persian language. The article is based on his research during his visit to Iran as well as U.S. diplomatic archives in Washington D.C.

The extravagant ways of some politicians comments from time to time. There is no specific criterion for educational qualification, unlike the Government employees. Any politician with minimal academic qualification may get ticket for fighting election if only he or she is in the good books of the Chief Minister. There are umpteen numbers of unemployed youths, myriad teachers and other workers working without salary, thousands of people in the flood affected areas still go without food, our educated youths are leaving Assam for employment elsewhere whereas our MLAs and ministers are busy living cozy and affluent lives. The mindset of these politicians will never change. They lack devotion, dedication to serve the poor people. We understand, it will be our futile attempt to expect better sense to prevail in them.

May God bless us to get rid of these politicians.

Sir, Our members of Parliament and legislative assembly can decide their salary package, perks and perquisites without any hindrance. Recently, Parliamentarians raised demand for 100 per cent hike in salary, perks and perquisites. But their demands were turned down by the Government of India.

One can feel pity on our (Assam) poor members of legislative assembly and our Chief Minister as they were instrumental in enhancing their salaries and perks as they liked at one go. Some of our MLAs have become ministers. The activities of some of such ministers make one raise one's eyebrows. It is our misfortune that we have to see these days of non-performing ministers who pass some ludicrous

They pay the laborers handsomely. But they take of the left hand what they gave with right hand. The cost of goods swells up. The prices naturally go up.

Moreover corruption has also given rise to rising prices and the problem is very dangerous. Again the population has increased. This has further increased inflation. Because of growing population the current corruption is increasing.

Yours etc Divya Saikia Tinsukia

Best Letter Yours etc.

Ashok Bordoloi Dibrugarh

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.

Rising prices Sir, India is facing many problems - the problem of corruption, the problem of unemployment, the problem of illiteracy, the problem of population, so on and so forth. The problem of rising prices is one of the most important problems that Indian is facing now.

In the period of rising prices, the rich got richer and poor, poorer. The rich own the means of production.

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

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DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, JULY 24

Bollywood villains have a way with words, making even the most pedestrian comic book movie dialogue sound like Shakespeare.

"Yahan teri izzat bachane koi nahi ayega!"

"Yahan teri cheekh sunne walah koi nahin!"

"Bula tere bhagwan ko - dekhta hoon kaun ata hai?"

"Kis maai ke laal mein itni himmat hai jo mujhse takrayega?"

The villain is supreme.

His terror is omnipresent and everyone is his victim.

That's when one of them rises and challenges him.

We call him the hero. And the story begins.

The fulcrum of any good story is its villain. He represents the evils of his time. If you were to pick up iconic and game-changer villains of each decade and study them, you don't have to read the modern history of India.

In the early 40's and almost until the time we got independence, the villain used to be the landlord - the zameendar or jaagirdar.

Most of the country lived in villages and the populace depended on land for farming. They were mostly unaware and cut-off from rest of the world and therefore, the landlord was a powerful person who could dictate his personal laws. He was the one who would pick up a young virgin girl and rape her because the system and law wasn't sensitive to women. He would charge tax (lagaan) as per his whims and fancies. His kothi represented the exploitation of the farmer. The victimised, young boys grew up with angst. And it was this angst that made the villain larger than life. The mystery around him, his moustache, his pagdi, his

chamchas and his lathi made him an icon of terror.

He was filled with joy when a farmer placed his pagdi, the symbolic ijjat, at his feet.

He loved the sound of a hunter on the bones of a skinny, starving farmer. He could do all this because he was the owner of the land.

And that's the only commodity that God doesn't make any more. He was God. If you understand this man, you would know why we Indians have such a fascination for land and gold. We are willing to stop eating fruits, buy new clothes and even look for a cheaper doctor in order to save for that 'Do Beegha Zameen'.

Then India got independence. A free India needed manufacturing more than farming. The same zameendar now moved to the cities. He owned factories and mills. On the other hand, Nehru brought in a socialist vision. He brought in huge dams and public sectors' heavy industries.

The intermediate beneficiaries were these new factory owners who became hand in glove with corrupt officers and manoeuvred tenders in their favour. The foundations of unprecedented corruption that we see today, were laid in Nehru's economics. It was his economics that gave birth to corrupt middlemen.

This new, rich Indian was called the 'Seth', 'Rai Bahadur', 'Dewan Sahab' or 'Raja Saheb'. The only hurdle to this villain was Nehru-inspired, middleclass, idealistic, socialist and educated youth who were seeking social justice.

In the 60's as Indira Gandhi's new vision gave impetus to urbanisation, we saw a large level migration from villages to cities. As a result, the demand for es-

The evolution of the Bollywood villain sential consumer goods increased manifold whereas supplies were scarce. More so due to the government's license-raj. Social justice took a backseat and unemployment, hoarding, black market and corruption be-

Emergency was declared.

This was the time when two phenomenon occurred. The big-city-crime-lord gradu-

for a price, who ran satta, matka, gambling and prostitution rackets. He also funded political parties, big politicians, ministers and Bollywood personalities attended his parties. This was also the period when we

came real issues. A typical young man found himself in a situation where his honest father was dying and he had no money for the surgery. That's when the chemist sold him drugs at a premium. Behind this blackmarketing were the crime lords of the city. The traders, sahukars, middlemen, etc. They manipulated this young man and made him do illegal stuff until he rose and destroyed the evil.

In the middle of the 70's,

ally moved on to become a smuggler, a gangster or a mafia leader. He had such strong political clout that even ministers and police commissioners were scared of him. Secondly, freedomborn kids became adults.

With their own set of ambitions and rebellion, this new generation aspired to be rich. His direct competition was with the gangster. The gangster who illegally annexed properties, who collected haftas, who would kill

saw a lot of 'bade baap ke bete'. Which is why the hero had to face not one, but two villains. The gangster and the gangster's son.

Politics and crime had collaborated. The 'bade baap ka beta' became the middleman. It was a lethal combination of a father's power and a son's ambition.

While this crime-lord was ruling cities, his counterpart lived in villages and was called 'Daaku' - the dacoit.

He became a system by

Vivek Agnihotri

From my grandma's kitchen Bits and chunks from the past occupy the corners of many modern hearths.

We list a few relics that we inherited, with a fair bit of nostalgia, and which spoilt our palates for good.

Grinding stone The flat, harsh black stone that today takes ornamental centre stage in my son's garden was once my zen master. My mother felt I needed to get my nose to the grindstone. Literally. So when the chillies and coconut and spices were placed on it, the lessons began.

It taught me forbearance.

Patience. Concentration.

It increased the threshold of pain and as mothers of those days hoped, skilled their daughters for marriage. However, it also instilled huge doses of resentment, irritation, brought forward PMS and a general disregard for authority. Until Sumeet came along, whirring, grinding, spitting and chewing. What the grindstone did in hours, this mixer-grinder did in minutes. Even today, Sumeet is my old best friend. It restored my spirits and made me a better person.

PS: "But a mixer grinder will never give you 'that' taste," say old wives.

While I agree, I am happy the grindstone is a relic.

-Amy Fernandes Bell metal utensils For pre-teens glued to the TV, aita's (Assamese for grandmother) insistence that we eat our cereals from a kanh (bell metal) banbati (bowl) whenever she would come visiting was a tad incredulous to us. We were annoyed, of course, but would do so out of respect. She would repeatedly tell us the benefits of using kanh utensils long before Baba Ramdev extolled the virtues of storing drinking water in copper jars.

The moment aita would

leave, we would fish out the usual plastic bowls.

Kanh utensils have a lot of significance in Assamese society. We use them during prayers, marriages and at other auspicious events. Days before I got married, my mother joked that had I married an Assamese, she'd have had to shell out a fortune on the kanh utensils alone. My parents, never the ones to stock kanh utensils, brought out all the plates, pots and pans a week after aita passed away in 2007. They use them to this day.

- Amrita Madhukalya Wooden coconut scraper The family kitchen in Trivandrum was a sanctum sanctorum for achamma (father's mother). Time stood still within its four corners as stone and wooden equipment, right from the mighty ulakkai (heavy stone grinder) to the

d e

charming chiratta thavi (coconut shell ladles) made themselves as much at home as the copper vessels hanging from the walls. But the kitchen relic I was enamoured by was the wooden coconut scraper. Reminiscent of a polpat or low, flat stool, the grater was a carved, rectangular wooden board with a serrated, cobra-shaped blade on one end. Achamma would sit hours on the bench, breaking coconuts open and scraping them with a swift rotating motion.

Hers was a dexterity no one in the family could match. Achamma's arthritis and failing health eventually kept her from using this scraper. Its 'bench' or peeta offered no back support, after all.

Which was how the portable coconut scraper found favour in our household. Chutneys haven't been the same ever since.

- Roshni Nair The tandoor My tryst with the tandoor started after I stepped out of home for higher studies. In those days, I would spend a lot of time at JNU, and lunch at the Sabarmati mess was incomplete without the matron dishing out scrumptious, piping hot tandoori rotis. Being unaccustomed to the tandoor, I would talk my way inside the kitchen just to see how one operates a hot clay drum to cook food.

My mother-in-law often tells me of the times biji (my husband's grandmother) would work her way around a tandoor, which was very much within the kitchen from which we now function. The rotis, the baigan ka bharta and kebabs would taste heavenly, with the smoked flavour of the coal seeping within.

Eventually, a reluctant biji had to let it go, because the soot and smoke became out of place in a kitchen giving way to modern changes.

- Amrita Madhukalya

What if your neighbour has cooked pasta for lunch while her neighbour has rustled up a Nizami biriyani and you had the option to order in both piping hot at your workplace?

That is no more wishful thinking now with 'Million Kitchen', a brand new mobile-based home food discovery and ordering platform that enables home cooked meals to be delivered at the doorstep.

"Say my mother has cooked amazing pasta today and your mother has cooked mutton curry.

Anyone in a 5 to 7 kilometre radius looking for mutton curry today can just go and search and in three clicks order the pasta or the mutton.

The app is available on Anroid only and the menu changes everyday," says Vimlendu Jha, Founder and CEO of Million Kitchen.

The mobile application which operates on the principle of "hyperlocal homemade food on the cloud," is an enterprise by the Delhi-based NGO Swechha and allows women hailing from various socio-economic backgrounds to earn money using their cooking skills.

The idea for the technology enterprise began as an idea for a program called 'Lunchbox 17,' where women in a specific slum of Delhi were approached and asked to cook meals, which Swecha, a city-based NGO would then help sell. "We were thinking on how to organise a dabba system, which offers affordable home cooked food and developed the 'Million Kitchen' app, where my mother or your mother or aunt or household help can just click a

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himself. Gabbar Singh wasn't just a work of fiction.

He was real. When two thugs pinned him down, millions cheered with joy. If you see closely, the thakur (zameendar) in the 70's remained just an honorary status. In fact, thakur didn't even have hands, they were taken away by this Daaku.

This metaphor wasn't just a coincidence. Soon, this Daaku would reform as a politician of the 80s.

In the 80's, a very unique thing happened. Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi made a public announcement that only 10% of government funding reached the poor.

The balance 90% was siphoned off by government officers and politicians. So the Politician-Police-Babu nexus became the new villain. We saw the advent of a new middle class that had learnt that honesty wouldn't bear fruits. So it joined corruption. Bofors and numerous other scams and the law's inability to deal with them gave an exorbitant rise to corruption. It was a conflict between deserving vs undeserving. Talent and merit had no value. It was a period of liberalisation. Joint families were on the verge of breaking up. Nuclear families were on the rise. Money started speaking. People started travelling. Hundreds of channels started beaming.

Ghayal and Tezaab are the best examples of how deserving youth had to fight the corrupt for justice. It was meritocracy vs mediocrity. The new villain was incompetent himself. He was a parasite feeding on the corrupt system.

Judicial processes were in shambles. It was a general belief that one could get away with murder. The new villain was your Lotiya Pathan, Kancha Cheena, Bakhtawar etc. Above law

and justice.This gave birth to an unparalleled formula in the history of cinema personal justice. The hero will eventually walk into assembly and shoot all MLAs. Amitabh Bachchan told me once that the reason he connected with the audience in that period was because almost everyone wanted to kill the politicianpolice combine and he, as the hero, did exactly that.

The early 90's witnessed the advent of regional and caste-based politics. Babri Masjid and the Bombay bomb blasts happened. The villain for a short period was the communal guy - the terrorist. Religion was at the centre. He was from a superior caste, and believed that his caste gave him the reason to be superior to anyone who was not a Thakur.

We are talking of a world surrounded with illiteracy and where the rich Thakurs are not only the law, but are above the law.

Then came Y2K and it changed the fortunes of Indians. It killed the traditional villain. The new emerging villain of the late 90's and early 2000 wasn't someone from outside. He was either the hero himself, the girl's father or old Indian values. He was a plain psychopath of Baazigar or a stalker of Darr. An era represented by SRK, Yash Raj and redefined by Karan Johar and Farhan Akhtar.

The hero of this era roamed freely without any social responsibilities. He wasn't a common man born in Indian reality. He was born in Breach Candy and was foreign-educated. He had a macroscopic idea about India. Cut off from real India, he could fly anywhere to sing a song without the opposition of a villain. There was no Mogambo, Gabbar,

Dang, Rai Bahadur, Anna, Bakhtawar or Sher Khan to stop him. They were dead.

Because the new 'Shining India' aspired to be the next superpower, flooded with credit cards, foreign cars, EMI's, Gurgaons, malls, flyovers, GAPs & DKNY's, Louis Vuittons, slut marches, candle vigils, Facebook and Twitter, nightlife, cruises, fashion shows, Page 3 gossips and pop-corn entertainment, art and pulp-fiction.

Society accepted corrupt and corruption. Money and success became supreme.

The ambitions of the Indian middle class became the new villain.

Of late, a unique trend is emerging. The pressure of building infrastructure is forcing the government to acquire land from farmers/ land owners. This nouveauriche landowner has no land but he has BMWs, Mercs and a burning desire to have a lifestyle which he couldn't afford earlier, despite thousands of hectares of land. He has cash now.

He is the one who is buying cinema tickets. I have a feeling he is going to determine who the new villain is. He may go to a multiplex, but he would want to see himself as a hero and not some NRI dancing in the Alps.

Despite his desire to move up in social hierarchy, he wants to relate to his local problems. No wonder the rehash of south films, or Bhojpuri formulas have suddenly found success.

Dabangg, Singham are not flukes. The re-emergence of Salman Khan and Ajay Devgan is no coincidence.

Films are going back to local issues. The local villain.

The corrupt, exploitative, bhrasht, rich man. The 'landowner'. We are back to square one. The old villain is emerging again. Beware!

photograph of what she just cooked and post it on the app," says Jha, who also heads the NGO. After the success of this idea, the NGO decided to scale up the venture on to a mobile platform that could be used in a number of other locales.

upload dishes they've prepared, which can then be purchased and delivered to other app users.

The food has to be ordered one-and-half hours prior to the delivery time.

A central kitchen operating out the NGO's office in south Delhi is tasked with checking for

pate with us and even men are talking to us to get their mothers, wives, aunts involved. We have generated a good interest," says Jha. In a month since it commenced operations, the venture is now selling about 100 units daily.

Prices range between Rs 40 and goes upwards to Rs 220 and more.

"We follow a standard process where pre-ordered food is delivered to us in the morning and then orders are dispatched according to the demand," says Jha. Jha says the venture has spawned several success stories like Poonam Thapa, a professional cook employed at the home of a friend of Jha who assisted her in getting on to the app and

Home cooked meals at doorstep through mobile app Debolina Chakraborty

"The reason it is called 'Million Kitchen' is because anyone and everyone can be a food entrepreneur. Every dormant kitchen is a resource lying underutilized. Every woman who knows how to cook has a skill through which she can start earning," says Jha. For now, only users in Delhi can download the two-month old app and

safety and hygiene of meals.

The kitchen also offers space to women who do not have access to a good kitchen.

"We have around 20 independent sellers who are a part of the app and we do about 150 orders a day. So we have about 200 dishes listed till now.

There are more and more women writing to partici-

helped her fix the prices for the dishes she cooks.

"She began earning about Rs 5000 extra per day but she earns it on her terms operating out of her own house where she is her own boss. Right now we only do 100 orders, tomorrow we can do 500 orders and so every month she can earn about Rs 30,000 or more," says Jha.

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DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, JULY 24

Govt. should be given more time: Premji Bengaluru, Jul 23: Wipro chairman Azim Premji said the government should be given more time to achieve its economic growth targets. "The government is reporting a GDP growth rate this year of about 7.5%-8% and that is still not being felt on the ground. But in all fairness to the government, we have to give it time," Premji said at the company's annual general meeting (AGM) held in Bengaluru on Wednesday. Premji, who turns 70 on Friday, had sought a two-year extension as executive chairman and managing director through a special resolution at the AGM, which the shareholders approved.

Premji said there was strong demand for IT services not just in the US, but also in Continental Europe, and noted that the US

economy in particular was showing signs of recovery.

He said Wipro had enough strength in its balance sheet for acquisitions, indicating that more acquisitions were in the offing. Premji said digital technology was a major trend in IT services and Wipro was investing significantly in the space.

Digital technologies like cloud, mobility, analytics

and big data is reshaping the traditional IT services industry and helping the industry to provide highervalue services to customers.

Wipro recently created a new unit called Wipro Digital. The company expects digital to become one of its top three service lines over the next three years, generating revenues of over $1 billion. (Agencies)

Orios Venture Partners raises $150-million fund Bangalore, Jul 23: Earlystage investor Rehan Yar Khan's Orios Venture Partners has raised a $150-million fund (Rs 950 crore) in one of the fastest accelerations in venture investing, reflecting heightened activity in the Indian startup space. This takes the total funds managed by the Mumbai-based Orios to $200 million or Rs 1,250 crore and comes a little over one year after Khan raised his maiden $50 million (Rs 315 crore). Orios Venture Partners Fund II - which has several institutional investors, marquee domestic family offices and HNIs backing it - will focus on investing in early-stage online consumer and enterprise startups. Khan said the fund saw equal partici-

pation from domestic and international limited partners with a huge uptick in participation from local investors compared to his Fund I. This year, Orios invested in startups like Yumist, Taskbob, Zo Rooms, among others, and now will look to build a larger portfolio of 25 seed companies and 6-8 early growth investments while allocating a sizeable chunk to invest in follow-on rounds. It will look to pick ventures which offer mass products in the value segment, Khan said. "When we launched our first fund in 2013, our objective was to give the domestic investor an opportunity to participate in the India online growth story. We were also best placed to leverage the

Rise in wholesale onion price Nashik, Jul 23: The prices of this essential cooking ingredient have shot up by 30% in just three working days at Lasalgaon Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC), the country's largest wholesale onion market, due to decline in supply. The average wholesale price increased from Rs 1,959 a quintal on Friday to Rs 2,540 on Wednesday. In less than two weeks, the price has gone up by 55 % -- it stood at just Rs 1,650 a quintal on July 10. In the retail market, top quality onions which were selling

for Rs 20 a kg a fortnight back have touched Rs 30 a kg in Nashik. "The daily arrival which was around 14,000 quintals around a fortnight ago has reduced to 6,000 quintals," sources in the Lasalgaon APMC said, adding that the prices shot up because the demand was far higher. In metros like Delhi, vegetable vendors are selling onions at Rs 40 a kg. This is bound to go up further when the impact of wholesale price hike is felt on the retail market.

Sources said the onion currently sold is the summer crop harvested in March

EVER INCREASING TREND The average wholesale price increased from Rs 1,959 a quintal on Friday to Rs 2,540 on Wednesday.

In less than two weeks, the price has gone up by 55 % -- it stood at just Rs 1,650 a quintal on July 10.

In the retail market, top quality onions which were selling for Rs 20 a kg a fortnight back have touched Rs 30 a kg in Nashik.

The daily arrival which was around 14,000 quintals around a fortnight ago has reduced to 6,000 quintals.

and April. As the crop has a shelf life of about six months, farmers store it to get a better price later. The summer crop caters to the market till the arrival of the kharif crop in the first week of October.

"Unseasonal rains and hailstorm badly hit the summer crop in February and March.

deals, including Ola's $400 million round led by DST Global, said a report by New York-based VC tracker CB Insights in partnership with KPMG."This is a banner quarter in India for both deals and dollars.

Deals were up 94% and total investment was up 178% versus the same quarter a year prior. Tech made up almost 80% of all the VC-backed activity in India, including 9 of the 10 largest deals. Moving forward, we expect similar ranges for India. Funding will most certainly stay above $1 billion per quarter; however, mega-rounds like those seen in the past three months (four deals of $100 million and more) will dictate if quarterly funding reaches $2 billion

combined experience of the team in building some of the most successful consumer & software product companies out of India.

We're very happy with the performance so far and are excited to continue our work with Fund-II," said Khan, who is a managing partner in Orios Venture Partners. Khan, an early backer of Indian software product startups Druva, Sapience and Jigsee (VuClip), and taxi aggregator Ola, has invested in over 20 startups emerging as a star investor with an impeccable record of identifying early winners. Most of these startups, where he was one of the first investors, went on to raise subsequent rounds from marquee global names. (Agencies)

or more," said CB Insights' Michael Dempsey. "We also expect to see the most active investors in Asia continue to invest heavily in India. A mix of traditional VC money, along with hedge funds, private equity investors and corporates like Tencent and Alibaba, helped funding shore up in Asia and India." In the three months ended June, Asian VC-backed companies, led by the likes of Flipkart, Ola and Korea's Coupang, collectively raised $10.1 billion across 313 deals, highlighting the fund-raising prowess of these Asian startups.

Sequoia Capital India along with SAIF Partners topped as the two most active VC funds in all of Asia in the second quarter, according to the report. (Agencies)

Sequoia to invest in MedGenome Pune, Jul 23: Venture capital fund Sequoia Capital is putting $20 million, or Rs 125 crore, in Bengaluru-based MedGenome, a genomics-based diagnostics and research firm, which is backed by Mu Sigma founder Dhiraj Rajaram. MedGenome uses DNA sequencing and data analytics to conduct genetic testing of cancer, metabolic disorders, eye disorders and other rare diseases. The second round of institutional funding valued MedGenome at $70-80 million. The funds would be used to widen its offerings of genetic tests, enhance its sequencing facilities in India and the US, where it has a research lab in San Francisco, along with expanding its presence across hospitals and genomic research institutions. India suffers from a huge burden of inherited diseases (5-6% children are born with inherited diseases). Further, said MedGenome CEO Sam Santhosh, the adoption of western lifestyle has increased the occurrence of diabetes, cancer and car-

diovascular diseases. "Our genomic sequencing capabilities and powerful interpretation provide actionable insights to clinicians, allowing them to adopt precision medicine in their practice, while our research solutions have enabled us to develop deep insights into diseases at the genetic and molecular level," Santhosh said. He added MedGenome was looking to close the financial year with Rs 60 crore in revenues. The company, which was incubated for two years as a division of SciGenom Labs in Kochi and was later spun off as a separate company with headquarters in 2013, said it has been profitable since its inception. Abhay Pandey, MD at Sequoia Capital India, said, "India, due to its large and diverse population, is well positioned to contribute towards advances in personalized medicine through genomic analysis and MedGenome, with its high quality team and infrastructure, is at the forefront of this huge opportunity." (Agencies)

ers' Association Sohanlal Bhandari said. Nandkumar Daga, who heads the Lasalgaon Onion Traders' Association, said against 1,400 tractors of onions a few days ago, farmers were bringing only 400 tractors daily to the APMC now.

(Agencies)

Global slide pushed gold price below $1,100 per ounce

$2.3 billion raised by VCbacked companies in April-June Ahmedabad, Jul 23: Financing in venture capitalbacked companies in India soared to a total of $2.3 billion in the second quarter of this year, doubling from the January-March period, as early-to-late stage investors continued to pour top dollar in the country's fastgrowing emerging businesses. In this period, as many as 122 companies raised new financing rounds with the big-hitting hedge funds and other crossover investors propping up valuations in a heated tech market. Bangalore-based companies raised $740 million across 26 deals, largely anchored

by Flipkart's $550-million financing round, while Mumbai was second raising $605.6 million across 17

Most farmers also sold their crops in April and May. Now, very limited stock is available, but it difficult to predict how much stock the farmers have. Overall, there might be a 10-15% fluctuation in the onion prices, upward or downward," president of the Nashik District Onion Trad-

Mumbai, Jul 23: Strong selling by investors in China and other large institutional players like ex-

change-traded funds (ETFs) pushed the price of gold below the $1,100 per ounce mark for the first

time in five years, which in turn forced domestic prices to below the psychologically important Rs 25,000

Warsaw, Delhi to be linked with Poland's LOT Warsaw, Jul 23: Indian travellers to Europe will soon have more choices.

Poland's state-owned LOT airline is going to link Warsaw to Delhi early next year with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. "There are a lot of Polish companies in India as well as a strong Indian business community in Poland. There has been a demand from both these groups for a long time that we fly to India. We have plans to fly to Delhi next year. The question is not if but when and the decision will be taken by the end of this year," said LOT CEO Sebastian Mikosz. With a relatively small fleet that is at present under 50 aircraft, eastern Europe-based LOT could have either chosen

Delhi or Mumbai and has opted for the former. The Polish airline, which used to fly to Delhi earlier but stopped some years ago, is relying on its Star Alliance partner - Air India - to provide good connectivity to its flyers once they are in India as well as to have a good schedule in Delhi. As his airline's USP, Mikosz promises faster connections within Europe to people flying from Delhi to Warsaw.

"The big hubs in Europe offer connecting time of one to two hours. Warsaw is a niche airport and we will provide connection (within Europe) in 40 minutes to an hour. Warsaw is just six hours' flying time from Delhi. That is going to be our key advantage," he said,

while reiterating that LOT's India flights will be in "close partnership" with AI. LOT will be latest addition to the long list of European carriers that fly to India.

This includes marquee names like Lufthansa, British Airways, Swiss, Austrian, Air France-KLM, Turkish and Finnair. Star Alliance is trying to get the flight schedules of its member airlines flying into India aligned as closely with AI as possible. The idea: offer India connection to incoming passengers as well as have AI flights fly into metros at times closer to Star airlines' departures from there. This is part of Star Alliance strategy to take on the unrelenting challenge posed by Gulf carriers. (Agencies)

per 10g mark, a four-year low in the Mumbai market on Wednesday. With international analysts predicting international gold prices to fall below the $1,000 level, domestic gold buyers could expect a price of Rs 22,000 later in the year, market players said. International players have turned bearish on gold on the prospect of a rise in rate of interest in the US, which will lead to strengthening of the dollar.

And gold being a safe haven asset, a rise in US rate of interest would mean that the threat of a recession in the world's largest economy was almost nil, which in turn would prompt large global investors to move to US assets from gold."With all indications pointing downwards, $1,000 looks to be a certainty...it's an easy number," said Jayant Manglik, president, retail distribution, Religare Securities. "In case the US Fed raises rates before 2015 ends, as is expected, then money will move from gold to US dollar denominated assets and also interest bearing assets (due to higher interest rates),"

Manglik said. In India, however, the fall in the price of gold may be gradual. This is because if dollar strengthens, that would mean weakness of the rupee. And gold being a dollar-denominated asset, it could mean some slide in the domestic price of the yellow metal but not as sharp as in the international market, Manglik said. A 10% crash in prices from current levels could take the domestic prices in the Rs 22,000 region, a slide of about 40% from the record high prices of Rs 35,000 just two years back, when the rupee had depreciated sharply to an all-time low of almost Rs 69 to a dollar.

A poor monsoon may impact gold prices further as rural demand could dry up due to poor farm income, market players said. On Wednesday, the price of gold in Mumbai slid below the Rs 25k mark and was trading at around the Rs 24,800 level in late evening trades. In Mumbai's bullion market, as gold prices fell below the Rs 25k mark, some retail buying was witnessed. (Agencies)

HAL to invite private airlines to commence air services at Ozar terminal Nashik, Jul 23: The Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) is planning on inviting private airline operators for a conference likely to be held in the first week of August. The objective behind the initiative is to attract airline companies to commence air services from Ozar terminal. HAL had organised a similar conference in November last year in which around 12 private airline operators operators including Air India, Air India Express, Jet Airways, Sovika Group, Go Airlines (India) Ltd, Indigo Airlines, Spicejet, Shirke and Air Asia - were invited. The air service, however, could not be launched back then as the new airport terminal building had not been transferred to HAL by the state government. Meanwhile, Shrinivas Airlines, a small aviation company, has started a six-seater aircraft - Mumbai-Nashik-Mumbai from July 13. The flight is operational from Monday to Saturday. With the handing over of the airport terminal building, HAL has started taking initiatives to attract private airlines operators to start air service from Nashik. According to sources from HAL, the company is in the process of inviting 1012 private airlines for the conference likely to be held in the first week of August. The move is part of HAL's initiative to encourage airline operators to make use of Nashik's potential in the air service sector. A presentation pertaining to the air service potentials of Nashik will also be given during the press conference, along with a visit to the Ozar airport terminal. The new airport terminal at Ozar, around 20km from here, was inaugurated on March 3 last year by then Union minister for heavy industries and public enterprises Praful Patel. The state government and HAL have jointly upgraded the airport at a cost of Rs 84 crore. The land is owned by HAL, while the state government has spent funds on the infrastructure. Post inauguration, it took almost 13 months for the state government to transfer the airport terminal to HAL. The building was finally handed over to HAL on April 8. The airport terminal has been built as per international standards and has all facilities and amenities required for its operation. Around six planes can be landed at a time and the terminal building has a seating capacity of 300 passengers. The building is totally airconditioned and is just 700m from the runway, 3.5km in length and 60m in width, and is capable of handling large jet and cargo aircraft. The airport terminal is spread over 22 acres with a built-up area of 8,267 sq m. (Agencies)

"Virat Kohli had requested the selection committee for some match practice and wanted to play a game against Australia A. He will be playing the second four day game against Australia A.’’

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, JULY 24

PAGE 11

Anurag Thakur

Golfer Amandeep retains lead, Vani in hot pursuit For Hockey India and SAI, coaches are puppets: Jose Brasa Bengaluru, 23 Jul: Rookie Amandeep Drall carded two over 74 on the second day to retain the lead in the 12th Leg of the Hero Women's Professional Golf Tour here on Thursday.

One shot behind is Delhi's Vani Kapoor with a total of 145 after round two at the INR 6,00,000 event, which will culminate on Friday.

Drall had an indifferent day on the field as she dropped three shots on the 9th, 12th

and 13th holes, along with a triple bogey on the 8th.

However, four birdies on the 7th, 11th, 17th and 18th holes helped her finish with a total of 144 after two rounds, and keep the chase on for her first professional title. Hero Order of Merit Leader Vani played a cautious front nine, carding two birdies on the 5th and 6th holes, and dropping shots on the 4th and 9th.

She showed much more

aggression as the day progressed, and played a blemish-free back nine with a lone birdie on the 17th hole to end the day with a score of one under 71, the best effort of the day. Kolkata's Neha Tripathi and amateur Trisha Sunil are tied third with identical scores of 147.

Trisha played brilliantly in the front nine carding three birdies on the 6th, 7th and 8th holes, with a lone boogie on the 5th. However, she

could not sustain the momentum and played a birdieless back nine with two boogies on the 16th and 18th holes to return with a level par score at the end of the day's play. Neha carded four birdies on the 5th, 13th, 17th and 18th holes, while dropping shots on the 6th, 12th and 16th, along with a double boogie on the 10th hole to the end day with a score of one over 73. Hero Motocorp sponsored

Sharmila Nicollet and Kapurthala's Gursimar Badwal with a total score of 149 are in tied fifth position after 36 holes. Delhi's Ankita Tiwana is in seventh position with a total score of 154, while Chandigarh's Saaniya Sharma is in 8th position with a total score of 156, followed by Pune's Shweta Galande and Delhi's Mehar Atwal in tied 9th position with identical scores of 159 after two rounds. (Agencies)

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos '100 percent committed' to Real, says Rafa Benitez New Delhi, Jul 23: Former national team coach, Jose Brasa has supported Paul van Ass and urged Indian authorities to bring back the Dutchman for the sake of hockey. According to a report in the Times of India, the Spaniard said that van Ass is a wonderful coach and has done good things for the Indian hockey in his short stint. "I would urge the authorities (HI and SAI) to bring Paul van Ass back. He is a wonderful coach and has done really good things for Indian hockey.

They shouldn't let him go," the report quoted him. But

'Discussions are on for the 2016 World T20, it'll be planned well' New Delhi, Jul 23: The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) has said it will leave no stone unturned in its attempt to make next year's World Twenty20 a grand success.

BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur, while addressing a press conference, said they are focusing on all areas, including spectators interest.

"Discussions are on for the 2016 World T20 at eight venues. The first Organising Committee meeting will be held before August 7 to discuss what new changes are to be brought like how and from where the disabled fans will enter the stadiums, how to make toilets big and clean, measures for firefighting and spectators point of view. We will do a lot," Thakur said.

Eight cities - Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai, Dharamsala, Mohali, Mumbai, Nagpur and Delhi - have been named as venues for the prestigious event, which will begin on March 11 next year. Kolkata will host the final on April 3. The BCCI Secretary also emphasised that the young Indian players must work hard on fitness. "There should be quality, a benchmark and standard for fitness.

Once the players are in reckoning (for national side), they must know what the standard is." (Agencies)

Brasa was far from happy with the current faux pas involving the Hockey India and the Dutch coach. "In India, hockey coaches are not considered as knowledgeable people. For Hockey India and SAI, the coaches are just puppets who should move according to their wishes," he said. "Hockey India may get a coach who will obey their orders, but if van Ass goes now, it will be difficult for them to find a coach with strong personality and wisdom,""Hockey India may get a coach who will obey their orders, but if van Ass goes now, it will be dif-

ficult for them to find a coach with strong personality and wisdom," Brasa continued. In between, in an encouraging development, van Ass has reportedly said that he is willing to resume his duties provided there is no "interference" in his work. Earlier, van Ass, who took charge of the team months back, had alleged on Monday that he had been "fired" by Hockey India following a spat with HI president Narinder Batra after the recent quarter-final match against Malaysia in the World League Semi-finals in Antwerp, Belgium.

(Agencies)

Indian Test captain to play four-day game vs Australia A

New Delhi, Jul 23: Back from a well-deserved break, Indian Test captain Virat Kohli has decided to get into the groove by playing in the second four-day 'Test' against Australia 'A' in Chennai from July 28-31.

"Virat Kohli had requested the selection committee for some match practice and wanted to play a game against Australia A. He will be playing the second four day game against Australia A," secretary Anurag Thakur said at post selection press conference.

When Sandeep Patil was asked as to who will lead the side, the chairman said:

"Cheteshwar Pujara is the designated captain and he will lead the side." Actually with the team being decided in 30 minutes,there were discussions on various long term issues and Virat mooted the point of playing a first class game. The reason being it will be proper match situation and Chepauk pitch being pretty similar to Sri Lankan wickets will provide him with match simulation. Also another reason being Indian teams on tours normally treat practice games as extended net sessions with batsmen retiring after playing 100 balls.(Agencies)

5th All Assam Ranking Badminton Tournament starts today

pions Cup match against Manchester City at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

After taking on City, Real fly to China, where they will play Champions Cup games against Inter Milan in Guangzhou on Monday and AC Milan in Shanghai the following Thursday. Their opening La Liga game of the 2015-16 campaign is at Sporting Gijon on the weekend of Aug. 22-23. "I hope he's still here at the beginning of the season," added the former Liverpool manager, who took over from the sacked Carlo Ancelotti at the end of last season. "I want him to stay on, he's a fundamental player for all of us.

It's clear to me and the club that he will remain 100 percent committed to Real Madrid. "I respect Van Gaal and what matters to me is that Ramos stays here."(Agencies)

Melbourne, Jul 23: Real Madrid captain and centre back Sergio Ramos is "100 percent committed" to the club, new coach Rafa Benitez said on Thursday, amid continued speculation the Spain defender could be on his way to Manchester United. The English Premier League side's manager, Louis van Gaal, hinted this week he may be pursuing the 29-year-old Ramos, who has two years left on his Real contract but is said to be unhappy with the level of his wages. Ramos could join United as part of a swap deal, with his Spain team mate and goalkeeper David De Gea, 24, going the other way, according to reports in Spain and England. "De Gea is not our player and Ramos is our captain and a very important player for us," Benitez told a news conference previewing Friday's International Cham-

'We've only played two Tests in a five-match series' Melbourne, Jul 23: Australian captain Michael Clarke has said his side still has room for improvement after their utterly dominant 405-run win in the second Ashes Test against England at Lord's. They needed just 37 overs to bowl England out for a meagre 103 on the fourth day yesterday, paceman Mitchell Johnson leading the way with three cheap wickets, having set their arch-rivals a mammoth victory target of 509 runs. Clarke's men produced a near-ideal display to level the five-match series at 1-1 after their 169run loss, also inside four days, in the first Test in Cardiff. Australia never looked back at Lord's after piling up 566 for eight declared in a first innings that featured Test-best scores from both Steven Smith (215) and Chris Rogers (173). "I think the game was set up by the way we batted in the first innings, by the way we stopped England's momentum from the first Test," said Clarke.

"That's why I think Chris Rogers and Steve Smith deserve a lot of credit. "Obviously when we got a crack with the ball the boys executed really well and we continued that in the second innings." However, Clarke added: "I think the other thing is to obviously be extremely happy with the way we performed but also respect that we've only played two Test matches in a fiveTest series. "I still see areas where we can get better, a few of us would definitely like to score some more runs, I'd like to see no dropped catches. "So we turn up to training in Derby in a couple of days and we try and get better," said Clarke ahead of next week's three-day tour game which will provide Australia's lead-in to the third Test at Edgbaston starting on July 29. The only significant concern for Australia at Lord's was when veteran opener Rogers retired hurt early on Sunday morning after a dizzy spell. That led to fears the 37-year-old left-

hander may have been a victim of delayed concussion after being struck on the helmet by England paceman James Anderson on Friday's second day.

Rogers, who plans to retire after the Ashes, missed Australia's recent 2-0 series win in the Caribbean, having been struck on the helmet while batting in the nets. He did not field on the fourth day at Lord's but was seen talking to team-mates on the Australian dressing room balcony. Clarke, however, was upbeat about Rogers's prospects of playing in the third Test. "I don't know enough about it at this

stage," Clarke said. "But it sounds to me that today's incident is no relation to him getting hit in the West Indies or even the other day.

"We'll wait and see the result and let the experts have a look at him and make their decision. "But I'm confident Chris will be right for the next Test." There have been suggestions that England have prepared deliberately slow pitches to counter the threat of Johnson -- who took 37 wickets during Australia's 5-0 whitewashing of England during the 2013/14 Ashes. But if such a plan had indeed been hatched, it backfired spec-

tacularly at Lord's. Anderson, England's all-time leading most successful Test bowler, failed to take a wicket for the first time in 59 matches. And with the likes of Johnson, fellow leftarmer Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood consistently quicker through their air than their England counterparts of Anderson, Stuart Broad and Mark Wood, a docile surface is likely to harm Australia less than their old foes. "It's an error to play Australia on these surfaces because if Mitchell Johnson is not getting much out of it, then Broad and Anderson won't," former England captain Nasser Hussain told Sky Sports.

"But he'll always get more out of it than most (as he) bowls 92 miles (148km) an hour." England captain Alastair Cook added: "We want to play on 'English' wickets, and that (Lord's pitch) probably wasn't too 'English'. "But that's nowhere near an excuse. We've been totally outplayed in four days," he said. (Agencies)

Baksa tame Chirang, Kamrup Rural win Dewkon Memorial Inter-School Football Tournament

ET Correspondent Golaghat, Jul 23: The 5th All Assam Ranking Badminton Tournament organised by Golaghat District Sports Association in association with Assam Badminton Association was inaugurated by DGM NRL Ashok Kumar Senapati today at the Indoor Stadium Golaghat. Earlier the GDSA flag was hoisted by Dr Ajit Baruah and the tournament flag was hoisted by ABA GS Omar Rashid. Later in the inauguration ceremony DC Anowarul Haque, Dr Ajit Baruah, Dinesh Gogoi, ABA Treasurer Badan Bora, Chief Referee Bineet Gogoi, ABA Jt secretary Goutam Mahanta, DSO Rilip Rongphar and Sanjeev Handique were made to sit on the stage and were felicitated. It has been made known that the tournament will be held till 26th July spread across 7 events. Around 400 participants have taken part from 15 districts of the state.

A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Jul 23: Baksa trashed Chirang 2-0 in the U-17 Dewkon Memorial Inter-School Football Tournament organized by Directorate of Sports and Youth Welfare, Government of India at SAI complex in Guwahati today.

Altogether, 27 teams participated in the tournament.

Phungkha Boro (Jr) opened the account for Baksa in the 15th minute with his lone effort from the right flank.

After the end of the first half, Baksa was leading with one goal. In the second half, Baksa came stronger and Pinkul Basumatary (Jr) scored the

second goal for his team in the 50th minute. The players of Baksa have played a mature game. On the other hand, Chirang’s players could not match up to the good performance of the rival team.

In another match, Kamrup Rural beat Tinsukia 2-1.

Shantanu Chutia of Tinsukia opened the floodgate for his team in the 7th minute. Meanwhile, Jagadish Boro of Kamrup Rural equalized in the 40th minute and again came strongly in the 47th minute and scored the second goal. Both the teams have toiled hard in the field and displayed good attacking technique.

Players of Betkuchi high school Kamrup Metro (red) and Barama H.S.School (white) in action during the semifinal of Dewkon Memorial Inter District School Football Tournament (U-17) at SAI Field in Guwahati. Pic - UB Photos

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TRAVEL & TOURISM

Places to explore in Kerala Alleppey Backwaters Alleppey is well known for the backwater trips on houseboats and always comes on top among the best destinations to check out in Kerala, simply because it is an exclusive encounter that you cannot get anywhere else on the globe.

A houseboat vacation along the natural backwaters in Alleppey provides a chance to observe landscapes attractions like lavish paddy areas below the water levels, small chapels, fishing with netting, ducks in water, water lilies etc, sure to remain etched in your mind forever and this is among the best places to visit in Kerala.

Munnar Munnar is the most popular hill station in South India and one of the best places to see in Kerala. It has exclusive views of extreme mountain slopes which are covered with about 80,000 miles of green tea farms like organic bedding over mountains which offer views of low-flying clouds and misty valleys.

Munnar is usually cold and relaxed and gives you an incredible sensation, with the dense spray around you in the center of the organic tea farms. There are also lot of waterfalls and hiking routes in Munnar for the adventure seeking guests.

With its drowsy little bun-

galows, bungalows, old play areas and tea factories, Munnar is one of those unique hill stations in India with an old world colonial feel to the area.

Kumarakom If you have craved to stay in a small village in Kerala for enjoying the backwaters, sipping on tender coconut water, tasting some authentic Kerala food and experiencing the warmth of fresh air, Kumarakom is the place you should be in when you travel to Kerala.

Situated near the Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is a sleepy little hamlet with exotic scenery and rare flora and fauna. The place offers boating, house boat cruis-

ing, fishing and sightseeing. Canals, waterways and lakes decorated with lilies and lined with coconut groves, green paddy fields and mangrove forests will be quite tempting for any visitor to have a stress relieving vacation.

Wayanad To know the greener side of Kerala, one must visit Wayanad which translates to the land of paddy fields in Local language Malayalam. It would not be irrelevant to call it the 'Green Paradise' if you are planning for sightseeing in Kerala. Calm and quiet, enriched with scenic beauty, tradition and wildlife, Wayanad is a blend of nature and heaven together

and is one of the best places to visit in Kerala during summer.

Thekkady Periyar Wildlife sanctuary in Thekkady is a popular wild life sanctuary preserving various species of animals including elephants, tigers, sambars, gaurs and the very rare lion tailed macaques. The forest is situated on the banks of the lake, Periyar. Thekkady's scenic beauty along with its wildlife has been attracting tourists and visitors from all over the world for years.

Probably the best position in Kerala to see wildlife while doing a boat trip trip in Thekkady lake. From the mighty Indian elephant to the Great Indian tiger to leopards, boars, bisons, deers, etc. Thekkady has it all that a wild life sanctuary has. The tourism department provides going up the right into the middle of the jungles either on feet or on top of elephants.

Kochi Cochin is in central Kerala and it is easy to get to most of the tourist places in Kerala from Kochi, the primary reason because of which Kochi is the starting point for most of the Kerala tour packages. Though the tourist destination is known as Kochi, it is a part of Ernakulam which is a beautiful district located on the coast of the Arabian Sea

and must see place to go in Kerala.

Varkala Varkala in Kerala is a amazing beach with a little seaside and a high high cliff part which is complete of action and is among the best seaside places in Kerala. 51 miles away from Thiruvananthapuram, on its northern side, Varkala has the appeal and potential to entice guests from all over the world with its natural charm and high cliffs. The seaside is quite well-known among people from other countries as its journey and enjoyment provides many interesting activities such as sun bathing, boat riding, surfing and ayurvedic massages. The long unique seaside places, amazing resorts, fresh air etc attracts the guests to Varkala, who wish to have a less crowded beach vacation.

Kovalam Rated as among the best beaches in India even before Kerala Tourism shot into prominence Kovalam is the favorite option of many tourists in Kerala for relaxing in the sun, ayurvedic treatments and powerful strong deep massages and is also among the best places to visit in Kerala in December and January for New Year celebrations.

The crescent shaped beach has a light house on its southern side, which provides an excellent view of the city especially the moonshaped beach and the Vizhinjam mosque.

Vagamon Across the IdukkiKottayam border, there is an enchanting hill station called Vagamon, pulling visitors and tourists across the world to feel the nature's rhythm in wild.

Studded with meadows, gardens, dales, tea plantations and valleys, Vagamon is a promising hill station holiday retreat in India.

Mystic hills, perfectly maintained lawns and fresh air are quite enough to make your visit ravishing.

breakfast speciality made from steamed rice flour.

The Kerala variation of the dosa, the Tamilian rice pancake, is called 'appam'. The 'pathiri' is yet another kind of bread, which may be had sweet or stuffed with meat.

The most popular sweets are payasam and pradaman. Rasam, served right at the end of a meal, is light pepper water intended to help you digest your food.

Shopping in Kerala Travellers have exciting prospects when shopping in Kerala. Brass, bronze, cop-

per and bell metal (an alloy of tin and copper) are the metals of choice for idols, lamps, mirror frames and vessels. Wood carving skills honed by centuries of temple building now find expression in Kathakali masks. Mats and baskets are woven out of bamboo, rattan and coconut fibre.

You could also pick up traditional jewellery, which varies for different communities.

Where to Stay in Kerala Kerala's ample charms could not have remained hidden from the world

long, and they did not.

Tourism blossoms in this tiny state in South India and there is no dearth of places to stay in Kerala. At the established seaside resorts you can find a variety that ranges from 5-star luxury to cozy cottages that will not boast a strip of private beach, but will have rooms with attached bathrooms and balconies. In smaller towns you can expect to find decent midrange hotels that are clean and equipped with basic amenities and communication networks.

Kerala - The land of thousand shades of green

Tourism in Kerala is a big thing, so come to Kerala and get totally charmed by the sights, sounds and greenery of this beautiful land. Kerala has long beaches, misty mountains, elegant rivers and charming inland water bodies.

Above all it has the soothing greenery all around.

Beaches like Kovalam, Shankhumugham, Mararikulam, Fort Kochi and Payyambalam are breathtakingly beautiful.

These hills of Wayanad and Idukki are lush green and charming. Rivers like Periyar, Kallar, Pamba and hundreds of rivulets make picture post card views.

The inland water bodies such as Vembanad and Ashtamudi land are incredibly charming. The country boat at a leisurely pace in any of these water bodies will soothe your mind and body. But these are not the only beautiful views you will have during

your stay in Kerala. Every place that you see here will captivate you and make you wonder if this is one big garden. On the other shore you see dense coconut plantation. Kerala is full of coconut trees, be it on the beaches or in the hills. The coconuts can roll along on the ground and float in water. These nuts are then carried by the tides to other coasts. That is how you see coconut plants in all tropical countries of the world that have a seacoast. The coconut trees are nature's bounty for its various economically useful produces.

Apart from that the Coconut gardens are a treat to your eyes the view of Kovalam beach with coconut trees is mesmerizing.

The long coastline of Kerala offers immense opportunity for fishing.

Country fishing boats lining the beaches is a common sight in Kerala. A

house boat ride in one of them is a date with the nature. Swaying palms leaning to the water, chirping birds, the sound of the little waves and an occasional view of some Chinese fishing nets is eye refreshing.

Its unique culture and traditions, coupled with its varied demography, have made Kerala one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Articulately sold by the state tourism department as God's Own Country, Kerala has become a must-do destination for most tourists.

Kerala beckons with her sun and sand, blue backwater lagoons, Syrian Christian churches, tea and coffee gardens, spice plantations and lush forests. This small Indian state lies along the western coast in the southernmost part of the peninsula, wedged in between the sea and the rocky Western Ghats and boasts of a culturally alive society.

Kerala Travel Guide How to reach by Air Kerala has three airports served by international as well as domestic carriers.

The largest is the Kochi International Airport that connects several countries in the Middle East and South East Asia to Kerala.

Thiruvananthapuram Airport comes next in the list.

Well linked to most international and national routes, the airport is strategically placed in the capital and a preferred option for those who want complete access to the state's transit services. Kozhikode International Airport is the city's newest addition to its aviation network served by a few international flights.

How to reach by Rail Kerala is well-connected to all major cities of India through an efficient rail network. While there are frequent services from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, distant metropolitans like Delhi and Mumbai have weekly services that provide direct access to various districts of the coastal state. These trains are usually crowded

and advance reservations are highly recommended.

How to reach by Road Buses operated by transport agencies of different states enable travelers to access Kerala with great ease.

Similar services are available in Tamil Nadu as well.

Volvo shuttles owned by private organizations are a step ahead as their services are divided in different categories depending upon the luxury and comfort offered.

Food of Kerala Rice is the staple of the Kerala diet. Various preparations form the base of the meal; curries of fish, meat and vegetable accompany it. Most dishes bear the flavour of coconut, curry leaves and mustard seeds, and the tastes of coconut milk and tamarind. Kerala cuisine is distinguished by its regional and religious differences. The food of the Malabar coast is distinct in its use of red chillis, pepper, mutton and beef preparations and the fondness for the famed Malabari 'barotha' a multi-layered fried bread from unleavened dough. 'Puttu' is a

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