25th sept

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Vol. 1

Two arrested in connection with murder Golaghat, Sep 24: Two persons were arrested today by the Golaghat Police in connection with the murder of a Zunab in Numaligrh in Golaghat. According to reports, a Zunab who offered traditional treatment had gone missing on 19 September. His body was recovered in a drain of Numaligarh Tea Estate on 21 September.

Later police started investigation and were able to nab two persons named Swapan Suri and Drup Munda of Behora Tea Estate. One of the arrested Drup Munda confessed that he committed the crime with the help of his friend Swapan Suri because the Janab in the garb of treatment tried to molest his wife.

(Correspondent)

Teenagers apprehended Golaghat, Sep 24: Like the metro cities and big towns, now cases of crimes committed by teenagers are coming to light in small towns. Two schoolgirls studying in 8th and 9th standards of Bengenakhowa area of Golaghat last night fled with two teenage boys and took shelter in the verandah of a school where they allegedly engaged in sexual activities. When their families began to search for them they tried to flee from the town and reached Golaghat Railway Station.

But the locals saw the teenage boys' suspicious movement in the station and apprehended them and rescued the girls. Later they were handed over to the police. A section of the intellectuals have highlighted that the youth are choosing the wrong path and it is the matter of serious concern.

(Correspondent)

Tirap official website to get a new look Khonsa, Sep 24: Tirap district's official Website www.tirap.nic.in is being updated regularly thanks to the initiative of Tirap DC Ravi Jha and DIO, NIC Rakesh Das. Detailed information about the Airman Recruitment rally to be held at Itanagar has also been updated on the website. In addition, as on 2nd October, the home page of the website would be given a fresh getup with more options for the users. (Correspondent)

Swahid Kushal Konwar Welfare Society formed Golaghat, Sep 24: With the view to promote and encourage art and culture, a new social welfare and voluntary organisation has been formed in Golaghat and has been named as Shahid Kushal Konwar Welfare Society under the able leadership of Peter Dang. The organisation will work on health education, rural development, women and child welfare, agriculture, etc. The other members include Vice President Firuz Kunkal, General Secretary Lalit Tamuly, Assistant Secretary Dipali Kunwar, Treasurer Jabakim Ekka and Coordinator Mira Mazumdar among other executive members.

(Correspondent)

Thansen Wangchadong Memorial Football Tournament 2015 Khonsa Nehru Stadium

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Page 12

Dibrugarh, Friday, September 25, 2015

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Pawan Hans to invest Rs 1500 Major push for ‘Make in cr for better NE connectivity India’ as PM Modi to meet ET Bureau Guwahati, Sep 24

State-run chopper operator Pawan Hans is likely to invest Rs 1,500 crore for improving air connectivity and give a boost to tourism in north-east region. Pawan Hans, pioneer in off-shore helicopter opera-

Guwahati to be its hub for proposed 'huband-spoke' model tions in India, will make Guwahati in Assam as its hub for development of the region under a proposed 'hub-andspoke' model and will also set up engineering training and helicopter pilots training Contd. on Page 4

NE AIR CONNECTIVITY BOAST

ANI New York, Sep 24

ØPawan Hans plans to invest Rs 1,500 crore for improving air connectivity and give a boost to tourism in north-east region. ØPawan Hans will make Guwahati in Assam as its hub for development of the region under a proposed 'hub-and-spoke' model. ØIt will also set up engineering training and helicopter pilots training institutes in the region. ØUnder this model all the important cities within the states will be interconnected by using helicopter with creation of heliports/ helipads at small cost.

ØPassenger can fly directly and without any stopover between any two cities within the NE region. ØThe proposed hub-andspoke model can be achieved by three-tier helicopter services.

ØAt present, Pawan Hans operates 155 weekly flights, connecting 33 destinations across Meghalaya, Tripura, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland with a dedicated fleet of 12 helicopters.

Sunpura road replete with potholes, commuters worst hit Bishnu Rana Tezu, Sep 24

Glaring potholes have become the bane of the Sunpura circle. The oldest circle under Lohit still lacks proper roads.

Road to Sunpura is like crossing a pool of water or river stream where driving has become almost impossible. During rainy days, roads remain submerged under water. Accept SUVs or heavy vehicles, driving is a nightmare for the villagers to reach Tezu and vice-versa. At several places the road is filled with potholes.

“I feel scary to drive during night as spread across several km there are pools of water making it not viable for driving.

Contd. on Page 3

Representatives of Chakma student bodies from across India gathered in Shillong city of Meghalaya for three days from 19th to 21st September 2015 to discuss formation of

Though the Trans Arunachal Highway has largely brought relief to the public in the district headquarters regrettably the rest of the road is substandard and is in deplorable situation

Assam Chief Minsiter Tarun Gogoi this evening unveiled a statue of Lakshminath Bezbaroa at Guwahati Club rotary at a function held at Guwahati Club. Speaking at the function Chief Minister

an umbrella student body for all Chakmas of India. The discussions fructified in the formation of “All India Chakma Students' Union” (AICSU).

AICSU shall have its general headquarters in New Delhi

The first phase of 24-hr chakka bandh called in protest against deteriorating road condition from Aalo to Bam by Aalo Bam Highway Maintenance Monitoring Committee on 25th September has been called off after tripartite

Contd. on Page 3

Contd. on Page 3

2015’ which seeks to delete item 9 from the Schedule to the Prevention of Disqualification (Members of the Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya) Act, 1972 was adopted by voice vote after the motion to the amendment tabled by HSPDP legislator KP Pangiang was rejected by the House.

Contd. on Page 4

The Assam Agriculture University (AAU) is intent on helping organic agriculture to develop in a big way, said Dr Kamal Malla Buzarbaruah, VC of AAU at the inauguration function of the ICAR sponsored inter-school

ET Correspondent Aalo, Sep 24

Gogoi terms Lakshminath Bezbaruah as a great personality and a celebrated pioneer of modern Assamese literature.

Meghalaya Lokayukta to function at the earliest possible time Dmuising Khongjirem Shillong Sep 24

The Chief Minister of Meghalaya Dr Mukul Sangma has assured that the Lokayukta will soon function in the State as the required formalities have been almost completed.

Replying to the Zero hour notice tabled by HSPDP legislator Ardent M Basaiawmoit during the last day of the autumn session of the Assembly today, Contd. on Page 4

programme on the topic “Advances of organic production system and conservation of agriculture” that was held in the Board’s room at AAU Jorhat campus here today. The VC said, the Government of India’s is eyeing initiatives to make the North Eastern Region the hub of organic farming. He said, among the NE states, Assam and Arunachal

TK Engineering starts maintenance work.

Stampede at Mecca: MEA issues helpline numbers for Indian nationals PTI New Delhi, Sep 24

In an effort to reach out to Indians in Haj at Mina where stampede claimed over 300 lives, Ministry of External Affairs has released a few emergency numbers. Official spokesperson of MEA, Vikas Swarup, has shared the emergency numbers on his Twitter page. At least 310 people were killed and 450 others injured

An interesting report published in one of the leading newspaper of india, with the

Major ports have increased their profit margins for the first time since 2007-08, Minister for Road Transport, Highways

REGION

EDITORIAL

BUSINESS

Chennai, Sep 24

state which has been claiming many innocent lives even in today's world. Suggestions ranging from taking up the issue on a war footing to launching a widespread awareness campaign against the menace, which leaves survivors shocked and bewildered, have come up from law-makers.

headline "India reaches out, wants to upgrade ties with North Korea," caught my eye yesterday. The report noted that India was taking a significant step forward in its relations with Pyongyang by upgrading its bilateral ties.

and Shipping Nitin Gadkari said. Profit margins of major ports declined from 43 per cent in 2007-08 to 28 per cent in the 12 months ended March 31, 2014. Since then, margins increased to 38 per cent in the first five months of the current financial year.

Snapping its two-day falling streak, gold prices recovered by Rs. 30 to Rs. 26,540 per ten grams at the bullion market, tracking a firm trend overseas amidst renewed buying by jewellers Contd. on Page 4

today in a stampede during the Haj at Mina, near the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, one of the worst incidents in nearly a decade to hit the annual pilgrimage. Over two million pilgrims, including more than 1.5 lakh Indians, are performing the Haj this year. Officials at the Indian Consulate in Jeddah have said so far they have no information about any Indian casualty.

Contd. on Page 4

stand to gain the most from organic farming adding that it is a very good news for the agricultural fraternity that today India is proud to export 70% of the processed soyabean products to countries like UK, Canada, Uganda, France, etc. And roughly, Contd. on Page 4

West Karbi Anglong, new route for cattle smuggling to Bangladesh Sushanta Roy Diphu, Sep 24

Profit margins up at major ports for first time since 2007-08

Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das examined ways and means to completely uproot evils like practicing witchcraft from his

ET Correspondent Guwahati, Sep 24

ABHMMC withdraws chakka bandh, TK Engineering starts maintenance work

Are India and North Korea Really Upgrading Ties?

From war footing to awareness campaign, suggestions pour in to eradicate witchcraft

Contd. on Page 4

Assam CM unveils Lakshminath Bezbaruah statue

Bijoy Shankar Handique Jorhat, Sep 24

8 MDCs to resign before October 1st

The Bill on barring holding of dual post was adopted by the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly amidst strong protest from opposition members in the ongoing autumn session of the Assembly.

The ‘Prevention of Disqualification (Members of the Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya) Amendment Bill,

AECOM. On Friday, Prime Minister Modi is lined up for a bilateral meeting with his

Jordan counterpart Abdullah Ensour after which he will be called on by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. The highlight of the day will be Prime Minister Modi’s statement at the UN Summit for the adoption of the post 2015 development agenda.

His bilateral talks will continue later as he is scheduled for meetings with the leaders of Bhutan, Cyprus and Sweden. Saturday will begin with the important engagement of the G4 summit.

AAU VC expects Arunachal and Assam to be hub of organic farming

Bill barring dual post passed by the Meghalaya Assembly Dmuising Khongjirem Shillong Sep 24

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet top Fortune 500 CEOs today in a major push for his ‘Make in India’ programme. In the first leg of his visit here, the Prime Minister will be dealing with the financial aspect during which he will meet the CEOs of various prestigious industries and groups. He will also meet publishing mogul Michael Bloomberg and Mike Burke, Chairman and CEO of

Contd. on Page 4

All India Chakma Students’ Union (AICSU) formed ET Bureau New Delhi, Sep 24

top Fortune 500 CEOs

West Karbi Anglong (Hamren) district under the administrative authority Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council has turned into a safe route for smuggling of cow and other domestic animals to Bangladesh in recent times.

According to information received thousands of cow procured from various markets of Nagaon district based on suspicious fitness certificate of veterinary doctors and illegal export documents are being transported in trucks through

Lanka-Umrangso road to Silchar subdivision of Cachar district.

The load of cow passes through check points of Lanka, Kheroni, Umrangso, Dyangmukh and Diabrang police station of Dima Hasao district before reaching Ranighat area before reaching Bangladesh through inland water route. It has been alleged that Lanka police station of Nagaon district has setup check point at Chambari while Kheroni Contd. on Page 4

Assam CM and Guv lock horns ET Correspondent Guwahati, Sep 24

In what appears to be a battle between the Assam chief minister and Assam governor, Assam CM Tarun Gogoi today said that he will

inform President Pranab Mukherjee about Governor P.B Acharya meeting BJP leaders at Raj Bhavan in Guwahati. Gogoi said that he will send video footage to the President and Union Home Minister of the meeting held at Raj Bhavan.

Gold rises by Rs. 30 on global cues, jewellers’ buying GAINING BACK ØGold prices recovered by Rs. 30 to Rs. 26,540 per ten grams at the bullion market. ØSilver remained under pressure and lost another Rs. 655 at Rs. 35,175 per kg.

ØGlobally, gold rose 0.2 per cent to USD 1,127.35 an ounce in Singapore. ØIn the national capital, gold of 99.9 and 99.5 per cent purity edged up by Rs. 30 each to Rs. 26,540 and Rs. 26,390 per ten grams respectively.

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ET CAPSULES

Issue 113

Every Thursday & Sunday

PAGE 2

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

Search for MH370 to Jorhat Medical College students, teachers and revisit more than 30 staff distribute relief materials to flood victims sites earlier ruled out ET Correspondent College students, teachers quality clothes, food and hearted gesture with the ANI Sydney, Sep 24: The search for missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 will revisit more than 30 sites that were earlier ruled out, to ensure that nothing has been missed. The latest update on the underwater search reveals the decision to revisit "Classification 2" sites where search vessels have previously made "sonar contacts of

interest". Australian Transport Safety Bureau believes they warrant a second look in spite of being rated as "unlikely to be significant to the search". The decision has received a lot of criticism from various experts worldwide about the methods being used to search for the Malaysia Airlines' Boeing 777 that disappeared over 18-months ago.

'Hilsa' unavailable in the border haats of Tripura Agartala, Sep 24: The IndiaBangladesh frontier trading posts, called 'border haats', in Tripura are doing roaring business but Indians complain that one item close to their heart is not available the delectable and much sought after hilsa fish. Dilip Kumar Chakma, the additional district magistrate of Sepahijala district, said Indians, especially Bengalis, want hilsa to be made available in the weekly markets on the international border.

"Bangladeshi officials said they would talk to their government regarding sale of hilsa in the haats," Chakma, co-chairman of the Kamalasagar border haat management committee, told the media. In 2012, Bangladesh banned the export of hilsa to other countries so that Bangladeshis were not deprived of the fish, a delicacy for Bengalis. Hilsa or ilish, which migrates from sea water to fresh water to

breed, is widely consumed in India and Bangladesh in a variety of delectable dishes.

Bangladeshis visiting the border haats too have a demand. They want to buy Indian cows for its beef.

Chakma said the Bangladeshi officials were told that Indian customs did not allow sale of cattle in the border markets. "The Bangladeshi officials said they would approach the Indian government to allow the sale of cows in these markets," said the official.

While cow is held sacred

by Hindus, Indian cows are smuggled to Bangladesh through the unfenced border. Bangladeshi authorities virtually legalise the smuggling by merely imposing a fine on each Indian cow.

Earlier this year, two border haats were set up in the state: Srinagar in southern Tripura and Kamalasagar in the western district of Sepahijala.

Two Al Jazeera journalists released from Egypt prison ANI Johannesburg, Sep 24: Two Al Jazeera journalists have been freed from prison after Egyptian PresidentAbdelFattah al-Sissi pardoned them following global criticism. Al Jazeera journalist Mohammed Fahmy and the Qatari network's Egyptian producer Baher Mohammed were among 100 prisoners who were pardoned, said the presidential statement. The par-

dons were issued ahead of alSissi's visit to New York to attend the UN General Assembly meetings. Australian journalist Peter Greste, Fahmy and Mohammed were arrested in 2013 for publishing false news and collaborating with Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood, which has been banned as a terrorist organization. The trio was sentenced to seven years in prison in an initial trial last year.

Teok, Sep 24: A day long free medical camp and free goods distribution camp was held today in the flood affected areas of the Jhanji Mukh of Teok under Jorhat district organized by Jorhat Medical

and staff. The camp was held under the banner of 'Sarathi', where more than five hundred flood affected people were present. The organizers distributed large number of various types of good

free medicines. A local villager Mr Dipok Pegu told the media persons that today’s sudden big help from the Jorhat Medical College students, teachers and staff was exceptional and kind-

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/-

List of hospitals in Dibrugarh with contact details & phone numbers, Assam 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

Nourishing high ambitions is a good thing if they can drive you to achieve your potential. You make plans and execute them with utmost care. You may focus all your attention on attracting a member of the other sex. But don't get too swayed by it, especially if you are taking crucial decisions.

A trip to the mall with your beloved may end with a trunk loaded with shopping bags. Purchase is on the cards and a home or a vehicle may be on your list.

Financial gains and family joys will make this day one to remember. The day will end with a feeling of gratitude and satisfaction.

You need to understand and respect the feelings of others. You will be beset by financial worries and plagued by financial insecurity. You will work with grim determination to achieve all your goals and will be successful in doing so.

You may face a hurdle, as you tend to intervene in others’ matters. But your tact will save you from any untoward incident. By evening, a good news from your kin or intimate friends will cheer you up.

When like-minded people come together, a lot of good things happen. And when the group happens to be as trustworthy as it is brilliant, it is sheer magic.

Today, in all probability, you will be at the beneficial end of a luminous meeting of minds. End this fulfilling day on a more personal note by treating your sweetheart to a bit of extravagance. So what if it costs you a small fortune; in love, all is fair!

Personal problems which have been simmering for quite a long time may be resolved today. Put in that extra bit of effort. You may plan to start a joint venture. In the evening, you can dedicate your time to some much-needed socialising.

Love finally entraps you with the help of the stars. There is a high probability that you will begin a long-lasting romantic relationship today. This new factor shall keep you elated throughout the day. Avoid any confrontation with those living around you. All in all, fortune is on your side today.

Children will be drenched in the rain of love and affection you shower on them.

A special treatment awaits you at work. Your spouse will be a permanent source of happiness and abundance. You shall feels whole and complete in the evening.

Matters concerning family bonds will keep you occupied for most part today.

Be sure to make all your loved ones feel special. Early in the day, those with whom love’s labour has been lost might try to end all connections. Proceed with caution when it comes to children. Make sure tension does not escalate within the family.

Keep your fuel tanks ready as you are heading for a very active and exhausting day, today. The long list of activities will keep you occupied for the whole day and you’ll enjoy the energy floating around. Your career will be on the go, too, especially if you are freelancer. You will end up having projects of your choice.

You can’t tolerate inequality and discrimination. This may cause a furore at your workplace. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Also, remember that the same principles apply in relationships too. Give importance to what your loved ones have to say.

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

minister. She informed that the number of persons booked under the said act is 557 till now.

Aditya Diagnostics & Hospitals

ASTRO FOR YOU

Your family will be the cause of annoyance to you in the morning. However, as the day progresses and you find out just how much of an annoyance the workplace can be, your thinking processes ought to shift right back to your heart.

There never was a crusader who set foot upon the holy land as gratefully as you will, when you return home.

Traffic accidents claim more lives than insurgency Shillong Sept 24: UDP legislator Paul Lyngdoh has expressed surprised that the number of traffic accidents in just five year is even outnumber the militancy killings in span of twenty year in the state of Meghalaya.

Raising the query in the last day of the ongoing autumn session today, Mr. Lyngdoh said that taking into account the number of lives lost in traffic accidents is so alarming. “The reply of the home minister that 463 lives lost in five year since 2010 till 2014 is shocking”, said Lyngdoh. According to Mr Lyngdoh, the failure of the traffic police to take effective measures may be the reason for this tragedy. “In Shillong city, we hardly see any traffic police beyond 8 PM and as result this, unlicensed driving, under-aged and drunken driving occurred”, he said adding that even the mobile court of the police is never seen in the national highways. Meanwhile, replying to the question, the home minister Smt Roshan Warjri said that there were 463 persons died in traffic accidents during the last five year and 1772 injured. “Most of cases are drunken driving and to contain this, mobile courts along with the magistrates, mobile check-points and mobile patrolling are randomly conducted to check vehicles and drivers who found under the influence of alcohol are booked under Section 185 Motor Vehicle Act 1988”, said the home

flood affected villagers thanking the whole team.

The local villagers complained that there was no sufficient support from the govt department this year in the flood affected areas of Jhanji Mukh of Teok.

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

25-9-15 (FRIDAY) 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-Feature-"Eid-Ul-Azha".Written by M.Hasim Ali, Produced by-Bhushanjyoti Handique 2-30 P.M-Western Music Programme 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-Sponsored Programme-"Brahmaputra Swasthya Sewa" (Sponsored by Brahmaputra Diagnostics and Hospitals Pvt. Ltd.) 9-30 P.M-North East Collage 10-00 P.M-Classical Music.Artist-Kishori Amonkar.

Sd-/H.O.P

PAGE 3

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

DC convenes meeting to discuss Khonsa Township roads Khonsa, Sep 24: Tirap Deputy Commissioner Ravi Jha convened a meeting today in his office chamber to discuss on ways and means to improve the deplorable Khonsa Township roads in which the Parliamentary Secretary Tirong Aboh, local MLA-cum-Chairman, APFC, ZPC, Chawang Lowang, SP, Tirap Jasmeet Singh, EE, PWD, EE, PHED and contractor Jaikishen Sharma attended. In his welcome address the DC threw light on the importance of the Khonsa Township roads and on-going building works adding that

Khonsa being the district headquarters all the minimum modern amenities must be in place. He expressed his unhappiness over the snail’s pace of progress of work on the Township roads and urged the EE, PWD and EE, PHED to expedite the work for timely completion adding that the quality of work must not be compromised. The Deputy Commissioner said that the encroachments on the roadsides by some Khonsa residents by constructing private houses, garages, ghumtis, etc. was a matter of grave concern and

an eviction drive would be carried out soon. The MLAs present during the meeting requested the DC to evict the illegal constructions and assured their full support to such a drive in the supreme interest of the district. The MLAs emphatically told the department officers and the contractors that the work was awarded to the local contractors instead of outsiders to ensure proper monitoring and timely completion and urged the contractor to complete the assigned work at the earliest in the interest of the people.

The Tirap ZPC Lowang also

shared his views in the meeting. The SP while participating in the deliberation said that the pipes installed along the drains must be removed to enable free flow of drain water. The EEs of PWD, PHED and contractor Sharma told the DC and the MLAs that the work on the Khonsa Township roads would be started as soon as the rains stopped. They told them that work on some places was going on in full swing but appraised them that the water pipes laid on the drains were a great hindrance to the road construction work. (DIPRO)

Governor conveys Id Ul Zoha greetings ET Bureau Itanagar, Sep 24: The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Shri JP Rajkhowa has conveyed his warm greetings and good wishes to the people of Arunachal Pradesh, particularly the Muslim community on the auspicious occasion of Id-ul-Zuha. He has

expressed his hope that the sacred occasion would further strengthen the faith in the Almighty for leading all along the path of peace, progress and prosperity and also to enhance the bonds of our composite society. In his message, the Governor said that the Islamic festival of

sacrifice, Id-ul-Zuha, (Arabic) or Bakr Id in India is observed all over the world to commemorate the sacrifice of the Prophet, who willingly agreed to sacrifice his son at the behest of God and almost sacrificed him, when the Blissful Allah had taken mercy and gave his life. This

reflects the utmost faith of the Prophet in Allah, the Governor underscored. May the noble ideal of Id-ul-Zuha fill our lives with peace, devotion and harmony as also high sense of sacrifice for the benefit of humanity, the Governor wished in his message.

Keh-Meh-Haa festival celebrated with pomp and gaiety in Lower Dibang Valley Roing, Sep 24: The Harvest Festival of Idu Mishmi Community, “Keh-Meh-Haa” was celebrated with traditional fervour at Lower Dibang Valley District today.

While attending the Central Keh-Meh-Haa Festival Celebration at Abango, some 10 km from Roing as the Chief Guest, Chowna Mein, Minister of Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Husbandry & Dairy Development, Govt of Arunachal Pradesh said that the idu Mishmis have a very rich cultural heritage. “The spiritual healing of Igu Priest is very powerful and is known all over the world. Research has to be done on it and it needs to be documented” he said.

He further said that along with the economic development, the Arunachal Pradesh is also going through cultural development. There is revolution among the younger generations to promote their culture and traditions. The fusion of

the east. He further said that our advantage is in farming sectors and only through farming we can attain sustainable economic development. He said to give stress on it as there is large scope for growing tea, rubber and large cardamom in Dibang Valley and Lower Dibang Valley District too. He informed that the Bilateral Agricultural Relations with other East Asian countries is growing too. A Botanical Team from Thailand will come to Arunachal to do research work on wild flowers like rhododendron and indigenous ginger varieties. Recently an agreement was also made with the International Rice Research Institute at Manilla (Philippines) for interchange of rice varieties, system of farming and sending of state agriculture officer for training there.

He called upon the teachers especially the tribal teachers of Arunachal Pradesh to be dedicated and sincere in their duties. He questioned, “If our

to abstain from doing drugs like opium, brown sugar, etc. saying that there is only darkness ahead in life in the consumption of such substance.

He exhorted the youths to try to win their friends back who have entangled themselves with such things. He

traditional folk songs and dances with the modern style by today’s youth is quite praiseworthy, he said. “We are not going back but moving forward in terms of culture. After Manipur and Assam, we are in third position in terms of cultural preservation”, he added. He exhorted the people to take up farming of agricultural and horticultural crops as there is competition in cultivation of orange, rubber, tea, large cardamom, apple and kiwi, etc. from Tawang, Biomdila in western sectors to Kanubari in

own teacher does not prepare the upcoming generation then who will prepare them for us?”

He exhorted the youths to adopt right ways of living and lead the society in right direction saying that the future of Arunachal Pradesh depends on them. He called back the youths who have strayed to come back to the mainstream of living. Chau Zingnu Namchoom, MLA Namsai cum Chairman Arunachal Pradesh Bamboo Resources Development Agency while attending the festival as guest of honour called upon the youths

emphasised to propagate intertribe marriage between various communities living in Dibang Valley, Lower Dibang Valley, Lohit, Anjaw and Namsai district for peaceful co-existence and harmony.

Mutchu Mithi, Local MLA cum Parliamentary Secretary for Horticulture in his brief speech called upon the parents and School Management Committees to take resolution on this auspicious occasion of Keh-Meh-Haa Festival Celebration to give top priority to the education sector. He also called for a cohesive society of

Budding tea executive dead ET Correspondent Jorhat, Sep 24: A budding tea garden executive Arup Phukan from Rongagorah Tea Estate of Assam Company Limited passed away at the

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi at 3.10 p.m. today. He was 37 who hailed from Lichubari, Jorhat. He is survived by his wife and a son. Young Arup

Phukan was associated with the tea industry soon after his completion of his class 12 exams. Owing to his vast knowledge in the field of tea, he was offered jobs by sev-

eral tea houses from the upper Assam zone. Arup's demise is being widely condoled by the tea fraternity. The body will be flown from New Delhi on Friday next.

Tarun Gogoi wishes on the occasion of Id-Uz-Zuha ET Correspondent Guwahati, Sep 24: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has extended warm greetings to the people of Assam on the joyous occasion of Eid-uzZuha. In a message, Chief Minister Gogoi said that the

Festival of Eid-Uz-Zuha is an occasion for happiness and is marked by the spirit of brotherhood and sacrifice. “Eid-UzZuha teaches us about sacrifice, compassion, tolerance and love for fellow beings.

These virtues help us to tri-

umph over hatred, greed, avarice and problems like conflicts, insurgency, climate change,” he said. The Chief Minister hoped that this auspicious occasion would further strengthen the bonds of communal harmony and brother-

hood and usher the State into a period of sustained peace, progress and prosperity. “May Eid further strengthen our cultural bonds and bring peace and prosperity to all,” he added.

Arunachal Governor delivers special lecture on Sankaradeva ET Bureau Tezpur, Sep 24: The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Shri JP Rajkhowa delivered a special lecture on ‘Sankaradeva in the Koch Kingdom’ at the Tezpur University, Tezpur, Assam on 23rd September 2015. The lecture was organised by the Centre for Assamese Studies, Tezpur University on the 567th birth Anniversary of reverent Saint of Undivided Assam, Srimanta Sankaradeva.

Speaking on the occasion, the Governor said that Srimanta Sankardeva was one of the greatest Saints of Medieval India, who has left his mark in the history of mankind, as one of the most versatile legendary personalities of all times. He played the role of a saviour of humanity, more particularly, in the eastern parts of Bharat Varsha, the vast North Eastern Region, known as Asama-Kamrupa-Kamata of the 15th and the 16th centuries, which comprised all the North Eastern States/provinces and Gaur-desa, which included the undivided Bengal and parts of Bihar.

The Governor, who has authored two well acclaimed books, one on Koch Generalissimo Chilarai and the other on Saint Sankaradeva, said that Sankaradeva immensely contributed towards composite Assamese literature.

Sankardeva’s times are regarded as the ‘Golden Age’ of Assamese Literature, also popularly called ‘Sankari Renaissance’, in the same light the ‘European Renaissance’, is described in history.

Sankardeva produced a huge quantity of vernacular literature in Assamese, Prakit and Brajavali, and translated many Sanskrit scriptures into Assamese for the benefit of the common man. Sankardeva’s literary output is considerable, and consists of quite a wide variety: compositions in Assamese, AssameseBrajabuli and Sanskrit: prose, verse and poetical prose; translations or adaptations, compilations from different texts, and lyrical effusion; songs and lyrics, longer narratives and a doctrinal treatise. Several typical forms could also be marked out among Sankara’s literary works in Assamese: lyrics (e.g., Bargita (Noble Psalms) and Bhatima or hymns); choral songs (Kirtana-ghosa), which are objective in purpose; longer narratives or ‘episodes’ (Upakhyana) (e.g., Hariscandra-Upakhyana, Rukmini-harana-kavya); and Dramas (Anka or Nata).

The Governor, while highlighting the literary expertise of the Saint said that as a playwright, he wrote ‘Cihna-yatra’ depicting the seven

‘Vaikunthas’ in 1468 AD. Sankardeva staged it through paintings, music and illumination to the delight of thousands of spectators, Sankardeva playing the role of ‘sutradhara’ or linkman (between the actors and the audience). This work makes Sankardeva a ‘modern day’ pioneer playwright of the world, which in fact preceded Shakespeare by more than a century. This fact is rarely known to most people in India, not to mention the outside world.

The Governor said that Sankaradeva was a master craftsman, an authority as a painter, designer and weaver, which was magnificently illustrated by his personal designing and on the job supervision’ of the weaving work of the legendary Vrindavani Bastra, portraying the early life of sri Krishna at Vrindaban. It established him as an artist ‘non pareil’ of all times. The Bastra designed and woven in silk was 180 ft in length and 9 0 ft in breadth and it took 60 men to carry. Presently, the Governor informed that, portions of the Bastra are found preserved in British Museum & Albert Museum (London), Musee Guimet, Paris and Virginia Museum of fine Arts in Richmond (USA), Philadelphia Museum of Arts (USA), unfortunately though, not a single piece is found in any museum of India. This extraordinary piece of work is also illustrative of Sankardeva’s role, as a keen promoter of cottage industry, with unique attention to handloom weaving and designing.

Giving a vivid description of the time when Sankardeva was born, the Governor said that at the time of his birth, the people were following different religious faiths like extreme form of Saktism, Saivism, a debased form of Buddhism and many animistic faiths, as also demeaning practices and Tantric rituals, inclusive of human sacrifices at many temples. The moral forces of society were fully exhausted when Sankardeva commenced his mission.

Sankara was more a religious ideologist and preacher than a litterateur as such. In order to educate the people in the core of his religion, and to attract the masses to his fold, Sankardeva introduced certain major innovations, which were his own. These are the ‘Namaghar’ or community prayer hall, several musical instruments, the Anka or One Act Play, the Bar-git or the ‘Noble Psalm’, the Bhaona or the Staging of his plays, ‘bhaoria’ or the actors, different masks (mukha) for different characters of the ‘ankas’, costumes of gods, kings, demons, war-

riors, jesters; ‘alankar’ or imitation ornaments of different kinds etc. He introduced different colour, using all indigenous raw material, i.e. hengul, haital, kajal, balichanda or silver dust etc. for the make-up of the players.

The Governor said that another unique gift of Sankardeva is the ‘Sattra’ institution, which he started at Bardowa, by establishing, what he called a Than (monastery). The Sathras served as spiritual, educational, cultural and social centres for upliftment of humanity all people belonging to different racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious faiths.

Well read and highly acclaimed Assamese scholar Shri Rajkhowa said that it was in 1546 AD, when Sankaradeva was 97 years old, that he entered the Koch kingdom from Ahom Kingdom. The two incidents, the beheading of his son-in-law by the Ahom King Gargaiyan on the plea of failing to hold an elephant during ‘Kheda’ operation, and the continued hostility of the priestly class embittered and hurt his feelings and Sankardeva decided to leave Dhuwahat or Dhuyahati near Majuli, then in the Ahom kingdom. He had heard that the Koch King Nara Narayana of Western Kamrupa, not only as a virtuous monarch, but also as a poet and scholar. Incidentally, this was the period, when Nara Narayana-Chilarai invaded Eastern Assam (Ahom kingdom) in 1546 A.D. It was well-known that the Koch Kings made huge contribution to Assam and North East Region. 640 km Gohain Komal Ali, presently NH 52 was constructed from Koch Behar to Narayanpur. Renowned Kamakhya Temple was rebuilt, veterinary hospital set up and had built up a naval force with 1000 bachari or war boat each carrying 60 to 100 soldiers during the period. The Koch King Chilarai, thus became the founder of Indian Navy much before Emperor Akbar, who is credited as founder by the mainstream historians.

While in the Koch kingdom, for propagating Ek-saran Naam Dharma or NeoVaishnavism, Sankardeva and his close associates produced a large number of valuable literature. Sankardeva formed the centre as well as ideal of all the literary activities of the age so that, the period is best described as the Age of Sankardeva.

Sankaradeva endeavoured to form a casteless society in the spiritual front, it not on the social front by bringing into his fold people belonging to varuous tribes of the regions,

including the famous ‘Narottam’-an Arunachali Naga, who was also made a Sattradhikar and also Muslim named Chand Sai or Chan Khan, who was made an ‘Atai’ in the Sattra hierarchy, apart from several others from the then lower strata of society as ‘Atai’ and Medhi/ Raj Medhi etc. Sankaradeva also sought protection and improvement of the neglected womenfolk, envisioned a strong and united India by speaking on the glories of Bharat-varsa and expressing his gratitude to the Almighty for having given him Bharat-varsa as his motherland.

His major contributions to literature were made during his 22 to 25 years stay in the Koch kingdom, which includes ‘The Bhagavata tales, Bhagavata – purana, the tale of Rama and lyrics, twenty doctrinal treatise or Ankas mostly centering round Sri Krishnaand many drama. Son of Siromani Kusumbar Bhuyan, the then Governor of the principality of ‘Bara-Bhuyan’, present Central Assam, comprising Marigaon and Nagaon districts, and born to Satyasandhya Devi, the daughter of a powerful Bhuyan landlord, Sankardeva died at a ripe age of 119 years & 11 months at Koch Behar.

The Governor concluded his talk with a hope that youth of the North Eastern region will imbibe the ideals of Sankaradeva for development and prosperity of the region and selfless service to the society and unattached devotion to God through ‘Dasya Bhakti’ as propounded by the Great Master.

Vice Chancellor, Professor Mihir K. Chaudhuri, Prof.

R.K. DevGoswami and Prof.

P.J. Mahanta, Dean HSS also spoke on the occasion.

Later the Governor, accompanied by First Lady of the State Smt Rita Rajkhowa visited the Centre for Assamese Studies, Tezpur University, which started in 2011. He exhorted the officials to carry out researches on Assamese Literature and Culture and document all findings. He also requested the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor and Registrar of the University to take steps for learning of tribal languages of the North East. Earlier, during his visit, the Governor and the First Lady interacted with students from Arunachal Pradesh who are pursuing various post graduation courses in the University and expressed happiness at their achieving good successes inspite of many odds. They advised the students to work hard and excel in performance in respective field.

the Mishmis, Adi, TaiKhampti and Singpho Communities.

On the occasion, Gote Mega, Advocate while giving a brief discourse on the mythology of Keh-Meh-Haa Festival said that the festival is being observed to pay back thanks to the Almighty God for giving cereal seeds like paddy and others for sustenance of human life on earth. Aka Mega, President and Imumi Mega, General Secretary, Central Keh-Meh-Haa Celebration Committee, Abango 2015 also spoke on the occasion.

The Chief Guest and the Guest of Honour also gave away the prizes and certificates of various games & sports events organized on the occasion of Keh-Meh-Haa Festival. Earlier, the chief guest inaugurated the festival by performing a ritual called Keh-MehPhiee. The Minister of Agriculture, Horticulture and AH&DD and the Chairman of APBRDA were also given a warm reception with ponung party by the people of 42Dambuk Assembly Constituency at Kangkong Village on his arrival in the district.

Among others, Mukut Mithi, MP (Rajya Sabha), Sipi Elapra Linggi, ZPC, General Secretary, M K Deori, ADC, H Hailyang, DSP, Honifa Yangfo, Arunachal Pradesh Youth Congress, Buglelum Tega, Chairman, Jebralum Chaitom, Vice-Chairman and Suresh Tayang, General Secretary of Cultural and Literary Society of Mishmi, Mibom Pertin, President ABK District Unit, Martin Lego, General Secretary, Adi Cultural & Literary Society, Inju Linggi, President and Rajiv Mihu, General Secretary of Idu Mishmi & Cultural Society attended the festival.

(DIPRO)

Parliamentary Secretary inspects on-going schemes Khonsa, Sep 24 : The Parliamentary Secretary for Supply and Transports, DoTCL and local MLA of 56-Khonsa West Tirong Aboh visited Dadam CO HQs on 23rd September along with CO, Dadam and heads of development departments, chiefs, GBs and PRI leaders. Aboh inspected the 50-bedded girls’ hostel building under MSDP, Secondary School building, proposed Dadam-Moktowa road

under RIDP, infrastructure at CRPF camp, hospital building and also thoroughly surveyed the land under Dadam CO HQs for construction of residential and non-residential buildings to accommodate various government departments. The MLA urged the implementing agencies not to compromise with the quality of work and told them to adhere strictly to the guidelines and technical specifications at

any cost. He assured all possible help and assistance from his end. Later, on the same day, the local MLA while interacting with the villagers asked them to cooperate with the government departments for smooth and timely completion of the on-going schemes.

He said that without the willing cooperation of the people nothing worth-while could be achieved in any field. Aboh passionately appealed to the

youth in particular to take up schemes under agriculture, horticulture, forestry, animal husbandry NERCORMP and other departments to not only augment their economic status but also to sustain their livelihood.

He further told them not to be dependent only on government jobs as jobs were difficult to come by, reasoning that the state government had only limited job vacancies to cater to the needs of the huge demands. (DIPRO)

Sunpura road replete with potholes...

Contd. from Page 1 At the same time thick forest on both sides of the road is another deterrent. For the last many decades, there has been hardly a good road connecting the district headquarters”, rues one of the commuters on condition of anonymity. Though the Trans

Arunachal Highway has largely brought relief to the public in the district headquarters regrettably the rest of the road is substandard and is in deplorable situation, he adds further.

The 35 Km of road under PWD though is often maintained, it barely resists the rainy season and gets damaged most often raising a question mark on their qual-

ity of work. On top of that flood sometime plays spoilsport and submerges portion of road bringing the road communication to a standstill.

General public, govt employees and villagers travelling every day to the DC office Tezu for paper works or attending to their duties are finding it much inconvenient and tiresome. “Our lives are under duress and have no op-

tion, we frequently damage our costly vehicles and sometimes they breakdown in the middle of the road where mobile connectivity fails leaving us in helpless situation”, laments another commuter.

Meanwhile, the people in a joint statement appealled to the concerned authority to restore the road at the earliest to bring succour to the troubled public of the circle.

ABHMMC withdraws chakka bandh...

Contd. from Page 1 meeting among District Administration, ABHMMC and TK Engineering Coy to start the maintenance works on request by the district administration was held. True to their commitment, the main-

tenance works which started on war footing today were personally supervised by West Siang Deputy Commissioner Pige Ligu, President ABHMMC Kento Ete, DL & RSO Pumek Ronya and Er. Gemar Padu Assistant Engineer Highway. The concerned department and mem-

bers of ABHMMC will constantly monitor to quicken the maintenance work without any undue interference and obstruction. The maintenance work could have been started earlier but for the continuous rain that put a halt to it. It may be recalled that the deteriorating road

condition from Aalo to Bam has been resented by Pushi Bango Welfare Society earlier and joined in chorus this time by Mother's Vision and Bar Association of Aalo. The works on entire stretch of road mostly nonnegotiable potholes is likely to get a face lift soon.

All India Chakma Students’ Union (AICSU) formed Contd. from Page 1 and shall have a regional headquarters in Guwahati.

Representatives comprising presidents, vice presidents, general secretaries, executive members, and advisors of different Chakma student bodies of India participated

in the three-day programme in Shillong. The Central Mizoram Chakma Students' Union (MCSU-C), MCSU Aizawl Zone, MCSU Lunglei Zone, Meghalaya Chakma Students' Union (MLCSU), Barak Valley Chakma Students' Association (BVCSA), Guwahati Chakma Students' Union (GCSU), Tripura Chakma Students' Associa-

tion (TCSA), Arunachal Pradesh Chakma Students' Union (APCSU), Delhi Mizoram Chakma Students' Union (DMCSU) sent their representatives.

Other Chakma student bodies in different cities across the country participated through phone calls and social media. The main aim behind formation of the All India

Chakma Students' Union is to provide career counseling, moral education to become useful citizens and help students to pursue education of excellence that would make them capable of competing with the best in Civil Services, other Central government services and state level examinations.

PAGE 4

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

AMSU's biennial conference to be held at Doomdooma ET Correspondent Doomdooma, Sep 24: The biennial conference of All Moran Students' Union is to be held next month from October 3. It would be the 11th Biennial Conference and will be held for two days. Doomdooma is 24 km north of Tinsukia township along the national highway.

MYM immerse 48 abandoned idols ET Correspondent Doomdooma, Sep 24: Marwari Yuva Manch (MYM) has immersed 48 abandoned idols. The idols of Lord Ganesha and Vishwakarma which were left on the roadside by worshippers, were collected from the locality of Doomdooma, Hansara and Rupai Siding and immersed in Doomdooma river. "It creates a pathetic scene on the road; so it is better to take care of things on our won" The president of the organisation said.

The Moran ethnic group number the highest in population here. The programme is scheduled to be held at the town field of the tea city. Union minister Sarbananda Sonwal would be one of the big names among the dignitaries who are expected to grace the occasion. The souvenir

which is to be published on the occasion will be inaugurated by noted journalist Manoj Dutta, the secretary of Doomdooma press club.

On the first day, competitions among the delegates and students session would be held. The following day programme itineraries would include cultural

procession, felicitation, open session and cultural function.

To make the conference a grand success a committee comprising of experienced persons has been formed with Arup Moran and Jayanta Lahon as the president and working president respectively. Dhiraj Gohai is the general secretary.

Free Yoga and Naturopathy Health Camp on Sept 27 ET Correspondent Golaghat, Sep 24: Vishwa Dharma Chetna Manch and Sri Brahmarishi Ashram Ramapuram Tirupathy is jointly going to organize a day long free yoga and naturopathy health camp at Maheswari Bhawan Golaghat on 27th September from 7

am to 4 pm.

A team of doctors lead

by Dr Awantika Sharaf and Dr Bino Stuvert from Jeevandham Guwahati will advice and treat patients. A seminar on Art of Living will be conducted and advice will be given on healthy food habits and corrective lifestyle disor-

ders.

On behalf of the organising committee Dr Gokul Khandelwal and Dr Hemlata Khandelwal said, "A multi dimensional approach is offered by Yoga and Naturopathy and ancient healing system applying consciousness based approach to all."

Pragjyoti Communications observes Assam Agriculture Day ET Correspondent Guwahati, Sep 24: The Guwahati based Pragjyoti Communications, an organisation working on various social and development issues in association with the horticulture and food processing departments observed Assam Agriculture Day as a mark of respect for eminent scientist Dr Dhirendra Nath Borthakur on Monday.

On the occasion a day-long programme, kicking off with a workshop among some hundred farmers to and fro of the state on the topic of entrepreneurship development in the state agriculture sector, was organised at Guwahati Press club.

Attending the work-shop as resource persons agriculture specialists Mousham Hazarika, Madan Deuri Bharali, Palash Moni Baruah and Pranjal Baruah spoke about scientific

The Eastern Today extends warm greetings to everyone, particularly the Muslim community, on the auspicious occasion of Id-ul-Zuha.

KAAC looks for resolution to UPDS accord Sushanta Roy Diphu, Sep 24: A high level delegation of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council led by its Chief Executive Member Tuliram Ronghang left for New Delhi today from Guwahati to meet Union Home Minister Raj Nath Singh to press for its demand for early implementation of various sections of the tripartite Memorandum of Understanding signed between the disbanded United Peoples Democratic Solidarity (UPDS), Union government and Government of Assam in 2013.

It may be mentioned here that the dreaded ethnic ultra came back to the mainstream on September 22, 2012 after 17 years of bloody rebellion.

UPDS handed over its entire arsenal with assorted weaponry including artillery and close combat guns in the presence of high dignitaries of government and Indian Army to pave the way for peace. Unlike the Bodo conclusion the UPDS failed to capture political power in the KAAC in the election shortly after signing of the accord with the Congress continuing to rule.

Pawan Hans to invest Rs 1500 cr for...

Contd. from Page 1

institutes in the region, company sources said. The model aims at feeding to scheduled airlines and address the viability issues in a systematic manner within the region and a detailed plan in this regard is expected to be unveiled shortly. At present, it operates 155 weekly flights, connecting 33 destinations across Meghalaya, Tripura, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and

Nagaland with a dedicated fleet of 12 helicopters. "The proposal for hub-and-spoke model is for providing point to point inter-state connectivity between various cities of Assam by using helicopters. Under this model all the important cities within the states will be interconnected by using helicopter with creation of heliports/helipads at small cost, thus reducing the requirement huge expenditure on airports," sources said. Passenger can fly directly and without any stop-

over between any two cities within the NE region, they said, adding such flights will also be very convenient to the business travellers. Sources also said the proposed hub-andspoke model can be achieved by three-tier helicopter services model in remote districts to the smaller heliports, airfields, regional hubs and helipads, which may be operated depending on the daily/weekly needs to connect various small villages and towns and also promote regional tourism.

The plan entails an investment of Rs 1,500 crore which include acquisition of helicopters, some fixed wings planes as well as construction of heliports and helipads, they said. This three-tier system would fit into a 'hub-and-spoke' model to feed big carriers to outside of the region and address the viability issues in a systematic manner within the region, they said, adding regional hubs shall be developed in Guwahati which will connect all NE state capitals with it.

Major push for ‘Make in India’...

Contd. from Page 1 “After 2004, this is the first time that a G4 summit is being held and we regard this as very substantive and significant, especially in light of the fact that the UN General Assembly recently passed the decision calling for text based negotiation in the IGN format,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup told the media here.

After that, the Prime Minister will depart for San Jose where he would be interacting with Tesla motors and discuss their ‘path breaking’ inventions.

He will also meet Venky Shukla, President of Indus entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley.

His evening there will conclude with the dinner organised by Digital India and

Digital technology, which is crucial for the flagship of the ‘Digital India’ programme.

On Sunday, the Prime Minister will be visiting the Facebook headquarters “This is a very imp interaction because of what the social media can do. India is among the youngest countries in the world and our youth are engaging with social media in a big wig. His meeting with Mark Zuckerberg will provide and opportunity to see how we can take this forward,” Swarup said.

Google will be the next stop for the Prime Minister, where he will take a look at their inventions in the field of healthcare, smart grid and how Google can use its technological inventions to empower the ‘Digital India’ programme.

Prime Minister Modi will later attend a key round table

on renewable energy which is being coordinated by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Stanford University.

“This will be a very important meeting as it will allow us to brainstorm on the possible options available to India in the area of renewable energy,” Swarup said to the media here.

Later, he will attend the India-U.S. start-up connect 2015, which is being coordinated by NASCOM. Some of the leading start-ups from India will be present.

Prime Minister Modi’s visit the SAP centre will be a major event as he will address the Indian community where around 20,000 people are expected to arrive.

This is the first time an Indian Prime Minister will be visiting California after 30 years.

On Monday, the Prime Minster is scheduled for a meeting with France's President Francois Hollande, a call on by the President of the World Bank after which he is will meet President Barack Obama. Later in the day, he will attend a leader’s summit on peacekeeping.

“India as you know has been historically the largest contributor to UN peacekeeping operations and this summit which is being called by President Obama will be an occasion for the peacekeeping universe to debate on what is the best way forward for international peace and security,” the MEA spokesperson said.

The Prime Minister will later meet Mahmoud Abbas, the President of Palestine, after which he will depart for New Delhi.

Assam CM unveils Lakshminath Bezbaruah statue Contd. from Page 1 Gogoi termed the day as a red a letter day in the history of Assam.

Terming Lakshminath Bezbaruah as a

great personality and a celebrated pioneer of modern Assamese literature, Gogoi said he (Lakshminath Bezbaruah) was backbone of Assamese literature. Gogoi also said Lakshminath Bezbaruah was a symbol of

unity and integrity who gave a distinct position of Assamese of literature in the world. His role and his influence in the greater Assamese society would always enable us to immerse all the differences and work for

unity. PWD Minister Ajanta Neog also spoke on the occasion. Parliamentary Secretary Arati Hazarika Kachari, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister MGVK Bhanu along with other dignitaries were present on the occasion

AAU VC expects Arunachal and Assam to be...

Contd. from Page 1

method of farming. Later the attending farmers were given certificates. He also delivered a valuable lecture on agriculture emphasising importance of horticulture and food processing in agarian economy .

Speaking on the occasion Pragjyoti Communications

president Dipanka Hazarika said that they have been celebrating the birth anniversary of Dr. Borthakur since 2012 as Assam Agriculture Day. Dr. Borthakur, born and brought up at Jorhat, has pursued higher studies in USA.

He has completed his doctoral research at University of Missouri, USA. Later on he served as Director, Rice Research, Assam, Director, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and finally he joined the Assam Agriculture University (Jorhat).

A King Cobra rescued at Digboi A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Sep 24: A female 2.082 kg. King Cobra was rescued from a station road quarter last Sunday afternoon by Mr. Prafulla Gogoi, a forest guard of Digboi Forest Division and

by Mr. Rahul (Hira) Phukan, a nature lover and press reporter. The snake was rescued from a kitchen, which is generally unusual for the reptile to be found inside a house, says Mr. Rajib Rudra Tariang, a noted herpetologist and Asst. Professor, Department of Zoology, Digboi College. Mr. Tariang, further said that Digboi Region holds a good population of snakes of 47 species in comparison with 56 species in Assam.

King Cobra feeds mainly on other snake species and thereby helps in balancing other snake population ecology. So far, within Digboi and its surroundings, Mr. Tariang and his colleagues Mr. Gauri Buragohain, another Asst. Professor from Digboi College along with Prafulla Gogoi, rescued about 6 King Cobras of size ranges from 7.6 ft. to 12.10 ft. long

and sighted 4 of them in nature. Rescuing and rehabilitation of king cobra is very risky if the snake bites, as anti-venom against this snakebite is not available in nearby hospitals. Larger ones are quite powerful and 2-3 persons are required to handle them. As per rescue norms, the morphometric of each species are required for recording the taxa that includes length, sex, and number of white bands, scale counts and weight. Normally after rescue, they are usually kept in a bag and not in a metallic cage for its convenience as metallic cage creates injury to the captive animals. After a good meal, the snake can withstand for several months without food.

Dr. Samshul Ali, Veterinary surgeon of WTI/IFAW said that microchip implantation in large snakes in wild rescued entering human habitation time to time may help us in understanding pattern and to mitigate future conflict.

For this purpose three large snakes, two Burmese python and a king cobra weighing 14.1 kg, 17.2 kg and 2.082

kg respectively were implanted with microchip.

These reptiles will be ambassadors of future human reptile’s conflict mitigation, if relocated in human habitat again, he added Mr. Ranjan Kumar Das, IFS, DFO, Digboi, says that several King Cobras have been rescued and rehabilitated in Digboi Forest Division in the recent past with the help of WTI, Digboi College and NGOs. One Prafulla Gogoi, Forest Guard was very instrumental in rescuing them under the guidance of R.R. Tariang for last 6 years. It’s extremely important that we motivate the students’ community and pursue the scientific studies to conserve our precious wildlife, he added.

The snake was finally rehabilitated in the Digboi Oil Field, the in presence of the DFO, Forest staffs, herpetologist, Vet. Surgeon, Mr. Gautam Saikia of Kaziranga, noted wildlife filmmaker, members of Aaranyak, students of Digboi College, Evergreen and press reporters.

Meghalaya Lokayukta to function...

Contd. from Page 1

Dr Sangma said that the delay in making the lokayukta function is due to certain situations. “We understand the menace of corruption where people believe that it is the system.

Thus, we need to address this issue by bringing the Lokayukta and we will proceed ahead to implement it soon”, said the Chief Minister.

The Meghalaya Lokayuka Bill was approved by the Governor on March 26th, 2014 which has not been made functionable till date.

According to the Chief Minister, the Select Committee headed by the Chief Minister himself had completed the job on selecting the chairperson and members of the Lokayukta. Earlier, while tabling the zero hour Mr Basaiawmoit said that in October last year,

the Chief Minister had assured to make Lokayukta within five months but did not see the light of day till date. “This is lack of political will and the government should ensure that there is no further delay”, he said.

He said that in the absence of strong Lokayukta, corruption cases unearthed by the RTI findings in different departments in the State remain unpunished.

India's organic soya product exports have touched 453 billion dollars.

The VC further said that it

is only the initial stage and 70% organic soyabean product export is a great start. Agricultural experts from agricultural universities of Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Chandigarh,

Odisha, Maharastra including seven North Eastern states i.e. Mizoram, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Nagaland and host AAU took part in the week-long

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) sponsored inter-school and national seminar based on organic agriculture organized by Department of Agronomy AAU here.

West Karbi Anglong, new route for...

Contd. from Page 1 police station at Kheroni tri junction (Chariali), Dyangmukh police station at Dyangmukh and Umrangso police station at Umrangso yet smooth passage to the international animal exporters

without verifying their export documents is allowed. The district entrance check point setup by Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council at Forest Bazar and Diangmukh also follows in the footsteps of the police check gates. “The police and other authority knows very well that cattle smug-

gling to Bangladesh is continuing flouting all international rules and regulation of export causing immense damage to nation’s economy but they never bother to control the illegal trade citing that the transportation of the cattle is just an inter district transportation phenomenon. It is how-

ever alleged that it is an organized racket involving crores of rupees and high level probe linking national security agencies is believed to be necessary to save the situation,” said Mohon Rongpi, a local resident of Hamren and renowned RTI activist.

Stampede at Mecca: MEA issues helpline ...

Contd. from Page 1 The Saudi civil defence authority said 310 people from different nationalities have died in the tragedy. Rescue op-

erations were underway after the stampede in Mina, where pilgrims were performing the symbolic stoning of the devil by throwing stones at the three pillars. Eyewitnesses said the stampede happened at the en-

trance of the Jamarat bridge near Street 204, not inside of the area where the stoning pillars are.

Two teams of medical screening have been set up at the site of the incident. It was not clear what had caused the stampede. "In my

camp there were about 400 pilgrims. All of them are safe. But I am trying to make some calls and ascertain from other people," said Abid Rasool Khan, Chairman Minorities Panel, Andhra Pradesh.

Gold rises by Rs. 30 on global cues, jewellers’ buying Contd. from Page 1 to meet wedding season demand. However, silver remained under pressure and lost another Rs. 655 at Rs. 35,175 per kg. Traders said besides a firming trend in the global market, fresh buying

by jewellers, triggered by wedding season demand, boosted the sentiment. Globally, gold rose 0.2 per cent to USD 1,127.35 an ounce in Singapore. Fresh weakness in the rupee against the dollar, making imports costlier, too influenced the gold prices to some extent, they said. In the

national capital, gold of 99.9 and 99.5 per cent purity edged up by Rs. 30 each to Rs. 26,540 and Rs. 26,390 per ten grams respectively. It had lost Rs. 165 in the last two days. Sovereign, however, held steady at Rs. 22,300 per piece of eight grams in limited deals. On

the other hand, silver ready fell further by Rs. 655 to Rs. 35,175 per kg and weeklybased delivery by Rs. 730 to Rs. 35,325 per kg. Silver coins continued to be traded at unchanged level of Rs. 52,000 for buying and Rs. 53,000 for selling of 100 pieces. (Agencies)

Bill barring dual post passed...

Contd. from Page 1 As per item 9 of the Schedule, the Chairman, Chief Executive Member and other Executive Members or ordinary members of a district council in an autonomous district or any member nominated to such district council by the Governor is not attracted from disqualification. As result of this amended bill, seven Members of the District Council (MDCs) of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and one from the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) have to resign before October 1st, 2015 to avoid attraction from disqualification. Justifying the stand of the government on bringing up the amendment bill, Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma said that the Bill is decided to tabled after due diligent and there has not been any malafide intention whatsoever. Members of the opposition side strongly

objected to the amendment on ground that the timing is inappropriate to bring amendment and demanded that there should be leniency to enforce the act till 2019 when the present term of the Members of the district council (MDCs) expired. “We should become aware to expose to the people of the State when situation arises by the intervention of other authority”, said Dr Sangma. According to the Chief Minister the government should not wait until judiciary steps in into the matter due to failure of the legislature. “We should not assume that the government is adopting legislation to settle political score but it is high time to have this kind of legislation to correct ourselves the wrongs as politicians”, said the Chief Minister. He further said, “How can we justify that we want to correct the wrong but wait. Let us prove that we are capable of giving in the interest of the people”. He said that there was no question of ambush in-

tention of the government as this measure of the government is to set right in sync with the provision of the constitution of India. Later, while moving the amendment, law minister Rowel Lyngdoh said that the government is tabling the amendment with the objective of larger interest of the general public. “We cannot wait till 2019 which is many years ahead. The amendment will come into force from October 1st, 2015”, said Lyngdoh adding that we have to pass it now to correct the flaw for protecting legislators. Earlier, moving the motion to the amendment, KP Pangiang said that it is not necessary for the government to pass it now since many legislators who happened to be the members of the district council (MDCs) will lose constitutional membership as MDCs. “If the bill is passed, it is dooms day today”, said Mr Pangiang who is one of the victims of this amended bill. He suggested the government to enact the till 2019 to

enable the present term of MDCs to expire. Legislators, especially those who are also MDCs, got up on their feet to give their views on the issue of holding dual post with some pleading that the one man one post principle should be made effective from 2019, when the term of the present district council expires. Another legislator Witting Mawsor termed the present amendment bill as an ambush bill of the State government to axe mid way the present MDCs who had enjoyed legal mandate of the people in the election. Opposition leader Donkupar Roy raised a point of order. He said as per Rule 132 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, any matter, which is pending before a court of law cannot be discussed in the assembly, as it was sub-judice. Even as UDP legislator Paul Lyngdoh said that the amendment of the bill should take prospective and not retrospective effect.

PAGE 5

REGION

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

From war footing to awareness campaign, suggestions pour in to eradicate witchcraft Ranchi, Sep 24: Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das examined ways and means to completely uproot evils like practicing witchcraft from his state which has been claiming many innocent lives even in today's world. Suggestions ranging from taking up the issue on a war footing to launching a widespread awareness campaign against the menace, which leaves survivors shocked and bewildered, have come up from law-makers. "An active (districtlevel) administration can address it through extensive awareness campaigns," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Saryu Roy told the media.

Citing that personal rivalries and quarrels also results in branding their rivals of practicing such evils the minister said that strong actions should be taken by administration. "The people should be made aware that witchcraft is a superstition that profits none. One should not believe Ojhas (witch doc-

Poor road condition leads to wastage of food consignment, trucks stranded Agartala, Sep 24: Left Front MP in the Lok Sabha from Tripura, Shankar Prasad Datta, called upon the deputy commissioner of Karimganj on Wednesday to rescue Tripura-bound trucks that are stranded on NH-44 in the Lowerpowa area of Patharkandi because of poor road condition. Fish, fruits and vegetable consignments in the trucks have started decaying, contaminating the air surrounding the area.

The inhabitants of the area are protesting against the situation, said Datta. "The road condition on a 15-km stretch at Lowerpowa, close to Tripura border Churaibari, has become a paddy land since April this year.

Despite repeated requests to the Assam government and National Highways Authority of India, the situation remains unchanged," alleged Datta. (Agencies)

tors), who are illiterates," JMM MLA Nalin Soren said.

Ever since the August 7 incident claimed lives of five women in Ranchi district, the

chief minister at different forums has been flagging the issue, saying a collective effort was needed to remove the scourge of superstitions.

Ex Minister, Kishore narrated another recent incident in which an 'Ojha' had set up a camp near a river "to get rid of ghosts from some women" who were made to bathe in the river by the 'Ojha' in cold weather. "Such is the belief in the superstition...I had a question during the Monsoon session on steps being taken to root out the superstition," Kishore said and rued the query did not come as opposition protests marred question hours. Suggesting that a firm decision be taken to eradicate the medieval belief persisting even in the 21st century, former Speaker and Congress MLA Alamgir Alam said the state should act against "witchcraft" as keenly as it acted upon banning "MSG-2-The Messenger of God" because it hurt the feelings of tribals. "Also, trials of such cases should be speeded up and make the existing act more stringent.

The victims or their family members should inform the

nearest police station if they apprehend any sinister design planned against them in the name of witchcraft," Alamgir said. He said education, healthcare centres and awareness campaigns were some of the ways to eliminate ignorance, illiteracy, poverty and disease, which lead to such beliefs.

Working for the last 20 years as Chairman of Free Legal Aid Committee, an NGO, Premchand said political will was necessary to root out the social evil. "The mind has been conditioned in the superstitious belief in many rural areas of Jharkhand. Like the evil practice of sati was rooted out, witchcraft too can be removed by making it a mission, and Ojhas should be included in the mission as they who brand innocent women as witches," Premchand said. Referring to the August 7 lynching of five women in Ranchi district, he said during the past several other victims had

been humiliated through tonsure, forced consumption of excreta and made them walk naked in the villages. BJP leader Prem Kataruka said 'Smart Village' plan could help access to clean water and nutrition as lack of these basic amenities in rural areas caused stomach and other ailments and patients go to "Ojhas" instead of doctors. PCC General Secretary Alok Dubey said, "Somewhere political will lacks in Jharkhand to fight this 'ku-pratha' (evil belief). Literacy and women empowerment can reduce this superstition." Fortythree-year-old Chhotni, who survived an attack by some villagers in 1995 in West Singhbhum district, said, "They branded me daayan after a girl fell ill. I managed to flee the village and stayed under a tree for about ten days with my two kids. Now I am staying in SareikelaKharsawan district and helping NGOs fight the social evil." (Agencies)

The 'Judge row' spat takes new turn with BJP allegations Patna, Sep 24: Hours after Nitish Kumar described RSS as the BJP's "supreme court", party general secretary Ram Madhav on Wednesday hit back and alleged that the JD(U) leader took orders and permission from Sonia Gandhi and Lalu Yadav and they were his "two supreme courts". "I was listening to the press conference of Nitish Kumar during the day. He was telling that RSS is BJP's supreme court. I want to ask Nitish which is his supreme

court? "As far as his statement is concerned, it looked he has two supreme courts-- one Lalu Prasad and second Sonia Gandhi- and the Congress from whom he takes orders and permission," Madhav told reporters here. Referring to the recent row surrounding Mohan Bhagwat's comment on reservation, Madhav said the RSS chief was not against the existing reservation. He also claimed that several Congress leaders have questioned existing reservation.

"As far as RSS is concerned, yesterday RSS has made it clear that their chief Bhagwat ji has not made any comment on the existing reservation system."

"Nitish Kumar should first of all decide what is his maha gathbandan (coalition) partner Congress party's stand on that," he said. "RSS has not said anything like that and as far as the BJP is concerned, we said yesterday repeatedly that we want the present reservation system to continue until the objective is

achieved." "Objective mainly is what BR Ambedkar had envisaged when he introduced the reservation system. The benefit should reach to all sections, all beneficiaries, the last man in the beneficiary community that should be the effort. What is wrong in that?" he said.

Taking a dig at the Bihar CM, Madhav asked,"Is Lalu Prasad his supreme court? He (Nitish) has stated in the press conference that he had permission to announce the list,

he had the permission of Lalu Prasad." The BJP leader told reporters that he (Nitish) takes "permissions and orders from Lalu Prasad". "He takes permission and orders from Sonia Gandhi and Congress party which is the other supreme court," Madhav said, adding,"Congress leaders are publicly stating that the reservations have to be on economic basis. They are wanting to change the existing reservation system."

(Agencies)

Advani, Joshi figure in BJP's list of star campaigners for Bihar polls New Delhi, Sep 24: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veterans Lal Krishna Advani and Murali Manohar Joshi, including actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha who had lavished praise on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on several occasions, figure in the party's list of star campaigners for the Bihar Assembly polls. Both veterans, who are members of the BJP's "Margdarshak Mandal", had been kept away from the last few elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's name starred at the top of the list of 40 names which was submitted to the Elec-

tion Commission. The star campaigners also include Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj, Nitin Gadkari Ananth Kumar, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Smriti Irani, Dharmendra Pradhan, Giriraj Singh and Rajiv Pratap Rudy. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and his Jharkhand counterpart Raghubar Das will also campaign in the state. Party's star leaders Hema Malini and Navjot Singh Sidhu also are there in the list of campaigners.

The five-phase elections in Bihar will commence on October 12. (ANI)

Steep decrease observed in drug peddling Namchi, Sep 24: Strong monitoring along the State borders and swift action by police has seen a sharp decrease in drug peddling in South Sikkim. So far since August, only seven cases under Sikkim Anti-Drugs Act (SADA) 2006 have been registered by south district police. Among them, five cases are registered at Melli police station that mans the south border of Sikkim and Darjeeling district. Melli check post is the major entry point to south and west districts.

The remaining two SADA cases have been registered at Jorethang and Namchi police stations. No SADA

cases have been registered in the other three police stations of south district.

SADA cases have reduced as compared to previous months due to strict action of the police, said south district police superintendent Tashi Wangyal Bhutia.

Bhutia informed that IRB jawans have been deployed in Majhigaon area, Jorethang for the past one month. "They have been deployed to control drug abuse and peddling. The residents there have felt a positive change and decline in drug related cases due to the action taken by the police," he said.(Agencies)

CRPF jawan injured in IED blast in Chhattisgarh Raipur, Sep 24: A CRPF jawan was on Thursday injured in a landmine blast during an anti-Naxal operation in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district. Officials said the incident occurred at about 10 am when a contingent of the special commando force CoBRA was out on task near the worst

Maoist violence affected area of ChintagufaTamilwada Nala axis. Constable Dev Suresh was hit by an explosion of a hidden IED. A chopper from Jagdalpur has been sent in to evacuate Suresh. Other troops of the 206th unit of this CoBRA unit are safe, they said. (Agencies)

GJMM accords Rohit Sharma a rousing welcome Kurseong, Sep 24: Welcoming the demand for a separate Kalimpong district, former Kurseong MLA of the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM),Rohit Sharma, on Wednesday said that not only Kalimpong, but Kurseong and Mirik should also be declared as separate districts so that the number of MPs of the party can go up.

Hundreds of party supporters from Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong thronged the Bagdogra Airport to welcome Sharma upon his return from Kolkata on Wednesday.

Carrying party flags, waving festoons and shouting slogans like 'We want Gorkhaland' and 'Rohit Sharma zindabad,' they re-

ceived him at the airport by offering garlands. "I welcome the demand for converting Kalimpong into a separate district. But at the same time, Kurseong and Mirik should be declared as separate districts too, because the number of party seats will increase and the number of party MPs will go up," Sharma told reporters when asked about former Kalimpong party MLA Harka Bahadur Chhetri's move to demand for a separate district.

Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) sabhasad from Kalimpong, Kalpana Tamang, who was present at the airport, said it was the party's resolution to upgrade Kalimpong as a district. "The party had al-

ready taken a resolution in this regard," she said. Party leaders and activists at the

airport said they did not want to make any comment on the resignation of

Chhetri and another MLA (Darjeeling) Trilok Dewan.

Dewan resigned as the

MLA and from the GJMM on 21 September. He cited 'autocratic' nature of the party leadership.

Kalimpong MLA Chhetri also resigned from the GJMM on 18 September, and he too accused the GJMM party leaders of being autocratic. While Chhetri will remain as an independent MLA, Kurseong MLA Sharma resigned as the member of the assembly yesterday, following directives from party chief Bimal Gurung.

"We all came here to welcome Sharma as he followed the party's decision," said Gorkha Jan Mukti Nari Morcha president Asha Gurung. Sharma also did not want to make any comment on the decision of

Chhetri and Dewan. "I do not want to make any comment on that, but many people have come here for the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha," he said. "I followed the decision of my party leadership. The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) has been facing problems because of the interference of the state government. We have raised the issue in bipartite and tripartite meetings repeatedly but nothing has happened till now.

Under these circumstances, the GTA will not be able to run properly. If our voices are not heard in the state assembly then what is the point of us staying in the House. So I quit," Sharma said. (Agencies)

Landslide claims two lives Sourav Ganguly gets Mamata's at Lamavilla, Shillong support as CAB chief

Shillong, Sep 24: Following a dangerous landslide at the Lamavilla area in shilling two women were killed as they were buried alive under a huge pile of debris on Wednesday afternoon. The incident occurred when a retaining wall collapsed onto the houses below. The deceased women have been identified as Meenu Thapa (40's) and Karuna Shreshta (25). The deceased were tenants of one Bina Lama.

A five-year-old child Aditya Shrestha sustained serious injuries and was rushed to the hospital. Soon after the news of the landslide, a team from the State Disaster Response Force rushed to the spot and started relief works.

Incidentally, Wednesday's landslide comes exactly a year to the day when eight persons including a pregnant woman were buried alive following a massive landslide trig-

gered by incessant rainfall in Mawbah locality of the city. When contacted, East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner P.S. Dkhar said he has asked the Meghalaya Urban Development Authority to conduct an inquiry to find out whether the retain-

ing wall collapsed due to heavy rains or poor construction. The deputy commissioner also informed that compensation will be released to the next of kin of the deceased and a temporary relief camp for the victims has been set up

nearby. Elsewhere, landslides were reported from Mawmluh-Mawshamok Road and Sohra-Shella Road in East Khasi Hills.

The concerned department was on the job to clear the roads at the earliest. (Agencies)

Kolkata, Sep 24: There is a speculation going on of Mamata Banerjee batting for Sourav Ganguly to take over as president of the Cricket Association of Bengal now that Jagmohan Dalmiya is gone. Or, some people "in the know of things" would have you believe it. Ganguly, once very close to Left Front Sports Minister Subhas Chakrabarty and Urban Development Minister Asok Bhattacharya on Wednesday said it was too early to tell anyone he was going to be in the fray but, "of course, filling the vacancy is a process which was going on and someone would eventually step in. It is not the time to discuss this, so soon after a death." He called on the

chief minister on Wednesday at Nabanna along with Abhishek, Dalmiya's son, to invite her to the customary post-funeral rituals.

Ganguly will require the votes of a majority of the CAB's 120-plus constituent units to become the chief of the organisation he is now a joint secretary of.

If he pulls it off, he will have sprinted past Gautam Dasgupta and Chitrak Mitra, both of whom have held senior positions in the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Deep and serious differences were spoken of by polarised CAB-insiders on Wednesday when Ganguly's eleva-

tion to presidency was suggested to them as a possibility, though no one wanted his identity disclosed for understandable reasons. A very senior office bearer said Ganguly would be "an obvious choice," given the fact that no one else in the organisation equaled his cricketing credentials, let alone bettering them, and "most people" within it was ready to "welcome" him as their leader."When there's an international event, the CAB would rather be known as being led by Ganguly than anyone else currently available," he said, implying the other likely aspirants did not fit the bill as they "didn't tick all the boxes."

(Agencies)

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

PM Modi to meet biz leaders over renewal energy use ANI New York, Sep 24: Highlighting the importance of renewal energy to India, Indian Ambassador to the United States Arun Singh has said that India wants to grow at 8-10 per cent and to the extent possible, the nation would like to do it on the basis of renewal energy.

"The interaction that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would have, there would be thought leaders, there would be people from industry, from start ups and from venture capital looking at how to deal with renewal energy and use it to meet India's needs and requirements," he told the media

PM Modi to discuss technology trends with media industry ANI New York, Sep 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to the United States, will be attending an event titled ' Growth Story of India,' where he will discuss the latest trends in technology with representatives from media and communications industry. "It's a round table with large number of representatives from media and communications industry.

There will be about 15 of them present there," India's Ambassador to the US Arun Singh told the media here.

"The whole aim is to discuss what are the trends in technology and trends in societal uses related to media.

What does it mean for developing countries? How to use it for maximising benefits to our society?" he added. The event will take place on September 24 at 2:30 p.m. here.

Opposition playing vote bank politics, claims Siddhart Nath Singh ANI New Delhi, Sep 24: Backing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'secularism' remark made in Dublin on Wednesday, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Siddharth Nath Singh on Thursday alleged that the opposition was indulging in vote bank politics and trying to downgrade Indian culture. "The opposition, because they want to play vote bank politics, uses this, not as a pride of India, but, they want to use it always in attacking Hindutva and trying to downgrade Indian culture," Singh told. Singh said "the opposition can cry on anything, but at the same time, the opposition do need to answer when did India and Indian culture is

get so much of recognition?

The world is now talking about India as cultural heritage." Prime Minister Modi, who was welcomed in Dublin by the voices of Irish children reciting Sanskrit shlokas, took a dig at the opposition back home, saying that if this was done in India, then it would have raised questions about 'secularism'.

here. He said starts-ups would be another very important event because one of the very important things that had impact in Silicon Valley was entrepreneurship, innovation and start ups. "There is a lot of strength in India in start-ups and innovation space, and at that event certain mem-

report of the enquiry commission is not final. Everyone knows how the commission was set up. We will comment adequately after analysing the report," Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Laxmikant Bajpai told here. "We have enough evidences to prove that the Muzaffarnagar riots

ANI New Delhi, Sep 24: Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Thursday said Central and Delhi state hospitals were being monitored continuously for dealing with dengue epidemic, and added there was no need for people to panic. "Arrangements

have been made for beds, extra staff and testing kits," said Nadda, while urging people to be cautious and alert, and rush to a hospital in case of fever. Stating that more dengue cases could be reported after rain lashed Delhi he said he had directed hospital

now to control the damage, he wants Bharti to surrender and face the law," Shukla told here.

"After the high court rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Bharti, Kejriwal has realised the embarrassment," she added. Shukla also said that if Kejriwal would have acted tough on Bharti when the Khirki Extension case took place the situation today would have been different.

Asked on her expecta-

ANI New York, Sep 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met different community leaders after his arrival here for a five-day US visit.

"Prime Minister Modi met with New Jersey's heads of different communities, which included the heads of Gujarati communities, heads of Patel community

like Ramesh Bhai Patel (chairman of FIA), Veeru bhai Patel, Vasudev Patel who is from Atlanta (vicepresident of overseas BJP), Sudhir Pareek who looks after Media matters, H R Shah who looks after TV, Asia," Chandrakant Patel, President of overseas Friends of BJP told . "We didn't have any discussion.

Modi ji was standing there and one by one, he shook hands and shared greetings with all of us," he added. During his stay in New York, Prime Minister Modi is also likely to call on the United Nations Secretary General Ban Kimoon. Prime Minister Modi will also be meeting heads and representatives of the

adequate arrangements to administer treatment to the patients. He, however, said he was reviewing the dengue situation personally, and asking for daily report from various hospitals to check entries of fresh patients. The efforts of staff not to return any the Centre and states patient as there were would yield good results,

he added. Meanwhile, at least 27 people have been reported died of the dengue in the national capital, while over 1,900 dengue cases have been reported in the last one week, with the total number of people suffering from the vector-borne fever reported to be 3,791.

Only Chauhan's resignation will end FTII row, says actor Pallavi Joshi ANI Pune, Sep 24: Actor Pallavi Joshi, who had recently quit as a member of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) Society in support of the students who have been on a strike for 105 days, visited the campus on Wednesday

to interact with the students and said that there would be no breakthrough in the impasse between the students and government unless Gajendra Chauhan stepped down as the institute's president. "Nobody wants to be on the losing side. If the ministry

takes one step back by removing Chauhan, the students will also take one step back and accept other society members," Joshi said. The actor also enquired about the deteriorating health of the students, who have been on a hunger strike for the last two

weeks. Joshi stated that she was firmly against the treatment meted out to the students by the government and added that instead of making the renowned institute proud with their achievements; they are being forced to fight for their basic rights. "It is sad that

even after 105 days of strike, there is no conclusion. I'm not saying the students are 100 percent correct, but they deserve a proper dialogue. The I&B Ministry has been adamant in their stand and are not willing to listen to what students have to say," she said.

Dalai Lama's remark on women very subjective, says activist Sudha Ramalingam ANI Chennai, Sep 24: Social activist Sudha Ramalingam on Thursday said Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama's comment on women was subjective and atrocious. "I welcome the fact

were initiated by theSamajwadi Party," he added. The one-man inquiry commission probing the Muzaffarnagar riots that took place in August 2013 submitted its report to Governor Ram Naik on Wednesday. The commission headed by Justice Sahai was formed to look into administrative lapses in controlling the violence and role played by media as well as politicians in flaring up the riots. Around 60 persons were killed during the violence and dozens of houses and shops were gutted in the arson that continued for days.

that women can also become the Dalai Lama, but the fact is that he also speaks of the beauty of a person i.e. the physical beauty, that is atrocious. I think beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. It is a very subjec-

tions from the Supreme Court where Bharti's bail plea is to be heard today, Shukla mentioned that she firmly believes in judicial process adding that Bharti won't get any respite from the apex court as well.

Bharti has moved Supreme Court seeking protection from arrest in a domestic violence case after the Delhi high court rejected his anticipatory bail plea.

The Delhi Police had

tive matter and he should not be commenting like this," Ramalingam told. "I don't want to impute motives to anything, maybe he is right in common parlance, but definitely not politically right," she added. The 80-

year-old Tibetan spiritual leader made the remark in London on Monday when an interviewer asked him if a woman could take over his role The Dalai Lama offered an emphatic "yes" and told the reporter he had

been asked the question years ago and offered the same answer, adding that women were biologically more attractive. "If female Dalai Lama will come, the face should be very attractive," the monk said.

Dalai Lama should apologise for comment on women, says activist Abha Singh ANI Mumbai, Sep 24: Senior advocate and women rights activist Abha Singh on Thursday denounced Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama's comment on women and appealed to him to apologies to the women of the world. "I condemn the Dalai Lama's statement and I request him to apologise to the

women of the world, because, he doesn't belong to a country, but belongs to a world," Singh told. The Dalai Lama provoked the ire of his followers around the world by saying that if he were to be succeeded by a woman, she would have to be attractive. "It is very sad that people like him, the one who should promote the cause of

women, who should talk about women empowerment, are trying to reduce the status of women by treating them as objects, and not talking about them as individuals, but objectifying them as attractive or ugly or good looking," she added. The 80-yearold Tibetan spiritual leader made the remark in London on Monday when an inter-

viewer asked him if a woman could take over his role The Dalai Lama offered an emphatic "yes" and told the reporter he had been asked the question years ago and offered the same answer, adding that women were biologically more compassionate. "If female Dalai Lama will come, the face should be very attractive," the monk said.

Northwest Delhi DM attacked

by BJP MP's personal secretary ANI New Delhi, Sep 24: Northwest Delhi District Magistrate (DM) Sanjay Goel on Thursday was allegedly attacked by Bharatiya

Ex-DCW chief links Kejriwal`s tweet on Bharti to damage control ANI New Delhi, Sep 24: Former chairperson of Delhi Commission for Wo m e n ( D C W ) Barkha Shukla on Thursday criticized Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over his tweets on Aam Aadmi Party MLA Somnath Bharti, saying he is now trying to control the damage. "Kejriwal has awakened very late in this case, he didn't take any action against Bharti earlier,

PM Modi meets community leaders in New York

Nadda claims adequate arrangements in place to tackle dengue cases

BJP denies involvement, accuses SP of 'initiating' Muzaffarnagar riots ANI Lucknow, Sep 24: A day after the submission of oneman inquiry commission's report on Muzaffarnagar riots, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday denied its involvement and accused the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) of initiating the uproar, claiming that they have enough evidences to prove the latter's participation. The report, which was given by the commission of retired judge of Allahabad high court Vishnu Sahai, had blamed both the parties for the violence. "There is no involvement of BJP in the riots. The

bers of start-ups from India are coming to partner with Silican valley companies to discuss with them their experiencand to see how we can build an eco system of i n n o v a t i o n partnershipbetweeb India and Silicon Valley, which will be a win-win situation for both," added Singh.

PAGE 6

registered a case against Bharti after he was accused of domestic violence and mental torture by his wife Lipika Mitra. The case was registered against Bharti under Sections 307, 323 and 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Lipika has been married to Bharti since 2010, but has been living separately from him since 2012 along with the couple's two children in a rented accommodation in Dwarka.

Janata Party (BJP) MP Udit Raj's personal secretary Parminder and his supporters. An FIR has been filed against Parminder for thrashing the district mag-

istrate. "BJP MP Udit Raj's personal secretary and his supporters barged into my office and threatened to beat me up. They also held me hostage for some time,"

Goel told . "An FIR has been filed against Parminder for attacking me. I also have CCTV footage of the incident," he added.

Donald Trump's new book on 'crippled America' to hit shelves in October ANI Washington D.C., Sep 24: Presidential candidate Donald Trump is all set to release a new book in the end of October and it's going to be about America. In a statement, Louise Burke, president and publisher of Threshold

Editions, said that the publication of the book was scheduled on October 27 and it would outline how a crippled America could be restored to greatness.

Sources have revealed that Trump's book would explore his view on key issues, such as

the economy, big CEO salaries and taxes, healthcare, education, national security, social issues and immigration reforms. Burke said the book would be the mustread book of the year.

The 2016 presidential candidate has authored over 15 bestsellers.

Large quantities of oxytocin injections seized near New Delhi Railway Station ANI New Delhi, Sep 24: Large quantities of oxytocin injections were seized from a person during a raid

conducted by a team of Drugs Control Department near New Delhi Railway Station on Thursday. An FIR has been registered

against the accused at the New Delhi Police station. Meanwhile, the team has continued with the raid.

Fortune 500 companies. He is expected to push for investments under the 'Make in India' programme during these meetings. In his second visit to the United States, he is also scheduled to hold a number of bilateral meetings with world leaders, including US President Barack Obama, on the sidelines of the UNGA.

Vice President Ansari greets people ahead of Id-Ul-Zuha ANI New Delhi, Sep 24: Vice President M. Hamid Ansari on Thursday greeted the people ahead of the auspicious occasion of 'Id-ulZuha'. In his message, he has said that Id-ul-Zuha symbolizes the spirit of sacrifice, sympathy and brotherhood in society. The festival inspires mankind to inculcate values of truthfulness and compassion in their lives. "I extend my warm greetings and good wishes to the people of our country on the auspicious occasion of 'Id-ul-Zuha'. Idul-Zuha symbolizes the spirit of sacrifice, sympathy and brotherhood in society.

The festival inspires mankind to inculcate values of truthfulness and compassion in their lives," said Vice President Ansari. "May this festival bring peace, harmony and prosperity in the nation." he added.

No question of hike in electricity bill, clarifies Delhi Govt.

ANI New Delhi, Sep 24: Delhi Government on Thursday clarified that there will be no hike in the electricity bill, adding that it may further reduce the bill after the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report is out.

"I am very much sure that the electricity bill will be further reduced after the CAG report. There is no question of raising the electricity bill," Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain told here. In June, Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) had hiked power tariff in the national capital by up to six per cent as it restored a surcharge to compensate the private electricity distribution companies for rise in power purchase cost.

Major Dhruv Yadav's last rites performed in Jaisalmer ANI Jaisalmer, Sep 24: The last rites of Major Dhruv Yadav, who had died in an accident that occurred during a training exercise in Pokhran, were performed here in Rajasthan. According to reports, the accident had occurred on Tuesday night in Pokhran.

Six Sri Lankans arrested for illegal travelling to Australia from Kerala ANI Kerala, Sep 24: The Kochi Police on Thursday arrested six Sri Lankans near Munambam who were planning to travel to Australia illegally. According to the state police, the Sri Lankans were arrested from a lodge near theMunambam fishing harbour in Kerala, and added that the alter were residing in various refugee camps of Tamil Nadu. The police said they also arrested four Indian agents.

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

Myanmar to set up elephant sanctuary, rehabilitation camps in Bago mountains Yangon, Sep 24: Myanmar Mingala Association in cooperation with Four Paws International (FPI) will set up an elephant sanctuary and several rehabilitation camps in Bago mountains in southern Myanmar, official media reported Thursday. The forest, covering an area of 145 hectares, will provide a sanctuary for other wild animals and vegetation. Once the permission is approved by the government, the sanctuary can be established in six months. The

four or five elephant rehabilitation camps will nurse sick, injured and old elephants back to health and they will then return to their native habitats.Myanmar has over 3,000 wild elephants and about 5,000 elephants in captivity working in the forestry sector. Four Paws International (FPI) has founded nine animal sanctuaries in nine countries including Indonesia and it has plans to establish a sanctuary in Vietnam in near future. (Agencies)

NEIGHBOURS

No bilateral meeting scheduled between Modi, Sharif in US New York, Sep 24: Though they will be staying at the same Waldorf Astoria hotel, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his counterpart from Pakistan Nawaz Sharif will not meet each other or have any bilateral meetings when they are in New York for the United Nations General Assembly. "So far, there is nothing on the schedule," said external affairs ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup on Wednesday. Swarup along with permanent representative of India to the United Nations Asoke Mukerji and Indian ambassador in Washington Arun K Singh briefed the media on Modi's tour to the US. Today, Modi will have a round table on "Media, Technology and Communications - Growth Story for

India." Several heads of media organisations will be present and is organized by News Corp which was founded by Rupert Murdoch. "The idea is how we leverage India's growth story through media and modern communications," said Swarup. Through his stay here, Modi will meet heads of states from different countries like Guyana, Bhutan, Sweden and Cyprus and Jordon. On Saturday, Modi will meet heads of states of the G4 countries - Brazil, Japan and Germany.

"After 2004, this is the first time that a G4 summit is being held between the G4 countries and we regard this as very significant, especially in the light of the fact that the UN General Assembly recently passed a decision calling for text-

based negotiations," said Swarup. Immediately after the meeting, the Prime Minster would leave to San Jose on the west coast to address the Indian commu-

UAV Strides by Pakistan and China Spur India to Expedite Israeli Drone Purchas Islamabad, Sep 24: India has accelerated plans to purchase Israeli drones that can be armed amid concerns regarding its conflict with Pakistan over Kashmir and its border dispute with China. Just weeks ago, Pakistan was reported to have used a domestically manufactured drone while attacking militants on its soil.An Indian defense source said that while the plan to buy Israeli unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) was first established three years ago, India has asked Israel for a speedy delivery in the wake of both Pakistan and China

developing their own drone capabilities. India has al-

ready purchased and deployed some Israeli

drones along the Kashmir mountains for surveil-

lance, and along its disputed border with China.In September, the Indian government approved the purchase of 10 Heron TP drones from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) that can be equipped with weapons, according to an Indian air force official.The former head of the government-funded Center for Land Warfare Studies in New Delhi, Gurmeet Kanwal, said the Israeli-purchased Heron drones that will enter into Indian service by 2016 will allow India to conduct deeper strikes (Agencies)

Us returns woman to face fraud charges in china Beijing, Sep 24: Chinese woman who served a U.S. prison term for money laundering was returned to China on Thursday, authorities said, just ahead of a meeting between President Barack Obama with Chinese President Xi Jinping.Kuang Wanfang, who is wanted in a bribery investigation and is the wife of a former official of the state-owned Bank of China, was repatriated following cooperation with U.S. law enforcement officials, China's Supervision Ministry said. She is the second person to be sent

back to China from the United States since Beijing launched the "Sky Net" campaign in April to bring back people who are accused of economic crimes and have fled overseas.The United States lacks an extradition treaty with China and is wary that the country's opaque court system may be unfair to defendants, so it has typically been cautious in turning Chinese nationals over to Beijing, making it a top destination for corrupt Chinese officials.Beijing seeks to change that, and Washing-

ton has agreed to cooperate but also demands solid evidence against the accused. Kuang is married to Xu Chaofan, Guangdong.

She and another banker's wife were convicted in 2009 by a federal jury in Las Vegas of helping launder the proceeds and violating immigration laws, including entering the country illegally and gaining U.S. citizenship through fraud. The women each got eight years in prison.Their husbands also were convicted on charges of racketeering, money laundering and in-

ternational transportation of stolen property and fraud. The men were jailed to 25 years and 22 years respectively. The four lost their appeals in 2013.Another culprit, Yu Zhendong, was sent back to China in 2004 on the condition that Yu would not be tortured or given the death penalty, which can be applied in China even for non-violent white-collar crimes. Yu eventually got 12 years in prison.The ministry said Kuang had been in hiding for 14 years and, upon her return, would face investi-

Nepalese PM cancels NY visit amid anti-Constitution protests Kathmandu, Sep 24 : Nepal's Prime Minister Sushil Koirala has cancelled his visit to New York, where he was scheduled to address the 70th session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), amid ongoing protests against the

country's newly adopted Constitution.According to The Himalayan Times, Nepal's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Federal Affairs and Local Development Prakash Man Singh will head the delegation to the

UNGA and the Summit for the Adoption of the Post2015 Development Agenda, being held in New York on September 25-27.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the Koirala called off his visit in

view of the political developments in the country after the promulgation of the Constitution on September 20.He was scheduled to depart for New York this afternoon and return on October 4. (ANI)

Nawaz Sharif likely to raise Kashmir issue at UN Islamabad, Sep 24: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is expected to raise Kashmir issue during his address at the U The Pakistani diplomat said that Sharif is concious about the importance of Kashmir and would raise the issue at the UNGA.Last year too Sharif had raked up Kashmir issue at the UN, evoking strong reaction from Prime Minister Narendra Modi who protested to UN Secretary-General Ban Kimoon, saying raising bilateral issues on such fora was not the way to resolve them.The diplomat said Pakistan Prime Minister, how-

ever, would offer several steps to de-escalate the tension and establish peace along the Line of Control (LoC).Sharif left for New York on Tuesday and is scheduled to address the General Assembly on September 30.The diplomat told media, "The Prime Minister do not want to add to the existing tension but at the same time he is conscious of importance of Kashmir and Indian intervention in Pakistan."The official said that it had been decided that the speech should not deviate from the vision of the Prime Minister and should

PAGE 7

offer several steps to de-escalate the tension and establish peace along the LoC."Measures like frequent security exchanges and mechanism to tackle the outbreak of firing incident are expected to be proposed," he said.Sharif is also expected to talk about the threat posed by unresolved issue of Kashmir to regional peace as both India and Pakistan have nuclear weapons.Pakistan is also expected to raise the issue of India's alleged intervention in its domestic affairs but modalities are still being worked out for it.He said no

meeting between Sharif and his Indian counterpart has been planned so far.Pakistan Prime Minister's Advisor on National Security Sartaj Aziz has already made it clear that any proposal for the meeting should come from India.Sharif will also push for resolution of Afghanistan issue through peace talks between the Afghan government and Taliban militants.He would also highlight Pakistan's efforts to eliminate militants and achievements of Zarb-e-Azb operation which killed over 3,000 militants sine it was launched in June last year. (Agencies)

gation by Guangdong police on graft and bribery charges. It's unclear if the other three people would be repatriated to China.Last week, the United States sent back Chinese businessman Yang Jinjun, who is suspected of graft and bribery. His sister, Yang Xiuzhu, has been detained in the United States but is seeking political asylum.

The woman, formerly a deputy mayor in the eastern city of Wenzhou, is wanted in China for allegedly embezzling more than $40 million. (Agencies)

nity there. "After that, he will visit Tesla Motors to have a look at their path-breaking inventions, particularly in the renewable energy sector," said Swarup. On the

west coast, Prime Minister Modi will have meetings with Apple CEO Tim Cook, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Google CEO Sundar Pichai. He will also

visit Facebook and meet its founder Mark Zuckerberg.

While in California, Modi will also meet US secretary of energy, Governor of California, Salman Khan - CEO of Khan Academy. He will then go to the SAP Centre where he would address the Indian community. "This is the first time in 30 years that a Prime Minister will be addressing the Indian community. It is an important event for the Indians living there and they will get to hear his vision for the country," said Swarup. Modi will then come back to New York City to meet heads of France, Qatar, World Bank and president of USA Obama.

He will also meet the heads of Mexico and Palestine after which he will depart to India on September 28.

(Agencies)

Defence asks Thai court for more time to get witnesses in murders of 2 British backpackers Thailand, Sep 24: Lawyers for two Myanmar migrant workers accused of killing two British tourists on a Thai island appealed for more time on Thursday (Sept 24) to prove they were scapegoats innocent of the brutal, high-profile murders.Ms Hannah Witheridge and Mr David Miller, both in their 20s, were beaten to death a year ago on the southern holiday island of Koh Tao, causing outrage in Britain. Ms Witheridge was also raped, a post-mortem examination showed. Lawyers are trying to convince the judge that Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun were framed by police under pressure to solve a case that has caught international attention and hurt Thailand's image as a tourism haven.The defence tentatively had until Friday to wrap up its case, but chief lawyer Nakhon Chomphupat said there

were problems convincing witnesses to testify as some feared retribution."I don't think we can have all of the witnesses before Friday," he told reporters outside the court on Samui island. "There's a problem, our informers lack courage to stand as witnesses because some of them still work on Koh Tao."Central to the defence is disproving what it sees as a patchy investigation marred by disputed forensics, a contaminated crime scene and selective use of surveillance video to implicate the accused.A human rights expert was due to testify on Thursday about his own investigation, which lawyers said showed the suspects had suffered police abuse under interrogation.

Another witness, a former lawyer, was expected to testify that false confessions were forced from the suspects.Police have stood

by their probe and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha has ruled out foul play.Allegations of torture and police misconduct have caused a stir in Britain and its Prime Minister David Cameron raised concerns during a meeting with General Prayut, who agreed to allow London police to carry out their own internal investigation.They have refused to disclose their final report to anyone other than the victims' families, as a pre-agreed condition.Many people from Myanmar, known also as Burma, work on the Thai holiday islands of Koh Tao, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui, just a short trip from southern Myanmar across a narrow mainland peninsular.The estimated 2.5 million Myanmar workers in Thailand provide vital remittances. Many complain they suffer maltreatment, including extortion, from Thai police. (Agencies)

Sri Lankan Navy arrests 6 Indian fishermen Colombo, Sep 24: Sri Lanka Navy today said it has arrested six Indian fishermen for allegedly fishing in Lankan waters. The Navy said it assisted the Sri Lankan coastal guards in the seas off Kovilan Point to nab the fishermen last night."When the arrest

was made the Indian fishermen had been fishing 3.5 nautical miles and 5.2 nautical miles off northwest of Kovilan Point," the Navy said.The arrested fishermen and their two trawlers have been taken to Karainagar to be handed over to the fisheries au-

thorities, it said.The arrests came days after the Lankan northern fishing organisations rejected a request from their Tamil Nadu counterparts to discuss the recurring issue of poaching by Indian fishermen in the Sri Lankan waters. (Agencies)

Bangladesh says it meets U.S. worker safety conditions Dhaka ,Sep 24: Bangladesh said it has met the conditions put forward by the United States for better safety and workers' rights in its factories that were essential to regain preferential trade status the impoverished South Asian nation lost in 2013 after two disasters killed 1,500 garment workers.

The preferential trade status does not cover Bangladesh's influential garment industry, which helps the country earn $25 billion annually and

mainly exports to the United States and Europe. But Dhaka has long lobbied for its garment industry to have duty-free access to the United States, and the lost status was seen as a big blow to that goal.The government said in its statement late Tuesday that all of the 16 conditions set by the U.S. have been met. It has so far shut down some 364 apparel units for lack of sufficient safety measures. It has amended labor laws, en-

acting new rules for allowing workers to form unions, increased the number of factory inspectors and settled many criminal cases against trade union leaders who said the charges were meant to silence them. About 500 factory-based trade unions have been registered, and workers' welfare associations have been formed in special export zones.A delegation of the U.S. Trade Representative's office praised the progress but

also found shortcomings.

The delegation is visiting Bangladesh to review improvements in safety standards at factories and changes to legal documents allowing for wider workers' rights.Progress in meeting the 16 U.S. conditions is needed to regain the Generalized System of Preferences benefit under which the U.S. allows imports of some 5,000 goods from 122 of the world's poorest countries with low- or zero-tariff benefits. (Agencies)

Over 150 dead, 390 wounded in stampede during haj pilgrimage Mecca, Sep 24: Over 150 people have been killed and 390 wounded in a stampede during Haj pilgrimage out-

side Mecca in Saudi Arabia.The stampede occurred during the devil-stoning ritual where Muslim pil-

grims throw pebbles at three walls in Mina .Today was the last day of the pilgrimage.It is the second tragedy at

Mecca in a month. Earlier, the crane collapse at Mecca's Grand Mosque had killed more than 100 people. (ANI)

PAGE 8

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

Are India and North Korea Really Upgrading Ties?

Extending social insurance measures Arunachal, Manipur, Mizoram under ESI Health Scheme by year-end The central government announced extending

by December 31 the Employees State Insurance (ESI) scheme to Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Mizoram - the remaining three states of the northeast region so far uncovered by the central scheme and will extend the facilities to workers of these states too by the end of this year.

The ESIC targets enhancement of health coverage from current eight crore beneficiaries to 25-30 crore by April 2016. Extension of the scheme to unorganised workers like auto-rickshaw and car drivers and rickshaw-pullers in a phased manner was also announced.

In the first phase, 24 dispensaries, run by the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), would be upgraded to 30-bedded hospitals. Whereas, by the end of this year, oncology and cardiology treatment would also be provided in ESIC hospitals. Dialysis facility too would be started on public-privatepartnership model.

ESI Scheme of India is a major multi-dimensional social insurance programme that has over the last six decades emerged with its phenomenal growth in terms of geographical reach, demographic coverage, multi-faceted services and an infrastructure that has no parallel. India's population, mainly consisting of middle and low-income groups, necessitate the provision of social security, although their capacities to pay insurance premiums are very low. In India, only 3% of population is covered by some form of health insurance, either social or private.

The ESI Act of 1948 was the first social insurance measures introduced in India; encompasses certain health related eventualities that the workers are generally exposed to, such as sickness, maternity, temporary or permanent disablement, occupational disease or death due to employment injury, resulting in loss of wages or earning capacity - total or partial. The provisions made in the Act to counterbalance or negate the resulting physical or financial distress in such contingencies are, thus, aimed at upholding human dignity in times of crisis through protection from deprivation, destitution and social degradation while enabling the society the retention and continuity of a socially useful and productive manpower. The ESI Act applies to non-seasonal factories using power and employing ten or more persons and non-seasonal and non-power using factories and establishments employing twenty or more persons.

Maladjusted media coverage priorities Media coverage on Sheena Bora murder is a case in point The high-profile Sheena Bora murder case dominated Indian TV news channels, setting aside other important issues concerning the nation. News channels went overboard showing how Indrani Mukerjea, wife of TV honcho Peter Mukerjea, allegedly plotted the murder of her daughter Sheena with the help of her former husband Sanjeev Khanna and her driver Shyam Manohar Rai. There was an obsession in the coverage of the story, which sometimes lacked accuracy and stepped into areas of fiction. The murder case not only dominated primetime coverage (8-10 PM) but also consumed one-third of the primetime on the news channels, according to the latest study by the Media Lab of the Centre for Media Studies (CMS).

Media coverage of the Sheena Bora murder case reflects the "irresponsible and unethical" reporting behaviour of Indian TV news channels as it consumed one-third of the prime time coverage on six TV news channels, a study says. Six TV channels, including two English news channels, featured 113 stories and 61 special programmes on the murder case in a fortnight, the study by CMS Media Lab found. Most channels did not even follow the fundamentals of fact-driven reporting or coverage. The coverage had more elements of fiction than fact. It reminds us that even after seven years of irresponsible coverage of Aarushi murder case, the channels have hardly learnt anything from their mistakes.

CMS Media Lab analysed coverage of six national TV news channels - Aaj Tak, ABP News, Zee News, DD News, CNN IBN and Times Now - for a fortnight from August 25 to September 8. These six TV channels broadcasted 2,282 minutes (38 hours) of special programmes and stories during this period.

Among the monitored news channels, two English News channels - Times Now and CNN IBN - together contributed 60 percent of the total coverage minutes. Interestingly, Times Now alone devoted 40 percent of the total coverage time. Times Now topped the coverage by devoting 948 minutes, followed by CNN IBN at 424 minutes. Among Hindi News Channels, Aaj Tak led the coverage by devoting 341 minutes, closely followed by ABP News and Zee News with 268 minutes and 263 minutes of coverage respectively. DD News gave the least time to the case by allotting only 36 minutes during the entire study period. The study found that "surprisingly, English news channels gave more coverage to the murder case compared to Hindi news channels. Unfortunately, the news channels gave low priority to important issues like farmer suicides, floods and drought in different states during the same period.

The editorial priorities of news channels show how they manufacture a crime story into a national concern, and it also highlights their level of seriousness towards mass reality.

India needs to think long and hard before upgrading ties with North Korea.

Ankit Panda

An interesting report published in one of the leading newspaper of india, with the headline "India reaches out, wants to upgrade ties with North Korea," caught my eye yesterday. The report noted that India was taking a significant step forward in its relations with Pyongyang by upgrading its bilateral ties.

India's relations with North Korea aren't normally in the press. They received some attention earlier this year when North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Su-yong visited New Delhi for a series of meeting. Overall, India's relations with North Korea are cordial but limited-for a range of reasons, including North Korea's occasional chumminess with Pakistan and South Korea's reservations. An upgrade in relations would be a significant move in India's eastward foreign policy. So what's really going on?

First, the details: The Hindu reports that India's minister of state for home affairs, Kiren Rijiju, participated "in an event marking the North Korean national Independence Day in New Delhi." Rijiju was, per the report, "nominated by the Ministry of External Affairs to represent the Indian government in the official event." The minister told The Hindu that relations between India and North Korea were "going to change." "North Korea is an independent country and a member of the United Nations and we should have good bilateral trade ties," he said. The Hindu notes that Rijiju was careful to clarify that the decision to attend wasn't a made in haste but is a considered diplomatic move: We have been discussing inside the government ways and means of upgrading bilateral ties with North Korea ever since the North Korean Foreign Minister visited Delhi last April. We feel that there should not be the usual old hurdles and suspicion in bilateral ties as North Korea is an independent country and

also a member of the United Nations. A relationship based on greater trade and commerce between two sides is the way ahead.

In addition to Rijiju, another name appears throughout the report.

Sitaram Yechury, the general secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist[CPI(M)]), was in attendance as well.

Yechury, in 2013, led a three-member parliamentary delegation to North Korea. Since at least the 1980s, the CPI(M) and North Korea's ruling People's Party have developed inter-party ties.

It's unclear if, as Rijiju says, India and North Korea are truly poised for some sort of major paradigm shift in their bilateral ties. Sending Rijiju, a state minis-

ter, clearly isn't the strongest diplomatic signal from the Indian side.

Sending a representative from the Ministry of External Affairs, possibly even the external affairs minister, would signal additional seriousness.

Rijiju, however, is an interesting choice. He hails from Arunachal Pradeshan Indian state claimed almost in its entirety by China-and, as I've noted before, has been a vocal proponent of the Indian government bolstering its position along the disputed India-China border.

His attendance at the event could suggest that New Delhi is positioning itself to seize on the growing rift between Pyongyang and Beijing.

Yechury notes told The Hindu as much himself: "Given the China factor

and Mr. Rijiju's origin in Arunachal Pradesh, it was a good decision to send him as the Minister for the event."

Of course, another possible explanation for Rijiju's attendance could have to do with anodyne domestic political dynamics. Though the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the CPI(M) are on opposite ends of the ideological spectrum, Rijiju's presence could be tied to some sort of political quid pro quo. The BJP and CPI(M) have recently been at odds over a range of issues.

Taking Rijiju's statement that this is in fact a well-considered foreign policy move at face value isn't entirely ludicrous.

Though trade between India and North Korea is modest and balanced in

New Delhi's favor, North Korea is a mineral rich country and India is a major importer of minerals.

Though North Korea's lack of access to normal international financial networks makes trade tricky, New Delhi could position itself to trade goods with North Korea for in-kind payments of minerals and rare-earth metals. North Korea, despite being endowed with a treasure trove of minerals and rare earth, still hasn't quite figured out how to capitalize on these resources. China remains the main player in the North Korean mineral market and leverages its special historical relationship with Pyongyang to invest in the country.

However, India needs to consider that upgrading its relationship with North

However, India needs to consider that upgrading its relationship with North Korea, while potentially valuable for economic reasons, will have diplomatic costs. An "upgrade" of the sort Rijiju describes would entail a softening of India's language on North Korea's nuclear program. New Delhi has seen its ties with the United States, South Korea, and Japan grow massively over the past decade. Each of these states, to varying extents, treats North Korea as a global pariah, unworthy of "normal" diplomatic treatment until it at least demonstrates an interest in negotiating the future of its nuclear program in good faith. New Delhi has traditionally had a propensity to avoid letting its bilateral diplomatic relationships develop dependencies, but the era of nonalignment is far behind it now. With Narendra Modi's energetic new take on India's "Look East" policy-now an "Act East" policy-there is all the more reason for India to avoid offsetting its other relationships by granting Pyongyang more diplomatic attention than it deserves.

Korea, while potentially valuable for economic reasons, will have diplomatic costs. An "upgrade" of the sort Rijiju describes would entail a softening of India's language on North Korea's nuclear program.

New Delhi has seen its ties with the United States, South Korea, and Japan grow massively over the past decade. Each of these states, to varying extents, treats North Korea as a global pariah, unworthy of "normal" diplomatic treatment until it at least demonstrates an interest in negotiating the future of its nuclear program in good faith. New Delhi has traditionally had a propensity to avoid letting its bilateral diplomatic relationships develop dependencies, but the era of nonalignment is far behind it now. With Narendra Modi's energetic new take on India's "Look East" policy-now an "Act East" policy-there is all the more reason for India to avoid offsetting its other relationships by granting Pyongyang more diplomatic attention than it deserves.

To be fair, there are other states in Asia that regularly interact "normally" with North Korea without facing isolation or international scrutinyIndonesia and Mongolia are two examples. India, however, seeks global leadership as a responsible stakeholder state.

Upgrading ties with North Korea as it announces that its nuclear facility at Yongbyon is back to operational status and just weeks after the Korean peninsula returned from the brink of conflict does not mesh with that objective. New Delhi can't go back to a meandering and nonaligned approach to East Asia. So far, under the Modi government, India has been clear about its burgeoning partnerships in the Asia-Pacific with Japan, Australia, South Korea, and ASEAN states. Upgrading ties with North Korea may be a manifestation of the Modi government's "Act East" policy, but it just isn't in line with New Delhi's broader regional approach.

Indecent Behaviour But what irks us is the way the idols are dumped on roadside the next day. Besides presenting an ugly look, it sends a wrong message to the environtalist. It also attracts violation of the code of pollution. The 'Motor Garage Association' of Guwahati in liaison with the Municipality Corporation takes a laudable step to dispose of the abandoned idols. The organizers celebrating the Pujas, thereafter dumping the idols on road side lack the sense of decency. This sort of indecent behavior by the unscrupulous organizers is enough to make their offence a cognizable one.

Yours etc.

Ashok Bordoloi Dibrugarh

Speedy Vehicles

Sir, With the solemnization of the worship of Lord Ganesh, the 'Puja Season' begins. The very next day 'Biswa Karma' Puja was solemnized. The people, particularly the children with their festive mood enjoy the occasion. Number of organizations solemnizing the Pujas, too is increasing substantially.

Nobody has any objection as in the otherwise humdrum life, one needs to have certain entertainment.

Sir, Day by day the number of vehicles be it two or three wheelers on the road are increasing at a very fast pace.

No amount of warnings by the district administration or any rule set by the state can control the speed of vehicles. High speed does sometimes turn out to be the only reason for pedestrians for losing their life. In the month of February at least 12 people including three women were killed and three others injured in a road crash at NH-37 near Kaziranga in Assam's Golaghat district. According to reports, the accident took place at NH-37 near the Kaziranga Latabari area in Golaghat district in the early hours when a speedy vehicle Tata Winger carrying 15 passengers collided

with a stranded truck. Surprisingly as reported by a survey not floods or violence, but road traffic accidents accounted for 50.4 per cent deaths in Assam last year surpassing the national average, which is 36.4 per cent.

Time has come when we all take all possible initiatives in this regard, such as a campaigns to sensitize the youth, specially students, journalists, police, commercial drivers and also the doctors on first responders' training, and awareness on road safety, preventive measures and also the post accident care to the injured.

Yours etc.

Shilpee Mazumder Dergaon

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

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

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

Page 9

OP-ED

The Problem With Popular Feminism That's Making Many People Shy Away From The Word Vaagisha Das Deepika Padukone grabbed headlines when she affirmed that it was 'her choice' to do or not to do things that were traditionally expected of women in the 'empowering' Vogue ad earlier this year. Touted as the next best thing, the ad seemingly celebrated - and reinforced - women's freedom to take whatever path they wanted to in life, and not be ashamed of it. However, this ad, adopted by people throughout the country for its revolutionary new idea of feminism, is little more than window dressing on the actual idea that feminism encapsulates. The ideas perpetuated by conventionally beautiful, thin women in the video seem to belong to a particular brand of 'pop culture' feminism, which has led to people adopting the phrase with little or no concern to what it actually means. After all, watching a 10-second video is so much more interesting than taking the time to know the subject, and who wouldn't prefer a glamorous ad to reading long lists of references?

The very same thing has essentially led them to claim that they are not feminists as well - without understanding the true nature of the word. Due to various factors, including but not limited to the hypocrisy of the media, people have now developed preconceived notions of the word, and ever since, words like 'feminazi' and 'man hater' has become synonymous with feminism - a Tinder user added the word 'feminist' to her profile, and the ensuing responses prove people's ignorancepeople are becoming wary of identifying themselves as such. Many call themselves humanists instead -like Madonna, claiming that rather than stand for one section of the community, they'd want the entire society to progress - little understanding that the word 'feminist' does incorporate all the sections of society, not just women: if you want to achieve gender equality, starting with the oppressed section seems to be the best course of action, and no one has yet claimed that men need female protection.

One needs to distinguish between popular feminism and academic feminism, and to address the issue of why people seem more inclined to believe things based on the former rather than the latter. In an interview with some contemporary feminist scholars in India, I came across three such people who explain why feminism is necessary, and why people are so cautious when using the term.

Why Is Talking About Feminism Still Necessary?

In 1895, the Oxford dictionary defined feminism as "advocacy of the rights of women (based on the theory of equality of the sexes)." In the year 2015, much of the definition still applies, with its idea of rights and equality of women remaining the same, yet the context has somewhat changed. The definition has acquired certain negative connotationseither due to the media or the infamous MRAs- Men's Rights Activists, or even by those women themselves who claim that they would rather be 'humanists' instead, and have no more use for feminism - and the academic definition of the word is now in danger of being buried under stacks of bad press.

Sandra Bartky, a gender studies professor at University of Illinois, says that, "Although most feminists would probably agree that there is some sense of 'rights' on which achieving equal rights for women is a necessary condition for feminism to succeed, most would also argue that this would not be sufficient.

This is because women's

oppression under male domination rarely if ever consists solely in depriving women of political and legal 'rights', but also extends into the structure of our society and the content of our culture, and permeates our consciousness."

Post-feminism, a movement popular in the west, seeks to impress upon women that feminism is unnecessary in a society where women are now free to do as they wish - since there are legally no barriers to education, jobs, and financial independence, women are now free make their own choices. But if we look closely, the notion of the glass ceiling, the fact that less than five percent of women are top company CEOs, or looking closer home, campaigns based on the fact that rural toilets are necessary to 'keep women inside and safe' tell us otherwise.

Arpita Ghosh, an Assistant Professor of English who is currently teaching at Sidhu Kanhu University, West Bengal, her area of interest being Gender and Sexuality studies, states that, "although [politically, economically and legally] some goals that the feminist movements aspired to have been achieved, newer, more complex intersections have arrived.

The postcolonial experience, the black woman's experiences, the working class woman's lived realities, the lesbian, bisexual, transgender women's rights, the Dalit woman‌.so now what we have is a disavowal of a monolithic, Eurocentric, white, heterosexual, predominantly middle and up-

per class feminism." She explains her understanding of the term feminist as"someone who would be willing to understand the multiple structures of patriarchal oppression and would be open to the idea that historically feminists to have colluded in these systems of oppression by erasing black or lesbian or working class or Dalit subjectivities. Being feminist is also recognition of the ways patriarchy oppresses males through compulsory masculinity."

How Popular Feminism Is Making An Increasing Number Of People Shy Away From The Word 'Feminist' Although the term "feminism" in English is rooted in the mobilization for woman suffrage in Europe and the US during the late 19th and early 20th century, efforts to obtain justice for women did not begin or end with this period of activism. It has now become common to refer to the feminist movement in the US as occurring in "waves".

The struggle to achieve basic political rights during the period from the mid19th century counts as "First Wave" feminism.

Feminism waned between the two world wars, to be "revived" in the late 1960's and early 1970's as "Second Wave" feminism. In this second wave, feminists pushed beyond the early quest for political rights to fight for greater equality across the board, e.g., in education, the workplace, and at home. More recent transformations of feminism have resulted in a "Third Wave"- which has, at times, been criticized for

its lack of intersectionality.

Academic feminism is two pronged- it talks about normative as well as descriptive views of women. Normative views would include looking at how women ought to be viewed in the framework of justice and legal rights, while descriptive view talks about the realities of women's situation.

However, talking about such issues such as gendered classism, rape, and gendered violence often translates to 'constant complaining by women' in a society which people still believe is equal. Such movements make for decidedly unpalatable and overall non attractive press stories, and when the notions of power and patriarchy are challenged by some, it makes them unpopular with those who believe in maintaining the status quo.

An example would be the campaign started by the MRAs- "don't be that girl", or their recent spate of tweets calling themselves 'meninsts' - both parodies of women's rights movements. An illustration of the fact that Professor Niladri R. Chatterjee, Associate Professor at University of Kalyani, points out: "patriarchy has run down feminism by putting out the notion that it is a bunch of humourless, always angry, men-deprived therefore men-hating women. Not very attractive. Not sexy."

Lack of information, coupled with factors such as bad press and media propagated notoriety are just some of the many factors that contribute to women not identifying as or opposing feminism, ac-

cording to Shailaditya Sen, Assistant Professor of English at Montclair State University. "Most people are not that informed about what feminism actually means (often thinking it means elevating women over men or simply manhate), its history, how it has changed/developed over time, etc. So when they say they are not feminists, they mean they are not whatever vague and often inaccurate idea about feminism they have."This would be Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga, proclaiming her love for men 'instead'. Since there are a number of academic political approaches to feminism - and various philosophies, it is difficult to explore the full depth of these ideas, and just accept what the media 'insta-feeds' us.

Academic feminism, is to "disorder established patterns and to denaturalise what has come to be presented as eternal and unchanging," says Nivedita Menon, in her book 'Seeing Like A Feminist'. But this poses a threat to the organised social pattern, as media becomes only- and suddenly- preoccupied with feminism when it is untroublesome, and comes in packaging acceptable to the public's tastes. This 'upsetting' form of feminism is subtly put down- once Alex of Modern Family starts questioning why the girls have to play nurses on Halloween, she is quickly made

the butt of a joke, making her the uptight one who can't 'chill' on a holiday.

"Thanks to pop culture representations of feminism as necessarily militant and vocal (read loud), the image one conjures up when one tells someone they are feminists is one that is confrontational, if not 'dangerous'." (Arpita Ghosh) But Alex is still a white character. A professor of law at Columbia, Kimberle Crenshaw states that "Women as a group experience many different forms of injustice, and the sexism they encounter interacts in complex ways with other systems of oppression. In contemporary terms, this is known as the problem of intersectionality." Academic feminism seeks to incorporate the struggles of race, class, etc. yet this blatantlack of intersectionality in media's version of feminism - in which only the thinnest and blondest vie for attentionis another major factor that drives people to distance themselves from a movement that ill fulfils their needs. Add to this the 'traditional' notion that women should be relegated to the kitchen- have you heard all the 'go make me a sandwich' jokes yet?- and the gendered notion that pink is for pretty is for girls which most ads, and hence the notion of consumerism and popular culture focuses on, and it is difficult to

break out of the grips of capitalist society and start advocating for change, or even thinking about it.

Sign Of A Positive Effect?

However, despite such claims, there are signs that advertisements are consciously making an effort to advocate gender equality, rather than the concept of a man doing a 'woman's job' or vice versa. Ariel, a popular brand of detergent, launched its 'Share the Load' campaign, which raised the question of the task of laundry being equally divided. Perhaps once the notion of gender equality enters the consciousness of society, the concept of feminism won't be far behind.

Addressing the issue of the backlash against the feminist movement, Shailaditya points out that where there is a successful social movement, there is an inevitable backlash against its gains.

He optimistically states that the formation of MRA groups and women (incorrectly) saying that they don't need feminism is a positive sign, saying that while he thinks feminism is vital, "I'm not worried at how much it is criticized. I think that's a sign that it is working, is evolving, and is going to keep improving and having more and more of a positive effect on the world."

Should Facebook Have A Dislike Button?

Sharang Shah In a Question and Answer session (Q&A) last week, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg announced that the company has been working on creating a 'Dislike' function. The purpose of this button will be to express empathy with posts covering events that seem inappropriate to like, such as tragedies.

Calls for creating a 'Dislike' button have been around ever since Facebook first created the 'Like' buttonin 2009. The creator of the popular social media network said that hundreds of people have asked him about cre-

ating this feature over the years but he wasn't keen on

making one because he didn't want Facebook to

become a forum for people to up-vote or down-vote content.

What's In A Name?

In this context, a rose by any other name would not smell as sweet. The branding of the button will play a huge role in the way people use it. If Facebook were to name the button 'Dislike', it would probably be used for everything, but the intended purpose.

Brands could use the button to down-vote competitor's posts and limit their reach; people

could use it express disagreement with posts on ideological fronts; and trolls could use it to do what they do best - 'trolling'. Naming it a 'Solidarity' button may go a long way in making sure it is used as intended. However, there is always a certain level of uncertainty with these things and even the noblest aim could be twisted.

Your Newsfeed Is About To Change The biggest impact, however, will not be on the

number of trolls, but on your news feed. As most users may know, the posts appearing on your Newsfeed are anything but random. They're selected by an algorithmthat traces, among other things, your history and browsing patterns on the site, and processes those to show you posts that it thinks you will be most interested in.

The more likes a post has, the more likely it is to appear on your newsfeed and if a number of your friends are among the people who

have liked the post, the likelihood of it appearing on your news feed increases even further. If a 'Dislike' button is added, it will probably have an opposite effect on the algorithm. Thus, the content you see will be shaped by your friends preferences like never before.

The Customer Is Always Right The announcement may have made daily users of the social media website break a smile, but it would have definitely left brands and data analysts absolutely ecstatic. The addition of a 'Dislike' button will have not only a direct impact on your news feed, but also an indirect impact on the content that is published.

Up till now, analysts with different brands and pages have only been relayed limited amounts of data on negative feedback of their posts. They could see how many people had seen the post but chose to ignore it completely as they could not tell whether such people were disinterested in the content or were repulsed by it. Only the opin-

ion of the vocal few who took time out to comment on their disagreement could be heard. However, majority of users do not take their time out to actually express their disinclination towards a post.The 'Dislike' button would be a game changer in this regard.

Brands will finally have reliable data on whether their content is being perceived negatively. This will most likely lead to a situation where irrelevant content will be completely removed and only content that the customer can relate to, will be produced.

Thus, this is another significant stride in moving towards customer-driven content.

Despite so many advantages, some questions are more pertinent and still remain unanswered Will users perceive this button as a 'Dislike' button or will Facebook be able to prevent that from happening? And, is userdriver content the best way to go, especially for delivering the news, as it can now be filtered and presented?

BUSINESS

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

Profit margins up at major ports for first time since 2007-08 New Delhi, Sep 24: Major ports have increased their profit margins for the first time since 2007-08, Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari said. Profit margins of major ports declined from 43 per cent in 2007-08 to 28 per cent in the 12 months ended March 31, 2014. Since then, margins increased to 38 per cent in the first five months of the current financial year. "Every month, there have been videoconference meetings with all the ports to address their smaller issues. This has benefited performance," Mr. Gadkari said.

"Through operational efficiencies, ports have reduced costs and at the same time, through increased turnover, have managed to increase their profits," he said during a press briefing regarding the Ministry of Shipping's plans for

modernisation of the major ports in the next two years.

The development of these ports, which started 16 months ago, is being done under the Sagar Mala initiative. "Transporting cargo by road costs Rs.1.5 per km, by railways Rs.1 per km, and by water it is only Rs.0.3 per km - one-fifth of the price. So, the first priority is coastal transport,

second priority is railways and third priority is road transport," Mr Gadkari said. By next March, shipping and inland waterways will contribute an additional 1 per cent to GDP, Mr. Gadkari added. The Vizag port has already been upgraded to a draft depth of 18 metres, the international standard needed to handle large ships of ca-

pacities of 1.75-2 lakh tonnes. Over the next 24 months, four more ports will follow suit. The Ministries of Shipping, Chemicals, and Petroleum and Natural Gas are in talks with Iran government for natural gas at $1.5 per unit, Mr. Gadkari said. "The price of gas has been more than $15 dollars per unit recently. In 2013, Iran of-

RISE IN PROFITS Profit margins of major ports declined from 43 Ø per cent in 2007-08 to 28 per cent in the 12 months ended March 31, 2014. Since then, margins increased to 38 per cent in the first five months of the current financial year.

The development of these ports, which started Ø 16 months ago, is being done under the Sagar Mala initiative.

Transporting cargo by road costs Rs.1.5 per km, Ø by railways Rs.1 per km, and by water it is only Rs.0.3 per km - one-fifth of the price.

The Vizag port has already been upgraded to a Ø draft depth of 18 metres, the international standard needed to handle large ships of capacities of 1.75-2 lakh tonnes.

fered us gas at 82 cents, but when I went to meet the President this year, they didn't want to sell at that price any longer. They want to sell at $2.95, we are holding out for $1.5. But at even $2.5, our urea production will become much cheaper. We will save Rs.80,000 crore of subsidies and farmers will be able to buy urea at a much lower price," Mr Gadkari said. The Minister also announced a plan to provide green energy to the major ports in the country. "We have decided to provide 200 MW of green power to the ports. Nine ports will get 150 MW solar power through rooftop solar projects. The first tender for this, for the Vishakhapatnam port, has been issued. The other 50 MW power will come from wind energy at Tuticorin, Chennai and New Mangalore ports," he said.

(Agencies)

Pharma growth to remain reasonable in Q2 Mumbai, Sep 24: The growth momentum of domestic pharmaceuticals sector is likely to remain moderate, with 8 per cent overall sales growth in Q2 of this fiscal, Bank of

America Merrill Lynch (BoAML) said in a report.

However, the momentum is expected to pick up from the second half of the current financial year. A higher base, fewer

launches and incremental competition in some key high-value products are impacting revenue growth, according to the report.

Growth in profit after tax may be hit by price erosion

MODERATE GROWTH Ø Recent data shows that in the past six months, U.S. approvals have picked up substantially, with 75 ANDA approvals in April-September 2015 against 72 approvals in financial year 2015.

The weakening Ø rupee was positive for the pharma sector, but it would hurt the exposure to EM. The strengthenØ ing of the dollar against Indian rupee may act as a positive catalyst for the domestic pharma universe's earnings, with an estimate of 45-50 per cent of revenues coming

Mukesh Ambani still tops the chart among the most richest Indians

Mumbai, Sep 24: Industrialist Mukesh Ambani recently was named India's richest for ninth year in a row with a net worth of $ 8.9 billion, while ecommerce giant Flipkart's founders made their debut on the country's top 100 rich list. As per Forbes magazine's latest India rich list, Ambani was followed by Sun Pharma's Dilip Shanghvi as second richest with a net worth of $18 billion, while Wipro's Azim Premji retained his third place with $15.9 billion.

Flipkart's co-founders Sachin and Binni Bansal made their debut at 86th position with a net worth of $1.3 billion each. The combined wealth of India's 100 richest persons remained largely unchanged at $345 billion, as compared to $346 billion in 2014, Forbes said. (Agencies)

from the U.S. Even 5 per cent rupee movement would have a 2.4-5.6 per cent impact on the domestic pharma universe earnings per share (EPS).

The sharp depreØ ciation in various EM currencies and relative strength in rupee value

have led to 11-38 per cent appreciation of Indian rupee versus other EM currencies over the past 12 months.

Dr Reddy's and Ø Glenmark Pharma are the most affected due to their exposure to the Russia/CIS and Venezuela markets.

in base portfolio, higher R&D costs and emerging markets (EM) currency woes, BoAML said. The domestic pharma firms' sales in the U.S. market have been impacted over the past few quarters because of slow approvals.

However, the growth momentum is expected to pick up from the second half of the financial year as domestic players' U.S. business is expected to ramp up following acceleration in Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) approvals. "Recent data shows that in the past six months, U.S. approvals have picked up substantially, with 75 ANDA approvals in April-September 2015 against 72 approvals in financial year 2015," BoAML said. It pointed out that the weakening rupee was positive for the pharma sector, but it would hurt the exposure to EM. The strengthening of the dollar against Indian rupee may act as a positive

catalyst for the domestic pharma universe's earnings, with an estimate of 45-50 per cent of revenues coming from the U.S. Even 5 per cent rupee movement would have a 2.4-5.6 per cent impact on the domestic pharma universe earnings per share (EPS). "At the same time, we see headwinds to earnings growth from EM exposure" as these markets account for 15-20 per cent of revenues for Indian firms.

"The sharp depreciation in various EM currencies and relative strength in rupee value have led to 11-38 per cent appreciation of Indian rupee versus other EM currencies over the past 12 months," BoAML said.

Pharma firms exposed to Russia/CIS, Venezuela, Brazil and South African markets are more vulnerable to this. Dr Reddy's and Glenmark Pharma are the most affected due to their exposure to the Russia/CIS and Venezuela markets, it said. (Agencies)

Launch of 2-3 new models planned

by Hyundai every year till 2020 Bengaluru, Sep 24: Auto major Hyundai Motor India plans to launch 2-3 new models every year till 2020 as a part of its efforts to further consolidate its position in the country. The company, which is the second largest car maker in India, eyes 1 per cent growth in its market share each year during the period. Currently, the maker of various popular models like i20 and Creta, Hyundai has over 16 per cent market share in the overall passenger vehicle segment. "In the last two years we have launched seven models. We plan to launch 2-3 new models, including full model changes, every year continuously till 2020," said Hyundai Motor India MD & CEO BS Seo. The company is targeting one per cent increase in its

market share every year for the next five years, he added. As part of its long term strategy in the country, the company is also developing models like a multi purpose vehicle (MPV), a small SUV and full model changes for its sedans Elantra and Verna.

He however did not share launch details of the up-

coming models. Commenting on the company's strategy in lieu of rival Suzuki planning to launch over 15 new models in India by 2020, Mr. Seo said: "Hyundai is also watching the market very closely."

When asked about plans to set up a new manufacturing plant in the country, he said: "Nothing is con-

firmed as yet. We are watching the market closely". He added that the automaker, which currently sells 10 models in the country, would continue to introduce products with latest technology and design in the Indian market. "We will keep bringing great products into the Indian market continuously to satisfy the customers here. We want to be the most loved and trusted company in the Indian market," he said. Hyundai inaugurated its first dealership here in Leh, thus strengthening its sales network in the state.

"Jammu & Kashmir is a significant market for Hyundai in northern India and this dealership will help us to strengthen our presence in this region," he said. (Agencies)

Startup fund launched by Federal Bank Mumbai, Sep 24: The 70-year-old Aluva-based Federal Bank is making big bets on the digital space. After partnering MobME and Startup Village to launch innovative applications in the financial sector, the bank is now floating a Rs 25-crore startup fund that will look at small-ticket projects that need funding of up to Rs 10 lakh. "It is not just in the area of finance. It can be in any field, including agri-related technology, healthcare, logistics, etc.

The objective is to promote entrepreneurial ideas," said Shyam Srinivasan, MD & CEO, Federal Bank. "While the amounts involved are small, there are limits on how much we can invest. The

plan was recently approved by the bank's board and we are exploring special vehicles and structures, if any, that may be required," he added. Srinivasan said the fund's initial corpus of Rs 25 crore would be scalable, depending on the experience. "We are starting with Gujarat and Kerala and we will scale it. In addition to our strong base in Kerala, Gujarat because it is a growing market for us and we believe there is an opportunity. We are setting up our IFSC office in Gujarat and we will have some senior management there."

Federal Bank has launched a host of mobile applications, including the Fedbook, an electronic passbook, and

Scan and Pay, an app that makes payments by doing a QR scan. The bank also allows customers to open accounts digitally using the 'Selfie' application and 60% of new customers last month came from this route. Through its tieup with Startup Village for the FinTech Accelerator Programme, the bank aims to launch digital applications regularly. The bank has created a digital vertical to come up with solutions for improving customer convenience.

The Startup Village is a business incubator and its promoters include arms of the Central and state governments and MobME Wireless, which is behind the Chillr app. (Agencies)

PAGE 10

Rs.900 cr sales aimed by Pidilite at construction chemicals business Mumbai, Sep 24: Pidilite Industries aims to increase sales at its construction chemicals business to Rs.900 crore by March, Group CEO Sanjay Bahadur said. Pidilite offers a wide range of applications such as waterproofing, repair solutions for existing structures and tile fixing solutions. The market size of scientific waterproofing solution is Rs.2,500 crore, while that of traditional is Rs.1,000 crore. Pidilite is a leader in scientific solution. Armed with 100 R&D engineers, this division develops five innovative solutions every year. About 10 per cent of the products are exported to more than 20 countries.

There are plans to step up R&D activities in Dubai and add one more unit in an emerging market either in Asia or Africa, he said.

Pidlite plans to acquire a

company in emerging Asia in a relevant field and use it as a vehicle to increase its business. Madhukar B. Parekh, Chairman, Pidilite inaugurated Dr. Fixit Expe-

rience Centre in Chennai.

It is aimed at showcasing modern and latest waterproofing solutions for architects, builders and contractors. (Agencies)

Ford launches New Ford Figo Mumbai, Sep 24: Ford India recently launched the next generation Figo priced between Rs. 4.29 lakh and Rs. 7.40 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi). The newly launched hatchback, which will come in both petrol and diesel versions, will compete with the popular models such as Hyundai Grand i10 and Maruti Suzuki Swift. The company VARIANTS

BASE

1.2l Ti-VCT (Petrol)

said while the petrol variant would give a fuel economy of 18.16 km to a litre, the diesel variant would give 25.83 km to a litre (under tests conditions). "Built on Ford's latest global platform, the all-new Figo is an able and worthy successor to one of Ford's most wellknown and trusted nameplates in India," Nigel

AMBIENTE

Harris, president and managing director, Ford India said. The model is equipped with driver airbag as standard across the entire range, the company added. It will be available in seven colours - Ruby Red, Sparkling Gold, Oxford White, Tuxedo Black, Deep Impact Blue, Ingot Silver and Smoke Grey. (Agencies)

TREND

TREND+

4,29,900 4,56,600

5,00,600

5,25,600

5,75,600

1.5l TDCi (Diesel)

5,29,900 5,62,600

5,97,600

6,22,600

6,72,600

1.5l Ti-VCT (Petrol)

NA

NA

NA

6,91,600

NA

TITANIUM

Elitecore bought by Sterlite Tech for Rs. 180 cr New Delhi, Sep 24: Sterlite Technologies has entered into a definitive agreement for the acquisition of Elitecore Technologies Pvt., a telecom software product company controlled by private equity major Carlyle Group, for an enterprise value of Rs.180 crore in an all cash deal. Elitecore is a provider of operations support services/business support services and is majority owned by First Carlyle Ventures Mauritius, a part of Carlyle Group. Sterlite, a part of Vedanta Group, said this acquisition would widen its telecom portfolio of offerings to its global customers. In addition to its current offerings, Sterlite will now be able to offer software solutions for operations support, business support and revenue management. "The transaction follows our strategy

to undertake attractive M&A opportunities in the entire telecom value chain," said Pravin Agarwal, vice Chairman, Sterlite Technologies.

"The acquisition is a lever for Sterlite to create new inflections in the telecom arena that are in line with Sterlite's longterm goals of being an in-

tegrated telecom solution provider," he added. Both firms cater to some of the largest telecom service providers globally. The transaction is expected to be closed shortly after completion of formalities.

Thereafter, Elitecore Technologies is proposed to be merged into Sterlite.

(Agencies)

Number of new rich in India will almost double over the next five years, says study Mumbai, Sep 24: The number of new rich in India will almost double over the next five years, posting the fastest growth of 47%, a latest study says.

In comparison, the number of such individuals with a wealth of over $1,00,000 will grow 7% globally and 10% in Asia by 2020, the study says.

The study, conducted by EIU and commissioned by Citibank, for the first time focuses on new wealth builders (NWBs) - a term used to describe self-made individuals who are either salaried, self-employed professionals or entrepreneurs in new-age startups.

In India, the number of such new wealth builders

is expected to be close to five crore and the total value of their financial assets is expected to be $879 billion in 2020 -almost double of what it was a decade ago. According to the report, the NWBs represent a new breed of selfgenerated suc cess, are humble and focus on making progress for those around them. "Nearly eigh in 10 NWBs acquired most o their wealth in the past 10 years. Almost none attribute current wealth to inheritance," the report said. According to Kartik Kaushik, Citi India global he ad of consumer banking two additional trends for India were that there was a very high sav-

ings rate and a majority of them would be young -in their mid-20s to 30s. He said the growth of this segment provides a big opportunity for banks like Citi. "Until now we had nothing in between Suvidha, Citibanking and Citi Gold. To address this category, we are launching Citi Priority as an integrated offering for those who maintain a Rs 15 lakh relationship with the bank," said Kaushik. He explained that this was not a bundling of separate services but a comprehensive product where the customer gets debit card, credit card and other services as part of the offering. (Agencies)

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

Features

Page 11

TRAVEL & TOURISM Unchartered Trips to Northeast The north eastern region of India remains largely undiscovered with innumerable destinations to lure a traveler. Though this region is divided into states, geographical similarities abound. There are hills, caves and water falls on one hand with dense forests and tribal life on the other. This implies opportunities to spot rare flora and fauna on a nature walk, or stumble on an amazing wildlife on a jungle exploration or go for trekking, mountaineering, river rafting, and photography or find sublime peace in the tranquil surroundings of a monastery.

Finding and rating the top 5 rather unchartered rare trips in NE India is a daunting task. Though here are a few choices, one can argue that the choices are highly subjective and that will be happily appeased.

Tawang via Sela Pass, Arunachal Pradesh Tawang district in Arunachal Pradesh has immense natural beauty to attract both honeymooners and adventure lovers. Located around 10,000 feet above sea level, it is surrounded with breathtakingly beautiful lakes, stunning waterfalls and lush

valleys. It has Tibet in its north, Sela mountain range in the east and Bhutan in the southwest direction.

Tawang is reachable by road via Sela Pass which is a high altitude mountain pass with spectacular views. Enroute you must not miss the Paradise Lake which has truly earned its name. While on a stay in Tawang, a visit to the 17thcentury monastery is a must. The newly renovated 1142mtrs long ropeway to reach it is an added attraction. You must also visit the Taksang Gompa standing at the ridge of a hill for getting unparalleled views that surround the monastery. If you are longing to pump up your lungs, you can pack up your rucksack for trekking to Gorichen Peak. However, the visit remains incomplete without seeing the Shonga-tser Lake famously called Madhuri Lake, Nuranang Waterfalls, Pankang Teng Tso Lake, Bap Teng Kang Waterfalls, Jaswant Garh and Bumla Pass.

The beauty of the place will urge you to explore more and more.

Loktak Lake and Keibul Lamjao, Manipur Loktak Lake in Manipur is

Valley of Flowers The Valley of Flowers, better known as the Yumthang Valley, is situated in North Sikkim. It is a grazing pasture surrounded by the Himalayan Mountains. Situated at an altitude of 11,800 ft (3564 m) with a close proximity to Tibet, Yumthang is a unique place where the tree line ends.

'The tree line' is the altitude above which there are no trees.

This valley also offers views of a stunning array of peaks with Pauhunri and ShunduTsenpa. This valley is unique in that it has trees and Rhododendrons and yet abounds in tiny, low growing Himalayan flowers. It is also home to the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, and has over twenty-four species of Rhododendrons, the state flower, which paint the valley red in spring, and cover large stretches of the valley.

A tributary of the river Teesta flows past the valley and the town of Lachung, the nearest inhabited center. During monsoons, starting in June, the Valley blooms with all kinds of tiny Himalayan flowers, like the Primroses, Cinquefoils, Louseworts and Cobra-lilies. Come spring and the valley looks like a collage of little forests of different colours.

However, the flowering of

Rhododendron is over by May end. A number of hot springs are scattered in the valley providing an unexpected opportunity to feel the warmth of the water even in freezing temperature. These hot springs are slightly saline in taste, colourless, emit bubbles of sulphuretted hydrogen gas and a temperature of 106 degrees. These springs are believed to have miraculous healing powers. This area and the entire state of Sikkim are inhabited by the Sikkimese population. The Sikkimese population includes Nepalis, Bhutias, Limbu, andLepchas. They have their own unique dietary culture with specific cuisines and food recipes.

Himalayan traditional foods are an integral part of the dietary culture of the various ethnic groups of people here. Rice is the staple food while momo's are a very common delicacy.

The best season for visiting the valley starts in late February and continues up to mid-June, when thousands of colourful flowers are in full bloom. However, to enjoy a clear sky and brilliant view of snow-capped mountains, the September - December season is ideal.

During the summer months, villagers take their cattle to these heights to

a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered by the nature lover. Located around 48 km from Imphal, it is the largest fresh water lake in the north eastern region.

This unique geographical wonder is spread across 312 sq. km and home to rich biodiversity of plant and avian life amidst floating weed which is inhabited by fishermen. The shallow inhabited islands known as 'Phumdi' are made of decomposed organic matter solidified over

a long period of time and they actually float. The blue waters of the lake with the circular green marshy weed islands and colorful water vegetation are something rare and unseen anywhere in the world.

There is a tourist bungalow set atop one such Phumdi, Sendra Island in the middle of the lake giving a bird's eye view of this amazing lake. You can also opt for some water sports or go for boating across the labyrinthine routes enjoying

graze (a practice known as yaylagpastoralism).

Skiing is conducted in Phuni near the town of Lachung. The region has been opened to tourists during the recent years although trekking is still not allowed. In view of the increasing number of tourists, there is possibility of environmental degradation in the near future. Yumthang Valley experiences a cold weather all through the year due to its proximity to Eastern Himalayas.

Yumthang is closed between December and March due to heavy snowfall.

Where to stay: A forest rest house is the only permanent residence in the valley.

Tourists may travel from Gangtok to Lachung (the nearest village where accommodation is available) by booking a full vehicle or shared one and stay overnight. A direct journey to Yumthang is not feasible as roads are commonly foggy and it becomes dark very early around 5:30 pm.

Visitors stay at Lachung from where the valley is about an hour's drive. Over the last few years several hotels and resorts have come up in Lachung. Facilities are clean and decent, but cannot be compared to other more upmarket destinations. This is primarily due to the inaccessibility of the destination.

There is government re-

striction on movement of tourists in North Sikkim as the area borders Chinese Tibet. Hence you cannot book a hotel and make travel plans on your own.

A hotel is booked only as part of a package tour. Accommodation and food is arranged as part of a package tour to Yumthang.

How to get here: There is no direct way of going to Yumthang Valley - one has to first go to the capital, Gangtok, and get permission to go to the Valley which is required because of its proximity with the Indo-China border.

By Air: If you are travelling by air, you should take a flight to Bagdogra in West Bengal. From the Bagdogra airport, one can get a prepaid taxi to Gangtok.

Gangtok is 124 km from Bagdogra, and by road it takes about 4 hours to reach there.

By Rail: If you are travelling by rail, the nearest railways station is New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal.

All major trains going towards Guwahati, pass through New Jalpaiguri.

After that you need to head to a travel-agency to book a trip to Yumthang Valley.

Yes, you have to go through a travel-agency, and fill out a form, with two passportsize photographs, and a photocopy of voter-id card, for each passenger.

Places to look around: Visitors may stay at Lachung from where the valley is about an hour's drive.

Lachung has been described as the "most picturesque village of Sikkim" by British explorer Joseph Dalton Hooker in his definitive, 'The Himalayan Journal' (1855). Tourism infrastructure in the area is still very basic but fast improving. The road to Yumthang from Gangtok follows the Teesta River, crossing a spectacular gorge over the Rang Rang suspension bridge. The last major town is Chungthang which is about an hour's drive from Lachungwhere tourists stay overnight.

Do not miss the experience of visiting Yumthang Valley. (Agencies)

luxury of bountiful nature.

The southern part of the lake has the world's only floating national park, the Keibul Lamjao - home to the rare brow antlered deer or the dancing deer known as Sangai.

Krem Mawmluh & Krem Ri Blai, Meghalaya If you thought you are an adventure aficionado then, let the caves of Meghalaya challenge you. Cave exploration is a niche adventure sport yet to gain momentum. However, the best

place to go caving into vertical and horizontal caves is Meghalaya which boasts of a most intricate network of the deepest and longest caves. Krem Mawmluh and Krem Ri Bai has a everything you can expect in this adventure like wading through waist deep water, crawling under low ceilings, marveling at stalactite and stalagmite or rock fossil formations and of course - batting the bats!

Adventure groups like The Green Route are there to

lead and provide all the support required in this adventure of a lifetime.

The Romantic Goecha La Trek, Sikkim Considered the most romantic trek in the Himalayas, it wells up unknown emotions of joy and wonder on seeing unsurpassed beauties of pristine snow clad mountains, crystal clear blue water of small undiscovered lakes while passing through a trail beneath the blooming red rhododendrons.

This trek originates in Yuksom, north Sikkim at a height of 5760 ft and ascends to a height of 16000ft. It takes you closest to stare at the beauty of Mt Kanchenjunga and watch the most amazing sunrise as the moon fades into the night sky and the first golden rays of sun lights up the mountain tops like mounds of gold. There are beautiful stretches on this trek that pass through canopies of rhododendrons in full bloom. You can set your pace to acclimatize yourself for the ascent and rest in quaint villages or glacial valleys. You are sure to come back with memories to cherish forever and a lust to return again and

again to discover more uncharted ways!

Hornbill Festival in Nagaland Nagaland is full of picturesque green valleys and breathtaking view of lofty mountains, with opportunities for trekking, travelling, photography, river rafting and canoeing; it is also a heady mix of tribal culture.

The Nagas have a rich repertoire for folk dance and songs. There are around 1000 villages comprising of 16 major tribes and other sub tribes spread across the state that come together in Kohima owing an initiative taken by the State Directorate of Tourism in the first week of December to revive and preserve the Naga heritage and encourage tourism. It is quite an experience to watch the each Naga tribes dressed in their distinct ceremonial attire exhibiting their folk dance and song and indulge in other tribal festivities.

Get transported to a surreal world where tribal warriors dressed with spears and shields, elaborate headgear decorated with orchid flowers and hornbill feathers dance in harmony. (Agencies)

Wakro: Rejuvenate At the Lap of Nature "Where on earth is Wakro", could be the reaction of a curious mind hearing the name first.

Nestling in Mishmi Hills in the district of Lohit, Arunachal Pradesh lays the offbeat destination, Wakro.

It's a three-hour ride from Tinsukia and a four/five hours ride from Dibrugarh. The pleasing drive in this route goes through some of the famous tea gardens of northeast region spreading a wide green belt soothing tired eyes. This route towards Wakro is inhabited primarily by people from the Khampti, Singpho and Deori tribes. Khamptis and Singphos both follow the Hinayana School of Buddhism.

The evidence of Buddhism is apparent by the number of monasteries and statues of the Buddha that one encounters along this route.

Perhaps the most visited and popular monastery in recent times is what is called the Golden Pagoda in Namsai. The Pagoda is built in the Burmese style of architecture, and was declared open after elaborate ceremonies in 2010.

Visitors in Wakro are welcomed by the sign indicating that this is the land of oranges. Orange cultivation, introduced on a commercial scale over twenty years ago, has changed the lives of many Mishmis in Wakro. Orange trees cover almost 10,000 hectares of land. Walking through Wakro during the fruiting season, past orange laden trees, is an unforgettable experience.

Being the eastern most place dusk descends early in this part of the country, and it is dark around 5pm in the evening. This is why dinner served early here, after which the only thing you can do lulled to sleep by the hypnotic sounds of the Kamlang River flowing few steps away and the chirping of crickets. At the very early hour a cacophony of birds and faint

calls of people from the village would indicate a new day. Enjoy your perfect morning cup of tea with the hoots of the Hoolock Gibbon, the only Indian ape. A walk through the surrounding villages of Gundri and Kanjan provides a glimpse of the Mishmi lifestyle and can rejuvenate your tired senses.

Visitors in Wakro are welcomed by the sign indicating that this is the land of oranges. Orange cultivation, introduced on a commercial scale over twenty years ago, has changed the lives of many Mishmis in Wakro. Orange trees cover almost 10,000 hectares of land. Walking through Wakro during the fruiting season, past orange laden trees, is an unforgettable experience.

Being the eastern most place dusk descends early in this part of the country, and it is dark around 5 in the evening. This is why dinner served early here, after which the only thing you can do lulled to sleep by the hypnotic sounds of the Kamlang River flowing few steps away and the chirping of crickets. At the very early hour a cacophony of birds and faint calls of people from the village would indicate a new day. Enjoy your per-

fect morning cup of tea with the hoots of the Hoolock Gibbon, the only Indian ape. A walk through the surrounding villages of Gundri and Kanjan provides a glimpse of the Mishmi lifestyle and can rejuvenate your tired senses.

Places to look around: Parshuram Kund: Wakro and its surrounds, offers some interesting options for visitors. Perhaps the best known and mostly visited place is the Parshuram Kund. Located 20 km away from Wakro it is also known as Brahma Kund, and is one of the most revered spots for Hindus.

Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary: Wakro is located at the edge of the Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary. This approximately 783 sq km sanctuary derives its name from the Kamlang River that flows through it and joins the Brahmaputra to the west of the sanctuary.

A walk through the sanctuary after permission from the Forest Department is a very pleasant half day activity.

Namdapha National Park: To the south of the sanctuary is the famous Namdapha National Park.

Tropical wet evergreen forests are present in the lower reaches of the sanctuary while the upper re-

gions, particularly the Daphabhum, bordering Namdapha have alpine vegetation.

Glao Lake: About 20 km from Wakro lies the Glao Lake or Glow lake. The term "Glao" is said to mean "water" in the Mishmi language. Located at 5000 sq km above sea level, and with an area of 8 sq per km, the lake, wreathed in swirling mists, is well worth a visit. This relatively undisturbed lake is teeming with fish. The six-hour trek to the lake is steep and tough, and camping by the lake for the night is recommended.

Where to stay: For a perfect holiday one can dwell in the charming Mishmi resort, a local community led eco-tourism initiative in Wakro. The resort has four huts on stilts, built entirely of bamboo and cane in the Mishmi style of architecture. Four concrete modern toilets with showers, a little distance away from the huts, assure the traveller that this is not a completely "wild experience". There is a central dining place. The staff is extremely warm and attentive and the meals delicious and eclectic with an assortment of dishes from different parts of the country. (Agencies)

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"Consequently Pat will be unable to participate in the Bangladesh Test series and will now enter into a lengthy rehabilitation program"

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

David Beakley

RNIASSENG00425/TC

PAGE 12

Huakan FC defeat Borduria FC, Khonsa Village FC edge past Kattang-Lainwang FC Thansen Wangchadong Memorial Football Tournament Chanwang Mongchan Khonsa, Sep 24: Hunkan Football Club have edged past Borduria Football Club 4-1 in the first Thansen Wangchadong Memorial Football Tournament here today at Nehru Sta-

dium in Khonsa. Striker Thinju Sumnyan of Huakan FC converted a cross from the right flank in the 29th minute to open the floodgates.

Thinju Sumnyan again scored the other two goals in the 35th and

38th minutes completing his hat trick. HFC player Hanjin Sumnyan came strongly in the second half to score the fourth goal for his team in the 66th minute. HFC players dominated both the proceedings with great

attacking technique. For Borduria FC, Chewang Mema scored the lone goal in the 68th minute converting a pass from the left flank.

In another match, Khonsa Village Football Club blanked Lainwang-

Kattang Football Club by a margin of 5-2 goals.

For Khonsa Village FC, Wangphom Socia converted a pass from the right flank in the 10th minute while Mehang Tego Mesia scored the second goal for his team

with a cracker of shot from just outside the box. Puma Saikia added to the goal tally in the second half and scored two brilliant goals in the 70th and 75th minutes.

Again, Khonsa Village FC player Tego Mesia

League Cup: Liverpool survive scare; easy evening for Chelsea through the keeper's legs and a drive from distance from Pedro completed a comfortable win.

The night's showpiece fixture ended with Arsenal beating north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 with two goals from Mathieu Flamini.

Tottenham could also feel aggrieved after dominating swathes of their clash with Arsenal but had nothing to show for their efforts after Flamini proved a surprise hero. The holding midfielder poached the first from close range in the first half and then hit a superb volley on the run after the restart after an own goal from Calum Chambers had levelled the tie at White Hart Lane. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who had fumed after their Premier League defeat to Chelsea at the weekend, was in a far happier mood. "Overall it was a convincing performance because we were unlucky to score an own goal and we found the resources to score a

Arsenal, Man United also go through, Newcastle's woes continue Agencies London: Liverpool flirted with what would have been an embarrassing low in their poor start to the season as they were taken to penalties by fourth tier Carlisle United, but came through to reach the League Cup fourth round. Brendan Rodgers's side, came into the game without a win in five games in all competitions, with confidence at a low ebb.

However, they eventually secured a 3-2 shootout win when Bastien Hery's tame effort for Carlisle was easily saved by Adam Bogdan, but the performance will have done nothing to alleviate the mounting pressure on the Liverpool boss.

The Merseysiders had taken an early lead in the game through Danny Ings but were pegged back by a goal from Derek Asamoah after 34 min-

Bianchi's father insists `not to lose hope` despite latest Schumi reports ANI Zurich: The father of late Jules Bianchi has urged the world not to give up hope on the recovery of Formula One racer Michael Schumacher.

The 46-year-old German driver now weighs less than 45 Kg and he cannot walk or talk and has limited consciousness. Philippe Bianchi admitted that Schumacher is the greatest champion that F1 could ever have, adding that the former Ferrari driver would fight as long as he is alive. Philippe further said that Schumacher's family is showing the same strength as they had shown during his son's time, and expressed hope for his speedy recovery.

Earlier in July, Jules passed away after succumbing to brain injuries sustained in a crash at the Japanese Grand Prix last year. Meanwhile, Schumacher, who has record seven Formula One titles and 91 race wins, was injured while skiing during a French Alps vacation, and has been going through his painfully slow recovery at his Swiss lakeside home.

utes then could not find a breakthrough despite battering at the door and missing a series of chances.

It was an easier evening for holders Chelsea, who cruised into the fourth round with a 41 win over third tier Walsall, while Southampton thrashed Championship side Milton Keynes Dons 6-0 and Manchester United made light work of Ipswich Town, winning 3-0 at Old Trafford.

Chelsea moved seamlessly forward after making light work of third tier Walsall, with midfielder Ramires putting them ahead after 10 minutes with a header, before Loic Remy doubled their advantage with a sidefoot finish. Walsall pulled one back on the stroke of halftime through James O'Connor but a sharp finish from Brazilian Kenedy

second," he said.

Newcastle United were less fortunate as their woeful start to the campaign continued with a 1-0 defeat to second division Sheffield. Newcastle United manager Steve McClaren, who has failed to win any of his first six Premier League games, will be under increasing pressure after they were beaten at home by Sheffield. Manchester United fans were treated to another goal from French teenager Anthony Martial, his fourth in four games for the club, after efforts from Wayne Rooney and midfielder Andreas Pereira had set them up for a straightforward win over Ipswich. All the goals in Southampton's 6-0 victory over MK Dons were spread evenly between Jay Rodriguez, Sadio Mane and Shane Long, who each bagged a double. Crystal Palace won 41 at home to Charlton and Norwich City won an all-Premier League clash against West Bromwich Albion 3-0.

Chappell believes Pak's failure to attract teams will trouble world cricket ANI Sydney: Former Australian skipper Ian Chappell has said that Pakistan will struggle in terms of attracting major teams for a tour to their country in near future. He added that it will in turn cause a ma-

jor problem for world cricket as the nation will not be able to produce inspiring young cricketers.

Expressing his views on the growing trends of Twenty20 Leagues, the former top-order batsman said that the format would

pose major concerns for the game as the lucrative leagues would consume a lot of the cricket calendar.

The 71-year-old further said that the focus of T20 matches is turning towards entertainment rather than cricket, add-

ing that people are also spending huge amount of money on the format and consequently the traditional formats are suffering. Pakistan will be inaugurating their maiden edition of the T20 Pakistan Super League (PSL),

which will be held in the United Arab Emirates in February 2016. The glittering tournament will feature international superstars like Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen, Lasith Malinga, Luke Wright, Grant Elliott and Tim Bresna.

Pat Cummins ruled out of Bangla series Assam arm wrestlers to comAgencies Sydney: Pat Cummins' hopes of a long-awaited second Test for Australia have been dealt a savage blow with the paceman ruled out of the Bangladesh tour with a back injury. Cummins, who has struggled with a number of injuries since his sole Test against South Africa in 2011, had suffered a stress fracture in his lower back, Cricket Australia said on Thursday. "Consequently Pat will be unable to participate in the Bangladesh Test series and will now enter into a lengthy reha-

bilitation program," team physiotherapist David Beakley said. Fast-bowling all-rounder James Faulkner will replace

Cummins in the squad for the Tests in Chittagong and Dhaka. "This is really unfortunate for Pat and I know how disappointed he will be," selectors chairman Rod Marsh said. "He is a young bowler with a bright future for Australia and we were really pleased with how he bowled in the UK. James comes back into the Australia test side having only played the one test, but he is an exciting young bowler who could be very handy in the conditions we are likely to see in Bangladesh," Marsh added.

pete in the 37th World Arm Wrestling Championship A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Sep 24: Monoj Debnath and Arup Rajkonwar today left Dibrugarh to take part in the 37th World Arm Wrestling Championship in Kualalmpur, Malaysia.

The championship will start from 26th Sep, where many countries will participate. Talking to this correspondent both the arm wrestlers were confident of bringing laurels for the country. Both the players have competed in the National Arm Wrestling Championship and won

medals for Assam. Both the players are from Dibrugarh and for the first time they are going to compete at the world level. In the 39th National Arm Wrestling Championship, 2015 where both the wrestlers participated and bagged medals for Assam in the 80 Kg category (Senior); Arup Rajkonwar bagged Gold and Bronze medals for Assam and became Champion of the Champions. In 50 Kg category (senior) Monoj Debnath bagged bronze medal held in Uttarakhand.

scored the fifth goal for his team in the 80th minute to complete the rout. For KattangLainwang Football Club, Wenpan Bo and Tarap Kanglong scored the two goals in the 81 and 85th minutes.

Results Hunkan FC edged past Borduria FC

4-1 Khonsa Village FC blanked LainwangKattang FC

5-2

Pele wouldn't mind if Neymar breaks his Brazil goalscoring record patriot Neymar breaks his all-time goalscoring record for the nation. Barcelona forward Neymar has scored 46 international goals so far and has a bright chance of eclipsing Pele's record of 77. Pele, the three-time World Cup winner, said that coincidentally the 23year-old is from Santos and that it would be fantastic if he could achieve the feat.

ANI Earlier this month, Wayne Rio: Brazil football great Rooney surpassed Bobby Pele has revealed that it Charlton as England's would be 'fantastic' if com- record goal-scorer.

Srinivasan meets Sharad Pawar in Nagpur to discuss leadership of BCCI

ANI Nagpur: N Srinivasan reportedly met former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) supremo Sharad Pawar to discuss the next presidential candidate following the demise of Jagmohan Dalmiya. According to reports, current International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Srinivasan had a meeting with Pawar late at night at the

residence of former central minister and NCP leader Praful Patel in Nagpur. Earlier in March, the Supreme Court had asked Srinivasan to step down from the BCCI's president post as the first move towards a fair investigation into the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2013 fixing and betting scandal which had his son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan's involvement.

BFCC steamroll TRDSC A Staff Reporter the lead with the second Dibrugarh, Sep 24: goal of the match in the Barekuri Football Coach- 35th minute. In the post ing Centre trashed lemon break BFCC were Tinsukia Railway Divi- leading 2-0. In the second s i o n a l h a l f , Sports Club Tinsukia Super Division 3-0 in the Football League 2015 R a i l w a y Te p i t a m tried their Buragohain and best to find a breakPuneswari Buragohain through but could not Memorial Super Division capitalize on their scoring Football League 2015 or- chances. Newson Kom of ganized by Tinsukia Dis- BFCC then scored the trict Sports Association at third goal in the 79th TDSA Stadium in minute. BFCC players Tinsukia today. BFCC impressed with their total opened their account football style of play. Tothrough Sabilal Konowar morrow, Barekuri Footin the 21st minute. ball Club will play Milan Lalnavik Mar increased Sangha.

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