27th march

facebook.com/easterntoday

@easterntoday

For business, mail at: md.easterntoday@gmail.com

cmyk

cmyk

www.eastern-today.com

ASSENG/2015/64205

Vol. 1

Issue 289

Dibrugarh, Sunday, March 27, 2016

Price -

Chakmas of India in their 1st National Assembly set 17th August to be observe as Black Day every year A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Mar 26

The Chakmas of India sets 17th August as their Black Day and resolved to mourn the illegal award of their homeland, Chittagong Hill Tract (CHT) to Pakistan on this day during partition in 1947, though the Indian Independence Act declares CHT to be as a part of India and thereby Indian flag was hoisted

by Chakma Freedom fighter Sneha Kumar Chakma. The Chakmas through its apex organisation, Chakma National Council of India in their first National Assembly held at Guwahati today, expressed grief that this day, 17th August has made the Chakmas, a stateless race and as a result human rights violations against them are rampant.

The National Assembly which drew prominent intellectuals, students’ leaders, youth leaders, scholars and social leaders from Assam, Mizoram, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, New Delhi and from across the country condemned the British Government in its strongest term for dividing the Chakma Kingdom into three circles in the year 1860 and thus reducing the Chakma King into a mere Chief which turned out to be the genesis of the suffering of the Chakmas as a race. The occupation of the Chakma Kingdom by the British began with the forceful takeover of Rangunia which formed one third of the Kingdom

ET CAPSULES

GDJA Foundation Day Golaghat, Mar 26: One of the oldest and prestigious organisation of journalists in Assam the Golaghat District Journalist Association (GDJA) is going to observe its 51 st Foundation Day on March 28. Golaghat District Journalist Association had celebrated its Golden Jubilee celebration on November last year. On the occasion of 51 st Foundation Day a day long programme will be organised at the premises of Golaghat District Journalist Association headquarters in Golaghat town. Several events will be there in the day long programme . The GDJA President A.B Goswami, Working President Sonaram Bharali and Secretary Rohit Gogoi seek presence of all in the same. (Correspondent)

The newly elected president of Chakma National Council of India, Nirupam Chakma, a former Cabinet minister in Mizoram in the west. Later, a strip in the east was sliced off and amalgamated with the then South Lushai Hill (a part of present Mizoram) which cost the Chakma King to forgo some of his subjects. Today, Chakmas living in this severed part of their kingdom face hostilities from the state to which it is enjoined and are branded as foreigner.

The Chakma National Council of India demands apology of the British Government for making no effort to undo the injustice meted out to them and to restore their lost glory for which they were responsible.

The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Kalikho Pul while looking into welfare measures of the govt employees have released long pending National Pension System (NPS) amount of Rs 156,92,20,754/- today.

The said NPS amount was kept as reserve fund under the

The National Assembly which commenced on 24th and concluded today also resolved to work on the challenges and discrimination faced by the Chakmas of Arunachal Pradesh in obtaining basic rights. The National Assembly resolved also to fight tooth and nail, the institutional discrimination faced by the Chakmas of Mizoram.

The National Assembly elected Nirupam Chakma, a former minister as the New President and Hemanta Larma as the new General Secretary, Prahlad Chakma as the Vice President- state inchargeArunachal Pradesh, Anirudda

Chakma, VP-state in chargeTripura, and Sneha and Sushanta Chakma as VP of the Chakma National Council of India to lead the apex organisation of the Chakmas.

The new team which comprises highly talented Chakma leaders decided to improve the Socio-economic and political condition of the Chakmas of Tripura and Mizoram and to establishes unity among the Chakmas by conducting state level convention with all the Chakmas NGOs and intellectual in their respective state.

The Chakma National Council of India was formed on the

We will win 75 seats and form the government alone: Assam CM

Assam slipped from Top 5 advanced state of the country to Top 5 poor state during Cong regime: Modi Tinsukia distirct to get a medical college if BJP voted to power: Himanta

Modi asks people to vote for change in Assam ET Bureau Bihpuria/Bokakhat, Mar 26

Modi during his rally in Tinsukia Pic - Arjun Mishra

Head of Account 8342 for the last seven years from 2008 to 2015 (till date) thereby denying due benefits of the subscribers (govt employees) from the New Pension Scheme.

The state govt adopted NPS w.e.f. 1.1.2008 and the amount of subscriptions were deposited through treasury challan to the Head of Account 8342-00117 by the subscribers.

Contd. on Page 3

In a scathing attack on the congress party, prime minister Narendra Modi said, Assam was the top 5 wealthy state in India when the country got Independence and ironically today it lists among the top 5 poor state in the country. BJP was never in power in Assam all these years, said Modi and questioned "who is the culprit for the devastation of Assam?"

A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Mar 26

CM Tarun Gogoi parties, particularly the BJP, alleging that the party its leaders like PM Narendra Modi, party President Amit Shah have started a campaign by spreading misinformation among the people of the state.

Contd. on Page 4

The BJP has become very much desperate to win the elections in Assam. And therefore, there is a possibility that they will adopt all means such as illegal flow of money, use of all kinds of undemocratic ways and EVM tampering to win the elections.

Contd. on Page 4

Dispur yet to take a cabinet decision on formation of State Security Commission Amarjyoti Borah Guwahati, Mar 26

Despite taking a decision to follow one of the three models recommended by the supreme court---NHRC, Ribeiro Committee, or the Sorabjee Committee for the formation of the State Security Commission, Dispur has still not implemented it, and formed the commission violating several guidelines of the Apex court.

According to sources at the Chief Ministers Office (CMO),

the Assam government had decided to follow the Sorabjee Committee model over four years back, but has not taken a cabinet decision on the subject as yet.

Dispur formed the state security commission on its own taking inputs from all the three models, which is a major violation of the supreme court’s guidelines which puts Dispur on the verge of facing a contempt of court.

Some of India's top rally drivers have confirmed their participation in the third JK Tyre Arunachal Festival of Speed (AFOS) to be held here in the West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh from March 28 to 30.

cmyk

The USP of AFOS is that it combines three forms of

"It has already been decided by the people of Assam to vote for BJP, but make sure that the work is not half done.

He said, even when parent give rupees 10 to child to bring book they ask for "hisaab".

Now, CAG is asking Tarun Gogoi led Congress party for "hisaab" of so many rupees but congress is not giving answer.

Please ensure that you bring the party to power with twothirds majority so that the BJP government can work wholeheartedly to make Assam a leading state in the country," Modi said addressing two election rallies in Upper Assam's Bihpuria and Bokakhat constituencies.

Contd. on Page 4

Contd. on Page 4

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

Ph & Fax: 03771 248 025 - (M) 98540 44560, 94356 98632, 94011 27020

www.pragjyotika.org.in - email: contact@pragjyotika.org.in

Why Pragjyotika...

Regular 03 HRs Schooling Classes Regular 04-30 Hrs Coaching Classes One to One interaction with faculties Daily Practice Papers

Fourth Nightly Schooling & Coaching Examinations.

Compulsory Study Hrs. Separate Hostels for both Boys' & Girls'

Screening & Scholarship Test for Foundation Course

Course Duration : About 2 years during Class-XI & XII Eligibility : Students appearing or Passed for Class-X Board Examination in 2016.

Based on Class-10 Syllabus

Admission Procedure : Written test Based on Class-10 Syllabus - Objective type Screening & Scholarship Test Date: For SEBA: 12-03-2016 Onwards, For CBSE: 23-03-2016 Onwards.

Class Commencement : 01.04.16 Only Coaching Institute in the region run by permanent (IIT-JEE Advanced) Level Experienced Faculties

Mathematics Physics Chemistry Biology Aptitude

: : : : :

40 Marks 20 Marks 20 Marks 10 Marks 10 Marks

Course Duration : About 2 years during Class-XI & XII Eligibility

Contd. on Page 4

off-road racing -- Auto Cross, Rally Sprint and Hill Climb - on a single platform. With a total prize fund of Rs.8.5 lakh, AFOS is one of the richest motorsports events in the country.

Assam is now a "diseased state" and Congress must be uprooted to overcome it, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today asking the electorate to vote for change in the April assembly polls.

Let your dream find a way to cherish with

: Students appeared / passed for Class-X Board Examination in 2016 : Direct Admission 70% or above in Class-X Board Examination 2016

Class Commencement : After 10 days from the declaration of Class-X Board Examination Result 2016

Top rally drivers say yes to 'Arunachal Festival of Speed' IANS Dirang, Mar 26

Gogoi, Modi addressing an election rally here on Saturday said, "congress leaders in few years will turn 90. They say I have fight with Modi. My fight is not with Gogoi but poverty, corruption and devastation of Assam."

The prime minister did not stop here. In a direct attack on Assam chief minister Tarun

There is a possibility that BJP will go for EVM tampering to win the elections: GS, AICC

A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Mar 26

As on today we will be winning 75 seats during the two phases of elections in Assam.

The Congress is capable enough and will indeed form the next government in the state with absolute majority.

Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi said this while bolding once again rejecting any kind of theory of even post poll alliance with political parties like the Maulana Badruddin Ajmal led AIUDF, during a press conference held in the conference hall of a city hotel, here. During his interaction with the press, the CM came down heavily upon the opposition

27th July 2014 in the Silchar Chakma Convention and today, the organisation resolute to observe 27th July every year as CNCI Day and 7th January as Chakma Day. The Chakma National Council of India comprises former Minister and MLAs and leaders from prominent Chakma NGOs such as Young Chakma Association, Chakma Bigger Council, Chakma Mahila Samiti,Tripura Rejyo Parishad, and Chakma Development Society, from apex Chakma Students’ Union in Tripura, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and from 8 cities based students’ organisations.

Page 12

Pages- 12

Spl Correspondent Tinsukia, Mar 26

Arunachal CM Pul releases long pending NPS amount A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Mar 26

The National Assembly which drew prominent intellectuals, students’ leaders, youth leaders, scholars and social leaders from Assam, Mizoram, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, New Delhi and from across the country condemned the British Government in its strongest term for dividing the Chakma Kingdom into three circles in the year 1860 and thus reducing the Chakma King into a mere Chief which turned out to be the genesis of the suffering of the Chakmas as a race.

5.00

UTPAL SAIKIA PRANJAL PEGU CHINMOY KATHAR THEOPHIL INBUON IIT-JEE (Adv) 2015 IIT-JEE (Adv) 2015 IIT-JEE (Adv) 2015 IIT-JEE (Adv) 2015 AIR 344 AIR 470 AIR 224 AIR 139

Dipanjan Goswami Dipankar Acharyya Longkiri Bey GMCH NIT- Silchar IIT - Guwahati IIT

Abhinob Sonowal Guwahati IIT

Selected in Medical (CEE 2015) Best Rank : State Rank 22Debasish Phukan Total Nos of Selection in Medical : 13 nos Selected in Engineering (CEE 2015) SASHANKA SEKHAR SAIKIA IIT-JEE (Adv) 2015 Total Nos of Selection in Engineering : 39 AIR 5614

Gunadeep Teron Abhirnanyu Baruah Guwahati IIT Guwahati IIT

Pikul Tayung Guwahati IIT

Prabaldweep Khanikar Budheswar Gogoi Umang Agarwalla Daimalu Baglari Guwahati IIT IIT - Mumbai Guwahati IIT Guwahati IIT

Ramanuj Ranian Saikia NIT-Silcher

This year the inclusion of the two-wheeler class apart from four-wheelers will add to the excitement.

Top rally drivers say yes to 'Arunachal Festival of Speed'

Contd. on Page 3

Kaberi Kurmi Jirsong Phura Debasish Nath Bhaskar B Doley Liyen Permey SMCH JMCH JMCH IIT-Delhi IIT-Guwahati

Mridupawan Rajkhowa GMCH

Munmun Bora Puja Bora JMCH JMCH

Rima Phukan Sampriti Gogoi JMCH JMCH

Bhanupnya Baruah Amitakhya Bhuyan NIT-Suratkal NIT-Silcher

Dipankar Gogoi NIT-SilcherIT

cmyk

Page 11

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, MARCH 27

PAGE 2 ASTRO FOR YOU ARIES Meditation and yoga should be practiced for spiritual as well as physical gains. Speculation will be hazardous- therefore all investments should be made with extreme care.

Pressure at work and home would make you short-tempered and restless today. You need to be in your best behaviour- because it won't take much to upset your lover today.

GEMENI You should spend your extra time in pursuing your hobbies or doing things that you enjoy the most. You would be taken for a ride if you behave too generous with your finances. If you have pressure on your mind-talk to your relatives or close friends-as it would take the burden off your head.

LEO You are likely to enjoy the success of other people by praising them. Not a good day to make investments and go in to the speculation. Your witty nature will make you popular at social gatherings. Ecstasy of soulful love will be felt today.

LIBRA Be careful not to neglect yourself when it comes to health matters. Use what you already have before rushing out to buy more. Family members or spouse will cause some tensions. Bliss today. Bold steps and decisions would bring favourable rewards.

SAGITTARIUS You are likely to face some criticism due to your habit of criticising others. Keep your sense of humour up and your defenses down and you will be in a better position to ward off cryptic comment. You will make good money if you invest in conservative investment. Do some heinous crime. You need to overcome this to maintain peace and not to you would spread love pollution today.

AQUARIUS Don't rebuke your child if he is unable to fare well in the exam. You should rather encourage him to do well next time. You must remember that all are not alike. Do not invest in joint ventures and dubious financial schemes.

TAURUS Do some mental exercise by reading something interesting. Investment should be avoided today. Help from family members take care of your needs. Your partner will be upset if you do not pay enough attention to him or her.

CANCER Cold attitude of a friend may offend you. But try to keep your cool. Let it not torment you rather strive to avoid misery. Investment concerning your residence will be profitable. Children can cause some disappointment at school due to their lack of interest in studies. Tree in autumn.

VIRGO Health of parents may cause worry. Money position will improve later in the day. Take some time out to deal with problems of your children. Brighten the day of your lover with a lovely smile. Pressure at work and home might make you short-tempered.

SCORPIO Some family members could irritate you by their envious behaviour. But no need to lose your temper otherwise situation could go out of control. Remember what can't be cured must be endured. In case you are looking for ways to make little extra moneyinvest in secure financial schemes.

CAPRICORN Pleasure trips and social get-togethers will keep you relaxed and happy. You will obtain benefits from commissions- dividends- or royalties. Harsh treatment from father could annoy you. But you need to keep your cool to put things under control.

PISCES Good day filled with happiness. Don't overspend too much in order to impress others.

A good day to revive old contacts and relations. Your love will reach a new height.

The day will begin with the smile of your love, and end in the dreams of each other.

You are likely to gain- if you present your ideas well and show your determination and enthusiasm at work. Boundless creativity and enthusiasm leads you to another beneficial day.

PRASAR BHARATI (India's Public Service Broadcaster) ALL INDIA RADIO : DIBRUGARH (M.W.529.1m/KHz567 F.M. 101.30 MHz) Phone No.-03732325456 E-mail -dibrugarh@air.org.in Facebook Page-All India Radio Dibrugarh Programme Highlights 27-3-16 (SUNDAY) 5-35 A.M-Bhaktigeeti (Devotional Songs) 6-10 A.M-Swasthya Charcha (Health Programme) 6-30 A.M-Bidyarthir Anusthan 7-15 A.M-Aajir Dinto (Morning Information Service) 7-30 A.M-Geetanjali (Assamese Modern Songs) 8-30 A.M-North East News Bulletin in English 8-35 A.M-Surar Panchoi (Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 9-05 A.M- Antara (Composite Programme of Hindi Film Songs) 12-05 P.M- Live Phone in Surar Satsori 1-10 P.M-Troops Programme 2-30 P.M-Western Music 3-45 P.M-Programme in Miju Mishmi 4-05 P.M-Programme in Khamti 4-25 P.M-Programme in Wancho 4-45 P.M-News for Arunachal Pradesh 5-00 P.M-Programme in Idu 5-20 P.M-Programme in Tangsa 5-40 P.M-Programme in Nocte 6-15 P.M-Ganya Raijor Anusthan (Rural Programme) 7-15 P.M-Chah Sramikar Asor (Tea Garden Programme Programme) 8-00 P.M-Sponsored Programme-Brahmaputra Swasthya Sewa (Sponsored

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

28 fray BTAD four constituencies ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, Mar 26: Two independent candidates, one each from 28-Gossaigaon LAC and 31-Sidli LAC have withdrawn their nominations today and 28 candidates are in fray from four constituencies of Kokrajhar and Chirang district to contest the scheduled assembly election on April 11next.

Sajal Sigha, independent candidate from Gossaigaon LAC and Tapan Kumar Rabha, independent have withdrawn their nomination papers on the last day of withdrawal today.

In 30-Kokrajhar east LAC, six candidates are in fray to contest the election, who are

included Pramila Rani Brahma(BPF),Manu Borgoyary(AIUDF),Pratibha Brahma(UPP),Basanta Medhi(Independent),Ajay Kumar Narzary (Independent) and Rajesh Narzary (Independent).

In 29-Kokrajhar west LAC, the 10 candidates are in fray, included Rabiram Narzary(BPF),Urkhao Gwra Brahma(UPP),Dahit Chandra Brahma(AIUDF, Ranjay Brahma (Independent), Sujila Basumatary ((Independent), Subadhra Narzary (Independent), Mukunda Koch (Independent), Bodreswar Brahma (Independent), Aruna Brahma (Independent) and

Nirmali Brahma (Independent).

In 28-Gossaigaon LAC, seven candidates are in fray to contest the election, included Majendra Narzary (BPF),Somnath Narzary (UPP),Asim Hasda (Congress), Rubi Kashi R e d d y ( A I U D F ) , Wi l s o n Hasda(Independent),Rajen Mushahary (Independent) ,Mithun Nath(Independent).

While, five candidates are in fray for 31-Sidli constituency to contesting the election.

They are Chandan Brahma (BPF), Pankaj Islary (AIUDF), Rwngwra Narzary (UPP), Dilip Kumar Sarania (Independent), Phalmarston Brahma (Independent).

Under trial prisoners could not exercise the voting rights, says Sivasagar jailer Sorif Mohommod ET Correspondent Sivasagar, Mar 26: Both convicted and under trail prisoners of Sivasagar jail would caste there vote in the upcoming Assembly election. There are total 462 prisoners in Sivasagar jail, out of which 314 is under trail, said Sivasagar jailer.

Talking to media person, jailer Utpal Duarah unable to confirm about the voting rights of prisoners who is under trail. “However with reference of 'Representation of the people act (1952) 'no person is allowed to exercise his voting right if he/she confined in a prision’’, Duarah said.

However a plea filled related to voting right of under trail prisoners by Mr Sachar former Paul and Angus Chandra Pradhan in the Supreme Court under the article 32 of the constitution. Later the Supreme Court did not accept this plea and dismissed the petition in a judgment given

on 9th July 1997.

Asking about the matter to a local social activists Mrs pronoti gohain, who is also a member of 'Board of visitors' sibsagar jail, appeal to election commission and related higher authorities that there should be a provision of voting for under trail prisoners.

KLO cadre arrested He was identified as Kiren Ray (22) of Balagaon Part-I, who was involved with extortion, arms peddling, kidnapping and logistic supports to the outfit organisation.

ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, Mar 26: Security forces continues its incensing operation in the area ahead assembly election. Another cadre of Kamatapur Liberation Organisation (KLO) was apprehended today from Harigaon area under Kokrajhar PS.

A pistol and two live bullets was recovered from him.

Meeting with candidates in Chirang ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, Mar 26: In view of conducting free and fare election in the district, the District Election Officer and Deputy Commissioner, Chirang Rupak Kumar Mazumder has convened a meeting with the contesting candidates, proposers, agents and representatives of political parties in the conference hall of the DC's office at Kajalgaon in the presence of Priyatu Mandal, General Observer and Basant Rath, Police Observer on Saturday.

In the meeting, the General Observer Mandal made request to all contesting candidates, representatives of political parties, agents and proposers to follow the rules prescribed by the ECI and ensure the free and fare conduct of election in the district. He urged them to register their any worries, grievances apprehensions etc. in the DEO's office so that they could be resolved within the prescribed framework of the

law.

Mazumdar explained the Model Code of Conduct to all present and warned against the use of any unlawful means during the election process. He also explained in detail on the important aspects of conduct of election along with the rights and duties of the contesting candidates, their proposers and agents to be followed during electioneering process.

Sankar Brata Raimedhi, SP, Chirang urged the contesting candidates to cooperate them in maintaining law and order and assured that every possible security would be provided to conduct free and fare election in the district.

Amongs other, the meeting was attended by Dasarath Das, ADC, Dhrubajyati Das, AC and the police officials of four Police Stations under Chirang district. The political parties too raised their problems and clarifications pertaining to MCC, expenditure recording, cash transaction in Banks etc.

Army apprehends three cadres of Kamtapur Liberation Organisation ET Correspondent Rangia, Mar 26: Based on specific information, Army and Kokrajhar Police apprehended three KLO cadres from Kokrajhar district in two joint operations on 25 March 2016. One cadre was apprehended from from general area Maktaigaon ,while the other two were apprehended from general area Maurigaon in Kokrajhar district. The individuals were identified as Ranjay Barman, Hitesh Roy & Shibu Prasad Choudhury.

The apprehended individuals were on their way to attend training in Myanmar. They were also involved in extortion, arms peddling and providing logistic support to the banned terrorist outfit.

Two rifles, one pistol and few rounds of ammunition were recovered from the apprehended cadres.

Three nominations withdrawn in Darrang. 40 in final fray for poll battle ET Correspondent Mangaldai, Mar 26: Finally there will be total of 40 candidates in the fray for the four assembly segments under Darrang Election District which will go into polls in the second phase on April 11 next as three candidates have withdrawn their nominations on the final of withdrawal of nominations today. Out of the all three independent candidates two are in SC reserved 67 Mangaldai while the other is in 68 Dalgaon informed Rahul Ch Das , Election Officer , Mangaldai. The two candidates who have withdrawn their candidatures in Mangaldai have been identified as Pinku Mani Das and Ranendra Kr Sarkar both were party ticket aspirants of BJP where as Hafijur Rahman is the lone candidate who has withdrawn his nomination in Dalgaon.

Now the list of candidates

left for the final battle of EVM against each of the four assembly constituencies are as follows65 Kalaigaon- Maheswar Boro( BPF), Nathu Ram Boro (AIUDF), Mukunda Ram Choudhury ( AGP), Babul Basumatary (UPP), Indrajit Kumar Saikia (INC), (Indpt), Jitendra Chaliha ( SUCI), Sudhendu Mohan Sarkar( Bharatiya Gana Parishad), Sushil Kr. Sarma (LJP), Aroon Barooa ( New All India Congress Party) and independent candidates Brajen Mahanta Dr. Nayan Moni Bhagawati, Radhe Shyam Chouhan, Gopal Sarkar, Bijoy Das and Abdul Sabur respectively.

66 Sipajhar - Dr. Zoii Nath Sarma (INC), Binanda Kumar Saikia (BJP), Syed Abdullah (AIUDF), Paheswari Barua of SUCI (C), Sarat Chandra Sarma ( Voters party International), Thaneswar Das ( Lok

Janasakti Party), Tridib Sarma ( Republican Party of India), and Independent candidates namely Jayanta Saharia, Amiya Kumar Deka, Rejaul Hoque and Umesh Bania.

67 Mangaldai (SC)-Basanta Das (INC), Guru Jyoti Das (BJP), Hiren Kumar Das ( AIUDF), , Bhupen Das (Lok Jana Sakti part) and Independent candidates namely Arjun Das, Jagadish Ch Sarkar and Jitendra Sarkar .

68 Dalgaon Illias Ali (INC) , Mazibur Rahman (AIUDF), Habibar Rahman (AGP), Ahmed Ali ( Lok Janasakti Party), Sarifuddin Ahmed (Rastriya Secular Congress) and Independent candidates namely Abdur Rahim and Mustafa Farook Ahmed.

However the list of the contesting candidates will be finalized only on the day of withdrawal of nomination papers on March 26.

Dr Gunaram Khanikar's Birth Anniversary Observed ET Correspondent Golaghat, Mar 26: Internationally renowned herbal medicine expert and specialist in traditional treatment Bhexajratna Dr Gunaram Khanikar's 68 th Birth Anniversary was observed in Golaghat on March 22. Dr Gunaram Khanikar who passed away on January this year had great contributions

towards traditional way of treatment by using herbs which have medicinal value and he emphasised on preservation of such herbs and other plants . Dr Gunaram Khanikar's herbal medicines became popular world wide .

On March 22 on the occasion of late Dr Khanikar's birth anniversary a day long program was organised at his

Herbal Medicine Garden at Chakardhora in Golaghat where a meeting was held to pay tribute and to commemorate the works of Dr Gunaram Khanikar. Tree plantation and several other events were held . Educationists, journalist , herbal expert and several other distinguished guests and local people were present in the occasion .

Silver Jubilee successfully ends in Holy Flower High school of Teok ET Correspondent Teok, Mar 26: The three days grand opening ceremony of the Silver Jubilee year of the reputed CBSE affiliated high school, the Holy Flower High school of Teok town under Jorhat district was successfully ended on 18th March, 2016. The three days function was started on March 16 with colourful opening agendas. The opening silver jubilee flag was hoisted by Mr. Deba Mohan Baruah, director of the school and the march pass was accepted by senior police official and additional superintendent of Jorhat police, MD Hussain where Mr. Amrit Kumar Sigh, Officer Incharge of the Teok police station was also present.

A numbers of colorful cultural function including Naga culture from Nagaland, Nepali culture from Bonai Nepali gaon, Zikir song from Sibasagar, Missing community dance, Tiwa community dance ,Tai community dance, Bihu dance , Satriya dance and a numbers of beautiful

programmes were held at the opening function and the most of them attracts the gathering.

The second day was covered with the ex-students of the school where more than one thousands of ex-students seen enjoying the silver jubilee opening ceremony of the school. The interaction session of the alumni members was turned a nostalgias situation between all of them.

The third day and the last day was held with two important seminars where senior carrier counselor Mr. Gaurangdhar Sarmah and famous skill development resource persons Mr. Palas Kalita and Mr. Bikas Kalita delivered their valuable talk where parents, students and a numbers of invitees were present.

Mr. R. Goyal proprietor and the director of the reputed international Goyal publishing company was also present at the closing day as a special invitee of the silver jubilee opening function of the School.

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, MARCH 27

PAGE 3

Governor inaugurated 15th All PPA founding member calls India Cultural Festival for the deaf up Pul to congratulate him

A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Mar 26 : The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Shri JP Rajkhowa inaugurated the 15th All India Cultural Festival for the deaf at Guwahati on 26th March 2016. Large numbers of participants from all over the country are participating in the event. The Governor felicitated Miss India Deaf- 2016, Ms Anjalika Lahon on the occasion.

Deb Adhikari highlighting the achievement and background of the association which was established at Shillong in the year 1960 also informed that the Association has been striving for the welfare of physically challenged persons since its inception. It is very much concerned about education and employment of the deaf in both government and non-government organisation.

In his inaugural address, the Governor exhorted the participants and the officials to strive to best of their abilities and reminded them that they are differently abled individuals. He advised all to do away with ‘deaf and dumb’ words and used ‘impaired’ to instil a better mind-set.

Impressed by the cultural programme presented by the participants, the Gover-

Shri Kanak Sen Deka, Ex. President, Asom Sahitya Sabha, Shri Rajkumar Panjabi, President, All India Deaf Arts & Cultural Society, Shri B. Kalyan, Secretary General, All India Deaf Arts & Cultural Society, Shri Tapan Kr. Sarma, Organizing Secretary and Shri.

Biswa Narayan Goswami, Vice President, Assam Association of the Deaf also attended the function.

nor suggested for organising such competitive events in the Frontier State of Arunachal Pradesh. He said that such event will instil new zeal and confidence amongst the persons with physical challenges of the State.

While highlighting the endeavour of Donyi Polo Mission, through Donyi Polo

Mission Schools for Hearing and Visually Impaired, the Governor informed the representatives from all over India of its successful works towards welfare of the persons with disabilities. He also informed them of the Recycle Unit of the Schools and its products which he opined should be encouraged the promoted.

As a token of appreciation, the Governor gave financial assistance towards the Association and expressed his hope that it will continue to work for the welfare of the targeted people of the whole region.

The Assam Association of the Deaf (AAD) Executive President Shri Dhirendra

A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Mar 26 : Founding member of People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA), Kebom Nguba called up Chief Minister Kalikho Pul at his office today to congratulate him on being elected to the coveted post.

Nguba, a resident of Siloni village in West Siang district is one of the founding members of the party, along with late Bakin Pertin and Tomo Riba, when the party first came into being in 1977.

The founding member was accorded a warm welcome by the chief minister who appreciated Nguba for his selfless dedication to the party in keeping it alive till today, acknowledging his loyalty.

Nguba expressed his happiness to see PPA government in Arunachal for the second

time, since it first came to power in the state in 1979 when Riba became the chief minister.

Make candidates accountable on issues regarding Tiny Tots School Namsai illegal immigration and rights of indigenous to celebrate 25 years ET Correspondent Mangaldai, Mar 26 : Just at a time when the political atmosphere of the state is becoming hot day by with ensuing state assembly elections, the Prabrajan Virodhi Manch, Asom ( Anti Immigration Forum of Assam) led by eminent lawyer of the Apex court Upamanyu Hazarika has appealed to the voters of the State to make contesting political parties and their respective candidates accountable to clarify their stand on issues regarding identification and deportation of the illegal Bangladeshi national from the state as well as ensuring the protection constitutional rights of the indigenous people of Assam while the candidates will approach them .

Upamanyua Hazarika was addressing a press conference at Press Club here on Friday. Highlighting their yearlong campaign for public awareness across the state on challenges due to unabated and continuous illegal immigration from the porous international borders and preserving the constitutional rights of the indigenous people of the state including organizing rallies, mass signature campaigns ,representations to the President of India , the Prime Minister and the Home Minister , legal moves etc, Hazarika announced that their agitation along with other public organizations on these issues will be continued till the last illegal Bangladeshi national

has not be identified and deported. He also appealed to the political parties and the contesting candidates to clarify their stand on implementation of the Assam Accord , identification of the public land encroached by illegal immigrants and vacate it from their grasp , proper enquiry into identifying the people involved in patronizing and rehabilitation of the illegal Bangaldeshi nationals and

thorough verifications of government documents submitted by suspected illegal immigrants in support of their citizenship and preserving the right of land acquiring and government jobs only on the basis of citizenship year 1951 .

He further pointed out that mere NRC cann't stop the indigenous people of the state becoming minority as in 2001 the then UPA government at the centre itself

declared that 20% of the population of Assam is Bangladeshi , we all know it is still continuing and if it is allowed more , in 2040 the indigenous people of our state will become minority . The senior advocate of the Supreme Court also demanded that the new assembly in its first session must pass a legislation ensuring reservation of land for indigenous inhabitants , government jobs and other benefits for indigenous people taking 1951 as the basis .

A few office bearers of local public organizations including Shangrami Shathirtha Sanmilan , Darrang , Dakhin Paschim Mangaldai Goal Santha and Nagarik Mancha , Darrang also attended the press conference .

Dipul Bhuyan with- Arunachal CM Pul drew his nomination releases long pending NPS amount to support AGP ET Correspondent Barpeta, Mar 26: Dipul Bhuyan, Independent candidate of Sarukshetry LAC today withdrew his nomination paper. BJP member Dipul Bhuyan filed his nomination paper as an Independent candidate protesting against their party for giving Sarukshetry LAC to AGP. But later on he decided to help BJP alliance party AGP to form an alliance government in the state and withdrew his nomination paper.

Today Dipul Bhuyan came to Barpeta DC office along with AGP candidate of Sarukshetry Chittaranjan Baraman and assured that he would help AGP in the coming election, alliance party of BJP during the time of Election. On the other hand AGP candidate Chittaranjan Barman told to make congress a free government. It may be mentioned that this time in Sarukshetry LAC the competition will be among congress, AIUDF, AGP, and Independent candidate DR Taraprasad Das.

Webcasting in 16 polling stations in Morigaon ET Correspondent Morigaon, Mar 26: The District Administration of Morigaon is preparing arrangements for Webcasting of voting process in 16 Polling Stations of the Election District.

Out of the 16 Polling Station, 6 are in 79 Jagiroad LAC, 5 in 80 Morigaon LAC and 5 in 81 Laharighat LAC. The Polling Stations for Webcasting in 79 Jagiroad LAC are: Jagiroad Hindi LP School (Middle), Jagiroad Higher Secondary School (East), Chenimari LP School, Jagiroad College (North), Kendriya Vidyalaya (South) and Deusal Refugee School (West). The Polling Stations in 80 Morigaon LAC are: Morigaon Girls HS School

(East), Eragaon LP School (Middle), Morigaon MV School (East), Morigaon HS and MP School (West), Jaluguti HS School (Middle).

The Polling Stations in 81 Laharighat LAC are: Bhuragaon Adarsha ME School (South), Bhuragaon Haicharan Sarkar HS School (South), Bhuragaon Hindi LP School (South), Bhuragaon Girls High School (East), and Sunduva LP School.

Arrangements for technical support such as, internet bandwidth connection, plug-nplay webcam, laptops etc. are being made along with manpower such as 16 special polling officers will be engaged for smooth functioning of the Webcasting process.

Asom Gana Parishad inaugurates its first office in Barpeta ET Correspondent Barpeta, Mar 26: The first and main election office of Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), was opened today here in Barpeta to make election campaign formally. In this opening programme most of the BJP leaders were also present along with AGP leaders.

From today the AGP candidate of Barpeta LAC Gunidra Nath

Das will start his campaign and it is door to door campaign.

AGP candidate of Barpeta, Gunidra Nath Das told to make a change in Assam as soon there will be a government led

by Sarbananda Sonowal. This time ex-president of AAMSU Abdur Rahim Ahmed, AIUDF candidate Abdur Rahim Khan, and AGP candidate Gunidra Nath das will fight for the success.

Contd. from Page 1 The amount has to be withdrawn and upload the same to the concerned subscribers’ Permanent Retirement Account No.(PRAN) maintained by National Security Depository Limited (NSDL). The standing NPS amount excluding interest pending for uploading is Rs 156,92,20,754/- since its adoption.

Chief Minister has approved for release of the said amount and directed the Director of Accounts and Treasuries who is the Account Officer of NPS to upload it to the National

While taking cognizance of the student welfare and especially to the much delight of the ITI Trainees and the Craft Centre Trainees across the state, the state govt. has enhanced the stipends of the ITI and Craft Centre Trainees from the existing old rate of Rs 550/- to Rs 1400/- per month.

Top rally drivers say yes to 'Arunachal Festival of Speed' Contd. from Page 1 With the aim to boost tourism in the state, the Department of Tourism, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, is the cosponsor of the event.

Dirang, which serves as the gateway to the famous Tawang Monastery, is hemmed by majestic mountains of the Eastern Himalayas, lying in the lap of pristine nature. Surrounded by virgin forests and gurgling streams. Dirang is famous for its Yak Research Centre and apple and kiwi plantations.

Organised by the Motorsports Club of Arunachal, AFOS provides a perfect opportunity to rally drivers from the North East to rub shoulders with some of the best in the business from the rest of the country.

The organisers have received confirmation of participation from some of the top rally drivers. The big names include Suresh Rana, ninetime winner of Raid de Himalaya, experienced Gaurav Chiripal from Delhi, Rahul Kantraj, national champion in Group N 2000 class in the In-

dian National Rally Championship and Dean Mascarenhas.

The event will also feature local favourite Jitu Kalita.

"This year we have increased the total prize fund to Rs.8.5 lakh. This event is all about promoting motorsports in the North East, which is very rich in talent. For drivers from the region it's a dream come true to compete and rub shoulders with some of the best rally drivers in the country," Motorsports Club of Arunachal president Lhakpa Tsering said.

Auto Cross, which is a closed circuit off-road racing, will take place at Lopon Stadium here. It will be a day and night affair. The Hill Climb covering a distance of 5 km will be held in apple and kiwi farms in the adjoining Runja village while the Rally Sprint test, which aims to simulate a single stage rally, will be run on a 5 km loop at the picturesque Sangti valley.

All three disciplines will be run against the clock and the fastest to the finish line will be declared winners of individual events. The overall podium finishers will be decided on the basis of combined scores.

25th Anniversary celebrations beginning at 10 AM onwards on April 3rd Sunday next. The Deputy Commissioner Namsai, R.K.Sharma to grace the occasion as Chief Guest besides other host of dignitaries to attend the celebration would include Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and Parliamentary Secretaries Chow Tewa Mein and Chow Zingnu Namchoom.

The school is a primary English medium residential cum day school in Namsai and had a humble beginning with 25 boarders and 25 day scholars. Over the years, the number of students in school has increased and has now 600 students from Class Nursery to Class V

(five).

“TTS has completed 25 years of its existence and it is indeed a major milestone in the life of an educational institution and we are going to celebrate the Silver Jubilee function as an eventful occasion that would behold everyone” said Principal of the School and former MLA Namsai Nang Sati Mein.

We would love to have all our past pupils and exteachers and well wishers to come and help us celebrate the occasion, she added.

To commemorate the day, the young students and teachers are already gearedup to perform and showcase their talents and have already chalked out special programmes to enthral the crowd.

ANNEXURE 16 (CHAPTER V,PARA-525.1) FORMAT IN WHICH THE RETURNING OFFICER MAY PUBLISH THE INFORMATION ELECTION TO GOVERNMENT DUES

Security Depository Limited (NSDL) latest by March 31 so that the subscribers get their due benefits from the scheme.

At present, the state govt. has 10,000 Permanent Retirement Account No. holder and 13026 Subscribers under NPS.

Chow Bilaseng Namchoom Naharlagun, Mar 26: It is indeed a matter of great pride and honor for the Tiny Tots School (TTS), Namsai as it completes 25 glorious years after its foundation in 1991. The school has earned considerable appreciation for providing valuebased quality education and developing personalities by imparting ideals of academic excellence, sense of discipline and high moral and ethical values and to cater to the educational needs of the students of this remote part of the country.

The school to celebrate its red letter day is inviting current and past students, teachers and family members to attend the school’s

General/By election to State Legislative Assembly from All Constituency

Public Notice Information as furnished by the contesting candidates in their Affidavit in respect of Government dues is hereby published for information of all electors:126 Sadiya LAC Government dues to department dealing with SI Name of No. candidates

Party Government Supply of Supply of affiliation, if any accommodation water Elements

Telephone

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

1

Sri Bolin Chetia

BJP

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

2

Sri Dorna Charingia Phukan

CPI(M)

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

3

Sri Shrikumar NCP Dohutia

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

4

Sri Birinchi Neog

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

5

Sri Din Dayal Ind Verma

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

6

Sri Lakhin Chandra Chetia

Ind

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

7

Sri Anup Pratim Borbaruah

Ind

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

8

Sri Biswanath Ind Borgohain

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

9

Sri Lalit Deori

Ind

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

10 Sri Tikendra Thapa

Ind

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

11 Sri Ramen Borgohain

Ind

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

12 Sri Bulbul Gowala

Ind

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

INC

Government transport Including Aircraft and helicopters

Other C Government Dues, if any

Sd/_ District Election Officer 50-Sadiya

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, MARCH 27

PAGE 4

Assam slipped from Top 5 advanced state of the 40 women out of 556 candidates country to Top 5 poor state during Cong regime: Modi in fray for first phase Modi asks people to vote Contd. from Page 1

A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Mar 26: Even as women make up half the state's voters, their representation in the assembly continues to be poor. Of the 556 candidates in the fray for the first phase of polls, only 40 are women. This translates to a mere 7 per cent.

The outgoing assembly has only 15 women in a house of 126, a mere 11.9 per cent.

Sixty-five constituencies in

Gautam Seema appoints as Police Observer for Rangia ET Correspondent Rangia March 26: Gautam Seema senior IPS officer of 1995 batch appointed as Police Observer for Rangia Election District for free and fair poll. Any public or members of political parties may contact him for any complains or grievances on phone No. 7577055128 or (03621) 2730128. (DIPRO)

upper Assam and the Barak Valley will vote in the first phase on April 4.

Prominent theatre personality Rabijita Gogoi said, "Our mindset is that politics is for men. This has to change. I think all of us have a role to play. We need awareness drives within political parties so that they divide responsibilities between men and women."

Echoing her, Debika Singha, a political science researcher, said society did not want to 'risk' allowing women to venture into active politics as it would 'harm' her domestic life. She also said women were to blame for not coming out to participate in the electoral process. "Political parties always promise gender equality, but the reality is in sharp contrast," Debika rued.

A study says one in every six women candidates win elections, against one in more than eight men. Despite this, women candidates are not encouraged.

A woman member of a national party said, "It's sad.

Though women have joined active politics in the state, political parties are hardly grooming them to become leaders."

19 candidates are in fray at Morigaon ET Correspondent Morigaon, Mar 26: Altogether 19 candidates are in fray for the three Assembly Constituencies of Morigaon Election District which is going to be from April 11 next. The three Assembly constituencies are going to poll in the second Phase of Election.

Whereas the list of contesting candidates for 79 Jagiroad (SC) LAC are

Pijush Hazarika from BJP, Bibekananda Daley from INC, Putul Das from AIUDF, Dilip Das from TMC, Surjya Kumar Das from Liberal Democratic Party, Sukanta Majumdar from Bharatiya Gana Parishad and Mamoni Das (Independent).

For the 80 Morigaon LAC, the list of contesting candidates are Ramankanta Dewri from BJP, Munin

Mahanta from CPI, Jonjonali Baruah from INC, Lachit Chandra Medhi, Ramen Nath, Dr. Dhiren Chandra Nath and Khairun Nessa (all Independents).

The list of contesting candidates for 81 Laharighat LAC are Jadumoni Patar from AGP, Siddique Ahmed from AIUDF, Dr. Nazrul Islam from INC, Rabindra Nath Biswas and Ranjit Kr Deka (both Independents).

Assam will be a super model state very soon: PM Narendra Modi ET Correspondent Jorhat, Mar 26: “To fight against poachers, and to stop rhino killing we need no arms and washed out corruption we need no guns or arms, but instead we need to press the button for a change, which is on April 4, press-the-button of change” said Narendra Modi.

Narendra Modi started his speech in Assamese with ‘mor moromor Asom bashi raize’ and wished Asom bashi for the ensuing Rongali Bihu the festival spring, this was his speech in Lakhimi Pathar at Jengraimukh, under Majuli river island as Modi delivered his speech for over 30 minutes which was his second election campaign rally for the BJPs chief ministerial candidate Sarbananda Sonowal from 99-Majuli (ST) LAC. Narendra Modi stated that he will be losing a very active and outstanding minister from his council of minister but on the other hand Assam will be proud to be benefited to have a chief minister, leader like Sarbananda Sonowal who will always give ananda to Assam.

Sarbaji is a man who solves all hard jobs, he is master for solving all tough works without taking any tension to be mentioned.

Narendra Modi requested Tarun Gogoi who is 80 plus and going to be 90 plus to take rest, his age is up and requested the people of Assam to give Sarbaji a

Pressing his agenda for development Modi said, I have only 3 agenda for Assam, vikash - tez gati se vikash charo taraf vikash, meaning development - speedy development - all - round development.

The venue in Tinsukia, that witnessed, over 30000 BJP supporters, went thrilled whenever the prime minister launched a direct attack on Congress. Huge round of claps encouraged PM Modi who did not miss any opportunity to show backwardness in Congress rule be it electrification of villages, condition of tea tribes, gas connection for poor people and so - on.

Reaching out to the tea tribe community of Assam, prime minister Narendra Modi said, the tea grown tea tribe community have energized the nation and made India world famous.

The irony is that the plight of tea tribe community has not changed, although, Gogoi may publish advertisement carrying happy faces of tea tribe community but their condition is not hidden from anyone, added Modi.

Highlighting the apathy of villagers and poor people in Assam, Modi said, this state produces gas but the poor people here in Assam do not have gas connection. As a result, the women in the house cook food by burning woods and is forced to inhale gas which adversely affects her health but the state government mostly ruled by Congress did not do anything for them.

Hence, we have decided to give gas connection to over 5 crore poor families, Modi added.

He said, as he took charge of PM, he was shocked to learn that despite so many years of Independence 2000 villages in

PM Narendra Modi during his rally in Majuli. Pic - Nekib Ahmed chance so that we could finish up and wipe out all corruption charges that the congress has dumped in past 15 years, and asked the people of Majuli to press the button for a change. What congress did for the last 60 years, we will prove and assure to do it in just 5 years, give us a chance, said Narendra Modi.

Modi also asked the people of Majuli that Majuli needed a bridge which the congress did not or could not do it for the greater interest of the people of Majuli instead neglected and turned a deaf ear and as a result Majuli landmass has been reduced from 1260 sq.km to 450 sq.km. We are proud and I have a very soft feeling for Assam’s landmass and for its scenic beauty, natural resources, the

congress in past 15 years did not do anything in solving unemployment problem for educated youth and even failed to show them the way to find solution for employment, but instead corruption and corruption, blamed Narendra Modi.

It was a big shame for PM like Man Mohan Singh who represented Assam from a Rajya Sabha seat but could not do anything positive and it is very unfortunate for us to see now. Modi also asked for fund utilization certificate from Tarun Gogoi government what and where he had utilized the fund sent on various heads to the state. He asked to give the accounts clearance to the people of Assam and further requested

Dispur yet to take a cabinet decision on formation of State Security Commission The present state security commission of the Assam doesn’t include the leader of opposition in the composition, which is something mandatory in all the three models laid out by the supreme court. A senior home department official told Eastern Today that the Assam government doesn’t want to share its say in the security commission, and so is not keen on implementing any of the models laid out by the supreme court.

commission were among the directives issued by the Apex Court on 22 September 2006, with a set of directives for improvement of police mechanism. Speaking to Eastern Today, Prakash Singh, former Assam DGP who has been advocating for police reform in the country said that inclusion of the leader of the opposition in the state security commission would make it more balanced, and the political interference in issues like selection of Director General of Police (DGP) will be lessened.

“The Assam chief minister is agreeable to all the terms in all the three models, but is not willing to include the leader of the opposition in the commission. According to him, this could jeopardize the security commission,” said the official.

Setting up of the state security

“Police reforms is need of the hour, and following the directives laid out by the supreme court is one step in this regard,” said Singh. Moreover according to the guidelines of the apex court, the recommendations of the state security commission shall be binding

Contd. from Page 1

"Apko jawab dena padega warna 4 tarik ko janta button daba ke hisaab mangegi" meaning you have to give details of money spent or else the voters will take "hisaab" from you by pressing button on April 4", added Modi in a strong voice and appealing the voters to throw congress party on April 4 at the same time.

on the State Government, and its function would also include laying down the broad policies and giving directions for the performance of the preventive tasks and service oriented functions of the police, evaluation of the performance of the State police and preparing a report thereon for being placed before the State legislature.

However, the Assam state security commission is not supposed to evaluate police performance, and the report prepared by it is not required to be submitted before the state legislature. The state BJP when approached, however said that it will immediately implement all the directives if voted to power, as it is important for the security of the state. “We will immediately implement the directives if voted to power,” said senior BJP leader Shantanu Bharali.

to work hand-in-hand which will help development to any village or a state in future.

Without electricity or power connection, there cannot be any development, we a planning to make Assam a model state that is why we have introduced crop insurance scheme from the farmer class to insure their crop first, so that they remain secure and at the same time he assured that the farmers need not to give any money to insure the crops, all money required for crop insurance will be barred

by Government at the centre.

When farmers grow then a country grows –that is our motive and aim, said Narendra Modi here at Lakhimi Pathar at Jengraimukh in Majuli.

Assam are such where even electric poles have not reached, forget electric connection. He instructed his officers and today proud to give his "hisaab" from this stage that in less than 1000 days of becoming pradhan sevak, 1000 villages have been connected to electricity, Modi added.

Campaigning on behalf of BJP candidates from 8 LAC's including all five from Tinsukia district and Chabua, Lahoal and Duliajan LAC, PM said that BJP mantra is poorest of poor should get education, youths shall get employed and aged shall get medicine and urged the people of Assam to vote for BJP and its supporting party candidates. He said, you have given congress so many chances give one chance to BJP for true development of Assam.

The prime minister was accompanied by BJP Assam incharge Mahendra Singh, BJP MP Rameswar Teli, ex - congressman and BJP election convenor Himanta Biswa Sarma, BJP district president Bhaben Sarmah and candidates of 8 LAC's along with other district office bearers.

Earlier addressing the gathering, BJP state in-charge Mahendra Singh said, Assam CM goes in "lal-batti" while common man lives in "mombatti". Taking a dig at his earlier fellow, ex-congress top leaders Himanta Biswa Sarma said, CM Tarun Gogoi development lies in distributing blankets and threads and the people of Assam does not want such type of development. Declaring a medical college for Tinsukia district of BJP comes to power, Sarma hit the bell of pre-election perk announcements for common man, most of which is hardly fulfilled by any political party after elections are over. Time will only say how true such announcements are.

In the meantime, PM Narendra Modi election rally in Tinsukia seems to give the BJP party an edge. People were seen discussing his speech and ideas. BJP star campaigner has already put congress in nervous mode and it will be interesting to see how this election wind changes before election.

Election Observers interact with Candidates and Polling Agents in Kamrup ET Correspondent Rangia Mar 26: The ECI nominated Election Observers for Boko, Chaygaon, Palashbari and Hajo LAC for the forthcoming assembly election in Kamrup Election District had a meeting with the contesting candidates and the agents of various political parties in the DC Kamrup’s conference Hall today.

Speaking on the issue of maintenance and entering expenditure details in the shadow register by the contesting candidates, Rajendra Ratnoo, the Election Observer for Hajo LAC stressed that the candidates should not exceed the stipulated ex-

penditure and strictly conforms to the guidelines of ECI. The DC and DEO of Kamrup Election District Vinod Seshan urged the candidates not to violate the Model Code of Conduct and to avail the facility of ESAMADHAN and ESUBIDHA for any election related matters. For smooth functioning of the whole electioneering process he anticipated co-operation from all to ensure free, fair and peaceful election. The Returning Officers of all the four constituencies under Kamrup Election District and other senior officials were also present in the meeting.

for change in Assam Contd. from Page 1

The presence of women in large numbers in the meetings are a clear indication that days of the Congress government in the state were over and it "does not stand a chance in the coming elections," he said.

"Assam is now a diseased state and the root of all disease and trouble is Congress, which must be uprooted at all costs," Modi said.

tential and they are a deprived lot. It is time to correct these wrongdoings," he added.

Modi said he has the single agenda of ensuring all-round development of the state and it was time to free it from the politics of vote banks and the coming assembly elections in the state was the biggest oppurtunity for the people of the state to bring about change and development.

The state was represented by the erstwhile prime minister (Manmohan Singh) for ten years but now its people have to be reminded that they were represented by a former PM, he said.

The Prime Minister said he was surprised at Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi's statement that his fight is against him. "How can I fight him (Gogoi)? He is so senior to me and in a few years he will be 90. He is an elder, I respect him and seek his blessings."

"A deep injustice has been done to the people of Assam and their aspirations crushed. The youth of Assam has tremendous po-

"My fight is not against Gogoi but against poverty, unemployment, underdevelopment and supersitition," he said.

We will win 75 seats and form the government alone: Assam CM Contd. from Page 1 Singling out the vision document released by the saffron party in Guwahati on Friday, Gogoi termed it nothing, but vague. “Many things which the BJP has promised in the document have already been fulfilled by us. Moreover, the so-called document is full of misleading facts, like they have stated that they will start a process to accord ST status to the six communities of Assam”, Gogoi said. The CM also termed BJP as a party of news channels and newspapers and the Congress to be with the people. Gogoi also attacked Modi and his government for allegedly failing to keep its promises made ahead of the 2014 parliamentary elections.

“Modi has openly said that all illegal migrants will be sent back to Bangladesh after they form the government, now let

me ask him, how many Bangladeshis have you sent back ?”, he said. When asked about the allegations raised by the opposition parties that Assam had remained backward and no development had taken place during his 15 years tenure, Gogoi asked “then why has India Today, which is one of the nation’s leading media house adjudged Assam to be No. 1 in infrastructure development”, “I took the prize from union home minister Rajnath Singh only”. Gogoi also alleged that the Centre is not taking the state government into confidence while holding talks with the Ulfa, due to which we doubt the outcome of these talks. Gogoi also stated that if voted to power, the Congress will focus upon creation of jobs and infact ensure that each family has atleast one job. “We are also considering to give unemployment allowance to the deserving persons”, he said.

There is a possibility that BJP will go for EVM tampering to win the elections: GS, AICC Contd. from Page 1 We are closely watching and monitoring the situation and the matter will brought into notice of the Chief Election Commissioner, New Delhi very soon. This was stated by Bhakta Charan Das, general secretary and spokesman, All India Congress Committee (AICC) during an interaction with the media held in the conference hall of a city hotel, here. Das also stated that whatever promises the BJP leaders are making are all hollow promises and it is only the Congress which can give Assam a stable government which will only work for the development of the state. Das

said that the pulse of the voters is that the BJP had failed to keep its promises which it made ahead of the 2014 parliamentary elections due to which the people are frustrated.

The AICC leader had been given the charge to co-ordinate the electioneering for the party in the 30 assembly constituencies of upper Assam. “We will be winning 27 out of the 30 seats in upper Assam. Infact, the Congress will be winning 80 percent seats among the 65 seats which will go to poll on April 4”, he said. He also added that AICC President Sonia Gandhi and Vice President Rahul Gandhi will be addressing poll rallies across upper Assam on Mar. 30 and 31 respectively.

Signature campaign rally by Prabajan Virodhi Mancha against illegal migrants of Bangladeshi at Tezpur ET Correspondent Tezpur, Mar 26 : With the run up to the general Assembly Election, 2016 to be held here in the first phase on April 4, the Prabajan Virodhi Manch (PVM) conducted a signature campaign rally across the 73 Tezpur Legislative Assembly Constituency to create opinion against the burning issue of Bangladeshi infiltration that the region is facing over the years thereby posing a serious threat to the very existence of the aboriginal people of the state.

The rally started from Tezpur Collegiate high

school field here today in the morning and passed through out the town and collected signature from about 20 thousand people from different parts of the Assembly segment. While briefing the media convener of the “Mancha” Upamanyu Hazarika mentioned that the on going NRC up gradation process will not benefit the indigenous people rather it will help in legalizing the illegal Bangladeshis. The frontline Non Government Organization later submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, Sonitpur, Laya Madduri which was addressed to the Prime minister of India. The memo-

randum revealed that it was admitted in the parliament by the government of India on July 14 in 2004 by the then union home minister Prakash Jaiswal that during 2001 there were 50 lakhs illegal migrants from Bangladesh occupying lands of Assam. “The population of Assam in 2001 was 2.61 crore which indicates 20% population of Assam are foreigners.” He mentioned adding during the period of 1985 to 2012 only 2442 illegal migrants were detected and deported as mentioned in the white paper of October 2012 of Assam Government. Referring to the Assam accord Hazariak also said that there

is no reference to any measure for detection and deportation of Bangladeshis and in gross violation of clause 5.8 of Assam Accord which specifically recorded the Central and State government commitments.

“According to clause 5.8 Foreigners who came to Assam on or after March 25, 1971 shall continue to be detected, deleted and expelled in accordance with law.” He mentioned and stated that for this cause PVM urged the government to amend the citizenship Act and the Section 3 thereof, by making condition of citizenship by birth to be granted only in both parents are Indian citizens with effect

from March 25, 1971 instead of 3 December 2004, or align it with such other dates decided by Supreme Court or other constitutional Authority which decided the cutoff date for conferring citizenship to migrants from erstwhile East Pakistan/ Bangladesh. The rally was attended by the all section of the people from every walk of life within the Tezpur LAC. It is pertinent to mention here that the copy of signature was also submitted to the Deputy Commissioner for sending to the Prime minister of India, President of India and Union Home Minister, government of India.

REGION

PAGE 5

Public participations is core of Two killed, over 100 success of Smart City: MEO hurt in Manipur

'Ideologically different' BJP-PDP came together in mass interest: Jitendra Singh

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, MARCH 27

Holi revelry

Agencies Imphal, Mar 26: Two people have died and over 100 injured, including 20 critically, in the five-day Holi revelries in Manipur that would last till Sunday night, police said on Saturday.

ET Correspondent Pasighat, Mar 26: Smart City Mission (SCM) is not a mere urban infrastructure up-gradation mission. It is area based and intended to benefit all citizens of in and around Pasighat city.

People should come forward and share their valuable suggestions appealed MEO Singh while holding a consultation meeting here at the Siang Hall with senior citizens, officers, leaders and NGOs. Smart City Proposal` (SCP) would be citizen oriented and the bottom-up planning based on citizen participation would be evolved based on extensive consultations with them, told the MEO. He while seeking maximum participation in CCC has urged all the stakeholders including residents, traders, professionals and with all vulnerable sections of the society including so-

cially, economically and physically deprived citizens has to put forth their grievances and suggestions to make Pasighat smart and beautiful with availability of all smart amenities like 24x7 potable water and power supplies, traffic management for vehicular and pedestrians, shopping complex, amusement parks, crowd pulling tourism infrastructures, robust IT connectivity along with educational hub and international standard health services without disturbing the ecological balance.

MEO Singh informed the house that "mygov portal" has been updated with latest public opinions, radio interviews, group discussions, talk shows and other activities being carrying out

by Smart City Mission office. There are two major components in SMP. Area

based development plan and PAN city proposal. Under area-based plan, two activities like retrofitting and redevelopment has already been taken up. Three options/places for were given for redevelopment and retrofitting and where citizens could select and vote one place each. In PAN city proposal, out of five projects, two would be finalized on citizens' demand. Central Government authorities was closely monitoring all developments, broadly assessed on citizen participation and would be evaluated, ensuring more marks for Pasighat in Smart City Race-2. The urban landscape of Pasighat being connected with road, rail, air and waterways can be treated favourable to make the centurion town for better living and effective engine for economic growth and revenue generations, added Singh.

East Kameng DC reviewed biometric enrolment and stressed for special Mop-up camp ET Correspondent Seppa, Mar 26: A meeting to regarding Permanent Enrolment Centres (PECs) for Biometric Enrolment to generate AADHAAR Card was conducted under the Chairmanship of Shri Deepak Shinde, DC East Kameng District. ADCs, DSO (Statistics), Charge Officers, Coordinators and representatives from Webl Technologies were present during the meeting.

DC East kameng has reviewed all the reports on updating of NPR and status of PECs opened at District HQ and various Circle HQs. Informing that the Govt. is likely to make

AADHAAR Card mandatory for all Govt. purposes, particularly the DBT, he directed all PECs to be remain opened and reports should be submitted by the Charge Officers on regular interval. He directed the authority concerned to analyze village-wise BME status and accordingly, suitable number of cluster-wise BME camps shall be arranged. He instructed for conduct of Mop-up Camps at Seppa HQ and Circle HQs from 29th March'16 to 31st March'16 so that maximum left out population could be enrolled during these days. To ensure maximum participation, he suggested for involvement of

GBs/PRIs and announcement in the entire Township through PA system. He directed the PEC Operator and Supervisors to stay at Circle HQs, and the Circle Administration to extend all necessary cooperation.

In order to launch and success of the programme "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" in the district, he has directed to start the survey activities and compile the reports on registration of Birth of Girl Child Gramwise/Panchayat-wise.

Smti. C. A. Loffa, DSO (Stat) also spoke in the meeting and briefed the house about the meeting.

Over 100 injured people have been admitted in government and private hospitals in the state.

Police sources told IANS on Saturday that at least 20 persons are battling for their lives in intensive care units of hospitals.

The police in the Imphal East and the Imphal West districts launched special drives to book people found violating the Motor Vehicle Act. "Till date we have booked 2211 offenders who had to

fork out Rs.2,61,700 as fines. Police drive is continuing and we hope that some more offenders will be booked and fine collection may cross Rs.5 lakh," a senior official said.

There have been reports of dozens of minors and youths holding up traffic on busy streets in the city areas for carrying out motorbike antics for hours.

Some of them met with accidents during these antics. However, no passerby was injured.

When asked about this and police inaction, an officer admitted to IANS about shortage of manpower.

Meanwhile, youngsters are celebrating Holi during the day time. At night there are folk dances in almost all localities which continue till midnight or later.

Jitendra Singh Agartala (Tripura), Mar. 26 (ANI): Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Jitendra Singh on Saturday said the PDP and BJP came together to form the government in Jammu and Kashmir despite ideological differences to give respect to the mandate of the people.

Singh, who is on a one-day visit to Tripura, talking to the media after a brief meeting with Chief Minister Manik Sarkar at the state secretariat here said the PDP and BJP entered into an alliance on the basis of development.

"The alliance was primarily devoted to development and, therefore, the two parties came together despite ideological differences in the interest of the masses and to give respect to the mandate of the people," Singh said.

He further stated that the BJP under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in favour of overall development of the nation, including the bordering state of Jammu and Kashmir and the north-east region.

BJP team from Manipur campaigning in Assam Agencies Imphal, Mar 26: The BJP's Manipur unit is helping the party in its election campaign in Assam by canvassing the Manipuri settlers in the neighbouring state.

Several BJP leaders led by the president of the party's Manipur unit Thounaojam Chaoba Singh are touring the Manipuri-inhabited areas of Assam, to help their party wrest power from the Congress in the forthcoming election.

N. Mangi, one such leader from Manipur, said that the Manipuri settlers welcomed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) team everywhere because they have been neglected by the Congress government for decades.

Jobs and other reservations meant for the Manipuris were usurped by candidates of other communities, he said.

Angry with their deprivation and exploitation, the Manipuris wanted a change in the political climate, said Mangi who was for long with the Communist Party of India (CPI) before joining the BJP. "We are confident that our

April 4 and 11, to elect 126 members of its assembly.

Meanwhile, Congress sources in Imphal told IANS that no such team has been sent by their party so far to Assam.

But then the party is factionridden.

At least 25 Congress MLAs out of 48 party legislators in the assembly are revolting. They demand dropping of the ministers in the Okram Ibobi Singh government and their induction instead. party will win the seats in these Manipuri-dominated constituencies."

Manipuris had settled in many parts in Assam centuries ago.

Legend has it that if a Manipuri princess was married to a prince in Assam, thousands of villagers would be decreed to go and settle near her marital home, so that she did not feel lonely.

A.R. Khan is a retired bureaucrat who became a member of the party in Manipur. He is also in the

BJP team touring Assam.

The Muslim voters in Assam welcomed him and assured him of cooperation, Khan said.

In many constituencies the Muslim voters have considerable influence. They have relatives and emotional integration with the Muslims in Manipur who have long elected about 5-6 MLAs in the 60-member House.

Thounaojam Chaoba Singh said, "Our team will stay till the last minute of electioneering for the first date of polling".

Assam will see polling on

Congress president Sonia Gandhi had met the two sides. Though one minister announced in a public meeting that there will be no reshuffle the dissidents said that once the Holi festival is over they will make their presence felt.

However, other politicians including the BJP president in Manipur are very sceptical about the effectiveness of the dissidents in the state.

The poll outcome in Assam will have a direct bearing on the elections in Manipur which will be held in February 2017.

"None of the states, particularly those located at the periphery, whether it is Jammu and Kashmir or it is the north-east, should be deprived of this benefit. So, let all us all be a part of this development journey led by Prime Minister Modi which has given us huge amount of respectability even globally. Therefore, I think both parties came together with that thought and motivation," he added.

The BJP had on Friday unanimously decided to form a coalition government with the PDP and decided on supporting Mehbooba Mufti as the Chief Minister.

It elected former deputy chief minister Nirmal Singh as legislative party leader who would be the party's candidate for the post of Deputy Chief Minister.

The PDP and the BJP today called on Jammu and Kashmir Governor N. N. Vohra to stake claim to form the government in the state.

GJCMCC kicks off Mopin Celebration with Literary Activities Aalo, Mar 26: The Golden year of Mopin Celebration kicked off today with literary activities. Miss Marya Lollen, Miss Pinu Lollen and Miss Kijum Padu came first, second and third respectively in the Folk Tale writing competition while Shri Gomar Angu, Moji Bagra and Mijum Lona came first second third in the seminar on the topic ╜50 years of Mopin Celebration, its impact on society and road ahead╠.

The Chief Guest Shri Minjom Bagra exhorted the Festival Committee to keep up the wide range of good initiatives being taken up this time around to make the festival a mega event and suggested officers and public to contribute generously on monthly in order to generate its own resources. Shri Doi Ado President GJCMCC said that the institution of priest hood is at stake ritual chanting, folklores like Yaan Kaben, Anna yo Anna etc. are gradually been forgotten and vicious efforts will be made to preserve, document and take it in he written form for posterity.

They also gave away cash prizes along with trophies to the winners.

Army Brigadier Inaugurates World TB Day celebrated at Seppa Sports Extravaganza by GJCMCC World Tuberculosis Day observed

Army Brigadier Inaugurates Sports Extravaganza by GJCMCC

Aalo, Mar 26: The sports extravaganza starting with Volley ball for men and women followed by number of traditional events in the run up to the Golden Jubilee year of Mopin festival was inaugurated amid cheer and applause by Brigadier J. S. Budhwar, Commander 5-Mountian Brigade, Aalo Military Station today.

Brigadier Budhwar ap-

preciated the zeal and enthusiasm of the committee members and Galo people of Aalo for conceiving noble idea to preserve its age old and rich culture through celebration of festival. Since the festival of the Galo community enters Golden year of its celebration at community level, it will be a special moment to cherish and showcase its ethos attached to it, he said. Shri Henrik Basar

Secretary GJCMCC, Vice President Shri Doli Lollen and Shri Tumto Loyi, Organizing Secretary Sports disclosed that all traditional sports which are dying down due to lack of awareness, practice and interest among young generation will be revived and documented this time. They also appreciated the help and assistance given by the Indian army from time to time.

ET Correspondent Seppa, Mar 26: Along with the entire world the Health Department, East Kameng District has celebrated the World TB Day today with the theme "Find TB-Treat TB-Working together to eliminate TB" at Seppa.

The day-long celebration was started with the mass rally organised across the entire length of Seppa Township. Subsequently, later in the day, a meeting cum awareness programme was organized in the District Hospital, Seppa. Shri Deepak Shinde, DC, Smti.

M. Cheda, ZPC, Dr. C. Lowang (Mallo), DMO, Dr. K. Lapung, DRCHO, Dr. K. Gyadi, MS and Shri N. Doka, ADI along with MOs, Health fraternity and others have attended the programme.

Dr. J. Zongluzu, MD (Chest Physician) briefed the gathering about the history of TB. He informed about the types of TB disease. Dr. N. Bodi, DTO (TB) presented the status about the implementation of DOTS and RNTCP in the district. He recalled how this day is observed as World TB Day and what are its aims and

objectives. Informing that TB is considered as No. 1 killer infectious disease of adults in developing countries, he told that India is accounted for one-third global TB population. He highlighted about the pathogenesis of TB, its source of infection and exposure, risks of developing it and others related. He informed that every individual and stakeholders have equal responsibility and role to realize the dream of TB free world by 2030. Smti. M. Cheda, ZPC has made an appeal to the ASHAs to play a proactive role in eliminating this dreadful disease. She requested the ASHAs to refer the person to the nearest Health Centre immediately if there is any suspicious development depicting TB symptoms. She further requested the health fraternity to extend extra care if the patient is a pregnant woman.

Expressing gratitude to the Health Department for organizing the programme in such a befitting manner, Shri Deepak Shinde, DC East Kameng directed for improvement in detection rate. Quoting "if you are curing one person you are

preventing 10 persons," he urged the health fraternity to exhort suspected person to undergo diagnosis and pursue the detected person continuously to complete the medication course. Acknowledging the fact that there is social stigma against the disease, he explained further that financial aspect is also attached with the disease besides medical condition of the patient. Acknowledging further that completion of medication course is very important, he urged for rigorous persuasion and awareness through involvement of ASHAs, religious and community leaders, PR leaders and district administration. Taking cue from the success story of Polio eradication, he directed the Health Department to incorporate topics on TB in health camps and other awareness and outreach programmes. He suggested for adoption of Focus Approach through identification of area or cluster from where the cases of TB are observed incessantly. He exhibited firm belief that with such a small population it is possible and easy to make the district a TB-free District.

World Tuberculosis Day observed in Pasighat ET Correspondent Pasighat, Mar 26: World Tuberculosis Day was observed at General Hospital Pasighat today. During the occasion a rally was organized which was formally flagged off by the Principal of ANM Nursing School Bamin Yage and participated by the staffs of Pasighat general hospital and district tuberculosis hospital, NGO, ANM, GNM, Health As-

sistants and trainees.

Speaking on the occasion, District Tuberculosis Officer Dr. Y Perme enlightened the participants about the initiatives taken by the government through RNTCP program for prevention and control of tuberculosis and highlighted its causes, symptoms and treatment.

(DIPRO)

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, MARCH 27

Making all efforts to secure Father Tom's release in Yemen: Sushma Swaraj New Delhi, Mar. 26 (ANI): The Indian government on Saturday confirmed the capture of Father Tom Uzhunnalil, the Indian priest from Bangalore, who was kidnapped by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) in Yemen and said that efforts were underway to ensure that he is released.

"Fr Tom Uzhunnallil - an Indian national from Kerala was abducted by a terror group in Yemen. We r making all efforts to secure his release," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted.

Her reaction comes after a growing alarm among the Christian community following an ominous report by the terror outfit to crucify him around Easter.

However, the Salesians' of Don Bosco, whose order the captured priest is a part of, dismissed the reports saying that these reports were be-

ing spread for quite some time.

"These rumours are spread from quite some time. We have request government of India to trace him out and take action. There was no threat to his in his work but he knew that his life was in risk. We hope that he is traced out soon," Fr Mathew Valarkot told ANI. Fr Uzhunnalil was kidnapped on March 4 after four gunmen attacked a retirement home in Aden run by the Missionaries of Charity killing sixteen people, including four nuns.

Jaisalmer (Rajasthan), Mar.26 (ANI): At least 35 Pakistani nationals have been held by the Rajasthan Police for having incomplete documents in Ramdevra District.

The Pakistani nationals, who entered India through the Thar Desert via Munabav, have visa for Mathura and Haridwar but not for Ramdevra.

Islamic State suicide bomber kills 30 in Iraq Hilla (Iraq), Mar. 26 (ANI): At least 30 people were killed and several injured after a suicide bomber blew himself up at a football match in a village near Iskandariyah city south of Baghdadyesterday.

"They were just handing the trophy to the winners when the suicide attacker blew himself up in the crowd," the Express Tribune quoted a police captain as saying to the media.

According to reports, a medic at Iskandariyah hospital confirmed the toll.

The mayor of the town is also said to be killed among others in the explosion.

The Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the attack.

U'khand Congress Chief to meet Sonia Gandhi today New Delhi, Mar. 26 (ANI): Amid the see-sawing developments over the power tussle in Uttarakhand between the grand old party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), state Congress Chief Kishore Upadhyay will meet party president Sonia Gandhi in the national capital to discuss further course of action.

petition at Justice UC Dhyani court.

tempting to destabilise the grand old party.

The speaker had on Sunday served a notice to the nine rebels, including former chief minister Vijay Bahuguna and former cabinet minister Harak Singh Rawat, questioning their move to join BJP legislators on March 18.

Bahuguna and the other eight rebel MLAs have also been issued notices by the speaker under the anti-defection law.

Earlier, the Uttarakhand high court dismissed the petition filed by the rebel Congress MLAs challenging the notice issued to them by Assembly speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal.

The Uttarakhand battle reached the corridors of the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday with the BJP demanding President Pranab Mukherjee to dismiss the Harish Rawat-led government while the Congress accused the ruling dispensation at the Centre of at-

Nine rebel MLAs had earlier on Friday filed a peti-

It is reported that these people belong to Amarkot, Mirpur Khas and Tharparkar of Sindh province in Pakistan.

A joint interrogation would today be conducted. (ANI)

tion in the high court challenging the showcause notice issued to them by the speaker.

The high court, which was closed on Friday, was specially opened to hear the

"Independence Day greetings to the people of Bangladesh. We cherish our long-standing ties & am sure our relations will grow even further," the Prime Minister tweeted.

Earlier, President Pranab

"I am confident that this relationship between our two countries will continue to expand and that our interaction and cooperation will scale new heights." The President said in his message.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid Mukherjee had also ex- and Prime Minister tended his greetings to Sheikh Hasina will place Bangladesh saying that wreaths at National Methe bilateral relations be- morial in Savar as a mark tween India and of respect to the martyrs.

Narendra Modi

"It's true that five prisoners died. They were trapped inside," said Sudarno, who like many Indonesians goes by one name.

"Several of the prison buildings have been damaged, but the investigation is still underway."

The five deceased have been identified, Sudarno said, while no other prisoners suffered injuries.

The police officials have reached the spot and are trying to find the cause behind this massive fire.

Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh), Mar. 26 (ANI): In a bizarre incident, an 11year-old boy was allegedly killed by his tutor last week after he refused to become a terrorist.

The incident took place on March 19 when Ravi Pal, a class third student from Kaserua Khurd village located in Uttar Pradesh's Allahabad district, was choked to death by his tuition teacher named Irfan.

According to the victim's father Pappulal, Irfan the teacher was pressuring Ravi to join terror outfit ISIS and when the latter refused to do so, the accused killed him.

Preity, the victim's sister, said that Irfan had lured her brother about getting him a bicycle on March 19. When Ravi did not return till the evening, his family became worried and started search-

New York, Mar. 26 (ANI): Republican Presidential hopeful Ted Cruz has accused Donald Trump and his henchmen for feeding the National Enquirer a story claiming that the conservative Christian politician has had extramarital affairs with five different women. rhetorical ante in recent weeks, with near daily threats of nuclear and conventional strikes against the South and the US mainland in response to large-scale South-US war games.

The threats have turned increasingly personal and North Korea leader Kim Jong-Un on Friday watched

Indonesian prison fire kills five inmates make it out alive.

More than 20 fire tenders are at the spot and are trying to douse the flames. At the time of reporting, fire was still not under control and there is smoke in the entire area, causing massive problems for the nearby residents.

ing for him.

Superintendent of Police Rajesh Kumar said the victim's family had lodged a complaint on the evening of March 19 after which the cops began the search operation.

However, he refuted the claims of the family that Ravi was killed after he refused to become a terrorist.

"In their FIR, they have said that the teacher called the boy luring him to give a bicycle," he said.

Earlier on Tuesday, a deadbody was found in one of the farms by a village girl. The police later identified the body as that of Ravi.

The police have sent the body for postmortem and are investigating the matter.

Cruz embroiled in sex scandal, Trump denies involvement

The four-minute video romps through the history of US-Korean relations and ends with a digitally manipulated sequence showing a missile surging through clouds, swerving back to the earth and slamming into the road in front of Washington's Lincoln Memorial, reports Guardian.

The US Capitol building explodes in the impact and a message flashes up on the screen in Korean: "If US imperialists budge an inch toward us, we will immediately hit them with nuclear (weapons)."

Chief Minister Rawat had earlier this week accused the NDA Government of attempting to destabilise his government while rejecting the BJP's allegations of corruption in his state. (ANI)

Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh), Mar.26 (ANI): A child died and around 100 shops gutted after a massive fire broke out atParade Bazaar in Uttar Pradesh's KanpurDistrict early this morning.

Bangladesh have grown tremendously over the past few years.

Seoul, Mar. 26 (ANI): North Korea has released a new propaganda video on Saturday titled 'Last Chance', showing a submarine-launched nuclear missile destroying Washington and concluding with the US flag in flames.

South Korea and American allies face 'miserable end', says North Korea.

The Congress has told all of its MLAs that any indiscipline will not be tolerated at any cost and strict action will be taken against the violators.

Kanpur: Child killed in massive inferno at Parade Bazaar

PM Modi greets Bangladesh as nation Tutor kills student in celebrates 45th Independence Day Allahabad after he refuses to join ISIS

North Korea releases new propaganda video titled 'Last Chance'

Pyongyang has upped the

Jakarta, Mar 26: Five inmates have died in a prison fire in Indonesia, police said on Saturday, after an operation to flush out a drug kingpin sparked a violent riot.

The blaze was started by angry inmates on Friday evening as police entered the prison in Bengkulu, on Sumatra island, in search of a wanted inmate, local police spokesman Sudarno told AFP. More than 250 prisoners were rescued as the fire tore through the facility, but there were five who did not

Sonia Gandhi

New Delhi, Mar. 26 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday greeted Bangladesh on the occasion of their 45th Independence Day saying that India cherThese people were planning to visit the Baba Ramdev ishes its long-standing with the Temple where the Samadhi ties neighbouring nation. of Baba Ramdev stands.

35 Pakistanis held in Rajasthan over incomplete documents

PAGE 6

Footage on local television showed flames licking the walls of the prison as inmates were frogmarched from the blaze.

Officials were later seen carrying plastic body bags from the charred building to waiting ambulances.

Indonesia has some of the toughest anti-narcotics laws in the world, including death by firing squad for traffickers, and has launched a full-scale "war on drugs" to erase what authorities claim is a nationwide scourge.

a live-fire long-range artillery drill simulating a strike on the official residence of his South Korean counterpart.

Tensions between both sides have been on the rise since Pyongyang carried out its fourth nuclear test in January and a satellite rocket launch a month later that was widely seen as a

disguised ballistic missile test.

North Korea has been pushing to acquire submarinelaunched ballistic missile (SLBM) capability which would take its nuclear strike threat to a new level, allowing deployment far beyond the Korean peninsula and the potential to retaliate in the event of a nuclear attack.

"This National Enquirer story is garbage. It is complete and utter lies. It is a tabloid smear, and it is a smear that has come from Donald Trump and his henchmen," the New York Post quoted Cruz as saying after campaigning in Wisconsin.

The Enquirer, an American supermarket tabloid, published that Cruz, who portrays himself as a pious

Christian, had affairs with a "hot babe," a "sexy schoolteacher," a "foxy political consultant," a "hot lawyer" and a $1,000-a-night hooker.

Although it did not identify them, it published pixelated photos of the women with their eyes obscured.

Meanwhile, the real estate mogul denied that he had any role in the lurid story.

"I have no idea whether or not the cover story about Ted Cruz in this week's issue of the National Enquirer is true or not, but I had absolutely nothing to do with it, did not know about it, and have not, as yet, read it," Trump wrote.

The New York billionaire,

however, noted that the Enquirer had accurately reported former presidential candidate John Edward's affair and he hoped they are not right about Lying Ted Cruz.

The ugly war between the two republicans began when anti-Trump political action committee (PAC) released an ad that included nearnude photos of Trump's wife Melania in a 2000 issue of British GQ. Trump had then threatened to spill the beans on Cruz's wife, Heidi, and later released an unflattering photo of her juxtaposed with a picture of Melania, a former model.

He accused Cruz of having a role in the ad, which Cruz denied.

Muslims should not be stigmatized, urges Obama Washington D.C., Mar. 26 (ANI):Following the deadly attacks in Brussels, United States President Barack Obamahas urged Americans not to stigmatise the Muslim community while stating that doing so is counterproductive in the fight against radical Islam.

Describing the MuslimAmericans as the 'most important partners' in the fight against ISIS, Obama asserted that attempts to stigmatise the community should be rejected.

"I am a father. And just like any other parent, the awful images from Brussels draw my thoughts to my own children's safety. That's also why you should be confident that defeating ISIS remains our top military, intelligence, and national security priority," the Express Tribune quoted Obama as saying.

"At least 14 Americans were injured, and we pray for their full recovery, along with everyone else affected by these attacks," he added.

Obama's remarks came following the controversial remarks made by two Republicans, who are vying to succeed him in the White House, in the wake of the recent bombings in Brussels.

United States President Barack Obama

Texas Senator Ted Cruz Cruz called for increased surveillance of Muslim neighbourhoods whileDonald Trump reiterated that Muslims should be temporarily prevented from entering the US.

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, MARCH 27

73 militants killed in U.S airstrike in Afghanistan's Helmand province Kabul(Afghanistan), Mar. 26 (ANI): At least 73 militants were killed in an airstrike conducted by the U.S troops in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province.

Commander of Bost's 505 Zone in Helmand, Ismatullah Dawlatzai, said the air raids targeted Taliban militants in parts of Nad Ali district and six Pakistani rebels were among the dead, reports Tolo news.

This airstrikes comes in the wake of eliminating militants from the region. Some military affairs analysts have recommended restart of airstrikes on militant hideouts in the belief that it would suppress and eliminate insurgents. (ANI)

NEIGHBOURS

Nepal's Madhesi leader says China, Russia should settle nothing new in deal with China hotspot issues: President Xi the government to address the issues till mid-April otherwise the front would intensify its stir again.

Kathmandu, Mar. 26 (ANI): Criticising the 10point agreement that Nepal signed with China during Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli's visit to the nation, Federal Socialist Forum chairman Upendra

He added that the next movement would be a joint people's movement, with participation from Tarai, hill and mountain regions.

Yadav said that there was nothing new in the same.

"Unless the people of this country take ownership of the constitution, welcoming of our constitution by a foreign country is meaningless," he said.

He pressed that the 10-point agreement contained things which the Government of Nepal had already expedited in 2009.

"Those who are speaking high of the new NepalChina agreement and those who think they have achieved big things are under a wrong impression," the Himalayan Times quoted him as saying.

field of hydro power, communications, transport and human resources.

Oli-led government was not able to seek help from Beijing.

ment had failed to maintain cordial relations with the neighbours.

He argued that Prime Minister Oli failed to seal new deals with China to enhance bilateral cooperation in the

The Madhesi leader asserted that although China wanted to extend all possible help to Nepal but the

Yadav said the country would not progress if Oli failed to understand geopolitics, adding the govern-

Meanwhile, speaking on the issue of Madhesis, he said that the United Democratic Madhesi Front has asked

Iranian Prez pays tribute to achievements of Pak Army Islamabad, Mar. 26 (ANI): Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who is presently on a two-day visit to Islamabad, paid rich tributes to the achievements of the Pakistan Army in Operation Zarb-e-Azb.

General ISPR Asim Bajwa as saying.

"Matters of regional security, Pakistan-Iran relations, border security and connectivity were discussed during the meeting," the Express Tribune quoted Director

As the Iranian President paid rich tributes to professionalism of Pakistan Army and its phenomenal achievements in Operation Zarb-eAzb, the Army Chief high-

lighted the challenges being faced by Pakistan.

Balochistan."

Yesterday, Prime Minister Bajwa later tweeted, Nawaz Sharif and the Ira"COAS highlighted chal- nian President held delegalenges being faced by Pak tion-level talks and discussed involvement inIslamabad, with special of RAW in Pak's internal emphasis on the regional affairs specially in situation.

Bangladesh celebrates 45th Independence Day and people of Bangladesh on its National Day.

Dhaka, Mar 26: Bangladesh will celebrate its 45th Independence Day on Saturday, the day it emerged as a sovereign nation, breaking the shackles of suppression of Pakistan.

In a message to his Bangladesh counterpart Hamid, Mukherjee on Friday said: "On behalf of the government, the people of India and on my own behalf, it gives me immense pleasure to extend warm felicitations and best wishes to you and to the people of Bangladesh on the occasion of your National Day."

Bangladeshi President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will place wreaths at National Memorial in Savar as a mark of respect to the martyrs.

"Communal harmony is our tradition. The people of our country do not support any form of violence including militancy and terrorism."

"Therefore, we have to maintain patience and self-

restraint and show respect to others' opinion in a democratic pluralism," Hamid said.

Hasina, in her message, paid homage to the three million martyrs and 200,000 women who were violated during the war.

"The independence earned through supreme sacrifices of millions of people is the greatest achievement of Bangali nation," said

Hasina.

"To ensure that this achievement remains meaningful, all should know the history of our great Liberation War and retain the spirit of independence. The history should be passed down from generation to generation," she said.

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee has also extended greetings and felicitations to the government

The Pakistan Army swooped down on Bengalis on the night of March 25, 1971 to subjugate their struggle for freedom.

They carried out genocide in the first hours of that night in Dhaka, describing the attack as 'Operation Searchlight'.

Chitwan(Nepal), Mar.26 (ANI): At least 21 people got injured when a tourist bus met with an accident at Aaptari in Bharatpur Sub-Metropolitan of Nepal's Chitwan district on Saturday.

Bangladesh.

In the message, Xi said that over the years, the China-Bangladesh traditional friendship has been continuously deepened, and bilateral communication and coopera-

tion in all fields have been fruitful, Xinhua reported.

China stands ready to work with Bangladesh to strengthen the synergy of bilateral development

Navajagaran Farmers Group, due to over speeding, reports The Himalayan Times.

Among the injured, 10 are receiving treatment at the Bharatpur Hospital while 11 others are being treated at the Chitwan Medical Hospital.

The police have impounded the bus and the driver has been arrested for investigation.

Beijing, Mar. 26 (ANI):Chinese President Xi Jinpinghas said that Beijing andMoscow should strengthen communication and coordination between both sides on international andregional affairs to promote settlement of major issues.

Xi also stressed he and Russian President Vladimir Putin's support the General Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the Russian Presidential Administration in holding exchanges, cooperation and learning from each other.

"China-Russia strategic cooperation plays a key role in safeguarding peace and stability in the region and the world at large," Xinhua quoted Xi as saying while meeting Russian Presidential Administration chief Sergei Ivanov.

Asserting that close highlevel exchanges guide the development of bilateral relations, Ivanov said the two countries have maintained rapid development in cooperation in various fields and close communication and coordination in international affairs.

Xi stressed that both sides were developing a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and called on both countries to take the 15th anniversary of the China-Russia Treaty of Good Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation as an opportunity to carry forward friendly bilateral cooperation.

China and Russia had in July 2001 signed the Treaty of Good Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, laying a strong legal foundation to develop a strategic partnership.

Ivanov said the Russian Presidential Administration is willing to work with the General Office of the CPC Central Committee to implement the consensus reached between the two heads of state.

Wang Qishan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, also met with Ivanov yesterday.

Ivanov said Russia attaches great importance to anticorruption exchanges and cooperation with China.

No Islamist jihadist groups traced in Lanka:ICES Colombo, Mar. 26 (ANI): A study conducted by the Colombo-based International Centre for Ethnic Studies (ICES) has found there are no Islamist jihadist groups in Sri Lanka.

According to the 2012 census, Muslims constitute 37 percent of the population of Eastern province while the community constitutes 9.67 percent of the national population.

Jamaat, Thawheed and Sufi groups revealed while there is discontent among the Muslim youth, acts of violence are unlikely in the near future.

The ICES, a leading research center in the country, has commissioned the study after accusations were made, both from within and outside the Muslim community, that in recent years a 'jihadist' movement was in the making in the Eastern province of Sri Lanka, reports Lanka Page.

Though the focus of the study was on the dynamics of intra-group relations among Muslims, researchers also investigated the charges made in certain quarters in the last couple of years.

"While there is a talk among discontented youth about espousing 'jihadi' practices, these are just idle youth responding to the global trend in Islam but with no motivation or the means to make this a reality.

The discussions with representatives of Thablighi

"Local organizations such as mosque federations are

also keeping tabs on the community and nipping such ideas in the bud," the study said.

Following the revelation that a 37-year-old Lankan Muslim had been killed in Syria while fighting for the Islamic State in July 2015, the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama, a Muslim association in Sri Lanka, assured that 10 Muslim organizations have reached an agreement not to allow such incidents to happen again.

Lankan Parliament to convene as Constitutional Assembly on April 5

Colombo, Mar. 26 (ANI): Minister of Higher Education and Highways and Speaker of the House, Lakshman Kiriell, has said the Sri Bengalis put up a valiant Lankan Parliament will resistance and got freedom for the first time conon December 16 after nine vene a Constitutional months of Liberation War. Assembly on April 5.

China's Xi Jinping greets Bangladesh on National Day Beijing, Mar 26: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday congratulated his Bangladeshi counterpart, Abdul Hamid, on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the founding of

Highlighting that the country would not achieve the goals of prosperity as long as inclusion was not ensured, Yadav said the new Constitution failed to meet people's expectation as major political parties in haste passed the same in their attempt to hold elections for the new Prime Minister and the President. (ANI)

21 injured in Chitwan bus accident

According to Chitwan District Police Office, the incident occurred after the driver lost control of the vehicle, heading towards Kathmandu from Damak carrying 21 farmers of

Rouhani, who is on his first visit to Pakistan as the President, met Army chief General Raheel Sharif yesterday and discussed matters of importance, the military's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations said.

Hamid, greeting Bengalis living in the country and abroad, said: "Nevertheless, we have to go a long way for achieving the desired goals of independence.

PAGE 7

The Constitutional Assembly was appointed for the purpose of deliberating and seeking the views and advice of the people on a new Constitution for Sri Lanka and preparing a draft of a Constitution Bill for the consideration of Parliament.

strategies within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative so as to push forward the evercloser China-Bangladesh comprehensive partner- The Constitutional Asship of cooperation, Xi sembly, which will consist of all the Members added.

consisting of the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, Leader of the House, the Minister of Justice and not more than eleven other members.

of Parliament, at its first sitting will determine the Sub-Committees that will work on the Constitution-making process and elect members to those Sub-Committees.

It will meet in the Chamber of Parliament with Speaker Karu Jayasuriya presiding over the same.

The Constitutional Assembly will also appoint a Steering Committee,

The Prime Minister is at the first meeting expected to present a resolution for adoption by the Constitutional Assembly, calling upon the Steering Committee to present a resolution proposing a Draft Constitution Bill for the consideration of the Constitutional Assembly.

Kiriella said the proceedings of the Constitutional Assembly will be opened to the media to ensure transparency.

PAGE 8

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, MARCH 27

Mid-Day Meal Is it really a successful scheme?

With a view to enhancing enrollment, retention and attendance and simultaneously improving nutritional levels among children, the National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education (NP-NSPE) was launched as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme on 15th August 1995, initially in 2408 blocks in the country. By the year 1997-98 the NP-NSPE was introduced in all blocks of the country. It was further extended in 2002 to cover not only children in classes I V of Government, Government aided and local body schools, but also children studying in EGS and AIE centres. Central Assistance under the scheme consisted of free supply of food grains @ 100 grams per child per school day, and subsidy for transportation of food grains up to a maximum of Rs 50 per quintal. In September 2004 the scheme was revised to provide cooked mid day meal with 300 calories and 8-12 grams of protein to all children studying in classes I - V in Government and aided schools and EGS/ AIE centres. In addition to free supply of food grains, the revised scheme provided Central Assistance for (a) Cooking cost @ Re 1 per child per school day, (b) Transport subsidy was raised from the earlier maximum of Rs 50 per quintal to Rs. 100 per quintal for special category states, and Rs 75 per quintal for other states, (c) Management, monitoring and evaluation costs @ 2% of the cost of foodgrains, transport subsidy and cooking assistance, (d) Provision of mid day meal during summer vacation in drought affected areas. In July 2006 the scheme was further revised to provide

assistance for cooking cost at the rate of (a) Rs 1.80 per child/school day for States in the North Eastern Region, provided the NER States contribute Rs 0.20 per child/school day, and (b) Rs 1.50 per child/ school day for other States and UTs, provided that these States and UTs contribute Rs 0.50 per child/ school day.

But it seems that the main aim of providing mid-day meal to students has somehow lost its original goal over the years.

Any government program of this size-with the goal of assisting 120 million children every day-no doubt suffers from organizational problems. A few examples of poor monitoring and coordination show the issues this scheme encounters. Few years ago in July, 2013, 23 children from the Indian state of Bihar died as a result of unsafe food preparation. Outrage within the community led to protests as well as a government probe into the incident. Death due to improper food preparation is luckily an extreme, but more often children fall ill.

The most recent incident happened earlier this month when 50 students became sick at a government run school in Bihar.

The cause was found to be a dead lizard in their food.

This follows 12 students in the Buxar district becoming sick, 33 students in Vaishali and 25 students in Siwan, all during the month of July. Other issues range from delayed payments, poor food quality, snakes and worms in the food, cooks not receiving pay and food not being delivered or being wasted. There is even embezzlement of the money by way of fake enrollments.

Kaziranga Concerns Future success depends on Assam Government's commitment The last one hundred years have seen major conservation successes in Kaziranga National Park, with populations of many endangered species, notably rhino, elephant and tiger rising and the ecological integrity of the area being maintained, despite high biotic pressures and stochastic perturbations in the landscape. These successes, and the expectations that they will continue, also bring about several management challenges. Kaziranga is a relatively small national park in the flood plains of Brahmaputra River, which is one of the most sediment-charged rivers of the world and also has the highest flood potential in the Indian subcontinent.

It is obvious that major challenges for Kaziranga National Park do come from outside, including in particular regional pressures at a landscape scale as a result of both Assam government development priorities and more diffused pressures caused by rising populations and higher economic expectations. While annual flooding is necessary for maintenance of habitats within the park, modifications to river flow as a result of surrounding land use change and river management have the potential to impact on the way in which flooding affects the park.

Maintaining internal integrity in the face of such changing hydrological patterns and ensuring external connectivity to adjacent natural areas are critical issues for park management. The continued survival of Kaziranga National Park over the next century and consolidation of the conservation successes achieved in the last one hundred years will therefore depend to a large extent on what happens beyond the park's bound-

aries and also on ensuring that management options elsewhere - in the river and in the surrounding landscape, do not undermine the ecology and integrity of the park. There is an urgent need to carry out a landscape level strategic environment assessment involving competent national and international agencies to review the development scenarios and to ensure that conservation concerns are fully integrated in the development trajectories.

Kaziranga National Park is now a protected area of global significance. While some issues remain to be addressed within the protected area, particularly with respect to a constant poaching pressure, the main challenges in the future will come from outside, particularly regional pressures at a landscape scale as a result of both Assam government development priorities and more diffuse pressures caused by rising population and higher economic expectations. Kaziranga is thus facing a situation similar to that experienced in many other parts of the world, where success in management within the boundaries of the protected area itself is threatened by changes in the wider landscape.

Kaziranga is an asset of Assam. It is a rare place on Earth. That's why UNSECO recognised it by including in the list of World Heritage Sites. Every Assamese people must realize this fact.

Government agencies and local organizations must work together in solving the problems of Kaziranga National Park.

Public awareness must also be increased so that everyone can offer their helping hands towards protection of this asset of ours.

India's Place in the Sun: The International Solar Alliance India is set to lead the International Solar Alliance, but its task is not without challenges Raymond E. Vickery India is placing a big bet on solar energy. During his first year in office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi quintupled India's goal for solar. His new budget announces a 2.45 times increase in the national lending facility for solar. The outcome of India's solar bet will radically affect the chances for success of Modi's prized "Power for All" and "Make in India" initiatives. The use of solar innovation to meet India's energy goals may well determine whether India is able to supply electrical power for all and have enough energy to support increased manufacturing output.

India's leadership in establishing the International Solar Alliance (ISA) which was launched at the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris last fall, is a part of New Delhi's big bet on solar. The ISA could have significant geopolitical implications. Most developing nations are like India: blessed with an abundance of sunshine, but cursed by a lack of electrical power. India has been playing catch up to China on efforts to combat climate change ever since Chinese President Xi Jinping, with President Obama at his side, announced China's intent to reach a peak of greenhouse gas emissions in 2032. India has been unwilling to make such a commitment, but did announce a goal of obtaining 40 percent of its electricity from non-fossil fuels by 2030 at the Paris climate change summit.

India's leadership on solar may provide a way for it to surge to the head of the pack on energy and the environment. However, the ultimate success of India's big bet on solar will require additional research, available financing, and viable solar projects that will tie together the aforementioned research and financing to benefit consumers.

India's dream is to transform a portion of the solar radiation with which it is bombarded (some 150,000 gigawatts per year) into usable electricity. The difficulty has been the cost of this transformation - particularly in comparison to the cost of power from India's large supplies of low caloric, dirty coal and lignite. The cost of solar per kilowatt hour dropped from a 2012 Planning Commission estimate of Rs. 10.4 - 12.5 to Rs. 4.3 in the latest round of "reverse auctions" (low bid wins). Still, there have been numerous coal-fired power providers that have signed power purchase agreements with state distribution companies between Rs.2.25 and 3.0 per kilowatt hour. Thus, continued technological de-

velopment is needed to make solar solutions pricecompetitive with coal.

Furthermore, additional research is needed to solve solar's constancy problem.

No solar power can be created when the sun does not shine; this could be because it is night time, because of inclement weather, or, increasingly in India, because air pollution obscures the sun. Thus, power storage technology must be developed further if energy from the sun is to be available even when the sun is not shining or is obscured.

The need for further solar technological development drove the announcement at the Paris summit regarding the need for "Mission Innovation." Under this initiative, twenty countries accounting for over 80 percent of world renewable energy production pledged to double their research on clean energy over five years. Although the United States and France led the announcement of "Mission Innovation," India is a member and Modi was front and center in announcing the program. Also meant to complement this increased governmental research was an announcement of 28 private sector

Solar panel in display. (Photo: thinksolar-us) "south-to-south" basis.

By the time Modi was ready to announce the International Solar Alliance in Paris, the host of the summit, French President Francois Hollande, saw the ISA as a vehicle for French interests as well. Thus, Hollande played a major role in the ISA announcement. Other developed nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands followed suit and became members of the ISA steering committee, as did

ficulty with this approach was that there already exist several international organizations for this purpose.

Most notable among these is the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, IRENA has 145 member nations and strong backing from Arab nations.

Behind the scenes, some of these nations had expressed concern about competition and duplication from the new organization. Thus, the first meeting of the ISA Steering Committee after

The need for further solar technological development drove the announcement at the Paris summit regarding the need for "Mission Innovation." Under this initiative, twenty countries accounting for over 80 percent of world renewable energy production pledged to double their research on clean energy over five years. Although the United States and France led the announcement of "Mission Innovation," India is a member and Modi was front and center in announcing the program. investors as a "Breakthrough Energy Coalition."

These investors pledged to provide early-stage, patient capital for clean energy development.

Within this context, Modi took the lead in organizing the International Solar Alliance. The avowed purpose of the ISA is "to address the specific needs of the solar resource rich countries located between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn." Modi had first broached the idea for a coalition of tropical developing countries at an India-Africa Forum Summit held in New Delhi in October 2015. His theme for the Forum was to bring "one-third of humanity ‌together under one roof." The unspoken subtext was that this coming together would be under Indian leadership. An "alliance of solar rich countries" was to be a part of India's reach for stronger international leadership on a

China. Thus, the original focus of the ISA as a coalition of tropical developing nations was broadened, to include non-tropical, developed countries.

When Hollande came to India in late January 2016, he and Modi rode the New Delhi Metro to the Indian National Institute of Solar Energy in suburban Gurgaon. There they laid the foundation stone of the headquarters for the ISA. India pledged $30 million over five years to get the organization up and running while France announced 300 million euros for solar research.

However, the question remains as to exactly what the International Solar Alliance will do. The initial ISA working paper positioned the organization as a sort of high-level consultative group, focusing on best practices, standards, and training programs. One dif-

Paris was in Abu Dhabi with IRENA-an attempt to quell some of these concerns.

Both sides agreed that they should work together, but did little to avoid duplication by the two organizations or come up with specifics for their cooperation.

When the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi visited India in February, the two sides felt it necessary to recognize "the importance of ensuring synergies between the ISA and IRENA"-indicating that those synergies were yet to be determined.

India can at best ensure that the ISA is supplemental to the activities of IRENA, the International Energy Agency, the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership, REN21, and similar organizations by concentrating on the practical aspects of solar power application that will benefit developing nation consumers. ISA and In-

dia can stand at the nexus between the increased research pledged by the Mission Innovation countries and the financing announced by the Breakthrough Energy Coalition.

Solar technology needs to be adapted to the conditions and economic realities of India and other ISA developing countries. Commercially viable solar enterprises should be developed and should adapt the new technologies and relate them to available financing.

Without these enterprises, new technology is unlikely to be disbursed at the village level on an economically sustainable basis. The challenge is not so much the availability of funds as it is the creation of projects worthy of investment. The ISA can be instrumental in meeting this challenge.

The linkage between solar technology, finance, and consumer application is where the ISA's value add to international solar efforts lies. It is also where India's solar leadership can be most important. Recent statements from Indian officials indicate that they intend to promote extensive private sector involvement in the International Solar Alliance and plan to raise as much as $1 trillion for solar power.

It is plain that such a vast sum cannot be raised from public sources alone and can produce economically sustainable results only through private sector investment. The Renewable Energy Investment Program (RE Invest), sponsored by the Indian Government with the support of the United States and others, is the sort of program that could be internationalized through the ISA in conjunction with Mission Innovation and the Breakthrough Coalition. A series of solar energy innovation incubators of the kind presently under consideration for the Indian National Institute for Solar Innovation would be another such program..

There are however impediments to be overcome if India is to exercise inter-

Lure Voters, Purchase Tickets

Image for representational purpose.

(Photo: mayorvanjohnson)

Sir, 'Money for ticket' is not new in the history of Indian Politics. Assam also is no exception. Few years back, we heard transaction of money for tickets in the congress. When Digbijoy singh was the mentor of the Assam congress, it is said that he always used to cast a glance at the size the brief-case whosoever visited him for a favour including partyticket seeker in election.

Some people nicknamed him, 'Brief-case Singh'. But this game of bribe is an infectious one permeating to other parties by degrees. So

asking for money in exchange for a party ticket by Badaruddin Ajmal is very much a part of the game.

Ms. Gul Akhtar, the M.L.A who is deprived of the ticket and who was asked to pay 50 lacs by Ajmal as revealed by her is case in point. Some congress candidates deprived of tickets allege that tickets are purchased at a very high price, something they cannot afford. BJP too, is not lagging behind, fielding of certain candidates with a dubious past much to the surprise of the people puts the party in an uncomfortable position. This is a

manifestation that money must have played a role in the allotment of tickets in BJP. Congress was sanguine of winning both the Rajya Sabha seats well ahead of the result. Was there any horse trading? Further, it is an open secret that a national party lures gullible voters to cast vote for them paying them money.

Yours etc.

Ashok Bordoloi Dibrugarh

national leadership through the International Solar Alliance.

The first is indicated by the RE Invest program, which has been less than fully successful in getting participants to fulfill their pledges of solar investment in India. Primarily, this is because India simply has not yet fully accepted the principle that projects must assure a long-term, knowable income stream that provides sufficient commercial dividends to attract investment. There still is an overreliance on the prospect of government-subsidized finance that will not have to be paid for at market rates.

A second difficulty lies with India's continued insistence on creating the majority of new electric power from coal-fired plants. This reliance on increased coal use undermines India's leadership on solar. How can others believe in India's leadership on solar if India is pursuing increased power from coal as a primary method of meeting its energy needs?

Finally, India's position on protectionist measures for its local solar entrepreneurs undercuts the internationalization of solar development. India has just lost to the United States at a World Trade Organization case on local content and preference for local Indian solar entrepreneurs. India's case was plainly doomed from the start as being outside WTO rules and yet New Delhi now says it will not accept the initial result and is intent on appealing.

The irony is that the restrictions that are the subject of the case are ones explicitly rejected by Modi when he was chief minister of Gujarat. It was Modi's insistence on openness and nondiscrimination that was a major part of Gujarat's success in leading on solar and providing electricity to every village in the state. Unfortunately, India's new budget continues the protectionist trend by raising import duties on industrial solar equipment and components.

In spite of these unresolved difficulties, the International Solar Alliance can be a tremendous step forward for India on the world energy and environment stage. If India, with the cooperation of the other nations that constitute the ISA steering committee, can give practical, value-added substance to the ISA's mission, its position as a world leader will be significantly enhanced. Standing at the junction of technology, finance, and consumer application, India, through its domestic solar bet and the International Solar Alliance, can have a transformative effect on the application of solar power and earn its place in the sun.

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

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

JOBS & career

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, MARCH 26

Assistant Coordinator in Assam Higher Secondary Education Council Last Date: 5 Days.

Applications are invited from intending eligible candidates for filling up of the following post in the office of Assam Higher Secondary Education Council.

Name of post: Assistant Coordinator (Academic) No of post: 1 Pay: Rs 12000 Rs 40000, GP=Rs 5900 Educational Qualification: A uniformly good academic career having at least 2nd Class Master r Degree with atleast 50% marks in Arts, Science or Commerce and BEd Degree with 5 years of working experience in Open & Distance Learning (ODL) institutions.

Application Fee: Rs 200/ as Bank Draft.

UPSC Assistant Commandant Recruitment, March 2016 [BSF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB] Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Last Date: 08/04/2016.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will hold a written Examination on 26th June 2016 for recruitment of 270 posts (BSF-28, CRPF-97, ITBP-87, SSB-58) of Assistant Commandants (Group A) in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) viz. Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

Name of post: Assistant Commandant (Group A) No of posts: 270 Age : Not less than 20 years and not more than 25 years as on 1st August, 2016. The upper age is relaxable for SC/ ST/ OBC and certain other categories of candidates to the extent specified in the Notice.

Educational Qualification: Bachelor's degree of any recognised university or an equivalent qualification. Possession of NCC B or C Certificate will be a desirable qualification. The desirable qualifications will be given consideration at the time of Interview/ Personality Test only.

Physical Standards: Candidates must be physically fit according to the Regulations given in notice.

Sex : Both male and female candidates are eligible for appointment to BSF, CRPF. However, only male candidates are eligible for appointment in ITBP. Pay Scale : PB-3 Rs.15600-39100 grade pay Rs.5400/Selection Procedure : Selection will be based on the basis of a written examination to be conducted on 26/06/2016 by the UPSC followed by Physical Standards/ Physical Efficiency Test and Medical Standards Test to be conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Personality Test/ Interview to be conducted by UPSC. Fee: Rs.200/- (SC/ST/Women candidates are exempted) to be deposited in Branches of SBI by cash, or by using net banking facility of SBI, State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur/ State Bank of Hyderabad/ State Bank of Mysore / State Bank of Patiala/ State Bank of Travancore or by using Visa/Master Credit/Debit Card.

How To Apply: Apply Online at UPSC website http://upsconline.nic.in/ mainmenu2.php from 12/03/2016 to 08/04/2016 only.

Page 9

Guwahati Biotech Park recruits Finance Manager in Guwahati Mar 2016 Name of the Organisation: Guwahati Biotech Park Post:: Finance Manager Job Category: Finance Job Job Location: Guwahati Job Description: Experience Candidates with minimum 4 years of experience in Accounts/Finance/Financial Management, Accounting, Book keeping and tax matters in Government/ Autonomous Body/ Public Sector Undertaking/ reputed Private Sector are only asked to apply. Candidates having good experience in Government Purchase and Procurement process, Financial Rules, EOI, NIT, Empanelment etc. would be preferred.

Please send your Resumes to:: careers@guwahatibiotechpark.com

Military Engineer Services Tradesman Recruitment, March 2016 [463 posts] Military Engineer Services.

Last Date: 26/04/2016.

Military Engineer Services has issued notification for the recruitment of following posts of Civil Motor Driver, Chowkidar, Safaiwala, Meter Reader, Caneman, Store Keeper-II and Peon.

Name of the Post: Mate (Tradesman) No of Posts: 463 1. Civil Motor Driver (Ordinary Grade): 81 Posts 2. Chowkidar: 85 Posts 3. Safaiwala: 49 Posts 4. Meter Reader: 52 Posts 5. Caneman: 24 Posts 6. Store Keeper-II: 86 Posts 7. Peon: 86 Posts Educational Qualification: Candidates should possess Matriculation or equivalent exam with valid Civil Driving License for post 1, Matriculation or equivalent exam for post 2, 3, 6, 7, (10+2) examination for post 4, Matriculation or equivalent exam or ITI for post 5.

Age: Candidates age should be between 18-27 years as on 19-04-2016. Age relaxation is applicable 5 years for SC/ ST, 3 years for OBC, 10 years for PH (OH/ HH), 13 years for PH (OH/ HH)+OBC, 15 years for PH (OH/ HH)+SC/ ST & for others as per Central Govt rules.

Selection Process: Candidates will be selected based on written examination & skill test.

How to Apply: Eligible candidates may send their application on plain paper in the prescribed format along with admit card in duplicate affixing self attested passport size photograph on it, self attested copies of relevant certificates, two self addressed envelope of size 28 cm X 12 cm with postage stamp of Rs. 60/ - affixed on each envelope for CMD, one self addressed envelope of size 28 cm X 12 cm with postage stamp of Rs. 60/- affixed on each envelope for remaining all posts to the concerned address as given in the notification on or before 19-04-2016 by 1700 hrs & 26-04-2016 by 1700 hrs for remote areas.

Superscribe the envelope with Name of the post i.e., D'Man, Store Keeper-II, CMD (OG), Peon, Chowkidar, Safaiwala, Meter Reader & Caneman along with Category (UR/ SC/ ST/ OBC/ PH) in BlockCapital letters.

Various Jobs in Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, March 2016 [17 posts] Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) Last Date: 30 days.

Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of School Education & Literacy, Govt. of India, invites applications in the prescribed format, from eligible Indian nationals for filling up the following 24 posts for its Hqrs. Office at Noida and Regional Offices located at Bhopal, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Patna, Pune and Shillong.

1. Audit Assistant : 03 posts, Pay Scale : Rs. 9300-34800 grade pay Rs. 4200/2. Hindi Translator : 05 posts, Pay Scale : Rs. 9300-34800 grade pay Rs. 4200/3. Stenographer : 06 posts, Pay Scale : Rs. 5200-20200 grade pay Rs. 2400/4. Lower Division Clerk : 03 posts, Pay Scale : Rs. 9300-34800 grade pay Rs. 4200/Application Fee : Rs. 400/- (no fee from Women/ SC/ST/PH/ Women and Ex.- Servicemen candidates) in the form of Bank DD in favour of Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti payable at NOIDA. How to Apply: Application in the prescribed format should be send within 30 days (published on 12/03/2016 i.e. last date is 09/04/2016) and 40 days for the candidates from far-flung areas to The Deputy Commissioner (Admn.), Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, Hqrs., B-15, Institutional Area, Sector-62, Noida - 201307, District Gautam Budha Nagar (UP).

Engagement of Apprentice Trainees in BSNL, Assam Graduate Engineer Apprentice Qualification: The applicant must possess a B.E/B.Tech degree from a recognized engineering college/ university in anyone of the following disciplines. i Telecommunication, ii.

Electronics, iii. Radio, iv. Computer, v. Electrical. vi. IT (Information Technology) vii. Instrumentation OR M.Sc (Electronics)/M.Sc. (Computer Science) from a recognized institution/university No.of Posts: 05 Stipend : Rs. 4984 Diploma Holder in Engineering Technician Apprentice Qualification: The applicant must possess Three years Engineering Diploma in Telecommunication/Electronics/Electrical/Radio/Computer Engineering ,Instrumentation, Information Technology from a Central Govt./State Govt. recognized institution or B.Sc (Electronics)/(Computer Science) in Electronics from a recognized institution/university.

No.of Posts: 35 Stipend : Rs. 3542 Period of Training : The period of Apprentice training will be limited to one year only.

Age Limit : 18 years Reservation of seats: The reservation for candidates belonging to SC/ST category will be as per Rules applicable for the State of Assam

Career Opportunities in Leather Technology Introduction India's leather industry is the fourth largest in the world which not only offers attractive products to consumers in India but around the world. Offering attractive career choices, leather industry in India has lot more potential which can be tapped once more investment is done and latest technology is brought in. Crucial facts about leather technology is that the leather industry till recently entertained experienced professionals as there were no academic or research institutes in leather technology; however, the modern requirement to implement latest technology to produce fine range of leather product forces to set various institutes which can teach about leather and use of technology to produce effective and suitable leather products.

Step-by- Step Leather technology is fast changing and it is crucial to keep pace with the latest developments in the field. A

degree program or diploma in leather technology is essential to make an impactful entry into the industry. The courses in leather technology are designed to cater to the specific requirements of the industry and enable a candidate to fit into a specific job.

Background in chemistry is beneficial for the candidates who are aspiring to shine in leather technology as later on they have to deal in chemicals in the processing of leather and leather products. Opportunities of opening small production unit of leather cannot be ruled out, particularly when small scale industries are being given aid and leather technology is low cost-intensive and requires relatively small investment and power supply. Cheap labour and available raw material in India are some other advantages for opening a production unit.

Start Early Aspirants willing to get a breakthrough in leather technology can do various

short term certificate courses. Besides there are some degree courses which are being offered by some universities in various states of India. Depending upon interest and orientation a candidate can either go for designing or may get into the technical aspect of leather technology. Designing and production process, both are equally attractive in terms of compensation packages.

Leather designing is attractive as it can turn a leather designer into a world famous personality. World over designers start their career by designing leather accessories by using leather and later on develop their own range of designer wear and accessories. Similarly, degree or diploma in leather production can help you work with leather manufacturing companies and tanneries. Subsequent to gaining some experience the person can start his own production unit.

What would it Cost Me? There are diploma courses

and degree courses being offered by various institutes. The courses include designing or production of leather garments, footwear or accessories and many others. A one year diploma course may cost between Rs 30,000-50,000. Similarly, BTech in Leather Technology could cost a candidate Rs 2-3 lakhs. The fee includes raw material costs, course fee and caution money. Hostel expenses are additional.

Funding/Scholarship As leather technology is a new discipline and is an employment focused course, most of the banks offer attractive education loans to students. Once a student has received admission offer from the college he can proceed for an education loan and after completion of the procedure, the bank transfers the required money to the institute as per the requirement of various dues and fees.

Various scholarships too are offered to students on the basis of merit and performance in entrance exam.

Junior Research Fellowship can be earned for further research. Some diploma courses are offered to working professionals and sponsored students wherein the employer firm pays the whole fees for the candidate.

Job Prospects Job prospects are quite attractive for those who have excellent designing skills combined with mental ability and artistic finesse.

Moreover, creativity with uniqueness adds value to the skills of the leather designer and he can reach out to clients with such skills.

Coming up with fresh ideas, concepts and designs are some key characteristics re-

quired in a leather designer.

The Indian leather industry is growing at fast pace and can accommodate any number of professionals.

India is a leading exporter of leather and leather products and numerous export houses employ technical and non-technical persons.

Leather technologists with their ideas and dexterity to convert ideas in form can bag attractive jobs in leather companies. As new multinationals are coming to India, the leather industry is poised to become a hi-tech industry and those who are qualified in leather technology would get preference over rest.

Jobs ranging from designing footwear and accessories like belts, bags, purses and caps to toys, upholstery, baggage, musical instruments, garment tags, gift items, etc are umpteen in various export houses.

Leather technologists can get jobs in chemical and engineering industries involved in the manufacturing of items such as bags, suitcases, upholstery, footballs and cricket balls, car and aircraft seats, hydraulic seals, gaskets, etc.

Pay Packet Compensation packages in leather industry are highly dependent upon the skills.

Most of the companies are in private sector, therefore, the companies pay according to their comfort and availability of human resource or the game of supply and demand. Whereas big multinational companies pay attractive salaries, small companies are frugal. However, situation is expected to change down the years as multinationals are setting up their bases in India. A young leather technologist

can expect a starting pay package between of Rs 10,000 per month.

Demand and Supply A huge export market for leather products shows that India's leather industry will require too many leather technologists in coming years. A lot is required to train professionals working in leather industry as most of the human resource in leather factories does not have formal training. Therefore, a real dearth of trained leather technologists gives edge to trained one who can cash in on the opportunity to their advantage. The mismatch of supply and demand is in favour of trained leather technologists and early starters would be in advantageous position.

Market Watch Leather accessories have great demand not only in western countries but also in India. Despite the lack of trained leather technologists, India is able to produce fancy and attractive leather products. The requirement for designers of footwear and accessories like belts, bags, purses, caps, toys, upholstery, baggage, musical instruments, garment tags, gift items, etc.

generates most of the jobs in leather manufacturing and design.

Different Roles, Different Names Leather Technologist working at Production Unit - A leather technologist working at a manufacturing unit is expected to supervise production line workers.

Ensuring the water resistance capacity before the leather is processed completely is another key part of leather technologist.

Leather technologists study the use of various chemicals in the processing of leather and supervise the processing as per specifications. Processing of skin and hyde so that leather can be given a shape, treatment of skin, assessment of the thickness, softness, texture, colour, etc. is done by the leather technologist.

Research and Quality control by Leather Technologist - Leather technologist ensures that a proper research and quality control is at its place when testing and analysis is done in the lab and for that chemical, dye stuffs and small scale apparatus are used.

Marketing and Sales professional - Leather product companies require profes-

sionals who have some knowledge of production or quality management in leather accessories in the marketing team as they can be the most suitable person to deal with potential customers or clients. Additionally, a leather technologist working in marketing and sales department can have an effective communication with the production department with accurate specifications and requirements or demand.

Tips for Getting Hired In order to get a job in a leather manufacturing unit as a leather technologist, the person is required to posses the following skills: "Develop excellent numerical and computer skills.

"Should have skills to plan out project and execute them.

"Sound communication skills and excellent people management skills are expected from the candidates.

"Self starters are preferred when it comes to designing leather accessories.

"Should have broad understanding to setting quality and environmental standards so that whole production is under compliance law.

Courtesy: jagranjosh

BUSINESS

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, MARCH 27

ONGC gets Russia's approval for Rs 8,600 crore Vankor oilfield deal Mumbai, Mar 26: Russian government has approved ONGC Videsh Ltd's deal to buy 15% in the country's second biggest oil field of Vankor from Rosneft for $1.268 billion (nearly Rs 8648.57 crore) . OVL, the overseas arm of the state explorer Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC), had in September last year signed an agreement to buy 15% stake in Vankorneft, the developer of the Vankor oil and gas condensate field in Turukhansky district of Krasnoyak Territory in Russia. "We have received approval of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) for the deal," OVL Managing Director Narendra K Verma told. With this, all approvals for the deal are in place and Rosneft now has to restructure Vankorneft by giving OVL board positions and carving out the Vankor fields into a separate company, all of which is expected to be completed by June. This month, OVL signed an initial agreement

Image for representational purpose only to raise its stake in Vankor to 26% from 15%, while three other state companies -- Indian Oil Corp (IOC), Oil India Ltd (OIL) and Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPLC) would together pick up 23.9%. "We are not very clear if the additional stake

would also need FAS approval," he said adding the price for the additional stake is yet to be finalised. Vankor is OVL's fourth biggest acquisition ever. As of January 1, 2015, the initial recoverable reserves in the Vankor field are estimated at

476 million tonnes of oil and condensate, and 173 billion cubic meters of gas. The area of the Vankor field is 447 square kilometers. Oil and gas condensate production in 2015 was 22 million tons. The 15% stake will give OVL 3.3 million tonnes

Chinese state firms' profits fall due to economic slowdown Beijing, Mar 26: Hit by the economic slowdown, profits of China's mighty stateowned enterprises (SOEs) nose-dived by 14.2 per cent to USD 34.2 billion in the first two months of this year, according to official data released recently. SOEs saw combined profits decelerated to 14.2 per cent yearon-year in the Jan-Feb period to 222.6 billion yuan (USD 34.2 billion), a much sharper drop than the 6.7 per cent fall recorded for 2015, data from the Ministry of Finance showed. The state sector continued to face great downward pressure, the ministry said in a statement. SOEs administered by local governments were the worst hit, with their profits plunging 40.9 per cent from a year earlier. Centrally-ad-

Image for representational purpose only ministered SOEs saw profits slip 8.2 per cent year-onyear. Total business revenue of Chinese SOEs dipped 5.8 per cent year-onyear to 6.2 trillion yuan in the first two months, the ministry said.

combined debts of the state firms swelled by 17.9 per cent to 79.7 trillion yuan, while their total assets expanded 15.6 per cent to 120.3 trillion yuan.State firms in medical and machinery sectors posted relatively high profit growth, while oil, By the end of February, coal, steel and non-ferrous

metals continued to suffer losses, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. The figures, which exclude financial firms, were collected from SOEs in 36 provinciallevel regions and those administered by the central government. China has about 150,000 SOEs, and some have become ossified by declining profitability due to a lack of competition and an industrial glut. The government is trying to improve their fortunes through reform, moving toward mixed ownership and market-oriented management in the hope that this will improve their efficiency.

The Chinese economy, the world's second-largest, last year slowed down to 6.9 per cent, the lowest in 26 years.

(Agencies)

per annum of oil production. Prior to the deal, Rosneft, Russia's national oil company, held 100% stake in Vankorneft. This will be the fourth biggest acquisition by OVL. It had in 2013 paid $4.125 billion (Rs 27276.2 crore approx.) for a 16% stake in Mozambique's offshore Rovuma Area 1, which holds as much as 75 Trillion cubic feet of gas reserves. In 2009, it had bought Russiafocused Imperial Energy for $2.1 billion. Prior to that, it had in 2001 paid $1.7 billion for a 20% interest in the Sakhalin-1 oil and gas field off Russia's far eastern coast. Vankor is Rosneft's (and Russia's) second largest field by production and accounts for 4% of Russian production. The daily production from the field is around 442,000 barrels per day of crude oil on an average with OVL's share of daily oil production at about 66,000. Upon completion of the deal, OVL will have two seats on the board of Vankorneft, Rosneft said.(Agencies)

PAGE 10

India to plea WTO verdict in solar case filed by the U.S. New Delhi, Mar 26: The government said India will appeal against the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) verdict over its policy relating to solar power equipment. "The U.S. made it a prestige issue. It is very unfortunate that they pursued the complaint in the WTO. It reflects the hollowness of the U.S.' commitment to clean energy," Power Minister Piyush Goyal said while addressing CII-Young Indians Summit. India had, as part of its National Solar Mission, imposed a stipulation that solar cells and solar modules be locally sourced. The U.S. had filed a case against India at the WTO demanding a levelplaying field for Indian and foreign solar component manufacturers. The world body ruled in favour of the U.S. India's capacity to produce solar components and

solar cells comprises only a portion of the demand in India, the Minister said.

This means that the foreign component makers would still have a substantial market to cater to. "Yet, they filed a complaint. It is a myopic view," Mr. Goyal said. Indian manufacturers had a complaint against the U.S. counterparts for dumping in India, he said.

This would have attracted huge anti-dumping penalties and duties for the U.S. manufacturers, had it been pursued.

"I convinced our manufacturers not to go ahead with their complaint as a show of good faith. But the U.S. has not returned this good faith," Mr. Goyal said. The Minister also said he was examining the situation in the U.S. where nine states had similar programmes to protect their domestic

Indian firms increase Rs.58,000 cr through NCDs New Delhi, Mar 26: Indian firms have raised a staggering over Rs.58,000 crore through issuance of nonconvertible debentures (NCDs) in the ongoing fiscal, amid a sluggish equity markets. This was much higher than Rs.9,713 crore garnered in the entire last fiscal. Most of the funds have been mobilised for expansion, to support working capital requirements and for other general corporate purposes. The debentures are loan-linked bonds that cannot be converted into stock and usually offer higher interest rates than convertible debentures. As per the provisional data with Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), firms raked in a

Image for representational purpose only total of Rs.58,533 crore through non-convertible debentures in the current fiscal (2015-16) as on March 14. In terms of numbers, 20 issuances have taken the

NCD route in the ongoing fiscal as compared to 25 in the entire 2014-15. Some companies have opted for this route twice during the current fiscal. (Agencies)

Preethi Kitchen to develop 10 new models planned by Celkon its product offerings Chennai, Mar 26: Mobile handset maker Celkon plans to introduce at least 10 new models during the April-June quarter and commission its new factory near Tirupati by July, according to a senior company official. The Hyderabad-headquartered firm aims to increase its market share in the Indian mobile market to 6-7 per cent from four per cent now in the next one year supported by new products, additional capacity and favourable growth trend in the market, Mr Murali Reteineni, Execu-

Image for representational purpose only

tive Director, Celkon Impex, said. He also said the company was planning to commission its upcoming mobile production unit at the Tirupati Electronics Manufacturing Cluster by July.

The Cluster, which will also house similar units of mobile production units Micromax, Lava and Karbon brands.

The unit will have a capacity to produce four lakh units in the initial phase.Meanwhile, Celkon aims to rope in a few key component makers to improve localisation in its handsets. (Agencies)

manufacturers. "We will file a case against them soon. I am examining them," Mr. Goyal said. The Indian government was committed to its domestic manufacturers and would find other ways to protect them, he said. During his speech, Mr Goyal also spoke about a working group that had been created under the leadership of Minister of Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari to explore ways to ensure widespread usage of electric vehicles in India.

"We have created a working group under Mr. Gadkari with Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Environment Minister (Prakash) Javadekar and me as members to see how we can have 100 per cent electric vehicles by 2030," the power minister said.

(Agencies)

Tata Steel Europe CEO to get replaced Mumbai, Mar 26: Tata Steel Ltd said its Europe unit's chief executive, Karl Koehler, is stepping down to take up a senior leadership position with a large, privately owned industrial company in Germany. Koehler would be replaced by Hans Fischer, chief technical officer at Tata Steel Europe, effective March 1, the company said in a statement. Koehler, who will also resign from the Tata Steel board, will remain available to Tata Steel for a short period in an advisory capacity, the steelmaker said.

Koushik Chatterjee, group executive director and a board member, will become Tata Steel's executive director for Europe in addition to his current responsibilities, the company said. The change in the top ranks of Britain's largest steelmaker comes at a time when the steel industry has been reeling from falling prices and cheap imports. The European Commission is scheduled to propose later this year whether to grant China market economy status, a move that critics say would give the country a license to dump unfairly cheap products in Europe and cost jobs.

Tata Steel announced last month that it would axe 1,050 jobs in the United Kingdom soon after European Union steel prices touched their lowest since 2004. That was the second round of job cuts for the company in six months. (Agencies)

Balaji Telefilms plans venture into video on demand Image for representational purpose only Chennai, Mar 26: Preethi Kitchen Appliances plans to reduce its dependence on its flagship segment mixers and grinders - by expanding its offerings and entering new markets thereby doubling sales volume over the next four to five years. Currently, mixers and grinders account for 75 per cent of its sales and the balance comes from other products that include health juicers, induction cook tops, stainless steel and glass-top gas stoves, wet grinders, rice cookers and electric pressure cookers. It is looking to reduce its dependency on mixers and grinders with their revenue contribution coming down to 50 per cent. Preethi, a popular brand in the

South Indian market, was acquired by Philips during 2011. Since then, it has had access to Philips' knowhow, its marketing muscle and its global reach satiating Preethi's export appetite. Rupendra Yadav, Preethi Kitchen Appliances CEO said: "Our revenues from mixers and grinders will continue to be strong, while we expand the share of the other products from 25 to 50 per cent of our revenues.

Currently, we have 14 products in our basket and are exploring opportunities by bringing in variants of existing products. We will enter geographic areas that have a large South Indian population." Mr. Yadav said that going forward exports would be the area of

focus. Currently, exports account for five to seven per cent of revenue and Preethi's target is to more than double that revenue share. The market size of kitchen appliances in the South is estimated to be Rs.2,700 crore and Rs.8,200 crore nationally. "During January-December 2015, we gained 1.2 per cent market share, 2 per cent in Southern market and 3.2 per cent in Tamil Nadu. Last year, we registered 11.5 per cent topline growth and expect higher double-digit growth for the current year too," he said. Preethi has launched its multi-function Zodiac mixer grinder in three variants Zodiac, Taurus and Aries, coming with a five-year motor warranty. (Agencies)

Mumbai, Mar 26: LT Digital Media Entertainment, a subsidiary of Balaji Telefilms, is foraying into the Over the Top (OTT) video on demand space currently dominated by big boys like Hotstar, Netflix and Amazon Prime and may invest Rs.300 crore in this initiative. Balaji Telefilms Ltd, which has been successfully creating content for television channels for over two decades and producing Hindi movies, will start services from either June or July this year by offering 'premium, exclusive, original content' through the OTT platform to resident and non-resident Indians. The service, branded as ALT Balaji, will be priced at Rs.60 per month in India and Rs.120 per month abroad. "We have been quietly working on this

project for a year now and are currently developing the content. An experienced team has been put in place and we are getting ready to launch ALT Balaji in June or July this year," Sameer Nair, Group CEO, Balaji Telefilms Ltd told. "Ekta (Kapoor) has been a successful story teller and she has still more stories to tell which cannot be told via television. This is an opportunity for us to create this platform and go directly to consumers," Mr Nair added. Bollywood star Jitendra is the Chairman and his daughter Ekta Kapoor is Joint Managing Director of Balaji Telefilms. Currently about 100 million Indians access video on demand through the Internet and this market is likely to grow to between 200 million and 300 million by 2020, accord-

Sameer Nair, Group CEO, Balaji Telefilms ing to industry observers.

Nearly a dozen players including Indian broadcasters are eying this market. Balaji Telefilms has raised Rs 150 crore for this new venture and is eying a subscriber base of four million by 2020.

The company is planning to invest a total of Rs 300 crore in this project. Apart from the funds already raised

from US University Pension Funds, the company will invest around Rs 70 crore from internal accruals and the rest would be mobilised later depending upon requirement.

Programmes in several languages namely, English, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali and Punjabi will be broadcast online and can be accessed through the ALT Balaji mobile app. The company is betting big on the rising number of Indians accessing content through their smartphones and the relatively better bandwidth available across key markets in the country and abroad.

The main differentiator of ALT Balaji will be genuinely premium and exclusive content delivered through a subscription mode, Mr. Nair said.

"It will not be an ad-driven venture. Our content will

drive viewers to the platform and we are looking for a breakeven in 2020 when we will have 4 million paid subscribers globally." "Content will be at the centre of our offering. ALT Digital will tell new stories about youth, about professions in 20 to 26 episodes. There will be thrillers and content for adults and the youth. ALT Balaji will be everything Balaji is not," Mr Nair said "Since TV is increasingly becoming the last century's medium, we thought if Balaji has to genuinely grow as a business and become scalable, we have to go B2C and ALT Balaji emerged from that thinking."

Since ALT Balaji will be a digital broadcaster, the company will not create all the content and is working with other creators and producers for the same. (Agencies)

cmyk

cmyk

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, MARCH 27

PAGE 11

Last two games humbling experience : Kohli It is very important to be aware of the moment and celebrate after it is all done,” said Kohli.

Mohali, Mar 26: India’s batting star Virat Kohli on Saturday said it was difficult to be consistent in the shortest format and the two tight wins against Pakistan and Bangladesh were humbling experience for the team, which began its World T20 campaign as the overwhelming title favourites.

“It was very good to get that win (over Bangladesh). It is very difficult to be consistent in this formant and you need to come to terms with that. Sometimes you need character to get you over the line and that is why our spinners and Hardik (Pandya) were brilliant for us.

“This format requires you to be at the top of your focus while batting and fielding.

So we need to stay in the moment and not get carried away,” said Kohli ahead of the virtual quarterfinal between India and Australia in the ICC World T20 in Mohali on Sunday.

Kohli said Aussies will be tough as usual but they would take positives out of their 3-0 win Down Under in January.

“You always want to win convincingly but it is not possible all times. Sometimes you have to adapt well to tough situations like we did in the last two games. If you look at how we have played this season, we have been consistent. We can focus on what we did in Australia and take positives out of it but can’t take anything

Spectacular Djokovic wows Miami crowd with pocket trick London, Mar 26 (ANI): World number one and defending champion Novak Djokovic, who is known for his stupendous and dexterous tennis shots, once again took the crowd by surprise when he caught a ball in his pocket during his opening match at the Miami Open on Saturday.

It happened when Britain's Kyle Edmund misjudged Djokovic's serve and shanked the ball high in the air. The Serbian then used both hands to position his left pocket under the ball, the Guardian reported.

Djokovic, the 11-time Grand Slam champion, eventually won the match 6-3, 6-3 to advance to the third round of the tournament.

Stomach flu spoils Federer's comeback at Miami Open

Kohli narrated the sequence of events that led to India’s win over Bangladesh in the last game with skipper M S Dhoni sprinting towards the stumps for a last ball run out.

“Experience counts a lot in these situations. He has captained India in such big games and has that self assurance built over a period of time. We all know he is composed and calm. While I was standing at the boundary, there was Ashu bhai (Nehra) to talk to him. He was also very calm at the moment. MS got good suggestions from him and it was an important moment for us.

Virat Kohli guy?” he quipped before giving an elaborate answer and taking a dig at his critics.

forming), you want more and more of it. You work so hard and you want that satisfaction,” he explained.

Kohli, who is in the form of his life, is a lot mellowed person now, although aggression still remains very much a part of his personality. Asked to give a sneak peek into his mental space, the team’s biggest match winner had plenty to say.

“When I started, a lot about me was wrong. I was the tattoo guy, the one who wore stylish clothes. It is very easy to focus on the negative stuff but I choose not do that. The basic thinking is I want to improve as a cricketer every day. I make sure I do all the hard work and hope it pays off one day. I back myself to go out there and win the game.

India had beaten Pakistan here in the semifinals of the 50-over World Cup in 2011.

Sunday is another crucial game.

Is it pooja path or meditation that keeps him calm in pressure cooker situations?

“Do I look like a pooja path

“As a cricketer, you don’t have a long career. For me it is an opportunity. Once you get addicted to it (per-

for granted, it is a virtual quarterfinal. Why we beat them is important to remember rather than thinking only about the result. If we play to our potential, we can beat them again,” asserted Kohli.

“One thing I have learnt is that if play well in semis and finals of the World Cup you become more confident as a player. The occasion (in 2011) was too overwhelming for me. I had seen the Prime Ministers of both countries present at the ground. It is very easy to look at all these and not focus on what you have to do.

“The most staggering part was that he did not throw the ball and was very sure that he could beat the batsman with pace. It was brilliant from him under the circumstances.”

Kohli said the key to success in a world event is adaptability to conditions that differ from match to match.

“It is very important to assess conditions. We do have meetings on what can be done on different surface. It also depends on individuals, how they want to do about playing on a particular pitch. You need to plan according to your strength.

And on game day, too much

pre planning doesn’t help.

“Adaptability is key in this competition. It is not like IPL, where you have seven home and away games. It is a big challenge,” he said.

Captain Steven Smith is a crucial cog in Australian line-up and Kohli said it would be important to stop him.

“He is a very important player for Australia. The way their batting unit works, someone like Smith gives them solidarity. It always helps as a batting unit. He is a very good player and world class player and in these scenarios you always want the big players out.

That is what we will try to do as well,” said Kohli, reiterating that he relishes the challenge of playing against Australia.

Do extreme reactions from the fans bother him, irrespective of the match result, Kohli said: “There is no point speaking about something you have no control on. We want to win the tournament. We are working as hard as possible.

Reactions will always be extreme. We don’t focus on these things. You need to draw the line of things you absorb and ignore negatives. That is the key at international level.

“It is difficult but that is what helps. You don’t think about reaction while facing a cricket ball.”

Rajah Ali Tea sports Academy win ET Correspondent Duliajan, Mar. 26: Rajah Ali Tea sports Academy today defeated Tinsukia Football Coaching Center by 10 in the ongoing 1st Greater Dibrugarh-Tinsukia District Inter-Academy Football Tournament held here at

Nehru Maidan. Dipankar Das netted only goal for the Rajah Ali in the 19th minutes of first half. Tomorrow, Kakopathar Football Coaching Center will take on Naharkatia Football Coaching Center.

Referee: Naresh Goala.

Ex-greats want major overhaul of Pakistan after World T20 exit

Pakistan Team Johannesburg, Mar 26 (ANI): Former Pakistan cricketers has called for a major overhaulwithin the national cricket squad after the Shahid Afridi -led side made an early exit from the ongoing World T20 in India.

Pakistan failed to replicate their dominant win over Bangladesh in the opening match as they went on to lose three consecutive matches against fierce rivals India, New Zealand and Australia to get themselves knocked out of the T20 format's pinnacle tournament.

Speaking to a local news channel, former Pakistan

skipper-turned-commentator Rameez Raja said that his country's cricket team have lagged behind so much that they do not stand a chance to win any major tournaments, Sport24 reported.

He also suggested that several players need to be sacked and called for the introduction of new players who will take at least three years to perform.

Former Test specialist Mohammad Yousaf urged the PCB, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, former cricket greats, media and cricket fans to unite and get Pakistan out of its misery.

(ANI)

Yuvraj undergoes extended net England seek clean slate and semis session ahead of Australia tie berth in Womens World T20

Mohali, Mar 26: India put in the hard yards in a routine two-hour practice session with left-handed batsman Yuvraj Singh having an extended session ahead of their must-win match against Australia in the ICC World T20 at the IS Bindra Stadium on Saturday.

Yuvraj, who was not amongst the runs against Bangladesh and New Zealand, took throw downs from assistant coach Sanjay Bangar for close to an hour.

The other batsman who batted longer than others was Ajinkya Rahane, who is yet to get a game in the tournament.

Yuvraj came to bat at the nets after the turn of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli and Ravinchandran Ashwin.

Yuvraj Singh He batted alongside Rahane, Suresh Raina and skipper MS Dhoni, who mostly faced the slower bowlers and continued even after the trio was done.

Yuvraj mostly practiced the aerial strokes, both in front and behind the wicket. He last played an international match here in October 2-13 when he was out for a duck.

Kohli too batted with deter-

mination for close to 45 minutes before heading to the ground for some catching practice. His performance will be crucial to India's chances, as it was the case against Pakistan.

Pressure will be on openers Rohit and Dhawan to give India a good start after having tough outings in the earlier games. Suresh Raina is another batsman who will be eager to perform after scores of 30, 0, 1.

The bowlers who spent most time in the nets were Ashish Nehra, Harbhajan Singh and injury prone Mohammad Shami.

After sweating it out, home heroes Yuvraj and Harbhajan readily posed for the handful of fans gathered at the nets. The players trained under the watchful eyes of selectors Vikram Rathour and MSK Prasad.

Chennai, Mar 26: Title contenders England would look to maintain their unbeaten run and seal a semifinal berth when they take on Pakistan in their last group league match of the Womens World Twenty20 cricket tournament here tomorrow. England, the winner of the inaugural edition in 2009 and runners-up to Australia in the last two tournaments, have won all their three league matches so far in Group B to lead the table with six points.

There is still a possibility of a three way tie in the group if Pakistan beat England and the West Indies also emerge victorious against India tomorrow. In

that scenario, the net run rate will decide which two sides qualify for the semifinals from the group. On paper, both the sides appear evenly matched though Pakistan are rather depleted due to the injury to their solid opener Javeria Wadood in their opening game against the West Indies and few niggles to two others. Pakistan have shown great character to grind their way to victory with lady luck also smiling on them against India in a rain affected match in New Delhi. They then thrashed Bangladesh by nine wickets with 21 balls to spare.

The Pakistan top order have managed to do well with the bat but its the

middle order that remains a cause of concern for them at the moment.

Their bowlers like spinners Rumana Ahmed and Nahida Aktar showed enterprise in patches but they were not penetrative enough. Their pacers Jahanara Alam and Salma Khan have been costly. On the whole, the Pakistanis lacked the consistency in both bat and ball. On the other hand, England have beaten both India and the West Indies and they have shown that they have the all-round strength to go the whole distance in the tournament. They have got the advantage of international experience.

Captain Charlotte Edwards, Tammy Beaumont, Natalie Sciver and Sara Taylor have batted well in their last three games, while their medium pace trio of Anya Shrubsole and Heather Knight and Katerine Brunt have been among the wickets. It, however, remains to be seen as to how England adapt themselves to the slow and spinning track at the Chepauk. The pitch conditions would again play a decisive role and the result would hinge on the ability to adapt.

Given the relative strengths and merits of the team, the contest is likely to be a battle of attrition, if nothing else.

Beating India in India is the ultimate challenge: Watson

cmyk

London, Mar 26 (ANI): Swiss tennis maestro Roger Federer, who was preparing to make comeback after undergoing knee surgery earlier this year, has pulled out of the Miami Open with a stomach virus.

The world number three had been due to play against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in his first match since Australian Open defeat to eventual champion Novak Djokovic in January.

While apologizing for withdrawing from the tournament, Federer said in a statement that his condition got worse in the last 24 hours and that he was in no condition to play, the Guardian reported.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion has been replaced by lucky loser Horacio Zeballos, Del Potro's compatriot, in the draw.

Mohali, Mar 26: Beating India in their own backyard is the ultimate challenge and the boys are up for the knockout battle against the hosts in the ICC World Twenty20 in Mohali on Sunday, said Australian all-rounder Shane Watson.

Australia knocked Pakistan out of the tournament on Friday, setting up a virtual quarterfinal against India at the I.S. Bindra Stadium.

Watson said it is good that his team doesn’t have to worry about the run rate anymore as it is a winner takes all affair.

“Look, I have played in games where a lot was dependant on run rate and sometimes we missed out because of it. So it is good that it has come down to winning the match with a simple equation. We know we have to be at our best to beat India. They are an incredible

team. Especially in Indian conditions, it is going to be a huge challenge for us,” said Watson, who will retire from international cricket at the end of the tournament.

ditions have been extreme.

Any team would struggle in that scenario. The ball is turning huge amount, as much I have seen in a T20 game, whether it was in Nagpur or Eden Gardens.

“For my personal perspective, knowing that it could be my last international match, it is certainly a huge game.

The good thing is that we played well against Pakistan here.”

Acknowledging that the home team has not played to its potential so far, Watson said playing India is always a huge challenge.

“Well it would have been nice if Bangladesh held their nerve a little bit better (against India). That way we would not have to worry so much about the game tomorrow. Look, it is the ultimate

“In Mohali, it doesn’t turn that much but they have skillful batsmen and bowlers. All of a sudden their team can click and when that happens they are almost an unbeatable team,” said a wary Watson.

Shane Watson challenge in any format, to play India in India. If you can beat them on Indian soil, it is an incredible achievement.

“All the players know that and I certainly know for sure,

having plenty of experiences of playing in India.”

On India’s performance in the tournament so far, Watson said: “It is right that they have not clicked so far but the con-

For the great all-rounder Watson, the game will be about which team handles pressure better.

“In big games, it is about your mental approach more than anything else. The biggest challenge is to hold your nerve when the pressure comes on, which is certainly

going to happen in knock-out games. Quite a lot of people follow the sport in India than our team back home. So the expectations are more from them. Both teams want to win such a big tournament.

We did that in the World Cup last year, so did India in 2011.

It is going to be a great game,” predicted Watson.

He was also reminded about the team’s 0-3 loss to India at home in January.

“We have got a very different team compared to the one in that series. For us to be able to click against Pakistan is a great thing. They (India) certainly have a more settled team and all the players know their roles.”

Heaping praise on Virat Kohli, Watson feels it is must for Australia to get him out cheaply.

“Well, we have a tried a few different things (against him) which has not worked. We thought it would work but he goes about his business without any fuss. We have also gone hard at him at times. It affected him for two balls and then I dropped him at the slips,” said a witty Watson.

“He knows his game way too well. We have to try to get him out earlier because once he gets in, he certainly knows how to put pressure on the bowlers.”

Watson also expects the contest to be a heated affair, as it has been the case of late.

“Things have heated up in the past. It means so much to the Indian players and for us.

Things can heat up easily in games like these,” he reckoned.

cmyk

Roger Federer

cmyk

cmyk

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, MARCH 27

PAGE 12

Priyanka misses Saqib found it 'irritating' to work with Huma 'Holi' in India A Saqib Saleem, who will be seen sharing screen space with his sister Huma Qureshi in a Hindi remake of Hollywood film 'Oculus', says it was exciting yet "irritating" to work with her onscreen. "It was exciting. It was like, I am acting with my sister... you live together, eat together, now you work together... So it's kind of irritating.

But once you get into it, and get into the actor mode, it's great. It was exciting," Saqib said. The title of the film will be announced later this month, he shared. Released in 2013, 'Oculus' is the story of a brother

ctress Priyanka Chopra, who is currently busy shooting for 'Quantico' in the US, would not be able to travel to India to celebrate Holi on Thursday with her family and friends.

Priyanka took to Twitter on Tuesday to express her sadness over missing the festival of colours. 'I miss Holi in India already!' Priyanka tweeted. In 'Quantico', Priyanka is playing the role of FBI agent Alex Parrish.

The Amercian thriller TV series also features Josh Hopkins, Jake McLaughlin, Aunjanue Ellis and Yasmine Al Massri among others.

The 'Bajirao Mastani' actor will also be seen in 'Baywatch' alongside Hollywood stars D w a y n e Johnson and Zac Efron.

and sister battling paranormal activity. Saqib and Huma will be reprising the characters played by Karen Gillan and Brenton Thwaites.

Caption: Saqib Saleem and Huma Qureshi, acting together for the Bollywood remake of 'Oculus'.

National Award-winning actress Kangana Ranaut, known for her outspoken and honest views, feels that the modern woman i s smart, con-

fident and has a "strong sense of identity". "The modern woman is smart, confident and independent.

She has her own opinions and a strong sense of identity. Today's women know how to express themselves and carry their attitude with unmatched style!" Kangana told reporters here.

"Women are no longer allowing anything to define them, apart from their own self-expression," she added.

Kangana has impressed Indian cinegoers with her versatile acting skills and choice of bold and unconventional roles. Little won-

Kangana snarls for a cause der that she is touted as the 'Queen' of Bollywood. With meaty roles in her kitty and a head-turning fashion sense, she's taken the next step forward with her association with the trendy ethnic wear brand, Melange by Lifestyle. Talking about her personal style sensibility, the actress says: "Style is a way of expressing oneself and my style should tell the world who I am. I just need to be comfortable and confident in what I wear and that's half the battle won".

She also feels that change is a constant in fashion.

"There are no hard and fast

rules that I play by. My sensibility is all about boho chic," Kangana said, while adding that modern Indian women are "way more fashion forward and confident in the way they dress. "They're experimenting, they're moving forward with styles, they're looking fresher, and edgier styles, but most of all, they're reinventing styles with confidence," she said. On the work front, Kangana will next be seen onscreen in Vishal Bhardwaj's 'Rangoon', which also stars Saif Ali Khan and Shahid Kapoor.

Caption: Bollywood "Queen" Kangana Ranaut known for her outspoken and honest views, feels that the modern woman is smart, confident and has a "strong sense of identity". (Photo: pinkvilla)

Aamir mesmerized by Swara's talent enrolls in the same school as her daughter to improve her academic performance. "Saw Nil Battey Sannata.

Inspiring, moving, uplifting! Great film! Outstanding performances! A must watch! Love," Aamir, who is busy shooting for his upcoming release "Dangal", posted on Twitter.

Three from Assam nominated for GIMA 2016

Also starring Ratna Pathak Shah and Pankaj Tripathi in prominent roles, the film is produced by Aanand L Rai and Ajay Rai. "Nil Battey Sannata" is expected to release on April 22 along with its Tamil remake "Amma Kanakku".

S uperstar Aamir Khan is bowled over by the trailer of Swara Bhaskar-starrer relationship drama "Nil Battey Sannata". Directed by debutant filmmaker Ashwini Iyer Tiwari, the film talks about a single mother who

Gulzar, Vishal Bhardwaj join hands for 'Jungle Book' Song Angaraag Papon Mahanta, Padmanav Bordoloi and Nirmali Das are the three singers who have been nominated for the prestigious Global Indian Music Academy Awards (GIMA) 2016. GIMA is one of India's biggest Music Academy Awards. Angaraag Papon Mahanta did Assam proud by winning the GIMA Award 2015 in the Best Pop Album Segment for Coke Studio Season 3 and GIMA Awards 2012 in the Best Pop Album Segment for The Story So Far. Incidentally, Padmanav is the second male singer and Nirmali is the first female singer from Assam to be nominated for this Award.

Nomination details: Angarag Papon Mahanta Song-

Moh Moh Ke Dhaage

Category- Best Playback Single- Male Nirmali Das Song-

Dhinuya Saali Gosore

Category- Best Traditional Folk Single

Padmanav Bordoloi Song-

'Housefull 3' to have Chunky Pandey in double role There will be a double dose of Chunky Pandey in 'Housefull 3' as he is ready to tickle the funny bone of the audience with his quirky characters Aakhri Pasta and Aakhri Aastha. "I am there in 'Housefull 3'. I am Aakhri Pasta and I have got a double role. My second role is named as Aakhri Aastha,"

Chunky told media at an awards event in Dubai last week. The actor shared more about his role in the film, which is directed by Sajid-Farhad Samji, well known writers who had made their directorial debut with 'Entertainment' in 2014. This is not the first time that Chunky is playing

Teri Jo Baatein Hai

V

eteran lyricist Gulzar and filmmakercomposer Vishal Bhardwaj have reunited to bring a new version of the famous track "Jungle jungle pata chalaa hai" from the Hindi TV animated series "Jungle Book" of the 1990s - for the Hindi dubbed version of Hollywood film "The Jungle Book". Disney InAakhri Pasta. He did it in the past two installments of the comical franchise. Talking about his new character Aakhri Aastha, he said: "He is the owner of the Aastha channel and becomes an astrologer and goes absolutely crazy." The film also stars Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan and Riteish Deshmukh among others. Asked if he has any other films on his platter, Chunky said: "I am doing a film called 'Yeh Film Pakistan Main Ban Hai'".

dia has released a revision of the original track, which was composed by Gulzar and Bhardwaj 23 years ago.

It's an emotional project for Bhardwaj, whom Gulzar considers as his son. "Jungle jungle pata chalaa hai' was not

only my first successful song but, more importantly, it was my first collaboration with Gulzar saab. We were under a huge time constraint when we first made the song and didn't even have a moment to process what we were doing," Bhardwaj said in a state-

ment. "We could never have imagined how popular it would be! After 23 years it's been an absolute delight to revisit the song.

Gulzaar saab's lyrics are as stunning as ever.

He is truly at his best when he writes for kids.

One could say that Gulzar saab is, in fact, the oldest kid in the film industry," Bhardwaj said.

"He is not jaded by age and so his lyrics rejoice in the innocence of childhood and pure wonder for the world! What greater joy is there for a composer than to have such a masterful lyricist to work with," Bhardwaj added.

Disney India officials are hopeful that the revised song too will click with Indian audiences.

'Jungle jungle‌' is the childhood anthem of ev-

eryone in the 1990s generation. They have grown up on this song‌ And it's a song that every Indian knows, loves and remembers. So, we thought it would be great to revive it for our upcoming release 'The Jungle Book'," said Amrita Pandey, vice president-Studios, Disney India. For the India release of the film, the studio has roped in Bollywood stars like Priyanka Chopra, Irrfan Khan, Nana Patekar, Shefali Shah and Om Puri, to lend their voices for the principal characters. In the Hollywood version, actors Scarlett Johannson, Bill Murray, Idris Elba, Lupita Nyong'o and Ben Kingsley have dubbed for the respective characters. "The Jungle Book" is slated to release on April 8 in India.

Tele : Dibrugarh, 0373-2328944, for circulation contact: 8471896580, Telephone & Fax: 0373-2328944.

Editorial Adviser: Subir Bhaumik

Editor: Ripunjoy Das

cmyk

cmyk

Printed, Published and Owned by NIKH KHOPI and Printed at PEE GEE(India) Ltd., C/O Asomiya Khabar Pulibor, Jorhat-785006 and Published from T.C Borah Building, 1st Floor, Next to Sankardeva Hospital, Mancotta Road, Chowkidingee Dibrugarh-786001, Assam. Email: editor.easterntoday@gmail.com. For advertisement: advt.easterntoday@gmail.com