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ASSENG/2015/64205
Page 6
Page 12 Vol. 1
Issue 296
Dibrugarh, Sunday, April 3, 2016
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Assam Poll high stakes for Congress and BJP Assam is poised for a fierce electoral battle with the two major players-- the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) holding high stakes in the two-phase election to the state assembly. The two-phase polls are scheduled for April 4 and 11. The BJP is looking at the Assam assembly polls as an opportunity to shake off the party’s image that was battered by two successive losses in Delhi and Bihar polls. For the Congress too, the stakes are very high as Assam is one of the seven states where the party is currently in power. Led by the incumbent Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, the ruling Congress has been trying to pull out all the stops to retain power for the fourth consecutive term prevent the BJP and its allies from capturing power at Dispur. The BJP’s hope to wrest power from Dispur stems from the party’s spectacular performance in 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Riding a popular Modiwave the saffron party won seven of the total 14 Lok Sabha seats and its candidates polled the highest votes in 69 of the
ET CAPSULES 2 KPLT militants killed Diphu, April 2: Two militants of the Karbi Peoples Liberation Tigers (KPLT) opposing the state Assembly elections were killed in an encounter with security forces in Karbi Anglong district, police said on Saturday. The insurgents exchanged fire with a joint team of police and Army in which two of its cadres were killed at Borlangso last night, Superintendent of Police Debojit Deuri said. The arms and ammunition recovered from the slain ultras include one HK-36 rifle with two magazines of 45 cartridges, a point 22 pistol with cartridges, a 303 pistol with eight cartridges and two INSAS rifles, he said. The KPLT issued threats to media persons recently after journalists at a meeting in Diphu Press Club had unanimously decided not to publish the outfit's press releases calling for bandhs opposing the elections scheduled in the district on April 4 during the first phase of elections in the state, a press club official said. (Correspondent)
Jewelry stole, 1 innocent death
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Dhemaji, April 2: In the night of 1st April, a thief entered in the house of Badal Das in society village under Silapathar Police station, of Dhemaji district and stole jewelry and broke locker and steal Almira. On visiting the spot which is nearly 1km away from Silapathar police station it was seen that, thief entered the house by digging mud from back side of the house, they murdered Jharana Das (47), wife of Badal Das. The incident occurred when the victim was alone in the house and Badal Das was in his daughter’s house at Past ghat, where his two sons doing business over there. The news flashed like jungle fire in the area. Police reached the spot and blocked the campus. However dead body was sent to Dhemaji for postmortem. In this afternoon Dhemaji SP, Swapnanil Deka, visited the site and called on for snipper dog, as the dead body found in house was in doubtful condition. Talking to the Eastern Today Silapathar police said that the broken jewelry box was thrown outside in the campus. Police also said that it can be ascertained only after proper investigation. Badal Das talking to this correspondent said that he reached Silapathar after getting information. Villagers doubted the case, on asking they said that the case is complex and the miscreant enter the house not only with purpose of thieving but with other motto too, which police too also doubting and taken the case seriously, source added. (Correspondent)
total 126 assembly seats in the state. However, absence of a strong organisational network to consolidate the gains forced the BJP to enter into pre-poll alliance with the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) for the ensuing assembly polls. The three-party coalition is hopeful of avoiding a split of the non-Congress votes. However, there is always a resistance among the rank and file of the constituencts of any political alliance to transfer of votes to the common candidate as they are apprehensive of permanent a shift in loyalty. Revolt against the alliance and rebel candidates jumping into the fray triggered speculations that the rebels may spoil the game for the three-party alliance in some constituencies to the advantage of the ruling party. The BJP is contesting 89 seats and left 24 seats to AGP and 12 to the BPF. The AGP contesting in 30 seats and will be locked in a friendly contest with the BJP in six seats. After sharing power for eight years BPF snapped its ties with the Congress in 2014 when dissidence against the Gogoi government was at the peak. Former Health and Education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma
As campaign ends for the first phase of elections, a chopper moves away from the people in Golaghat signalling the end of a high profile poll battle. Pic - Amit Nagori who led the dissidence and later quit the Congress in 2015 to join the BJP with nine other dissident Congress legislators is said to have played the key role in shaping the alliance with BPF.
Organisations request Arunachal CM to re-consider transfer of West Kameng district DC A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Apr 2
The Arunachal Mountaineering & Adventure Sports Association today on behalf of various organizations of West Kameng district requested Chief Minister Kalikho Pul to re-consider the transfer of Deputy Commissioner A K Singh and keep him in the district. This All West Kameng Students Union, West Kameng Indigenous People's Society, BJP West Kameng District Unit and West Kameng District Congress Committee also expressed similar views and requested the same from the chief minister. On receiving the news of the DC’s transfer from the district, the organizations said that it is imperative for an officer to have a cordial relation with the people for development initiatives and implementation of the welfare schemes of the government, and stated that the public relations of the incumbent DC has been found to be very good. The organizations felt that besides his regular duties as
a deputy commissioner, Singh has also been actively involved in various social works in the district, which they informed has benefitted the people of the district immensely. In terms of implementation of various welfare schemes of the government, the present incumbent DC, the organizations affirmed, has been personally spearheading the implementation and monitoring of the schemes, resulting in successful implementation and benefit to the people of the district. “He is very diligent and his easy access has been a great boon for the people while dealing with the various official works. Service delivery is prompt and positive, which has benefitted the people a lot”, the organizations said. Reiterating their plea to the chief minister to retain the DC in the district for a longer period of time in the interest of the district, the five organisations expressed their apprehensions on various development activities coming to a standstill if DC Singh is transferred.
In 2011 assembly polls, the party positions were as follows: Congress- 78, All India United Democratic Front – 18, Bodoland People’s Front- 12, Asom Gana Parishad-10 and BJP- 5, Trinamool Congress-
1, independents- 2. Congress hopes that there has been perceptible change in the situation over the past two years since 2014 Lok Sabha polls. The ruling party was grappling with dissidence dur-
ing the Lok Sabha polls and it went to the people as a divided house. This time it has been able to present a united house with the party throwing its weight behind the incumbent chief minister Tarun Gogoi and
his government after ten dissident legislators led by Sarma joined the BJP. On the other hand, ever since the BJP projected its state president and Union minister of state (Independent) for Sport and Youth Affairs Sarbananda Sonowal as the chief ministerial candidate, Sarma has been seen going overdrive right from ironing out teething problems of seat sharing with AGP and the BJP to addressing rallies across the state which has helped him a build the image of a star campaigner for the BJP. However, this has also triggered speculations that the BJP has been divided into two camps of Sarma and Sonowal that may put spanner in the wheels of BJP’s chariot which the party dreams to ride to capture Dispur. The Congress is pinning hopes on regaining its lost support base among the tea tribe voters who play deciding role in about 35 seats and among the Muslim voters of erstwhile East Bengal origin who speak Assamese and a Bengali dialect who decide about 30 seats. In 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP caused severe erosion in the traditional stronghold of the Congress among the tea tribes and its candidates polled highest votes in 26 of about 35 seats decided by them. In 2011,
Chief Minister aims to provide stable power supply to all administrative centres by 2017-18 A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Apr 2
Chief Minister Kalikho Pul has unveiled plans to achieve stable power supplies to all the administrative centres in the state – from circle headquarters to district headquarters by 2017-18. The power will be generated locally by developing small hydropower projects of capacity 10KW to 2MW in all potential rivers and rivulets near the administrative centres, Pul told a gathering of high officials from power department here today. According to the chief minister, the power generated locally will lessen the state to depend on the centralised power source distributed through grids. This will also cut costs incurred by the state in huge power purchase, in erecting transmission infrastructure, minimise transmission loss and increase in efficiency of power distribution, he reasoned. Setting the work completion target of maximum 2 years, Pul informed that all the power projects will be developed by the state government – and also with the help of PSUs, private developers and the government of India.
CM Pul during his discussion in Itanagar today. ET Photo In addition, the work to locally develop power sources will also focus on improving transmission line for which order for all the mechanical equipments, machineries and civil works will be made, informed the chief minister, in a meeting that was also attended by Parliamentary Secretary for power (hydro) Phosum Khimhun. Outlining his concept to achieve electrification of all the administrative centres, he said the majority population and important institutions are in these places – such as, government employees, traders, local population, hospitals, schools, colleges, offices etc. He also informed that other
un-electrified villages and towns will covered soon in phase wise and planned manner, informed the chief minister. For this to achieve, he informed that state has plans to electrify 80,000 households by 2017-18 through solar power plant, which has the backing of union government with 90 percent subsidy.
Pul urged cooperation of the department for survey of all the beneficiary areas. To start with the plan to develop small hydropower projects, Pul requested the department to prepare a district wise, sub-division and circle wise status – on all the MoUs signed by the power developers in the state.
As per the programme, the priority areas for solar electrification will be for interior areas with no electricity and roads. It will first look for offgrid areas and then the gridareas – where there is no source for power generation, informed the chief minister.
He also sought ground status of all the functional and non-functional hydels and power projects – on their total assets, manpower, infrastructure, condition of power house and equipments.
To implement the solar power programme effectively,
Contd. on Page 3
the Congress won 26 of these seats and the BJP won only one seat. During 2014 Lok Sabha polls, most of the Congress legislators elected from these constituencies were seen engaged in dissidence against Gogoi that was led by Sarma. After Sarma and his loyalist quit the Congress to join the BJP, Gogoi loyalists managed to patch up with the party leaders representing the tea tribes and used the electioneering to showcase the unity in a desperate bid to turn the tide. The ruling party is banking on its campaign that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government headed by Narendra Modi had stopped the monthly allocation of additional quota of 7600 MT of rice and 5000 MT of wheat to the tea gardens which is required for providing subsidised ration to garden workers at 50 to 55 paise a kilogram but the Congress-controlled Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha moved the court to get the Modi-government’s order suspended. Besides, the Congress is also counting on a slew of welfare schemes initiated by the Gogoi government targeting the tea tribes such as the chief minister’s Bagan Ghar Scheme for providing every tea garden worker family Contd. on Page 3
Mrityunjoy Pramanik takes over as Executive Director of IOCL (AOD) in Digboi ET Correspondent Digboi, Apr 2
Mrityunjoy Pramanik took over as Executive Director of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (Assam Oil Division) here recently following the superannuation of Amitava Mishra the ED (I/C) recently from AOD Digboi after two years of his effective services to the organization. Mr. Pramanik who has been a bright Chemical Engineer with M. Tech from IIT Kanpur and had joined Indian Oil Corporation Limited as Graduate Engineer Trainee in 1984 at Barauni refinery has finally been entrusted the responsibilities of steering the origination towards its objectives. According to sources, his career graph spans from job assignments ranging from operations, technical services to Grass root commissioning of refinery in various refineries of Indian Oil Corporation Limited. He has acquired rich experience in optimization, FCC operations, and technical services while serving at Indian Oil refineries at Guwahati, Gujarat, Mathura, Barauni and Paradip during his career. A committed operations expert, his areas of specialization include refinery units like AVU, FCC and Hydro-cracker. Contd. on Page 4
Villagers in Jeraigaon to vote for change during ensuing Assam elections Avik Chakraborty Dibrugarh, Apr. 2
curity forces are now living in a peace.
Jeraigaon, situated 35-km from Dibrugarh town is the home of Ulfa (I) commanderin-chief Paresh Baruah and recently released Ulfa general secretary Anup Chetia. Both of them are cousins with their houses adjacent to each other. Chetia also known Golap Baruah is an avid footballer like the Ulfa chief. After his release from Bangladesh jail recently, he joined the Arabinda Rajkhowa pro-talk Ulfa group which is engaged in peace parleys with the Centre. Once considered a hotbed of insurgent elements, peace has slowly but surely returned to the village. The people of the village which once faced the atrocities of se-
85-year old Suren Barua, the elder brother of Anup Chetia explains the situation when both the cousins joined hands to give birth to the United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa) to fight for an independent homeland. “When they were fighting for sovereign Assam, I told them it was not possible. You can fight for development, unemployment and issues which plaguing the society at that time but I told them Independent Assam was not possible,” Suren Baruah said. He added that steps has been taken by the centre ruled BJP to restore peace and the decision to bring Anup Chetia from
Bangladesh and involve him in a peace process has been a good step taken by the BJP. Suren Barua believes that peace would definitely come into Assam and Anup Chetia will play a crucial role in the peace process. “ I told him(Anup) now many political parties urge you for involve you in the active politics but you don’t involve you in the politics right now, you travel in Assam and find out the real issues which and pressed them before the central government,’’ he added. From the 50s, Baruah has been casting votes and this time also he would cast his vote for the development of his society. “The roads of our village are ramshackle and during the monsoon time it becomes worst to travel. Congress has been win-
Suren Barua, brother of Anup Chetia. ning from our Chabua constituency from many time but till now they have failed to developed the basic problem of the people,’’Barua told this correspondent. Jeraigaon having a voter population of 938 and during election time they play a vital
role. “No such development has taken place in our village apart from a little development. Raju Shahu is the sitting MLA of our area but we have not seen him to come in our village,’’ said Renu Barua, sister-in law of ULFA (I) commander-in chief. “When Anup Chetia was released from the jail and involved in peace talks we are positive but now it seems that positive dialogues has been going on,’’Renu Barua said. She added that the beneficiaries should get the benefits from the government but some people who are closed with the political parties took away the funds meant for the poor people. “Why is necessary to organise meeting at the villages if the parties really thinks for the poor people and worked for
them,’’ she added. When this correspondent asked about the coming of Paresh Baruah and joined the peace talk to strengthen the dialogue, she replied that time would tell about that. Rintu Chetia, a villager of Jeriagoan said there is a health centre in the village but it lacks in basic amenities. “The people of the village have to travel upto Panitola PHC for basic treatment. New born babies are born on the road while taking the pregnant women to hospital because of the pathetic condition of Jerai Mohmara road,’’ he said. “This time we need change because for the last 15 years we have seen what the MLA of our LAC have done for us.’’ “In our constituency the fight
will be between BJP and Congress. Binod Hazarika a new face from BJP against the controversial MLA Raju Shahu who will win the battle it’s difficult to say right now,’’ Manash Barua, a local vendor of Chabua said. Siddhartha Chetia, 38, Gaonbura of Jerai Chakolibharia and Nanalihula Bongali gaon told that the residents of Chabua are seeking change but time would tell the whole story. “Raju Sahu should not get the ticket this time because his name has cropped up in the CPI (ML) leader Gangaram Kaul murder case. Who will win its difficult to say but the people to check the past history of the leader before voting,’’ Anup Das, a resident of Dikom said.
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Sushanta Talukdar
DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, APRIL 3
PAGE 2 ASTRO FOR YOU Aries One more hectic day! Today you will be busy trying to figure out solutions to your problems, both at home and office. Your superiors give you some leeway and it will be quite a consolation. Experienced people will give you highly esteemed advise. Taurus You will manage to achieve all short-term goals that you had set today and your focus will now shift to setting long-term ones. Work pressure will continue but you will make it a point to find some time to renew your leisure activities. Family and friends will also figure in your scheme of things. Gemini You will spend your time figuring out other people and their motivations today. You will probably spend time discussing issues of security and finance with your family members today. You will gain love and appreciation from people owing to your caring nature. Cancer Today, you and your soul mate will be rolling in the hay; there will be little time or inclination to do anything else. In fact, you will show such single-minded devotion to the act of rolling as if the future of the world lies in the haystack. Your mind can think of nothing more, and nothing less. The best part is your resilience and your ability to spring back into action when everybody else thinks you are down and out. The best thing for today is to deal with one issue at a time. Leo Maybe it is the weather, or just one of those days, but today, you are extremely prone to wild mood swings. You must remember that nothing is permanent, except change. So go with the flow and do not get caught in the undercurrent of the changes that are taking place all around you. Take it as a warning that works to your advantage. All the worrying and sorting out done, do not forget to sit back and relax— you deserve it more than anybody. Virgo Today, your ingenuity will breed ideas like rabbits. You have the healer’s hands, and so shall you make right many a wrong. You shall be most understanding, and reading people’s mind will do wonders for you and your beloved. Libra Put up that ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on the door today. That’s because the tingle in your bones to want to stick to your preferred subject matter. This will help you achieve good progress in your research. Also, expect to be hit by a wave of nostalgia, as loving memories from the past sweeten your heart. Keep your eyes open, for, you are likely to find someone special with whom you will share your innermost feelings. Scorpio You will possibly plan to launch a new product today. But put off the launch if you want to supersede certain unscrupulous elements. But after a waiting game, you may go ahead with your plan with much fanfare. Sagittarius Dark and gloomy shall be your temperament for most part of the day today. But the afternoon may just see the skies clearing. The apparent mood change; will mainly be because of good news from abroad and business profits from your partner. Capricorn You will want to expand the horizon of your business. But, you will be confused about the path to take for the expansion. You want to reach to the sky, but such a dilemma will keep you in a double mind. Listen to what your heart says, as it will guide you to the right direction. Aquarius The monotony of your routine will get little bit of colour with the help of your wit and humour. Your jovial nature will lighten the burden of work from the shoulders of one all. People love to be in your company and that is the reason why you are on the top of every guest list. Pisces You are unlikely to be your calm and lucid self today. You will likely catch yourself worrying unnecessarily and putting in more efforts than required at work. However, some leisure time will come your way in the evening wherein you will regain your usual perspective.
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 3-4-16 (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) 8-35 A.M-Surar Panchoi (Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 9-05 A.M- Antara (Composite Programme of Hindi Film Songs) 12-30 P.M-Hindi Film Songs 1-50 P.M-Adhunik Geet 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-Yuvavani (Youth Programme) 7-45 P.M-Daakpakhili 8-00 P.M-Ekalabya (Sponsored Programme of KK Handique State Open University) 10-00P.M-Classical Music Sd-/H.O.P
Campaigning for first phase of polling ends today Sorif Mohommod Sivasagar, Apr 2: Loudspeakers fell silent as high profile campaigning for the six assembly constituencies of Sivasagar came to an end today. The voting will take place on April 4. The campaigning began with scores of election rallies by both BJP and Congress. 42 candidates will fight from the six constituencies of Sivasagar. On the last day of campaigning both the BJP and Congress party as well as independent candidates were seen with a number of rallies with their supporters. Susanta Buragohain, the Thowra Congress candidate addressed a huge crowd about 20 thousand at Demow today. Attacking his opponent Kushal Duwori of the BJP, Buragohain said that - BJP candidate Kushal Duwari is
campaigning with his 'Gundas' with black glass car's and threatening the voters. Buragohain also appealed to the voters to came out fearlessly to vote in favour of Congress party.
First phase election campaign comes to end ET Correspondent Naharkatia, April 2: On the last day of election campaign, political parties were seen trying various ways to reach the voters. Congress candidate and MLA for last 20 years, Pranati Phukan supporters took out a bike rally from Namrup and moved to different areas of Naharkatia constituency. More than 500 bikes took part in the rally shouting slogans in support of the party. While on the other
hand AGP Naren Sonowal supporters took out a bike rally on Friday, and today the candidate was seen moving door to door of the and area trying to get support from the voters. Today morning more than 40 supporters of Congress from Digholia and Borbam panchayat joined AGP at Naren Sonowal's house. Now time will say as how the voters of 120 Naharkatia constituency react to this political stunts.
No rally was seen on the last day from BJP at Thowra. Meanwhile, in a press meet at Gaurisagar APCC president Anjan Dutta said that Congress will get majority
with 70 plus seats to form Government for the fourth time. Rejecting Alliance with AIUDF and BPF, Dutta mentioned that Congress will get 42 seats in first phrase of poll.
Nazira administration completes preparations for polls Syed K. Hassan Nazira, Apr 2: The Civil administration of Nazira is fully prepared and ready for the Assembly election, 2016. According to the SDIPRO of Nazira L.Rabha the total numbers of voters of Nazira constituency is 1,18,794 and among these 61,594 are male and 57,195 are female and 461 are service voters. On the other hand, there are 159 polling stations among these 22 are sensitive and 24 are very sensitive. For free and fair election at Nazira constituency the administration has deployed 4 Divisional officers,16 Sector officers and 600 polling officers at Nazira. This time there is no any D voter at Nazira. Central election observer R.B.Prajapoti and election expenditure observer Naresh Bundal is monitoring the electoral process and progress of Nazira Constituency.Security is tightened in Nazira Sub division and para military forces are deployed for free and fair election.
This time BJP will give a new facelift to Assam by forming government in the state Shambhu Boro Rakshasmari, Apr 2 : Reiterating people should bring BJP to power in Assam for the interest of good governance in the state BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sharma today said that whatever was not executed in the last fifteen years of Congress rule, if BJP came to power they would do those works within five years by giving a new facelift to the state. The veteran political leader attending the last election rally of the first phase of the Assam election 2016 at Rakshasmari, a remote rural area of Dhekiajuli LAC in Tezpur election district this evening coming down heavily on the congress party further said that Tarun Gogoi government has looted a lot in the name of working for the cause of the
poor and the needy. “During the congress rule their workers with good economic status can also avail facilities like IAY house and BPL card, but if the BJP comes to power this will be analyzed and the people of the state will be given a real judgment.” He said and mentioned that if the saffron party comes to the power transparency in every sphere of public work will be given priority. “Free education for the girl students up to University level, two wheeler for every college going girl students, 24 hour electricity service, home delivery of rice @ Rs. 2 to every BPL family etc. will be our prime duty.” He said presenting a rosy picture of development in the state through a better coordination between Central Government and the state
government. The Dhekiajuli candidate of the party Ashok Singhal addressing the huge gathering allegd that Congress candidate Habul Chakrabarty in his regime has collapsed the social environment of the Dhekiajuli area by giving derogatory comments against every community and stagnated the developmental works by siphoning of the funds allotted for the public. “We have to recover the LAC from the misrule of Congress and rebuild the Dhekiajuli town which has historical importance in the India’s Freedom Movement.” He said. In the meeting twenty congress workers joined in the BJP party. The rally attended by more than twenty thousand people of the greater area.
BJP wave in Tezpur, Rangapara, Dhekaijuli and Barchala LAcs Shambhu Boro Tezpur, Apr 2 : Though the Congress is trying to woo the voters in four legislative assembly constituencies under Tezpur election district presenting a picture of developmental works executed during the last fifteen years of their rule in the state, the BJP wave in 71Dhekiajuli, 72 NoBarchala, 73 No- Tezpur and 74 No- Rangapra LACs is seen among the common voters as this time people from every walk of life are of the opinion that a political change in the state is an urgent need for checking rampant corruption by the congress rulers, flood and erosion problem and rehabilitation of the flood and erosion affected people within the district, regularization of many TET and Contractual teachers, regular salary of many Junior engineers engaged in many Development Blocks, solving unemployment problem etc. It is to be mentioned here that though some independent candidates alongwith candidates from certain unpopular parties are also busy in their election campaign the main con-
test will be between the Congress and the AGP, BJP and BPF alliance candidates in these four LACs. Accordingly in 73-No Tezpur LAC also the main contest will be between AGP, BJP and BPF alliance candidate, Brindaban Goswami and Congress Candidate Hiranya Bhuyan though there are eight other candidates. In this prestigious assembly segment the AIUDF projected candidate Sukendra Nath will influence a major portion of Muslim Voters which were earlier in the congress camp. The assembly segment has 1,63,000 illegible electors. From both the AGP, BJP and BFP alliance source and the common poll analysts here want say that 83000 thousand Assamese voters here will be polled in favour of Brindaban Goswami. Moreover, the Rajgarh, Napam, Panchmile, Bhumuraguri and Dulabari areas are now under the capture of AIUDF which was earlier under the capture of congress and this aspect will help Brindaban Goswami’s election prospect. Moreover, as the Congress projected candidate
Hiranya Bhuyan is a very new face in the LAC for which people are not accepting him while AGP-BJP and BPF projected candidate Brindaban Goswami has a good image among the common people for which according to the intelligent report he will easily swipe in the game. In 74 NoRangapara LAC the fight will be among the Congress candidate Bhimananda Tanti, BJP’s Pallab Luchan Das and the Independent Candidate Abhijit Hazarika. Here in this constituency also though all the candidates are expediting their campaign till last day of the election campaign with a high pitch to woo the voters, the BJP is in a good position. People here are mainly arising the question of development which couldn’t be taken place during the last three consecutives terms of Congress MLA Bhimananda Tanti. During this long stint nothing was done Rangapara area in the name of development due to the rampant corruption by the Congress workers in nexus with the MLA Bhimananda Tanti. So people opined that
though there will be a triangular fight in this election the BJP candidate Pallab Luchan Das will be gainer as the voters of the Adivashi people dominated constituency are in favour of him till date seeking a change. At the same time in Barchala LAC though the congress candidate Tankabahadur Rai, who has been dominating the Constituency for the last 15 years was in a forefront in the beginning, presently he is now facing a tough challenge from the BJP candidate Ganesh Kumar Limbu. Notable point is that there was a chaos among the BJP workers in the LAC following fielding of candidate hiring from outside which congress took as an advantage. However, the sever anomalies in every works besides giving top priority to the people only from Nepali Community in giving placement in different departments by the Congress Candidate Tankabahadur Rai during his last fifteen years of regime in the LAC has seriously hurt the common masses of the constituency. And as per the internal report for these issues only
people have finally taken decision to elect the BJP candidate Ganesh Limbu for the greater interest of brining a change to the LAC. Likewise, in 71 NoDhekiajuli LAC a triangular contest between the BJP Candidate Ashok Shinghal, Congress Candidate Habul Chakrabarty and the Independent Candidate Benudhar Nath is likely. In the beginning though people used to say despite unimaginable corruption and many misdeeds by the Congress Candidate Habul Chakrabarty during his five years regime in the constituency was given a walkover by BJP, fielding an unfamiliar candidate in the seat from their camp, lately BJP candidate, Ashok Singhal has captured every corner of the constituency dominated mostly by Boro and Adivashi voters. Intelligent report says that Congress candidate Habul Chakrabarty will come to third position and a little portion of voters will be influenced by Independent candidate Benudhar Nath and finally Ashok Singhal will return from the seat with a huge margin.
Electioneering at its peak in Nazira Tribals of Assam to vote for development Guwahati, April 2 (ANI): With just two days to go for the assembly elections in Assam, the political parties are trying to reach out to people across the state including the villagers and tribals.
Syed K Hassan Nazira, Apr 2: All candidates of 104 Nazira constituency are trying their best to win the forthcoming assembly election scheduled on Monday.This time 4 candidates are in the election fray in Nazira. They are Debobrat Saikia of Indian National Congress, Prahlad Gowala of BJP, Kanak Gogoi of CPI and independent candidate Ribuloya Gogoi. Debobrate Saikia of INC is the sitting MLA of Nazira. The election campaign at Nazira ends today and the BJP and Congress party took out huge rallies across Nazira town.This time there are no wave for any political party in Nazira and the dissident faction of BJP may help the Congress at Nazira constituency.
Congress took out a huge rally at Nazira. Pic - S.K Hassan
Assamese clothes.
Manjula.
Manjula Deuri, who is one of the family members of a total of 10, makes cloth for her earning along with her mother-in-law.
Even the male counterparts of the village are not going to be get lured by promises this time around and will cast their votes to the deserving candidate who can bring development to the region.
Deuri and Mishing tribals of Deuri village in Assam are still devoid of the basic facilities, even in 2016.
Manjula is a tribal women but this time she is will not vote just for the sake of vote but wants development of her village.
There are few tribal women who have empire themselves and earn for the family by weaving business making traditional
“The new government should generate employment, open colleges for tribals. There should be college for our kids,” says
“There is a dispensary near our village but we don't have regular doctor here, the new govt must make doctors available every day,” said a tribal man while speaking ANI. In Assam, polling for the
first phase of polls will be held on April 4 for 65 seats. The scrutiny of nomination papers was held on March 19 and March 21 was the last date of withdrawal of nominations. Assam has a total of one crore 98 lakh voters. The Election Commission has announced two-phase voting for the 14th Assam assembly elections on April 4 and 11, while the votes will be counted on May 19. The tenure of the Tarun Gogoi led- Congress government comes to an end in June.
DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, APRIL 3
PAGE 3 EKSWCO seeks Guv, CM intervention in young student death A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Apr 2: The East Kameng Social Welfare and Cultural Organisation (EKSWCO) on Saturday sought the state governor and chief minister to intervene into a young Arunachlee student late Zilla Taku’s death in Guwahati and deliver justice. Expressing shock over the death of young student late Zilla Taku from the district, whose body was reportedly found in Guwahati under mysterious circumstance, EKSWCO strongly condemned the incident and urged the authority to nab the culprits responsible for his the student’s death. In a press statement, EKSWCO chairman Khya Safar Pao said, “We appeal to Governor J P Rajkhowa and Chief Minister Kalikho Pul to appraise law enforcing agency in Guwahati to carry out investigation and nab the culprits”. “We are deeply shocked and saddened by the news; we urge the Guwahati Police to unearth the reason of death” the EKSWCO chairman stated. The district parental organisation expressed apprehension that the death news may fuel insecurity among the Arunachalee students studying in Guwahati. EKSWCO also expressed heartfelt condolence to aggrieved parents. Late Zilla Taku (24) was from Bana in East Kameng. The aggrieved parents suspect that late Zilla was brutally murdered, while going back to his rented room. He had reportedly sustained multiple injuries in his head and hands. An FIR was lodged with Gorchuk Police Station in Kamrup, Guwahati by the relative on March 24 last.
An engineer shows the way, GJCMCC Continue to Felicitate Luminaries and Writers/Authors on Galo Tribe dismantles kitchen to obtain NOC
Spl Correspondent Pasighat, Apr 2 : While showing an example for many other government officials and staffs, especially to those who encroaches government quarter, an Asst. Engineer named Naying Danggen posted under WRD (TW & GW), Sub-Division, Pasighat has dismantled his temporary kitchen constructed just besides his Type-III quarter near Siang Model School today. Er. Dangen was applying for NOC as required in DPC sitting for promotion/regularization to the higher post under WRD (TW & GW) vide letter No. SWRD-05/ 2010 (Pt)/1457 dated 17th Sept’2015. To this regard, Danggen had written twice to the DC Pasighat for early provision of NOC as required, but district admin-
istration directed him to remove the MIBT structures vide letter No.G-3994/1556 dated 19th Nov’2015 followed by another order vide No. DCP/LM/2138-43 dated 29th March 2016. Following the order, Danggen dismantled his temporary kitchen attached with the quarter today, but appealed the concern authorities of district administration and DRLSO to take up such measures against all government officials and staffs most of whom has encroached government quarter in true sense. He informed that, his temporary kitchen was not actually an encroachment which was built attached to the main quarter. There had some free space in the backside for gardening which could be easily encroached, but I didn’t have any intention of encroachment and
the kitchen erected besides the quarter was just a temporary. Danggen also said that, the staffs verifying the quarter from land department was indirectly asking money for clearance to which I didn’t agree as I felt I haven’t encroached. I feel others will also follow suit, added Danggen. There are many officials and staffs which has encroached government quarters some of who have already got allotment and some are eying for a liberal DC to get the allotment. The encroachment is a nerve issue to discuss at highest offices of government today as it has already eaten up many government properties some by encroaching government land and some by demolishing old quarters.
ABK RSL Block and URB issues shorted out peacefully cleared the permission of hunting during festive occasions of Adis like Unying Aaran and Etor Giidii in the areas under Ramle Banggo and also joint formation of Hingen Pabu Forest and Wildlife Committee by both Remi Simen Legong Kebang and Upper Ramle Banggo was stressed to protect forest and wildlife through sustainable means. Spl Correspondent Pasighat, Apr 2: Under the initiative of Addl. Dy. Commissioner, Ruksin, T. Pada, a meeting of Adi Baane Kebang Remi-SimenLegong Block (ABK RSLB) and Upper Ramle Banggo (URB) was held at CO Kebang Ghar, Bilat today in connection with the proposed 5 days Chakka Bandh
of ABK RSLB against URB for prohibiting, complaining and burning down hunted squirrels, mouse etc meant for Unying Aaran Festival on March 2nd last. Under the Chairmanship of ADC T. Pada, the meeting concluded peacefully with Rs. 25,000/- as fine to be given to ABK RSLB by URB for conducting tradi-
tional rituals of hunting (Koson) and Rs. 5,000/- as fine to be given by one Murshi Kakki to ABK RSLB for not turning up in the meeting called by ABK unit at Ledun on 28th March last to settle the issue. According to ABK East Siang President Okom Yosung and General Secretary Tajing Taki, the meeting also
RSS is gripping and will spoil Assam, says Tarun Gogoi ET Correspondent Jorhat, Apr 2: RSS will spoil the state of Assam including its originality and its nature of living in peace and in a peaceful society. Assam has always lived in togetherness, however, it is unlikely that this sense of togetherness will continue for long as we can smell RSS volunteers moving all around the state to create division among the common people. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said this, here today in an interaction with the media which could be termed as the last press conference of the CM as CM before the elections. Congress will form government and most of our candidate will retain their seats and will go to Dispur to form the government for the fourth time, Gogoi said. On the other hand it was informed that the congress will win from the Majuli seat. "Sarbananda Sonowal cannot become the Chief Minister or win from Majuli because he is not a local as 47% from Majuli directly refused his candidature.
CM Gogoi during the press meet. Pic - Nekib Ahmed And from 53%, 33% are in favour of congress party which works for the development of the state", Gogoi said. Due to his hard work and sincerity Rajib Lochan Pegu will retain the 99 Majuli (ST) LAC seat for the 4th consecutive term, Gogoi added. I went to Majuli on last Friday and where I attended a
jam packed election rally at Goromur mini-stadium, I could see our position very good, telling lies, tall promises won’t help or can reach the hearts and sentiments of the people of Majuli as congress had done all developmental project throughout the river island since 2001 which the people of Majuli are aware, he added.
Earlier on 2nd of March, the officials of forest and police led by EAC Koyu Circle S. Jamoh had confiscated and burnt down the hunted squirrels, rats, birds, fishes etc. following a complaint from one Murshi Kakki which was deeply condemned by the Adis of ABK RSL block as hunting during festive occasions like Unying Aaran need to be exempted.
Aalo, Apr 2: The Day four of the Cultural events for Traditional Group Dance for Boys and Girls was followed by felicitation to writers/authors on Galo Tribes at Gumin Kiin on 1st April last. Shri Lijum Ronya ExMinister and Dr. Dubom Bagra, Deputy Director DHS who graced the occasion as Chief Guest and Guest of Honour respectively lauded the presentations of dances by the young boys and girls in Galo traditional attires. This habit in their formative days will make them feel proud of our culture and called for proper documentation such rich presentations for generation to come. Shri Doli Lollen, Moji Bagra vice Presidents and Er. Komba Taso Cultural Secretary also spoke on values of culture on the occasion.
Galo luminaries who have contributed to the casuse of society late Jikom Riba, late Dr. Bero Ado, late Mabo Lona, late Markom Taso, late Karken Riba, Doi
Taipodia and Takir Taso were felicitated on the occasion. The writers on Galo Tribes like B.B. Pandey, M.K. Dutta, B. Bhattacharjee, Mark Fost and ABK Murthy Aiyer
were also recognized for their immense contribution. The representatives from family members of the luminaries and writers who are no more with us received the prizes.
Parliamentary secretary chau zingnu namchoom warmly received in home constituency Namsai, Apr 2 : After sworn in as Parliamentary Secretary Tax & Excise, Textile and Handicraft, Chau Zingnu Namchoom visited to his home constituency Namsai on 2nd April 2016. People from all walk of life throng in large numbers to welcome him with procession of various cultural troops. Formal public reception was organized at Namsai Town club followed by a meeting where Govt. employees, PRI leaders, GB's Bazar committee and general public warmly greeted
Parliamentary secretary Chau Zingnu Namchoom the Parliamentary Secretary. While addressing the public the Parliamentary
Chief Minister aims to provide stable power supply to all administrative centres by 2017-18 Contd. from Page 1 Seeking actions required to supplement the functional ones and to restore the non-functional projects, the chief minister urged the officials to prepare feasibility report of all the existing projects. To develop new hydel and power projects wherever required, he requested to make assessment of the power potentials of all the rivers and rivulets near the administrative centres. He also urged the assessment to be specific on power generating feasibilities of the rivers and rivulets – even
Secretary outlined the priorities of new Govt. under the leadership of Chief
Minister Sri Kalikho Pul and sought cooperation from all especially from the youth to come forward and to start a new era of development in Namsai area in particular and the state as a whole. In his speech Namchoom categorically appealed to the unemployed youth to avail all government sponsored schemes which are meant for employment generation. He also assured to set up a new craft center at Namsai for enormous potentiality of self-employment for local youth.
GOOD SAMARITAN
during the lean period, so that the project should not remain redundant in later years. Acknowledging lack of coordination between Power and Hydropower (Civil and E&M) departments, the chief minister assured to clear charter of duties with the departments to improve coordination and work efficiency. Further, Pul assured that Banderdewa to Itanagar road will be fully electrified by the end of the year. Also high mast lights will be erected in all important and sensitive places in the capital city such as schools, colleges and hospitals, he added.
The Assam Rifles under the Military Civic Action Project has constructed two toilet blocks in Sankhahavi village, Khimyong on Wednesday. This is an initiative taken by the Assam Rifles to empower the Swachhata Bharat campaign and to encourage cleanliness and proper hygienic measures among the people.
Assam Poll high stakes for Congress and BJP Contd. from Page 1 land and financial assistance for construction of dwelling the chief minister’s Bagan Jal scheme for providing drinking water, and the chief minister’s Bagan Bus Scheme for providing public bus service facilities for the students of the tea garden workers. The BJP, apart from banking on its campaign that the tea tribes remained the most backward community under the Congress rule, has fielded veteran tea tribe leader and the sitting Lok Sabha MP from Jorhat Kamakhya Prasad Tasa against Gogoi in Titabor constituency in a bid to send a message that the saffron party is ready to strike the most lethal blow on the Congress bastion in this election. The BJP and its allies have been running the campaign that the Congress and the AIUDF have reached secret electoral understanding, a charge which the Congress and the AIUDF have denied and the ruling party has been running a counter campaign that BJP and AIUDF have reached a secret pact to capture power by polarizing the votes on communal lines. To buttress its claim, the Congress alleged that the despite having no chance of winning the AIUDF has fielded candidates in several upper Assam constituencies only to help the BJP and its allies.
While AIUDF Chief Badruddin Ajmal has been claiming that his party would be the kingmaker, the Congress hopes that the AIUDF support base has declined which will help the ruling party to regain its support base among the Muslim voters of erstwhile East Bengal origin that was lost to Ajmal’s party after the latter’s formation in 2005 in the wake of scrapping of the erstwhile Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunals) Act 1983. The Supreme Court struck down the controversial legislation on a petition filed by Sonowal when he was in AGP. The AIUDF is grappling with dissidence and rebellion over distribution of party tickets and seven of its sitting legislators quit the party after being denied tickets this time and four of them joined the Congress which has emboldened the ruling party. Six left parties- the CPI(M), CPI, CPI (ML), Forward Block, RSP and RCPI- have put up joint candidates 44 seats and these candidates expected to play key role in some of the constituencies. Left parties strived for a non-BJP, nonCongress alternative of left and secular parties and made best efforts to rope in AGP in it. For the left parties too, this election has come as opportunity to stregnthen their organisational bases in the state towards mobilising more public support for the political
alternative which these parties are clamouring for. The Bodo heartland-- BTAD comprising of four districts of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalgur -iaccounting for 12 seats and the Barak valley and comprising of three districts of Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi with 15 seats are two regions which are poised for tough contests and results in these constituencies are sure to have critical impact on the numbers game that will follow. The BPF, which rules the Bodoland Territorial Council that governs the administration in BTAD, is well aware of the decline in its support base as indicated by the results of 2014 Lok Sabha and 2015 BTC polls and chose to side with the BJP to trigger fresh hopes among the voters that the BPF’s alliance with the party in power at the Centre would be beneficial for the autonomous council. BPF Chief Hagrama Mahilary who is also the Chief Executive Member of BTC, however, kept his options open by going on record that his party will support whichever party comes to power at Dispur. The Congress, on the other hand has picked alliance with BPF’s rival party United People’s Party and left four seats to the Bodo political party to shatter Hagrama’s dream to become the Kingmaker. In 2014 the BPF
candidate for Kokrajhar constituency Chandan Brahma finished a poor third and in BTC polls in 2015 it managed to win only 20 of the 40 elected seats. (BTC has total 46 members40 elected, 6 nominated). Backed by Congress support, the UPP, led by veteran Bodo leader and former Rajya Sabha member Urkhao Gwra Brahma, is pining hopes on voters in BTAD, who it claims are disillusioned with BPF, to put a formidable challenge and change the power equation in the Bodo heartland. In the Barak valley the BJP failed to win a single seat in 2011. Of the 15 assembly seats in the Bengali-dominated valley the Congress won 13 and one seat each was won by the AIUDF and the AGP. The party failed to win either of the two Lok Sabha seats—Silchar and Karimganj in 2014. The Congress won the Silchar seat and the AIUDF won the Karimganj seat. The BJP hopes that the two notifications issued by the Modi government exempting Bangladeshi Hindus, who have entered into India on or before 31st December, 2014, from the relevant provisions of rules and order made under the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920 and the Foreigners Act, 1946, in respect of their entry and stay in India without such documents or after the expiry of those documents and its promise to grant such refugees Indian citizens would help the
party to make a comeback in the valley. The Congress, on the other hand, hopes that the decline in AIUDF support base will help the ruling party to hold on to sizable seats in the valley. The Congress too has been trying to woo the Bengali Hindu voters by claiming that the party had raised the demand for providing shelter to Bangladeshi Hindus fleeing alleged persecution in the neighbouring country. However, the parties and their candidates, the ruling as well as opposition, have not been able to move beyond the same old issues of illegal migrations, secret killing, National Register of Citizens, government schemes and projects, flood and erosion, corruption and reduced the electoral battle to mere poll rhetoric, accusation and counter-accusation which have not brought any new hope for the electorates. They lacked any innovative idea to face the challenges of governance and giving a fresh look at existing legislations or proposing some set of legislations to address the larger issues of land and land rights, resources and their equitable distribution and identity and political rights. Nevertheless, the political spin doctors in the two major players – the Congress and the BJP as well as their allies hope to set the agenda for the voters. Courtesy: www.nezine.com
DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, APRIL 3
PAGE 4
Himanta Biswa Sharma hopes Massive bike rally to win it all for BJP in Bokajan held in Khumtai ET Correspondent Bokajan, Apr 2: In his series of marathon rallies across the state, the once congress strong man and BJP's Chief Election Strategist Dr Himanta Biswa Sharma landed in Hanjanglangso Sports Complex playground to campaign for the party's candidate Dr. Numal Momin from 17-Bokajan LAC. Addressing the large gathering, Sharma appealed to root out Congress to ensure development in the state. Launching a scathing attack at Congress, the BJP heavy weight said "Congress has failed to bring about development in the hill district of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao in its 15 years regime. Prior to my resignation from the ruling party, we started work on the proposed Medical College at Diphu. However, the Gogoi government has failed to complete the project and if BJP happens to form government, we will bring the Medical College to reality in just a one year term." Sure of forming government, Dr Sarma referring to
concrete by 2021.
Dr. Himanta Biswa Sharma during the election campaign for BJP Bokajan constituency candidate Dr.Numal Momin at Bokajan. Pic - UB photos a wish said, "It has been my long pending wish to establish a 300 bedded hospital in Bokajan. Our party candidate Dr Momin is himself a doctor and it is my belief that we will start work on the said 300 bedded hospital before the KAAC MAC Election 2017 commences. Terming the family centric politics of Congress as a television serial, the BJP big wig named it as 'Ghar Sansar' by way referring to Sonia Gandhi-Rahul Gandhi, Tarun Gogoi-
13 candidates in fray in two LACs in Chirang district ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, Apr 2: A total of 13 candidates are in fray to contest in both 31-Sidli (ST) LAC and 33-Bijni LAC in Chirang district assembly election scheduled on April 11 next. Five candidates are in fray to contest in Sidli LAC, who are included Chandan Brahma (BPF), Pankaj Islary (AIUDF), Dilip Kumar Sarania (Independent), Phalmarston Brahma (Independent) and Rwngwra Narzary (Independent).Eight candidates are contesting from Bijni LAC-Kamalsing Narzary (BPF), Kamaleswar Ray (AIUDF), Gajendra Barman (CPI-M), Biswajit Ray (INC), Ajay Kumar Ray (BGP), Philip Marandi (JDP), Khalilur Rahman (Independent) and Santosh Kaklary (Independent). Altogether 1,89,850 voters( male-95,099 and female94,751) in Sidli constituency and 1,34,032 voters(male69,628 and female-64,404) in Bijni constuency will decide the fate of the candidates in the upcoming assembly election in the district. There are 245 polling stations in Sidli (ST) LAC of
Organisations appeals to voters of Margherita to vote consciously ET Correspondent Margherita, Apr 2: Asom Jatiyotabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) Margherita Regional Committee and All Adivashi Student Association of Assam (AASAA) Margherita Regional Committee have appealed to people of 124 No Margherita LAC to cast their valuable votes consciously. “Margherita is vast area where different caste, religion, beliefs, tribes and language people live. So we appeal all people of 124 No Margherita LAC to cast their valuable votes consciously on 4 April, the first phase of Assam assembly election” said Salil Neog and Kanchan Bora both President and General Secretary of AJYCP Margherita Regional Committee.
these 65 are hyper sensitive, 76 are sensitive, 23 are vulnerable, 66 are comparatively safe and 1 is critical. In Bijni LAC, a total of 191 polling stations,of which 87 are sensitive, 25 are very sensitive, 58 are critical and 79 are marked as comparatively safe. Meanwhile, the Chirang district election officer and Bijni district election officer have called the contesting candidates, their agents and proposers as well the officials engaged in various election duties for strict adherence to ECI's guidelines. They stressed on the need to step up and intensify surveillance and checking on violation of Model Code of Conduct within their election districts. They also appealed to the electors not to take and give any offer of cash, liqour, gift items or free food during election process as this practice was considered as bribe and punishable under the purview of law. Further, these election districts are being conducted training for the polling personnel along with hands on training on EVM.
Gaurav Gogoi, Bharat Narah-Rani Narah, Anjan Dutta-Ankita Dutta, Ripun Bora-Monica Bora, Biren Sing Ingti-Klengdun Ingti among others. Taking a step further, Dr Sharma urged people to stand united against Congress to usher in developments of the hill district. "There is not even a single institution in the hills district where the young aspirants can opt for higher education. The BJP government at centre is planning
ET Correspondent Margherita, Apr 2: Margherita today witnessed a major election campaign as both the former minister of Congress, Pradyut Bordoloi and BJP Candidate Bhaskar Sharma participated and showed there Strength. Under BJP Candidate Bhaskar Sharma, today more than 300 motorcycle and four wheeler vehicle took out a rally which was started from Jagun Bazaar to Powai Gate, Margherita. Election Commission of India have given a circular that government teacher and employees cannot participate in any political party meeting or any campaign but today Margherita Gandhi Vidya Mandir High School Senior teacher, Kanhaiya Lal Yadav participated in BJP Motorcycle rally. Two days ago Margherita Administration have issued Kanhaiya Lal Yadav a so cause notice but even
CM Gogoi campaigns for Pallabi Gogoi Saikia in Teok. Pic -N.Pathok
In his speech CM Tarun
Taking a jibe at the claims of Congress government at providing concrete houses to poor peoples under IAY scheme, the BJP heavy weight said "The houses built are incomplete and many are yet to be benefitted under the scheme. The BJP government at the centre has taken the resolution to transform all mud houses of the poor peoples into
The BJP big wig was also quick at referring to the Gujrat model to woo voters by promising to provide free scooty to meritious girls if it comes to power at Dispur. He also assured free education to poor boys and girls at colleges and universities. On being prodded about the ongoing tention in the Assam-Nagaland border over illegal encroachment, Sarma straight way replied the media persons that not even a single inch of Assam land would fall prey at hands of illegal encroaches.
Margherita witness massive rally of BJP Candidate Bhaskar Sharma
CM Gogoi campaigns for Pallabi Gogoi Saikia in Teok
ET Correspondent Teok, April 2: On the last day evening of the first phase election campaign, CM Tarun Gogoi participated an election campaign meeting at Jogduar Lakhi Puja public field near Teok Town, of Jorhat for Pallabi Gogogi Saikia, Congress candidate of Teok MLA constituency where more than five thousand people were present.
to set up a Hills University conjoining the hill district of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao.
Further assailing congress, Dr Sarma said that the Union government is providing Rice to all poor through PDS at a subsidised rate of Rs 3/kg. But, the state government has failed to even bear the transportation charges which is indirectly levied upon the beneficiaries and if BJP takes upon Dispur, Rice and other essential commodities would be delivered at the doorsteps of the beneficiaries in much more subsidised rates.
Gogoi strongly criticized the BJP party and also the BJP Prime minister Narendara Modi. CM Gogoi said that he and his Congress party government always guarded the all poor community and help them regularly and appealed all the voters to cast for congress party. He also appealed all the people to elect the Teok MLA candidate Pallabi Gogogi Saikia with a vast difference.
Supporters of BJP Candidate for Jorhat Constituency Hiten Goswami taking part in an Election Rally at Jorhat. Pic - UB photos ET Correspondent Golaghat, Apr 2: A power show was seen today in 96Khumtai LAC by both BJP and Congress party, where in the show the candidate of BJP Mrinal Saikia and AGP leader Upasna Gogoi led a massive bike rally in 18 Panchayat under Khumtai LAC with huge public support. The workers appealed the people to Vote for Mrinal Saikia to bring a change in the system. They raised antiCongress slogan. More than 20 thousand people took part in the same. On the other hand a big public meeting was held under leadership of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi in Dakshin Hengra garden in support of Congress candidate Bishmita Gogoi.
The meeting was presided by Dr. Ajit Baruah. Minister Bishmita Gogoi explained that the BJP government has not done anything in two years and that is why they are losing support in election held in Bihar Rajasthan and even in Gujrat. She also said that no one can eat sour mango twice. “The work which has been done on the state in my tenure has been appreciated and awarded by the Central minister themselves and even though they (BJP) are blaming that no development work has been done here. They even blame that Tarun Gogoi has grown old but one thing is sure as much as they will say this to me, I will go on turning young” said CM Tarun Gogoi in his speech while addressing the
gathering. He alleged the regional party is sold, Atul Bora is sold, Himanta Vishwa Sharma is sold and with these truthful people, Modi is sure to form government. Mr. Gogoi asked the people that if Modi has failed than how can Sarbananda pass. Only giving big lecture will not fetch anything to BJP, said CM. Asking people that if he (Modi) is right than why BJP lost election in Gujrat, Gogoi said only by saying that good days will come and increasing the prices of the commodity, BJP will not be able to survive for long. Mr. Gogoi appealed the people to vote in favour of Bishmita Gogoi.
Jorhat Election District to have eight Model polling stations ET Correspondent Jorhat, Apr 2: With a view to provide better environment and facilities to the voters in the 1st phase poll for ensuing Assam Assembly Election, 2016, Jorhat District will set up eight Model Polling Stations. The Election District comprising No. 97 Dergaon (SC) LAC, No. 98 Jorhat LAC and No. 102 Teok LAC, 100 Titabor LAC, 101 Mariani LAC will have two such polling stations each.
Rally of BJP Candidate Bhaskar Sharma in Margherita. Pic - Mithun Boruah though Kanhaiya Lal Yadav have violated the rules and regulations of Election Commission of India. Congress too today took out a Padyatra at Ledo Town where more than 2000 Congress supporters were present at the Padyatra. “We have already sus-
pended senior teacher Kanhaiya Lal Yadav and departmental enquiry shall be done against him, said Mr Sanjeeb Kumar Barhoi, Margherita Sub Divisional Officer (Civil) also the Returning officer of Margherita while talking to the correspondent.
Tarun Gogoi seems to be in driver seat from Titabor LAC Bijoy Handique Jorhat, April 2: CM Tarun Gogoi seems to be in the driver seat for the 4thtime from the 100 Titabor Legislative constituency as the people of Titabor need a chief Minister to represent the constituency then a minister, feels the voters from the Birinasayek area like Bitupon Maji and Babul Gogoi who informed this correspondent. Both the student are among the 24000 new generation voters who decided to vote for the congress party due to a big gap found meeting Kamakhya Prasad Tasa for a signature to complete their Scholarship Form as they were about to apply for the scholarship from NRL which is a part of their Corporate Social Responsibility scheme as NRL. It helps students from its operational area. But they could not find him and when they went for his signature at his residence in Jorhat they got no respond. On the other hand BJP party insider from Titabor said that section of party workers are offended for selecting a wrong candidate who is either a local or a common face from Titabor, when there are lots of probable candidate to contest from Titabor LAC as entire selection process has misguided and misled by
new entrance from the congress and from other parties who had spoiled the BJP’s original image as a whole. But voters from the young generation is quite conscious and urban voters especially the general class people and section of Hindi speaking voters is likely to vote for BJP as star campaigner and Modi’s wave in the TV, radio and newspapers will help Kamakhya Prasad Tasa who is said to be Yuva raja among the new generation voters who need change like the young blood, said Chittaranjan Sonowal, an active BJP worker from Borhulla area. From 100 Titabor LAC, 189318 voters out of which 69126 are male, 66907 are female with 24000 new generation voters followed by general voters 13000, Ahom voters 21000, tea voters 28000, Thengal Kachari 18000, minority voters 22000 and Chutia jati voters 36000 and with support from Thengal Kachari, minority, Chutia jati and Ahom voters has fixed Gogoi in the driver seat as the people of Titabor still likes Gogoi, informed Kumud Kachari, the chief executive of Thengal Kachari Autonomous Council here in Titabor.
The identified stations are Dergaon HS School (West Part) and Phanidhar Dutta Shiksha Prakalpa, Srimanta Sankardev Academy (Right Part) under Dergaon LAC; Devi Charan Baruah High School (East Part) and 4 No. Ward LP School under Jorhat LAC
Mahadev Agarwala High School in Mariani and Mihiram Saikia high school in Titabor LAC.
Teok Rajabari High School (Right Part) and Teok High School (North Part) under Teok LAC.
As per direction from the state Election Department, the model polling stations will have additional facilities like
welcoming group, medical team, comfortable sitting arrangement, felicitation of eldest voter in traditional manner, provision of wheel chair for physically challenged and toffees for small children accompanying their mother etc.
Udalguri district administration ready to polls ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, Apr 2: Udalguri district administration of Bodoland Territorial Council(BTC) is all set to conduct the scheduled first phase of Assam assembly election for three constituencies slated to be held on April 4. A total of 26 candidates are in fray to contesting the assembly election in three LACs that all kinds of preparation and arrangements have so far completed to conduct the election. Nine candidates are in fray to contest in 64-Panery LAC-Kamali Basumatary (BPF), Durga Das Boro (INC),Swarnalat Chaliha
(SUCI), Nandaram Boro(UPP), Dinanath Das (Independent), Prabhat Das Panika(Independent),Dikan Chandra Deka (Independent) and Mahesh Chandra Sarma(Independent). In 69-Udalguri LAC, six candidates are in fray, included Jamansingh Brahma (INC), Rihan Daimary (BPF), Anjali Prabha Daimary (Independent), Dilip Kumar Boro (UPP), Bipul Narzary (Independent) nad Santash Madahi (Independent). Eleven candidates are in fray to contest in 70-Mazbat LAC-Charan Boro (BPF), Teharu Gour (AIUDF),
Raphael Kujur (INC), Baldev Chouhan (LJP),Abul Quasim (Independent), Girish Chandra (Independent), Manaj Kumar Tamuli (Independent), Rabindra Basumatary (UPP), Lal Soren (Independent), Sunil Sarkar (Independent) and Swapna Dey (Independent). A grand bike rally was organised by UPP party at Tangla area in support of UPP candidate for Panery LAC Nandaram Boro on the last day of campaigning, besides candidates of parties and Independent candidates also hold their last campaigns in the respective LACs on the last day of campaigning.
Mrityunjoy Pramanik takes over as Executive Director of IOCL (AOD) in Digboi Contd. from Page 1
However, prior to joining as Executive Director of IOCL (AOD) Digboi, Mr. Pramanik was holding the office of General Manager (PN)-CG, from where he steered his function to meet the larger aim of commissioning the Paradip Refinery of Indian Oil Corpora-
tion. Envisioned as the Energy Gateway to Eastern India, the 15 MMTPA Paradip Refinery has been set up at an approximate cost of Rs. 34,555 crore. Mr. Pramanik led his team to achieve smooth and successful commissioning in almost all the processing units like AVU, Fluidised Catalytic Cracker (Indmax), Delayed Coking Unit
(DCU) for coke production, Diesel Hydro-treatment and Catalytic Reformer, Merox, etc., in this most-modern refinery of the country, with a complexity factor of 12.2 based on Nelson Index. He also played a significant role in influencing the optimization planning of various important refineries of Indian Oil.
REGION
DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, APRIL 3
Odisha festival enthrals people, brings closer Tripura and Orissa
Odisha festival Agartala, April 2 : Colourful traditional dances, performance of songs and music marked the 'Odisha festival' to commemorate the 'Utkal Divas' was celebrated at the Tripura capital. 'Utkal Divas' is celebrated on April 1 every year to observe the formation of Odisha state from the combined Bengal-Bihar-Orissa province. It was on this day in 1936, Odisha was separated from the combined state to become a separate state with Oriya-speaking people. Sponsored by the Odisha and Tripura governments, Odia Samaj Tripura, organised the 'Odisha Festival,' which was inaugurated by the Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar by lighting lamp at the Nazrulkala Sethre in presence of other dignitaries. The Chief Minister also released a magazine and felicitated Oriya people work-
ing in the state for their outstanding performances. Back in 2011 the festival started in Tripura to disseminate the rich and traditional art, culture, literature of Odisha to the other parts of the country and is expected to bridge the people of different regions. The attraction in the festival is the internationally acclaimed dances of Orissa like - Sambalpuri folk dance and Odissi dance. The hall was tight packed with audience and both the young and aged people enjoy the dances and the rhythm of the music. Most of the viewers expressed that they had enjoyed this unique programme and said that more such functions should take place to unite the people of various regions through cultural exchanges. Meantime, the local artists also viewed that they have enjoyed presenting their show as well as learned many new things. (Agencies)
Affordable housing scheme to be launched this fiscal: Zenith
Minister for Housing, Zenith Sangma Shillong, April 2: The State government is slated to kick start the Meghalaya Affordable Housing Scheme within this financial year. Informing this here on Friday, Minister for Housing, Zenith Sangma, said the State government had made funds available for the scheme in the last financial year. Stating that the government initially plans to build 10,000 houses in the State under the scheme by providing 25 per cent of the total cost of the house to the beneficiaries and also making provisions to provide government loans to the beneficiaries for the remaining 75 per cent. Reacting to a query, he informed that nuts and bolts
would not be used in making houses under the scheme to make them cost effective. The scheme is meant for the economically weaker sections of the population and the scheme will be implemented in both rural and urban areas of the State, the minister said. He further said that under the scheme, the government will provide necessary funds to the beneficiaries for constructing house in their own land. The government might also consider the idea of constructing a cluster residential complex in Shillong, he added. The proposed scheme is expected to be free of all deficiencies ailing the rural housing scheme. (Agencies)
Horse smuggling on the rise in intl border Shillong April 2: Besides cattle, horses too are being smuggled to Bangladesh from Meghalaya. A BSF statement on Friday said that BSF troops deployed at Rajai in South West Khasi Hills seized four horses which were being smuggled to Bangladesh. Smuggling of horses is a common practice in places like Gumaghat, Kakergora and Dangar. In 2015, a total of 68 horses were prevented from being smuggled to Bangladesh. The number of horses rescued so far in 2016 has al-
ready touched 23. 34 cattle seized, FIR against woman smuggler Meanwhile, BSF troops deployed at Lyngkhat in East Khasi Hills foiled a cattle smuggling bid and rescued 34 cattle. An FIR has been lodged against a woman suspected to be involved in smuggling of cattle, and who managed to flee from the spot. In addition, BSF troops deployed at Baldamgiri in South West Garo Hills seized 7 more cattle while being smuggled to Bangladesh. (Agencies)
PAGE 5
HC endorses Govt, liquor trade hit hard Shillong, April 2: Several liquor stores were shut down in parts of the State on Friday after the High Court of Meghalaya upheld the prescribed limits notified by the State government under the Excise Rules for setting up liquor shops. The move, however, will affect the revenue generation of the State which is already reeling under acute financial crunch following the NGT ban on coal mining. As many as 314 liquor stores out of a total of 600 in the whole State will be affected by the order. While the annual revenue generated from Excise Duty ranges from Rs 150 crore to 160 crore, the order will reduce the revenue generation by 50 per cent, government officials feared. The amended Rule 183 of the Meghalaya Excise Rules notified on September 23, 2015 by the
Commissioner and Secretary, Excise, J. Lyngdoh, stipulates the closure of all liquor shops located within 200 metres from places of worship, educational institutions and hospitals. The order which was to be implemented within six months had also restricted setting up of liquor shops within distance of 50 metres from mid-point of national/ state highways within the city/town limits, and 100 metres from mid-point of national and state highways in the outskirts. The High Court on Friday upheld the order of the State government after hearing a group of petitions. Commissioner and Secretary, Excise, J. Lyngdoh, told reporters on Friday that the East Khasi Hills Wine Dealers Association, Ri Bhoi Wine Dealers' Association and an individual
High Court of Meghalaya identified as Hamsia Pariat had sought the intervention of the High Court. Earlier, the State government examined the representation of the petitioners but decided to go ahead with the official order related to closure of liquor shops which are not following the prescribed limits. Subsequently, during the hearing on March 31, the High Court upheld the government order. According to the Excise
Commissioner and Secretary, six months' time was given (till March 31 this year) to the liquor store owners to re-locate the shops. The High Court order said that the entire process of renewal of licenses which expired on March 31 will remain subject to the final orders to be passed in the writ petitions. The matter will come up for hearing again on May 2. The order also said that in the interest of justice,
in case any existing licensee's location does not stand inconformity with the requirements of the Septembers 23, 2015 notification of the government, "but he submits a proposal for relocation, the same may be considered by the department in accordance with law and expeditiously, preferably within 15 days of making the proposal". The government amended the Rule 183 of the Meghalaya Excise Rules since the old rule which existed even before the formation of Meghalaya did not specify any limit to set up any liquor shop. The old rule only said that there should be reasonable distance from the hospitals, schools and places of worship for setting up of liquor shops. According to the Commissioner and Secretary, Excise, the zoning of areas where liquor store
Environmental hazards caused by stone crushers, sewage: CAG reveals Dimapur, April 2: Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) in its Audit report have identified unmonitored operation of stone crushers and lack of sewage treatment facilities as two environmental hazards causing unabated air and water pollution in the State and thereby posing serious health threats to citizens. The CAG Audit took care to mention in its report that Silicosis, a lung disease, caused by breathing in tiny bits of silica, a mineral that is part of sand, rock and mineral ores such as quartz emitted from the stone crushing units affects the workers and resident ex-
posed to silica dust. Over time, exposure to silica particles causes scarring in the lungs, which harm the ability to breathe. There is not cure for silicosis, but it can only be prevented, it further informed. According to the Audit, 90 stone crushers (84%) out of 107 identified by the Nagaland Pollution Control Board (NPCB) were operating without renewing their expired Consent for Operation (CFO) from the Board. As per the guidelines issued by the NPCB in 2010, the stone crushing units should have valid license and should not be located close to residential areas.
Further, the crushing machine is to be surrounded with wind breaking walls, growing of trees (green belt) along the periphery and labourers should be provided with protective gears including mask and must undergo regular health check-ups. Any stone crushing operating without valid consent shall attract legal actions as per Section 5 of the Environmental (Protection) Act 1986, it stated. However, the Audit reported that there was no effective monitoring by the Board on compliance of the standards for operation of the stone crushers in the State as prescribed in the guide-
lines. It also observed that the Board did not take any preventive measures on the stone crushers located near the residential areas nor did it conduct regular inspections of the stone crushers. On the reply from the Board that it was inspecting and issuing guidelines to the stone crushing units by publishing advertisement on the awareness on Silicosis disease caused by pollution from stone crushers in the newspapers and through distribution of pamphlets, the audit termed it as 'not acceptable' and 'insufficient.' It recommended that the Board should consider
taking legal actions as per the Environmental (Protection) Act 1986. The CAG Audit also expressed concern that no Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) has been set up in Nagaland and there was no information relating to estimated waste water generated per day with the Board or the Municipalities. The NPCB replied that it had highlighted the pollution level of River Dhansiri in Dimapur to the Nagaland Government in 2011 and had suggested to take up a STP. However, no action has been taken to set up the same, the Board stated. (Agencies)
Axe one and all will quit: Manipur ministers tell CM Imphal, April 2: Manipur's ministers have told Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh that all of them will quit if he drops even one from the ministry to placate dissidents, a minister said on Friday. The ministers conveyed the decision to the chief minister after a meeting amongst themselves here. "If any minister is dropped, all of us will resign en masse," a minister who did not wish to be identified by name said. The ministers' threat is the latest crisis to hit the chief minister, who has been battling mounting dissidence within the
Axe one and all will quit: Manipur ministers tell CM
Congress legislature party. Manipur, with a 60-member assembly, is entitled to have 12 ministers which includes the chief minister. After the new crisis became public knowledge
on Thursday night, Ibobi Singh cancelled his visit to New Delhi on Friday to submit a list of ministers who will be axed to induct new faces. Meanwhile, Charltolian Amo, chairman of the Hill Areas Committee,
has resigned from the post of vice president of the Manipur Congress unit. Party sources said he was upset over the replacement of Gaikhangam as the Manipur Congress president by T.N. Haokip. One Minister told IANS that the dissidents' demand was unreasonable. They want the axing of ministers whose performances was below the mark. But the ministers argue that if any of them is dropped to accommodate the dissidents, it will give an impression that the axed ministers were
involved in corruption or were non-performers or both. This will impact their prospects in the next assembly elections. Meanwhile, the dissident leaders have reaffirmed their stand that 11 of the 12 ministers need to go. They also want Sepaker T. Lokeswor to resign. One dissident legislator told IANS that they have no objection to whoever the chief minister picks in the new ministry. This is the first time in the political history of Manipur that dissidents are demanding the dropping of all ministers except the chief minister. (Agencies)
BSF foils horse smuggling to Bangladesh Shillong, April 2: Not only cows, even horses are being smuggled from Meghalaya to neighbouring Bangladesh. One such attempt has been foiled by the BSF in South West Khasi Hills district of the state recently. "The BSF troops deployed at Rajai, South West Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya, seized four horses while these were being smuggled to
Bangladesh. Smuggling of horses take place near Gumaghat, Kakergora and Dangar," a BSF release said on Friday. "In addition, BSF troops deployed at Baldamgiri in South West Garo Hills district seized seven more cattle heads while these were also being smuggled to Bangladesh, thus making overall number of cattle seizure to 45 so
far this year," a BSF spokesperson said. Observing that the smuggling of cattle from the hinterland to Bangladesh was a "disturbing trend", the BSF release further informed that the BSF troops deployed at Lyngkhat, East Khasi Hills district, on Friday foiled the forced attempt of smugglers and prevented 34 cattle from being smuggled to
Bangladesh. "The Lyngkhat area is notorious for smuggling of cattle, where such attempts have been obstructed many a times by the BSF deployed there. BSF has been now operating in close coordination with police for foiling such bids of cattle smuggling through the bordering area," the BSF statement said. An FIR has also been lodged against a sus-
pected lady involved in smuggling of cattle who managed to flee from the spot, the BSF informed. "After a brief suspension, the smuggling activities have again started. Though mutual understanding between police and BSF has now started yielding seizure. All the seized animals were handed over to the concerned department for further legal action," the BSF said. (Agencies)
are located is the need of the hour and this can be done in close coordination with the Urban Affairs department. However, as per the amended rule, the distance between one liquor store and another on the outskirts must be 5 kms whereas there is no limit prescribed in the city. To a question on review of the government order on the restrictions to set up liquor shops near hospitals, places of worship and educational institutions, the official said that while the State government can take a call on the matter as it is a State Subject, the restrictions on setting up of liquor shops along the national highways was as per the report of the Committee on Roads Safety constituted by the Supreme Court. The Committee is yet to submit its report, he added. (Agencies)
Grenade explosion at RIMS campus in Imphal Imphal, April 2: Unidentified persons lobbed a powerful hand grenade, which exploded near the residential quarter of the Medical Superintendent of Regional Institute of Medical Science (RIMS) located at Lamphelpat in Imphal West last night, the police said on Saturday. No casualty was reported in the incident, a senior police officer said adding the official quarter of the Medical Superintendent was guarded by a team of 4th IRB. A four-wheeler and a twowheeler were badly damaged in the explosion, the officer said. (ANI)
Extortionists in hospital following mob justice Tura, April 2: Two extortionists who were proceeding to the home of a Tura based lawyer at Boldorenggre locality of Rongkhon to extort money, instead landed up at the Tura Civil Hospital with injuries after the public caught the duo and gave them a sound trashing. The two extortionists, identified as David Marak of Rongsu in South Garo Hills and Namas M Sangma of Rongjeng in East Garo Hills, had demanded money from Tura lawyer M.L. Thangal and were proceeding towards his home to collect the amount when the people of the locality caught up with them and meted out street justice. They narrowly escaped death after the mob handed the two bleeding criminals over to the police. Both the accused are currently nursing to their wounds at the hospital under police guard. There have been several instances in the past when angry mobs exasperated over the rampant extortion demands made by criminals and armed gangs on the public have taken the law unto their own hands leading to public lynching. The districts of East and North Garo Hills have witnessed the highest number of public lynching by irate mobs in the last three years. The Tura Bar Association, meanwhile, has strongly condemned the incident of attempted extortion at Boldorenggre from one of its members. The association decided to urge the civil authorities to take appropriate action to prevent such activities in future through proper deployment of sufficient security personnel. As a mark of protest against the incident the office of the Tura Bar Association also remained closed on Friday. (Agencies)
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, APRIL 3
PAGE 6
PM Modi leaves for Riyadh, says Washington visit was fruitful Washington D.C., Apr. 2 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who departed from here for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for the final leg of his three nation tour, said that his Washington DC visit was full of fruitful meetings and interactions and added that the Nuclear Security Summit 2016 discussed issues of great global importance. "Farewell Washington! After 2 days of intense diplomacy, PM @narendramodi leaves for final leg of his 3 nation tour," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted. Prior to his departure, Prime Minister Modi
held bilateral talks with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe. "Continuing the dialogue with my friend @AbeShinzo.we are very optimistic about what India-Japan ties can achieve," the Prime Minister tweeted. Earlier in the day, he called on his British and Canadian counterparts David Cameron and Justin Trudeau respectively, reaffirming bilateral ties with the nations. Prime Minister Modi also met with the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev and Switzerland President Johann SchneiderAmmann. While addressing the
Counter-terrorism, trade focus of PM Modi's visit to S.Arabia
PM Modi at S.Arabia Riyadh, (Saudi Arabia) Apr. 2 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on a two-day visit on the final leg of his threenation tour that began on March 30 with a visit to Brussels. He was received by the Governor of Riyadh Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz and accorded a ceremonial welcome. The Prime Minster will be meeting Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud's son, Prince Mohammad bin Salman, who many diplomats and Saudis feel could be the
future monarch. Prime Minister Modi is the fourth Indian Prime Minister to visit Saudi Arabia after Manmohan Singh in 2010, Indira Gandhi in 1982 and Jawaharlal Nehru in 1956. During his meetings with the Saudi leadership, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to focus on counter-terrorism initiatives and ways to ensure the greater involvement of Indian companies in upstream and downstream oil, gas and hydrocarbon sector projects. (ANI)
PM Modi leaves for Riyadh plenary session of the Nuclear Security Summit earlier in the day, the Prime Minister made key announcements including that India will continue to accord a high
national priority to nuclear security through strong institutional framework, independent regulatory agency and trained and specialized manpower.
Kolkata, April 2 : Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday met the injured people and the families of the victims of the March 31 flyover collapse incident that took place in Girish Park area here. After meeting with the injured at the Kolkata Medical College, Gandhi described it as a great tragedy and urged the people to provide necessary support to them. "There has been a tragedy here. I wanted to come here and give my support to the people who are injured. One must give support what
"Two CRPF jawans are injured. Rescue operation is currently underway. I am on my way to the spot," Director General of Police D.K. Pandey told ANI. This is a developing story. More details are awaited. (ANI)
Chhattisgarh: CRPF recovers four IEDs from Sukma Sukma (Chhattisgarh), April.2 : The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel on Saturday recovered four Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) from Chhattisgarh's Sukma District. The 219 battalion of the CRPF were on a routine patrol when they found the IEDs. On Tuesday, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) patrol recovered two IEDs from
Rajnandgaon area of Chhattisgarh. The ITBP personnel were on an Area Domination Patrol near Jakke Post when they found two IEDs weighing 2 Kgs and 5 Kgs respectively. The security forces later diffused the IEDs on the spot. The locations of the IEDs have given rise to a suspicion that they could have been planted to target the security forces. (ANI)
Centre approves Goa's coastal circuit project
Panaji (Goa), April 2 : assistance is a record The Centre has approved highest allocation reGoa's coastal circuit ceived by Goa Tourism project under the since 2010. 'Swadesh Darshan The minister said the Scheme'. project includes providGoa Tourism Minister ing infrastructure at variDilip Parulekar said that ous coastal areas like with this scheme, Goa tourist information cenwill soon be allocated ters at Calangute, Baga, funds for development Anjuna, Morjim and projects to be undertaken Ashwem, public ameniin the first phase along its ties at 10 beaches, providcoastal belt. ing CCTVs and wi-fi, Talking to media, safety and security meaParulekar said that Rs. sures and providing tourRs. two lakh to gravely 99.99 crores of central ism signages. (ANI) injured people. The Hyderabad-based construction company IVRCL, which was constructing the flyover, said that the unfortunate incident was an accident and maintained that it was beyond anyone's control. Five employees of the company have been detained in Kolkata and two in Hyderabad. The military and NDRF teams, which were rushed to carry out relief and rescue efforts, used heavy earth movers and gas cutting paraphernalia to complete the operation. The US military targets terrorist group in Somalia rescue operations were completed yesterday. (ANI) Washington D.C., Apr. than 100 people. 2 : The United Cook claimed al-Shabaab Statesmilitary has was part of al-Qaida, launched another strike in which places asserted leSomalia in a month to tar- gal authority for the get terror group al- strikeunder the umbrella new airports with an aim Shabaab in the region. of the 2001 Authorization to increase regional con- The Pentagon Press Sec- for the Use of Military nectivity. retary, Peter Cook, said Force (AUMF), a broad AAI Chairman S.Raheja that the airstrike con- wellspring of said, "We have to pre- ducted on Thursday tar- counterterrorism authoripare a roadmap for our geted a senior leader, ties meant to respond to small airports which de- Hassan Ali Dhoore, of al- the 9/11 attacks. serve to be there for re- Shabaab terror group, re- A video in 2012 angional connectivity, infra- ports the Guardian. nounced the merger of structure should be there Cook, however, did not al-Shabaab and aland we are sure that if there confirm if Dhoore was Qaida. will be infrastructure, killed in the strike. Asserting that Dhoore flights will come there. We Any assessment of the played a key role in the are grateful to our minis- civilians or militant casu- 2014 Mogadishu airport ter Dr. Mahesh Sharma alties was not provided attacks, Cook said that that he made his presence by Cook. he was directly responon this occasion and moti- US warplanes and drones sible for the attack on a vated the AAI family." had last month attacked a Mogadishu hotel last Renowned Bollywood Somali training camp for year that claimed 15 singers and members of al-Shabaab, killing more lives. (ANI) AAI family Kavita Seth and Aman Trikha were also felicitated on the occasion. The evening made memorable by enthralling performances by eminent singer Rekha Bhardwaj and comedian Sugandha Mishra. (ANI)
US military targets terrorist group in Somalia
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi we can. I came here to visit the injured people. I don't want to make any political statement," he said. At least 24 people lost their lives in the mishap
and hundred others got injured. The state government had earlier announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs. five lakh to next of kin of the victims and
AAI celebrates 21st annual day
Airports Authority of India (AAI)
Dhanbad (Jharkhand), April 2 : As many as two jawans of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were injured on Saturday in alandmine blast by Maoists near the Topchanchi area of Jharkhand's Dhanbad.
theatre. Second, we are no longer looking for a man in a cave, but we are hunting for a terrorist in a city with a computer or a smart phone. Third, State actors working with nuclear traffickers and terrorists present the greatest risk," he said. During his two day visit to Saudi Arabia, the Prime Minister aims to revive India's strategic partnership with the oilrich nation, particularly in areas of counter-terrorism, energy and trade. He is also expected to hold bilateral talks with King Salman Bin Abdulaziz AlSaud on issues including ways to step up existing counter-terrorism mechanisms. (ANI)
Flyover collapse: Rahul Gandhi meets injured, assures full support
Jharkhand: Two CRPF jawans injured in landmine blast
Jawans injured in landmine blast at Jharkhand
He also asserted that India will counter nuclear smuggling and strengthen the national detection architecture for nuclear and radioactive material and that a dedicated Counter-Nuclear Smuggling Team has been set up. Prime Minister Modi maintained his tough stand on terrorism, and while intervening on nuclear terrorism threat at the Nuclear Security Summit dinner at the White House hosted by US President Barack Obama, he called to focus on three contemporary features of terrorism. "First, today's terrorism uses extreme violence as
Centre approves Goa's coastal circuit project
New Delhi, Apr.2 : On the occasion of its 21st annual day, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) organized a cultural evening and award distribution ceremony in New Delhi. To mark the occasion, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Dr. Mahesh Sharma, presented the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) and
Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) Survey Awards to the airport directors of Jaipur, Lucknow, Srinagar, Raipur and Chandigarh. Rajiv Nayan Choubey, Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, S Raheja, Chairman of the Airports Authority and other senior officials were present for the celebrations.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sharma said, "I am happy that Airports Authority of India has completed 21 years with dignity, and in last two years we have completed work of those airports which are competing with international airports. There is going to be immense contribution of AAI in the way we want to bring civil aviation from 9th to 3rd rank globally. Civil Aviation Secretary R.N Choubey said, "Once we have reached to a certain level then to maintain that level is not easy but under the dynamic leadership of AAI we will continue to do better. My biggest regards and wishes for family of AAI." The Airports Authority of India is also planning to prepare a roadmap for
UP: Major fire breaks out in plywood factory in Hapur
North Korea launches missile amid nuclear security meet in Washington Seoul (South Korea), Apr.2 : North Korea has fired another ballistic missile off its east coast as regional leaders met in Washington to discuss the threat of Pyongyang'snuclear weapons programme. South Korean Defence Ministry said the missile was fired at about 12.45 pm local time on Friday from near Sondok airport in the east, reports the Guardian. However, the range and trajectory could not be confirmed immediately. North Korea continues missile launches during elevated military tension on the Korean peninsula. The launch came in the
North Korea launches missile amid nuclear security meet in Washington middle of a two-day Nuclear Security Summit being hosted by US President Barack Obama in Washington in which he held talks with China, South Korea and Japan on
Pyongyang's actions. The United States, Republic of Korea and Japan yesterday vowed to deter and defend against North Korean nuclear threats and stand united in fight-
ing global terrorism. President Obama highlighted the need to vigilantly enforce the strong UN security measures imposed on Pyongyang after its latest nuclear test and subsequent longrange rocket launch. Meanwhile, North Korean state media labelled the ongoing Nuclear Security Summit as a nonsensical effort to find fault with its legitimate access to nuclear weapons. The existing UN sanctions ban North Korea from conducting any ballistic missile test, although short-range launches tend to go unpunished. (ANI)
Major fire breaks out in plywood factory of Hapur
Hapur (Uttar Pradesh), April. 2 : A major fire broke out at a plywood factory in Uttar Pradesh's Hapur area during the early hours of Saturday morning. Short circuit is said to be the cause behind the fire, although a proper investigation to ascertain its origin is yet to be carried out. "We have mobilised three fire tenders from
Modinagar, Bulandsher and Meerut. By the time we reached, the fire had assumed mammoth proportions, for now our aim is to contain it. This is a plywood factory and there was lot of wood in the factory, which is acting as a fuel," a fire department official told ANI. No causalities have been reported so far. Further details are awaited. (ANI)
DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, APRIL 3
PAGE 7
NEIGHBOURS
Nuclear materials must never fall into wrong hands: Fatemi China issues storm alert
Islamabad, April 2: Pakistan attaches great importance to strengthening global nuclear security and fully shares global concern that nuclear materials and facilities must never fall into the wrong hands, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi has said. Speaking at a dinner hosted by President Barack Obama for leaders attending the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington on Thursday night,
RMG worker gang-raped in moving bus, 3 held Dhaka, April 2: A garment worker has allegedly been gang-raped inside a moving bus on TangailMymensigh highway under Madhupur upazila of Tangail district. A case has been filed against six people in connection with the incident that took place in a bus of Binimoy Paribahan on the Tangail-Mymensingh highway on Friday morning. Police arrested three alleged rapists early Saturday following a lawsuit registered with Dhanbari police station. They are bus driver Habibur Rahman Nayon, conductor Rezaul Karim Jewel and helper Abdul Khaleque. Confirming the incident, Dhanbari police station OC Majibur Rahman said the victim's husband is also a transport worker and he filed a case making the three the main accused. According to the case statement, the victim had been on a visit to her aunt's residence in Dattabari village under Dhanbari upazila and got into a bus of Binimoy Paribahan to return to her home in Gazipur on Friday morning. At one stage, the bus started moving towards the capital without picking any passengers and the transport workers raped her there. Later, the three dropped the woman on an isolated road in Sholakuri area of Madhupur upazila. Tangail Medical College Hospital Residential Medical Officer Abdus Sobhan said: "A medical board has been examining the victim." The board's member Dr Rehana said: "The victim has claimed she was gang raped. We have collected evidence of rape as well. She is married and this why we will confirm the allegation only after a pathology test." Tangail Tansport Workers' Union General Secretary Lutfur Rahman Lalzu said: "I have been informed of the matter and it is a heinous incident for our organisation. We demand exemplary punishment for the rapists."
4 held with 1 quintal marijuana Kathmandu, April 2: Police arrested four persons including a man with possession of one quintal marijuana from Lapse of Shankarapur Municipality-4 on Friday. Acting on a tip-off that a huge cache of marijuana has been concealed at a house in Lapse, a police team deployed from the Metropolitan Police Circle, Sankhu, carried out a raid and arrested the suspects along with the marijuana. Police have not disclosed the identities of the suspects yet. Further investigation into the incident is underway.
Fatemi said, "Pakistan has ratified the 2005 Amendment to The Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM)." "This was a commitment that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made at the 2014 Hague Summit. Our delivering on this commitment demonstrates the importance we attach to strengthening global nuclear security architecture," Fatemi said. The dinner session of the summit was titled
Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi
"Nuclear Security Threat Perception." The adviser said Prime
Minister Nawaz Sharif was eagerly looking forward to participating in the
summit's deliberations but unfortunate developments back home prevented him from traveling to Washington. He conveyed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's greetings and good wishes to the world leaders. He said the NSS has made significant progress in the past six years and the process has contributed significantly to nuclear security. Valuable ground has been covered in strengthening nuclear security architecture worldwide through national actions and
voluntary exchange of experience, expertise and best practices, he added. "Nuclear materials must never fall into the wrong hands. This is a global concern which Pakistan fully shares," the adviser said. Fatemi said renewed interest in nuclear energy worldwide implies more nuclear materials and facilities necessitating more preparedness and it was equally important to remain alive to the potential threat of radiological dispersal devices.
Sinhalese can live happily only if Tamils are happy:Lanka Prez
President Maithripala Sirisena Colombo, Apr 2 : President Maithripala Sirisena has said that Sri Lankas majority Sinhalese Buddhist community can live happily only if they ensure that the issues faced by the ethnic
minorities - Tamils and Muslims - are addressed. Sirisena said the majority community must ensure Tamils and Muslims live in harmony in a way that all communities live happily in the country.
Addressing a gathering in Eravur town in Eastern province yesterday, Sirisena said the government is keen on addressing the issues faced by all communities. Sirisena was elected as president with a large backing of the minorities in the January 2015 election, defeating the incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa - a majority community favourite. Since being elected, Sirisena has addressed some of the pressing rights issues of Tamils affected by the three-decade- long war by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, who fought
for a separate Tamil homeland in the north of the country. According to a UN report, up to 40,000 Tamil civilians may have been killed in the final months of the fighting that ended in 2009. Sirisena said that the reason for the "northeners" to take up arms was that their basic problems had not been addressed. He said the country must develop irrespective of regional differences, "be it the south, west north or east, all must have equal facilities for education, health and transport". "We cant allow people
to take guns into their hands again." His government is contemplating a new constitutional arrangement aimed at addressing the issue of political freedom of the minorities. The government begun the process for a new Constitution in January this year. It has sought public opinion on the new Constitution, the report of which is to be presented by the end of April. The new Constitution will replace the current executive presidentheaded constitution adopted in 1978. (PTI)
PM: State will take responsibility of autistic orphans Dhaka, April 2: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the government would take responsibility for orphaned and abandoned children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). Expressing her firm commitment to create a congenial atmosphere for autistic children, she said: "A question always comes to my mind that when the parents of an autistic child are no more what will happen to that child, where will it go? We have taken a step to give them shelter. This is the responsibility of the state." The PM made the statement while inaugurating a programme marking the ninth World Autism
Awareness Day at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) on Saturday. The Social Welfare Ministry hosted the event with its secretary, Dr Chowdhury M Babul Hossain, in the chair. World Autism Awareness Day is being observed across the country, as elsewhere in the world, with a pledge to bring the people suffering from autism and other physical disabilities into the mainstream of development. Different public organisations including the Ministry of Social Welfare, Social Welfare Department, National Disability Development Foundation, National Disability Forum, socio-cul-
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
tural bodies and non-government organisations have organised elaborate programmes to observe the day. The main theme of the day is "Autism shachetonota bridhdhite amra sobai (We are all for increasing awareness about autism)." The United Nations General Assembly declared April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day to highlight the need for stronger initiatives to improve the lives of children and adults who suffer from the disorder. Autism is a developmental disorder that appears in the first three years of life, and affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills.
Banks to receive Hajj applications from Monday : Hajj to be costlier this year than last year Islamabad, April 2: A legislative body of the Senate on Friday was informed that the proposed Hajj Policy 2016 consisted of 60 percent quota for the government scheme and 40 percent quota for the private scheme besides a proposed increase in the quota for the government scheme. However, the government scheme consists of additional facilities such as provision of quality food to pilgrims. Briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, the ministry secretary said the proposed policy was in consonance with the instructions of the Sindh High Court and subject to the approval from the cabinet. According to the 2016 policy, 143,368 Pakistani pilgrims would perform Hajj this year. As many as 86,021 people will perform Hajj under the
government scheme and 57,347 under the private scheme. Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Yousaf told the committee that more and more people sought to go to Hajj under the government scheme due to better arrangements during the last two years; therefore, the government wanted an increase in its quota of Hajj pilgrims. However, he said, the final decision would be taken after a court verdict in this regard. The committee was informed that the government would call applications for Hajj from April 4 through designated branches of 10 banks and people would be given 10 days to submit their applications. On April 17, the balloting process would be completed and by April 22 final lists would be provided to the Saudi government. The committee was told that the cost of the Hajj
Banks to receive Hajj applications from Monday
package under the government scheme increased this year due to improvement in the facilities for pilgrims compared to the last year. The government Hajj scheme would be costlier this year than the previous year. Now Rs22,675 would be added to the net amount of Hajj. In 2015, the Southern Region paid Rs255,971 and the Northern Region Rs264,971 per pilgrim. It was proposed that in 2016 each southern pilgrim would pay Rs278,646 and northern
pilgrim Rs287,646. The Senate committee met at the Parliament House with Senator Hafiz Hamdullah in the chair. The committee chairman expressed serious reservations about the moon sighting committee and raised questions about its legal and constitutional status. He said the committee failed to unite the people on religious occasions. Why should the people follow the moon sighting committee's instructions when it did not have any legal status? he asked. The Ministry of Religious
Affairs secretary said there were no proper rules and regulations for appointment of chairman and members to the moon sighting committee and this issue needed to be discussed. Yousaf told the committee that there were 26 members of the moon sighting committee and a chairman and they were appointed for an indefinite period. The ministry secretary said the committee did not have proper representation from all provinces and the incumbent members and the chairman had been working for the last 10 to 12 years. Leader of the House in Senate Raja Zafarul Haq told the committee that there were 56 members of the OIC and every member state had its own mechanism to sight the Ramazan and Eid moon. He said that most countries followed Saudi Arabia in this regard, but the Malaysian system of moon sighting was good and it should be adopted.
China issues storm alert
Beijing, April 2: China's meteorological authority on Saturday issued a blue alert, the lowest in a fourtier warning system, for rainstorms in the country's south. From Saturday to Sunday, storms bringing 50 to 120 millimeters of rain will pelt parts of Hubei, Guizhou, Anhui, Hunan and Jiangxi provinces, the National Meteorological Center (NMC) said in a statement. Parts of Guizhou,
Chongqing, Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Zhejiang and Anhui will be hit by thunderstorms or hail from Saturday afternoon to Sunday, the NMC said. People affected by the rainstorms should take precautions against possible waterlogging and floods. China has a four-tier color-coded warning system for severe weather, with red being the most serious, followed by orange, yellow and blue.
Two new imported Zika cases in S. China Beijing, April 2: South China's Guangdong Province reported two new Zika cases Friday, bringing the total number of imported infections in the province to 10. Two sisters aged 12 and 13 tested positive for the Zika virus Tuesday in Enping City, the provincial health and family planning commission said. The two returned from Venezuela on March 23 and developed a skin rash. The younger sister has since tested negative for the virus and is under observation at home, while the elder sister is in hospital with a normal body temperature.
All eight other imported Zika cases in Guangdong have been discharged from hospital after recovery. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global emergency in early February amid a Zika outbreak in Central and South America. China has also been on alert as the warming weather may facilitate the spread of the mosquito-borne virus. Symptoms of Zika infections include fever, joint pain, rash, conjunctivitis, headache and muscle pain. It is also a suspected cause of microcephaly in new-born babies.
3 killed, 21 injured in fire accident in China Beijing, Apr 2 : Three persons were today killed and 21 others injured when fire broke out in south China in the wee hours. The fire broke out at 1:55 am at a village in Jiangnan district of Nanning Nanning, capital
of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. More than 60 firefighters and 12 fire engines were called in for the rescue, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. A probe has been launched into the cause of the accident. (PTI)
Tonu murder: CID records parents' statement
Dhaka, April 2: Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of police today recorded statements from slain Sohagi Jahan Tonu's parents in connection with her murder, reports Bangla daily Prothom Alo. "We have just started the investigation. Tonu's parents were called to our office. This is a continuous process. They will be questioned repeatedly to find out whether any issue is missing…We have to handle it this way," the daily quoted Special Superintendent of Police Nazmul Karim Khan as saying. The sensational murder case was shifted to the CID on March 29. "In line with the directives of the police headquarters, the case was shifted to the CID to expedite its probe,"
Mohammad Shah Abid Hossain, superintendent of police (SP) in Comilla, told The Daily Star that day. Tonu, a second year history student Comilla Victoria Government College and a theatre activist, was murdered near Comilla Cantonment area on March 20 night. According to a press release of ISPR, the unconscious body of the 19-yearold college student was found in the bordering area of the cantonment by the victim's father and he informed the military police. Right away, Tonu was taken to the Combined Military Hospital there and the dutydoctor declared her dead. Later, Tonu's father, Yar Hossain filed a murder case with Comilla Kotawali Police Station.
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DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, APRIL 3
Commodity Prices: The Cycle Turns? Survey Envisages Nagaland to be the Next Tourism Hotspot The seven states of North East India now eight with the inclusion of (Sikkim), Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Meghalaya. It is only connected to mainland India by the 22km wide Siliguri Corridor and is elsewhere bordered by Bhutan, Tibet, China, Burma (Myanmar) and Bangladesh. Opened to visitors a couple of years ago, positive moves are now being made to develop tourism. Decades ago these states, beautiful Photo: kilmore.anglican and unexplored as they were, rated low on tourist options. Concerned about security issues, the need for permits and limited flight options, travellers preferred to pick more tourist savvy destinations like Goa and Kerala. But effective initiatives by local governments, travel companies and airlines have changed all that. Today, there are some attractive travel packages to the area in the market. The government has eased, over the last few years, the protected area permit (PAP) that was required of foreign tourists heading for Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram. The Nagaland Economic Survey 2015-16 brought out by the department of economics & statistics envisages that though tourism activities in Nagaland are still at its nascent stage, the state has the potential to become of the north-east's upcoming popular destination. The Survey informed that the inflow of both domestic and foreign tourist to the state has been increasing year by year with a total of 58, 507 domestic tourists and 2, 585 foreign tourists visiting the state during 2014. Maximum tourists visited the state during the Hornbill Festival in December. The Hornbill Festival alone accounts for attracting 95.77 per cent of domestic tourist and 4.23 per cent of foreign tourist.The survey suggests that for promotion of tourism, focus should not only be on development of infrastructure and facilities but also on preservation of culture, conservation of natural resources and traditional habitats, adventure sports and eco-tourism. Also Union DoNER Minister, Jitendra Singh described Shillong as not only the best scenic city in the country but also in the Indian Sub-continent. Shillong won the award for India's favourite hill station, under the category Top Tourism Destination. It is a matter of pride for the whole State and the region. This will go a long way in promoting tourism in Meghalaya which is picking up very fast with the government's help. Meghalaya is also the most peaceful State in the Northeast now. This as an opportunity for the government to try and attract as many tourists as possible. According to the data showed by HolidayIQ.com, there is an immense rise of adventurism, trekking, nature walk etc in the State. Meghalaya with its pristine forest and beautiful hills would only attract more tourists who not only seek leisure but also for health benefits due to the presence of greenery. The award can be said as a pride for all Shillongites.
Assam Polls Who will be the king? With the Assam Polls just around the corner, speculations are rife regarding who will emerge victorious. Hopes are high among the people that the new government would bring a radical change in the state of Assam. In the meantime, the young first time voters have a lot of expectations from the new government. Education, employment, electricity and security of women top the chart when it comes to expectations of the GenX. The frontier state of Assam goes to elections on 4 and 11 April this year. Fresh opinion polls indicate that there will be a hung assembly. The survey says that Congress would win 40 seats. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which appeared all set to secure majority in the state, may not be able to score any more than Congress. The opinion poll says that the BJP will get 32 to 35 seats. BJP's alliance partner Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) would get 8-10 seats. The third coalition partner, Bodoland People's Front (BPF), would win 8 to 9 seats. As per survey Congress is going to suffer a setback in 2016 assembly elections, as per the opinion poll conducted by C-voter. The BJP-led alliance is projected to win 57 seats in the 126-seat assembly and emerge as the largest front in Assam. Congress may be reduced to 44 seats. According to the survey, Badruddin Ajmal's UDF is likely to win 19 seats. Even as it is being speculated that among five state that are scheduled to face a high-voltage Assembly Elections, BJP has the best prospects in Assam, an opinion poll reveals. In a further blow to Congress, the poll further gagged that Left Democratic Front could oust the Grand Old Party-led alliance in Kerala. Both the ruling parties Trinamool Congress in West Bengal and AIADMK in Tamil Nadu are poised to return to power, according to a press release issued by India TV, which has carried out the opinion poll in collaboration with C-Voter. The opinion poll projects that the BJP-led alliance in Assam could win 55 seats in a House of 126, nine short of majority while Congress led by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi is projected to win 53 seats, down from 78 it had won five years ago. But many political leaders are of the opinion that no pre-poll survey by any agency can read the minds of the voters and predict correct results. People are the best judge and they will vote according to their choice, irrespective of what any pre-poll survey predict. Well the battle for the king of Assam has already begun. What will now be interesting to see is that who will have the last smile on their faces on the day when the result of all the sweats, hardworks etc will be revealed.
Rising commodity prices have given the region's miners a much-needed boost. Is this really a turning point? On March 24, U.S. oil passed the low point of futures settled at around its downturn, which fol$39 a barrel, up nearly lowed a massive boom 50 percent on January's on the back of Chinese 12-year low of below demand that eventually $27. Meanwhile, the led to oversupply across benchmark copper price a range of commodities. on the London Metal Ex- In a March 11 report, change closed at $4,945 ANZ Research said a ton, up 15 percent from commodity markets had its sixstarted to year low Anthony Fensom "find a floor" in January, while iron ore prices amid signs that the worst have risen by nearly 30 "may be over" for the percent this year to more battered sector. than $50 a ton. "Sentiment has also The iron ore price posted picked up, with a glass its biggest one-day gain half full approach being on record on March 7, taken to weaker than exsurging 19 percent to pected economic data. $62.60 a ton after Chi- Technically, many marnese Premier Li Keqiang kets are also bouncing pledged to spend 1.65 off strong support levels. trillion yuan ($250 bil- The headwinds that a lion) on building roads stronger [U.S. dollar] and 800 billion yuan on and volatile equity marrailway construction, as kets created are also easpart of efforts to ensure ing," the Australian bank a minimum gross domes- said. tic product (GDP) ANZ said supply growth growth rate of 6.5 per- in industrial metals had cent for the next five "slowed considerably" in recent months, while years. The bounce back in com- financial pressures on modity prices has helped U.S. oil producers had miners' share prices in seen "small incremental the region's major ex- losses slowly build toporters such as Australia ward a sizable reduction and Indonesia, with their in output." mining indices rising by "This begs the question: 5 percent and 10 percent, are we on the path to rerespectively, since the covery? At this stage, we start of year. feel this move is more The revival in confi- about markets becoming dence follows two years less bearish rather than of savage losses in mar- any fundamentally ket value, along with a driven move higher. For wave of job losses and mine closures across the global industry. The Bloomberg Commodity Index, a measure of 22 raw materials, has dropped by about 40 percent in the last two years, having reached in January its lowest point since 1991. In February, the world's biggest miner, BHP Billiton, posted a $5.7 billion half-year net loss compared to its previous half year's $4.3 billion that to occur, we would profit, while rival mining want to see economic giant Rio Tinto posted a data in emerging markets $866 million loss for fis- stabilize. That aside, the cal 2015 compared to the point where markets start previous year's $6.5 bil- tightening is now close lion profit. enough to see for invesMeanwhile, Japanese tors," it said. trading houses are ex- In the short term, ANZ pected to post write- said the best performers downs of nearly $9 bil- in the next three months lion in their upcoming would be sugar (up 6 perresults due to their cent), nickel (up 3 perboom-time commodities cent), and corn, pallainvestments, with tradi- dium and thermal coal tional heavyweights (all up 2 percent). It also Mitsui and Mitsubishi said January 2016 may sinking into their first net have been the "cyclical annual losses in more low" for oil prices, with than 60 years. prospects of a significant However, analysts now cut in U.S. production see signs that the cycli- along with the tentative cal sector may have agreement between Rus-
sia and Saudi Arabia to freeze output. According to ANZ, ratings agency Standard & Poor's has downgraded 119 energy companies in the first 50 days of 2016 compared to 30 downgrades in the first quarter of 2015, with the ratings cuts adding to the pressure on U.S. producers which control an estimated 1.2 million barrels per day of supply. Gold has also benefited from growing investor demand, amid expectations of higher inflation and the U.S. Federal Reserve's decision to ease its pace of interest rate hikes. Gold holdings in exchange-traded funds have increased around 18 percent this year, with strong investor flows outweighing "subdued" physical flows of the precious metal. According to Morningstar analyst Mathew Hodge, gold's ongoing shift from a "financial" to a "consumer" commodity on the back of demand from Chinese and Indian consumers should see it make further gains, with jewelry expected to account for two-thirds of gold demand by 2020. For base metals, better than expected Chinese demand and the prospect of further stimulus had
The bounce back in commodity prices has helped miners' share prices in the region's major exporters such as Australia and Indonesia, with their mining indices rising by 5 percent and 10 percent, respectively, since the start of year. improved sentiment, with copper and zinc expected to outperform, ANZ said. The bank expects the nickel price to rise by 17 percent over the next 12 months, with copper up 13 percent and zinc increasing by 7 percent. However, it predicted a "drawn out" rebalancing process for bulk commodities such as iron ore and coking coal, despite Beijing's new spending measures. Chinese coal demand has declined for two straight years and China reportedly aims to cut as much as 9 percent of its production capacity by 2020, eliminating
Iron ore via Shutterstock potentially 1.3 million jobs as it curbs oversupply, although coal still accounts for around twothirds of its total energy use. BlackRock fund manager Evy Hambro has predicted further pain ahead in 2016, even while pointing to an eventual recovery. "Commodity markets remain oversupplied and prices for certain commodities will need to remain at current levels, or move lower, to see loss making production leave the market. In light of this, dividends will remain under pressure," Hambro said. "As we enter 2016, the industry will be forced to respond and we would expect to see an acceleration in production cuts which should be supportive for commodity prices." Confidence Returning? Nevertheless, the recent uptick in commodity prices and resulting improvement in investor sentiment has been noted by mining explorers, including Australian miners Carpentaria Exploration and Diatreme Resources. Carpentaria's managing director Quentin Hill said confidence was returning to the sector as the supply overhang gradually diminished and analysts' worst fears of a Chinese steel demand collapse appeared increasingly unlikely. "We're now seeing market watchers look past the current supply situation toward the next iron ore demand growth phase in 2017 and beyond. In the next phase, steelmakers will seek to improve productivity and curb pollution and
therefore higher-quality iron products will be favored. This has been realized by Australia's Fortescue Metals (FMG), which struck a product blending deal with Vale improving its quality, but also by Japan's Mitsubishi in its recent [letter of intent] to acquire Carpentaria's Supergrade iron product," he told The Diplomat. "FMG has often spoken about sentiment driving prices, with sentiment turning before fundamentals. The Chinese government has stated there will be no hard landing, and even after they complete the restructuring of China's steel sector there is still the prospect of another 200 million people becoming urbanized in the next 15 years, requiring extra steel and therefore iron ore. "Estimates of Chinese steel demand having reached its long-term peak could therefore be seen as self serving and designed to assist the industry's restructure. As a clearer picture on Chinese demand emerges during 2016 and 2017, sentiment will change, and iron ore prices will strengthen, especially premiums for high grade iron and pellets such as from our Hawsons iron project near Broken Hill." Another Australian explorer, Diatreme Resources, has pointed to the benefit of a rising Australian dollar gold price for new gold projects. "Applying the current Australian dollar gold price of around A$1,700 ($1280.50) an ounce makes projects such as our Tick Hill project in
Misutilisation of Government money
Image for representational purpose (Photo: mid-day)
Sir, It has been seen that crores of rupees has been spent in regard to identification of voters in elections since years, however the concerned authorities has till date allegedly failed to provide with permanent identification. During the previous elections Voter ID card were distributed to voters with lots of mistake in the same, in the very process the voters had to spent money time in providing documents to attain the same. To the great surprise the card contained an information that the very card is not valid for age proof. Even the card was different to that of cards issued in other Indian state. After that people had to submit documents for Adhar card and once again they had to spend their money and time in providing proof for the same. Then came the issue of NRC and people had to again submit the essential documents and prove legacy that they have been residing here in Assam for which once again people had to
face difficulties. The process is yet to be completed as no permanent copy has been issued in regard to same apart from a submission of the document. Again for the Assembly Election to be held on 4th April, a simple Voter slip has been issued which is simply a photostat copy. The slip contains information like it is not to be considered as identification, it is not compulsory for voter to carry it to the polling station and even if the slip contain any wrong information than also particular votes is allowed to vote. So now the question arises is it not the waste of government money and what the concerned officers relating to same are doing in this regard when they have failed to provide the permanent Voting Card to the Voters till date. Yours etc, Amit Nagori Golaghat
North Queensland potentially highly profitable, along with the benefit of lower input costs following the cooling of the mining boom. We've identified significant savings from using secondhand plant and equipment along with cheaper professional services and labor costs," Diatreme's chief executive Neil McIntyre said. McIntyre is also seeing better times ahead for mineral sands miners, with the company's Cyclone zircon project in Western Australia expected to benefit from a forecast supply shortfall within the next three years. Analysts Beer & Co. have forecast rising prices for zircon, which is expected to increase from $1,138 a ton in December 2015 to $1,500 by December 2018. McIntyre said the Queensland state government had also been supportive of local miners, following a spate of job losses in the industry. "There's been a refocus on the smaller end of the market and trying to help get new projects up and running to facilitate new jobs and investment," he said. "We've been pleasantly surprised by the support shown by government, which is seeking to incentivize exploration and mining operations." After riding the Chinadriven upturn and then suffering the post-boom fallout, Asia's miners could be forgiven for being hopeful for an end to the pain in the Year of the Monkey. For Asia's major commodity importers though, expectations of continued low prices might prove shortsighted, unless the world economy takes another sudden downward turn. Courtesy: The Diplomat Best Letter The best letter of the month in the Letter to the Editor section will be awarded an amount of Rs 200. So please keep writing.
Letters to the editor and articles should be sent to : The Eastern Today Chowkidingee, Near Sankardeva Hospital Mancotta Road, Dibrugarh786003 (Assam) Ph: 0373-2328944 Web : editor.easterntoday@gmail.com
JOBS & career
DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, APRIL 3
Circle Organizer (Grade-III) recruitment in Assam Police Qualification : The minimum educational qualification for the post of CO, VDO is High School Leaving Certificate or equivalent Board or Council. Class VIII pass case of candidate having special qualification in special works and having distinguished on self by sincere and devoted service to the Village Defense Organization. Total No. of Posts : 54 (UR-31, OBC-17, SC-01) Scale of Pay : Rs. 5200-20,200/Age : 18-43 yrs Selection Process : Written Test and Interview Physical Fitness : A candidate for direct recruitment shall be : (I) of sound health, both mentally and physically and free from organic defect or bodily infirmity which is likely to interfere with the efficient performance of his duties . (H) Required to undergo medical examination before appointment to the service. How to apply The last date of submission of Application is 31-03-2016 and the application is to be addressed to the Addl. Director General of Police (A), Assam, Ulubari, Guwahati.
UPSC Assistant Commandant Recruitment, [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.
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Constable Jobs in Railway Protection Force, ECR East Central Railway (ECR) Last Date: 11/04/2016. Applications are invited from eligible Male/Female Candidates for filling up the posts of Constable (BAND) in Railway Protection Force (RPF) / Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) under East Central Railway (ECR): Name of post: Constable (Band) No of posts : 246 posts (UR-137, OBC-56, SC-29, ST-24) Pay : Rs.5200-2000/- Grade Pay Rs.2000/Educational Qualification : Matriculation or equivalent from recognised board. Age : 18-25 years as on 01/07/2016. Application Fee : Rs.50/- in the form of Indian Postal Order/ Bank Draft in favour of Financial Advisor & Chief Accounts Officer, East Central Railway, Hajipur. No fee for Women/ SC/ ST/ Ex. SM candidates. How to apply : Apply in the prescribed format should be send to IG-Chief Security Commissioner, East Central Railway, Hajipur, Pin Code844101, Bihar on or before 11/04/2016 For more information and application form, please visit http://www.ecr.indianrailways.gov.in
Military Engineer Services Tradesman Recruitment,[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: 20 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 in Nutrition and Dietetics Introduction After passing your twelfth class, a course in nutrition and dietetics can offer you an exciting career opportunity. A degree in Home Science or Hotel Management would take you to higher levels of knowledge regarding nutrition and dietetics. Conventionally, in India, it is the women who venture into this domain. However, due to ample opportunities these days, men are also pursuing a career in this field. Step-by-Step Typically, the objective of a course in nutrition and
* To devise newer management and administration techniques to monitor nutrition and dietetics. * To encourage research on nutrition and develop future scientists for the country. * To advise governments and health bodies on issues related with nutrition. Start Early After completing school, you may get admitted to a B.Sc degree in Home Science if you have qualifying marks. Otherwise, in order to pursue a career in nutrition and dietetics, you may pursue a one year diploma from any
on nutrition. Also, SNDT College, Mumbai and Mangalore University offer competent courses in Nutrition and dietetics. Is it the Right Career for Me? If you have an inborn interest in cooking and exploring various cuisines from different countries, nutrition and dietetics is one subject which will help you explore how to design controlled diets. Based on the body mass index, you can design your own food charts that would summarize the quantity of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins which
Image for representational purpose only (Photo: vegfamily) dietetics is: * To identify nutrition and dietary problems in segments of populations. * To devise socially, economically and technologically viable methods to control nutrition and dietary problems in the country.
popular institute. The most popular college is the National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad. This college offers a master's degree and postgraduate certificate in Nutrition. The college has been acknowledged worldwide for its research
must be consumed everyday. For a career, initially, this may be a low paying job. But once you have picked up and gained experience, there is a lot of scope and you may earn quite well and travel abroad as well. What would it Cost
Me? A graduate degree course in nutrition and dietetics could cost you around Rs. 10,000 or above per year depending on the college you choose. A diploma could cost more but its course content would be integrated in order to make it a one-year programme. Funding/Scholarship Banks such as State Bank of India and other state subsidiaries offer a maximum loan of up to Rs. 7.5 lacs in India and about 15 lacs to study abroad. This amount can be paid in easy instalments spread over a period of a few years time at low interest rates. Job Prospect As a career, hotels, cruise lines, hospitals, nursing homes and government health departments recruit nutrition and dietetics professionals for a good salary. If you join a shipping company such as Shell, Maersk or their subsidiary companies that run tourist ships along with logistics and oil et al., you would get the opportunity to travel to several countries situated along the shorelines. Pay Packet A fresher who has completed a course in Nutrition and Dietetics may draw anywhere between Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 20,000 in a standard hospital or nursing home of repute. Several sports organizations, companies and factories hire these professionals for designing a healthy menu for their
cafeteria. Spas and clinics hire dieticians to use them for designing healthy, low-calorie monthly food charts for their customers. When combined with a degree in hotel management, the salary levels could be between Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000. Demand and Supply The demand for nutritionists has greatly increased over the past few years due to increased awareness amongst people to stay healthy and avoid high calorie unplanned diets leading to obesity, hypertension and other food related diseases! The supply therefore is low when compared with the demand. Mainly due to low initial salaries, only women prefer to join a course in nutrition and dietetics in order to keep their work routines untiring and less busy. However, there are leading nutritionists and doctors in the country who have appeared often on TV channels and joined leading companies to design their food charts as well. Market Watch The market is considerably cold for professionals in this field as this is mostly seen as a supporting career unlike a mainstream career such as studying to become a doctor or an engineer. However, almost all consumer product companies such as Colgate, Close Up to Amul, or Bournvita and Complan that manufacture consumable products
Image for representational purpose only (Photo: healthcaredaily) hire dieticians for their research teams. International Focus Diet masters play a vital role in developed countries and their importance is now also felt in India. In countries such as the United States, medical dieticians earn a monthly salary of say $20,00040,000 if they possess the expertise expected by the companies. Positives/Negatives Positives: * If you have scored less in school, no worries, a course in nutrition and dietetics is easy to get admitted to. * Besides post graduate Master's degree, colleges also offer one year diploma and pg diploma in nutrition and dietetics. * The subject is quite interesting and very much applicable in our daily lives. You can design food charts for your own family members and not just for your customers. The subject provides ample scope for
personal research as well. Negatives: * The starting salaries are comparatively lower than other professions. * The opportunities may be limited if you are looking for an excellent job paying you high in your local area alone. On the other hand, if you are willing to travel, the salary may be high. *Jobs over ships and cruise lines may require you to stay away from home for several weeks. Different Roles, Different Names A course in nutrition and dietetics is as good as a hotel management course if knowledge is continuously upgraded about foods, measurement scales, and medical implications. If you are employed in a hospital, you can learn a lot about nursing and pharmacy which could be further used to complement your career as a dietician. Top Companies
There are top 5 companies in the hospitality industry in India, hiring nutrition professionals. Besides these, there are several companies in other industries such as Apollo group of hospitals, AIIMS and other private nursing homes that hire nutritionists and dieticians. Top-ended sports clubs and fitness centres also employ these professionals. Tips for Getting Hired You could follow the steps mentioned below to get hired as a dietician: 1. Keep your knowledge upgraded on latest food measurement techniques for measuring calories of food consumed and various nutrition elements such as fats, carbohydrates, proteins etc. Several magazines and journals provide comments from expert dieticians. 2. You are expected to have good communication skills. Thus, sound optimistic and confident during interviews. Courtesy: Jagranjosh.
DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, APRIL 3
BUSINESS
5.7% expansion in February's core sector New Delhi, Apr 2: Output from the eight core infrastructure industries grew at the fastest pace in 15 months, clocking a 5.7 per cent growth in February, driven by a robust growth in cement and fertilisers, according to official estimates released. Analysts said these core sector numbers bode well for overall industrial output to recover from three successive months of contraction, and register a 3 per cent to 4 per cent growth in February. The core sectors constitute around 38 per cent of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). "The core sector growth number for February is encouraging at 5.7 per cent with a fairly
Sales punched by jewellers' strike : Titan Chennai, Apr 2: Tata group firm Titan, which sells jewellery under the Tanishq brand, said its sales have been hit due to strike by jewellers in protest against the imposition of one per cent excise duty by the government. "Tanishq is not participating in the strike but many of stores had to be shut down on many occasions across the country due to agitations by striking jewellery associations," the company said in its quarterly updates. It further added: "The customers walk-ins in the ensuing period have also been poor due to the customer perception that entire industry is on strike due to which the sales performance for the month of March has been affected adversely." In Q4 of FY 2015-15, Tanishq sales were impacted due to government's new rule which had made permanent account number (PAN) mandatory for all transactions above Rs 2 lakh. "We are still in the process of estimating the impact of the PAN card rule on our sales and hope to get a better view by Q1 of 2016-17," the company informed. During the quarter, Titan added seven Tanishq stores and its jewellery division launched its first e-commerce exclusive collection of birthstone jewellery called Uttara. During the quarter, Titan launched its smart watches under sub-brand "JUXT". It further added: "While it has been a difficult year for the division (watch) in terms of sales and same-store growth, the company has taken a decision to focus for the next two years in investing in the division to revitalise the category." (Agencies)
Network with private players to be shared by MTNL Mumbai, Apr 2: Lossmaking public sector telecom firm MTNL will tap the virtual network operator route to share its network with private vendors. This is part of an attempt to monetise its assets to generate revenue of Rs.1,000 crore over the next couple of years. MTNL has been sharing its telecom towers with BSNL. It is now open to sharing them along with with private telecom competitors, ISPs and cable operators in Mumbai and Delhi. "Next month, we will talk to telecom vendors to work with them on the new virtual network operator model," MTNL Chairman and Managing Director N. K. Yadav said. (Agencies)
diversified picture across: steel, electricity, refinery products and fertilisers. This high growth should hopefully translate into an IIP growth rate of 3-4 per cent for February," Madan Sabnavis, Chief Economist at Care Ratings said. However, the numbers don't point to a full-scale revival yet as a similar growth levels needs to be sustained in the next few months, he added. While production of fertilisers and cement posted a double-digit growth of 16.3 per cent (from fall in output by 0.4 per cent in February 2014) and 13.5 per cent (from 2.2 per cent), respectively, that of electricity rose to a fivemonth high of 9.2 per
GROWTH EXPANSION Output from the eight core infrastructure industries grew at the fastest pace in 15 months, clocking a 5.7 per cent growth in February.
The core sector growth number for February is encouraging at 5.7 per cent with a fairly diversified picture across: steel, electricity, refinery products and fertilisers.
Among all core sector industries, only steel saw a fall in output in February, by 0.5 per cent, against a decline of 0.6 per cent in February last year.
Analysts said these core sector numbers bode well for overall industrial output to recover from three successive months of contraction, and register a 3 per cent to 4 per cent growth in February.
With this, the core sectorscoal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity-saw a growth of 2.3 per cent in April-February 2015-16, lower than 5 per cent growth seen in the same period of the last financial year.
While production of fertilisers and cement posted a double-digit growth of 16.3 per cent (from fall in output by 0.4 per cent in February 2014) and 13.5 per cent (from 2.2 per cent), respectively, that of electricity rose to a five-month high of 9.2 per cent.
cent. With this, the core sectors-coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers,
steel, cement and electricity-saw a growth of 2.3 per cent in April-February 2015-16, lower than
5 per cent growth seen in the same period of the last financial year. Among all core sector industries, only
steel saw a fall in output in February, by 0.5 per cent, against a decline of 0.6 per cent in February last year. In January, the output of crude oil, natural gas and steel had declined. Aditi Nayar, senior economist at rating agency ICRA said that the poor performance of the steel sector could be attributed to weak demand from end-users as well as availability of cheaper imports. "The sole slippage was seen in growth of coal output, which moderated to 3.9 per cent in February 2016 from a high 9.1 per cent in January 2016, likely on account of build-up of inventories," she said. (Agencies)
Ola brings 'Auto-Connect Wi-Fi' experience to millions on the go
Head of Categories and Chief Marketing Officer, Raghuvesh Sarup. (Photo: citynewsforu) ANI New Delhi, Apr 2: India's most popular taxi aggregator, Ola announced the launch of Ola Wi-Fi, a proprietary experience from the company's innovation labs, that allows users to auto connect to Wi-Fi in
an Ola cab without having to enter credentials every single time. The users with a one-time authentication on their phones, can use Ola WiFi on their devices without having to key in login credentials and passwords in subsequent rides, stay-
ing connected with Ola's secure network whenever they take a ride. Auto-Connect Wi-Fi is currently available for free on Ola prime and will soon be available across all categories including micro, mini and auto-rickshaws available on the Ola app. Over 200TB of data was consumed on a monthly basis by users of Ola prime, which was earlier making available high speed Wi-Fi in-cab with a standard authentication process. 65 percent customer's who chose Ola prime are connected to the in-cab WiFi. With auto-connect WiFi innovation, Ola foresees a massive surge in adoption, given the unmatched customer experience for users while on the move. "Ola Wi-Fi addresses the need for consumers to be connected to the internet
while on the go, without the hassles of having to use unique credentials every single time. With over 40 minutes spent on an average cab ride in Indian cities, an auto-connect Wi-Fi experience can make every Ola, the 'third place' for consumers, beyond their home and workplace," said Head of Categories and Chief Marketing Officer, Raghuvesh Sarup. "We are ushering in a digital revolution in the country that has the potential to transform the experience of mobility for a billion Indians in the time to come," added Sarup. "We are thrilled to bring our proprietary Ola Wi-Fi experience to users, changing the way they will stay connected on the move. As part of Ola's Innovation Labs, this first of its kind experience is in line
with the Government's initiatives of Digital India and owes inspiration to large projects like free Wi-Fi in railway stations. We also see this as the beginning of connected cities, with hundreds of thousands of vehicles connecting millions of users on the go," said Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, Ola, Ankit Bhati. Ola has enabled 2G optimization for its app, allowing for a lightning fast experience for users even on slower networks; a problem that is commonly encountered in many parts of the country. It has also made available its app for auto-rickshaw drivers in over nine local languages and enabled turn by turn navigation features for driver-partners registered on the Ola app.
$35,000-Model 3 with range of 215 miles unveiled by Tesla California, Apr 2: Tesla Motors gave a sneak preview of its Model 3 sedan, saying more than 130,000 people had ordered the car, even though it is more than a year away from production. Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk unveiled a prototype of the Model 3 in Hawthorne, California outside Los Angeles to hundreds of Tesla owners and the media, saying the vehicle will go into production in 2017 at a starting price of $35,000. The Model 3 is critical to the Silicon Valley automaker's growth plans and to sustaining its lofty stock price. Tesla shares have jumped in recent days in anticipation of the Model 3 launch. The Model 3 will enter a crowded field of luxury and electric cars that includes gasoline-fueled models such as the Audi A4 and BMW 3-Series, and electric models such as the forthcoming Chevrolet Bolt EV from General Motors Co. "Do
you want to see the car?" teased Mr. Musk, to screams from the audience in the hangar-sized facility inside a Tesla design centre. "We don't have it for you tonight just kidding!" Three Model 3s were driven onstage. The compact sleek four-door car with no grille features a roof that is a panoramic pane of glass from front to back. Mr. Musk said that 115,000 pre-orders had already been taken on Thursday alone for the car. Within a half hour, that number reached 137,600 in a rolling scroll projected onto a screen. Fans had camped out overnight, queuing outside Tesla stores across California to put down deposits on the car in scenes reminiscent of the launch of Apple Inc products. The Model 3 is crucial for Tesla to reach its goal of selling 500,000 cars per year by 2020. The success of Tesla's Gigafactory, its battery factory near completion in
Image for representational purpose. (Photo: icdn8.digitaltrends) Nevada, is also contingent on the Model 3. Tesla says scale from the massive facility will cut the cost of its battery pack by 30 per cent to enable the lower-priced vehicle. High expectations ahead of the unveiling have restored Tesla's shares to around the $230-mark, recovering from a year low of $141.05 in February after analysts cut price targets and revenue expectations. "It is important to the industry because it will signal whether or not
Tesla Motors is a major threat to the status quo or just another wannabe car company with a fleeting chance for long-term success," said Kelley Blue Book's Jack Nerad. GM is on track to beat Tesla to the market with its Chevrolet Bolt electric car, which GM says will launch late this year, offering about 200 miles of electric driving range and a starting price of around $35,000. A new generation of Nissan Motor Co's Leaf electric car is also expected to offer more
driving range at a similar price. The Model 3 and others in the new generation of electric vehicles face challenges from low gasoline prices, high battery costs and uncertain investment in recharging infrastructure. Through the first two months of this year, sales of all-electric and hybrid vehicles are down nearly 9 percent to 60,384 vehicles, data from trade group the Electric Drive Transportation Association shows. That's fewer hybrid and battery electric vehicles sold in two months than Ford sold of its F-series large pickup trucks in February alone. Several shortterm concerns, such as that Model 3 production will be delayed, and the slow ramp of the Model X will continue, go hand-in-hand with skeptics' longer-term worries that the unprofitable company will continue to bleed cash. In February, Tesla said it would start generating positive cash flow this month. (Agencies)
Crownit launches merchant app for merchant partners ANI New Delhi, Apr 2: Merchant discovery and privileges platform Crownit has announced the launch of its merchant app that will make the process of viewing, approving and rejecting bills extremely simple. Built for on-the-go accessibility, the app will allow merchants to manage the business at their outlets conveniently and efficiently. With the Crownit merchant app, merchants can now verify bills and packages in real time as well as get detailed insights into the customers' profile such as average spending power, preferred products etc. A
Founder Crownit, Sameer Grover. (Photo: assets.entrepreneur) comprehensive outlet for information and traffic such as incoming bills, check-ins and visits will also be made available to the merchants,
who can promptly redeem valid vouchers for eligible Crownit users at the touch of a button. "After having changed the way consum-
ers and businesses interacted through our platform, we also wanted to enhance the merchant experience by making their outlet management simpler," said Founder Crownit, Sameer Grover. "The launch of our merchant app will help in simplifying the merchant billing processes and will empower them with valuable insights into consumer purchase behavior for driving more business. We will now be looking at future additions to the app which will add more value to our merchant partners," added Sameer. Several other improvements on the Crownit merchant
app are also in the pipeline to further improve the merchant experience. Crownit is looking to enable features such as invoice viewing, bill payments, customer review-based ranking and areas of improvement on the newly launched app. Other interesting data points such as the number of Crownit customers in nearby regions, most ordered dish/packages, and most searched items are expected to be made available to the merchants in the future, along with the ability to push offers for endconsumers through the app.
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Rs 80,000 crore seeked by Maharashtra for pending irrigation projects
Water Resources minister of Maharashtra, Girish Mahajan. (Photo: newstodaynet.) Mumbai, Apr 2: Maharashtra government said it needs around Rs 80,000 crore to complete all irrigation projects in the state. "To complete all the projects, we will need at least Rs 70,000-80,000 crore. We plan to raise Rs 20,000 crore annually over the next four years so that funds can be made available to complete these projects," Water Resources minister Girish Mahajan said while replying to a discussion on budget expenditure for the depart-
ment in the assembly. "We are in talks with JICA and other financial institutions to raise loans for the irrigation projects," he said. He said the government had budgeted only Rs 7,272 crore, which was insufficient to complete all the projects. There are around 800 incomplete irrigation projects in Maharashtra. The department has identified 90 lastmile projects, which are 75% complete, but work cannot proceed further as there are no funds, the minister said. (Agencies)
9.9% growth in non-food bank credit in February: RBI New Delhi, Apr 2: Nonfood bank credit increased by 9.9% in February, with agriculture and personal segments showing a healthy pickup, the Reserve Bank said. This is a marginal pick-up from the 9.8% registered by the system in the month of January, 2016. Credit to agriculture and allied activities increased by 13.5% in February 2016, which was a dip from the 16.5% witnessed during the same period last year, the RBI said in a press release. Personal loans increased by 19.2%, up from the 16.8% grossed in February 2015, it said. However, industry continued to
be a worry, with credit growth in February slowing to 5.4% as against 5.9% in the yearago period. "Credit growth continues to decelerate or decline for most sub-sectors, some of which include petroleum, coal products and nuclear fuels, beverage and tobacco and food processing," the RBI said. For the services sector, the credit flow increased by 8.6% in February, as against a 6.7% growth for the same period last year, it said. The data reflects the performance of 46 scheduled commercial banks, which account for 95% of the total non-food credit deployed, the RBI said. (Agencies)
Samsung's newly launched J3 to be available on Snapdeal for Rs. 8900 ANI New Delhi, Apr 2: Samsung recently launched Galaxy J3 smartphone with S Bike mode at an attractive price of Rs. 8,990, which will be available exclusively through Snapdeal. South Korean multinational conglomerate has introduced the smartphone to target millions of bike users in India who cannot take calls while riding. The device features an NFC tag, which when paired with the phone serves as a call assistant for bikers. Addressing the media, Senior Vice President, Samsung India Electronics, Asim Warsi said, "The phone is offering specific features built to suit the resonance in several developing markets where Samsung operates." Amongst one the features, Galaxy J3 (6) is touting 'S Bike Mode', which once enabled automatically replies to calls with pre-recorded mes-
sages in 14 languages. Riders can also mark a few contacts as important, so that they can be notified even while riding. The Galaxy J3 (6) variant launched in India features dual-SIM support with a 5-inch HD (720x1280 pixels) Super Amoled display. The handset is powered by a 1.5GHz quad-core processor coupled with 1.5GB of RAM. It packs 8GB of inbuilt storage which can be expanded via microSD card (up to 128GB). The Android 5.1 Lollipopbased Galaxy J3 features the Samsung TouchWiz UI on top. Talking about the camera specifications, the smartphone sports an eight-megapixel rear autofocus camera with LED flash along with a five-megapixel front-facing camera. Apart from 4G (with support for Indian 4G bands), other connectivity options include 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and Micro-USB. The handset is backed by a 2600mAh battery.
NEWLY LAUNCHED J3 Samsung launched Galaxy J3 smartphone with S Bike mode at an attractive price of Rs. 8,990, which will be available exclusively through Snapdeal. The device features an NFC tag, which when paired with the phone serves as a call assistant for bikers. Amongst one the features, Galaxy J3 (6) is touting 'S Bike Mode', which once enabled automatically replies to calls with pre-recorded messages in 14 languages. Riders can also mark a few contacts as important, so that they can be notified even while riding.
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DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, APRIL 3
PAGE 11
India lose 0-1 to New Zealand in Hawke's Bay Cup game, as New Zealand kept them pressed back in their own half for a large portion of the first half, and they went into the break trailing the hosts 01. In the last quarter, Savita's saves from six New Zealand attempts put the pressure on the hosts to close the match out but the scoreline remained unchanged, which was just enough for New Zealand. Speaking after the match, Chief Coach Neil Hawgood applauded his goalkeeper's performance. "In such pressure games, against higher ranked opponents, who also happen to be the hosts, it is important that your goalkeepers have a world -class game."
India lose 0-1 to New Zealand in Hawke's Bay Cup
"Despite the loss, we can see positives in our performance in defence and in goal. This was arguably the toughest match of our group stage and now we can build forward for our
Recovering Woods confirms he'll skip Augusta Masters ANI London, April 2 : Former world number one golfer Tiger Woods has confirmed that he will not be able to participate in next week's Augusta Masters as he is ' not physically ready' for the opening major of the year. The 40-year-old, who saw his form take a dip after suffering a series of back injuries since 2013, hasn't played competitively since August last year. Woods, a 14-time major champion, stated on his website that it was prudent to miss this year's Masters considering the present
Former world number one golfer Tiger Woods condition of his back and consulting with his medical team, the Guardian reported. He said that he has been hitting balls and training
daily but admitted that he decided to withdraw from the tournament considering his current health and in order to prolong his career.
next encounters." The milestone match ended in disappointment for Poonam, who played her first international in 2009. She represented India in
the World Cup in Argentina, in New Delhi's Commonwealth Games and Guangzhou Asian Games in 2010. India will play Ireland in their next pool game April 5.
Wriddhiman Saha PTI Mohali, Apr 3 :Test specialist Wriddhiman Saha along with India discards Rishi Dhawan, Gurkeerat Singh Mann will be reporting on the first day of Kings XI Punjab's camp at the PCA Stadium, here tomorrow. Some of the other players
expected to join are Akshar Patel, Murali Vijay, Mohit Sharma to name a few. Punjab players Sandeep Sharma, Manan Vohra, former mystery bowler KC Cariappa, Railways' Anureet Singh, Mumbai's Shardul Thakur, Armaan Jaffer, Baroda's Swapnil Singh will
Nishikori sets up Djokovic showdown in Miami Open
World number six Kei Nishikori
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ANI Johannesburg, April 2 : World number six Kei Nishikori brushed aside Australian opponent Nick Kyrgios in straight sets to set up a summit clash against top seed Novak Djokovic in the Miami Open.
Nishikori defeated Kyrgios 6-3, 7-5 to reach his second ATP Masters final, Sport24 reported. Meanwhile, Djokovic will aim to level Andre Agassi's six Miami crowns by capturing his third consecutive title at the hardcourt event.
so far, in a veiled reference to the bitter standoff with the Cricket Board during which the players were accused of putting money over country. On the other side is England, a team which, like the Windies, got no mention in the pre-tournament favourites list, barring the one given by Indian icon Sachin Tendulkar. There will be little to choose between both the sides who will be bidding to become the first nation to clinch the WT20 silverware for a second time, with England having won the tournament in 2010, followed by the West Indies two years later. Eden Gardens will host its first World Cup final since 1987 when the Mike Gatting-led Englishmen had lost to the Aussies by an agonising seven runs in the
ODI version of the tournament. Now, 29 years later, the Englishmen will play another World Cup final at the same venue and will look to exorcise the ghosts of that infamous Gatting reverse sweep. With a 4-9 win loss record against the explosive West Indies, England may start as dark horses but Eoin Morgan's ice-cool leadership has made them a potent force. The West Indies journey, however, has been quite exemplary given that 12 of the 15 members of the squad agreed just on time and were terribly short on match practice coming into the tournament. A hurriedly arranged weeklong camp in Dubai was all that they could manage in the name of build-up coming into the big event.
Windies ready for final Knife recovered at O.J Simpson step towards World T20 home ruled out as murder weapon ANI glory: Sammy Washington D.C., April 2 ANI Kolkata, Apr 02 : West Indies skipper Darren Sammy has declared that his buoyant side are ready to take on England in their 'last step' towards World Twenty20 title at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday. "For us, it is one last step in the tournament. We are focused on England but
Wankhede Stadium on Thursday. "We know the power that we have in the dressing room and it was excellent to watch Simmons, Russell and Charles display that type of batting, boundary hitting against India," added the allrounder. Despite beating Eoin Morgan's side in the
Vijay, Wriddhiman, Mohit to report on first day of KXIP camp also be present. Chief coach Sanjay Bangar, bowling coach Joe Dawes and fielding coach R Sridhar and other members of the support staff will be present to welcome and mentor the players. Bangar said,"We are really excited to begin the cricket camp for IPL 9. We have a well-balanced team, with a good mix of experience and youth and the entire coaching staff is looking forward to working with the team. "During the camp, we will be focusing on building team synergy and identifying areas that need minor tweaks before the tournament begins. The retention of Virender Sehwag as Mentor will be very beneficial for us as well
PTI Kolkata, Apr 2 : They dampened the local spirits by knocking out India but a resurrected West Indies cricket team will bring its own brand of joie-de-vivre to the ICC World Twenty20 summit clash when they take on a transformed England in what promises to be a battle of power-hitting here tomorrow. The exuberant Caribbeans, who almost did not come to the tournament owing to a pay dispute with their Cricket Board, have been nothing short of phenomenal so far. A shock loss to Afghanistan in the group stage is the only setback they faced in the course of what is turning out to be a fairytale run. "We think it is us against the world," captain Darren Sammy has declared twice
: In a recent progress to the O.J Simpson case, the knife, which was recovered last month from his Brentwood property, is not the real murder weapon. The knife was sent for a forensic test to see if it has a connection to the 1994 murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and friend Ron Goldman, reports E! Online. O.J. was accused of killing them and was deemed innocent of the crimes the following year in what remains the most publicized and famous celebrity trial. According to a Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson, the investigation is ongoing and the case of the double homi-
O.J Simps cide of Nicole and Goldman also remains open, as no conviction was ever made. Reportedly, there was no apparent blood on the knife, which has a small blade and is similar to those used by contractors, gardeners, landscapers and other laborers. Simpson is currently serving a 33-year prison sentence in
Nevada for a 2008 armed robbery conviction. Since the former American footballer was acquitted of the murders of Nicole and Goldman, even if new evidence is found that does link him to the killings, he cannot be retried due to constitutional protections against double jeopardy.
Embattled PCB chief swats away `resignation` rumours West Indies skipper Darren Sammy we are more focused on ourselves. We will always be destructive in this format," Sammy told reporters on the eve of the summit clash here. West Indies, who had previously won the World T20 title in 2012, relied on power-hitting batting from Lendl Simmons, Jonathan Charles and Andre Russell to overcome hosts and favourites India in the second semifinal by seven wickets at the
group stage encounter, Sammy cautioned his side not to take the 2010 champions England lightly. "England are a very good side. They have played really good cricket since we have beaten them. That is why they are in the finals," said Sammy. The sixth edition of the T20 format's pinnacle event will see both England and West Indies bidding to become the first sides to win the tournament twice.
Pakistan cricket board chief Shaharyar Khan ANI Karachi, April 2 : Pakistan cricket board chief Shaharyar Khan has dismissed suggestions that he is resigning from his
position following the national team's disastrous World Twenty20 campaign. Shaharyar said in a hurriedly convened media
briefing that there was no truth in the rumours that he was considering stepping down, the Dawn reported. The Shahid Afridi-led side were crashed out of the T20 format's pinnacle event after losing their three successive matches against India, New Zealand and Australia. The PCB chairman, who is in his second term, added that he would be able comment on the team's performance after studying the inquiry report on the team's disappointing outing in the Asia Cup T20 and World T20.
Buoyant Windies stand in Australia's way for fourth Women's World T20 title ANI Kolkata, April 2 : Buoyant and formidable West Indies stands in the way as Australia bids to win a fourth successive World Women's Twenty20 title when the final is played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday. The Southern Stars won all three finals it has featured in during the 2010, 2012 and 2014 editions, while the West Indies has made it to its first-ever title round after being knocked out in the semifinals on the last three occasions. Stafanie Taylor's Caribbean stars have already assured themselves a place in history as the first team other than Australia, England and New
Zealand to qualify for a women's World T20 final. If records alone mattered, Australia would be the overwhelming favourite to win on Sunday, having beaten the West Indies in all their eight previous T20 Internationals. During a warm-up match in Chennai last month the most recent meeting between the two -Australia cruised to a 43-run win by scoring 139 for three and then bowling the West Indies out for 96. But Taylor's side has shown enough resilience during the tournament to suggest it will not be a cakewalk for the world champion Southern Stars, who are led by the world's leading batter Meg Lanning.
West Indies and Australia Women cricket The fifth-ranked West Indies squeezed past Pakistan by four runs in its opening match before comfortably beating Bangladesh by 49 runs. It endured a heart-breaking
last-ball, one-wicket loss to England before bouncing back to beat India by three runs to seal a place in the semi-finals. It was in the semi-final against New Zealand in
Mumbai on Thursday that the West Indies played its best cricket to secure a sixrun win over a side that had emerged unscathed in the league. The tall Britney Cooper, who was brought in for the semi-final, justified her selection with a 48ball 61 that set up the West Indies win. Skipper Taylor has proved an inspiration with both bat and ball, her 187 runs in the tournament - second only behind England captain Charlotte Edwards - coming on top of her eight wickets. In Deandra Dottin, the West Indies has one of the most power-packed allrounders in the women's game who has scored 111 runs and claimed seven
wickets. Australia, meanwhile, has peaked at the right time after losing to New Zealand in the league and displayed its prowess with a five-run win over old foe England in New Delhi on Wednesday. Lanning's 55 off 50 balls against England showed the Australian captain had recovered from a stomach bug and will be expected to once again lead from the front at the Eden Gardens. The West Indies will also be wary of medium-pacer Megan Schutt, who claimed two for 15 against England and is her side's leading bowler with seven wickets.
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PTI Hastings (New Zealand), Apr 2 : The Indian women's hockey team went down 0-1 to New Zealand in the opening match of the Hawke's Bay Cup, where forward Poonam Rani achieved the distinction of playing 150 games for the country. India walked away from the first quarter with a clean sheet courtesy a smart save from goalkeeper Savita off a penalty stroke. But New Zealand took the lead through an Olivia Merry field goal at the beginning of the second quarter. Forced to defend deep, India played the waiting
West Indies take on England in WT20 final
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DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, APRIL 3
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Sarodee Borah, new Assamese girl brings in sensation in Bollywood Sarodee Borah, a girl born and brought up in Dibrugarh made her first appearance on the National stage while performing at the prestigious MTV Coke Studio (Season II). She recently did playback in the following movies in Bollywood, Shoorveer (remake of a South Indian Blockbuster Urumi by Santosh Sivan)..2016, Yeh Ishq Sarfiraa (2015) and Shaandaar (2015) In addition, she has also sung in the Afghanistan National Football and Cricket Teams' Theme Songs, 7 ghazals for the Channel Active Javed Akhtar where the legend himself narrates the songs she sang, alongside Sri Amitabh Bachan for the recently concluded reality show Aaj Ki Raat Hain Zindegi, the title for the serial Love Bytes (Yun Hi
Sarodee Borah, with famous Bollywood singer Udit Narayan. (Photo:magicalassam) Besabab), daily soaps like Suhani Si Ek Ladki (Star Plus), Thapki Pyar Ki (Sony), Kalash (Life OK), the Rexona jingle and so on. She also has music vid-
eos like Aaja Mahi (Sugat Dhanvijay feat Sarodee Borah), Bandiishein (featuring Karan Taker by MadMidas Films to her credit.
Amyra's love for animals Amyra Dastur, who is currently shooting in Jaipur for her first international project 'Kung Fu Yoga', is an animal lover and she ensured that elephants used during the film's shoot were taken care of. For a particular scene in the Jackie Chan starrer, elephants were brought to the set. Talking about the same, Amyra
said: "I never rode the elephant but we were using them on set and I'm a huge animal lover, so I helped to make sure that they were well taken care of. "I played with them and made sure their owners let them sit in the shade and fed them bananas. I made sure they had water."
Amyra Dastur, who made her Bollywood debut with Issaq Movie opposite Prateik Babbar will now be seen in 'Kung Fu Yoga.' (Photo: silverscreen)
Sidharth Malhotra and Alia Bhatt are doing great in their movies together and the couple is also widely liked by the movie lovers of the present generation. (Photo: ste.india)
Kapoor and Sons has been immensely talked about! The couple who were also
seen in their debut SOTY, made sure that this time they delivered a yet new and a refreshing chemistry to the audiences! Their equation has garnered the duo positive response from across audiences! The couple infact has already featured in a cola brand and the jodi was really loved and generated great traction amongst their fans. Moreover more brands are looking at the duo and are wanting to capitalise on their chemistry! Sidharth shares, "I have been fortunate enough that such kinds of roles are coming my way, each and every film has been a great learning experience for me as an actor".
Bollywood's King Khan…no less than Batman and Superman Forget Batman and Superman! Our 'desi' hero Shah Rukh Khan was snapped 'flying' on the sets of his upcoming film 'Raees'. The Bollywood superstar took to Instagram to share a photo where he can be seen performing an action scene mid-air. While posting the picture, SRK wrote, "Action Director Ravi sir & Cinematography team of Mohanan sir
Assamese film 'Aei Maatite' based on the burning issue of witchhunting is likely to release by the middle of this year. The eminent theatre personality and former Principal of Cotton College, Dr Sitanath Lahkar makes his eagerly anticipated debut as director with this film, which is based on his stage play 'Tamasaa'. Witch-hunting or witchcraft, born out of superstition and all-round backwardness of people and aggravated by a small powerful section of society with the help of sorcerers, stands out to be an enemy of humanity, stigma of civilization, and hence a big challenge for the human kind. "Hundreds of people in Assam have lost their lives in the name of witch hunting. So, this is the reason for choosing this issue as the subject of my first feature film", Lahkar, a retired professor of mathematics, said of his film. This vicious social menace is prevalent in many states like Assam, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha,
Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana, among others. Thousands of innocent lives have been lost as a result of this evil practice, where a large group of people, comprising mostly of illiterate villagers, participate under the influence of superstition. The issue has even forced the state government to bring in a special legislation "The Assam Witch-Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection) Act, 2015" to deal with the menace, but unfortunately, it is still growing day by day! Realising the importance and gravity of the problem that has reached epidemic proportions, Dr Lahkar decided to make 'Aei Maatite' as he strongly believes that its the medium of cinema that has the ability to create awareness among the public, mainly the rural folk affected by witchcraft. He has channeled his time, talent and energy in creating something that people will reflect on and experience it in their own way. The film, made under the banner of Angeekar Films,
Esha gains after Nargis's loss
Sidharth & Alia are quite comfortable with each other
Sidharth Malhotra and Alia Bhatt's chemistry in their recently released
Dr Sitanath Lahkar directs film on witch hunting
King Khan will completely be seen in a new avatar in his upcoming film 'Raees' which will hit the movie screens this Eid. (Photo: mazale)
is making making me fly. Filter yes...Wires No!" Directed by Rahul Dholakia, 'Raees' is set in 1980s Gujarat and tells the story of a bootlegger whose business is thwarted by a tough policeman. Also starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Pakistani actress Mahira Khan, 'Raees' is expected to clash with Salman Khan's 'Sultan' on Eid this year.
Ajay Devgn-starrer 'Baadshaho' has been in news for its casting issues ever since it was announced. Initially there were reports that Kareena Kapoor Khan will star opposite Devgn, but the makers maintained that she is not part of the project. Then speculations were rife that Priyanka Chopra might step in, but nothing on that front has been confirmed yet. As for the parallel leads, reports of Shruti Haasan and Lisa Haydon being part of the film started doing the
rounds but eventually these two actresses also backed out. Then it was said that Nargis Fakhri would be doing the film. However, that too did not materialise. Now, we hear that Esha Gupta has stepped in. Says a source, 'There has been a lot of back and forth as far as the casting of the film is concerned. However, things seem to be falling into place now. As of now, Ajay Devgn and Vidyut Jammwal (he replaced Pulkit Samrat) have been finalised.'
Esha Gupta, one of the leading actress of Bollywood. (Photo hawtcelebs)
Director of 'Aei Maatite' Dr. Sitanath Lahkar busy during the shooting. (Photo:kothasobi) will carry a very strong message on witchcraft, upholding the value of scientific temperament and human life. Besides directing, the film's story, screenplay, dialogues and lyrics are written by Dr Sitanath Lahkar himself. A number of roles in 'Aei Maatite' are enacted by some very prominent personalities of the state, including Tezpur University Pro-VC and well-known
lyricist-poet Dr Amarjyoti Choudhury, former Inspector General of Police, SP Kar and ThengalKachari Autonomous Council CEM Kumud Kachari. ABSU leader Pramod Boro, SFI leader Nirankush Nath, AASU leader Lurinjyoti Gogoi and Chatra Mukti leader Bittu Sonowal will also be seen in the film, playing themselves. Altogether, this film has over a 100
characters, and most of them are being played by newcomers. The leading roles are enacted by Rupam Chetia and Monisha Goswami with Khwrwmdao Narzary playing a negative character. Dr Lahkar also plays a very prominent role in the film. Others in the casts of artistes include Anil Das, Chetana Das, Bimal Jyoti Choudhury, Rajeev Doley and Lalit Sarma. Dr Lahkar is assisted in direction by Anupam Baishya, Trideep Lahkar, Rajkumar Roy and Dipjyoti Deka. The film's music direction is by Bibhuranjan Choudhury, while the art direction is done by Golok Saha. The cinematography is by Pradip Daimary and make-up is done by Aku Bothra. The songs are choreographed by Smita Lahkar. 'Aei Maatite' is infused in part with scenes of graphic violence, depicting the brutal killings in the name of witch-hunting. This much awaited film is currently at its post-production stage.
TICKLE YOUR TASTE BUDS Chicken Badaam Roll Ingredients 250 gm chicken breastscut into cubes For dusting chicken: 1/2 tsp red chilli powder 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp garam masala For the stuffing: 1 Tbsp oil 1 medium onion-chopped finely 10-12 almonds-blanched and sliced 2 green chillies-deseeded and sliced 1/2 tsp red chilli powder 1/2 tsp garam masala 1/4 tsp salt oil for shallowfrying For the gravy: 4 Tbsp oil 5 green cardamomslightly crushed with skins 3 medium onions 12 garlic cloves 2.5 cm ginger piece 1 tsp poppy seed powder 1/2 tsp turmeric powder 2 tsp coriander powder 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp white pepper powder 1/2 tsp garam masala 1/2 cup yogurt-beaten well A pinch of saffron-diluted in warm water Method For the rolls: Flatten chicken pieces with a kitchen hammer. Mix the dusting ingredients together and coat the chicken pieces well.
A mouth watering dish which is a must try for the lovers of chicken. (Photo: zoinkmediablog) Keep the pieces aside. For the stuffing: Fry onions until transparent. Stir in the remaining stuffing ingredients. Put one tsp of the stuffing into each chicken piece and make into a roll. Secure each roll with a toothpick or tie with thread. Heat some oil in a frying pan. Cook the rolls on a high heat for about 7 minutes or until light brown. For the gravy: Make a paste of the onion, garlic and ginger. Heat oil in a pan. Add cardamoms and let them splutter Add onion paste and fry until golden brown. Remove pan from heat. Stir in all the dry ingredients and return the pan to medium heat. Gradually add beaten yogurt and 1 cup of water, simmer for 2-3 minutes. Add chicken rolls to the gravy, simmer and cook on a low flame for 20 minutes, or until cooked. Remove the toothpick/thread before serving. Serve sprinkled with diluted saffron and garam masala.
Sallu Bhai takes in extra effort for Emraan Hashmi Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has time and again ensured that he promotes the work of his industry friends, be it during events or on social networking platforms. His gestures have always caught people's attention whether he tweeted the first look poster of Shah Rukh Khan's upcoming film, 'Raees' or promoted his good friend Aamir Khan's film 'Dhoom 3' (2013) on the television show he hosted. And now, he has taken to
Twitter for Emraan Hashmi. While it is known that Emraan Hashmi has penned a book on the struggle and hardships he faced when his now six-year-old son Ayaan's was detected with cancer, Salman Khan has taken extra effort to take snap shot of the book's cover page and tweeted it. The book's cover talks about a father's trials and triumphs and how it is a transformative experience of his life. The book titled 'The Kiss of Life-
Emraan Hashmi with son Ayan. (Photo: pinkvilla)
How a Superhero and My Son Defeated Cancer' has been co-authored by Bilal Siddiqi. Earlier today, Emraan's son Ayaan unveiled the first look of the book. The six-year-old, who is the 'superhero' in reference, proudly read out the title of the book upon unwrapping it. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal shall release the book on April 7 in Delhi. Interestingly, apart from posting the snapshots of the book's cover, Salman also wrote, 'How Sweet'. Sweet, indeed.
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Editor: Ripunjoy Das
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