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www.eastern-today.com For your copy of The Eastern Today in Khonsa please contact: Dalam Studio Near parking stand Khonsa

ASSENG/2015/64205

Ph. No.-08471896580/ 07085295635

Vol. 1

Issue 240

Dibrugarh, Saturday, February 6, 2016

How basing our identities on caste and religion is 'suffocating' us as Indians

From Bihar to Myanmar

Price -

5.00

Pages- 12

411cc

Jaitley's lawyer says AAP delaying court proceedings in civil defamation case

Page 10

Page 6

PM Narendra Modi dedicates twin important projects to nation

Modi says Gandhi family disrupting Parl to avenge poll defeat

Page 8

Royal Enfield unveils Himalayan motorcycle

Page 9

PM pays homage towards Assam Agitation martyrs and local people for successful completion of the project A Staff Reporter Lepetkata/Dibrugarh, Feb. 5

In India earlier there was a practice or system during which years were initially taken to prepare a project report, then again another few years to go through several bureaucratic process to sanction it, another few years for laying the foundation stone, finally by the time the construction was over there was huge cost overrun due to the delay, resulting in massive fiscal losses. I am told that the gas cracker project was conceived way back in 1985 as a part of the historic Assam Accord. It is more than three decades since then. If things had moved properly, I should not have inaugurated the project.

Somebody else would have done it 25 years ago. Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated this while dedicating to the nation the Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited (BCPL) petrochemical complex, a flagship project of Assam and Numaligarh Refinery Limited’s wax plant at a function here at Lepetkata, 15 Km from Dibrugarh. While remembering the contribution made by the 855 martyrs of Assam Agitation and also of those who gave up their land

Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi during the inauguration of Brahmaputra Cracker Polymer Ltd (BCPL) and Numaligarh Refinery Ltd's wax plant at Lepetcota in Dibrugarh. Pic - UB Photos for construction of the mega project, Modi said that the entire approach of the government at the Centre had changed. “I have started taking stock of such stalled projects across the nation by holding one to one with the chief secretaries of the state through video conferencing.

A few days back there were a few media reports that several lakhs crores of stalled projects have been cleared, the Assam gas cracker project is one among them”, Modi said during his around 20 min. speech after pressing the cer-

emonious button to signal the start of the twin projects. Harping on his ‘Make in India’ and ‘Skill India’ campaign, the PM expressed hope that the twin projects which was dedicated to the nation today will usher in a new era for socio-economic development of the region and also for the educated unemployed youths of the state.

He added that development is necessary and in the coming days Assam will witness a round of developmental activities as his government has decided to accord top priority for

the development of the state.

“The nation cannot progress without the east and the north east remaining underdeveloped”, he said in his speech.

“We have initiated the Act East Policy for the development of the Northeastern states for that the neighboring countries viz.

Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia etc. should play a vital role through trade ties,’’ he added.

He said the youth of Assam have lots of potential and if they get opportunity and use in a right way then one day Assam will become number one state of India. Earlier, while welcoming the PM,

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi heaved praise upon the former Congress leaders including former PM Late Rajiv Gandhi for their contribution in incubation of the mega project.

Gogoi never made any reference towards the contribution of the Assam Agitation martyrs which was critically viewed by many present in the meeting.

Gogoi said that he had urged upon the Centre to augment the refining capacity of NRL from 3 lakhs Metric tonnes to 6 lakhs metric tonnes for which a proposal has already been submitted to the centre by the state government.

Gogoi also came up with a wish list before Modi urging him to revive the NEIIPP, setting up of new projects like defence manufacturing unit and so on. On the other hand, in his welcome address, union minister for sports Sarbananda Sonowal recalled the immense contribution made by the 855 martyrs of Assam Agitation and also the contribution made by the local people of Lepetkata by handing over their lands for the project.

Union chemicals and fertilizers minister Ananth Kumar also delivered a speech during which he outlined the entire genesis of the coming up of the project. Kumar also assured that a new and ultra modern

fertilizer project will come up very soon at Namrup to replace the ageing units of the existing BVFCL for which the centre has made all necessary arrangements.

The 50,000 Metric Tonnes (MT) Wax Plant commissioned in March 2015 at a cost of Rs. 676 crores is the country’s largest Wax producing unit with indigenous technology developed by IIP Dehradun, EIL and NRL. The plants were dedicated to the nation by the Prime Minister in the presence of Governor of Assam Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya, Chief Minister of Assam Shri Tarun Gogoi, Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers Shri Ananth Kumar, Union Minister of State (I/C), Petroleum and Natural Gas, Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of State (I/C), Youth Affairs and Sports, SarbanandaSonowal, Hon’ble Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Development of North Eastern Region, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, Shri Rameswar Teli, Hon’ble Member of Legislative Assembly, Assam, Shri PrithibiMajhi, besides a host of other dignitaries.

PTI Moran (Assam), Feb 5

Singling out the Sonia Gandhi family, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today accused the Congress President and her son Rahul Gandhi of disrupting Parliament to avenge defeat in 2014 Lok Sabha polls and hence blocking the passage of bills aimed at benefitting the poor.

Addressing tea garden workers in this poll-bound state of Assam, Modi alleged that "one family" was indulging in "negative politics" as he claimed that there are leaders in opposition parties other than Congress who want Parliament

to function even though they oppose him.

"Those who have lost the election (in 2014) and have come down from 400 to 40 have decided not to allow Modi to work. They have decided to create obstacles and difficulties. The conspiracy for the same is going on," he said, referring clearly to Congress.

"They have now decided to take revenge from people, from the poor workers" for voting the Congress out of power, Modi said at the public meeting that was virtually an election rally.

Contd. on Page 4

PM Modi praises teachings and creations of Srimanta Sankardev ET Bureau Sivasagar, Feb 5

Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a devotional speech full of praise to the great Vaishnavite Saint Sri Sri Sankardev at Sivasagar today.

Speaking at the 85th annual session of Srimanta Sankardev Sangha at the historic Rupohi Pathar here, Modi abstained from making any political comments and spoke about the greatness of the Saint.

He started his speech by chanting ‘Jai Guru Shankar’ and spoke the first few lines of his speech in Assamese as he paid his respects to Sankardev, drawing a huge round of applause from the crowd.

Modi said that it is astonishing that Sankardev lived here 700 hundred years back and gave his unique creations, despite the lack of communication during that time.

Contd. on Page 4

Crisis: From Top 15 shops gutted to ashes in Cong a big family; differences Arunachal Court, A Mordant No-No tragic fire broke out at Tezu are bound to happen: Rahul For 'Bored Governors' Congress delegation including 26 MLAs led by Tuki and Richo meets Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi The Congress which oflate had seriously focused upon ‘regaining’ Arunachal Pradesh today began the spade work at the highest level with All India Congress Committee Vice President and MP Rahul Gandhi assuring a delegation of 26 Congress MLAs led by former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki and Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee President Padi Richo that there will a proper solution to the ongoing crisis in the state very

ET CAPSULES

Poachers killed in Orang National Park

cmyk

Mangaldai Feb 5 : Forest Security Guards of Rajiv Orang National Park in Darrang district have managed to thwart an organized attempt of killing rhino by a gang of poachers and gunned down two unidentified poachers near the Nishilamari forest camp in the wee hours today.

Three live cartridges of .303 rifle , an axe and another sharp weapon have been recovered from the slain poachers. Following the foot marks , the Park authority has suspected that there were more members in the gang and they managed to escape from security dragnet . Massive manhunt is still on in search of those fleeing poachers . (Correspondent)

soon. The MLAs met Rahul at his official residence in New Delhi for two hours today during which Rahul gave the assurance, reliable sources within the party informed ‘The Eastern Today’ over telephone this evening.

“The dissident group which was summoned by Rahul on Thursday had reportedly accepted their fault and sought apology from the Congress High Command”, the sources added. The sources said that the dissidents were ‘hijacked’ by some BJP leaders who assured them that they can form an alternate gov-

ernment with support from the 11 MLAs. “The dissident MLAs worked accordingly and fell in the trap of the BJP. The BJP did not make any attempt for the alternate government rather it imposed President Rule in the state, thereby slaughtering democracy”, a senior Congress MLA from the Tuki camp said. Rahul had reportedly said before the delegation today that Congress is a big family where differences of opinion are bound to happen.

“Therefore, we should go for a wholesome effort to unite the family once again and continue

the government which was chosen by the people’s mandate”, Rahul was quoted as saying by the senior MLA who spoke to ‘The Eastern Today’ on condition of anonymity. AICC-incharge for Arunachal Pradesh V.Narayana Swamy was also present during today’s meeting.

It might be mentioned that ‘The Eastern Today’ in its Feb. 3 edition had broken the news of the fresh approach adopted by the AICC in settling the crisis in the state by convening a meeting of both the warring factions in New Delhi.

The Arunachal Pradesh political crisis is proving to be fertile ground for scathing remarks from the Supreme Court, which is deciding whether the Centre was correct in placing the state under President's Rule.

"Can the Governor, when feeling bored, call the assembly (session) to feel some excitement?" asked an acerbic judge today.

He was referring to a meeting of legislators endorsed by Governor JP Rajkohwa in December. The session was held between a community hall and a hotel and convened opposition legislators and nearly half of the Congress' elected representatives, suggesting a split in the ruling party headed by Chief Minister Nabam Tuki.

Together, they asked for the Chief Minister and Speaker to be dismissed.

Contd. on Page 3

15 shops gutted to ashes in tragic fire broke out at Tezu Bishnu Rana Tezu, Feb 5

Tragic fire in the wee hour of this morning razed 15 shops to ashes. The shops along the side of Oshin Hotel which is supposed to be built up during eighties including Hardware’s, Electronic, Garments, Wine

shops, Homeopathic Clinic, Cosmetic, Tailors, Hotel, Furniture House were completely gutted to debris despite Fire brigade reached the spot to doze out the blazing fire.

Contd. on Page 3

South Asian Games an Opportunity for Prosperity: PM Modi PTI Guwahati, Feb 5

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the 12th South Asian Games being held here are not just a sporting platform but also a "springboard for bringing peace and prosperity in the region through business".

Declaring the Games open in a colourful ceremony here this evening, Modi said the Games would help form lasting bonds between the participating athletes.

"Let these Games become a springboard for bringing peace and prosperity in the region through business, interaction and sporting activi-

ties," Modi said in his address in front of a packed Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium.

Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas," he said.

"This meet celebrates togetherness of all South Asian Nations. This sports meet is perfect blend of three Ts Teamwork, togetherness and talent."

"The friendships you would form over these 12 days and the memories you take back will last you a lifetime...On the sports field, we can forget what separates us and we can truly connect with each other in the spirit of sportsmanship and adventure," he added.

Modi said the Games are an opportunity for the region to explore opportunities of growth.

"All South Asian countries are partners in our journey towards development...My vision for South Asia is same as my vision for India --

Colourful start to the South Asian Games-2016 in Guwahati. Pic -Subhamoy Bhattacharjee

Lauding the participating athletes, Modi said sports is essential for the overall growth of an individual.

"I feel privileged and honoured to be among sportspersons from our neighbourhood and brothers and sisters from SAARC countries. What moves me today is your electrifying presence and enthusiasm for this important international sports event," he said.

"Among us is the best talent from South Asia. This meet signifies togetherness of all South Asian nations.

Sportsmen's spirit will help you not just on the field but also in other aspects of life.

I always say jo khele, wo khile (those who play, shine)," he added.

Modi said he expects the Games to help improve the tourism and business opportunities in all participating countries.

"I am sure that as the Games proceed, this feeling of friendship, trust and understanding will convert into not just sporting opportunities but also business and tourism opportunities," he said.

cmyk

A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Feb 5

ET Bureau New Delhi, Feb 5

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6

PAGE 2

ASTRO FOR YOU Aries Today you will feel like displaying your power. If you find that people are awe-struck when you pass by, take it that your labours are doing the trick. Otherwise, take it that you have to get things in better order. Ganesha says either ways you have more work to do.

Taurus This may be, health wise, a bad day for you. Ganesha urges you to take special care and not to do anything that invites illness or discomfort. The least you can do is to ensure that you do not over exert or get into situations that generate tension and anxiety. Be careful about the food you eat. Make sure that the water you drink is potable and safe. Do not expose yourself to extreme heat or cold. Act sensibly.

Gemini Today, the bond that you share with your friends will get stronger. You are also likely to fall in love. If you are already in a relationship, you will plan to validate your bond either through an engagement or marriage. If you are a student, this is a good phase for you.

Along with love, you will also get good grades. You are also likely to take part in extracurricular activities.

Cancer Ganesha says that this is good day to buy new house or car. It is likely that you shift to a new house shortly. So be prepared for a ceremony like housewarming. You will achieve tranquil mind through yoga and meditation. It will radiate a new energy, enthusiasm and optimism in you.

Leo Fortune smiles on but a few, and when it does, it can take you to places you have never even dreamt of. Today is an exceptional day, in the sense that Lady Luck is backing you in all earnestness. So go with the flow and take your chances. You will find, much to your delight, that success is easy to achieve when you are willing to work hard and have luck guiding you. Call it the Midas touch, but success is yours in everything you undertake, says Ganesha.

Virgo Reflect on past glories and assemble the machinery for accomplishing more in the future.

New relationships will mark the road to progress. You easy-going nature will help you get along famously with people.

Libra Horoscope Today might be a good day to invest in that body armour you saw on the telly last night. At least find one that will shield you from being at the receiving end of your seniors and the daily grind of life. If you happen to be a job aspirant, be prepared to slog it out for your success. Put off auction bids and sealed tenders for a luckier day. Whatever it is that you do to turn your luck around, Ganesha advises you to take abundant precautions in all matters.

Scorpio House renovation is in the offing. You may furnish it with portraits and artefacts. Today, you may also feel like playing the stock market game and stake your bets, says Ganesha.

Have a great time at home by hosting friends over Sagittarius Today is a curiously interesting day for you. While you are always well-groomed, today, you may take that extra bit of care to look best and attract a lot of praise for that too, especially from those glam hounds around you. That immaculate charm you are carrying today will enhance your business fortunes Capricorn If wasteful expenditure has left your bank balance a tad below what you had anticipated, you will have reasons to rejoice today, says Ganesha. Cash inflow - and a substantial amount of it - is likely and will make you feel nice about your finances. Work will go on as usual. The only change may be a discernible change in the work ambience; it may get a little more comfortable.

3 arrested in connection with Ratan Inghi murder ET Correspondent Diphu February 5: Kheroni police has arrested three persons yesterday in connection with the murder of Ratan Inghi 28 of village West Kandara located within general area of Kaki, Nagaon district who was murdered in village Langchibu covered by Kheroni police station of West Karbi Anglong on Tuesday last. Police has identified the arrested persons as Rongsing Teron, Urmila Derapi and Mahanta Basumatery.

Police has also seized the murder weapon and two shovel from the place of incident, Kheroni police is suspecting illicit love triangle behind the whole incident. It may be mentioned here that the 28 year youth was reported missing since January 29 and a missing diary was recorded in Kheroni police station on January 31 by his family members.

Villagers searching for missing domestic animal discovered the dead body inside sugarcane plantation and the matter was reported to police who after retrieving the body arrested the suspects yesterday.

The 7th Annual Convention of the All BTC Bengali Youth Students’ Federation concludes Tangla, Feb 5: The 7th Annual Convention of the All BTC Bengali Youth Student's Federation (ABBYSF) Central Committee and Udalguri district committee concluded here at Tangla Model High School field with a threeday long programme from February 2 to 4.

On the concluding day clothes were distributed to poor people which was followed by a cultural procession that was taken out throughout the town were people of every community participated. The procession was flagged off by Subir Das social worker from Bijni.An open session was held today which was presided over by Montu Dey President of the central committee of the student body.

Among other distinguished

The 7th Annual Convention of the All BTC Bengali Youth Students’ Federation concludes

guests were Bikon Deka social worker,Likhon Das Ainuddin Ahmed VicePresident AAMSU,Lafiqul Islam General Secretary ABMSU,Kamali Rani Basumatari MLA Panery LAC,Maheswar Boro exMLA Kalaigaon LAC besides other.

Speaking on the ocassion Shymal Sarkar Adiviser of the Central committee of the

student body said that Bengali Hindus have sacrificed their life for the sake of nation but still Bengali's are harrassed in the name of Bangladeshi.

He said the government at the centre has given Indian citizenship to Adnan Sami but had not given citizenship to Hindu refugees.

Sarkar also lashed Akhil Gogoi for his protest to de-

port Hindu Bangladeshis.

He also remarked that the political leaders who would raise their voice in Parliament for the Bengali Hindus would get their votes. He appealed every community to remain united.Young journalist and writer of Tangla Shajid Khan was also felicitated in the programme along with few other journalist.

Normal session of NCHAC held : No trust motion not moved ET Correspondent Haflong Feb 5: Though there has been possibility to move no trust motion against the present BJP led government of N C Hills Autonomous Council by the Congress members but could not be moved as the Governor of Assam as requested by the Chief Executive Member Sri Niranjan Hojai directed the Chairman of NCHAC to fix February 11 for this very purpose, disclosed Sri Ngamrothang Hmar, Chair-

man, NCHAC disclosed in the house on Friday.

Today's session held under the chairmanship Sri Ngamrothang Hmar, Chairman, NCHAC wherein all the fifteen BJP members including CEM were present and from congress fourteen members were present. Sri Mahendra Kemprai, MAC was absent in the today' session.

first CEM Hojai moved vote on account but could not be passed as the members from opposition demanded detail of the vote on account. Sri Debojeet Thaosen, MAC, Sri Mihir Gorlosa, MAC Sri Hlima Keivom suggested to form a parliamentary committee to enquire into alleged irregularities in the recent appoint process.

Business of the today's session were vote on account and question and answer. At

Sri Hmar however, constitute a parliamentary committee to enquire the alleged

irregularities in to the recent process of appoints in various department with Sri Mihir Gorlosa as the Chairman, Sri Ramesh Thaosen, PS (T) as the member secretary with two other members.

When asked regarding the no trust motion against him, Sri Niranjan Hojai, CEM, NCHAC talking to the media said nothing could be said at this moment, it could be seen only when the motion would be brought. 'I am with comfortable majority.

Aquarius Lady Luck gazes lovingly upon you today! Bosses are pleased, colleagues are happy, and this makes work seem like leisure. You may want to get in touch with old friends who have moved far away. What are you waiting for, asks Ganesha, in this age of communication?

World Cancer Day Observed at Golaghat

Pisces Sometimes you are so kind and charitable that you sacrifice your own well-being and happiness for the sake of others. This streak within you may emerge as you engage in a selfless deed. You will have a strong desire to do something for your family and your home. At work or business you will achieve your goals without any opposition, blesses Ganesha.

ET Correspondent Golaghat , 5 Feb : Along with the other parts of the state World Cancer Day is observed in Golaghat today . The Day was observed at the Kushal Konwer Civil Hospital under the aegis of NCDC Cell of Golaghat .

An awarness rally was taken out by the nurses of the civil hospital on this occasion and also leaflets were distributed among the public.

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 6-2-16 (SATURDAY) 5-35 A.M-Bhaktigeeti (Devotional Songs) 6-10 A.M-Swasthya Charcha (Health Programme) 6-50 A.M-Lokageet 6-30 A.M-Bidyarthir Anusthan 7-15 A.M-Aajir Dinto (Morning Information Service) 7-30 A.M-Highlights of South Asian Games 2016 8-35 A.M-Surar Panchoi (Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 9-05 A.M- Antara (Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 12-05 P.M-Singphoo Songs 3-10 P.M-Selfie from North East 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-Live Coverage of 2nd Opening Ceremony of the 12th South Asian Games from Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex, Shillong 7-15 P.M-Yuvavani 7-45 P.M-Daakpakhili 8-00 P.M-Ekalabya (KK Handique State Open University Programme) 8-30 P.M-Geetar Sarai 9-30 P.M-Anobadya Akhangkhya Bajaya (Radio Serial) 10-00 P.M-Classical Music Sd-/H.O.P

World Cancer Day Observed at Golaghat

Blood donation camp Anandaram Baruah award organised Dao Division ET Correspondent ter the formal anTezpur, Feb 5: Students nouncement of the A Staff Reporter Diburgar, Feb 5: In keeping with the highest tradition and ethos of Indian Army, Dao Divison on occasion of Republic Day 2016 has joined hands with Assam Medical College and Hospital, Dibrugarh to organize a blood donation camp on 03 Feb 2016 at Military Hospital Dinjan.

The camp was inaugurated by General Officer Commanding, Dao Division. The camp was attended by more than 250 Army personnel. A motivational lecture on blood donation was given. More than 100

Blood donation camp organised dao division.

units of blood were donated by the army personnel on this occasion.

The collected blood was handed over to Assam Medical College and Hospital, Dibrugarh for

use of needy patients to save valuable lives. This noble gesture by Indian Army was highly appreciated by the medical fraternity of Dibrugarh district.

showing good performance in HSLC and High Madrasha examinations in the year 2015 securing first division and Second division from various schools in Sonitpur district will be awarded with Laptop and Tablets on February 9, 12 and 13 at three different places and different functions scheduled to be held. In a government release said here that for the students of various schools under Tezpur Sub Division in Sonitpur District will be awarded on February 9 at an august occasion at District library here. Af-

award the awardees will be able collect their awards from Rastrabhasha School here on February 10 and 11. “Suchawardees hailing from Biswanth subdivision will be awarded at Biswanath Chariali Adarsha Vidyapith on February 12 while the students from Gohpur Sub Division will be awarded on February 13 at Gohpur High School.” Said the release adding this time there are total 1400 students securing 1st division and 1167 students securing 2nd divisionin the district.

CM confers Srimanta Sankardev award to eminent persons ET Correspondent Guwahati, Feb. 5: Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi conferred the Srimanta Sankaradeva award for the year 2011 and 2014 to eminent personalities ML Varadpande and Kanaksen Deka at a function at Pragjyoti ITA Centre for Performing arts in Guwahati today.

The award carries a citation, a shawl, a gold medal, a japi and a cheque for Rs 3 lakh.

Addressing the function as chief guest, Chief Minister

Gogoi announced that the Assam Bhawans will be named after Srimanta Sankaradeva, the great saint and social reformer.

Gogoi said that was not only a great saint and social reformer but also a great scientist, conservationist and nutritionist.

“Srimanta Sankaradeva not only brought about a sea change through social reforms but also shaped and moulded the day-to-day lives of the common man,” he added.

The Chief Minister said

that through his borgeet Srimanta Sankaradeva brought about an atmosphere in which the listener could de-stress himself.

“His music had a soothing effect on the mind. One can unwind and relax from the stress and strain one encounters in life. And this concept is growing in the corporate world also,” he said.

Gogoi underscored the need for intensive research on the work and contribution of the great saint-social reformer-scholar to bring about different facets of his

creations to the fore.

The Chief Minister said that the teachings of Srimanta Sankaradeva are more relevant in today’s modern world plagued by environmental, health and other problems.

The Chief Minister said that the Namghars established by the Mahapurusha are not only spiritual nerve centres but also beehive of economic activities.

The Chief Minster pointed out that Srimanta Sankaradeva enriched the Assamese culture and literature by giving distinct

form and richness to the Assamese language. Gogoi further said that the great saint-social reformer transcended the barriers of caste, creed and religion through his Nam Dharma, thus becoming one of the greatest unifiers the country has ever produced.

Gogoi hoped that the lofty ideals of the great saint-social reformer would help to build a modern, prosperous Assam.Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Cultural Affairs, Bismita Gogoi said the award has been instituted by Govt. of

Assam in 1986 for promotion of universal human values preached by Srimanta Sankaradeva and conferred on those who have had made enormous contributions to the country and society.

Elated on receiving the prestigious award, eminent journalist Kanaksen Deka said that Srimanta Sankardeva brought about unification of the Assamese society by knitting together diverse ethnic communities into a composite whole.

Earlier, receiving the award on behalf of ML

Varadpande, Pranab Swarup Neog read out the written speech of the awardee in which he expressed his profound happiness to receive such a prestigious award instituted after one of the greatest socioreligious reformers. “I have a close bond with the people and Vaishnavite culture of Assam. I visited the Barpeta Satra and various Satras in Majuli on invitation from Govt. of Assam. I carried out research works on Satriya culture with special reference to Ankiyaa Naat and dedicated my creation,

Traditions of Indian Theatre to thebhakats of Barpeta Satra,” the noted academician and scholar said in his acceptance speech.The welcome address was delivered by Chief Secretary.

VK Pipersenia. The function was attended, among others, by Commissioner & Secretary, Cultural Affairs Department, Preetom Saikia, Secretary, Cultural Affairs Department, Madhurima Sena Barua and Director, Cultural Affairs Department, Bibekananda Choudhury.

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6

PAGE 3

Rudy lays foundation stone for ITI Dimapur Dimapur (Nagaland), Feb.5 (ANI): Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Pratap Rudy has laid the foundation stone for an Industrial Training Institute (ITI) at Kushiabill, Dimapur.

workforce.

Following this, the Union Minister, during a programme on ‘skilling the youths of Nagaland’ held at the Patkai Christian College, assured the establishment of a model ITI of international standard.

Rudy also informed that presently, 16% of engineering graduates and 17% of management graduates in the country are unemployed. “So the situation is that education is not delivering what the industry wants and this is exactly the biggest challenge we are facing now.”

Rudy further announced that Kiphire and Longleng districts would soon have their own ITIs and that model skill centers would soon be established in all the districts and blocks of the state.

Rudy informed that the Prime Minister has given “special instruction to do whatever possible for Nagaland.” He further underlined the importance of his Ministry to have direct connection with the youth, asserting skilling of youth as the biggest challenge. “We will bring industry partnership of the highest level and we have a whole plan for the state of Nagaland”, Rudy said and promised to come back to Nagaland again.

Rudy, during his address, said one of the biggest challenges that India faces presently is how to impart skills to the millions of educated unemployed youths in the country.

Rudy said while countries like China and US have 55 percent skilled workforce, UK 68 percent, Japan 80 percent and South Korea 96 percent skilled workforce, in sharp contrast India has a mere 4.5 percent skilled

“Over the last 67 years, our focus was on education and we thought that skill was a part of education and we did not actually focus on skills and most of us were after degrees,” the Union Minister said.

Underscoring the importance of skill development and the urgent need to take skills to the doorsteps, he said skill education in the country has to take place under the National Skills Qualifications Framework, approved by the Union Cabinet and subsequent launching of Skill India mission by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi in 2015.

The Union Minister informed that under the framework, even school drop-outs can get employment opportunities.

Rudy said the youth of the North East region, particularly Nagaland, are fit to be employed in any part of the world, provided they are given skill orientation trainings and facilities. Iterating Narendra Modi’s commitment to develop the North East, Rudy further assured to create a “web of skill centres” in the North East.

Earlier, Nagaland State Chief Minister, TR Zeliang, in his address highlighted the urgent need to address the issue of skilling the

youths of Nagaland and said with change of time, the aspirations of the youths are also changing.

Zeliang also urged the Union minister to grant financial assistance to youths undergoing skill development training under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), provide skill orientation courses in schools and colleges in Nagaland and to set up a regional skilling centre of international standard in the state.

Zeliang lamented the lack of industrial activities in the state and cited this as a stumbling block for gainful employment of the youths.

Meanwhile, he also announced that the Department of Labour & Employment has been renamed as Department of Labour & Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship.

Parliamentary Secretary for Labour and employment, Skill Development and Border Affairs, Mmhonlumo Kikon also speaking on the occasion expressed excitement for transforming the North East into a natural economic zone through the Prime Minister’s ‘Skill India Vision.’ He said Nagaland has been endowed with natural resource as well as human resource but cautioned that unless human resource is developed at par with national and international standards, natural resources will not be marketed Kikon also called for private parties to play a major role in creating this atmosphere. He stated that the department was willing to work hard and fast to build world class skilling the state.

District level coordination meeting on ndd held Khonsa, Feb 5: The district level coordination meeting on the National De-worming Day was held at Khonsa on 5th February under the Chairmanship of Tirap Deputy Commissioner Ravi Jha. While presiding over the all important meeting the Deputy Commissioner said that all the targeted groups of children of different age groups must be covered under the proposed programme being held in the district for the first time and urged the DMO and Member Secretary, District Health Society to rope in the services of PD, DDSE and DD, ICDS to make the deworming programme a huge success.

He said that no stone should be left unturned to ensure maximum coverage of chil-

dren. Jha further said that proper training of Teachers, Anganwadi Workers and field staff who would administer the medicine must be conducted for all the Blocks well in advance.

been identified. In this connection the Nodal Teachers and Anganwadi Workers would be trained on 8th and 9th February at District Hospital, Khonsa from 10 am onwards.

was attended by PD, DMO, EE, PHED, CDPO and DD(Urban) among others.

The Panchayat Members and PHED would also be involved during the programme.

In his power-point presentation Dr. Namsa, DRCHO said that along with the rest of the country the national de-worming day would be launched on 10th February all over Tirap district which will be followed by mopped up round on 15th February.

He also elaborately highlighted the causes of worm infection mostly among children and threw light on possible remedies. Dr. Namsa underscored the importance of awareness on cleanliness and hygienic environ to prevent worms infection. It was decided to undertaking clearing of source of water supply in the town on 10/02/2016 in collaboration with PHE 7 UD department. The Panchayat Members and PHED would also be involved during the programme. The meeting

The meeting was attended

by PD, DMO, EE, PHED, CDPO and DD (Urban) among others. On the same day the Deputy Commissioner convened a meeting of the power department in which he asked the Engineers and their field staff to improve the power scenario which was not up to the mark. Jha urged the Power Department officers and officials to maintain work culture adding that they were manning one of the most important departments.

The national de-worming day will be held for children of 1-19 years of age who will be administered worms tablets age-wise in the schools and Anganwadi centres of the district for which schools and Anganwadi centres have

Statehood Day celebrated in Roing Roing, Feb 5: Ensuing Statehood Day is going to be celebrated in a grand manner at Lower Lower Dibang Valley District at General Playground, Roing.

Apart from exhibition installs by various SHGs, there would be separate installs for Food Mela this year, informed Ruchika Katyal, IAS, ADC who is also the incharge Deputy Commissioner, Roing in a meeting held to chalk out the programme for Statehood Day Celebration in DC Chamber today.

She asked the DD (ICDS) and NGO representatives to submit the proposed food installs to be put up by various SHGs/NGOs latest by February 10. She however said that no liquor will be allowed in the Food Mela.

She emphasized on displaying traditional Folk dances of various communities residing in the district to make

the celebration more meaningful and special.

In the meeting, Katyal also appealed to all the HoDs and PRI Leaders to actively participate in the Clean Arunachal Fortnight which is being observed from February 1-15 with the theme, "My Pride, My City, I will Clean it". She asked all the HoDs to personally supervise the cleaning activities and to ensure that all the departments participate in the social service scheduled around the Roing township.

She also appealed to clean the surroundings of once residential house, govt quarters and office premises in the township area saying, "It is every body's responsibilities to keep the town clean".

Apart from HoDs and Administrative Officers, Sipi Elapra Linggi, ZPC and Starson Saring,ZPM also attended the meeting.

7 members central team visited flood ravaged Tezu to assess damages Bishnu Rana Tezu, 5 Feb: A seven – member Central team headed my M A Ganapathy Joint Secretary Ministry of Home Affair GoI has visited Tezu headquarter of Lohit to take stock of physical damages caused by the last year massive flood. Other those members included from Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Drinking water & Sanitation, Ministry of Road Transport & Highway, Central Electricity Authority Ministry of Power GoI New Delhi and Central Water Commission (CWC) Guwahati respectively.

Also Y W Ringu Director Disaster Management & Relief, Kapa Kholie Secretary DM, Er A Lego Chief Engineer PWD were other team member from state to assessed the factual report of the flood ravaged district. Including DC, SP Lohit, WRD official, Power Grid, AAI and district DM official

7 members central team visited flood ravaged Tezu to assess damages joined the team during the assessment.

During their visit the team were briefed on the spot damage caused by Sukha River. Er

Cosaap meeting held in new Delhi A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Feb 5: The first meeting of the Confederation of Service Associations of Arunachal Pradesh (CoSAAP), Arunachal Bhawan, New Delhi was held today under the Chairmanship of Shri K.Damo, Deputy Resident Commissioner (Headquarter).

The officers and staff of Bhawan were apprised of the meaning of CoSAAP and its significance. The Chairman, along with Smt. Onam Lego, Shri Marto Bagra and Shri Sangit Dubey, DRCs spoke in length about the achievements of CoSAAP in the past and how it has always protected the rights of the state employees.

The main agenda of the meeting was appointment of the executive members.

While Shri Marto Bagra, DRC (TPT/Protocol) was already appointed President by the state unit, Shri Thupten Kalden, S.E (Hydropower) was nominated as Vice President, Shri Dilip Agarwal, AE (PWD) as General Secretary, Ms. Adong Moyong, Resident Tourism Officer as AGS, Shri Pravin Garg as Treasurer, Shri N.B.Sonar, Finance & Accounts Officer as Auditor and Shri Biswajit Chakroborty and Shri B.Dey as Co-auditors.

Membership fees were later collected as per the norms of the association (OSD, IPR)

C J Mannow EE WRD Lohit through proper chart and Toposheet elaborated the abnormal flow of the river bringing huge silt damaging everything during peak monsoon

season threatening human habitation and villages settled along the river, NH, Advance Landing Ground (ALC), 25th ITBP BN and acres of cultivable land. The EE suggested complete plug of the river at the head for which detail project estimate has been submitted to the GoI New Delhi.

While emphasizing the urgency of funds to plug the rivers, Tamiyo Tatak DC Lohit also termed Lohit as a flood prone district where every year flood caused havoc submerging the district partially and massive threat to DC, SP bungalow and LC Line settlement and police barrack line due to overflow of Tezu River during monsoon.

While interacting with this correspondent, M A Ganapathy Joint Secretary said that their assessment is basically to assess for temporarily and imme-

diate restoration work caused by last flood. It required long term planning and adequate funds to plug this river which the GoI is capable enough to sanction funds if proper estimate and persuasion is made.

We are there to flow up every matter related to flood if the department approaches us, he assures.

Overall estimate flood damage reports of Rs 2320.304 lakhs were submitted to the team from several departments including WRD, PWD, PHED & WS, Electro – Mechanical, Power (Electrical), RWD, Fisheries and Veterinary.

Later the team also visited the fire accident site where at wee hour of this morning 23 SPT and Semi RCC shops were gutted to ashes. The Directorate DM & R also resolved to compensate the victims after proper reports is received.

In the meeting the Engi-

Coordination Meeting with HoDs Roing, Feb 5: In a monthly Coordination Meeting separately held in DC's Chamber today, Ruchika Katyal, ADC incharge Deputy Commissioner while reviewing the works/projects implemented by various departments asked the Heads of Work Departments to expedite the works of various ongoing projects in the district.

She asked them to submit Utilization Certificate of completed projects and completion date line of ongoing projects under SPA latest by February 10 informing that it is urgently desired by the Chief Secretary. She also asked to submit reports immediately in case of encroachment of any govt land/office premises by any individual to the district administration. She also said

The Congress says that session has no legitimacy.

The Centre and the Governor say it was necessary and valid because the as-

sembly had not met for over six months, as required by the constitution, and because the state legislature had been locked up to prevent those against the Chief Minister from convening.

Yesterday, when it was suggested in court that the Governor has constitutional immunity and is not answerable to judges for decisions made by his office, a judge said the court cannot be a "mute spectator to the slaughter of de-

A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Feb 5: The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Shri JP Rajkhowa has greeted the people of the State on the festive occasion of Boori Boot Yullo. He expressed hope that the festivity will promote amity and oneness amongst the people of the State.

In his message to the people, the Governor said that festivals are an important part of our life.

As agrarian community, most of the festivals in Arunachal Pradesh are associated with agriculture. While preserving

the age old cultural heritage, the Governor advised that they must also upgrade the agricultural practices with technologies and scientific methods. He wished that the festival also spread messages of innovative and technical ideas amongst the people thereby enhancing their economic prosperity of the agrarian community and the State.

May the festival rituals invokes the spirit of Boori Boot and bless one and all with contentment, good health and prosperity, the Governor wished.

CS visits Banderdewa Naharlagun, Feb 5: Promoting the Clean Arunachal Campaign, Chief Secretary, Ramesh Negi today visited Banderdewa where he advised, the local residence especially the shopkeepers to keep their surrounding clean and to use dustbin.

The Chief Secretary further advised the Chief Councilor to take precau-

tionary measures on the health of sanitation workers, said they get hepatitis B injections and boosters on time so that their health does not suffer.

The CS was accompanied by Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Dani Salu, Chief Councilor Kipa Kaku, CMEO Habung Lampung and IPR Director CM Longphong. DIPRO

mocracy".

central rule for his state.

However, earlier this week, the Supreme Court accepted that it does not have the right to ask the Governor to share the report that he sent to the Centre recommending

The Congress has said in court that its government has been unjustifiably pushed out by the BJP, which is determined to undermine opposition governments.

15 shops gutted to ashes in tragic fire broke out at Tezu Contd. from Page 1

All SPT and Semi RCC shops full with clothes and electronic gadgets mostly took no time to finish everything within few minutes.

Fire Brigade, APP, ITBP and public joined together to dozed out the fire and suc-

ceed not to engulf the fire further. The District Disaster Management Officer D Norbu also made preliminary assessment reports and estimated approximately Rs 2.5 Crores of property lost.

“The fire set ablaze at 4 AM and within minutes the fire has engulfed the entire row of shops. We could not

save anything, as all the shopkeepers stay outside as soon as we heard about the broke out of fire and we rush to the spot unfortunately nothing could be saved. I had my Tailor shop everything including number of sewing machines and other clothes were finished to naught that cost Rs 6 (six) Lakhs. We are in footpath and nowhere, the gov-

that schemes under BADP shall also be reviewed from the next Coordination Meeting.

Take Ringu, IPS, Superintendent of Police Roing said that the heads of work department should inform to the police immediately if any kind of extortion are received from any individual or party during the working season, so that the police may take action in time.

Governor greets the people on Durga Sonari is a the occasion of Boori Boot Yullo wanted Offender

Arunachal Crisis: From Top Court, A Mordant No-No For 'Bored Governors' Contd. from Page 1

neers from Power Department shared the challenges and scopes of the department with the Deputy Commissioner. They also apprised the DC on plans, proposals and new schemes submitted to the government. Deputy Commissioner lamented on on the poor safety and reliability aspect of the power department.

He directed AE & JE to prepare a plan for improving the safety aspects of the power house and submit the same within 7(seven) days.

The placement of funds will be monitored and spent as per the priority placed in the plan.

The meeting was attended

by EE Tami Jerang, AE Deken Boje, AE GS Swaroop and the JEs of the department. (DIPRO)

ernment and Bazaar Welfare Committee may give succour to our lost”, hopes Smile Ali a Tailor. There was no loss of life and cause of fire is yet to be ascertained.

Meanwhile, Chang Tayang General Secretary Bazaar Welfare Committee has assured to give immediate relief to those fire victims af-

ter proper assessment of the damages.

Later in the afternoon, a seven members central team headed by M A Ganapathy Joint Secretary Home GoI, Y W Ringu Director DM & R, Kapa Kholie Secretary DM, DC, SP Lohit also visited the site to assess the damages.

Aalo Feb 5: Basing on complaint made before Chief Judicial Magistratecum-Civil Judge Sr. Divn Aalo, Shri Durga Sonari, S/O Chandrika Sonari, Village Barphokari, PS Hojai PO Siliguri, Distt. Nagaon, Assam is wanted for committed offence of U/S 380 IPC and a warrant has been issued to compel the attendance of the accused person before the court at Aalo to be examined and touching the matter of the said complaint. The accused person is found absconding and concealing himself to avoid the service of the warrant.

Durga Sonari is required to appear at Aalo before the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Civil Judge (Sr. Divn.) at the earliest to be examined touching above section complained offence.

Shops gutted down in the fire mishap Tezu, Feb 5: A devastating fire accident took place in Tezu market, today in the early morning hours at about 0300Hrs where 23 numbers of SPT and RCC shops were gutted down into ashes. All goods and items in the Shops were gutted down in the fire mishap.

Civil police, IRBN, Fire tender, Army, BRTF, ITBP and civilian took active part to extinguish the fire. Because of their presence the fire was controlled before it spread to nearby market areas and shops. Four shops of SPT/RCC were partially burnt down.

There is no report of loss of human lives in the incident. Deputy Commissioner Shri. Tamiyo Tatak has ordered a judicial enquiry to know the cause of the fire and has directed the District Disaster Management Officer Tezu to carry out assessment of the loss and damages of properties by a board of members immediately.

(DIPRO)

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6

PAGE 4

Ad hock committee of DTC constituted ET Correspondent Diphu February 5: After completion of the term of Diphu Town Committee the Karbi Anglong Autonomous authority in exercise of its vested power has constituted an Ad hock committee of DTC to run its affairs for a period of 6 months or till the time of election.

The 5 member committee will be headed by previous Chairman of the committee Mohon Tisso while elected word commissioner of no 2 word Monoj Dey has been nominated as Vice Chairman; beside this 3 other elected word commissioners whose tenure has ended has been inducted in the KAAC constituted committee.

The new body will assume office on Monday.

Misappropriation of fund in the construction of the embankment of Ranganadi and Dikrong AJYCP gheraos Office of the Water Resource Deptt. in Lakhimpur: Burns the symbolic effigy of the Deptt.

ET Correspondent Lakhimpur; Feb 4: Alleging misappropriation of fund in the construction of the embankments of the rivers Ranganadi and Dikrong, the Lakhimpur District Body of Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad today initiated an strong protest against the Water Resource Department.

As per the program, more than hundred protestors in the aegies of the organisation gheraoed the departmental office.

The protestors, coming in a procession at first burnt the effigy of the department and then

gheraoed the office. They rocked the office through protest.

Saurabh Das alleged the violation of the guidelines.

They warned the the District Executive Engineer to prevent corruption in the construction of the embankments. It is note worthy that an INR of about 362 crore for the construction of the embankments of the river Ranganadi and an INR of 105 crore for Dikrong were already sanctioned by the Union Government and the construction work was ongoing at present. In this regard the, Lakhimpur District President Pradip Sarmah and the Secretary

"The embankments are being made with sand instead of hard soil. Moreover the sand is dug very near to the steep of the embankments which is a threatening to the longevity of the embankments"they alleged. On the other hand, a complaint on the cheating of revenue payment to the Forest Department has been raised simultaneously despite the adequate allotment of the fund in the scheme.

The roll of Forest Department is also slammed in this regard by the organisation. (Pic in UB).

AJYCP Tinsukia district president arrested for links with Moran Tiger Force Tinsukia police cracks whip from the top, AJYCP cries political conspiracy - gherao's Tinsukia police station In the meantime quick action by police has doused the anger of tea tribe community who were on boil ever since firing incident outside their leader resident and issued 24 hours ultimatum on Thursday to nab the culprits or threatened the administration to face the consequences.

AJYCP Tinsukia district president arrested for links with Moran Tiger Force. Pic - Arjun Mishra

Rishu Kalantri.

Tinsukia, Feb 5. Tinskia police on Thursday late night picked up AJYCP district president Surojit Moran from his Doomdooma residence for having links with Moran Tiger Force. Later on, he was arrested and produced before court.

Confirming this development superintendent of Tinsukia police Mugdha Jyoti Mahanto told ET correspondent over phone that police has evidence of Surojit Moran links with Moran Tiger Force outfit which had issued threat to Hindi speaking and tea tribes community few days back and claimed responsibilities for the dual firing incident targeting both tea tribe and Hindi speaking community. In a very short time we will burst the entire network of Moran Tiger

Force and arrest all which are just handful in numbers, he added.

An angered AJYCP has alleged a big political conspiracy against its leader and gheraoed Tinsukia police station in no time. The members of the organization also burned tyres near police station and thana charali demanding immediate release of their district president Surojit Moran.

AJYCP leader Kon Gogoi said, we will protest outside deputy commissioner office on February 6 against this injustice. Police action is a part of political conspiracy and an attempt to douse the firing situation in the district so that things remain calm and quiet, Gogoi added.

However, All Assam Moran Students Union has kept itself at a distance from the

recent developments.

AAMSU assistant general secretary Prasanto Khatowal said, if police has got some evidence pointing Surojit Moran links to the entire episode law has to take its own course. But we call upon the police to issue official statement and make evidence public to clear all doubts as Surojit Moran is a leader of a democratic organization and his involvement and arrest means a lot, he added.

We had always maintained that Moran community does not have any links with Moran Tiger Force and it is a political conspiracy to create a communal atmosphere between Moran community and tea tribes, Hindi speaking community, said Prasanto and added that they want the entire conspiracy to be cracked and brought before people.

It is worth mentioning that hours after firing outside tea tribe leader and ex-congress MLA Durga Bhoomij residence at Doomdooma, thousands and thousands of people from tea tribe community geared with their sharp traditional weapons like spade, axe and so on headed for Tinsukia town on Thursday morning turning law and order situation in turmoil. The protester's marched upto Thana Charali and than turned towards chaliha nagar field for an on the spot meeting.

It is in this meeting tea tribe leaders issued 24 hours ultimatum to nab the culprits or face consequences which seemed to create immense pressure on police.

Now, it will be important to see the exact evidences on which police action has come. Tinsukia has always been a strong hold of organizations and the arrest of president of an organization can have wild implications in the district right from series of protests to non-cooperation with administration. Since, it is an election year chances of it having impact on elections cannot be ruled out.

Bandh hits normal life in Tinsukia for the second consecutive days, AAHSU call for 24 hours Tinsukia district bandh on Feb 10 Spl Correspondent.

Tinsukia, Feb 5: The 48hour bandh by All Assam Moran Students Union clubbed with 24 hours bandh by All Assam Muttack Sonmilan brought life in Tinsukia district at standstill for second day. All shops, offices, bank remained closed and the

streets lied deserted.

School students and daily workers were the worst hit as on one hand almost all schools and colleges were shut and on the other hand daily workers struggled to earn their daily bread and butter. According to sources, earlier in the morn-

ing protesters burnt tyres and even pushed some ricksaw puller plying ricksaw on road.

In the meantime, All Assam Hindu Students Union has called a 24-hour Tinsukia district and Duliajan constituency bandh. The bandh will start at 5 am in the

morning.

It is worth mentioning that with the calendar ticking to February, final exams are on the door-steps and one after the other bandh are having a major impact on the studies of students. Intellectuals are worrying for the future of students across all communities.

Modi says Gandhi family disrupting Parl to avenge poll defeat Contd. from Page 1

His remarks came against the backdrop of washout of the last two sessions of Parliament because of which key economic reform measures, including GST, have been pending and are expected to be pushed by the government during the upcoming Budget session starting on February 23.

"There are many leaders and parties even in the Opposition who oppose Modi, the BJP and the government but they want Parliament to run and carry out is business. But one family is so rigid that they do not allow the Rajya Sabha to function and let the nation's agenda of development to be taken forward because people of the country have defeated them," Modi said.

Though the Prime Minister did not name the "family", the reference was obviously to the Sonia Gandhi family.

He listed a number of pending bills, including one for increasing the income ceiling for bonus to workers and the other related to river transport on Brahmaputra, and put the blame for their pendency squarely on Congress and particularly the Gandhi family.

"The country is not going to benefit from this politics of negativism and obstructionism. There is only one family with such a thinking, which has brought this kind of destruction. Leaders in the other Opposition parties are not like this," the Prime Minister said.

"If anybody in politics engages in such negativism and obstructionism, it is not going benefit either them or the nation," he added.

Modi used the occasion to flag the issue of "Assamese pride" and urged people to give a chance to BJP to form a government in the state.

He contended that laws for the welfare of the state can be put in place only when there is a government in Guwahati which listens to Centre.

Tea garden workers form a major chunk of voters in Assam.

only when there is a government, which listens to the government in Delhi," he said.

He said it does not serve any pupose if some state government engages in sweet talk with Centre, gets the monetary benefits and then keeps on cursing it.

Underlining that the Centre and state governments should work in tandem, Modi said, "politics should not come as a roadblock while working for people's welfare."

He said had the bill on National Waterways been passed by Parliament, it would have benefitted Assam as it would have provided cheapest water transport in Brahmaputra river.

"It was passed in Lok Sabha but a family, even while talking much about the welfare of Assam, did not allow the Rajya Sabha to function and hence it got stuck there.

When it it comes to people's welfare, there cannot be any scope for politics, the Prime Minister said as he criticised the Congress government of Assam for attacking the Centre every now and then even after getting funds from it.

"We got a law for bonus for labourers. But those who have been defeated (in polls), reduced to around 40 seats, are determined to not let things work," the Prime Minister said.

"There is a central law, which I want to implement here. But that will happeen

The Prime Minister said if Parliament is not allowed to function, the maximum loss will be to the poor.

"There is negative politics.. A lot of politics is being played with our kisan (farmers). Who will protect them ? Farmers were kept outside the development process but we changed all laws to benefit them for the first time," he said.

Modi, who has often referred to his 'tea-seller' past, mentioned it again here to connect to tea garden labourers.

"If Assam is known across the world, the reason is your hard work. Earlier generations of yours spent their lives and made India proud through their work.

Even someone like me earned his daily bread by selling tea when I was young. But, in all this, has your life changed? Assam needs a government that works for the poor and the labour.

"Did successive governments fulfil their promises?

You have experienced all governments. Give us a chance. I have to change this situation. Elect a government that fulfils its promises made to the poor.

Give an opportunity to the BJP and we will make Assam the number one state. The pride of Assam and the well being of Assam's youth is most important for us," the Prime Minister said.

PM Modi praises teachings and creations of Srimanta Sankardev Contd. from Page 1

PM Modi praises teachings and creations of Srimanta SankardevPraising the Saint, Modi said that his teachings and creations were still relevant and urged the people to follow his footsteps. He called for a united society and called to fight against the evils of the society.

“Everyone should work together for the betterment of the society and strive to build a strong nation,” he said.

He concluded his short 14 minutes speech by stating

that the central government would not shy away from extending a helping hand to the initiatives undertaken by the organization for socioeconomic development of Assam.

An unprecedented number of visitors thronged the venue to have a glimpse of Modi, who last visited the town to attend an election rally prior to the 2014 parliamentary elections.

He spoke at the Durbar field here on his last visit to campaign for BJP candidate from Jorhat parliamentary constituency Kamakhya Prasad Tasa. Political analysts believe that his speech in Sivasagar in presence of

a crowd of more than one lakh helped Tasa win the election from Jorhat.

The crowd was much larger today, with members of the organization turning in huge numbers from different parts of the Northeast and elsewhere to attend the session.

Office bearers of the organization said that there is a natural flow of lakhs of its members at the annual sessions. “The number of visitors has increased this year due to the presence of Modi and the interest generated among the visitors to see the historic relics of Sivasagar along with attending the session,” they said.

The organization also handed over a memorandum to the Prime Minister with a charter of demands that includes extension of double railway tracts to Assam, observing the birthday of Sankardev as ‘Maitri Divas’, development of the public sector industries of the State, among others.

Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of State for Sports Sarbananda Sonowal, Jorhat MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa and the Padadhikar of the organization Bhabendra Nath Deka were among the host of dignitaries present at the meeting.

Bus taking BJP supporters fell off road, 2 seriously injured Foundation Day of GDJA on March. 28 Spl correspondent.

Tinsukia, Feb 5: A mini-bus taking almost 35 BJP supporters from Kuweri village in

Tinsukia district to prime minister Narendra Modi rally at Moran fell off the road at Bordubi.

Altogether 30 persons

received injuries out of which 2 have been serious injured and referred to Assam medical college & hospital at

Dibrugarh. According to eye witness, the steering of the bus got locked near Bordubi temple after which it fell of the road.

ET Correspondent Golaghat, Feb. 5: One of the oldest and prestigious organisations of journalists in Assam the Golaghat District Journalist Asso-

ciation ( GDJA) is going to celebrate its 51 st Foundation Day on March 28.

It was decided in an executive meeting of the

GDJA recently. Also it was proposed to introduce a group insurance policy for more than hundred member journalists of Golaghat District Journal-

ist Association. A day long programme will be held on March 28 on the occasion of Foundation Day where several events will be there.

48-hour highway blockade begins in Manipur Imphal,Feb 5:The 48-hour national highway blockade called by the United Naga Council (UNC) began from Thursday midnight, affecting normal life in Manipur.

The blockade has been called in protest against the three "anti-tribal bills" passed in the Manipur assembly on August 31 last year and the killing of nine tribal activists, whose bodies are still lying in a morgue.

The blockade is supported by the Zeliangrong Youth Front, which said it was against the talks between the Indian government and the Nagas.

The Kuki Students Organisation (KSO) and the All Naga Students Association, Manipur, (ANSAM)

had also called for an indefinite blockade of the highways from February 1 midnight. However, these organisations put off the blockade for 10 days after government assurances that their demand for regularisation of contract teachers would be looked into. Meanwhile, the blockade could affect the success of a rally called on February 6 by civil society organisations in the four valley districts. Organising committee convener Elangbam Johnson said the rally was in support of the future of indigenous people.

Anticipating a big turnout for the rally, the state government has made special security and traffic arrangements. (Agencies)

Mukul targets 2022 National Games Shillong,Feb 5: On the eve of the commencement of the 12th South Asian Games, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma assured that Shillong is ready to co-host the multinational event and expressed confidence that it will be a big success.

During a visit to the JN Sports Complex and First Ground, Polo on Thursday the Chief Minister said, "We hope to ensure that the South Asian Games helps us create positive stories and connect us with the rest of the world. We must ensure that the visiting athletes

and officials from the participating nations have the best of time here."

Guwahati (Assam) and Shillong (Meghalaya) are co-hosting the South Asian Games from February 6-16. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Games on Friday in Guwahati.Sangma also lauded all involved with the organising of the Games, especially the (volunteers and others working behind the scene to make the Games a rousing success in the city.On the occasion, the Chief Minister also an-

which police have launched a search operation to trace him out.

Police have recovered the body of the deceased militant Reading and also a 7.65 pistol with two live rounds and other items including a dairy containing phone numbers and the GNLA identity card of the killed militant.The rebel group is said to have in their possession AK and other automatic rifles which were used to fire upon the advancing police party before they fled in the direction of Tochapara village after their comrade Reading fell to the police bullets. Empty ammo cases of 7.62 calibre and AK series have been recovered from the site of the encounter. (Agencies)

I will get married according to wishes of my parents : Bihar Deputy CM Tejaswi Prasad Yadav Jamshedpur, Feb 5: Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar Tejaswi Prasad Yadav said on Wednesday that his parents would choose a bride for him and that he would get married according to their wishes.

Tejaswi told the media that the kind of family that he came from such decisions were taken by parents. He also said that

he will not be able to tell as of now as to where and when he would get married.

As per media reports, he added that the day his family would settle his marriage he would go ahead and do it. Yadav was in the steel city today to take part in wedding of India's national cricket team member Varun Aaron. (Agencies)

Mukul Sangma nounced Meghalaya's intention to bid for the 2022 National Games which would coincide with 50th year of statehood."We are

preparing to bid to host the National Games as we look forward and prepare to celebrate the 50th year of our statehood, that's in

Attack on Tanzanian student: Four more arrested

GNLA hideout busted, rebel killed Tura,Feb 5: South West Garo Hills police busted a hideout of the banned GNLA inside the region and shot dead a militant during a late night encounter on Wednesday.Police teams raided Santogre village on Wednesday night following intelligence reports about the presence of a group of armed GNLA men numbering over half a dozen.During the raid there was reportedly a heavy exchange of gunfire from both sides for quite some time during which one militant identified as Reading M Sangma was shot dead.

Another senior cadre of the group identified as Adil is also said to have sustained bullet injuries and holed up somewhere in the dense jungles surrounding the village for

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DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6

Bengaluru Police Commissioner N S Megharikh Bengaluru, Feb. 5: Bengaluru Police on Friday arrested four more persons in connection with an attack on a Tanzanian girl student in Hesaraghatta Road area

of the city, taking the total number of arrested persons in this case to nine. Bengaluru Police Commissioner N S Megharikh confirmed this to.

"We have arrested four more people and totally we have arrested nine people," he said. "We are verifying how many were there actually. She said in a statement about presence of policemen. There is still a lot of confusion.

Lady said that there were four people in the car, other friends said there were five," he added.

The Tanzanian student was harassed by a group of locals in Bengaluru after they assumed she was part of an incident in which a Sudanese man had run over a local woman. The incident

took place on Hesaraghatta Road in Bengaluru on Saturday night after a Sudanese natio n a l r a n h i s c a r over a 35-year-old woman resulting in on the spot death of the woman.

The Tanzanian student was travelling in another car, a Wagon-R, along with four others.

The young woman, who arrived on the spot around 30 minutes later, was dragged out of the car and allegedly paraded naked after being stripped by the mob. (ANI)

Rudy announces global standard ITIs in Nagaland Rudy, Feb 5: Union Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy on Thursday announced the setting up Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) of international standard in Nagaland.

He also promised to set up skill development centres for the youth.

"I want to assure that the NDA government would set up skill development centres or ITIs in Nagaland and other northeastern states," Rudy said at a gathering at Patkai Christian College here.

He urged the Nagaland government and educational institutions to join hands with his ministry in skilling the youths by providing required infrastructure.

Noting that the Skill India Mission launched by Prime

Rudy announces global standard ITIs in Nagaland Minister Narendra Modi was essential for the development of the northeast, the minister said: "It is the need of the hour that we recognise the potential of the youth of the region and link it to socioeconomic growth of the northeast region and the

country as a whole."

He asked the Federation of Industry and Commerce of North Eastern Region (FINER), which represents the industries of the northeastern states, to have its representation in all the Sector Skill Councils of his minis-

try so as to enable the SSCs to better understand the requirements of the northeastern states and industries of the region. Stating that his ministry was committed through its short and long-term skilling courses for the development of the region, Rudy said: "My ministry would also work with the ITIs in the northeast for their upgrading through industry linkages with the constitution of Institute Management Committees in these ITIs. "We will certainly be able to reap the demographic dividend of the region," he added. Admitting that lack of industrial activities has affected creation of job avenues in Nagaland, Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang asked the union minister to establish ITIs in all the districts of the mountainous state.

(Agencies)

2022. I have asked all concerned departments and stakeholders, including the State Olympic Association, Sports Department and Finance Department to prepare for the same," Sangma said.During the visit to the venues, the Chief Minister was accompanied by Sports and Youth Affairs Minister and Games Co-Chairman Zenith Sangma, South Asian Games CEO (Shillong) RK Sharma, Joint CEO and Sports and Youth Affairs Commissioner and Secretary FR Kharkongor among others. (Agencies)

On the eve of the commencement of the 12th South Asian Games, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma assured that Shillong is ready to co-host the multinational event and expressed confidence that it will be a big success

NRHM scam: SC to hear contempt plea Dimapur, Feb 5: Contempt petition filed against Nagaland police's inaction by Naga Mothers Association (NMA) in the alleged corruption in NRHM would come up for final hearing on February 5 at the Supreme Court No 2.NMA advisor Dr. Rosemary Dzuvichu said the police failed to first register the FIR and then failed to complete any investigation, hence a petition was filed in the High Court for inaction on corruption.

She said the Judge ordered the petitioners to appeal the CBI for an impartial inquiry which was complied. However, she said the next Judge accepted

the plea of the Police that they were investigating and ordered copy of report be submitted also to the petitioners on completion.

NMA advisor said no such report was however submitted and petitioners were categorically told that inquiry reports were not for public, meaning petitioners, and only for the court. But the same was also not submitted to the court at the time of filing the contempt, she said.Sating that the contempt in the Supreme Court has been filed and admitted and heard, she said on February 5, the final hearing for a CBI investigation into NRHM in Nagaland would therefore take place.

(Agencies)

Eight BJP leaders suspended in Mizoram Aizawl, Feb 5 : The Mizoram unit of BJP has suspended eight leaders, including its Vice-president Chalngura Zahau, for alleged anti-party activities and dissolved all district committees in the state.The suspension order was issued by the newly-appointed state party chief Prof John V Hluna last evening.The party's national leaders had been informed about

the suspension of the leaders, Hluna told reporters here today.The district committees were dissolved to reorganise them, the newly appointed state BJP chief said.Incidentally, Hluna had appointed Chalngura Zahau as vice president of the party recently.The suspended leaders were not available for comments.

(Agencies)

Solution to Naga problem only way to peace, progress'

All India Chakma Students’ Union protests against alleged eviction of Chakma families from a village in Mizoram Department which was marked to the President of Mizo Students Union (MSU) General Headquarters Aizawl and the President, MSU Sub Headquarters, Lunglei who have no locus standi in the eyes of the law pertaining to the eviction notice.” –stated Mr Dilip Chakma, President of the student body.

New Delhi, Feb 5: Today the All India Chakma Students’ Union (AICSU) staged a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi against alleged illegal eviction of 49 minority Chakma tribal families consisting of 224 persons from Tuichawng Chhuah village in Lunglei district of Mizoram despite a stay order from the Guwahati High Court.

A press release from the students’ Union stated that On 8 January 2016, the Guwahati High Court stayed the eviction notice dated 17 December 2015 issued by the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Lunglei district following filing of a writ petition W.P. (C) No. 134 of 2016 by the affected Chakma villagers of Tuichawng Chhuah. But despite the stay order of Guwahati High Court, Mr C Thatkgunga, Secretary to the Government of Mizoram, Local Administration Department issued fresh eviction order on 21 January 2016 under Sec-

“The Chakmas are even scared to say that they are being targeted because of their religion, Buddhism”, stated Mr Chakma.

All India Chakma Students’ Union protests against alleged eviction of Chakma families from a village in Mizoram tion 26(2)(a) of the Lushai Hill District (Village Councils) Act, 1953 directing the eviction of the Chakma minority families of Tuichawng Chhuah to vacate the villagewithin one month, the press release reported.

AICSU alleged that pursuant to this eviction order, on 26th January 2016 (Repub-

lic Day), two officials of the Local Administration Department (LAD), Government of Mizoram i.e.

Mr R. Vanlalmuana and Mr Samuel Lalnunthara went to Tuichawng Chhuah village and sought forcibly to take signatures from the terrified villagers on a document which inter alia stated that they were staying on illegal land.

“The action of the Government of Mizoram to evict the 49 Chakma minority families of Tuichawng Chhuah is totally illegal and unconstitutional and being done to satisfy the Mizo Students Union (MSU). This stands exposed from the eviction notice dated 21.1.2016 of the Local Administration

The Student Union further put allegation that the Chakma minorities have been facing systematic repression in Mizoram because of their Buddhist religion. On 30 June 2013, the Mizo Students Union (MSU) with the support of the Mizoram Police allegedly evicted 48 Chakma families from Sibinesora village under Lungsen Village Council area in Lunglei district, the press release mentioned. Further, on 24

March, 2015, the Mizoram government notified the Mizoram (Selection of Candidates for Higher Technical Courses) (Sixth Amendment) Rules of 2015 to officially discriminate against the Chakmas by declaring them as non-indigenous peoples of Mizoram and giving the Mizos first priority in admission to medical and engineering colleges. The Mizoram (Selection of Candidates for Higher Technical Courses) (Sixth Amendment) Rules of 2015 had to be withdrawn after the Mizoram Chakma Students Union (MCSU) filed a case (PIL No. 39/2015) in the Hon’ble Gauhati High Court.

“There is complete failure of the rule of law in Mizoram with respect to the Chakmas. If there is no respect for the High Court order by the State of Mizoram, whom could the Chakmas approach?” asked Mr Dilip Chakma.

Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang Kohima, Feb 5: Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang has said solution to the protracted Naga political problem is the way to peace which will lead to progress and prosperity of the state."As long as the gun culture prevails in the state, Nagas will never progress and the only means to put an end to gun culture is to find early solution to the Naga political problem," an official release quoted Zeliang as saying.

The NaMo government

is committed to early settlement of the Naga political issue and Nagas should grasp the opportunity and collectively work towards it without creating further imbroglio among the Nagas, he said.

"The sooner we solve this problem the sooner we will have permanent peace," he said.The Chief Minister said this while addressing the inaugural function of Aboi Town Council at Aboi in Mon district on Thursday. (Agencies)

Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang has said solution to the protracted Naga political problem is the way to peace which will lead to progress and prosperity of the state

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Jaitley's lawyer says AAP delaying court proceedings in civil defamation case J. Dey murder case: New Delhi, Feb.5 : Lawyers representing Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in a civil defamation case against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and five senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders on Friday charged the legal team of the latter with deliberately delaying proceedings by repeatedly asking for postponements.

The AAP legal team, however, denied the charge, and maintained that as per law, they were well within their rights to seek more time from the court for clarifications and relevant explanation.

It may be recalled that on December 22, 2015, Jaitley, accompanied by some of his cabinet colleagues, members of parliament, members of legislative assemblies and his lawyers, had filed criminal and civil defamation cases in a city court and in the Delhi High Court respectively against Kejriwal and five senior AAP leaders.

The civil defamation suit sought Rs.10 crore as damages from the defendants, who had charged Jaitley with alleged corruption in the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA). Jaitley was the DDCA president till December 2013.

In an exclusive telecon, Manik Dogra, the counsel on record representing Jaitley, confirmed that the civil defamation case was listed before the Registrar of the Delhi High Court for the second time.

Dogra informed that the legal team representing the AAP had sought more time, which in itself was questionable and unexplainable, as the time given to the defendants to give their replies before the court had already expired.

"Before entering the court, the defendants informed us that they are filing two fresh applications. They have filed the applications -- one was for striking off a para-

Trouble for Jet Airways crew following Sonu Nigam's mid-air concert

Playback singer Sonu Nigam New Delhi, Feb. 5: Jet Airways on Friday suspended their crew for allowing playback singer Sonu Nigam to sing from the aircraft's address system during a flight.

On January 4, passengers on a Jet Airways chartered plane requested Nigam to sing for them. Nigam obliged and sang two popular songs from flights address system.

However, this did not go down too well with the Di-

rectorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), after the video of Nigam's midair concert was posted by some passengers on social media.

The Jet Airways said in its statement that the flight announcement system was allegedly misused and a corrective training to reinforce strict adherence to operating procedure would be given to the plane's staff. (ANI)

India ratifies nuclear liability convention seeking foreign investment New Delhi, Feb. 5: India on Friday submitted the instrument of ratification of the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage to International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, which is depositary of the said Convention.

The Convention is called as the Nuclear Liability Convention in common parlance. Nuclear reactor makers have been reluctant to set up plants in India because of a 2010 liability law making equipment suppliers potentially accountable for accidents.

Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India Rajiva Misra handed over the instrument of ratification to acting Director General of IAEA Juan Carlos Lentijo.

Since then, India has been trying to pacify the fears of the nuclear suppliers in order to boost the share of nuclear power from a mere 3 percent to 25 percent by 2050. (ANI)

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley graph related to a replication, and the other was for dismissal of the suit

by Deepak Bajpai. They (the defendants) have been and are adopting every means to delay the process of adjudication of the case," said Dogra.

"It is fairly obvious that they (the defendants) are scared of the allegations in the plaint and in the replication, and therefore, are looking for ways to delay the adjudication as much and as far as possible," Dogra.

He reiterated that this

was the second time that the AAP has delayed proceedings, and added that he expected the next date of hearing to be fixed in two to four days. Dogra said Mr. Jaitley is being represented by senior lawyers Rajiv Nayyar and Pratibha Singh and himself as the counsel on record.

Responding to Dogra's charge, H.S. Phoolka, the senior lawyer representing Kejriwal and the five AAP leaders, said, "The Delhi High Court has

adjourned the matter till March 15. We have filed two applications -one is on the replication and filed by Ashutosh in which we have said that the plaint (Mr. Jaitley) has come out with a new case, which is not applicable under the law, and the second relates to a demand by Mr. Deepak Bajpai, Defendant Number Six, that the Jaitley suit should be dismissed.

There is no question of us delaying proceedings and or adjudication.

These applications will come up for hearing next week." The AAP had raised allegations over the money spent on the construction of Ferozshah Kotla stadium, and sponsorship deals with a company for use of private boxes.

Jaitley had then countered that the AAP leaders had "collectively undertaken a false and malicious defamatory campaign" to "gain political mileage and other unwarranted benefits at the cost

of causing irreversible damage" to him and his family, as they were "political opponents of the BJP".

Jaitley's legal team has maintained that that 21st Century Media Pvt Ltd is a professional sports management company in which neither their client nor any one of his family members ever had any commercial dealings, commercial interest and shareholding, nor was he ever on the board of the company.

Jaitley's legal team had in December last year claimed that the defamatory campaign was a "counter blast" to "shift attention" from the CBI's investigation into Delhi government officials based on a "corruption complaint by a third party". They said the AAP leaders have caused irreversible damage to Jaitley's name and credibility, both in his personal and professional capacity. (ANI)

SAD demands apology for racial heckling of Canada's Sikh defence minister New Delhi, Feb. 5: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Friday demanded that the Conservative Party MP who had made a 'racial comment' against Canada's first Sikh Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, must apologise immediately.

Targetting Canada's opposition Member of Parliament Jason Kenney, SAD Delhi unit president Manjit Singh GK said that it was completely inappropriate for Kenney to shout and say we need an "English-to-English" translation to understand Sikh Defence Minister in

Parliament.

"The leader of opposition, Jason Kenney, has an English-to-English translation of Harjit Sajjan who is the defence minister of Canada, I think it is a racial comment. And I think he should feel sorry about this as already across the globe, Indians are facing many racial abuses and this will again give rise to such kind of atrocities towards Indians," said Manjit Singh GK told here.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and senior lawyer Majeed

Memon said that if his (Harjit Sajjan) English knowledge is poor and he is finding it difficult to function in the parliament, and in that case, if someone is telling him to improve his English, it must not be taken as an offence. He further said that if a Sikh is critisised for his caste, for his turban or for his conduct, individual person, then it is a very serious matter.

"I understand that this gentleman was critised for his knowledge of English. But if it is supposed to be a comment about his religion or

about his caste, culture, then it is a very serious matter.

And the High Commission of India must not spare such offenders," Memon added.

Sajjan was heckled in Canadian Parliament with an opposition member shouting that MP needed an "English-toEnglish" translation as he spoke, an act dubbed as "racist". Kenney, a former defence minister himself, said MPs needed an "English to English" translation of Sajjan's responses. (ANI)

ISI, Pak Army not in control of 'powerless puppet' Sharif: Swamy New Delhi, Feb. 5: Hitting out at the Pakistan Government for being unable to control Jamatud-Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy on Friday accused Prime Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Minister Nawaz Sharif leader Subramanian Swamy of being a 'powerless puppet', who was inca- regarding the 26/11 terpable of controlling the ror attack mastermind, happenings in his coun- since the government try. "Nawaz Sharif is a was powerless. "Neverpowerless puppet with- theless, it is a matter of out any meaning and the sadness that Hafiz Saeed ISI and the Pakistan is continuing to draw Army are all under Hafiz blood in India," Swamy Saeed. His recent state- said. ment is his way of say- Earlier, the JuD chief ising that besides attack- sued a statement warning through Pakistan's ing India of more terror government, he has ways attacks. "You have only of his own," Swamy told. seen one attack on However, he added that Pathankot. Matters could it was of no use sending easily escalate," he said any petitions to Pakistan during a rally in Pakistan

occupied Kashmir (PoK).

He also alleged that the Indian troops were committing "genocide" on the Kashmiris, adding that "don't they have a right to carry out Pathankot-style attacks for their defence?" The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) yesterday said 'globally designated international terrorist' Saeed continues to enjoy the freedom to indulge in their activities in Pakistan.

"His claims that his various front organisations are carrying out charitable work is a fig leaf.

It is not even a fig leaf I would say. They indulge in terrorist activities and terrorist financing, it should be a matter of great concern for every-

one that people like Hafiz Saeed and his associates continue to enjoy the freedom to indulge in their activities," said MEA official spokesperson Vikas Swarup. Swarup also asked Islamabad to initiate action against such elements.

"In October, we had seen that the Government of Pakistan had banned the electronic coverage of some of these organisations including the one to which Hafiz Saeed belongs. But we are seeing now that Hafiz Saeed is making statements after statements and his rallies are being covered. So, obviously the concerned authorities need to take actions," he added. (ANI)

Solar Scam: Ruckus in Kerala Assembly, Opposition stages walkout Arrested ISIS suspect was planning Thiruvananthapuram, Feb. 5: Protests broke out in the Kerala Legislative Assembly on Friday over the solar scam as opposition LDF lawmakers staged a walk-out during Governor P. Sathasivam's speech on the opening day of the budget session.

However, in an extraordinary move, Sathasivam publicly acknowledged the Opposition Left Democratic Front's protests against the Oommen Chandy Government and

urged the Opposition to take their case to the people, rather than disrupting his address.

Sathasivam did not begin his speech till the Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan was through with his statement on the corruption charges against the state government. The Opposition began disrupting Sathasivam's speech with slogans seeking resignation of the Oommen Chandy government over the solar scam and the bar bribery row. (ANI)

to go to Syria: Delhi Police New Delhi, Feb. 5: Delhi Police on Friday said that Mohsinh Abrahim, who was arrested for allegedly having links with the ISIS, was part of the Roorkee module of the terror outfit and was planning to go to Syria.

Special Commissioner of Police of the Delhi Police's Special Cell Arvind Deep told that Abrahim would be produced before the court later . "He was part of Roorkee module and was planning to go to Syria.

His age is around 26 years and he is a resident of Malad West, Mumbai," Deep said.

The special cell of the Delhi Police, which arrested Abrahim on Thursday, had also recovered Rs. 85, 000 from 23-yearold. Last week, the Delhi Police had arrested Abrahim, who hails from Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal district, for being an alleged sympathiser of the ISIS. Last month, the National investigation Agency (NIA)

Special Commissioner of Police of the Delhi Police's Special Cell Arvind Deep

had arrested 14 youth suspected of having links with

the ISIS from different parts of the country. (ANI)

Court seeks Chhota Rajan's reply

Legal counsel Anshuman Sinha Mumbai, Feb. 5: In a case pertaining to the murder of journalist Jyotirmoy Dey, a Mumbai Court on Friday sought Chhota Rajan's reply regarding the Central Bureau of investigation (CBI)'s plea to obtain permission to collect the underworld don's voice sample. The next date of hearing in this case has been scheduled for February 11.

"We have to file a reply for CBI's application.

They have demanded voice samples. We will file reply and then see," said Rajan's legal counsel Anshuman Sinha.

Meanwhile, Rajan has said he would agree to give voice samples only after consulting his lawyers.

"He first agreed but then said that he would decide on the matter only after

discussing with his lawyer," said another advocate Avinash Rasal. On January 19, the court gave CBI the permission to interrogate Rajan and adjourned the hearing till February 5 (today).

On January 7, Special Judge A.L. Pansare explained the J. Dey case to Rajan and sent him into custody. Rajan, a former key aide of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, was arrested at Bali airport in Indonesia on October 25 after he arrived from Australia, and was later deported to India.

He is facing around 70 cases in Maharashtra, which includes the J Dey murder case. Dey, a veteran crime reporter, was shot dead in Powai by motorcycle-borne shooters on June 11, 2011 allegedly at the command of Rajan. (ANI)

Tanzanian assault case carries wrong message to world about India: NCP New Delhi, Feb. 5: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and senior lawyer Majeed Memon on Friday said that the assault of a Tanzanian girl in Bengaluru is a distressing situation that carries a wrong message to the world about India.

"This is the most disgraceful and distressing situation that a woman from abroad can be made to strip and is paraded on the streets. This is something unimaginable and unpardonable, and on top of that, some ministers are saying there is nothing wrong in that. It is a very sorry state of affairs," Memon told ANI here.

Memon further said that somebody has definitely done something very wrong, and therefore, that person and that authority has to be identified and should be punished in order to send a message to the world that India has due respect for women.

Five people have been arrested so far in connection with assault on Tanzanian female student.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) will send a team to Bengaluru

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and senior lawyer Majeed Memon

today to assess the situation on ground.

The Tanzanian student was harassed by a group of locals in Bengaluru after they assumed she was part of an incident in which a Sudanese man had run over a local woman.

The incident took place on Hesaraghatta Road in Bengaluru on Saturday night after a Sudanese national ran his car over a 35year-old woman resulting in her death. The Tanzanian student was travelling in another car, a Wagon-R, along with four others. The young woman, who arrived on the spot around 30 minutes later, was dragged out of the car and allegedly paraded naked after being stripped by the mob. (ANI)

AIMIM building 'castles in the air': BJP New Delhi, Feb. 5: The BJP on Friday lashed out at Akbaruddin Owaisi for his unwarranted criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) legislator is building a castle in the air.

BJP leader Zafar Islam asked Owaisi and the AIMIM to introspect their past.

"What tie-up they had with the Congress and how they have grown up what they are today primarily because of the support of the Congress they had received all along. What statement they are making about the Congress is for them to reflect and we are no one to comment on that," Islam told ANI here. "But as far as his statement on Modi ji is concerned, I think he is building

castles in the air," he added.

In a video that has gone viral on the social media, Owaisi has reportedly said that he would wipe out Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress from the country.

Owaisi, who made the remarks during a public meeting at Baba Nagar on January 30 ahead of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) elections, called Congress leaders slaves of the Gandhis.

The AIMIM MLA also taunted Prime Minister Modi's 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas' slogan, saying only a "chaiwala" (tea seller) has prospered after the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. (ANI)

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Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj leaves for Sri Lanka New Delhi,Feb 5: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj left New Delhi today on a two-day visit to Sri Lanka during which she will attend a meeting of the joint commission of the two South A s i a n neighbours."Leaving for Sri Lanka!

EAM @SushmaSwaraj departs for the 9th India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission Meeting in Colombo," external affairs ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup tweeted.

Leaving for Sri Lanka!

EAM @SushmaSwaraj departs for the 9th India-

Sri Lanka Joint Commission Meeting in Colombo.

The joint commission is co-chaired by Sushma Swaraj and her Sri Lankan counterpart Mangala Samaraweera. The IndiaSri Lanka Joint Commission was established in 1992 as an effective mechanism to address matters pertaining to bilateral cooperation.Ahead of Ms Swaraj's visit; Mr Swarup said on Thursday that the discussions in today's joint commission meeting would cover the entire gamut of the relationship between the two countries. Included in

Sushma Swaraj these would be economic cooperation, trade, power and energy, technical and maritime cooperation, social, cultural and educational matters, science and technology, defence coop-

eration, health, civil aviation, tourism and peopleto-people contacts.During the course of her visit, Sushma Swaraj will also call on Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena,

Prime Minister Ranil Wickeremesinghe, and former president Chandrika Kumaratunga.

On Saturday, Sushma Swaraj will inaugurate a "Rise of Digital India" exhibition as part of "Sangam - Festival of India in Sri Lanka 201516".The exhibition will showcase the rise of the computing sector and digital technologies in India.The re-framing of the Sri Lankan constitution and the issue of Indian fishermen might also come up during the course of the discussions between the two sides. (Agencies)

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj left New Delhi today on a twoday visit to Sri Lanka during which she will attend a meeting of the joint commission of the two South Asian neighbours

Pakistan seeks Quake, landslides caused great loss of wildlife and habitats early resolution of Kashmir issue

A file photo

Lahore, Feb. 5: Pakistan has reiterated its demand for early resolution of the dispute over Kashmir in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions. Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesman Qazi Khalilullah said that the nation observed the day on February 5 every year to highlight the 'plight' of Kashmiris. Khalilullah attacked India for 'continuing to violate human rights and 'brutalise Kashmiris in the occupied territory'."Pakistan has always condemned these atrocities and raised voice against human rights violations by Indian forces in the occu-

pied Kashmir," he said.Talking about talks between both nations, he added that no date had been fixed between the nations but both sides were in touch with each other in this regard.

Khalilullah said that the next quadrilateral meeting on Afghanistan involving Pakistan, Afghanistan, China and US and would be held on Saturday.Referring to the deadly terrorist attack on the Bacha Khan, he said that Pakistan and Afghanistan were in touch at different levels regarding the use of the latter's soil by terrorists from Pakistan. (Agencies)

Myanmar parliament forms commission to support bill committee Yangon, Feb. 5 : Myanmar's newlyelected parliamentary House of Representatives (Lower House) on Friday formed a 23member reviewing commission on legal affairs and special cases during the ongoing first session of the parliament in Nay Pyi Taw in a bid to support bill committee.The reviewing commission on legal affairs and special cases was established with former Speaker of Lower House U Shwe Mann as chairman and U Ko Ko Naing of Union Solidarity and Development Party from Yamethin constituency as vice chairman.The 15member Bill Committee and Public Accounts Committee of the house was composed on Thursday. The term of the committees is 5 years.

The new parliaments started their first sessions with the House of Representatives (Lower House), in which U Win

Myint of the NLD was elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives and U Ti Khun Myat of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) as Deputy Speaker of the House, while U Mann Win Khaing Than of the National League for Democracy (NLD) as Speaker of the House of Nationalities (Upper House) and U Aye Tha Aung of the Arakan National Party (ANP) as Deputy Speaker of the House.The first session of the two new houses came nearly three months after the end of the general election on Nov. 8, 2015, in which the National League for Democracy (NLD), led

by Aung San Suu Kyi, won the absolute majority of the parliamentary seats. Following the sessions of the two Houses, the first session of the Region or State Parliaments are set to begin next Monday. (Agencies)

Myanmar's newly-elected parliamentary House of Representatives (Lower House) today formed a 23member reviewing commission on legal affairs and special cases during the ongoing first session of the parliament in Nay Pyi Taw in a bid to support bill committee

Kathmandu, Feb 5: The Great Earthquake on April 25, 2015, and the series of landslides that followed caused significant loss and damage to the wildlife and their habitats.According to the Rapid Environment Assessment (REA) report prepared by the Ministry of Science Technology and Environment (MoSTE), Langtang National Park, Sagarmatha National Park, Manaslu National Park and Gaurishankar Conservation Area were among the severely affected in terms of loss of forest cover, infrastructure, wildlife and their habitats.Other affected protected areas include Sagarmatha National Park, MakaluBarun National Park, Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park, and Annapurna Conservation Area.

The affected seven protected areas cover a total area of 15,988 square

kilometres (about 47 percent of the total protected area coverage in the country), and serve as habitats to several wildlife species of global significance such as red panda, musk deer, and Himalayan tahr.Soon after the earthquake, the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation had reported that over 50 Himalayan tahrs, one snow leopard, five wild boars along with barking deer and musk deer had died inside the Langtang Conservation Area.The number of deaths of important wildlife is expected to be much higher in other protected areas.The months between April and June is the period when the breeding of some endangered wildlife species like snow leopard, red panda, Himalayan musk deer. The report mentions that the earthquake and landslides might have impacted their breeding as well as the

survival rates of the young population.

"A detailed study is needed to understand the impacts of the earthquake at species and ecosystem level in earthquake hit areas," the report has suggested.

The REA findings found that around 2.2 percent of the forest cover (around 23,375 hectares) was destroyed in six districts, namely Gorkha, Dhading, Nuwakot, Rasuwa, Sindhupalchok and Dolakha. Besides, the impacts on forests and biodiversity sector, the REA assessed the environmental impacts of solid and hazardous materials along with geological and hydrological changes caused due to the

earthquake.The post disaster needs assessment (PDNA) estimated the value of damage andloss at Rs 707.5 billion(USD 7,065 million), with major share borne by the housing, from the earthquake.The MoSTE, in technical and financial support from the WWF Nepal andHariyo Ban Programme of USAID, had conducted the assessment with the goal of assessing the immediate impacts of the earthquake on biodiversity and the natural environment, identifying potential environmental impacts of recovery and reconstruction, and promoting green recovery and reconstruction for a more resilient Nepal. (Agencies)

The findings show that 2.2 percent of the forest cover (23,375 hectares) was destroyed in six districts due to earthquake and landslides

European Parliament calls for release of HK booksellers detained in China Hong Kong, Feb 5 : The European Parliament has called for the immediate release of five Hong Kong booksellers detained in China, in a case that has grabbed global headlines and rattled the diplomatic and business community in the Asia financial centre.The disappearances have prompted fears that mainland Chinese authorities may be using shadowy tactics that erode the "one country, two systems" formula under which Hong Kong has been governed since its return to China from British rule in 1997.Chinese police confirmed for the first time on Thursday that three of the five Hong Kong booksellers who went missing were being investigated for "illegal activities" in China.The booksellers specialize in selling and publishing gossipy political books on China's Communist Party leaders.

The news came two

The European Parliament has called for the immediate release of five Hong Kong booksellers detained in China

weeks after their colleague, Swedish national Gui Minhai, who disappeared from Thailand in October, appeared on Chinese state television and made a tearful confession to a drink-driving offence more than a decade ago.Shortly after, Chinese authorities confirmed that Lee Bo, 65, one of the other missing booksellers and a British passport holder, was in China after he vanished from Hong Kong weeks earlier.Their

mysterious disappearances had sparked fears they may have been taken by Chinese agents."The resolution calls for their immediate safe release. It also calls for the immediate release of all other persons arbitrarily arrested for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and publication in Hong Kong," the European Parliament said in a statement.

So far, Chinese authorities have not made any substantial statements ex-

plaining Beijing's role in the disappearances, nor how the men ended up in China.Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said this week that Chinese law enforcers always abide by the law.Beijing said its law enforcement officials would never do anything illegal, especially not overseas, and that Hong Kong was China's domestic affair and no "foreign country has the right to interfere" in this matter.

The "one country, two systems" formula accords Hong Kong a degree of autonomy and freedoms not enjoyed in mainland China, including freedom of speech.The British government is still waiting for responses to its diplomatic requests for information and access to Lee. Authorities including in the European Union and the United States have expressed concerns over the disappearances.

(Agencies)

China says told North Korea does not want to see tensions rise Beijing, Feb 5 : China has told North Korea it does not want to see anything happen that could further raise tensions, China's foreign minister was quoted as saying on Friday, after Pyongyang announced plans to launch a satellite soon. North Korea has said it has a sovereign right to pursue a space programme, although the United States and other governments suspect such rocket launches are actually missile tests and have called for Pyongyang to abandon the launch plans.The North was believed to be making preparations for a test launch of a long-range rocket, U.S. officials have said, after activity at its test site was

observed by satellite.

Pyongyang told U.N. agencies on Tuesday it planned to launch a satellite between Feb. 8 and 25.Tension had already risen in East Asia last month after North Korea's fourth nuclear test, this time of what it said was a hydrogen bomb.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said it was natural that Beijing had sent its special envoy for the nuclear issue, Wu Dawei, to North Korea in what he described as "a serious situation". He said China needed contacts "with all parties", mentioning the United States, South Korea and Russia."At the same time, we also need to have necessary contacts

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un

with the North Korea side, to listen to their opinions," Wang told Hong Kong's Phoenix Television in London after Wu had returned from North Korea."Of course, an important point is to express China's clear position to North Korea. We don't want to see anything happen that could cause further tensions," he said."We

hope all sides, including North Korea, can meet each other halfway, and should work hard together to push the North Korean nuclear issue onto the track of a negotiated resolution."China is isolated North Korea's most important diplomatic and economic supporter, but Beijing has been angered by Pyongyang's nuclear programme and signed up to numerous rounds of stringent United Nations sanctions.U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Wang agreed last week on the need for a significant new U.N. Security Council resolution against the North, but there were few signs of progress on agreeing on the details. (Agencies)

Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives hold anti-terror exercises

Sri Lankan and Maldives troops have joined Pakistan in anti-terror military exercises Colombo, Feb 5:Sri Lankan and Maldives troops have joined Pakistan in anti-terror military exercises in the country's northwest, Pakistan military said.The two-week long exercise was focused on counterterrorism operations and sharing of field combat experience of the three armed forces.The Pakistan military said a large number of friendly countries have requested Pakistan Army to organize training for their troops in the state-of-the-art Counter Terrorism Training Center in view of the successful anti-terrorism campaign codenamed "Zarb-e-Azb."So far Pakistan Army has conducted joint exercises with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, China and Jor-

dan to enhance combat efficiency, a military statement said.

Pakistan Army Chief, General Raheel Sharif visited the National Counter Terrorism Training Center (NCTC), in the town of Pabbi and witnessed the Pak-Sri Lanka-Maldives Trilateral Exercise "Eagle Dash-I", the statement said.

General Raheel Sharif underscored that such exercises will consolidate the special relationship between three forces and help eliminate terrorism from the region.Foreign military delegates from Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives and South Africa witnessed the exercise and lauded professionalism of Pakistan Army. (Agencies)

Lankan students in Bengaluru fear of being attacked Colombo,Feb 5:Sri Lankan students in Hesaraghatta in Bengaluru are living in fear of being attacked following a mob attack on a Tanzanian student in the area.Students from various African countries and other foreign students staying around Hesaraghatta area where the assault took place, are now swarmed with rumours of more attacks to come, The Hindu n e w s p a p e r reported.Students from African nations avoided classes on Thursday.

Some, who have taken up private accommodation, are even planning to move into hostels, which now seem safer.

"We used to stay as a group in AGB Layout in a ground floor house. It is a 4-km walk from college to our house, but it was worth it as all our roommates are from the same city. We usually have small arguments with locals when they do not understand what we are saying, but this is a serious matter. Now, we are thinking of staying in the hostel," said Kenyan student Manase, who did not want his full name revealed.A Sri Lankan national, who said he was Andrew, said: "We have taken our landlord's number and will depend on him to translate. We will try to stay at home for now."On Thursday afternoon, only a few foreign students were seen on the main road leading to

Hesaraghatta, which normally bustles with foreign students thronging eateries.

Even those few on the streets also refused to talk about the incident or the apparent threat perceptions they are experiencing.

Meanwhile, colleges in the area that have foreign students are also advising them to stay indoors and not speak to any non-college official.On Thursday, in the light of unconfirmed reports of threats to students from African nations, colleges chose to close their gates to outsiders during work hours. In Acharya Institute of Technology (AIT), where two of the students who were attacked study, all college gates remained closed and even students and faculty were not allowed to exit during work hours.Once a small but bustling lane, with three major colleges on the route, the entire area has now become a major draw for students with several new colleges setting up campuses in the vicinity.A thriving community of students from countries like Iran, Afghanistan, Kenya, Tanzania, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and other nations live and study in colleges around Soladevanahalli. Like AIT, Sapthagiri College and Raghavendra College have also been functioning for over 10 years in the area and have foreign students studying there.

(Agencies)

Sri Lankan students in Hesaraghatta in Bengaluru are living in fear of being attacked following a mob attack on a Tanzanian student in the area

PAGE 8

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6

Reservations or hurdle to development Should reservations be removed from India?

We live in a free country and this freedom is a gift of democracy to us. Our constitution gives us the right to freedom and most importantly to exercise this freedom in an equitable manner. At the same time it is incumbent on the part of the state to ensure that equality prevails in all sections of the society. However in today's time one of the major roadblocks to this equality is the Reservation System. India being a developing nation is currently facing many challenges and the reservation system being one of them. The biggest question that lies in front of us is whether implementing this reservation system has really helped the downtrodden? The current scenario clearly depicts that the 'lower' castes are still discriminated in their daily lives. To uproot casteism it is important that we fight the reservation system which alone will lead us to development, competency, equality and unity. Today we stand divided widely into Hindu, Muslim, SC, ST & OBCs with newer reservations coming up for other different sections of the society like Christians, Kashmiris, Jats, Kashmiri Pandits, Tribals etc. Firstly we need to understand that the reservation system only divides the society leading to discrimination and conflicts between different sections. It is oppressive and does not find its basis in casteism. It is actually the antithesis of a communal living.

Currently, as per the government policy, 15% of the government jobs and 15% of the students admitted to universities must be from Scheduled castes and for the Scheduled tribes there is a reservation of about 7.5 %.

Other than this, the state governments also follow their own reservation policies respectively based upon the population constitution of each state. So nearly 50% seats are reserved. The 93rd Constitutional Amendment allows the government to make special provisions for "advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens", including their admission in aided or unaided private educational institutions. Gradually this reservation policy is to be implemented in private institutions and companies as well. This move led to opposition from nonreserved category students, as the proposal reduced seats for the General (non-reserved) category from the existing 77.5% to less than 50.5% (since members of OBCs are also allowed to contest in the General category). Article 15(4) of our constitution empowers the government to make special provisions for advancement of backward classes.

Similarly Article 16 provides for equality of opportunity in matters of employment or appointment to any post under the State.

What is surprising is that our constitution clearly is a reservation-friendly constitution but nowhere in the constitution is the term 'backward classes defined. What actually constitutes a backward class? What are the determinants of a backward class? These questions remain unanswered and it is only with the help of judicial pronouncements that they have been given some meaning.

Question arises how can reservations be made for something that has not been defined? Instead of introducing reservations for backward classes of our society what is required is to bring about revolutionary changes in our education system at the grass-root level. When proper education is not provided to children belonging to such categories during the primary stage itself then on what basis are the reservations provided at a subsequent stage.

Reservations are nothing but means to prosper the vote banks of politicians. They are hindering the country's growth, development and competency in all aspects.

South Asian Games Sports fever has gripped Northeast The 12-day Games, featuring athletes from eight SAARC countries was declared open by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a glittering inaugural ceremony at the Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium, Guwahati. India is hosting the regional multi-sporting event for the third time and this edition will see more than 2500 athletes from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives, besides hosts India vying for top honours. The multi-sporting event, being held under the aegis of South Asian Olympics Council, is happening after a delay of four years. The 12th edition of the Games was to be held in 2012 in New Delhi but was postponed due to Assembly elections in the national capital. After that, the Indian Olympic Association was suspended by the International Olympic Committee between December 2012 and February 2014, leading to further delay. After the IOA's suspension was revoked by the IOC, Kerala was tipped to host the Games but the event was handed to Guwahati and Shillong last year before another round of postponement. The two cities thus got the opportunity to host India's third South Asian Games -- after Kolkata (1987) and Chennai (1995) -- and the biggest sporting spectacle ever in the North Eastern part of the country. Bangladesh capital Dhaka had hosted the last edition in 2010 and India had run away with a tally of a whopping 175 medals out of 528 on offer, including 90 gold out of 157, to hold on to regional superpower status. Pakistan had finished a distant second with 80 medals, including 19 gold, in the Games competed among countries considered minnows in Olympic sports at the global stage despite being over 20 per cent of the global population.

Meghalaya's capital Shillong is the co-host city of the February 5-16 Games which will feature 23 disciplines.

And Guwahati will host 16 disciplines and men's football while Shillong with host six discipline and women's football. And the total No. of medals at stake are 228 Gold, 228 Silver and 308 Bronze medals. SAARC nations comprise 21% of the world's total population and around 9.12% of Global economy. SAARC is a platform for the people of South Asia to work together in a spirit of friendship, trust and understanding so as to achieve lasting peace and prosperity of its member nations. The event is unique in itself as it promotes sports with a view to boost up the team spirit as well as an amiable relationship between the South Asian countries.

From Bihar to Myanmar If there's one message cause Bihar is the begincoming out loud and clear ning of the Eastern Arc of from the polling fields of this sub-continent, where Bihar to Myanmar, it is social justice and inclusive that tickling religious pas- development counts for sions won't win anybody more in popular imagination than religious pasan election in the East.

'Islam in danger' did not sions or stock market perhelp Khaleda Zia's BNP- formance.

Jamaat alliance in Dec If beef politics and 2008 Bangladesh polls or Hindutva did not work in in ousting Hasina Wajed Bihar, Ma Ba Tha's agfrom power later in Jan gressive Buddhist nation2014. So she made a fuss alism and its unstinted support for over the the militarycaretaker issue and Subir Bhaumik backed ruling USDP boycotted the polls-- a huge mistake did not work in that many of her party Myanmar. Its beef ban in leaders are now blaming central Burma bore such a close resemblance to on her son Tarique.

The fierce Buddhist the Indian cow-driven hardline campaign did not politics in the last few work either in Myanmar months.The Ma Ba Tha , in stopping the Suu Kyi whose chief icon Ashin juggernaut in Nov 2015 Wirathu is derisively polls. Neither did the Beef called the 'Buddhist Bin and anti-Pakistan tirade Laden' for his anti-Mushelp the Modi-Amit Shah lim tirades , openly supported the military win Bihar.

Finance Minister Arun backed ruling USDP Jaitley's admission that party. In their rallies, their Hindutva motormouths leaders made it clear that did much damage to the USDP was the only soluparty's 'core campaign tion for 'true nationalists' focus' of development in Myanmar, not Aung was being wise after all Sang Suu Kyi's NLD. She was over. It however was projected as a 'westsums up a harsh reality . ern stooge' but in the end Hardline Hindutva may it is her pro-democracy help the BJP consolidate plank that triumphed its flock and reinforce its hands down as in the 'core support base' in 1990 polls. . organisational terms but it The NLD's landslide win would end up isolating indicates that not only did the party from the national the people reject the Ma Ba Tha's appeal to vote mainstream.

That brings us to another USDP but also that other reality. The national main- religion driven parties like stream is uncomfortable the newly established with a dynasty-ruled and National Development corruption-ridden Con- Party led by a former gress and many in the presidential advisor were country voted for Modi's rejected most unceremoBJP overwhelmingly in niously. Ma Ba Tha's 2014 to pave the way for "Buddhism in danger' did reforms to boost the not work in Myanmar economy and develop- much as Amit Shah's " ment. The 2014 Lok crackers will burst in PaSabha mandate was not kistan if we lose" did not for Hindutva , what with help the BJP in Bihar. neighbouring the Ram Temple promise In carefully concealed in Bangladesh, opinion sursmall letters towards the veys by the US-based IRI end of the BJP manifesto. and some domestic think The mandate was for tanbks shows that the clean focused governance Awami League has gained , for economic growth, much ground since its refor development, for election in Jan 2014 by making India count in the steadily focussing on war comity of nations. And it crimes trials , hitting out was built on just a 30 per- at religious radicals and at Pakistan and by focuscent voteshare.

The BJP paid dearly for sing strongly on developallowing Hindutva fanat- ment. Hasina's stock has ics to hijack the BJP risen sharply , according agenda in the countdown to the IRI, not the least to battle Bihar. Its presi- because of her single dent Amit Shah did no minded focus on develgreat service to the opment. Atleast a dozen party's cause with his ' huge projects like the crackers will burst in Pa- Padma bridge, LNG terkistan' remark. minal at Maheshkhali, the Muzzafarnagar may deep sea port at work in UP but not in Matarbarhi ( possible anBihar, where sharp caste other in Sonadia), huge polarization undermines power projects like the the very basis of Hindutva 1320MW Ramphal plant driven politics. The have all set the pitch for party's urban appeal in the development and even the state is build round Modi's World Bank has now redevelopment mantra, not vised Bangladesh's GDP on beef and cow. Be- growth projection at

6.7% . The BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami are not only on the run over war crimes trial but cornered because of close links to Pakistan, which is hated across Bangladesh for what its army did in 1971.

So what lessons does this hold for Modi and his party as two of the key state elections in 2016 are due in eastern states Assam and West Bengal.

The BJP's effort to play Assam's anti-migrant issue on religious lines has triggered a backlash .

Assamese regional groups like the All Assam Students Union (AASU) have reacted fiercely to the Modi government's decision to legitimize the stay of post-1971 Hindu migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan .

The AASU has said this decision will only legitimize 'infiltration' and that would go against Assamese interests. The Modi government's decision has given parties like the Asom Gana Parishad a fresh lease of life and some space for authentic Assamese regional politics. The AGP's traditional line veers round a non-religious view of illegal migration - " an infiltrator is an infiltrator , Hindu or Muslim, and they are unwelcome in Assam' has been the traditional pitch of the party that ruled Assam twice ( 1985-90 and 1996-2001).

The BJP takes the line that a 'Muslim migrant is an infiltrator and the Hindu migrant is a bonafide refugee fleeing religious persecution' from former East Pakistan now Bangladesh.

That political line is premised on building an ethnic coalition of Assamese, Bengali and tribal Hindus to offset the heavy impact of the Muslim vote in Assam . More than onethird of Assam's population is Muslim, mostly of East Bengali origin. But for the AGP and the AASU , an Assamese Muslim is a brother , not an enemy.

That the AGP and BJP worked out an alliance in 2001 and fought several elections together and failed to win any of them has convinced Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and his folk that anti-infiltration rhetoric will work in Assam, but not if it is played on religious lines.

In West Bengal, BJP's Hindutva agenda will not work as well. Many in the state desperately want a change and some look to the BJP not because they want a Ram temple built in Nadia but because they are upset with huge governance failures of the Left and the Trinamul

Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Sports & Youth Affairs. Source: photoshine

government that succeeded it. Young Bengalis look up to Modi when he promises development which would mean they can work in an IT unit in Salt Lake (Calcutta) at the same salary as they do in Bangalore or Hyderabad.

They don't care for Hindutva as the 'huge beef party' on the city streets recently proved. As a student in late 1970Calcutta , I found Nizam restaurent's beef rolls a real cheap favourite with students.

For the history-driven Hindutva brigade, here's small reminder from the pages of the past.

India's biggest pre-Muslim trans-regional empires were built from Magadha ( in modern Bihar) by heroes from the lower caste.

Mahapadma Nanda was said to be a barber, Chandragupta Maurya a "Mayura Poshaka" or a 'peacock tamer'. The Nandas and the Mauryas of Magadh , whose armies frightened the Greeks including Alexander's, were the ones who translated into reality the Puranic vision of a ' land of Bharat' as one stretching from the 'snow clad mountains to the ocean '.

The Vishnu Purana says:."Uttaram yat s a m u d r a s y a , Himadreschaiva dakshinam |Varsham tad Bharatam nama Bharati yatra santatih ||(Bharat is the name of country situated to the north of the ocean and south of the snow-clad Himalayas and its progeny is known as Bharati."

Buddhism not Brahmanism became the religious leitmotif of the Magadha empire . That swiftly transformed a campaign of military expansion into one of expanding cultural influence, a process that lasts much after the empires have faded into history. Buddhism appeal, like Islam's later, in the East was built on a negation of upper caste domi-

nation and a liberating space it provided for the lower castes through its egalitarian appeal. This understanding of Indian history is necessary for the BJP as it drives East.

Because history has a strange habit of often repeating itself.

It is not only that the Hindutva message will not work in the east. Modi and Amit Shah have a problem with who to project as a local leader because one lesson of Bihar is that failure to project a Sushil Modi rather than a Narendra Modi has cost them dear against a well grounded Nitish-Lalu campaign of Bihari versus Bahari. But in West Bengal, they lack a face to project as most Delhi BJP heavyweights feel state president Rahul Sinha is not someone who can match up to Mamata Banerji . The party's search for a face in Bengal - it evidently touched base with many including 'Cricket & Screen Dada' Sourav Ganguly - has yielded little so far. The party would not have enough time for projection if one acceptable face falls from the heavens now. In Bihar, BJP had a tested Sushil Modi who they did not name a chief minister candidate for whatever tactical reason. In Bengal, they have no Sushil Modi.

In Assam, the BJP has in union sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal a real big Assamese hero.

The former AASU president is credited with leading the legal battle that led to the nullification of the IMDT act that was seen as protecting illegal migrants in Assam. But the induction of a big time Congress defector, Himanta Biswa Sarma, into the BJP has complicated matters. Instead of an obvious local face, they now have two.

The former minister in the Congress chief minister Tarun Gogoi's cabinet but he is no foreigner

to corruption allegations and controversies, which he has refuted. Now that he has moved his flock of nine Congress legislators into the BJP, there is obviously a feud in the making between BJP old timers and these somewhat unwelcome newcomers. Sarma is a shrewd election strategist and a poll manager but his mentor in the party, then state BJP chief Siddhartha Bhattacharjee, who brought him into the party, is a liberal and his equations with the RSS is not terrific. Speculation has been rife that Bhattacharjee has been removed as state party president. Sarma has thus lost his biggest support in the state BJP. Since Sarma is getting to feel now that he has lost the race to the top with the BJP declaring Sarbananda Sonowal as its Chief Minister candidate he can be as much of a problem for the BJP as he has been for Tarun Gogoi. After all, Sarma did not join BJP to be number two - he had that position in the Congress. It does not really look hunky-dory for the BJP with Bihar lost and no clear light at the end of the tunnel in West Bengal and Assam. They may still barely win Assam since the Congress and the AIAUDF have failed to come to an understanding , but in Bengal they are all set to finish number four after the heady 17 percent vote share in 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

(Subir Bhaumik is a former BBC Correspondent and now works as Senior Editor of Dhaka-based bdnews24.com. His books on Northeast "Insurgent Crossfire" and "Troubled Periphery" are well acclaimed. His latest book "Agartala Doctrine: Proactive Northeast in Indian foreign policy" has now been published by the Oxford University Press.)

Women's Entry Into Shani Singnapur Shrine

Source: touroperatormaharashtra

Sir, Gone are the days, when almost every sphere of life was dominated by the man, our male forefathers, too, turned things to their advantages. Still in the present society, the women are exploited by the heinous dowry system, there are many families, where birth of girl child is not accepted gracefully, girls cannot move freely, there are myriad cases of raping molestation, harassment on the road. To this long list of discrimination, the latest one is the controversy centering round the no entry of women in the Shani Singnapur Shrine in Maharastra's Ahmed Nagar District. Trupti Desai, spearheading the agitation against this discrimination surely deserves kudos. The movement under the banner of an NGO - Bhumata Ranragini Brigade started with such a momentum against the discrimination that the chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had to rush to intervene.

Trupti Desai expressed her relief and happiness at the assurance from the chief Minister that he had taken note of their demand, also assuring them of help. Our prime minister's slogan of 'Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao' fails to impact these bigots. We are surprised to note that those who oppose vehemently against the movement of Trupti Desai are BJP or Shiv Sena workers. Of

late, it is also observed that girls fare better than their boys counterpart in many fields including academic stream. So, this discrimination against women should be done away with before long.

Yours etc.

Ashok Bordoloi Dibrugarh

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

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

p O

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6

Page 9

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How basing our identities on caste and religion is 'suffocating' us as Indians We are Indians, we are guistic divide based on one and we all are a na- one's 'accidental' birth in tion. Irrespective of our a family speaking a certain caste and religious affilia- language. But what one tion we generally like to be cherishes is the diversity defined by the fact that we due to region and lanare Indian. Being an Indian guage. This cultural diverand being sity, if Majid Hassan Khan n u r united as an Indian tured in suffixed by various iden- harmony, would ensure a tities are different things. poetic identity to Identity is the skin of hu- Indianness, with different man existence. One can't cultures like various flowdeny identity and live a life ers wreathed in a garland. free from affiliations or, in Alas, so far this identity some cases, appropria- has been a cause of xenotions. phobia, bickering and assertions of regional or lin"We, the people of India" guistic supremacy! has never been practiced Political rivalry is graduin its true spirit. Indian ally becoming intolerant identity has always been and opinions are quickly fragmented along region, classified in ideological language, political affilia- compartments. So one tion, gender, sexuality, re- can't have political opinligion, and caste. ions without the tag of Regional identity, which being a bhakt, or leftist, or comes with cultural trap- an 'Aaptard', or an pings and gifts, is broadly Ambedkarite. Political tolerated. But even this identity often backfires identity has its issues as when any non-conforming there lies a divide in terms ideology against the inof north, south and north- cumbent is termed as east Indians. Besides, it 'anti-national' or labeled as has an inheritance of a lin- divisive.

Gender and sexuality as markers of identity differences have always seen differing views, with recent moves in favour of overcoming the discrimination based on these.

Gender has generated a bigger support base but sexuality has miles to go before it establishes itself free from hatred, biases and discrimination.

All this divisiveness is dwarfed when age-old identities thrust on the chest of humanity are invoked in the form of religion or caste. Religion in the subcontinent mostly comes in the form of an identity suffix for faiths with origins outside India, like Indian-Muslim, Indian-catholic etc. What has been a boiling issue for India is whether it is the present landmass with a population of 1.252 billion or the ancient fragmented India that had this caste issue. Caste as an identity transcends religion, region and even in politics caste plays a major role. Caste

the derogatory ethnic slur "nigger."

The noose of all such identities always hung around us and unknowingly we all are victims of our birth and social conditioning for most of these identities and choose few of them.

India has of late witnessed this discriminatory and intolerant noose of identity when a nonagenarian Dalit man was hacked and burnt in Hamirpur district of UP; a Muslim was lynched on a rumor of possessing beef. Caste and religious identities did play their role in these provocations and crimes.

Source: youthkiawaaz as an identity has been used as a mode of oppression and discrimination for centuries. This baggage of hatred has persisted through the ages and is still remains in the present. It was always challenged but it re-asserted itself on popular beliefs. Discrimination due to caste has seeped so deep in the so-

cial psyche that for a very simple, sober citizen a regularly practiced discriminatory act won't be evident. Jokes come in the form of derogatory remarks and discriminatory words are unconsciously used. One would puke at the thought of racism or untoward behavior with fellow human beings, be-

ing at the same time unaware of the discrimination inherent in such gestures. Even the oppressed sections accept this social bias and unknowingly practice it among themselves. This is similar to the use of the word 'denigration' by a black American, who is unaware that the word has as its root

But the noose tightens even in normal times; media reports are abuzz with atrocities and discrimination due to caste. One such case led a research scholar to end his life.

What caused him to end his life? Most of us attribute it to the tussle with the ABVP (Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parished) and his

suspension, but the cause dates much farther back.

The cause could have been the regular hatred he might have experienced in his childhood. The cause could have been the stamping of a child as lower/upper caste at birth.

But one cause is certain and sure, the discriminatory society whose legacy we have inherited from ancient times has killed many, and it killed Rohith too. Won't it be right to say that all those who believe that there is no caste issue in India and who feel there is no bias against the oppressed sections have killed one more? Won't it be right to say that if the society doesn't change its ways, it is going to collectively kill many Rohiths.

Hope for a society where the noose of identity is loose and it doesn't kill in its name. Hope for a society where,"We, the people of India" is a reality and where justice, liberty, and equality are actually practiced.

Education in India will not improve Why fashion models do not smile till we acknowledge these problems Vanessa Brown Having completed my with difficult children.

Fellowship with Teach Belief makes you find For India, it would be a ways. grave injustice to my Government school work if I do not share teachers usually cater to my learnings with the disadvantaged children, outside world. Having belief in whom is more observed the municipal important than anywhere school system in Delhi else. A teacher who does for two years, I feel that not believe in a child in what many of us tend to an international school see as issues are not ac- does him little harm; the tually the primary prob- child is likely to end up well anyway. A teacher lems.

A myth that who does most conTanay Sukumar not believe in an cerned citizens have is that govern- underprivileged child ment school teachers do tends to make sure that not teach and that they are he/she doesn't even put in the reason behind the the effort. poor levels of public edu- Once we address the becation in India. Once you lief problem, other facblame the teachers, it's tors inevitably creep in: easy to think that the solution lies in good skills 1. Teaching Time training and good moni- Teachers in municipal toring/inspection - but schools are part-time these solutions would clerks. The system rework only if teachers quires them to meet parwere the problem in the ents of all students inside the classroom multiple first place.

To shatter myth number two - if being an amazing teacher is magic, then knowing your subjects well is not the wand that will perform it. If each factor that contributes to being a teacher has an impact on the lives of students were to be ranked in order, two items would be at the top - belief in the child and belief in oneself.

Teaching is a job fuelled by inner mindsets - much more than self-motivation, salary, intentions, love and concern for children or knowledge of your subject. And that's why real teaching is hard.

A teacher who does not believe in the child but knows the subject well shall spend hours explaining things to the class but won't take more than a few seconds to give up on an unyielding child. A teacher who loves kids but does not believe in them will succumb to emotions and hence lower her expectations from them - thus never letting the child reach his or her potential.

Belief breaks more barriers than love, intelligence, concern & intentions.

Belief empowers you to make yourself accountable, to innovate and research better methods to ensure that the child learns and to go to the child's parents and change their mindsets.

Belief keeps you away from punishing the child and becoming impatient

times a year to distribute various funds and scholarships. Teaching ends up being a nice escape from an otherwise highly clerical job: signatures, stamp pads, registers, and cash.

2. Teacher-Student Ratio This is a big problem in our country. It ends up being a cultural problem.

A teacher with fifty kids tends to pay less attention to the children who need her the most, leading to a widespread national culture where we teach the brightest and ignore the weakest.

3. What Is A Good Edu-

cation?

"A quiet classroom."

Most municipal schools in Delhi consider this as an accurate definition of a good education. A principal who walks around the school is likely to be looking for quiet classrooms and angry teachers instead of busy classrooms and teachers teaching. Such medieval expectations are again a socio-cultural problem.

We have been conditioned to believe: 1) good education is being able to score good marks, 2) discipline means being quiet and obedient without reason, 3) respect means the art of not questioning an adult, 4) children are lesser individuals - adults know more and yet, if the child fails to achieve, the mistake is his and not the teacher's, 5) there is only one way to learn: the verbal and linguistic way; a

hyperactive child is spoiled and can't do anything and 6) there is only one way to correct a child - be angry and punish.

Other Challenges (a) Teaching is thought of to be a student-teacher relationship whereas it actually consists of four parties: school leader, teacher, student, parents.

The role of parents is more important because the teacher needs to fight mindsets and the economic divide in order to make her teaching fruitful in the long run. (b) There is little or no training for school leaders & principals.

(c) While most teachers have received formal training before they start their job, there is little onthe-job teacher training.

Even if there is, a proactive monitoring system is found to be non-existent.

Inspections are limited to (1) checking if children can wish the inspector "good morning," (2) checking if fourth-grade kids can recite a memorized poem, (3) checking if the school administration can provide them good tea and snacks.

This colonial, hierarchical treatment of inspection is ensuring that we are satisfied with too little.

Inspection immediately needs to be replaced by a continuous-feedbackand-improvement mechanism where, trainers, not inspectors, are involved in students' learning as much as teachers are and are not

seen by teachers as objects of fear but partners in the education of the future generation. (d) There is a widespread lack of purpose among our teachers. Our culture regards teaching as an easy complement to childrearing for young women.

Without a passion for teaching, it's needless to say that it's not going to work.

I hope the next time we seek a revolution in Indian education, we know that we must work towards a change in 'Education Culture' and not the 'Education System'. Reforms in the Education System will soon follow.

It's almost fashion week season, with events inLondon, New York and Paris all coming up, and I have one pretty sure prediction: the models won't be smiling. In spite of some hasty claims that happy faces are now de rigeur, a blank expression is a perennial trait of model behaviour.

Detractors of fashion often complain about the convention of the nonsmiling model and the industry's love of a surly pout has even been lambasted in films such as Zoolander. Catwalks have long been a smilefree zone - well, you can smile at the end when the designer pops up to present you with a bunch of flowers, but during the show, the smile is a nono. In fashion editorials, too, smiles are like steak and chips on a model's plate: very rare.

The other thing that has always troubled me about this is how tiresomely predictable it is. Being predictable is great if you are a bus or an excellent cup of coffee - but surely the essence of fashion is to push aesthetic boundaries, to welcome change for change's sake. So why do they pull the same miserable faces at every single show, every single season, every single year.

Stupid, isn't it?

Haughty Couture Or maybe it isn't. The still expression of the fashion model is actually saying a lot of things. There's an interesting heritage to it, too. It comes from the look of aristocratic disdain we see in centuries of royal portraiture which informed the 19th-century cartes de visite - society calling cards complete with what we might now term a 'profile picture'.

Fashion photography think Horst P. Horst in the early to mid-20th century - has also long used the haughty look to suggest the status that the right clothes could bring to the wearer in a more socially mobile society. Essentially, this look says: "I am better than you," because it refuses to offer the open, smiling face of welcome that we conven-

tionally use to engage someone we wish to interact with. It also conveys the self-control, stiff

ionable is an extremely tricky business.

Let's imagine that I decided one day to turn up

designer's personality as portrayed through those clothes. They are, after all, a 'model'. Nor must

Source: ukmodels

upper lip and nonchalance of the European upper classes - 'civilised' qualities which the "jolly old working classes" in those days supposedly found hard to convey. To be emotionally controlled also suggests elevation above earthly concerns, access to higher knowledge and - in the modern world - an ability to be 'unshakeable'. This is even more impressive in what theorist Erving Goffman called "fateful situations" - situations in which you or your dignity and composure are at greater than average risk.

Tricky Business This is why we are impressed by steely faced fighter pilots and nonchalant thieves - think Alan Rickman as the deadpan European super-villain Hans Gruber in Die Hard.

Actually, Goffman was interested not so much in the control of emotions as he was in the control of the body, through which the ability to move smoothly and to appear unflustered became a much-admired trait.

Fashion models on the catwalk may not seem to be in an especially 'fateful' situation but in fact, fashion and being fash-

to work in a completely new look - a gold onesie, say. It's an unsettling thought, isn't it? All of us position ourselves somewhere in relation to trends, because trends dictate what it is acceptable to wear. My new identity would be considered in relation to this 'new' look by those who see me and how it relates to the trends of the day.

The more my look diversifies from what is currently within the range of the 'norm', the greater the threat to perceptions of me as 1) tasteful, 2) my own person, and 3) sane.

Your look, literally, can generate reverence - or ridicule.

Model Expression A model in a catwalk show has not personally chosen the clothing - in a sense their composure stands in for that of the designer. They must look unworried, unshakeable, able to move smoothly and exert fine control over hands and facial muscles because they, on the designer's behalf, are pulling off a confidence trick.

They must not exude personality, which would be inappropriate because it might distract from the clothes - and indeed the

they look as if they are seeking approval because that implies a lack of conviction in what is currently"right."

There must be an element of personal dignity at stake for a model forced to traverse the room in something that potentially makes them feel ridiculous - perhaps a traffic cone worn as jaunty hat, courtesy of Jeremy Scott for Moschino - but it is the designer who is on trial.

In something outlandish, a smiling model could be seen as embarrassed or amused by the designer's slip. If the collection bombs, the House of Whoever stands to lose not just face but a fortune.

So the models can't afford to smile. Whatever else is going on in their heads, they've got to set the lips to otherworldly disdainful and unshakeable confidence and just hope they don't trip over.

(This article is part of The Conversation's Arts + Culture series.

Vanessa Brown is a Senior Lecturer in Design and Visual Culture at Nottingham Trent University. This article was originally published on The Conversation.)

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6

BUSINESS

PAGE 10

Royal Enfield unveils 411cc Himalayan motorcycle Cotton production Chennai, Feb 5: Royal Enfield unveiled Himalayan, an all-terrain 411cc motorcycle, as part of its plans to expand its product range in the mid-sized bike segment. "For Royal Enfield, the Himalayas have always been very important. So the idea was to build a model ground up which can do a variety of roles, including off road," Royal Enfield CEO Siddhartha Lal told here. The company has been working on the model for the last five years and has tested it across various terrains, he added. "As you can use it for broader purposes, including normal city riding

and off riding, we see it doing well," Mr. Lal said.

The bike, which comes with 220 mm ground clearance, would be launched in the middle of March. Himalayan comes with five speed gearbox and 24.5 BHP engine. The company would also sell accessories to go with the "go anywhere" bike. Himalayan is the first model to come out of the two new engine platforms the company is developing. Multiple products could be launched on the two new engine platforms. The new products, however, would be in the range of 250 cc and 750 cc. The launches would help the

company further consolidate its position to become a leading player in the mid-sized (250 cc750 cc) segment globally. When asked about upgrading engines to BS 1V and BS VI levels, Mr. Lal said: "We have the technology and we can be ready whenever it is required. It would be relatively easy for us as we have limited number of engines." In the past few months, Royal Enfield has steadily expanded its global footprint in key nodal cities like London, Madrid, Paris, Dubai, Bogota and Medellin. The company plans to produce up to 9

estimate modified

ALL IN ONE HIMALAYAN Royal Enfield unveiled Himalayan, an all-terrain 411cc motorcycle, as part of its plans to expand its product range in the mid-sized bike segment.

The bike, which comes with 220 mm ground clearance, would be launched in the middle of March.

Himalayan comes with five speed gearbox and 24.5 BHP engine.

The company would also sell accessories to go with the "go anywhere" bike.

Himalayan is the first model to come out of the two new engine platforms the company is developing.

The company has been working on the model for the last five years and has tested it across various terrains,

lakh motorcycles by end of 2018, from its two existing manufacturing facilities and a third upcoming facility in Tamil Nadu.

With a view to become the leader in the global midsized motorcycle industry, Royal Enfield is also building two new technology

centres - one in India and another in the U.K., to enhance capability and execute long term product strategy. (Agencies)

DLF revenue hikes 49% 2.2 million vehicles to be recalled by Honda

Source: ischoolguide New Delhi, Feb 5: DLF has reported a 43 per cent rise in its consolidated revenues to Rs.2,981 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 against Rs. 2,080 crore in the year-ago period. EBIDTA stood at Rs. 1,379 crore compared to Rs. 918 crore. Net profit rose to Rs. 164 crore from Rs.132 crore. This includes a onetime gain on sale of land by DLF Home Developers Ltd to two joint venture companies formed with GIC, Singapore's sovereign wealth fund. It also includes revision in construction budgets, primarily due to fundamental specifications upgrade and reassessment of cost to completion. The non-annualised EPS for the quarter was Rs. 0.92. Net

debt stood at Rs. 21,396 crore, a reduction of Rs.1,124 crore from the previous quarter, says a company release.

Tube Investments of India (TII) has reported a net profit at Rs.16 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 compared to a net loss of Rs.44 lakh (after Rs.11.73 crore for exceptional item pertaining to compensation under Voluntary Retirement Scheme) in the year-ago period. Total revenue was lower at Rs.902 crore against Rs.942 crore. During the quarter, the company sold non-operating assets, which generated a profit of Rs.1.25 crore. The bicycle division registered a revenue drop of 10 per cent at Rs. 287 crore (Rs. 318 crore) during the quarter. (Agencies)

Microsoft all set to buy SwiftKey

Source: recodetech Kolkata, Feb 5: Technology giant Microsoft is all set to buy software keyboard and SDK application maker SwiftKey. SwiftKey is a free keyword application that powers more than 300 million Android and iOS devices. In a blog post, Microsoft's Executive Vice President, Technology and Research, Harry Shum wrote: "This acqui-

sition is a great example of Microsoft's commitment to bringing its software and services to all platforms." With this acquisition, Microsoft intends to integrate SwiftKey technology with their Word Flow technology for Windows.

Swiftkey was founded by SwiftKey Jon Reynolds and Ben Medlock. In a separate blogpost the cofounders said their app will continue to be available on Android and iOS, for free.

Both the blogpost did not disclose the price involved in the acquisition but media reports said Microsoft paid USD 250 million.

(Agencies)

Mumbai, Feb 5: Honda is recalling an additional 2.2 million Honda and Acura vehicles because the driver's air bag inflators made by Takata can explode and hurl shrapnel into the passenger compartment. The recall is a big chunk of the 5 million additional vehicles to be repaired for Takata inflator problems that U.S. safety regulators announced last month. The recall brings to about 24 million the number of vehicles recalled in the U.S. due to Takata inflator problems that have caused at least 11 deaths and 139 injuries worldwide. Takata uses ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion that quickly inflates the air bag in a crash. But the chemical can degrade over time when exposed to heat and humidity and explode with too much force, blowing apart a metal canister designed to contain the explosion. The company will notify owners by

Source: ndtvblog mail and replace the inflators for free with new ones made by manufacturers other than Takata.

But parts won't be available until this summer, the company said. Replacement inflators will be sent to high-humidity areas along the U.S. Gulf Coast first, then to the rest of the country. Affected models include some 2007 through 2011 Honda CRVs, 2005-2012 Acura RLs,

2007 to 2016 Acura RDXs including early production 2016 models, 2007 to 2014 Honda Ridgelines, 2009 to 2014 Honda Fits, 2009 to 2014 Acura TLs, 2010 to 2014 Honda FCX Claritys, 2010 to 2014 Honda Insights, 2010 to 2013 Acura ZDXs, 2011 to 2015 Honda CR-Zs and the 2013 to 2016 Acura ILX including early production 2016 vehicles.

The recall brings to 8.51

million the number of Honda and Acura vehicles recalled in the U.S. for Takata inflator problems.

Honda is Takata's largest customer and has stopped buying its inflators for new models. Honda announced the recall of an additional 364,787 vehicles worldwide for a separate air bag issue. The recall covers the 2008 through 2010 Accord sedan. The company says moisture can get into an electronic control unit and cause it to malfunction. If that happens, the air bags may not inflate in a crash. Drivers would see a dashboard supplemental restraint system warning light if they have the problem.

The company will notify owners about the problem, but repair parts won't be available until fall.

Honda says drivers with an activated supplemental restraint system light should visit a dealer for a repair from the limited number of parts on hand. (Agencies)

Amazon to plan expansion into retail bookstores Seattle, Feb 5: Amazon signs may be headed to more physical storefronts. The Internet retailer plans to open more brick-and-mortar bookstores following the unveiling last year of one such location here in its hometown, according to a person briefed on the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

But the company's plans for physical stores are modest, this person said, especially in comparison with reports of an expansion suggested by an unusual source, the chief of a large shopping mall operator.

Sandeep Mathrani, chief executive of mall operator General Growth Properties, was answering questions

from analysts on Tuesday about foot traffic in shopping malls when he said, of Amazon's bookstore plans, "Their goal is to open, as I understand, 300 to 400 bookstores," according to a recording of the call. Mathrani did not say how he heard about Amazon's plans. Kevin Berry, a spokesman for General Growth Properties, declined to comment further. Amazon's success as an online retailer of physical and electronic books has already devastated chains like Borders and seriously wounded Barnes & Noble. Independent booksellers, though, are seeing sales growth in many parts of the country, showing how reluctant some book fans are to give

Source: i.kinjaimg

up the experience of browsing store shelves.

"There are all kinds of studies that show the best way to find things when you don't know what you're looking for is an old-fashioned bookstore," said John Mutter, editor-inchief and co-founder of Shelf Awareness, which

publishes an email newsletter for booksellers and librarians. "I think that's a major part of what Amazon is trying to do with this bookstore in Seattle." Mutter said the success of some booksellers could not have escaped the notice of Amazon's chief executive, Jeff Bezos. (Agencies)

Source: agricorner Mumbai, Feb 5: The Cotton Advisory Board, which met in Mumbai, had revised the cotton production estimate for this season (October 2015 to September 2016) to 352 lakh bales. Textile Commissioner Kavita Gupta told that the production estimates were revised mainly due to white fly problem in Punjab, pink bollworm in Gujarat and drought in Karnataka. At its previous meeting in November last year, the board expected the production would be 365 lakh bales. Prices of cotton are high now and hence, Cotton Corporation of India had procured only eight lakh bales so far at MSP (Minimum Support

Price).Exports this year are expected to be 70 lakh bales. The actual exports from October to December last year were 35.2 lakh bales mainly because of demand in Pakistan. The textile mill consumption was expected to be 275 lakh bales and SSI consumption 26 lakh bales.

Area under cotton had dropped by 7.3 per cent and was now 118.81 lakh hectares. Trade sources here said arrivals in the market were 1.50 lakh bales a day. However, buying by textile mills is also slow. Prices of Shankar 6 variety of cotton was from Rs. 32,500 to Rs. 34,000 a candy depending on quality.

(Agencies)

Agriculture Minister calls for betterment of farmers

Union Agriculture Minister, Radha Mohan Singh.

Source: static.dnaindia

Mumbai, Feb 5: Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said that better developed 'futures markets' for agricultural commodities will be significant for farmers as it could help them secure fair price for their products. Mr. Singh, addressing on the eve of inauguration of 14th Commodity Futures Summit organised by Assocham here, said with a better developed futures market, farmers will face lower price risks. "This is good indication for the agriculture arena of the country that Assocham is taking interest to revitalise agricultural sector by adopting sophisticated techniques so as to improve production in agricultural sector," said Mr. Singh. He said the conference was a platform to exchange views on the

topic of how commodity futures market can be conducive for price-related balance and risks.

Mr. Singh said most of Indian farmers are small and marginal and they do not enjoy specific capacity to transact the deals concerned, which is a serious problem. "They deal with their business in low-benefiting markets and are victimized to exploitation owing to limited awareness about marketing.

A better-developed futures markets for farmer meant for agricultural commodities attribute to great importance," he added. He said the government was working towards developing National Agriculture Market (NAM) - a pan India electronic trade portal.

(Agencies)

Mercedes launches GLC, TCS rated as the topmost brand in IT services S-Class Cabriolet New Delhi, Feb 5: German luxury carmaker Mercedes Benz unveiled sports utility vehicle GLC and S-Class Cabriolet, at the 13th Delhi Auto Expo here. It also showcased its premium luxury Maybach S 60 Guard. "The GLC and the S-Class Cabriolet are the two most successful products and we will be introducing this year," Mercedes-Benz India MD and CEO Roland Folger, said. With these introductions, Mercedes-Benz will strengthen the two segments, SUV and Dream Car, which witnessed the highest growth last year.

"While, the GLC launch will

Source: bsmedia boost our SUV offering further, the S-Class Cabriolet's addition will bring a new dimension to the top-end luxury Cabriolets in India," he added. The German carmaker had posted a record sales of 13,502 units in India in 2015 compared with 10,201 units in 2014, a significant jump of 32 per

cent, Mercedes-Benz India said in a statement. By registering sales of 13,502 units in the January-December 2015 period, the company also achieved its highest sales volume in a single calendar year in India since its inception, it added.

The new GLC offers the dynamic select handling control system with five-driving progammes as standard. In addition to the Eco, Comfort, Sport Plus and Individual Settings, which are familar from other models, the new car is also equipped with the off-road engineering package.

(Agencies)

Mumbai, Feb 5: India's top multinational IT company Tata Consultancy Services has been rated as the world's most powerful brand in Information Technology Services by a leading global brand valuation firm, the company said. Brand Finance's 2016 annual report evaluated thousands of the world's top brands to determine which are the most powerful and the most valuable. Scoring highly on a wide variety of measures such as familiarity, loyalty, staff satisfaction and corporate reputation, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) emerged as the IT services industry's most

powerful brand with a score of 78.3 points earning it an AA+ rating..

"TCS' customer focus has been central to its recent success, but a closer look at our data shows strong and improving scores for brand investment and staff satisfaction too," said David Haigh, CEO, Brand Finance. Across all industries, Disney was rated as the most powerful brand and Apple as the most valuable brand for 2016. According to the report, TCS is also the fastest growing brand within its industry over the past six years. The company's overall brand value increased from $2.34 billion in 2010 (when the first evaluation of the TCS

brand was conducted) to $9.4 billion in 2016. "Customer centricity lies at the heart of our organisation and is a key driver for

growth of the TCS brand.

The efforts of our 344,000 employees - our best brand ambassadors - have helped our brand strength to be

rated at the top of our industry," said N Chandrasekaran, CEO and Managing Director of TCS. (Agencies)

POWERFUL TCS Ø Tata Consultancy Services has been rated as the world's most powerful

brand in Information Technology Services by a leading global brand valuation firm.

Ø Scoring highly on a wide variety of measures such as familiarity, loyalty,

staff satisfaction and corporate reputation, TCS emerged as the IT services industry's most powerful brand with a score of 78.3 points - earning it an AA+ rating.

Ø TCS' customer focus has been central to its recent success, but a closer

look at our data shows strong and improving scores for brand investment.

Ø TCS is also the fastest growing brand within its industry over the past six

years.

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6

Features

Page 11

WOMEN’S Here's how to deal with combination hair!

Dry hair, split ends and an oily scalp - does that sound like the story of your life? What you have right there is a scalp condition called combination hair. On day one you have fabulous hair, but come day two you have oily roots and limp, lifeless hair. These mixed signals can drive anyone crazy!

Combination hair usually begins with an oily scalp and transitions into dry, split, sometimes frizzy ends. Hair like this can be tricky to manage, but not anymore. Just follow our lead and you'll be on your way to a worry-free scalp and happy hair days!

What causes combination hair and how do we deal with it?

When you have a scalp that produces too much oil and leads to limp hair, often the oil doesn't travel

down to the ends of your hair and you are left with dry and frizzy ends. If you have oily skin, you're more likely to have an oily scalp. But external factors like sun damage, pollution and excessive heat styling can make your strands dry and brittle.

Taking Care Of Confusing Combination Hair We know it can be a nightmare to find that perfect balance and the perfect products. Hang in there! It may take you a few trials to figure out what works best for you.

1. The Right Shampoo Using a harsh shampoo and shampooing too frequently can cause excessive oil (sebum) production, leading to a greasy scalp. While shampooing, apply shampoo to your scalp only - working it in

and massaging the scalp gently. Don't rub your ends too much as it can lead to excessive dryness. " For all you ladies who MUST wash their hair every day, invest in a good quality baby shampoo as it is gentle and won't mess with your scalp's natural pH balance with daily washing (which can trigger oiliness). " If you're a product junkie, look for a good clarifying shampoo. " If you despise washing your hair more than twice a week, try a dry shampoo. It can be your savior on days where you just don't have time to wash and style. " Moroccan Oil and Argan Oil are both fantastic for dealing with dry and split ends.

2. Conditioning Well Using conditioner too

close to your roots or using too much conditioner can cause also cause even more oily scalp problems.

You should condition only the ends of your hair.

3. Tone Down The Steam A steamy hot shower is super relaxing, but hot water can be really harsh on our strands. It can strip your hair and scalp of all the naturally produced oils, causing frizzy, dry hair. Lukewarm water is your BFF when it comes to being gentle on your locks and making them less prone to frizz.

4. Give Your Hair A Break Coaxing your hair into submission with hair irons, blow drying and curling irons is only causing your hair and scalp to go into overdrive. Give these styling treatments a rest a few times a week to

give your locks a breather.

Be confident; embrace your natural hair and work it with confidence instead of damaging it with all the styling. It will only make it even more unmanageable with time.

5. Clear It Up If you are a hairstyle junkie (and we don't blame you!) then styling products can often be found in your strands. All that residue is going to make your greasy scalp problems even worse. We suggest looking for a good clarifying shampoo that can be used once a fortnight to remove all the product build-up and give your hair and scalp that squeaky clean feel.

6. Brush Like A Boss!

Throw out your plastic brush and purchase a boar bristle brush. Give your hair a good brushing daily

Source: content14.popxo with these brushes to ensure even distribution of oils from your scalp to your tips.

7. Don't Over-Oil We all love our champis and head spa massages, but we suggest you go easy on these treatments.

Frequent oiling with thick oils can cause you to overcompensate while shampooing to remove all traces of oil from your scalp - which in turn will cause your scalp to produce more oil, while leaving your strands dry.

It's a vicious cycle, ladies. Look for a light hair oil that is easily absorbed into the hair and scalp and is easy to wash off.

Jojoba and grapeseed oil are fabulous light alternatives to our moms' mustard oil massages.

Tricks to keep your smudged kajal perfect! Four alternate uses of body lotion Winter is here! And with it comes your fair share of skin problems - dry, itchy skin, patches, peeling and a host of other unmentionables. The most essential product in your handbag this winter should be a good moisturiser. But did you know dry skin-related problems are not the only ones that moisturiser tackles? Here are 4 ways your favourite bottle of moisturiser can become your combatant of all kinds of problems!

1. Your Own DIY Bronzer Want skin that glows like gold? You won't believe how easy it is to make a bronzing lotion at home.

Just mix cinnamon, cocoa powder and cornstarch with a moisturising lotion until you have a colour that is close to your skin tone.

Swipe some on your hand to check if the colour works. Add cornstarch to

No matter what your makeup routine is, if there's only one product us girls can't leave the house without using it's kajal. It brings that certain something to our eyes, even on a no makeup day, kajal just makes us feel like we can take on the day better.

You know I'm right! But, it sure does have a knack for smudging. Blame it on oily skin or a humid day.

We give you a few tips to keep your kajal from smudging and save you from embarrassing situations.

1. Start Out Clean This one's pretty obvious.

Make sure to wash your face first and keep your under eye area clean before you pick up your kajal pencil. If your skin is prone to oiliness try this simple trick of running ice cubes around your eyes to prevent greasiness, plus it will help your eyes look brighter and more alert.

lighten the mix or cocoa powder if you need a darker hue.

2. Scrub Plus Moisturise At The Same Time!

Moisturisers make for great scrubs since they do not dry out the skin while exfoliating. If you're looking to get rid of cellulite, you can mix coffee grinds with your moisturiser and

apply over your body (this scrub might be too harsh for your face). Alternately, if you want glowing skin, mix a little honey with sugar granules in your scrub and use it to exfoliate your face.

3. Put A Ring On It… Or Don't!

Got a ring that you grew out of and now its stuck on

Tricks to keep your face from looking oily Source: ecx.images

2. Are You Applying It Right?

Most of us start applying our kajal from the inner corners of our eyes working our way to the outer corners. You should actually do it the other way round - start from the

Source: beautyblog

your finger? Hah! Been there! Stuck rings can be easy to get out of though.

Slather moisturiser all over your finger and try and get it in between the ring and the finger as much as possible. Apply a little pressure when you pull on it and watch the ring glide off easily!

4. Nail Those Cuticles Dry, brittle nails require cuticle oil but most products in the market cost a bomb and don't do much good for your nails anyway. Here's where your moisturiser steps in! Add 2-3 drops of almond oil to two teaspoons of your favourite moisturiser and mix well. Apply this all over your nail bed and massage gently. Remove any nail polish you are wearing and wash your hands before applying moisturiser so that it can penetrate your cuticles properly.

outer corners and use short strokes as you make your way inwards.

3. Bring On The Shadow If you really want to intensify the long-lasting effects of your kajal, bring

Source: tipsandbeauty

out your eyeshadow.

Make sure your eyeshadow shade is as similar to your kajal as possible, dip a flat brush into it before applying it just below your inner lids.

This will help keep the kajal in place and prevent it from running onto your under eye area.

sons for smudging.

6. Your Nose Ain't The Only Thing To Powder Take an extra precautionary step of dabbing a bit of setting powder around your eyes and especially near the corners. This will help keep oiliness at bay and keep your kajal in place even on a hot, sweaty day in the sun.

4. Make A Switch If you feel like your eyes are just too watery and your kajal always smudges, maybe it's time to switch your usual kajal pencil for something else.

A gel liner with a brush is great for applying with super precision and for some intense black that will be totally smudge proof.

7. Always Be Prepared If you know you're prone to getting your kajal smudged often, be smart and carry face wipes or even cotton swabs with you in your purse at all times. Use them to fix your makeup crisis in a jiffy and to blot away and greasiness and sweat. Also, remember to stop touching your eyes to prevent smudging.

5. You Could Cut Corners If your eyes are watery, it's smart to skip the kajal all together on the inner corners, or apply it very lightly there. Go darker on the center as it can build up in the corners, which is one of the biggest rea-

8. Are You Using The Right Kajal?

If you feel like your kajal smudges too often then maybe the problem lies in the kajal pencil and not you or your watery eyes or oily skin. Invest in a good quality one that is long lasting and smudge proof.

Blame it on the humidity or your overactive glands, but realizing that your face has turned into a shiny mess halfway through the day is a pretty embarrassing feeling.

It's even worse if you have a face full of makeup on. So what a girl should do when her pores keep producing oil and she feels like she has control over it? Well, follow these tricks to keep your face from looking oily all day of course! Remember, we've always got your back when it comes to looking your fabulous best!

1. Is Your Cleanser All Wrong?

Let's get to the basics first.

Of course you cleanse your face twice a day, but what if your cleanser is actually worsening your greasy situation? Using cleansers that are too harsh for your skin can actually cause it to produce more oil thanks to all the natural oil that is lost because of your cleanser. If you have oily skin, switch to a gentle cleanser that contains salicylic acid, which will help control oil-production without drying out your face.

2. Get Your Skincare Routine Right You should be washing your face in the morning and before going to bed, followed up by an alcohol-free toner and an oil-free moisturizer.

Apply toner only on your Tzone or on areas that are prone to oiliness (especially if you have combination skin) as it can dry out the

normal areas and cause flakiness and redness. You should be exfoliating your skin twice a week as well.

Make sure not to scrub your face too hard with a towel, washcloth or sponge, which can irritate your skin and trigger excess oil production.

3. Powder To The Rescue If you're prone to oily skin then you should take the

it's a simple trick that will keep your face shine-free throughout the day, trust us.

4. Skip Foods That Trigger Oil Production If you feel like you've tried everything but can't seem to help turning into a puddle of grease, then it's probably because of what you're eating.

Oily food and processed junk food can encourage oil

Source: zliving phrase "powdering your nose" quite literally. It's smart to carry a compact in your purse to help mattify your face at the slightest hint of greasiness and keep your makeup in place. On those no makeup days, just apply your moisturizer and some sheer powder on top -

production; also alcohol and spicy food can make you sweat, which leads to greasiness, so try and cut down on those cocktails and chaats.

Load up on carrots, broccoli and spinach and loads of Vitamin A to help keep oil production in check.

5. When You Apply

Makeup…

Always remember to apply primer before putting on your foundation. Primer is a super underrated, miracle product that will help control shine and keep your makeup in place all day or all night long. Plus, it will leave your skin with a smooth, velvety finish.

When it comes to your foundation, make sure to use one that is oil-free and noncomedogenic so it doesn't lead to breakouts or trigger oiliness. A mineral powder foundation is a great idea as it will absorb any excess oil and keep you looking fresh.

6. Blotting Paper Will Always Be There For You If oily skin is the bane of your existence than you may want to invest in a lifetime supply of face wipes to help blot your skin. Yes, we're actually serious. They work like a dream when it comes to blotting your face to mop up any signs of grease. Whether you have makeup on or not, they'll be your best friend for helping you look fresh and shine-free at all times.

7. Go Easy On The Creams Overdoing it with skincare products and anti-ageing creams can cause your sebaceous glands to go into overdrive. Skip the heavy creams at night and stick to light moisturizers that are mild on your skin. You can try a good hydrating serum for your skin if you'd like to give your face a radiant, healthy glow instead of that oily sheen you hate.

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DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6

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Jadeja to get engaged to Rajkotbased mechanical engineer now preparing for her UPSC examination in Delhi.

ANI New Delhi, Feb 5 : Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is all set to get engaged to a Rajkot-based mechanical engineer, Reeva Solanki, in a private ceremony today.

She is the only child of her parents Prafullaba Solanki, who is an Indian Railway employee and Hardevsinh, who is a businessman.

Reeva, who completed her engineering degree from Atmiya College, is

Ravindra Jadeja

Schumi's health `not good`, insists ex-Ferrari boss ANI Johannesburg, Feb.5 : Former Ferrari chief Luca de Montezemolo has admitted that he does not have `good news` about the present condition of Formula One legend Michael Schumacher, who is recovering following a skiing crash about two years ago.

Montezemolo, who believes that the skiing accident has ruined the German driver's life, insisted that Schumacher was the most successful driver Ferrari could ever had,

Sport24 reported.

The 68-year-old also reacted on speculations that Schumacher was at fault for the accident that has left him in a coma for over two years, saying that the F1 legend used to be extremely careful while skiing.

Schumacher, who has recorded seven Formula One titles and 91 race wins, was injured while skiing during a French Alps vacation in 2013 and has been going through his painfully slow recovery at his Swiss lakeside home.

Mandhana maiden ton helps India Women set 253-run target against Oz Women ANI Hobart, Feb 5 : Indian Women opener Smriti Mandhana struck a brilliant maiden century as she strengthen her side to a target of 253 runs against Australia Women in the second ODI of the three-match series here at Bellerive Oval on Friday.

Opting to bat first, Mandhana smashed 11 boundaries in her scintillating knock of 102 runs off 109 balls as India Women made 252-8 within their allotted 50 overs.

Skipper Mithali Raj also

Jadeja's 27-year-old's sister Naina confirmed the news, say-

provided substantial support to her side's inning by scoring 58 runs, while Shikha Pandey made an unbeaten 33 off 30 balls.

For the hosts, Ellyse Perry and Megan Schutt bagged three and two wickets respectively.

Rene Ferrel and Kristen Beams also chipped in with a wicket each.India Women are currently trailing 0-1 in the series following their 101-run defeat against Australia women in the opening ODI at the Manuka Oval in Canberra.

Khawaja earns Australia recall for ODIs against Kiwis

ing that the ring ceremony will take place at Jadeja's restaurant.

It seems as if the wedding session is still on for Indian cricketers as recently Varun Aaron, Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina also tied the knot, while Yuvraj Suresh Raina also tied the knot, while Yuvraj Singh and Mohit Sharma got engaged.

Indian eves beaten by six wickets against Australia in second ODI

Players of Srilanka (Blue jersey) Vs Nepal (Red jersey) are in action during women volleyball match at the 1st events of the 12th south Asain Games held at Guwahati.

Pic - UB Photos

Mithali Raj's crucial 58 to make 252 for eight as they were aiming for an equaliser.

However, Australia won the match with 20 balls remaining, thanks to a solid 138run opening partnership between Nicole Bolton (77) and Meg Lanning (61).

A file photo

ANI Hobart, Feb 5 : Opener Smriti Mandana's maiden ton went in vain as Australia women cricket team claimed a sixwicket win over touring Indian side in the second one-day inter-

national at Bellerive Oval in Hobart and thereby took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Indian bowlers failed to put pressure on the hosts as Jess Jonassen (29 not out) and Alyssa Healy (29 not out) eased home side to victory in the 46.4 over.

Opting to bat first, India relied on Mandana's scintillating 102 and captain

Both sides will play an inconsequential third ODI at the same venue on Sunday.

Dibrugarh Coaching beat Auronodoya Sports Reporter Dibrugarh, Feb. 5: Dibrugarh Cricket Coaching centre (DCCC) won by an innings and 123 runs against Auronodoya Unnayan Samity the two day Rajanu Bora Senior Division cricket tournament organized

by Dibrugarh District Sports Association at DDSA stadium here today. Altogether, eight teams participated in the tournament.

bat, Auronodoya Unnayan Samity were bundled out for 83 in 39.1 overs.

DCCC scored 238 all out in 64.2 overs.

Debanjan Tin Sina remained unbeaten on 102, hitting seventeen boundaries and Drashdeep Singh contributed 15 off 38 balls.

On yesterday, DCCC scored 127/4 at stumps.

For Auronodoya, Susmit Baruah bagged three for 24 in 11.2 First innings, Opting to overs. Dinesh Gupta

and Deep Ghosal took two wickets each.

DCCC took a lead of 156 runs.

In reply, Auronodoya were bundled out for a paltry 33 in 16.3 overs.

Deep Ghosal scored 10 runs. In the first innings Auronodoya were all out for 83 in 39.1 overs.

For DCCC, Dipen Gogoi claimed seven for 7 in 7 ovetrs.

Debanjan Tin Sina was adjudged man of the match.

Bangladesh (green jersey) Vs Afghanistan (white jersey) volleyball at Indria Gandhi Athletics Stadium in opening ceremony of the 1st events of the 12th south Asain Games held at Guwahati. Pic - UB Photos

India rope in rookie Negi, Shami for Asia Cup, T20 WC ANI New Delhi, Feb 5 : The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which held a selection committee meeting on Friday, has announced a 15-man squad for the upcoming Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup. The BCCI, which has named the same squad for both events, named Mahendra Singh Dhoni as skipper of both squads.

Rookie left-arm spinner Pawan Negi and allrounder Hardik Pandya have also been included in the squad.

Mohammed Shami, who was out of action since the 2015 ICC World Cup semi-final against Australia due to knee and hamstring in-

Mohammed Shami

juries, has been recalled to the team.

The Asia Cup is slated to be held between February 24 to March 6, followed by the ICC World T20, starting from March 15 in India.

The squad is as follows: M S Dhoni (captain and wicketkeeper), Rohit

Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Ashish Nehra, Harbhajan Singh, Mohammad Shami and Pawan Negi.

BCCI to take final call on DDCA on Feb. 8 Usman Khawa ANI Johannesburg, Feb 5 : In-form batsman Usman Khawaja has been recalled in the Australian squad in a bid to stay alive in the three-match ODI series against New Zealand.

Earlier, Australia had preferred Shaun Marsh to open the batting with David Warner at the expense of Khawaja in the opening match of the Chappell-Hadlee series, which the Steve Smith-led side went on to lose by 159 runs.

Talking about his inclusion, Khawaja, who had displayed an impressive form in Tests, insisted that

playing against New Zealand would be a new challenge for him, adding that he was looking forward to the series, Sport24 reported.

Khawaja, however, admitted that the visitors play extremely good in home conditions and that they would come even harder in the remaining matches.

Besides Khawaja, Australia have also called in legspinner Adam Zampa to replace injured James Faulkner.

The two sides will play their second ODI at Westpac Trust Stadium in Wellington on Saturday.

ANI New Delhi, Feb 5 : The BCCI on Friday said that it would take the final call on the Delhi District and Cricket Association (DDCA) hosting the ICC World Twenty20 matches on February 8.

"We discussed that in the recently held ICC meeting in Dubai. And we have decided that 30 days prior to the World Cup, which is on February 8, we will be taking a final call on the DDCA.And the sale of tickets will take place on February 9," BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur told the media here.

The DDCA, which has been facing allegations of several financial irregularities, received the No Objec-

tion Certificate ( NOC) from the Central Government to host the World T20 in Delhi.

Expressing his views on the implementation of the Lodha Committee recommendations, Thakur insisted that the BCCI was not running away from the report and was taking steps in right direction as it believes in transparency and accountability.

"The BCCI is not looking for any escape. We believe in transparency and accountability and in the last nine months we have proven that the steps BCCI has taken are in the right direction. The certain changes we have brought in have been applauded by everyone. Justice Lodha

Anuragthakur has recommended many things. We have requested the state cricket association to look into that," the 41year-old said.

Thakur, however, admitted that the recommendations would have a lot of impact on the functioning of the BCCI.

"Committee has taken close to a 12-month time to come out with a report. We are taking close to two months to discuss debate and after deliberations come to consensus to implement that report. We are not slow. I have written a letter to the state association to call

their meetings. Many states have already held their managing committee or the working committee meetings. So, it is a due process what we have adopted. We are not slow at all and we are not shying away. We are not opting for any escape route," Thakur added.

Earlier on Thursday, the Supreme Court sought a reply from the BCCI on the implementation of the Lodha Committee recommendations.

The apex court has given four weeks time to the BCCI to file its reply. The next hearing has been slated for March 3.

The Supreme Court-appointed Lodha Committee had earlier in their report recommended the

legalisation of betting in Indian cricket.

The Lodha committee also suggested the appointment of three authorities with distinct roles namely ombudsman, ethics officer and electoral officer.

The other recommendations include a steering committee headed by former home secretary G.K. Pillai with Mohinder Amarnath, Diana Eduljee and Anil Kumble as members.

The Lodha committee was appointed by the apex court last year to make recommendations to the BCCI in order to prevent frauds and conflict of interest in cricket administration.

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