7th sept

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Vol. 1

Issue 96

Price -

Dibrugarh, Monday, September 7, 2015

5.00

Every Thursday & Sunday

Pages- 12

With 9 MLAs joining BJP, Assam Nepotism suspected in allotment of Cong in damage control mode contract works under BSUP scheme ○

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ET CAPSULES

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33 teachers felicitated

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Golaghat, Sep 6: On the occasion of Teachers' Day, Golaghat district administration felicitated 33 teachers. A special ceremony was held at District Library Auditorium where Deputy Commissioner of Golaghat Anarul Haque paid tribute to Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan in whose memory Teachers' Day is observed. Later, a total of 33 teachers who have achieved much in the field of teaching were greeted and felicitated by the administration.

(Correspondent)

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days.Landslides were reported from the Byrinhat area last evening and again today at Unming near Nongpoh, bringing road traffic along National Highway 40 to a standstill, an official source said here today.The National Highway Authority of India has pressed into service several bulldozers

PTI Guwahati, Sep 6

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ET Correspondent Guwahati, Sep 6

MLAs joining the party, is likely to appoint a special observer to deal with the whole issue and negotiate with the Congress leaders and legislators who are willing to cross

The BJP, which is adopting a very calculated approach towards the issue of Congress ○

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Amrita Rai confirms marriage with Digvijay Singh, says 'want him to give his property to his children' New Delhi, Sep 6

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Three families were ostracized by the village dorbar for allegedly practicing witchcraft in Jaintia Hills District of Meghalaya. It was informed that three families respectively of Smt Brin Nongrum, Smt Stelin Nongrum and Smt Pherlin Nongrum of Bam Kamar village were forced to leave the village by the village dorbar on the direction of the headman Mr Reminud Kshiar on the 27th March, 2015 on mere suspicions of practicing

witchcraft.

On that day, the village headman and the dorbar heads ordered the three families to leave the village without showing any mercy. Sources informed that the Dorbar of Bam Kamar village had threatened them with dire consequences if they didn’t leave immediately and on the 3rd April, 2015 due to fear they had to leave the village and are presently temporarily staying at Umrukia, West Jaintia Hills District, Meghalaya.

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ET Correspondent Shillong, Sep 6

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Three families ostracized due to alleged witchcraft

Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh has tied the knot with TV journalist Amrita Rai in Tamil Nadu.Amrita on Sunday took to social networking site Facebook and confirmed the news.

Here's the full text of her post: I would like to share with my friends that I and Digvijaya Singh have married in a solemn ceremony, as per the

Hindu rites. We have also later registered our marriage.

On this occasion, I would like to thank all those who have stood by me through all the difficult times that I faced recently. Last one and a half years have been particularly stressful and traumatic. I was the victim of a cyber crime, but was treated as a criminal. I was trolled and abused in most derogatory language for no fault of mine. Those who themselves have no concept or belief in love and dignity tried

to shame me on social media.

But all during this period, I kept a dignified silence and went on with my work, believing in myself and my love for DIgvijaya.

I know, question have been raised and will be raised on the age difference between us. But I sincerely feel that at my age I know what is good for me and I can take my decisions as per my own wisdom.

Contd. on Page 4

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Describing Bodh Gaya as the "land of enlightenment", Prime Minister

Reports in the local media indicate that the IAF has reduced the scope of its outlined FGFA procurement down to just three squadrons of fighters

BUSINESS

REGION

NEIGHBOURS

EDITORIAL

concerns over volatility in currency movements and markets, a demand that has come against the backdrop of economic shocks triggered by Chinese devaluation of yuan.

Narendra Modion Saturday said his government would develop the site as the spiritual capital for it to serve as a civilisational bond between India and the Buddhist world.

peak generation shortages in future although having excess base load supply, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said.The link may account for 7-15 percent of Sri Lankan annual energy requirement mostly during peak, the ADB.

(roughly 18 aircraft apiece), plus a handful of extra aircraft for training purposes. This would place the total requirement at around 65 Russian-built T-50 fighter jets, far less than what was envisioned back in the middle of the previous decade when the unit figure was placed at 214 aircraft.

PM Modi announces converting Bodh Gaya as the 'spiritual capital'

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The party alleges ruling BJP-TDP combine deceived people by making false promises like special status to Andhra Pradesh.Alleging that the ruling BJP-TDP combine "deceived" people by making promises like special status to Andhra Pradeshduring elections last year, the Congress today said it would file police complaints across the state for ○

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ET Correspondent Jagun, Sep 6

Contd. on Page 3

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three days from tomorrow on the issue."We will be lodging complaints in all police stations in Andhra Pradesh on September 7, 8 and 10. We will give evidences like election manifestos, the assurances given by Chandrababu Naiduji, Modiji in a public meeting at Tirupati and how they are diluting and making a U-turn on their promises," AP Congress president N Raghuveera Reddy told media.

Contd. on Page 4

ET Bureau Itanagar, Sep 6

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Drug peddler arrested

The second season of Indian Idol Junior has finally come to an end. And it's Odisha girl Ananya Nanda who's bagged the top spot and emerged as the Indian Idol Junior for the show's second edition.After Vaishnav Girish was shown the door, the show was left with its top three contestants.

Ananya Nanda, Nahid Afrinand Nithyashree Venkataramanan had to battle it out for the crown at the grand finale.

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AP special status issue: Congress to file police complaints

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The Lekhapani police and Asaam Riffles today arrested one person who was apprehended while possessing 1.072 kg of brown sugar worth Rs 12 lakhs at Rampur 6 Mile under Jagun outpost. The arrested individual is Jafar Ansari alias Hussain (35) s/ o Asfaque Hussain. Police have booked him under the NDPS Act and taken him in police remand. It is worth mentioning that the accused had come from Dibrugarh to deliver the drugs at 6 Mile. The accused is a resident of Amlopatty of Dibrugarh district.

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over. The Congress, which came to power consecutively for the third time in 2011 under the leadership of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, Contd. on Page 3

Ananya Nanda wins Indian Idol Junior 2!

sides police forces monitored the drive. Total of around five houses with their huge compound fenced with bamboo were evicted by using JCB. A Church of Pentecostal Christian Fellowship Church was also brought down which was constructed within the government land.

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the credit of pursuing the state government over sanctioning of such centre in the district as there has several youths who need to be treated in such de-addiction centre. District administration led by ADC Deepak Shindey, EAC (J) Bani Lego, CO LM John Modi and DLRSO Ojing Nangkar be-

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BJP makes calculated move in a bid to lure away more Cong MLAs

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In an effort to pave ways for construction of recently government sanctioned Drugs DeAddiction Centre here at Pasighat, an eviction drive was carried out at the premises of Leprosy Colony, within government land yesterday morning by the district administration which was occupied by some encroachers claiming the land as their ancestral properly.

The eviction drive was carried out in the presence of Adi Baane Kebang Women Wing East Siang Unit President Yalem Taga Burang which has ○

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to clear the landslide and the road was expected to be cleared by tomorrow.Hundreds of vehicle have been stranded on both the Assam and Meghalaya sides.NH-40 links Assam with Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram along with Southern Assam's Barak Valley.

Mumbai, Sep 6

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Contd. on Page 3

Road communication between Guwahati and Shillong remained cut off today following landslides triggered by heavy rainfall for the past few

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highlighted that the region in the eastern-most corner of Arunachal Pradesh requires special focus to overcome development bottlenecks. A special administrative structure on the lines of an autonomous council would be of great help in addressing the challenges of development and governance in the said region, he added.

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development in the three sensitive, insurgency-affected districts, Tuki gave a historical overview of the demand for a Patkai autonomous district council.The chief minister said such a council was a longstanding demand of the people of the state, particularly those in the three districts that have been continuously affected by insurgency, leading to poor socio-economic conditions and lack of development.Tuki

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Rajnath Singh by a delegation led by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki and comprising all the state ministers and MLAs from the said three districts along with two MPs.The Home Minister assured the delegation that the central government would consider their demand, an Arunachal Pradesh government statement said. While highlighting the need for an autonomous council to boost

Maksam Tayeng Pasighat, Sep 6

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Landslides cut-off communication between Guwahati-Shillong

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Sri Lanka-India power link will help meet peak load shortages The proposed power sharing deal and submarine link between Sri Lanka and India will help the island meet

India demands global safety nets to check currency volatility India strongly demanded creation of global safety nets to address

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India's Fighter Acquisition Troubles

CCPA plans revival for West Bengal tea industry Kolkata, Sep 6

The Consultative Committee of Plantation Associations (CCPA) will soon prepare a revival plan for the tea industry whose health has been failing, affecting the workers.

The CCPA said that concerns have been raised over the declining revenues of the industry in the face of rising costs of production.

Contd. on Page 4

REVIVAL PLANNING Ø Concerns have ØSetting up an Rs.100 been raised over the declining revenues of the industry in the face of rising costs of production.

Ø In West Bengal, prices have dropped in the Dooars -Terai region as well as in Darjeeling.

crore fund is being envisaged to provide interest subvention to tea garden owners to help them undertake workers welfare schemes. Ø (CCPA) will soon prepare a revival plan for the tea industry whose health has been failing, affecting the workers.

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Eviction drive carried out to pave ways for de-addiction centre

Sonari, Sep 6: Nitul Gogoi, the former President of Tai Ahom Yuba Parishad, Asom, Sonari regional committee was rusticated from the primary membership of the organization today as per a decision taken by the Charaideo district committee of the organization today. Gogoi was rusticated from the organization for his anti-organisational acts, a press release issued by the organization stated.

(Correspondent) ○

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Rusticated from TAYPA

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The Arunachal Pradesh government today urged the Centre to set up an autonomous development council covering three sensitive districts of the state -- Tirap, Changlang and Longding.The demand for a Patkai autonomous development council was placed before Union Home Minister

Golaghat, Sep 6: BJP Yuwa Morcha Town committee of No. 10ward felicitated more than 20 teachers of the ward with Fulam Gamocha and appreciation certificate. The team led by Dilip Saikia, Jumi Dworah and Preetamjit Dworah organised the programme.

(Correspondent)

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ET Bureau Itanagar, Sep 6

BJP celebrates Teachers' Day

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CP Joshi, in-charge, APCC delivers speech during Senior Congress Leaders Meeting at Rajiv Bhawan in Guwahati. Pic - UB Photos

Arunachal demands Patkai autonomous development council

Dhubri, Sep 6: Motion Khatun, 5, of Boidergaon under south Salmara police station of Dhubri district, was swept away in the river current while she and a few others were playing on a river bank in the afternoon today. She could not be traced yet. (Correspondent)

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Girl child swept away in river current

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The centrally-sponsored JNNURM scheme named as Basic Services to the Urban Poor (BSUP) scheme at Nongmynsong in Shillong city does visibly smack of nepotism in view of selection on allotment of contract works. It has been alleged that only family members of those who are government higher-ups have landed contract works.

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Diphu, Sep 6: Noted teachers and academic community of Karbi Anglong have passed on good wishes to Mrs. Sornali Gogoi subject teacher of Assamese and Hillary Teron of English subject, recipients of Teacher of Excellence award conferred by Assam Government, for their contribution towards augmentation of higher education.

Both Sornali Gogoi and Hillary Teron are serving in Diphu Government Higher Secondary school as subject teachers of Assamese and English respectively.

Both the teachers were presented with citation and was honoured by Education Minister of Assam at a solemn function organized at Kala Kshatra, Guwahati yesterday in commemoration of Teachers' Day. Altogether 85 teachers were honoured for their contribution in promoting education in the state. (Sushanta Roy)

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The Congress in Assam has gone into a damage control mode to curb its erosion in the state. This is after the party received a major jolt following 9 of the party’s MLAs, including two parliamentary secretaries, joining the BJP yesterday. Without taking any chances and to avoid the toppling of the Congress government in Assam, hectic parleys are on in the Congress camp at the Rajiv Bhawan.

According to sources of the Congress party, a meeting of the senior Congress leaders today took place at the Congress Guwahati headquarters,

Sornali Gogoi, Hillary Teron honoured by Assam

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ET Correspondent Shillong, Sep 6

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ET Correspondent Guwahati, Sep 6

PAGE 2

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

Growing trend for private tuition unhealthy, says Tripura Education Minister Agartala, Sep 6: Tripura celebrated Teachers' Day by honouring 22 teachers with state-level awards at a glittering function organised by the School Education Department here on Saturday. The teachers received a citation and a cash award from the state government during the state level programme at the Rabindra Centenary Hall, which was packed with students and teachers from different schools. State School Education Minister Bahanlal Saha, Higher Education Minister Tapan Chakraborty and Social Education Minister Bijita Nath felicitated the teachers in the presence of Chief Secretary Y P Singh and other dignataries. The 54th Teachers Day celebration started with the paying of floral tributes to former President Dr.Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, whose birthday is celebrated as Teachers Day. Saha, a former government school teacher, criticized the growing trend of private tuition replacing tradition classroom teaching at school, which according to him is unhealthy for both teachers and students. "Such phenomenons are visible, which are very unhealthy for education. Classroom

teaching has become unnecessary for both students and their parents. They are being imparted education in unhealthy atmosphere at the teacher's residence against fees. As a result of this, education is not imparted in the real sense and they do not study the text book at all. Students are also using their studies to get jobs," Saha added.The State School Education Minister further said, "This is a wrong conception, that by gaining 80 percent, all will be geniuses. On the contrary, excellence can be achieved by gaining 60 percent through attending regular classes and studying five to six hours at home. From my small time experience as a teacher, I believe this in spite of all developments. I will say that we have to return back to that system, so that the students secure good numbers and teachers also teach well." He said teachers should teach with a mission to build better people and a better society by imparting value-based knowledge and have the instinct to recognize talent and nurture it.

Students from various schools regaled the teachers with their performances and also honoured them by gifting them flowers. (ANI)

India favours greater mobility of skilled labour at G20 Ankara, Sep 6: India recently favoured greater mobility of skilled labour besides increased movement of goods and capital arguing that it would help the developed nations which are faced with the problem of ageing population. "... our efforts for goods movement and capital liberalisation should be complemented by skilled labour mobility. This will be of considerable help to countries facing demographic challenges due to ageing populations," finance minister Arun Jaitley said. The minister made these remarks during his intervention at the G20 Session on framework for strong, sustainable and balanced growth. India has been seeking liberalised visa regime in the developed countries so ensure freer movement of skilled professionals with a view to boost growth of services sector which contributes about 60 per cent of the country's eco-

Teachers’ Day observed at DHSK College A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Sep 6: Teachers’ Day was observed centrally at the ‘Sankardev’ auditorium at DHSK College on Saturday.

The programme was anchored

by Soumita Das, a student of the college and the ceremonial lamp was lit by Dr. Sashi Kanta Saikia, Principal of the college.

Mangalacharan was performed by Anuradha, a student and her companions.

Former professors of the college Bijoy Kumar Verma, Dr. Minu Buragohain, Dr. Anjali Phukon and former Principal Dr. Rajee Konwar and Ikbal Ahmed, Chief Advisor of All Assam Journalists' Union were present during the function as invited guests. All the guests were felicitated by the teachers and students of the college. A song each was sung by Himadri Saikia and Jayanta Lahon, students of the college. The guests also delivered speeches during the meeting. The teachers of the Zoology department went to the residence of Dr. Dimbeswar Chaliha, a former lecturer of the department and former Principal of the college and felicitated him.

nomic growth. The free movement of labour force, Jaitley said, will also help the developed countries to meet the labour shortage and declining demand. He said that the Framework Working Group (FWG) of G20 had devoted significant amount of space to discussion on the "issue of declining potential output in major economies."

According to an Indian government report, while the developed world is faced with ageing population, India is a comparatively young nation as more than 54 per cent of the country's population is below the age of 25. Armed with demographic advantage, it can provide skilled workforce to fill the expected shortfall in the ageing developed world. Jaitley along with Reserve Bank governor Raghuram Rajan is here to participate in the two-day conference of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors. (Agencies)

Pakistan observes 50th anniversary of 1965 war with India Karachi, Sep 6: Pakistan today observed the 50th anniversary of its 1965 war with India. It began the day with a 31-gun salute in national capital Islamabad. According to the media, a minute's silence was

observed in memory of fallen heroes who had rendered the ultimate sacrifice to protect the nation's borders. The main ceremony, that of honouring martyrs, will take place today evening at the Yadgar-i-

Shuhada at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.The ceremony will be attended by Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif and other service chiefs, senior government functionaries and dignitaries. (ANI)

List Of Phone Numbers Of Nursing Homes Tinsukia City Hospital & Research Centre

BJP state President Siddhartha Bhattacharya along with BJP youth leader Parag Dutta visit flood affected people in Lezai village in Dibrugarh.

Pic - UB Photos

ASTRO FOR YOU

Category: General Hospital Hospital Address: Gnb Road Near Bujhuri-786125, Assam Pin Code :786125 Phone Number :0374-2333349 Fax :0374-2350026/2339974

No matter what you do, today you are not going to have your way. The times when you have been selfish are finished. Besides, you are likely to solicit trouble today. It may actually turn out to be good for you, provided you change the focus of your actions.

Dr.Bawaris Nursing Home Jeevan Jyoti Nursing Home

It is very likely that you will stay physically alert and spiritually awake today.

You will discover an artistic temperament as you engage in performing arts, designing, graphics and special effects. You will also appear extremely tempting to the opposite gender.

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

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

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

Bordoloi Avenue, Paltan Bazar, Dibrugarh - 786005 Phone Numbers: 0373 - 2302219, 2302225

G M Hospital

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

Archana Trauma & Orthopaedics Hospital

Brahmaputra Diagnostics & Hospital

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

Assam Medical College

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

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

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

Sanjivani Diagnostic & Hospital

Dr. Pawan Bajaj's Skin Clinic

Aastha Hospital

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

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

Your interactions with those around will you be tinged with understanding and empathy, as you will make an effort to solve their problems. Your relations with people will become stronger as a result. You need to stop worrying about others and pay more attention to your family.

You enjoy a strong position, but its foundations will be rattled today. In all probability you may have to encounter some unwanted problems which will be a cause for worry. You may still end up doing something beneficial if you get out of the rut and attempt to do something unusual.

Well, that may not be your precise state of mind, but there are possibilities of you being puzzled and perplexed today when it comes to professional issues.

Chances are that in the afternoon, you may happen to run into an unpleasant situation, so just keep your cool. In any case, things shall get better by the evening.

You shall be a live wire today – full of energy and zest. Freelancers will take imagination to new levels when working. At work, your inspiration will kickstart an epidemic of vigour and high-performance. Surprises in the evening will end the day on a high note.

Work, work and more work will be your day’s agenda. A power-packed performance is expected from you. Though hectic, the day will be easy going as your bosses are likely to be lenient on you. Love and affection from family is on the cards as well.

You’re on the verge of losing hopes as you can’t bear the weight of work and responsibilities any more. But, like the strong individual that you are, you are not going to put your arms down without fighting fiercely. Also, your mental strength and physical stamina will be acknowledged and appreciated by one and all.

It is not only important to ideate, but also to get those ideas executed is equally important. Don’t worry though, you are good at both. Icing on the cake will be your communication skill which gets you through the door every time. For students, it will be an amazing day.

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

AMC Road, Jalan Nagar Dibrugarh - 786 005

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

Business rivals will try to wipe out your prestige, but will fail. Bold people can steer clear of hurdles and you are bold. People will praise your honesty and generosity. Your efforts alone beget you laurels.

You are likely to be filled with overwhelming ambition today. You will be driven and prepare meticulously to tackle your projects. Evening should see you in the company of like-minded individuals, busy with intellectual activities.

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

Your heightened sensitivity will make you an emotional wreck today. You will be desirous of solitude and will avoid the company of others. Meditative practices, religious rituals or yoga can help lift your mood.

Paltan Bazar, Opposite Aditya Hospital Dibrugarh

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

Phone No.-03732325456 E-mail -dibrugarh@air.org.in Facebook Page-All India Radio Dibrugarh Programme Highlights 7-9-15 (MONDAY)

5-35 A.M-Bhaktigeeti (Devotional Songs) 6-10 A.M-Swasthya Charcha (Health Programme) 6-15 A.M-Classical Music 7-15 A.M-Aajir Dinto (Morning Information Service) 7-30 A.M-Geetanjali (Assamese Modern Song) 8-35 A.M-Surar Panchoi (Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 9-05 A.M- Antara (Composite Programme of Hindi Film Songs) 12-05 P.M-Ramdhenu (Request Programme of Hindi Fim Songs) 1-10 P.M-Troops Programme 2-30 P.M-Western Music Programme 3-30 P.M-Mishing Geet by Loson Kr. Pegu 3-45 P.M-Programme in Miju Mishmi 4-05 P.M-Programme in Khamti 4-25 P.M-Programme in Wancho 4-45 P.M-News for Arunachal Pradesh 5-00 P.M-Programme in Idu 5-20 P.M-Programme in Tangsa 5-40 P.M-Programme in Nocte 7-15 P.M-Yuvavani (Youth Programme)-"Prerona"(A Live Phone-in Programme on Skill Development).Subject-Biology and Biotechology , Expert-Dr M.K. Modi 8-30 P.M-Talk-"Puroni Asomor Sthapatya Aaru Bhaskarjya Shilpa" by Dr. Chitrajit Saikia 9-30 P.M-Mandakini Sd-/H.O.P

PAGE 3

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

Balijan School observes Teachers' Day Arunachal BJP hails OROP implementation ET Correspondent Karbi Anglong, Sep 5: Along with the rest of the nation, Balijan Hindi English School, Karbi Anglong (Assam) observed Teachers’ Day on 5th September at the School Hall with much enthusiasm and gusto in the presence of a mammoth gathering. While addressing the gathering, R.S. Pandey (Head Assistant Teacher) urged the students to work hard to become good, responsible and conscientious citizens

of the nation. There is no shortcut to acquire quality education but only through hard work, he told the students.

As part of the programme, floral tributes were offered to Dr. S. Radhakrishnan. Song, dance and cultural items were presented while the Skit acted out by Abadul, Pilatus and Rahul added much flavour to the programme. The students of class IV and V presented a Lord Krishna and Sudama act.

ET Bureau Itanagar, Sep 6 : The Bharatiya Janata Party Arunachal Pradesh hailed the implementation of the much-awaited One Rank, One Pension (OROP) scheme for defence veterans, which remained pending for nearly four decades.

The long wait has now come to end with OROP having been sanctioned statutory status by the government.

In February 2014, the then government stated that OROP would be implemented in 2014-15, but did

not specify what OROP would be, how it would be implemented or how much it would cost. An estimated Rs. 500 crore provided for OROP in the budget presented in February 2014 by the then government was not based on any thorough analysis. The then Minister of State for Defence in 2009 had, in reply to a question, informed Parliament that there are administrative, technical and financial difficulties in implementing OROP. One Rank, One Pension (OROP), or same pension

for same rank and for the same length of service, irrespective of the date of retirement, was the basis for determining the pension and benefits of Indian Armed Forces till 1973. In 1973, the Indian National Congress (INC) government headed by Indira Gandhi, Prime minister, following the Third Central Pay Commission (3 CPC), in an "exparte" decision terminated OROP. The termination of OROP caused disquiet in the Armed Forces and has since become a cause of

public protests by Armed Forces veterans.

The announcement of One Rank, One Pension (OROP) by defence minister Manohar Parrikar is the culmination of 40 years of wait by the veterans and war widows. This decision makes OROP the biggest and most significant welfare measure for veterans in post-independent India by any government. To implement OROP, the estimated cost to the exchequer would be Rs. 8,000 to 10,000 crore at present, and will increase further in future.

New twist in Sheena Bora murder case, investigators considering all possible angles ET Correspondent Guwahati, Sep 6: In a very new twist to the Sheena Bora murder case which could change the course of the case, a day before police custody of all three accused ends in the Sheena Bora murder case, investigators are looking at all possible angles to unravel the plot and said they wanted to determine why the alleged conspirators had chosen the particular spot in Raigad district to dump the body. A local court had yesterday extended till September 7 the police custody of former television executive Indrani Mukerjea, wife of media baron Peter Mukerjea, and two other accused -- her former husband Sanjeev Khanna and former driver Shayamvar Rai. Indrani Mukerjea, Sanjeev Khanna and Shyam Rai have been arrested in the case pertaining to the murder of her daughter

Sheena and the disposal of the body in a Raigad forest in April 2012.

Requesting the court to grant extension of the custody of the accused, Special Public Prosecutor Vaibhav Bagade had yesterday said, "It may appear 'filmi' but we need to find out why this particular place was chosen to dump the body." Indrani Mukerjea was not cooperating with the investigators and was a "hard nut to crack", police had told the court even as forensic results of the samples of skeletal remains found in Raigad forest are awaited. Police had claimed on Thursday that Indrani Mukerjea had confessed to murdering Sheena. Investigators are also probing if someone else too was involved in the alleged murder conspiracy.

Indrani, who was produced in the court yesterday, remained calm and composed through the

TAVR procedure comes as new hope for heart patients Washington Sep 6 (ANI): Medical researchers have found a new ray of hope known as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for the cardiac patients.

Dr. Joshua Rovin has performed one of the fastest growing health care procedures in the US named the transcatheter aortic valve replacement, to help the patients for “open-heart” valve surgery, The USA Today reports. The operation, which was approved in the US in late 2011, has quickly gained the doctors’ approval especially for the patients in their 80s and 90s.

However, Dr. Verdi DiSesa, chief operating officer at Temple University Health System said that he regrets that many hospitals seemed to be in a hurry to perform TAVR before science has determined its best use.

He further said that TAVR should be limited to “regional centers of excellence” to ensure quality, but in Philadelphia area alone, 10 hospitals, including Temple, offer TAVR. Dr. Rovin further added that the keys to TAVR success are choosing the right patients and intense teamwork among doctors, nurses and technicians in the operating room.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, about 1.5 million people in the U.S. suffers from aortic stenosis, the narrowing of the aortic heart valve, which blocks the blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. About 500,000 have severe aortic stenosis, which limis the daily activities such as walking and climbing stairs. Without a new valve, half of them died within the two year.

hearing. Policemen formed barricades inside the court room to keep the crowd in check. "The scope of the probe is large and the accused is a hard nut to crack. They have used modern tools like email and Internet to plan the murder. The progress shown in investigation is already on record and the police have not wasted a single day," Mr Bagade had said. "Her custody is for a short period considering the vastness of the investigation. We need to know who else helped her and her emails need to be studied," he had added. Mr Bagade had added that investigators required more time to probe payments made by Indrani and Khanna through different bank accounts. They are also looking to recover her Credit Card. The alleged plan to kill Mikhail, Sheena's brother, was hatched in Kolkata, police said.

Indrani's lawyer, Gunjan Mangla, has accused police of conducting a media trial and also charged that there was no basis to the police assertion that Indrani could tamper with evidence. "Police are trying to get statements out of the accused. They are manipulating the whole thing. She is not a hardened criminal," Ms Mangla said. Meanwhile, former Mumbai Police Commissioner Julio Rebeiro criticised the media coverage of the case and asked Bombay High Court to issue a notice to all TV channels over the way the case is being covered. "The course of justice has to be decided by investigators, prosecution and judges.

Channels are taking over the role of police, prosecutor and judges. That is perversion of justice. The case cannot be decided by channels, and there has to be a fair trial," Mr Ribeiro said.

Dr. Narendra Nath Dutta, a literatteur of Jorhat being awarded with the Amnakannan Kavi Aananda Chandra Baruah Award by Rudali Sabha, a literary and cultural organisation of Jorhat. Pic - Nekib Ahmed

Educationist urge media in Assam to use accurate Assamese words ET Correspondent Guwahati, Sep 6 : Eminent educationist of Assam Srinath Baruah

TAYPA organizes felicitation and distribution programme

BJP-led NDA Government, the Prime Minister said his sole aim is to bring development in Haryana and in the country.

“Haryana is my second home. After leaving Gujarat, I have spent most of my time here. Since the time you have elected us, our sole mantra (aim) and goal is vikas (development). If there is development, then our farmers will prosper, the youth will get employment. If there is development, then children from poor background will get quality education, the poor will get shelter to live,” the Prime Minister said. “The developmental work could have been completed in last 60 years, but past governments were not serious on the issue of

maintaining the beauty of Assamese language.

Attending the first ‘Prangon, the EMFA’s courtyard’ programme organized by Electronic Media Forum Assam, the former vice-chancellor of Krishna Kanta Handique State Open University said many TV news channels have

been using wrong kind of news for its ‘Breaking’ or ‘Big Breaking’ category. He said some news channels give more emphasis on entertainment than on educating the viewers but appreciated the role played by Assam based news channels at the time of crises.

Arunachal demands Patkai...

Contd. from Page 1 It may be mentioned here that the demand for the formation of a Patkai Autonomous Council was passed by the Assembly in 2004 and 2007 and ET Correspondent Sonari, Sep 6: Mamoni Tinikuria, Principal of Sonari Jatiya Vidyalaya was felicitated by the Tai Ahom Yuba Parishad, Asom (TAYPA), Sonari regional committee on the occasion of Teachers’ Day. The felicita-

tion programme was chaired by Dimbeswar Bora, the Chairman of the Managing Committee of the school. Tapan Gogoi, President, TAYPA, Sonari regional committee, Dipankar Dowerah, Working President, TAYPA,

Sonari regional committee and Indra Konwar, general secretary, TAYPA, Sonari regional committee were present during the felicitation ceremony. The organization also donated some items to the school during the programme.

Once known for female infanticide, today’s Haryana saving its ‘Betis’: PM Modi Faridabad, Sept.6 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that there was a time when the state of Haryana had the worst male-female child ratio, but today with the launch of his “Beti Bachao Andolan” (Save the Girl Child Campaign), the state has acquired and achieved a changed status of saving its girls and daughters. “Haryana as a state had the worst child sex ratio. The Haryana which was known for female infanticide is today known for Beti Bachao (saving the girl child).

And, this has spread to the entire country from here (Haryana),”Prime Minister Modi said here.

Emphasizing development as the ultimate goal of the

today urged the media in the state to use accurate Assamese words and correct sentences in items and programmes as use of incorrect words might confuse the audience/ readers. Interacting with scribes at Guwahati Press Club, Baruah emphasised on

development. The Centre and the state government have to walk together in order to achieve the goal of development. If some work is incomplete, it is the duty of this government to complete it. Solution does not lie only in criticising,” he added. The Prime Minister also used the occasion to congratulate Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu and his team for handling the project of the expansion of the Delhi Metro very well and setting an example for the world to see. “I want to congratulate Venkaiah for setting an example for the world by making this metro environmentfriendly. The stations have solar panels installed

which produce 2MW electricity. This electricity produced is used for all activities in the metro station.

This sets an example for the world,” said the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister also said that the new metro line will drive the economy in Haryana and will generate employment.

“Today the BadarpurFaridabad Metro Line of Delhi Metro is inaugurated. Now, Haryana can proudly say that we have metro connectivity.

Faridabad is in the list of smart cities. Now , people from Delhi can come to Faridabad to celebrate their weekend. This will also drive the economy and generate employment here.

This metro line will further be extended to

Ballabhgarh,” the Prime Minister said.

Referring to the OROP scheme, Prime Minister Modi said, “Haryana is known as the birth place of jawans. The issue of One Rank One Pension(OROP) was pending for 42 years. For four decades, governments came and went, but no one came up with the implementation of OROP. “Why are some people misleading others and the jawans of the nation? We began work on OROP from Day 1 and took a decision. I went deeper into the issue and got to know this OROP is not about Rs. 500 crores. This is about Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 10,000 crores,” the Prime Minister added. (ANI)

the Cabinet approved the same in 2013.The proposal was then sent to the Union Home Ministry and a committee headed

by Joint Secretary (North East), Ministry of Home Affairs, was constituted by the UPA government

to look into the demand.

The committee had visited the three districts in February, 2014. Since then, there has been no communication from the Home Ministry on Arunachal Pradesh's demand, the statement said.

BJP makes calculated move...

Contd. from Page 1 had a highly stable mandate of 79 MLAs in 126 assembly constituencies till less than 2 weeks back. This took an abrupt turn when former minister and Jalukbari MLA Himanta Biswa Sarma crossed over to the BJP from the Congress, and after 9 more MLAs crossed the line, the strength of the congress came down to 69.

According to BJP sources, the saffron

party’s top leadership are negotiating with 10 more Congress MLAs, and if they cross over, then the Congress strength will be reduced to 59 MLAs. “That is the catch and we are waiting for that development. Once that happens, it will be almost a victory for us,” said a senior BJP leader in Assam. According to the BJP, in the case of bypoll in these seats, the BJP is certain to win all the seats. “Then the Congress will have no other option but to make an

alliance with the AIUDF, and that is what we want the Congress to do,” said the BJP leader.

According to the BJP, an alliance of the Congress with the AIUDF will shift the Congress’s Hindu voters towards the BJP. The BJP is also looking at poaching MLAs from other parties, and according to sources, Padma Hazarika, AGP MLA from Chotia is also negotiating with the BJP leadership and is likely to join the saffron party soon.

Ananya Nanda wins Indian...

Contd. from Page 1 The grand finale took place amidst much fanfare on Sunday and Kapil Sharma joined the entire gang to add to the masti. The comedian actor turned up on the sets to promote his upcoming film Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon.Since Sonakshi Sinha has already

zoomed off to Budapest for Force 2, she could not be a part of the finale results. "Sonakshi's portions for the finale were shot on Saturday, but when the results were declared on Sunday, she was not around," informed a source from the sets. So filling in her shoes was Shatrughan Sinha, who gave a surprise visit during the

grand finale.Eventually, the winner of the show was announced. Ananya has beaten the other two contestants to emerge victorious and become the Indian Idol Junior for the second season while Nahid and Nithyashree were declared runner-ups on the show. Celebrations galore, Ananya is mighty happy with her win!

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DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

Morigaon HS and MP School to celebrate its platinum jubilee Dalim Phukan Morigaon, Sep 6: Morigaon Higher Secondary and Multi Purpose School, a premier institution of secondary education in Morigaon district has completed 75 years in its journey on the path education. A threeday programme ahs been planned to celebrate the platinum jubilee of Morigaon HS and MP School from October 17 to 19. The celebration committee's meeting was held on September 6 under the presidentship of Munin Mahanta, E.

MLA, Morigaon and President of the committee. Explaining the purpose of the meeting, Abdul Karim, Principal, Morigaon HS and MP School dwelt at length on the plan and estimate of the platinum jubilee celebrations of the school.

Several ex students while speaking at the meeting put forth suggestions that the alumni association of the school should be given a chance to construct a permanent structure in the school. Biren Nath, Ex General Secretary of the school said that Morigaon

HS and MP School produced a good number of strong personalities who have been serving the country in various capacities; the school has produced a dozen administrative officers, distinguished lawyers, magistrates, professors, scientists, doctors, engineers, etc. who have been serving in the country and abroad, Nath added. They should be informed that their school is going to hold the platinum jubilee event, Nath added.

Pranab Jyoti Barkataky,

former Vice Chairman, Morigaon Municipal Board addressing the gathering said that the alumni of the school will hold meeting before the main function and chalk out the future course of action of the alumni association. In the meeting, it was decided to inform all the rank holders of different final examinations in different years from the school about the jubilee celebrations and to ensure their presence in the function. A souvenir on the occasion will also be published.

Saffron leaders relish Congress panic Sushanta Roy Diphu, Sep 6: A section of senior BJP leaders of Karbi Anglong while describing the lamentation of district Congress headship over the resignation of firebrand leader Hemanta Biawa Sarma from the party as wailing of widow over their dead spouse said that “a totally corrupt and rogue band of persons are now hoodwinking the people of the district with a last minute effort to save their bastion”.

On condition of anonymity several BJP leaders said that if properly inquired fis-

cal scam to the tune three thousand crore rupees or more will be detected in various transferred departments functioning under the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council that too within the span of last 15 years of Congress rule.

“They have lost mass base and all moral ground to criticize any opposition political party or pressure groups, the 15 years' account of the KAAC is nothing but a saga of corrupt practices of all kind and shape; if Hemanta Biswa Sarma was rubbish within the party why right from

the incumbent Chief Minister to the grassroots workers are so concerned with his exit? Why his departure has become the sole topic of the Assam Pradesh Congress in dispersal of their bogus misinformation campaign?" They added This response came in reply to Bidyasing Rongpi, Executive Member of KAAC and senior Congress leader’s comment on Hemanta Biawa Sarma in a party meeting held at Mahamaya, around 70 kilometres from Diphu which is also his constituency. In the meeting

Rongpi described Sharma as rubbish of Congress party who tried to destabilise the party with his band of rebellious MLAs and flouted the party regulations. He mentioned that Sarma’s departure from the party has encouraged the workers to work with renewed vigour. It may be mentioned here that a large section of Congress leaders and workers of Karbi Anglong district Congress loyal to Sarma have openly pledged their support for their leaders envisaging added dilemma for the already weakened party.

Must institutionalise war studies: RSS mouthpiece PTI, New Delhi, Sep 6: RSS mouthpiece Organiser has batted for institutionalised war studies in India as in the US and European countries and stressed on the need to involve people in counter-terror pursuits.It said some "secular, pacifists" may argue that it is "war mongering", but a nation that fails to learn from history, does not have future. In the latest edition, it has invoked political and strategic thinker Kautilya to argue that in the face of emerging terror threats, the country can't solely rely on the

government-run establishment for protection and must involve people in defending the nation.The Organiser editorial points out, "As Kautilya said, the strength of a nation lies in the people. Our defence considerations are too government centric."Of course, government institutions, including armed forces are most important instruments for defending a nation but unless there is a capacity building and participatory approach within the society, real national defence cannot be assured."We cannot forget

that from 1947 infiltration to the Kargil misadventure

by Pakistan, it was the local people who provided information. With the emerging threats of terrorism, such vigilance is all the more essential," it said.It rued that India never concentrated on developing war studies centres as the US, UK, China and Europe did."Even 50 years after the hard fought war in 1965, there are claims and counter-claims about the outcome. This is not because Pakistan says so but for the reason that we are not particular about our war

histories."In the US, the top Universities have war studies centres, with 16 institutions offering post-graduate programmes. British top universities do the same.

China, believing in the Art of War, has a centre for Cold War Studies. There are numerous think tanks on war strategies in many European countries."In Bharat, barring couple of institutions, that too attached with defence establishment, there is no attempt to systematically study wars," the article states calling for war studies as a dedicated academic discipline.

Three families ostracized due to...

Contd. from Page 1 It was alleged that since these families had agricultural lands at Bam Kamar they had been going to their paddy fields and their agricultural lands to engage in cultivation. But recently, on 26th August 2015, they were again given notice by the headman that they should not set foot in the village or else they will be punished

as per the law of the village. The village dorbar cautioned them that they should leave all their agricultural land which is within this village and if they don't, they will burn everything that belongs to them.

On the 2nd of September, the three women approached the Nartiang Police for help but were refused help, then they approached the Civil Society of Women Organisation

(CSWO) President Ms Agnes Kharshing who immediately sent details to the SP West Jaintia Hills and sought his assistance.

The SP immediately ordered action but by the time, the Police went to the village on the 5th September 2015 evening, three houses were already raged down and the veranda of the house of Smt Stelin was partly burnt.

The CSWO slammed the Nartiang Police for not act-

ing promptly, and demanded strong action against the erring Police of Nartiang, and immediate arrest of the village headman and elders responsible for inciting the ostracization.

The CSWO also appreciated the prompt action of the SP West Jaintia Hills who sent the Nartiang Police and urged action on Police who mislead the authorities in certain serious cases.

CCPA plans revival for West Bengal tea industry...

Contd. from Page 1 “In West Bengal, prices have dropped in the Dooars-Terai region as well as in Darjeeling,” a senior official of CCPA, the apex association of tea-rubber, coffee and cardamom industry said. Earlier this week, a Group of Ministers set up by the West Bengal government to address certain core industry issues, held a meeting with the CCPA and its constituents associated with the tea industry. The meeting comes on the back of a notification of the West Bengal Tea Plantation Employees’ Welfare Fund Bill, 2015, which envisages setting up an Rs.100 crore fund to provide interest subvention to tea garden owners to help

them undertake workers welfare schemes. The fund can also be used for providing margin money to incentivise either existing owners or new owners of sick and closed tea gardens to infuse additional capital for the gardens rejuvenation. The state tea industry saw this policy intervention as well as this week’s meeting as a welcome initiative.

“The meeting, a first-of-itskind, focused on government-industry partnership for the growth and development of the industry,” a CCPA release said, adding that the industry was enthused by the state government’s proactive steps being taken for the industry’s long term sustainability. “The discussions centred around the industry’s failing health

and the government’s positive interventions to revive the industry. It is in this context that the revival road map became relevant.” The CCPA also sought the government’s assistance in introducing National Rural Health Mission in tea estates, diversification of land use for alternative crops, tourism and rationalisation of power tariff. “The aim is to strengthen the health mechanism,” an official said. While issues like higher costs of production and the costs on replanting bushes affect gardens in Assam and West Bengal alike, it is the gardens in this state which are suffering on account of their poorer earnings. “Nearly 60 per cent of the gardens in West Bengal are getting prices which are below-the-

industry average,” an official said. This is linked with the age of bushes and the poorer quality of teas being produced. West Bengal is the second largest tea growing state in India accounting for around 24 per cent of the output and 20 per cent of the country’s cultivated tea area. There are 309 gardens in the organised tea industry in the state. Between 2004 and 2007, 49 tea gardens closed in West Bengal on account of losses due to poor productivity and lower prices. Many reopened subsequently, but remained vulnerable and are now facing closure. The workers in these gardens as well as some gardens abandoned by the management are in dire-straits and have caused acute embarrassment for the government. (Agencies)

Purvottar Bharatiya Shakadwipiy Brahman Mahasabha Dibrugarh unit members distributing flood relief materials in Maijan area of Dibrugarh on Sunday. ET Photo

Bhupen Hazarika’s 89th birth anniversary to be observed in Sonari ET Correspondent Sonari, Sep 6: The Sivasagar Zila Sahitya Sabha will observe the 89th birth anniversary of former President and Biswaratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika at Sonari on Sept. 8 along with ‘Setubandhan Ujjiban Yatra’, a special programme taken up by the Asom Sahitya Sabha which is approaching its

centenary year. The programme will get underway with performance from ‘Sur Bahani’ at 6 am which will go round the town with its musical performance. At 9 am the public memorial programme of the singing maestro will be held at the Sonari Public Pond where the statue of the bard is installed. Dr. Dhurba Jyoti Borah, the President of the Sabha will

be present on the occasion as the chief guest.

Naranarayan Nath, the SDO (Civil), Charaideo will light the ceremonial lamp while Golap Buragohain, the former Principal of Sonari College will initiate the ‘tarpan’ programme. An exhibition on some creation of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika collected

by Ansarul Islam Bora will be held at Sonari Public au-

ditorium from 10.30 am.

Thereafter, garlanding on the portrait of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika will take place along with performance of his songs and composition.

The ‘Setubandhan Ujjiban Yatra’, will be held after the performances and the programme will be chaired

by Dr. Borah. State education minister Sarat Borkatoky will be present as special guest in the programme.

With 9 MLAs joining BJP, Assam Cong...

Contd. from Page 1 and was presided over

by CP Joshi, Congress general secretary incharge of Assam. Joshi held talks with several Assam ministers and party leaders, and he also met Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, and APCC president Anjan Dutta.

Speaking to The Eastern Today, former minister and Congress MLA Siddique Ahmed said that the BJP will never succeed in its mission of forming the government in Assam next year, and also said that now there is no more dissidence among the present Congress MLAs in the state.

“There was dissidence

earlier, but now everything has been sorted out, and there is no more dissidence and all the Congress workers will work hand in hand to form the government in the state in the 2016 state assembly elections,” said Ahmed.

The meetings assumed significance following the claim of BJP leader

Himanta Biswa Sarma that more Congress workers will join BJP. However, Congress denied this claim of their former colleague. Meanwhile, two Parliamentary Secretary of Tarun Gogoi ministry Bolin Chetia and Abu Taher Bepari have tendered their resignation yesterday.

Nepotism suspected in allotment of...

Contd. from Page 1 As per the findings of the RTI filed by social activist Ms Agnes Kharshiing, it has surprisingly come to light that one of the family members of the Urban Affairs Minister Mrs Ampareen Lyngdoh was given contract work under this scheme. This revelation shows that the minister’s family member was one among the 11 contractors, who had been allotted contract

work to construct the dwelling unit of the scheme. According to sources, he had given a final work order worth Rs. 72 lakh to construct Block number 9 of PhaseI and II. Around seven crore rupees were sanctioned to 11 contractors as per the information released and many of them have already started constructing. “It is unethical on the part of the government machinery to indulge in nepotism. People know that they enjoy all benefits provided by the

government”, said Ms Kharshiing. It may be noted that the project has been dormant for many years after the implementing agency, Hindustan Prefab Limited (HPL), had completed only 96 dwelling units following which it had decided to abandon it citing shortage of manpower. The abandonment of the HPL led to the undue delay of completion of works and had compelled the State Government to reinvite the tendering pro-

cess to enable carrying on of works of construction under the scheme after many years. A total of 600 units were proposed to be constructed to house the urban BPL families.

The completed 96 dwelling units are already occupied by BPL families. The scheme was sanctioned in 2007 under JNNURM of the central government at an estimated cost of Rs 30.44 crore for construction of 600 dwelling units in two phases.

Amrita Rai confirms marriage with...

Contd. from Page 1 We live in a modern, progressive India, and the constitutional and legal framework has empowered me to decide about my life and my life’s choices.

I also know that motives can be attributed to my decision. Time is the only final arbitrator in such matters. I am a professional woman, who has worked hard throughout my career and have made a place and reputation for myself. I believe in my professional capabilities and like any other modern women, I have and will continue to shoulder my personal and family responsibilities on my own.

I have married Digvijaya Singh for love. Therefore, I have already requested him to transfer all his property and belongings to his son and daughters. I only want to embark on this new journey with him, working towards a dignified, professional career.

Once again, thank you all my friends, my office colleagues and well-wishers for everything.

Amrita As per some reports, 68-year-old Congress general secretary and 44year-old Amrita are currently in the US. Meanwhile, some reports claim that the wedding was held in August. Digvijay had in April last year accepted his relationship with Rai. “I

have no hesitation in accepting my relationship with Amrita Rai. She and her husband have already filed a mutual consent divorce case. Once that is decided we would formalise it. But I do condemn encroachment in our private life,” Singh had tweeted.

Rai too had confirmed the news by writing, “I have separated from my husband and we have filed a mutual consent divorce papers. After which I have decided to marry with Digvijaya Singh.” Digvijay Singh`s wife Asha Singh, 58, had passed away on February 27, 2013, at a hospital in New Delhi after battling cancer for several years. His son is Jaivardhan Singh, a

legislator from Madhya Pradesh`s Raghogarh, and he also has four daughters.

In a Facebook post, Amrita Rai`s husband Anand Pradhan, who is living separately from her, had earlier wrote that he was going through a difficult phase and that both of them had been living apart for sometime now. He also said that their relationship had ended long time back and that they were in the middle of a legal process which takes time. Pradhan had added, “Amrita is free to take any decision regarding her life after separating from me and I respect that. I wish her all the best for her life and future.”

AP special status issue: Congress to file...

Contd. from Page 1 Andhra Pradesh was promised special status by the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Parliament

during state bifurcation last year.Alleging that the NDA "deceived" people of AP by not implementing the promises even after coming to power, Reddy claimed that

police complaints would be filed under IPC section 418 (cheating with knowledge that wrongful loss may ensue to person whose interest offender is bound to

protect).Congress would also submit the "dying declarations" of those who allegedly committed suicide over the Centre not granting special status to AP, he said.

PAGE 5

REGION

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

PM Modi announces converting Bodh Gaya as the 'spiritual capital' Patna, Sep 6: Describing Bodh Gaya as the "land of enlightenment", Prime Minister Narendra Modion Saturday said his government would develop the site as the spiritual capital for it to serve as a civilisational bond between India and the Buddhist world. "I recognise how Buddhists all over the world revere Bodh Gaya as a place of pilgrimage. We in India would like to develop Bodh Gaya so that it can become the spiritual capital and civilisational bond between India and the Buddhist world. "The government of India would like to provide all possible support that its Buddhist cousin nations need for the satisfaction of their spiritual needs from this holiest of holy places for them," he said after visiting Mahabodhi Temple.

Describing Buddha as a "crown jewel" of India, which accepts all ways of worship, he said he revered Buddha as a reformer of not only Hinduism but also the world, who gave a new world view and vision which is critical for survival of all.

"This quality of Hinduism

A safe shelter is all they wish, says the old Namshu residents Darjeeling, Sep 6: Its been over two months since the landslides struck various parts of Darjeeling. While the media have moved on, so have the politicians and any hope of help. It was heart-breaking when older residents in Namshu, Mirik shed tears when we asked them about what we can do for them. Namshu region has been very hard hit, but other than support in the form of relief materials, they haven't received any help in terms of rehabilitation.

Sadly, as much as we want to help, we do not have the resources or ability to help them rehabilitate, this needs Government intervention, and neither the GTA or Bengal or the Central government have taken any initiative to provide any such help and assistance. (Agencies)

in India was a product of many great spiritual masters and chief among them was Buddha. And this is what sustains the secular character of India," he said, adding that the enlightenment which Buddha attained in Bodh Gaya also lit the light of enlightenment in Hinduism. He said he as Prime Minister felt good to visit the holy place after Jawaharlal Nehru and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, noting that it was special to be here on Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna. He said both Gautama Buddha and Lord Krishna taught the world so much, as Krishna gave his message before the start of the great war in Mahabharata and Buddha repeatedly emphasized on rising above warfare. "The message by both of them was about establishing Dharma," he said, adding that both of them gave great prominence to principles and processes. Talking of the two-day Hindu Buddhist Conference on Conflict Avoidance and Environmental Consciousness that concluded in Delhi, Modi said, the themes of this

conference in a way was inspired by values and ideals given by these two greats.

"This conference has raised a hope and urge to go beyond clash and create a dialogue framework for civilisational harmony and world peace," he said, noting that many Hindu scholars have praised Buddha.

The Prime Minister said the turn in thinking at the global level has created the eco-system for the HinduBuddhist societies to carry forward their consensual ideas to the global fora and

wished the wisdom reaches future generations in such a manner that they practically relate to it. He said the conference was conceptualised on shifting the paradigm from conflict resolution to conflict avoidance and from environmental regulation to environmental consciousness. The Prime Minister noted that the conference seems to have arrived at a broad consensus on both issues.

While on the issue of conflicts, most of which are being driven by religious in-

tolerance, he said, the participants in the conference seem to have agreed that while there is no problem about the freedom to practise one's religion, it is when the radical elements try to force their own ideologies on others, that the potential for conflict arises. Modi said the United Nations has come to a view that sustainable development is achievable only through aligning development to the local culture of the people. He said he had shared his thoughts on the

Ms Banerjee appeals students to wear a more tolerant attitude on Teachers' Day eve Kolkata, Sep 6: A day prior to the Teachers' Day, chief minister Mamata Banerjee maintained a studied silence on the series of campus violence and instead spouted platitudes exhorting students to be "more tolerant and sympathetic towards each other" and "respectful" towards their teachers.

Miss Banerjee's advice comes a day after rival students' unions clashed at Raiganj University, leaving 12 students injured. Repeated incidents of violent clashes between students, which cause damage to college furniture, and manhandling of teachers and principals have become rampant. While addressing the Teachers' Day programme at Nazrul Mancha today, Miss Banerjee said both students and teachers have the ability to build a nation and are instrumental in taking the state forward.

Raiganj University

vicechancellor Anil Bhuimali, who was present on the dais along with the chief minister, was felicitated along with other VCs by education minister Partha Chatterjee. "I appeal to the students to be more tolerant. They should pay

attention to their studies.

They should play, exercise, fight and sing. Along with this, they should respect their teachers," said Miss Banerjee, adding that teachers in turn should love their students. "Teachers have to work at building

colleges and universities," she added. She said both teachers and students should work at honouring the state's heritage. Speaking on the occasion, Miss Banerjee announced that university teachers would henceforth be felicitated like

Ibobi orders inquiry on Churachandpur outbreak Imphal, Aug 6: The Okram Ibobi Singh cabinet on Saturday decided to order a magisterial inquiry into the flare-up in Churachandpur town against three bills passed recently by the state Assembly, leading to the death of eight protesters. Violence erupted in Churachandpur town on the day the three bills were passed on August 31 leading to the death of eight protesters. Several others were injured. The Assembly passed the Protection of Manipur People Bill, Manipur Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill and Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill to protect the interest of the indigenous people of the state. The cabinet also reviewed the prevailing situation in the five hill districts in the wake

of the passing of the bills.

Churachandpur town remained peaceful on Saturday. Tribal communities in Manipur have unitedly put up a strong wall of opposition against the three bills' passage to becoming Acts.

Tribal apex organisations and leaders, including politicians held a series of meetings today to ensure that the Centre rejects the three bills. A "joint declaration" signed by presidents of the

Hmar Inpui, Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), United Naga Council (UNC) and Zomi Council, apex bodies of the four tribal communities, rejected the bills outright and took the pledge to "fight together for securing a common political future". The bills are now in the office of the state governor Syed Ahmed, waiting for his consent. The tribal organisations condemned the action of the state se-

curity forces. They also hailed the decision taken by a joint action committee of Churachandpur district for withdrawing the committee's demand for ex gratia and government jobs for the next of kin of those who died during the agitation. Another deliberation organised by the All Tribal Chiefs' Forum in Imphal resolved to oppose the bills and urged President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the state governor to reject the bills. The meeting attended by representatives of UNC, KIM, All Tribal Students Union, Manipur, All Naga Students' Association, Manipur, Kuki Students Organisation, Hmar Inpui and Zomi Council demanded resignation by all the 20 MLAs from the five hill districts for failing to

protect the interests of their people. The meet also decided to continue peaceful and non-violent forms of agitation to fight against the bills. "We discussed the bills threadbare and are convinced that the bills are anti-tribal," B.D. Behring, former MP and advisor of the All Tribal Chiefs' Forum, said after the meeting.

The tribal communities are against the bills because they feel that the bills, when they become law, would harm their interests. They also took strong exception to the Ibobi Singh government's "failure" to consult the Hill Areas Committee of the Assembly before passing the bills. The committee comprises MLAs elected from the five hill districts. Sit-in protests continued in various parts of the hills against the bills on Saturday. (Agencies)

Fuel Scarcity hits Manipur again after petrol prices shoots up to Rs. 180/litre Imphal, Sept. 6: Manipur is once again hit by a serious spell of artificial fuel scarcity as the stocks of petrol, diesel and SK oil have decreased signifi-

two critical themes which threaten humanity as no other challenge before and recalled how in both contexts the world is looking to Buddha as conflict resolution mechanisms and environmental regulations.

The Prime Minister said today was also a special day as India observed Teachers Day to commemorate birth anniversary of former President and teacher Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, and Buddha was one of the most impactful teachers whose teachings inspired millions of people over centuries.

He also inaugurated an exhibition "Chetiya Carika: The Pilgrimage and Quest for Truth". His visit coincided with the Global Hindu Buddhist Initiative, whose delegates were present at Bodh Gaya. The Prime Minister, who had attended the inaugural function in the national capital two days ago, hailed the conference for conceptualizing paradigm shift from conflict resolution to conflict avoidance and from environmental regulation to environmental consciousness. (Agencies)

cantly due to heavy landslides, breaking of Barak bridges and also prolonged strikes over ILPS and anti-ILPS movement in the state. Prices of fuel like

petrol has raised up from Rs. 160 to Rs. 180 per litre in black market, where the actual price is Rs. 57.

Locals were seen standing in long queues in front of

the only running petrol filling station to get their vehicles refueled. The closure of petrol pumps remained closed due to shortage of fuel. Rationing

of fuel in a few outlets has been initiated since last month from 4 kilo litres to 12 kilo litres in differently in the selected rationalize outlets, till date. (ANI)

their counterparts in schools and colleges.

'Shiksha Bhusan'award would be given to university teachers, Miss Banerjee said, adding that a programme would be held in January 2016 to felicitate the teachers of universities.

This was for the first time that college teachers were felicitated and 20 college teachers were awarded Shiksha Ratna. On the occasion, 41 primary school teachers, 48 secondary school teachers and 10 madrasa teachers were given awards. This apart, awards were given to 42 best schools of the state, and at least two schools of each district featured among them. Tomorrow being a holiday on the occasion of Janmashtami, the Teachers' Day programme was held today. Miss Banerjee said that the programme would be held at the block level tomorrow. (Agencies)

Separate council for the Kukis in Manipur

Aizawl, Sep 6: Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla has recently wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking a separate autonomous district council for Kukis in neighbouring Manipur.

Addressing Congress workers meeting on Friday, Thanhawla said no one knew the terms of the Naga Accord. "We, however, have an inkling that Naga inhabited areas in Manipur would be given a separate autonomous district council," he said. The chief min-

ister said his letter to Modi stated "if Nagas are given autonomous district council, the Kukis too should be given the same autonomy."

Meanwhile, state BJP unit urged the Congress government in Manipur to withdraw the three impunged legislation as it was against the interests of the tribal communities in the state. The BJP, in a press statement condemned Manipur government for police action during the recent agitation in Churachandpur against the enactment of the laws. (Agencies)

Maoist, four associates arrested in Jharkhand Garhwa, Sep 6: A Maoist 'zonal commander' and four of his associates were on Saturday arrested from Rajpur jungles in neighbouring Chhattisgarh, a police officer said here.

Rajendra Singh Kharvar, a self-styled zonal commander of the CPI (Maoist), and four of his accomplices were arrested from the

jungles in Chhatisgarh's Balrampur region, Garhwa district Superintendent of Police Alok Priyadarshi said. He said the arrests led to recovery of explosives.

Kharwar was heading the Mazdoor Kishan Sangram Morcha, the police officer said, adding, the police would take him in remand for interrogation. (Agencies)

Ganja seized Imphal, Sep 6: A team of Narcotics and Affairs of Border PS arrested two persons along with 540 kgs of contraband ganja on Sept 3. According to a statement issued by the PRO of Police Dept, the two persons from whom the contraband item was seized have been identified as Naorem Ranjit alias Inao Singh (37) s/o N Surchand Singh of Tentha Khunou, Thoubal district and Naorem Priyobarta (26) s/o N Mangi Singh of Tentha Khunou. 540 kgs of

contraband ganja being carried in a Tata truck registration number MN04A-1138 was seized from the possession of Naorem Ranjit. Today, a team of Narcotics and Affairs of Border PS arrested a person namely Girish alias Ibemsana Sahni (32) w/o W Anand Singh of Hatta Mana Ingkhol, Porompat PS along with 1780 SP capsules and 68 strips of Nitrosun-10 tablet, it said.

Two separate cases have been registered at NAB PS and investigation is going on. (Agencies)

KHADC convened meeting to oppose implementation of Meghalaya Building Bye Laws Shillong, Sep 6: The meeting of the Dorbar Bah ka Bri Hynñiewtrep on Saturday decided to oppose the State government's proposal to come up with a draft Bill to empower the traditional heads. The meeting, which witnessed a very thin attendance compared to May 30 meeting, approved seven resolutions. In a resolution, the meeting, which was convened by KHADC, decided to oppose the implementation of the Meghalaya Building Bye Laws, 2011 in ten localities of Shillong, which fall under the scheduled areas.

More than 1 lakh people from various parts of Khasi and Jaiñtia Hills had attended the meeting on May 30. Saturday's meeting organized by the KHADC had less than 10,000 people. District Council Affairs Minister HDR Lyngdoh, UDP MLAs/MDCs Metbah Lyngdoh and HB Nongsiej did not attend the meeting.

Majority of the HSPDP MDCs except Morningstar Mawsor (Mawthengkut) were conspicuous by absence. Speaking on the seven-point resolutions, the KHADC CEM Pynshngaiñ N Syiem said that a decision was taken to constitute the Federation of Traditional Dorbar (FTD) which aimed

to bring the Dorbar Hima, Dorbar Raid and the Council under one umbrella.

"The FTD would take up issues concerning the interest of the people of the Bri Hynñiewtrep," Syiem said.

Any invitation on the part of the Government for any kind of discussion will have to come through FTD, he said adding "The FTD will take the final call on whether to accept or reject the invitation".

He further said that the second resolution was that the responsibility to make the necessary recommendations to the amendment of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution as proposed by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs would be left to the FTD. In the third resolution the meeting decided to oppose the draft bill proposed by the State Government to empower the traditional heads. In the fourth resolution, the meeting felt that the empowerment of the traditional heads should be as per provisions of the KHAD (Appointment and Succession of Chiefs & Headmen) Rules, 2015 which was recently passed by the Council and also as per the rules of the Acts of the various Himas which has been formulated as per the United

Khasi-Jaiñtia Hills Autonomous District (Appointment and Succession of Chiefs and. Headmen) Act, 1959. Syiem said that the fifth resolution is the approval for the implementation of the Khasi Hills District (Land Development and Building Regulations) 2015 to regulate the building construction within the scheduled areas. In the sixth resolution, the meeting decided to oppose the partially modified fresh notification issued by the State Government to club ten localities within Shillong city under the "Census Town" for implementation of the MUDA building bye-laws. "We have decided that the resolutions would be submitted to the Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma, his Cabinet Ministers, the two MPs (Wansuk Syiem and Vincent H Pala) and to both the regional parties and national parties who have their presence in the State," the KHADC CEM said.

Among those who spoke in the meeting include former CEM Adelbert Nongrum, Laban MDC Sanbor Shullai, UDP Umsning MDC Donkupar Sumer, Federation of Khasi States chairman John Kharshiing.

(Agencies)

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

PAGE 6

`Upset` ex-servicemen PM Modi to inaugurate Badarpur'Unjust' Congress has done Faridabad Metro Line today to intensify agitation nothing for ex-servicemen: BJP New Delhi, Sep6 : The ex-servicemen protesting for the One Rank, One Pension (OROP) scheme today said that they are upset with the one launched by the government and added that they will intensify their agitation."The government has betrayed us. They promised us something else and have announced something else," one of the exservicemen Skattar Singh Dhariwal told media"We are upset with this and we will further intensify our agitation," he added.On Saturday afternoon, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar announced that the government has decided to implement the much awaited OROP scheme, stating that there would be a revision of pension every five years as against the two years demanded by the ex-servicemen. He also said that the government would also setup a onemember judicial committee to work out details of implementation of the OROP. (ANI)

5 Naxals held after face-off with police Raipur, Sep 6: Five Naxals were today arrested and weapons recovered from them after a brief exchange of fire in Chhattisgarh's Balrampur district, police said. The face-off between a small group of Naxals and a team of local police took place in a dense forest under Raghunathnagar police station limits this morning, Balrampur Superintendent of Police Sadanand Kumar said.The security personnel were on a patrolling exercise when they were confronted by around 10 armed Maoists near Sonhat village, located in north Chhattisgarh around 350 kms from the state capital.

On finding the police zeroing-in on them after a short gunbattle, the rebels started fleeing from the spot, he said.However, five cadres were nabbed after a short chase while others managed to escape, the SP said. Five 315 bore rifles, Naxal literature and other Maoist-related material were seized from their possession, he said adding that interrogation of the arrested rebels was on. (Agencies)

Faridabad, Sep6: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the BadarpurFaridabad Metro Line of Delhi Metro here today. It is expected that around two lakh people will travel between the two cities on daily basis.There are nine stations in this 13.875 km long section, which is an extension of Delhi Metro's Violet Line, currently running from ITO to Badarpur.

These are Sarai, NHPC

Chowk, Mewala Maharajpur, Sector 28, Badkal Mor, Old Faridabad, Neelam Chowk Ajronda, Bata Chowk and Escorts Mujesar. All these stations are elevated and located on either side of the DelhiMathura Road.Prime Minister Modi will also address a public meeting after the inauguration.Made with a total cost Rs.2,500 crore, the extension of Delhi Metro will not only meet the long

Patidar protestors to conduct rally on For Nana Patekar, a Roomful of Cellphones Sept.13 in Gujarat after 'march Turned Into Torches restriction'

Latur, Marathwada,Sep 6: Even as actor Nana Patekar hits the screens once again in a comic role in Welcome Back, on the ground in Maharashtra' drought-hit Latur, it's his image of a serious, no-nonsense man that comes to the forefront. While distributing cheques of Rs. 15,000 to widows of those farmers who committed suicide, the recipients were first asked to come on stage as their names were being announced. But Mr Patekar immediately realised it wasn't practically possible given the large crowds nor was it appropriate. Without a thought, he told actor Makrand Anaspure that they would go down and distribute the cheques to the widows. A personal touch of humility and sensitivity that immediately made the widows feel more relaxed and comfortable.And then suddenly, there was a power cut at the hall. For 15 seconds there was a hushed silence as the microphones too turned silent.And then, suddenly, magic rent the air.Almost like stars twinkling on a dark moonless night, one by one, people in the alert audience began turning on torches on their mobile phones to ensure the distribution carried on uninterrupted. Mr Patekar and Mr Anaspure continued with their work aided by the crowd. Five minutes later, the electricity was back. (Agencies)

Toll rises to 50 in Malaysian migrant boat accident, survivor found Kualalumpur, Sep 6: Malaysian rescuers have recovered dozens more bodies of Indonesian migrants killed when their boat sank three days ago, along with another survivor, taking the toll in the disaster to 50, officials said today.The survivor was recovered on Friday afternoon having spent more than a day in the water and was said to be in good health."Thirty-five more bodies have been recovered since Friday," said Mohamad Aliyas Hamdan, a Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency official. "We expect to find more over the next few days."Aliyas said the search operation would continue for the next three days, adding that from information gained from the 20 people rescued, there were believed to have been up to 80 people on the small vessel.Officials have said the overcrowded wooden boat capsized and sank in rough seas about 16km off the coast of central Malaysia's Selangor state before dawn on Thursday.The group were leaving Malaysia to return to Indonesia across the Malacca Strait.Malaysia is Southeast Asia's thirdlargest economy and a magnet for migrant workers from its poorer neighbours, with the vast majority coming from Indonesia.About two million Indonesians are now in Malaysia working a range of lowpaid jobs.Deadly accidents in the Strait are not uncommon, however, with travellers typically attempting the crossing in rickety vessels, often at night to avoid detection. (Agencies)

The death toll from last week's migrant boat capsize in the Strait of Malacca has risen to 50, Malaysian authorities said.

Surat, Sep6 : Hardik Patel, who is spearheading the Patidar quota stir in Gujarat, said that Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, in which the assembly of more than four people is restricted, has been imposed here because the government is scared, adding that they would conduct a rally on September 13."The government is scared. Section 144 is imposed and we were denied permission for the march that was to be held today," Patel told media."We have cooperated with the government this time around. We will now conduct a rally on September 13," he added. Patel also stressed all that the protestors want is to have peace in the state."We want to have peace in Gujarat. We are not doing any rally at this point of time because the government is trying to disturb the peace and harmony of the state," he further said. (ANI)

pending demand of about two lakh people commuting between Delhi and Faridabad every day, but will also make the travelling easie and will save a lot of time and money.Once fully operational between Kashmere Gate and Escorts Mujesar, the Line 6 of the Delhi Metro will span a length of 43.4 kilometres.

The new route will be thrown open for the public at 4 in the evening. (ANI)

New Delhi, Sep6 : Dubbing the Congress Party as "unjust," the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday said that the grand old party should apologise for doing nothing for the ex-servicemen over One Rank, One Pension (OROP) scheme.

"The Congress Party has done nothing for the ex-servicemen. All Congress leaders from Indira Gandhi to Rahul Gandhi, that includes Sonia Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, have done nothing but injustice to the ex-servicemen," BJP spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao told media here."Today is the time for Congress Party to actually apologise to the ex-servicemen for all its wrongdoings and for not implementing it (OROP) for nearly four decades," he stressed."Millions of exservicemen from across the country are welcoming this announcement of OROP by the government... There are a few hundred people who are asking for more. They should keep aside all their small demands and welcome

this grand gesture of the Prime Minister," Rao added.The Congress Party yesterday criticised the current NDA regime for misleading the people of this country by saying that previous governments had not acted on the issue of the OROP scheme."Today's claim by the NDA Government that the issue was not addressed by the previous governments for past four decades is totally baseless.

The previous government of UPA announced OROP last year," said Congress

Ex-servicemen will be satisfied after reading 'fine prints': BJP New Delhi, Sep.6: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Siddharth Nath Singh today said that the ex-servicemen who are upset with the government's decision on One Rank, One Pension (OROP) will be satisfied after reading the fine prints.

"The government has committed for rolling out 80009000 crore, a yearly expenditure so the benefit is going to be large. If there are certain sections of the exservicemen, who have not read the fine prints, I am sure after reading the fine prints, they all will be quite happy and they will be welcoming like others mostly who are doing the government's step of OROP," Singh told

media."The key issue is the ex-servicemen, who were denied in 1973 by Indira Gandhi, the OROP and brought in with the pay commission, were deprived 42 years that has been implemented by Modi government yesterday. There are issues which can be resolved and the government is addressing them, he added. Singh further said, "The key issue is there are lakhs and lakhs of pensioners in the form of those who are disabled, widowers and many who have retired in different positions, are going to benefit from 25 percent to 50 percent, which is in different categories."On Saturday afternoon, De-

fence Minister Manohar Parrikar announced that the government has decided to implement the much awaited OROP scheme, stating that there would be a revision of pension every five years as against the two

in unauthorized areas. We have also found that some newly constructed building got tilted as the foundation got weak," District Magistrate (Disaster Management), K unal said.Maximum of five people died and nine got injured when a four-storey building collapse in a narrow lane in Vishnu Garden area of West Delhi on July 18. The building caved in as digging was going on at an adjacent plot for construction of a new structure.

Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) rescued over a dozen people trapped in the incident. In order to improve its response time, DDMA is also

developing community disaster management centers with the help of civil defense. "As most of the dangerous buildings are in

Switzerland keen to expand ties with India in skill training Bern, Sep 6: With the global demand for skilled workers growing rapidly, Switzerland is keen on expanding its ties with India in skill training and education initiatives by opening at least four more centres in the country. Though a beginning has already been made in this direction with a Vocational Educational Training centre in Bangaloreunder the Swiss VET Initiative in India (SVTII), the agencies involved are keen on firming up and broadbasing the collaboration, possibly through a memorandum of agreement with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. "It is important that the government start sharing. This will help strengthen and expand the project to areas other than the traditional segments like mechanical and

electrical works to food processing, hospitality industry and factory management," said Franz Probst, founder and chairman of SkillSonics, which has a skill training facility in Bangalore. "To start with, there could be at least four centres in four regions of India," said Probst during a presentation for a visiting team of Indian officials, planners and mediapersons at the Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (SFIVET) here. "We look forward to discuss with Minister (Rajiv Pratap) Rudy. A working group could be going to India to explore the potential and strengthen the partnership," he said. "An agreement between the two governments will make the initiative stronger as far as knowhow sharing, certification and identifying and

implementing lead projects.

The scheme could then be rolled out to both private and public sectors," he said. The SVITII is modelled on the Swiss system of vocational education and training methodology of imparting skill training to students at a young age with the support of the industry, including major players like elevator-maker Schindler. (Agencies)

densely populated area and in narrow lanes so we face problem in prompt action and approaching the site.

So we are making commu-

nity disaster management centers where trained civil defense volunteers will be the first to respond in case of any emergency," Kunal said. Municipal Corporation has also highlighted that some residential buildings were being used for commercial purpose which are again mostly found in unauthorized areas and weaken the structure of the building.

Teams of Municipal Corporation have also identified dangerous building and have issues notices to owners to evacuate but in most of the cases such building are let-out by the owner at a cheaper rate.

(Agencies)

Congress accuses NDA Govt. of diluting the OROP New Delhi, Sep 6 (ANI): The Congress Party today accused the NDA Government of diluting the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme, saying the implemented scheme excludes more than 46 percent of the ex-servicemen."They have diluted the OROP scheme. It is unfortunate that government have excluded 46 percent of the ex-servicemen from this scheme," Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad told media."The UPA allotted 500 crores to the ex-servicemen's OROP demand but this government has not implemented that scheme. It is very unfortunate that the government is indulging in politics with the war veterans," added Ahmad.

On Saturday, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar announced the government's decision to implement the OROP scheme and said that its benefits would be given to all ex-servicemen, excluding voluntary retirees from July 1, 2014. (ANI)

Snowden criticises Russia for crackdown on internet freedom, homosexuality London, Sep 6: National Security Agency (NSA) whistleblower Edward Snowden has criticized Russia for its attack on internet freedom and negligent attitude towards gay rights, despite having been granted asylum by the country. According to

the Guardian, Snowden was given a three-year residence permit in August 2014, but insisted that it was never his choice to go there. He said that Russia's approach to homosexuality and tightening grip over internet activities was "fundamen-

years demanded by the exservicemen. However, the ex-servicemen said that they are upset with the one launched by the government and added that they will intensify their agitation.

(ANI)

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Siddharth Nath Singh today said that the ex-servicemen who are upset with the government's decision on One Rank, One Pension (OROP) will be satisfied after reading the fine prints.

The government has committed for rolling out 8000-9000 crore, a yearly expenditure so the benefit is going to be large The key issue is there are lakhs and lakhs of pensioners in the form of those who are disabled, widowers and many who have retired in different positions, are going to benefit from 25 percent to 50 percent, which is in different categories

Building collapse incidents in Delhi claimed 14 lives New Delhi, Sep 6: The capital witnessed 66 cases of roof or building collapse in the past five months which left 14 people dead and 110 others injured. Most of the cases were reported during the rainy season, which also exposed poor construction and illegal buildings made in the city. "Cases of roof and building collapse were very high in the month of July and August during the rain. Almost every day there were instances of building tilt or collapse in rainy season. Due to continuous rain, poor construction quality gets exposed leading to further damage.

"Most of the buildings or roofs which collapsed were

leader and former defence minister A K Antony.On Saturday afternoon, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar announced that the government has decided to implement the much awaited OROP scheme, stating that there would be a revision of pension every five years as against the two years demanded by the exservicemen.He also said that the government would also setup a one-member judicial committee to work out details of implementation of the OROP. (ANI)

tally wrong."He said that he would prefer to live in the US, although he cannot return without facing arrest for leaking to the Guardian classified documents revealing the vast scale of the country's surveillance programmes.

(ANI)

Sheena murder case: Sanjeev Khanna brought to Khar police station for further interrogation Mumbai, Sep 6: The third accused in the high profile Sheena Bora murder case, Sanjeev khanna was on Sunday brought to Khar Police Station for further interrogation.On Saturday, the police custody of the prime accused in the case, Indrani Mukherjea, and her accomplices, ex-husband Sanjeev and driver Shyam Rai, was extended till September 7 by a magistrate's court here. Indrani was arrested on August 24 for the murder of Sheena, her daughter from an earlier relationship, in 2012.She has been accused of killing her with the help of Sanjeev and driver over a financial dispute. (ANI)

Mumbai soaks in Janmashtami celebrations Dadar (Mumbai), Sep 6: Mumbaikars took part in the traditional 'Dahi Handi' festival on Sunday on the occasion of Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna.

The celebrations in the city was a grand affair with 'Govindas' showing up in full strength to perform the ritual of forming a human pyramid to reach the Dahi Handi(earthen pot).Every year, hundreds of youth perform the 'Dahi Handi' ritual during Janmashtami.

Earlier, the Bombay High Court had ruled that the height of the human pyramid cannot be more than 20 feet and children under 18 years cannot take part in the festival. However, the Supreme Court had stayed the high court's order. (ANI)

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

NEIGHBOURS

Lankan PM to visit India on first foreign tour Colombo, Sep 6: Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's first overseas visit since assuming office will be to India next week during which he will hold extensive talks with the Indian leadership including on the sensitive fishermen issue and a comprehensive economic pact.

During the three-day visit from September14 to 16, he will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, besides meeting External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and calling on President Pranab Mukherjee. The visit assumes significance as President Maithripala Sirisena also chose India to be his first overseas desti- to lead a minority governnation after being elected to ment in January till the paroffice in January. liamentary elections last Wickremesinghe was month. This will be elected Prime Minister after Wikremesinghe's maiden his party United National foreign trip since January, Party won the parliamentary when he had assumed elections last month, finish- premiership for the third ing just short of a majority. time. Wikremesinghe will This is the fourth time he hold talks with Swaraj in the has become the Premier. company of Sri Lanka's ForThe 66-year-old was picked eign Minister Mangala

by President Sirisena, who Samaraweera. Sri Lankan handed a shock defeat to officials said among the Mahinda Rajapaksa in polls, subjects that are expected Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's will hold extensive talks with the Indian leadership including on the sensitive fishermen issue and a comprehensive economic pact.

During the three-day visit from September14 to 16, he will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, besides meeting External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and calling on President Pranab Mukherjee.

The proposed Sri Lanka resolution at the UN Human Rights Council later this month is also expected to figure in the talks

PAGE 7

to figure in the bilateral talks are the fishermen issue and the comprehensive economic partnership agreement. Wikremesinghe has vowed to strengthen ties with India but has taken a tough stand on the fishermen issue as in March he stroked a controversy suggesting that Indian fishermen may be shot if they intruded into Lankan waters.

The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement is expected to be part of the talk's agenda. Prime Minister Modi, during his visit to Sri Lanka in March, had said both countries should move boldly to conclude the pact and attract investments. The proposed Sri Lanka resolution at the UN Human Rights Council later this month is also expected to figure in the talks.

The US is set to move a pro-Sri Lanka resolution backing the island nation's internal domestic mechanism to tackle human rights a l l e g a t i o n s .

Wickremesinghe's New Delhi visit comes at a time as pro-Tamil groups have expressed reservations about the US stance on a domestic inquiry. The Tamil groups are unhappy about a local mechanism and have called for an international inquiry. Wickremesinghe has said earlier that lawmakers needed to bring a political conclusion to the ethnic issue."We will implement the 13th amendment within a unitary state," Wickremesinghe had said. The 13th amendment envisages the devolution of powers to the provinces. (Agencies)

Sri Lanka-India power link will help meet peak load shortages Colombo, Sep 6: The proposed power sharing deal and submarine link between Sri Lanka and India will help the island meet peak generation shortages in future although having excess base load supply, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said.The link may account for 7-15 percent of Sri Lankan annual energy requirement - mostly during peak, the ADB, which could help fund the project, said in a new report on the economic and reliability benefits of electricity trading among the countries in South Asia.The study, which covers Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, said such electricity trading would allow utilities to optimally use available resources to satisfy demand across the whole subregion."In the case of Sri Lanka, in the future it is likely to face peak-load generation shortages while its base-load generation will be in excess," it said. "At same time Bangladesh will also experience both peak and base-load generation short-

age in future. Therefore any interconnection with India will be able to ease this situation in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka with long term access to Indian power market."Although Sri Lanka has excess power now, with the commissioning of the Chinese-funded and built 900MW coal power plant, demand for electricity will accelerate along with economic growth and increasing industrialisation. The island now has almost 100 percent electricity coverage

and no power shortages unlike the rest of South Asia where electricity blackouts are common.

The ADB report said studies show net power transfer levels between India and Sri Lanka exceeding 2,000 GWh. The link also facilitates transfer of surplus off-peak energy to India from Sri Lanka, but the net transfer is expected to reflect a significant volume of import over the link into the island.It will also help improve Sri Lanka's

Myanmar rescues 219 trafficked victims in August

China says missing Panchen Lama is 'living a normal life'

Beijing, Sep 6: A young Tibetan who vanished two decades ago after he was chosen by the Dalai Lama as the second-highest figure in Tibetan Buddhism is

"living a normal life" and does not want to be disturbed, a senior Chinese official said today .The remarks are a rare admission of the fate of Mr Gendun

Choekyi Nyima, now 26, who was six years old when he was taken away after exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama named him as the Panchen Lama.This year marks the 20th anniversary of the disappearance of Mr Gendun Choekyi Nyima, whose fate remains of deep concern to many Tibetans."The reincarnated child Panchen Lama you mentioned is being educated, living a normal life, growing up healthily and does not wish to be disturbed," said Mr Norbu Dunzhub, a member of the Tibet Autonomous Region's United Front Work Department, in response to a question from media.He denounced the Dalai Lama for declaring the boy as the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama, saying the selection "ignored historical customs and destroyed religious rituals"."The identification was done without authorisation. It was illegal and invalid," Mr Norbu Dunzhub said.Though officially atheist, the Chinese Communist Party has long

maintained that Mr Gendun Choekyi Nyima is not the real Panchen Lama. In 1995, in a bid to win the hearts and minds of the Tibetans, the government selected Mr Gyaltsen Norbu as the 11th Panchen Lama. He is reviled by many Tibetans as a fake. The Dalai Lama and China have repeatedly tussled over that has final authority on the issue of reincarnation. Tibetans fear that China will use the issue of the Dalai Lama's succession to split Tibetan Buddhism, with one new Dalai Lama named by exiles and one by the government after his death. In a policy document on the "Successful Practice of Regional Ethnic Autonomy in Tibet", the government condemned the Dalai Lama for "plotting towards Tibetan independence" .The Dalai Lama denies seeking independence, saying he only wants genuine autonomy for Tibet, something he calls the Middle Way. Beijing believes that concept is merely a smokescreen for independence. ` (Agencies)

Yangon, Sep 6: Police in Myanmar rescued 219 people who were trafficked in August, according to the figures published by Antitrafficking in Persons Division today. Of the saved victims during the month, 206 are men, who were sold into forced labour, while 11 are women who were sold into forced marriage and prostitution. The 219 victims, who

were trafficked to neighboring countries of China, Thailand and Malaysia, also included two children, the sources said. Over the past eight months, the authorities have saved 392 victims and arrested 165 traffickers with 78 suspects being on the run. Figures also show that there were a total of 1,205 trafficking cases nationwide from 2006

up to August this year, in which the police rescued 2,394 victims and arrested 2,196 traffickers. According to Myanmar's Central Body for Suppression of Trafficking in Persons, it is now rewriting the current AntiTrafficking in Persons Law. The law needs amending in order to close existing loopholes, a police official said.

(Agencies)

Pakistan urges UNSC to 'take notice of firing by Indian troops' Karachi, Sep 6: Pakistan has urged the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to take notice of the firing by Indian troops along the Working Boundary and the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed Kash-

mir region.According to the media, Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN Maleeha Lodhi said to the President of the UNSC Vitaly Churkin in a letter that India should abide by the 2003 ceasefire agree-

ment. Lodhi mentioned in the letter that there had been a spike in violence in the last couple of months.

She requested UNSC president to circulate the letter as an official document of the Security Council. (ANI)

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The court sent the case docu123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 ments to District Sessions Judge's court for trial.It 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 also fixed September 22 for recording witness depo123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 sition in the case.On August 25, police submitted 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 the charge sheet against garage owner Md Sharif, 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 Mintu Miah, and Sharif's mother Beauty for the mur123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 der. On August 3, 12-year-old boy Md Rakibul Islam 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 was viciously killed by the trio in the city's Tutpara 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 area because he had left employment at their garage 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 and taken up a job elsewhere. Rakib's former em123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 ployers pumped air through his rectum to kill 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 him.Following the death, outraged locals broke into 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 the garage and beat up the three before handing over 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 to police.On the next day, Rakib's father launched a 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 murder case with Sadar police station against the 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 three. (Agencies) 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345

Investigate enforced disappearances, Court accepts charges in Rakib activists urge Sri Lanka Colombo, Sep 6: Activists in Sri Lanka are urging the government to ratify a key international convention on enforced disappearances and to investigate thousands of unsolved cases that have haunted the island nation through decades of conflict. Catholic Church officials say the issue is especially vital in Sri Lanka.

Father Nandana Activists in Sri Lanka are urging the government to ratify a key international convention on enforced disappearances and to investigate thousands of unsolved cases that have haunted the island nation through decades of conflict.

Manathunga said Sri Lanka has the second-highest number of disappearances in the world. Yet the country has not ratified the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced

Disappearances."It is the right of the parents to know what happened to their loved ones," said Father Manathunga, director of the human rights center in Kandy diocese. "We urge the government to publish

a list of detainees."On September 5, Father Manathunga is staging an event to mark Sri Lanka's unsolved disappearances with the families of those who are missing.Enforced disappearances have been an ongoing issue in Sri Lanka for decades. The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, a Marxist political party that attempted to overturn the government twice, was accused of kidnapping and killing thousands of young people.The military has also been accused of enforced disappearances during its 26-year-old battle against Tamil separatists.The United Nations Working Group on Enforced Disappearances is currently considering more than 43,000

active cases. Of these, Sri Lanka had 5,750 outstanding cases as of May this year. Only Iraq, at around 16,000 cases, had more active disappearances, according to the working group.However, it's believed the actual amount of disappearances over the years runs into the tens of thousands in Sri Lanka."Very few cases have been resolved and there has been blatant intimidation reported against families who have dared to ask questions about the whereabouts of their loved ones," Amnesty International said in a report marking the recent International Day of the Disappeared August 30.

(Agencies)

murder case

power grid system reliability both in terms of reducing the overall probability of outage and the duration, impacting frequency and level of load unserved.

"Also, diesel generation would reduce quite considerably," the ADB said.

"While the addition of new coal and hydro in Sri Lanka would reduce reliance on extensive peaking support using diesel even absent the link, the link further reduces dispatch from these generators." (Agencies)

Over 100 militants killed in Afghanistan Kabul, Sep 6: Over 100 militants have been killed in military operations in Afghanistan since Saturday, said the country`s defence ministry today."Afghan National Army carried out operations across the country over the past 24 hours in which 103 armed Taliban members were killed, 97 were injured and 10 others were arrested," .The security forces also recovered several roadside bombs and landmines in addition to seizing weapons and ammunition. A total of 17 army personnel were killed in clashes and roadside bomb attacks within the same period.

Security forces have pressed on to clear militants in restive provinces as Taliban-led violence continued in Afghanistan.

(Agencies)

Pakistan borders 'wellguarded', says Pak army chief on Defence Day Lahore, Sep 6: Pakistan`s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif said today that the nation`s borders are wellguarded, adding that the enemy (India) secretly attacked Pakistan 50 years ago and was responded befittingly. According to the Pakistan Today, Sharif`s message came on the occasion of Defence Day which was read out

by Corps Commander Southern Command Lieutenant General Nasir Janjua at the Youm-eShuhuda event. Sharif also said that the operation Zarb-e-Azb will achieve its targets soon.

He also said that the operation had crippled the terrorists, adding that Pakistan is battling with terrorism for the past 13 years.A full dress rehearsal for the golden jubilee of Defence Day was performed in General Head Quarters, Rawalpindi on yesterday.

The rehearsal was attended in huge numbers by the soldiers who fought in the 1965 IndoPak war, the families of the martyrs of the war and other important citizens.

(ANI)

PAGE 8

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

Indian Railway's safety provisions Trains are still the most popular mode of transport Safety in Indian Railways becomes a subject of discussion whenever there is an accident. The review of train accidents of the last 5 years (2009-10 to 201314) for which the data is available indicates that a large number of accidents happen because of derailments and at level crossing. It is also clear that more than 80% of the accidents are caused by Human Failure (Railway Staff or Otherwise). The good sign however is that the number of accidents per million kilometers run and number of casualties per million passengers carried has come down in the last few years. Each time there is a train accident, the issue of safety in Indian Railways is discussed and reignites the age-old debate around safety in Indian Railways for at least a few days.

Recently 39 passengers of Chennai-Mangalore Express were injured after four bogies derailed near Cuddalore.

The mishap occurred when the four bogies of the Mangalore-bound train jumped the tracks at Puvanur near Vriddhachalam in Cuddalore district.

Accidents like these occur relatively frequently.

In March, more than 30 people died after three coaches of a passenger train derailed in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. A total of 27,581 Indians died in 2014 in railway related accidents, the latest data by the National Crime Records Bureau shows. The leading cause of deaths in railway accidents was fall from trains/ collision of trains with people on tracks, which together accounted for 13,542 deaths. Other causes include collisions (99 deaths), derailments (59), and explosion/ fire (32). Cause for rest of the cases is not known.

According to the NCRB, 25,006 people died and 3,882 were injured in a total of 28,360 railway accidents across the country in 2014. The railway accident cases have decreased by 9.2% as compared to those in 2013.

NCRB report said that a total of 2,547 railway crossing accidents led to 2,575 deaths and 126 injuries across the country in 2014. The railways crossing accidents have increased by 83.5% when compared to 2013. Whereas Telangana had an unusually large number of railway crossing accidents with 1,061 or 41.65% incidents being reported from the state. Trains are still the most popular mode of long-distance travel in the vast country, but the network has suffered decades of underfunding. Its 1.25 million employees run 17,000 trains carrying up to 25 million people every day.

India's government has pledged to invest ÂŁ88bn ($137bn) to modernise the network, but any improvements will take years. There were also plans to introduce bullet trains and Indian trains today average less than 37mph (60km/h) which, though an improvement on 30mph several decades ago, puts them among the slowest in the world.

Alarming human-elephant conflict Take adequate steps before it is too late According to the Forest Survey of India, Assam lost 65 per cent of its lowland semi-evergreen forests since 1972. In the adjacent state of Meghalaya, forest cover declined from 33.1 per cent in 1980-1982 to 18 per cent in 1995. All included, the northeastern states lost 1,802 sq. km. of elephant range habitat between 1991 and 1999. Other parts of the elephant ranges are no exception. In northern Karnataka, Orissa and Jharkhand, elephants have lost large chunks of habitat to mining and encroachments. Unlike tigers, the bulk of whose range falls within Protected Areas, only 22 per cent of elephant habitat is enclosed in sanctuaries and national parks. Since the rest of their range lies in areas of increasing human density where there is intense competition for the same resources, conflict is inevitable. The estimated 28,000 wild elephants in India are distributed over an area of about 109,500 sq. km., about three per cent of the country's geographical area. In some of these tracts, a segment of the elephant population killed an average of 350 people annually over the last five years (2005-2010), and damaged an average of 330 sq. km. of crops every year for the last three years (2007-2010). The Central and State Governments together spend Rs. 10 to 15 crores every year on controlling elephant depredation and paying ex-gratia to affected people. Elephants and their habitat also pay the price of conflict while forty to fifty are killed a year while crop-raiding; forests are destroyed in the belief that it will prevent them from using the area. Discontented local farmers will frequently aid poachers in killing problem wildlife. Many elephants are caught in the pincer grip of habitat loss/fragmentation and retaliation caused by increasing conflict.

The Kameng area in Arunachal Pradesh and Sonitpur in Assam (contiguous habitat) support a large elephant population that varies between 900 and 1200 animals. Inside Sonitpur in Assam, approximately 500 to 800 elephants occur at different times of the year.

During the paddy season, the elephants travel down from the Himalayan foothills in Arunachal Pradesh.

In the early 1990s, these elephants sometimes damaged property and raided crops. A few human deaths occurred as a result of these human-elephant conflicts, but elephants were usually unharmed. Politically motivated developments by the mid 1990s, however, heightened the level of encroachment. By 2002, at least 50% of the prime elephant habitat in the region was lost and human-elephant conflicts became commonplace. Human deaths from elephants increased in 1993 (32), 2001 (26), and 2002 (28) and in retaliation, over 30 elephants were poisoned from 2001 to 2002 in Sonitpur and adjacent areas. Awareness among people, motivation, and compensation for human injury and death intensified and an "Elephant Reserve" was developed. One of the only possible solutions to mitigate this conflict is to restore elephant habitat to pre-1990 conditions. Elephants and humans are intelligent mammals competing for resources and mitigation ought to involve not just curbing animal movement and consolidating habitat, but also enabling local people to withstand the costs of some level of conflict which will be inevitable.

India's Fighter Acquisition Troubles As the Indian Air Force reduces the FGFA requirement, its fighter capacity continues to shrink. ?.........Daniel Darling Confronted with shrinking combat aircraft capacity, the Indian Air Force appears willing to swap projected numbers on paper for actual fighters on hand. At least, that is the message being conveyed

by IAF brass as they once again trim their fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) requirement.

Reports in the local media indicate that the IAF has reduced the scope of its outlined FGFA procurement down to just three squadrons of fighters (roughly 18 aircraft apiece), plus a handful of extra aircraft for training purposes. This would place the total requirement at around 65 Russian-built T50 fighter jets, far less than what was envisioned back in the middle of the previous decade when the unit figure was placed at 214 aircraft. This latest reduction also represents the second time the IAF has downsized its requirement, with the first coming in October 2012 when the service announced a reduction from 214 fighters down to 144.

Once again the IAF finds itself in the midst of a major fighter procurement project that promises a lot, delivers nothing in the short term, and is subject to localized industrial work share and advanced technologies that serve to both complicate and potentially derail negotiations.

The price exacted due to such grandiose requirements and ambitiously outlined industrial offsets comes in IAF combat aircraft strength, which continues to dwindle as age, serviceability issues, and lack of concrete orders take their toll.

The Indian government has mandated that the IAF field a 750-unit jet fighter fleet for the purpose of conducting a two-front war if necessary against neighboring rivals, China and Pakistan.

This would require 42 squadrons to be stood up and operationally ready.

Instead, the IAF is able to field 32-34 squadrons on paper, with India's Parliamentary Consultative Committee on Defence noting this past April that due to attrition, obsolescence, poor serviceability rates, and ongoing upgrades to the combined fighter fleet, in actuality the IAF has just

25 functional fighter squadrons on hand.

As if those numbers are not stark enough for India's defense planners, around 40 percent of the roughly 580 fighters in the IAF fleet consist of aging Soviet-legacy MiG-21s and MiG-27s slated for retirement within a decade.

The obvious mismatch between security mandates and capabilities on hand amplifies the pressing need to identify future jet fighter solutions and expedite the procurement process. But instead, India's woeful defense acquisition practices serve to impede progress toward meeting future air power requirements.

So now the FGFA project can be added to the list of reminders of India's grand procurement aspirations running aground on the rocky shores of reality.

As was the case with the now-defunct $12 billion "deal of the century" Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA)

project, India outlined a defense project that featured a large-scale buy with intensive industrial collaboration between state aerospace giant Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and a foreign vendor. In the case of the FGFA project, the foreign vendor is Russia's Sukhoi, the designer and producer of the stealthy T-50 under Russia's PAK-FA (Prospective Airborne Complex of Frontline Aviation) fifth-generation aircraft program.

But like the MMRCA, Indian demands for significant localized work share - a must under New Delhi's "Make in India" industrial initiative - proceeded to impede upon the pace of each project.

In the case of the MMRCA, France's Dassault harbored deepseated worries as to whether Indian industry could meet localized content requirements for its Rafale fighter, and lacked

faith that HAL was a technologically capable enough in-country partner.

The 2007 MMRCA tender required that the winning bidder produce the first 18 of 126 fighters on its own production line, with HAL producing the remainder in India. Added to that, word filtered through the media that India was demanding that Dassault guarantee the HAL-produced Rafale - a bridge the French aviation prime considered too far.

Thus as a means of moving the Rafale purchase forward, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi opted to bypass the MMRCA tender and forge a government-to-government agreement in Paris for the procurement of 36 of Dassault's fighters in flyaway condition.

The FGFA project, meanwhile, began to take form in December 2010 when a collaborative preliminary design contract worth $295 million was

inked between India and Russia. Needing additional funding to rev-up its fifthgeneration PAK-FA project, Russia turned to its most lucrative arms purchaser, India, with an offer of industrial collaboration.

Eager to advance its own technological know-how in the military aerospace domain while filling an advanced fighter requirement for the IAF at the same time, India obliged.

But both the IAF and HAL have grown disenchanted with the project, and an $11-12 billion research and development contract (outlining the final design and development of the Indian aircraft) with Russia remains unsigned

by New Delhi.

The IAF concerns over FGFA are multiple.

These include worries about the fiscal balancing between unit and project price for FGFA versus the larger service budget, the willingness of Russia to transfer sensitive tech-

Reports in the local media indicate that the IAF has reduced the scope of its outlined FGFA procurement down to just three squadrons of fighters (roughly 18 aircraft apiece), plus a handful of extra aircraft for training purposes. This would place the total requirement at around 65 Russian-built T-50 fighter jets, far less than what was envisioned back in the middle of the previous decade when the unit figure was placed at 214 aircraft. This latest reduction also represents the second time the IAF has downsized its requirement, with the first coming in October 2012 when the service announced a reduction from 214 fighters down to 144.

nologies, and misgivings regarding the adequacy of the T-50's AL-41F1 engine.

HAL, as is its want, desires greater work share in a project for which India would be covering 50 percent of the price tag.

The Indian government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, meanwhile, is trying to cover two priorities within one contract: Meet national security requirements while boosting the technological capabilities of India's aerospace and defense sector.

Like the preceding UPA-led government, the Modi government is beginning to confront the hard reality that efforts to favor HAL and/or localized work share in defense contracts with foreign vendors too often end up forming a bridge to nowhere. In the end, the Indian military is more often than not left with aging equipment and no replacement in sight.

To avoid waiting for deliveries of its new FGFA - currently expected to take eight years upon the signing of the R&D contract, the IAF wants to buy the Russianbuilt T-50 in flyaway condition. This would mirror the method undertaken by the Modi government with the canceled MMRCA: make a direct government-to-government offthe-shelf procurement of an initial batch of fighters that will immediately meet IAF needs, and then revisit a larger unit-purchase contract designed with localized work share and technology transfer.

On paper this idea sounds both practical and, for the IAF, ideal. But this being India, nothing is quite as easy as it sounds.

Reports now indicate that France and India are struggling to consummate the 36-unit Rafale sale that Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar indicated to local media last spring would be sealed no later than July. Holding up the potential deal? Industrial offset obligations, unit prices, and IAF requests for specialized weapons-fitting modifications on the aircraft.

Even when the government attempts to cut through its own labyrinthine process to expedite a foreign military procurement, nothing is ever easy for defense acquisition in India.

Be Positive, Address the Grievances Sir, State BJP starts sharpening its teeth. With the induction of Himanta Biswa Sarma, the party could add more teeth and is contemplating to occupy Dispur after issuing a clarion call. At a time when BJP is up and doing guarding up its loin for the assembly election to be held in 2016, certain negative attitude of the party upsets the people of Assam.

Flood affected people's miseries know no bounds.

They are rendered homeless, foodless and are between the two horns of devil. State government on one hand and the central government on the other hand are dilly dallying in giving relief to the victims of floods. Perhaps, seeing the magnitude of corruption, the BJP led NDA is still apprehensive in releasing the required fund for relief to Assam. If the centre is so cynical about the misuse of funds to be allotted to Assam for flood victims it should take initiative to give relief to the victims through their own members.

Then, we are upset by yet another disturbing news.

Prime minister Modi's commitment notwithstanding the centre has suddenly dropped the project for installing 'Light and sound' system in the Talatal Ghar.

Again, it is not understood, why Tinsukia is dropped from 'smart City' list despite an earlier declaration to

this effect. By taking only one city from Assam, NDA Government is discriminating against the state.

No initiative is in sight to release fund for improving the dilapidated condition of National Highways and other main roads. BJP should remember, "One who plays the piper has the right to call for the tune".

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

Op

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

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All Of Us Are Responsible For Why 3 Suicide Or Religious Freedom? The Jain Practice That Has The Judiciary Conflicted Year Old Aylan Kurdi Is No More Shambhavi Saxena "I wished there was no problem in their country, that they hadn't left it and hadn't tried to leave Turkey and that I hadn't taken this photograph," said Nilufer Demir, the photographer who brought the world the news of drowned old Syrian boy.

His name was Aylan Kurdi, and he was three years old, and the photo of his on the shore of the Greek island Kos has shaken many of us from our stupor about the situation in Syria. It's one of those images that will join Steve McCurry's Afghan Girl and Raghu Rai's 'Burial of an Unknown Child'. It's one we simply cannot ignore, even in this day and age of scroll-and-forget.

The Crisis in Syria Aylan and his family were crossing the Aegean sea to get to Greece when their boat capsized, leaving his father, Abdullah Kurdi, the sole survivor of an all too common tragedy. Abdullah Kurdi is among 4 million Syrian refugees displaced by the violent aftermath of the Arab Spring. The 'Arab

Spring', a collective noun for democratic uprisings that was on everybody's lips back in 2011, devolved into bloody clashes between Syria's civilian army and the government. The direct outcome of this has been the worst refugee crisis the world has seen since the Rwandan genocide in 1994.

Apart from those who fled the country, there are some 7 million internally displaced persons inside Syria.

As with the refugee crises in Iraq, Burma, Tibet, North Africa and many more, civilians become easy targets of a host of human rights violations from both state and nonstate actors. Those who escape are at the mercy of other nations and natural elements, like the Rohingya Muslims left adrift in boats.

Syria's Dispossessed Children Those who stand to lose the most from all this are the Syrian children, for whom home and family have been all but shattered, leave alone their education and future careers. International aid agency Mercy Corps has said Syrian chil-

dren "will be the ones left to rebuild their lives and their country," but without even the basic necessities of life, how can they?

Child refugees who have made the perilous journey from the worst affected areas - Damascus and Aleppo - into and through the neighbouring nations of Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey and beyond, have recorded and represented their experience through a series of photographs and drawings. Artists too have paid tribute to the little boy, while also criticizing leaders and nations and everimpersonal mechanisms that allowed this to happen.

The Divided Nations When only 19 of 195 world nations are signatories to the 1951 Refugee Convention, and the Protocol on the Status of Refugees that followed in 1967, even the most that individual states can do remains inadequate.

Germany took the lead on responding to the crisis, and even then it's just not enough. You might remember German Chancellor Angela Merkel having to explain to a Palestinian girl

why her family was being deported. "I understand that, however I have to‌ sometimes politics is hard," Merkel said, pointing to the fact that one country cannot manage the refugee situation on its own.

The UK, and its tendency to "Keep Britain British", has come under fire for its reluctance to offer help. To illustrate how poor the UK's response to the Syrian crisis has been, the Independent published a piece titled: "Number of Syrian refugees Britain has taken in would fit on a Tube train." Now, almost reluctantly the UK has agreed to take in 4000 more Syrians.

But why look to the West as saviours? Loud questions about the responsibilities of Syria's Arab neighbours have also been raised in international media.

Wealthy gulf nations, like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE and Qatar, that are equipped to help with the crisis, have not taken in any Syrian refugees.

Until such time as each nation is prepared to assist in such massive humanitarian crises, refugees are in serious trouble. In a tearful interview with the Guardian, Aylan Kurdi's aunt Tima (who immigrated to Vancouver two decades ago and was sponsoring the Kurdis in Turkey) urged refugees not to attempt crossing the sea at the risk of their lives. Equally heartrending are the accounts of internally displaced refugees. As Somali poet Warsan Shire says in the poem 'Home': "no one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark."

Little Aylan's life ended even before it fully began because of the malice of his fellow humans, and the inability of others to be anything more than mortified or disinterested bystanders.

Ankita Ghosh It's been a particularly difficult week for Gulab Chand Kataria, Home Minister, Government of Rajasthan after the Rajasthan High Court ruled for criminalizing of the Jain practice of Santhara. Torn between religion and responsibility, Kataria says, "If Santhara is suicide, organ donation is murder" but reaffirms that the government does not intend to move Supreme Court.

Jainism, one of the oldest existing religious beliefs in the world has had a long and spiritually motivated religious history. The Jains with their unmatched faith in the principle of non-violence even restrict their diets so as to be minimally invasive to organic life, and fasting for a prolonged period of time has become a well-accepted practice among some particularly staunch and orthodox believers.

But society has come a long way since the days when religious practices like 'corporal mortification' went unchallenged and without legal opposition. While fasting has always been seen as a spiritual means of detoxification of the human soul, 'fasting unto death' is increasingly being considered manifestation of a disturbed mental state. Hence, religious practices such as the Santhara practice among Jains have come under thorough scrutiny by law. The Rajasthan High Court, that recently passed a ruling criminalizing this practice, had unleashed a jet of protests from Jain groups across the country only a fortnight ago. The protests brought representatives of all convergent and differing Jain sects, mainly the two opposing sects of Digambars and

Swetambars, together as well as gathering support outside the Jain community.

Dharma Bachao Andolan Samity, that was leading the protests, had called for countrywide rallies in a bid to defend what they consider a just ritual. In preparation for the imminent mass-protest that was supposed to be staged on the 31st of August, demonstrations in different parts of the country had already been underway. Many had reportedly shaved their heads in parts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh as a mark of outcry, including some nonbelievers. The day of massprotest was supposed to see Jains observing complete abstinence from public institutions such as schools and workplaces.

What comes as a rude shock is the fact that Santhara had been branded as a criminal offence on the grounds of being a form of 'attempted suicide', which is booked under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code. Now this poses us with a rather grave question. Is a secular state violating what figures

on the top of the list of Fundamental rights given to the Indian citizen - Right to Religion (Articles 25-28, Constitution of India)?

However the answer can't be that simple since Right to Life comes in direct conflict with that of religious freedom.

Advocates for euthanasia will reason that Right to Life (Article 21, Constitution of India) automatically entails one's right to end one's own life, simply put, 'Right to Die'. While suicide pertains to a desperate, clinical state of mind in need of medical assistance, euthanasia is meant to arm an individual with the choice of putting a logical end to suffering through medical assistance. Spiritual practices like the Santhara practice fall in a wholly different category.

Practitioners in this case make conscious adult decisions with meditative calm to attain a higher form of emancipation from the cycle of rebirth (an established spiritual philosophy).

The protesting Jains had taken their appeal to the

apex court following the Rajasthan High Court ruling.Latest developments however seem to be somewhat encouraging for the Jain community as the Supreme Court put a stay order on the Rajasthan High Court ruling on Monday, 31st of August, the day of the previously scheduled mass-protest. Bans on religious rituals can be legally tricky and it should be noted that legislations against religious customs are a volatile issue. Religion is the most sensitive premise in India and in most cases we are left confused with more questions than answers. As a concluding thought, Santhara is a completely voluntary method and only allowed in cases of old age, terminal illness, with consent of family and religious guru, or the complete absence of liabilities/responsibilities.

A criminal ban on Santhara better have very strong humanitarian arguments in its support to escape charges of religious bias and majoritarianism.

tion that takes place after a behaviour that encourages that behaviour to occur again. Giving attention to a child after they swear can reinforce the behaviour, particularly if the child is swearing to get the reaction of shock and horror on mum's face.

A natural tendency can be to yell at a child who swears. Yelling can be a punishment that discourages the behaviour it follows. But, at the same time, yelling is also modelling a behaviour about how to react to the undesired behaviours of others.

Yelling can also model poor emotional regulation around handling strong emotions.

A better method of socialisation for parents looking to discourage swearing is extinction.

Extinction essentially involves ignoring undesired behaviours. By using extinction, a parent may be able to gradually reduce an unwanted behaviour by not giving a reaction or at-

tention that may unintentionally encourage a behaviour.

This works best in combination with reinforcement of desired behaviours. If a child has developed a habit of swearing, the parent can ignore comments the child makes when swearing, but give attention when comments are made without swearing or when a nonoffensive word is used as a substitute (like "sugar" for another s-word). This shows the child that the parent's attention is still available, and that it is not the child being ignored but the behaviour.

Extinction is not a magic bullet for swearing. At first, children may swear more aggressively to get attention. Using this method of socialisation requires persistence and consistency, preferably by the many important adults in a child's life, including relatives and teachers.

The key is to keep praising polite communications

by the child and to ignore the swearing, so they get the message about what is acceptable behaviour. I can tell my toddler is searching my face for a reaction when he brings out "piss poo". Not cracking a smile when he does this can be a challenge though!

Should I swear in front of them?

Regardless of whether you swear in front of your children, they will have a fairly extensive profanity vocabulary from a fairly young age. The important thing they need to know is when it's okay to swear and when it's not.

The role of the parent here is to model the appropriate behaviour. No parent is a saint and we're all guilty of dropping the fbomb when stubbing our toe or when the shopping bags split. As long as your children know the f-bomb is not appropriate language to take to their first job interview, then they're probably going to be okay.

Should We Swear In Front Of Our Kids?

Amy Conley Wright

The other day, my toddler son came home from childcare saying "piss poo". He is one of the younger children in his classroom and clearly he heard this phrase from an older child he admired. I couldn't help laughing at this unexpected outburst, which reinforced this behaviour - thus cementing the phrase in his emerging vocabulary.

Now he goes around muttering "piss poo piss poo pissy poo" under his breath as he goes about his business.

Is this a bad thing? Should I scold him for using words he doesn't know the meaning of? Should I discourage him from using swear words and refrain from swearing in front of him?

How do children pick up swear words?

Socialisation is the process whereby people learn the types of behaviours, values and other attributes that are necessary to participate in the groups to which they belong. Childhood is of course the most intensive period for socialisation, as children learn what they need to know to be adults.

Children are learning all the time, and not all socialisation is intentional. Indeed, when adults have their guards down these may be the very moments they are making the biggest impressions on their children.

Several methods are associated with the process of socialisation but perhaps the most powerful is the observational method imitating the behaviour of a role model. The highly successful public service announcement "Children see, children do" from the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect reminds adults that their behaviours speak louder than words and to model positive behaviours.

Children are most likely to learn to swear when people with whom they feel a connection - like peers, parents or figures in the media - use swear words. While children

may not immediately begin to mimic bad words, they are learning that swearing is a socially acceptable behaviour.

As soon as children can speak, they can swear. Researchers Kristin and Timothy Jay found that children's vocabulary of swear words expands rapidly from ages 1-2 to ages 3-4, in parallel to the general explosion in language in the toddler and preschooler years. Their research found that by the time children began school at age 5, they already knew 42 taboo words.

Does it matter if they swear?

Everyone will have their

opinions on whether or not it matters if people, especially children, swear. The important thing is that children understand the context for their behaviour.

Swear words have power because they are taboo and have shock value.

Children learn through social cues that using a swear word with peers may elicit laughter and attention, which encourages them to use a swear word again. On the other hand, using the same swear word around teachers or parents can result in a punishment. In this way, children internalise awareness of the taboo nature of certain words

with certain people in certain contexts.

There may be little damage from swearing in the playground, but thinking they can swear at their teacher is another matter entirely. Children need to be taught, through modelling appropriate behaviours, how to behave in various social situations and different contexts.

How to discourage children from swearing?

Parents may inadvertently encourage swearing. The operant method of socialisation suggests that a behaviour is more likely to occur again when it is reinforced.

Reinforcement is an ac-

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

BUSINESS

MNCs compete with startups for talent Bengaluru, Sep 6: The battle between MNCs and startups to attract the best talent is heating up - and campus recruits seem to be the winners. A study by management consulting firm Zinnov on campus compensation this year finds MNCs have started offering joining bonus and stock options - varying between Rs 4 lakh and Rs 10 lakh - to compete with the packages offered by VCfunded startup giants to recruits from Tier-1 engineering colleges. The average CTC (cost-to-company) offered by MNCs in Tier-1 colleges was around Rs 14.3 lakh, while startups offered Rs 16.5 lakh, the study says. Among the MNCs it looked at were Microsoft, Adobe, Google,

Walmart Labs, Intuit, IBM Labs, Samsung, VMware, and EMC. The CTC includes base salaries, variable pay, joining bonus and stocks. Sandeep Moorthy, manager of talent and rewards at Zinnov, said, "With the influx of startups, MNCs have realized they are losing ground to startups in attracting talent and have started giving matching compensation.

They were paying Rs 8 to 9 lakh in 2011 as basic pay, but now the figure has gone to almost Rs 12 lakh. The fixed in-hand pay is comparable for MNCs and startups. The difference is in the value of stocks offered by startups." Sumit Jain, co-founder and CEO of property portal Commonfloor.com, said

FIGHT FOR TALENT The battle between MNCs and startups to attract the best talent is heating up.

MNCs have started offering joining bonus and stock options - varying between Rs 4 lakh and Rs 10 lakh.

To match up the influx of startups, MNCs have started attracting talent and have started giving matching compensation.

Haryana govt to raise Rs 1,000 crore through govtsecurity sale Chandigarh, Sep 6: The Haryana government today said it has notified the sale of government securities of 10-year tenure for an aggregate Rs 1,000 crore (nominal). A notification to this effect has been issued by the state Finance Department, said an official release here. As per the notification, the proceeds of the loan will be rganiza to finance state plan outlay in connection with development programmes. Up to 10 per cent of the notified amount of the sale will be allotted to eligible individuals and institutions subject to a maximum limit of one per cent for a single bid, as per the revised scheme for noncompetitive bidding.

(Agencies)

Land allotment for 12 companies at Aerospace Park Chennai, Sep 6: Setting the ball rolling for its ambitious Aerospace Park, the Tamil Nadu government has allocated land for 12 companies at the proposed Aerospace Park to come up in nearby Sriperumbudur. Tamil Nadu Industrial Corporation (TIDCO), which is implementing the plan said that of the proposed 30 companies in the first phase, three more have submitted applications, seeking land allocation.

"Fifteen more companies have expressed interest to set up units in this park.

Expected investment through these 30 aerospace companies is around Rs 3,000 crore and the expected employment potential is around 5,000 persons," the policy note that was tabled in the assembly said. Tidco has set itself a target of ensuring that about 40 companies set up their units in the park by mid-2016, it said. Government has issued orders for allocating 300 acres at nearby Sriperumbudur for setting up the Aerospace Park. As per the government orders, State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) has earmarked around 258 acres to develop the park, it said. (Agencies)

the venture had hired 100 people from top institutes this year for roles including software engineers, product managers, business analysts and sales managers. "We hired 50 from Tier-1 colleges like IITs and IIMs for these roles with compensation packages ranging between Rs 10-25 lakh, that includes Esops, retention bonus, equity and cash," he said.

Capillary Technologies, a Bengaluru-based IT

startup, paid Rs 14-16 lakh for software developers from IIT Kharagpur as total compensation. "About 10% of entry-level salary consists of stock," said Aneesh Reddy, co-founder and CEO of the venture, which hires 20-25 people each year from Tier-1 colleges, including the IITs, BITS Pilani and IIMs. The large amounts of funding that many startups have received are enabling them to significantly raise compen-

sation. Last year, the average CTC offered by startups like Flipkart, Ola, Snapdeal and Paytm to an engineering graduate from top-tier institutions was around Rs 15 lakh, according to multiple recruitment industry sources.

In 2015, Flipkart increased its package to around Rs 19 lakh, while companies like Walmart, VMware, and LinkedIn stepped up their game and offered packages ranging from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 25 lakh. (Agencies)

Cipla buys two US pharma companies for Rs 3,655 crore

Mumbai, Sep 6: Close on the heels of Lupin buying Gavis Pharma in the US in July, Mumbai-based Cipla has entered into a deal to acquire two US generic businesses for $550 million (about Rs 3,655 crore). In a statement, the company said on Friday its UK arm Cipla EU has entered into definitive agreements to acquire two US-based companies, InvaGen Pharmaceuticals Inc and Exelan Pharmaceuticals Inc. "The transaction being subject to certain closing conditions is valued at $550 million and will be an all-cash transaction. The combined revenue from these transactions is over $200 million for the year ended December 2014, and over $225 million in last 12 months till June

2015," the company said in the statement. At a time when all of its peers have made a significant inroads to the US market, Mumbaibased Cipla is relatively a late entrant. The US market accounts for only 8% at present, which it expects to take up to 20% by 2020, its MD and global CEO Subhanu Saxena told reporters recently. It was earlier reported that Cipla is in talks to buy the US business arm of the Hyderabadbased Hetero Drug. However, Hetero Drug's spokesperson said in a statement, "Hetero would like to clarify that the current sale of Invagen Pharmaceuticals is the sale of strategic investment by the Hetero promoter group which has a different product portfolio

than Hetero. InvaGen Pharmaceuticals Inc is not linked directly to the flagship companies of the Hetero group i.e. Hetero Drugs Ltd or Hetero Labs Ltd. Hetero has currently 130 abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs) filed in US. The company will continue to strengthen its presence in the US market by investing in US generics and speciality products through its subsidiary firm Camber Pharmaceuticals in the US. The acquisition of InvaGen offers a large capacity manufacturing base in Hauppauge, New York and US-based R&D rganization, Cipla's first such presence in the US. It will give the company scale in the US generics market through a wide ranging

product portfolio in CNS, CVS, anti-infectives, diabetes as well as other valueadded generics. "This investment is in line with Cipla's strategy to grow Cipla's share in the US pharmaceutical market. We see InvaGen as a strong strategic fit with a relevant diverse portfolio as well as a strong market and customer presence. With a local manufacturing facility, Cipla can further strengthen its presence and commitment to serve patients in the country," said Saxena in the statement.

The acquisition of InvaGen also provides Cipla with about 40 approved ANDAs, 32 marketed products, and 30 pipeline products which are expected to be approved over the next four years.

Sarabjit Kour Nangra, VPResearch (Pharma), Angel Broking, said, "As per the agreement, the cash consideration payable for Invagen is $500 million and for Exelan $50 million. The acquisitions will strengthen the overall presence of Cipla in the US in terms of scale, revenue, and manufacturing opportunities, and would enable widening of Cipla's product portfolio. Cipla, unlike its peers which get much of their revenues from the US (20-50%), gets only 8% of its revenues from the US markets (nearly $150 million in fiscal 2015). With these acquisitions, the US now will have sales of about $400 million, accounting for almost 1617% of its FY2017E earnings." (Agencies)

Smart City project first phase to be inaugurated this December Kochi, Sep 6: Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy recently said the first phase of the Smart City project, which will be home to knowledge-based companies, will be inaugurated in December this year. After reviewing progress of the project at the 45th Board of Directors meeting at Smart City Pavilion at Kakkanad about 18 km from here, he also said the second phase of the project would be launched in the same month. Smart City Kochi, spread over 246 acres in the IT corridor of Kochi, is a hub for all Information and Communication Technology (ICT), media, finance and education (research) companies, attracting them from within India and overseas. "The first phase of Smart City project comprises 6.5 lakh

sq ft of built-up space. In the second phase, a project with 47 lakh sq ft will be developed. With completion of the second project,

it will provide direct job opportunities for 45,000 people," the Chief Minister said. Minister for Industries and IT, P K

Kunjalikutty, Minister for Excise and Fisheries K Babu, Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson, Smartcity Vice Chairman Jaber Bin Hafez, Dubai-based Indian business tycoon M A Yousuf Ali, CEO Baju George and Principal Secretary IT P H Kurien attended the meeting. The state government had recently decided to extend stamp duty and registration fee exemption given to IT units and IT developers in Special Economic Zones to co-developers as well, which was the stumbling block that prevented the co-developers of SmartCity to commence their construction. The four review meetings held under the chairmanship of Jiji Thomson has helped resolve several pending issues and put the project on a faster mode. (Agencies)

PAGE 10

India demands global safety nets to check currency volatility Ankara, Sep 6: India strongly demanded creation of global safety nets to address concerns over volatility in currency movements and markets, a demand that has come against the backdrop of economic shocks triggered by Chinese devaluation of yuan.

Finance minister Arun Jaitley also sought a welldesigned and quickly-triggered safety nets under IMF like strengthening of liquidity arrangements via multilateral swap arrangements between member countries to tackle negative spillovers arising from domestic actions. "Recent episodes of market volatility and currency movements again pose a lingering question on the need for

global safety nets for addressing market concerns.

"I strongly believe that ad hoc, individual, reactionary measures can contain the adverse impact of such events only for a limited period. These cannot provide a sustainable solution which can happen only by global policy coordination," Jaitley said. He did not name China but was apparently referring to the global shocks China caused with its currency devaluation following its economic slowdown and the impact it had on economies including India. Jaitley was making an intervention in the session on 'Framework for strong, sustainable and balanced growth' at the G20 meeting of finance minis-

ters and central bank governors. On Thursday when Jaitley left for Ankara, the finance ministry issued a statement expressing serious concern that the recent devaluation of major currencies followed by currency depreciations in large number of Asian emerging markets raised the risk of competitive devaluations. This, it said, was a major threat to stability in the global economy and the attempt in Ankara would be to analyse the situation and consider collaborative measures like developing global safety nets to protect countries from negative spillovers arising from domestic actions.

(Agencies)

In-principle approval for payments banks arbitrary and malicious: Subramanian Swamy New Delhi, Sep 6: BJP leader Subramanian Swamy recently termed RBI's decision to grant inprinciple approval to 11 entities for payments banks as "arbitrary and malicious". "These were chosen from 41 applicants who wanted to start Payment systems. The manner in which 11 Payments Banks were shortlisted is inconsistent with the rule of law. It is not clear how the RBI came to the number of 11 payments banks, or why licences were denied to the others ..." "The arbitrary and malicious decision (of RBI) appears to be a big scam ...," Swamy said in a

statement. From the very outset, he said, it is not clear why RBI chose to use the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, to licence Payments Banks when Parliament has made separate law for governing payments systems under the Payments and Settlement Systems Act, 2007. Although the RBI stated that the 11 entities were chosen by an external evaluation committee, Swamy said "without casting any aspersions on the members of the committee, this is, sadly, not a due process of law". "There is no explanation on how the committee evaluated each criterion... ," he said,

adding RBI did not provide for review or appeal by rejected applicants. "This is also a violation of the rule of law". He further said that there would have been no problem had the RBI granted 30 payments banks licences instead of 11. "It would have promoted more competition and reduced costs to consumers". Payments Banks are allowed to collect deposits (initially up to Rs 1 lakh per individual), offer Internet banking, facilitate money transfers and sell insurance and mutual funds.

Besides, they can issue ATM/debit cards, but not credit cards. (Agencies)

India spotted bright among few in global economy

Ankara, Sep 6: The IMF recently said India is among the few bright spots in the global economy as G20 finance ministers began their two-day meeting here against the backdrop of concerns over Chinese economic slowdown looming large on world markets.

The remarks from International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Christine Lagarde came at the meeting of G20 finance minister and Central Bank Governors where they also discussed monetary policy uncertainties. Lagarde told the gathering that between advanced and emerging economies, there are problems in most places in the advanced world while in emerging economies, there are problems in China al-

though not that big as stock markets are making it to be, according to officials present at the meeting.

Among emerging economies if there is any growth, that is in India. India is among the few bright spots in the global economy, the officials said quoting Lagarde. Officials said that RBI governor Raghuram Rajan said at the meeting that they are surrounded by economic gloom probably hinting at concerns over slowdown in China. The meeting continued well beyond its schedule time till late into the night.

Policymakers from South Korea, Australia, China and the US were among those who were present at the meeting. Meanwhile China assured other G20

member countries that its economy would not collapse and would continue to grow at a slower pace, officials said. They added that draft declaration has so far not named the US or China. On Thursday, India deprecated the recent devaluation of major currencies followed by currency depreciation in a large number of emerging markets which raises the risk of competitive devaluations.

Currency devaluations at a time when the global demand is sluggish is a major threat to stability in the global economy, India had said.

Earlier in the day, Rajan said global economies witnessing sustainable growth need to hike rates although not in a "one go, big bang" manner. (Agencies)

Idea cellular seeks shareholders nod to raise Rs 10,000 crore Chennai, Sep 6: Idea Cellular is seeking shareholders nod to raise up to Rs 10,000 crore through issue of non-convertible securities on private placement basis in one or more tranches. The country's third largest mobile operator would seek shareholders approval at its annual general meeting to be held on September 28. "Consent of the members be and is hereby accorded...To borrow from time to time, by issuance of non-convertible

securities, including but not limited to non-convertible debentures (NCDs), secured or unsecured, in one or more series/tranches aggregating up to an amount not exceeding Rs` 10,000 crore on a private place-

ment basis, during a period of one year from the conclusion of the 20th Annual General Meeting," Idea said in the notice on the BSE. The company will also seek shareholders approval for the re-appointment of Himanshu Kapania as Managing Director for another five years from April 1, 2016. Apart from that the company will seek approval for other ordinary business like declaring dividend and appointment of director etc. (Agencies)

"I can always try. But it's probably not the right guy to do it against."

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

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Roger Federer

Federer advances to fourth round of US Open New York : Roger Federer might not be so keen to try out his olddog-new-trick, rush-thenet "SABR" — "sneak attack by Roger" — return strategy against his next opponent at the U.S. Open. "I don't think so," Federer said. "I can always try. But it's probably not the right guy to do it against." Probably not. That's because the second-seeded Federer, who advanced Saturday by beating 29th-seeded Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, will have to deal with 6foot-10 American John Isner and his massive serve in the fourth round. "The idea is not to use it very much against a player like that," Federer said about his innovative and risky approach to attacking second serves, racing forward as the ball arrives to pluck it off the ground with what amounts to a half-volley.

"I have done pretty well over the years against big servers, so, I mean, clearly I will think about it. But I don't think that's going to be the turning point of the match, to be quite honest. I need to make sure I protect my own serve first." Federer has been doing that rather well, lately. While

dropping a total of only 20 games and zero sets through three matches, he has been broken only twice — both times by Kohlschreiber.

Of Federer's 17 Grand Slam titles, five came at Flushing Meadows from 2005-08, and he has reached the fourth round for the 15th year in a row. The 13th-seeded Isner, meanwhile, had lost in the third round each of the past three years — and each time, coincidentally, against Kohlschreiber. After moving on when Jiri Vesely of the Czech Republic retired because of a neck injury after dropping the first two sets, Isner was asked about the possibility of dealing with Federer's newfangled return on Mon-

day. "I haven't thought about that too much, actually," said Isner, who is 1-4 against Federer, including losses at the 2007 U.S. Open and, most recently, the 2012 London Olympics. "So I have probably ... I don't know, 48 hours to think about that." Vesely is the 16th player — 14 men, two women — to stop during a match at this year's U.S. Open because of injury or illness, a record for a major tournament in the Open era, which began in 1968.

Isner is one of two U.S. men left, because 68thranked Donald Young came all the way back to eliminate 22nd-seeded Viktor Troicki of Serbia 4-6, 0-6, 7-6 (3), 6-2, 64. Young had never won

a match after losing the first two sets until Tuesday, when he did it against 11th-seeded Gilles Simon in the first round.

"It was 90 per cent you guys," Young told the partisan spectators, "10 per cent me." No. 3 Andy Murray beat No. 30 Thomaz Bellucci 63, 6-2, 7-5 in the last match of the day.

Three past major champions in the women's draw won Saturday afternoon — No. 5 Petra Kvitova, No. 20 Victoria Azarenka and No. 22 Sam Stosur. No. 2 Simona Halep, the 2014 French Open runner-up, beat qualifier Shelby Rogers of the U.S. 6-2, 6-3 to open the night session.

Twice the title winner at

the Australian Open, and twice beaten by Serena Williams in the U.S. Open final, Azarenka needed six match points and nearly three hours to close out 11th-seeded Angelique Kerber 7-5, 2-6, 6-4. Afterward, Azarenka said she told herself, "I'm going to stay here all day," if that's what it was going to take to win.

Federer, meanwhile, has been taking advantage of the brevity of his matches, spending the free time with his wife and their two sets of twins or playing tourist in New York. Saw the hit musical "Hamilton" on Friday, for example.

His match against Kohlschreiber was his longest of the week, and it only lasted a tad more than 1 1/2 hours.

During it, Federer opted to try his new return a couple of times, once sailing the shot long, another winning the point when the ball clipped the top of the net and trickled over.

Colour Kohlschreiber unimpressed.

"In general, I didn't feel that he was unbelievable today," Kohlschreiber said after falling to 0-10 against the 34-year-old Federer. "He's attacking, of course, but I didn't see

so many special things today." Well, then.

Federer explained that his "SABR" — pronounced "saber" — derived from a casual lateafternoon practice session with French player Benoit Paire in Cincinnati last month. Paire was ill, Federer had jet lag, both were exhausted, so they decided to play a few quick games and wrap things up.

"That's when I started to run in and hit returns. I hit a couple for a winner. They were, like, ridiculous. He laughed, I laughed, (coach) Severin (Luthi) laughed," Federer recounted.

"Then I did it again in the next practice, just to see if it actually would still work again.

Then I tried it the next practice and it still worked. That's what Severin said, 'Well, what about using it in a match?' I was like, 'Really?"' Canadian Eugenie Bouchard withdrew from women's doubles and mixed doubles competition earlier Saturday. The Westmount, Que., native suffered a head injury after falling in the lockerroom.

Smith helps Australia clinch victory over England in second ODI London: Skipper Steve Smith’s impressive knock of 70 runs helped Australia clinch a 64-run triumph over England in the second one day international of five-match series here at Lord’s on Saturday. Replying to Australia’s target of 309 runs, the hosts were bundled out in 42.3 overs after scoring 245 runs. England Skipper Eoin Morgan failed to score his ninth ODI century, as he was dismissed by Pat Cummins after scoring 85 runs. While, opener Jason Roy and Alex

Hales got dismissed for 31 and 18 respectively. Pat Cummins turned out to be the star bowler for the visitors as he claimed four wickets for 56.

Glenn Maxwell scalped two wickets while Mitchell Marsh, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Coulter-Nile took a wicket each.

Mitchell Marsh was adjudged as `man of the match` for his significant contribution with both bat and bowl. The two sides will next lock horns at Old Trafford on September 8.

Hodgson says Rooney’s Smith considers apfor Stokes dis50th goal not too far away pealmissal `fair`

Johannesburg: England manager Roy Hodgson has said that skipper Wayne Rooney is not far enough from getting his 50th goal, adding that he will get that in one match or the other.

Hodgson said that it would be great if Rooney could break his record against

Switzerland on Tuesday.

Hodgson, who took Rooney off from the ground after he equalled the national record of 49 goals by Bobby Charlton, further added that he would not have done that if that was Rooney’s last chance, Sport24 reported.

Earlier, Rooney’s 49th goal in 13th minute helped England to become the first team to qualify for the 2016 Euro Championship after they defeated San Marino 6-0 in Serravalle on Saturday. With the win, England have now won all of their seven games in Group E.

Wellington: Australian skipper Steven Smith has said that his team was fair in making an appeal to get England batsman Ben Stokes out of the field for lifting his left hand to block the ball to hit the stumps, adding that even the umpires agreed with their decision. Australia appealed that Stokes be sent out of the field when he was seen outside his crease after blocking a throw from pacer Mitchell Starc. Smith added he had noticed that Stokes was out of his ground and he deliberately lifted the hand which was against the rules, and

amounted to obstructing the fielding side, Stuff.co.nz reports. The 26-year-old felt disappointed over England skipper Eoin Morgan’s remark that he would have withdrawn the appeal had he been in charge. Morgan said Stokes had not performed the act deliberately, and instead, had done it to protect himself. He said the ball was thrown so fast that Stokes had to react. With the appeal, Stokes became the seventh player to be adjudged out for obstructing the field in the history of international cricket.

Murray beats Bellucci to reach fourth round of US Open New York: World number three Andy Murray continued his good run, beating 30th seed Thomaz Bellucci in straight sets in the US Open third round on Sunday. The Briton claimed a 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 victory over his Brazilian

opponent to make it to the fourth round of the tournament. Murray will now square-off against 14th seed Kevin Anderson, who defeated Dominic Thiem 6-3, 7-6(7-3),76(7-3) in his singles clash.

Giggly` Kyrgios- Bouchard win first round of U.S. Open mixed doubles

Melbourne: Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios and Canada's Eugenie Bouchard have giggled their way through the first round of the U.S. Open in mixed doubles.

According to News.com.au, the mix doubles pair giggled oncourt and during the games and also fought over towels. Kyrgios was asked to help fix Bouchard’s necklace and

went in for a celebratory hug after they won. In the post-match interview, Kyrgios also took the blame for dropping the first set. Bouchard later said that the experience was super fun and termed the controversial Australian player as `funny guy.`The pair defeated Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina and New Zealand’s Artem Sitak in a tiebreaker.

Rooney heroics helps England qualify for Euro 2016

Johannesburg : Wayne Rooney’s 49th international goal helped his side to become the first team to qualify for 2016 Euro Championship after they defeated San Marino 6-0 in Serravalle on Saturday. The England skipper converted a 13th minute penalty into goal and equalled the national record held by Bobby Charlton. Midfielder Ross Barkley also scored his first goal for England and contributed to its victory,

Sport24 reported. Late efforts by forward Theo Walcott, who scored two goals and Harry Kane, who contributed one goal, also helped England to further extend the lead. England have now scored a total of 37 goals in the six games that they have played against San Marino. England, who have won all the seven games in Group E, will now play their next match against Switzerland at Wembley on Tuesday.

Indian Super League 2015: Sachin Tendulkar Confident Kerala Blasters Can Win ISL Title Kerala: Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar revealed his Indian Super League side Kerala Blasters have started preseason preparations, ahead of the second season of the glamorous football league.The master blaster also urged the fans to continue backing the team, as they look forward to another exciting season.The Keralabased outfit reached the final of the competition last year, but failed to beat Atletico de Kolkata, who won the game 1-0 to be crowned the inaugural ISL champions. However, Tendulkar's team beat a strong side like Chennaiyin FC – league leaders last season – with a 4-3 aggregate scoreline in the semifinals.Kerala Blasters have roped in former Crystal Palace and England U-21 coach Peter Taylor this season, with an eye to going one better in ISL 2015. Tendulkar has informed that the team, under Taylor, have started a conditioning camp in the state

capital."Kerala Blasters have kicked off its preparation for Season II with the conditioning camp at Thiruvananthapuram under coach Peter Taylor," the batting legend said in a statement. "The team is practicing at the impressive facility in Thiruvananthapuram and will help them to acclimatize to the conditions and prepare well for the season."Looking at the additions the side have made this summer, Tendulkar says that the presence of the "exciting talent" can fuel the team's performance a notch higher this year."We have some exciting talent added to the team this year. Our performance in the inaugural season will serve as a huge motivation for the entire team to repeat and take it a step further!," Tendulkar added.

"We look forward to yet another exciting season with the continued support of the wonderful fan base of Kerala Blasters."The Kerala Blasters have announced a host of for-

eign signings this season which includes Spanish midfielders Josue Currais Prieto and Victor 'Pulga' Herrero, former QPR youth player Antonio German, exBenfica midfielder Joao Coimbra, former Arsenal man Sanchez Watt and English striker Chris Dagnall.The defence has been bolstered by former Newcastle defender Peter Ramage, Brazilian duo Bruno Perone and Erwin Spitzner, former Sheffield United and Scunthorpe United full-back Marcus Williams. Former Valencia star defender Carlos Marchena is the marquee player of the side this season.Kerala Blasters did not, however, sign any of the ten Indian players who were a part of the Indian Super League domestic player auctions this year.Tendulkar's side start off proceedings in ISL 2.0 against NorthEast United FC on 6 October at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi.

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

Features

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RNIASSENG00425/TC

ENVIRONMENT The Harmless in Danger North-East India (NE India) extends from 88ยบ E97ยบ E and 22ยบ N-29ยบ 30' N with a geographical area of about 255,083 square km (Figure I). The altitude in the region varies from 15 m at low-lying plains of Barak Valley (15 m) to around 6,000 m in parts of Arunachal Pradesh. The climate of the region varies from tropical to subalpine.

The northeastern region is a 'Hotspot' of tortoises and freshwater turtles within India. Out of 29 species known from India, approximately 22 species are so far recorded from this region. Still, the rich diversity of turtle resource is still poorly known. Especially the information from the field is scanty. This is evident that even new species and new country are

recently been reported from the region. Sadly, the tortoises and freshwater turtles of the region are facing extinction due to excessive hunting for meat and rapid loss of habitat.

They are being extirpated very fast in most part of the region from outside well protected conservation areas.

This study carried out spreading over the NE states has attempted to evaluate the current status of tortoises and freshwater turtles of the region. It has been found that the chelonians are increasingly pushed towards extinction due to over-exploitation and habitat loss. Most of the species populations are now restricted to the protected areas. Turtles were extensively collected for meat, particularly the soft-

shell turtles and large sized hard-shell turtles as well.

Catch per effort has gone down drastically as reported by the fisherman.

Further, markets that used to sell turtles regularly now hardly gets those to sell and even when that get is it is sold without notice of the police and forest department making it increasingly difficult to monitor if the turtles are still sold in large numbers.

Northeast India is known as a 'Turtle Hotspot' and habitat to approximately 22 out of 30 species of freshwater turtles and tortoises found in India according to a recent study.

Five species of land tortoises belonging to the family testudinidae are known to occur in India, viz., the Travancore Tortoise Indotestudo

travancorica (formerly Geochelone travancorica) and Star Tortoise Geochelone elegans from the southwest; and Elongated Tortoise Indotestudo elongata (formerly Geochelone elongata), I. forstenii and Asian Brown Tortoise Manouria emys from the northeastern India.

Indotestudo travancorica, Nilssonia leithii and Vijayachelys silvatica are endemic to southern India. All these species are largely terrestrial, inhabiting forested areas. Very few intensive surveys of the tortoise fauna of northeastern India have been conducted in order to determine the full extent of distribution of different taxa. Again, within northeastern India, the chelonian fauna in general and testudines in

particular of the Barak Valley region in southern Assam have remained poorly investigated barring a couple of publications.

The species, I. elongata (Blyth, 1853), is protected under Schedule-IV of Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and categorized as "Endangered" according to IUCN Red List. This species is known as Elongated Tortoise, Pineapple Tortoise, Red-nosed Tortoise, Yellow-headed Tortoise and Yellow Tortoise.

The synonyms of this species are G. elongata (Blyth, 1853), T. elongata (Blyth, 1853).

The shell of the species is considerably depressed, more than twice as long as it is deep, with flat vertebral region; anterior and posterior margins slightly reverted, strongly serrated in young, feebly in old specimens. Carapace and plastron are greenish-yellow, each shield with an irregular black spot or blotch, which may occupy its greater portion, or may be much broken up or indistinct. Typically, I. elongata is around 30cm in length and 3.5kg as adult.

Females tend to be wider than males and more rounded. Males also have a tail that is much larger than that of the female.

The males have a concave plastron while the plastron of the female is flat. Additionally, the female's posterior claws are markedly longer and more curved than those of the male. It is believed that this is to facilitate nest building.

The elongated tortoise is distributed widely in North, Northeastern and Southern Bangladesh, Nepal, Indo-China and

Indo-Malaya, southeast to Pennang in Malaysia, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent is the northwestern limit of this tortoise. Essentially favoring the Sal forest, its range extends from Corbett National Park in Uttar Pradesh. It has also been reported from Simlipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha, Saranda Reserve Forest, Chaibassa in Bihar and Chhotanagpur in Jharkhand, Jalpaiguri sal forest and Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal, Garo Hills in Meghalaya. It is found in the Dampa Tiger Reserve and Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary in Mizoram, and Chakrashilla Wildlife Sanctuary in Dhubri District in Assam. In the present study, live specimens and caraplaces of this species were found in 12 sites in Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi districts of Barak Valley, Assam.This species is predominantly terrestrial in nature and found in hill forests of this Valley. The size (SCL) and weight of the specimens ranged from 18-49 cm and 0.18-2.5 kg, respectively. It was also observed to be a voracious eater of a variety of animal

food like dry fish, goat liver, snail, earthworm, frog, prawn, crabs, small fish, etc. and plant food like arum rhizome, fungus, mushroom, potato, tomato, radish, carrot, beetroot, cabbage, pumpkin, ashgourd, bamboo shoot, Artocarpus chaplasha and jackfruit (A. heterophyllus) seeds, Dioscorea roots etc.

This species is well represented in the Mizoram Zoo, collected from nearby areas. It is highly likely that these species commonly occur in the hill forests inside Mizoram, as reported by the Dimasa and Mizo turtle hunters who make annual forays.

However, the carapace records should be treated as possible sites where these turtles may be found and not as definitive site records as has also been pointed out. The villagers in this area hang turtle and tortoise shells in their cow sheds and homes as they ascribe some magico-religious properties to them.

These tortoise species are utilized as food, traditional medicine and pets by a number of non-tribal and tribal communities (Mizo, Choroi, Hmar, Halam, Reang, Dimasa, Chakma,

Pnar) of northeastern India. Tortoise shell and meat is used by different tribes for different purposes on the basis of their traditional practices, cultures and beliefs.

Thus according to reports it indicates that the Barak Valley region of southern Assam still has a rich repository of turtle and tortoise species. Both aquatic as well as forest-dwelling species are well-represented in this area and are encountered in a variety of habitats.

The study also points out the urgent need for ex situ conservation of these species because of severe threats like shifting cultivation, illegal hunting or trade etc. and therefore to include certain rare species, viz., I. elongata and M. emys in the Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 instead of their present inclusion in the Schedule IV of the same act. This contention is vindicated by the inclusion of these two species by the IUCN in the highly threatened 'Endangered' category. The inclusion of the aforesaid species in the Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act is expected to improve the conservation status of these species of chelonians.

Joint Elephant Census Evidence of a 6-foot-long Scorpion found may be conducted The central government may simultaneously launch an elephant census in West Bengal and the northeastern states in 2016 to prevent repetition and avoid errors in counting, an official said recently. "We have conveyed this idea to the central government in a recent meeting and when the approval comes, the counting will occur simultaneously in north Bengal and north-east Indian states since the el-

ephants move along the corridors between these states," said West Bengal chief wildlife warden B.R. Sharma. Sharma said this would ensure no animal is counted twice or omitted.

The next census is scheduled between February and April 2016. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, in north-eastern India, the endangered species range extends from the eastern border of

Nepal in north West Bengal through western Assam along the Himalaya foothills as far as the Mishmi hills in Arunachal Pradesh.

From here it extends into eastern Arunachal Pradesh, the plains of upper Assam, and the foothills of Nagaland.

Further west, it extends to the Garo and Khasi hills of Meghalaya to parts of the lower Brahmaputra plains and Karbi plateau in Assam.

In Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, and the Barak valley districts of Assam, isolated herds occur. The elephant distribution is contiguous with those of Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar.

There are around 9,000 elephants and 22 corridors in the north-east Indian states, said Sharma. In addition, Sharma said a plan to establish a transboundary protected area for Royal Bengal tigers across the Indian as well as Bangladesh side of Sundarbans has also been conveyed. (Agencies)

Scientists have found evidence of a giant scorpionlike animal that roamed the seas hundreds of millions of years before the dinosaurs. The research team named the newly discovered creature Pentecopterus decorahenis because it looks like early Greek warships known as p e n t e c o n t e r s .

"Decorahenis" is a reference to Decorah, Iowa, near where the fossils were found. Pentecopterus lived about 450 million years ago. It is the earliest known member of an extinct group of animals known as eurypterids that are related to hermit crabs, spiders and scorpions.

Most eurypterids of that time were relatively small - about 2 inches long - but not this one. Paleontologists said it was a giant that could grow up to 6 feet long. It had massive spines on its front limbs that it probably used to catch prey. It also had a large paddle-like feature on its rear that helped it swim through the water. Scientists say it used its middle legs to scuttle along the bottom of the sea. The research team, led by James Lamsdell of Yale University, looked at more than 150 fossil fragments from at least 30 individuals.

They describe their findings in the journal BMC Evolutionary Biology. The fossilised bits were not bones; Pentecopterus is not a vertebrate and it had no bones. Rather, the researchers examined unusually well-preserved pieces of the hard exoskeleton that these animals would have shed several times over their lifetime. If you've ever seen a cicada shell stuck on a tree, you know the amazing detail

that an exoskeleton can reveal. "We could see how the legs are articulated with each other, and how it would have moved," Lamsdell said. "We see lots of insertion points for hairs, which can tell us how it saw its outside environment." Most of the specimens were collected from a site in northeastern Iowa known as the Winneshiek Shale. The site is within an ancient meteorite impact crater

and was mostly submerged by the Upper Iowa River.

An excavation in 2010 revealed more than 5,000 fossil specimens from the Ordovician time period, which spanned from about 485 to 443 million years ago. In addition to the Pentecopterus fossils, scientists have found fossils of arthropods, possible jawless fish and eel-like conodonts in addition to algae and plant material.

To accurately describe

Pentecopterus, Lamsdell peeled these ancient exoskeletons off pieces of rock.

"We were very lucky that the rock will turn back to mud when you get it wet, so we were able to remove the fossil with a paintbrush and water," Lamsdell said.

"The hardest part was keeping the exoskeletons intact," he said. "They are paper thin, but thankfully the only damage was to my nerves, rather than the specimens." (Agencies)

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