9 december 2015, wednesday

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ASSENG/2015/64205

Vol. 1

Issue 184

Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Of Youth

Dibrugarh, Wednesday, December 9, 2015

A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Dec 8

Assam Assembly has decided to move a breach of privilege motion against BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Speaker Pranab Gogoi. Parliamentary Affairs minister Rockybul Hussein said that the BJP leader has made derogatory remarks against the Chief Minister and Assembly speaker after the suspension of BJP MLAs from the ongoing winter session. Legislator Sherman Ali moved the motion for allegedly showing disre-

gard to the house and the Speaker. AIUDF, Congress, AGP and BPF have termed yesterday's incident as unfortunate. BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma accused the Speaker of acting on the behest of the chief minister. All the five BJP MLAs and seven Congress legislators who had recently switched over to the BJP were suspended for the entire five-day winter session of Assam Assembly on Monday. The members were protesting against the law and order situation in the state, after which the Speaker called the marshals to remove them from the House.

NRC family tree still in the works ET Correspondent Jorhat, Dec 8

Assam’s 68 lakh people will have their own family tree so that there are no discrepancies in the NRC legacy inputs, said Gaurav Borthakur, the district Project Supervisor NRC.

ET CAPSULES Run over by train Rangia, Dec 8: One Bipul Das (29) of Rangia Shantipur was run over by Dn Naharlagun Express near Rangia Tiniali Railway gate today. According to eyewitnesses, the train knocked him down when he was trying to cross the railway line. After being informed the Rail police rushed to the spot and recovered the body. After post mortem the body was handed over to his family members.

(Correspondent)

DMB ex-chairman no more Dergaon, Dec 8: The Dergaon Municipal Board (DMB) ex-chairman Tukumoni Kachari is no more. According to reports, the DMB ex-chairman passed away in his sleep.

Kachari had been a member of the DMB for a consecutive 15 years. He had served as chairman and vice chairman of the DMB for two separate terms. Meanwhile, the Dergaon business establishments remained closed for two hours as a mark of respect. (Correspondent)

Fresh elections for vacant ZPM seat Itanagar, Dec 8: The State Election Commission in a release said that in compliance to the direction of Panchayat Election Tribunal in case no.

PR(ET)No.09/2013 dated November 16, 2015 and as per the provisions under APPR Act and Rules, the State Election Commission has decided to hold fresh election to fill up the vacant seat of ZPM from 9-Gusar Anchal Samiti under Upper Subansiri District. The scrutiny of nomination shall take place on December 9, 2015, the last date of withdrawal of candidature on December 12, 2015, the date of poll on December 28, 2015 and counting of votes shall take place on December 30, 2015. (Bureau)

AASU's Swahid Diwas

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Golaghat, Dec 8: To commemorate the martyrs of the Assam Movement, Golaghat Regional Students’ Union will observe Swahid Diwas on December 10. A day long programme will be held at the Swahid Bhawan premises at Golaghat AASU's head office.

Golaghat Regional Students’ Union President Madhurjya Goswami and acting General Secretary Mamud Ali extended invitation to the people to participate in the programme. (Correspondent)

Meanwhile, a total of 40,000 employees and workers are working on war footing with another set of papers added to jot down names from two generations to chain the family tree.

Contd. on Page 3

I'm Indira Gandhi's daughter-inlaw, not scared of anyone: Sonia

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People’s referendum rally held at Namsai Submits 3 point memorandum to Ministry of Home Affairs

A view of the rally taken out by AAPSU in collaboration with JACCHIN. Pic - ET Photo Indrajit Tingwa Namsai, Dec 8

The All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) in collaboration with Joint Action Committee on Chakma Hajong Issue Namsai (JACCHIN) today held a people's referendum

rally at Namsai against permanent settlement of Chakmas and Hajongs in Arunachal Pradesh. Various organisations from different districts of the state participated in the rally.

The rally started from the Poi Pee Mau Ground at around 10 am and culminated at the

Nimki field near DIG (Eastern Zone) office. A public meeting was organised at the Nimki field where leaders of various student bodies, civil society members, Contd. on Page 3

Suicide bid foiled, 4 hospitalized

surprise saying that the former claimed to have raised the voice of the people of the Wanchos whereas “they have not even considered the consensus of the their student body”. Additionally, the Wancho student body said, “We condemn such political involvement of the LDSU and urge them to come clean in the matter to preserve its sanctity

Ramen Kalita Nalbari, Dec 8

In a scathing attack on Longding District Students’ Union (LDSU) in connection with their “immature concern over the dissident MLAs camping in New Delhi”, Wancho Students’ Union (WSU) expressed shock and

and prestige.” While it advised LDSU to “rather focus on issues relating to the student communities and other social development activities in the larger interests of the society.”

Meanwhile, the Wancho student body along with All Russa Students’ Union (ARSU) alleged that LDSU has defamed the elected representatives of TCL.

"Government stable, vikas rally to disseminate information on government policies."

The Minister for Civil Supplies, DoTCL etc Tirong Aboh while interacting with the HoDs of Tirap district on 8th December at the newly inaugurated circuit house said without mincing his words that the Nabam Tuki-led state government was absolutely stable adding that the rumour mills doing the round about the stability of the government did not hold water adding that it was a figment of imagination

Good roads are one of the most important signs of development of any town. But, this very sign can be remotely witnessed in this eastern most town of Assam, making the development claims of the government fall flat. "Most of the roads of Tinsukia town are full

Contd. on Page 4

A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Dec 8

In an announcement which will leave the family members of the victims of bomb blasts shaken, the Assam government today said that the next of kin of the victims of militant violence and the injured are not entitled to either Assam or central government jobs as per rule. This was stated by the

A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Dec 8

All the 6 suspended MLAs from BJP and the 9 Congress MLAs who have joined the BJP today staged a protest in front of the Assembly gate when they were prevented from entering the premises. All the 15 MLAs were yesterday suspended from the entire winter session of the assembly by the Assam speaker Pranab Gogoi. The legislators, who came in the morning to enter the Assembly compound, were stopped by security personnel as they were suspended for the Winter Session. Jayanta Malla Buzarbaruah, one of the expelled BJP MLAs while slamming Congress for such action said, “The Congress party has been demeaning the glory of the Assam Assembly by such actions. The Assam Assembly has become a Congress Assembly.” Police then forcibly took them away from the gate as they were blocking and raising slogans against the government and Speaker Pranab Kumar Gogoi.

Contd. on Page 4

BJP MLA Prasanta Phukan being carried away by police during the protest. Pic - UB photo

Govt fully committed towards NRC updation: Tarun Gogoi A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Dec 8

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said that the State Government is wholly committed towards updation of National Register of Citizens (NRC) 1951 and has engaged 39,935 State Government employees, including contractual workers for completion of the process within the stipulated deadline.

In a statement here today, Chief Minister Gogoi said that the State Government has been leaving no stone unturned to complete the entire process within the stipulated timeframe and has engaged a strong

workforce of its own. “The process of NRC updation carried out by the State Government under the direct supervision of the Central Government has been going on with full steam and the final publication of the updated NRC will be out within March 1, 2016,” Gogoi said. Gogoi said the State Government is committed towards protecting the interests of the State and its people and has initiated a slew of measures aimed at ensuring a correct NRC free from the names of foreigners and that include only the names of genuine Indian citizens.

Contd. on Page 4

Kamrup (Metropolitan) district Deputy Commissioner Dr M Angamathu at Guwahati today at a Press conference. Referring to the October 30, 2008 serial bomb blasts in Guwahati, Angamathu said "There is no provision in both the Assam and central government rules to provide jobs to the extremist affected families." "There is also a Supreme Court order rejecting job

prayers in such instances stating the next of kin (NOK) and the injured can only receive compensation," Angamathu said. "The issue of NOK and injured getting government jobs keep coming up from time to time. I have cleared the misconception that there is no such provision in the Assam and central government," the DC said.

Contd. on Page 4

Protest in Golaghat over land dispute ET Correspondent Golaghat, Dec 8

Protest and sharp reactions ensued in Golaghat over a veteran journalist who was produced in the police station last night. Veteran journalist and laureate of Golaghat, Keshab Saikia was allegedly charged with physical assault over land dispute by a business family.

Two brothers Manoj Gupta and Sanjay Gupta have alleged that they have had a land dispute with Keshab Saikia for a long time. But the veteran journalist with the help of some student leaders threatened them and physically assaulted them.

So the Gupta brothers lodged a complaint at Golaghat Police station and hence the police brought him and interrogated him. But AASU and several other organisations strongly opposed the allegations and stated that all these are conspiracy of some anti social elements against the veteran journalist and organisations in the town. Last night AASU protested at Bezbaruah Point in Golaghat by burning tyres and today held a sit in demonstration near DC office and demanded justice. On the other hand the Gupta brothers also submitted a memorandum to the DC seeking justice.

Minister Tirong Aboh inaguarating the new circuit house.

Tinsukia roads in dilapidated condition Rishu Kalantri Tinsukia, Dec 8

Sensation prevailed in Nalbari district as a woman aided by her brother-in-law forcibly administered poison to her two children before both of them attempted to commit suicide by consuming overdoses of some strong drugs at Deharkuchi village in Nalbari district this morning. Later,

BJP-joined Assam Assembly suspended MLAs denied entry, stage protest

No provision to provide jobs to extremist affected families: Kamrup DC

Khonsa, Dec 8

Contd. on Page 3

Pages- 12

Big gains on yuan, oil can be added by textile stocks

Wancho Students’ Union, ARSU slam LDSU ET Bureau Longding, Dec 8

5.00

Assam Medical College towards excellence

Page 8

Assam Assembly to move breach of privilege motion against Himanta Biswa

Price -

of potholes. In fact some roads are such where we say road between potholes," said Avinit, a young businessman of Tinsukia. He added that travelling on the roads of Tinsukia town has become like a fearful nightmare. The difficulty faced by patients, particularly, pregnant women and their guardians cannot be even comprehended, added Avinit and said

that hardly any so-called social-thekedar of the society who are always on stand-by to lodge strong protest on small issues are able to see this harsh reality the citizens are forced to live with. Mahesh, another young business said that a small stretch of road from Manav Kalyan to Porbotia has Contd. on Page 3

Field study at disputed area of Assam-Nagaland border ET Correspondent Golaghat, Dec 8

A team of college students from Furkating College in Golaghat recently visited a disputed area of Assam-Nagaland border and conducted a field survey there. A team of forty students led by senior professor of Political Science Depart-

ment Bhupen Neog, Assistant Professor Jugaljyoti Gogoi, Jatin Mech and Ripunjoy Bora had visited Rajabari area in Uriamghat bordering Nagaland and held an interactive session with the local people residing there. The team realised that still the people are in a state of panic and can't feel free after the clash that happened last year.

Parliament witnesses disruptions over National Herald case ANI New Delhi, Dec. 8

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned on Tuesday for the fifth time till 3 p.m. as the Congress members trooped into the well disrupting proceedings over the National Herald case.

Similar scenes were witnessed in the Lok Sabha which was also adjourned for an hour till 3 p.m. on the same issue.

When the House re-assembled at 2 p.m. after lunch, the agitating Congress members rushed to the well of the House raising slogans against the Government.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party vice-president Rahul Gandhi have been asked to appear in a Delhi Court on December 19 in connection with this case.

Contd. on Page 3

Army neutralizes hardcore DataWind eyes Bihar for setting NDFB(s) terrorist up of manufacturing plant ET Correspondent Rangia, Dec 8

Based on specific intelligence inputs pertaining to the presence of a hardcore NDFB(S) terrorist Nerswn Brahma alias Naidaw in Kokrajhar district of Assam, the army launched a joint operation with Kokrajhar Police in the wee hours of 8 December, 2015. When the search

party reached the suspected area, the terrorist opened fire and in the ensuing firefight sustained bullet injuries leading to his death. The individual was a 40th batch trained cadre. He was involved in the Boro Muslim violence of 2012. One AK47, two magazines, 44 live rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 11 fired cases, two mobile phones, Rs 11000 in cash and some incriminating docu-

ments were recovered from the killed terrorist. It is pertinent to mention that the Army in close coordination with Assam Police and other Para Military Forces is continuously maintaining extreme pressure by carrying out relentless specific intelligence based operations against the terror groups active in the area, leading to their near decimation and establishment of lasting peace in the region.

Patna, Dec 8

The largest low-cost mobile handset player DataWind is considering Bihar to set up its manufacturing plant in the East to be closer to its targeted consumers in the sub-Rs 5,000 market segment. Suneet Singh Tuli, Contd. on Page 10

CLOSING IN ON BIHAR DataWind is considering Bihar to set up its manufacturing plant in the East to be closer to its targeted consumers in the sub-Rs 5,000 market segment.

Bihar can become the gateway to eastern India.

Suneet Singh Tuli, CEO of DataWind.

A significant part of India's population, especially in DataWind’s target segment, is in Bihar.

Bihar has been very aggressive in offering incentives to attract companies and the company was convinced the business environment was changing for the better with industrial parks being set up.

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Dalam Studio Near parking stand Khonsa

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DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9

Festival is a Binding Thread to all communities: Kaso Awareness drive to save girl Aalo Dec 8: Festival and Festivities are integral part of life and it binds all strata of people to march towards universal brotherhood, peace and prosperity, said Shri Techi Kaso, Parliamentary Secretary Land Records and Urban Development while gracing the Podi Barbi Festival celebration of Bokar, Ramo and Pailibo tribes of Adi community as Chief Guest at Gumin Kiin Aalo today. All religions are equal and have good essence and festival manifests our rich cultural values handed down to us by our fore fathers and we should take pride in it, he said. The Parliamentary Secretary disclosed that present govt. is starting CC pavement road to do away repeated road constructions all over the state as CC pavement road can only give us durable connection

Arival of the guests during the festival. for least 30 years if it is carried out properly. Replying one point memorandum submitted on the occasion by the Podi Barbi Festival

Sympathizers continue to pour in for Doji Jeko Fire Victims Aalo Dec 8: The families of the Doji Jeko Fire Victims who are taking refuse in temporary sheds and tents braving against the chilling winter are getting respite as cash and kinds are continue to flow in from many quarters. Er. Gaken Ete, Secretary Science and Technology provided 13 quintals of rice and 13 Chinese blankets to the fire victims. The Arunachal

Pradesh Women Welfare Society Aalo Unit, Golden Jubilee Central Mopin Celebration Committee and many clan based organizations have contributed immensely to the fire victims in cash and kind. An Assessment Team from District Administration will visit the spot to assess the loses for onward submission to the government.

(DIPRO)

US blames Russia for attack on Syrian army position Washington D.C., Dec. 8: The US military has said that Russian warplanes were responsible for the attack on Syrian army position following Syrian government's statement accusing US-led coalition strikes for the overnight attack. Syrian government issued a statement on Monday accusing the US-led coalition that is battling ISIS in the country. The government said that three soldiers were killed and 13 others

injured in the drone strike.

It was the first such allegation by Syria since the U.S.led air campaign against ISIS began in the country 14 months ago. A U.S. military official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, said later in the day that the Pentagon is "certain" that a Russian warplane carried out the attack. There has been response to that assertion from either Syria or Russia as yet. (ANI)

Two Myanmar carriers to launch flights to Taiwan in January Taipei, Dec. 8 : Two carriers from Myanmar will begin services between Yangon and Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport on Jan. 26, the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) said today.Myanmar Airways International plans to operate four weekly roundtrip flights between Yangon and Taoyuan - on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday - flying Airbus A320s.Flight 8M 7703 is scheduled to depart Yangon at 12:15 p.m. and arrive in Taoyuan at 5:30 p.m., while flight 8M 7704 will leave Taoyuan an hour later and arrive in Yangon at 9:15 p.m., according to the carrier's website.Taiwan is 1.5 hours ahead of Myanmar.Myanmar National Airlines will offer three round trips on the same route - on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday flying Boeing 737-800 jets, the CAA said.Flight UB 005 will depart Yangon at 8 a.m. and arrive in Taoyuan at 1:25 p.m., while flight UB 006 will leave Taoyuan at 2:25 p.m. and arrive in Yangon at 5:20 p.m., the schedule on its website shows.Currently, only Taiwan-based China Airlines operates flights between Taoyuan and Yangon, offering six round-trip services each week on Boeing 737800s.Far East International Travel Service Co.,

a sales agent for Myanmar Airways International in Taiwan, said it plans to offer tour products with the launch of the new services. (Agencies)

Committee for construction of a multi storied community Hall at Aalo town, the PS asked the committee members to come down to

Itanagar to work out possible ways and means to settle their problem. Giving Podi Barbi greetings to the people, Guest of Honour

Shri Susil Nalo ZPC Daporijo and Special Guest Shri Tamar Ekke, ZPM Siyum said that festivals celebrated among Abotani groups are all alike and related to wellbeing and prosperity of human beings. We all should take pride in it and have deep concern to protect and promote our rich cultural heritage and values. Shri Komi Rida President PBFCCA , Tori Ragior Chief Adviser PBFCCA, Tajen Podo General secretary PBFCCA also highlighted the significance of Podi Barbi and its mythological aspects.

Senior citizens of Aalo Shri Doi Ado Ex. Minister, Kento Ete Ex. Minister, Dibang Tatak Ex. M i n i s t e r, Z P C A a l o Yaman Bagra and HODs of Aalo were also present on the occasion.

DC Kamki of Arunachal attends NIOS nation-wide video conference ET Correspondent Itanagar, Dec 8: The National Institute of Open learning (NIOS) today conducted nation-wide video conferencing on Learning Engagement Activities (LEA)-2015 on the theme ‘population on development learning to learn together’ wherein altogether 50 centres across the country interacted with the high-level team of the NIOS sitting at its headquarters at Noida with the learners and faculty as well as others associated directly with the NIOS learning. The interaction team comprised of BK Singh, Commissioner, Navodaya Vidayalay Sanghatan as Chief Guest, Professor CB Sharma Chairman NIOS, Dr Kuldip Agarwal Coordinator and others with here represented

by Itanagar Capital Complex Deputy Commissioner Mige Kamki, Dr Peyush Prasad Regional Director Guwahati Region, Mrs Ashima Singh Project coordinator, SK Pandey SO, Itanagar Coordinator MP Yadav, AK MIshra, SK Thakur and one learner Shalu Kumari. Interacting with the NIOS authority at Delhi Mr Kamki wanted to know the validity of the NIOS certificate in some states and central government departments, increasing additional NIOS centres in the state in view of outflow of excess students for want of admission.

The authority denied with regard to opening additional centres as the present centres are not working well and the system of examination by the NIOS in Arunachal is not up to the mark. So if

the system is upgraded then the present centres may be converted to examination centres as well the number of seats would also be increased while centres would be increased in due course of time. All the participants interacted with the authority in regards to increase of seats, centres, non availability of internet facility but the central team insisted on the study and examination system to be upgraded and improved.

Later after the video conferencing address to the students and officials of the NIOS Kamki exhorted the teaching faculty to be sincere and warned that next time the administration will not tolerate such unfair means during examinations and those students found breaking rules will be dealt with severely.

Govt. will not compromise on Karachi's law and order: Nawaz Sharif Karachi, Dec, 8: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who chaired a highlevel meeting at the Governor House to discuss the issue of the Rangers' deployment in the provincial capital city, said that his government will not compromise on the law and order situation of Karachi at any cost. Sharif and Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif are in Karachi today to sort out the issue of the Rangers' deployment in the city as

the term of the paramilitary force's operation expired two days earlier. The law and order situation of Karachi as well as the rest of Sindh also came under discussion. While chairing a high-level meeting at Governor House, Nawaz Sharif said, "There will be no compromise on the law and order situation of Karachi." "The Karachi operation should have been initiated eight years ago," he added during the meeting, adding that the

decision to undertake the operation was made with consensus. Sharif said that business activities have faced a boost after the law and order situation improved and that foreign investment was being redirected to the country from abroad. The Prime Minister, however, expressed his disappointment on the weak prosecution and investigation procedures that are being implemented in Karachi at present. (ANI)

List of hospitals in Dibrugarh with contact details & phone numbers, Assam Aditya Diagnostics & Hospitals Bordoloi Avenue, Paltan Bazar, Dibrugarh - 786005 Phone Numbers: 0373 - 2302219, 2302225

G M Hospital

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

AMC Road, Jalan Nagar Dibrugarh - 786 005

Archana Trauma & Orthopaedics Hospital

Brahmaputra Diagnostics & Hospital

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

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

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

Sanjivani Diagnostic & Hospital Paltan Bazar, Dibrugarh Phone: 0373 - 2303448, 2303458, 2301904

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

Ramen Kalita Nalbari, Dec 8: In order to generate awareness about saving the girl child, a leading NGO of the district Gramya Vikash Mancha (GVM) has launched a campaign in the district. As many as 30,000 visitors visited the temporary stall set up at Nalbari Raas festival where they distributed leaflets, exhibited documentary on girl child protection and gender equity. The GVM activists also distributed badges among the visitors to encourage change in mindset towards the girl child. The NGO has been conducting the awareness

programme in the district in collaboration with Action Aid, an international organization. The leaflets distributed among the visitors depicted the poor state of women in the state. In Assam, women and girls continue to face discrimination, injustice and violence with the female literary rate at as low as 67.27 percent.

Besides 12 of every 100 girls drop out at primary level. Meanwhile, the mortality rate of girl child under five years is 91 per 1000 live births. On the other hand 21.8 percent girls get married before the age of 18 years in the state while 67.8

percent adolescent girls in the age group 15 to 19 years are anaemic and malnourished. The leaflet further stated that all total 19,139 cases of crime against women in 2014 were registered, the highest crime rate against women in the country at 123.4 percent which is almost double the national average of 56.3 percent. In India 7000 girls go missing every day, the report said. The awareness programme on gender equity and to save the girl child will be continued in the district, an activist of the GVM Nayanjyoti Bhuyan added.

ASTRO FOR YOU The ruling emotion today will be passion. You will feel like chatting with your beloved the whole day. However, you will incur expenses and must remain balanced. But if you have decided already to go the whole hog, make fully sure you are in the right trappings.

Today, you will be ruled by your heart, not your head. You are likely to be driven by your feelings, emotions and sentiments. Most of the decisions taken today will based on emotion, not reason. You need to be careful that your sensitivity and emotionality does not expose you to hurt. Do not let anyone upset you. Stay calm and collected. You will thereby experience love and warmth for one and all.

You will make diligent efforts to keep your loved ones happy and content and will expect the same from them today. However the more expectations you fulfill, the more they will rise. You need to give some time to yourself as well.

You will be ready to understand the meaning of life. You will get new responsibilities in your job or business, which means a promotion and pay hike. You may take an instinctive decision, which you may repent later. Take a calculated and thoughtful step.

You will spend time with your friends. You will be helpful to your friends and colleagues. You will work hard according to your capability today. You will experience the satisfaction of a job well done at the end of the day.

Your mission of finding an engrossing relationship has been fulfilled. At work, you may try to outdo other people with both your actions and words. You may go ahead and charm people with your repository of enchanting anecdotes and win their goodwill.

Handling people was never so easy, as today, you do extremely well in the area of public relations. You have the answers to satisfy all, and keep them that way.

So, do not be surprised if you happen to find yourself assigned to some sort of a probing and demanding job at work. When you are the best, you always seem to get the raw deal. Carry your charm forward to the evening, and sweep the opposite sex off their feet with your appeal.

Take the lonely road today in business ventures. Professionally, you are capable of managing massive missions. Be set to administer your department all by yourself. You shall stake a claim as a great team leader today.

Belligerent – this word describes your state today. Good news, long since awaited, will come by at the workplace. Imagination is set to fly sky-high as you while the evening away in the pleasant company of someone from the opposite sex.

God helps those who help themselves. So, work hard, take care of your health, and keep believing in your dreams. There are fair chances of you striking an important deal on the behalf of your company, and it will certainly boost the image of your bosses and yourself. If you have a hobby or an interest for something, take some time out from your busy schedule for that, too.

It may seem that all of your plans are going haywire. It is not too late; you can still have things under control. All you need to do is focus on your work rather than helping everyone around. Because, you end up having no time for your goals. Later on the day, you will understand that in order to be helpful, you need to take care of your interests as well.

Your competitors will find it tough to maintain their footing against your onslaught today. You need not worry about their activities for you will come out with flying colors at the end of it all. You are not by nature ill-tempered, but you will have to encounter situations where you will be opposed needlessly and that could rouse your wrath. It is an opportune time to hammer out solutions to long simmering discords.

PRASAR BHARATI (India's Public Service Broadcaster) ALL INDIA RADIO : DIBRUGARH (M.W.529.1m/KHz567 F.M. 101.30 MHz) Phone No.-03732325456 E-mail -dibrugarh@air.org.in Facebook Page-All India Radio Dibrugarh Programme Highlights

9-12-15 (WEDNESDAY)

Assam Medical College

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

child in Nalbari district

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

Dr. Pawan Bajaj's Skin Clinic Paltan Bazar, Opposite Aditya Hospital Dibrugarh

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

5-35 A.M-Bhaktigeeti (Devotional Songs) 6-10 A.M-Swasthya Charcha (Health Programme) 6-50 A.M-Naam 6-30 A.M-Bidyarthir Anusthan 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 Assamese Film Songs) 12-05 P.M-Surar Satsori 2-30 P.M-Western Music Programme 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-Karpumpuli 7-35 P.M-Ujjwal Bhabishyat 8-15 P.M-Talk in English 8-00 P.M-Parikrama 10-00 P.M-Question Hour in Parliament Sd-/H.O.P

PAGE 3

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9

Takam Mama Memorial Don Bosco Band ET Bureau New Palin, Dec 8: A musical band after the name of Late Takam Mama was officially inaugurated by Minister Takam Pario in the presence of Smt Takam Chasuk (Late T Mama’s wife) and other distinguished guests. The band is a first of its kind in the newly created district of Kra Daadi. It is comprised of 21 young students of the Don Bosco School playing trumpets, ufoniams, symbols, drums of various sizes.

Among other distinguished

guests who were present on the occasion were Yura Tagung, Chairman Arunachal Pradesh Bamboo Resource Development Agency, Minkir Lollen, General Secretary APCC incharge Kra Daadi, Likha Kaming, Ex Eng RWD, Rei Tallo, ZPM Gengte-Tarak Lengdi, Taring Kumar, President BCC 18 Palin, Dado Taram, Chairman Parish Council. Takam Pario in his speech exhorted the students to work hard and make themselves perfect in everything they do.

Resolution to demand restoration of Assam’s Special Category status A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Dec 8: In a significant development, the Assam Assembly today unanimously adopted a resolution demanding the Centre to reinstate the Special Category status to Assam immediately. The government resolution was moved by Planning and Development Minister Ajanta Neog and it was accepted by all. The resolution

demanded the Centre to reinstate the earlier status regarding the funding of Central schemes. Following withdrawal of the status, the funding pattern was changed from 90:10, where 90 per cent of money was coming from the Centre.

The House also decided to send an all-party delegation to the Centre for pressing its demand for Special Category status to Assam.

AdiSU concludes education tour Appeals Govt to address MDM, uniform, infrastructure, teacher negligence Maksam Tayeng Pasighat, Dec 8: The team AdiSU led by its Education Secretary, Nang Gao assisted by active members like Oge Mitkong, Kalen Tadeng and others has reached East Siang yesterday after extensively touring all the schools under Adi dominated villages in Upper Siang, West Siang, Siang, Lower Dibang Valley, Namsai and East Siang districts. Education tour was earlier flagged off by Tapang Taloh, Minister Education on 4th November last.

This was perhaps one such first educational tour to know the grievances of fellow junior students by student union in the Adi belt or in whole of Arunachal by extensively touring and reaching out to even the corner most villages where long distant foot walk are also needed. When students’ union are today mostly found indulging in active politics more than the welfare of fellow students

School students in a classroom visited by the AdiSU delegation. for which the organization were raised, this very initiative from team AdiSU will become an example for others who have got stranded somewhere down the line in the look out of easy money and power of ticket to active politics. While talking with this scribe about their

Tinsukia roads in dilapidated condition Contd. from Page 1

almost seven different types of road and there is hardly any road up to a stretch of 200 metres as it is of same width and in a straight line. He identified massive corruption as one of the root cause for the bad to worse condition of the roads and laughed saying “who cares”. “Nothing can

be changed here, we need to live in such pathetic conditions even after more than 65 years of Independence.

It seems the Britishers at least built good roads like in Kolkata, bridges like Howrah bridge and buildings like Mumbai CST railway station but Indian rulers failed to even build proper roads,” said Mahesh.

It is important to mention that initially government

used to construct roads with stone chips then they introduced cemented road saying the life of the roads are much higher and finally then came up with a new idea, roads of paver bricks. But the harsh reality at the end of the day is neither of the roads on Tinsukia lasted even 20 percent of the normal life of that type of roads just because of too much cor-

ruption, alleged another young man. Today, the condition of the main AT road at Hijuguri, Chirwapatty road, Manav Kalyan road, Khageshwar road, overbridge speaks for itself. In fact, part of AT road has been repaired but the citizens can be seen openly criticising the quality of repair saying that they doubt whether the road will last even one month.

Speculation over SE in PWD serving 8 months beyond retirement Mayukh Goswami Mangaldai, Dec 8: Speculations have been doing the rounds over a senior official in the rank of Superintending Engineer in the State Public Works Department (PWD) continuing to do duty even after eight months of his retirement. This has raised several question marks regarding the accountability and sincerity one of the major departments of the State Government. Are the officials in the head office of the PWD not concerned about it? Is this the way of the functioning of the PWD under the dynamic Minister of PWD Ajanta Neog? However waking up from the deep slumber the PWD has asked him to relinquish the charge of Superintending Engineer immediately and to go on retirement on superannuation and to submit the necessary pension papers. This incident has created strong

amusement in the concerned circles here pointing a finger of doubt over the proper functioning of a major government department like PWD. The Superintending Engineer in question is none other than Mohan Chandra Poddar who has overstayed in his office in Mangaldai Road Circle of PWD who is reportedly found to be absent in his office frequently during office hours.

He also reportedly availed unauthorized leave from the headquarters thereby violating the government instructions. Mention may be made here that the previous Deputy Commissioner of Darrang had informed the state government regarding his unauthorized absence in the headquarters several times. Mention may also be made here that the PWD (Estt-B Branch) vide letter number RBEB.63/2015/12 dated 5.12.2015 marked as most urgent and signed by

Deputy Secretary to the Government of Assam Bijoy Chandra Kalita with reference to department’s notification number CON.33/2013/18 dated 12.09.2013, letter number RBEB.63/2015/10 dated 09.03.2015 and letter number RBEB.63/2013/11 dated 07.08.2015 has reminded this officer that as per the official records of the date of birth (07.04.1955) he was to go on retirement on April/2015 but he had overstayed in the government service for more than seven months. It is evident from above three letters and notification that the Superintending Engineer intentionally had overstayed in his office for quite a long term of eight months defying the government orders only to fulfil his personal interest. At the same time it also reflected the lackadaisical attitude of the PWD for their gross failure

to monitor the office records. Or were the officials in the PWD managed somehow by this erring Superintending Engineer?

As reported though the most urgent letter was issued on December 5, it has been served in the office of Superintending Engineer, PWD, Mangaldai Roads Circle on December 7 (December 6 being the Sunday) and significantly the Superintendent Engineer Mohan Chandra Poddar was found to be absent in his office on December 7 and 8. Surprisingly even though the most confidential letter was issued on December 5 the PWD has asked the Superintending Engineer to go on retirement and to relinquish his charge immediately, however did not mention to whom he should hand over the charge without fixing a date.

GARBAGE ALL OVER...

whole episode of tour, Nang Gao exhorted that, mid day meal, school uniform, infrastructure problem and teachers negligence were found in almost all the schools and has appealed the state government to take up a tangible approach to solve it. Going by the com-

mitment of zero tolerance on education by present Congress government led

by Chief Minister Nabam Tuki and Education Minister Tapang Taloh, Gao felt that, addressing of the students grievances were most important and need priority attention.

Papen Litin is remaining absent from duty from last 3-4 months due to which the school has to paralysed, added AdiSU. Whereas, GHSS Pangin in newly created Siang District is facing extreme encroachment problem to which the team AdiSU has also written a complaint to DC concern for immediate eviction. Many such problems were also reported in Lower Dibang valley, Namsai and East Siang schools which need a genuine attention from the state government. The AdiSU has strongly appealed the state government to stop paying further bill to those suppliers who have supplied unsized/ sub-standard uniforms to student unless good sized are replaced. Gao informed that, the team AdiSU is submitting its report to State Government shortly to short out such problem of students who are the future of the states.

People’s referendum rally held at Namsai Contd. from Page 1

Core Committee on Refugee Issues and the AAPSU leadership spoke on the occasion regarding the issue. The Changlang District Forum for Human Rights (CDFHR), district student unions of Kurung Kumey, Kra Dadi, Papum Pare, West Siang, East Siang, Upper Subansiri, Anjaw, Lohit, Namsai, Changlang besides All Tai Khamti Singpho Students Union, AdiSU, Singpho Development Society, Tai Khamti Singpho Council and APWWS units participated in the rally. A large number of students from schools and colleges and people from all walks of life joined the rally today.

A three point memorandum to the Ministry of Home Affairs was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner, Namsai for onward submission. The three points were the resolutions adopted at the rally,

viz., no non-native group or individuals shall be allowed to be granted rights of permanent settlement in Arunachal Pradesh; the provisions of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 must be strictly adhered to; and the Union of India along with the state of Arunachal Pradesh must file curative petition in the Supreme Court without delay against its decision to grant citizenship rights to the Chakmas and Hajongs. The memorandum also stated that the rally was organised since it has been realized the gravity of the presence of thousands of refugees and non-natives in Arunachal Pradesh and having sensed the necessity of putting up of united front by the indigenous communities of Arunachal Pradesh. A mass signature campaign to protest against the Supreme Court verdict of 17 September, 2015 granting citizenship to the Chakma and Hajong refugees was also simulta-

neously conducted during the rally. Prof. Nani Bath, member of the Core Committee on Chakma Hajong refugees said during the meeting that the fight which was underway was for the rights of the tribal indigenous communities of Arunachal Pradesh, the Supreme Court judgment did not consider the socioeconomic and cultural factors therefore the apex court should take into account the aspirations of the Arunachalees. He also said that MLAs and MPs should have participated in the rally and added that if Government of India and Government of Arunachal Pradesh grants citizenship to nonArunachalees then both the government must also be ready to taste the consequences.

Kamta Lapung, President AAPSU called for actively fighting for indigenous tribal rights. He said that it was time to act and not merely do the talking for the rights. Biru Nasi,

General Secretary AAPSU said that if the Chakma and Hajong refugees are given citizenship then at least one lakh persons will become a part of the system and that will drastically marginalize the local indigenous populace. He also pointed to the fact there are numerous communities in the state with a few thousand population which needs to be protected. If the government and the court does not consider this factor then the local communities will be annihilated.

Nasi also said that the Government of India did not file a review petition against the 17 September judgment and if it fails to again file a curative petition then that will only show that it is biased and in favour of foreigners. He termed the Inner Line Permit exemption for the Chakma and Hajong refugees as a medium to make them tribals or in order to revoke the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation 1873.

"Government stable, vikas rally to disseminate information on government policies."

Contd. from Page 1

and urged the HoDs to extend their cooperation to the government for all round development. He exhorted the heads of departments to discharge their assigned duties with utmost devotion and unwavering sincerity.

The Minister asked them to ensure that the development schemes in the district were implemented properly without compromising with the quality of work. He asked the departments to prepare

viable schemes on need base to impress upon the Chief Minister to consider the grievances of the departments during his visit to Khonsa shortly. Aboh while thanking the Chief Minister said that all the chiefs of the district would also be issued TV sets along with the GBs. The Minister further said that the proposed Vikas Rally on 16th December at Khonsa was not a political rally but a fully governmentsponsored programme to effectively disseminate information regarding the poli-

Parliament witnesses disruptions over National Herald case Contd. from Page 1

Apart from the Gandhis, other accused who were denied exemption from personal appearance included Suman Dubey, Moti Lal Vohra, Oscar Fernandes and Sam Pitroda. Besides these individuals, the Young India Limited

Bank of the Mangaldai river turns into garbage bin following negligence of Municipality Board in Mangaldai.

Pic - UB Photos

“The uniforms distributed among the students were unsized, mid day meal are not served properly, school infrastructures are old and getting worn out and teachers are remaining absent for long from their duties”, said Gao. In Tato, Manigong, Mechuka under W/Siang where more than 15 schools were found teachers mostly absent though teachers are posted there. Residential school hostellers are facing hardship due to improper supply of mid day meal. At Jengging Hr, Sec. School, Upper Siang Dist. both Principal and V/Principal are said to be remaining absent long from duty due to which other teachers also neglects duty. But we have written a complaint to DDSE Yingkiong on this, added Gao. AdiSU have also appealed the government to send a principal at GHSS Yingkiong which is running without any principal. Head Master at UPS New Millang under Mariyang Sub-Division one

Drama workshop

cies and programmes of the state government and also to pronounce the priority areas of the government. The Minister earlier inaugurated a 3-storied Circuit House building built by the PWD under SPA at the estimated cost of Rs 2 crore amidst a huge gathering. Tirap Deputy Commissioner Ravi Jha in his welcome address expressed happiness over the completion of the new circuit house building that would go a long way in mitigating the chronic accommodation problem at

Khonsa. He also threw light on the main objective of the interactive meeting with the Minister and urged the HoDs to leave no stone unturned to make the proposed visit of the HCM a grand success.

The all important meeting was attended by Tirap SP Jasmeet Singh, ADC and all HoDs. The Minister accompanied by the DC, SP and others later inspected the Polytechnic Institute at Kheti which will be inaugurated by HCM and the Nehru stadium where the Vikas Rally will be held. (DIPRO)

NRC family tree still in the works Contd. from Page 1

(YIL) is also an accused in the case.

BJP leader Subramanian Swamy had filed a complaint before the trial court in 2012, alleging that Congress leaders were involved in cheating and breach of trust in the acquisition of Associated Journals Ltd (AJL) by YIL.

The NRC project supervisor said that legacy will be matched with earlier inputs through software developed, which will trap the errors and will make it error free. “New forms will be required by individuals to provide their names of their siblings and names of the children of their sons and brothers from both paternal and maternal side”.

The project supervisor said adding that with such inputs it will help to create the family tree right from the root

ET Correspondent Doomdooma, Dec 8: By way of offering good news to those interested in acting or want to develop acting as a career, the Tapoban

Pubarun Sangha has announced to organize a drama workshop of 20 days at Rupai Siding Sahitya Bhawan from 12 December. It will start at 1:30 ev-

through the trunk to its branches which will help to form the family tree generation wise. So far Sivasagar ranks first, Udalguri second while Jorhat ranks third in completing NRC work process which is under way. Officials from NRC further said that so far in the state of Assam 49% of office verification work has been completed and 3281 field verification groups with 426 member persons were pressed into service on war footing, as several hundreds of national Sewa Kendras have been opened.

ery afternoon. Rajiv Lochan Bora would be the chief instructor and trainer at the workshop. Rupai Student Corner may be contacted for further details.

PAGE 4

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9

AGP President faces opposition KCC loan not invested in Agro Production in Lakhimpur: DAO Hiten Dutta

ET Correspondent Golaghat, Dec 8: In anticipation of the upcoming assembly elections in Assam, pre-election atmosphere is getting warmer day by day in Golaghat. Meanwhile, the president of the main regional political party of Assam AGP, Atul Bora is faced with challenges as AGP grassroots workers

Army Flag Day observed ET Correspondent Tezpur, Dec 8: Like in the past many years, this year too the Indian army in association with the district army office observed Flag Day at the memorial tomb of the Circuit house here on Monday. Commemorating the supreme sacrifice of the jawans who had lost their lives in the service of the nation ADC, NA Laskar, and Cantonment station commander, Brigadier DC Rahi paid rich tribute to the martyr jawans. After that, commanding officer, Misamari Army Cantonment, Col. AK Singh, Adam. Commandant, station Headquarters, Tezpur, Lt. Col. VK Rana, DIPRO, Sonitpur, RN Brahma Chowdhury, district army officer, Luhit Chandra Bhuyan along with other dignitaries from army and civil society and army and exarmy paid floral tribute at the martyr tomb. It was followed by a commemoration meeting wherein giving welcome address, district army welfare officer, Luhit Chandra Bhuyan, spoke on the importance of the day.

Besides ADC, NA Laskar dignitaries addressed the gathering remembering the supreme sacrifice of those jawans and urged the army families to enjoy the facilities provided to the army and ex-army families by the government.

have expressed opposition vis-a-vis Atul Bora contesting from Khumtai constituency. On Sunday, members from 18 Anchaliks of Khumtai constituency gathered at the residence of Khumtai's former MLA late Probin Gogoi and demanded the candidature of Upasana Gogoi, wife of late Probin Gogoi.

Leopard killed

A snap of the dead leopard.

ET Correspondent Teok, Dec 8: In an unfortunate incident, a mature leopard was killed at 37 National Highway near Sotai of Teok under Jorhat district when it was hit by a speedy

unidentified vehicle. According to local sources, the incident took place in the early morning today. Meanwhile, the Teok police and Jorhat forest officials arrived at the spot.

Samelangso public demand bridge over Korkanthipi Sushanta Roy Diphu, Dec 8: During the last 14 years of Congress rule in the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), commuters across the Korkanthipi river have had to wade through the water in the absence of a bridge over it.

Commuting between Chirilangso Sarthe Teron Village and Khumguri Bodo Village under the Korkanthi MAC constituency of Howraghat LAC segment, it has always been a punishing experience particularly during the monsoon months. School children face a harrowing time attending school daily.

“Leaders come to the area

Dr Arup Kr Deka, a senior medical officer interacted with the ASHA workers and discussed finding solutions to their grievances. The meet was attended by Banashri Nath, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Darrang in charge of Health Department, Dr Dhyanjyoti Saikia, Joint Director of Health Services, Darrang, Dr Premananda Sarma, Additional Chief Medical and Health Officer, Darrang, Dr Binita Goswami, Superintendent Mangaldai Civil Hospital, Dr Jonali Choudhury, Sub Divisional Medical & Health Officer, Jaljali and Dr AK Dhing, District Immunization Officer, Darrang. Earlier District Programme Officer, NHM, Darrang explained objectives of the meet participated by several hundred ASHA workers while some of them performed cultural programmes.

SPORTS Tinsukia Town Club win Sports Correspondent Dibrugarh, Dec 8: Tinsukia Town Club beat Saptarshi by six wickets in the first Chandra Dutta Memorial Cricket Tournament organized by Tinsukia District Sports at TDSA stadium in Tinsukia today. Put into bat, Saptarshi were all out for 123 in 30.3 overs.

Pankaj Konwar top scored with 29 runs off 37 balls, laced with two boundaries and one six. Michael Singhphou contributed 18 off 20 balls, hitting three boundaries. For Tinsukia Town Club, Sunil Bhargav took four wickets for 26

ET Correspondent Lakhimpur, Dec 8: "The financial institutions like banks have paid no attention to sanction Krishan Credit Card (KCC) loan to those beneficiaries of Lakhimpur who are recommended by the District Agriculture Department. Instead, they sanctioned it through middlemen to individuals who are by no means related to agro-sector. So, the KCC loans are not being invested in the Agro-Production of the district" – alleged Hiten Dutta, the Distict Agriculture Officer of Lakhimpur.

It is noteworthy that earlier massive corruption was alleged in Lakhimpur District with regard to the sanction of KCC loans which were paid till the month of November of this year. According to reports, the State Agriculture Department fixed a target of 16,120 farmers in order to pay KCC loan. The District Department submitted 4065 applications of farmers to 65 banks of the district according to the target.

But the banks turned off these beneficiaries and sanctioned loans to 4597 beneficiaries at their own

will. For example, the department submitted only 13 KCC application forms at UBI Baginad Branch. This branch sanctioned loan to 1622 beneficiaries of their own against these applications. Similarly, a branch of Assam Gramin Vikash Bank, as alleged by the Department, released KCC loan to set up tea garden which is not covered by it.

North Lakhimpur Branch of Allahabad Bank allotted 387 loans against 74 applications submitted by the Department. A major part of these loans were not invested in farming but used

Demise of pioneer newspaper hawker condoled

Grievances of ASHA health workers discussed at district meet Mayukh Goswami Mangaldai, Dec 8: Job related grievances of around 800 Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) who have been engaged as facilitators for successful implementation of various health and family welfare schemes including Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) under National Health Mission (NHM), Assam in four different Primary Health Centres (PHC) of Darrang district were discussed at a district level convention of the ASHA workers here today. The meet organized by the District Health Society for the first time witnessed a good number of participant ASHA workers sharing their grassroots experiences and also raising their grievances including delay in getting incentives due to them. On behalf of the health department

Khumtai's people have strongly opposed Atul Bora's candidature. After that, on Monday, BJP workers of the same constituency gathered and held a meeting where they also opposed Atul Bora's candidature in the constituency following news of possible AGP and BJP alliance ripening.

runs. Meanwhile, Maqbul Hussain captured three wickets for 39 runs. In reply, Tinsukia Town Club losing four wickets eased past the total in 28 overs.

Pappu Mahato top scored with 57 runs off 65 balls, laced with five boundaries and two sixes and remained not out. Ajay Gohain contributed 33 off 44 balls, hitting three boundaries and one six. Govind Dorjee, Narendra Prasad, Piyush Banasal and Michael Singhphou took one wicket each for Saptarshi. Tomorrow, Tinsukia Town Club will play Cosmo Club.

only during the time of election campaigns and during the past fourteen years election times have come and gone every time the leaders renewing their promise to build a bridge over the Korkanthipi River.

No sooner did the elections get over, their promise too vanishes into thin air,” said a local villager. There is deep public resentment amongst the locals against the political leaders who the public feel that they do not bother about the suffering of the people; “They come here during election and after the election, they don’t come here to alleviate our suffering”, alleged a local resident.

Suicide bid foiled, 4 hospitalized Contd. from Page 1

the villagers rescued all the four members of the family and admitted them at the Swahid Mukunda Kakati Civil Hospital in critical condition. They have been identified as Marami Sarma (35), brother-in-law Parameswar Sarma (34) and her two minor children Adeshna Sarma (7), Arjit Sarma (5). According to sources, the poverty ridden family has been facing a lot of problems in looking after their family.

The doctors attending to them said that the condition of all four members is yet to be stable. Meanwhile, Police investigations are on. The husband of the woman reportedly was not home during the incident.

Mayukh Goswami Mangaldai, Dec 8: Anil Narayan Konwar (57) popularly known as ‘Akan da’ the pioneer newspaper hawker and resident of Block Chowk near here is no more. Anil Narayan Konwar who had been a familiar face for every conscientious newspaper reader of Mangaldai since last thirty years breathed his last at his residence on Sunday after prolong ailments of the liver. Mention may be made here that being an owner of a landed property, late Konwar

for his deep interest and to create a work culture at the age of 27 years, took the path of newspaper hawking and was able to earn a good reputation from all sections of the readers. It was a familiar scene to find Konwar distributing various newspapers and magazines since the early hours ignoring every natural challenge be it heavy rain, scorching heat or cold wave.

He is survived by his wife, three daughters and a number of relatives and admirers.

Minister for Fisheries and

Water Resource Basanta Das, proprietor of Saharia Paper agency Wahidur Rahman Saharia, the local Newspaper Hawker Association of Darrang Mangaldai Media Circle, Mangaldai Unnayan Parishad, Darrangi Barta Publication Group, Electronic Media Association of Darrang and various organizations of Darrang district have expressed their deep shock over the untimely death of Konwar and offered condolence to the bereaved family members.

National Institute of Design soon ET Correspondent Jorhat, Dec 8: Very soon work process for the permanent structure of the National Institute of Design (NID) is to start with its fourth such institute of its kind in the state of Assam to come up at Jorhat district on the bank of river Tocklai after clearance from the centre including land allotment

from the Tocklai Tea Estate, informed district administrative sources here.

Paper works have been almost completed at the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India for starting the temporary office near the permanent site, Rajabari Jorhat. The National Building Construction Corporation Ltd under the Ministry of Ur-

No provision to provide jobs to extremist affected families: Kamrup DC Contd. from Page 1

"I had a meeting with all the affected families and clarified to them on the job issue. They have understood. Some of them wanted old age and widow's pension, Indira Awaaz Yojana houses, admission in Kendriya Vidyalaya schools and bank loans. We have assured them of help," Angamathu said. Altogether 53 persons, including a CRPF security personnel, had died and 376 injured in the October 30 serial blasts at Ganeshguri, Chief Judicial Magistrate Court complex and Pan Bazar here, he said. There were 32 deaths in Ganeshguri, 13 in the CJM complex and eight in Pan Bazar, Angamathu said adding, the victims were from Assam, Meghalaya and Nagaland. As per the Assam Government rules, Angamathu said in extremist violence, the

NOK of each deceased receives Rs three lakh as compensation, while each seriously injured gets Rs 50,000 and those with simple injuries Rs 10,000 each. "On this basis we have fulfilled the entitlement of giving Rs three lakh each to the NOKs of the 52 civilians, Rs 50,000 each to the 238 seriously injured and Rs 10,000 each to those with simple injuries," he said.

An additional Rs three lakh each was also given directly from the Centre as a 'three-year lock in account' to the NOKs, the DC said. The CRPF personnel got compensation as per their force rule from the Central Reserve Police Force, he said. The October 30, 2008 Assam bombings triggered by the NDFB insurgent outfit had claimed nearly 90 lives and left almost 500 injured in the serial blasts in Guwahati, Barpeta Road in Barpeta district, besides Kokrajhar and Bongaigaon districts.

ban Development, Government of India will take over the charge of constructing the second of its kind institute after IIMAhmedabad in Gujarat, informed official sources here. It may be mentioned that the foundation stone was laid by former Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh on February 9.

ducive atmosphere for the militants to come over ground and resolve issues with amicable solutions”, said Milton Sangma, noted educationist. He said that their movement against insurgency would continue as people are not willing to tolerate violence and bloodshed anymore. The meeting also urged the state government to create an infrastructure for children and youths to encourage games and sporting activities, which will keep them away from anti-social activities. The peace rally lasted for about

3 hours with speakers speaking on different issues with the view to promote peace and harmony in the society.

Speaking at the meeting, social activist Roger Benny suggested to the people to form vigilance committee in all villages and work to root out militancy and also think of ways and means for development. The activist of Garo Hills State Movement Committee Nikman Marak dwelt on political will to resolve insurgence. “We have to remind our politicians to work for the people, as they have assured during their

ET Correspondent Jorhat, Dec 8: Prominent educationist cum director of Junaki Sangha School, Ms Shahi Probha Borgohain has been conferred with Ajmal National Rural Education Movement Award 2015 at a glittering function held at Hojai today. Owing to ill health, Ms Shahi Probha Borgohain could not addend the function today and her son-in-law Biren Borgohain on her behalf received the award in the function. The award carries a memento, citation and cash amount of Rs 50,000 which the Ajmal Foundation has been conferring on people for their outstanding performances in rural education.

Road Safety Awareness Campaign

Abhishek Garg, SP Sonepat (front) leads the road safety awareness campaign.

ET Correspondent Sonepat, Dec 8: As part of the Road Safety Awareness Campaign, the police and transport department today jointly organized a cycle rally in the town to motivate the vehicle users to use cycles whenever possible.

On the occasion, an oath of keeping awareness towards traffic rules and observing of the rules was administered among the participants including students in the rally. The day was also observed as car-free day.

Addressing the participants, Abhishek Garg, SP Sonepat

said that keeping in view the increase in number of road accidents, it had become need of the hour not only to become self disciplined in observing the traffic rules; but also motivate and encourage others to follow them. He also asked the heads of educational institutions to ensure that the under age students were not allowed to use the vehicles. “Use of helmet while driving two wheelers and of seat belt during four wheel drive is necessary for the safety point of view,” he added.

BJP-joined Assam Assembly suspended MLAs denied entry, stage protest Contd. from Page 1

The MLAs were later released after being kept in preventive custody for some time. They alleged that the Speaker's decision to suspend them was an influenced one. The members claimed that they were prevented from entering the premises though the suspension did not bar them from coming to the As-

sembly compound.

Meanwhile, the BJP today staged protest in Guwahati, and several thousand BJP workers staged protest at Latasil in Guwahati, and protested against the high handedness of the Tarun Gogoi led Assam government. He also said, if the police release them, nine of the former Congress MLAs will give a written reply to Speaker Pranab

Gogoi citing reasons for joining the saffron party.

Police has detained more than hundred protesters across the city. BJP leader Rupam Goswami said, “The Congress is scared of BJP’s growing hold in Assam. They are trying the malign the party by hook or crook.

We condemn Tarun Gogoi and the Congress for trying to destroy the charm of democracy.”

Govt fully committed towards NRC updation: Tarun Gogoi Contd. from Page 1

“The NRC process was initiated by the State Government to protect the State’s interest way back in June 2010 with a pilot project at Barpeta. No one demanded it nor did anyone raise it. I took up the initiative so that the vexed foreigners’ issue is resolved once and for all. However, I would like to thank former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, AASU and other organisations for lending support to the whole exercise,” he added. The

Thousands take part in anti-violence rally ET Correspondent Shillong, Dec 8: Around 10,000 people from different parts of Garo hills took part on Tuesday at Chandmari playground in an anti-violence rally conveying a message to militants to shun violence and join the mainstream for peace. The rally was organised by the church leaders and citizen organisations while serving a six-month deadline to the government and the militant outfits to find a way out for ensuring peace in Garo hills region. “We appeal to the government to create a con-

in purchasing motor-bike, building house, launching shop etc. As a result, the real farmers are not benefitted and the agro-sector of Lakhimpur has remained in paralysed condition. Some middlemen were involved in the act of withdrawing loans from the banks which fulfilled the material desire of a part of dishonest bank officials, a farmer alleged. On the other hand, it is alleged that the banks emphasised on the renewal of the loans instead of sanctioning new loans covering new beneficiaries.

Ajmal Award to educationist

election rallies”. He also informed the gathering that politicians from different parties were invited to take part in the meeting, but they failed to attend. Director of Don Bosco School Tura, who is also a noted church leader Rev Fr. Januarius Sangma, while stressing on importance of education said, “Parents should take utmost effort to educate and motivate their children”. He also sought better education facilities in rural areas and urged the teachers to be sincere while discharging their duties.

Chief Minister said in the ongoing exercise the Central Government has not engaged any employee.

“The Central Government has not engaged any employee in the NRC updation process though it has a huge workforce in Railways, banks, post offices and other undertakings,” Gogoi said, adding that the Central Government has not deputed any representative to take stock of the progress so far. Gogoi appealed to each and every organisation and individual to point out the lacunae, if any, in the ongo-

ing NRC exercise. “There should not be any lacuna or loophole in the NRC updation exercise....it has to be foolproof. I appeal to every organisation and individual to bring to our notice if there is any lacuna or loophole so that the NRC updation exercise is smooth and hassle-free,” he added.

The Chief Minister thanked the people for extending support to the NRC updation process and sought their cooperation for completion of the massive exercise within the stipulated timeframe.

15 BJP workers from each ward for ‘Dispur Gherao’ ET Correspondent Diphu, Dec 8: Fifteen BJP workers from each ward will participate in ‘Dispur Gherao’ scheduled on December 9. The Diphu Town BJP Committee today held a meeting at Lorulangso as part of the initiative of Ward No. 5 in-charge Lawrence Teron and decided that each Ward Committee in Diphu Town will send at least 15 workers for participation in the Dispur Gherao program of the BJP slated for tomorrow. The meeting has also chalked out plan for the

campaign for the Town Committee election in respect of Ward No. 5. The meeting which was held at the Lorulangso Cultural Hall was graced by ticket aspirants Ramsing Engti, Ramsing; Timung and Seema Ronghangpi. It may be mentioned here that the state BJP is planning massive gherao program at Dispur on the 9th December from 9 am on-words to highlight corruption and injustice allegedly prevalent under the Congress Government headed by Mr. Tarun Gogoi.

Orange Festival for peace and prosperity

orange fest Manipur, Dec 8: Once again, winter has set in and it's festive season and the Orange Festival too is set for a big celebration.The 12th edition of the only Orange Festival in India will be held on December 9 in Manipur's Tamenglong district. Chief Minister Ibobi Singh will be the chief guest and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam is the chief host of the festival this year Organized by the Tamenglong District Administration committee, the annual state festival is held every December to help and promote orange growers in the region for sustainable development.Celebrating the festival amid chaos and many unending problems in the state, the theme of the festival this year is Peace and Prosperity.The festival features orange display by farmers. The farmers whose orange produce is the best is awarded with cash prize.The event also features musical nights, Orange Queen contest and many interesting traditional and cultural sports, dance and other events. This year, the event will witness spe-

13 killed in Jharkhand train accident

Train accident Ranchi, Dec 8: At least 13 people were killed in Jharkhand when a train hit a vehicle at an unmanned crossing, police said today.The accident took place around 9.30 p.m. on Monday when a family was returning from Rajrappa temple in Bolero car, the police said .According to the police, the car's tyre got trapped in the railway tracks at Ramgarh district crossing.The onboard people tried to get down but a speedy Howrah-Bhopal train hit their vehicle and carried it for more than 100 metres, said the police.The vehicle was torn into pieces, and it was stuck in the engine of the train. It was somehow detached with the help of the residents. The incident took place near Bhurkunda railway station which is around 70 kms from Ranchi.All the occupants died on the spot, and the train was stopped for nearly three hours. The angry residents blocked the track of the crossing. (Agencies)

cial music performances by well-known musicians from the Northeast, Guru Reuben Mashangva, Ringo Golmei and Thangmeiso Shinglai.Tamenglong, the land of India's freedom fighter Rani Gaidinliu, lies in the West of Manipur Hills.

This green region, which belongs to the Zeliangrong tribe, is well endowed with many exotic places and rich biodiversity. It is famous for rare flora and fauna and its pristine beauty. It is also popular for its high quality crops and food produce, including tea and chillies.

Tamenglong oranges are known for its high quality and taste. With the starting of the festival, more and more farmers have taken to orange cultivation and the production has increased.

However, farmers suffer from lack of proper infrastructure for large-scale cultivation, storage and marketing. Marketing of the product is yet to be properly channelised to benefit the growers fully. Hence, the festival offers a platform for the farmers to showcase their orange produce and sell them.

Darjeeling girls in NCC Everest team Darjeeling, Dec. 8: Two college girls from Darjeeling have been selected for a 10member expedition team to scale Mount Everest organised by the NCC in May 2016.Trishala Gurung, 22, a second-year student of Southfield College, and Sulaxchana Tamang, 21, a first-year student of Ghoom Degree College in Darjeeling, did not have NCC wings in their college.They have undergone training at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and have climbed Mount Deo Tibba (19,688 feet) in Himachal Pradesh and Mount Trishul (23,353ft) in Uttarakhand before being selected for the expedition"After our performances during the selection, we were asked to

join the NCC at Darjeeling Government College through a process of open enrolment," said Sulaxchana.The duo came to know about their selection trial through a notice on their college board."During the selection, 100 girls were told to do a basic mountaineering course at the HMI in Darjeeling early this year and 40 students were selected for the Mount Deo Tibba expedition in May this year. After this expedition, 15 girls were selected to climb Mount Trishul in September and finally 10 girls were selected for the expedition to scale Mount Everest in May 2016,"said Trishala. On November 24, Trishala's father Ganesh Kumar Gurung, who is a

(Left) Trishala Gurung and Sulaxchana Tamang in Darjeeling on Mondayhana. businessman, received an email from the office of the director-general, NCC, confirming the selection of Trishala and Sulaxchana along with eight other girls.

Zoramthanga wants talks with NDFB(P) Aizawl , Dec 8: Former Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga today said he would appeal to the Centre to upgrade the peace talks with the NDFB(P) from official level to political level.This was necessary since officials dealing with the militant groups were delaying the progress of negotiations, Zoramthanga said here over phone from New Delhi where he landed on Monday night.He said NDA government was more sincere in peace

Zoramthanga

efforts with insurgent groups than the UPA regime, but the peace process was moving in a slow pace because of the delay by the entrusted officials.The former CM

said that he would apprise the Centre of his meeting with the leaders of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Progressive) in the designated camp in Assam.He said the NDFB faction, led by Dhiren Boro, had urged him to help in the progress of the peace deal with the Centre.

Zoramthanga said he was not an official interlocutor, but a go-between with the mission to establish mutual trust between the two parties.

(Agencies)

NSCN-K imparts training to LAEF cadres in Myanmar Tura ,Dec 8: Garo militant outfits like the Liberation of A'chik Elite Force (LAEF) are no longer dependent on imparting arms training for its cadres inside the forests of Garo Hills and are now dispatching them in groups all the way to Myanmar where Naga rebels from the NSCN-Khaplang enroll them in their jungle camps and provide them with the necessary expertise on guerilla warfare. This revelation came to the fore with the surrender of one such trained cadre who gave himself up to police in North Garo Hills on Monday, just days after his return from that country.Waljit M Sangma (24) of Medu Apal village in Bajengdoba region of North Garo Hills surrendered at Resubelpara.

He had joined the LAEF in the month of August, last year. Garo Hills po-

lice have obtained crucial evidence that the LAEF outfit, formed by a former police commando, had been regularly sending fresh recruits to Myanmar through the Nagaland route to undertake arms training in the NSCN-K camps.The LAEF cadre Waljit was part of one such group which had undergone such training.

Waljit was to join a command of the outfit in the Garo Hills region.Police are not ruling out the presence of more foreign returnee cadres inside Garo Hills who are believed to have crossed back the Nagaland border sometime in the middle of November before making their way into Garo Hills through the normal travelling route.Since they do not come back with arms these young boys are able to escape the police dragnet during routine security checks on pub-

lic transport.One of the key leaders of the group who arranged the foreign jaunt for the young recruits was LAEF chairman Kelwin Sangma who was nabbed by Assam Police in October this year, along with two cadres of the Tripura based National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) outfit.

Soon after, on December 2nd, army personnel nabbed three other LAEF militants from Kukurkata area of Goalpara and recovered two AK rifles and 30 rounds of ammunition.

The arrested trio had also been trained by Naga rebels in Nagaland. The LAEF outfit, formed by Late Peter Marak, a Meghalaya cop, had dropped out of the police radar after the death of its founder who was shot dead by police on August 22nd 2007 in East Garo Hills district. The

killing had raised question marks on the police version which stated that Peter had been killed in a crossfire while leading police to a camp of LAEF in Kallak area of Williamnagar in the dead of night.He had been arrested from Jorabat area of Assam while returning from Nagaland in a scorpio SUV on that same day.The LAEF gained notoriety for orchestrating three simultaneous grenade attacks on civilian areas on the night of June 22nd of the same year. A grenade was lobbed inside the Tura super market resulting in the death of one civilian and injury to eleven others.

They also lobbed a grenade on a shop in Nangalbibra and an empty field in Mendipather. In December 2007 SWAT commandos shot dead two LAEF ultras in West Khasi Hills region but lost one of their own in the encounter. (Agencies)

Jharkhand CM could be in dock for handing over 'wrong' ashes to martyr's family Dukli (West Tripura), Dec. 8 : Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das has been placed in an embarrassing situation in the wake of the family members of martyr Lance Naik Albert Ekka questioning his government over whether they had actually been given his ashes more than 44 years after his death on a battlefield in Bangladesh.Ekka, a Lance Nayak of the 14 Guards of the Indian Army was martyred while fighting Pakistani troops on the Eastern Front on December 4, 1971. He died at Gangasagar near Akhaura in Brahminbaria District of what is today Bangladesh.

His body was cremated at Dukli, near Agartala. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra (PVC), India's highest gallantry award and the

'Friends of Liberation War Honour' as a foreign friend for his outstanding support and contribution to the 1971 war.Three days ago, Chief Minister Raghubar Das went to Albert Ekka's native village Jari in Gumla District to hand over the urn containing his ashes to his widow Balamdina Xess Ekka and their family, but the latter refused to accept it as they doubted whether the remains were actually Ekka's. They demanded to know how the army could find Ekka's last remains so fast.Vincent Ekka, Albert's son, said, "Why were we not taken to Agartala where the body of Albert Ekka was laid to rest? How can we accept the urn without verifying the facts?"The state government should have taken us there and brought the

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DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9

urn."To overcome these doubts, Chief Minister Das has asked the state government to bear the total cost of travel of ten persons, including the family members of Albert Ekka for an on the spot verification at Dukli.In fact, there is a small uncared for war memorial of the 14the battalion of the Brigade of the Guards in which Ekka's name is written along with his other colleagues.Most of the people who have settled there, are unaware of the existence of this war memorial.Bhuban Das, whose house is only 100 metres from the memorial, recalled that fatal day of December 14, when 12 bodies of army soldiers were brought in a jonga (jeep) at dusk. He said that out of them, 10 were Hindus and they were cremated as per

tradition. The two others, including Albert Ekka who was a Christian, were buried."The incident occurred in 1971 during the Bangladesh Liberation war.

It happened at Gangasagar, on the day when there was air attack in Mogra, they died on that day. During the dusk hours the 12 bodies were brought in a Jonga (Nissan designed vehicle used by the Indian Army) vehicle. Out of 12, two were Christians - Albert Ekka and David. These two were buried and the other ten were burned together. From there we collected mortal remains and soil of the graveyard and constructed this war memorial and it is still here. But where the cremation happened houses have come up there. This war memorial is the only remains and it has the mor-

tal remains and soil of the graveyard," said Das."During the Bangladesh War the store (of the army) was in my house and it was along Hawaldar Major Nikhil Bose, who was a Bengali, we collected all materials to construct this war memorial. Right for cremating the bodies to everything I was there," he added.However, Das assured that no soil or remains of the martyrs have been collected recently from the war memorial as a small part of the outer base of the memorial was broke few years back for the broadening of a road.He even showed the exact spot where the bodies were burnt and b u r i e d . N o w, h o u s e s have come up in the area.

(ANI)

In January next year, the duo would leave for Siachen for three-week training at the Army Mountaineering Institute.The two are leaving no stone

unturned to maintain their physical fitness."I jog along the Mall Road and have joined a gym here. I exercise for around twothree hours in the morning and after lunch, I carry a load of 10kg and walk uphill between 6 and 10km every day and also meditate in between," said Trishala, who was inspired to climb the hills after seeing her dad's photograph in snowy mountains which were taken during his course at the HMI."The two girls could not sit for their examinations because of the selection expeditions. Even this year, they might not be able to sit for the university examinations as these are scheduled around the Everest expedition time.

This would lead to two

Manipur: Prayer for 1528 Victims of Alleged Fake Encounter

Manipur prays for 1528 Victims of Alleged Fake Encounter Imphal, Dec 8: A candlelight prayer meeting was held yesterday evening at Takhellambam Leikai Youth Club ground in solidarity with the 1528 victims of "fake encounters" seeking justice from the Supreme Court in Manipur.The prayer meeting organized by Extrajudicial Executive Victims' Families Association Manipur (EEVFAM) was attended by representatives of various civil society organizations including Apunba Lup, Kangla Mei, CLK, TammiChingmi, AMKIL, NIPCCO etc.EEVFAM president Renu

Takhellambam speaking to media persons said the prayer meeting was held to pray for justice as the Supreme Court will hold the hearing of the cases on December 8, 9 and 10."We have lighted 1528 candles remembering the 1528 victims and praying to God for justice," she said.Renu Takhellambam appealed to the families of the victims to light up a candle infront of their respective gates on December 8, 9 and 10.Renu Takhellambam also appealed to the people for support.

years of loss in their studies," said Ganesh. "I have approached the North Bengal University and requested them to work out a system so that Trishala does not lose another year.

The university authorities have agreed to discuss the issue at the executive committee meeting", said the principal of Southfield College."This is a once-ina-lifetime opportunity but I am also concerned about my studies," said Trishala.

The parents are happy but also worried for their daughter.The two girls are excited. "Our experiences suggest that the 10 members of the team have to remain united at all times. One small carelessness in those mountains could mean the end of the expedition," said Sulaxc.

M'laya has 911 unelectrified villages, RS informed Shillong , Dec 8: Meghalaya has electrified only one village during the year 20152016.This was stated by Piyush Goyal, Minister of State in charge Power in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on MondayAs on April 1 this year, there are a total of 911 un-electrified villages in Meghalaya, the Minister said while giving the state wise details of un-electrified villages in the country. The Minister said that the Centre has envisioned an aim to electrify all un-electrified villages of the country by May 1, 2018.Mizoram has a total of 58 un-electrified villages and after 16 villages were electrified for the year 20152016, the number of un-electrified villages now stands at 42.In Nagaland, 82 villages are yet to be electrified, while in Manipur, the number of yet to be electrified villages is 218, and in Tripura 23.In Assam out of the total 2890 un-electrified villages, 170 villages were electrified this year and the remaining are 2720.According to a report, there are 18452 villages left for electrification in 19 states. (Agencies)

Assembly winter session to debate intolerance

Winter session begins at 3.00 p.m. on Friday.

Kolkata, Dec 8: The state Assembly will debate the issue of intolerance during its winter session beginning on 11 December.

Both the ruling party and the Opposition parties, including the BJP, today agreed to take up the issue on the floor of the House.The date for the discussion will be finalised at the business advisory committee meeting. State Assembly Speaker Biman Bandyopadhyay called upon the MLAs of all the parties to be present in the House after the recess as several important Bills are scheduled to be tabled when the short winter session begins at 3.00 p.m. on Friday.Otherwise, the

members introducing the Bills are discouraged by the poor attendance, he said. Two important Bills of the state labour department which are scheduled to be placed are the West Bengal Regulation of Recruitment in State Government Establishments, Statutory Bodies, Government Companies, Public Undertakings and the Local Authorities Amendment Bill and Employment Exchanges Compulsory Notification of Vacancies Amendment Bill.The Bills, which the state higher education department is likely to tabled, are the West Bengal University and Colleges Staff Selection Commission Bill and

The Brainware University Bill. The state law department is going to table the West Bengal Advocates Welfare Fund Amendment Fund Bill and the West Bengal Advocate Welfare Corporation Amendment Bill. Bandyopadhyay said he had requested the late Speaker Hasim Abdul Halim's son to bring his mother to the House when the obituary references will be made on Friday.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is likely to be present when the obituary references, including that of Halim, the longest serving Speaker of the Assembly who passed away recently, will be made along with others. (Agencies)

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9

PAGE 6

I'm Indira Gandhi's daughter-in-law, not scared of anyone: Sonia New Delhi, Dec. 8: Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday stood her ground over the charges being levelled against her in the National Herald case by senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy, and said that she has no reason to be scared of anyone. "I'm daughterin-law of Indira Gandhi, I'm not scared of anything. Why should I be scared?," she said here.

When asked if she

smelled a political vendetta in the case and that she was being targeted

by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), she replied saying, "I leave it to you to judge." However, the BJP has vehemently slammed the charges of vendetta by the Congress, saying the violations have been highlighted by the court and not the ruling party themselves. "The National Herald case is under court's jurisdiction and the government has no

Meanwhile, Sonia Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi have been asked to appear in court on December 19th at 3 p.m., which is the earliest possible date given by the court. Expressing content towards the Patiala court's decision,

Congress president Sonia Gandhi

role to play in it," Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill

Development and Entrepreneurship Rajiv Pratap Rudy told the media here.

Swamy today said that he is completely satisfied with development and added that he has given a pledge to the court to make sure that Sonia and Rahul and all other accused in the case are present in the next hearing. (ANI)

Sonia Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi have been asked to appear in court on December 19th at 3 p.m., which is the earliest possible date given by the court

Bardhan still critical, National Herald case: Unethical, undemocratic responding to medicines: Congress wrongfully blaming Govt., says Naidu D Raja New Delhi, Dec. 8: breach of trust in the acNew Delhi, Dec. 8: Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D. Raja on Thursday said that the condition of Veteran (CPI) leader A.B. Bardhan was still critical and that he was responding to medicines. "Comrade Bardhan had massive stroke, we rushed him to the hospital. He has been admitted and has been shifted to ICU. According to the doctors his condition continues to be critical. Doctors have told us that his physical movements are such that it gives the impression that he responds to medicines," Raja told.

"The doctors are trying their best, but since he is in I.C.U, we will have to wait and see how he

The condition of Veteran (CPI) leader A.B. Bardhan is still critical

improves," he added.

The 93-year-old leader was found unconscious around 8 a.m. at the CPI headquarters Ajoy Bhavan where he lived. He was rushed to the G.B. Pant Hospital

by CPI colleagues where the hospital authorities said that Bardhan was in critical condition after suffering a paralytic stroke.

(ANI)

ISIS seeks to build fullfledged government in Iraq and Syria

Criticizing the Congress Party for disrupting proceedings in both houses of Parliament over the National Herald case, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday said the grand old party's moves were undemocratic and unethical and it was also wrongfully blaming the government.

"As they could not face the truth, they are now trying to blame the government. My point is establishing the guilt or framing the charges or not framing the charges that is the exclusive jurisdiction of the judiciary.

Government has no role to play at all. It is totally unethical, unfair and undemocratic on the part of the Congress party to obstruct the Parliament functioning on account of the case where the government has no role to play at all," Naidu told the media here. "This case to my knowledge started

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu

even before our government came to power.

Secondly, this is an action filed by a person and the court has taken cognisance of the same. They have issued notice and they should contest it in the court. How can you hold the government responsible? It is totally unfair and irresponsible criticism against the government," Naidu added.

Parliament ceased to function this morning till 12.30 p.m., as Congress

MPs in both houses created a ruckus over the court summons to party president Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi. The Congress termed it as "petty vendetta politics of the BJP".

The next hearing is set for December 19 by the Patiala court on Tuesday.

BJP leader Subramanian Swamy had filed a complaint before the trial court in 2012, alleging that Congress leaders were involved in cheating and

quisition of Associated Journals Ltd (AJL) by Young Indian Pvt Ltd (YIL), as assets worth crores of rupees had been transferred to YIL. Swamy had also filed a caveat in the apex court to pre-empt any ex-parte order on appeals likely to be filed by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul. The summons were issued on a criminal complaint lodged by Swamy for alleged cheating and misappropriation of funds in acquiring ownership of now-defunct daily National Herald. The Congress party had loaned Rs 90.25 crore to Associated Journals Ltd. (AJL), publisher of National Herald, and on December 28, 2010 and it had assigned this debt to Young Indian Ltd (YIL), the charitable company, for Rs 50 lakh, which, according to Swamy, amounted to breach of trust and cheating.

(ANI)

Sushma Swaraj to visit Pakistan on Tuesday

ISIS shows that the terrorist organization seeks to build a full-fledged government with treasury

London, Dec. 8: A leaked internal manual of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) shows that the terrorist organization seeks to build a full-fledged government with treasury and an economic programme for self-sufficiency. The manual containing 24 pages shows a blueprint for establishing foreign relations, a propaganda operation, and centralised control over oil, gas and other major parts of the economy.

The manual is titled 'Prin-

ciples in the administration of the Islamic State'.

It was written last year and lays bare ISIS' state building endeavours and the ways in which it has managed to set itself apart as the richest and most destabilising jihadi group of the past 50 years. The document sketches out how to draw government departments varying from education, natural resources, industry, foreign relations, public relations to military camps.

(ANI)

Doordarshan regional services to be shifted to new satellite

Doordarshan regional services will remain off air from midnight to 5am on December 10

New Delhi, Dec 8: Doordarshan's regional services, which are presently running on INSAT-3A, will be

shifted to INSAT-4B from December 12.

Due to this shift, Doordarshan regional services will remain off air from midnight to 5am on December 10. The step is being taken in view of End of Life (EOL) of INSAT-3A, as declared by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

For this purpose, four new transponders on INSAT-4B have been allotted by the ISRO. (ANI)

New Delhi, Dec. 8: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will leave for a two-day visit to Pakistan on Tuesday, where she is expected to meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his advisor on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz in Islamabad this week.

Swaraj will visit the Pakistan capital to attend the ministerial segment on Afghanistan during the annual Heart of Asia conference on December 9.

Upon her return from Islamabad on December 10, Swaraj will be making a statement on the latest developments that have taken place in diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan. Earlier, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajiv Pratap Rudy also confirmed Swaraj's visit to Islamabad and said that she would brief both the houses of Parliament in

detail on the present status of Indo-Pak relations once she returns. "Sushma Swaraj will be visiting Pakistan tomorrow and once she returns, she will give a detailed statement about the discussions with Pakistan over issues including Terrorism. The government is fully prepared to give an updated status of Indo-Pak talks and this has been communicated to both the houses," Rudy told the media outside the Parliament. Earlier, Pakistan Prime Minister's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz had said the deadlock in Indo-Pak ties had eased to some extent and he is looking forward towards the bilateral talks withSushma Swaraj which would focus on the resumption of composite dialogue process. In a surprising move, India-Pakistan had NSA-level talks in Bangkok on Sunday on a wide range of issues including terrorism, Jammu

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will leave for a two-day visit to Pakistan

and Kashmir, and border issues. Post the meeting, both the nations released a joint statement saying that the discussions were held in a 'candid, cordial and constructive atmosphere' According to reports, the meeting was agreed upon by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and hisPakistani counter-

part Nawaz Sharif when they met in Paris last week on the sidelines of COP-21. A joint statement issued later said that the discussions "covered peace and security, terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir, other issues, including tranquility over the Line of Control".

(ANI)

Donald Trump calls for blocking entry of Muslims to U.S.

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump

Washington D.C., Dec. 8: Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump has said that the U.S. should bar

any Muslims from entering the country. Trumps campaign press release stated that Trump has called for a total and

Instead of playing politics, we must help flood victims, says Rahul

complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until the country's representatives can 'figure out what is going on'. After his controversial call for surveillance against all mosques, Trump new shocker comes in the wake of the deadly mass shooting in San Bernardino, California by suspected ISIS sympathisers.

Trump's comments are a far cry from President Barack Obama who had asked the nation, in his recent Oval Office address, to not

'turn against each other' out of fear. However, Trump's supporters have shown their approval towards his proposal on the social media as well as his rally on Monday. Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski told that the ban would apply not just to Muslim foreigners looking to immigrate to the U.S., but also to Muslims looking to visit the U.S. as tourists. However, Trump clarified that his policy would not apply to current Muslims in America.

(ANI)

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, who is visiting the rain-hit areas of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry

Pondicherry, Dec. 8: Urging one and all to stop playing politics, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, who is visiting the rain-hit areas of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, said Tuesday that the need of the hour was to provide relief and aid to the affected. "I came here to see what has happened with my own eyes. Wanted to meet people and assess the situation. It's very important that instead of doing politics at this time, we should make sure people that of Puducherry and Tamil Nadu are given relief. Right now effort should be made to get as much help possible to these people," he said while talking to reporters

here. Rahul was mobbed by his supporters and was showered with flower petals upon his arrival, as he slowly made his way through with his security trying to keep the mob at bay. He distributed relief material to the victims and later in the day, he is also scheduled to visit neighbouring Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu. Meanwhile, with the rains have stopped, Tamil Nadu and areas near it is now battling massive waterlogging issues. But relief operations have intensified and defence personnel are trying to evacuate as many people as possible while providing amenities to stranded people at the same time. (ANI)

1984 riots case: Delhi Court orders video recording of proceedings New Delhi, Dec. 8: A Delhi Court on Tuesday directed that video recording of all the proceedings should be done in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case involving Congress leader Sajjan Kumar. "In the Sajjan Kumar's matter, the court on Tuesday directed that the video recording of all the proceedings should be done and the system should be put for the video recording in the session judges court," said senior advocate H.S. Phoolka. "And, on 29th January, the court has given the date to test the system of recording of the proceedings, and thereafter, the witnesses recording of the evidence will start," he added. Phoolka further said, "This is very rare that the video recording of the proceedings is done but in view of the allegations earlier that the evidence was not being recorded correctly and in view of those allegations by the victims that the case has been transferred to another

Congress leader Sajjan Kumar.

session judge." "Therefore, the High Court directed and the court has also directed that the video recording of the entire proceedings should be done," he added. The Delhi High Court had earlier transferred from the Karkardooma Court to the Patiala House Court the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case involving Sajjan Kumar 'in view of the controversy generated' over allegations that the evidence was not being properly recorded.

The high court had also requested the District and Sessions Judge, Patiala House Court, to video record the proceedings at the cost of the parties in the case, the petitioner and CBI. (ANI)

Fog, driver's negligence behind train mishap: CPRO Northern Railways New Delhi, Dec. 8: Chief public relation officer (CPRO), Northern Railways, Neeraj Sharma on Tuesday said fog and the negligence of the driver could be the main reasons for the mishap which took place at 8:25 a.m. between the Mumbai-Haridwar A C Express and the PalwalGhaziabad EMU local train near Palwal. "The accident took place at 8:25 a.m. The train that was in front was going to LTT from Haridwar which was on a halt. The other train was coming from Palwal to Ghaziabad. In automatic

territory, trains can operate one after another, but there are certain rule to be followed. There was some fog and the driver's negligence could be the reasons for the accident.

Both drivers are injured and one driver has died," Sharma told here. "Our officers and general manager have reached the site. The unaffected coaches of the Haridwar train are back on track will be resumed in 10 minutes. Rescue and medical assistance was promptly initiated by the railways and district authorities," he added.

(ANI)

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9

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NEIGHBOURS

China's Tibet party boss urges senior monk to shun Dalai Lama Government defends Beijing, Dec 8 :China's continues to worry many meeting on Monday trol over Tibet, where de-listing diaspora Communist Party boss in Tibetans.Tibetan Budmarking 20 years since separatist movements Tibet has urged the dhism holds that the soul have flared since the the monk's Panchen Lama, the sec- of a senior lama is reingroups investiture."Tibetan Bud- 1950s.A senior Chinese ond-highest figure in Ti- carnated in the body of a official said in September betan Buddhism, to reject the Himalayan region's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, state media said today. Controversy surrounds the position of the Panchen Lama since the boy the Dalai Lama named as the reincarnation of the leader disappeared when he was six years old.The fate of the missing Panchen Lama, one of China's most zealously guarded state secrets, is just one area of contention between China and the Dalai Lama over Tibet, and

child on his death.The Dalai Lama and China's officially atheist Communist Party have repeatedly tussled over who has final authority on the issue of reincarnation.China's Communist Party has long maintained that the The Panchen Lama, Gyaltsen Norbu, delivers a speech Dalai Lama's choice, during the opening ceremony Gendun Choekyi Nyima, now 26, is not the real bet, said he hoped clear line between the Panchen Lama, and in Beijing's Panchen Lama 14th Dalai Lama and 1995, the government se- would "unswervingly firmly reject all subverlected Gyaltsen Norbu as walk with the party" and sive separatist activities," the 11th Panchen safeguard national unity, Chen told the Panchen Lama.Chen Quanguo, the official Tibet Daily Lama in the Tibetan city the party secretary of Ti- said."Resolutely draw a of Shigatse during a

dhism is at its best period of development in history and religious circles and believers enjoy full religious freedom," the paper quoted Beijing's Panchen Lama as telling Chen.The 80-year-old Dalai Lama fled to India after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959. Beijing says he is a violent separatist but the monk denies espousing violence and says he only wants genuine autonomy for Tibet.The Chinese government sees the appointment of the next Dalai Lama as key to consolidating state con-

that the Panchen Lama appointed by the Dalai Lama was "being educated, growing up healthily and does not want to be disturbed". Tibetans fear Beijing will use the issue of the Nobel peace laureate's eventual death and succession to split Tibetan Buddhism, with one new Dalai Lama named by exiles and one by the government.Beijing insists it must approve the next The Government today defended the de-listing of several Dalai Lama, though the diaspora groups and individuals earlier accused of having links to terrorism. title's current holder has said it could end when he dies. (Agencies) Colombo, Dec 8: The mentarian Dullas Government today de- Alahapperuma earlier fended the de-listing of questioned the basis on several diaspora groups which the groups and inand individuals earlier ac- dividuals were cleared of cused of having links to links to terrorism.He said terrorism.State Defence that the even the Global Minister Ruwan Tamil Forum (GTF) Wijeywardena, speaking in which was de-listed has Parliament, said that the not publicly denounced de-listing was carried out separatism and continues following a comprehen- to promote 'Eelam' on its sive study conducted out official website.The Govon the groups and indi- ernment recently de-listed viduals by a high level eight organisations and committee.He said that 267 persons. Sri Lanka the study concluded that proscribed 16 the diaspora groups and organisations and 424 inindividuals who were de- dividuals under Gazette proscribed recently were Extraordinary No. 1854/ The deadlock in Indo-Pak ties had eased to some not involved in terrorism 41 on 21 March 2014 usextent and is looking forward towards the bilateral related activities over the ing powers under the talks past three United Nations Act No. 45 years.Opposition Parliaof 1968. (Agencies) and meeting of Pakistani ratists and wanted the officials with Hurriyat Kashmir issue to be on separatists. NSA talks the table for discussion, scheduled to be held in which India rejected.

Delhi in August had However, relations imbeen called off at the proved after Prime Min- Kathmandu, Dec cording to Thakur, DPM last minute after a war ister Narendra Modi's 8:Top Samyukta Thapa's proposal inof words between handshake with Pakistan Loktantrik Madhesi cludes proportional incluSwaraj and Aziz, as the PM Nawaz Sharif in Paris Morcha (SLMM) lead- sive representation in latter insisted on meet- on the sidelines of the cli- ers, who are in New state mechanisms, delining with Kashmiri sepa- mate summit. (ANI) Delhi to hold consulta- eation of electoral contions with the Indian es- stituencies on the basis of tablishment and leaders population and redrawing of various political par- of state boundaries. "We ties, have rejected the have presented an 11three-point proposal point charter of demands. stability in Afghanistan. ing that terrorism continbrought by major parties Tarai protests will not end "Instability in Afghanistan ues to be a major threat in Nepal, saying that the just by expressing 'comis not in our interest. We to global and regional proposal which has been mitment to address the will, therefore, continue to peace. "During last few called a 'political demands in future'," said support all endeavours years, Pakistan has sufroadmap' does precious Thakur. "Protesting aiming at strengthening fered huge human and little to address Madhes Madhesi parties are not peace and security in Af- economic losses due to concerns."It is learnt ready to sign a 'blank ghanistan," he added. He this menace. Our resothat Deputy Prime Min- cheque'."On Morcha also said that political con- lute struggle against terister and Minister for leaders' visit to Delhi, sultations involving Af- rorism is now bringing Foreign Affairs Kamal Thakur said, "Solution to ghanistan and its the fruit of peace and Thapa had put the pro- Nepal's political crisis lies posal on the table in the in Kathmandu. We are not neighbours and regional prosperity to our name of a political here in Delhi to find a socountries with a view to people. In our view, roadmap. But it cannot lution. It should come promoting mutual trust in closer regional coopaddress the demands put from the government of the areas of security and eration can play an efforth by Madhes-based Nepal; from Kathmandu." economic interaction are fective role in eliminatparties, which have been But nonetheless, Thakur creating a positive space. ing the scourge of terprotesting for nearly said he hoped that there He also spoke about ter- rorism," Aziz said. four months now," Tarai would be some solution in rorism in the region, say- (ANI) Madhesi Loktantrik Party sight soon."But not in Chairman Mahantha Delhi. It is imperative that Thakur told the media. the government of Nepal "We talked to Indian Min- holds candid talks with us. ister for External Affairs Any roadmap for solution Sushma Swaraj about the must be discussed with proposal. But we cannot us; Delhi cannot give a way say anything now, as we out," said Thakur. "We are need to hold elaborate dis- not here to pressure cussions within Madhesi anyoneor get pressurised Morcha about it." Ac- from anyone". (Agencies)

San Bernardino shooter Sushma's visit to focus on resumption of composite Tashfeen Malik was dialogue, says Sartaj Aziz 'normal, lively' Islamabad, Dec.8: Pa- between India and Paki-

Tashfeen Malik, the Pakistani woman accused along with her husband of shooting dead 14 people in California

Karachi, Dec. 8 : Friends and teachers of Tashfeen Malik, the Pakistani woman accused along with her husband of shooting dead 14 people in California last week, have expressed shock and astonishment over the incident, saying that she was quite 'normal' and a 'hard working' student at Multan's Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU). The classmates and teachers of the 29year-old woman say they cannot believe their softspoken friend could take such a horrible step and that she was a hard-working student at the BZU

(2008 to 2012) who wanted to be a scientist in pharmacognosy. "She was as lively as a girl of her age could be. She was aware of the affairs of her university mates which I had never noticed. I can't believe that such a lively girl could indulge in such activity. In those days she was not an extremist, not even a practising Muslim, other than wearing veil. I never saw her saying prayers or reciting Quran," one of her classmates was quoted as saying. Dr Ghulam Shahbeer Baloch, a focal person for the BZU, said that she was a 'normal' student who never got herself involved in any 'objectionable' activity. Meanwhile, an investigation is underway trying to find the links into what radicalised Tashfeen and her husband Rizwan Farook. Tashfeen went to the United States on a fiancee visa and spent extended periods of time in both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. (ANI)

Israeli PM names new Mossad chief Jerusalem, Dec 8: Yossi Cohen, the current National Security Adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was named next chief of the Mossad, the Israeli spy agency.

Cohen will replace Tamir Pardo who will finish his five-year tenure in January, Xinhua quoted Netanyahu as saying on Monday. "Yossi has a rich experience and has reached many achievements in various fields of the Mossad's activity," he said. "He has leadership and professional skills that are required from someone who is set to lead the organization," he added.

The Israeli leader has the authority to nominate its chief on his own, as the Mossad operates under direct authority of the prime minister. Yossi Cohen, 54-years-old from Jerusalem, served

Yossi Cohen, the current National Security Adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

in the Mossad for thirty years. He managed the operation of agents in various countries throughout the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Southeast Asia, and served as the deputy director to the spy agency between 2011 and 2013.

Netanyahu appointed Cohen as national security adviser in 2013, and Cohen is considered his close confidant. Cohen will serve as the 12th head of the agency since its foundation in 1949.

Beijing issues first ever red alert on pollution Beijing, Dec.8: The Chinese Government has issued its first red alert on pollution ordering schools to close due to hazardous air quality in Beijing. Beijing's Municipal Bureau of Environmental Protection warns that severe pollution will cover the capital, starting on Tuesday and lasting for more than three days. The red alert, which is the highest level in the system, is due to

be in force until noon Thursday local time. Half of private cars in the city will be ordered off the road during the period with an odd-even number plate system in force and 30 per cent of government vehicles also be put in garages. The other extra measures to be enforced include halting outdoor construction, banning fireworks and outdoor barbecues.

(ANI)

kistan Prime Minister's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Monday said the deadlock in Indo-Pak ties had eased to some extent and he is looking forward towards the bilateral talks with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj which would focus on the resumption of composite dialogue process.

"Sushma Swaraj is coming here and we will have a bilateral meet. The good thing is that the deadlock for our negotiation has ended. You have to wait for two days to know on what note we will start the composite dialogue," Aziz told the media here. On the pending decision regarding the bilateral cricket series

stan Aziz said that he is waiting for response from the Indian Cricket Board. "We're expecting a response from Indian Cricket Board, so that our cricket board can reply to them, "Aziz added.

Swaraj is arriving in Pakistan on Tuesday to attend the 'Heart of Asia' Conference and during her visit she is also expected to call on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Swaraj's Pakistan visit will come on a positive note after a secret meeting between Indian and Pakistani NSAs in Bangkok on Sunday, with which the neighboring countries crossed the main hurdles for IndoPak talks since last year - discussion on Kashmir

Morcha leaders reluctant to buy govt roadmap

Security challenges hampering socio-economic devp: Aziz at 'Heart of Asia' conference Islamabad, Dec. 8: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's adviser on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz, has delivered opening remarks at the fifth 'Heart of Asia' ministerial conference in Islamabad, saying that a conducive political and security environment is vital for promoting regional economic cooperation and connectivity. "Our region is mired in dire security challenges which are hampering our socio-economic development," Aziz said. Talking about the situation in Af-

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's adviser on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz, has delivering opening remarks at the fifth 'Heart of Asia'

ghanistan that has become instable due to the recent violence by the Taliban, Aziz said that Pakistan wants durable peace and

Denying entry to Muslim refugees promotes terrorism: UN refugee chief Karachi, Dec. 8: United Nations (UN) refugee Chief Antonio Guterres has slammed nations for rejecting Syrian refugees because they are Muslims and said that this behaviour was fuelling terrorism.

Guterres condemning the blocking of the refugees and said that it aided terrorist organizations in being more effective in recruitment of people.

"When people say they cannot receive Syrian refugees because they are Muslims, those that say it are supporting terrorist organizations and allowing them to be much more effective in recruitment of people," he told a news conference.

Investigation and intelligence reveal that at least one of the men who carried out the serial attacks in Paris last month

had entered Europe posing as a Syrian refugee.

Following the Paris carnage, the US states of Texas, Arkansas, Alabama and Michigan said they would bar entry to Syrian refugees, and the US House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to suspend President Barack Obama's programme to admit 10,000 Syrian refugees and intensify the process of screening them. Guterres said he understood the governments' need to rely on counter-terrorism strategies, but it would be an 'illusion' to think that counter-terrorism and military action alone would solve the problem. "An essential part of this is to convince the potential recruits of terrorist organisations that that

2 Indians stabbed in Chittagong United Nations (UN) refugee chief Antonio Guterres has slammed nations for rejecting Syrian refugees

is not the way to express their own anger or their own concerns or their own perspectives," said Guterres.

Asserting that closing borders was not the solution to the attacks in Europe, he added that by denying the refugees entry, it would give more chances to terrorist organisations to recruit within the bor-

ders of European countries. "The more it is said or the more it is done in hostility to Syrian refugees because they are Muslims, the more the chances for (Islamic State) and other groups to recruit within the borders of European countries people to do the kind of nasty things we are now witnessing, " he said. (ANI)

Dhaka,Dec 8: Robbers have stabbed two Indian Sikhs and looted Indian rupee 22,000 in Uttarpara area under Sitakunda upazila of Chittagong.The injured are Jogendra Shil, 50, and Amar Sinha, 55.Sitakunda OC Iftekhar Hossain said: "A group of 40 Sikhs from India went to Chittagong for a religious programme.

The incident took place when they were returning from the programme in four microbuses on Monday night."A group of 10 to 12 robbers attacked them when the driver of one of the microbuses stopped the vehicle in Nunachora area around 11:45pm due to technical

problem."The robbers stabbed two of the passengers and looted Indian rupee 22,000 from their possession.The OC said nine Shikhs were in the microbus which was attacked by the robbers.These robbers usually stop vehicle and loot the passengers on the highway, he added.Dhaka Medical College Hospital police outpost in-charge Mozammel Hoque said Chittagong highway police Sub-Inspector Rakbul Islam rescued them and sent the injured to DMCH around 9:45am Tuesday.He said they have been released from the hospital after treatment.(Agencies)

PAGE 8

DIBRUGARH,WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9

Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Of Youth Rural Education in India Quality related issues are far powerful than poverty Majority of India still lives in villages and so the topic of rural education in India is of utmost importance. Every village in India is not provided with school which means that students have to go to another village to get education. Owing to this parents usually do not send their daughters to school, leading to a failure in achieving rural education in India.

And poverty come as another setback. Government schools are not as good and private schools are expensive. This results in a very low number of students actually clearing their secondary education and taking admission in a colleges for further studies. So the drop-out-rate at the secondary level is extremely high in villages. Only parents who can afford college education send their kids to secondary schools. If parents are not able to send their wards for higher education then all their previous efforts get wasted as completing just secondary education means a low paying job and the person is again struck in the same never ending cycle of money, life and poverty.

Most textbooks are in English and since people in rural areas either speak their native language or Hindi, but not English that defeats the purpose. This results in lack of their interest in studies. Though some of the students from villages are really brilliant, as they have a wealth of practical knowledge and know how to survive even in very harsh conditions of life, difficultly in understanding their textbooks, lack of facilities and their poverty are a hurdle in their education. Also quality related issues are far powerful than poverty. Students are not at all encouraged to think but they are asked to memorize pre-defined questions for exams. So for many students clearing examination at the end of the session, passing their exam becomes more important than gaining knowledge. Moreover there is a difference between city and village student not in terms of brain or development but their initial environment, skills, learning ability, availability of infrastructure, and access to different facilities. All of these must be considered while making the curricula which should not be different but how it is going to be taught would make the difference. Encourage the genuine rural students who are interested in education and make them competent.

A new ray of hope The number of adoptions in India is declining fast Abandoned by their parents and now neglected by governments - there is no end to the suffering of over 50,000 orphans in India. The adoption rate within the country as well as those by foreign nationals in India has gone down by nearly 50 per cent in the last five years. What adds to the grim situation is the disparity between South Indian states and the rest of the country in terms of adoption of children.

As per reports, in 2013-14, just under 4,000 children were placed for adoption, fewer than the 4,964 in 2012-13 and 5,964 children in the previous year.

The government has drawn up fresh guidelines to make the process easier and to cut down the time it takes to adopt, she said. These guidelines have been incorporated in the draft Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill, 2014, which was introduced in Parliament in August. It is yet to be passed.

Suggested guidelines include linking orphaned and abandoned children in institutions across the country to CARA, short for the Central Adoption Resource Agency, the nodal agency for adoption, as well as cutting the time it takes social workers-currently up to two months-to assess prospective parents. The idea is to cut the waiting period for an adoption to a few months from the year or even more than it takes now. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, 930 children were abandoned across India in 2013. This could be a massive underestimation-by more than 10,000 times, according to statistics presented to the Supreme Court in a PIL filed in 2011 which estimates the figure to be closer to 11 million, 90% of them girls. There are no official records on the number of children at orphanages but ChildLine India Foundation, a Mumbai-based non-government organization, reckons there were 25 million orphans in 2007. Only 0.04% of these abandoned children are adopted every year, says a report by India Spend, a data journalism initiative.

Falling adoption levels have also been put down to the rise of surrogacy, which has also given Indian couples an alternative. Artificial reproductive technology is giving stiff competition to the cause of adoption.

Currently, foreign couples are required to pay an official fee of $5,000 to the agency from which they are adopting a child. In the black market, this figure can be $20,000 or even higher, says Pawar. Indian parents are required to payRs.46,000, out of which Rs.1,000 is for registration and Rs.5,000 for home study. The process of evaluation as laid down by the government is an exhaustive one that includes counselling sessions apart from home visits by social workers associated with adoption agencies. There are also guidelines that place a cap on the combined age of both the parents (it is 90 years of age.) In 2013-14, 430 inter-country adoptions from India were to countries such as the US, Italy and Spain.

This number was a jump from the previous year's tally of 308 but less than the 629 children who were adopted by foreigners in 2011.

Pranjal Bezborah Entrepreneurship can be defined as a combination of qualities such as innovative capacity, for utilizing the available opportunities for setting up of an enterprise successfully. The person who forges ahead in any venture is an entrepreneur.

Entrepreneurship is thus a sequence of activities undertaken by a person or group of persons for identifying, establishing and managing an enterprise successfully.

Enterprise is probably as old as human history. The spirit of enterprise makes a man an entrepreneur. Such a spirit transformed him from a nomad to cattle rarer, to a settled agriculturist, to a trader and to an industrialist. Thus, entrepreneurs are persons who initiate, organize, manage and control the affairs of a business unit by combining the factors of production for supplying goods and services. It may pertain to agriculture, industry, trade or other professions and services.

Entrepreneurship is thus a human activity, which plays a major role in economic development. At the center of process man stands as organizer of resources, as workers, and as the user of goods produced.

Of these roles, the

organizer's function is very important. Without him, the resources of production remain resources and can never become products or services. This signifies the importance of entrepreneurship in economic development. Hence, the entrepreneur is regarded as a catalyst or a change agent in the economic life of all organized societies. The development of economy is a stupendous task and the role of entrepreneur is more challenging than ever before.

The shortage of entrepreneurship is the most acute problem faced by developing countries and presently it is considered to be a potent limiting factor on their economic development.

In the present era it is being realized that entrepreneurship contributes to industrial development of a country or a region in several ways, viz. assembling and harnessing the various inputs, bearing the risks, innovating and imitating the techniques of production to reduce the cost and increase its quality and quantity, expanding the horizons of the market, and coordinating and managing the manufacturing unit at various levels.

In fact, the rapid industrial development of a country or a region crucially depends upon the number of abilities of entrepreneurs. Industrial development cannot be achieved without the development of entrepreneurship. Depending upon the emphasis one becomes the by-product of the other.

Entrepreneurship, therefore, is regarded as the ultimate determining factor of the industrial growth of a country or a region.

For rapid industrialization

and development of smallscale industries, it is necessary to have a large body of entrepreneurial talents. The question arises if this entrepreneurial talent is not abundantly available whether anything can be done to develop it and if so how.

Inherently there is no reason why we should not be able to develop an abundance of entrepreneurial talent. Owing to lack of industrial climate our young men and women are more prone to the temptation of a secured job. Our environment is such that it is difficult for young men and women to think in terms of having some undertaking for his/ her self-employment rather seeking a job at any cost.

been made a part of the education system and this enables young men and women to decide their career just on completing the secondary education. But in our country, education does not have such definite objective of becoming an academician - most of us spend valuable time of our life in university as a stopgap occupation till a job could be secured.

To overcome this depressing situation the necessity of developing entrepreneurship for self-employment arises. Providing gainful employment to a large number of unemployed is among the major problems faced by the country. As stated earlier, entre-

meeting any unforeseen and adverse situation.

We are now facing acutely the problem of unemployed, particularly of educated unemployed. In spite of all the development that has taken place apparently there is an insufficiency of salaried jobs to absorb all the graduates who have come out from our colleges. Considering the large sum of money spent in the training of a single graduate, the fact that so many of them are not gainfully employed means colossal waste of our meager resources. Obviously it would be better if during the course of scholastic training emphasis is given for proper motivation for selfemployment and in addition

Our present education system is also responsible for this type of situation. Our scholastic training does not motivate us for making efforts for self-employment. In developed countries, no one is prepared to pursue study for study's sake without any predetermined objective. Nobody goes to university without the definite objective of becoming an academician. Job-oriented vocational education has

preneurial initiative is one of the principal elements in the economic growth of a nation as in a vast country like India the task of providing employment to millions of the unemployed is just impossible. Entrepreneurship is the capacity in an individual to innovate.

It involves a whole range of aptitudes like capacity to bear risks, to forecast prospects of enterprises, confidence and competence in

given the minimum procedural know-how necessary for starting a venture for self-employment. If one were given such job-oriented training one would be motivated to go for self-employment ventures, which would enable one to become a 'job giver' rather than a 'job seeker'.

We must admit that a stage has been reached, when educational institutions cannot remain to be

mere ivory towers. There is an imperative need for creating among our students a new climate of preference of self-employment and entrepreneurial activity. The education must be given a new orientation so that our young graduates will have the skills, incentives and facilities to go for self-employed enterprises.

It has been recognized that with proper guidance, motivation and training, it is possible to empower our young men and women for employment including selfemployment. In this context, we must agree that the conventional type of entrepreneurship development programmes would not be able to improve the situation. A broad based result oriented movement for human resource development must be launched for motivating young men and women to enthuse them to take up self-employment ventures in agriculture, industry and service sector.

References: 1.U.S. Chaudhari, Education for Empowerment of Rural - Tribal People, University News, July 27- August 02, 2009.

2.Jatin Hazarika, Perspective of Entrepreneurship Development in the 21st Century, Entrepreneurship Development in North East (Ed), Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship, Guwahati, 2000.

3.H. Mohanty & P.K. Samanta, Institutions for Entrepreneurship Development in Orissa: an Overview, The Utkal Business Review, Vol. XXI, 2008-2009.

(The writer is a professor in the Department of Commerce, Dibrugarh University)

A Miracle on the Indus River?

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has the potential to transform Pakistan’s economy.

The Indus River is known as the lifeblood of Pakistan’s economy. Great ancient civilizations were formed along the Indus River, including the Gandhara and Mohenjodaro. Pakistan’s economy will continue to rely on the River Indus but a new dimension has been added. Now the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is bringing a sharp transformation. It is offering the tantalizing prospect of an Indus River miracle to match those on the Yellow River (China) and Han River (South Korea).

Pakistan can also learn much from Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia.

The government has its sights on becoming the 25th largest economy in the world. The CPEC project has become a full spectrum project. Learning from the Asian miracle economies by sharing experiences is

essential if a prosperous new Indus River civilization is to emerge.

First, the flagship project, the CPEC itself, will be the pilot project of China’s massive One Belt, One Road (OBOR) vision initiated by President Xi Jinping in 2013, which will build 21st century maritime and land routes across Central Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. This is a milestone in global connectivity, building the physical infrastructure for sustainable economic development, encouraging trade and investment and contributing to a more peaceful world. The vision behind the OBOR is admirable.

A number of practical measures for the CPEC are already underway. During his visit to Pakistan Premier Li Keqiang in May 2013 disclosed the CPEC plan. A

memorandum of under- ganization (FWO) has built standing (MoU) was 850 km of road in signed in July 2013 after Balochistan, part of the Prime Minister Nawaz 3000 km CPEC, to connect Sharif visited Beijing. Xi Gwadar Port via the Westpaid an historic visit to Pa- ern Route to Kashgar. kistan in April this year Other routes will be the where he announced $46 Central and Eastern billion in investment for the Routes. In November, numerous projects of the Pakistan’s government all o CPEC, cated signAhmad Rashid Malik more ing as than many as 51 MoU with priority 2000 acres of land on a 43given to energy projects – year lease to the Oversees which received $30 billion Ports Holding Company – and transportation Ltd (COPHCL) of China to projects. A CPEC Unit was build a state-of-art airport then created within the – which will be Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s office and largest – at Gwadar along the Ministry of Planning, with an industrial zone.

In another historic move, Development, and Reforms was given the daunting China has made the CPEC task of rapidly executing part of its 13th Five-Year CPEC projects in collabo- Plan for Economic and Soration with its Chinese cial Development for the counterpart, the National period 2016-2020.

Unfortunately, wideDevelopment and Reform spread corruption in PakiCommission.

The Frontier Works Or- stan makes it hard for ordi-

nary Pakistanis to benefit from development. The country has a justified reputation as a “graveyard for projects.” Pakistani law enforcement is investigating cases involving massive corruption.

China has been trying to ensure that its $46 billion investment is not misappropriated. Beijing is committed to making the CPEC flag ship pilot project a symbol of transparency and good governance, as proclaimed

by Liu Jianchao, Vice Minister of China’s National Bureau of Corruption Prevention. This will be an important component of any economic rebirth.

China is running its own anti-graft campaign, which has been comprehensive, to say the least: More than 100,000 people have been indicted for corruption, including many senior officials. The Chinese government has also successfully

brought back to China corrupt officials who had fled abroad.

Liu insists the that any complaint of misappropriation of funds relating to the CPEC will be investigated.

The Chinese National Bureau of Corruption Prevention is making arrangements with its Pakistani counterpart the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The two countries are set to sign an anti-corruption accord that will have zero tolerance for corruption.

That sends a strong message to all government departments and officials and their contractors who might be involved in the CPEC projects.

If we can assume rapid action on the CPEC allied with transparency and good governance, then the miracle on the Indus River might just come about.

New policy for petroleum industry in the North-east

Sir, The Union government's recent announcement of a new policy in making to boost investments in the

petroleum sector in the North-east is a welcomed move keeping in mind the overall vision of India to reduce oil import dependence from 77 per cent to 66 per cent by 2022 and half by 2030.

In addition to that, the government's approval for auctioning of marginal and small oil fields located in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Nagaland which were surrendered by state-owned ONGC and Oil India will also usher in an unified licensing regime which will give operators the right to produce conventional oil and gas as well as unconventional resources such as shale oil and gas and coal-bed methane. This will not only generate revenues for the region but also reduce the dearth of employment opportunities.

However, the petroleum sector in the North-east is confronted with several challenges including demandside issues, non-availability of infrastructure and advanced technology to stop the natural decline in production. The region's annual oil production has come down from 4.84 MT in 2011 to 4.54 MT currently.

Proper reservoir management is vital for prolonging the recovery process from the oil fields. Also, given the current low oil price regime, a round of New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP) auction might not attract a lot of investor interest.

Keeping the challenges in sight, the government should proceed prudently before finalizing its new policy. The government should also consider setting

up state-of-the-art research laboratories to encourage R&D activities in the petroleum sector in the region. Increasing the present capacity of the refineries should also be considered. If things go according to plan, Northeastern region might become the key to India's Hydrocarbon Vision-2025.

Yours sincerely Himangka Kaushik Dibrugarh University

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

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

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9

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ed

Assam Medical College towards excellence Assam Medical College (AMC) has come a long way, and it is evidently going strong. Established in 1947, by way of reinventing the erstwhile Berry White Medical School and abandoned American Military Hospital used in World War II, it is now one of the oldest Medical Colleges in North East India. Along the way, AMC has faced ups and downs as part of its long history of existence.

As Dr. Atindra Kumar Adhikari, Principal cum Chief Superintendent, Assam Medical College puts it - "There was a rough phase especially when AMC was in a derecognised form. However, it has recovered and proved its resilience. It is now fully recognised as of June 2013".

When Dr. Adhikari was appointed as the Principal cum Chief Superintendent on 1st February, 2012, AMC was passing through one of its roughest phases having lost its 'recognised status'. Commendably, owing to the untiring efforts of the faculty members and staff of AMC led from the front by Dr. Adhikari, it is now firmly back on its feet again to be able to proudly claim to stand as "one of the best Medical Institutes in the country". According to Dr. Adhikari, the key areas

that have mainly invited his attention whereby he has facilitated AMC's transformation into being one of the best include eradicating corruption at all levels; tackling as well as resolving financial irregularities; maintaining as well as upholding strict financial discipline; and the last but not the least - boosting the morale of the faculty members and staff. Meanwhile, Dr. Adhikari recalls that at one stage, AMC was in "a dilapidated condition with broken old Assam type houses" and how the Chief Minister of Assam, Mr. Tarun Gogoi, provided support in replacing those old Assam type houses with new RCC structures.

Apparently, there are presently a lot of good things, some firsts and some unique feats to say about AMC Hospital while it is axiomatic that there must be something which is going right for AMC due to which it is able to project such a positive outlook for itself. Specifically making a mention of the some of the innovations about present-day AMC would include establishment of central collection and report dispatching centre, establishment of an emergency patient attending section in the Department of Paediatrics, computerised

Medical Department with wi-fi facilities, establishment of dialysis unit in the Department of Medicine, installation of an ambulance for better patients' mobility within the campus, renovation of Biomedical Waste Disposal Plant and turning it into a state-of-theart plant, establishment of a new ART centre with fi-

budgetary deficit but also heart surgery facility at have been able to bring it AMCH with financial help up to being positive in spite from ONGC would count as of carrying out consider- one its major achieveable dements, velopaccordAnton Chakma ment work ing to Dr. out of the Adhikari, same fund." While adding as he matter-of-factly inthat, by way of indicating forms, "The first case of anAMC's future course of ac- giography was carried out tion, effective liaisoning on August 10, 2014; open

Source: Googleimages nancial help from NACO, etc.

In this regard, it would not be far off the mark if it is said that a good chunk of the credit goes to the management even as Dr. Adhikari proudly states, "We have not only been able to overcome the AMC's

with Government and nonGovernment agencies could encourage the corporate sector and central Government agencies to further support AMC's infrastructural development.

Meanwhile, the establishment of Cath-Lab and open

heart surgery on May 11, 2015 and angioplasty on July 1, 2015. As of today, we have taken care of 125 patients in our Cath-Lab for angioplasty and angiography apart from open heart surgeries in 5 cases". On the other hand, the Department of Microbiology has

Why laddoos are the ideal winter sweet It started with an allergy. Being rushed to the hospital as a five-year-old with a swollen face and hives was petrifying, but realising besan laddoos were now off limits left one dejected. Motichoor andboondi laddoos weren't up the alley, and while rava laddoos seemed more fillers than sweetmeats, the delectable coconut and til variants weren't as common as their cousins.

Milestones, everyday indulgences and festivities without besan laddoos were like Thanksgiving without cranberry sauce. Or so one thought, until the day mother opened a dabba of laddoos that tasted even better than they smelled.

Besan? Who needed besan?

"Did you know those are for pregnant women?" a school friend would balk, underlining the second-to-last word with a hiss. If most reactions were anything to go by, one's newfound discovery was the epitome of uncool.

But the Maharashtrian dinkache laadu - gond ke laddoo in north India and antinunde as Kannnadigas call it never failed to hit the sweet spot for its complex texture, which surpassed those of its popular cousins. Each bite offered the gooeyness of dink (edible gum or gum Arabica) and jaggery syrup, the crunchiness of kopra (roasted, grated coconut) and a bevy of dry fruits - almonds, cashews, raisins, dried figs and kharik (dried dates) tempered with desi ghee and a hint of spice (elaichi and nutmeg powder).

Although labelled 'pregnant woman food' due to its galactagogue or breast milk-facilitating

properties, dinkache bre. The coconut and laadu is a great winter go- ghee, lubrication for the to, outlines food historian bones. And jaggery genPushpesh Pant. Dink erates heat." orgond, he says, is cited It's believed that in Ayurvedic pharma- dinkache laadus are copeia texts such as heavy on the stomach Bharat (true), but Bhaishajya G a d r e Roshni Nair Ratnakaraas f e e l s as a satvik, there's no heat-generating tonic and problem having it everygalactagogue. "The day, as long as it's had in satvik connection is be- the morning on an empty cause gond, a resin, is ko- stomach. "And not more sher and can be had on than one", he laughs. fasting days," says Pant.

The specialists "Gond is also used in Mango barfis and

"Dinkache laadu is typically south Maharashtrian, which explains the coconut," shares Chitale. "It was also a meal-on-the-go since it provided enough energy for three-four hours - way before energy bars and drinks came into the picture."

Apart from the coconut, dinkache laadu differs from gond ke laddoo in terms of preparation.

While many in the north soak gond overnight in ghee, in Maharashtra, the

Source: Source:herbal life.in

panjiri laddoo, which too is recommended to lactating mothers. But the laddoos themselves weren't mentioned in ancient texts. They're just vehicles to deliver recommended ingredients in palatable ways."

Other texts like the Bhaishajya Ratnavali also point to edible gum's cleansing properties, says Ayurvedic dietician Dr. Kaustubh Gadre. "Dink provides mucilage and aids food passage through the gut. Everything in the laddoo is beneficial: dry fruits offer energy and fi-

achieved a significant milestone by securing the certificate of accreditation from National Accreditation Board for Laboratory Testing and Calibration (NABL) making AMCH only the second public sector institute in India to be awarded this certificate after the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education

bhaakarwadis may be Chitale Bandhu's claim to fame. But the dinkache laadu in Pune's landmark 76-year-old establishment isn't far behind either. It has had loyalists throughout generations, and much of this has to do with Mangala Chitale, who oversaw the recipe herself.

The dinkache laadu here, as in most sweet shops today, is available yearround. But sales peak between November-March, shares Mangala's grandson Chitale, third-generation partner at Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale.

gum is roasted before being coarsely, rather than finely, ground. This gives the sweet a texture Chitale describes as 'khushkhushi' - a balance between soft and crispy. "If you fry the gum too much or not enough, you won't get this texture," he points out.

Until a few years ago, the Chitales had employees who specialised in making dinkache laadus, because the jaggery syrup used to make them "has to be of the perfect consistency". But due to increased demand and consumption, a decision was

made to automate the process, using a machine imported from Germany for the purpose.

Winter sweets, out in the cold Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale may be selling many dinkache laadus, but in north India, there are few takers for gond ke laddoo, says Pant. "There aren't enough customers, even in winters. I've had gond ki barfi only from a halwai called Bhagatji, who has small shops in Dehradun and Delhi and makes these as 'specialty items'."

Sweets like these, he adds, are rustic and considered 'lowbrow' and plebeian by many. Citing increasingly-rare winter sweets like the habshi (milk), kali gajar, khus khus (poppy seed) and jauzi (wheat sprout) halwas and the panjiri laddoo, sugarcane kheer and lasan (garlic) kheer, he adds: "We've become too Anglicised and Frenchified. We now want rasgullas descontructed and gulab jamuns chocolatetopped."

Goregaon-based homemaker Vijaya Pawar, who, like many Maharashtrian women, prefer their dinkache laadu homemade, also bemoans the difficulty in getting people to consume such sweets.

Readying to make this year's 2 kg stock of laddoos, she harks back to when her mother would send a dabba everyday after she'd given birth. People these days are too paranoid about fats to even consider their merits, she says. Referring to her own household, she adds: "Now I make more methi ke laddoo than dinkache laadu. Kamar ke liye achcha hota hai na, isliye."

and Research, Chandigarh.

It makes it worthwhile because as Dr. Adhikari says, "Good, reliable and speedy laboratory support is the backbone of any medical institute". Additionally, CDC, Atlanta has identified the Department of Microbiology as an Apex Laboratory

for testing all pathogenic organisms of AES and owing to its excellent track record, AMCH has been identified for Labs for Life (L4L) - a joint venture of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and CDC, Atlanta for developing 10 Model Labs in India across 10 Medical Colleges. Thus, it goes without saying that all this only gives a sneak peek into where AMC stands today.

Academically, among many other feathers in their cap, in the last final MBBS examination as well as in state PG entrance test, 7 out of 10 top positions were obtained by AMC students while on the research programs front, other than post graduate thesis works, more than 30 research projects are going on with financial support from DBT and ICMR. Giving a peek into the future, Dr. Adhikari says that establishment of an ICMR supported rural health and research unit at Chabua at a cost of Rs. 3 Cr is in progress while construction work for installation of a linear accelerator in the Department of Radiology for cancer patients is also in progress adding that "we have applied to the Ministry of Health, Government of India for grant of Rs. 45 Cr for establishment of trac-

ery Cancer Care Centre at AMCH". Meanwhile, under the Prime Minister Swasthya Suraksha Yojana phase-3, AMC has been selected for upgradation of 7 super speciality departments for introduction of DM and MCH courses. The departments being Cardiology, Cardiothoracic surgery, Neurology, Neurosurgery and Urology with funds to the tune of Rs. 150 Cr involved. Additionally, under the National Medical College Network Project, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, as part of an initiative to implement a Greenfield project on e-health including Telemedicine, e-education and e-health care delivery, AMC has been selected among 155 other Medical Colleges of India for implementation of the project. On a concluding note, Dr. Adhikari says, "Our Doctors have rendered excellent services during emergency needs such as flood and other natural calamities including epidemics. Today, I can proudly say that AMC is one of the best Medical Colleges in the country and I would like to appeal to all the teachers, students and staff to work hard to make the college even better in the future."

Let's Take A Selfie! But Is It Right To Take One, All The Time?

Source: Googleimages Many individuals I have placed by a hierarchy of forms. come across in society try "virtual" needs - the upperSelfies will be wonderful being defined by an invis- most self-actualization can when authentic identities ible tag of apprecia- 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567 with real people at a tion for whatever they 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567 real time are seen 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567 Kamini Shevgaonkar are, whatever they 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567 and not at the cost look like, whatever of offending anythey have achieved or what- be easily replaced by a one. But the I, My, Myself ever they intend to do in life. selfie. trauma haunting everyone Predominantly how an inThe access to the web all the time on social media dividual looks has super- world and the emergence of can be devastating for an seded everything else. the selfie has changed the individual, because after all, And what could be much whole dynamic of branding it is fake happiness created better than you appreciating oneself and reaching out to from the expected admiration yourself (as they say - love people. How I look, what I in the e-space. yourself). I don't wish to am, and an unsaid expectaAnd we should also think generalise when I say that tion as to "like me" is de- about the repercussions of sometimes we do feel des- picted in the same. such selfies. If there in case peration or helplessness That said, I also believe a negative feedback or when nobody appreciates that taking a selfie is a smart something below expectaus, and we land up applaud- art, and if done well, can do tion, then the individual has ing ourselves to feel a little wonders for oneself - may a tough time dealing with better. that be a common man or a criticism or accepting it.

That's how I believe the celebrity or a politician.

Basically the real you or the concept of a selfie first came Obama taking a selfie perceived you or the comin, where one can be so self- with a common man high- bination of interior and exobsessed that they take a lights his nature of being terior you - is apparently not Kodak moment and then connected to his citizens in the selfie. We may be manifest it to cyberspace. and his ability to gel with the cheating ourselves in this Now, let me analyse the masses. whole madness of "please concept of a selfie a little Celebrities connecting like me, I am trying to pose bit. with poor/underprivileged the best".

With the growing avail- people and doing philanA selfie though has ability of the internet and its thropy and exhibiting that achieved a unique position access to everybody's per- work on e-space with a in e-space with its name-insonal mobile phones, every selfie puts them in good clusion in the official dicbeing creates a different "I" books of the fans. Selfies in tionary. It has changed the than the real "I" through a the dating space help pro- entire game of individual selfie, and it immediately spective lovers know each marketing. After all, we all reaches out to the people in other better and understand are social animals. We need the e-world with the self- the equation of attraction. I people, we need love. A proclaimed statement, 'hey, believe that it also helps in selfie can keep us conlook at me!' decoding the psyche of an nected with our family I fail to understand what individual - adventurous, art miles away, and we can difference it makes for lover, fashionista, animal share our happiness with someone else as to what we lover, etc. And so a subtle our loved ones to whom we look like through an image balance can be achieved to cannot reach out. A selfie of ourselves? But no, we are keep a good impression. to some extent has helped individuals, and from what But I guess every good people know each other I understand of people, it's has a not so good dimension very well because our in our human nature to mas- to it. offline and web perceptions sage our egos - we like it The latest being taking a are very different. Selfie and when people shower us with selfie at funerals. How can the obsession with it will love. That's how a selfie one get so inhuman to even take its due turn in coming worked in the first place, take a pic like that near a times with emerging techand it is here to stay. dead person? People need nologies and human ideas In the context of today's to think twice before doing but what we need to underdigitized world, Maslow's such an act and portraying stand is the implication of model can be easily re- it on their social media plat- using or misusing it.

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9

BUSINESS

Big gains on yuan, oil can be added by textile stocks New Delhi, Dec 8: Last week Chinese currency yuan was added to the International Monetary Fund's basket of SDR (Special Drawing Rights) currencies. Going forward, yuan is likely to be more stable than the Indian rupee. In fact, over the years, yuan has been more stable than the rupee. For example, in the last five years, while yuan has depreciated just by about 1% against the US dollar, the rupee has depreciated about 26% against the dollar in the same period. On year-onyear basis too, the rupee has dropped more (5.5%) against the US currency than the yuan (2.7%). In the last three to five years, there are reports of Chinese labour costs going up significantly more than the rate at which the Indian labour costs have risen.

The global crude oil prices are down over 60% from the last year peak. In this background, last week, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries decided to maintain its production near record highs despite depressed prices.

Both International Energy Agency and American Energy Information Adminsitration have projected subdued oil price for the next one year. In fact, last week, the world's largest independent oil trader also said that the supplies will overwhelm demand into next year and prices may not rally until 2017. These developments points towards very weak oil price for the next one year at least. Also, despite two consecutive major failures of monsoon, the domestic cotton prices have remained subdued, while on year-on-year

More than double India user base aimed by Alibaba

Alibaba.com Global Business Development Officer, Timothy Leung. Source: img.koreatimes.co.kr Taiwan, Dec 8: Alibaba group's B2B arm Alibaba.com said it aims to more than double its user base in India over the next few years through on-boarding of over 5 million businesses on its wholesale trading platform.

Alibaba.com, which connects buyers and wholesale suppliers globally, has 40 million users globally and 4.5 million users in India. "India is a very important market for us. It is the second largest for us after China. SMEs are an important contributor to any economy and the same is the case with India... In the next few years, we hope to have 10 million businesses from India on our platform," said Alibaba.com Global Business Development Timothy Leung. He added that Alibaba aims to support the trading business of SMEs in India to help them grow and scale up. As part of the strategy, Alibaba.com has partnered with Indian

organisations to launch an online platform SMILE (Small and Medium Industries Leveraging Export). "SMILE aims to provide Indian SMEs access to global business trading counterparts as well as onestop trading solutions, including financing, logistics (domestic and cross-border), inspections and certifications, technology and SME trade-linked education," he said. ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Crisil Rating, Tally, Capital Float, Jeena, SGS, Mypacco have become partners for the SMILE programme in financing, credit rating, software, online lending, transportation, inspection and verification, and online logistics respectively. "By offering combined trading solutions to Indian SMEs, SMILE hopes to make cross-border trading easier, helping over 10 million SMEs in India explore global trading opportunities in a more costeffect way," he said. (Agencies)

DataWind eyes Bihar for setting up of manufacturing plant Contd. from Page 1 CEO of DataWind, said that he was in dialogue with all states in the Northeast belt of India but his preference was Bihar, which he feels could become the gateway to the market in the East. "We are talking to a number of them (states), but Bihar is our preference. It could become our gateway to eastern India. A significant part of India's population, especially in our target segment, is there. Somebody buying Rs 2,000-2,500 mobile devices in Delhi is at the bottom of the pyramid but somebody buying at the same price in parts of Bihar is from the middle class segment," he said. When asked whether the ecosystem for setting up a tablet and handset plant was well developed in the state, Tuli said Bihar has been very aggressive in offering incentives to attract companies and he was convinced the business environment was changing for the better with industrial parks being set up. "Even if you do not end up doing all of the components there (Bihar). You can start doing assembly, packaging, and chargers and other elements can also be done there. It (decision to seriously look at setting up facility in Bihar) is more because of the state government, which has been very aggressive in offering incentives. Because of elections everything had shut down, now they are back in the swing of things," he said.

Tuli said the Canada-based company, which had worked closely with previous government on low cost tablet Aakash, was looking for incen-

tives like tax holidays and working with the state government on its education and other social programmes. For DataWind, which has around 55% share in the sub-Rs 5,000 market, is considering Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Telangana for setting up a 5,000 unit plant. It is looking to spend close to Rs 200 crore for the two plants. The company currently has a production facility in Amritsar in Punjab. Tuli said he was expecting an explosion in demand for DataWind handsets post its alliances with various telecom operators, whereby the company's devices would be bundled with operator's services that would provide free internet access for a year. The company has already entered into a partnership with Reliance Communications for this and is in the process of collaborating with other operators.

"To us, that's (partnerships with operators) the big focus.

Even though smartphones have become accessible due to falling prices (in India), most consumers are not activating data because the average revenue per user for voice is Rs 98 whereas the average data plan is Rs 200300. So, subscribers will have to spend three times of voice for data. By giving free Internet access on purchase of our device, we are facilitating data usage," he said. Tuli said free internet access was possible because of a patented technology, which reduces the bandwidth consumption. This, he said, not only improved internet speed but also helped in reducing the cost as the technology shrunk the data by almost six times its original size.

(Agencies)

basis, they are marginally down about 1%, falling 15% in the last three years. While the cotton is the core input for the cotton textile industry, crude oil derivatives are key inputs for synthetic textiles.

Textile industry is also labour intensive. Hence, one industry which would benefit substantially in the medium to long term from weak oil prices, steep fall in rupee exchange rate as compared to yuan, subdued domestic cotton prices and also rising labour costs in China is the Indian textile industry.

Thus the mills which produce cotton yarn or synthetic fibre would benefit substantially in the next two years, at least in terms of margin expansions and also rising market shares at the cost of Chinese players. The retail investors would do well in their

HUGE EARNINGS

The global crude oil prices are down over 60% from the last year peak.

Despite two consecutive major failures of monsoon, the domestic cotton prices have remained subdued, while on year-on-year basis, they are marginally down about 1%, falling 15% in the last three years.

Textile industry is also labour intensive.

Hence, one industry which would benefit substantially in the medium to long term from weak oil prices, steep fall in rupee exchange rate as compared to yuan, subdued domestic cotton prices and also rising labour costs in China is the Indian textile industry.

While the cotton is the core input for the cotton textile industry, crude oil derivatives are key inputs for synthetic textiles.

equity portfolio if they add good quality textile stocks, at least to the extent of 5% of their total portfolio.

However, the investors

should focus on companies which are part of quality managements, have relatively low debts, provide decent dividends

and whose stocks are preferably available in single-digit PE (priceto-earnings ratio).

(Agencies)

In the last five years, while yuan has depreciated just by about 1% against the US dollar, the rupee has depreciated about 26% against the dollar in the same period.

On year-on-year basis too, the rupee has dropped more (5.5%) against the US currency than the yuan (2.7%).

In the last three to five years, there are reports of Chinese labour costs going up significantly more than the rate at which the Indian labour costs have risen.

Irda look for to boost medical tourism Mumbai, Dec 8: In a major step towards helping subscribers of medical insurance (mediclaim) policies in India, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (Irda) has introduced a registry of unique hospital identification number called ROHINI, or Registry of Hospitals in Network of Insurance.

The registry comprising details of approximately 33,000 healthcare service providers across the country will also benefit other stakeholders in the over Rs 20,000 crore Indian health insurance sector. Elaborating on the benefits to policyholders, R Raghavan, CEO, IIBI, said that the platform will provide with a lot of analytical data from across hospitals registered with health insurance providers thus providing immense social benefits.

"The policyholders will be able to choose hospitals in the health insurance providers network easily based on

the specialities, location preferences, empanelment of hospitals with insurance

ago, has gone through various stages of validating data about hospital network across

companies, etc. "In the future, the registry can also help augment medical tourism by providing authentic information to prospective visitors from overseas for healthcare.

Such a registry will also help curtail leakages in medical insurance claims leading to equitable premium levels," said Raghavan, adding that five years from now ROHINI will probably become the makemytrip of the Indian health insurance industry. The initiative, which was kicked off two years

India. With the help of GS1 (promoted by the Ministry of Commerce) India the hospitals are provided a 13 digit globally unique ID (GLN) and geocoding that's done based on their address.

T S Vijayan, chairman, Irda, said, "The registry will help insurance industry gain access to transactional ease for empanelment, payment flow, investigations and data for health insurance analytics which will help in faster claim settlement." The hospital self service por-

PAGE 10 Kaher Kazem appointed as Chief Operating Officer by General Motors India Bengaluru, Dec 8: General Motors India has appointed Kaher Kazem, its Chief Operating Officer (COO) as President and Managing Director of the company effective January 1, 2016. He will succeed Arvind Saxena, who will retire from the company by the end of this month.

Mr. Saxena has leading General Motors India since early 2014. "With Mr. Kaher's hands-on experience and direct knowledge of the business, we are pleased to appoint him to lead GM India at this important time," said GM Executive Vice President and GM International President Stefan Jacoby. "GM is committed to India for the long term. Mr.

Kaher Kazem newly appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) as President and Managing Director by, General Motors India.

Source: media.gm.com

Kaher's proven track record will enable us to deliver to Indian consumers the great vehicles they want and the world-class customer experience they deserve," he added.

(Agencies)

BSNL to connect 90,000 villages under NOFN

tal also allows healthcare service providers to register and edit information and provide an electronic exchange of medical records between hospitals and insurance companies. The portal will facilitate national, state and regional level analytical reporting on healthcare aspects like geography based trends, patterns of disease occurrence and cost patterns which will help determine standardised treatment costs. While there was no single credible registry of hospitals for the benefit of the stakeholders involved in the health insurance industry thus far, introduction of ROHINI is expected to bridge this gap in a big way. "The registry would be a credible source of information on hospitals which are in the health insurance providers network and would lead to enhancing efficiency in the functions of all those involved in the health insurance space," said Raghavan. (Agencies)

Kolkata, Dec 8: Even as execution model the govthe framework for ernment is working on a BharatNet, the nation- new model in which the wide broadband network states and private sector programme, is being will have a greater role. worked out, Bharat Srivastava said by the Sanchar Nigam Ltd end of the current fiscal, (BSNL) plans to connect BSNL will reach 50,000 90,000 villages under the villages and another National Optical Fibre 40,000 villages would be Network (NOFN) by fis- covered in the next fisc a l cal.

2017- Every village will now be H e end . said connected "Still after our t h e focus is on NOFN. By new model comes into the time they (Telecom force, BSNL will come Regulatory Authority of through a competitive India and the govern- route. "After BharatNet is ment) decide on the prin- operational, the states will ciples of BharatNet, we be free to give it (project are continuing with lay- to lay the optical fibre ing cables. We have al- cable (OFC) network) to ready completed about either us or somebody 35,000 panchayats, and else (private operators), by fiscal 2017, we will so there we will come complete 90,000 villages. through competitive So, our contribution to route," he said. Recently, BharatNet would have al- Trai came out with a conready been around 35%, sultation paper on implemen(before it is tation of the BharatNet unoperationised)," Anupam der a new operational model, Srivastava, chairman and where it has recommended managing director, a built-operate-own-transfer BSNL, said. The govern- (BOOT) method, involving ment is looking to con- private operators. The nect 2.5 lakh villages telecom regulator had inthrough its BharatNet vited feedback on it from iniatiative, which was various stakeholders by Noearlier NOFN. The ear- vember 17. It has now exlier timeline for it was end tended the deadline for it by of 2016, but due to the a month to December 17. challenges in the NOFN's (Agencies)

future of the motor industry, serving as a framework for research and development around the electric vehicle, accelerating general interest in these cars and promoting sustainability. The first season of FIA Formula E Championship began in Beijing in September 2014 and completed in London in June 2015, racing in 10 major cities (11 races) around the world. The championship sees 10 teams, each with two drivers, going head-to-head to create a unique and exciting racing series designed to appeal to a new generation of motorsport fans. Season two got underway in October this year in Beijing with the series becoming an 'open championship' allowing approved manufacturers to develop new powertrains. Future seasons will see the regulations open up further allowing manufacturers to focus on improving battery technology. (Agencies)

has been an active participant in the Base Erosion and Profit Sharing (BEPS) action plan, the final package of which was rolled out by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in October. The action points, set down by the OECD, aim at closing loopholes that enable MNCs to shift profits to low- or nil-tax countries.

At a seminar organized by the Foundation for International Taxation, Anita Kapur, former chairperson of Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and current adviser on tax reforms, said: "The theme of BEPS is in consonance with what India always believed in." The fundamental principle of the BEPS action plan is to tax income in the place where the economic activities are performed and where value is created and this principle does move towards the source concept. "As tax administrators, when we used to say, please pay your taxes because you have added value in India, we were a minority voice. With the BEPS project, our concerns have been heard and we are now the ma-

OECD's tax haven plan Indian lines' Formula E committee joined by Anand Mahindra Mumbai,on Dec 8: India jority voice," Kapur said.

Mumbai, Dec 8: Anand Mahindra, noted industrialist and Chairman of the Mahindra Group, has joined the newly created Sustainability Committee of Formula E Championship, an initiative of FIA ( F e d e r a t i o n Internationale de I'Automobile) and the world's first fully-electric racing series. Mr. Mahindra, who heads the Mahindra Racing Formula E, will sit alongside Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio, CEOs of series partners, as well as Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag in the committee meetings.

The Sustainability Committee comprises of various global corporations that are working towards a common vision of a sustainable future, and is working to address some of the world's most pressing environmental issues by promoting and developing technologies in urban mobility, and changing perceptions towards the use of electric vehicles. A pioneer in electric vehicles,

Anand Mahindra, noted industrialist and Chairman of the Mahindra Group.Source: s.wsj.net

Mahindra & Mahindra is Mahindra Group said in developing the next gen- a statement. "Mr. eration of electric vehicle Mahindra is a valued adtechnologies and promot- dition to the Formula E ing these to save the en- Sustainability Committee. vironment. "I am His experience and honoured to join the For- knowledge will not only mula E Sustainability be invaluable to the Committee which is com- growth of sustainable mitted to increasing the transportation technologies, but appeal also the of elec- A new member collaboratric vehicles, particularly in ur- tion of our global voices ban centres. This aligns to address and find soluperfectly with the tions to important enviMahindra Group's vision ronmental issues in our of co-creating the Future journey t o w a r d s a of Mobility, while driving more sustainable fupositive change in the glo- ture," Alejandro Agag, bal communities in which CEO of Formula E, we operate," Anand said. Formula E repreMahindra, Chairman, sents a vision for the

The topic of this panel discussion was: 'Celebration or chaos under BEPS in next 20 years'. Participating in the discussions, in her personal capacity, Kapur emphasized that "BEPS is a fair tax treatment for all." As regards the next step, Kapur added: "G20, OECD and United Nations (UN) need to break rules in simple, easy to understand tenets, help countries (tax administrators) in capacity building and get MNCs on board." and United Nations (UN) need to break rules in simple, easy to understand tenets, help countries (tax administrators) in capacity building and get MNCs on board." Today, tax activists are demanding that MNCs pay their fair share of tax. Aggressive tax planning has dented the brand image of many companies, such as Amazon, Google, Apple and Starbucks. Admitting that BEPS would add a layer of complexity, her take was that if rules are laid down clearly, tax administrators can provide certainty and in turn corporates can manage to get out of litigation and problem areas.

(Agencies)

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9

Features

Page 11

HORTICULTURE A ripe case of negligence

Source: nezine.in Government apathy is slowly killing Assam's Daranggiri banana market, the largest hub for the fruit in the Northeast.

The run of misfortune of Assam's Daranggiri banana market, the largest hub for bananas in the Northeast, seems unending as the Central Government sponsored Daranggiri Banana Processing Project has been scuttled all of a sudden. Work began at the sprawling market in Goalpara in 2008 under the Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yozana scheme after Assam Panchayat and Rural development Minister Chandan Brahma laid the foundation stone of the project building. But, what you see today is a neglected, empty building within the market premise.

"The project remained half done as after the building was erected, no machinery was installed for packaging of the produce as by then, the Union Government closed the scheme," states Khanindra Choudhury, the project di-

Cabbage is one of the most popular and widely grown vegetables in the Northeast region of India. Cabbage cultivation in Meghalaya region of NE, has occupied second position in production after potato. It is a rich source of vitamin A, C and minerals including potassium, calcium, sodium and iron. Cabbage juice is said to be a remedy against poisonous mushrooms and is also used as gargle against hoarseness.

Climate : It requires cool and moist climate.

In lower hills of Meghalaya, Cabbage is grown in winter season (Oct - Jan), while in higher hills it is grown in both rainy and winter seasons. In mid hills, Cabbage can be grown almost throughout the year.

Soil : Early crops are best grown on light soils, while late crops

rector of the District Rural Development Agency, Goalpara. The Central government replaced the scheme with the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM). Choudhury says since the objective of both the schemes varies, the construction work had to be stopped."Though the DRDA submitted a proposal to release the remaining funds of the project so that an important and long pending infrastructural need of the traders in the market could be met, the Government did not," he adds.

For this banana hub of notational repute, this is not the first case of governmental short sightedness and negligence. Around 1990, the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) was keen to set up a national research center for banana in Assam. A team of ICAR visited the Daranggiri banana market to select a site for the centre. It was "highly impressed" by what it saw at the market and showed a

thrive better on heavy soils. The optimum soil pH for Cabbage is about 6.0 to 6.5.

Seed rate : * Early season : 500 g/ ha * Mid & late season : 400 g/ha Time of sowing : * Early season : Mid June to July * Mid season : Mid August to September * Late season : October - November Nursery raising : Seedlings are grown on raised nursery bed of 15 cm. The seedbed should be prepared by addition of well rotten FYM at 4 kg/ m2 . The width of the nursery bed should not be kept more than 1 metre and length as per the need but preferably 5m. Before sowing drench the nursery beds with Dithane M-45 at 2 g/1 of water to reduce the incidence of damping off. Sevin dustat 2 g/ kg of seed is mixed to

Source: meghalayasfac.nic.in

lot of interest to set up the country's lone research center for banana there. But the State Government reportedly could not provide a suitable location as par the requirement of the visiting team.

"We missed a huge opportunity of having such an important national research unit for banana in the State," rues Nalin Kumar Mohan, former chief scientist of Horticulture Research Station, Assam Agriculture University. Mohan had accompanied the ICAR team to the market in Goalpara. In 1993, this centre was finally set up by ICAR at Tiruchirapalli in Tamil Nadu.

The continued negligence of the Government towards the market and its business has let in an apparent frustration in those involved in the everyday trade there. "Officials come here, assure improvement of the market but nothing has materialized so far," says Hemakanta rabha, president of the Daranggiri Anchalik Unnayan Sommittee, the committee that runs the everyday function of the hub.

In the absence of development initiatives by the government, the rot is beginning to set in the otherwise much sought-after destination of banana traders of the country. Poor infrastructure has hit its daily activities. Rabha says during the annual monsoon months, conducting business at the market is an uphill task, at times making transaction close to impossible due to the mudfilled market site. Mini

control insects. Sowing should be done in rows at a depth of 1.5-2 cm.

After sowing, the seeds should be covered with a thin layer (1- 1.5 cm) of sand, soil and FYM mixture and light irrigation is given immediately after sowing by water can. The nursery should be protected from heavy rains. Weeding and intercultural operations should be done at regular interval.

Transplanting : 5 -6 weeks old seedlings with 4- 6 leaves are ready for transplanting.

Transplanting may be done in evening. Irrigation is done just after transplanting.

Spacing : * Early season : 45 x 45 cm * Mid and late season : 60x 45 cm Manure and fertilizer : FYM or compost at 15 to 20 tonnes / ha is incorporated in the soil during land preparation.

Besides FYM, N: P: K at 120 :60:60 kg/ ha is applied. Full amount of phosphorus and potash along with half amount of nitrogen is applied at the time of transplanting. Remaining amount of nitrogen is applied in two split doses i.e. 30 and 45 days after transplanting as top dressing.

Weeding and earthing up : Two to three weeding is sufficient to con-

pond-like potholes come up in the market, spread over the five bigha land. The number of trucks coming from West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand dwindle then as they find the roads barely motorable.

"The area of the entire market area is 1 h e c t o r.

Kishore E v e r y year, we repair the market ground because the 12-wheeled trucks get stuck in the potholes otherwise. Repairable works like earth filling, boulder pitching cost us Rs 5 lakh last year which has made a big dent in our limited fund," says Rabha. He says repair work cost the committee at least a lakh every year. Also, the committee has been trying hard to set up a railway station near the market for the last five years. "We have been doing the rounds of the Rail headquarters in New Delhi to the NF Railway Headquarter and the Rangyia Division but to no avail," he adds.

Traders coming from outside the State share this growing concern of the committee for lack of infrastructure in the market area. Saradhanad Saha of Bihar's Siwan district tells this writer during a visit to the market, "The variety of banana here a different taste which stands out. Our group transports 50 to 60 banana-laden trucks every year from the market.

Sadly, we have seen no infrastructure upgradation.

Rather, it remains a locus of negligence and deprivation."

Another urgent need is a branch of a nationalised bank near the market to perform the transactions with ease. Rabha says they have been in touch with the Central Bank of India for the last two years to open a branch near the market but to no avail. The nearest bank is a State Bank of India branch in Dudhnoi, 12 kms from the market.

Apart from providing infrastructure, horticulture experts say urTalukdar gm ee na -t sures like common storage facility and technical support must be given to the farmers to tap the agricultural potential of the area and to boost output. "How can the loss during transit be reduced is an important issue.

It needs to be researched as 15 to 20 percent of the farmers' produce is damaged during transportation," says Mohan.

He also highlights that the waste, in the form of banana stem and spike, are wealth too, adding, "An estimated 50 lakh plants are cut annually."Banana fiber can be a money making byproduct of the stems which are otherwise thrown away.

The banana plant is also a good source of high quality textiles in countries like Nepal and Japan. Also, vermi-compost sourced from the moisture-rich banana plants (it has 98 percent moisture) are considered to be the best since the plants have high potassium. "One tenth of vermicompost required in the State can be produced alone from the wastes of the banana plants of Daranggiri market which can generate employment avenues as well," says Mohan.

trol the weeds during the by cutting down the whole crop duration. young plants just above Earthing up should be the ground level. done after each weedControl : (i) picking

Source: nezine.in The market opens twice a week - on Mondays and Thursdays. The Malbhog banana variety which is mostly supplied to Guwahati is sold on Mondays, and the Cennichampa variety on Thursdays, the largest chunk of which gets transported to different parts of the country. Rabha says the demand of the Chennichampa variety skyrockets from the annual Durga Puja to Chat Puja.

"As many as 130 trucks, each carrying 1400 to 1600 bunches of Chennichampa bananas, leave the market for different States then."

While a bunch of Cennichampa is sold at Rs 200 to Rs 250, a bunch of Malbhoggoes for Rs 350 to Rs 400. Other varieties like Jahaji and Bhim are also in abundance. Growers bring their produce to the market in bicycles from 70 villages under the Dudhnoi Agriculture Sub Division. Says Abdul Haque Ahmed, a lec-

turer at Bikali College, Dhupdhara, "Farmers of Meghalaya account for 70 percent of banana, mostly Chennichampa variety, supplied to the Daranggiri market."

Before loading the banana bunches into the trucks, they are stocked in the godowns of the market. Each bunch is manually wrapped by green banana leaves and subsequently loaded neatly.

Rabha says about 150 labours do the job daily, a figure which has been whittled down from 300 because of the growing loss of business in the market due to lack of modern infrastructure.

At times, farmers also fail to get an adequate price because of the lack of cold storage facility in the area. "It is impossible for us to go back home without selling the perishable produce. If we fail to sell them fresh, their

value depreciates," says a farmer. It is beyond his comprehension why the Government has not addressed the problems of a market from where thousands of people source their honest penny. Also, that it is a market that has been catering to the country-wide need for the tropical fruit, the Chennichampa bananas.

Even though the market is increasingly seeing bad business, the Daranggiri Anchalik Unnayan Sommittee, registered in 1976, is trying hard to run it against all odds. Every year, it sends a group of members to other parts of the country on a study tour. The body provides Rs 50,000 for the tour. ( Kishore Talukdar is an independent journalist based in Guwahati. His areas of interest include Development journalism and Environment journalism.) Courtesy: Nezine.in

cabbage butterfly : The leaves are skeletonized by the larvae which remains on the under sur-

Cabbage Cultivation in Meghalaya Source:sohra.gov.in

Source: agrifarming.in

ing.

Plant protection : Cutworm : The caterpillars are 3 - 4 cm long, grey or brown to almost black with various markings. The caterpillars hide in the daytime and feed at night. It damages

and destruction of the larvae at the early stages of the crop hidden under thrash. (ii) Growing of two rows of mustard after every 25 rows of cabbage.

Leaf webber and

face of leaves in webs and feed on them. They also attack flower buds and pods. The insects commonly attack on early grown crop Control : (i) picking and destruction of the larvae at the early stages

of the crop (ii) crop should be sprayed with Endosulfan at 2 ml/ liter of water or Cyfluthrin at 0.5 ml/ liter of water.

Damping off : It is a common disease of nursery In severe condition the affected seedlings drooped and fall off due to infection at the collar region. Seed should be treated with Thiram at 2 - 3 g/ kg seed before sowing. After seed germination seedling should be drenched with Dithane M- 45 at 2g/ liter of water.

Black leg : It occurs in moist regions, especially in areas with high rainfall during the growing period. Seed should be kept in hot water (50o C) for 30 minutes or seed treatment with Mercuric chloride at 1 g/ liter for 30 seconds to prevent disease.

Black rot : It is a bacterial disease causing

yellowing of leaves. Resistant varieties like Pusa Mukta should be grown. The bacterium is transmitted through seed. Therefore seed should be treated with hot water of 50o C for 30 minutes.

Diamond back moth : The larva eat the leaves and makes the hole which affect the quality and production of heads. Spraying of Malathion at 2.5 ml/ liter or Rogar at 1 ml/ liter of water is found effective.

Disorders : Head bursting : Delayed harvesting of head and sudden fluctuation in temperature causes the bursting of head.

Harvesting and yield : Harvesting is done when the heads are well developed and firm. The heads are cut with a knife frequently attached with some wrapper leaves. A good crop may yield 250 300 q/ ha.

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9

PAGE 12

Changlang Football Club (A) edge past Mount Sinai School 2-1 to emerge as Champions 1st Wangnia Pongte Memorial Football Tournament concludes successfully Raushik Baruah Changlang, Dec 8: Changlang football Club (A) emerged as the champions of the 1st Wangnia Pongte Memorial Football Tournament held at Changlang. In the final, CFC (A) overcame Mount Sinai School 2-1 in a closely contested game. CFC’s Emey Lulin scored two conservative goals - one by slide

touch and the other by heading passing out from right winger Appy in the 25th and 60th minute respectively.

For Mount Sinai Hanglin Diwen scored the lone goal in the 85th minute of the match. The match was graced by T. Ngemu, former minister of Arunachal Pradesh as the chief guest while Renu Mungrey was the guest of honour. Other

dignitaries included Wayong Khimhun, the DC of Changlang, H. Matcha, Retd ADC as well as HODs of various Govt. offices. The HODs who were present during the closing function are Kipa Niama, Executive Engineer, PHED, D. Khandu, DRRO, Wemkhum Khilak, CDPO. T. Tarang, UPO, G. Bangyang, AE, Electrical, P. Ngemu, AE,

A section of the guests during the final of the tournament.

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"Test cricket has always been one format in which we have been wanting to do well. I think it all began in Australia for us, the way we played there. We showed a lot of character even in our (2-0) defeat. It was never one-sided defeats. It was always being at the heel of the opposition knowing that we could catch them at any stage. That gave us a lot of belief as a Test team, that we can do this, we can be a champion team, we can play well around the world and play well as a unit. We carried forward that confidence, set out a few plans, a few rules and a few things the team need to do in order to do well."

Indian Test Skipper Virat Kohli

PWD. Today’s match was worthy of a final as both teams battled hard to lay their hands on the coveted trophy. CFC (A) held their nerves to emerge victorious in the inaugural year of the tournament. Before the kick off from chief guest T. Ngemu there was modern songs presented by Tutsa boys and girls. The organizers were happy with the re-

sponse and thanked the public of Changlang as well as ‘The Eastern Today’ – leading English daily of the region who were roped in as the media partner for the tournament. Emey Lulin of Changlang Football Club (A) was awarded the highest scorers’ award while Amjet Kanglom of Zaaro FC was adjudged as the best goalkeeper of the tournament.

The two finalists team line up before the exciting final encounter.

Pune and Rajkot the two new IPL teams Agencies Mumbai: Pune and Rajkot became the new franchises in the Indian Premier League on Tuesday, replacing suspended teams Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, for two years. The Pune franchise was bought by Kolkatabased business tycoon Sanjiv Goenka's company, New Rising, while the Rajkot bid was won by Intex Mobiles.

While Goenka will shell out Rs 10 crore per year to the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Intex Mobiles will pay Rs 16 crore for the twoyear deal. "They won't take a single penny from the BCCI. In fact they will pay the BCCI," BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur said after a meeting of the IPL Governing Council in New Delhi.

The teams were sold through the reverse bidding process for which the base price was set at Rs 40 crore and bidders had to quote an amount less than that. The lowest bidder was given the franchises. The process was necessitated following the suspension of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals for the involvement of some of their officials and co-owners in the IPL betting scan-

The IPL Trophy dal in 2013, which was probed by the Supreme Court-appointed Justice Rajendra Mal Lodha committee. Controversy surrounded the 2013 edition of the league and former India pacer Shantakumaran Sreesanth and two other Rajasthan Royals cricketers, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan, were arrested on suspicion of taking money to concede a fixed number of runs. However, both Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals will be allowed back in the league after serving out the suspension. The interim franchises, which were

named on Tuesday, will participate in a draft to first retain their share of players.

Players from Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals will be divided into two groups of capped and uncapped, and the top names will be sold through the draft system. The two new teams will have a minimum of Rs 40 crore and a maximum of Rs 66 crore to buy their players. The other three bidders in fray were Harsh Goenka of RPG properties, Axis Clinical and Chettinad Cement, all of whom quoted higher bids than New Rising and Intex Mobiles.

12th Captain Jintu Gogoi, Veer Chakra Memorial Football Tournament 2015

The winner and runner up teams pose for a group photograph along with their trophies with the guests and organisers. Pic - ET Photos.

Odisha lead by 64 runs A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Dec 8: Assam were bundled out for 169 in 90.2 overs in the first innings of the second day of the three-day Vijay Merchant Trophy under16 Cricket Tournament match at Dibrugarh District Sports Association Stadium here today. Yesterday, at stumps, Assam were 36 for two. Assam skipper Akash Sengupta top scored with 65 off 109 balls, laced with six boundaries and three sixes. Amaljyoti Das scored 17 off 34 balls, with the help of one boundary and one six. For Odisha, Binit Kumar Mohanty scalped four wickets giving away 23

runs in 19.2 overs. Pritim Jena took 4 wickets for 45 in 20 overs. Meanwhile, Mohammad Shah Arman took 2 for 47 runs in 26 overs. In the first innings, Odisha scored 162 in 71.1 overs. In the second innings, Odisha scored 71/4 in 28 overs at stumps. Opener Swastik Samal scored 23 off 47 balls, hitting three b o u n d a r i e s .

Kshyamasagar Bal (25) and Pritam Jena (2) were at the crease at the end of the day. Assam bowler Rituraj Biswas took two wickets while Amlanjyoti Das and Bibhakar Nag took one wicket each.

DU cricket men’s team A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Dec 8: The final selection of the Dibrugarh University men’s team for east zone inter university cricket tournament to be held at LN Mithila University as on December 17, 2015 has been announced. The team is as follows: Abhilash Gogoi (Captain), NLB City College; Mihir Gowala (VC), NLB City Col-

lege; Trishanku Kashyap (WK), JB College; Arindom Boruah, DHSK Com; Siddarth Doshi, DHSK Com; Debanjan Timsina, DHSK; Satindar Malla, Duliajan; Mujakir Ali, Sonari Com; Yakub Ansari, Sonari Com; Bittu Singh, Margherita; Mosuf Shah, DHSK Com; Sunhil Lachit, Moran; Nitesh Kr. Raut, DHSK; Irfan Laskar, NLB

City; Manash Pratim Dutta, PG classes; Stand Byes: Gaurav Baruah, NLB City; Darsh Deep Singh, Moran College; Sanjeev Hazarika, DR College; Manager cum Coach: Mr. Niranjan Borah, Assistant Professor, NLB City College. The team is slated to leave for LN Mithila University on December 19, 2015 from Dibrugarh.

A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Dec 8: The 12th Captain Jintu Gogoi, Veer Chakra Memorial Football Tournament 2015 will kick off on 10th December 2015 at Chowkidinghee field, Dibrugarh. The final will be played on 19th December 2015. The tournament is being organised by ‘Dao Division’ in association with Dibrugarh District Sports Association (DDSA) as a mark of respect to Kargil Martyr and Assam ‘Bir Chilarai’, Captain Jintu Gogoi, Veer Chakra, to promote a spirit of ‘Good Will’ amongst the local population and to promote sports.

The tournament will be inaugurated by Honorary Flying Officer TR Gogoi, father of late Captain Jintu

Gogoi, Veer Chakra, Deputy GOC, Dao Division and Commander, Laipulli Army Camp on 10 December 2015 at 11:00 am at Chowkidinghee field followed by inaugural match.

Parents and relatives of late Captain Jintu Gogoi, Veer Chakra will be the special guests during the opening and the closing ceremonies of the tournament. The tournament will be played on knock out basis, in accordance with the rules laid down by the Indian Football Association (IFA). Sixteen professional teams of Upper Assam will participate in the tournament including one team from Army (i.e. unit team of Captain Jintu Gogoi, VrC). The teams have been placed into two pools. Teams in Pool ‘A’ are

TSK Railway Div Sports Club, Gorgaon Football Coaching Centre, Billurgani TE Football Club, Duliajan Football Academy, Sonowal Kachari Tengakhat, Milan Jyoti Sangha, ‘B’ DivisionII & Army (i.e. unit team of Capt Jintu Gogoi, VrC).

Teams in Pool ‘B’ are Barakuri Football Club, DBR Football Coaching Centre, Namrup Town Club, DBR Rly Divisional Sports Club, Moran Town Club, Khowang Sports Football Club, Rupjyotis Sangha & Trinayan Jyoti Sangha. Participating teams will be awarded prizes. The winner and the runners up team will be felicitated with the Captain Jintu Gogoi, Veer Chakra Memorial Football Tournament trophies.

Lukaku's equalizer helps Everton hold Palace to 1-1 draw in PL ANI London: Romelu Lukaku's late equalizer helped Everton to settle with a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace in their Premier League clash at Goodison Park. After a goalless first half, defender Scott Dann broke the deadlock in the 76th minute of the match to put Palace in lead

before forward Lukaku levelled the score just four minutes later. Both the sides tried hard to extend their lead but failed in their efforts. Palace, who are currently at the sixth spot, will play against Southampton while ninthplaced Everton will lock horns with Norwhich City on December 12.

Gymnast Dipa Karmakar an inspiring icon for Tripura youth ANI Agartala: In many ways, most success stories in Indian sports are partly human interest stories. If it is in gymnastics, an obscure sport for Indians to take up, it's most certainly to be one. The tale of Dipa Karmakar is one such. Dipa Karmakar, a recent recipient of the Arjuna award, is the first Indian to make enter the final of the World Championships and finished fifth in the rankings. She has emerged as a new icon for upcoming young gymnasts of Tripura.

The remarkable thing about the 22-year-old is that she does not seem to be overawed by the fact that she has competed with the finest of gymnasts. In fact, she managed to mix up with other young aspiring gymnasts. Dipa has represented India at different international events like the 2010 Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games in China. She has excelled at the balancing beam, uneven bars, floor exercises

and the vaulting table. "Here, Dipa didi (sister) is the most successful gymnast and our inspiration. So, we are practicing hard in order to become

good gymnasts and bring laurels for Tripura. Here, for the last nine to ten years, I am practicing three hours in the morning and another three

Dipa Karmakar

hours in the afternoon so that we are also successful in the coming days," said Paban Sarkar, an aspiring gymnast. "I want to be like Dipa, very famous. I want to be like her and participate in gymnastic competitions outside," said Hriday Sarkar, another gymnast Today, Dipa is rated as the best Indian gymnast with 53.75 points. Since 2007, she has won 77 medals, including 67 gold. Tripura has produced other gymnasts such as Mantu Debnath and Kalpan Debnath, both of who are also Arjuna awardees. Dipa's success is another feather in the cap of the Tripura Gymnastic Council. Dipa's next target is a medal at the Olympics, and for that, she and her coach Bishweshar Nandi, are putting in eight to nine hours of rigorous practice. But side by side she is also helping young gymnasts so that they can also perform like her or may be better in the coming days and bring laurels to the state and the nation.

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