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ASSENG/2015/64205

Vol. 1

Issue 302

Dibrugarh, Saturday, April 9, 2016

Price -

5.00

Financial condition sound, clarifies Arunachal Govt, APCC and AACWA not satisfied ET Bureau Itanagar, Apr 8

The state government clarified that the financial situation of the state is sound and that the report of Rs. 500 crores overdraft published in Medias is completely inaccurate.

“The factual position is that the Government is fully utilizing the allotted budget for the year 2015-16 honoring its commitment, to fully utilize the resource allocation made

by Government of India. In fact the Government has even discharged liabilities of genuine work done under Civil Deposit, TFC etc of the financial year 2014-15 to avoid hardships to people”, informed an official press statement from the government.

However, All Arunachal Contractor’s Welfare Association (AACWA) questioned the clarification saying that if the Finance Commissioner is saying the truth then who got the payments and to whom payments were made as real contractors are roaming with their cheques at every banks but banks refusing to pay.

“The works were carried out through proper formalities by tendering process and every financial year the contractors

ET CAPSULES

MG-NREGA workers wants justice over wages from Sivasagar DC Sivasagar, Apr 8:Some job card holders of Khanamukh gaon panchayats, under Gaurisagar Block of Sivasagar, today submitted a written complain to the Deputy Commissioner of Sivasagar as well as to BDO, Gaurisagar, for allegedly not getting the minimum wages that has been fixed by the Ministry of Panchayats & Rural Development, Government of India.

In the complain letter, they mentioned that, they had worked for earth filling job for construction of a tunnel and platform under Gaurisagar Development Block for over ten days, during 2015-16. But due to negligence of panchayat officials they were yet to get their wages.

"The Bihu is approaching and it is very hard on us that we are not getting our dues", one of them said.

They further appealed to the Deputy Commissioner to kindly interfere into the matter and provide justice by early release of the dues.

(Correspondent)

are paid regularly but what happen in this financial year”, questioned AACWA while demanding white papers from the Kalikho Pul government.

Ashish Kundar, IAS, Commissioner Finance in an emergency meeting called by the Governor to discuss on the alleged overdraft of around Rs. 500 informed that the State Government has released the civil deposits pertaining to many CSS projects pending from FY 2014-15 and released payments of all major projects, pending salary and wages including that of SSA, NHRM and of those employee who were recruited earlier in the delinked CSS projects, the Commissioner further clarified.

However, Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) criticized that the PPA-BJP Govt has failed in its promises to release the three months pending salaries of SSA teachers and stipends of students on monthly basis as promised by Kalikho Pul. Questioning the leadership of Kalikho Pul, APCC termed him as unfit and an empty orator. “He used to criticize the previous Govt. over financial crisis and assured the public that he will save them but what happen now” stated APCC in their press release.

The government has further

GOVERNMENT CLARIFICATIONS Financial situation of the state is sound, media reports, complete inaccurate Government fully utilizing the allotted budget for the year 2015-16 Discharged liabilities of genuine work done under Civil Deposit, TFC Released payments of all major projects, pending salary and wages including that of SSA, NHRM Normal practice that during this month, reconciliation of accounts are carried out by RBI and Government Treasury on financial accounts of the previous financial year so a temporarily postponement is ordered on banks and treasury

clarified that apart from the allocated budgetary resources RBI has opened a window of ways and means advance and special drawing facility to the extent of Rs.390 Crores. Government of Arunachal Pradesh has so far utilized Rs.19.24 crores out of this facility.

“The finance department is maintaining a close watch on fiscal situation and availability of cash resources for prudent financial management. It is a normal practice that during the month of April and May financial year reconciliation of accounts are carried out by AG

APCC AND AACWA QUESTIONS If financially the govt is sound then why the contractor’s cheques are not paid?

Who got the payments and to whom payments were made?

Why the 3 months pending wages of SSA teachers and students stipends are not paid monthly wise as promised?

Demand white papers and warn of democratic movements against the Govt

office/ RBI and Government Treasury on financial accounts of the previous financial year.

It is only because of this reason that for the time being Treasury operations other then payments of salary wages and pensions is temporarily postponed till finalization of accounts”, stated the official communiqué.

genuine contractors are facing financial constraints.

Meanwhile, AACWA urged the State Government to immediately lift the stoppage of banks transaction for payment to contractor’s cheque and passing of bills at all treasury while stating that many of the

Association warned the govt to launch democratic movements if the state govt. fails to understand the difficulties of contractors by not immediately releasing payment and bills at all treasury.

“We have hoped that the present chief Minister kaliko pul, who was the longest serving finance minister will be able to manage finance of the state but he has fail in his endeavor”, stated the Association.

ET Bureau Itanagar, Apr 8

The Bharatiya Janata party, Arunachal Pradesh disowns allegation leveled on Bharatiya Janata party by the APCC over the issue of overdraft in the state government.

The Bharatiya Janata party is nothing to do with the overdraft in the PPA State Government.

However, expresses its shock over the huge amount of overdraft if the media coverage were true to the fact and figures and urges the Kalikho Pul led PPA government for maintaining fiscal discipline, zero tolerance on corruption and ensure that the new government is cooperative, competitive and participatory with the spirit of Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas different from the previous Congress govt.

“The APCC very well knows that there is PPA state government in the State although the BJP extended its outside support, and making mockery themselves leveling unnecessary allegations on Bharatiya Janata Party after the fall their government”, stated BJP in an official release.

Page 11

Final push for BJP ahead of 2nd phase of Assam polls as Modi addresses 4 poll rallies

PM Narendra Modi ET Bureau Guwahati/Nagaon/Morigaon

The BJP got a major boost and a final push, as the Prime Minister Narendra Modi today campaigned for the saffron party in Assam, and took part in four huge rallies in the state, which were thronged by several thousand people.

Modi started the day with prayer at the Kamakhya mandir, and then took part in four huge election rallies—at Raha, Rangia, Sorbhog and then at Maligaon in GUwahati, which falls under the Jalukbari constituency.

The rally at Raha, was also attended by former chief minister and AGP leader Prafulla Kumar Mahanta.

Modi also said some divisive forces were trying for a hung Assembly in Assam and appealed to the people not to allow it to happen.

"Desh ko todne wali takat bharpur koshis kar rahi hain ki Assam mein bahumat na aaye

(divisive forces are trying to ensure that there is no absolute majority in Assam) and I appeal to the people to ensure there was no possibility of a hung Assembly in the state," Modi said.

In the election campaigns Modi also raised the issue of chit funds and sarada scam, and said that this happened only because of lack of financial literacy and lack of banking facilities and knowledges.

"In Assam, you have to form a government with absolute majority and now with only three days left for second phase polls, there will be attempts to spread lies and rumours but it is your duty to go to every house and foil such designs," he said.

There should be no "backseat driving and please ensure that the new government is not remote-controlled," he said.

Contd. on Page 4

Centre releases fund for establishment of Jan Dhan Yojana will Arunachal State Medical College and Hospital check chit funds: Modi ET Bureau New Delhi, Apr 8

SOON, THE FIRST MEDICAL COLLEGE & HOSPITAL Land ready for medical college, earmarked Rs 189 crore previously Construction to begin soon of the Arunachal State Medical College cum 500-bedded hospital The first MBBS course is expected to start by 2017 in the available old structures of the old state Assembly building and other office buildings Construction of 300-bedded hospital, which would be part of the medical college, would complete by 2017

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India has released funds for establishment of Arunachal State Medical College cum 500-bedded hospital for which construction is likely to begin soon.

This was the outcome of a meeting between Chief Minister Kalikho Pul and the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda on Thursday.

Chief Minister Kalikho Pul meets the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda in New Delhi today

Contd. on Page 3

Work on Trans Arunachal Highway from Khonsa to Changlang kicks start today ET Bureau Khonsa, Apr 8

The much-hyped 2-lane Trans Arunachal Highway from Khonsa to Changlang covering 42 KMs kick-started on 8th April with a bhumi pujan at Charju amidst a huge gathering. Addressing a huge

gathering of chiefs, GBs, HoDs and public leaders of CK-belt villages after the puja, Tirap Deputy Commissioner Ravi Jha congratulated the people on the auspicious occasion of kick-starting the long-awaited work on the KhonsaChanglang road which is the life-line of many villages. He

urged the Construction Company M/S MGCPL from Panchkula, Haryana to take the villagers into confidence while executing the work and assured all possible help and cooperation from the district administration.

while appealing the villagers to extend their fullest cooperation to the executing Company said that compensation demand by the affected villagers should be genuine and authentic.

The Deputy Commissioner

Contd. on Page 3

Gone for a job, Assam man found himself sold in Chennai Jiko Linggi Dibrugarh, April 8

Went in search of job to far away Chennai, ironically he found himself sold to a factory manufacturing vehicle parts.

Confined within the factory premise by high walls with barbed wire on its top, having

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It’s not PPABJP Govt, its only PPA Govt: Arunachal BJP

Pages- 12

only one gate and that too manned by security guards day in and day out, prevented his escape from the inhuman conditions of the factory.

railway station sold him to the factory management for Rs 1, 80,000 after promising him a salary of Rs, 9500 per month.

This is the ordeal of Vijay Thapa, who has spent 4 months of nightmare, when in search of job, an acquaintance he met at

According to Thapa, he along with another person has left Tinsukia railway station in hope of finding themselves jobs in the distant city. However, destiny had

PTI Raha, Apr 8

Raising Saradha scam issue for the first time in Assam poll campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said Jan Dhan Yojana has been launched to ensure that such fraud did not take place in future and promised that those involved in scams during Congress rule will not be spared.

"The poor went to chit funds because they did not have access to the banks. It was my government that has stopped them from going to chit funds by allowing them to open zerobalance bank accounts under the PM Jan Dhan Yojana," Modi told an election rally here.

Modi made the statements in

the presence of BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma, who was questioned by CBI in connection with the Saradha scam.

Sarma was earlier a minister in Tarun Gogoi government.

"The poor were looted in Assam, West Bengal, Odisha in the Saradha chit fund scam and though those involved are rotting in jail, the fact remains that the poor lost their money," he said.

Attacking former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his statement that his government believed in more work than mere talks, Modi said "what he said was true and the scams of his period have started speaking now."

"Manmohanji ne kahan ki zubaan se zyada kaam bolta hain aur ab toh aapka kaam bolne laga hain. Yeh toh saach

hain ki paap bolte hain aur ab toh parche khulne lage hain aur sab pareshan hain (Manmohanji had said that work speaks more than words and now their work has started speaking. It is true that sins do speak, now the results of their misdeeds are out and all are disturbed)," he said.

Two persons had been convicted in the coal scam and those involved in other scams like 2G would not be spared, he said.

"I have only one mantra and that is if we want the welfare of people, we must ensure employment for youths, education for children and medicines for the elderly.

"Besides, my three agenda for the nation is --development, speedy development and allround development", he said.

People looking forward to welfare and development ANI Guwahati, Apr 8

The people cast their votes with high hopes in the first phase of the Assam Assembly polls expecting that the new government would work for the welfare of the state and provide employment opportunities to the youth

voter from Majuli, expressed his delight over the BJP announcing Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Sarbananda Sonowal as the chief ministerial candidate and said the people want change.

"This is the biggest river is-

Assam polls

in store for them the otherwise.

His friend was lost in one of the railway station en route to Chennai. Plans jeopardized, in losing his friend, he had lost his guide too. Unknown and lost, he landed at Chennai railway station alone.

"As youth, we want our problems to be heard by the government at the earliest possible. Because of lack of jobs, we are forced to opt for further studies or look for employment outside the state. So, we want jobs to be available easily in Assam," said a youth from Dibrugarh.

land in the world and for the first time, we have got a BJP chief ministerial candidate Sarbananda Sonowal. People from both upper and lower Majuli are happy. We will celebrate this happiness by celebrating 'Bihu', our main festival. We feel Sonowal will win," he said.

Contd. on Page 3

Manoj Kumar Baruah, a

Dolly Baruah, a voter from

Jorhat, also voiced his support for Sonowal and called for a stable government for development of Assam.

"Quality of leadership should be the main concern of administration and we are hoping that the candidate that we have chosen for our constituency will win. We will certainly make him win this time and he will surely bring development.

He will fulfill all our hopes," he said.

The people queued up amid tight security outside polling stations in Assam earlier on Monday to cast their votes in the first phase of the assembly elections.

Contd. on Page 4

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Page 12

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, APRIL 9

PAGE 2 ASTRO FOR YOU Aries You will find some decisions difficult to make, but be intent and resolute. Emotions may put you off rail, but once you have resolved, don't stray from it. Besides, Taurus You are likely to get into arguments today. You should avoid any open confrontation.

Legal disputes may bother you as well. Try your hand at meditation or resort to music of your preference to relax and unwind. It is best if you delay the start of any important activity today.

Gemini Today, your house gets a facelift - a new rug, matching cushion covers, or a brand new kitchen. This will take up most of your time. First, you will be busy furnishing and setting up your home, and then you will spend your time flaunting it to your friends, relatives, neighbours, bosses, colleagues, acquaintances.

Cancer A hectic day, combined with domestic pressure will make you exhausted. You feel a heavy burden on mind and heart. Don't be too emotional. Take care not to pass domestic burdens on to your career or business, and thereby mar your capacity and efficiency.

Leo You will feel more emotional today and share your feelings with your friends and near ones. For those who are searching for a life-partner, this might be the time when you will get hitched. You will develop a new perspective on some issues in the office. Your day will be different than normal.

Virgo All the work done in the past will reap rich rewards today.You'll direct things your own way, and in no way would you take orders from anyone. But don't go overboard with all the authority and keep a cool, calm head.

Libra Sometimes, you lend a helping hand and people end up taking the entire arm. Well, that's kids for you! So beware, because young ones around you may try to take undue advantage of your sympathetic nature today. Minor issues and problems may dampen the high spirits that you are in today. But fret not, just keep a cool head and get back on track to being your charismatic self.

Scorpio You may expect the day to be as dull and mundane as those boring repeat telecasts of sitcoms. But remember, it's not always going to be grey! The dance of planets will usher in new change for a better tomorrow. Keep hoping and who knows you may stumble upon something very interesting.

CSMSS unhappy with Akhil Gogoi for his alleged links with Congress ET Correspondent Jorhat, Apr 8: Akhil Gogoi the general secretary of Krishak Mukti Sangram Samitti (KMSS) is under fire as several members and leaders from its sister organization Cha Sramik Mukti Sangram Samitti (CSMSS) Jorhat district president Sanjay Krishna Tanti including several members of the Jorhat district unit resigned for alleged allegation against the KMSS general secretary which was brought to light by the members here today.

Talking to the reporters, CSMSS, Jorhat district president, Sanjay Krishna Tanti heavily flayed Akhil Gogoi for misleading and misguiding the members of KMSS including its sister

CSMSS leaders during the press meet at Press Club in Jorhat. Pic - Nekib Ahmed organization throughout the state of Assam. Akhil was once the chamcha of BJP, now working as chamcha for Congress and has being taking money from either the BJP or Congress to shout for, which has been proved by the members of sister organization.

For quite a long period in name of KMSS Akhil has done a lot for his vested personal interest including the National Orchid Park in Durgapur in Kaziranga under Bokakhat revenue circle and today through the park Akhil has been earning over several lakh of rupees daily

Modi’s Government is like a toy at the hands of corporate houses and rich industrialist: Rahul Gandhi

Sagittarius The rewards of hard labour will be sweet, so start off by unwinding with some fun today.

Pisces The focus today will be on self-improvement. You may find yourself attending seminars or workshops. Self-employed people are likely to find lucrative deals landing in their laps in the afternoon. Quality time with your family in the evening will give you a sense of balance and of belonging.

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 9-4-16 (SATURDAY) 5-35 A.M-Bhaktigeeti (Devotional Songs) 6-10 A.M-Swasthya Charcha (Health Programme) 6-30 A.M-Bidyarthir Anusthan 7-15 A.M-Aajir Dinto (Morning Information Service) 7-30 A.M-Geetanjali (Assamese Modern Songs) 8-35 A.M-Surar Panchoi (Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 9-05 A.M- Antara (Composite Programme of Hindi Film Songs) 12-30 P.M-Hindi Film Songs 1-50 P.M-Adhunik Geet 2-30 P.M-Western Music 3-45 P.M-Programme in Miju Mishmi 4-05 P.M-Programme in Khamti 4-25 P.M-Programme in Wancho 4-45 P.M-News for Arunachal Pradesh 5-00 P.M-Programme in Idu 5-20 P.M-Programme in Tangsa 5-40 P.M-Programme in Nocte 6-15 P.M-Ganya Raijor Anusthan (Rural Programme) 7-15 P.M-Yuvavani (Youth Programme) 7-45 P.M-Daakpakhili 8-00 P.M-Ekalabya (Sponsored Programme of K.K Handique State Open University) 10-00P.M-Classical Music Sd-/H.O.P

Independent Mukundo Koch supports UPP ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, Apr 8 : In a well gesture of giving mass support to UPP party ahead few days of assembly election for second phase scheduled on April 11, independent candidate for Kokrajhar west LAC back by Sanmilito Janagostiya Aikhya Mancha Mukundo Koch decided not to contest the election and extended his support to the UPP. Koch said exoressed resented over mancha that has been politicizing on the supports, so he has decided not to contest the election . He has appealed to vote for the UPP candidate to meet good governance and

Mukundo Koch healthy society.

'I and my supporters will be extending supports to the Congress-UPP candidate in the

Kokrajhar west seat, because this seat is seeing probably winning by Congress-UPP in the election', Mukundo said.

Kids Soccer Tournament to be held ET Correspondent Golaghat, Apr 8: A well known Football Coaching Centre which is affiliated to Assam Football Association, Golaghat is going to organise the 1st Coaching Centre Kids Soccer Tournament in Golaghat from Apr

10.

The opening ceremony of the tournament will be held at the playgrounds of Debraj Roy College, Golaghat. Golaghat Coaching Centre officials seek presence and co-operation of all in the event.

Rahul assures 10 lakhs jobs to state youths

Capricorn Numerous projects and building work pressure can keep you busy, but get done with whatever you have on hand.This will also be the right time to reach out to more people, and devour whatever knowledge or information they have to offer. Moreover, you will experience complete personal freedom and will communicate freely with those around you.

Aquarius It's an uphill struggle today! But the heavens are on your side, and you will be saved from being swindled. Otherwise, it's an eventful day at work. You may initiate big business deals and new projects as well. It will take all your energy.

alleged Sanjay Krishna Tanti.

It may be mention that after the resignation of Kamal Medhi from KMSS Central Committee now its turn for the members of the sister organization to quit KMSS. Dipak Tanti, Jorhat district secretary

heavily flayed Akhil Gogoi for his use and throw policy. When he has reason behind the purpose Akhil Gogoi call us hundred times and even fall at our feet, but after the work is done he forgets which is his prime cause and a big drawback which we members from KMSS family had withdrawn our membership, which was nothing but wastage of time with Akhil Gogoi. “On the other hand during our experiences during 2011 when we had merged with KMSS we the tea workers did not get anything from the congress instead we had wasted our time and energy in shouting slogans and attending dharnas,’’ alleged Tanti.

Rahul Gandhi (right)during his poll rally at Kamalpur. Pic - UB Photo Mayukh Goswami Mangaldai, Apr 8 : AICC Vice President and Congress ‘yuvaraj’, MP Rahul Gandhi today lambasted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Government at the Centre alleging them to be run by the corporate houses and very rich industrialists of the country. He said, “Modi ji’s BJP led government at the centre is nothing but a toy at the hands of corporate houses and big industrialists. So how can he think for the

poor people of the country?” He was addressing a mass election rally at Kharupetia town field under Dalgaon LAC in Darrang district this afternoon. The congress star campaigner was also severe on Modi’s foreign tours as he said “The most of time of his tenure as the Prime Minister Modi ji spent in tours to foreign nations. He has no time to think about the need of the common people back at his country.” Moreover Gandhi while trying to

draw the attention of the young generation made several promises relating to them including job guarantee to ten lakhs unemployed youths , scholarship for higher studies to each of one hundred poor students in every district every year . BPL certificates to families with yearly income of less 2 lakhs among others.

The meeting was also addressed by AICC leader C.P.Joshi and president of APCC Anjan Dutta among others.

ET Correspondent Nalbari, Apr 8 : All India Congress Committee Vice President Rahul Gandhi today intensified the poll campaign of Nalbari district addressing a mammoth poll rally at Nalbari Lakhimi field here today. In his speech Rahul Gandhi assures ten lakh jobs to state youths if his party is voted to power.

A hundred poor youths of each district to get scholarship for higher education, he assured during his speech.

"BPL certificates will be issued to the families having an annual income of below

two lakhs will be issued and they will be covered under various schemes of the government.He added that the Congress Government has succeed to stop tears of Assamese mothers in last 15 years, bringing insurgency into under control. According to the vice president of the AICC, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is giving false promises to the people of Assam. ' The Black money issue was now avoided by Narendra Modi because his ministers are allegedly involved in black money cases' he added.

Actor Raj Babbar campaigned for UPP in Kokrajhar ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, Apr 8:Actor turn politician and Congress MP Raj Babbar campaigned for UPP candidate Urkhao Gwra Brahma for Kokrajhar west LAC at Chautara ground on Friday in Kokrajhar district.

Babbar, was accompanied by Asssam Minister and senior Congress leader Siddique Ahmed landed in a chartered Helicopter.

Babbar addressed the well attended gathering said the the Congress and UPP party has been contesting the election in alliance to defeat the BJP led alliance party in the state. He said that the Congress party stressed to build a healthy state involving so-

cial uplift among all sections of communities.

Babbar alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is holding PM of the India has only been publishing his lectures through attending public gathering

across the country. His lecture was sweet to hear for common masses, but implementation of the launched scheme and programmes have been zero percent in the state, Babbar added.

He has claimed that the gov-

ernment would be formed by alliance of Congress and UPP party in the state, because his party is winning in large number of seats in both the phase of assembly polls.

He has appealed to all sections of communities to vote for Congress-UPP alliance candidates across the state to meet healthy social integration.

Assam Minister and senior Congress leader Siddique Ahmed, addressing the campaign termed that the BJP led alliance and AIUDF has been defeating in the people's mandate as common voters vote for the Congress party candidates all over the state.

He said that his party Congress and UPP party is forming alliance government at

Dispur with no doubt.

Ahmed made humble appeal to all sections of voters to vote UPP candidate in the election.

UPP president and party candidate for Kokrajhar west LAC Urkhao Gwra Brahma said his party is contesting in 14 seats all over the BTAD region and winning in 7-8 seats in huge margin votes.

He said that he is winning from the Kokrajhar west seat as no candidate is seeing to contest with him nearest.

'My candidature winning is sure with no doubt because irrespective of caste, creed and languages are supporting me and stepping to vote to the party candidates in the election', said Brahma.

North-east scientist conferred with 'Norman Borlaug Chair' award Jorhat (Assam), Apr. 8 : Professor Bidyut Kumar Sarmah, who has been awarded the prestigious 'Norman Borlaug Chair' by the Indian Council For Agricultural Research for his pioneering research in insect resistance in grain legumes, is the first agricultural scientist from the north-east to have been selected for this honor.

Dr. Sarmah, who hails from Assam's Jorhat town, is a known name in the field of agricultural biotechnology research in India for developing insect-resistant Btchickpea, which is in the process of deregulation through confined field trials.

Dr. Sarmah is the director of DBT-AAU Centre and professor in the department of Agricultural Biotechnology of AAU, which apart from conducting research also

conducts research training and programmes.

"Although in India we produce the highest amount of chickpea worldwide almost 70 percent of chickpea is produced and area wise also 80 percent of it is produced in India and its use is also very rich in our country that's why we import huge amount of pulses not only chickpea but other pulses as well.

Pulses are very important in Indian agriculture," said Dr. Sarmah.

"Being in Assam why I thought of working in chickpea because in chickpea the major problem in Assam is the sour green paste," he added.

Dr. Sarmah has been working in the field of gene technology for legume improvement for almost two decades and has successfully conducted several national and

Professor Bidyut Kumar Sarmah international collaborative researches.

His ten years of research in chickpea gene technology has led to a few significant achievements.

The rare honor is given to him as an impact of his re-

search in Indian as well as International agriculture.

The Assam Agricultural University (AAU)-fraternity expressed its delight after the news of the honor was declared.

"Since 2005 initially I started

as the PhD student under him and later I was switched to Assistant Prof and since then both of us are collaborating with the project especially the chickpea project.

It's a great experience working with him because he actually started the chickpea programme in AAU after coming back from US," said Dr. Sumita Acharjee, Assistant Prof, Assam Agricultural University.

"I was really excited working with him, it is a completely different thing came into northeast about transgenic. It is a wonderful experience," he added.

Dr. Sarmah will hold the chair as a "National Professor" initially for a period of five years and will receive a grant of Rs. 2.5 crores for conducting research on "development of cisgenic chickpea resistant to pod borers". (ANI)

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, APRIL 9

PAGE 3

CM Kalikho Pul meets Rajnath, appeals habitation facilities for border communities

MNRE through its support to small hydro projects could play a crucial role in alleviating power crisis in the state : Pul

ET Bureau New Delhi, Apr 8 : Chief Minister Kalikho Pul called on Union Minister for Home Affairs Rajnath Singh on Thursday and appealed for a special developmental and financial package for border areas aimed at providing habitation facilities for border communities living along the India China border in Arunachal.

ET Bureau New Delhi, Apr 8 : Chief Minister Kalikho Pul called on Minister of State for Power and New & Renewal Energy (MNRE) Piyush Goyal and informed him about state government’s thrust to develop Small Hydro Power projects as a dependable source of power for administrative centres across the state.

The CM informed that there is an alarming trend of migration of border population to urban centres, which is resulting in unclaimed and unoccupied areas, making the border prone to incursions.

He said it is a major cause of concern and asserted that steps need to be taken to ensure that these border communities continue to inhabit their lands. The CM also raised concern over absence of basic facilities

for troop patrolling upto last border point that continue to hinder effective patrolling of the border areas.

The CM said though the economic costs of provisioning for these facilities may appear high, but considering the distance and hard terrain where raw materials have to be carried on head load, it need to be understood that the strategic benefits far outweigh these costs.

On citizenship to the Chakma and Hajong settled in Arunachal Pradesh, the CM said that change of status of the Chakma and Hajong has to be handled very delicately, as any hasty action will impact the sense of integration of the Arunachal tribals living in these areas and will also give rise to law and order problems. He therefore asserted on the need to find a creative and nonconfrontational solution to the issue.

The home minister appreciated the concern expressed by the CM and promised all

support from the centre. To expedite the process imme-

He therefore appealed for facilities in border areas that included foot suspension bridges, culverts and log bridges, hutments, water supply, health assistance, basic education, power, telecommunication and media reach, CC steps for use by both villagers and defence personnel.

Gone for a job, Assam man found himself sold in Chennai Contd. from Page 1 Unable to speak Tamil or read the sign boards in English and Tamil, he sat helpless, with limited cash in his pocket.

Later a man strolling around approached him and introduced himself as from Assam.

Relieved at the having met a man from his own state in an unknown city, they began talking. And soon he opened up, explaining his ordeal and dilemma.

Having heard his ordeal, the man assured to help him out of the stark situation. He promised to land him a job with pay package of Rs. 9500 per month, free living quarter and free food.

The man took him to a factory, and was given the job of working at the furnace, melting metals for producing vehicle parts. Realization dawned on him that he had been tricked when he met other workers like him in the dormitory. They too had been sold to factory management like him and the modus operandi of this supposed Good Samaritan was to trap and prey upon innocent persons coming into the city at the railway station by luring them with promises of job and later selling them to the factories in connivance with its management.

At the end of the month, when he approached the management for his wages, he was sent away with a huff. Management told him that Rs. 1,

80,000 was paid to the person who had brought him to the factory. And in no way he would receive his salary till the cost was recovered from his labor.

'It is too hot in Chennai; on top of that we had to work wearing thick suits in furnace.

Even then our skins got burned and the ceiling fans were of no much help', he reminisces.

'Food was served at the dormitory. It was all sour, it took much time to get adjusted to south Indian food', he further added.

'On Sunday, the factory kitchen is closed, we were given Rs. 200. Accompanied by escorts we were let out of factory premises in batches to buy our meals using this cash.

Communication was a huge obstacle. Shopkeepers did not use any other language, except for Tamil, making our escape much tougher', Thapa said.

After four months of endless ordeal, Thapa and three other guys, who too hailed from Dhola in Assam, managed to leave the factory premises by bribing the security guards.

And one among the group was just literate enough to read the sign boards. Using him as their guide, they escaped from the factory; boarded Tinsukia bound train as ticket-less travelers, hiding themselves from TTE (Train Ticket Examiner) and on shoe string budget, mostly spending good part of the journey on hungry stomachs.

diately, he requested for a comprehensive proposal on improving the habitation facilities in the border areas.

On Assam-Arunachal boundary issue, the CM said the people across the borders have lived harmoniously and preserved their local ways of life, which for centuries have also helped settle local disputes and conflicts. These conflict mechanisms developed through centuries of crosscultural interactions has to be preserved, the CM asserted and appealed for cultural centres to be developed across the borders to keep alive the traditions of cross-cultural exchanges.

Also to supplement peace efforts, the border areas need development boost so that no feeling of deprivation arises, he said and appealed for a special development package. The home minister responded positively and agreed to fund the

proposals for development of Assam-Arunachal boundary.

The minister also agreed to CM’s request for creation of 4411 posts in state’s police department, which today has a shortage of 5760 posts against its various establishments.

On citizenship to the Chakma and Hajong settled in Arunachal Pradesh, the CM said that change of status of the Chakma and Hajong has to be handled very delicately, as any hasty action will impact the sense of integration of the Arunachal tribals living in these areas and will also give rise to law and order problems. He therefore asserted on the need to find a creative and non-confrontational solution to the issue.

During his visit to the North Block, the CM also met Union Minister for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju.

Tapir Gao, new state BJP President for Arunachal A Staff Reporter Itanagar, April 8: Former Lok Sabha Member (East) and National Executive Member BJP, Tapir Gao has been appointed as the new chief of State Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) by the National President BJP, Amit Shah today.

Gao will be the successor of the current state president Tai Tagak whose tenure ended recently.

Along with Arunachal Pradesh, BJP’s central team also appointed new presidents for other four state units, including Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Punjab.

“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi , national president BJP Amit Shah and all other national organization leaders for their faith in me by conferring a challenging job in the landlocked state” said Gao.

Speaking to the media at his residence in Itanagar this evening, Gao further added that he would give his best to uplift the party ideology and organization so that people of the state would see a new dawn of development both politically, economically and socially. “This is a challenging job for me and I have to take along all party workers so that every programme and policy of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led BJP Government would reach the unreached”, he added while asserting the call of “Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas” would be carried in the true sense.

When asked what will be his foremost step for his organization after assuming the chair of president, Gao revealed that the party discipline with unity from district to block and mandal level would be his pri-

ority. “The state of Arunachal Pradesh is sensitive, so we need to be work united from the grass root level”, asserted Gao while assuring to extend all out support to the state government and also requested the opposition Congress party not to resist any programme and scheme that brings development in the state .

Hailing from Ruksin village in East Siang district, Tapir Gao was the former Member of Lok Sabha (Arunachal East constituency) from 2004-09, national general secretary BJP twice in (2004 -09 & 2009-12), vice chairman National Commission for ST (2004), Member NEC & DoNER (20042009) and BJP In-charge of Nagaland and Manipur ( 2004till date), national council member BJP (1999) and currently holding the post of national executive member of the BJP.

Our Indianan society has evolved to become more and more liberal sshape with greater tolerance for caste, creed and religion.

ET Bureau New Delhi, Apr 8: Chief Minister Kalikho Pul met Union Minister of Human Resource Development (HRD) Smriti Irani on Thursday and apprised her on the poor education scenario of the state.

Highlighting on poor infrastructure support for education, the CM informed that several government schools and colleges lack sufficient infrastructures and allweather buildings. He said many of these buildings were constructed during the union territory days, which have outlived their lifespan and needed complete renovation.

Also many schools and colleges didn’t come even close to having basic facilities such as proper toilet facilities each for girls and boys, proper kitchen and dining facilities, a playground and a library with sufficient reading material, adequate classrooms, electrification, hostels and teachers’ quarters.

To meet the infrastructure requirements, the CM informed that a realistic proposal taking feedbacks and inventory reports from all the districts, sub-divisions and administrative blocks are being prepared,

Governor grace the Golden Jubilee Mopin Festival in Itanagar He urged Arunachal society also to shun and discourage communal discrimination and become one strong entity. He urged upon the

He further pointed out that much-anticipated growth of the hydropower sector in Arunachal has not yet translated on the ground. A larger concern from the policy perspective is that many projects are languishing because of pending clearances.

The CM requested that accord of forest clearance should be linked

The CM therefore requested that basin study be delinked with forest clearance for small power projects.

He said though the small projects have been kept out of the purview of the environment clearance, the need to again get approvals on the basis of basin studies makes the execution of these projects highly problematic.

Also in view of the dropping of projects by environment ministry based on basin studies even in case of projects that are under execution, the developers are forced to go slow in respect of projects for which basin studies have not yet been accepted or completed, said the CM. He further pointed out that the state government is now faced with a situation where there is the idea of scrapping many of the larger projects for which MoAs have been signed. Calling it as a potential problem area, the CM said there is the issue of litigation and repayment of the upfront payments, the processing fees and the compensation for land paid to the public.

A state like Arunachal, which is low on resources could not bear such huge burden, he asserted.

Underlining the importance of electricity generation, the CM

said the larger reality is that there is also a need for power in not just our state but also the entire country. Also he pointed out that state was loosing out on potential revenue sources.

Further, the CM appealed the minister to consider financial support for transmission lines from power source to consumer in off-grid areas, since many small projects are to be operated in isolated mode to cater to the requirement of local demand. He pointed out that non-availability of transmission lines were one of the reasons resulting in the delay in development of small hydro projects.

The CM further requested for release of balance fund of PM Package of Rs. 14.85 crores for development of small power projects. He informed that earlier under PM package, 92 small projects were funded and an amount of Rs.438.23 crores was earmarked for the same. Out of the 92 projects, 76 have been completed and 15 projects are in advance stages of completion.

The CM, therefore, urged that the balance fund amounting to Rs.14.85 Cr, which is yet to be released by MNRE, could be released so as to speed up the project construction.

The minister assured the CM that the central government would support state’s every endevour in harnessing its power potential. He assured central grants for development of small power projects across the state, funds for erection of transmission lines and for release of the balance amount of Rs 14.85 crores.

He further informed that the ministry has plans to provide solar power supply for 80,000 households and urged the state government to make utilization of it.

Work on Trans Arunachal Highway from Khonsa to Changlang kicks start today Contd. from Page 1 In his speech Wanglam Sawin lauded the sincere effort of the district administration, concerned department, construction Company and the people for completing all the required formalities to enable the work to begin. He said that the villagers were law-abiding and urged the Company to work in close coordination with the district administration and the villagers. Former MLA Kamthok Lowang while participating in the deliberation described the occasion as his-

toric and threw light on the long history of the CK road which was constructed on selfhelp basis by the villagers. He urged the Company not to compromise with the quality of work and exhorted the Engineers to diligently follow the technical specifications and the guidelines. The ZPM of KhelaLamsa Sontung Lowang Bangsia said that proper road connectivity was sine qua non for development of any place adding that after the completion of the tender process a series of meetings had been held.

She urged the Deputy Commissioner to hold a public hearing

to enable the villagers clear all the doubts vis-à-vis compensation and other issues. The ZPM further said that a committee had already been constituted to assist the company and the district administration in settling any contentious issue if any and added that the road when completed would help the farmers to transport their agrihorti products easily.

Earlier, the Project Manager in his welcome address sought the active cooperation of all the stakeholders. Nokjo Wanghop, President of All Tirap-Changlang Tutsa Welfare Association also spoke on the occasion.

CM Kalikho Pul apprises Union HRD Minister on poor education scenario in state which will enable the government to have complete information on the requirements of each school in the state.

The requirements then will be met according to a comprehensive plan that will outline all the basic minimum facilities an education institute should have. This has been done to achieve the goal of uniform standard education system across the state, the CM informed.

However, funding was a big constraint in achieving the targeted plan for education sector as state has limited resource base, said the CM and appealed for a one-time

Governor grace the Golden Jubilee Mopin Festival A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Apr 8 : The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Shri JP Rajkhowa urged all tribes of the state to work together towards development of the State and have sprit of one Arunachal Pradesh, one northeast state and one India. Even though we belong to different tribe, eat different food, live different culture, speak different dialect or language etc we should all preserve and protect our national integrity while attending the valedictory function of Golden Jubilee Mopin festival celebration here at Mopin Solung ground Itanagar.

The CM hoped that the MNRE through its support to small hydro projects could play a crucial role in alleviating power crisis in the state, which is along the commitment of PM Modi to provide 24X7 electricity to all houses by 2022.

He informed that the state government has so far identified 89 projects in border areas with an aim to provide power to un-electrified administrative circles down to circle HQs in isolated manner in off-grid system. These projects with total installed capacity of 37.28 MW, with a total cost involvement of Rs. 715.74 crore will be harnessed from nearby rivers, rivulets, streams in an eco-friendly manner, said the CM. To realize the goal of providing electricity to all administrative centres, CM requested for special financial package, since the resource strapped state like Arunachal would be unable to meet the cost on its own due to its low revenue base.

with the completion of basin study, which has resulted in delay as well as uncertainties about the fate of the several allotted projects.

Also such mandatory studies hurt the prospect on developing small hydro projects as well, he said and presented several cases where power projects of below 25MW were dropped based on basin study.

youth to defeat anyone who has the evil designs to bring in inter tribal animosity and work together to foster unity among all tribes of the

state.

Governor appeal the people of State no to have any differences amongst the tribe or clan or religion

over other. The Governor while appreciating the cultural troops congratulates the Ampir Neli Popir Party who dance to the tune of ╘jile le╙ (Assamese song) in their traditional attire- a fusion demonstration. He further said that fusing such kind of folk dances between the two state and sharing each others culture will bring feeling of brotherhood amongst the two state. We must prevail peace and harmony between the states and have a better understanding of each other, the Governor added. The governor further appreciated the contribution of Galo community to the society towards political, economic and education scenario of the state and prayed to Mopin Ane for peace and prosperity in the State.

special package.

The minister assured to give backup and full support to the state government’s endeavor and asked if the state could come up more ideas and plans to bring improvement in the education sector.

ment of Institutions of national repute viz. AIIMS, lIT, IIM and Law School in the state. Also he requested to make functional the state university at Pasighat, which could not take off owing to paucity of funds.

Also the minister said the state could give more priority to adult education and suggested that the ministry could also publish a story on CM Pul’s childhood struggle on education, which would serve as source of inspiration for many.

Also apprising her on the delay in disbursement of 2 months salary for 9803 SSA functionaries in the state, he informed that for SSA salary, the state government has already released its state-matching share of Rs. 3310.92 lakhs for the current financial year.

On higher and technical education, the CM urged on establish-

He informed that the state government is now awaiting the release

of centre’s matching share of Rs 7079.40 lakhs in addition to its earlier grant of Rs. 181179.44 Lakhs.

The CM therefore requested for release of the rest-matching share at the earliest so that plight of the SSA teachers could be addressed to which the HRD officials informed that the balance amount would be disbursed soon.

The minister assured centre’s all support to the state government informing that PM Modi has accorded special consideration for Arunachal and all the north eastern states.

Centre releases fund for establishment of Arunachal State Medical College and Hospital Contd. from Page 1 The first MBBS course is expected to start by 2017 in the available old structures of the old state Assembly building and other office buildings.

During the meeting the CM informed the minister that land is ready for setting up of medical college for which the central government had earlier earmarked Rs 189 crore.

He also informed the minister that construction of 250bedded ward block of Tomo Riba hospital is on progress as per the timeline, which would complete by July 31 this year.

Further, the construction of 300-bedded hospital, which would be part of the said medical college, would complete by 2017, the CM informed.

The minister said the central government would release all pending funds for the construction of hospital cum college in phase wise.

Further the CM expressed concern over the rising Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), and lack of data for Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) and Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR). He also said the state was deteriorating in all health indicators.

To arrest poor health indicator in the state and to prevent health crisis, the CM requested for one-time special financial package for complete revamp of health sector. He informed that state government is preparing a comprehensive plan proposal for improving the health care delivery system right from state hospital to subcentres. The minister said the centre was always ready to help

the state and assured to fulfill all funds requirement for health sector.

Also to provide higher health services, the state has been distributed into six zones to accommodate health cover in entire state. These six zones are proposed with a general hospital each at Ziro, Aalo, Bomdila, Khonsa, Tezu, including the existing one at Pasighat. However, the existing district and zonal hospitals are in poor condition due to deteriorating infrastructures whose lifespan has outlived.

On being apprised on the poor state of Pasighat general hospital and the five district hospitals, which are to be upgraded to general hospital, the minister assured support for renovation and maintenance of the existing and proposed general hospitals.

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, APRIL 9

PAGE 4

Young tea voters vote for a change Siram Brings out another Book in Hindi, Matmur Jamoh, a through this election in Assam Shambhu Boro, Tezpur, Apr 8 : With the five legislative assembly segments falling under the Tezpur election district that has already gone to the polls on April 4 last, the profile of voters age and gender wise shows some significant result alongwith the opinion that the young voters in Tea Garden areas have played a vital role in deciding the fortunes of the contestants. Data gathered after interacting with the voters from among the young generation belonging to various Tea Garden areas on the day of poll on April 4 in the first phase of the election, here shows a considerable chunk of the electorate in the five LACs of Tezpur district that is Dhekiajuli, Barchala, Tezpur, Rangapara and Sootea. Mentionable that this section was earlier seen distanced themselves from the real life issues and unimaginable tragedies witnessed in the labour lines of the Tea garden areas that often go unheard. Today these youngsters consistently prefer to walk the distance and make them heard in the corridors of power.

However, with the all im-

portant Assembly polls round the corner in the five LACs under the Tezpur Election District an attempt was made to read the mind of the voters from among the upcoming youths hailing from some Tea garden areas of Tezpur and it’s centre peripheries. Agnesh Tirkey, a 20 years old boy of Dhekiajuli Tea Estate who even couldn’t complete his high school education following his drastic poverty, after casting his vote for the first time in his life said before this correspondent that tea garden areas cannot afford to lag behind when the world is moving at such a fast pace. For him, people particularly living in the tea garden areas have been lured by congress party during every election over the years saying their issues would be addressed, but in practical nothing is done lying their problems unsolved. “So this time our mandate has gone to the BJP as we need a change.

Even after the elapse of 65 years of India’s independence tea garden areas are not being able to witness the proper development. During this long stint most of the time of the country was

People looking forward to welfare and development Contd. from Page 1 Voting took place in 65 of the total 126 constituencies in the state, spread across Upper Assam, the hill districts, the northern banks and the Barak Valley.

There were as many as 12,190 polling booths to decide the fate of 539 candidates.

Tarun Gogoi-led Congress, which has been in power in Assam for the last 15 years, is facing a tough fight from the BJP which has joined hands with the regional Assam Gana Parishad (AGP) to make a formidable alliance.

Gogoi, however, appeared confident of forming the government yet again and said the voter turnout has been the same this time.

"Once we had about 76 percent turnout. In 2011, it was 79 percent and in 2006 it was low at 53. So, the turnout has been the same all along," he said.

As the ruling Congress struggles to maintain its winning streak in Assam, the BJP is leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to overthrow the Gogoi-led government.

Sonowal, who cast his vote in

Dibrugarh, said that the BJP would provide development to all.

"Land Boundary Agreement has already been signed and now border will be permanently sealed, and also NRC will be prepared and that way the protection of the bonafide Indian citizens living in Assam for centuries together, that would be ensured, and also the growth and development is what people want right now and we will work on it," he said.

The people from all sections participated in the electoral process in Dibrugarh with great enthusiasm. The young voters were seen in large numbers queuing up since morning to cast their votes.

A large number of voters turned out in Majuli and Jorhat. More than 80 percent turnout was recorded in Jorhat district that includes three assembly constituencies namely Dergaon, Jorhat and Teok.

Majuli witnessed the maximum percentage of voter turnout with 88 percent, while Titabor and Mariyani constituencies recorded 85 and 84 percent respectively.

The second phase of Assam polls will be held on April 11. The result will be announced on May 19.

in the hand of Congress, but it has not been able to deliver their proper governance to the people. So we feel that change has become an urgent need of the time.” He said. Another youth of the same area, Puka Kishan (29) who has also for the first time exercised his voting right expressing his bitter experience of 15 years of congress rule in the state said that surface communication, better education facility, health and hygiene, drinking water facility, electrification etc. have been a major issues in the tea garden areas. “We are important only during the election time, election is over, we are also forgotten. Despite our repeated urge our problems are not addressed.

That is why we think that this election is a crucial and whoever comes to power should first address the Tea garden areas’ problem besides the other developmental works of the state.” He said. Bhuban Mandal, a second Semester student of Kolaguru Bishnu Rabha Degree College near Dhekiajuli echoing the same said that development

is a major thing for taking forward a country. Terming unemployment problem an epidemic for the society that has almost plagued the country, he further said that without proper socio-economic planning, industrialization, development in the agricultural sector with updating of every traditional system, communication development etc. the state like Assam will never be able to shine. “So we do expect a change is a must for us, and whoever comes to the power should give priority to such issues related to the common people of the society.” He said. Tulika Devi a last semester student of political science department in Tezpur College hailing from Panchnoi village a remote rural area of Dhekiajuli LAC exchanging her views regarding the election said that she has exercised her voting right for the first time with an expectation of change in the state seeking proper execution of every developmental work.

She said, “For this, the eligible public leader should be elected who can deal with the people’s problem in the real sense.” For her corruption has been a ma-

jor constraint of developmental works in the region and the elected members must give priority in ending this evil element.

While visiting the Sapoi Tea Estate in Dhekiajuli LAC on the day of poll on April 4, it could be understand that alongiwth other common voters, the young voters within the age group of 40 years like Birbal Tanti, Jugesh Sabar, Arun Khoira, Sanjay Kawah and Santosh Tanti are of the opinion that congress has used the Tea garden area people only for their power, but they have never paid proper attention to their basic problems like education, electricity, arrangement of adequate wage against their labour, ration, road communication in the tea garden areas etc. “Now we want a change and the party whoever is capable to bring a change to this end we feel that should be elected, the first phase of election has already passed, hope people have given their mandate with their conscience and in the second phase also people living in other tea garden areas of Assam will think for this.” They reiterated.

Chaos grips at Pengaree over murder of 2 innocents ET Correspondent Digboi, Apr 8: Following the alleged kidnapped and subsequent murder of two of a family belonging to tea tribe community on Wednesday midnight, chaos and tense prevailed throughout the day here at Pengaree Charali Bazar in Tinsukia District today with several thousands of people taking streets and gathered at Pengaree Police station.

According to the agitators belonging to various tea tribe organization, Suni Garh (55) and his daughter in law Lakhimoni Garh (18) of Noloni village under Pengaree Police Station were kidnapped from their residence by a group of miscreants who were later brutally murdered in a desolate place

around 400 meters away from their residence, while another Debaru Garh the son of Suni Garh managed to escape from the clutches of the kidnappers.

According to the resented group who resorted to Pengaree-Bordumsa road blockade for more than 6 hours, the police have miserably failed to arrest the culprits involved in the heinous act.

Meanwhile, the tea tribe body from the entire Tinsukia District demanded of the civil and Police administration a high level probe beside demanding immediate capital punishment to the doers of the inhuman act.

However, peace restored in the evening, following the submission of memorandum to SDO

Margherita who assured the people of thorough investigations and punishing the culprits as per law as and when brought to book.

The movement of people in general was adversely affected, while vehicular congestion caused traffic, unrest leading which paralyzed the normalcy almost the whole day.

Meanwhile, the latest police input claimed the Eastern Today that Pukeshar Phukon (21) and Deben Phukon (25) the two brothers who were the son of Milaydhar Pukhan of Noloni Village no 2 were arrested and were booked in an FIR registered at Pengaree Police Station at case no 24/16 and prosecuted u/s 449, 364, 302, 326, 34 IPC R/ W 25 (1) (a).

Elephant and jeep safari to remain closed on 13th April ET Correspondent Golaghat, Apr 8: On April 13th the services of elephant and jeep safari will not be available for the tourists at the Bagori Range area in Kaziranga National Park,

stated in a press release by Subhashish Das, the Divisional Forest Officer of Assam Wildlife Division (East). On that day the British Prince and his wife is coming to visit the world fa-

mous Kaziranga National Park, he informed. However the elephant and jeep safari will be unavailable only at Bagori Range area, in other area it will be continued same as per the schedule.

Gumnam Swatantrata Senani

Aalo, Apr 8: It is hard to believe that Shri Jumsi Siram, a matriculate hailing from Tadin village writes series of books in Hindi like Ai-Aluk, Dur Kiyon ho Paas to Aao, Sipu aur Siyom ki Sangam to Deko╦. Shila ka Rehasaya, Mei Awaz Suno, Jayi Bone, Galo Lok Jeevan Ebom Sanskriti and Mehnat Se Mukam Tak besides writing articles in Hindi magazines like Kosha, Uttar Bihar, Nav Bihar, Aadivasi, Madhuri and Purbanchal Prahari.

Shri Siram does it eloquently to again to bring out his latest book on Matmur Jamoh, a Gumnam Swatantrata Senani throws light on historical events from 19051912. The present book highlights Indo-Abor War of 1911 in which Capt. Neol Williamson, the then Assistant Political Officer of British India is killed by Matmur Jamoh in 1911 at Komsing village. The book will help evaluating the endeavour of

Matmur Jamoh and his team who laid their lives while protecting their homeland from outsiders.

Jumsi Siram is the first Hindi writer of Arunachal Pradesh without seeing the doors of neither higher school nor college and learnt Hindi under the tutelage of Dr. Raman Chandiliya, a Hindi teacher who has retired. His creative writing in Hindi is a source of inspiration to us.

DC orders to gear up NRC process

More 50 members joins BPF

ET Correspondent Golaghat, Apr 8: The ongoing upgradation process of National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Golaghat was reviewed by Deputy Commissioner Varnali Deka. A meeting was held today at the DC Office where the DC ordered to gear up the NRC upgradation process in Golaghat district. She also reviewed the field verification of the NRC forms received by 76 NSKs under six Revenue Circles in the district. The DC also suggested to engage more personnel as per requirements, to speed up the process.

ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, Apr 8:More than 50 supporters from AIUDF and Sanmilito Janagostiya Aikhya Mancha joined the ruling BPF today, just ahead of the second phase of the Assam assembly elections at a party meeting at Chitila bazar complex in Kokrajhar. Kokrajhar west MLA Pradip Kumar Brahma, former BTC MCLA Afjal Haque Sarkar welcome and felicitated the new members from Teteliguri area of Kokrajhar west constituency.

Brahma said that his party was stressing to gain more development and social uplift among society in the region. He said that this time his party is winning in large numbers of seats in the election and government formation is sure in the state with alliance BJP and AGP. He has appealed all sections of communities to vote for the BPF candidates in the election.

Final push for BJP ahead of 2nd phase of Assam polls as Modi addresses 4 poll rallies Contd. from Page 1 "There is no force that can stop the BJP-AGP-BPF alliance from forming the new government in the state. I'll come again to attend the swearing-in ceremony and to thank the people of Assam," he said.

It was for the first time in the last 30 years that the people of the country gave an absolute majority to party to form a government at the Centre and the result was for all to see.

"The entire world is singing

the country's praise and some are very disturbed that even countries like Saudi Arabia have become our strategic partner while Modi is being given the highest civilian award by country where Mecca stands," he said.

"The award is not for Modi, but it is an honour for each Indian. The reason for our global appreciation is that the people gave a government of absolute majority to a party which believes in 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'."

He said in all BJP-ruled state the level of poverty was low, but in Assam it was very high and the Congress government which ruled here for 15 years was responsible for it.

The Centre has earmarked Rs 200 crore and Rs 375 crore for the Dima Hasao Autonomous Council and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council respectively and already given Rs 40 crore and Rs 16 crore for each, but the government was yet to submit schemes or utilise the funds, Modi said.

Three Nalbari constituencies to witness straight fight between BJP-Congress Ramen Kalita Nalbari, Apr 8 : With only a day left for campaigning to end for the second phase of polls to be held on April 11 the electioneering in all the three constituencies in Nalbari district is at its peak. The political parties and the candidates left no stone unturned to woo the confidence of voters with their slogans of development. Altogether 4,74,292 voters including 2,22,069 female votes will decide the fates of 27 candidates including 12 at Barkshetri LAC,11 at Nalbari LAC and four in Dharmapur LAC.In Nalbari Sadar LAC a straight contest between Congress candidate Pradyut Kumar Bhuyan and BJP candidate Ashok Kumar Sarma is on the cards. Following the poll campaign

by BJP supremo Amit Shah and BJP's chief ministerial candidate Sarbananda Sonowal on April 5 the poll wind of the constituency is hot up.The slogans of local candidate and the simplicity of Ashok Sarma is favouring the BJP's poll campaign in the constituency.The Congress has a strong hold in Nalbari

constituency. Among 52,000 minority voters of the constituency the Congress is gaining popularity.

After the poll rally of Congress 'Yubaraj' Rahul Gandhi at Nalbari town today the Congress would try to spread a wave in the constituency.However two independent candidates Shristi Sarma and Khurshid Alam has become hurdle in the poll prospect of both Congress and BJP. One independent candidate Shristi Sarma who was the BJP ticket aspirant may pose threat to BJP candidate capturing maximum votes.Similar is the fate for Congress candidate Pradyut Bhuyan as the independent candidate Khurshid Alam is trying to capture the minority votes in the Constituency.The poll prospect of BJP and Congress candidates will depend on the votes capture by two independent candidates.

The Barkshetri LAC of the constituency is heading towards a straight fight between Congress candidate Diganta Barman and BJP candidate Narayan Deka.Though the constituency has 12 candidates in

the poll battle the fight will be restricted between congress candidate Diganta Barman and BJP nominee Narayan Deka .The other candidates from the constituency are Akram Hussain Talukdar (AIDUF), Mantu Baruah (Ind), Bipul Goswami (Ind), Manomati Das (Ind),Raju Barman (Ind),Raju Deka (Ind),Dipak Kalita(Ind), Kamalesh Deka (Ind),Bhumidhar Barman (Ind) and Raju Deka (Ind).The minority voters of the constituency will decide the fates of the candidates in Barkshetri LAC.More than 40,000 votes of char areas of the constituency has become a deciding factor.The congress is getting the support of the char areas for long time.In the last election the AIUDF candidate got support from a part of this voters.The constituency has 1,65,065 voters including 77,888 woman voters.It may be mentioned here that after the Barkshetri constituency was declared in 1978 the Congress won the seat for five times while AGP won two times and one time went in favour of JNP. In 1978

JNP candidate Chand Mahammad for the first time won the seat with 24,717 from the constituency.He defeated congress candidate Ramesh Ch Choudhury who got only 8,782 votes.In the Assembly poll of 1983 Chand Mahammad contested as Congress candidate and elected to the Assembly

date Sonabar Ali captured only 19,213 votes.However in the Assembly poll of 1991 senior congress leader Dr Bhumidhar Barman who migrated from the Dharmapur LAC won the seat with 30,243 votes defeating his nearest rival Pulakesh Baruah who got 28,336 votes.Pulakesh Baruah who has a strong

KEY CONTESTANTS

Nilamoni sen Deka

Chandra mohan Patowary

with 7,631 votes.After the conclusion of Assam Movement in 1985 a wave swept the voters of Barkshetri LAC and AGP candidate Pulakesh Baruah won from the seat getting 43,590 votes.Independent candi-

hold in the constituency retained the seat in 1996 poll capturing 46,928 votes.In that election Congress candidate Dr Bhumidhar Barman got only 40,166 votes.During second term of AGP Government was

deprived of getting a ministerial berth and the constituency suffered a major setback in development works.In 2001 Assembly election Baruah was defeated in a big margin of 36,000 votes in the hand of Dr Bhumidhar Barman .Dr Barman got 64,748 votes while Pulakesh Baruah was restricted at only 28,823 votes.Since the 2001 poll Dr Bhumidhar Barman never seen back as he won the seat in 2006 and 2011 Assembly elections.In 2006 Dr Barman got 55,210 votes while Pulakesh Baruah captured 38,001 votes.Accordingly in the poll in 2011 Dr Bhumidhar Barman captured 53,958 votes and AGP nominee Pulakesh Baruah got 47,618 votes.Both the leaders have been contesting from the constituency for a long period.They have dominance among the supporters in their own pockets .However it is unfortunate for the voters of the Barkshetri LAC that both the leaders Dr Bhumidhar Barman and Pulakesh Baruah are no more in poll battle in the present election.Dr Barman who

completed 85 retired from the active politics while Pulakesh Baruah who joined the BJP was denied party ticket.It needs no mention here that the Barkshetri constituency will witness a straight fight between Congress candidate Diganta Barman and BJP candidate Narayan Deka.The no 61 Dharmapur LAC in Nalbari district is all set to witness a big fight between Congress candidate former Agriculture Minister Nilamani Sen Deka and BJP candidate former minister in AGP regime Chandra Mohan Patowary where poll is scheduled on April 11 in the second phase.The poll battle in the constituency has become a prestige issue for both Congress and BJP.Altogether 1,29,172 voters of the constituency will decide the fates of four candidates including Nilamani Sen Deka (INC),Chandra Mohan Patowary (BJP),Dipak Barman (Ind) and Shankar Talukdar (Ind).All the four candidates have been trying to woo the confidence of voters by holding street corner meetings,public

meetings,opening poll offices besides a house to house drive.In the constituency the independent candidate Dipak Barman posing a serious threat in the poll prospect of Chandra Mohan Patowary .Barman is quite popular among the women voters of the constituency as he won the confidence of women through the social organization Priyabala at Bongaon. Besides the BJP leader Chandra Mohan Patowary has miserably failed to take the scope of anti incumbency factors against Nilamani Sen Deka .For which Nilamani Sen Deka unexpectedly gears up the poll wave in the constituency in his favour. A popular opposition leader Chandra Mohan Patowary had a strong hold in Dharmapur constituency but he failed to maintain the relationship with the voters from the defeat of last Assembly and Lok Sabha election.However all the three constituencies in the district will witness a straight and neck to neck fight in the district.

REGION

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, APRIL 9

Tripura CLP leader resigns over Congress-CPM truck in Bengal

Sudip Roy Barman Agartala, April 8: The electoral alliance between Congress and CPM in West Bengal has continued to take its toll in both the parties in Tripura. After resignation of 25 CPM leaders led by a state committee member early this week, Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader Sudip Roy Barman tendered his resignation from the post on Thursday.

He sent his resignation to Congress president Sonia Gandhi in the afternoon.

"I am also at a loss to understand how could a handful Congress leaders were able to confuse the high command for their petty personal political gains. We have probably failed to indentify the true political friends in West Bengal," Roy Barman stated in his resignation.

This undoubtedly is going to have a far reaching political impact not only in Tripura, West Bengal and Kerala, but also at the national level, the letter men-

tioned. He also rued the party's policy for having an alliance in West Bengal.

Justifying his resignation, Roy Barman said people of Tripura have been accusing Congress leaders of adopting double standards. They have also questioned how can there be a friendship in West Bengal with CPM and a fight with the party in Kerala and Tripura.

"Since the beginning, we have been opposing the alliance and tried to convince the party high command but we failed. I could have resigned from the post at the initial stage but I did not do it as the budget session of the assembly was going on.

Today, the session is over and we tried to discharge our duty against the misrule and misdeeds of the Left Front government in the state," added Roy Barman.

He said the party's decision against Trinamool Congress in West Bengal was disastrous.

PAGE 5

More Tripura Congress leaders quit Agartala, April 8: Hours after Tripura's Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Sudip Roy Barman resigned over his party's alliance with the Left Front in West Bengal, four other Congress leaders on Friday quit party positions on the issue.

Tripura Congress' working president Ashish Saha, state Youth Congress president Sushanta Chowdhury, West Tripura Lok Sabha constituency Youth Congress President Viki Prasad and East Tripura Lok Sabha constituency

Youth Congress chief Rantu Deb resigned from their party posts.

They sent their resignation letters to Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Tripura's CLP leader Sudip Roy Barman, who is also the opposition leader in the state assembly, on Thursday resigned from his post protesting his party's tieup with the Left Front led by the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) in the West Bengal assembly polls.

"Congress' alliance with the Left parties in Bengal would be a farreaching negative im-

pact both in state and national level. Most Congressmen are upset over this unacceptable electoral tie-up," Saha, one of the 10 Congress

legislators in the state assembly, told reporters.

"We would be the true anti-Left group in Left ruled Tripura," Saha added.

Barman, who sent his resignation letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi and also to Tripura assembly Speaker Ramendra Chandra Debnath on Thursday, had earlier sent a note to Sonia Gandhi in February arguing against the alliance with the Left Front in West Bengal, saying it will prove "harmful" to the Congress.

Meanwhile, Tripura Congress president Birajit Sinha and some others party leaders said they would abide by the decision of the central leaders about the alli-

Tripura celebrates Odisha's Utkal Divas Agartala, Apr. 8 : Recently, Tripura observed Odisha Day or Utkal Divas with performance by distinguished artists in Agartala.

Traditional dance and music comprise the celebration of Utkal Divas.

Odisha was formed on April 1, 1936. Every year on this day, the contributions and sacrifices made by the people of Odisha during the struggle for statehood is remembered.

The festival was organized by Odia Samaj Tripura in collaboration with Sangeet Natak Academy and was inaugurated by the Tripura CM Manik Sarkar.

"On behalf of Oriya Samaj we are organizing this festival to basically integrate cultural activities, cultural affairs be-

tween Tripura and Orissa, sharing of Orissa culture with people of Tripura and they are also accepting our culture, dance, food and festival," said Deepak Kumar Biswal, the organizer.

The festival is organized with an aim to promote the rich and traditional art and culture of Odisha in other parts of the coun-

Imphal, Apr. 8 : Manipuri women have proved their mettle in various fields. A young talented artisan here designs ornaments and other articles to promote and preserve tribal handicrafts.

22-year-old Limpuiru Gangmei, who hails from Manipur, designs different kinds of ornaments and hair bands made of beads, shell, stone and boar tusks in line with the traditional handicrafts of Zeliangrong community.

After completing a short course on fashion designing, Gangmei started her own venture with her two sisters.

Since childhood, she always wanted to do something creative and

promote her tribe's traditional handicrafts.

In 2004, she established 'Limpuiru Tribal Handicraft Collections' at New Checkon.

"It's been three to four years that I am engaged in this business and local people order my product but I haven't gone outside much. Recently, I participated at Sangai festival and then I also participated in Kohima International trade expo, MP khajuraho and Imphal Trade Expo. So far I have participated in fairs four times," Gangmei said.

She exhibited her product at Sangai festival recently where she received a good response and her work was ap-

Tripura celebrates Odisha's Utkal Divas

try and bridge the gap between the people of different regions.

The performances by traditional artists on the classical 'Odissi dance' left the audience spellbound.

Odisha's internationally acclaimed Sambalpuri folk dance gave the audience an insight of the culture and tradition of

Odisha.

The performance was enjoyed by both young and old alike.

"Away from home is really a wonderful feeling and organizing this type of event in far away distance is really wonderful actually we are enjoying each and every moment of the programme and particularly when you see your own people, your own culture, own language is really a great thing. We are in debt to the people who are already here since many years and who have kept this culture alive here," said Iman, a local.

The festival gave an opportunity to local artists to showcase their talent, who showcased their skills in the field of art, music, dance, literature,

theatre and cinema.

"The response is very good and I believe that it is helping to improve the relation between the people of Tripura and Odisha and especially the cultural front is strengthening," added another local Bimal Kumar Roy. Jyoti Tapao, who watched the programme, said that he was delighted to witness the culture of Odisha in Tripura.

"It will give the message to the nation and people of Tripura and all over India that we all are united and culturally rich," she added.

The festival not only brings two states closer, but also strengthens the cultural ties between Odisha and Tripura.

(ANI)

'Gogoi has stopped smiling after first phase' Manipuri artisan inspires youth in north-east

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Raha, April 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had stopped smiling after the heavy polling in the first phase of assembly elections.

And the Congress leadership cannot save the party from defeat in the polls, the second and final phase of which will be conducted on Monday, he said at an election rally here in Nagaon district.

Modi arrived in Assam on Friday to campaign for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Polling for 61 constituencies will take place on Monday.

The prime minister arrived here after visiting the Kamakhya temple in Assam’s main city Guwahati. He is expected to address another two rallies at Rangia in Kamrup district and Maligaon in Guwahati on Friday.

“I thank the people of Assam for the unprecedented high percentage of voting in the first phase," Modi said, addressing the crowd in Hindi.

"You must have noticed that the Assam chief minister has stopped smiling after the first phase. He is now inviting the Con-

gress leaders from Delhi to save him.

"But how can they (Congress leaders) save Gogoiji when they could not even save Delhi?" he asked, referring to the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

In an obvious dig at Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Modi said Congress leaders were more concerned about “their own sons and daughters".

He said he had come to Assam to seek the people's support to bring about a change of government in the state.

Modi said he had not seen another state in India apart from Assam where he claimed the entire population lived below poverty line (BPL).

“There are states in India where there are 20 or 30 percent B P L p o p u la tion. But the Congress in Assam has turned the entire population of the state poor as BPL." Appealing to the people of Assam to vote for the BJP and its allies, he said there should be a new government in the state in the new year.

A total of 65 constituencies in Assam saw a record 82.20 percent polling in the first phase on April 4.

(Agencies)

Manipuri artisan inspires youth in north-east

preciated by many.

The ornaments created

by Gangmei are worn especially by women during Gaan Ngai festival or similar auspicious occasions.

Apart from ornaments, she also sells traditional costumes like shawl,

wrap around skirt, scarf etc.

She is now planning to expand her business and wishes to open a showroom in near future.

"There is a lot of demand. Sometime it depends on the season.

During Gaan Ngai festi-

val we get many orders and after Gaan Ngai festival, there is some other festival during which we get lots of orders as well," said Gangmei.

The siblings are more than happy to present their traditional handicraft before the world.

"I'm happy to work with my sister. We do not have fix hour to work but we work till as we wish," said Gangmei's sister.

Gangmei is a successful artisan, who with her sheer hard work promotes her tribe's rich handicrafts.

The success story of this young artisan is an inspiration to many youngsters in the region.

(ANI)

Poll panel faces dual post dilemma Shillong, April 8: The Election Commission of India is in a dilemma to decide on the office of profit issue concerning MLAs holding the post of MDCs arising out of the PIL on the matter pending with the High Court of Meghalaya.

An official source said on Thursday that since District Council is an autonomous body and not a local authority under the state government, the Election Commission will be trading cautiously on the matter.

The queries of the Election Commission to the government were that whether the MDC is appointed by the state government and whether he or she gets the salary from the government.

There was also a query on whether the government has the authority to remove MDCs. As the Law Department in

Election Commission of India its replay said in the negative to all these queries, the Election Commission has no other choice than to seek further legal opinion, the source added.

However, the source said that if the spirit of the office of profit is taken in its true sense, a person holding two offices cannot be justified.

According to the source, the High Court can give an independent verdict irre-

spective of the opinion of the Election Commission on the dual post issue.

The last hearing of the case in the High Court of Meghalaya was on January 13, but the matter was adjourned after the Advocate General had apprised the Court that the Election Commission was still examining the matter.

On December 7 last year, the Special Secretary, Law department, L.M.

Sangma, had filed an affidavit before the High Court stating that the Governor had referred the issue to the Election Commission of India for appropriate decision. The affidavit said the Governor had made a reference to the Election Commission of India for its opinion under Article 192(2) of the Constitution of India.

“The decision of the Governor on the matter under Article 192 of the Constitution will be placed before this Court after receiving the opinion of Election Commission of India,” the affidavit had said.

Article 192(2) states that before giving any decision on the dual post issue the Governor will obtain the opinion of the Election Commission and shall act according to such opinion. Following this, it was on January 19 that the Election Commission of

India had sought further information on the dual post issue, and the state government replied to the queries to the Election Commission on February 20. However, the state government is yet to get the final word on the matter from the Commission.

The PIL filed by CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing seeks disqualification of as many as eight legislators who were holding the posts of MDCs. They include Sanbor Shullai, H.D.R. Lyngdoh, Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit, Stephanson Mukhim, Pyngshn gainlang N Syiem, Phlastingwell Pangniang, Brolding Nongsiej and Metbah Lyngdoh. While all the seven legislators had quit the post of MDCs inview of the dual post Bill passed by the government on October 1, KHADC CEM is yet to relinquish his post. (Agencies)

ance with the Left parties.

"We will abide by the decision of the central leadership taken over the issue. Congress leaders' resignation from their party posts are unfortunate," said Sinha, also a sitting MLA and former minister.

Political circles said that some other Congress leaders close to Barman and Saha might quit their party posts on the same issue and would either form a new party or join the Trinamool Congress headed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. (Agencies)

250 migrants found working illegally in Manipur Imphal, April 8: Over 250 migrant workers were found working illegally at different construction sites in and around Imphal in the last three days and were handed over to police for necessary action, an umbrella organisation of Manipuris said on Friday.

However, there are no reports so far that these workers -- suspected to be from Bangladesh -- have been booked, Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) convener Khomdram Ratan said.

JCILPS is an umbrella organisation of 30 civil society groups in Manipur, including all valley student organisations. The JCILPS volunteers mostly are students.

"As per the Inter State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Services) Act, 1979, all workers coming from outside the state should obtain work permits from the labour department," Ratan said.

Most, however, do not obtain such permits.

A labour department official said some applications had been submitted for work permits, though he declined to say why such permits were not issued in time.

JCILPS secretary Jitendra Ningombam, who led JCILPS activists' raid at a construction site in the J.N. Institute of Medical Sciences here on Thursday, said: "Out of 63 non-local migrant workers found there, 42 had no work permits." The construction company has been asked to suspend its work till all its workers possessed the work permits, he added.

(Agencies)

When Health Minister could not get his MRI done Shillong, April 8: Health Minister AL Hek, who went to the Civil Hospital, Shillong on Wednesday to get an MRI test done, was forced to return without accomplishing the task as the MRI machine in the hospital was found to be out of order.

Ironically, on the occasion of World Health Day on Thursday a notice at the “front window” of the hospital read “MRI machine temporarily out of service”.

When contacted the Health Minister said, “I personally went there to get an MRI done but found that the machine was not working. I have asked the Medical Superintendent to immediately put it in order.”

On being asked as to how long it would take for the machine to be in order, he said, “It will take time since they will have to call persons from the company and rectify the machine.” (Agencies)

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, APRIL 9

PAGE 6

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to visit India, Bhutan New Delhi, Apr.8 : The Duke and Duchess ofCambridge will begin their seven day tour of India and Bhutan on Sunday 10 April, in Mumbai.

Announced during Prime Minister Modi's visit to the UK late last year, this tour builds on the strong bonds between the two countries.

While in India they will experience the four passions which unite the country - cricket, Bollywood, politics and family.

On Sunday they will head to the Oval Maidan to watch and take part in a cricket match between beneficiaries and representatives of three charities based in Mumbai Magic Bus, Doorstep, and India's Childline.

On Sunday evening, they will attend a glittering reception and dinner alongside some of the

biggest names in business and Bollywood, to celebrate Mumbai's film and creative industries.

The reception is being hosted by The British High Commission in partnership with The British Asian Trust, of which The Prince of Wales is founder and President.

On Monday, they will make their way to the capital, Delhi, where they will pay respect to India's military contributions, honour the memory of Mahatma Gandhi, and also to get to know the men and women who lead the country in government and politics.

British High Commissioner to India, Sir Dominic Asquith KCMG, said: "The Duke and Duchess are most excited about their first visit to India, and we

Panama Papers: UK PM Cameron confesses he profited from father's offshore fund

British Prime Minister David Cameron London, April. 8 : In a startling revelation, British Prime Minister David Cameron admitted that he has benefited from a Panama-based offshore trust set up by his late father.

According to the Guardian, after days of stalling and statements issued by the Downing Street, Cameron confessed that he owned shares in the fund which he sold just before becoming Prime Minister in 2010.

In an interview with ITV News, he confirmed to having a direct link to his father's UK-tax avoiding fund.

Admitting that it had been "a difficult few days", Cameron said he held the shares together with his wife, Samantha, from 1997 and during his time as leader of the opposition, which were sold in January 2010 for a profit of £19,000.

Cameron also admitted he did not know whether the £300,000 he inherited from his father had ben-

efited from tax haven status due to part of his estate being based in a unit trust in Jersey.

Initially, Downing Street insisted that it was a private matter, but Cameron then said he had "no shares, no offshore trusts, no offshore funds". His spokesman later clarified saying that the 'Prime Minister, his wife and their children do not benefit from any offshore funds."

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin denied having any links to offshore accounts after the Panama Papers claimed his longtime friend ran a 2-billion dollars offshore empire.

Speaking at a media forum in St Petersburg, Putin defended his friend, describing him as a philanthropist who spent his own money to buy rare musical instruments for Russian state collections.

He described the allegations as part of the US-led disinformation campaign waged against Russia.

(ANI)

`Anti-national` elements must attend RSS workshops: Anil Vij Chandigarh (Haryana), Apr.8 : With the controversy over chanting "Bharat Mata ki Jai" slogan refusing to die down, Haryana's Health, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Anil Vij stoked a fresh row with his tweet asking the anti-national elements to attend the workshops being organized by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Justifying his tweet, Vij told ANI that the RSS is the only organization, which is capable of changing the DNA of anti-national elements.

"What I tweeted was right because those who find it difficult to chant 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' must attend the RSS workshops and all their confusion shall be resolved," he said.

He added that the controversy over raising Bharat

Mata ki Jai' slogans has never been a political issue.

"It is a national issue because it is concerning giving respect to our motherland," he added.

The Haryana Minister's remark comes in the backdrop of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's suggestion that the new generation must be taught to chant 'Bharat Mata ki Jai'.

Bhagwat's comment came following AIMIM chief Asauddin Owaisi's refusal to raise slogans hailing mother India.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had earlier accused the Congress-led Opposition of indulging in politics of appeasement and declared that he would proudly chant 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' even if it costs him his chair. (ANI)

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge hope this visit will mark the start of a long friendship between them and this magnificent and diverse country.

"They are embarking on a packed, varied and exciting programme where they will gain an understanding of modern India - a vibrant, entrepreneurial, aspirational nation that faces both its chal-

lenges and huge opportunities with confidence.

"This will be the one of the most ambitious tours Their Royal Highnesses have ever undertaken and promises to be the most colourful tour to date. It will cover five distinct locations over six days across four regions of India and a visit to the remote and beau-

tiful Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan."

Following their time in Delhi, The Duke and Duchess will make their way to Kazaringa National Park where they will find out more about the role of conservation in the lives of rural people there. Their Royal Highnesses are interested to see how communities manage the conflicts that arise when humans and wild animals live in close proximity. They will also meet park rangers inside Kaziranga, to discuss how the park protects its animal populations from poachers as demand, in other parts of Asia, for rhino horns continues to rise.

They will then fly to Bhutan to learn about this beautiful, mountainous country that has famously prioritised the happiness of its people

above all other national goals. Their Royal Highnesses are honoured to have the opportunity to meet with Their Majesties The King and Queen of Bhutan, a couple they share similarities with being of the same generation.

Finally, The Duke and Duchess will finish their tour at one of the world's most romantic and iconic sites - The Taj Mahal.

The Duke feels incredibly lucky to visit a place where his mother's memory is kept alive by so many who travel there. Twenty four years on from her visit to the Taj, The Duke and The Duchess are looking forward to seeing this beautiful place for themselves and creating some new memories as they say thank you to the people of India at the conclusion of their tour. (ANI)

US issues advisory warning citizens against non-essential travel to Pak Washington D.C., April.

8 : The United States government has warned its citizens against all non-essential travel to Pakistan in the wake of the ongoing 'security concerns' in Pakistan.

According to a statement by the US State Department, the American Embassy in Islamabad and the Consulate General in Karachi continue to provide consular services for all U.S. citizens in Pakistan.

"Pakistan continues to experience significant terrorist violence, including sectarian attacks. Several foreign and indigenous terrorist groups continue to pose a danger to U.S. citizens throughout Pakistan. Across the country, terrorist attacks frequently occur against locations where U.S. citizens and Westerners congregate, as well as against local civilian and government targets. Terrorists and criminal groups regularly resort to kidnapping for ransom." the statement said.

On April 16, 2015, an American educator was

shot by two gunmen on motorbikes. Evidence suggests she was targeted, in part, because she was a U.S. citizen.

Asserting that the Government of Pakistan maintains heightened security measures, particularly in major cities, following attacks or in response to threats, the State Department added that sectarian violence remains a serious threat countrywide and the Government of Pakistan continues to enforce blasphemy laws.

"Religious minority communities have been victims of targeted killings and accusations of blasphemy. Terrorists frequently target places of worship of various faiths," the statement said.

The local government restricts access for non-Pakistanis to many areas, including the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) along the Afghan border, the Swat Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, the area adjacent to the Line of Control in the disputed territory of Kashmir and much of Khyber

US issues advisory warning citizens against non-essential travel to Pak

Pakhtunkhwa Province and Balochistan.

"The travel of U.S. government personnel within Pakistan is restricted based on security or other reasons.

Movements by U.S. government personnel outside of Islamabad are severely restricted, and consulate staff cannot drive personally-owned vehicles," the statement added.

According to the advisory, U.S. government personnel may not: - Attend services at places of worship without prior approval.

- Use public transportation

or stay overnight at hotels in Pakistan.

If you choose to live or travel in Pakistan despite this warning, we recommend you: - Vary travel routes and timing, even for routine trips.

- Minimize the duration of trips to public markets, restaurants, and other locations - Minimize the number of U.S./western nationals congregating in any one location at any time.

- Avoid hotels that do not apply stringent security measures. (ANI)

'India water week' a key initiative to identify solutions to water issues: president New Delhi, Apr. 8 : President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday said that he saw 'India Water Week' as a key initiative for sharing best practices and exchanging ideas to identify timely solutions to the critical water issues confronting the world today while addressing the valedictory function of India Water Week-2016 here.

"The 'India Water Week' itself - as a key initiative for sharing best practices and exchanging ideas to identify timely solutions to the critical water issuesconfronting our world today. It is heartening that there has been a good response to the exhibition that concurrently been held - showcasing technologies and solutions for improving efficiencies in water use," said President Mukherjee.

President of India, Pranab Mukherjee He thanked the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation for organizing this event - and appreciate the contribution of partner Ministries of the Central and State Governments.

The President said that he cannot emphasize enough the value of a multi-disci-

plinary approach to water.

"We must prioritize resilient eco-systems, modern data management systems and innovations in technology. Our laws should inculcate a respect for the principle that water is a common legacy. We must treasure it, utilize it in a manner that enables us to pass it on - intact if not

enhanced to our Generation Next," he added.

He said Government's Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan and Integrated Watershed Management Programme are important programmes to achieve this objective.

Among the dignitaries present on the occasion were Shri Suresh Prabhu, Union Minister of Railways; Sushri Uma Bharti Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation; Chaudhary Birender Singh, Union Minister of Rural Development, Drinking Water & Sanitation and Panchayati Raj; Vasundhra Raje, Chief Minister of Rajasthanand Sanwar Lal Jat, MoS for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. (ANI)

Bringing BJP back to power in Karnataka top priority, says Yeddyurappa

B.S. Yeddyurappa New Delhi, Apr. 8 : After being appointed president of the Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), veteran leader B.S. Yeddyurappa on Friday said bringing his party back to power in the state would be his top priority.

"My single-point agenda henceforth is to bring the BJP into power in our state in the next elections. Without resting for a day, I will go on touring in the state," he toldANI. We are facing so many problems such as severe drought, corruption charges against the Chief Minister (Siddaramaiah), cabinet ministers and others. The people of the state are fed up with this government,' said Yeddyurappa, who became the first BJP chief minister of a South Indian state after the 2008 assembly elections.

"We will go around in the state, where we have very good organisational strength, and when the elections come, we are going to get a full majority and will form a government," he added.

"I have been given this responsibility, which I full fulfil by taking everybody, including leaders and workers, in confidence," said Yeddyurappa, who had formed a separate party the Karnataka Janata Paksha, after he was forced to step down as chief minister following charges of corruption and nepotism, paving way for Devaragunda Venkappa Sadananda Gowda to become the next chief minister of the state.

Expressing his gratitude to BJP national president Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for reposing confidence into him, he said, "I would congratulate our national president and also the Prime Minister, who have given me the responsibility to become the BJP president of the Karnataka unit. Their confidence in my ability means great strength to me."

When asked to respond to charges of his political career being mired by corruption, Yeddyurappa said, "I have full confidence in the judiciary that I will get justice." (ANI)

Singapore reaffirms friendship with India

Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat Singapore, Apr 8 : Singapore's investments in India grew nearly 20 times in the past decade to SGD 12.1 billion, Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat today said.

Heng cited 50 years of successful bilateral diplomatic ties to reaffirm his country's partnership and friendship with India.

"This is an opportune time to reaffirm the partnership between Singapore and India," said Heng, addressing over 1,000 delegates at the IIMPACT conference and exhibition here.

"Over the past decade, Singapore's investments in India have grown nearly 20 times from SGD 653 million to SGD 12.1 billion," said Heng.

He cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Singapore four months ago and the signing of a joint declaration to pur-

sue economic cooperation between the two countries.

"Whether as individuals, businesses or as nations, our impact is multiplied when we look for ways to partner others, here and with friends abroad, to bring our strengths together and collaborate to build the future we imagine for ourselves," said Heng.

More than 6,000 Indian companies are in Singapore, working globally. Singaporean companies are steadily growing presence in India, he said.

These bring "our strengths together and colaborate to build the future we imagine for ourselves," Heng said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi sent a message, wishing success for the IIMPACT global event.

IIMPACT has the highest concentration of IIM alumni in Singapore.(PTI)

Turkey's parliament to repatriate Pakistani migrants Ankara,Apr.8 :Turkey's parliament has approved an agreement enabling Ankara torepatriate Pakistani migrants, as people continue to be sent to Turkey from Greece as part of a European Union (EU) deal to stem mass migration to Europe.

Pakistani migrants are among those that have already been sent back to Turkey under the deal,reports Dawn.

A ferry carrying 45 Pakistani migrants returned to Turkey from the Greek island of Lesbos on the second round of arrivals un-

der the EU deal with Ankara to stem mass migration to Europe across the Aegean Sea. Turkish Interior Ministry employees check documents of a Pakistani migrant wrapped with a blanket before getting on a ferry for Turkey in the port

of Mytilini of the Greek island of Lesbos, Friday, April 8.

The accord, which aims to help end a chaotic influx into the EU of migrants and refugees, most fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, after the arrival of over a million

last year.

Nearly 250 people have been sent back from the Greek islands under the new accord.

Activists said that the EUTurkey deal runs roughshod over human rights, and they stood at the gates of the port blowing whistles and bang-

ing on metal barriers in protest.

Pakistan was one of the top five countries of origin among the one million migrants who arrived in Europe last year, although most are considered economic migrants rather than refugees from conflict. (ANI)

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, APRIL 9

PAGE 7

NEIGHBOURS

Anti-terorism court issues non-bailable arrest warrants for Musharraf Islamabad,Apr.8 : An anti-terrorism court on Friday has issued nonbailable arrest warrants for Pakistan's former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf in judges' detention case.

Legal proceedings were initiated against the former military dictator for detaining over 60 judges, including former chief justice Iftikhar

Quake hits northwest Pakistan Peshawar, Apr 8 : An earthquake measuring 4.8 on Richter Scale today jolted northwest Pakistan.

No loss of life or property was reported.

According to a geological report, the quake originated from the bordering area of Afghanistan and Tajikistan at a depth of 118 kilometers.

The tremors were also felt in Chitral district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

(PTI)

China firm boosts self-driving technology with $1 bn deals

Muhammad Chaudhry.

The judges were detained after proclamation of a state of emergency in the country, reports Dawn.

During court proceedings, Musharraf's counsel Akhtar Shah submitted a 'wakalatnama' for his client prompting ATC judge Sohail Ikram to ask the whereabouts of the accused.

Pakistan's former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf

Ningbo, which provides driver control systems to auto giants such as General Motors and MercedesBenz, said it also plans to buy the car navigation business of Germany's TechniSat Digital GmbH for $204.6 million, the statement added.

The announcement comes as China fast-tracks plans to put more self-driving cars on its roads and improve car safety technology in the country, the world's largest auto market.

KSS supplies air bags for normal cars and is developing autonomous carsafety systems, including collision avoidance technology.

TechniSat provides navigation systems and is developing technology for connected cars, which can help vehicles maintain safe distances and avoid accidents.

The Chinese firm said the deals will help it keep "pushing the reform of driving behaviour" and become a leading supplier in self-driving and smart-car technology.

Based in China's eastern city of Ningbo, Joyson has more than 7,000 employees and operates in the United States, Germany and Mexico, as well as China. Its revenue last year was 8.09 billion yuan (USD 1.25 billion).

The deals are still pending regulatory approval.

Joyson shares were up 0.61 per cent in Shanghai after the noon break.

The deal is the latest in a series of foreign purchases

by Chinese companies, as Beijing urges firms to make overseas acquisitions to boost technological know-how and expand markets.

Musharraf and adjourned the hearing of the case till April 22.

Musharraf is facing terrorism charges in the case which was based on a first information report (FIR) registered against him on August 11, 2009 by the Secretariat police for detaining over 60 judges, including former CJP. (ANI)

Probe launched inro JuD's 'Sharia Court' in Lahore Lahore, Apr 8 : Authorities in Pakistan's Punjab province today launched a probe against Jamaat-ud-Dawah, led

by Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed, for running a parallel judicial system here.

"A team of senior police officers today visited the JuD headquarters at Jamia Qadsia, Chauburji and discussed the matter with the high command of Dawah," a source in Punjab police told PTI.

"The police team will send its findings to Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah over the matter after recording the statements of some people who sought justice from the JuD courts," the source said.

He said the police team also discussed the matter of Khalid Saeed, who was summoned by a Sharia Court of JuD in a monetary case. Saeed had also complained to the police that he was

threatened by the JUD court to appear before it or face serious consequences.

The JuD office-bearers told the police team that it had established "the Arbitrary Council presided over by Ulema (clerics) merely to provide arbitration services to consenting parties in the light of Quran and Sunnah (Prophet's teachings)".

The JuD said it is not parallel court and does

not issue any kind of summons or seek money for arbitration.

On the other hand, Sanaullah said the government would not allow anyone to run a parallel judicial system in Punjab.

"We will take appropriate action (against the JuD) if it is found running a parallel judicial system in Lahore," he said, adding FIR would be registered against those involved in it.

On the lines of the Taliban, Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed-led JuD has recently set up a 'Sharia Court' here to hand out "easy and swift justice", the first such parallel judicial system in Pakistan's Punjab Province.

Earlier, the Sharia courts were established in Kyber Pakhtaunkhawa province by pro-Taliban groups.(PTI)

China grants 500 million yuan to Lanka to speed up industrialization

Beijing, April 8: A Chinese auto firm said today it is buying two foreign companies and their selfdriving technologies for more than USD 1 billion, as the world's second-largest economy seeks to boost its foothold in the autonomous car market.

Ningbo Joyson Electronic Corp. Said it has signed an agreement to buy USbased Key Safety Systems (KSS) Holdings Inc. For USD 920 million, according to a statement to the Shanghai stock exchange, where it is listed.

However, the counsel of the former military dictator informed the court that his client had gone abroad for medical treatment with permission of the government.

The ATC judge while observing that the accused did not get prior permission from the court before his departure issued non-bailable warrants against

China grants 500 million yuan to Lanka to speed up industrialization

Beijing, Apr. 8 : China has offered Sri Lanka 500 million Yuan to provide assistance to improve investment zones and speed up the industrialization process in the country.

China's Prime Minister Li Keqiang made this offer during bilateral dis-

cussions with the visiting Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in Beijing on Thursday.

The Prime Minister said that Sri Lanka will adhere to the "One China" policy in the future.

The Prime Minister also said that Sri Lanka will

give its fullest support to China's 'one belt one road' concept, reports Lanka page website.

During the discussions the Chinese Premier expressed his wishes that both sides will speed up the negotiation of the second phase of Hambantota port project, helping Sri Lanka to be an important transfer hub in international logistics.

The Chinese Premier welcomed the resuming of the Colombo port construction and said China is willing to join hands with Sri Lanka to steadily expand the construction of the project.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe invited his Chinese counterpart

to visit Sri Lanka as a measure of cementing ties between the two nations. The Chinese Primer accepting the invitation has said that he will tour the country next year.

He suggested that both parties should strive for finishing the negotiation of China-Sri Lanka free trade agreement by yearend.

China will develop industrial capacity cooperation with Sri Lankan plan to build an economic zone, and help speed up the construction of infrastructures and its industrialization process.

The two leaders also focused on issues that are

common to both countries and agreed to standby each other when it comes to important issues such as territorial integrity, sovereignty, and development.

Following the discussions the two sides signed seven agreements.

The agreements include an extradition treaty between the two countries, an MoU between the Chinese Commerce Ministry and Strategic Development and International Commerce Ministry of Sri Lanka.

The Chinese Prime Minister hosted his Sri Lankan counterpart and his delegation to a banquet in the evening.(ANI)

UN urges Bangladesh to Lanka to sign Paris protect secular activists Agreement on Climate Change at UN

Dhaka, Apr.8 : United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, has urged the Bangladesh Government to take urgent, concerted measures to ensure the protection of all those being threatened by extremists 'operating in the country'.

Hussein said they are alarmed by the violent killing of yet another blogger Nazimuddin Samad in Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani renewed their call to the Bangladesh Govern-

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein

ment as a first step forward to halt all executions and institute a moratorium on the use of the death penalty.

As per reports, Bangladesh has more

than 1,200 prisoners on death row and in March this year alone at least 13 people were sentenced to death in separate murder cases in four districts in the country. (ANI)

Election for Nepali Congress PP members begins Kathmandu, Apr.8 : The election for the Nepali Congress (NC) Parliamentary Party (PP) working committee members began in Singha Durbar on Friday.

Around 42 lawmakers filed their candidacy for 22 positions of the Nepali Congress PP working committee

membership yesterday.

The NC lawmakers would elect one member from each of the seven provinces and the party has reservations for two Madhesi women, one Madhesi man, one Dalit woman, one Dalit man, two Janajati women, two Janajati men, two KhasArya women, one Khas-

Arya man, one member from the backward region and one each from Tharu and Muslim communities.

Earlier, the lawmakers had elected party president Sher Bahadur Deuba the PP leader.

The Nepali Congress, which is the largest party in the Parliament, has 207 members.(ANI)

Colombo, Apr.8 : Sri Lanka will sign the Paris Agreement on Climate Change at its signing ceremony to be held at the United Nations headquarters in New York on April 22.

Sri Lankan Minister of Science, Technology and Research Susil Premajayantha will be signing the agreement on behalf of the government, reports Lanka Page.

Sri Lanka at the 21st session of the United Nations Framework Convention held in the French capital of Paris on Environmental disaster (UNFCCC) from November 30, 2015, till De-

cember11 the same year agreed to contribute to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Premajayantha will also attend the UN General Assembly on the World Drug Problem and the High Level Thematic Debate on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, which will also be held on the preceding days.

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal made by President Maithripala Sirisena to assign Premajayantha to sign the agreement and also to participate in the other functions in line with the ceremony.

(ANI)

Lanka to sign Paris Agreement on Climate Change at UN

Three shot dead in suspected sectarian killing in Karachi

Three shot dead in suspected sectarian killing in Karachi

Karachi, Apr.8 : At least three people belonging to the Shia communityhave been gunned down in a suspected sectarian killing near Shafiq Morarea of Karachi on Friday.

Hashim, Ali Sajjad and Shamim Rizvi were travelling in a car when suspects intercepted them at Namak Bank in the jurisdiction of Taimooria Police Station and opened indiscriminate fire at their vehicle, reports Dawn.

The firing left Hashim and Ali Sajjad dead on the spot while Shamim

succumbed to his injuries while being shifted to a nearby hospital.

This is the first major incident of sectarian violence in Karachi in 2016.

Kamran Arif, the cochairperson of the Human Rights Commission Pakistan (HRCP), said although incidents of sectarian violence have decreased over the past year, it remains prevalent as professionals continue to be targeted on the basis of their faith. (ANI)

China eateries fire robot chefs, waiters Beijing, April 8: About 10 robots employed as chefs and waiters in restaurants in China have been fired after their owners found them not smart enough. Employing artificial intelligent robots in restaurants has not proved such a smart idea after all, media reports said. Restaurant owners claimed they were just not clever or sophisticated enough to do their jobs properly.

The move comes only a few years after a catering business in Xiamen, in southern Fujian province, employed robots instead of people.

Another restaurant, which opened last October, made headlines for using four automated waiters that were able to take orders and deliver food to customers' tables.

Now only two of them remain, to greet customers, with the other two apparently canned.

While the robot waiters were an excellent gim-

mick to woo customers, they were not quite so good at their programmed task of serving.

"They were merely standing there to look fancy," a worker said.

Another robot-themed restaurant closed down less than six months after its opening, with diners complaining that dishes prepared by the robot chefs were "unpalatable". "The food was not tasty at all and the whole restaurant was very smoky because of the poor cooking skills of the robot chefs," one diner said.

For a restaurant to employ a robot worker it has to pay about $7,700 for each and then several hundred dollars each month for its upkeep, including repairs, plus electricity. "Human beings can react to their environment effectively, but these robots are not able to do so," Sun Qimin, chairman of Siert, another robotmaker, said.

India recalls the great deeds of Begum Hazrat Mahal

India recalls the great deeds of Begum Hazrat Mahal

Kathmandu, Apr.8 : Begum Hazarat Mahal, who had rebelled against the British colonial rule in 1857, was remembered on her 137th death anniversary recently.

In Kathmandu, India's Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae laid a wreath at Begum Hazrat Mahal's tomb in the Jame Masjid and recalled her contribution to India's freedom struggle He said, "Begum Hazrat Mahal was India's freedom fighter. She fought the country's first war of independence. Since childhood we have learnt about her contribution.

When I get to know about her tomb in Kathmandu, it is our duty to make out next generation aware about her great contribution. Every year on April 7, we come and pay our respect to the great legend."

Hazrat Mhal was the Begum of Awadh and the first wife of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah and died on April 7, 1879 in Nepal.

Ambassador Rae offered to provide necessary assistance to protect and preserve the tomb of Begum Hazrat Mahal which is located in the heart of Kathmandu.

(ANI)

PAGE 8

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, APRIL 9

WIDE PROSPECTIVE

Food Inflation

Where the Mind is Without Fear

Ever rising trend Average food inflation in India during the period 2006-2013 was one of the highest among emerging market economies, and nearly double the inflation witnessed in India during the previous decade. India experienced one of the highPhoto: moneycontrol est rates of food inflation among emerging economies at an average rate of more than 9% during the period 2006 to 2013. Moreover, the rate of increase in food prices during this period was nearly double that witnessed in the previous decade. While India has witnessed sporadic spurts in food inflation, episodes of such persistently high inflation have been rare. The welfare impact of such high rate of food inflation is bound to be significant given that on average, food accounts for 48.6% of overall expenditure in rural areas and 38.5% in urban areas. The proportion is significantly higher for 362 million or 29.5% of the population living in abject poverty. On an average, the bottom three income deciles in rural areas devote 60.4% of their total expenditure on food products while food accounts for 56.5% of total expenditure in urban areas. Given that this section of population already spends a large proportion of their income on food, they are generally unable to divert additional expenditure on food to neutralise the impact of food inflation, thereby aggravating food and nutrition deficiency.

Although growth has slowed in the last three years, but food inflation has not. After hitting 15.2 per cent in 200910, food inflation, fell to 6.3 per cent in 2011-12. And then, it jerked up again, growing at 11.9 per cent and 12.4 per cent in 2012-13 and 2013-14, respectively. Food inflation in India started accelerating in the beginning of 2008 though food production during 2006-07 and 2007-08 had reached record levels and registered more than 5% growth in each of these three years. The growth rate was more than double the growth rate of domestic demand for food. However, a major chunk of the incremental output during these years did not enter domestic supply. As global prices had reached a very high level in 2007 and 2008, exports turned out to be much more lucrative than sales in the domestic market.

The share of exports in domestic production of food increased from 6.2 per cent during 2003-04 to 2005-06 to more than 10 per cent during 2006-07 to2008-09. This resulted in a transmission of some of the increase in global prices to the domestic market, and domestic prices experienced an increase despite a substantial increase in domestic food production. Thus, the main cause of an increase in food prices in 2008 was the influence of exports, led by high global prices. Global food prices cooled down considerably during 2009.

Poor monsoon, floods, speculation and hoarding of food grains paved a way for inflation which has made the living of middle income group consumers hectic. But surprisingly our government has not undertaken suitable measures such as ban on export of essential commodities etc. Inflation is not under control now, but there is a full scope for combating it for greater extent.

India's best university Tezpur University Bags Top 5th Spot In the Universities category, Tezpur University, which recently won President's award is placed fifth, while a few other Universities of the North East region found themselves in the top 100 as per National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) covering 3,500 different institutes in four different categories was released by HRD minister Smriti Irani. North East Hill University, Shillong was ranked 15th, cementing its place as a major centre for higher education in the region.

Gauhati University was ranked 22nd, Dibrugarh University got the 74th rank and Assam University in Silchar got 77th rank. Mizoram University got the 51st rank while Sikkim University was ranked 61. Tripura University and National Institute of Tripura were ranked 88 and 89 respectively. The parameters for the ranking include teaching, learning and resources, research and professional practices, graduation outcomes, outreach and inclusivity and perception. Besides universities, the ranking covers six categories of institutions including engineering, management, pharmacy, architecture and colleges.

While JNU and Hyderabad University, which have been at the centre of massive rows recently, top the list of central varsities while IIT-Madras and IIM-Bangalore lead among technological and management institutions, according to the first ever domestic ranking released by Government. In the technological institutions category, IIT Mumbai is placed second, followed by IIT Kharagpur, IIT Delhi and IIT Kanpur.

Manipal College of Pharmacy is ahead of others in the category of Pharmacy education. In the universities category, the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore (which is a deemed University) is rated as the top-ranked institute followed by Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai. Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, which has been at the centre of a major row over a controversial event and the arrest of its student union President Kanhaiya Kumar, is ahead of all other central universities while Central University of Hyderabad, which has been rocked by protests after the suicide of Rohith Vemula, is placed fourth. Among the management institutes, IIM Bangalore leads the pack followed by IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Kolkata and IIM Lucknow. Thiruvanathapuram based Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology is eighth while Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani stands 9th while AMU stands tenth.

In the engineering institutes category, all the ten places are occupied by IITs with IIT, Roorkee placed sixth, Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad seventh, Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar, eighth. IIT Ropar-Rupnagar is ninth and IIT Patna is placed tenth. In management category, predictably IIMs hog top six slots with IIM Bangalore, followed

by IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Calcutta , IIM Lucknow, IIM Udaipur and IIM Kozhikode. IMI, New Delhi, is the highest ranked among other institution at 7 place with Indian Institute of Forest Management ranked 8, Department of Mangement Studies, IIT Kanpur(rank 9) and IIM Indore(rank 10). In the pharmaceutical institutes category, University institute of pharmaceutical sciences, Chandigarh is placed second, Jamia Hamdard, third, Poona College of Pharmacy, Erandwane, fourth, Institute of Pharmacy, Nirma University fifth while Bombay College of Pharmacy, Mumbai is sixth. And Birla Institute of technology, Ranchi is placed 7th in this category while Amrita School of Pharmacy, Kochi is 8th and JSS college of Pharmacy, Ootacamund is ninth while JSS college of Pharmacy, Mysuru is placed 10th.

Indra Kr. Bhujel 'Discipline' used to be the most favorite topic to our language teacher for giving us task of essay writing or writing a paragraph, and I remember having been given to write on this topic more than several times.

Today too, when you go through the books of your sons or daughters, discipline has not been defined differently, it remain same as being obedient to certain rules and regulations that is needed for the proper functioning of anything - be it home, office, institution or life of a man.

In the antiquity, most of the natural occurrences were unknown to man and hence, they were termed as the work of some super natural phenomena. Things that remain undefined become fearful, and some of the talented people took the advantage of this ignorance of others. They used the ignorance of the society to rule the society, to rule the people. Most of the time it was for the good purpose, and many a time for mere selfish occupation. The concept of God or worshipping to some indefinable symbol had its beginning there.

The proof can be seen in so many remnants of the past, among the peculiar ancient structures, statues and paintings found in

archeological investigation.

It is clear that control and management was always a matter that occupied the human thought. The head of the family has to lay out some rules and regulations to run the affairs of his house orderly, the village has to make some rules to control and to maintain the unity of the society and same goes on for the higher strata of the state and the society.

A set of rules are not always meant to dominate the others, or against to those who are inferior and downtrodden, but it also meant for the stability and order in the society and among the people living there.

The elopement of discipline or rules that run things smoothly and properly can have catastrophic consequences. A classic example can be found in the story of the novel LORD OF THE FLIES by Robert Golding. This book had once scared people much from its content, from its depiction of the gray side of human nature. This novel was filmed too with the same title. TIME magazine has chosen this novel among the 100 best books of the world.

The story of the LORD OF THE FLIES revolves around a group of British boys who stuck on an uninhabited island. Passing a few fearful days and nights, at last they decided to govern themselves with certain rules and regulations. But later it come out that no one is desirous to obey any rules and things fall apart with disastrous results. The tragic part of the story is that, it shows the conversion of the innocence into the devil of cruelty. The

book depicts the human nature that always needs some surveillance and domination or else it can be unleashed to evil; and also the conflict of individual welfare and the common good. The story ends with the moral that human are born wild, but they need rules to life civil.

Last month shows unprecedented events in the country, and it seems a series of events, leading one to other.

The JNU outburst and the subsequent actions aftermath, the statements and the comments of some intellectuals, and the opportunist politicians taking advantage of the situation in their favors, all shows that something is wrong in our thought process.

Freedom of speech was never questioned, nor was misused ever like this before. What prevails in the mind of Kanhaiya Kumar or his associates in JNU is not of much concerned, the environment of JNU was made fit for the leftist thoughts and activities. They are actually the most successful students of the teachers who taught them the so called leftist thoughts and ideas. But what seems missing in them or among their mentors is the correct interpretation of the idea. The leftist idea was not to do or speak something against everything that a so called leftist dislike, it was rather a thoughtful opposition to those set of rules and idea that are against the mankind, that are arbitrary and framed mainly for the benefits of some individuals. Leftist was not a movement against everything that we owe from our culture,

Image for representational purpose (Photo: callagylaw) from our ancestor, but it was an objection against the evils that were existent in the society due to the people's ignorance.

As it is mentioned earlier, there are always a group of people who will take advantage of the ignorance of the commoner; that should never meant actions of everyone be judged by the same angle .

Let us not forget that the leftist concept had a bloody beginning. The French Revolution is one of the most bloody and cruel revolution ever occurred in the history of mankind.

Charles Dickens in his novel A TALE OF TWO CITIES wrote these famous opening lines about the revolution and its time period- "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was

the winter of despair‌" The cruelty that is depicted in the novel bound us to think the viability of a revolution.

Revolution was always the working principle of leftist. But revolution should not be initiated under the influence of sentiment and emotions.

Revolution should be meditative and for the greater benefit of the society.

Kanhaiya Kumar was instantly made the hero of the nation by some enthusiastic, Sashi Tharoor even compared him with Bhagat Singh, as both were opposing the Govt.

What Mr. Sashi Tharoor forgot was - Bhagat Singh has not just opposed the British Empire, but opened a path of revolution against those who harm his motherland. Bhagat singh didn't win people heart by the bullets and slogan, but by his oratory at the court room, by his thought that supports for the revolution.

Kanhaiya Kumar would have not raised the eye brow of so many, if his intention were true and just.

What happened in the JNU

was an act of defiance, defiance against the set rules of an education institution, of a nation. They were not conducting meetings for their cause; rather they were challenging the social and administrative set up of the country. And what the Govt. did was not an act of suppression of the voice of the people, but it was a necessary action to keep things in order.

Recently, Dr. Heren Gohain showed his solidarity with this group of people when he asked people not to vote BJP. He is ridiculed himself doing so. Dr. Heren Gohain is not a magnomaniac, but the back bone of Assam's intellectual society. He should have showed the people through his writings and articles why BJP should not be chosen. He didn't take his natural way of saying; rather he took the way of the politicians.

(The writer is a freelance columnist living at Bokajan. He can be contact at Kumarindrabhujel@gmail.com)

Pakistan: Iran Has Nothing to Do With Indian Espionage Pakistan tries to control the damage after its army chief insinuated that Iran may have abetted Indian espionage.

When Iranian President Hassan Rouhani visited Pakistan at the end of March, he met with Pakistan's powerful chief of army staff, General Ankit R a h e e l Sharif. Pakistan chose to publicize the contents of the private meeting between Sharif and Rouhani, going as far as to mention that the Pakistani general had raised the issue of Indian espionage activities in Balochistan with the Iranian leader. The implication, according to the Pakistani army

spokesperson's description of the conversation between the two, was that Pakistan thought Iran may have abetted the activities of India's Reand Panda search Analysis Wing (RAW, India's external intelligence agency).

Iran, naturally, was less than pleased with the insinuation and protested.

Rouhani rejected the Pakistani military's claim that RAW had even come up during his conversation with Sharif, saying that "Whenever Iran comes closer to Pakistan such rumors are spread."

The 'rumor' the Iranian president was referring to was directly disseminated by the Pakistani armed forces, in this instance.

The row seems to have cast a pall over what was otherwise meant to have been a moment for Pakistan and Iran to highlight the opportunities for growth in their bilateral relationship. Pakistan's insinuations against Iran have stuck in the media this time given the recent capture of Kulbhushan Yadhav, a former Indian naval officer who Pakistani authorities allege was working for RAW in

Balochistan. (Pakistan shared a video of Yadav confessing his work for RAW, though India maintains the video suggests that he was tutored.)

"During past days some section of Pakistani media has spread contents regarding detention of an Indian agent and the matter related to it, which could have negatives implications on the fraternal and friendly atmosphere of Iran and Pakistan," Iran's embassy in Pakistan had warned, referring to Yadhav.

Now, more than a week after Rouhani's visit,

Pakistan's government appears eager to control the damage. Nisar Ali Khan, Pakistan's interior minister, cautioned the press against linking Yadhav's arrest to Iran: "Iran has nothing to do with the activities of Indian intelligence network.

Pakistan and Iran are tied through decades long religious, social, cultural and political bonds, and nothing can come in way of our relations," said in Islamabad over the weekend. "Our ties with Iran are by no means linked with the arrest of an Indian spy," he added.

The row over Indian espio-

Meek Surrender

CM of Assam, Tarun Gogoi (Photo: img01.ibnlive)

Sir, One wonders how an area well within the geographical boundary of a state can be surrendered to a neighbouring state mainly because of the fact that the state that surrenders the area is fraught with lack of farsight, inertia on the part of the administrative machinery and corruption. It exactly happens in Hinju area of the Margherita Sub-division adjoining Arunachal Pradesh. The Government of Assam led by Tarun Gogoi for long 15 years could not afford time to devote to the far-flung areas like Hinju. Our Chief-minister is repeatedly and vociferously saying that not an inch of land would be surrendered to any neighbouring state. Due to the utter negligence of the state government all the voters of the area decided to refrain from casting votes in the first phase of assembly election; not a single vote was cast. All the people are ventilating their

nage and Iran's alleged involvement highlights what may have been yet another instance of the Pakistani military creating a diplomatic headache for the civilian leadership, which is largely incentivized to keep Islamabad's bilateral with Tehran on steady ground.

The Pakistani military, on the other hand, sees itself on the front lines against an insurgency in Balochistan as China seeks to realize multibillion dollar infrastructure projects in the area. Courtesy: The diplomat

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

So please keep writing.

pent up grievances against the Government of Assam for the injustice and lethargy meted out to the people of the area for quite long time past that prompted them to get incorporated in the Arunachal Pradesh. Interestingly, Arunachal Pradesh government shows much alacrity in developing the area Letters to the which the people concedes unambiguously. The Tarun Gogoi led government editor and articles excels in blowing its trumpet, failing should be sent to : on many counts. The example of surThe Eastern Torendering meekly the Hinju area to day Arunachal Pradesh is only a tip of the Chowkidingee, iceberg. Time is not far, the areas bordering Nagaland and Meghalaya too Near Sankardeva would be surrendered meekly if there Hospital Mancotta is no change of guards in the assembly Road, Dibrugarhelection to form the next government.

786003 (Assam) Yours etc.

Ashok Bordoloi Dibrugarh

Ph: 0373-2328944 Web : editor.easterntoday@gmail.com

p O

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, APRIL 9

Page 9

ed

Over 3 lakh farmers committed suicide because of how India tried to 'boost' agriculture "The post-reform period of Liberalisation, has been characterised by Privatisation and deceleration in the growth Globalisation (LPG). They rate of crop yields as well might have thought that as total agricultural output opening up the farm secin most states. By ending tor will lead to more prosdiscrimination against trad- perous farmers who will be able agriculture, economic able to get the maximum reforms price for were exAnwarul Hoda their propected to duce. Unforimprove the terms of trade tunately, that did not hapin favour of agriculture and pen. In fact, the prevailing promote its growth," Pro- distress turned into a crifessor G.S. Bhalla wrote sis. "Agrarian crisis in Inrecently in an essay in Eco- dia is the result of the adnomic and Political Weekly. aptation of the policies of The way I see it, no crisis the World Trade comes with an invitation. Organisation and its afterSince India liberalised and effect on the world exposed its domestic economy," opined Vijay economy to the world, Jawandhia, founder of more than three lakh farm- Shetkari Sangathana, a ers have ended their lives, farmers union in either by ingesting pesticide Maharashtra, in a docuor by hanging themselves. mentary, commissioned by The three most common the 2014 Food Safety and reasons causing such mis- Sustainable Agriculture ery are debt, drought and Forum, titled 'YIELD'. declining productivity. A perception still seems to Statesmen and exist that the agriculture policymakers failed to sector is growing with the recognise the after-effects increase in productivity.

Yes, the productivity of the land increased, but unfortunately, neither income nor the condition of farmers is improving. We need to understand that for higher productivity, farmers are investing huge amounts in fertilisers and in pesticides and other chemicals. This increases the total cost of production, which most of the time amounts to more than what they are earning.

They are unable to match their income with the money they invested even after an increase in production. The growth of agriculture should be measured in terms of real income of farmers rather than productivity to have more realistic information about the economic status of farmers.

Excess use of fertilisers also made agricultural production stagnant and affected the ecology in an adverse way. Excessive use of chemical fertilisers

and pesticides made the soil and water contaminated.

Increasing dependence on the market for every agricultural input is another problem. Farmers are facing exploitation in the name of healthy yields. The cost of agricultural inputs continues to rise steadily. The biggest challenge farmers face is not having their own seeds for production. The traditional way of 'hoarding of seeds' is no more in practice due to the introduction of various hybrids and modified seeds in the market. These promise high yields, but after sowing, they require proper care as they are very sensitive to climatic conditions. Additionally, they are poorly equipped to resist various seasonal diseases and any consequent extra cost adds to the burden on the farmer.

On the other hand, the traditional seeds are more habituated to climatic conditions and hence, require

We are so 'proud' of our traditions that we don't see the injustice they do to women The other day, I was them practise and propa- vation. It instead laid an chatting with one of my gate the same ideals of emphasis on devotion and friends, younger in age patriarchy and hold on to a more personal relationthan I am and someone the belief that the suffer- ship with God. Not only who comes from a decid- ings of women are just would many a male edly conservative back- and are a pathway to bhakta use the female ground, or so I thought. spiritual liberation. gender to call upon 'her' H e r Not al- beloved, women, across w o r d s Poornima Mandpe l o w i n g different castes and comwere full w o m e n munities, were at the of the common sense and to worship and preach re- forefront in asserting rationality the huge ma- ligion as freely as men is their right to worship and jority of us Indians seem one of the many indigni- expressing their faith to be averse to. We feel ties heaped upon them by through passionate poproud of the traditions the patriarchal society. etry, grounded in the evand propriety and never Not only does it under- eryday struggles of a give a second thought to mine their dignity as hu- woman wanting to break the absurd injustices in- man beings but it also free from patriarchy. flicted through the gen- underlines and reinforces Many were ostracised for erations on certain sec- their unequal status when doing so. tions of society, women they are not allowed con- Gradually, the movement (across castes and trol of their own spiritu- weakened, and the old hiclasses) chief among them.

The topic was the controversy on the crossing of the sacred inner threshold of Shani Shingnapur Temple, guarded jealously by the 'protectors' of religion, 'upper caste and male'. "Women prepare the Prasad, take care of the devotees and do so much for the maintenance of the temple. Doesn't that, then, pollute the sanctity of the temple," she said.

Indeed, it is ironical that Image for representational purpose only. (Photo: in a country where the thumbs.dreamstime) majority of the people follow a religion filled with Goddesses for every as- ality. Because a woman is erarchy-based way of pect of life, for food, for not allowed to observe practising religion susknowledge, for wealth certain rituals, read reli- tained itself. The women's and power, women are so gious texts, or practise movement that emerged poorly represented in re- religion the way she during the Independence ligion and religious af- wishes to, it becomes movement focused on fairs. While women, pi- easier for those in power education, freedom from ous and following the te- to interpret religion for marital burdens and widnets of religion are their own benefit and ex- owhood. Women's right to deemed as 'virtuous' in a ploit her ignorance to freedom in religious mattypically traditional soci- bind her with further so- ters, however, appears to have remained unadety, their role in the physi- cial constraints. cal and spiritual realm of The movement for dressed. religious activities is cur- greater liberties for The problem arises betailed, especially when it women in religion is not cause we in India tend to comes to occupying po- new. Rationalist thinker treat faith in God or a Narendra Dabholkar had higher being as a commusitions of power.

A typical Indian house- spearheaded the agita- nity affair, and not as a hold would have a girl or tions to allow women matter of personal opinion. a woman debarred from onto the 'prohibited plat- It is not upon the individual participating in puja or form' in the temples, un- to follow his/her faith (or other such rituals during fortunately, with little lack of faith for that mather menstrual cycle. success. The issue has ter) on the basis of his/her Many would consume now been picked up by own principles and perpills at the cost of their the Bhumata Ranragini sonality. It is the society health to push their peri- Brigade, a Pune based which thrusts upon us a ods forward. (The same organisation of feisty set of rules, regulations, society would shun a women, hell bent on codes and hierarchies and woman if her periods do breaking free from the adhering to these rules denot stop, i.e., for not hav- age-old chains of tradi- termines your identity in ing the ability to con- tion that refuse to grant society. women an equal status in The phenomenon is not ceive.)

Women occupying the matters pertaining to re- restricted to India's majority religion alone. The High ranks of priests, religious ligion and culture. heads are few and far be- Centuries before this, the Court just recently heard an tween, and the exceptions Bhakti movement had re- appeal made on behalf of the rigid the Muslim women's proonly prove the rule. Yes, jected there are some Bhramanical order which test against their debarment 'Godwomen'. Some poli- insisted on the obser- from the inner sanctum ticians are worshipped as vance of elaborate and ofMumbai's iconic Haji Ali. Goddesses. However, it is costly rituals as the only The argument put forward disheartening to observe pathway to achieve sal- by the petitioners was

grounded in both the law and faith. Stating that gender justice is inherent in the Quran, the women also made demands on the basis of the Constitution, which confers upon its citizens fundamental rights to equality, freedom from discrimination and equal access to public places irrespective of caste, class, community or gender.

Interestingly, the trustees of the Haji Ali Dargah also invoked religion and the Constitution to counter the argument. On one hand, they claimed that "entry of women in close proximity of grave of a male saint is a grievous sin in Islam."

On the other hand, they also interpreted Article 26 of the Constitution (under which citizens are free to preach, practise and propagate any religion of their choice) as the right of the trustees to manage their own religious affairs!

The support of women is also sought to support such arguments. The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti for example, claims how local women, residents of Trimbakeshwar, also agree to the restrictions, without any objections, as being 'divinely' ordained by the religious texts. Even female VIPs, like the exPresident, Chief Ministers of States and female M.P.s/M.L.A.s respect the tradition and refrain from entering, they say.

The governments, rightwing or otherwise, have always chosen to either remain silent or react passively at best, only requesting the Temple trustees to reconsider their stand.

The Bombay High Court on 1st April 2016, ruled that offering prayers at a temple is the fundamental right of a woman and it is the government's fundamental duty to protect their rights. In spite of the clear order, however, locals stopped the women activists led by Trupti Desai from entering and offering prayers in the inner sanctum of Shani Shingnapur Temple!

It's really a long struggle to achieve the desired end. Yet, a small step like making the choice to worship during your periods or questioning what is really written in your Gita, Quran and Bible, and reading it for yourself could also help!

Let's take that step forward!

less care which ultimately reduces the cost of production.

Monopoly and total control of private companies over the sale of seeds have made farmers more dependent as they are forced to buy at higher costs. There is a need to empower farmers in every way possible. Their dependence on the market should be reduced to a minimum and this can be done by reviving some old techniques and modifying them to suit the present times. Organic farming, for example, could promote sustained and healthy ways of agricultural production.

There are two possible ways to support farmers through price policy. One is by increasing the price of the crops grown by farmers and another is by reducing input costs.

Cost efficient techniques and methods should be introduced in a big way so

Image for representational purpose. (Photo: timesofindia.indiatimes) that the input costs may come down. Moreover, the government should also enhance the role of the Food Corporation of India in buying crops other than wheat and rice at a price which suits farmers.

Loopholes in fixing the minimum selling price (MSP) is another big problem. In an article on Catch News, the writer tells us,"[MSP] was meant to protect farmers from being fleeced by

wholesalers. But it becomes the maximum price that the farmers get in the Mandi."

'Floor price' which is a price level defined by the government to support farmers through the price mechanism, now actually becomes the maximum price a farmer gets in the market. There is a need to review the MSP policy and to restructure the market for the produce of the farmers.

During the post-reform

period, India witnessed rapid economic growth.

Per capita income increased along with the production of different industrial goods all over India, but the agricultural sector remained an exception. It should be a matter of concern for the policymakers that the sector, which engages 58% of the total rural workforce is facing deceleration in its productivity as well as in income levels during the same postreform period.

Why I think arranged marriages might not be such a bad idea after all One of the many changes about social evils like that India is going through dowry might push you to is the way people find conclude that dating might love and get married. In- be the only sane option dia, long considered the left for finding a soulmate. bastion of arranged mar- According to Stephanie riages, Coontz, is see- Srinivas Krishnaswamy Direcing a tor of rapid adoption of online Research and Public Edudating sites and dating cation for the Council on apps. The huge growth in Contemporary Families, smartphones and internet "Many arranged marpenetration, a young riages in many countries population, and increasing are associated with a lack exposure to 'western' in- of choice for young fluences through travel people and are particuand media are possibly larly repressive to contributing to the growth women. The fact that arof dating in India. ranged marriages tend to While dating is still an be more stable is not a alien concept in smaller measure of success betowns and rural India, cause we know that people are exercising people are sometimes greater choice in select- held in them without any ing their spouse even options." through arranged mar- However true the issues riages! surrounding arranged Here are some conclu- marriage, there are hidsions on how arranged den virtues in arranged marriages are changing marriages that have based on the India Human helped sustain the pracDevelopment Survey that tice for centuries. A key covered over 42,000 point to remember is that households across India. if we approach arranged Among women, marriages as a genuine 1) Over 85% of the col- attempt to find a lege graduates had a say soulmate and stop forcing in selecting their spouse or pressurising people to whereas only about 40% marry against their of women with no educa- wishes, it's not all bad. tion had a say in the deci- Strangely, western exsion to choose their perts seem to agree on spouse. the virtues of arranged 2) Over 70% of respon- marriages as well! dents in metros and urban Here are views about arareas actively partici- ranged marriages that will pated in selecting their surprise you and make spouse while the partici- you rethink your stance on pation was less than 50% arranged marriages. among women in rural 1) According to Brian J. areas.

Willoughby, an assistant 3) Also, women in the age professor in the School of group of 25 to 29 had a Family Life at Brigham greater say in choosing Young University, their spouse while this "Whether it be financial number was lower support for weddings, among women in older schooling or housing, or age groups. emotional support for eiClearly, there is a strong ther partner, parents proundercurrent among Indi- vide valuable resources ans to exercise greater for couples as they navicontrol or express their gate the marital transiopinion about who they tion." want to get married to 2) Michael Ben Zehabe and this is bound to gain is an author, columnist, momentum. and speaker. He wrote a Is Dating Better Than book for his daughter that Arranged Marriages? is a collection of wisdom If you are a young man from the various women or woman in India with a in the Bible on how to good education and expo- make love last a lifetime. sure to the modern world The author believes in the outside India, you might fact that ancient scripeasily conclude that ar- tures and books have a lot ranged marriages pro- of wisdom applicable in mote bigotry and racism. our contemporary life.

Stereotypical matrimony "Our matriarchs had an ads in newspapers, and a interesting advantage host of videos that poke over today's western fun at arranged mar- women. Matriarchs didn't riages, and horror stories begin their marriage with

love. Instead, they were taught how to love. They entered marriage with an earnest determination to grow a love that would sustain their marriage for a lifetime."

3) Diane Sollee is the founder of SmartMarriages. It's a movement that aims to strengthen the institution of marriage. Through her seminars, training programs, and outreach, Diane helps couples navigate their marriages through the minefields of day-to-day issues and challenges. She thinks all

land: "A key reason for 'parent supervised arranged marriages with participation' emerging as the most common form of marriage arrangement is that it is best suited for a cultural context that does not have a dating culture of the kind existing in the West. Such a "dating culture" requires that it be socially acceptable for the young to "romantically link up with each other without any kind of adult supervision in a setting that is not defined directly as leading to marriage"

Image for representational purpose. (Photo: static1.squarespace)

marriages are "arranged"and for any marriage to be successful, you need to work on it and invest in it.

"In actuality, all marriages are "arranged" marriages whether they're arranged by some website matchmaker, our parents, or by Mother Nature and her magic. In each case you're matched up with someone you don't know and with whom you need to - gradually and progressively - fall ever more deeply in love."

4) Michael Rosenfeld is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at Stanford University. He has done extensive research and studies on marriages, interracial marriages, and same-sex marriages.

"The people we end up married to or partnered up with end up being similar to us in race, religion and class background and age, which means that they might not be all that different from the person that your mother would have picked for you."

5) According to a study titled, 'Are the Young and the Educated More Likely to Have "Love" than Arranged Marriage?' from the University of Mary-

and to "try out" different potential mates before deciding on a marriage partner."

6) Dr. Robert Epstein from the Harvard University has studied the subject of arranged marriages for eight years that focused on arranged marriage practices among Indian, Pakistani and Orthodox Jewish communities.

Here is what he had to say about arranged marriages.

"The general idea is we must not leave our love lives to chance. We plan our education, our careers and our finances but we're still uncomfortable with the idea that we should plan our love lives. I do not advocate arranged marriages but I think a lot can be learned from them."

To sum up, arranged marriages have their advantages. As long as people marry out of free will and are not forced into a marriage, the fundamental principles of arranged marriages, namely, rational thinking, involvement of parents, and the belief that a deep bond can develop over time should be appreciated and celebrated.

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, APRIL 9

BUSINESS

PAGE 10

Paper Boat maker to invest Rs.67 crore on plant, R&D Cabinet approves liberalisation of spectrum at TRAI prices

Chennai, Apr 8: Sequoia Capital-backed Hector Beverages, the makers of traditional Indian beverages under Paper Boat brand, will invest Rs.67 crore in expanding its operations in Karnataka, a top official said. The company will invest Rs.60 crore to set up a fourth line at its manufacturing facility in Mysuru to increase the production of milk-based beverages. A new research and development lab will come up at Whitefield in Bengaluru at a cost of Rs.7 crore.

Neeraj Kakkar, Co-

Ample stocks of cigarettes in the market: ITC Kolkata, Apr 8: There is no shortage of cigarettes in the market due to closure of units, a spokesperson for the country's largest cigarette-maker, ITC said. "There are adequate stocks in the market," the spokesperson told when asked about the impact of the shutdown of all its cigarette manufacturing units since last week. The company had announced on April 2 that it was being compelled to shut its cigarette factories with effect from April 1 to protest against the government's decision to increase the size of pictorial warnings on cigarette packets. It said that it will await clarity in the current uncertain state of the rules on health warning. It shut down all its five manufacturing units across the country. ITC is estimated to command a 70 per cent share of India's sales of duty-paid cigarettes. According to a statement issued by the Tobacco Institute of India the existing pictorial warnings at 40 per cent of the front of the pack were adequate to warn and caution consumers.

The Indian cigarette industry has been facing a continuous drop in demand because of high taxation and the growth of duty evaded by the sale of illegal cigarettes that do not carry pictorial warnings, thereby creating the impression that they are safer for consumers. As a result, legal cigarettes sold represent only 11 per cent of tobacco consumption in India, according to TII. It also claimed that the warning size in India was much larger than the average of 20 per cent among the top five tobacco producing countries (China, Brazil, USA, Malawi and Zimbabwe that comprises nearly 90 per cent of global tobacco production) and the global average warning size of 31 per cent. Moreover, the top three cigarette consuming countries, USA, China and Japan, between them accounting for 51 per cent of global cigarette consumption have only text-based warnings and have not adopted pictorial warnings. (Agencies)

Founder and CEO, Hector Beverages, said: "Currently, our plants are working at 80 per cent of production capacity. To meet the increasing demand for Indian ethnic drinks, we will add one more production line at our Mysuru facility. "This is the second facility after Manesar (near Gurgaon, which can produce 80 units per minute). The new line will take the total the production capacity from 380 units per minute to 780 units per minute."

Mr. Kakkar said in addition to the eight acres land

FLOURISHING PAPER BOAT The makers of traditional Indian beverages under Paper Boat brand, will invest Rs.67 crore in expanding its operations in Karnataka

The company will invest Rs.60 crore to set up a fourth line at its manufacturing facility in Mysuru to increase the production of milkbased beverages.

To meet the increasing demand for Indian ethnic drinks, we will add one more production line at our Mysuru facility.

The company also plans to produce almond milk and coconut water from the Mysuru plant.

they have in Mysuru, an additional five acres were acquired recently. The

work on setting up the fourth line would start by June/July and the R&D

facility by May. The company also plans to produce almond milk and coconut water from the Mysuru plant. "Last year, we raised Rs.240 crore. Part of the funds will be utilised for our expansion plans. This money will keep us going for one more year," he said.

Hecto r n o w h a s 1 0 drinks in its kitty including Aamras, Jaljeera, Jamun Kala Khatta, Aam Panna, Kokum, Golgappe ka Paani and ice tea in two flavours.

"Our R&D team is working on developing 35 to 4 0 p r o d u c t s , " M r.

Kakkar said. The company has been selling eight million units per month with the top seven cities accounting for 80 per cent of sales.

Paper Boat is currently sold through one lakh retail points and the company aims to double it in a year's time. Mr. Kakkar announced the roll out of neer more and limited edition Panakam for the forthcoming Ramanavmi festival. It will be available in Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad till April 20.

(Agencies)

Mallya's repayment proposal rejected by banks

Businessman Vijay Mallya (Photo: thehindu ) Mumbai, Apr 8: With the banks outrightly rejecting two offers made by businessman Vijay Mallya towards payment of dues totally worth Rs. 9000 crore, the Supreme Court ordered him to file an affidavit on oath disclosing all assets as on March 31,

2016 in India and abroad, not only in his name but also in those of his wife and children. Mr. Mallya has time till April 21 to do this. A Bench of Justices Kurian Joseph and Rohinton Nariman asked Mr. Mallya's lawyers to get instructions from him and

also indicate in the same affidavit when he would be present in the Supreme Court. The Bench agreed with the banks that Mr. Mallya's presence in court is "necessary" for any meaningful negotiations to kick-off. The apex court also agreed with banks that Mr. Mallya should first pay in advance a "substantial amount" of his dues as an initial payment to prove his bonafide to them. The Bench then directed him to spell out in the April 21 affidavit the amount he is willing to put on the table for negotiations to start.

Appearing for the banks, senior advocate Shyam Divan and advocate Robin Ratnakar David said though the consortium of banks led by the State Bank of India had "unanimously rejected" - first an offer of Rs. 4000 crore

and then again a "slightly modified" settlement offer received from Mr. Mallya's side - the financial institutions believed that the better way forward out of the quagmire would be a "negotiated settlement."

"These are large figures involved. We think it is reasonable to ask him to make a full, fair and final disclosure of his assets. He can throw contingencies at us for making these payments. He should make a substantial advance deposit and his presence is required so that negotiations can be done person to person. Senior bank officials will also be present in the court to have an effective solution," Mr. Divan stated the banks' position in the court. Senior advocate C.S. Vaidyanathan objected that disclosure of assets were

made successively to the banks from 2010 to 2012.

"So now why don't you update the assets?" Justice Nariman shot back. When the Bench initially included not only Mr. Mallya and his wife and children but also his other "close relatives", Mr. Vaidyanathan objected again, saying Mr. Mallya can account only for himself. At this point, Mr. Divan pointed out that they had also wanted disclosure of assets of his "former relatives".

"There may be an exwife..." Mr. Divan said.

But the court modified its order to include only Mr. Mallya's wife and children, besides him. The court posted the hearing for April 26 while asking the banks to file their response on Mr. Mallya's affidavit by April 25.

(Agencies)

Govt. plans to offer incentives for SEZs Mumbai, Apr 8: The government is considering several measures, such as offering incentives for small exporters and a package to revive Special Economic Zones (SEZs), to help reverse the trend of a prolonged contraction in merchantise exports since December 2014. Labour-intensive export sectors and organic food producers will get concessions and a package is on the anvil for SEZs so that they can utilize large tracts of unused land available with them.

Also being considered are steps such as categorising the entire export credit given by all lenders separately under priority sector lending without riders, ensuring better coordina-

tion with Indian missions overseas, as well as relaxing norms for the Export Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) and Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC) to give them greater operational flexibility. Setting up of three dedicated zones for manufacture of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API or drug raw materials) and other pharmaceutical items, incentives for the bio-tech industry especially for skill development, sops for manufacture and export of electronic items, besides targeted measures to address the problems of small importers of steel items, exporters in the gems & jewellery and sea food sectors, are the other

steps being considered.

These proposals will be taken up soon with other Ministries and regulatory authorities, Commerce & Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said after the Board of Trade (BOT) meeting. The 72-meber Board is a government-industry panel looking into measures to boost exports. The recently reconstituted Board chaired by Sitharaman held its first meeting. Indian exports have declined from $314 billion in FY'14 to $310 billion in FY'15. Exports in FY'16 are expected to shrink further to nearly $260 billion. "The Prime Minister is keen that the government is constantly engaged with the export sector to ensure that their

problems are sorted out expeditiously. To ensure consistent high rates of economic growth, possibly closer to 10 per cent, we need exports sector also do to well," Sitharaman told reporters.

"We will hold interactions with Indian High Commissions and Embassies along with their commercial and economic wings to make them more vibrant and understand requirements of exporters."

Trade bodies demanded better infrastructure to shore up exports and called for tax benefits to be extended to small and medium units. Demanding fiscal support for modernisation and expansion of the production base, S C Ralhan, Presi-

Jaitley justifies hike in excise duty, says agitation runs on artificial dream ANI New Delhi, Apr 8: Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has attempted to downplay the agitation by the jewellers community over the move to increase the excise duty by one percent, saying the society runs through tax and it is not justified to keep luxury items aside from the same. "I want to make it clear that when tax imposes on items of common people and the society runs through tax, then it's not justified to keep luxury items aside from tax," Jaitley told in an interview. "I will admit whatever suggestions will be made by the jewelers, artisans and bullion traders. Agitation runs on artificial dream, the country can't run on basis of it," he added. The ongoing

Union Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley (Photo: static.sify ) strike by the jewellers, bullion traders and artisans in several parts of the country continued for the consecutive 36th day as they continued with their demand of one percent of excise

duty rollback on non-silver jewellery. Most jewellery shops in the country, including in Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai wore a deserted look as the strikers declined to call off

their strike. The strike opposing one percent excise duty on gold jewellery has significantly hit demand for the metal in India, with March imports crashing to a new 29-month low of 12 to 15 tonnes. Such low import values were seen in August-September 2013, when the government had imposed restrictions on inward shipments of gold and the whole market was dealing with policy confusion.

In those months, imports were 10-12 tonnes. The government, in the Budget for 2016-17, had proposed one percent excise duty on jewellery without input credit or 12.5 percent with input tax credit on jewellery excluding silver other than those studded with diamonds and precious stones.

dent of the apex body of exporters FIEO said investment-linked tax benefits should be given to small and medium units needing huge capital and generating employment.

Naushad Forbes, President of the industry body CII, said strategies need to be evolved to increase high value added or advanced manufacturing exports, help exporters comply with international best practices and standards, as well as address problems relating to poor infrastructure, inadequate trade finance, high logistic costs and inflexible labour laws. Besides, greater participation of the States is also required to boost exports, he added.

(Agencies)

Image for representational purpose only (Photo: indianexpress ) Chennai, Apr 8: The Union Cabinet approved liberalisation of spectrum at prices approved by the Telecom regulator which would yield the exchequer Rs.1,300 crore besides leading to better utilisation of spectrum. "The meaning of this Cabinet decision is that wherever administratively (not auctioned) allocated spectrum is available, whose liberalisation is sought and whose market determined price is not available, then in that case TRAI's recommendations

on auction for price shall be taken as provisional standard and after actual auction, the balance will be taken," Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

The move is expected to enable Reliance Communications to liberalise their spectrum in the four circles in Rajasthan, Karnataka,Tamil Nadu and Kerala where the market-determined price was not available. The company had applied for liberalisation of spectrum in 20 circles. (Agencies)

Govt. approves Rs.1,621 crore NH-63 four-laning Hyderabad, Apr 8: The government approved four-laning of a road project worth Rs.1,621 crore on the Karnataka-Andhra Pradesh section of National Highway63. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the Hospet-Bellary-Karnataka Andhra Pradesh Border section of NH- 63 in Karnataka that is 95-km-long. The government said that project is aimed to improve infrastructure in Karnataka and to reduce the travel time on this section of NH-63. "The development of this stretch will also help in uplifting the socio-economic condition of the concerned regions of the State and would also increase employment potential for local labourers for project activities," according to a government statement. This project will be under the National Highways Development Project (NHDP) Phase-IV. The Union Cabinet gave its ex-post

facto approval to Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between India and Sweden in February technical cooperation in the railway sector. Besides exchange of technical expertise, the MoU is aimed to help India in projects such as freight operations in cold regions, tilting coaches or trains, capacity allocation (time tabling) and improved freight traffic. The Cabinet also approved the MoU signed with Sweden for technical cooperation in the rail sector.

The Cabinet had given its expost facto approval to the agreement on February 15.

"Sweden, being a cold country, has expertise on freight operation in freezing weather.

Railways is also aiming to operate freight during the cold weather condition, so the cooperation with Sweden is in that direction," said a senior Railway Ministry official.

(Agencies)

NOD FOR FOUR-LANING The government approved four-laning of a road project worth Rs.1,621 crore on the KarnatakaAndhra Pradesh section of National Highway-63.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the Hospet-Bellary-Karnataka Andhra Pradesh Border section of NH- 63 in Karnataka that is 95-km-long.

The government said that project is aimed to improve infrastructure in Karnataka and to reduce the travel time on this section of NH-63.

TECHNOLOGY HP reveals world's thinnest laptop New Delhi, Apr 8: Personal computers and printing major HP Inc launched eight new personal products including the world's thinnest laptop at 10.4 mm thickness, a calling device and a business notebook. "At HP, we are constantly pushing the envelope in design, productivity, security and entertainment to build innovative products for 'One Life'," HP Asia Pacific and Japan General Manager and Vice President of Personal Systems Business Anneliese Olson told reporters. According to the company 'Spectre' is the world's thinnest laptop and has a battery life of up to nine and a half hours. The new calling device, HP Elite x3, is built-for-business mobile device and runs on Windows 10. HP Elite x3 bridges phablet, laptop and desktop to enable users to run key productivity apps across these dif-

HP launches thinnest laptop (Photo: dailymail ) ferent experiences seamlessly. The third product launched by the company HP EliteBook Folio is the thinnest and lightest business notebook with 12.4 mm thickness and weighs under 1 kg.

It will come with a starting price of Rs. 1.30 lakh.

Pricing of Elite x3 and Spectre were announced. Other products launched are additions to HP's existing series notebook Envy, hybrid Elite X2 and

EliteBook G3 Notebooks series. Hybrid Elite x2 1012 is priced starting Rs. 84,599. HP Envy notebook comes with a 15.6 inch display and a sleek, metal design and is 0.36 kg lighter than the previous generation, weighing from 1.93 kg and 17.95 mm thin. Pricing of Envy has not been announced yet. All products, except Spectre, Envy and Elite x3, are available to order. (Agencies)

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, APRIL 9

Features

PAGE 11

WOMEN’S Acne myths that comes between you and clear skin!

Are your pimple breakouts caused by genetics, lifestyle or diet?

Are those spots considered adult acne? There is so much speculation about breakouts that seriously confuses the hell out of all of us. So we will help you get the facts straight and debunk common acne myths to help you zap your zits right.

Myth 1: Acne only affects teenagers Fact: Oh, we wish! Any twenty-something girl will tell you that spots and zits don't miraculously disappear after those troubled teens! In fact for some, they can get worse thanks to on-going hormonal fluctuations. Persistent acne happens when it continues from your teens into your adult years and

late-onset acne is if you suddenly start having breakouts post-25.

Myth 2: Lifestyle and genetics do not play a role in acne Fact: It is still not completely clear how, but genes are definitely linked to your pimple problems.

Additionally, lifestyle factors like stress can seriously trigger and aggravate it. For some, consuming dairy also directly links to a breakout. And we all know that exercising really does help contribute to glowing skin!

Myth 3: Acne is caused by a dirty face Fact: Hormones, along with stress and genetics, play a huge role in causing acne. So over-cleansing your face isn't really going to resolve it. But

cleansing is of course necessary to get rid of bacteria and pore-clogging.

However, it is excess oilproduction and bacteria trapped in a hair follicle which leads to an angry zit.

Myth 4: Pizzas and chocolates lead to breakouts Fact: Sure, junk food really is unhealthy, but gorging on fries may not be the reason why you woke up to an embarrassing pimple. Sugar and salt can increase oil production and worsen your skin sometimes, but they cannot cause a pimple. It is bacteria which causes them. So go ahead and treat yourself to some comfort food occasionally, without worrying about your skin.

Myth 5: Blackheads are caused by dirt stuck in your pores Fact: Blackheads are caused by sebum and dead skin cells trapped in follicles that clog pores.

When they are exposed to air, the top of the blackhead changes to black or dark brown which is why they can be mistaken for dirt. When the pore is closed and oxygen can't reach it, you get a whitehead instead. Basically, they have nothing to do with dirt, but exfoliate regularly to get rid of dead skin cells and excess oil.

Myth 6: You should not moisturize acne prone skin Fact: A lot of people with problematic skin are apprehensive of using moisturizers because they fear that it

will cause a breakout. However, moisturizing is an essential step for the overall health of your skin, even if you're prone to zits. Just make sure to use a moisturiser that is appropriate for your skin type. A mild, oil-free moisturizer won't do any harm we promise.

Myth 7: It will go away on its own Fact: If you think it's best to leave your acne alone and let it run its course, you're risking the chance of scars and marks. Proper care and over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide creams are the best way to treat spots. But if it's a chronic problem that doesn't seem to get better, visiting a dermatologist is a must!

Myth 8: You can pop pimples the right way

Things to keep in mind if you have sensitive skin!

If you think about it, we're all trying to better, or perhaps maintain, the quality of our skin. Almost everyone has the complete lowdown on their own skin type - be it dry, oily, or a combination of both. However, one of the most misunderstood realities of skincare is figuring out the issue of sensitive skin. What exactly is it?

What causes it? How to control flare ups? So if you're one of the many trying to better understand your sensitive skin.

1. It's more common than you think Most women have sensitive skin. The severity may vary from girl to girl, but it is an issue that almost all women have to deal with at some point in their lives. And what's more, studies have shown that in every ten years or so, cases of skin sensitivity become increasingly widespread.

2. It's your environment Chances are that if you live in a crowded metropolis, your skin is bound to develop a certain degree of sensitivity.

Pollutants in the air you breathe, the food you consume, and the hard water you wash with play

a significant role in triggering breakouts.

3. Hormonal havoc Let's face it ladies, our hormones play a huge role in our lives. Hormones access your skin through tiny blood vessels and help in maintaining good skin health. But

and body clean seems to be quite an obvious solution to a variety of skin problems - bear in mind that too much of a good thing needn't always be beneficial. In fact, repeated washing of your face can rob your skin of its defenses. We'd recom-

Maintaining a healthy pH balance is important (Photo: .girlsgo ) whenever your hormone levels fluctuate, your skin is one of the first casualties. While this is a normal part of the menstrual cycle for some women, prolonged skin sensitivity calls for a visit to the doctor to diagnose any underlying hormonal condition.

4. Your skin is too clean While keeping your face

mend washing your face no more than twice a day (morning and night) using a gentle cleanser. A brilliant cleanser that is a tried-and-tested godsend for sensitive skin is a must.

5. Watch out for direct sunlight Many women unknowingly suffer from sun allergies, where prolonged

stints in direct sunlight cause redness, swelling and itching on all exposed skin. While sunsensitivity is often genetic, it is possible to prevent breakouts by wearing protective clothing and loads of sunscreen.

The hours between 10am and 4pm are when the sun can inflict the most damage, so it pays to be extra-careful.

6. Your grooming habits might be to blame Fond of perfume? Make sure it's organic and skin friendly. Love wearing foundation? Favour allnatural brands. When shaving your legs, ensure that your razor blades are no more than four to five shaves old. Clean your makeup brushes regularly and check all your product labels to ensure that they are hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic.

7. Say no to stress Your skin cells undergo daily wear and tear, which is completely normal. However, stress and anxiety prevent these cells from carrying out the repair and maintenance work required to maintain skin health.

Stress is an important cause of skin dullness, breakouts, and sensitiv-

ity! Letting go of stress will be a boon to your skin, and not to mention your overall well-being.

8. You could be dehydrated Dehydration breaks down your skin's natural defenses and can be a sensitivity trigger.

While drinking water is the most obvious solution, it pays to observe your climate and note the temperatures you expose your skin to.

Moving in and out of air conditioned rooms in the summer months is a major cause of yearround skin dehydration, with increased skin sensitivity being the outcome. Ditto long, hot showers in the winter.

9. It's all about maintaining a healthy pH balance A pH scale measures the acidic or the alkaline nature of any product. Your skin too, has a pH balance as do all the skincare products you use. When your skin's pH level is challenged by any product, certain chemical reactions occur which trigger sensitivity and irritation. The best bet is to use a product that is pH neutral and respects your skin.

Acne prone skin (Photo: medicaldaily) Fact: There is no safe way for popping pimples. In fact, trying to pop your zits is a really bad idea since it

causes trauma to your skin, and can lead to scarring. It also spreads the infection and bacteria to the surround-

ing skin. It may be tempting to squeeze an annoying pimple but it can really harm your skin in the long-term.

Wonderful ways to lighten your hair naturally Who wouldn't love gorgeous highlights minus the harsh chemical treatments? Well, you're in luck, because here are a few ways to lighten your hair naturally at your own home. These methods are definitely way cheaper and will give you subtle, natural, I-was-born-withthese highlights. Give these DIYs a try to brighten your mane and beat those boring blues!

1. Cinnamon -Mania!

Cinnamon smells amaz-

over colour. If you want highlights instead, then pick up thin sections of hair and coat them well.

Leave it on overnight and rinse in the morning. You can try this regularly without fear of damaging your strands.

3. Honey and Vinegar Honey is a great lightening agent and has moisturizing properties as well. You will need: " 1 cup of raw, uncooked honey " 2 cups of dis-

Baking soda is a great, easy lightener to try at home. Simply mix a teaspoon with water and apply it after your shampoo and before your conditioner. Apply this mix about once or twice a month to gradually see the results of brightened colour. However if you have damaged strands, then you wouldn't want to try this method.

6. Henna Highlights For reddish highlights, henna is a great idea and

Hair lightening naturally (Photo: scbeautyhigh )

Hacks you need for perfect nails!

Use perfume as a nail paint remover (Photo: beautyhealthtips ) Not everyone of us is an artist, especially when it comes to paint-

ing our nails! We can sometimes just get SO clumsy and messy

when we have to sit down and paint our nails. But no fear, we're

here! Just follow these steps to try out some awesome nail hacks to get flawless nails at home!

What you will need: Perfume, cotton balls, clear polish, ice cold water, nail paint remover, eye shadow applicator.

1. Use perfume as a nail paint remover You can use any perfume of yours and spray it on a cotton ball and use it as nail paint remover!

2. Use clear polish to remove the nail paint You can even apply a coat of clear nail polish to get rid of the previous nail paint on your finger nails.

3. Use ice water to dry

your nail paint faster Once you have painted your nails, you can dip them in ice cold water to dry them faster.

4. Nail polish remover for cleaner nails Apply nail polish remover on your nails to remove all the previous nail paint. It also makes the application of nail paint smoother.

5. Use an eye shadow applicator We don't all have a makeup sponge! That's when you can dip an eyeshadow applicator into sheer nail paint to make your nails look more beautiful. These are the nail hacks every girl should know when applying nail paint!

ing and is also a great lightener. All you gotta do is add some cinnamon powder to your conditioner and evenly coat your strands. Use a wide tooth comb to ensure even distribution. Then clip your hair away or put on a shower cap if you like and leave it on overnight. Shampoo first thing in the morning. It's perfectly safe for your strands to try this often if you really want super visible highlights.

2. Tea Time Chamomile tea works wonders for giving your locks a golden glow.

Plus, it's a great anti-dandruff remedy, which makes it a win-win! All you need to do is boil 1 tea bag in a mug of water. Once it has been steamed for 10 minutes, let it cool and then pour it over your hair for all-

tilled vinegar " 1 tablespoon of olive oil " 1 tablespoon of cinnamon The olive oil adds extra hydration while the cinnamon in the recipe gives the lightening effect an extra boost. Mix it all together and leave it on overnight.

4. Tangy Lemons We've all heard of lemon juice to give you sunkissed streaks and this old-school DIY actually works. Add some lemon juice to warm water and apply on sections framing your face and on your crown for some strategically placed streaks. Now go outside and sit in the sunlight to help activate the lightning power. Try this as often as you want, just make sure to not forget the sunblock!

5. Baking Soda

is totally safe - it's so commonly used after all!

Add 3 tablespoons of henna powder to a cup of boiling water. You can also add equal amounts of chamomile powder if you like. Once cool, comb the paste into thin sections of your hair, let it sit for 2 to 3 hours, and then rinse off.

7. Awesome Apple Cider Vinegar Apple Cider Vinegar, or ACV, is not only an amazing natural cleanser for your hair, but it also smells fab and is a great at-home staple to use for a DIY colour job. Mix a quarter cup to one cup of water and use it as a rinse-in between your shampoo and conditioner. Be sure to leave it on for at least 20 minutes before rinsing off. Try this once a week for gradual results.

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DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, APRIL 9

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I don't become a villain for bowling one no-ball: Ashwin PTI Mumbai, Apr 8 : India offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Friday said that he should not be made a villain for bowling one of the two no-balls which proved to be a crucial factor in India's World Twenty20 semifinal loss to the West Indies.

Ashwin's was one of the noballs which gave Man of the Match Lendl Simmons a reprieve and helped him anchor West Indies' successful chase of a stiff target of 193 at the Wankhede Stadium here.

"The day I went back home my dog had heat stroke. He had fits. It just showed me what is more important and what is very very important in life. I did not turn up a piece of paper for next three days. I haven't read about what people had said," Ashwin said ahead of his new franchise Rising

Ravichandran Ashwin Pune Supergiants' opening IPL game against title-holders Mumbai Indians tomorrow.

"There have been good enough journalists and knowledgeable people who said I had not bowled a no-ball for ages and to have bowled one no ball, I don't become a villain.

Waqar Younis all set to commentate in IPL 9

Waqar Younis

ANI Karachi, Apr.8 : Former Pakistan head coach Waqar Younis, who recently resigned from his post, has landed a new job as he is all set to commentate in the ninth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

According to the Express Tribune, the 44-year-old had signed a deal with Indian TV channel Sony to cover this year's IPL season.

Waqar had stepped down from the post of the head coach after Pakistan's humiliating exit from the World T20 at the group stage.

Declaring his resignation with a heavy heart, the

44-year-old said that Pakistan Cricket Board's failure to implement his recommendations after 2015 World Cup and leak of a confidential report after the team's World T20 exit played a major role behind his resignation three months before his contract expires.

The former bowler appeared in 87 Tests and 262 ODIs for Pakistan, where he claimed a total of 789 international wickets.

The IPL9 will kick start from tomorrow, when Mumbai Indians will take on new team Rising Pune in the opening match at the Wankhede Stadium.

If that's the perception I don't know how to counter that," the bowler said at a media conference.

Ashwin was widely castigated in the media for bowling a noball - being a spinner - off which he had Simmons caught at point, only for the batsman

to escape on 15 and play a match-winning innings that knocked India out of the World T20 nine days ago.

Ashwin took umbrage when a scribe asked him how he felt bowling with the wet ball because of dew, as the West Indies inched closer to India's total.

"When there was dew I did not bowl. It's better you ask someone who actually bowled, to be very honest. I don't know how it felt with the dew on.

It's very amusing because with the first 12 balls I bowled, I created a wicket opportunity as well," he retorted.

Asked further that it was captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni who had said at the post match media conference that the dew had affected his team's bowling attack, Ashwin answered, "I don't know what the captain said.

Our ABC Academy beat HKV by 76 runs, A New High School win Sports Reporter Dibrugarh, Apr 6: Our ABC Academy today registered a 76 runs victory against Hindustani Kendriya Vidyalaya in the Kamal Hazarika Inter School Tournament organized by Tinsukia District Sports Association at TDSA stadium in Tinsukia Altogether, 15 teams participated in the tournament.

Opting to bat first, Our ABC Academy piled up 116 for the loss of six wickets in 20 overs.

Aman Barbhuyan top scored A moment of the match with 34 off 43 balls, hitting six boundaries, while Abhinav bundled out for a paltry 43 in in 4 overs. Vikash Singh took Gogoi scored runa ball 19 15.5 overs. Not a single two for 1 runs in 1.5 overs baseman while Himanshu Goswami runs, laced Kamal Hazarika cricket c o u l d took three for 16 in 4 overs. with score a In another match, A New double figure mark. Wickets High School beat Prabhat two boundaries.

For HKV, Dilip Prasad fall in regular interval.

Tara English Academy by a bagged three wickets for 25 For Our ABC Academy, virtue of better run rate. The Deepjyoti Das claimed three match was affected due to runs in 4 overs.

In their chase, HKV were wickets by giving away 3 runs heavy shower . Electing to bat,

F1 backtracks on 2015 Underperforming soccer stars: qualifying format Blame it on `gambling` ANI Johannesburg, Apr.8 : Formula One is all set to revert back to its 2015 qualifying format after the newly-introduced 90-second format received a flurry of criticisms from the sport fraternity.

The new qualifying format, used in the seasonopening Australian Grand Prix and then in the Bahrain Grand Prix, saw the drivers get eliminated one by one rather than being dismissed at the end of each session, thereby making the track empty of action at the closing stages.

According to Sport24, International Automobile Federation (FIA) president Jean Todt and F1

Mercedescar chief executive Bernie Ecclestone have accepted the unanimous request from the teams to revert back to the previous qualifying format in the interest of the championship,Sport24 re-

ported.

The FIA said that the proposal, if approved by the F1 governing bodies, will take effect from the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai on April 7 and will be followed throughout the season.

Aaqib Javed pulls out of Pak's head coach race ANI Karachi, Apr.8 : Former Pakistan fast bowler Aaqib Javed has ruled himself out of the race for the country's head coach.

The development comes just days after he was considered as favourite of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to take over Waqar Younis.

Earlier, Waqar had announced that he is quitting from his position after the team's early exit from the

Pakistan cricket team World T20.

43-year-old Javed, who had earlier shown his interest in taking the job, confirmed he was not applying for the

role and would continue to remain the UAE head coach, the Dawn reported.

Javed's decision came after the PCB openly advertised that they wanted a foreign coach.

Javed, who has been head coach of the UAE since 2012, pointed out that the cricket board had approached him last week but have changed their mind, adding he was not ready to offer his expertise to those who could not hold to their promises.

Windies' board dispute: Viv Richards backs `honest` Sammy ANI Johannesburg, Apr.8 : Former West Indies skipper Sir Vivian Richards has thrown his support behind T20 skipper Darren Sammy after he made what is described to be an `inappropriate` comments about the country's cricket board following their stunning victory in the World T20.

Referring to the lengthy pay disputes between the board and the players, Sammy said that his team were disrespected by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

"Mark Nicholas (the English commentator) described us as a team with

no brains. All these things before the tournament just brought this team together," said an emotional Sammy after his side claimed a fourwicket win against England to clinch the coveted prize for the second time.

"I really want to thank these 15 men, the ability to just put all those adversities aside and to come out and play this type of cricket in front of such passionate fans, it's just tremendous," he added.

Describing Sammy as an `honest` player, Richards said truth lies in the skipper's remarks and added that it would be interesting to see what comes from the WICB in the com-

Prabhat Tara English Academy scored 132 for 7 in 20 overs. Aman Singh remained unbeaten on 43 off 42 balls with one boundary. Abhinash Chubey chipped in with 18 off 8 balls, hitting four boundaries.

For A New High School, Sumit Minda took three for 17 in 4 overs, while Amit Yadav claimed two wickets by giving away 26 runs in 4 overs.

In run chase, A New High School scored 116 for 3 in 13.5 overs. Rohit Sharma unbeaten on 49 off 29 balls, with six boundaries to the fence and one six.

Aman Singh took one wicket for Prabhat Tara English Academy.

Tomorrow, Hindusthani Vidyalaya will lock horn with Babies Nursery Co Ed High School.

Sir Vivian Richards ing future, Sport24 reported.

The 64-year-old further stressed that Sammy was

extremely committed towards his job and had always led the team well since he took over as the

skipper.

Delighted by Sammy's comments, Richards said that the former's outbursts were the result of his emotions, adding that it was great he was able to get it off from his heart.

WICB president Whycliffe Dave Cameron had earlier said that he wanted to apologise to the millions of fans for the captain's remarks and also vowed to enquire the reason behind such statements.

Earlier, the Caribbean players were locked in a pay cut dispute with their country's cricket board, which threw their participation in jeopardy prior to the World T20.

ANI Washington D.C, Apr 8 : A new study has suggested that top soccer players are under-performing because of gambling.

Players are also using online betting sites to conceal their gambling from their partners, the British Sociological Association's annual conference in Birmingham was told on April 7, 2016.

Graeme Law of the University of Chester interviewed 34 current and former professional football players, including international and Premiership players as well as those in lower leagues.

Players talked about how worries caused by gambling, usually poker games on the coach or at hotels before matches, had impaired performances on the pitch.

"Players gamble as a way of relieving the boredom on journeys to away games and after training on pre-season tours," said Law, adding "Contrary to popular opinion, their actions are heavily regulated and constrained, so they get easily bored."

But gambling losses could affect their performance.

Law noted that players were unable to function to the

Football level expected, and this leads to resentment in the team about their gambling.

One Premiership player told Law: "I have lost a lot and I had a stinker because it's all I thought about during the game," while another Premiership player said of a team-mate: "On the way to the game he lost about two grand, and he was only 18. Now he had a shocker in the game."

One former Championship player said: "I have seen a lot of players lose a lot of money and when they get to the game they have a bad experience or a bad game...when I became a

Cricket Club of Dibrugarh triumph Sports Reporter overs. Ridip Mohan, Dibrugarh, Apr 8: Muktar Hussain and Dipak Cricket Club of Dibrugarh Gohain took two wickets today defeated Nehru each by giving away 5, 8 Sports Club by ten wick- and 8 runs respectively. ets in the third Dembi Bori In reply, without losing any and Kusum Bori T20 wicket, CCD achieved the Cricket tournament orga- target in 7 overs by scoring nized by 43 runs.

Dibrugarh S a u r T20 cricket B h a g a waa tvi District Sports Association at scored 21 off DDSA stadium. Alto- 20 balls; hitting three fours gether, 20 teams partici- and one six while pated in the tournament.

Kamakhya Saikia chipped Opting to bat first, Nehru in with 19 off 22 balls, laced Sports Club were bowled with three boundaries. out for a meager 41 in 10.2 Phanindra Sonowal was overs. Not single batsmen adjudged man of the match. could score a double fig- In yesterday’s match, ure mark. Nehru Sports Nehru Sports Club beat Club loses players on Caltiqs Club by 13 runs regular interval. and in another match For Cricket Club of played where Jalukpara Dibrugarh, Phanindra Boys’ Club defeated Sonowal claimed three Grambazar Boys’ Club by wickets for 3 runs in 2 five wickets.

manager I tried to ban cards...but you can't really stop it."

Law told the sociology conference that players turned to online gambling to keep their habit secret from their partners. Previous gambling environments were more social and encouraged group interaction, whereas the internet now allows gambling to be done in private.

HC stays Delhi Govt.'s demand notice to GMR Sports ANI New Delhi, Apr.8 : The Delhi High Court on Friday put a stay on the Delhi Government's demand notice to GMR Sports Pvt Ltd, the owner of IPL franchise Delhi Daredevils, till May 6.

The GMR Sports has been slapped a demand notice for payment of entertainment tax for the upcoming T-20 matches at the rate of 15 percent on sponsorship receipts and submitting details of sponsors along with the copies of signed agreements in respect of the matches to be played here by Delhi Daredevils.

Earlier, the High Court had restrained the Delhi Government from taking any coercive steps till today against the IPL franchise owner.

In its application, the GMR Sports has sought directions to the respondents 'not to withhold its application on the basis of non-payment of tax on sponsorship and nonsubmission of details of sponsors in respect of the matches to be played by the Delhi Daredevils in the ninth edition of the league till the final disposal of the petition.'

The GMR Sports has also sought direction to the authorities not to take any coercive action against it on this issue.

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