9th oct

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Vol. 1

Issue 127

Price -

Dibrugarh, Friday, October 9, 2015

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Their plight hardly

Due to geographical and The chief minister historical reasons, the resources of the mountains, both natural and human, are either underutilised or ill-utilised.

lamented the central government's decision to do away with the tag of special category states.

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Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi at his official residence, the Cabinet approved the reorganization of four divisions in the State viz., Upper Assam Division, Lower Assam Division, North Assam Division and Hills & Barak Valley Division. While the territorial area of Upper Assam Division remains unchanged, the dis-

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ET Correspondent Jorhat, Oct 8

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NDA to increase job reservation for persons with disabilities, says minister

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Centenarian Talut Tamuk of Rani Village who was appointed as VLW in the year 1948 by the then Political Officer of Sadia under British India Government passed away on Tuesday after a prolong illness at his home.

Late Tamuk, who was a true pioneer in educating farmers of modern farming

night. According to sources he and his wife was at home during the night. In the meantime, police has sent the body for post-mortem. A case has been registered and investigations have begun, police sources added.

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Spl Correspondent Tinsukia, Oct 8

A small tea grower, Bijay Mara, was found murdered at his residence at Kokoratoli under Tinsukia police late last ○

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large scale corruption has resulted in frequent disruption of ‘so-called services’ in Chongkham in Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh.

ET Correspondent Chongkham, Oct 8

Sheer negligent attitude and alleged involvement of a section of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) officials in ○

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techniques wherever he served all those years from 1948-1975, was born in 1915 at Rengging village who later settled at Rani.

Before appointed as VLW, late Tamuk was also said to have served PLS James as Personal Assistance during 1944. After his retirement in 1975, he served his people as a Anchal Samity Member from 1975-80, as Gaon Bura to Head Gaon Bura from 1981 till 2010 of Rani village during.

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Spl Correspondent Pasighat, Oct 8

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The Jorhat police after receiving a tip-off apprehended four dreaded car-lifter gang soon after they tried to flee after hearing blank fire by a group of policemen on duty during their regular checking at the check point in front of Pulibor Police Station.

Small tea grower found murdered

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Talut Tamut, pioneer in educating modern farming passes away

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tricts of Darrang and Udalguri are included in the North Assam Division. Nagaon and Morigaon districts are excluded from this division. The headquarters of this division will be based in Tezpur.

Darrang and Udalguri districts are excluded from the Lower Assam Division.

Contd. on Page 4

Murder in Sad state of affairs in Sadiya schools 3 arrested for attempting Dibrugarh ○

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Two leading agriculture based organizations namely Nari Suraksha Samittee (NSS) and Krishak Adhikar Suraksha Samittee (KASS) led by Luhit Gogoi, an upcoming krishak leader and adviser of both the organizations felicitated Dr. Kamal Mallav Buzarbaruah,

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the VC of Assam Agriculture University at the conference hall of the Extension Education Institute here today. Both the agri-based organizations lauded the role played by the VC Dr. Buzarbaruah and congratulated him on achieving the Sardar Ballav Bhai Patel Agri award and Agricultural leadership award 2015.

Bijoy Sh Handique Jorhat, Oct 8

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Samarjyoti Gogoi Sadiya, Oct 8

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The state of affairs in the education department of Assam has come to such a stage that the members of the school managing committee are having to teach in the school owing to absence of teachers.

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Nila Kalita was allegedly murdered by his wife Deepa Kalita on Wednesday at 7 pm at his residence at PWD colony. Nila was working at the Public Works Department.

Police said the body of Nila was found beneath a bed at his residence. Meanwhile police have picked up his wife Deepa.

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Contd. on Page 4

A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Oct 8

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Foiling an attempt to kidnap four girls who are studying in Panigaon Model Higher Secondary School in Lakhimpur, three morally degraded indi-

viduals had to be arrested by Panigaon Police yesterday.

Police also seized one Maximo Van bearing Registration No. AS-07C- 4249 from them.

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ET Correspondent Lakhimpur, Oct 8

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to kidnap girl students

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cmyk

Morigaon, Oct 8: Sukleswar Hazarika, distinguished citizen and artist of Morigaon district, died at his residence at Udari village yesterday following a cardiac arrest. He was 65. Hazarika was the Principal of Sati Radhika Music College, here until his demise. A musician, Hazaika was associated with various cultural organisations of Morigaon district. The government of Assam sanctioned artist pension for Hazarika in the year 2008. He was the founder Principal of Morigaon Sangeet Mahavidyalaya.

Several organisations have mourned the demise of Hazarika. He leaves behind his wife, two sons, two daughters besides a host of relatives. Morigaon Zila Sahitya Sabha condoled the passing away of Hazarika and conveyed heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family.

(Correspondent)

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Doming. The union in its letter to DC has said that the councilor has been collecting donation from the market vendors from quite some time forcefully which is completely wrong.

Contd. on Page 3

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Distinguished artist Sukleswar Hazarika passes away

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Dreaded car lifters held, arms recovered

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(E) led by its President Lungkang Ering and GS Talin Nonong in a letter to DC Pasighat on Wednesday has drawn the attention of district administration upon illegal collection of donation by the councilor Ward-9, one Tagom

Farmers' bodies congratulate AAU vice-chancellor

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Rs. 1,150Cr IPO plans announced by CCD Mumbai, Oct 8

Coffee Day Enterprises, which among other businesses, owns and operates Café Coffee Day (CCD) food and beverage outlets in India has announced plans to enter the capital market on October 14, 2015, Contd. on Page 4

EYEING THE CAPITAL MARKET Ø Coffee Day Enterprises, which among other businesses, owns and operates Café Coffee Day (CCD) food and beverage outlets in India has announced plans to enter the capital market on October 14, 2015, to raise about Rs.1,150 crore through a public issue of its equity shares. ØIt will be the biggest IPO to

hit the capital market in three years.

ØCCD is India’s largest cof-

ØThe company will offer equity

shares of face value of Rs.10 each for cash including a share premium. ØThe price band has been fixed from Rs.316 to Rs.328 per equity share.

fee chain with over 1,500 outlets in 219 cities. ØThe company, which has debt of Rs.2,672 crore as on June 30, 2015, plans to repay debt to the tune of Rs.632 crore including Rs.122 crore for the coffee business. ØThe company opened its first Café Coffee Day outlet in Bengaluru in 1996 and has since then grown to be India’s biggest coffee chain.

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Arunachal Governor strongly advocates improvement of road and air connectivity of the State

Nepal's Constitution and Lessons for India

The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Shri JP Rajkhowa strongly advocated for improvement of road and air

The adoption of Nepal's constitution has triggered alarm bells in India. According to reports in the Indian Express,

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India Inc anticipates subdued Q2 revenue growth For the fifth consecutive quarter, India Inc is expected to report singledigit growth in revenues

REGION

EDITORIAL

BUSINESS

connectivity of the State, in the meeting of the Governors of North Eastern Region on ‘Act East Policy’ at New Delhi on 6th October 2015.

The Governor also called for bringing the communication network and connectivity standard to National level.

a day after the constitution was promulgated; India expressed its displeasure about the content. New Delhi has reportedly asked Nepal to make as many as seven amendments to address the concerns of the Madhesis and Janjatis (minority groups in Nepal).

when results are announced later in the month for the just concluded September quarter (Q2FY16). This is mainly because of fragile consumption demand, especially in the rural areas.

cmyk

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While continuing their fight against forceful collection of donation and extortion in and around Pasighat township, the All Bogong Students’ Union ○

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Maksam Tayeng Pasighat, Oct 8

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The executive members of Miao Mothers Association during a high level meeting held yesterday, reiterated it's

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commitment to forge ahead in unison by taking mothers of every community into confidence. Reiterating it's support to Miao Unit of APWWS on the fight against anti-social elements, Contd. on Page 3

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Union draws DC’s attention on a councilor collecting donation

School van accident Golaghat, Oct 8: A school van carrying school students met with an accident today in the morning at Arengapara in Golaghat. The school van bearing no. AS-25/B-1449 was hit by an Indica bearing no. AS-03/H- 2843 at Arengapara. In the accident six students along with the driver of the school van got injured. The driver of the Indica car fled from the spot.

(Correspondent)

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Pranjal P. Bhuyan Miao, Oct 8

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Miao Mothers Association accelerates demand for suspension bridge

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The District Hospital which has been of late upgraded to Zonal Hospital continues to be marred by lack of prime health services due to acute shortage of General Duty Medical Officer (GDMO) and lack of Anaesthesia facility. ○

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Bishnu Rana Tezu, Oct 8

Golaghat, Oct 8: A baby elephant was rescued by the public at Thuramukh in Golaghat today. According to reports, a herd of wild elephants came to Thuramukh area under Juriadalang Forest Beat Office. Suddenly a baby elephant fell into a huge drain in Thuramukh TE. The other elephants tried to rescue the baby elephant but did not succeed. Then they left the baby elephant. Later hearing a loud cry of the baby elephant trapped in the drain, the local people came forward to rescue and after much effort the baby elephant was safely rescued.

Later the forest officials along with medical team reached the spot and administered treatment to the baby elephant. (Correspondent)

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Baby elephant rescued

Lack of basic health services mars District Hospital Tezu

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ET CAPSULES

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Contd. on Page 3 ○

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The Assam Cabinet today took several important decisions, and one of these was approving the proposal for Reorganization of Division of Assam for smooth functioning of administration. Chaired by

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comes within the radar of policy makers, who mostly have their attention on the never ending problems of the teeming millions in the plains, who are, in fact, sustained by the mountains.

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protect and sustainably harness these resources must be put in place.

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ET Correspondent Guwahati, Oct 8

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the creation of a separate union ministry for India's mountain states.

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Nabam Tuki calls for Policy decisions to

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comprising about 50 million, who are the custodians of the mountains, live a marginalised life in the remote and inaccessible world devoid of all the luxuries of modern development and progress.

from the Congress and said that he will be joining the AIUDF soon, and this was widely welcomed by the AIUDF party.

Nandita, a project director of the District Rural Development Agency, was arrested by sleuths of the Assam Anti Corruption Department.

Assam cabinet approves re-organization of divisions

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The mountain people,

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emerging from two very important policy changes – replacement of Planning Commission with NITI Aayog and recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission – need to be discussed and overviewed specifically with regard to the mountain states.

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Issues and challenges

In what could be seen as a ploy by the Congress led Assam government to tighten its noose around Devananda Konwar, former senior Congress leader and state minister, police and anti corruption

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Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki on Wednesday called for the creation of a separate union ministry for India's mountain states, and lamented the Centre's move to do away with the special category status states.

"Due to geographical and historical reasons, the resources of the mountains, both natural and human, are either under-utilised or ill-utilised," Tuki said while inaugurating the fourth edition of the Sustainable Mountain Development Summit (SMDS) here.

"Therefore, policy decisions to protect and sustainably harness these resources must be put in place. The role of the union government is paramount in providing an umbrella for all the mountain states, preferably in the form

of a separate ministry," he said.

The chief minister lamented the central government's decision to do away with the tag of special category states.

"Issues and challenges emerging from two very important policy changes – replacement of Planning Commission with NITI Aayog and recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission – need to be discussed and over-viewed specifically with regard to the mountain states," Tuki said.

"I may point out, the major fallout is the doing away with the tag of the special category states which have been a late starter in the development journey and the stoppage of the block grants in the form of NCA (normal central assistance), SPA (special plan assistance) and SCA (special central assistance).

LAMENTATIONS AND DEMANDS

sleuths today arrested his daughter, Nandita Konwar, a senior Assam government employee. A Congress veteran from Upper Assam, Devananda Konwar had also served as the governor of two important states -- Bihar and Tripura, during the erstwhile Congress led UPA regime. A few days back, Konwar had withdrawn his membership

ET Correspondent Guwahati, Oct 8

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ET Bureau Itanagar, Oct 8

08730849369/ 08471896580/ 03736-222269

Pages- 12

Daughter of former senior Cong leader arrested

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Arunachal CM for separate union ministry for mountain states

5.00

PAGE 2

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9

Around 200 students take out ‘nature walk’ in Shillong city ET Correspondent Shillong, Oct 8: As part of the 2nd edition of Meghalaya youth exchange programme, the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs Meghalaya has organized a nature walk today in Shillong city to highlight the importance of nature. As part of the initiative, around 275 students from various schools and colleges participated in a ‘Nature Walk’ with the purpose of highlighting the beauty of Shillong and the various other tourist spots. ‘Nature

Walk’ kicked-off from Mawlai Museum towards Golf link, Wards Lake and later culminated at the Catholic Cathedral Laitumkhrah, Shillong.

Young boys and girls who have participated in the programme belong to 11 Districts of the state with 25 youth representing each district in the Meghalaya youth exchange programme. The week long programme started on October 1st and will wind up on October 8th at Meghalaya Bharat Scouts and Guides Headquarter, Shillong.

Two cousins burnt to death in Katihar

First National Conference on Human Trafficking to discuss sexual exploitation and child labour

Katihar, Oct 8: Two minor cousins died of burn injuries when their relative allegedly set their house on fire over a land dispute here Thursday. Following an altercation between Reshma Devi and her relative Bhuvaneshwar Sharma on a land dispute recently, she had lodged an FIR with the town police station against Sharma a few days ago, police officials said. In retaliation, Sharma set the house on fire in the wee hours after sprinkling petrol. While Reshma Devi's daughter Anjali Kumari (17) died on the spot, her brother's son Abhay (8) expired at a local hospital, they said.

Singh was absconding.

(Agencies)

ET Correspondent New Delhi, Oct 8: The first national conference on human trafficking to be inaugurated by the union home minister Rajnath Singh on October 7 shall underline that 'sexual exploitation' and 'child labour' are the biggest contributors vis-avis crime. The data available with the Home Ministry also establishes that India is one of the biggest hubs of human trafficking for slavery and prostitution in Asia. Singh will be speaking to more than 300 officers including representatives of anti-human trafficking units heads from States, director general of police and State home secretary and will also give awards to individuals for their performance during

February slated for Nongstoin assembly Shillong, Oct 8: The by election to the vacant Nongstoin Assembly seat is likely to be held sometime in February next year.

Meghalaya Chief Electoral Officer P. Naik said on Wednesday that he had apprised the Election Commission of India about the vacancy in the Nongstoin seat following the demise of HSPDP leader Hoping Stone Lyngdoh on September 26. Naik said that as the update of the electoral rolls will be completed in January, the department was looking at a date for holding the by election sometime in February next year.

(Agencies)

Lost I Md Noor Alam hereby declare that I lost my LIC policy No 444816764 of Dibrugarh Branch.

Sum assured Rs. 5,00,000.

tions, Aaranyak organised a Greater Adjutant Stork Awareness meet at the Sensowa Amar Borkakoti High School, Nagaonin collaboration with the Laokhowa-Burachapori Conservation Society and Green Guard on 6th October 2015.

Keeping the ‘Hargila’ as the central theme, a drawing competition was organised among the school children.

Villagers of Sensowa and Khutikotiya who were working towards conservation of Greater Adjutant Storks by preserving trees that serve as the nest for these threatened birds, were felicitated by Dimpy Bora, IFS,

Gangtok, Oct 8: South District Government Drivers' Association (SDGDA) conducted a meeting with central committee members of All Sikkim Government Driver's Association (ASGDA) today in Namchi.

The meeting was chaired by ASGDA general secretary Sangay Z. Bhutia, ASGDA law secretary Ramesh Chettri, information secre-

tary Santa Kumar Rai and treasurer Tenzing Bhutia.

The meeting deliberated on the anti-drug campaign of the association and work ethics to be maintained by the members. Informing that the association is launching a campaign to fight against drugs and alcohol, the ASGDA general secretary told the members to come together and fight

against such 'unclean practice' in the society. He urged the members not to come on duty taking drugs or alcohol and warned that actions will be taken if any drivers are found taking alcohol while on duty. SDGDA convener Denzong Namgyal Tamang submitted demands of south district body before the central committee members. (Agencies)

ASTRO FOR YOU Your ability to let go things will reflect in your personal as well as your professional life. Today could be a significant day for you, so don't forget your special abilities. Make good use of them so that others too can benefit.

Today, you will be as creative and competent as you can get. Your work style, the deft way you handle things will awe and amaze your colleagues and superiors. Your subordinates will be highly impressed and motivated. They will be eager and compliant and will support and assist you to the utmost. The project you are working will progress speedily. This will turn out to be an exceptionally fruitful day.

'operation smile'. According to latest figures of Home ministry, nearly 21,000 missing children have been united in the past two months under 'operation smile'.

The one day conference will also try to bring out tools for victim protection, measures to be taken after the rescue of the trafficked person in terms of his/her rehabilitation where Ministry of child and development will be asked to take the lead.

Haryana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Odisha have been chosen to give presentation before the Home Minister on the problems faced by law enforcement agencies. It may be recalled that a 20-year-old woman and her mother, both from Nepal were recently rescued

from the house of a Saudi diplomat in Gurgaon. The woman has alleged that they were lured with a promise of a job and later forced into prostitution. It is for these reasons that paramilitary forces like Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) that guards Indo-Nepal border have also been roped in to share their experience, reasons for trafficking from across the border.

Similarly, Border Security Force (BSF) officials posted at Indo-Bangladesh border too have been asked to share their experience about trafficked young women and children from across the border, said officials adding that they also plan to sensitize the police forces to identify the organized gangs and maintain a data-

base on them. The Home Ministry also plans to enforce a standard operating procure (SOP) for rescue operation which will help to strengthen interstate and inter agency coordination.

As per the data available with agencies, there are nearly 2.5 lakh women and children trafficked every year for forced labour, illegal organ trade, slavery and prostitution. Apart from supplier, India is also one of the biggest transit points for trafficking from countries like Bangladesh and Nepal. In 2014, among the 3,000 people rescued, nearly 200 were foreigners.

The data for 2013 also suggest that among the 1.20 lakh minor children including boys and girls, only 60,000 were traced.

Mass meeting to create awareness about conservation of endangered 'Hargila’ held ET Correspondent Nagaon, Oct 8: Greater Adjutant Storks are a dying breed and are currently found only in India (Assam, Bihar) and Cambodia. Aaranyak, in a bid to generate awareness on the need for conservation of this threatened species which is commonly known as ‘Hargila’ in Assam, organised a mass meeting in Nagaon. There are only 1200 Greater Adjutant Storks alive at present, out of which, 80% are found in Assam. This can be attributed to a large extent to the untiring efforts of Purnima Devi Barman of Aaranyak. In conjecture with the Wildlife Week celebra-

Drivers' Association takes a stand against doing drugs among youths

ACF.Dharmaraj Hazarika, Nirala Bora, and Dev Kumar Sharma were among those felicitated as “HargilaMitra”.

“This has happened for the first time that I am receiving an honour for protecting a tree where Hargila lives. I love these birds and wish to protect them all my life. No honour can be bigger than this for me”, said tree owner, Nirola Bora. The students of Sensowa Amar Borkakoti High School also took an oath for the protection of the Greater Adjutant Stork. “The Greater Adjutant Stork lives among human settlements.

But it also needs water bodies nearby to survive. The

conservation of this species is impossible without the cooperation of local inhabitants who own the trees where the Hargila build their nests”, commented Purnima Devi Barman, Aaranyak. A special awareness meet was also held which was attended by Dimpy Bora, IFS, ACF;Smarajit Ojha of Laokhowa-Burachapori Conservation Society;Senimai Bora, Headmistress of Sensowa Amar Borkakoti High School; Sanjay Rajkhowa,Gaonburha of K h u t i k o t i y a village;Bhadreshwar Baruah and Rana Paul, of Green Guard; along with other dig-

nitaries and local people.

Poornima Devi Barman of Aaranyak presented an interesting audio visual presentation on the importance of Greater Adjutant Stork.

Jayanta Kumar Pathak and Arif Hussain of Aaranyak also conducted an open Quiz Competition on environmental issues and interacted with the school students. The winners of the Drawing Competition received their prizes on the same day. It was conducted by Rashna Sharma and Simanta Hazarika of Aaranyak. ACF Dimpy Bora also announced that the winners will be sponsored for a Nature Trail Exposure Tour.

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

G M Hospital

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

AMC Road, Jalan Nagar Dibrugarh - 786 005

Archana Trauma & Orthopaedics Hospital

Brahmaputra Diagnostics & Hospital

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

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

Assam Medical College

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

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

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

Sanjivani Diagnostic & Hospital

Dr. Pawan Bajaj's Skin Clinic

Aastha Hospital

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

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

Paltan Bazar, Opposite Aditya Hospital Dibrugarh

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

A hectic and busy day awaits you, which will probably leave you feeling bored and listless. Find creative ways to beat the boredom, or take a break and do things which appeal to you today.

Don’t meddle in others’ affairs today. For they will not take it kindly. Adopt the middle path. You must keep your bravado and boldness in check.

Your decisions today will be not only be correct, but also resolute and steadfast. Your health will be fine. At the work-place, things ought to proceed as usual. However, you will concentrate more on work today. In personal relationships, some minor arguments could crop up. Take care not to let them blow up into major confrontations.

Today will be a pleasant day full of surprises and unforeseen changes. You may go for a long drive with your beloved. The trip will be very interesting and will calm your frayed nerves. All in all, it is an optimistic and happy day, so go ahead and get the best out of it.

Today you will use your mental competency to complete all your work on time. You may not give complete attention to your family as you will be spending time in the office or at work. Your extraordinary intelligence will be showcased at work today. Do not forget your family which has played a huge role in your success.

Today, you are like a balloon that may burst any time. You may vent out all the sweet and bitter experiences and feel much lighter. Or it may have adverse effects on your health. You prefer to stay in your cocoon, in the warmth of your near and dear ones.

Work is likely to keep you on toes. At work place, you and your opinions will be in demand. Those who are associated with stock exchange and shares will be happy to gain profits during the afternoon. Wait and watch the end result in the evening.

Your interests are guarded by the Almighty, so don’t worry about them. Not that you are not ambitious, but you are satisfied with what you have and gained. You have set some realistic goals for yourself and you are making sincere efforts to achieve them. You are a simple person and you like your life to be uncomplicated. People around you will be impressed with your approach towards life.

You wish to have more than twenty-four hours in a day! You are determined to finish off your pending work but somehow you will find it extremely difficult to get the load off your shoulders. You will try everything; from canceling your vacations to postponing your dates, but nothing will seem enough.

You will sympathize with people today. This will help you get people’s good wishes. You can prove to be a good boss, co worker, husband or wife and son or daughter. So carry on with these virtues.

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

9-10-15 (FRIDAY) 5-35 A.M-Bhaktigeeti 6-15 A.M-Gandhi Prarthana 6-30 A.M-Bidyarthir Anusthan (Students' Broadcast) 6-50 A.M-Zikir 7-15 A.M-Aajir Dinto (Morning Information Service) 7-30 A.M-Geetanjali (Assamese Modern Song) 8-35 A.M-Surar Panchoi(Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 9-05 A.M- Antara(Composite Programme of Hindi Film Songs) 12-05 P.M-Live Phone-In Surar Satsori 2-30 P.M-Western Music Programme 3-45 P.M-Programme in Miju Mishimi 4-05 P.M-Programme in Khamti 4-25 P.M-Programme in Wancho 4-45 P.M-News for Arunachal Pradesh 5-00 P.M-Programme in Idu 5-20 P.M-Programme in Tangsa 5-40 P.M-Programme in Nocte 7-15 P.M-Chah-Shramikar Aasor (Tea-Garden Programme) 8-00 P.M-Sponsored Programme-"Brahmaputra Swasthya Sewa" (Sponsored by Brahmaputra Diagnostics and Hospitals Pvt. Ltd.) 9-30 P.M-North East Collage 10-00 P.M-Classical Music.Artist-Ud. Sabri Khan Sd-/H.O.P

PAGE 3

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9

Meeting to assess damages Developmental activities hit due to Congress internal fight: BJP caused by natural calamities held ET Bureau Itanagar, Oct 7: The BJP in Arunachal Pradesh today alleged that developmental activities in the state have come to a grinding halt due to the alleged "in-fighting" between Congress legislators. "Development activities in the state has come to a grinding halt because of internal bickering in the Congress with the innocent people being the worst sufferers. It is a sheer betrayal of the

mandate and faith reposed by the people on the government," BJP Arunachal Pradesh unit president Tai Tagak told reporters here. "We have predicted earlier that because of holding elections prior to the due date last year, people will suffer a lot, which has been proved today," he said.

Responding to media queries on rumours that BJP was trying to destabilise the Congress government to install its

District administration conducts raids to check illegal use of LPG Roing, Oct 8: In order to check illegal use of Domestic LPG Cylinders, the District Administration of Lower Dibang Valley District has been conducting raids on hotels, restaurants in the Roing township for the last several days. So far, 32 number of LPG Cylinders and 11 number of LPG Card have been seized for illegal utilization of Domestic Cylinder for commercial purposes. Such kinds of raids will be carried out time to time to check illegal use of LPG in future too, informed an administrative officer. (DIPRO)

own, Taga emphatically said that the party had nothing to do with the internal matters of the Congress and was ready to face mid-term poll at any point of time if situation demanded. When asked whether the party would accept the Congress dissident members if fresh election is announced, he said "door is open for all." He, however, said that so far nobody had approached the party.

Khonsa, Oct 8: The district executive committee meeting of Tirap district was held at Khonsa on 7th October in the Deputy Commissioner’s chamber to assess the damages caused to crops and infrastructures like roads, buildings etc during the last monsoon. The Deputy Commissioner Ravi Jha in his welcome address expressed concern over the extensive damages caused by torrential rains during the last monsoon adding that

Cable (OFC) and mobile services remains out of order. Sources said that the main reason for this is frequent cut in OFC by miscreants and sometimes damage caused to OFC line

by JCB as the road between Namsai to Chongkham is developed and widened.

“Actually, the miscreants find it very easy to cut the OFC lines since they are not laid properly as per BSNL specifications. On many areas the lines can be seen routed through the

Roing, Oct 8: The District Magistrate of Lower Dibang Valley District, Ravi Dhawan, IAS, issued an order under section133 (1) (a) &(f)Cr. PC to keep all the domestic animals like cattle, pigs, goats, dogs etc under confinement. He issued this order citing that the domesticated cattle, pigs, goats, dogs etc are freely moving in and

around public places under Roing township area thereby causing public nuisance. Haphazard movement of such animals in public places has become a cause of motor vehicle accidents, contamination of water bodies and other health hazards, thereby becoming a danger to public health. The order further directed all the owners of

trees. This is done by the corrupted BSNL officials in connivance with a section of the greedy contractors”, sources said. Complaints lodged by frustrated consumers to the higher authorities like the Chief General Manager, Eastern Telecom Region, BSNL, Guwahati, GM (Planning), BSNL, Itanagar, CGM (NE), Dimapur has so far proved to be futile as no action to rectify or to improve services has been noticed in

the area. “The staff in the Chongkham BSNL office too lack proper and advanced technical knowledge. BSNL 3G equipment are lying unused for several months now as there is no technical person to man it”, the sources added.

People in Chongkham which has a Community Health Centre, police station, army camp, etc has demanded improvement in BSNL services in the area which is important from the security point of view.

domestic animals to confine their animals within a period of 15 (fifteen) days from the date of issue of this order failing which appropriate action shall be initiated under appropriate section of law.

Yet in another circular the Deputy Commissioner has prohibited the cultivation of opium and ganja in the district. He has directed

II session was held at the Anganwadi center of the ALC colony in which two drops of oral polio vaccine was administered by the Deputy Commissioner and the DMO to the age group of 0-2 years. Ten children were vaccinated with DTP, Measles, TT, Hepatitis etc by the GNMs, ANMs and Health Assistants on the occasion. On the same day, house to house vaccination was carried out

in and around the ALC colony.

Meanwhile, an emergency meeting was convened by the Deputy Commissioner in his office chamber for verification and finalization of Mission Indradhanush Phase-II, micro plan of PHCs, CHCs , Sub-Centers and the District Hospital, Khonsa which was attended by the DMO, DRCHO, DSO, Medical Superintendent, JSA,

Contd. from Page 1

"This has its direct impact on the special category states, most of which are mountain states."

Sponsored by the Integrated Mountain Initiative (IMI) and GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) India, this edition of the SMDS, the fourth since 2011, is being hosted by the Sustainable Mountain Development Forum Arunachal Pradesh DAM and DDMO. It (SMDFA). may be mentioned here The IMI is a collective that the Mission initiative for recognising Indradhanush Phase-II the value of mountain reround will mainly focus gions and enabling people on the non-functional to realise its potential by sub-centers on routine im- integrating the knowledge munization coverage, and experiences of the three consecutive missed multiple stakeholders. session, hard to reach arTuki also emphasised on eas. The left-out and drop-out children will continue the programme in the subsequent month from 7th to 14th October2015. (DIPRO)

Late Tamuk is also said to have rendered selfless services in the field of

socio-economic and cultural promotion of the people. Many has mourned the death of late Tamuk which includes former

Health Minister Dr. Tangor Tapak (Son-in-law), former Chief Minister Gegong Apang, Tayon Darang, retd DC, Oni Dai, DCF (APFS),

Dr. D. Pait, (Ophthalmologist. Late Tamuk is survived by two wives, three sons, six daughters and around 50 grandsons and daughters.

Sad state of affairs in Sadiya schools Contd. from Page 1 This story has emerged from Ghuramora Model Lower Primary School, Sadiya situated nearby Shantipur, AssamArunachal border. Rajesh Thapa, member of school managing committee has been engaged in teaching since 15 days in the absence of the headmaster of the school named Kaluram Chunkurang.

Rajesh Thapa said that the absence of the headmaster is due to the demise of the latter's

wife as a result the midday meal also has not be provided since the last 15 days. There are three posts of teachers with one post still vacant because one TET teacher was transferred from the school. The school was established in 1971 where various community students have been studying in this sensitive border area.

Meanwhile, although the education department announces various education schemes, the corrupted officials manage to find a loophole whereby they misutilise the scheme

rendering them fruitless and meaningless. One such scheme pertains to the CRCC where teachers are deployed as CRCC who visit various schools to check the state of affairs in the schools. When The Eastern Today correspondent asked the superintendent of inspector of school of Sadiya sub division a question in this connection, he said that they are monitoring all the activities of the schools under the purview of CRCC and found that schools are facing problems due to lack of teach-

ers in lower primary schools. Incidentally, even there is not a permanent post of Deputy Inspector of school with Marghertia superintendent inspector of school running the Sadiya sub divisional posts. The sadiya sub division has about 169 TET teachers with half of the teachers deployed as CRCC. Most of the teachers have been taking inter district transfers and as a result the posts in various schools have become vacant.

Union draws DC’s attention on a councilor collecting donation Contd. from Page 1 Ering claims that, the President of the local vendors (Yaryon Party) wrote to them seeking the union’s help based on which the union wrote to DC Pasighat. The union adds that, the poor vendors who are doing all out efforts to earn their living are suffering from such collection of donation.

On the part of district administration, DC Pasighat Isha Khosla while taking cognizance of such offences has is-

sued a circular vide No. DCP/ T&C/2015/996 on 7th of October itself wherein it is stated that, “many individuals are engaging themselves in levying taxes in unauthorized way from local vendors of Pasighat market thus causing confusion and additional burden to the business community. General public is hereby informed that realization of Govt. revenue is always made in the prescribed manner and at notified rate and any indiscriminate revenue collection in absence of formal notification, authoriza-

tion and proper money receipt amounts to extortion and liable for legal action”.

When contacted for his comment on the complaint, councilor Tagom Doming informed this correspondent that, the councilors are authorized vide government notification to collect funds for local development. He said that, the collection hasn’t completed yet, so the money collected couldn’t be deposited in the municipality office yet. He also added that, the municipality board under the leadership

district with the view to keep the surroundings of the departments free from litter and dirt.

Deputy Commissioner, District Medical Officer, District Horticulture Officer, Deputy Director of Secondary Education (DDSE) and other district officials were reportedly impressed with the initiative undertaken

by DAY while assuring help the NGO in their future voluntary service endeavours.

the crucial role played by the Himalayas in cooling down of Earth.

"The Himalayas are the basic reason for the monsoon that has made the Indian peninsula one of the greatest and richest agricultural area in the world sustaining one-seventh of the human population," he said.

He, however, regretted the fact that the mountains and its people faced a fragile relation with the majority of the people.

"The mountain people, comprising about 50 million, who are the custodians of the mountains, live a marginalised life in the remote and inaccessible world devoid of all the luxuries of modern development and progress," the chief minister said.

"Their plight hardly

comes within the radar of policy makers, who mostly have their attention on the never ending problems of the teeming millions in the plains, who are, in fact, sustained by the mountains."

Tuki said mountain people of India were poorly represented in parliament.

"We have only 47 members in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha from the total of about 790 members," he said.

Lok Sabha member from Sikkim and IMI councillor P.D. Rai lamented that the country's mountain states were falling behind on every human development indicator. "The ground level credit (GLC) for the eight northeastern states is only half a percent, which is seven times lower than

the national average. If the three other mountain states are added, then the GLC for these 11 states is still only 1.8 percent," he said.

According to NITI Aayog member Ramesh Chand, mountain ecology was important for the global ecosystem.

Stating that the future of the mountains was not different from that of the plains, he said: "Please bring people from the plains to such summits and sensitise them to the problems of the mountain people." This year's SMDS, a three-day event, is seeing the participation of 235 delegates from outside Arunachal Pradesh.

Twenty legislators are representing the 12 other mountain states. There are also representatives from Bhutan and Nepal.

Lack of basic health services mars District Hospital Tezu

Talut Tamut, pioneer in educating modern farming passes away Contd. from Page 1

all GBs to restrain individuals from illegal cultivation of opium and ganja. The letter further informed that enforcement drives shall be vigorously conducted to destroy any such illegal cultivation in the district. If anybody is found guilty, he/she shall be dealt as per appropriate provisions of Law. (DIPRO)

ET Correspondent Longding, Oct 8: The recently registered Non Governmental Organization Dynamic Association of Youth (DAY) of Longding district has set off on the path of voluntary service on October 7, 2015 when it organised a sanitary programme where in the NGO focused on dustbin management.

DAY distributed dustbins to various governmental offices of the

Arunachal CM for separate union ministry for mountain states

Tirap district launches Mission Indradhanush Phase-II Khonsa, Oct 8: Along with the rest of the country, the health society of Tirap district launched the Mission Indradhanush Phase-II at Khonsa on 7th October amidst a huge gathering. Tirap Deputy Commissioner Ravi Jha formally launched the scheme at ALC colony, Khonsa in the presence of DMO, child development department and other health workers. The Mission Indradhanush Phase-

circles to immediately submit reports on natural calamities, especially on house damage due to fire, flood and landslide. He further asked the EE, PWD to prepare an estimate for early restoration of the footpath from DC Office to the District Hospital. After a threadbare deliberation, on the basis of the board verification reports, the district executive committee has recommended 22 FDR schemes for submission to the government. (DIPRO)

District Magistrate issues order to keep domestic animals under confinement

Sheer negligent attitude of BSNL results in frequent disruption of services in Chongkham ET Correspondent Chongkham, Oct 8: Sheer negligent attitude and alleged involvement of a section of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) officials in large scale corruption has resulted in frequent disruption of ‘so-called services’ in Chongkham in Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh. Things have reached to such an extent that most of the time the broadband internet services provided through sophisticated Optic Fibre

Tirap district receives heavy rains during the months from April to August due to which the roads get damaged. He asked the DAO to resubmit the damage reports of four villages and also directed all the concerned departments to prepare authentic and error-free reports pertaining to their departments regarding losses and damages due to natural calamities in Tirap district. The DC asked the administrative officers from different

Longding’s DAY sets off on the path of voluntary service

of Chief Councilor Denong Tamuk and Dy. Chief Kaling Darang had a meeting on the topic and the complainant women folks were of the process to withdraw their complaint. But when this correspondent contacted the concern vendor President to put their view in, she informed that pressure were meted upon them to withdraw the complaint, but a meeting of vendors were held this evening in which withdrawal of complaint was rejected unanimously.

Contd. from Page 1

“After the transfer of a few Allopathic doctors during the last one year from the hospital not a single reliever has yet joined. Although several reminders have been sent to the Directorate of Health Service Naharlagun for immediate posting of doctors, regrettably the DHS hardly paid heed to our plea resulting in inconvenience in running the OPD. Simultaneously, absence of Anaes-

thesia facility since the retirement of Dr P K Saikia in 2014 has virtually paralysed the operation theatre during emergency”, rued Dr A Wailong Medical Superintendent.

Though Orthopaedic, Paediatric, Gynaecologist and Eye Specialist are made available ensuring better health services, want of Anaesthesia facility has made their availability worthless. Lack of other basic amenities has also plagued the smooth functioning of the hospital.

There are only 2 (two) Allopathic doctors. Meanwhile, Homeopathy/ AYUSH doctors have been assisting during emergency duty to avoid public nuisance, the MS disclosed.

From the sources it came to known that Itanagar and Naharlagun is abound in Anaesthesia facility, unfortunately there have been no transfer or deputation of doctors to the districts depriving the government hospitals which are languishing in crisis. The zero tolerance policy of the gov-

ernment adopted towards revamping health services has miserably failed to ensure even the basic health services in the interior and far flung hospitals of various districts of Arunachal, the conscientious public observed. Newly joined District Medical Officer Dr S Chai Pul is striving hard to revamp the ailing health care scenario in the hospital and ensured to give full support as long as she is here to improve the basic health services of the Lohit district.

Miao Mothers Association accelerates demand for suspension bridge Contd. from Page 1

MMA members felt that practical steps ought to be initiated to accelerate the pace of the movement against the prevailing menace. Apart from battling social evils, MMA members resolved to strongly take up the demand for construction of motorable suspension bridge at Miao over NoaDehing river. "We have tremendous hope on our local MLA Kamlung Mossang and assurance given to us but it is not

understandable why it is taking so long to realize our long pending demand that involves only few crores, MMA president Thuing Pisi said. She further stated that construction of the suspension bridge at Miao will not only permanently solve the decades old surface road bottlenecks experienced by inhabitants of right bank but would add beauty to the historic township that will help attract tourists.

The meeting also demanded that the centuries old Miao Singpho Village

be immediately excluded from the purview of urban declaration and restore panchayat raj and traditional GB system. The forceful and dramatic inclusion of the local village in the urban map has not only demoralised the indigenous villagers but has encroached upon their constitutional boundaries of liberty, MMA resolution stated while questioning that the township already has the requisite population and area needed for declaration of Miao as an urban town.

Therefore, forceful inclu-

sion of Miao Singpho village was unnecessary and politically motivated, the resolution claimed while appealing the local MLA and district administration to reintroduce panchayat raj and bring back the village under the ambit of GB system.

Since the right bank falls within oil operational jurisdiction, MMA demands for early construction of the much awaited motorable suspension bridge under corporate social responsibility scheme of OIL without further delay.

PAGE 4

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9

Encouraging children to read books Teok BJP holds protest against corruption Children’s Book Fair to be held at Saud Bholanath Barua Kshetra Nityananda Pattanayak Nagaon, Oct 8: Brisk preparation is going on at Puranigudam, about 11 km east of here to hold Children’s Book Fair at Saud Bholanath Barua Kshetra, near Puranigudam Puja ghar with a five-day long programme

Nagaon DC filed wrong affidavit on Rockybul's instructions: Mrinal Saikia ET Correspondent Golaghat, Oct 8 : To safeguard the illegal encroachers of Bandardubi, Deochar Sang and Palkhowa villages of Kaziranga, the Deputy Commissioner of Nagaon district has filed a wrong affidavit at the Gauhati High Court and it was done according to the directions of former forest minister Rockybul Hussain. This sensational allegation was made by BJP leader Mrinal Saikia. In a press release Mrinal Saikia stated that Bandardubi, Deochar Sang and Palkhowa are the three places which are animal corridors. To stop encroachment in these places he filed a PIL at Gauhati High Court. Hearing his PIL petition the court ordered eviction of the encroachers before 12 August 2015. But the govt did not take any steps to carry out eviction in these areas except the Sixth Schedule area of Kaziranga.

Now the Nagaon DC is allegedly misleading the High Court by giving wrong information on the affidavit regarding encroachment and eviction. The DC is doing so according to Minister Rockybul Hussain's instructions. The Director of Kaziranga National Park declared through an affidavit that these three villages fall under forest land on 5 Aug 2014. And now the DC's affidavit which mentions these three villages as Revenue Villages clearly shows misuse of power to mislead the judiciary by the minister and officials, Saikia said.

from 19 October to 23 October. The Book Fair will be held under the aegis of Puranigudam Press Club and with active cooperation of the public of Puranigudam.

On 20th October at 9 am a competition will be held on recitation of poems, drawing and painting, story writing etc.

At 12 noon Nagaon Zilla Sahitya Sabha will conduct poem reading and book release programmes. On the same day at 4 pm Bhargav Bargohain, Samarjit Saikia, Gangotri Kalita, Angsu Kashyap Khaund, Abhigyan Krishna Mahanta, Jagriti Kalita, Mayuri Saikia and Iman Kalita will address the children on the theme “Let us

conquer the World by reading Books”. In the evening Garamur child artists will present Diha naam. On 21st October in the morning taletelling and singing competitions will be held among the children. Parijnan Kalita and Basanta Kaushik Bhagawati will conduct the programme.

A quiz competition to be held at 12 noon will be inaugurated

by Tapan Kumar Bora and the same will be conducted by Golap Bora. At 2 pm Kalang paria seminar will be held which will be presided over by Smt. Akanmai Devi, addressed by Digen Mahanta and conducted by Pranjal Bordoloi. On 22nd October many other competitions like

Truck Suspected of carrying NHPC’s material burn at Chauldhua in Lakhimpur.

According to officials of the Anti corruption department, Nandita Knowar was arrested for demanding a bribe,

to raise about Rs.1,150 crore through a public issue of its equity shares. It will be the biggest IPO to hit the capital market in three years, said merchant bankers. The company will offer equity shares of face value of Rs.10 each for cash including a share premium. None of the private equity investors are selling shares to exit or part exit the company. The price band has been fixed from Rs.316 to Rs.328 per equity share. The minimum bid lot is 45 shares and in multiples of 45 shares

finally handed over a memorandum to the con-

cerned BDO in favour of the Assam Governor.

of a commission of 10 percent from MP areas development fund,for repair and development of a road at Durga Sarovar in Kamrup in Assam. Immediately after her arrest, she was

produced at the Sessions court, where she was sent to a 14 days judicial custody. Immediately after her arrest, several other people have come forward and said that Nandita

Konwar has taken bribe from many more people and have cheated many people. Repeated attempts to contact Nandita Konwar and Devananda Konwar went unanswered.

Assam cabinet approves re-organization of divisions Contd. from Page 1

ET Correspondent Lakhimpur, Oct 8: The terror of big dams seems to have returned to haunt the people of Lakhimpur and Dhemaji as construction of the Lower Subansiri Hydro Electric Project by NHPC at Gerukamukh in Dhemaji Arunachal border area begins. In connection

with this, a truck was burnt by some unidentified miscreants late night yesterday at Korkarani in Chouldhua area in Lakhimpur District. The truck was suspected to be carrying construction materials for Lower Subansiri Hydro Electric Project. However, the NHPC authority has not

since the accord. There were reports last month of the group recruiting new cadre from parts of eastern Nagaland. "Various temptations are being offered, among them that the IM cadres would get absorbed into the Indian military or paramilitary in the future," one senior military officer said.

The NSCN (I-M) is believed to have had about 2,500 cadres before the peace accord.

The insurgent group could be targeting recruitment of another 1000 cadres, mostly from Manipur, he said. "Their parallel Government is running well in Nagaland. Now they are trying to build on their influence in the Manipur hills. That is dangerous," one official pointed out. He said this would add to the tension between the hill tribes and the Meiteis, who

reside in the valley. Officials said Manipur could slip back into violence if the Government failed to take steps to ensure that NSCN (IM) does not exploit the legitimacy gained out of their peace accord to expand operations in Manipur.

"There are historical reasons for tensions between Meiteis and hill tribes. Now they are adding fuel to the fire," one senior official said. From privileges enjoyed by the hill tribes to land shortage in the crowded valley, all have contributed to flare-up of tensions in Manipur. The official warned that the NSCN (IM)'s flexing of muscles could also unite the various Manipuri militant groups. And these groups could enjoy tacit support from the NSCN (K), which has been sidelined in the new strategy and has been lying low. (Agencies)

Officials said Manipur could slip back into violence if the Government failed to take steps to ensure that NSCN (IM) does not exploit the legitimacy gained out of their peace accord to expand operations in Manipur. "There are historical reasons for tensions between Meiteis and hill tribes. Now they are adding fuel to the fire," one senior official said.

admitted it till the time up to filing this report. Fire totally gutted the truck bearing registration No. DL-1N- 3071. On the other hand Boginadi police detained 5 persons of the local area in connection with the burning incident of the truck. Presently police is interrogating them.

Dreaded car lifters held, arms recovered Contd. from Page 1

The group was trying to hijack a Tinsukia bound truck WB 11B-05114 loaded with goods coming from Kolkata, informed Jorhat SP Amanjit Kaur here. They were identified as one Tridip Gogoi (22) hailing from Amguri (near Amguri College), son of Putul Gogoi PS Amguri, district Sivasagar, Palash Bora (33) Bhatemora gaon, Jorhat, son-in-law of Putul Gogoi, PS Pulibor, Aditya Bora (29), Amguri (near Amguri college), PS Amguri, district Sivasagar and Imna Nuncha Lampor (32) hailing from Nagaland Tuli.

The four member gang was travelling in a Maruti Zen AS03 D-2666. After they heard the blank fire they tried to flee from the scene, suspected to pass through Sonari gaon via Lichubari through Baghchung and hit a Magic passenger taxi and killed the magic driver on the spot near Cinnamora Police station.

Later police managed to intercept the four member gang along with their Maruti Zen car near Tiruwal Tea Estate under Mariani Police station on the busy Dhudor Ali, and recovered 9mm pistol along with 5 live cartridges, informed Jorhat SP here.

Rs. 1,150Cr IPO plans announced by CCD Contd. from Page 1

dred protesters present at the protest. The protesters

Daughter of former senior Cong leader arrested Contd. from Page 1

Speculations on the go about the resurfacing of NSCN(IM) Imphal, Oct 8: A series of developments in the North East, especially in Manipur, since the August peace accord between the Centre and the Naga rebel group NSCN (I-M), have raised serious concern that the security situation in the region could dramatically worsen in the coming months. Dim is the assessment from sources in the military and other security agencies about developments in Manipur, where the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagalim (I-M) has probably set up a training camp, has already recruited a few hundred new cadres, and is contributing to possible new flare-up of inter-tribe tensions in the fragile State.

Sources said inputs show that since the August 3 peace accord, signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his official residence, reports of extortion, arms and drugs smuggling have registered a rising trend in Manipur. "Most of it is being done by IM cadres," a senior official said. A couple of sources said they believe the outfit has already set up new camps in the hills of Manipur to accommodate fresh cadres recruited since the peace accord. One official said about 400 Nagas may have been recruited by the NSCN (IM)

mono acting, pantomime etc. will be held. The programme will be inaugurated by Rajen Phukan and Dwijendra Mohan Saikia will conduct it. A seminar will be held on the day on the topic “Puranigudam from the perspective of Tourism” which will be inaugurated by Sibananda Kakati and conducted by Krishna Goswami.

Jagamohan Sarma, Chitaranjan Bora, Dipak Bora, and Pankaj Jyoti Neog will participate in the seminar. A meet of the artists will be held in the evening which will be graced by Siddhartha Sarma, Pritam Barua, Papari Bora, Dipjyoti Keot, Pallab Pawan Bora and Pallavi Phukan.

ET Correspondent Teok, Oct 8: Bharatiya Janata Party’s Teok Chipahikhula Block Samittee today observed a protest at Mahhya Jorhat Development Block Office Teok, Kakajan under Jorhat district in connection with the Assam Government’s alleged corruption at the panchayat level. The Jorhat MP Mr Kamakhya Parasad Tasa leading the protest demanded from the Assam Government to stop corruption and proper enquiry be initiated into the matter. There were more than three hun-

therein. The issue will close on October 16, 2015. The company will make fresh issue of equity shares to mobilise funds to retire debt and meet business expansion plans of the coffee business, said its Chairman V.G. Siddhartha.

Shares worth Rs.15 crore have been reserved for eligible employees. CCD is India’s largest coffee chain with over 1,500 outlets in 219 cities. The brand competes with Starbuck, Costa Coffee and Barista in India. Some of the private equity investors, which have invested in the company include KKR and New Silk Route among others. Coffee

Day Enterprises is the parent company of the Coffee Day Group, which currently operates in businesses such as coffee, development and management of IT-ITeS technology parks, providing integrated logistics solutions, financial services, hospitality and investing in technology companies. The company is engaged in the coffee business through the subsidiary, Coffee Day Global and its subsidiaries. It is also engaged in coffee trading. “The company owns the brand (CCD) and operates all the stores. We are the only F&B brand owned by an Indian company not a foreign

franchise,” Mr. Siddhartha said. The company, which has debt of Rs.2,672 crore as on June 30, 2015, plans to repay debt to the tune of Rs.632 crore including Rs.122 crore for the coffee business. The balance amount from the IPO proceeds will go towards meeting store expansion and general corporate purposes.

The company plans to set up new Café Network outlets and Coffee day Xpress kiosks. The company opened its first Café Coffee Day outlet in Bengaluru in 1996 and has since then grown to be India’s biggest coffee chain. (Agencies)

The Barak Valley Division includes Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi districts with headquarters in Silchar. The territorial jurisdiction of Central Assam Division includes the districts of Nagaon, Morigaon and two hills districts i.e., Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao with headquarters in Nagaon. The Cabinet today also approved the Assam Gratuity (Amendment) Bill 2015 to bring about benefits to workers of tea gardens and tea factories at par with employees in other industrial establishments. The Act has been amended keeping in view the changed circumstances, industrial growth, increased price index etc.

The Assam Gratuity Act, 1992 (Assam Act XIII of 1993) was enacted in 1993

to provide gratuity benefits to the employees in tea gardens and tea factories in the State. The Cabinet also approved the proposal for revival of the joint venture company M/s Prag Bosimi Synthetics Ltd. (PBSL). It may be mentioned here that the Cabinet approved the proposal of the Department of Industries & Commerce for investment of Rs.65 crore

by Assam Industrial Development Corporation Ltd. (AIDC) for revival of its joint venture company M/ S Prag Bosimi Synthetics Ltd. (PBSL). In another significant decision, the Cabinet today also approved the amendment of Assam Ministerial District Establishment Service (Amendment) Rule, 2015.

As per amendment, after extending 10 years of qualifying service, a person will be eligible for promotion to

the post of Head Assistant, instead of the existing 15 years of service. Graduation will be the minimum educational qualification for recruitment to the post of Junior Assistant in the establishment of Deputy Commissioner in place of Higher Secondary. The Cabinet has also approved the policy for reservation in promotion for persons with disabilities and other concessions. There will be relaxation in the upper age limit of persons with disabilities by 10 years in case of Grade III and Grade IV posts and by 5 years in case of Grade I and Grade II posts. Moreover, there will be exemption from payment of fees in case of competitive examinations.

There are altogether 4,80,065 persons with disabilities in the State as per 2011 Census. It may be mentioned here that the

State Social Welfare Department provides financial assistance for Rs 10,000 each to differently abled persons for skill development. Further the Cabinet has also approved the guidelines for NABOU scheme announced by Chief Minister in the 201516 Budget for extending financial support for Rs.10,000 each to 200 poor widows in each LAC. It also approved the guidelines for BIDEO scheme for extending financial assistance for Rs.10,000 each to 300 unmarried women (aged between 40-60) per LAC. The Cabinet has also approved the Assam Backward Classes Commission (2nd Amendment) Bill 2015 replacing the existing provisions of Constitution of the Commission regarding nomination of a Chairperson of eminence, ability and integrity from a wider talent pool.

NDA to increase job reservation for persons with disabilities, says minister Contd. from Page 1 Things have reached to such an extent that most of the time the broadband internet services provided through sophisticated Optic Fibre Cable (OFC) and mobile services remains out of order. Sources said that the main reason for this is frequent cut in OFC by miscreants and sometimes

damage caused to OFC line by JCB as the road between Namsai to Chongkham is developed and widened. “Actually, the miscreants find it very easy to cut the OFC lines since they are not laid properly as per BSNL specifications. On many areas the lines can be seen routed through the trees.

This is done by the corrupted BSNL officials in connivance with a section of the greedy

contractors”, sources said.

Complaints lodged by frustrated consumers to the higher authorities like the Chief General Manager, Eastern Telecom Region, BSNL, Guwahati, GM (Planning), BSNL, Itanagar, CGM (NE), Dimapur has so far proved to be futile as no action to rectify or to improve services has been noticed in the area. “The staff in the Chongkham BSNL

office too lack proper and advanced technical knowledge.

BSNL 3G equipment are lying unused for several months now as there is no technical person to man it”, the sources added.

People in Chongkham which has a Community Health Centre, police station, army camp, etc has demanded improvement in BSNL services in the area which is important from the security point of view.

Farmers' bodies congratulate AAU vice-chancellor Contd. from Page 1

Dr. KM Buzarbaruah on the other hand during his speech congratulated his team and heads of various departments and clearly mentioned that only for their contribution and hard work the university could reach such a stage as to be recognized by various Agricultural Universities and Departments of Agriculture, government of India, VC said.

He said at six Regional Agricultural Research centres (RARS) and at various other places, research work is undergoing in a phased manner for rice Titabor RARS and rendering yeo-

man service by producing hybrid rice seeds which includes pre-flood, during flood and post-flood.

Hybrid paddy seeds are produced and sent to rice growing areas in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland where its demand is very high. As per information received from Dr. Ranjiy Saud, the PRO of AAU said that agri experts from Extension department and Tea husbandry department of AAU will be heading for Arunachal for various training programme at Jairampur and Pasighat by the last week of October to hold a series of training programmes in PPP (PublicPrivate Partnership) mode, while for Nagaland training

will be held at Mon, Chanki Jonibhuttu, while for the state of Meghalaya training for progressive farmers is on

with a 40 member group selected and sent by the Department of Agriculture, govt. of Meghalaya.

3 arrested for attempting to kidnap girl students Contd. from Page 1

The culprits were identified as Shiba Saikia (50), the owner of the van, an inhabitant of Kamalaboria village, Pulin Phukan (28), the driver of the van, an inhabitant of village Solal Gaon and Rituraj Saikia (25), an inhabitant of Mout Gaon under Panigaon Police Station. According to the OC of

Panigaon PS, the four girls and a boy who are students of the aforementioned school were going home Dhenudharia Village at around 2:30 pm yesterday after their unit test of the day was over when they were stopped at Phumuria Bokol Gaon Tiniali, just 1 km away from the school and purchased some light refreshment. Meanwhile the three culprits had been on the spot in a drunken condition. At

first they began to talk with the students normally but gradually started misbehaving with the girls. Then they left the place and started going home by riding their bycycles. The three miscreants began to follow them on their Maximo Van. They followed them up to their homes even as they misbehaved and threatened to kidnap them.

Numb with terror the girls informed the matter to their guardians and the villagers

when the culprits managed to flee. The incident was informed to the police and police nabbed both of them yesterday and arrested Rituraj Saikia today as per the FIR filed by the tortured students.

Police sent them to jail today.

On the other hand the students and the teachers of the Panigaon Model Higher Secondary School today organized a rally demanding exemplary punishment for the culprits.

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9

REGION

Arunachal Governor strongly advocates improvement of road and air connectivity of the State ET Bureau Itanagar, Oct 8: The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Shri JP Rajkhowa strongly advocated for improvement of road and air connectivity of the State, in the meeting of the Governors of North Eastern Region on ‘Act East Policy’ at New Delhi on 6th October 2015. The Governor also called for bringing the communication network and connectivity standard to National level. He also stressed upon strengthening of Civil-Military cooperation in the border areas and harnessing the State tourism to its full potential.

In his address in the meeting convened by the Minister of External Affairs, Smt Sushma Swaraj, the Governor said that for accomplishing the objectives of the Act East Policy (AEP), it will be necessary to improve the road connectivity of Arunachal Pradesh, which is one of the Frontier States towards East, with the rest of India and also to improve the connectivity within the State through building up and upgrading existing National Highways and State roads. The Governor also stressed for improving road connectivity within the State along International Border areas and there is a need for a Frontier Highway connecting all the important centres of the districts along the International borders.

The Governor also stressed on construction of EastWest Industrial Corridor of the State from Bhairabkund (West Kameng District) to Ruksin (East Siang District) via Bhalukpong-SeijusaDigalmukh-BalijanNaharlagan–KiminLikabali-Dipa-Nari

(431Km), along the InterState Border with Assam.

He said that it is very essential to connect the foot hill habitations for future development of resourcebased industries in the State. This road will also immensely facilitate mobilization of manpower and equipments for development of hydropower projects also, the Governor pointed.

Similarly, he said that air connectivity for landing of Civilian Aircrafts for benefit of the local population as well as tourists would be necessary, while putting forward proposals for 56 helipads, including 30 helipads to connect border locations along the LAC without road links. The Governor also suggested that appropriate mechanism should be developed to use the Advance landing grounds (ALGs) for civilian aircrafts as well.

The Governor also urged for taking up of 12 Nos. of Interstate road in SARDPNE, Phase-B (Orphaned Road) by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways through National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (NHIDCL) under Act East Policy, be taken up. He also requested to take up in construction of

No Dalit will vote for Lalu, says Sushil Modi Munger (Bihar), Oct 8: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sushil Modidubbed Rashtriya Janata Party (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav as 'antiDalit', saying that the latter had ruined Bihar during his tenure as chief minister of the state. "Lalu Yadav does not have anything to do with development. He is the biggest anti-dalit around, not even a single dalit or mahadalit will vote for Lalu Yadav. Lalu Yadav did not give any reservation to Schedule Castes and

Schedule Tribes in Panchayat election of 2003," Modi told ANI. "Why didn't he give reservation to backward most during his regime? Lalu has ruined an entire generation of Bihar during his rule," he added. Lalu had earlier today accused the BJP of being 'anti-dalit' and 'antipoor'. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a rally at Munger, took a jibe at Lalu's beef remark and said the latter has insulted the entire 'Yaduvanshi' community. (ANI)

Iconic figures to be soon in Kolkata Kolkata, Oct 8: Brazilian football great Pele will be joined by Academy and Grammy award-winning Indian musician A R Rahman during his three-day sojourn in Kolkata, organisers said here on Thursday. The Mozart of Madras, who's composing music for the three-time World Cup winner's biopic 'Pele: Birth of a Legend', has confirmed that he would join him in the 'Legend's Tour of India', Satadru Dutta, chief strategist of Multicon Group who are one of the organisers said.

Rahman will join Pele, former India captain Sourav Ganguly and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee in the

Legends Night to be held at Netaji Indoor Stadium on October 12 and also be part of the programmes lined up in the next day. "Rahman showed keen interest to meet Pele on the sidelines of his visit to Kolkata. He may be discussing about the upcoming biopic.

Rahman will also be singing the happy birthday jingle ahead of his birthday on October 23.

We're all looking forward to it," Dutta said. Pele is scheduled to arrive on October 11 morning and will conclude his sojourn two days later by being the guest of honour at ISL defending champions Atletico de Kolkata's first home outing which is against Kerala Blasters FC. (Agencies)

Four-phase panchayat polls in Jharkhand Ranchi, Oct 8: Panchayat elections in Jharkhand will take place in four phases between November 22 and December 12, Jharkhand Election Commission chief Shiva Basant said on Thursday.

"Elections to the three-tier Panchayati Raj Institutions will take place on November 22 and 28 as well as December 5 and 12," Basant told the media. The counting of votes polled on November 22 and 28 will take place on December 6 and the counting of December 5 and 12 votes

will take place on December 13 and 19 respectively, he added. "The model code of conduct has come into effect with immediate effect," the officer added.

Jharkhand Home Secretary NN Pandey said the administration was committed to conduct free, fair and peaceful polls. "Police will be deployed in sensitive and hyper-sensitive polling booths. Security will be provided to voters and poll officials," he said.

The last panchayat polls in the state were held in December 2010. (Agencies)

PAGE 5

Lumla (Tawang) to Tashigang Road (12 km) through Indo-Bhutan cooperation, as it will reduce the road distance to Guwahati by 155 km.

The Governor, who has been closely monitoring the railway facilities in the State, called for expediting the work on strategic Railway lines initially to Tawang in the West and Pasighat in the East.

The Governor also reiterated on early completion of the Twin Rail-cum-Road Bogibeel Bridge, already much delayed bridge, which would benefit Arunachal Pradesh and Assam as well as other North East States in a big way. He also pleaded for completion of the Stilwell Road by taking up construction of 160 km in Myanmar under “Goodwill Mission”, which would benefit both the countries immensely.

Underscoring the importance of inland waterways, the Governor said that Arunachal Pradesh has number of large rivers like Siang, Lohit, Subansiri, Burhi Dihing, Noa Dihing, and Tirap, which have been used for navigation by small country boats since time immemorial. He called for developing inland water system in the State and

then connecting it to River Brahmaputra and then to Bay of Bengal. He reminded that north eastern region has an estimated 1800 kms of river routes that can be used by steamers and large country boats, of which Arunachal Pradesh has four stretches of total length of 311 km of waterway. He pointed that this sector needs to be explored, harnessed and revived the use of waterways as National priority.

To enhance the communication network for strengthening the ‘Act East Policy’ in the line of Digital India, the Governor called for up-gradation of Internet, Mobile, Radio & Television within a time frame as presently connectivity is absolutely unreliable. Citing that All India Radio covers only 57% of the area of the State, while Doordashan covers 20% area and with 56% population coverage through terrestrial transmission, the Governor stressed on the need for enhancing urgently.

The Governor emphasised that Infrastructure and Livelihood Support to the people living in the border villages have to be provided on priority basis so as to discourage the population living near the Inter-

national border from leaving their villages to more accessible locations in the State. He informed that in the Border areas, it is only the Indian Army and the ITBP which have good access to basic facilities of survival and livelihood i.e. drinking water, electricity, sanitation, health, education etc. The State Govt. is making all efforts in providing services to our civilian population subject to accessibility and availability of funds. A mechanism can be evolved whereby the joint resources of both the Security forces and the State Govt. can be complementary and both the Army and Civilian can use the facilities.

The Governor called for promoting Arunachal Pradesh as a Tourism Hub under the Act East Policy (AEP) and urged the central government to sanction and implement appropriate project. He emphasized the need for developing different kinds of tourism based on tapping the rich natural resources of the State, i.e. forests, hundreds of streams and rivers and 26 major Tribes and 106 minor Tribes with their colourful costumes, dances, songs and festivals, rich and varied wildlife-animals, birds, orchids (about 600 varieties) and 2 National Parks and several Sanctuaries have very high potential to develop into cultural, adventure and eco tourism destination.

The External Affairs minister Smt Sushma Swaraj, senior officials of External Affairs Ministry and Governors of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram Nagaland and Sikkim attended the meeting.

MNREGA Nagaland detected with several glitches Dimapur, Oct 8: Society for Training & Research on Rural Development (STRORD) and Social Audit Unit Nagaland (SAUN) have detected anomalies under MGNREGA schemes in Social Audit unit, Pfüchama village under Jakhama Block and Khonoma under Sechü Zubza block where an amount of Rs. 35,96,900 in Pfüchama and Rs. 80,055 was found less as per the amount released by the Management Information System (MIS). The pilot Social Audit Gram Sabha Khonoma was held at Khonoma village council hall, Wednesday in the presence of the civil SDO Sechü, Jakhama and assistant audit officer from AG as observer. The audit was done for the year 2013-14.

District Resource Person Vizayieno Zashiimo informed that audit on 13 schemes involving an amount of Rs. 40,66,065 was allotted to Khonoma during 2013-14. Out of the 13 schemes SAUN found that only 12 schemes was implemented and "construction of drainage" was not implemented but detected that an amount of Rs. 80,055 was withdrawn for the scheme. The issue was brought to notice of the villagers during the social audit Gram Sabha held today. The house then resolved to ask the former VBD secretary to clarify about the amount drawn at the soonest possible time, against schemes not implemented'.

After more than five hours of deliberations, the house

Music maestro S D Barman Naxals injure two Cobra remembered on his 109th Jawans in birth anniversary in Tripura Agartala, Oct 8: The 109th birth anniversary of Sachin Dev Barman, one of Hindi cinema's most celebrated music composers, was celebrated here in Tripura.

Organised by the ICA department of Tripura government, the programme started by paying floral tribute to the musician and presentation of various musical programmes those rekindled the sweetness of his music, with memories of cinema's most glorious musical era. The maestro though, was, born in the royal family of Tripura on October 1, 1906 in Comilla in Bangladesh but his music was always close to the

soil and heart. Popularly known as Panchamda, S D Barman started out as a radio singer on the Calcutta Radio Station but in 1944 moved to Bombay (Mumbai), to be a composer cum background singer. He had a struggle and long fight in the film city but his music became very popular and in 1970, Panchamda won the National Award for the 'Best Male Playback Singer' for the haunting melody from Aradhana. Several of his composed music and songs of that time are very popular till date. He composed music to more than 100 films including Hindi and Bengali. (ANI)

Gurung reviews Sikkim-Darjeeling merger as an option for Gorkhaland Darjeeling, Oct 8: The chief of the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM) and the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), Bimal Gurung, on Wednesday reviewed "options for Gorkhaland." Talking to reporters after a rally organized by the GJMM to mark its 9th foundation day, Gurung said one option could be merging Darjeeling Hills with the neighbouring state of Sikkim. "Darjeeling was once part of Sikkim. We will have to think of merging Sikkim with Darjeeling Hills if, in the long run, the vision for a separate state of Gorkhaland gets distorted here and there," he said after the rally at Motor Stand here. "We have to

part ways with Bengal anyhow," he added. He, however, said he has not talked of the merger option with Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling yet, but that he would do so soon. Asked if he will raise the issue of the Sikkim-Darjeeling merger with the state government, he said, "This has nothing to do with the state government. This is a matter of the union government." Miffed at the recent activities of chief minister Mamata Banerjee in the hills, Gurung said, "Banerjee has visited Darjeeling 27 times and every time she visits, she says she can see the Kanchanjunga smiling. But she never sees the heartache of our people. We will

smile only when we separate from Bengal." "The 28th time she visits the hills, she should come with a tourist visa," Gurung said, adding "the Bengal government should not take me lightly." According to him, the state government is a

resolved, that as per the Social Audit Unit Nagaland report, the VDB should immediately rectify the mismatch tally of job card holders in MIS and VDB record with the concerned BDOs. It also resolved that no other party would be entertained in any project under MGNREGA except the VDB. Further it was resolved that VDB should also ensure job cards to those families who do not have job cards and that the VDB should maintain a register in future when any projects comes for the village. It has resolved that the as per the MGNREGA guidelines, the labour budget should be prepared by the villagers and would submit to the government. (Agencies)

"rodent that has been digging holes in the path of people of Darjeeling hills."

"I am filling the holes now by the padayatra that I have embarked on," Gurung said.

Gurung also alleged that the Trinamul Congress has been trying to create a con-

flict between the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) and the GJMM. "GNLF leaders need to understand this," he said.

Reffering to Banerjee, he said, "If she wants to do politics, she should do it in her place and not here. She does not have even a single elected member in the Hills."According to him, though no strikes will be observed in the Darjeeling hills, the women wing of the GJMM will go on a relay hunger strike from 7 to 19 December in Delhi. The hunger strike will be followed by a public meeting on the 17, 18 and 19 December."The grand meeting will witness at least 50 to 60,000 people," he added. (Agencies)

gunfighting Raipur, Oct 8: Two CoBRA jawans were on Thursday injured in a fierce gun-battle between security forces and Naxals in Chhattisgarh's insurgency-hit Sukma district, police said. The skirmish occurred in the restive Tetri forests under Bhejji police station limits when a squad of CRPF's elite battalion-CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) was carrying out an anti-Naxal operation in the region, Sukma Additional Superintendent of Police, Santosh Singh, said. A team of CoBRA's 208 battalion was mobilised from its Errabor camp this morning for the operation. While cordoning off a forest axis near Tetri village, a group of armed cadres opened indiscriminate firing on security personnel after which they retaliated, he said. Post the ensuing gunfight that lasted for around half-an-hour, ultras fled to the deep forests on finding security personnel zeroing on them, he said.

However, two jawans sustained minor bullet injuries in the incident, the officer added. Soon after receiving information, reinforcement was rushed to the spot and the injured jawans were brought to Errabor camp from where they were airlifted to Jagdalpur for treatment, the ASP added. (agencies)

Governor calls on Union Ministers for Road Transport and Highways and Home ET Bureau Itanagar, Oct 8: Continuing his endeavour to improve the road communication in the State, the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Shri JP Rajkhowa called on the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari at Delhi on 7th October 2015.

The Governor said that the State of Arunachal Pradesh has been suffering for decades due to absolutely poor road-connectivity, both within the State as well as with the other States from North East and the mainland India. For the socioeconomic development of the State as also the success of the Act East Policy, it will be necessary to improve the road connectivity of Arunachal Pradesh with the rest of India and also to improve the connectivity within the State by connecting all the District Headquarters of 21 Districts, ADC Headquarters, EAC Headquarters, Circle Headquarters as also important towns and clusters and villages, through building up and upgrading existing National

Highways and State roads.

While conveying his appreciation to the minister for taking bold steps in improving the connectivity through the Trans-Arunachal Highway Project, which is under different stages of implementation by the BRTF, NHIDCL, State PWD, etc, the Governor added that in the same line, the roads from Assam border to the twin cities of Itanagar- Naharlagun, which are in terrible shape, need to be maintained and upgraded as per ongoing NH-52, NH-52A, NH-415 up-gradation projects.

The Governor suggested that for improving road connectivity within the State along International Border areas there is a need for a Frontier Highway connecting all the important centres along the Internation border, through the districts of Tawang, West Kameng, East Kameng, Kurung Kumey, Kra Dadi, Upper Subansiri, West Siang, Upper Siang, Dibang Valley, Lower Dibang Valley and Anjaw.

The Governor, while reiterating for construction of East-

West Industrial Corridor of Arunachal Pradesh, suggested the construction of East-West Industrial Corridor from Bhairabkund (West Kameng District) to Ruksin (East Siang District) via BhalukpongSeijusa-Digalmukh-BalijanNaharlagan–Kimin-LikabaliDipa-Nari (431Km), along the Inter-State Border with Assam.

He pointed that the TransArunachal National Highway from Tawang to Longding shall pass through the mid-belt of the State, however, East-West Industrial Highway is very essential to connect the foot hill habitations for future development of demand and resource-

based industries in the State.

This road will also immensely facilitate mobilization of manpower and equipments for development of hydropower projects also.

The Governor, who had taken up the issue of road communication in the Governors’ Conference on Act East Policy, reiterated that under the Act East Policy, 12 Nos. of Inter-State road in SARDP-NE, Phase-B (Orphaned Road) should be taken up by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways through National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (NHIDCL). Taking up the

Indo-Bhutan-Lumla-Tashigang Road with the Union Minister, the Governor said that the road project should be taken up urgently for strengthening the border trade between the two countries. Apart from giving an alternate road for the people of Tawang to reach Guwahati and other parts of the country, this road will facilitate trade, tourism and other economic activities between the two countries. The Indian portion of the road from Lumla up-to the borders of Bhutan has already been completed and is motorable upto the Indo-Bhutan border point (Warongde) on Indian side. A small stretch of 12 Kms from Warongde to Khinye (Bhutan) remains to be connected, beyond which the all weather road exists connecting all parts of Bhutan. The distance from Tawang to Guwahati via Samdrupdzongkar is 395 KM compared to the normal route, which is about 550 Km and thus a distance of 155 Km could be avoided.

In the meeting, the Governor also called for upgrading the

160 Km of the Historic Stilwell Road on Myanmar side as part of “Good Will Mission” under the Act East Policy, as the 61 Km Indian portion has already been developed by Ministry of RT & H as NH-153.

Striving for the cause of people of militancy affected Districts, the Governor requested the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, for his intervention in sanctioning and construction of about 47 Km stretch from the BRTF road point, Khonsa Village to BRTF road point, Khanu Village, Longding District, thereby connecting the two circle head quarters opened in 1957-58.

The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways assured to look into the issues positively. Later the Governor also called on the Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh at New Delhi. The Governor, who recently chaired a high level Law and Order Review meeting briefed the Union Home Minister on security issues, including impact of recent Hon’ble Supreme Court verdict on Chakma Hajong issue.

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9

Dadri case being investigated in transparent manner: Gautam Buddha Nagar DM

(ANI) Dadri, Oct. 8: Gautam Buddha Nagar District Magistrate N.P. Singhon Thursday said that the Dadri lynching incident is being investigated in a transparent and unbiased manner. "The village is at peace. If people stop visiting the village, it will stop getting talked about," Singh said. "The police and the administration are undertaking investigation in a transparent and unbiased manner. People are satisfied. But if people keep coming, the issue keeps getting discussed," he added. He also pointed out that the administration is holding meetings with the locals so that the responsible citizens can take steps if anyone tries to spread rumors. "We are trying to increase the good spirits to bring about peace," he said. A 50-year-old Akhlaq was lynched by a mob for allegedly storing beef at his residence in Dadri, Uttar Pradesh.

PAGE 6

Delhi-based BJP leader accuses Cultural ties and terror can't be Azam Khan of sedition mingled, says Thackeray junior (ANI) New Delhi, Oct. 8: Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP) leader Ashwini Upadhyay on Thursday filed a complaint against Uttar Pradesh Minority Welfare and Urban Development Minister Azam Khan at the Parliament Street police station and accused him of sedition. " Azam Khan is a lawmaker. He is not supposed to break the law.

If lawmakers break the law, then it will be very unfortunate for the nation. He not only spoke against the Government of India, but wrote to the United Nations against the Government of India. This, according to Section 124 (A) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), amounts sedition," Ashwini Upadhyay told. "He also in-

cited two communities. His intention was to create clash between two communities. That's why I requested the DCP to lodge

the complaint against him under Section 124 (A), Section 153 (A), Section 295 (A) and Section 505 of the IPC," he added. (ANI)

(ANI) Mumbai, Oct 8 : Shiv Sena youth wing chief Aditya Thackeray, on Thursday defended the Sena protest against the holding of a concert of Pakistan vocalist Ustad Ghulam Ali when soldiers of India are falling victims to firing from across the border, saying cultural ties and terror can't be mingled. "We have encounters going on everywhere, so many ceasefire violations. When this is happening we cant be having fun here. We all enjoy Ghulam Ali's songs.

But we need some sensitivity towards our soldiers. cultural ties and terror can't go hand in hand," Thackeray told the media.

Ghulam Ali's concert in

Mumbai was cancelled on Wednesday after Shiv Sena threatened to disrupt it, warning that no artiste from that country will be allowed to perform in the city till terror emanating from across the border is stopped.

Organisers of the event had

announced the cancellation after a meeting with Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray. Meanwhile, the Arvind Kejriwal government on Thursday invited Ghulam Ali to perform in the national capital, saying "music has no boundaries".

Gujarat HC rejects Teesta's plea People asking 'Bolo Modi' 'Chupi for defreezing bank accounts Kholo Modi', says Congress

Samjhauta Express stopped at Wagah due to Punjab farmers' protest (ANI) Gandhinagar, Oct. 8: The Gujarat High Court has rejected the plea of Teesta Setalvad and her husband Javed Anand for defreezing of their personal bank accounts and to allow their two NGOs to operate. Upholding the verdict of a

lower court with this regard to an embezzlement case, the high court observed that the probe was at a serious stage. Justice G.R. Udhvani in his order said the execution of a bond was not a justifiable solution when the investigation

of the Gulberg Society embezzlement case was at a serious stage. According to the court, it was premature to consider as to whether the accounts were to be defreezed, and therefore, there was no question of executing the bonds. The bank accounts of Teesta Setalvad, her husband Javed Anand and their two NGOs - Sabrang Trust and Citizens for Justice and Peace were frozen by the Crime Branch of Ahemdabad Police last year. Setalvad and others have been accused of embezzling over one and a half-crore rupees that was collected to convert the Gulberg Society, where 69 people were killed during the post-Godhra riots in 2002 into a museum in memory of the riot victims.

(ANI) New Delhi, 0ct.8: The Congress Party on Thursday said that the people are appealing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak and break his silence, rather than raising

issues that create disruption in society. "People are asking 'Bolo Modi' (Talk Modi) 'Chupi Kholo Modi' (End Your Silence Modi)," said Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala.

Commenting on the issue of the cancellation of a concert of Pakistan's popular ghazal artist Ghulam Ali in Mumbai, Surjewala said, "Art and 'Kattarwad' (radicalism or fundamentalism or communalism) have no connection, but the BJP's 'Kattarwad' (brand of communalism) is trying to kill art. People are expecting Prime Minister Modi to break his silence and stop violence, barbarisms, and also take steps to improve the nation," Surjewala told.

He further said that the BJP and Shiv Sena want to trample upon basic civil rights. Ghulam Ali's concert, which was scheduled to be held on October 9, was cancelled under pressure from the Shiv Sena.

Nearly 95 lakh toilets built in 1st Varanasi violence: Congress year of Swachh Bharat, says Chaudhary Birender Singh MLA sent to Fatehgarh jail (ANI) Chandigarh, Oct.8: The Indian Railways on Thursday cancelled the movement of the Samjhauta Express over security concerns due to an ongoing protest by farmers in Punjab. According to reports, the train was stopped at the Wagah Border and all passengers were asked to deboard by the Pakistani authorities. Several trains were either cancelled or diverted after protesting farmers blocked railway tracks at different places in Punjab on Wednesday, the first day of their demonstration to seek higher compensation for crops from the state government. Between 200 and 300 passengers travel to and from India on board the Samjhauta Express known as the 'Friendship Express', on a daily basis, but the number of passengers rises when Sikh pilgrims use the train to visit their holy sites in Pakistan.

MSF says no prior warning of US airstrike received

(ANI) Varanasi, Oct.8: Varanasi district administration has sent Congress MLA Ajay Rai to Fatehgarh jail in Farrukhabad District of Uttar Pradesh, who was arrested on Tuesday in connection with the violence in the city during Anyay Pratikar Yatra. Following Rai's arrest, the Congress party workers had earlier tried to block roads in some areas on Wednesday. Congress' communication department chairman, Satyadev Tripathi alleged that the ruling Samajwadi Party government was harassing Congress leaders in Varanasi and that raids were being conducted at the houses of party leaders. He has demanded judicial inquiry into this violence so that the truth can come out and real culprits could be

caught. He said members of BJP, VHP and Hindu Yuva Vahini, who had instigated the violence, have not been named so far. Over a dozen vehicles, including police jeeps and a few shops, were torched while several policemen and protesters sustained injuries as they

clashed during the Anyay Pratikar Yatra organised by sadhus in Varanasi district's Godaulia area. The protest was against the September 22 batoncharge on Sadhus and their supporters, when they were taking out a procession for Lord Ganesha's idol immersion in the Ganga.

(ANI) New Delhi, Oct.8: Within one year of Swachh Bharat Mission's launch, about 95 lakh toilets have been constructed across the country against the target of 60 lakh toilets, said Union Minister for Rural Development and Drinking Water and Sanitation Chaudhary Birender Singh here. Singh said that the pace of construction of toilets in rural India has gathered momentum. He said, states like West Bengal, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Maharashtra have taken the lead in construction of individual household and community toilets and these states may achieve the target of Open-Defecation Free status in 2017 or 2018, well ahead of the target of 2nd October, 2019. The Minister said the govern-

Kashmir issue resolvable says Kasuri (ANI) New Delhi, Oct. 8: Exforeign minister of Pakistan, Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri, on Wednesday said both India and Pakistan's stand on the Kashmir issue is well stated and clear and the issue is 'resolvable'. " Jammu and Kashmir is an outstanding problem, let's not shut our eyes, it remains an issue.

But good news in my book is that it is resolvable. Despite all problems and con-

(ANI) London, Oct. 8: Doctors Without Borders (Medecins sans Frontieres) has said that they did not receive any prior warning about a deadly air strike being launched on its hospital in Kunduz, Aghanishtan by the United States. The Strike killed 22 people and injured over 35 others. Jason Cone, the US executive director of the organisation told the Guardian that no warning of the strike was received. Earlier, U.S. President Barack Obama called Doctors Without Borders International President Dr. Joanne Liu, apologised and expressed his condolences for the people killed or injured in the strike. He also said that the US Department of Defence would conduct a transparent probe of the incident. The MSF, however, reiterated their demand for an independent investigation. Dr Liu said the attack on their hospital should be seen as an attack on the Geneva conventions.

tradictions, India's position is very well stated. India says there will be no change in borders," Kasuri said at the launch of his book titled 'Neither a Hawk nor a Dove'.

"Pakistan's position is equally well stated, we will never accept the status quo.

I also made an attempt when I was the Foreign Minister," he added. He further said, "I will tell you why I used to meet Hurriyat leaders. I made

a serious attempt to try and understand what they really wanted." "I knew that regardless of what Manmohan Singh or President Musharraf will do, if Hurriyat Conference completely rejected what we were doing, people of Pakistan will reject it, that is the reason why we needed to interact with them," Kasuri explained. "Did I succeed with everybody?

No. It's my regret that till last day I made an effort with SAS Geelani, I couldn't convince him," he added.

Kasuri asserted that cricket matches can act as a substitute for battlefields between India and Pakistan.

Kasuri had earlier stated that his book will facilitate the bringing of confidence in India and Pakistan that peace is possible between the two nations.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter says US won't work with Russia in battle against ISIS (ANI) Washington D.C., Oct 8: U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter has said that the US-led coalition against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has not agreed to cooperate with Russia in the battle against the terrorist group, as Moscow continues to conduct airstrikes that target opposition groups in Syria instead of ISIS. Carter said that he would carry out basic talks with Russia about efforts to ensure thatairstrikes in Syria are conducted safely. Carter said the US refused to cooperate with Russia's "technically flawed" strategy. He also said that Moscow continued to hit opposition targets in Syria instead of ISIS, calling it a "fundamental mistake". Meanwhile, Russia said it launched missiles at targets in Syria from warships in the Caspian Sea in the first major combined assault across the air and ground in Moscow's escalating campaign in the war-torn country. The missiles were aimed at ISIS targets, according to the Kremlin.

ment is committed to drive a pan-India mass movement towards improved sanitation and this is possible only through collaborative efforts of the Indian citizens. He said, his Ministry has encouraged devolution of the responsibility of sanitation promotion, up

gradation and management to Gram Panchayats by giving flexibility to the states.

Swachh Bharat Mission was launched on October 2 last year, as one of the largest national campaigns to make the country open defecation free in five years.

President Obama apologises to Doctors Without Borders for Kunduz Airstrike (ANI) New York, Oct. 8: US President Barack Obama has apologized to Doctors Without Borders for the deadly Kunduz hospital airstrike, which killed 22 people last week.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest, while briefing the media, said that President Obama apologises and expressed his condolences toDoctors Without BordersInternational President Dr. Joanne Liu during a telephonic conversation. He apologised for the US military airstrike, which mistakenly attacked an MSF field hospital in Kunduz in Afghanistan that killed 22 people, including the staff and patients. Dr. Joanne Liu issued a statement in response to the apology and has asked for the US government's consent for an independent investigation led by the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission. The US continues to refrain from giving support for an independent investigation. Obama has assured Liu for a transparent, thorough and objective investigation to find the facts and circumstances of the incident. Currently, there are three different investigations going on, including one led by US Department of Defense.

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9

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NEIGHBOURS

Nepal Govt. registers first amendment US negotiating civil nuclear deal with bill to address Madhesis' demands Pakistan ahead of Nawaz Sharif's visit Kathmandu, Oct 8: The Government of Nepal today registered "first amendment bill" of the Constitution at Parliament Secretariat, which seeks to address the two major demands of Madhesis and indigenous communities.According to The Himalayan Times, the amendment bill was regis-

Indo-Pak peace critical for stability in S. Asia, says U.S. Karachi, Oct. 8: The United States today stressed the need for both India and Pakistan to work together to defeat terrorists.In a press briefing, Mark Toner, the spokesperson for the US State Department said that ties between both the countries are critical to achieve peace and stability in South Asia. According to the Dawn, Toner said the US wanted the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, that left 166 people dead, must be held accountable for their crimes. He added that US wants India to have stronger counterterrorism cooperation all the South Asia countries including Pakistan.(ANI)

tered seventeen days after the Constituent Assembly promulgated the new Constitution on September 20.The amendment bill seeks to address proportional inclusion and make population the basis for delineating the electoral constituencies, the two major demands of Madhesis and

i n d i g e n o u s communities.The protestors have been demanding that the boundaries of federal units be determined to make two separate provinces by covering the entire T a r a i - M a d h e s region.However, the amendment bill does not include the issue of boundary.The

three major parties of Nepal, Congress, CPN-UML and Unified CPN-Maoist, say that the issue can be addressed through a federal commission, to be formed as per the provision of the new Constitution that will make recommendations on it within one year.Minister for Law, Justice, Constituent Assembly and Parliamentary Affairs Narahari Acharya said that the amendment bill was registered as per Nepalese Prime Minister Sushil Koirala's commitment made in the CA on September 13.The bill seeks amendment to five provisions of Articles 42, 84 and 286 to address the two issues.On Tuesday, the meeting between Nepal's three major parties and UDMF had ended inconclusively as the latter demanded concrete agenda on various issues for talks.The Madhesis and other communities in Nepal have been saying that the new Constitution does not give them equal rights. (ANI)

Body formed to probe murder of ex-MP's daughter-in-law Dhaka, Oct 8:A threemember probe body has been formed to investigate the murder of former Awami League MP Mollah Jalaluddin's daughter-inlaw in Khulna.Bangladesh M a n o b i d h i k a r Bastobayon Shongstha formed the probe body today morning to investigate the matter.Police recovered the bullet-hit body of Rabbi Sultana Lipi, 30, around 8:30pm Wednesday.She was the wife of Jalaluddin's eldest son Mollah Kamaluddin, who went to Saudi Arabia to hajj.Khulna Metropolitan Police Commissioner said they were investigation the matter. (Agencies)

urging, that group agreed to exempt India from rules that banned nuclear trade with countries that evaded the Non-Proliferation Treaty," The Post said. It said that such an agreement might eventually "open a path toward a Pakistani version of the civil nuclear deal that was launched with India in

2005".The White House neither confirmed nor denied the report. It just said that the US is in regular contact with Pakistan on a range of issues ahead of Sharif's trip. "We are in regular contact with the Government of Pakistan on a range of issues as we prepare for the visit on October 22 of

Prime Minister Sharif. We'll decline comment on the specifics of these discussions," a senior Obama Administration official told PTI on condition of anonymity.

In recent past, the US led international community has expressed concern over the fast growth of Pakistan's nuclear weapons stockpile.

The Post said the talks with Pakistan on this issue would be slow and take long. "Pakistan prizes its nuclear programme, so negotiations would be slow and difficult, and it's not clear that Islamabad would be willing to accept the limitations that would be required. But the issue is being discussed quietly in the run-up to Prime Minister Sharif's visit to Washington," it said."Any progress would break a stalemate that has existed since the US detected Pakistan's nuclear programme in the mid1980s, and especially after Pakistan exploded its first weapon in 1998," the daily reported. (Agencies)

Kathmandu,Oct 8: NepalBangladesh bilateral trade has been halted for the past two weeks due to the undeclared Indian trade embargo on Nepal. According to Nepal Transit Warehouse Company, about 200 trucks carrying various imported goods have been stuck at Banlabanda on the IndiaBangladesh border.

"Bangladeshi exporters are reluctant to dispatch goods to Nepal," said Yadav Raj Shiwakoti, chief of the company at Kakarvitta, Jhapa.

"They fear of a possible obstruction by the Indian customs office at Phulbari."Goods including cotton, industrial raw materials, fabric, juice, jam and batteries have been stuck at Banlabanda.

"The Bangladeshi traders fear their trucks might be stuck at bordering areas," Dilip Timilsina, a Nepali trader involved in Bangladesh trade, said. Due to halting in Nepal-Bangladesh trade, the Mechi Customs Office has been losing Rs1.1 million in revenues every day, according to the custom's chief Bhim Prasad Adhikari.

This means the customs of-

fice has lost revenue of more than Rs15 million in the last two weeks.Due to continued obstruction at the customs point, Dabur Nepal, an Indian multination company, failed to deliver its products like "Chyawanprash" to Bangladesh on Wednesday.

Exports of pulses and vegetables to the neighbour have also stopped for the past month. Bangladesh is

the largest importer of Nepali "Musuro" pulse.

The two countries have been trading goods through the Kakarbhitta-PhulbariBanglabanda trade route.

Based on international rules, India cannot block this route because a landlocked country should have the access to other markets through neighbouring country, a source at the Customs Office said.Nepal ex-

ports goods such as pulse, medicinal herbs and vegetables to Bangladesh and imports cotton, medicines, battery, fabric, juice, potatoes, milk powder, biscuit, raw jute, tube light and mobile phones, among others from the neighbour. In the last fiscal year, Nepal exported goods worth Rs1.08 billion to Bangladesh, while imports amounted to Rs 2.73 billion. (Agencies)

Suu Kyi says she'll lead if her party wins upcoming Myanmar elections Nepal-Bangladesh bilateral trade halted Yangon, Oct 8: Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi said if her party wins upcoming elections, she will lead the country from behind the scenes circumventing a clause in the constitution that bars her from the presidency.If the Nov. 8 vote is credible, most observers believe Ms. Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party will win the most seats in the country's parliament, the House of Representatives.

By forming a coalition with smaller parties, it could control a majority.A clause in the 2008 constitution, drafted when the country was under military rule, prevents Ms. Suu Kyi from taking

the top job because her late husband and two children are British nationals. There are no obvious alternatives within her party's ranks."I've made it quite clear that if the NLD wins the elections and we form a government, I'm going to be the leader of that government whether or not I'm the president," Ms. Suu Kyi told media. Myanmar, a predominantly Buddhist country, began moving from a half-century of military rule toward democracy in 2011.

Though there are many concerns - including the exclusion of ethnic Rohingya Muslims from the process and irregularities in voting lists - most observ-

ers believe next month's elections are the countries best chance in decades for relatively free and credible polls.Under the constitution, however, the military will hold 25 per cent of the seats in parliament regardless of the outcome. It also will retain control of all portfolios related to national security. Ms. Suu Kyi was under house arrest during 1990 elections that were swept by her party, but the military annulled the results and refused to hand over power. The following year, she won the Nobel Peace Prize, but the junta confined her to her home for much of the next 20 years. (Agencies)

China adopts IMF statistical benchmark to improve transparency Beijing, Oct 8: China will conform to the latest statistical standards set by the IMF to improve transparency and remove skepticism about the economic data provided by the world's second largest economy, especially in the backdrop of global concerns over the slowdown of its economy.

After approval from the cabinet, the People's Bank of China (PBOC) governor Zhou Xiaochuan informed IMF of its decision to conform to the Special Data Dissemination Standards (SDDS) of the IMF, the bank announced today. Since 2002, China has used the General Data Dissemination System (GDDS), which the IMF set up in December 1997 to provide a framework for countries to adapt and improve their statistical systems. (Agencies)

Washington, Oct 8: Ahead of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's visit in Washington this month, the US is negotiating a pact on new limits on Pakistan's nuclear weapons and delivery systems a deal that might lead to an agreement similar to the Indo-US civil nuclear deal, according to a media report."Pakistan has been asked to consider what are described as 'brackets'," The Washington Post quoted a source familiar with the talks between the two countries as saying. It said Pakistan would agree to restrict its nuclear programme to weapons and delivery systems that are appropriate to its actual defence needs against India's nuclear threat. "Pakistan might agree not to deploy missiles capable of reaching beyond a certain range," the Post said.In return for such an agreement, the US might support an eventual waiver for Pakistan by the 48-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group, of which it is a member, the paper said. "At US

High alert at country's jails Sri Lanka Tourism to focus on Asian Tourism as arrivals from Asia reach 45% of total Colombo, Oct 8: Sri Lanka Tourism must focus on Asian Tourism as arrivals from Asia amounted to 45.3% of the total reaching 595,583 arrivals while the contribution from Europe dropped to 39% as at end September 2015, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau Chairman Dr. Rohantha Athukorala said.Sri Lanka Tourism will be the Tourism partner of Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) in the third leg of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series to be staged in next week in Colombo which is sponsored by telecom giant Dialog.The tournament this year will feature 12 men's and 8 women's teams taking part from China, Hong Kong, Japan,

Kazakhstan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, UAE and Uzbekistan."Sri Lanka Tourism marketing investment in those countries is almost 300 million per annum and I am thankful for SLRFU for inviting us to partner the event. With the free TV space that will be allowed for Sri Lanka Tourism we can reach 40 million viewers in Asia which is a big win," said Chairman Athukorala. "I sincerely thank the private sector for rallying round Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau with the next International Travel Consumer fair coming up being ITB Asia 2016 that is to be staged in Singapore on the 22nd of

October 2015. There are 23 top Destination Marketing Companies from Sri Lanka taking part in the event with Sri Lanka Tourism which can support conversion of a potential traveler from the media support we will get from the Asian Rugby Sevens partnership." he said."Almost 49% of the business into Sri Lanka from tourism is consumed by the informal sector and which is fueled positively by online travel companies like Air BnB, Agoda and Booking.com. This is called the shared economy of the world which is the new trend globally which Sri Lanka needs to accept the new reality and adjust," the Chairman said. (Agencies)

'Local criminals involved with Bandarban abduction' Dhaka, Oct 8: Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has said local criminal groups are involved with the abduction of two tourists and their guide who went missing in Bandarban. He made the statement while addressing a press conference at the secretariat on Thursday afternoon. Asaduzzaman said: "In the primary investigation we have found out that the local criminals are involved with the abduction.""They will soon be rescued.

Army officials are working to rescue them," the minister added. An armed separatist rebel group of Myanmar demanded Tk50 lakh ransom for the two tourists and their guide on Wednesday.Passing Mro, brother of the missing guide Mangsai Mro, told the Dhaka Tribune that the local commander of the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) had called him and asked for the ransom.They went missing in Bandarban on Saturday. (Agencies)

Dhaka, Oct 8: The jail authorities have issued a high alert at all the 68 jails of the country, especially those having militant inmates, apparently in the face of murder of two foreign nationals and arrest of several militant leaders.The officials concerned were asked to check national identity card of every visitor and not to allow anyone if they do not have blood relation with the inmates, according to sources in the Home Ministry.When contacted, Brig Gen Syed Iftekhar Uddin, the inspector general of prisons, told the media yesterday that they had intelligence information about possible terror attack in November aimed at destabilising the nation."So we have asked the jail officials to follow some instructions," he said."We will give special attention on the areas surrounding the jails to avoid any unwanted situation," the official added.As intelligence agencies pointed fingers at militant outfits and extremist groups for the deaths of the two foreign nationals, the government decided to deploy additional law enforcers at the jails and also to increase patrol.The jail headquarters also asked the top officials of the 68 jails to perform their duties properly.Jail sources said that the

country's jails currently have nearly 400 militant inmates.Jailer Nesar Alam of the Dhaka Central Jail told the media: "We always remain alert on the militant issue. A number of top militant leaders are now in jail, mostly at Kashimpur High Security Jail and Rajshahi Central Jail." Subrata Kumar Bala, jail super of Kashimpur jail, told the media that they had beefed up security measures a couple of days ago with special concentration on the cells having militant leaders.Rajshahi Jailer Shahadat Hossain also said that they had increased vigilance on the

militant inmates.However, several law enforcement agency sources said that earlier the jail authorities had failed to prevent the top militant inmates from holding meetings inside the Kashimpur jail, using phones and internet, and meeting their leaders outside jail.The detective branch of police last year arrested 107 members of different militant outfits and 38 in the first five months of the current year.Based on information given by the arrestees, the police said the militant outfits were working together since last year to wage armed

revolution with a view to uprooting the government and establish an Islamic state. The militants were also desperate to free their top leaders from jail or snatch them from the prison vans, the DB officials said.Investigators dealing with militant cases also found that the militant inmates had held meetings inside the jail before the three leaders of JMB were snatched from Trishal last year.DB Joint Commissioner Monirul Islam said that they had alerted the jail authorities of possible subversive acts by the militants.

(Agencies)

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DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9

Nepal's Constitution and Lessons for India Nobel honour in Chemistry For mapping how cells repair DNA Three scientists will share the 2015 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced. The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2015 would be awarded to Tomas Lindahl, Paul Modrich and Aziz Sancar "for mechanistic studies of DNA repair," i.e. for having mapped, at a molecular level, how cells repair damaged DNA and safeguard the genetic information. "Their work has provided fundamental knowledge of how a living cell functions and is, for instance, used for the development of new cancer treatments," the statement said.

Each day, DNA is damaged by UV radiation, free radicals and other carcinogenic substances, but even without such external attacks, a DNA molecule is inherently unstable. Thousands of spontaneous changes to a cell's genome occur on a daily basis. Furthermore, defects can also arise when DNA is copied during cell division, a process that occurs several million times every day in the human body, according to the statement. The reason our genetic material does not disintegrate into complete chemical chaos is that a host of molecular systems continuously monitor and repair DNA. The Nobel Committee said the winners' work "has provided fundamental knowledge of how a living cell functions and is, for instance, used for the development of new cancer treatments."But back in the early 1970s, scientists believed that DNA was an extremely stable molecule, Lindahl demonstrated that DNA decays at a rate that ought to have made the development of life on Earth impossible. This insight led him to discover a molecular machinery, which constantly counteracts the collapse of our DNA, according to the statement.

Sancar had mapped nucleotide excision repair, the mechanism that cells use to repair UV damage to DNA. People born with defects in this repair system will develop skin cancer if they are exposed to sunlight. The cell also utilises nucleotide excision repair to correct defects caused by mutagenic substances, among other things, according to the statement. Modrich had also demonstrated how the cell corrects errors that occur when DNA is replicated during cell division. This mechanism, mismatch repair, reduces the error frequency during DNA replication by about a thousandfold, according to the statement. The Nobel Committee said that "their work has provided fundamental knowledge of how a living cell functions and is, for instance, used for the development of new cancer treatments." This year's prize money of 8 million SEK (about 0.96 million US dollars), will be shared equally among the laureates.

Achievement of the millennium Global poverty rate to fall below 10% The number of people living in extreme poverty around the world is likely to fall to below 10 percent of the global population in 2015, according to a forecast released by the World Bank. The forecast used a new international poverty line of $1.9 a day, an upgrade from the previous line of $1.25 a day, which was set in 2005. The upgraded poverty line incorporated new information on differences in the cost of living across countries and preserved the real purchasing power of the previous line. The reason for the World Bank to adjust the poverty line is to correct for the fact that prices had risen since 2005 and $1.25 now would no longer buy what it bought in 2005. Using the new line, the World Bank projected that global poverty will fall from 902 million people or 12.8 percent of the global population in 2012 to 702 million people, or 9.6 percent of the global population this year. The continued major reductions in poverty were due to strong growth rates in developing countries in recent years and investments in people's education, health and social safety nets, said Jim Yong Kim, president of World Bank Group. In order to further reduce poverty and boost shared prosperity, the World Bank president called on countries to boost broad-based growth that generates sufficient income-earning opportunities to invest in areas such as education, health and sanitation, and to protect the poor and vulnerable against sudden risks of unemployment, hunger, illness and other calamities.

Surprisingly, though India was home to the largest number of poor in 2012, India's poverty rate is one of the lowest among those countries with the largest number of poor, the latest World Bank report notes. Also in the case of India, with large numbers of people clustered close to the poverty line, poverty estimates are significantly different depending on the recall period in the survey, the authors note. Since 2015 is the target year for the Millennium Development Goals, the assessment of changes in poverty over time is best based on the Uniform Reference Period (URP) consumption method, which uses a 30-day recall period for calculating consumption expenditures, as per the report. This method, used to set the baseline poverty rates for India in 1990, shows India's poverty rate for 2011/ 12 to be 21.2 per cent.

This is the best story in the world today - these projections show us that we are the first generation in human history that can end extreme poverty. This new forecast of poverty falling into the single digits should give us new momentum and help us focus even more clearly on the most effective strategies to end extreme poverty. It will be extraordinarily hard, especially in a period of slower global growth, volatile financial markets, conflicts, high youth unemployment, and the growing impact of climate change. But it remains within our grasp, as long as our high aspirations are matched by country-led plans that help the still millions of people living in extreme poverty.

India wants Nepal to change some provisions. It would do better to adopt some itself.

Mukesh Rawat On September 20, Nepal's President Ram Baran Yadav announced that his country had a new constitution. The promulgation of the constitution is significant because it paves the way for the establishment of a democratic political system in the country.

The constitution itself is the result of eight years of deliberation, including the failure of the first Constituent Assembly in 2012. It is the seventh constitution to have been adopted by Nepal in the last 67 years and the first by democratically elected representatives.

India's Overreaction The adoption of Nepal's constitution has triggered alarm bells in India. According to reports in the Indian Express, a day after the constitution was promulgated; India expressed its displeasure about the content. New Delhi has reportedly asked Nepal to make as many as seven amendments to address the concerns of the Madhesis and Janjatis (minority groups in Nepal).

These amendments, the report suggest, have been "conveyed to Nepal's leadership through official channels."

In the last few months, these communities have strongly protested against provisions of the constitution which they fear will impinge on their cultural identities. Prominent among the concerns are provisions related to the reorganization of provinces. The Madhesis largely inhabit the plain regions that border India. The protest has reportedly claimed 40 lives so far and New Delhi fears that violence may spill over to the Indian side if corrective measures are not taken.

The constitution was passed by a clear majority with 507 of the 598 constituent assembly members voting in favor. However, around 60 members from the Madhesis and Janjatis community boycotted the vote. India views the constitution as unrepresentative of a significant fraction of the population.

New Delhi's response to the constitution has come as a surprise to many. As a democratic country itself, India has arguably overstepped the limits of suggestion and rather tried to impose its views on its much smaller neighbor. In various international forums, India has repeatedly advocated for a country's right to self-determination. Unfortunately, this seems not to apply to Nepal.

The concerns that India has raised may well be real.

The Madhesis and Janjatis

may indeed be fearful of their future at the hands of the three big political parties in Nepal. As a friendly neighbor, it is certainly not unreasonable for India to suggest concerns. However, asking the country to made seven amendments to its constitution the day after it was promulgated goes well beyond suggestion. India must respect the will of the Nepali people and the democratic process through which the constitution was drafted and adopted.

Responding to a report published in one of the leading national English Daily, the Ministry of External Affairs has issued a statement stating, "The article is incorrect. Government of India has not handed over any list of specific Constitutional amendments or changes to the Government of Nepal‌we continue to urge that issues on which there are differences should be resolved through dialogue in an atmosphere free from violence, and institutionalized in a manner that would enable broad-based ownership and acceptance." The newspaper maintained that it "has confirmed from its sources that these amendments/changes were communicated by New Delhi to Katmandu. It stands by the report."

Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar was sent on a diplomatic mission to ensure that India's concerns are amicably addressed. His visit was a failure. Immediately after Nepal adopted its constitution; India recalled its ambassador in Katmandu for a briefing.

New Delhi has expressed its displeasure (and also here) without much impact.

It is likely to perceive this as its weakening grip over the Himalayan state, notwithstanding its humanitarian aid in the wake of the recent earthquake and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visiting the country twice.

Lessons for Democracy?

India may praise itself as the "world's largest democracy" but there are important lessons it can take from the new constitution of Nepal.

With the promulgation of this constitution Nepal has become the first Asian country to explicitly recognize the rights of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community. The provisions under Right to Equality clearly state that "no discrimination shall be made against any citizen in the application of general laws on grounds of religion, colour, caste, tribe, sex,

sexual orientation, bodily condition, disability, status of health, marital status, pregnancy, financial status, origin, language or region, ideological conviction or any of these."

The constitution also states that nothing shall prevent the state from the "making of special provisions by law for the protection, empowerment or advancement of [among others] gender-based and sexually oriented minorities."

In contrast, same-sex relationship is a crime in India under Section 377 of the Penal Code, which awards punishment of "imprisonment for life or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years and shall also be liable to fine."

The Supreme Court in 2013 upheld Section 377 but left it to the wisdom of the parliament to decide whether to retain or repeal the draconian law.

The present Narendra Modi government recently informed parliament that it has no plans to repeal Section 377. The party in the past has welcomed the apex court verdict and also termed homosexuality as "anti-India."

Recognizing the rights of women, the constitution of Nepal explicitly states that "women shall have

equal ancestral right without any gender-based discrimination." India has yet to introduce a similar right for women from all faiths.

Moreover, ancestral property rights for women are not a fundamental right in India. Apart from this, the principles of positive discrimination and proportional inclusion have been employed in Nepal's constitution to give women the right to participate in all agencies of State mechanism and in health, education, employment and social security. While India has implemented positive discrimination in various fields, it has a long way to go to ensure proportional inclusion of women in state mechanism.

Nepal also has become the second country after Bhutan in South Asia to abolish the death penalty.

The Supreme Court of India in the past has accepted the fact that on various occasions innocent people have been executed. Since 1996, around 15 people have been erroneously given the death penalty.

Two of them were hanged.

Under the new constitution, victims of environmental pollution or degradation in Nepal now have the fundamental right to receive compensation from the polluter. In India the

Responding to a report published in one of the leading national English Daily, the Ministry of External Affairs has issued a statement stating, "The article is incorrect. Government of India has not handed over any list of specific Constitutional amendments or changes to the Government of Nepal‌we continue to urge that issues on which there are differences should be resolved through dialogue in an atmosphere free from violence, and institutionalized in a manner that would enable broad-based ownership and acceptance."

The newspaper maintained that it "has confirmed from its sources that these amendments/changes were communicated by New Delhi to Katmandu. It stands by the report."

"right to a clean environment" is not explicitly mentioned in the constitution, but the Supreme Court has interpreted it be included under the right to life. However, unlike Nepal, the victims of environmental pollution or degradation in India are not entitled to any compensation as a fundamental right. The state may impose a penalty on polluters but this does not necessarily mean that the affected will be compensated.

The state gets richer; the victims poorer.

Similarly, while advocating for a fundamental right to education, the constitution makes special provisions for the empowerment of the differently-able citizens. It states, "Citizens with disability and economically poor conditions shall have the right to free higher education." On the other hand, in India no such provisions are available under fundamental rights for the differently able to access free higher education. Provisions for free education are limited only to the primary level.

What Next?

A constitution can be a living document; India must desist from taking a strong position prematurely. Indian must acknowledge the fact that after years of political uncertainty, Nepal finally has a constitution which on the whole is progressive. Like any other constitution, it has loopholes.

The Indian constitution itself is full of them. Yet India would baulk at another country trying to force change upon it. Suggestions are welcome, dictation is not.

Senior Nepali journalist Kanak Mani Dixit says, "Perhaps the most welcome aspect is that amendments can be adopted with relative ease over the next two years and four months, as the Constituent Assembly enjoys a kind of afterlife as a Parliament with the same party based configuration.

Everything except sovereignty and national integrity are open to amendment‌ it is important for India to let the neighbor sort out its challenges on its own."

Given the deep historical, cultural and religious links the two countries share, careful employment of soft power diplomacy would very likely be a better way for India to express its concerns.

Mukesh Rawat is a New Delhi based freelance j o u r n a l i s t . mukeshrawat705@gmail.com He tweets @mukeshrawat705

Biased State Government Sir, It is unfortunate that a political party, particularly the ruling dispensation of our state, could stoop to such abysmal lows as amply manifested in some of their biased activities. It used to be believed that the soft corner maintained by the party towards the minorities, mostly for those migrating to Assam across lower Assam, central Assam, was strong but in contrast, we are appalled to note that many victims from the indigenous communities, still await realisation of the amount announced by the state government in the wake of either some bomb blast or some natural calamity or some other disaster. For instance, after the bomb blasts in Ganeshguri and several other parts of Guwahati, resulting in the death of more than 100 persons (October 2010), the beneficiaries of the victims are yet to receive the amount announced by the state government. Had the blasts occurred in Karimganj, Hailakandi, Dhuburi and Goalpara killing the minorities, infiltrating into Assam from Bangladesh, the state government would have lost no time in compensating them lavishly. If some indigenous person is killed, the Chief-minister or some cabinet minister might announce some compensation that might not be

materialized. There is no certainty. There are examples galore. With our eyes, wide open, we look at the seat of the Chief-minister and ponder a while silently that this seat was once adorned by the likes of Gopinath Bordoloi, Mahendra Mohan Choudhury, Bishnu Ram Medhi and Sarat Chandra Singha. Oh, the days, oh the manners!

Yours etc.

Ashok Bordoloi Dibrugarh

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

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

Op

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9

Postal Services: Needs More Attention Ravi Nitesh Receiving a letter, looking for the postman, was the experience that certainly enjoyed by all people before our generations. Regardless of rural and urban portfolios, people of all types and of all class used to share the same feeling and same happiness decades ago on arrival of postman in their area.

Those who were illiterate used to go to a person who can read the letter for them.

These all things have its several impact and effect on social structure. At many times, these things helped people to form a bond, to provide easier communication, social bonding and to make a society in its real mean.

We experienced a sudden change after the revolution made in virtual world of internet. Gradually in a decade, we forget those 'khaki' wearing cycle riders. From the most demanded person to the least important man, they witnessed it on themselves.

Still many of those who are using internet frequently for communication purpose, can remember the days when they wrote essay on 'The Postman".

India Post has updated itself with the time, but in competition with courier services, our postal services lagged. Are the postal services not competent with other mode of physical transfer of letters/articles/ goods such as couriers?

Still lot of post offices in India is famous for their architecture. These have become antique piece where people sometimes really visit to see it. We can

nomic development of a country.

For India, postal services are still so relevant because still most of the Indian population lives in rural areas, urban areas also have not received support of frequent internet connections, lack of electricity and many such reasons push the India post to make its services better. In approx 1,54, 866 post offices of India, 1.39,040 are situated in rural areas as per Annual report of India Post. With this large network, Indian Postal services are placed with world's largest network. To make its services better and speedy, government has provisioned to make all post offices IT (information technology) enabled. In this 12th Five year plan, these services will be made fully equipped at all post offices.

To help the upliftment of social schemes, government has collaborated the post offices with many schemes so that people can

Letters of the Street Ananya S Guha 'Letters Of The Stree' is Jasper Elias's first collection of poems. Poetry in English in India today is said to have no market, but despite this caution, paradoxically more and more poetry is written in English. This collection supposedly uses the technique of letters to write poetry, the epistolary method of writing, which has been a foundation of literature for a long time.

The poems strike a chatty, conversational note and address a 'silent listener'.

The poems are a blend of tradition and contemporary concerns of a hybrid, valueless society.

The one interesting feature of the book is the use of unalloyed rhyming or verse form, combined with free verse, the characteristic mainstay of contemporary poetry. Elias in some poems uses a regular rhme scheme: 1,3 2 and 4. This invests the poems with an artful rhyhthm and the cadences of such poems break into melody. Today when very little verse is written in regular rhyming this is indeed a daunting task which creates a poetic realistic effect. Elias's poetry is also marked by a fictive imagination cast in the narrative mode expressing a different world twice or thrice removed from the poet's immediate reality. It breaks away from a minimalist mode of writing poetry which again is a contemporary or modernist trend. The poet draws from his imaginative resources to tell a story, say of a man who resides in a fourteenth story of a building, and views the world, his world from this vantage point.

But the weaving of a fictional world, twice or thrice removed from the poet's world, as he has lived in India all his life, infuses fictional reality into his narrative myths -

ed

The Man Who Made Indians Believe That They Didn't Need A Gandhi To Make Things Right Anurag

see the grand building, high roofs, old styled fans, a special smell, lot of old files, old styled furnitures‌.and yes, many slow hands and old faces.

Customers also complaint about irritating behavior of post office personals.

Though, in fact India Post also tried a lot to update itself with times and in fact brought lot of new things that can be count for speed and value for money but in spite of this it is loosing the charm.

On analyzing the reasons, we can find that this decrease is not just due to launch of internet, but also due to lack in efforts of postal services in the most required awareness programs in creative ways.

It is World post Day today, that is celebrated on anniversary of Universal Postal Union (1874). It was declared as World post Day in 1969 with the purpose to create awareness of the role of postal services in everyday lives and in socio eco-

get benefit with this largest network. Wages of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guranatee Scheme also distributed through post offices in various circles. National Postal Policy also launched in Feb 2012.

Even a special course of Gramin Dak Sevak' launched by the government under NIOS. With these upgradation, we can hope for the betterment of this service in future. As, its betterment will be effective in uplifting socio economic condition of society and the already built large network can be helpful in many more services.

We though are not dependent on postal services for our general communication, but still we can have the best way to send articles through post. On the occasion of World Post Day, we can live a moment when we can write a letter and can post.

(The article was earlier published in e-pao.net)

whether it be the life of a person in Europe, or the persona going shopping downtown in Europe.

This is the fictional element, which leads to surprise and movement in these poems. Such poetic fiction if one may call it gives to his poetry a radical form or outlook.

The poet's universe is not necessarily morally flawed but god centred, where the speaker moves in and and out of a spiritual crisis. The frequent references to the 'Book' is an allegorical or Biblical symptom of a search for wisdom. The poems also explore themes of love and relationships. They build into their texture a refinement in the quest and meaning for life. The allegorical mode of his poetic stories is also a testament to a void that one can experience in life.The

poems are both artful and arty, the latter through the use of movement and rhyme. 'Letters Of The Street' the title of the collection is a moment of reflection on life, its humdrum existence, as well as a search for the moral or the divine. The love poems are quiet and meditative statements of wish fulfilment.

This is indeed a very impressive first collection, not because of any pyrotechnics, but because of this wonderful blending of the traditional and the modern, the fictional and narrative resources existent in literature; which the poet exploits. Such inter-textuality makes this first collection very impressive and eminently readable.

Title: Letters Of The Street Publisher : Partridge India Pages: 141.

Last week, I was sitting with a modest tray of coke and french fries at McDonalds, when I overheard a conversation. I had a half read book in my hands and it was raining heavily that day.

"Let's grab some beer! It's your birthday for god's sake!"

"Dude! It's a dry day."

"Oh! This Gandhi, I tell you. He did more bad than good for us! Look how he has ruined it forever. You will never have a beer on your birthday."

Ever since I could comprehend things, I used to hear this word, 'Gandhi', its stature always amusing me.

From the illiterate farmers in Bihar (where I come from), to the IT professionals of Pune (where I live now), everyone has an opinion about the Mahatma.

More importantly, they all have a story about him.

Some hate him, some love him, some make fun of him, but no one over the age of ten is apathetic to him.

There were so many who came before him, those who shared his time and thought of an independent India.

But for some reason, they could not come out of our history books. Some with a political legacy like Nehru got schools and colleges and hospitals named after him, but even he was not deemed significant enough to get a national holiday of his own or his face on the currency.

I read books, watched documentaries, and they all seemed to answer one central question, 'Who wasGandhi?' I was never much interested in that question, though.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was a great man.

We all have some hypocrisies, certain imperfections, no matter how good we are, and he must have had his own. Perhaps, that is the distinguishing factor between mortal humans and mythical gods. What troubled me was another question. 'What was Gandhi?'

I found it a little romantic to think that one man could take a country to independence like he did. I always tried to reason that out with what I read, with what I saw, but it didn't make sense to my so-called rationality. Attempts to freedom were made before him too, but then why did his movement achieve what others couldn't? This brings me to that half-read book I had with me at McDonalds. It's a bijou book called 'Kanthapura' by Raja Rao. It tells a story from 1920's about a small fictional village near Mysore. It is about 'Gandhi', the phenomenon that happened at Kanthapura. It is also an interesting take at the

Gandhian movement because throughout the entire narrative, Mahatma Gandhi never visits the village nor does he have an interaction with any of the characters.

The villagers run their own parallel freedom struggle, led by a young lad, Moorthi, who is a staunch follower of the Gandhian philosophy and a member of the local congress. Villagers see Moorthi as their Gandhi.

Then they all start being Gandhi's of their own.

Women, children, shudras, brahmins, everyone rises above their personal prejudices and struggles at their own level. Perhaps, that is what Bapu did to India. He was not a leader. He never asked anyone to follow him.

He never asked anyone to die for him or to kill for him.

He was an alchemist. An alchemist who could take an ordinary man and turn him into a Gandhi.

He gave India a talisman.

He asked Indians to spin their own cotton, cook their own food, and take their own decisions based on their conscience. He knew that only when people be-

came less dependent on others for their needs, India could become independent.

Wherever he went, he created a handful of Gandhis.

He made sure that even if he was no more someday, he had backup aplenty. When he walked to the Arabian Sea to make salt in 1930, some other Gandhi may have been walking to make salt out of the Bay of Bengal along with a hundred others. He made Indians believe that they didn't need a Gandhi or a Bose to make things right. And that is where he ceased being a mere human. He became a way of life, a religion. Even today, knowingly or unknowingly, thousands of Gandhis walk on this planet. They are not hard to find, because passively, in our hearts, we are one of them.

We might need to rouse those Gandhis in us soon, now that humans have turned into animals, yet again, fighting over cow/ beef (whatever you find appropriate). We can use as many Gandhis as we can afford right now.

'Cow'webs Of India: It's Time To Let The Dancing Skeletons In The Hindu Closet Out Kanika Sori

Book Review

Page 9

There is a certain narrative gaining major currency in the public discourse nowadays: Hindus always held the cow to be sacred and were always opposed to the killing of the cow. Only the first half of that contention is true.

In fact Hindus used to sacrifice and consume beef on such huge scale during both Vedic and post-Vedic age that Buddhism was born out of sheer disgust at the amount of animal bloodshed for Hindu rituals and sacrifices, way more than the consumption requirement of the population. But this still wasn't a call for vegetarianism in the name of Ahimsa; Buddhists continue to eat beef till date.

So do many Hindu castes and communities. The only real vegetarians in India were Jains. That Hindus, both Brahmins and non-Brahmins, never ate beef is an outright lie!

Vegetarianism was a much later adopted strategy by Brahmin and Bania castes to establish Brahminical supremacy over Buddhism. The claim of the militant Hindu gang that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar endorsed the Hindutva project and opposed beefeating is yet another lie.

He advocated Dalits to convert to beef-eating Buddhism. Ambedkar rigorously studied Rig Veda, Satapatha Brahmana, Dharma Sutras and even Buddhist literature to demonstrate just how prevalent beef eating was among Indo-Aryans. In a brilliant essay titled 'Did Hindus Never Eat Beef?' he meticulously argues all of these points with specific citations for anybody facing too much of cognitive dissonance after read-

ing this.

The State Dictates: What Does Communism Share With Indian Communalism?

Historian D.D. Kosambi notes in 'The Culture And Civilisation Of Ancient Indian' (1964), "A modern orthodox Hindu would place beef-eating on the same level as cannibalism whereas Vedic Brahmins had fattened upon a steady diet of sacrificed beef." In today's independent India, the beef-hating Brahmanical vegetarianism made cow slaughtering and beef-eating not only a taboo, but also illegal in many states of India. Albeit on shaky economic grounds, it has even secured a supportive-protection in the Indian constitution: Article 48 of the Indian constitution directs the State to take necessary steps for prohibiting the slaughter of cows and calves. To deny people the right to eat their tradi-

tional diet is the denial of the right to live with dignity and without fear. The ban on cow slaughtering and the violent cow protection movement - where a 'legal' ban exists - are nothing short of statesponsored caste and religion-based discrimination.

Believe It Or Not: Who Eats Beef And Who Doesn't Is NOT Based On Religion The 'holy cow' myth is just food fascism. This culinary politics is nothing but an attempt to wipe out cultural identities other than Brahmins, be it Dalits, Shudras, tribals, Muslims, Buddhists, Christians or any other distinct group. In fact, eating habits are not just an outcome of religion in India. As outlined in recently concluded Anthropological Survey of India, a social group's geography and economic activity have a greater effect on

food habits than individual religion. The study shows that most communities in Kerala (72 to be precise) prefer beef to the expensive mutton. In Rajasthan, on the other hand, live the Rabaris, a Muslim community reputed to be the finest breeders of cattle in the country. They revere cows and shun beef.

The tragedy is that while the forces of militant Hinduism are persuading Keralites to go easy on beef, the Maulvis are campaigning among the Rabaris to start eating it.

It is unlikely that such canvassing will succeed given historical experience with alcohol. So much is the extent of sharing between different religions and communities whose leaders are forever battling each other. More worryingly, the food-fascism cuts across political parties and beef-eating remains an uncomfortable

issue to most upper-caste vegetarian intellectuals and non-beef eating liberals. They are hardly likely to admit their wars have been meaningless. As the papers start appearing, IF they're not swept under the carpet, the consciencekeepers will scream slander; politicians will play up the differences and sundry hypocrites will refuse to accept the fact that they share human vices as well as virtues with their countrymen.

The Shameless Murder Of Human Rights In The 21st Century To think that Muhammad Akhlaq was lynched to death by a mob in Dadri recently for a meticulously shaped lie ingrained by planned indoctrination over many years is too tragic to even put to words.

It's worse to know that there have been innumerable murders by such individual as well as group vigilantism in the past for the same myth. This cultural imperialism has rendered meaningless the very concept of human rights.

This is a crime against humanity perfectly fitting the category of ethnic cleansing. The moral compass of the country seems to have gone for a toss in the environment of cultivated hatred when Ministers seek to protect criminals, call them innocent and seek to justify their crimes shamelessly. And there is no leader of any substance and courage in sight willing to drive the country out of this mess. Is there no one to put such politicians and their rogue gangs in their right place: the prison? Are we that broken? Are we at a point where only a UN intervention can ensure justice and put an end to this criminal design? Maybe we are.

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9

BUSINESS

PAGE 10

AB Group enters into India Inc anticipates subdued partnership with Abraaj Group Q2 revenue growth Mumbai, Oct 8: For the fifth consecutive quarter, India Inc is expected to report single-digit growth in revenues when results are announced later in the month for the just concluded September quarter (Q2FY16). This is mainly because of fragile consump-

tion demand, especially in the rural areas, weakness in investment-linked sectors, and the meltdown in global commodity prices, a Crisil Research report said.

Together, these negative factors are also expected to more than offset the gains from the export-oriented

sectors. However, revenue growth is expected to improve in the second half of fiscal 2016, following a mild uptick in consumption, increased government spending and the statistical lowbase effect since revenue growth was 3% in the second half of the last fis-

MUTED GROWTH ¢ For the fifth consecutive quarter, India Inc is expected to report single-digit growth in revenues when results are announced later in the month for the just concluded September quarter (Q2FY16). ¢ This is mainly because of fragile consumption demand, especially in the rural areas, weakness in investmentlinked sectors, and the meltdown in global commodity prices. ¢ Together, these negative factors are also expected to more than offset the gains from the export-oriented sectors. ¢ Despite this, revenue and earnings growth for the entire fiscal is likely

Poetsch elected chairman of Volkswagen board of directors

to remain in single digits and well below consensus estimates. ¢ Export-linked sectors will be the only bright spot in terms of top line. Though merchandise exports have been declining for severa months

now, listed expor ters (primarily in the IT services and pharmaceutica sectors) are expected to grow at around 13% in the September quarter, helped partly by the 7% depreciation in the rupee.

cal, the report said. Despite this, revenue and earnings growth for the entire fiscal is likely to remain in single digits and well below consensus estimates, it said.

"Export-linked sectors will be the only bright spot in terms of top line. Though merchandise exports have been declining for severa months now, listed expor ters (primarily in the IT services and pharmaceutica sectors) are expected to grow at around 13% in the September quarter, helped partly by the 7% depreciation in the rupee," said Prasad Koparkar, senior director, Crisil Research.

"Domestic consumptiondriven sectors with high dependence on rural consumption will be impacted by tardy growth in rural income, below-normal monsoon and poor pricing power," he said. The report also pointed out that while public investments have started to gain traction, this is yet to reflect in the performance of investment-linked sectors because of overcapacity and weak demand in end-use sectors such as real estate.

(Agencies)

Bengaluru, Oct 8: Aditya Birla Group through Aditya Birla Nuvo (ABNL) has entered into a partnership with Abraaj Group, a leading investor operating in global growth markets, to build a large scale renewable energy platform by focusing on developing utility-scale solar power plants in India. For this purpose, ABNL has entered into a definitive share subscription and shareholders agreement (SSA) with an affiliate of Abraaj and in accordance with the SSA, subject to necessary approvals, ABNL and the Abraaj affiliate will hold 51 per cent and 49 per cent of the paid-up share capital respectively, in Aditya Birla Renewables , currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of ABNL. "Aditya Birla Renewables, the solar power platform, will bid for projects tendered at national and state auctions, with the intent to develop and operate utility-scale solar power plants that can provide clean and cost-effective electricity to the national grids across several key states in India," Aditya Birla Group said in a state-

Rising price of Tur dal makes Indian govt panicky

Germany, Oct 8: Volkswagen has elected Chief Financial Officer Hans Dieter Poetsch, to chair its board of directors, a move that comes amid a scandal over emission-test rigging that's roiling the German automaker. The company's board of directors made the announcement on Wednesday during a meeting at the company's home plant in Wolfsburg, Germany. Mr. Poetsch's status as a company insider has provoked criticism that he is too close to current management to be able to deal with the scandal's fallout. But he retains the backing of major shareholders, including the Piech and Porsche families. They have a majority of voting share through a holding company. "Mr. Poetsch has distinguished himself through his strategic insight, knowledge of the automobile industry, and his expertise in financial matters," board member Wolfgang Porsche told journalists at VW's headquarters in Wolfsburg. Mr. Poetsch will be replaced as CFO, a title he has held since 2003, by Frank Witter.

(Agencies)

New Delhi, Oct 8: The Centre convened an emergency meeting of top ranking officials led by the Department of Consumer Affairs to consider measures to arrest the spiralling prices of tur (arhar) and urad dals that form an essential part of menu in almost every household in the country. Tur is selling between Rs.80 and Rs.150 a kilogram in retail markets in north India while urad hovers around Rs.120 a kg in Delhi markets. Strug-

Lending rates cut by Sundaram Home Finance

Ford bets on its young portfolio to regain growth

Chennai, Oct 8: Sundaram BNP Paribas Home Finance has cut its PLR (prime lending rate) by 25 basis points effective October 6. The reduction is applicable to all new loans to be disbursed from October 6 carrying variable interest rate and to all the existing variable interest rate loans effective.

The new interest rates on home loans now start at 9.65 per cent.

Srinivas Acharya Managing Director of the company said "This reduction is in line with the market and we hope that this would improve the sentiments of home buyers." (Agencies)

gling with a shortfall in supplies following a 10 per cent decline in pulses production last year, the government has decided to import another 2,000 tonnes of tur dal, in addition to 3,250 tonnes that has already arrived at various ports. Fresh stocks of domestic tur will arrive towards the end of the year.

With the festival season round the corner, the government decided to sell imported tur dal from its Safal and Kendriya Bhandar out-

lets. The crisis appears to be more in the availability of tur and urad dals as total pulses production dipped to 17.2 million tonnes last year against 19.25 million tonnes in the previous year. Normally India imports up to 3.5 million tonnes of pulses to augment supplies but this year it is looking for another two million tonnes from Myanmar, Malawi and Mozambique. The problem is that these sources have almost exhausted the surpluses that they can export

A CAUSE OF WORRY FOR GOVT ¢ Tur is selling between Rs.80 and Rs.150 a kilogram in retail markets in north India while urad hovers around Rs.120 a kg in Delhi markets. ¢ Struggling with a shortfall in supplies following a 10 per cent decline in pulses production last year, the government has decided to import another 2,000 tonnes of tur dal, in addition to 3,250 tonnes that has already arrived at various ports. ¢ The crisis appears to be more in the availability of tur and urad dals as total pulses production dipped to 17.2 million tonnes last year against 19.25 million tonnes in the previous year. ¢ Normally India

Mumbai, Oct 8: Ford India has said that it has now the youngest portfolio in the passenger car market and will also quicken the launch of facelifts or refreshes to achieve and sustain growth. "As part of the product-led transformation plans to drive growth 2.0, we have been looking at faster refresh rate for our cars. In the past we would have done roll out facelifts once in 2.5 years or 3.5 years. But, we are moving to a point where we will have a refresh in the second year itself," said Anurag Mehrotra, Executive Director, Marketing, Sales & Service at Ford India. In line with the revamped strategy, the US carmaker on Wednesday rolled out its new EcoSport, incorporating more power, new engine technology and much improved styling.

imports up to 3.5 million tonnes of pulses to augment supplies but this year it is looking for another two million tonnes from Myanmar, Malawi and Mozambique. ¢ The Kendriya Bhandar will lift tur dal from MMTC at Mumbai and supply at its 100 locations in Delhi, while Safal will sell the dal through its 300 outlets. ¢ This will augment availability and help

This compact SUV facelift comes at a starting price of Rs.6.79 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi) and the top end diesel-variant is priced at about Rs.10.4 lakh. Packed with more power and new features, the new EcoSport will seek to counter the competition from Hyundai's Creta and Maruti's S-Cross. "It is only 0.5 per cent higher than previous version. We have done three major things in

contain prices in parts of north India. So far 3,250 tonnes of imported tur dal has arrived at Chennai and Mumbai ports while another tranche is expected to land soon. ¢ The MMTC will import an additional quantity of 2,000 tonnes of tur dal to augment supplies and moderate prices of pulses, official sources said. ¢ The government drew comfort from the first advance estimates of kharif production that showed pulses output at 5.56 million tonnes, which is slightly higher than the production in the corresponding period last year.

the new EcoSport. Firstly, it comes with more power (from 90 PS to 100 PS).

Secondly, internationally renewed EcoBoost engine is now available for this segment with a trim level.

Thirdly, we have added massive amount of styling in the new EcoSport," he added. Thus, Ford has now three new products in its portfolio - its all new compact sedan Aspire, Figo refresh and now EcoSport

as they also suffered shortfalls in production last year due to similar weather conditions that affected India.

The Kendriya Bhandar will lift tur dal from MMTC at Mumbai and supply at its 100 locations in Delhi, while Safal will sell the dal through its 300 outlets. This will augment availability and help contain prices in parts of north India. So far 3,250 tonnes of imported tur dal has arrived at Chennai and Mumbai ports while another tranche is expected to land soon. For now, the MMTC (Minerals and Metals Trading Corporation) has enough stocks to supply in Delhi and neighbouring states, sources said. The MMTC will import an additional quantity of 2,000 tonnes of tur dal to augment supplies and moderate prices of pulses, official sources said. The government drew comfort from the first advance estimates of kharif production that showed pulses output at 5.56 million tonnes, which is slightly higher than the production in the corresponding period last year. The Centre is keeping its fingers crossed for kharif pulses output to match at least last year's levels. Apart from that there is optimism about pulses sowing having exceeded last year's levels in kharif due to higher MSP announced by the government. (Agencies)

facelift. It will also launch the facelift of premium SUV Endeavour soon. With new set of products in its portfolio, Ford seeks create some excitement among the car buyers as also drive the sales level to higher growth rate during this festive season. Aided by new launches, it has seen over 22 per cent growth in sales in the past two months as against the industry growth of four per cent plus. However, Ford India's sales were still down about 15 per cent during first half of this fiscal as against the year-ago period. Ford set out Growth 2.0 plan and to embrace this for the next two years. One of the biggest elements of this growth of 2.0 vision is product led-transformation which encompasses new launches and shorter duration for roll out of product refreshes. (Agencies)

ment. "The Aditya Birla Group supports the Government's initiative for a greater share of renewables in the energy mix, essential for sustained economic and industrial growth. This cooperation will give a fillip to the Aditya Birla Group's renewable energy initiatives and contribute to reducing the carbon

footprint of India as a whole," Dev Bhattacharya, Business Head, Group Corporate Strategy, Solar Power & E-Commerce, Aditya Birla Group, said.

Sev Vettivetpillai, Partner and Global Head of Abraaj's Thematic Funds Business, said, "The gap in energy infrastructure in growth markets translates into a long-term and sus-

tainable investment opportunity. Renewable energy is set for explosive growth, thanks to technological advances, favourable policies and pricing structures, that make it a competitive alternative to conventional power generation." "At Abraaj, we see significant opportunity in India, one of the world's biggest energy consumption markets.

We look forward to working closely with the Aditya Birla Group to provide clean energy to Indian businesses, communities and consumers," he said. Mustafa AbdelWadood, Partner and Global Head of Abraaj's Regional Funds Business, added, "The renewable energy sector in India offers vast potential for growth and can play a transformative role in reducing dependency on fossil fuels and enhancing India's long-term energy security." The Abraaj Group has comprehensive investment experience across the energy value chain and has invested $1 billion in 10 investments in global growth markets.

(Agencies)

Five Walmart stores to be opened in Himachal Pradesh

Shimla, Oct 8: Retail giant Walmart plans to open five stores with an investment of around Rs 65 crore in Himachal Pradesh and has written to the state government in this regard, a top official said."Walmart has some collection centres already functioning in the state but now it proposes to expand its network and explore investments to set up five Walmart stores with an

investment of USD 10 million (around Rs 65 crore) generating employment to 2,000 persons," state Additional Chief Secretary (Power) Tarun Shridhar said. "I have just sent the reply to the company welcoming it to Himachal and offering whole-hearted support of government in identification of the sites and we will appoint a nodal officer in every department for ex-

peditious clearance of each proposal," he added. The company has proposed to set up stores in districts like Shimla, Solan, Mandi, Hamipur and Kangra. "The government made it clear that the company would have to buy the land and set up their business," he said. The proposal comes close on the heel of investors' meet organised by the state government and CII in Delhi. (Agencies)

26% stake in Spacewood picked up by Sumitomo Forestry Tokyo, Oct 8: Sumitomo Forestry Co. of Japan has invested $14 million (approximately Rs.90 crore) to pick up a 26 per cent stake in Spacewood Furnitures, a leading furniture company, which will deploy the capital to expand its business. "This is the first Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the furniture segment in India and we are proud to announce this. The proceeds will be utilised to expand our business and set up more stores in India," said Kirit Joshi, CEO and Co- founder, Spacewood Furnitures.

Sumitomo Forestry has decided to place one of its nominees on the board of Spacewood. Besides this equity investment, Sumitomo Forestry has also entered into a technical collaboration with Spacewood, which will set up a pre-hung door manufacturing unit in Nagpur in association with Sumitomo's 100 per cent subsidiary Sumitomo Forestry Crest Co. Spacewood, which plans to expand the existing businesses of kitchen products, home furniture, manufac-

turing of wooden interior and building materials, will now offer integrated and comprehensive home solution in building materials, Mr. Joshi said.

Sumitomo Forestry is a large forestry, housing and timber and building materials trading company in Japan. "Through the alliance, Spacewood Furnishers will establish itself as the leader in interior and building materials business in India and South Asia by will be bringing

world class manufacturing facilities and full line of products," he said. He said the company would increase its retail footprint from existing 15 stores to 50 stores in 30 months offering its products to customers. Itaru Ozaki, General Manager, Sumitomo Forestry, said, "India has become a very important strategic market for us and we will continue to invest and look for opportunities here." (Agencies)

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9

Features

Page 11

TRAVEL & TOURISM 6 Churches That Exemplify NE Beauty Reetasri Bhattacharjee Christians may constitute just about 2.3 per cent of the entire Indian population but in the North East India's perspective, Christians constitute the majority of the population. Most of the northeastern states are dominated by Christians.

90% population of Nagaland is Christians, 87% of Mizoram has Christian followers, 71% people in Meghalaya follow the same faith and Manipur has 40% followers of Christianity. Since the proliferation of Christianity is so deep into the region, it is not surprising to find numerous churches here. You can find churches which have been beautifully constructed and are rightly architectural wonders. You can also find small and quaint churches sitting on hilltops or are quite out of the way. Take a look at some of the amazing churches in North East India.

1. Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, Shillong - Better known as just the Cathedral, it is one of the largest churches in the country. It is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Shillong and sees a congregation of thousands of worshippers every Sunday. Perched up on a hill in Laitumkhrah, the church is characterised by its high arches and stained glass windows. In fact a trip to Shillong is incomplete without visiting the glorious cathedral.

2. Mary Help of Chris-

Exploring Wildlife in Nameri National Park Arnab Ghosh

tians Cathedral, Kohima - The Cathedral in Kohima stands out because of its architecture. You can find several elements of traditional Naga houses in the Church. The exterior façade of the Church resembles a Naga house. This cathedral in Kohima is also situated atop a hill. This church also has a 16-feet carved wood crucifix, which is one of Asia's largest crosses.

3. All Saints' Church, Shillong - Many regard it as one of the prettiest church in the entire region.

The All Saints Church is a long-standing building of the Diocese of Northeast India of the Church of North India. This church was built in 1915, exactly

hundred years back by the followers of the evangelical wing of Christianity. The Assam-type structured, single storied building is also a quiet reminder of the heritage the British left behind.

4. Baptist Church, Guwahati - Guwahati's Baptist Church is located in the heart of the city - in Panbazar. It was established in 1845 and is undoubtedly one of the oldest churches in the region. The brilliance of the church lies in its beautiful architectural design. The church is surrounded by green lawns which simply exemplify the beauty of the place. (No Non-Copyrighted Images Available) 5. Don Bosco Church,

Assam is among the North eastern states in India that boasts of awesome natural splendour, mouthwatering cuisine and a fascinating wildlife. For the majority of people mention of wildlife in Assam conjures up image of Kaziranga but there are some other notable wildlife sanctuary and parks in the hill state. One such instance is Nameri National Park.

Nuances of Nameri National Park Located at the Eastern Himalayas Nameri National Park is a sanctuary replte with diverse flora and fauna species. It is situated in Sonitpur District of Tezpur - This Catholic Assam and borders church was established in Arunachal Pradesh. The the year 1964. The church park is also bordered by the has a pretty façade and is rivers Bor Dikorai and Jia surrounded by expansive Bharali. Spread over 200 land. The church is located sq. km Nameri National close to Cole Park which is Park is also bordered by also known as Chitralekha Balipara Reserve Forests.

Udyan. (No Non-Copy- The vegetation is quite dirighted Images Available) verse and terrains are un6. St. Joseph's Cathedral, even.

Imphal - The St. Joseph's When and how to visit Cathedral stands as an im- Nature and animal loving portant monument in the visitors throng Nameri Nacity of Imphal. Located just tional Park all over the year about 5 kilometers from the but the best season for excity center at Mantripukhri, ploring the sanctuary is the the church stands out be- period November to March. cause of its brilliant archi- The tropical weather betecture. The hills standing comes somewhat bearable tall in the backdrop mag- in winter months. After Aunify the beauty of the gust the region witnesses heavy rainfall, making church. (Agencies) things a tad difficult for tourists.

Tezpur - The Historic City of Assam Anwesha Roy Choudhury Tezpur is an important city of Assam and also serves as the administrative headquarters of the Sonitpur district. Situated on the banks of river Brahmaputra, this ancient city is known for its mythology, folklore and legends. The place derives its name from the Sanskrit words, 'Teza' meaning blood and 'Pura' meaning city or town.

The legend revolves around Banasura, the great Asura king who was the devotee of Lord Shiva, his beautiful daughter Usha and her friend Chitralekha. The ancient Sonitpur was the capital of the Asura dynasty.

The princess Usha saw a handsome prince in her dreams and fell in love with him. Chitralekha, a talented artist, not only painted his portrait from Usha's description but also recognised him to be Aniruddha, the grandson of Lord Krishna and ruler of Dwarka. Using her magical powers, Chitralekha spirited Aniruddha away to the princess' boudoir where the two married each other according to Gandharva rites, without the knowledge of the king. When

Banasura learnt of the clandestine romance, he imprisoned Aniruddha, which led to the arrival of Lord Krishna to Sonitpur to rescue his grandson. A fierce battle followed and the entire city was drenched in human blood. Since thousands of people were killed in the battle and the whole city was flooded with human blood, the place came to be known as Tezpur.

This age old city of Tezpur,

known for its splendid natural beauty and archeological ruins, is an absolute delight for every tourist as well as nature lover. The entire city is set amidst lush tea gardens and the numerous hillocks of the state of Arunachal Pradesh. Some of the major tourist attractions in and around Tezpur are Nehru Maiden, Chitralekha Udyan, Mahabhairav Temple, Agnigarh, Da-Parbatia,

Bamuni Hills, the Hazara Pukhuri, Cole Park, Bhalukpong, Eco Camp, Bhomoraguri, Nameri Tiger Reserve, and Orang Wildlife Sanctuary.

Agnigarh is a circular stairway that reaches the hilltop, which is mostly visited for activities like trekking, picnic and viewing the surrounding scenery. Bamuni Hills, located at the east of Tezpur city, are the remnants of Bamuni Hill and known for artistic design.

The structural remains here belong to the 9th and 10th century, representing the Gupta period art.

Mahabhairab Temple, located in the northern part of Tezpur over a small hilltop, is considered as a significant landmark of the city. The temple was built between the 8th and 10th centuries AD, at the time of the Salasthamba dynasty. The original temple was made of stone and was continuously restored by successive dynasties.

Ketakeshwar Dewal, lo-

cated in the northeast zone, is recognised as an important and sacred shrine of Hindus. The temple, an important pilgrimage centre in the state, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and enshrines one of the biggest Shiva lingams.

Apart from these two famous temples, there is another temple named Nag Sankar, which is dedicated to Shiva and is famous for the Shivaratri festival. The other tourist attractions like Cole Park, Hazara Pukhuri and Padum Pukhuri.

The Hazara Pukhuri is a large tank preserves the name of Hazara Varman in Tezpur. It was excavated in the early part of the 19th century. This is the third largest tank covering an area of 70 acres.

Bhomoraguri is a mammoth stone inscription made by the Ahom General Kalia Bhomora Phukan, who planned to construct a bridge over Brahmaputra could be seen here. About two centuries later, a bridge over Brahmaputra at the same place has now been constructed. The 3.05 km. bridge is named after the great Ahom general; connecting Nagaon district with Tezpur which started to function on 3rd April 1987.

The ruin of the Bamuni Hill is famous for its aesthetic beauty. The sculptural ruins, dating back to the 9th and 10th century A.D. now lies in the Cole Park and Missionary compound.

Cole Park is one of the most interesting places in the Tezpur. The park is the perfect place for peace lovers.

This is the place, where the two impressively ornamented stone pillars and the sculptural remains of the famous Bamuni hill can be seen.

Nameri National Park can be reached from the Saloni airport which is about 35 km away. The nearest train station is Rangapara. The best option for those staying at Tezpur using shuttle buses to reach the park.

Some visitors also fly to Guwahati airport and reach the park by road.

There are a few accommodation options in the adjacent regions. The Assam Tourism Department has lodges at Bhalukpong, which is about 21 km away from the park. Another worthy option is Potasali EcoCamp. Nature lovers can also opt for tented camps in the park itself though amenities are limited.

Awesome wildlife Wildlife lovers will get

plenty to explore and witness at the Nameri National Park. It is home to more than 300 species of birds and thousands of birdwatchers flock to the park. Besides, there are several reptile and mammals in the region. The major avian species found here include Red Vented Bulbul, Fulvous Breasted Woodpecker, Maina, Mountain Imperial Pigeon and Whitecheeked Partridge etc.

There are 4 species of Hornbills and the park is also famous for the White Winged Wood Duck- an endangered species. Other important animals found here are the Assam Roof Turtle, Assamese Macaque and Malayan Giant Squirrel. Besides, the park is

home to multiple butterfly species. The Golden Mahseer fish is found in abundance in the JiaBhoroli River.

Activities for Visitors Visitors at the Nameri National Park have no shortage of activities. From bird watching to capturing images of magnificent butterfly, there are plenty of options to explore wildlife here. Nature trail is another option-during which visitors are accompanied by the forest guards for safety.

Adventure loving tourists also opt for rafting in the Jia-Bhoroli River and rafting is done mostly in the river's south east section. A number of visitors also indulge in angling in the river and its tributaries.

Top 5 Places To Explore In Mizoram Mizoram, literally meaning 'land of the Mizos' is one of the smallest states in the country and shares international borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar.

It is one of India's most literate states and most people here are Christians.

Mizoram continues to be a largely agrarian society and that is one of the main reasons why its beauty is yet untouched by the perils of modernisation. Most parts of the state are hilly and there are small settlements around valleys and hilltops.

Making Aizawl your base camp, one can move to the different corners. The five must-visit places in Mizoram are Aizawl - The capital of this small state is a beautiful city spread over steep ridges, valleys and hills. It is believed to be quite an old city. The beautiful peaks of Durtland lie of the north of the city and enhance the beauty of the place. Two rivers, the Tlawng River on the west and Turial River on the east flow past Aizawl and magnify its beauty.

While in this citadel-like city, you should definitely spend some time on the banks of these rivers. The Tamdil Lake is one of the major attractions of the city, while the Chhimtuipui River in Saiha is a perfect fishing spot. You should also take out time to visit the highest waterfall of Mizoram called Vantawang and the highest peak called Phawngpui Peak. The peak is especially famous for orchids, rhododendrons, mountain goats and butterflies.

Lunglei - Lunglei, meaning 'bridge of rock', is a town rich in flora and fauna and is quite a nature lover's paradise. One of the interesting tourist destinations near Lunglei is a village called Mualcheng (about 50 km away). Here you will find an engraved image of Lord Buddha. There isn't much information about Buddhism in Mizoram and hence it is surprising to find such a relic in this place.

The other attractions in the Lunglei district are Khawnglung Wildlife Sanctuary, Saikuti Hall,

Kawmzawi Park, among others.

Saiha - Situated in south Mizoram, Saiha is one of the eight districts of the state. Saiha means the elephant tooth as it is believed that a large number of such tooth was once found in this place. You can visit quite a few places in Saiha such as the Pala Tipo Lake, Saikao and Mt. Mawma.

Champhai - Champhai overlooks the Myanmar hills and is called the 'rice bowl of Mizoram'. It is a colourful town with evidently rich cultural manifestations. It is an important town because of its close proximity to Myanmar. While in Champhai, visit the Murlen National Park, Thasiama Seno Neihna, Mura Puk and Rih dïl Lake.

Thenzawl - Thenzawl is an out-of-the-way tourist destination where you can explore several places of interest. Visit the Thenzawl Deer Park, Chawngchilhi Cave and Tualvungi Thlan.

(Agencies)

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"As young kids we always played the game to enjoy it, we never knew that we were going to play for India. I enjoy playing cricket and it was always my passion as a young kid, so as long as I am enjoying it, I want to play."

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9

Yuvraj Singh

RNIASSENG00425/TC

Khunnu FC enters final, to meet KBFC Thansen Wangchadong Memorial Football Tournament ET Correspondent Khonsa, Oct 8 : Khunnu FC beat Lapnam FC 2-1 in the second semifinal of the 1st Thansen Wangchadong Memorial Football Tournament here today at the Nehru Stadium in Khonsa. Khunnu FC sealed their berth for the final where they would face Khonsa Bazaar FC on Octo-

ber 10. For Khunnu FC, Tuwang Hutto opened the account for his team after he converted a pass from the left flank while Nokhu Kakho came strongly and scored the second goal for his team to make it 2-0. Khunnu FC dominated both the proceedings by virtue of a sound attacking and defensive tech-

nique. For Lapnam FC, Windi Mega scored their lone goal. Lapnam FC created several scoring chances but they could not capitalise on those opportunities. Smt Senphiak Lowangcha (94) mother of former Home minister Wanglat Lowangcha was the special guest for today’s match.

ANI Beijing: Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza and her Swiss partner Martina Hingis remained on course for their eighth women's doubles title after advancing to the semi-finals of the China Open here on Thursday. The top seeded Indo-Swiss pair battled past German-Czech pair

of Julia Goerges and Karolina Pliskova 7-6 (5), 6-4 in a thrilling contest that lasted one hour and 19 minutes. Mirza and Hingis have won seven women's doubles titles this year, including two Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon and the US Open, since joining forces in March.

Class III Umpire’s Exam results out A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Oct 8: The results of the Class III Umpire’s Examination held on May 26, 2015 have been declared. The successful candidates will now be eligible to appear for Class II Umpire Exam after completion of one year provided they render active services to their respective

associations, and are recommended for Class II Umpire’s Examination. The successful candidates of the Class III Umpire’s Exam are Dhrubajyoti Sensowa, Jintumoni Gogoi, Shom Raj Paul, Rajesh Paul, Jagjit Singh, Diganta Gogoi, Arabinda Basumatary, Ananta Baruah and Dhanjit Singh.

Mao Tai beat Momong – B 4-1 ET Correspondent Chongkham, Oct 8: Mao Tai defeated Momong – B by a margin of 4-1 in a match of the 9th Chongkham Champions Running Trophy being played at the Chongkham mini stadium, here. The tournament is organized by the Chongkham Youth Welfare Association. The

9th Chongkham Champions Running Trophy Chongkham camp of the army is helping the organizers in publicity of the event which has become a popular event of the locality. In today’s match, Miling Khangkew opened the account for his team in the 6th minute.

Koliyan

Namchoom who was also adjudged as the player of the match scored the second goal for Mao Tai in the 12th minute. Sunny Namchoom scored the third goal in the 58th minute while Pintiya Manpany scored the fourth goal in the 67th minute.

Anantho scored the lone goal for the opponent side in the 60th minute. The match also witnessed some clashes among the players due to which the referee had to give marching orders to Chow Wilatha of Momong - B. Chongkham Young Boys will play against ATKSSU in tomorrow’s match.

Evengreen Club drubs Fiangpui 5-0 ET Correspondent Haflong, Oct 8: As the 11th CEM’s Cup Carnival Invitational Football Tournament 2015 kicked off today here, football fever seems to have returned once again. The first match of the tournament was played between Evengreen Club and Fiangpui Youth Club with the former drubbing the latter 5-0. The first goal of the match was scored in the 29th minute by Zarzolien and the second goal by Hrangrothuom in the 31st minute. Thereafter, Jerry Pulamte scored the first of his two goals in the 34th minute who went on to score his second in the 43th minute. In between, Albert Hmar scored one in the 35th minute. The match officials on the day were Mr. Sojesh Thoasen (Main Referee), Mr. Elvis Gangte (Asstt. Referee),

11th CEM’s Cup Carnival Invitational Football Tournament 2015

FC Goa rally to hold Atletico de Kolkata

Results Khunnu FC beat Lapnam FC

2-1

On Saturday Grand Finale Khunnu FC Vs Khonsa Bazaar FC

12 pm

Action moments from today’s match (top left) Smt Senphiak Lowangcha (94) mother of former Home minister Wanglat Lowangcha was the special guest for today’s match being introduced to the player’s.

Mirza-Hingis battle into China Open women's doubles semis

PAGE 12

Agencies Fatorda: FC Goa fought back from a goal down to hold defending champions Atletico de Kolkata 1-1 in their second round match of the Indian Super League at the Nehru stadium, in Fatorda, Goa. With both teams going into the match after first round victories, it was a fast-paced, scrappy encounter. While the Kolkata side held a slight edge in the first quarter during which they went ahead, the hosts called the shots in the second half and should have scored more than once. Izumi Arata put Atletico de Kolkata ahead in the 13th minute connecting home a cross from

winger Javi Lara, while Keenan Almeida restored parity for the Goans beaten by the Kolkata side in the semi-finals last year finding the net with a right-footed pile-driver from the top of the box in the 81st minute. The match saw the first red card of the second edition of the league, Baljit Sahni earning the unenviable distinction for head-butting Goa defender Gregory Arnolin in the 60th minute. The incident brought back memories of the last season when the latter was involved in an identical incident with the then Atletico de Kolkata striker Fikru Teferra.

Under-fire Blatter faces 90-day ban from FIFA ANI Zurich: Embattled FIFA president Sepp Blatter is on the verge of being suspended from football after being told by the ethics committee that he could face a 90-day provisional suspension. German adjudicatory judge Joachim Eckert would make the final decision on whether Blatter and his UEFA counterpart Michel Platini should be provisionally banned. The world football's governing body plunged into an unprec-

edented crisis when Swiss prosecutors opened criminal proceedings against Blatter last month over allegations that he sold World Cup TV rights to disgraced former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner for 20 times below their true value. Meanwhile, Platini, who is considered favourite to succeed Blatter as FIFA president during next year's election, was also questioned over claims that he received a 'disloyal payment' of 1.35 million

pounds from the controversial president in 2011.

Earlier, Blatter had to step down from the helm

amidst an investigation into corruption charges after he was re-elected for a fifth term in May.

Kiwi wicketkeeper Yuvraj says Tendulkar's advice Watling allays fears over inspires him to keep going historic pink ball Test ANI Mumbai: Out-of-favour India batsman Yuvraj Singh has revealed that he is determined to make a comeback to the national side, saying that batting legend Sachin Tendulkar's advice reinvigorated his zest for the sport and helped him go through the toil of the domestic cricket. "I was speaking to Sachin last year and he said that obviously the most important thing is to play for India but don't forget to enjoy the game," said Yuvraj. "As young kids we always played the game to enjoy it, we never knew that we were going to play for India. I enjoy playing cricket and it was always my passion as a young kid, so as long as I am enjoying it, I want to play," added the 33-year-old, who is set to lead

Punjab into their second match of the Ranji Trophy season. The big-hitting left hander, who was awarded the Player of the Tournament award after India won the 2011 World Cup, has not made international appearance in any format since the World T20 final in April 2014.

ANI Hamilton: New Zealand Test wicketkeeperbatsman BJ Watling remained confident about the use of the pink ball after undergoing first night training session in Hamilton. Australia will host New Zealand for the three-match trans-Tasman Test series late next month, with the last game to be played under lights for the first time in game's history in Adelaide.

Putting aside initial apprehensions that the pink ball wouldn't be seen from the boundary, Watling said that the ball was very bright, adding that he felt it pretty similar to what a white ball does in a black sky. The 30-yearold admitted that it would take time to get accustomed to the new fluorescent ball and catching it from the black sky and also trying to get used to seeing it from a white sightscreen. However, Watling also said that he was unsure about the impact that the different temperature in Adelaide would have on the pink ball.

Perjury accused Cairns lied, `threatened teammate with bat`, court hears

Mr. Adim Zanme (Asstt.

Referee) and Mr. Lalpuilom Hrangkhol (Fourth Official).

The Chief Guest of the opening ceremony of the 11th CEM’s Cup Football Tournament was graced by

Mrs Juri Phukan Deputy Commissioner, Dima Hasao, and the flag of the DHSA was hoisted by Mr Nirmal Langthasa Hon’ble EM, Dima Hasao, Autonomous Council cum Vice president DHSA.

Tommorow’s match will be played between Nomjang Youth Club and Moulhoi Youth Club; kick off at 5 pm.

ANI London: Former New Zealand captain Chris Cairns threatened a team mate with a bat for scoring too many runs in a fixed match and then through a friend pressured him into lying during a libel action, a London court has heard.

The all-rounder, who represented New Zealand in 62 Tests and 215 ODIs, saw his

reputation take a beating when the former Indian Premier League chairman Lalit Modi accused Cairns of match-fixing while he was playing for the Chandigarh Lions in the now defunct Indian Cricket League in 2008. Although Cairns brought a libel action against Modi and successfully sued for 2.14 million dollars, prosecutor Sasha

Wass said that there was evidence to prove Cairns had been involved in match-fixing and had lied about it under oath. Wass also told the jury that Cairns' co-accused, Andrew Fitch-Holland, a lawyer and his 'lead adviser', approached team-mate Lou Vincent to make him lie during the libel action. However, both the accused have denied the charges.

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