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ASSENG/2015/64205

Vol. 1

Issue 154

What's Behind India's Big Export Decline?

Page 8

Dibrugarh, Monday, November 9, 2015

Beyond Malgudi Days, Here's An R. K. Narayan Story You Probably Never Heard Of

Price -

5.00

Pages- 12

Maruti launches WagonR, Stingray with auto gear shift

Irani stresses on use of ICT to strengthen school education system

Page 10

Page 6

Page 9

Itanagar-Banderdewa four lane Nitish continues to road project gets back on track be favourite as Bihar EXCLUSIVE GETTING THINGS BACK ON TRACK rejects Modi's BJP Pynshisha Nylla Itanagar, Nov 8

ET CAPSULES Half holiday Jorhat, Nov 8: The Jorhat district administration has declared half holiday on Monday, i.e, on November 9, 2015 on account of the final match of the 52nd ATPA Shield Football Tournament 2015. The match would start at 1 pm at the Jorhat Stadium. The match will be played between OIL India FC Duliajan versus Assam Rifles, Tezpur. Senior OIL officials and Assam Rifles will witness the final match. (Correspondent) Prisoner dies at Tinsukia jail Tinsukia, Nov 8. The death of a prisoner at Tinsukia jail, Amad Ali has raised question following allegation of foul play by the family of the prisoner.

However, jail authorities has denied any foul play and said his health was bad and he was taken to civil hospital where he died.

(Correspondent)

AI flight returns after mid-air technical snag

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Guwahati, Nov 8: A Kolkata-bound Air India flight returned to the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) airport of Guwahati minutes after take-off after developing some technical snag. An army officer on board the flight AI 730 told this to IANS on Sunday, adding that the flight took off around 11.45 am from the LGBI airport of Guwahati.

"However, minutes after the take-off, the pilot announced that they are taking the plane back to LGBI as they have detected a fault in the landing gear of the plane," he said. There was, however, not much panic and the plane landed smoothly at the airport, the officer said.

(Correspondent)

With regard to the sinking point at Karsingsa located at Banderdewa, the CE said it will be taken care of by constructing a ‘viaduct’, an elevated road of about 1.3 kilometer to avoid the sinking zone.

The construction

In September this year, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Government of India had scrapped ItanagarBanderdewa 4 lane road project.

However, the matter has been resolved after fresh proposals have been.

Meanwhile, Chief Engineer of Highways (Western Zone), Bora Ete confirmed that the ItanagarBanderdewa four lane road will surely be constructed.

of the four lane cement concrete road, at an estimated cost of Rs. 400-450 Crore, will be awarded to a reputed company for quality’s sake.

Detailed Project Report (DPR) would be completed by the end of this November.

Two projects are to be The reason behind taken up on mission mode; one is land acquisition of PotinPangin road and the second is four-laning of the road from Itanagar to Banderdewa.

scrapping the original project is that the land compensation cost is higher than the cost of the four lane construction itself.

Itanagar, we will propose an underpass, we would also examine if flyover is needed anywhere else. We will be completing our DPR (Detailed Project Report) by the end of this month. We will try to get the work project awarded by the end of this financial year.

We will ensure that the project is awarded and this is the long term measure,” the Chief Engineer further elaborated.

He also said that construction of shoulder road that has been taken up right now in the Capital is a periodical renewal project under IRQP. “These are all temporary measures just to solve the current traffic problem whereas the long term measure is the four lane project that will include all these under passes, flyovers and viaduct at Banderdewa.”

Contd. on Page 3

This is going to be a very difficult and challenging project. Here, land compensation is a very sensitive issue and it is a challenge but I will make sure that the work is done.

Police must maintain delicate balance while enforcing law and order: CM A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Nov 8

The 43rd Arunachal Pradesh Police Raising Day was celebrated today in the presence of Arunachal Chief Minister Nabam Tuki as the Chief Guest, State Home Minister Tanga Byaling as the Guest of Honour and a host of high ranking police officials, Parliamentary Secretary Likha Saaya among others.

Describing the ceremony as

ANI New Delhi, Nov. 8

The grand alliance emerged victorious in the Bihar Assembly polls with the people yet again reposing their faith in Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar despite an aggressive campaigning by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the BJPled NDA. RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav scripted a spectacular comeback after multiple setbacks in the last few elections with the party leading in 80 seats.

Contd. on Page 4

ANI Patna, Nov 8

Welcoming the verdict in favour of the Mahagathbandhan, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sushil Modi on Sunday said that his party would extend full support to the Nitish Kumar-led government for the state's development.

"The BJP will play the role

of a constructive opposition," said the former deputy chief minister. Hailing the clear majority to the grand alliance, he said, "It's good that the mandate is not fractured as a clear mandate is in the interest of the state. We respect the verdict." Replying to questions regarding the reasons behind the NDA's defeat, he said, "The NDA won lesser seats than expected. We will introspect

State BJP increases membership strength to 27 lakhs

Reacting to the defeat of Bharatiya Janata Party in Bihar polls, state president of the BJP Sidhartha Bhattacharya said at Ghograpar in Nalbari district this evening that it is a lesson for the party though it will pose no impact in the coming Assembly election to be held early next year in Assam.

Mr Bhattacharya, attending a

Contd. on Page 3

Turn to Page 2 for more News on Bihar Polls.

BJP to play role of constructive opposition, says Sushil Modi

Ramen Kalita Nalbari, Nov 8

successful, the Chief Minister in his speech announced many packages which won the applause of the police personnel.

“My Government’s initiatives for police include waiving off of in-practice 10% cost of uniform deducted from police personnel for procurement of new uniforms in place of the old ones,

Lalu and Nitish Kumar after the victory

sports meet at Ghograpar, further said, “We are committed to learning lessons from the mistake in Bihar and would work hard to strengthen the party position in the state for the coming election.” The state BJP increased the membership strength from 2.5 lakh to 27 lakhs in the last few months including all castes and communities, religions, he added.

Contd. on Page 4

Wagun Ghat, lifeline for Tuki Govt. stable: Narayanasamy Arunachal-Assam border people A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Nov 8

Bishnu Rana Bordumsa, Nov 8

After the Congress Legislature party (CLP) meeting held today at Rajiv Bhawan, here the AICC in-charge for Arunachal Pradesh V. Narayanasamy said, Nabam Tuki led Congress Govt. in Arunachal is hundred percent stable.

He lambasted the BJP saying that the BJP party is only interested in dividing the people mandated Govt. all over the North East.

Contd. on Page 3

Wagun Ghat ferries people of both Arunachal Pradesh and Assam shipments and vehicles by means of machine-run boats during the dry season. During monsoon, the road gets completely cut off. The 100 m wide river, a major stream of NaoDihing swells radically during the rainy season bringing movements to a standstill.

Contd. on Page 3

our shortcomings in the coming days."

The grand alliance is heading towards a clear majority. Results and trends available so far show that the alliance has bagged 13 seats and is ahead in 127. The BJPled NDA has won two seats and is leading in 61 seats.

Independent and others have bagged one seat and are leading in seven.

First Bought Leaf Tea Factory to achieve ‘Zero Pesticide Residue’ Amit Nagori Golaghat, Nov 8

By creating awareness drive in the radius of 20 km among Small Tea Growers as per Plant Protection Code and following simple techniques, a Bought Leaf Tea Factory named Sanjeev Tea Industry situated at Dhuliagaon of Golaghat district has achieved Zero Pesticide Residue in its Tea Production. It is noteworthy that Ex Chairman of Tea Board MGVK Bhanu had asked Small Tea Growers to adopt the Plant Protection Code technique in their production process and for its successful implementation Tea Board organised more than 25 awareness programs.

Availing the very facility the owner of Sanjeev Tea, Mr Sanheev Gogoi asked the small tea growers of his area to attend the training session and implement the same. As part of this, 1200 Small Tea Growers were trained and implemented the technique in their farm which bore fruitful results.

Contd. on Page 4

Forest dept. registers case against commercial cottage owner in Dibru Saikhowa National Park, inquiry report upholds 'The Eastern Today' news report DFO thanks The Eastern Today for exposing such serious matter as it could have exploited national park Rishu Kalantri Tinsukia, Nov 8 The forest department was on Sunday forced to act against the powerful businessman having close links with a Congress MLA for violation of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 by developing almost two dozen commercial cottages at Dibru

Saikhowa National Park. This action, comes, following a report submitted by the range officer of the forest department stating that the commercial cottages were developed within the boundaries of Dibru Saikhowa National Park and without any permission, thereby, upholding the news report published in The Eastern Today's 5th November edition titled

"Commercial Cottages invade Dibru Saikhowa National Park, forest department in the dark" - the first newspaper to have raised this serious matter.

Speaking exclusively to this correspondent, DFO of Tinsukia M.K. Dhar said, "A forest case has been registered against Prasanna Das following the report submitted by the range officer for violating Wildlife Protection

Act, 1972 and a notice has been issued to him to immediate remove all the cottages."

"The report mentions that the commercial cottages are within the boundaries of Dibru Saikhowa National Park without obtaining any permission from any concerned authority," he added.

Dhar said that this is a very

serious matter as it could have exploited the national park in near future and has violated acts of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Earlier, following news report Brihattar Asomiya Yuva Manch had submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner of Tinsukia demanding high level inquiry into the matter followed by action on all culprits.

On Sunday Sailen Gogoi,

working president of TAYPA said that we will submit a memorandum to the deputy commissioner of Tinsukia with cc to the chief minister and forest minister of Assam demanding legal action against the owners of the commercial cottages that should not be just limited to eviction as it is a serious matter posing great threat to several endangered wildlife species found here.

Only eviction will serve no purpose as eviction is but natural to take place after such a big exposure and will give a wrong message to the society and wildlife lovers, he added "Not just that, the owners has developed around two dozen commercial cottages well inside the boundaries of Contd. on Page 4

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Amidst confusing reports published in the media last September along the lines of the Central Government not agreeing to the proposal of the Itanagar-Banderdewa four laning road project, Chief Engineer of Highways (Western Zone), Bora Ete today confirmed that the ItanagarBanderdewa four lane road will surely be constructed.

While speaking to The Eastern Today, Ete said, “After I have taken over as the Chief Engineer Western Zone on 10th August, 2015, I have two projects at hand to take up on mission mode; one is land acquisition of Potin-Pangin road and the second is four-laning of the road from Itanagar to Banderdewa. This is going to be a very difficult and challenging project. Here, land compensation is a very sensitive issue and it is a challenge but I will make sure that the work is done.”

With regard to the sinking point at Karsingsa located at Banderdewa, the CE said it will be taken care of by constructing a ‘viaduct’, an elevated road of about 1.3 kilometer to avoid the sinking zone. “We would like to have a viaduct at Banderdewa, flyover at two junctions at Naharlagun. At Bank Tinali

PAGE 2

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9

The Bihar Mandate Congress holds 'irresponsible' PM Modi responsible for BJP's loss in Bihar New Delhi, Nov. 8 (ANI): Riding on the wave of the mahagathbandhan's victory in the Bihar Assembly elections, the Congress on Sunday trained their guns on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying his 'arrogance' and use of 'foul' language during the campaign had cost the Bharatiya Janata Party-led alliance the polls. "Our campaign has always been for Bihar's development and against the polarization based on religion and we have kept our campaign clean and healthy. The nation was stunned and ashamed when the Prime Minister sunk low forgetting his post and used such language," Congress leader Anand Sharma told ANI. Talking about the BJP's claims that Pakistan would celebrate if the grand alliance won the battle, he recalled his counter-claim that the celebrations would break out in India when the NDA loses and added that his stand had been vindicated.

"This is a rejection of Prime Minister Modi, his arrogance and his policies.

He made false promises and now he stands exposed.

It's a great victory for the people of Bihar and the nation's democratic, secular and progressive forces," Sharma said.

He further accused the Prime Minister of lowering

the dignity of political discourse and his office during his campaign, while dragging the narrative to a new low in his speeches which embarrassed the country.

"He is the Prime Minister, but he is not prime ministerial in his conduct and language," Sharma added. Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge also rebuked Prime Minister Modi for using foul language for the local leaders in Bihar.

"The behaviour of the Central Government, the BJP and their arrogance contributed to this win. The Centre remains one-sided and their false promises were also a major contribution," Kharge told ANI. Speaking to the reporters amid celebrations, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also congratulated the mahagathbandhan and thanked the people of Bihar.

"This result has shown that the days of false promises are over and a new era is here. A new light of development had lit on every street in Bihar," he said. Applause and wishes poured in for Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar today following the grand alliance's clinical win in the Bihar Assembly elections.

The BJP, however, put up a brave face and accepted the people's mandate as Prime Minister Modi and party president Amit Shah congratulated Nitish. (ANI)

Assam CM congratulates Bihar for victory of JDU-RJD-Congress alliance A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Nov 8: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi congratulated the people of Bihar for the grand victory of JDU-RJD-Congress alliance in Bihar Assembly elections.

In a statement here today, Chief Minister Gogoi said the people of Bihar gave overwhelming mandate in favour of the grand alliance at a time when intolerance and hatred are on the rise.

Terming the verdict as victory of secular, progressive forces, Gogoi said, "At a time when communal and divisive forces are on the rise, the verdict of the people of Bihar is a resounding victory of secular, progressive forces."

Chief Minister Gogoi said that the victory has proved that the great ancient Indian civilisation with its inherent

pluralism, unity in diversity and assimilation could not be assailed by divisive, communal and Hindutva fundamentalist forces spearheaded by RSS. "The Bihar elections which is a decisive victory of secular, progressive forces has come at a when various sinister forces are at work to tear asunder the social fabric. The verdict will bolster the efforts of the secular, progressive forces in taking up the cudgel against communal and fissiparous forces and thus further strengthen the edifice of Indian civilization," he added. Gogoi said the victory of the grand alliance at the hustings has exposed the hollowness of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's development poll plank. "The people of Bihar had seen

Bihar results will be repeated in the upcoming Assam election: Atul Bora ET Correspondent Golaghat, Nov 8: Assam Gana Parishad leader Atul Bora today made a fiery statement that BJP's fate will be same in the 2016 Assam elections as it was in Bihar. He said, "The Government led by Narendra Modi has not done much in the last 1.5 years of their run and always harassed the common man with price

rise. This is the reason why people of Bihar have not welcomed the BJP Government."

Addressing the media, he said, "The Modi Magic will be outdated it's time in Assam too and the people of Assam will to say ‘No’ to them in the coming election."

He congratulated Nitish Kumar and his team for winning the Bihar election.

BJP cannot constitute State Govt in Assam: Pradut Bora ET Correspondent Lakhimpur, Nov 8: “Modi Magic has now no impact in the politics of the nation. People have begun to reject the party for several genuine reasons. The verdict of Bihar State Assembly election clearly proved it today.” Criticizing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), thus said Pradut Bora, the president of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) at a press conference held today at North Lakhimpur Press Club (NLPC). Borah, who was once the central executive

from Assam slammed the party with sharp words. He said “PM Modi has betrayed the whole Nation making the voters dream of Achche Din (good days). Voters can realize it now and that is why his balloon has got punctured in Bihar. He criticized the BJP leaders of Assam for their lowly behavior. He said “BJP cannot constitute State Govt after the state Assembly election to be held in 2016. The hired and imported leaders of the state BJP will ruin the party. At present many leaders of the party hope to be

chief minister of Assam.

This aspiration of the leaders will be the factor of the party’s ruin with regard to the rule of newly formed LDP”. Borah said that his party will play a crucial part in next assembly election.

The party will contest in 25 to 30 seats in the election.

He added that the party would project candidates in those constituencies where the voters were politically conscious. He remarked that the party has selected Lakhimpur to be such a constituency. He said, “The battle in Lakhimpur will be

very tough. Our party will deliver a message to MP cum Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal who is said to be a national hero of Assam that the people of Lakhimpur need no sport stadium but want economic development. The youth want employment not fake promise”. He declared that the party shall never make alliance with BJP, Congress and All India United Democratic Front (ALUDF). Economic development of Assam will be the chief issue of the party.

People of Bihar have defeated intolerance: Nabam Tuki ET Bureau Itanagar, Nov 8: The Bihar election result has shown that the people of the state had defeated forces that were promoting intolerance in the country, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki said

on Sunday. Congratulating Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav, the Arunachal Pradesh chief minister also said that the people of Bihar had reposed their faith on the secular alliance of JD(U), RJD and INC under the banner of

Mahagatbandhan. “The people of Bihar have shown the country that divisive and communal forces coupled with intolerance will not be accepted in a secular country like India,” he said. Tuki also sent separate letters to Bihar chief minister Nitish

Kumar of JD(U), AICC President Sonia Gandhi, AICC Vice-President Rahul Gandhi and Lalu Prasad of RJD, and praised their leadership in leading the grand alliance to a landslide victory in one of the most challenging elections after 2014.

what acche din the Modi-led Government had promised to usher in failed to see the light of the day. The BJP and its allies' efforts to lure people with largesse failed as the people of Bihar could see through their gameplan and gave a resounding mandate against them," he said adding that during the tenure of the present dispensation no State could make any progress.

Extending heartiest congratulations to Nitish Kumar, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi for the grand victory that upset BJP's applecart, Gogoi said, "I am very delighted to witness the grand victory of the grand alliance at the hustings.

They spearheaded the campaign against the most powerful alliance headed by

Congress worker celebrate by distributing sweets after declaration of Congress and alliance parties victory in Bihar election at Rajiv Bhawan in Guwahati on 08-11-15.

Pic - UB Photos

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Sushil Modi and others as well as Hindutva elements like that

of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. I hope the people of Bihar will rally around Nitish Kumar and

strengthen his hands to embolden the secular, progressive forces in the days ahead," he added.

Bihar election results: 10 reasons for Nitish Kumar's win Ø Nitish Kumar's popu-

larity Perhaps the most decisive factor for the Grand Alliance was Nitish Kumar's popularity among Bihar voters.

Nitish Kumar emerged as the most popular chief ministerial candidate in almost all the surveys. The anti-incumbency factor has rarely ever been enough to win an election and voters have started rewarding a performing CM at a pan-India level.

When Narendra Modi was Gujarat CM, Shivraj Singh Chouhan was Madhya Pradesh CM, Raman Singh was Chhattisgarh CM and Navin Patnaik was Odisha CM, all of them won their state elections on their individual popularity, even though their parties had mixed results in the Lok Sabha polls. By winning Bihar for the third time, Nitish has proved that a popular and performing CM can win state elections and buck the national trend. Ø State vs Lok Sabha Voters are increasingly showing a tendency to differentiate between different kinds of elections. They have started electing their representatives as per the horses-for-courses principle.

This was clearly evident during the Delhi assembly elections. While the BJP won all seven seats during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, it got an unexpected and unprecedented drubbing in the 2015 assembly polls and was able to win only three out of seventy seats. A general refrain among Delhi voters was that they preferred Narendra Modi as the PM but Arvind Kejriwal as the CM. Taking a cue from the Delhi elections, Nitish Kumar's communications team under Prashant Kishore, who had advised PM Modi during the Lok Sabha polls but had joined hands with the Bihar CM for

the assembly elections, was able to exploit this PM-CM dichotomy and brilliantly pegged it as a "Bihari vs Bahari" fight. Not surprisingly, Bihar showed greater preference for a Bihari. Ø The RSS chief's quota remark RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's comment on the need to have a rethink of caste-based reservation came at the most inopportune moment for the BJP. Bihar has always been the validating state for the saying "Indians don't cast their vote but vote their caste".

Bhagwat's remark on reservations was like a "free hit" for the Grand Alliance, with RJD chief Lalu Prasad calling it a forward vs backward contest. Though the BJP repeatedly assured the people of Bihar that it would name an OBC as their CM after the elections, the damage had already been done. Ø A trust deficit between Muslims and the BJP There has always been a trust deficit between Muslims and the BJP. There are 15% Muslims in Bihar and they were always going to be a challenge for the BJP. The division of Muslim votes was a big plus for the BJP during the 2014 general elections. However, the coming together of Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar helped consolidate the Muslim vote and acted as a force-multiplier in the assembly elections. Moreover, incidents like the Dadri lynching and other rows over beef, may have further motivated Muslims to vote against the BJP. Ø Akbaruddin Owaisi's no-show Akbaruddin Owaisi with his All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) was supposed to be the X-factor in the Bihar elections. Overall, his entry was being counted as a plus for the

BJP. But as the elections progressed, the Grand Alliance managed to portray Owaisi as a vote-spoiler and he failed to make any impact. Ø The withering away of the Congress The Congress continues to wither away in India. However, the Congress's loss is not turning into the BJP's gain. In fact, the BJP paid a heavy price in Delhi as a majority of disgruntled Congress voters opted for AAP. Any bipolar contest minus the Congress, especially if Muslims constitute a significant chunk of voters as in the case of Bihar, becomes more difficult for the BJP. Knowing that it was fighting a losing battle in Bihar, the Congress was keen to ensure the BJP not have a free run. It was instrumental in bringing the JD(U) and the RJD together and prevailed upon Lalu Prasad to accept Nitish Kumar as the CM candidate. That's how the 'grand old party' made sure the BJP did not have an easy run. Ø The law of diminishing returns catches up with PM Modi PM Modi continues to be the most popular leader in the country. But the BJP can't hope to win every election in his name. When Modi was campaigning in the 2014 general elections, he had a formidable record as the Gujarat CM and that attracted voters. But, as the PM, he has to answer for a number of issues, like the sudden spiral in pulses' prices. It is to Modi's credit that he is still able to pull a large crowd at his rallies but the law of diminishing returns is catching up with him. Ø The absence of any local leadership There was a time when state leaders used to be the BJP's greatest strength. Modi in Gujarat, Shivraj in Madhya

Pradesh, Raman Singh in Chhattisgarh, Vasundhara Raje in Rajasthan - they all were the envy of the Congress. But with the ascendance of Modi as the PM, a centralising tendency has crept into the BJP and state leaders have been marginalized. In some places, their participation became merely perfunctory.

In a close contest like Bihar, a disinterested local leadership was always going to be a big minus for the BJP. Ø VK Singh 'dog' remark on dalit deaths Union minister V K Singh's ill-phrased comment that the government cannot be held responsible if a stone is thrown at a dog - in the context of the murder of two dalit children in Faridabad - gave another chance to the Grand Alliance to consolidate its hold over the dalit votes. Both Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad quickly jumped in to criticize Singh.

"Aghast at the senseless comment made by some BJP leaders, including the Union minister, on tragic Dalit killings in Haryana," Nitish Kumar said in a tweet. Ø No helicopter campaigning While Arvind Kejriwal did not campaign for the Grand Alliance in Bihar, he seems to have given some tips to Nitish Kumar. Like Kejriwal's Delhi dialogues, Nitish also did a Har Ghar Dastak(Knock-onDoors)campaign, which helped create an interpersonal relationship with voters. Instead of just speaking at a few big rallies, Nitish Kumar opted to address a larger number of people, albeit with s m a l l e r, individual crowds. This move was designed to make voters feel closer to their leader.

It paid rich dividends for the Bihar CM.

Education is an incomplete process if it cannot give education on human values and morality: Rahul Bose Shambhu Boro Tezpur, Nov 8: “If a school cannot give value education to the students, education can never be a complete process, if the students do not know how to show honour to their teachers, to their school bus driver, or to their chowkidar, or to the school canteen boy, then there will be a doubt on the education system, we must be sincere in giving moral education to the students as morality and sense of human value is the main foundation for the future of any individual.” It was observed by noted Bollywood actor, playwright, director, social activist and rugby player, Rahul Bose while delivering his speech as chief guest of the Founder’s Award and speech programme of the 20th Founder’s Day of Assam Val-

ley School near here today.

Rahul Bose who is also the chairman of a nationally acclaimed NGO “The Foundation” referring to the education provided to the students

by AVS over the last two decades with the special focus on morality and value education further said that in this regard AVS is seen being able to carry out such responsibilities. On the other hand, referring to the experience of his personal life in different fields including cinema world and working for the needy and displaced people across the nation he also said that to achieve success in life one must have persistent effort and perseverance. “As there is no shortcut way for success.” He said adding value education is the process by which people give values to others. It can be an activ-

Chief Guest Mr. Rahul Bose, or, Director, Screenwriter, Social Activist, Rugby Player presents award to students on the occasion of 20th Foundation Day celebration of Assam Valley School in Tezpur. Pic - Photos

ity that can take place in any organization during which people are assisted by others, who may be older, in a position of authority or are more experienced, to make explicit those values underlying their own behaviour, to assess the effectiveness of these values and associated behaviour for their own and others' long term well-being and to reflect on and acquire other values and behaviour which they recognize as being more effective for long term wellbeing of self and others.

Value education can take place at home, as well as in schools, colleges, universities, jails and voluntary youth organizations. Earlier, Principal of the school Sonia Gandhi Mehta in her welcome address said that the teachers should be dedicated in their service which reflects

in the students’ life. Referring to the Abraham Lincon’s saying she said, “All adventures that probably include wars, tragedy and sorrow and to live this life require faith, love and courage.” The noted academician urging the teachers to take the students by their hands and teach them things they will have to know, teaching them gently if they could she also said that they should teach the students for every enemy there is a friend. “He will have to know that all men are not just, that all men are true. But teach him also that for every scoundrel there is a hero, that for every crooked politician, there is a dedicated leader. Teach him if you can that 10 cents earned is of far more value than a dollar found. In school, teacher is far more

honourable to fail than to cheat. Teach him to learn how to gracefully lose, and enjoy winning when he does win.”

She said. She also urged the teachers to take the wonders of books, but also give time to ponder the extreme mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun and flowers on green hill, teach to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone tells them they are wrong. The auspicious occasion was also graced by member of the board of governors Victor Benarjee, Kabita Khaitan and noted social worker Dr. Lakhi Goswami among others. In the occasion three books were released and students showing excellent performances in different areas including academic and sports were awarded by the guests present on the occasion.

PAGE 3

DIBRUGARH, M0NDAY, NOVEMBER 9

RTE-SSA Zila Mission Conducts Hunli for a drug Sensitization Campaign on Drugs addiction free society

Aalo, Nov 8: The West Siang RTE-SSA Zila Mission organized an awareness campaign on anti-Drugs, De-Addic-

tion, HIV/AIDS, Gender Sensitization and Misuse of Mass Media under the leadership of Mr. Bamin Loyi, DPC and Mr.

Tension prevails following ancient Idol theft Tapas Samaddar Rangia, Nov 8: Tension prevailed in and around Rangia following theft of an ancient idol of Mother Kali at village Jayantipur under Rangia PS in Kamrup district last night. The idol of Jayanti Kali was donated by Ahom King Laxmi Singh in 1770 to Siddhananda Bujarbaruah, the forefathers of the famous Buzarbaruah of Rangia Jayantipur. Since then the family members of Bujarbaruah have been worshiping Devi Durga and Kali. According to Parameswar Bajarbaruah, one of the members of the Bujarbaruah family, the miscreants entered into the temple by breaking the lock of the main gate and grill of the window. The stolen idol is made of gold and 8 other metals while the ornaments are of pure gold costing crores of rupees. Police rushed to the spot after being informed and started a search operation with the help of dog squad. But no results came till the filing of the story. The public of Rangia demanded nabbing the culprits and recovering the ancient idol at the earliest.

Wagun Ghat, lifeline for Arunachal-Assam border people Contd. from Page 1

The River is a border for both Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. People residing in the adjoining areas build conventional temporary bridge to earn their living while helping people’s movement from Bordumsa (ADC independent headquarters) in Changlang district to Miao or Kharsang and viceversa. “We are struggling for survival, absence of bridge and lack of good road has literally rendered the people helpless. People out here mostly depend on farming however it’s become tough for us to transport the produce where the demand is high,” rues one of the villagers. This pocket is neglected by both Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

Bejum Kato, District Coordinator for Community Mobilsation and SC/ST Intervention to ST/SC students of the district at

PI Colony Community Hall Aalo on friday. The topics on gender sensitization, importance of coscholastic areas, anti

drug/de-addiction, awareness on AIDS/HIV and awareness on misuse of multimedia communication were explained by resource persons Gynecologist Dr. Yam Narang, Mr. Ibom Ete, Drug Inspector, DHS Itanagar, Mr. Batel Rimey DRP, Mr. Gemar Karga DRP RTE- SSA Zila Mission and Mr. Marli Kamki.

Teachers, stakeholders and around five hundred students participated in the campaign. The programme was very inspirational, motivating and successful. (DIPRO)

Governor calls on people to come forward and help the needy and downtrodden ET Bureau Itanagar, Nov 8: The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Shri JP Rajkhowa visited Seneh, a Non-Governmental Organisation under Bhabada Devi Philanthropic Trust, working for the benefit of the homeless and destitute of the society, particularly women of North East India at Guwahati on 7thNovember 2015. The Governor lauded the NGO, which is led by Gp Capt (Retd) Atul Chandra Barua ,VSM, who is the chairman of the Board of Trustees, for its efforts and rising to the call of the Society. He also commended the members of Seneh for addressing the challenges of the downtrodden and the inmates.

The Governor added that the regular financial assistance from ‘GiveIndia’ received by Seneh speaks of its credibility and recognition. ‘GiveIndia’ is a donation platform that allows interest people to support a cause of their choice from about 200 NGOs that have been scrutinised for transparency & credibility. The Governor called upon to people to come forward to help the needy and downtrodden. He emphasised that the people from allwalks-of-life, particularly those who are well-off, must provide their surplus to the needy. They must help those disadvantaged people as individual and as a family, he added. Recalling the famous quotation of

Swami Vivekananda, ‘Service to men is service to God’, the Governor said that with the benevolent services of organisations like Oju Welfare Association, Naharlagun, Donyi Polo Mission, Itanagar, Manjusree Vidhyapith, Tawang and Bhavada Devi Mrmorial Philanthropic Trust, Guwahati –Seneh, the life of the needy, destitute and orphans have been better. These organisations have been providing a magnanimous service to the society. Seneh provides refuge to number of homeless people, destitute or abandoned women, who have made it their home. It provides also provides free medical assistance including Psychiatric treatments to inmates of the shelter.

Rijiju urges new generation to work for development Shambhu Boro Tezpur, Nov 8: Union minister Kiren Rijiju today said that United Liberation Front of Asom Independent ULFA-I C-in-C Paresh Baruah should come forward for the peace talk as the Union government is ready to expedite the same if Baruah joins the main stream. Rijiju who was

attending as a chief guest a conference of 'Nepali Sanskriti Surakha Parishad', at Biswanath Chariali also said that after the gap of a long time nation has started to witness good days and development is beginning to take place across the country. "It is not the time to get involved in dirty politics, rather we

should work together for allround development of the country".

He said adding the BJP is trying to give a peaceful country to the people where there will be no ethnic conflict and no terrorism. He also said that inter-state border dispute between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh was the hand of miscreant and the

center gave the priority to the development of the region. He vehemently criticized the role of congress government as during their regime they did not give priority on the development of Northeast region. Rijiju urged the young generation to stand against terrorism and think for the development of the state.

Tuki Govt. stable: Narayanasamy Contd. from Page 1

He said the BJP in Arunachal is using the Governor to block the developmental projects coming from the centre. ‘‘ Raj

Bhawan here has become the BJP headquarter’’ he said. 26 MLAs including the Speaker and all of them endorsed the leadership of Nabam Tuki to continue as the Chief Minister. Regarding the 21 dissident

MLAs the AICC leader said the matter will be decided by AICC chief Sonia Gandhi shortly. He said the state is running properly under the leadership of Tuki and all the flagship programmes initiated by

the Chief Minister are being impleted properly. He alleged that Union Minister of state (home) Khiren Rijiju for trying to destabilise the state Government under Nabam Tuki.

Police must maintain delicate balance while enforcing law and order: CM Contd. from Page 1

sanction for provision of satellite link to all existing police stations across the state, which are not yet connected by any telecommunication network, reservation of jobs under sports quota in the state police department of 10%, passing the Arunachal Pradesh Fire Service Force (Amendment) Bill 2012, Women Police Stations,” the CM said.

While announcing enhancement on various fronts, the Chief Minister said Grant-in-Aid to Ar.P.P. Welfare Society has been enhanced from Rs. 50 to Rs. 100 per personnel. The CM also announced medical aid for cancer, heart, kidney,

permanent disability, exgratia in case of death, natural calamity, spectacle grant of Rs. 1000 for members above 40 years, education scholarship, one time grant for higher education of children. For accident benefit, Rs. 1 lakh in case of death and Rs. 50,000 in case of serious injury/ disability, besides retirement benefits and superannuation scheme.

A one time grant for opening up Police Subsidiary Canteens is allocated up to Rs. 70 lakhs. At present there is only one subsidiary canteen at 1st APPBn, Chimpu while seven subsidiary canteens at 1st IRBn Hq at Namsangmukh, 2nd IRBn Hq at Diyun, 5th IRBn Hq at Pasighat, 2nd

APPBn Hq at Aalo besides one each at Daporijo, Bomdila and Tezu district headquarters, will be constructed.

Enhancement of ration (groceries) money has also been announced from the existing Rs. 300 to Rs. 500 per personnel per month from the rank of Grade IV to SubInspector (total 11,701 personnel) that will incur financial involvement of Rs. 7.2 crores. Regular supply of uniforms has been announced which will incur a cost of Rs 6.83 crore for 2015-16 to procure uniforms for Grade IV to Inspectors including APPBn and IRBn of about 13500 personnel.

Coverage of police personnel under CM’s

Universal Health Insurance Scheme include collective enrollment of all personnel posted in remote areas who have not been able to enroll themselves and their families under the scheme will be facilitated through respective SPs and Commandants. SPs and Commandants will compile/collect the required data of all police personnel and their family members for their early enrollment under the scheme.

“There are many forces in the world that disrupt the peace and balance of the social environment; such forces and antisocial elements are kept under control by the police. The police officers have to remain vigilant

and control all such acts that ultimately lead to violence. Thus, one shouldn't take the services of police officers for granted,” the CM said.

“The situation in Arunachal in terms of policing is very distinct and peculiar. The state has so many tribes distinctly different from each other with highly sensitive ethos and egos.

People get hurt by simple things while major issues may be pardoned without a second thought. Our people are simple as well as sentimental. Therefore, our police must maintain the delicate balance while enforcing law and order by not hurting the sentiments of any community, tribe, religion or region,” the CM asserted.

ET Bureau Hunli, Nov 8: An awareness programme on the ills of opium and drug abuse was conducted by the district administration of the Lower Dibang Valley at Hunli. Jally Umpo, SDO, Hunli called upon all conscientious citizens to unitedly combat the challenge of drug abuse. While informing that the district administration led by the DC Roing is committed to do whatever it takes to save the generation from this killer addiction she appreciated the panchayat functionaries and youth for rendering their support. Dr Rama Tewari, Art of Living teacher assured all present that the Art of Living will be willing to partner this cause and render whatever assistance is required to help the Hunli subdivision to come out of this problem. Mama Miso, ZPM, Hunli-Desali thanked the Hunli general administration for conducting the much needed awareness campaign. He exhorted all to join hands and appealed to the young and old alike to give up opium and drug abuse. He cautioned that it’s a deadly challenge and should be dealt with urgency. Choya Miso, Chairperson of the Hunli-Desali Anchal Samity assured full support and lauded the administration for the initiative while also thanking the Art of Living and local NGOs for their involvement to create awareness. Amuli Umpe, ASM of New Elope joined the speakers in thanking the NGOs for partnering the cause with the administration. She called upon all to stand united and beat the challenge. She revealed that future generation is falling fast due to the problem of drug abuse.

Amuli also confidently ex-

pressed that there will be a way to tackle the challenge if there is a collective strong will against opium abuse which is eating into the vitals of the society. Amuli also invited all to join hands and give up personal differences to create a drug abuse free society. We have a small population and Hunli can be a lighthouse for other parts of the world suffering the ills of drug abuse by achieving hundred percent drug abuse free Hunli.

ASMs Jona Miso, Joyte Miso, Roto Mega and Beta

Secretary of the All Idu Mishmi Students Union called upon the administration to take up an approach of Action with Awareness. While creating public awareness on the ills of drug abuse it’s very important to act tough against those involved in trading and supplying drugs in the region. Young Arun Saya also spoke. The Awareness Meet also allowed dissenting voices to express their views.

The Awareness Meet went on to discuss on the fact that proper grooming of

Mimi along with women panchayat functionaries Elipe Mili, Lumi Mimi, and Emungo Mito also voiced their concerns while also lauding the Lower Dibang Valley district administration for the right step taken to timely address the issue.

Ashapi Dele, former ASM on a strong note conveyed that the administration should be supported strongly by all sections of the society in vigorously campaigning against and arresting the problem of drug abuse. He called upon educational institutions especially schools to impact the young minds with the right approach and opinion on the challenge faced by the society due to drug abuse. Longe Miso assured on behalf of members of the general public that all support will be rendered at all times. Yiha Mili, General

youth and an effective rehabilitation program will be instrumental in succeeding to check drug abuse. Parental monitoring and a desired level of discipline needs to be inculcated in the children in their formative period of life. Jally Umpo, SDO, Hunli guided saying- “The youth should not be looked down upon or abandoned for their present state of being. With a friendly approach and good care we must win their hearts and guide them back to a healthy life.” Panchayat leaders, students and people attended in large number. Angete Linggi, BDO, Mudang Rika, AE, RWD, Bharti Perme, JE (Electrical) and Gemo Jini, AE PWD also attended the program alongwith GBs Mengo Dele, Balu Meto and village elder Amuta Mega.

Nitish continues to be favourite as Bihar rejects Modi's BJP Contd. from Page 1

According to the CE, the project of four-laning has been accepted by the Government of India while as part of the first package, the Itanagar sector will be taken up; from Chandra Nagar up to Nyokum Lapang sector and as part of the second package Pappu Nallah onwards to Banderdewa would be taken up. These two segments which run into 24 km will be four laned.

Some of the critical areas in this 24 km stretch will not be included in these two segments owing to the geographical terrain as it would involve huge cutting in the hilly areas which might lead to heavy landslide. For the time being, the stretch from Raj Bhawan road to Papu Nallah which is about 7 km will be avoided, informed the CE. The construction of the four lane cement concrete road, at an estimated cost of Rs. 400-450 Crore, will be awarded to a reputed company for quality’s sake.

While touching upon the subject of compensation, the Chief Engineer said the mat-

ter will be dealt with through a transparent information system.

“Identified buildings and the existing alignment and all the information will be put up on the website. Photographs all along the route will be taken using drones and buildings that would be considered in the context of right of way (ROW) would be identified. The ROW is 30 meters in the buildup area. Will take into consideration the existing road and find out the centre line of the road and measure 15 meters on either side, and ROW will be marked, any structure falling on or inside the ROW line would be treated as encroachment,” the CE explained.

“Encroachment will also have many definitions, may be they have been allotted that way then they will get compensation and if they have been allotted far from ROW and built their buildings within the ROW then definitely they will not get compensation,” the CE said.

A very transparent information system would be uploaded on the website so that people will know about the way the measurement was taken and know their posi-

tion, to avoid the obstacles in the compensation process.

And for that still photography and videography will be done through drone. Besides, task force will also be set up comprising all the stakeholders so that all issues relating to water supply, electricity, encroachment would be taken care of.

In September this year, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Government of India had scrapped ItanagarBanderdewa 4 lane road project. In a letter addressed to Chief Engineer, Highway (Western Zone), the Union ministry instructed the State Government to submit fresh alternative proposals for construction of two-lane road. The reason behind scrapping is that the land compensation cost is higher than the cost of the four lane construction itself. However, the matter has been resolved after fresh proposals have been submitted. A day after the MoRTH issued the letter, Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju who himself belongs to Arunachal Pradesh said the ItanagarBanderdewa four lane project will not be scrapped.

PAGE 4

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9

CPI constituency committee meeting held at Demow Jaganath Gogoi Demow, Nov 8: The Thowra constituency committee meeting of Communist Party of India (CPI) was held at Demow CPI office today.

President Hemo Dowra as chief guest and Kanak Gogoi, district secretary of CPI were present in the meeting. The district secretary Kanak Gogoi said that the CPI party would contest in the upcoming assembly election in three constituencies: Sivasagar, Thowra and Nazira of Sivasagar district backed by CPI(M), CPI(ML) , SUCI(C), Forward Block, RSP. Meanwhile, he said that Modi-led

central government is pro private sector and not pro poor people with 28 famous writers returning their literary awards as a mark of protest against ‘intolerance’ in the country while the Thowra constituency secretary Rebo Konwar informed that boot committee, branch committee, money collection programme for the November month have been finalised and that foundation day of CPI on 26 December would be observed in the party office Demow. Hundreds of branch committee members were present at the meeting.

Competitions organized ET Correspondent Golaghat, Nov 8: Akhil Bhartiya Mahila Aangathan of Golaghat today organised a number of competitions on the eve of Diwali and Children's Day. Under the leadership of November team today, children thronged the Jain temple to participate in competitions like colouring, drawing, speech and essay writing. In colouring, Ritiprabha Agarwal and Saranya Malpani; in drawing, (jun-

ior) Aashi Dhandharia and Akshita Bagaria and (senior) Tanvi Jain and Kashish Lohia; in essay competition, Tanvi Jain and Panchay Boruah; in speech competition, (junior) Aashi Dhandharia and Akshita Bagaria and (senior) Gaurav Jain and Anisha Agarwal came out as winners. The arrangements for the event were made by Durga Malpani, Santosh Garodia, Priety Jain Vineeta Jain and Isha Bagaria.

Haryana CM calls victory of JD(U) led grand alliance in Bihar as the verdict of the people Sachin Sehrawat Sonepat, Nov 8: Former Haryana Chief Minister, Bhupinder Singh Hooda today termed the victory of the JD(U) led grand alliance in Bihar assembly elections as the verdict of the people against arrogant attitude of the BJP leadership and not fulfilling the promises made during the parliamentary elections. While talking to media persons here today, Hooda congratulated the leaders of grand alliance and commented “Bihar Kee Janta Ne Bihar Ko Haryana Banane Se Bacha Liya” (People of Bihar have saved Bihar from becoming Haryana). As the BJP leaders had become arrogant after the Lok Sabha and Bihar elections proved that the “Pride hath a fall”, he added. Hooda alleged that

BJP came into power in Haryana by making false promises but forgot to implement even the Swamininathan Commission report. Moreover atrocities on Harijans and anti-farmer policies of the BP government also became issues in Bihar, he said and cautioned that if they did not fulfill the promises, BJP would suffer more losses in the coming days. Meanwhile, district president of CPM, SN Solanki said that Bihar results were a rebuke for the people creating an atmosphere of religious intolerance for political gains. General public wants to live and work in an atmosphere of peace, social amity and communal harmony. Similar views were expressed by the district president of Yuva INLD, Kunal Gahlaut to media persons.

State BJP increases membership strength to 27 lakhs Contd. from Page 1

According to him, the BJP is the only political party in the state which is protesting the corruption and misrule of the state's Congress Government. The BJP in the

state succeed to win the heart of people for which the party will achieve a good result in the 2016 polls, Bhattacharya said, however declined to comment on the debacle of BJP in Bihar polls stating that the Congress has no reason to celebrate the result.

Bad roads are a bane of Nagaon ET Correspondent Nagaon, Nov 8: Bad road condition in Nagaon town and its peripheral areas has evoked resentment among the Nagaon people. Repeated demands by its denizens to repair and develop roads, especially PWD roads have fell on deaf ears of the authorities concerned. RRB road in Haibargaon town and all its arterial roads, Anandaram Dhekial Phookan road running from Natun Bazar to Civil hospital, PWD road joining Marwaripatty and power house, Amollapatty road and Laokhowa road are in a very bad condition with potholes everywhere, rues one local. And

all these PWD roads get filled with water and mud during rainy season. Not to speak of scooters, bikes, rickshaws, even four wheelers find it difficult to traverse these roads, he adds.

According to a teacher who teaches in a local school, most of educational institutions in Nagaon town are situated along these roads and among the suburban roads, the worst affected are Nagaon-Rupahi and Nagaon-Puranigudam roads.

Rupahi, predominantly an agricultural area is connected to Nagaon through four PWD roads. But all are in bad shape and have not been repaired for the last few years, he informed.

“As a result, all these are now in very bad condition making it hazardous for tempos, light and heavy vehicles to ply on these roads. Each of these four roads is in such miserable condition that sometimes public carriers raise the fare to meet extra fuel expenses incurred owing to bad road conditions.” A senior denizen of Nagaon says complainingly. The portion of National Highway from Nagaon and Puranigudam, a stretch of twelve kilometers is also in shabby condition that requires immediate repair while bad road condition causes accidents claiming lives and damaging property, he further adds.

Akhil Bhartiye Marwari Mahila Samellan Golaghat sakhar vibhin pratijogitar ayojan Pic-Amit Nagori

Fissures surface amongst the administrative staff of Borjan High School ET Correspondent Bokajan, Nov 8: The government aided Borjan High School at Bokajan in Karbi Anglong district of Assam is at the centre of a major controversy. The transfer order of the headmaster Mr Atul Chandra Borgohain has kicked off a storm in the proper functioning of the academics since a month now. Earlier on October 5, the Inspector of Schools (IS), Karbi Anglong, had issued a notification vide letter no. E-1/Borjan H.S/ 15/11537-42, Dated 5-102015, for the transfer of Mr Borgohain which was vehemently opposed by the locals, AASU and KSA. The

Bokajan regional committee of AASU even submitted a memorandum to the IS on the next day for the unconditional stay of Mr Borgohain who has varied contribution and is also the founder teacher of the institution. Since then, there has been a fuss going on in the school which gained media attention shortly after a class IX student lodged a complaint with Bokajan Police against some members of AASU alleging that they went to her residence and threatened her parents of dire consequences as she had ripped off the student organisation’s writing pad in which the student body

was allegedly collecting signature of the students who support their headmaster's stay. On the other end, another complaint was lodged by two students against a teacher of the same school, Mr Ratul Bora who allegedly filmed a video forcing the students to admit on camera that they don't want their head master to continue in the school. Later, the issue was brought into a mutual compromise but it has raised concern among many conscientious individuals about its impact on the academic health of the students ahead of the board exams. It needs to be mentioned here that the school

has deliberately failed to ensure healthy academic performance of the students in the board exams and the grades obtained are lowly. Only 18 out of 80 candidates cleared the HSLC examination this year which directly points towards the comparatively low quality education imparted in the school. It is also worth mentioning that earlier on June 10, the members of AASU and the students marched the streets of the town protesting against the headmaster Mr Borgohain who allegedly engaged students to clean toilets and even punished them physically.

Forest dept. registers case against commercial cottage owner in Dibru Saikhowa National Park, inquiry report upholds 'The Eastern Today' news report Contd. from Page 1

Dibru Saikhowa National Park violating Wildlife Protection Act as well as Supreme court order. This could not have happened without collusion of officials from forest department and administration.

What is the guarantee that in future some other businessman would not repeat the same after colliding with forest department and

administration officials, asked Gogoi and said hence it is important that responsibility should be fixed and action shall be taken on the officers who were in collusion. It is only because of media, in particular, The Eastern Today who exposed such invasion into Dibru Saikhowa National Park where no commercial activity can take place orelse exploitation of national park, a pride for Assam, would have

continued, he added.

It is important to mention that DibruSaikhowa National Park is one of the 19 bio-diversity hot-spots in the world and the largest national park of Assam, home to several endangered species attracting worldwide wildlife lovers and tourist.

According to sources, Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 prohibits any kind of commercial activity, particularly of this nature inside the national park. Even

The Sanjeev Tea produced tea was tested and examined in the advanced Labs of VIMTA & Tea Research Association.

There after undergoing

several tests, reports gave a clean chit of having Zero Pesticide in the made tea.

Mr Gogoi said, "I am trying to maintain the same." It emerged that Sanjeev Tea is the first Bought Leaf Tea industry to achieve such an

achievement. Mr Sanjeev Gogoi has also appreciated the work of Basundhra Tea Gut, Small Tea Growers of his area without whose effort it could not have been achieved. The Commerce graduate has

ET Correspondent Margherita, Nov 8: Assam Tea Tribe Student Association (ATTSA) Ketetong Sub Branch Committee has been formed today at 3 Number Alubari LP School premises, Margherita with ATTSA Margherita Branch Committee President Umesh Jaal, Vice President Nuwel Patra, Secretary Lobo Kumar Murmu, Asst Secretary Rohit Deep and Adviser Mantu Nandi being present. The meeting was presided by Umesh Jaal ATTSA Margherita Branch Committee President; Krishna Prasad Gorh was selected as President, Paapu Munda Secretary

along with a total 31 strong members of ATTSA Ketetong Sub Branch Committee. Lobo Murmu Secretary of ATTSA Margherita Branch Committee said that the Tea Tribes Community people of Assam are lagging behind in every sphere with Tarun Gogoi led Congress Government since the last 15 years has only cheated the community through vote bank politics. "But these upcoming 2016 Assembly Elections of Assam, we shall change the tide and our Tea Tribes votes shall play a major role in the upcoming 2016 Assembly Elections of Assam," said Lobo Kumar Murmu.

AJYCP Margherita Town Branch Committee formed ET Correspondent Margherita, Nov 8: Asom Jatiyotabadi Yuba Chaatra Parishad (AJYCP) Margherita Town Branch Committee has been formed today with a total 51 strong members at the Margherita Shishu Bhawan School premises.

Sanjib Ulup, Vice president of AJYCP Tinsukia District Committee conducted the oath taking ceremony with Kanchan Bora, General Secretary of AJYCP Margherita Regional Committee emphasizing on the aims and objects of AJYCP. Meanwhile, Ridip Rajkhowa was selected as President and Siddharta Dehingia as Secretary.

Supreme Court has banned any such activity inside Dibru Saikhow National Park, claimed sources.

On the other hand, as per allegations this commercial cottages were being used for several illegal activities Nitish continues to be favourite but despite that why the forest department is as Bihar rejects Modi's BJP going so soft on miliating defeat at the Prasanna Das and when Contd. from Page 1 hands of the Aam Aadmi will district Party (AAP). administration of As per latest reports, the The BJP leadership was, Tinsukia will initiate Janata Dal (United) is however, quick to accept action against him is a leading in 71 seats. the mandate of the people. serious question that Nitish Kumar and Lalu The BJP needed a win in remains to be answered. Yadav today hugged and Bihar to boost Prime Min-

First Bought Leaf Tea Factory to achieve ‘Zero Pesticide Residue’ Contd. from Page 1

ATTSA Ketetong Sub Branch Committee formed

achieved this just after 6 years of establishment of his factory. Now he has launched a packet named Sanjeev Tea Premium which is said to be the first packet with printed Laboratorial Reports.

celebrated as their grand alliance scored a spectacular victory. The RJD chief made it clear that Nitish would be the Chief Minister while the JD (U) leader said that the people have completely rejected efforts to divide them.

The verdict has come as a major setback to Prime Minister Modi, who was optimistic about the BJP's chances in the state post the dismal show in Delhi where it had to face a hu-

ister Modi's chances of building the parliamentary strength he needs to push through key reforms.

Top BJP leaders, including party chief Amit Shah, are meeting in Delhi to analyse the reasons for the loss. The BJP-led NDA, which contested on 243 seats, is leading in just 60 seats as of now. The polling in Bihar took place in five phases beginning on October 12 and ending on November 5.

BJP ticket aspirants for total development, rooting out of corruption in Rangapara, Dhekiajuli LAC Shambhu Boro Tezpur, Nov 8: At a time when most of the political leaders including ticket aspirants of different political parties have been busy in convincing high commands or the senior party leaders for gaining ticket to contest in different constituencies in the forthcoming assembly election to be held in 2016, dedicated social workers like Dr. Birendra Kumar Nath and Girin Bhuyan of Dhekiajuli and Rangapara area are stressing on total development of the district, especially in the Dhekiajuli and Rangapara area that have almost been paralyzed during the Congress regime. In an exclusive interview with The Eastern Today, noted social worker of Dhekiajuli area Dr. Birendra Kumar Nath giving a clear picture of the developmental work hampered in the constituency during the Congress rule in the last 15 years said that at a time when the Congress ruled state government presents a rosy picture of developmental works in the state the people of interior areas under Dhekiajuli

LAC in Sonitpur district are yet to enjoy the real taste of development. It is to be stated here that despite presence of a number of developmental projects under the state government, people living in the remote areas like Mejengjuli, Sonai-Rupai, Sopai Rowmari, HograjuliKashamari, Sirajuli, Sopai Balijuri, Sopai-Rowmari Pothar etc. are the witness to the deplorable road condition, absence of potable water, electrical facilities and proper educational facilities in the name of development during the last many years.

However, echoing the voice of the common citizens of the constituency, Dr. Birendra Kumar Nath has alleged that these people have been deprived of all sorts of government facilities. “Even after the elapse of 68 years of India’s independence, proper development in these areas is a far cry due to the alleged negligence to these areas by the authorities concerned and the public representatives including the sitting MLA Habul Chakrabarty. It is a matter of regret that though

the northern part of the Dhekiajuli township falling under 71 No- Dhekiajuli LAC in Sonitpur District from Pachnoi river to Sonai Rupai wild life sanctuary areas is dominated by the local indigenous people like the Bodos, Adivashis, Rabhas, Nepalis etc. adjacent to the Assam Arunachal border area, do not find the required necessary facilities. The woes of residents of this belt have fallen on deaf ears of the authorities.” He alleged and coming down heavily on the lackacidical attitude of the government towards the developmental works he also rued that during his frequent visit in these areas it was witnessed that most of the roads connecting the Hograjuli, Belsiri, Misamari and the Batachipur railway stations with the NH-15 at Dhekiajuli town have been in a most dilapidated condition since the last a couple of decades. “We have seen that the panchayats under the Dhekiajuli development block which are solely bestowed the developmental works of the rural area have also allegedly

failed to deal with the problems of the people of the greater area.” The social worker reiterated. More important thing is that the alleged rampant corruption by the panchayat representatives, the genuine beneficiaries have been deprived of their required facilities including dwelling houses under IAY schemes, MNREGA scheme for the construction/ repairing of roads in the area etc. Incident like death of emergency patients for ambulance not going to these areas following most dilapidated road condition is not an unusual matter here. On the otherhand, the people of the area under the Dhekiajuli LAC alleged that instead of looking into the matters related to the citizens, the local MLA is seen busy in earning extra bucks, commission collection from various schemes of developmental works following which during his regime in the assembly segment area no any development was witnessed. It is pertinent to mention here that the roads in these rural areas, which are full of knee-

deep potholes, have of late become a death trap for the commuters. It is mentionable that for the development of these roads, crores of rupees including MLA and MP funds have been sanctioned, but nothing has been done yet. Dr. Birendra Kuamar Nath who is also one of the ticket aspirants from the BJP party to contest from the LAC said that local public representatives have been urged time and again to deal with the long pending public interest issues, but till date no any positive response was achieved. “Yet we are optimistic enough that if candidate with good image and transparency is fielded in this constituency in the next Assembly poll from the BJP party will be able to make it corruptions free LAC in the state regaining from the capture of the Congress.” He said. On the otherhand citizens of the most underdeveloped area rued that most parts of the Dhekiajuli LAC, particularly the northern part covering about 100 villages have been devastated condition of this belt rather pro-

vides a depressing picture of Tarun Goigoi’s shining Assam.” They said. Likewise while expressing total dissatisfaction over the underdevelopment of the Rangapara area a frontline social worker Girin Bhuyan said that good communication, development of the rural people has still remained a bigger question. Mentionable thing is that Rangapara an important township located on the northern part of the district which once gained its popularity as a rail city and major communicative place with other parts of the north-east region particularly with neighbouring hilly states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur etc. nowadays crippled with countless problems. Though it is ever considered as the economic gateway to the north bank and the second most busy destination after the state capital, the common public of this part basically from Misamari to Balipara and from KhelmatiBandarmari up to the foothills and Bhalukpung area adjacent to Assam-

Arunachal border no more find any civic joy in the town now a days. The woes of Rangapara town residents on several issues of the town have fallen on deaf ears of the authorities. Over the years apart from big knee deep potholes on the road from Misamari to Balipara, unhygienic environment caused due to dumping, ill maintained and blocked drainage system, the rotten garbage lying openly at the roadside are all together posing a serious health hazard to the commuters and the common people. The roads from Missamari connecting India’s second largest army cantonment to the NH-15 at Balipara town, from Khelmati to Rangapra town, Rangapara town to Tezpur BP Tiniali Via Thakurbari and Sesa Tea Estate, Connecting NH -15, Rangapara town to Urahiloga and Bogijuli area which area the major routes of the town linking it with other parts of the district have been in a most dilapidated condition over the years. The increasing number of vehicles coupled

with poor and dusty narrow roads and lack of footpaths for peddlers in the town’s roads is also compounding the problems like heavy traffic jams and frequent road accidents. Meanwhile talking to this correspondent, social worker Girin Bhuyan alleged that for the development of these major roads and it’s aforementioned link roads crors of funds from various government sources have been sanctioned till date, but it is unfortunate that because of the several misappropriation of those funds by corrupt congress workers in nexus with the local MLA and also the Deputy speaker of Assam Assembly Bhimananda Tanti nothing is done yet hampering every possible progress of the constituency. He is of the opinion that since during the congress regime apart from corruption nothing was witnessed in the constituency, if any a good candidate is elected from the constituency people of the most underdeveloped constituency can expect a change to the area in the near future.

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9

'Historic' win belongs to the poor, Dalits of Bihar: Lalu New Delhi, Nov 8: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav on Sunday thanked the people for voting in favour of the Mahagathbandhan in the state assembly elections and said the 'historic' victory belonged especially to the poor, oppressed and the backwards of Bihar.

"I bow down to the poor, oppressed and the backward communities in Bihar and thank them from the bottom of my heart for this historic and unprecedented victory.

They have given a new turn to the politics of this nation," Lalu tweeted.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi branded the grand alliance's victory as a 'tri-

umph of unity over divisiveness, humility over arrogance and love over hate'. "Congratulations to the people of Bihar, to Nitishji, to Laluji, to the Congress leaders and karyakartas and the Mahagathbandhan on this victory," the Office of Rahul Gandhi tweeted.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up Nitish to congratulate him and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah has also accepted the mandate of the people of Bihar.

The mahagathbandhan is leading in 161 seats, with the Bharatiya Janata Partyled NDA is ahead in 74 seats respectively so far.

(ANI)

REGION

Democratic Front holds first public meeting in Darjeeling Darjeeling, Nov 8: The Democratic Front, a conglomeration of four political parties formed for restoration of democracy in the hills, held its first public meeting today in Darjeeling over various issues plaguing the region and lambasted the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and state government for turning a blind eye to those issues.

The front picked out issues like the deteriorating law and order, undemocratic ways of the GJM and its insincerity towards the statehood demand including the apathy being shown by the state government in solving the Madan Tamang murder case.

The front's members constitute the All India Gorkha League (AIGL),

the Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxist (CPRM), the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) and the Sikkim Darjeeling Ekikaran Manch (SDEM). Pratap Khati, the AIGL general secretary and the DF convener, alleged the GJM of being involved in corruption and anti-national activities and demanded a probe. "From where is the GJM getting funds to run the party?

Bimal Gurung is not a millionaire and does not have any known source of income. The central government should start a probe in this regard," he said. Khati also pointed to the mysterious disappearance of Sanjay Thulung, the GJM central leader and Sabhasad accused of being involved in the

Ibobi takes stand of not letting BJP grow in the state Imphal, Nov 8: Though it has been a little more than one year since communal BJP came to power at the Centre, large sections of the country's population are apprehensive about possible disintegration of the country. For this very reason, BJP should not be allowed to take roots on the soil of Manipur, asserted Chief Minister O Ibobi. He was speaking at a political conference of Congress candidate in Thongju AC Bijoy Koijam held at Khong-man Zone III today under the aegis of the Khongman Development Committee. He categorically stated that BJP should not be allowed to gain strength under any circumstances. Return of awards given to eminent writers of the country one after another is a clear indication that citizens of the country are opposed to BJP's governance characterised by commu-

nalism. No such ugly situation was seen in any part of the country when Congress was in power at the Centre. Reminding about BJP's promise ahead of the last Lok Sabha election to bring back black money deposited in foreign banks, Ibobi asked whether the BJP-led Government has succeeded in bringing back any amount of black money. Now people have realized how BJP hoodwinked voters by making impressive but unrealistic promises. Congress party has been ruling the State for the third consecutive term because people love Congress party and they have faith in the party. The by-election was not invited by the Government. It has been necessitated by the wrongdoings of the MLAs who got disqualified. He appealed to all the voters not to elect candidates who are immature and see politics as a busi-

PAGE 5

O Joy (left) speaks at an election rally as CM O Ibobi stands behind Bijoy Koijam at another poll meeting ness enterprise. Stating that the Government has no inclination towards wasting time, Ibobi informed that the State Government would present a detail account of all the development works it undertook during the past five years.

He then appealed to the voters of Thongju AC to elect Congress candidate Bijoy Koijam in order to

make up development deficits in the next one year which could not be done in the past three years and six months.

Commerce and Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Social Welfare Minister AK Mirabai and MLA O Landhoni were also present at the political conference. (agencies)

Assam arms haul case earlier this year. "As per police investigations, Thulung is involved in anti-national activities.

GJM leaders frequently visit the Northeast, which is the hub of insurgents.

Although the GJM refutes this, but nothing happens without Gurung's directives," alleged the AIGL general secretary.

The DF convener also raked up the Madan Tamang murder issue saying the state government should initiate a judicial commission to investigate and get to the bottom of the case. "He (Tamang) was the only voice of democracy in the hills and he sacrificed his life to uphold it. However, nothing has been done by the state government to provide justice to the slain

leader's family. We demand the case be handled by a Special Investigation Team," he said. Tamang, who was the AIGL president, was hacked to death on May 21, 2010 in broad daylight in Darjeeling while overseeing preparations for the party's public meeting. Investigating agencies have named several

Bihar polls: Rahul Gandhi targets 'arrogant' PM Modi New Delhi, Nov 8: Launching a blistering attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi post the grand alliance's landslide victory in the Bihar Assembly polls, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said this is a defeat of hatred, arrogance and anger. Gandhi congratulated Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav and all leaders of the mahagathbandhan for the win. "This is a message for Modi ji. The message is clear that Modi ji, the RSS and BJP cannot divide this country. You cannot win the election by making the Hindus fight against Muslims. This is not a nation of caste and religion, this is the country of all and there should be love and brotherhood in t h i s c o u n t r y, " s a i d Gandhi. "I want Mr. Modi to tone down his arrogance as it will be good

for him and the nation as well," he added. The Congress vice-president further lauded Nitish, saying he has taken the state on the path of development. Applause and wishes poured in for Nitish following the grand alliance's clinical win in the Bihar Assembly elections. The BJP,

Jharkhand Education, the sole propeller in doctors on making a nation: Governor day-long strike for leave Ranchi, Nov 8 : Doctors in Jharkhand went on a day-long strike on Saturday to protest the new leave system introduced by the state government under which the village-heads would be the granting a u t h o r i t y. T h e r e were around 1,880 government doctors participating in the s t r i k e . " We h a v e launched phase-wise agitation to protest the new leave system introduced by the state government. If the state government does not withdraw the new leave system, we will further step up our agitation," Bimlesh Jharkhand Health Service Association president told reporters. The doctors and teachers in Jharkhand are protesting the new leave system introduced by the state government. As per new system, the doctors posted in blocks

and teachers posted in rural areas will have to seek leave from Mukhiyas (village heads) who have been empowered to check the attendance of the doctors and teachers.

Jharkhand doctors and Primary Teachers Association last month had threatened mass resignation if the system is not withdrawn. The teachers association believe that new leave system would increase the political interference in the education system.

The OPD services were badly hit by the doctors strike.

The patients were affected by the doctors strike. "I sustained fracture in my hand. There is no doctor in Sadar hospital Ranchi. Now I have to get treatment in a private hospital by borrowing money from friends," said Ganesh Baitha, a resident. (Agencies)

Kohima, Nov 8: Nagaland Governor P.B. Acharya maintained that education was vital for propelling any nation or state towards progress and in this regard, reiterated that the people of the North East should showcase their potential to mainlanders and the outside world. He said this while addressing the gathering at the closing ceremony of the only technical festival of N a g a l a n d " Te c h A u r a 2015" organized by N a g a l a n d U n i v e r s i t y, school of engineering & technology Saturday at university campus, DC Court junction. Expressing happiness on the rich cultural heritage of the north east, the Governor said it was time that people of the region showcase their potential and asked the eight states to display it to the outside world for recognition. The Governor said Nagaland , in a way, was fortunate as the ratio of educational insti-

Governor, P.B Acharya addresses the gathering on Saturday. tutions to population was quite high if compared with other states.

In this regard, he said it was also needed to heed the cries of eastern Nagas for getting access to education and infrastructure. Acharya also lamented that students do not get employment after obtaining degrees since the conventional education system in 85 % educational institutions in the country

Labourer dies at tea garden Jalpaiguri, Nov 8: A labourer died at Dharanipur Tea Gardens labour lines on Saturday even as the oppo-

sition alleged he died of starvation. However, A senior officer of Jalpaiguri district said, there was no starvation

GJM leaders and activists in their charge sheet.

Some of the leaders thus named have filed for bail for which the next hearing is scheduled on November 17. Govind Chhetri, spokesperson for the CPRM. alleged that the GJM and the BJP had betrayed the statehood demand. "We elected Jaswant Singh and SS

failed to equip students with skills with which they could be absorbed by the industry. Turning to the students fraternity of technical institute, the Governor said engineering, B-Tech students have greater responsibility to address the need of bringing development. He also pointed out that the Central government has been spending Rs.30,000 crore for conventional

degrees cou r s e . P o i n t ing out the trend among Nagas demanding only government jobs after the completion of degrees, he said this was a shame on the education system which needed to be changed.

Acharya also said doing away with the problem was not only the responsibility of the government but education institutions as well.

(Agencies)

death report in the district so far. Opposition Congress and CPI(M) claimed Sukhnath Kewal (43) died due to hunger and malnutrition after being deprived of ration supply at the rate of Rs 2/Kg for days. The tea garden union, affiliated to

left, also corroborated the claim by the opposition parties and Kewal's family. "There has been no stop of ration supply to the said labour line of the plantation and the death might have occured due to other ailments," the officer said. (Agencies)

however, put up a brave face and accepted the people's mandate as Prime Minister Modi and party president Amit Shah wished Nitish. The mahagathbandhan is leading in 168 seats while the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA is ahead in 67 seats respectively so far. (ANI)

Ahluwalia of the BJP as MPs but they have not worked for the statehood demand. The GJM president has embarked on a padyatra for Gorkhaland but it is only eyewash, to confuse the people," he said. Biren Lama of the GNLF, on the other hand, advocated for bringing the hills under the ambit of the Sixth Schedule, which he said would solve all existing problems. "We want the hills to be brought under the Sixth Schedule. And this is why the GJM's demand for tribal status for various communities of the hills now has started," he said. The front, however, did not announce its future political programmes saying it would do so after a meeting of its senior leaders in the days to come. (agencies)

North East development needed for Act East policy to succeed Aizawl, Nov 8: For the success of the Act East policy of the Centre, development of North Eastern region is necessary, Mizoram Governor Lt Gen Nirbhay Sharma has said."For the success of Act East Policy, the North East Region has to be strengthened first," Sharma said during an interaction with academicians from abroad and across the country, who attended a seminar in Mizoram University, last night. He expressed optimism on materialisation of the Act East Policy, but added that it was important to develop the region first and secure better relations with countries bordering the North East. The region would soon be the gateway of India to South Asia, he said. (agencies)

Mehta totally displeased with his men fighting in GH Shillong, Nov 8: The police personnel fighting insurgency in Garo Hills under Meghalaya police chief Rajiv Mehta has not been able to please their Senior who revealed that he is not happy with their performances even as he asserted that there was no political pressure from any quarters while dealing with the militants. Speaking to The Shillong Times on Saturday in the wake of kidnapping of a policeman in Garo Hills and spurt in violent incidents , the DGP said, " I am not satisfied with their performance, we should try to work hard, I will speak to the SPs in Garo Hills in this regard," Mehta said. The DGP said he would visit Garo Hills shortly to meet the SPs of all the districts of Garo Hills to convey to them that they should do more to control the prevailing situation. "We will have to do better to improve the situation", Mehta said. To a question on any political pressure in dealing with the militants, Mehta said, "I will swear by the freedom we enjoy in maintaining law and order

without any political interference". The affidavit filed by JPN Singh, Director, in charge Northeast, Union Home Ministry before the High Court of Meghalaya recently said that "only when the State government comes up with a concrete action plan to improve law and order, with the full backing of political leadership, there can be significant improvement in law and order situation in a particular state". The police chief, however, is not in favour of bringing army to Garo Hills, and said that though it may bring down kidnappings, but aggressive stand of the army may cause harassment to the innocent people. "What we hope is that we will be able to achieve peace in a gradual way through our policing though it will take a little longer time".

(Agencies)

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9

PAGE 6

Irani stresses on use of ICT to strengthen school education system New Delhi, Nov 8: Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani on Saturday said that use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) would strengthen school education system. Speaking at 'edNEXT - National Conference on ICT in School Education' here, she said education ministers of some of the states are working to reduce burden of exams on students. Earlier, she appreciated the efforts put in by education ministers of all states in achieving hundred percent result in constructing separate toi-

let for boys and girls in schools during a period of one year. She said it was an outcome of the announcement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India on August 15 last year. The minister also felicitated all state education ministers for their efforts in fulfilling the Prime Minister's vision of having toilets in each government school under the Swachh Bharat Swachh Vidyalaya campaign. She also elaborated on paradigm shift where the stake holders were also asked to participate in the use of mo-

Afghan official says US statement on Taliban insignificant

11,000 Russian Travellers fly home from Egypt: Official

Karachi, Nov 8: Afghan Deputy Chief ExecutiveMuhammad Khan has said the statement of the US government terming the Taliban 'important partners' should not be considered as significant, as just a few days ago, the US had announced an extension of the stay of its forces in Afghanistan. According to the Dawn, Khan said they should not believe in such statements. The Pentagon spokesman had said that they viewed Taliban as important partners in a peaceful Afghan-led reconciliation process. Khan, along with a 45-member official delegation of the Afghan government, was in Peshawar on Saturday to offer condolences on the death of veteran politician Afzal Khan Lala. (ANI)

Army successfully test fires 300-km range Brahmos Pokhran (Rajasthan), Nov 8: The army on Saturday successfully test-fired the 300-km-range Brahmos supersonic land attack cruise missile at Pokhran in Jaisalmer. Army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Manish Ojha said the missile was test fired at around 8.30 am met all the mission objectives. A mobile autonomous launcher deployed in full configuration with mobile command post at the range launched the missile.

Senior Army and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) officials were also present at the launch. The army has already inducted three regiments of Brahmos, while the land-attack version of Brahmos has been operationalised in the army in 2007. (ANI)

Wills-Kate commemorate fallen soldiers Washington D.C., Nov 8: To commemorate the fallen soldiers, Prince Williamand Kate Middleton recently gathered at the Powerful Remembrance Festival in London. The 33-year-old Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge wore a little black dress with a red poppy pin to memorialize the fallen soldiers, while William opted for a classic suit, red striped tie and a matching pin, E! Online reports. The Duke of Cambridge completed his look with a pair of eyeglasses. The couple was spotted sitting in the royal box along with Prince Phillip and the Queen.

Prince Harry also marked his presence at the event.

(ANI)

MOSCOW, NOV 8: Some 11,000 Russian tourists have returned home from Egypt in the past 24 hours after Moscow suspended flights to the country over the Sinai plane crash, an official said today. "Over the past 24 hours some 11,000 people have been flown out," deputy prime minister Arkady Dvorkovich told reporters, adding that more people were set to return home later in the day.

"Today is the busiest day in this sense," he said at the Vnukovo airport outside Moscow. He added that Russia was sending a number of experts to

bile apps tools and to find out the utility of these apps. Keeping in view the need to recognise the ICT initiatives being

inspect Egypt's airports to see if security needed to be beefed up there.

While it dismissed international suspicions that the Russian jet that crashed on October 31 over the Sinai peninsula with 224 people on board was bombed, Russia halted all flights to Egypt on Friday. Officials had said on Saturday that nearly 80,000 Russian tourists were still in Egypt, mainly in Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada, and that they would be able to return home at their own pace. Following in Britain's footsteps, Russia said tourists returning home would fly without

taken in the education sector, she made a clarion call to every citizen to come forward and contribute towards tech-

nology innovation for the benefit of school education. She also called upon the states to look into the issue of nutritional value of mid-day meal and prepare their own menu for mid-day meal keeping in mind the local climate and conditions.

Prof. Ram Shankar Katheria, Minister of State for HRD, said the Prime Minister's new initiative of Digital India would go a long way in ameliorating the prevailing poor conditions of our villages. He said concerted efforts of people across the coun-

try could find solution to varied problems, and stressed upon the need of digitalisation in school education. EPathshala, a web portal, which hosts educational resources for students, teachers, parents, researchers and educators, is available through especially-developed mobile app interface on Android, IOS and windows platforms for wider access and contains textbooks and other e-books as E-Pub 3.0 and Flipbooks in English, Hindi and Urdu.

(ANI)

their check-in luggage which will be brought back to the country separately. Earlier Sunday an Il-76 plane of the Russian emergencies ministry departed Hurghada with some 30 tonnes of tourists' baggage. The ministry added that the first Il76 plane had already brought another 30 tonnes of luggage to Moscow.

The Kremlin insisted the decision to suspend flights did not mean that Moscow believed the crash Relatives cry at the grave of Nina Lushchenko, was caused by a deliber- a victim of the Russian MetroJet Airbus A321 ate attack. Russia's Inter- crash, during her funeral at a cemetery in the state Aviation Committee village of Sitnya in Russia's Novgorod region. said on Saturday that its experts were continuing site together with repre- France, Germany and their work at the crash sentatives of Egypt, Ireland. (agencies)

Iran plans to attend next round of Syria peace talks DUBAI, NOV 8: Iran will attend the next round of Syria peace talks, a top advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was quoted as saying on Saturday, a week after Tehran threatened to withdraw from the process. World and regional powers including Iran met in Vienna on Oct. 30 to discuss a political solution to Syria's civil war. Days later, Iran threatened to pull out of the next round of talks, blaming the "negative role" played by regional rival Saudi Arabia.

"Iran will be actively present in (Syria peace)

talks, while announcing its standards and preserving its red lines," Ali Akbar Velayati,

Khamenei's top foreign policy advisor, was quoted as saying by the Tasnim news agency.

"We will support our ally, Syria, not only in defence field, but also in political arena," he added. Iran supports Syria's President Bashar al-Assad against rebels backed by regional powers including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey. Diplomats have said the next round of international talks is likely to begin later this week.

The October 30 talks, which failed to reach a solution, marked the first time Iran and Saudi Arabia were at the same table to discuss Syria's civil war, which has killed more than 250,000 people and displaced millions over nearly five

years. The war has evolved into a wider proxy struggle between global powers, as Russia has joined the Assad-Iran axis and Western powers have stepped up support for Gulf Arab-backed rebels.

Iran has said it could support Assad's departure only if he is ousted in elections held after a ceasefire. Western and Gulf Arab powers say the Syrian strongman, whose crackdown on initially peaceful protests in 2011 triggered the war, must leave power as part of any credible peace process.

(Agencies)

Children Suffer Due to Lack of Opportunities: Anand Kumar PARIS, NOV 8: Education has the power to transform lives of underprivileged children who suffer due to lack of opportunities, Super30 founder and mathematician Anand Kumar said in Paris today. Narrating success stories of many underprivileged students, Mr Kumar was speaking at the ESSEC School, a top-ranked French business school after the screening of

French film "The Big Day".

"It is all due to lack of opportunities that the children from underprivileged sections suffer from. As far as talent is concerned, they are as capable as others are and I have seen it in course of my 14-year journey with Super 30 that one small opportunity can transform them," Mr Kumar said. The 90-minute film made by acclaimed film-maker Pascal Plisson features success

story of an autorickshaw driver's daughter Nidhi Jha from Super 30. The girl cracked IIT-JEE last year and is studying at the Indian School of Mines (ISM), Dhanbad at present. "Today, they are all working at good places and plan best education for their wards only because they have realised the true potential of education by experiencing it," Mr Kumar said. Mr Kumar narrated success

stories of many of the Super30 students from the underprivileged sections and was lauded by the audience. From the ward of a rickshaw puller and autodriver to a private security guard and landless labourer, they have all reached where they could not even think of few years ago only because of education, he added.

More than 200 students from Super30 institutions

have qualified in IITs since its inception in 2002. A total of 25 out of 30 students qualified in IITs from Super30 this year. In the past too many filmmakers from different countries have made films on Super30. First it was Al Jazeera and then Discovery channel, Japanese TV, British filmmaker Chritopher Mitchell also followed suit. (agencies)

BJP's 'arrogance, sickening language' cost them Bihar: TMC Mumbai, Nov 8: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Sunday congratulated the mahagathbandhan for their comprehensive win in the Bihar Assembly elections and said that the Bharatiya Janata Party's arrogance and 'sickening language' during campaigning had cost them the elections. "Whenever the BJP loses, India wins and India is saved. As Mamata di said this morning, this is a victory for tolerance over intolerance. Their arrogance

has cost them the polls.

We, in the TMC, are particularly happy and Mamata di had made it clear right from the start as to whom she was supporting," TMC national spokesperson Derek O'Brien told ANI here.

He further attacked the BJP, saying they talked about a 'Digital India' sitting in air-conditioned rooms while plotting a 'Divisive India' in their campaign trail.

"Congratulations @NitishKumar ji, Lalu ji & your full team. And all

my Bihar brothers & sisters. Victory of tolerance, defeat of intolerance," West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had tweeted earlier. Applause and wishes poured in for Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar today following the grand alliance's clinical win in the Bihar Assembly elections. The BJP, however, put up a brave face and accepted the people's mandate as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit

Shah wished Nitish, congratulating him. The mahagathbandhan is leading in 161 seats

while the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA is ahead in 74 seats respectively so far. (ANI)

Package annouced by PM to be fully allotted, says Rajnath Singh New Delhi, Nov 8: Welcoming the mandate for the Mahagathbandhana, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday congratulated Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and JD (U) chief Sharad Yadav for their victory in the Bihar assembly polls. "I would like to assure the people of Bihar that the package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the poll rallies would be fully allotted," said Bharatiya Janata Party stalwart Rajnath

Singh. "We firmly believe that the nation can develop only if the states prosper, that is why, the allotted package would be given to Bihar," he added.

The people of Bihar have given their mandate to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to form his government for a consecutive third term. (ANI)

Trudeau unveils most diverse Cabinet in Canada's history Washington D.C ,Nov 8: Canada's new Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has introduced the most diverse Cabinet in the country'shistory, with 50 percent women and four Indians figuring in the same. The Cabinet is now gender equal, with 15 of 30 senior ministerial posts being held by women, the Washington Post reported. Canada's new Defence Minister is Sikh origin Harjit Sajjan, a former police officer and veteran of three military deployments to Afghanistan. Sajjan became a social media celebrity soon after the Cabinet was introduced.

Amarjeet Sohi was sworn-in as Canada's Minister of Infrastructure. 51-year-old Sohi,

who was born in India, immigrated to Edmonton in 1981. He worked as a bus driver and was arrested under accusations of terrorism in 1988. After being freed in 1990, Sohi returned to Canada. 38-year-old Navdeep Bains, a business school professor, has been given the Innovation, Science And Economic Development portfolio in Trudeau's Cabinet.

Bardish Chagger, the daughter of Sikh immigrants, is the only woman among the four Indians in the Cabinet. She has been given the Small Business and Tourism portfolio. Her parents immigrated to Waterloo in Canada from India in the 1970s.

(ANI)

BJP leaders join PM Modi in wishing Advani happy birthday New Delhi, Nov 8: Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), some of whom are members of the union cabinet, joined Prime Minister Narendra Modi in wishing veteran party leader Lal Krishna

Advani on his birthday, saying the latter's contribution to the country was invaluable and he has always been respected as a person of immense knowledge and integrity. "Warmest

Advani on his 89th birthday on Sunday. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in a tweet said, "Greetings to our beloved leader Shri Lal Krishna Advaniji on his 89th birthday today.

May God bless him with good health and long life." Union Minister for Communications and Information Te c h n o l o g y Ravi Shankar Prasad in his tweet said, "Wishing the former Deputy PM of India & our guiding light respected Shri Lal Krishna Advani Ji a very Happy Birthday."

E a r l i e r i n t h e d a y, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished

birthday greetings to our guide and inspiration, the respected Shri LK Advani ji. I wish him a long life filled with best health.

Advani ji's contribution to the country is invaluable. He has always been respected as a person of immense knowledge and integrity," the Prime Minister tweeted. The Prime Minister added that he had 'personally' learnt so much from the veteran BJP leader and that he was the best teacher for 'karyakartas' and remained an epitome of selfless service.

(Agencies)

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9

PAGE 7

NEIGHBOURS

Lankan sniper was hired to kill Maldives President Colombo, Nov 8: A Sri Lankan sniper arrested in Maldives was hired and brought into the country as part of a plot to assassinate President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, the Maldives police announced, according to H a v e e r u Online.Confirming the arrest for the first time, police said in a statement that the 27-year-old man was arrested on October 24. He has been remanded by the Criminal Court for 15 days, the police added.The police, however, did not reveal any further details.

Haveeru first reported the Sri Lankan sniper's arrest last week.Maldivian authorities, however, neither confirmed nor denied the arrest at the time. Reports of the Sri Lankan sniper's arrest came a day after Maldivian security forces confiscated assault rifles and hand guns in what has been the biggest weapons bust in the country's history.

The weapons had been seized from Hibilhadhoo Island in Baa Atoll being developed as a resort.The army had confirmed that two assault rifles found in the weapons bust belonged to the state armoury. The items showcased during a press conference last week included several hand guns, a T56 assault rifle and a MP5 sub-machine gun.

In addition, a large quantity of bomb making material was also displayed at the press briefing.Security forces cautioned the public Wednesday to be wary of more illegal weapons on the loose.At a joint press conference with the police, Captain Ali Ihsan from the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) said there was credible intelligence to suggest some people were in possession of more weapons. Those weapons had the potential of endangering the lives of the people, he warned."We can confirm

Pak army chief's US visit expected to be more substantive than PM Sharif's Karachi, Nov. 8: PakistanArmy chief General Raheel Sharif is expected to train his focus on the situation in Afghanistan when he meets senior Pentagon officials during his visit to the United States from November 15 to 20.According to officials making preparations for the visit, Sharif will meet se-

nior Pentagon and State D e p a r t m e n t officials.The Dawn reports that this will be General Sharif's second visit to Washington this year.It is believed that more substantive discussions will take place during his visit as compared to last month's visit by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. (ANI)

that these weapons would be used in a general attack or utilised to launch an attack on particular individuals," Ihsan said, during the press conference held a few minutes before the declaration of state of emergency on Wednesday.Assistant police commissioner Abdulla Nawaz assured that every effort was being made to find those weapons. He asked the public to notify the police of any information that could lead to the discovery of those

weapons.The joint warning by the armed forces and the police came a few minutes before the Maldives declared a month-long state of emergency in what has been extraordinary security measures following an explosion on a speedboat carrying the president and subsequent discovery of an arms haul.In the declaration of emergency, which was read out to journalists at the President's Office by Attorney General Mohamed Anil, President Abdulla Yameen Abdul

Gayoom said he had reached the decision after consultations with his national security council.

Several explosive devices have been discovered in two separate operations carried out by the army and there is credible intelligence of an imminent attack using explosives and weapons, he added.Such an attack would endanger the lives of the public, the president said.The declaration of emergency came a day after security forces discovered an explosive device near the presidential palace.Maldives military had confirmed that the suspected device found in a vehicle parked near the presidential residence of Muliaage in capital Male was an improvised explosive device which had been subsequently been diffused.The discovery of the IED came just over a month after an explosion aboard the presidential speedboat

carrying President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom now confirmed as an attempt to kill the president.President Yameen was unhurt but his spouse and two others were hurt in the explosion.The primary suspect in the blast appears to be former Vice President Ahmed Adheeb Abdul Ghafoor who was arrested on October 24 as soon as he arrived from an official trip to China. He is accused of high treason, a charge he denies. The government has intensified its crackdown on the former vice president and his associate's .Before and since the former vice president's arrest, police jointly with armed soldiers have been carrying out raids across capital Male. Most of the houses and offices searched so far had direct links to the former vice president.

Parliament, meanwhile, voted unanimously Thursday to impeach Adheeb. (Agencies)

Pakistan factory collapse death toll rises to 44 Lahore, Nov 8: The death toll from the collapse of a factory in eastern Pakistan rose to 44 today, November 8, as rescuers said that hopes of recovering more survivors were growing increasingly slim.The incident, which took place near the Punjab provincial capital of Lahore on Wednesday, has underscored poor safety standards in the underdeveloped South Asian country of 200 million."Fortyone bodies have been recovered and three wounded workers who were rescued alive, died at hospital," Muhammad Usman, a top administration official in Lahore, told media.He said that 40% of the debris from the collapsed building had been removed and rescuers were continuing the search with great care in

case there were more "miracle" survivors trapped beneath the debris, but added that the chances of that were very slim more than 72 hours after the collapse.On Saturday rescuers pulled a teenage boy alive from the rubble 50 hours after the structure toppled.The teenager had been trapped for more than two days and his family, thinking him dead, had already identified and buried another recovered body they believed to be his.The fourstorey Rajput Polyester polythene bag factory came crashing down on W e d n e s d a y evening.Officials have said at least 150 people were in the factory when it came down and it was unclear how many - dead or alive - may still be trapped.Punjab chief min-

Nepal to get another 30,000 litres of fuel from China

Kathmandu, Nov 8: In a significant development, China has agreed to send an additional 30,000 litres of fuel to Nepal at a special request of local people of remote Humla district situated in northwestern Nepal. Locals in Humla have convinced the Chinese authorities to supply 30,000 litres of oil to Nepal via Hilsa border point with China, according to officials. Recently, the Chinese government had agreed to provide 1.3 million litres of fuel to Nepal on grant basis and the first consignment of about 144,000 litres has already arrived in Nepal via KerungRasuwagadhi point.

Nepal Oil Corporation and Chinese authorities

recently signed a deal to bring fuel to Nepal from China to fulfil 33 per cent of Nepal's demand in the face of India's monopoly.

The locals of Humla have also demanded that the government enter into an agreement with China to bring in fuel via Hilsa on regular basis. The Chinese authorities have decided to send the fuel on an informal decision as there was no formal agreement signed to bring fuel from Hilsa trading point. The locals have approached the Chinese authorities for fuel after the Humla-Simikot road construction work was obstructed due to shortage of fuel. The locals had requested Chinese authorities to supply fuel a month ago. (Agencies)

2 get death penalty in Rakib murder

ister Shahbaz Sharif has said the factory may have suffered structural damage in a 7.5 magnitude earthquake last month, which killed almost 400 people across Pakistan a n d Afghanistan.Provincial labour minister Raja Ashfaq Sarwar said that an inquiry into the collapse "is being conducted and we will probe all angles", with a report to be submitted within two

weeks.At least 24 people died last year when a mosque collapsed in the same city, while more than 200 people lost their lives, mostly due to collapsed roofs, following torrential rain and flooding in 2014.In 2012, at least 255 workers were killed when a fire tore through a clothing factory in Karachi, one of the deadliest industrial accidents in Pakistani history.

(Agencies)

Dhaka, Nov 8: A Khulna court has sentenced two people to death for brutally killing teenage boy Rakibul Islam Rakib three months ago.The convicts are Sharif Motors owner Sharif and his uncle Mintu. However, the court emancipated Sharif's mother Beauty from the murder charge brought against her in the lawsuit along with the duo.On August 3, 12-year-old boy Md Rakibul Islam was viciously killed by the trio

in the city's Tutpara area because he had left employment at their garage and taken up a job elsewhere. Rakib's former employers pumped air through his rectum to kill him.Following the death, outraged locals broke into the garage and beat up the three before handing over to police.On the next day, Rakib's father launched a murder case with Sadar police station against the three.(Agencies)

Nations across Asia-Pacific Suu Kyi's day of destiny arrives watching China's actions: Carter as Myanmar votes Beijing, Nov 8: Stating that nations across the Asia-Pacific are watching China's actions in areas like the maritime domain and cyberspace, Defence Secretary Ashton Carter has said that the US is working with its allies to ensure the peace and stability in the region. "The US and Russia are now not the only powers impacting the principled international order. For decades, the US has helped create the stability in the Asia-Pacific that has allowed people, economies, and countries to rise, to prosper, and to win," he said at the Regan National Defense Forum.

"Miracle after miracle has occurred. First, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and now, China and India, have risen and prospered. Hundreds of millions of Asians have been lifted into the middle class. And democracy has taken hold," Carter said on his way back from his latest Asia trip.

"However, the single most influential factor in shaping the region's fu-

ture is how China rises and relates to the principled order that has undergirded regional peace, stability, and security," he said. He said that as a rising power, it's to be expected that China will have growing ambitions and a modernizing military. But how China behaves will be the true test of its commitment to peace and security, he added. "This is why nations across the region are watching China's actions in areas like the maritime domain and cyberspace," Carter said.

The US, he said, is working - on its own and with allies - to ensure the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific, even as China rises. "The US is making several moves on its own:America's rebalance to the Asia-Pacific is about sustaining this progress, and assuring stability and prosperity in a changing region," he said. Carter said Russia appears intent to play spoiler by flouting these principles and the international community.

Meanwhile, China is a rising power, and grow-

ing more ambitious in its objectives and capabilities, he said. "Of course, neither Russia nor China can overturn that order completely, given its resilience and staying power.

But both present different challenges for it. The US, and the men and women of the Defence Department, know the good that a principled international order has done and will do," he said. "But in the face of Russia's provocations and China's rise, we must embrace innovative approaches to protect the US and strengthen that international order," he said, accusing Russia of violating sovereignty in Ukraine and Georgia and actively trying to intimidate the Baltic States. Stating that

at sea, in the air, in space and in cyberspace, Russians have engaged in challenging activities, he said Moscow's nuclear saber-rattling raises questions about Russian leaders' commitment to strategic stability, their respect for norms against the use of nuclear weapons, and whether they respect the profound caution nuclearage leaders showed with regard to the brandishing of nuclear weapons. "We do not seek a cold, let alone a hot war with Russia. We do not seek to make Russia an enemy. But make no mistake; the US will defend our interests, our allies, the principled international order, and the positive future it affords us all," Carter said. (Agencies)

Yangon, Nov 8: Myanmar voters cast their ballots today in a historic election that could thrust Aung San Suu Kyi's pro-democracy party into power and finally pull the country away from the grip of the military. In a reminder of Suu Kyi's star power, the opposition leader, wearing a traditional skirt with her trademark string of flowers in her hair, was mobbed by scores of reporters as she voted in Yangon.

Supporters crushed into the school yard acting as a polling station, shouting "Victory! Victory!" as the diminutive democracy heroine edged through the crowd. Her National League for Democracy (NLD) party believes a fair vote will power it into government after a decades-long struggle against army dictatorship.But the Nobel Laureate is barred from the presidency by the army-scripted constitution and the NLD faces an uphill struggle as a quarter of seats are still reserved for the

military.In the capital Naypyidaw, President Thein Sein, a one-time top-ranking junta general, smiled for the cameras and held up his little finger, stained with purple ink, after voting.His ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), an army-backed behemoth stacked with former military cadres, is the main obstacle to an NLD victory. Many voters remain nervous about how the powerful army will react if it loses with concerns over fraud which riddled previous elections.But after casting his vote in the capital; Myanmar's powerful army chief said his

denly handed power to a semi-civilian government led by former generals.Sweeping reforms since have loosened the straitjacketed economy and brought many freedoms to an isolated, wearied people.Some 30 million people are eligible to vote, in an event that has posed major logistical challenges across a vast troops would respect the and poor country. Elecvoice of the tion officials earlier inelectorate."Just as the sisted voting was going winner accepts the re- well but the NLD later sult, so should the loser," made allegations of votehe told reporters. Across buying by the USDP in the country queues of one village in the people, many wearing Irrawaddy Delta. Suu traditional longyi sarongs, Kyi has also faced intersnaked outside polling national censure for failstations .At Suu Kyi's ing to speak up for the rural constituency of country's embattled Kawhmu, where the op- Muslim population - esposition leader travelled pecially the ethnic after casting her ballot, Rohingya in restive crowds smiled and Rakhine state.Hundreds thousands of waved, jostling for space of in between the media Rohingya have been exscrum.Aspirations for cluded from voting, and change run high in the poll will not be held Myanmar after five de- in several border areas cades of brutal junta where fighting between smothered opponents the army and ethnic with violence and jail.But r e b e l s in 2011 the regime sud- simmers.(Agencies)

PAGE 8

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9

What's Behind India's Big Export Decline?

Indians more addicted to alcohol Alcoholic intake on the rise Alcohol is taking a tragic toll in recent times, with the number of drink-related deaths up by a third since the mid-1980s. Excessive drinking is now implicated in 33,000 deaths a year, according to a report. A global study has found out that alcohol consumption in India has risen by 55% over a period of 20 years. More worryingly, the young are getting initiated to alcohol much earlier, while more women are indulging in hazardous and binge drinking. The percentage of under15 boys who haven't had alcohol went down from 44% to 30%, while for girls it decreased from 50% to 31% in the 2000s. The trend of heavy drinking witnessed among the young of all countries has experts worried. The rapid rise in alcohol consumption is also not without any economic ramifications. A developing nation, for instance, loses around 1% of its annual output due to lost productivity of drunken workers.

Alcohol consumption is the third largest risk factor for disease and disability in the world. In 2010 it was responsible for 4.9 million deaths and 5.5% of the total DALYs lost worldwide, according to Lancet's Global Disease Burden study. Since it is a leading risk factor for death among the economically and socially productive age group of 15-49 year old men, it has grave implications in terms of a society's over all development. According to WHO, about 30% of Indians consume alcohol, out of which 4-13% are daily consumers and up to 50% of these, fall under the category of hazardous drinking. Another worrying trend from India is that the average age of initiation of alcohol use has reduced from 28 years during the 1980s to 17 years in 2007. In India alcohol abuse also amounts to huge annual losses due to alcohol-related problems in work places. Nearly 25% of the road accidents are under the influence of alcohol and it is also a significant risk factor for increased domestic violence. In an alarming revelation, the Global Status report on alcohol and health 2014, released by the World Health Organization (WHO) states that the amount of alcohol consumption has raised in India between the periods of 2008 to 2012. The data was compiled taking into account individuals over the age of 15 and above, who consumed alcohol. According to the report, around 30% of the total population of India consumed alcohol in the year 2010. 93% of alcohol was consumed in the form of spirits, followed by beer with 7% and less than 1% of the population consumed wine. The per capita consumption of alcohol in the country increased from 1.6 liters from the period of 2003-2005, to 2.2 liters from the period of 2010-2012. Kerala led the states in terms of alcohol consumption. An average individual over the age of 15 consumed over 8 liters of alcohol per annum in the south Indian state followed by Maharashtra and Punjab. It was also revealed that over 11% of the population in India indulged in heavy or binge-drinking. The global figure stood at 16%.

Americans consumed 8.5 to 9.9 liters of alcohol per annum while the Canadians consumed a whopping 12.5 liters per annum. The report also states that in 2012, about 3.3 million deaths, or 5.9% of all global deaths, were attributable to alcohol consumption. Alcohol consumption also contributes to about 10 percent of the disease burden due to tuberculosis, epilepsy, hemorrhagic stroke and hypertensive heart disease in the world, the report added.

Landslide Hazard Widespread and Damaging Northeast is increasing at a very rapid rate. Rise in population has resulted into encroachment of forest and hilly areas of the city. Haphazard construction of settlement without any necessary measures has resultant into instability of slopes in the region. Deforestation, illegal settlement construction, inappropriate drainage system, construction work and supported by intense and prolonged rainfall in the region has cause to slope failure in many areas. Recently frequency and intensity of landslide incidence has increased in the region. There has been lot of casualty and damage of property due to this geological hazard. So, in order to minimize the impact of landslide, necessary steps should be taken in advance for protection and prevention. Few recommendation and remedial measures to be taken for landslide in this very region The most important measures to be taken is the preparation of standard guidelines for landslide management and mitigation for the entire region. These guidelines should be shared with the entire administrative department as well as all the stakeholders involve in disaster management. These guidelines should also be in local language and should be shared with the community.

Also areas falling under high risk zone should be completely avoided for any construction work or for human settlement. Whereas Retrofitting of the houses built on the hills should be done so that it can withstand the impact of landslide to some extent. It was observed that most of the houses built on the hills are kuttcha or the walls are made up of single brick. Such kind of housing structure could not withstand impact of any kind of landslide event. Moreover slopes identified as vulnerable to landslide must be corrected in advance to avoid any slope failure in the region. Slope which is more than 20 degree angle should be corrected in advance using technical method. Apart from these most of the states in Northeast lacks proper drainage system and due to human interference the natural drainage systems have also been affected. The drainage system should be corrected so that the water can flow freely through a channel without affecting slope. People located at the most risky zone should be rehabilitated to a safer and plain area through any government development scheme. Also mining and any quarrying activities on in and around the hills must be strictly banned. Whereas awareness programme among community must be created in the region about the causes and impact of landslide. Community must be taught about natural way of mitigating landslide. The community must be informed about the impact of houses created on steep slopes due to landslide.

A long period of falling exports defies an easy explanation.

Ritesh Kumar Singh Starting from Dec 2014, the last ten months have seen a series of contractions in India's merchandise shipments, the last nine months by double-digit percentage points.

Most analysts offer three explanations for the drops: the adverse effect of fall in crude prices; the relative appreciation of rupee against dollar vis-Ă -vis other currencies like the euro, real, rouble, or yuan; and slower growth in world trade.

Doubtless, the fall in crude prices has affected the dollar earnings from exports of refined petroleum products like diesel and petrol. Slower growth in world trade is an irrefutable reality that is bound to affect India's exports.

However, India's merchandise exports have been hovering around $300 billion for more than four years now, and that can't fully be explained by low crude prices or slowing global trade, given India's modest share of 1.7 percent of world exports.

Similarly, India's top competitor in its key exports such as steel, chemicals and textiles is China, and the yuan has fallen just 3 percent against dollar (compared to the rupee's 10 percent depreciation) since July 1, 2014.

It's not that only exports of petroleum products are declining, exports of other items have also trended lower. For example, in Sepember shipments of engineering goods were down 23 percent, apparel 12 percent, and gems and jewellery 19 percent. Thus, the declines in India's exports are quite broad-based.

The roots of India's declining exports are deeper, and have no short-term fix, such as

letting the rupee depreciate against the dollar, simply because India's export basket is no longer as price elastic as it once was. Hence, currency depreciation would have to be truly dramatic to give a meaningful push to India's exports. That may not work, as other countrys are trying to do the same thing to capture an increasing share of sluggish global demand. And one little can be done about subdued crude prices,

a percentage of GDP remains as high as 1314 percent, compared with 7-8 percent in developed countries. Exports incentives in the range of 2 to 3 percent of export value can't fully compensate for the additional cost incurred on account of an inefficient trade infrastructure.

Questionable Trade Pacts Nor is the failure of India's trade negotiators to get improved market access for the country's exports helping. As a result, the country's top exports

The roots of India's declining exports are deeper, and have no short-term fix, such as letting the rupee depreciate against the dollar, simply because India's export basket is no longer as price elastic as it once was. Hence, currency depreciation would have to be truly dramatic to give a meaningful push to India's exports. That may not work, as other countrys are trying to do the same thing to capture an increasing share of sluggish global demand. And one little can be done about subdued crude prices, which are likely to persist for the foreseeable future. So what's holding up India's exports? which are likely to persist for the foreseeable future. So what's holding up India's exports?

Despite all attempts at diversification, India's merchandise exports have a narrow base, with the top 20 categories accounting for 78 percent of the total.

Even in top export categories like textiles, India is exporting low value commodities such as cotton yarn or apparel rather than technical textiles.

India's manufacturing exports are fast losing price competiveness, primarily because of poor logistics infrastructure compounded by a weak trade facilitation regime. India's over-dependence on road freight means that the cost of logistics as

are facing prohibitive tariff and non-tariff barriers in developing and emerging markets.

In developed markets, where import tariffs are lower, India's exports are subject to all kinds of non-tariff barriers.

India has signed many trade pacts, more for geo-political reasons than commercial ones.

The best example is the South Asian Free Trade Agreement, which has not resulted in any significant export gains despite the obvious logistical advantage and similar consumer preferences of the South Asian population.

The conclusion of an ASEAN-China FTA prompted India to hastily sign its on FTA

with ASEAN, to protect its existing tariff advantages. Further, most of India's preferential trade agreements (PTAs) are shallow in terms of product coverage. For example, the IndiaMercosur PTA doesn't include textiles and apparel items, which face prohibitive import duties of up to 35 percent.

India's pharmaceutical exports have not benefited from tariff reductions under the India-Japan CEPA, mainly because it's too cumbersome to deal with Japan's drug regulator. Japan allows the duty free import of apparel from India only if all of the raw materials used are of either Indian or Japanese origin, with an exception of 7 percent content by weight that can be sourced from third countries. No surprise, the utilization of India's PTAs for export promotion remains very low.

Strangely, India itself has not imposed any sourcing restrictions, even for sensitive items like textiles, granting unilateral duty free market access to countries like Bangladesh when restrictions would have helped its export of textile intermediates.

India's ill-conceived trade pacts have also resulted in inverted duty structure - high import duties on raw materials and interme-

diates, and lower duties on finished goods - that discourage the production and export of value-added items.

Thus, apparel can be imported into India duty free while its raw material -manmade fibres attract an import duty of 10 percent.

That makes no sense.

Similarly, finished products such as laptops or cell phones can be imported more cheaply than all their parts (imported) separately because of duty inversion.

Fixing the trade regime should be the top priority for the government. However, that first calls for an admission that there is a problem with the way India has negotiated its trade deals. Facing criticism that India's FTAs are aiding imports rather than exports, the Ministry of Commerce claimed that FTAs are not being used much by traders and hence can't be responsible for rising imports. That begs the question: Why then did India spend so much time and energy negotiating them.

India is also going slow on trade pacts that could be immensely beneficial. Vietnam has already concluded an FTA with the largely untapped Eurasian Customs Union comprising Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, while India has been slow to move ahead with negotiations. Meanwhile, India

has been unable to bridge differences blocking a free trade deal with EU, its biggest trading partner.

Worse, in a move that revealed its immaturity in trade negotiation, India recently called off the trade talks with EU. The recently concluded Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) - a trade bloc that has apparently held no interest for India - could be highly damaging for its exports. A tighter intellectual property regime may adversely affect India's export of generic medicines to TPP countries, the U.S. in particular. Given the high applied duties for apparel items in the U.S., the TPP will create a direct tariff disadvantage for India's apparel exporters (vis-Ă vis Vietnam), which operate on margins as low as 6 percent.

The imposition of yarn forward (a highly restrictive sourcing rule) will not let India benefit indirectly from supplying textile intermediates to Vietnam. Moreover, TPP may lead to investment moving out of India to TPP countries, dealing another blow to India's future exports.

Reviving India's exports call for a carefully considered trade strategy and a much more radical policy mix than that which India could manage during the global boom years (20002007), when its exports surged 20 percent a year.

Trafficking of Children

Sir, Trafficking of human is assuming an alarming proportion in Assam. Generally, it is seen that girls are trafficked to sell them outside the state to the brothels. Their male counter parts, too, are trafficked for selling their vital limbs like kidney. But a news item published in some news-papers sug-

gest that during last three years 4754 children had remained traceless, as transpired by a report submitted by the CID. Of them, 2753 are females, obviously, these girls are engaged in prostitution and the boys are made either bonded laborers or vital limbs are taken away. Of late, a new phenomenon surfaces with the disappearance of good number of Muslim teen agers from some lower-Assam districts. It is apprehended that some terrorists' groups recruit them to engage them in terrorist activities after imparting training.

The rescue of some young girls from Railway stations by the Police is reported from time to time. But hoodwinking the vigilance of the Police, the racket continues unabated. It becomes a social malady that needs to be addressed not only by the Police but awareness among the rank and file of the society is the need of the hour.

But members of poverty - stricken families fall easy victims as these young members voluntarily leave their families in search of a greener pasture. We suggest that provisions incorporated in law for checking human - trafficking should be toughened and severe punishment be

meted out to those found in running the racket of human - trafficking.

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

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DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9

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ed

Beyond Malgudi Days, Here's An R. K. Narayan Story You Probably Never Heard Of Dhruv Ramnath The novelist and shortstory writer R. K Narayan experienced an 'impossible love-sickness' as a young man.

When he was living in Bojjanna Lines, he longed for a girl in a green sari with a pale, oval face and another girl who studied at Maharani's College.

Soon a married British lady doctor warmed the cockles of his heart, and he disposed of an English pen friend who had not reciprocated his unmitigated love. In July 1933, he had fallen in love again and fell out of it, and Narayan was no more a lover until the day he died. It had been impelled by destiny.

The impossible lovesickness that Narayan experienced was made possible by the Hindu practice of matching one's horoscopes. One probable reason for the

extreme love-sickness was that he was more easily affected by feminine charm than other young men of his age.

The fact that none of the girls whom Narayan fell in love with feigned interest in him shows that he was spectacularly interested in being in love rather than receiving it.

His love for the middleaged British doctor was taken to a ridiculous level. His careful, close observation of the ladies he sought attention from in a time when social customs were rigid, was fine in prose, but not in practice. The daughter of the headmaster of a school nearby became his wife at the end of an undoubtedly predestined meeting with an astrologer, who told him that their horoscopes finally matched. Had he not met the astrologer, rigid social customs and unyielding cowardice from the village elders, his potential wife and him, would have sickened the

possible love that could have once taken fruit.

The impressions I gather from Narayan's love life, of the social conditions in which he lived as a young man in the nineteen thirties, is wideranging. True, the social customs were castebased in which castes and genders were segregated. But, he did not have to mend his ways in the end, and on marrying his wife, his parents were happy. The astrologer who his father-in-law had known was uncaring, blunt and in a casual way told Narayan to tell the headmaster to go ahead with his daughter's marriage, notwithstanding their horoscope planetary alignments. Perhaps a marriage like that had never happened before where he lived, and society frowned upon boys and girls marrying without consulting their parents or horoscopes.

Narayan did not. The marriage was promptly celebrated, and when

Islamic Fundamentalism Exists, But That Doesn't Mean All Terrorists Are Muslim

Narayan wrote about it in an extract in My Days in 1974, God knows whether he had the "writers' mind" which would have allowed him to see it in a non-dual way.

So rigid were the social customs back then that it seemed impossible that a man falling in love and letting loose his urge to go up to his damsel would have been taken lightly. His future fatherin-law was open-minded.

He constantly prodded Narayan about his pros-

pects as a writer, which shows that he was concerned about how his daughter would manage the household from the expenses earned by a freelance writer.

Narayan's time was cruel to lovers finding love; and women, of course, were treated most cruelly. If Narayan's wife did what Narayan had done, she would have been castigated, perhaps killed by one of her family members. Although her father, liberal for

those times, yielded to the pressure 'from the stars', one never knows the temperament of a patriarch who had heard from a stranger Narayan - that he wanted to marry his daughter.

Narayan fell in love with his wife before meeting her. He was in love with her; he used to stare at her through the corner of his eye while she drew water from the street-tap.

She was, of course, oblivious to him, as Narayan does not mention her affectionate remonstrances at all. He, one of the greatest writers, was after all, human.

It is his approach to love that passes muster with his readers. There is a tendency in all of us to be attracted by the physical; the creaturely aspect of worldly life shrivels our fractured selves to the core.

This is love, but not true love. We do love our lovers because we find their bodies physically attractive. (I must confess as a

As I See It, The Uniform Civil Code Does Not Impose The Law Of Majorities On Minorities

person who has been loved so). But, we also progress from mere physical love to what is more spiritual and sacred.

Narayan's love moved from the physical (when he loved the pretty ladies for their looks) to the social (when astrologers and elders who decided

the fate of their progeny took a step back) and then to the essentially sacred, where social customs and bodily attractions ceased. That was a state beyond the body, mind and intellect - a state of absolute surrender to his potential wife. It was not fate that fixed his marriage to Rajam. It was love.

He loved Rajam because he moved from being in love to being

able to love unconditionally. The soon-tobe mature Narayan had the ability to transcend the domains of physicality, society and astrology. He became a man who was deeply saddened by the demise of his wife in 1939.

Rajam had died of typhoid.

Speaking about his successful marriage to his wif e, Narayan said: "In spite of all these fluctuations and hurdles, my marriage came off in a few months, celebrated with all the pomp, show, festivity, exchange of gifts, and the overcrowding, which my parents desired and expected." Narayan's astrologer would have chuckled and agreed. He did see that coming.

"The only thing I was certain of was that I loved her, and I suffered the agonies of restraint imposed by the social conditions in which I lived."

- R. K Narayan in My Days

Things You Cannot Afford To Ignore This Diwali

Lekha Vijaya The months of OctoberNovember usher in a frenzy of activity across the country. For the dealers in gold, it is the time of Dhanteras-a day when they can literally 'strike gold' thanks to the seismic wave of customers.

Whether buying gold that day really brings in more fortune is a question no one can answer. But the pressing issue here is that of the day of Diwali that follows Dhanteras.

My point here is not to quell the beliefs of anyone and so I go on to that which has been troubling me - the day following Dhanteras which should be rightfully titled the "Festival of Smoke" more than that of lights. Every Diwali, the pollution levels before and after it shows a stark contrasttowards the rise. Every

good enough reasons for you and some of my friends who would gleefully call me a killjoy.

The most important reason why I decided to write this down is the plight of little kids in India's largest firecracker manufacturing city-Sivakasi. In a country which is en route child labour eradication, this city stands out shamefully with a workforce of 30 Ă‚ from the age group of 416, of whom 90% are girls. Almost every year, there occurs an accident in these factories leading to the death of several of these innocent kids who are sent to procure some cash for their hungerstricken families.

Cheap labour, dire poverty and illiteracy are the key reasons that propel these young girls and boys to these factories. With little surety of coming back alive, they spend their lives in inhuman conditions,

Diwali, at least a 100 people die, thanks to some cracker having burst explosively and another 100 are disabled for life. And these are the estimates from a single city. Multiply that for the entire country and you get a sizeable amount. The amount of residual particulate matter (RSPM), which has already reached the red-zone, is only boosted for the worse during Diwali season only to deteriorate the condition of those with respiratory ailments. The smoke that engulfs the cities during Diwali times goes without mention as well. These may not be

exposing themselves to serious health hazards surrounded by a sea of chemicals. If you were to argue that shutting them down would ruin their families, you should know that Sivakasi has a flourishing printing press that accounts for 30% of India's diaries.

Surely, these children could be relocated to other industries.

When fireworks are banned in several other countries, why can't we take cue and follow their lead? Would it hurt us so much to sacrifice ephemeral joy on seeing the crackers burst make way for some peace, safety and most importantly a greener environment?

Nanditha Sankar

Shruti Sonal It has been repeated time and again by analysts and media persons alike that while not all Muslims are terrorists, all terrorists are Muslims.

The statement has been carefully used by those who claim they're not equating terror with religion. However, the term 'Islamic' has almost become a prefix of the word terror. Challenging this notion, an article was published by Daily Beast in January 2015, which pointed out wellresearched evidence that a majority of terror-related cases are carried out by non-Muslims. In fact, less than 2% of the terrorist attacks over the past 5 years were committed by Muslims. A report released by Europol last year highlighted that vast majority of terror attacks in Europe were perpetrated by separatist groups such as France's FLNC and Greece's left-wing Militant Popular Revolutionary Forces. Other non-Muslim terrorists' organizations present in other parts of the world include, among others, Lord's Resistance Army (Uganda, Sudan), Aum Shirnikyo (Japan) and New People's Army (Philippines).

Even as America led the global war on terror, an FBI report stated that between 1980 and 2005, 94% of terror attacks in the U.S. were committed by non-Muslims. While

Latino groups accounted for 42% of the attacks, left wing extremist groups made up 24% of the total. Wired reported that "Since 9/11, 33 Americans have died as a result of terrorism launched by their Muslim neighbours. During that period, 180,000 Americans were murdered for reasons unrelated to terrorism."

The above data and evidence highlights the way mainstream media chooses to define terrorism and also focus on certain events, while ignoring some others. In the absence of a universally accepted definition of terrorism, such projection of the term inevitably leads to Islamophobia, influencing people's perception that all bearded Muslims are potential terrorists. It also favours the geopolitics led by USA, as the "clash of civilisations" showed post 9/11. Not only did it help justify grave violations of human rights at home but also legitimised the intervention in the Middle East and Afghanistan in the name of "War Against Terror". Additionally, it also prevents adequate attention being given to acts of atrocities committed against Muslims in places like Myanmar, where Rohingya Muslims are under threat from Buddhist extremists (which is generally considered a peaceful religion).

While it cannot be de-

nied that Islamic fundamentalism is a phenomenon that needs to be dealt with, one must be careful while defining acts of terror. While white non-Muslim shooters in America often get away with being labelled as a "deranged or mentally disturbed lone shooter," each act of violence committed by a Muslim is judged by the yardstick of being a part of a wider network of Islamic terror. Similarly in India too, the acts of violence by Hindu extremist groups are seen as isolated incidents, not coming under the purview of religiously motivated terrorism. This, unfortunately, allows different public sentiments to be created around, say the incident of Chapel Hill shooting and Charlie Hebdo shooting, or the hanging of Yakub Memon on one hand and cases revolving around Maya Kodnani and Babu Bajrangi on the other. Terrorism, understood as a deliberate use of force to attain political ends, must be understood in a context broader than Islamic fundamentalism to allow a truer understanding. It will allow a non-biased analysis of incidents of violence relating to race such as the recent shooting in Charleston, and thus, expand the notion of politically-motivated terror beyond the realm of religion.

The question of rolling out a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in India has been haunting us ever since independence. We have been sitting on Article 44, a directive principle of state policy for more than five decades. Still, no affirmative step has been taken for its implementation. It is not going to be an easy task, and that is why none of the post-independent Governments of India made any try. To reach a consensus here is no small job, but it is worth taking a risk. Because the result is going to bind us all together under a single rule of law.

Union Law minister Sadananda Gowda's comment on the same has now brought the debate of UCC back into the arena.

Unlike a unique criminal code for the whole of India, in civil matters we follow the personal laws based on religion.

In matters like marriage, divorce, inheritance, etc., people follow their personal laws.

Personal laws can still be upheld, but for introducing a uniform legality throughout the nation regarding the personal affairs of its citizens, in my opinion UCC is a must. Our Constitution itself ensures, through the six fundamental rights that all citizens in India should be treated equally irrespective of their caste, religion, sex or place of birth. The various laws enacted by the Parliament are in accordance with these provisions. Implementing a UCC is something similar too.

In civil issues if one approaches the courts, the decision is always taken in favour of his/her fundamental rights, not according to religious

laws. The Shah Bano case (1985) is an example of this. In its ruling, the Supreme Court upheld the right to maintenance for Shah Bano from her husband after divorce, contrary to what was given in the Muslim Personal law.

The Supreme Court has always reminded the Government about bringing a UCC now and then, while making judgements in such civil issues.

The Special Marriage Act of 1954 is an example of how a UCC on marriage can be. As per the act, any two people can get married irrespective of their religion under a common law in India. For succession too, we have an Indian Succession Act that cuts across religious lines.

By carefully deliberating the clauses in such acts by consulting with the stakeholders, we could have extended it to all citizens, replacing the existing personal laws. After all, the main objective of the UCC is to bring a law where all citizens irrespective of their caste or gender or religion are treated equally. It also aims to eliminate certain evil practices that exist in personal laws. We have already abolished Sati.

Like that, polygamy and child marriages too need to be done away with. For this, we need a more stringent Uniform civil code.

The Congress Government has all through these years not taken a firm stand in issuing a uniform civil code, clearly a political prank to appease various religious communities. Not just the Congress, but most of the political parties uphold a pseudosecular view when it comes to the UCC. Bringing a UCC was one of the agendas of the BJP regime. Their proximity to the Hinduvta groups and rising communal tension in the country can raise a possible suspicion among the minorities regarding their support for the UCC. So the Government needs to consider the concerns and apprehensions of d i ff e r e n t r e l i g i o u s groups in this matter.

Imposition of the law of majority over the minority is not what a UCC is targeting. All religious communities, especially the minorities who fear a possible intervention in their religious matters should be taken into confidence first.

Buddhist, Jain and Sikh are already under the Hindu Civil code even though their religious perspectives are quite different. Like that, we can bring a Uniform Civil Code which will bind the 120 million people of India together.

DIBRUGARH, MONNDAY, NOVEMBER 9

BUSINESS

PAGE 10

Maruti launches WagonR, Stingray with auto gear shift Terracotta lamps attract buyNew Delhi Nov 8: Country's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India launched variants of its compact cars, WagonR and Stingray, equipped with auto gear shift (AGS) technology, priced between Rs 4.76 lakh and Rs 5.31 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), respectively. The auto gear shift transmission will be available in VXi variants of both the models, MSI said in a statement. Besides, driver and co-driver airbags and anti-lock braking system (ABS) will be offered as an op-

tion across all variants, including base versions of WagonR and Stingray, it added. "WagonR is one of the strongest brands in the Indian car market and it has been one of the top five selling cars in the country. WagonR will be the third brand from our portfolio to get the acclaimed Auto Gear Shift technology," MSI, Executive Director Marketing and Sales RS Kalsi said.

By introducing the AGS in a popular car like WagonR, the company aims to democratise the technology so that more

TAKING COMPETITION HEAD ON ¨ Maruti Suzuki India launched variants of its compact cars, WagonR and Stingray, equipped with auto gear shift (AGS) technology, priced between Rs 4.76 lakh and Rs 5.31 lakh.

¨ Driver and co-driver airbags and anti-lock braking system (ABS) will be offered as an option across all variants, including base versions of WagonR and Stingray.

¨ The auto gear shift transmission will be available in VXi variants of both the models, MSI said in a statement.

¨ By introducing the AGS in a popular car like WagonR, the company aims to democratise the technology so that more customers can enjoy the convenience of automatic gear shift.

175-GW green energy target a big challenge: Suresh Prabhu New Delhi Nov 8: Deploying 175 GW of power generation capacity from renewable sources by 2022 is a big challenge, Union Minister Suresh Prabhu said recently, adding that solar energy is the "ultimate solution" for India.

"Solar is the ultimate solution for India because solar and wind are real sources of energy. Having 175 GW of power generation capacity from renewable energy is a big c h a l l e n g e , " RailwaysMinister Suresh Prabhu said while addressing the Global Energy Technology Summit 2015, organised here by NTPC. The government has ambitious plans for deployment of 175 GW renewable power capacities by 2022, including 100 GW of solar and 60 GW of wind, which may require investment of around $150 billion in the next seven years.

Power Minister Piyush Goyal had exuded confidence that with the Centre and states working together, the target

could be attained in fourand-half years. Goyal had said, "I am confident that we can achieve the renewable energy targets, not necessarily in six-and-half years from now but possibly even in four-and-half years from now, if we all work together as a team." Stressing on the need for increasing the efficiency of solar photo-voltaic (PV) cells, Prabhu was of the view that research and development is very important and there is need to increase solar PV efficiency to 30 to 40% level. He also suggested that NTPC should redefine itself as total energy

solution provider rather remaining a power generator or distributor. He said it can also set up small grid solar power projects to power remote areas. "Technological advancement, economic growth, combating climate change and fasttracking technologies for renewables should be the top-most priority," said Prabhu. Speaking on the occasion, NTPC CMD Anil Kumar Jha emphasised that environment sustainability is a challenge before humanity and renewables shall become main source of energy for the world by 2030. (Agencies)

Sebi gives more time to Essar Oil New Delhi, Nov 8: Providing certain relaxation, capital market regulator Sebi recently gave more time to the promoter of Essar Oil to finalise the delisting offer. While directing the company to expeditiously make the public announcement about the delisting, the market regulator said the same price of proposed deal with Russia's Rosneft should be offered to the public shareholders. With respect to certain allegations about the company's financial transactions, Sebi said it would refer the complaint to accounting regulator ICAI as the issue "appears to relate to the correctness of balance sheet". Shareholders of Essar Oil approved the delisting proposal on August 6, 2014 while in-principle approvals from NSE and BSE were received on July 3, 2015 and July 15, 2015, respectively.

Sebi's order, issued on an application seeking certain relaxations filed by Essar Oil's promoter Essar Energy Holdings Ltd, said it should expeditiously make the public announcement about the delisting. After the public announcement, the company has to dispatch the letters of offer within five working days. "The promoters/

company shall make the final application for delisting within a period of two months from the date of this order," Sebi said. According to the regulator, the order is only with respect to relaxation to timelines related to the delisting process. On July 10, Essar Energy Holdings had filed a letter with Sebi, saying the delay in the delisting process was not on account of the promoter. As approvals from the board and shareholders were obtained and floor price set prior to the amendments to delisting regulations, Essar Energy sought relaxation in timelines for the delisting process. Earlier this year, Ruias-promoted Essar Oil had signed a non-

binding Term Sheet for sale of up to 49% stake in the company to Russian oil firm Rosneft.

"In case the price offered/paid by Rosneft is higher than the discovered price arrived at in the reverse book building, the difference in price shall be paid to the shareholders who tender their shares to promoters in accordance with Delisting Regulations in the proposed delisting offer," it noted. Once the transaction with Rosneft is finalised, the company and its promoters have been asked to issue a public notice stating the details, including number of shares to be purchased

by Rosneft and the final consideration.

(Agencies)

customers can enjoy the convenience of automatic gear shift without compromising on fuel efficiency and at an attractive price, he added. "The option of dual airbags and anti-lock braking further strengthens the core proposition of WagonR and Stingray as 'Smart' cars," he added.

AGS also known as automated manual transmission (AMT) is equipped with an intelligent shift control actuator that automatically performs clutch and shift operations. MSI, at present, offers AGS in Celerio and Alto K10. (Agencies)

Textiles sector to be driving force behind Skill India, Make in India Mumbai, Nov 8: Textiles Secretary S K Panda said the sector will be the driving force behind Skill India and Make in India campaigns as it has the potential to create 4550% of the direct jobs in rural India. He was addressing the Indian Cotton Conference 2015 organised by Indian Cotton Association Limited (ICAL) and Northern India Textile Mills Association (NITMA) here. Suggesting for branding Indian cotton against the world labels, Textiles Commissioner Kavita Gupta emphasised on technical R&D needed to increase productivity.

She said that average cotton productivity in India is 528 kg per hectare

wherein the same stands 2,196 in Australia and 963 in the US. President NITMA H S Cheema illustrated the China scenario and suggested that the government should provide direct subsidy to the farmers. At the event, Suresh Kotak Chairman Kotak and Company was presented a lifetime achievement award for his contribution of more than 60 years to the cotton industry. (Agencies)

China to go after sale of fake online retail goods Beijing, Nov 8: China plans to crackdown on the sale of fake goods online by using cloud computing, big data and tighter rules on user identity in its latest moves to quash counterfeiting.

China has been trying to reign in its counterfeiters, who have copied everything from Apple iPhones to Louis Vuitton handbags, since it joined the World Trade Organization in 2001 and was required to adhere to global standards on intellectual property rights. The country plans to eradicate intellectual property rights infringement on the internet within 3 years, it said in a posting by China's cabinet on its official website. China

will promote the use of a "real-name system" on the internet and electronic tags to make it easier to track goods and the identities of offenders, the statement said.

Inter-regional law enforcement will also be improved, it said, with a focus on sharing information amongst Beijing, Tianjin and the Yangtze River Delta, as well as other regions. In a rare move, China singled out Walt Disney Co for special trademark protection. More than 40% of goods sold online in China last year were either counterfeits or of bad quality, the official Xinhua news agency reported earlier this week.

(Agencies)

PM Modi announces Rs 80,000 crore package for Jammu & Kashmir Srinagar, Nov 8: In an announcement that brought huge cheer from the listening crowd, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that his government at the centre will give a Rs 80,000 crore package for the development of Jammu & Kashmir. Stating that 'Sab ka Saath, Sabka Vikas' was the mantra of his government, PM Modi stressed on the need to create jobs and harness the tourism industry potential of the state.

Modi said he wanted to make Kashmir a dream destination for tourists. PM addressed a public rally during his daylong visit to Jammu and Kashmir. He said that in the past, when people had some money, they wanted to visit Kashmir.

He added that he wanted to bring those days back. "I want to bring back the glorious days

of J&K, restore tourism flow to Kashmir. The top most priority is to offer jobs to youth," he said. A special aircraft carrying the prime minister landed at Srinagar International Airport around 11.20 a.m. Modi was flown in an army helicopter to the Badami Bagh Cantonment helipad from where he reached the Sher-e-Kashmir cricket stadium in a special cavalcade.

Governor N.N. Vohra, Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, senior ministers of the ruling PDP-BJP government, senior civil and army officers received Modi at the airport.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari is accompanying Modi, while Minister of State PMO Jitendra Singh, who arrived on Friday, was among those who received Modi at the airport.

(Agencies)

ers ahead of Diwali in Odisha ANI Bhubaneswar, Nov 8: Colourful and designer lamps made of terracotta are in high demand in Odisha. With Diwali just a week away, lamps made of terracotta wooed buyers in Bhubaneswar. Buyers thronged the shops for Diwali to complement decor in their houses, hotels and other venues as lighting is the most crucial part of this festoon.

Lopamudra, a buyer, said that a plate of multiple designed terracotta articles were available at affordable prices ranging from Rs. 20 rupees to Rs. 10,000. "Earlier we used to decorate using earthen lamps and small lights but here there are so many varieties of beautifully designed lights and lamps which are so colourful

that we feel like buying all of it," said Lopamudra.

Artisans and sellers who were making good business said that t here has been drastic surge in demand of terracotta made lamps. "As festival of Diwali is approaching the demand has increased.

These pieces are decorated in hotels, homes and in parks to complement the decor," said an arti-

san, Tarun Tapan Sahoo.

Diwali is celebrated with great fervour and gaiety all over India as it marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after he defeated demon king of Lanka, Ravana. Legend says millions of lamps were lit when Lord Rama returned after 14 years of exile in forests and after defeating Ravana.

Oxigen Wallet targets presence in US, ties up with Cricket All-Star T20 series ANI New Delhi, Nov 8: To increase its presence in the United States, Oxigen is tying up with Cricket All-Star T20 series, which shall see cricket legends take field once more at well-known baseball stadiums in the US. The Cricket All-Star T20 series is a joint initiative of Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne. Oxigen recently signed up Sachin as their brand ambassador.

Oxigen had also leveraged cricket when they had launched the campaign '#Playthehost', for the South African T20 cricket team, which they are sponsoring for the series. Oxigen Services India Private Limited is leveraging the Cricket All Stars T20 platform to reach out to the Indian Diaspora and build the USA brand for its partner company, Oxigen.com or

Oxigenusa.com which is based out of Boston, USA. Oxigen wallet has started offering its services in the United States of America, to help people transfer funds to India. There are also options to pay bills and send gifts for family and friends in India. Elaborating on the sponsorship, Meher Sarid, President, Corporate Affairs, Oxigen, commented, "We at Oxigen are very excited to partner with All Stars. This is a first for Oxigen, where we have

our brand placed on both teams." Ben Sturner, CEO of Cricketwood LLC stated, "We are happy to have Oxigen on board as Sponsor for the exciting and extraordinary All Star Series." The Cricket All-Star T20 series has names like Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Shane Warne, Jaques Kallis, Brian Lara, Wasim Akram, Muttiah Muaralitharan, Graeme Swann and Daniel Vettori playing for the two teams.

Diamond a popular option among Indians this festive season ANI Chennai, Nov 8: Jewellery buyers are looking at diamond instead of gold this festive season because of falling prices of the precious stone.

Though the festival of Dhanteras is associated with gold, people in Tamil Nadu are opting for diamond jewellery over gold.

Dhanteras falls on November 09 this year, two days ahead of Diwali. "We are seeing a improvement in stud-

ded jewelries, especially in diamond jewelleries.

Earlier diamond jewellery was considered as, it is affordable only to very high value, high network individuals only but we have come out with many collections that is affordable to even working people. For less than one lakh you can buy a necklace set. We have a collection which came especially for Diwali," said Managing director of retail jewelry group,

Malabar Gold and Diamonds, Osar.

Prices of rough-cut diamonds have fallen in India, said media reports. It also said that the export of cut and polished diamonds have declined due to weak demand from China and Hong Kong.

FICCI comments on revamp of the appraisal system of tax officers ANI New Delhi, Nov 8 : FICCI welcomes the announcement of the Prime Minister at the Delhi Economics Conclave to revamp the performance appraisal system of the tax officers. This is a major step forward on the part of the Government towards a conducive tax environment. FICCI has been representing to the Government over the years that assessing officers are issuing assessment orders confirming tax demands without a fair and judicious analysis of the merits of the issue and overlook-

ing judicial precedents merely to achieve the ever elusive revenue targets prescribed for them by the Government. This is borne out by the fact that on appeal 70-80 percent of the decisions of the Tribunal are delivered against the Revenue.

FICCI had highlighted the problem in its study titled "Dispute Resolution in Tax Matters, which is an Approach Paper," published in March 2013. Subsequently FICCI submitted a document titled "Towards a Conducive Tax Environment" to the Ministry of Finance specifically suggesting that the per-

formance of the tax officers should not be evaluated merely on the basis of achievement of revenue targets prescribed for them. It was pointed out that revenue is a function of the state of economy of the country and that judiciousness and fair play should also be taken into account while appraising the performance. FICCI appreciates the move of the government to accept the suggestion given by the trade and industry and is hopeful that it will improve the tax environment in the country and boost the confidence level of the investors.

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9

Features

Page 11

ENVIRONMENT Climate change is moving mountains For millions of years global climate change has altered the structure and internal movement of mountain ranges, but the resulting glacial development and erosion can in turn change a mountain's local climate. The degree of this cause-and-effect relationship has never been clearly observed, until now.

Based on research led by University of Cincinnati geologist Eva Enkelmann in the St. Elias Mountain Range -- located along the Pacific coastal region of North America -- the way a mountain range moves and behaves topographically can also change and create its local climate by redirecting wind and precipitation. The repercussions of these changes can in turn, accelerate the erosion and tectonic seismic activity of that mountain range.

Based on her findings, Enkelmann shows clear evidence for a strong relationship between global and local climate change

and a mountain's internal tectonic plate shifts and topographic changes.

Enkelmann, an assistant professor in the University of Cincinnati Department of Geology, was among several UC researchers and thousands of geoscientists from around the globe presenting their findings at the 2015 Annual Geological Society of America Meeting, Nov.1-4, in Baltimore.

This research also was published in July in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.

Moving Mountains "To understanding how mountain structures evolve through geologic time is no quick task because we are talking millions of years," says Enkelmann. "There are two primary processes that result in the building and eroding of mountains and those processes are interacting."

Looking at the St. Elias Mountains in particular, Enkelmann notes how dry

it is in the northern part of the mountain range.

But the precipitation is very high in the southern area, resulting in more erosion and material coming off the southern flanks. So as the climate change influences the erosion, that can produce a shift in the tectonics. This has been suggested in earlier studies based on numerical and analytical models, however, it had not yet been shown to have occurred over geologic times in the real world.

Enkelmann synthesized several different data sets to show how a rapid exhumation occurred in the central part of the mountain range over four to two million years ago.

This feedback process between erosion and internal tectonic shifting resulted in a mass of material moving up toward the surface very rapidly.

Enkelmann's model suggests that global climate shifts triggered a change in the rheology -- the way

material behaves.

While Earth was much warmer millions of years ago, glaciers still existed in the high altitudes.

However, 2.6 million years ago Earth experienced a shift to a colder climate and glaciation intensified. Existing glaciers grew larger, froze solid, covered the area and did not move.

Enkelmann says the glaciers today are wet-based and are moving, very aggressively eroding material around and out, and in the case of her observation, into the Gulf of Alaska. The tectonic forces (internal plates moving toward one another) continue to move toward Alaska, get pushed underneath and the sediment on top is piling up above the Yakutat plate.

Shake, Rattle and Roll Adding to the already complex effects of climate change, these processes essentially work against each other.

The movement of glaciers

Vermicomposting: A Source of Livelihood Pinaki Das Centre for Forest Based Livelihoods and Extension (CFLE), working since 2012 in Northeastern Tripura for forest-based livelihood development with bamboo and agro-forestry, has developed low cost vermicomposting technology for recycling wastes into valuable organic fertilizers especially in the rural areas.

The primary objective of this project was to help youths from rural areas to set up micro-enterprises based on vermiculture technology and also to improve crop productivity by increasing soil fertility through ecological methods of farming. One such micro unit has been setup in the residence of Bidhyadhan Sharma, of Naogaon in bordering Bamutia Kalibazar area which is renowned for its vegetable production.

Bidhyadhan, a third semester student of BCA (bachelor of computer application) under Tripura University, runs this unit under the banner of Naogaon Bamboo Growers Society along with his childhood friend Supen Datta. Their team, like other young entreprenuers, got training and material support from the CFLE in vermicomposting.

"We have successfully involved over 80 farmers in West Tripura and Kanchanpur in north Tripura in vermicomposting. This is not only solving the productive management of waste but also encouraging organic farming which has growing demand for organic fertilizers. We are trying to find out if the same concept with smaller units can be of use in the urban areas where the kitchen waste can be used for getting fertilizers to terrace farming," said Pawan K Kaushik, Regional Director of CFLE, adding, "After completion of the week long training CFLE provide the members with a financial help for setting up of low-cost vermicomposting units utilizing bamboo and polythene tanks."

The raw materials required for these vermicompost are readily available in the rural areas where various plant parts like banana, alum, cow dung, vegetable and soft-plant wastes, leaves, grass, hay and neem are used.

Bidhyadhan Sharma, who has two units for microvermicompost production, said, "There is very little to do after the compost plants have been filled with the earthworm for transforming garbage into 'gold'.

Only once daily one has to

apply little water to maintain the humidity and protect the worms from external enemies like ants, rats and chicken and other domestic animals those feed on earthworms. The money I earn, helps me continue my education besides providing a little help in running our family."

According to an estimate from each unit an entrepreneur with an investment of ?700 plus another ?3000 can have a net profit of ?10,000 to ?12,000 annually. Every two months, each unit can harvest around 400 kg to 450 kg of vermicompost. With the success of the microvermicompost units, the Naogaon Bamboo Growers Society is now planning to start it on a commercial scale. They are making good profit from their project since they got potential customers through CFLE. Meanwhile, another pro-

ducer Supen Datta says, "Only organic fertilizer can prevent environmental degradation which is a major threat the world is confronting as because of the rampant use of chemical fertilizers that contributes largely to the deterioration of the environment."

"Initially our society got help from CFLE. We started with bamboo but have been also interested in vermicompost, which could be a side income. But we are now realizing that it is very profitable and there is good demand for it in the market.

Besides selling they are also using a part of their produced organic fertilizers in their own vegetable fields which are showing good results besides helping in saving the environment and reducing health hazards due to overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides," Datta added. It's a win-win situation for everyone.

Courtesy: Northeasttoday.in

can compete with the internal buildup and develop a feedback process that is very rapid and ferocious. Scientists have suggested that the Himalayas, European Alps and mountains in Taiwan were caused by the same competing reactions as those Enkelmann has observed in southeastern Alaska.

In Enkelmann's observation, the climate-driven erosion can influence the tectonics and change the motion of the rocks in that area. This makes studying the St. Elias Mountain Range particularly ideal because this area is very active tectonically, with strong glacial erosion. As an example, she cites the Great Alaskan Earthquake of 1964 -- the world's second largest earthquake recorded to date -- that also resulted in a tsunami.

"In 1899, there were two big earthquakes in a row, an 8.1 and an 8.2 magnitude, says Enkelmann pointing to a photo of the

A research team led by Associate Professor Ishii Roaki and Doctoral Student Azuma Wakana from the Kobe University Graduate School of Agricultural Science has discovered that the water storage tissue that they recently found in the world's tallest tree, Sequoia sempervirens (coast redwood), is also found in Japan's tallest trees, Cryptomeria japonica(Japanese cedar). The results of this research were published on 4 September 2015 in the online version of the journal "Trees."

How do tall trees supply water to pinnacle leaves?

Until now, it was thought that the highest leaves of tall trees suffered from constant water deficit because the water absorbed by the roots had to be transported a long way.

Even among tree physiologists, most research focused on identifying the constraints to water transport, which would define the limits of tree height.

In 2012, Professor Ishii's research group climbed the world's tallest red-

QUT scientists have discovered the gene that will open the door for space-based food production. world," he said, "we think of it as a magical plant with amazing properties.

"We now know that in 1939 its seeds were sent by an Australian scientist to a scientist in America and have been passed from lab to lab all over the world.

"By sequencing its genome and looking through historical records we have been able to determine that the original plant came from the Granites area near the Western Australia and Northern Territory border, close to

where Wolf Creek was filmed.

"We know, through using a molecular clock and fossil records, that this particular plant has survived in its current form in the wild for around 750,000 years."

Lead researcher Dr Julia Bally said determining the exact species had led researchers on a quest to find out how the plant managed to survive in the wild for such a long period of time.

"What we found may have a big impact on future plant

biotechnology research," Dr Bally said.

"We have discovered that it is the plant equivalent of the nude mouse used in medical research."

"The plant has lost its 'immune system' and has done that to focus its energies on being able to germinate and grow quickly, rapidly flower, and set seed after even a small amount of rainfall.

"Its focus is on creating small flowers but large seeds and on getting these

the challenge of collecting samples here because this range has the highest peaks of any coastal mountain range and is only 20 kilometers from the Pacific Ocean, but she points out that it is a tough area to study because of the big ice sheets.

"So as geologists, we go to the area and take samples and do measurements in the field on the mountain ranges that

stick out," says Enkelmann. "One approach is to sample the material that comes out of the glaciers that has transported the eroded sediment and analyze that sediment.

"By going to all of these individual glaciers, we can get a much better understanding of what has happened and what was moved on the entire mountain range." Courtesy: Sciencedaily.org

Extra water stored in Treetop leaves of tall trees

'Magic' plant discovery opens new door Professor Peter Waterhouse, a plant geneticist at QUT, discovered the gene in the ancient Australian native tobacco plant Nicotiana benthamiana, known as Pitjuri to indigenous Aboriginals tribes.

Professor Waterhouse made the discovery while tracing the history of the Pitjuri plant, which for decades has been used by geneticists as a model plant upon which to test viruses and vaccines.

"This plant is the 'laboratory rat' of the molecular plant

resulting shoreline lift that still stands today.

"These earthquakes resulted in up to 14 meters of co-seismic uplift on the shore, so the shoreline basically popped up 14 meters (45 feet) and it happened immediately.

"Our biggest concern today is the continued potential for earthquakes that can also result in tsunamis," says Enkelmann.

Enkelmann appreciates

seeds back into the soil in time for the next rain.

"The plant has worked out how to fight drought -- its number one predator -- in order to survive through generations."

Professor Waterhouse, a molecular geneticist with QUT's Centre for Tropical Crops and Biocommodities, said scientists could use this discovery to investigate other niche or sterile growing environments where plants were protected from dis-

woods, and collected leaf samples from various heights. They discovered that, with increasing height in the tree, the proportion of "xylem tissue" which transports water from the roots decreased, whereas "transfusion tissue," which stores water, increased. They inferred that in redwood, the stored water came from moisture absorbed through the leaf surface, such as fog and dew.

On 9 September 2014, the group conducted field work in Akita Prefecture to determine whether similar foliar water storage functions existed in Japan's tallest cedar trees, a close relative of redwood that can reach heights of over 50 meters. They flashfroze the leaf samples using liquid nitrogen and examined them under a cryo-scanning electron microscope.

Images of the transfusion tissue revealed that the cells absorbed water and expanded during the night, then contracted during the daytime, confirming that the tallest Japanese ce-

dars have the same foliar water storage functions as coast redwood.

These observations suggest that in tall tree species such as coast redwood and Japanese cedar, water storage tissue in the treetop leaves acts as a water supply tank.

The treetop leaves are prone to water deficit.

The stored water counteracts constraints on water transport and helps to maintain impor-

tant physiological functions such as photosynthesis. The maximum height of trees is an important factor determining forest productivity and CO2 absorption.

Professor Ishii commented, "This research may help to predict future changes in the function of forests in preventing global warming and the effects of climate change on tree growth." (Agencies)

ease -- and space was an intriguing option.

"So the recent film The Martian, which involved an astronaut stranded on Mars growing potatoes while living in an artificial habitat, had a bit more science fact than fiction than people might think," he said.

Professor Waterhouse said the team's findings also have implications for future genetic research back here on Earth.

"Scientists can now know how to turn other species into 'nude mice' for research purposes. So just as nude mice can be really good models for cancer research, 'nude' versions of crop plants could also

speed up agricultural research," he said.

Professor Waterhouse said the fact that the N. benthamiana variety from central Australia had doubled its seed size also opened the door for inves-

tigations into how N. benthamiana could be used commercially as a biofactory, as seeds were an excellent place in which to make antibodies for pharmaceutical use. Courtesy: Sciencedaily.org

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“I said that after the first fight I’d improve and I think that I showed some of the development and improvement tonight, but there’s a lot more to come from me.”

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9

PAGE 12

Vijender Singh

ACDSU beat CFCB 3-0; enter semis Lomhom Tangha Changlang, Nov 8: All Changlang District Student’s Union ACDSU defeated Changlang Football Club - B CFCB 3 - 0 to enter the semi final of the football tournament organized by

ACDSU today. In the second quarter final match played today ACDSU netted the first goal through Kitson Kitnal in the 15th minute while their second goal was scored by Kitmey Kitnal in the 20th minute.

At half time, ACDSU were leading 2-0. When the second half started, ACDSU’s third goal was scored by Chabo Khimhun in the 65th minute. The match ended 3 goals to zero in favour of ACDSU. 17 teams

from Changlang district are featuring in the tournament. The Eastern Today is the media partner of the tournament. “We are indeed very much happy, that The Eastern Today is covering the tournament in such an

elaborate way”, Salman Mungrey, Vice-President of the ACDSU said. Tomorrow, Longlung Youngsters will play against Kantang Circle Football Club in the third quarter final match. Kick Off : 2.30 pm.

Action moments from today’s match. Pic - Lomhom Tangha

Rain delays Australia’s victory push in Brisbane Test Brisbane, Nov. 8 : Australia’s hopes of wrapping up the first Test against New Zealand on day four were ruined when a rain storm washed out the final session in Brisbane on

Sunday. Chasing an improbable target of 504, the tourists were 142 for three at tea.

However, rain ensured that New Zealand get a fighting chance to escaping the Gabba.

New Zealand are currently trailing by 362 runs with Ross Taylor (20) and skipper Brendon McCullum (4) remaining unbeaten at the crease. Earlier, Australia had

Hamilton denies disrespecting F1 legend Schumacher

Melbourne, Nov. 8 : New triple world champion Lewis Hamilton has denied claims of disrespecting Michael Schumacher, insisting that he is an admirer of the Formula One legend and holds him in the highest regard.

Hamilton took to his

Instagram account to urge his fans not to believe the story and said that he grew up watching the German from the early days through to his seventh title, News.com.au reported.

Hamilton said that Schumacher was and is the greatest driver of their era and insisted that he was hugely proud and grateful to have met him and spent even the littlest time with.

He added that the seventime world champion was always kind to him.

The Mercedes driver came under severe criticism from the head of Schumacher's fan club, Reiner Ferling, when a German tabloid quoted Hamilton as saying that he has never done

things which Schumacher had done to win the titles, adding that he won the races by his own 'natural abilities'.

A livid Ferling responded in a scathing manner saying that the Mercedes driver should first look at Michael's achievement before judging him.

Schumacher, who has won a record 91 races, has been going through his painfully slow recovery at his Swiss lakeside home after being injured while skiing during a French Alps vacation.

Hamilton said he keeps Schumacher in his prayers as a fellow driver and wished the beleaguered F1 legend for his speedy recovery. (ANI)

Warne's Warriors thump Sachin's Blasters in All-Stars opener New York, Nov. 8: The Cricket All-Stars Twenty20 series started with a bang as Warne's Warriors claimed a six-wicket win over Sachin's Blasters to lead the three-match series 1-0 in New York. With an aim to globalize the sport, cricketing greats Shane Warne and Sachin Tendulkar led two teams of some of the greatest players of recent decades amidst cheers from the frenetic crowd mostly expatriate community at the New York Mets' Citi Field Stadium. Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag got off to a flying start as the duo struck a solid 85-run stand for the opening partnership after being put into bat first. However, the dismissal of batting maestro Tendulkar (26) triggered a meltdown with the team posting a target of 141-run target in their stipulated 20 overs. Sehwag (55) scored

the series' first half-century off just 22 deliveries as spin legend Warne claimed three wickets in quick succession. In reply, Warriors recovered from a shaky start as Kumar Sangakkara (41) of Sri Lanka and Australia's Ricky Ponting (48 not out) smacked an 80-run stand for the third wicket. For Blasters, former Pakistan

pace spearhead Shoaib Akhtar grabbed two wickets for 26 runs. South Africa's Jonty Rhodes (20 not out) then steered his side home in a flamboyant style with 16 balls remaining. The next match will be played on November 11 in Houston before the third and final T20 in Los Angeles three days later.

(ANI)

declared their second innings on 264-4 but an obdurate batting display by the tourists foiled the Steven Smith-led side’s hopes of securing a quick victory. Kane

Williamson scored a fluent 59 to add to his first innings score of 140 before being trapped lbw by Nathan Lyon, who also dismissed a stubborn Martin Guptill for 23. (ANI)

Jummi Combats Bene lifts RAMFT

Aalo, Nov 8: Jummi Combats FC Bene beat All Kombo FC via tie breaker in a nail biting finish in the 3rd Rebi Ado Memorial Football Tournament (RAMFT) organized by the District Sports Association Aalo at General Football Ground Yesterday. Bene drew first blood to take the lead in the middle of the first half and increased the lead by another goal in the beginning of second half to make it 2-0 but All Kombo FC fought back and pumped in two consecutive goals to equalize it. Both the team was locked 2-2 in the extra time and even after

five penalty shot out. Bene won 3-2 in the two additional penalties given to both the teams and clinched the trophy along with cash prize of Rs.1,20,000 and runners up bagged trophy and Rs. 60,000.

Hokda Lollen graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and gave away the prizes, The Sponsorer of the tournament, Doi Ado extended his gratitude to DSA for conducting the third and last tournament smoothly, Gego Doji, Secretary DSA and AGS Karik Lollen disclosed that that the DSA has been rendering services to promote games and sports

in the district for the last 32 years and it is affiliated different branches of sports in the state. The West Siang DC Pige Ligu, Yomto Lollen President West Siang Badminton Association, Kengam Ete West Siang Olympic Association and Doi Ado gave away prizes for badminton, ball boys, match Commissioner, penal of Referees, committee members and commentators. Tadin FC bagged the fair play trophy while Nyamo Ete and Tonya Basar emerged as joint highest scorers and Ragyor of Jummi Combats Bene was declared as best player of the tournament. (DIPRO)

Mourinho's crisis PCB approached for Korajhar Defeated day-night Test by deepens as Chelsea Marowa lose 1-0 to Stoke City Cricket Australia Tapas Samaddar

Johannesburg, Nov. 8 (ANI): Defending champions Chelsea plunged into further crisis after suffering a 1-0 Premier League defeat at the hands of Stoke City in the absence of manager Jose Mourinho due to stadium ban.

Austrian striker Marko Arnautovic scored the decisive goal early in the second half as Chelsea crashed to

their third consecutive league defeat for the first time in 16 years, Sport24 reported.

Mourinho was given a stadium ban by the Football Association for swearing at match official at half-time of his side's recent defeat at West Ham United.

Chelsea are languishing down at 16 in the league's points table. (ANI)

Karachi, Nov 8: Cricket Australia ( CA) has approached the PCB to play a daynight Test match against them when Pakistan will tour Australia next year.

Confirming the news, PCB's Chief operating officer (COO), S u b h a n Ahmed said that they have received a proposal to play a day-night Test in the 2016-2017 series. The Express Tribune quoted Ahmed, as saying that the matter has been placed before the cricket committee.

He said that the PCB is entirely in favour of trying out

Rangia Nov 8: Kokrajhar Sarangkha sports club defeated Marowa football eleven by 4-2 goals in Dhuhi day and night football competition held at Duhi Madrassa play ground. The All Assam Football competition org

by Dhuhi Anchalik sports Association.

Wasim Jaffer becomes first batsman to reach 10,000 runs in Ranji Trophy

innovative ideas and new technologies, insisting that the day-night match with pink ball is one of them.

The first Test match under lights will be played between Australia and New Zealand at Adelaide from November 27. (ANI)

Vijender hungry for improvement after second pro win Dublin, Nov. 8 : India’s boxing sensation Vijender Singh has admitted that there is a lot more improvement to come from him before realising his dream of becoming a world champion. The 30-year-old produced a ruthless performance to knock out Dean Gillen in the first round and registered his second consecutive win in the professional ring in Dublin, Ireland yesterday. “Wow! that was quick, man!” said an excited Vijender Singh after his second win. “I felt very comfortable in there and lined him up with my jabs first to get the range, but then when I started connecting with the right I knew it was only a matter of time before I caught him properly,” “He went down, which the referee said was a slip, I wasn’t so sure about that, but anyway when he got back up I knew I’d hurt him so I went straight into him and didn’t stop punching until he went

down,” “When I landed the last right hand and he dropped I had a feeling that he wasn’t going to get up and when the referee counted to ten it was a fantastic feeling to get my first KO on my record,” “I said that after the first fight I’d improve and I think that I showed some of the development and improvement tonight, but there’s a lot more to come from me.”

“I know this is a just step by step journey for me but have to cover long way to be champion. After having two fights I can just say that Indian young boxers can also do it, its just about doing hardwork. I would like to thank all the fans for their support". Vijender is taking one week break now and reaching India on Monday night to celebrate Diwali with his family here. His third fight is scheduled for 19 December in Manchester. (ANI)

New Delhi, Nov. 8: Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer scripted history by becoming the first batsman to cross the 10,000-run mark in the Ranji Trophy.

The 37-year-old veteran opener was the leading runscorer in the domestic firstcricket championship since the day he surpassed Amol Muzumdar’s mark of 9202.

Jaffer, who has a batting average of 58.14 in Ranji, achieved the milestone while playing for Vidharba on Sunday. The righthander batsman, who made his Test debut against South Africa in 2000, has scored 1944 in 31 matches with five centuries and 11 halftons. (ANI)

Diamond Club, Sonari in final Altab Hussain Memorial Football Tournament ET Correspondent Sonari, Nov 8: Diamond Club, Sonari defeated Ramnagar 3-1 via tie breaker to enter the final of the Altab Hussain Me-

morial Football Tournament which is being played at the Sonari public playground under the aegis of Charaideo District Sports Association.

The tournament is being organized in memory of Altab Hussain, who was a noted sports organizer of the state. The referee went for the penalty shootout

after the match ended goal less. Both the teams tried hard to score during the 90 minutes of regulation time, however, both teams failed to score any. The

match was officiated by Anil Borgohain. He was assisted by Ghana Bora, Lalit Chabukdhara and Prabin Mili as assistant referees.

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