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Vol. 1

The Key to Understanding the Pathankot Attack

Issue 226

Dibrugarh, Friday, January 22, 2016

Kejriwal slams Centre, says Irani's statements 'shameful'

Page 9

Page 10

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ET CAPSULES

While reiterating their confidence in the State Government led by Nabam Tuki, both Sonia and Rahul advised Richo to strengthen the Party and support the Government towards implementing various developmental programmes for the benefit of the people of the State.

2014 in full letter and spirit.

Richo while assuring the Party high command towards implementing the same mentioned that the Party stands united right up to the grassroots and all the rank and file are contributing towards the success of the development programmes of the Stare Government.

The Party High command also urged Richo to prevail upon the elected representatives of the Congress Party at all levels to work dedicatedly towards fulfilling the aspirations of the people who have voted them to responsible positions.

A file photo of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi

AICC In- charge of Arunachal Pradesh V. Narayanasamy was also preswnt during the APCC President’s meeting with Rahul Gandhi.

CULTURAL COLOUR

Mihir K. Chaudhuri to open KU PhD programme

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Jorhat, Jan 21: Kaziranga University, will hold the inauguration program for Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) programmes for School of Social Sciences, School of Basic Sciences, School of Computing Sciences, School of Engineering & Technology, School of Business on 22 January 2016 at the SOB Seminar Hall in Kaziranga University .

The ceremony will be inaugurated by Dr Sunil Rai, Vice Chancellor, Kaziranga University. Prof. (Dr.) Mihir Kanti Chaudhuri, Vice Chancellor, Tezpur University will grace the occasion as Chief Guest in presence of Guests of honour like Dr. PK Mishra, President, North East Knowledge Foundation; Dr. Swapan K Pramanik, Former Vice Chancellor, Vidyasagar University; Dr. Ashok Ullal, Prof.

Emeritus, Reutlingen School of Business, Germany; Dr. Subrata Borgohain, Prof. Petroleum Technology, Dibrugarh University.

The ceremony will mark the induction and enrolment of 30 PhD students for various programmes. This will be attended by the students and faculties of Kaziranga University. The preliminary course work seminars and school wise induction is scheduled on 23rd and 24th January 2016. (Correspondent)

BJP to strengthen booth level committees ahead of the state assembly polls A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Jan 21

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the gas cracker project on Feb. 5 apart from taking part in two other programmes on the same day in upper Assam. This was stated by BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma while addressing a press conference at a hotel here. Sarma also stated that as per the tentative schedule available till now, the PM will first land at Jorhat and then go to Sivasagar to attend the 85th session of Srimanta Sankardev Sangha as the chief guest at around 11.30 am after which he will address party workers at a rally to be held at Moran Polo ground at 1 pm after which he will be reach Lepetkata to inaugurate the gas cracker project.

“After the three programmes, the PM will fly back to Guwahati from Dibrugarh to attend the inaugural ceremony of the SAF Games”, Sarma said. On his party’s chances in upper Assam, Sarma said that the massive rally at Moran will prove the ever growing strength of the party in upper Assam.

3 arrested on charge of extortion demand Tezpur, January 21 : Three youths of Tezpur town namely Spondon Kasyap, narayan Chowdhury and Jiawr Rahman Khan were arrested last night from their respective places and sent to jail today on charges of extortion demand.

Sources said that the trio involved in various businesses and contract works accompanying with one surrendered NDFB cadre of Dhekiajuli area Chaya Daimari approached a contractor Suresh Rai at his Jahajghat residence here and demanded Rs. 3 lacs on January 8 last. A complain was lodged at Tezpur Police station on the very day of the incident. However, though the mastermind Chaya Daimari has been absconding based on the complain police last night arrested the trio and after the investigation sent them to jail. (Correspondent)

Modi to inaugurate gas cracker project on Feb. 5

Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma addressing to the media person at the Press meet at Dibrugarh.

Pic - UB Photos “There are 4000 booths in upper Assam. We have invited members from each and every booth to attend the rally. For successful conduct of the rally, we have also formed a reception committee which will be headed by Dibrugarh MP Rameswar Dhanowar as President and Jorhat MP Kamakhaya Prasad Tasa as Chief Pravari”, he said. Both the MPs, Dibrugarh district BJP President Binud Hazarika, state party spokesperson Sasanka Dev Phukon, were also present during the press meet. On a reported comment made by state chief minister

Tarun Gogoi that BJP is more communal than the AIUDF, Sarma said that the coming elections will prove who is communal who is secular.

“The main problem is that Tarun Gogoi keeps on changing his statements every now and then. First after the Bihar elections he said the Congress will form a ‘Grand Alliance’, again he said he will only go with one party, again he said the Congress will fight the elections alone”, Sarma, former Congress minister and one time blue-eyed boy of Gogoi said.

Earlier, the BJP also organised a meeting at the same venue during which strategies related to the ensuing polls were discussed. District level leaders from the upper Assam districts were present during the meeting.

Sources said that the party has decided to strengthen its booth level committees during the meeting. “The booth level committees will play the most pivotal role during the elections to connect the message of the party to the grass root level workers”, the sources said.

Tarun Gogoi dares Illegal coal operation rampant Sonowal to come out in Charaideo sub division with white paper ET Correspondent Sonari, Jan 21

A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Jan 21

Cultural troops performing dance at the opening ceremony of Kameng River Festival 2016 at Seppa. Pic - UB Photos

‘Illegal trafficking continues unabated’ alleges AMWWS Bishnu Rana Tezu, Jan 21

In continuation with their crusade against social evils, The All Mishmi Women Welfare Society (AMWWS) reported illegal girl’s trafficking being operated unlawfully by a brothel named Mrs Lego at the heart of the market complex.

In a release, the AMWWS alleges that the lady has been indulged in the trafficking business unabated for the last several years and despite their repeated warning. She continued her misdemeanour and hiring girls from Assam and adjoining village of Jhalukbari to involve them in the flesh trade.

“We are constantly maintaining vigilance and according to information we rushed with police at the shop to ar-

rest them red handed but unfortunately they escaped. We were informed that 3 girls from Assam including three ladies at the age of 18 to 25 years reached the town. However, B Ghosh SI who headed the team seized 12 bear bottles and 1 bottle Royal Stag illegally selling in the shop”, inform Shibali Yun General Secretary AMWWS. Contd. on Page 3

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi dared Union Minister of State Sarbananda Sonowal to come out with a White Paper on what the erstwhile BJP Government and the present Government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi did for Assam instead of spreading canards against former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and the Congress Government in Assam.

In a statement here today, Chief Minister Gogoi said Union Minister of State Sarbananda Sonowal instead of unleashing a misinformation campaign against former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the present Congress dispensation in Assam must come

out with a White Paper as to what the previous BJP-led NDA Government headed by former Prime Minister AB Vajpayee and the present dispensation headed by Narendra Modi did for Assam during its almost eight years in power.

“Sarbananda Sonowal cannot hoodwink the people of Assam by making false statements that the erstwhile Congress-led UPA Government virtually did nothing for Assam in the past 10 years of its term and the present Congress dispensation in Assam in the past 15 years.

People can witness the development on different fronts like roads, health and education.

The State has surpassed even big States like Gujarat in some key parameters,” he said.

Contd. on Page 4

Massive illegal coal operation is going on in many areas along the Assam-Nagaland interstate border in upper Assam’s Charaideo sub division. According to latest reports received, illegal coal extraction and operation is going on in the Cingphung area of Nimonagarh at the behest of illegal coal smugglers from Nagaland. These smugglers are being helped by the counterparts in Assam, sources said.

The main source of extraction of coal is from the Tiru area in Mon district of Nagaland from where daily several truck loads of coal are extracted and transported through Assam to various destinations. It might be mentioned that after receiving reports of illegal coal operation the Charaideo sub divisional administration had sealed several illegal coal depots in the area and cases were registered

against coal mafias at the Mathurapur police station.

However, police allegedly did not take any action upon these registered cases. “The entire business which is carried out without any kind of environment, pollution clearance or any kind of permission from either forest department or civil administration apart from polluting the area is creating nuisance in the locality”, sources said. However, there is nobody who can protest against the entire illegal business. “Anybody who raises his voice is bought through money power”, the source said. Apart from pollution, the heavy trucks which carry the coal is also damaging the historic roads like the Dhodar Ali and Cintamonigarh. “The government is not earning any kind of revenue against the illegal coal business, therefore, the government and the local administration must initiate urgent steps to stop the illegal coal business”, a local resident said.

Man-elephant conflict takes worst turn in Udalguri district 108 Indira Awaas Yojana houses destroyed in 2015 Shajid Khan Tangla, Jan 21

The man-elephant conflict has taken worst turn in Indo-Bhutan area of Udalguri district.The Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary,Khalingduar forest and Nonai Reserve forest has been deforested by cutting of trees by a section of wood cutters and corrupt forest officials.

The land which was once forest has turned out to be tea estates of the aristocrats.

Villages have come up on the patg of natural elephant corridor as a result wild elephants in search of food have inhabited human habitation.

The villagers in the IndoBhutan border had been spending sleepless nights in fear of the wild jumbos. In the villages under Harisinga revenue circle of Udalguri district namely Bamunjuli, Kali-Khola, Orangajuli, Garuajhar, Satgaria, Attarekhat, Nalapara, Rajagarh, Dharamjuli, Borengajuli, Suklai, Gosala, Dimakuchi, Ghagra,

Bhutiachang, Sonajuli, Naobandha every year a seizable number of human have lost their lives, property, crops etc; Within a night the human dreams and lives become shattered.

A elephant hard in a tree garden in Udalguri. Pic - Shajid Khan

It needs mention that 22 people and eight wild elephants had been killed during 2014 in Udalguri district which was considered as the highest man-elephant-conflict casualty anywhere in Asia.In the year 2015 under Harisinga Revenue circle of 33 Nonwi Serfang BTC constituency 108 houses constructed by the givernment

under Indira Awaas Yojana belonging to poverty ridden villagers were destroyed by wild jumbos.

Out of which include 25 in Nonaikhuti, 23 in Bamunjuli, 8 in Khagunbahi, 16 in Tukhibasti, 23 in Rajagarh,16 in Bhulatara and 7 in Kali-Khola. Since The panic striken villagers have appealed the local authorities and government to build houses in form of watch towers under Indira Awaas Yojana in the affected areas which are considerably safe.

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The Congress President and Vice President emphasised on the implementation of the Congress Election Manifesto of

Pages- 12

6.9 % growth of China brings in relief for market nerves

Sonia and Rahul advised APCC to implement manifesto of 2014 in full letter and Spirit President of Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee, Padi Richo called on Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Vice President Rahul Gandhi at New Delhi today. In separate meetings held with both the leaders, Richo apprised them about the present political situation in the state. While reiterating their confidence in the State Government led by Nabam Tuki, both Sonia and Rahul advised Richo to strengthen the Party and support the Government towards implementing various developmental programmes for the benefit of the people of the State.

5.00

This new museum is a crash course in Meghalaya's culture and history

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ET Bureau Itanagar, Jan 21

Price -

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DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, JANUARY 22

ASTRO FOR YOU Aries The day may start with a dilemma, but that's exactly how your skills will come into play. As evening approaches, you will be applauded for your outstanding performance. If Ganesha is particularly generous today, you may sign new agreements Taurus Be careful, says Ganesha. All your calculations and conclusions, plans and moves are likely to go haywire. Time and again, you could fail and, ultimately, get frustrated. Even simple and obvious things are likely to get you worked up. Knowing that you are basically gentle, benign and large hearted, your friends and elders will rally round and provide you the help and advise you need.

Things will finally get sorted out.

Gemini Today, you will get an opportunity to rejuvenate yourself with seamless energy. How? Ganesha's guess is that you will find - or at least you will believe that you have found - your purpose in life. It will keep you excited throughout the day, and maybe even for days to come.

Cancer Ganesha believes that today you may have to take certain financial decisions at home as well as at work. If you are in-charge of a certain project, you will trust the judgement of those working on it, mostly because they have been hand-picked by you.

Leo It may be that the best daffodils bloom early in the morning, but good ideas can come any time of the day, says Ganesha. So spruce up your management skills, as you shall need them to help organise and cash in on the multitude of ideas that will bombard you today.

Virgo There will be dirt on your shoulder today, so dust it off, says Ganesha, because every time you fall you will get up stronger than before. Your logic and analytical skills will help you find the necessary precision to accomplish tasks at work. You may spend the evening with a close friend or your beloved, engrossed in a stimulating conversation.

Libra Ganesha says today you will try to be adept in your favorite subject. Today you will be buying antique artistic things too. If there are any legal proceeding going on then the results will be in your favor. You shall be a success in everything that you touch today. Your artistic streak will come to the fore today and you will develop an interest in the fine arts

Ten shops gutted at Lower Haflong ET Correspondent, Haflong Jan 21 : At least ten road side shops reduced to ashes when a devastating fire broke out at Lower Haflong 4 km from Haflong, the district HQ of Dima Hasao at 11.20 PM last night. As the shop keepers mostly stay away from their shops in the night, they could save nothing as such.

ET Correspondent Dhubri, Jan 21 : Villagers of Sukchar, Gotabari and Molakhowa villages alleged that the activists of Pioneer, a non-government organization swindling fund in sanitation programme.

The cause of fire could not be ascertained till the filing of the report. As many as three fire tenders from Haflong managed to douse the fire after several hours.

People alleged the fire tender took time to reach the spot.

The loss of property could be more than several lakhs.

Ten shops gutted at lower Haflong.

Son of Late Swaraj Paul who owned the 'Paul Sweets' being very old one suffered a

lot due to devastating fire which engulfed the whole of their the main source of earn-

a Cultural rally were the Rabha and seizable Bengali people took part dressed in their traditional outfit.After the rally a public interaction programme named 'Manuhe Manuhar Babe' was anchored by Arup Jyoti Rabha.

Glamorous Assamese Actress Barsha Rani Bishaya was the chief guest of the event.

Sagittarius You rule your hear today, predicts Ganesha. You are likely to become an expert in reading people's mind. Everything is fair in love and war, is what you believe! Win over your sweetheart and set out on a journey toward destination unknown, says Ganesha.

Capricorn It's a lucky day for your sweetheart! Wonder why it's written in your horoscope? You will pamper him/her to the hilt, take them out on a shopping spree and buy whatever they lay their eyes on, even if it's way beyond reasonable, says Ganesha. You will go overboard to make your love feel that nothing else matters, and although this lavish outing will serve the purpose, you may later repent not keeping a count of your cash.

Aquarius You have your head on your shoulders and feet on the ground. Congratulations! You've covered the first step to success. Step two, says Ganesha, involves an inquisitive mind and a questioning attitude.

Later, you may resort to shortcuts and compromise a tad in quality

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

Actress Barasha Rani Bishaya dancing to the tunes of Rabha song. Pic - Shajid Khan

Shajid Khan Tangla, Jan 21 : Chamuapara village which is located at a stone's throw away distance from Tangla

town had organised the silver jubilee celebration of the Wing Club of the village with a three day cultural event on January 18,19 and

20.

The third day cultural event started with a half marathon race which was followed by

Jai Kisan Jai Vigyan week celebrated by KVK, sonitpur

Phone No.-03732325456 E-mail -dibrugarh@air.org.in Facebook Page-All India Radio Dibrugarh Programme Highlights 22-1-16 (FRIDAY) 5-35 A.M-Bhaktigeeti 6-15 A.M-Gandhi Prarthana 6-30 A.M-Bidyarthir Anusthan (Students' Broadcast) 6-50 A.M-Zikir 7-15 A.M-Aajir Dinto (Morning Information Service) 7-30 A.M-Geetanjali (Assamese Modern Song) 8-35 A.M-Surar Panchoi(Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 9-05 A.M- Antara (Composite Programme of Hindi Film Songs) 12-05 P.M-Live Phone-In Surar Satsori 2-30 P.M-Western Music Programme 3-45 P.M-Programme in Miju Mishimi 4-05 P.M-Programme in Khamti 4-25 P.M-Programme in Wancho 4-45 P.M-News for Arunachal Pradesh 5-00 P.M-Programme in Idu 5-20 P.M-Programme in Tangsa 5-40 P.M-Programme in Nocte 7-15 P.M-Chah Shramikar Aasor 8-00 P.M-Sponsored Programme-"Brahmaputra Swasthya Sewa" (Sponsored by Brahmaputra Diagnostics and Hospitals Pvt. Ltd.) 9-30 P.M-North East Collage 10-00 P.M-Classical Music

Sd-/H.O.P

ings. The District Administration yet to get the information it is learnt.

The NGO has been entrusted to implement the sanitation programme by the government at the cost of Rs. 12,000 for each sanitary latrine under Swach Bharat Abhijan but they have been implementing the sanitation programme with inferior quality of materials including brick made of sand and Bangladesh cement by spending only Rs. 4,000 while rest of the amount being gutted by the activists of the organization.

Actress Barasha Rani Bishaya speaks on attrocities on women on the silver jubilee ocassion of Wing Club of Chamuapara

Scorpio Ganesha feels a taxing and demanding day may be at hand today. Things might baffle you so much that you might lose your ability to think clearly. The battle is not lost because your power of resilience will be the silver lining. Address one problem at a time and take the slow and steady path, advises Ganesha.

Pisces The fount of your creativity spurts today like there is no tomorrow. For lesser mortals, it takes inspiration, perspiration and a lot of desperation to come up with something creative. You, on the other hand, keenly remember the lessons from your past efforts, and use them today to scale new heights, says Ganesha.

Swindling of fund alleged in sanitation programme

ET Correspondent Tezpur, Jan 21: Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sonitpur under the Assam Agricultural University celebrated Jai Kisan Jai Vigyan week recently in Sonitpur district with various programmes to commemorate the contributions of the Hon`ble Former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh and Hon`ble Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Bajpayee towards the development of agriculture sector in the country.

The inaugural programme of the week was held at No. 2 Sootea Adarsha Panchayat Bhawan, Sootea, the adopted village by the honourable M.P. of Tezpur Constituency on 23rd December, 2015 being the birth day of former prime minister Choudhury Charan

MERIT RECOGNISED

Singh.

Dr. P. C. Deka, Programme Coordinator inaugurated the program and explain the significance of the celebration of the week.

He highlighted the contributions of the former prime ministers towards the development and dissemination of agricultural technology in the country and welfare of the farming community.

Madhab Rajkhowa, Sub Divisional Agriculture Officer, Tezpur also spoke on the ongoing flagship agriculture development schemes of the state department of agriculture and appealed the farmers to take benefit of the soil health card progrmme being implemented all over the country.

After the brief inaugural

Anjuma Gayan, SMS (Soil Science) and Dr. B. K. Neog, SMS (Animal Science) interacted with the farmers as resource persons. Around hundred farmers attended the program.

During the week the KVK conducted different training programmes on crop and animal enterprises and also conducted an exposure visit of 40 farmers to Neelam Datta’s organic farm located at Pabhoi in Biswanath Chariali.

In the session Ghateswar Baruah Lecturer of Dept.of Assamese Tangla College presented speech.Other important persons in the event were Udalguri RNC President Prafulla Rabha. An cultural programme was also organised in the evening were children's of the village participated. It is to be mentioned that the eye-catching Bamboo and Thatch Guest House,Tower House built by the villagers for the event were admired by all.

NAAC accords 'A' grade for Anandaram Dhekial Phookan College, Nagaon N. Patnaik Nagaon, Jan 21 : National Accreditation and Assessment Council (NAAC), Banglore, has accorded 'A' grade to Anandaram Dhekial Phookan College, Nagaon, a premier institution of higher education in Assam. The CGPA of the college is 3.11. The Peer team that visited the college to assess consisted of Prof.

Amiya Kumar Pattanayak, formerly ViceChancellor of Utkal University of Culture as Chairman, Dr. Deepak Kumar Verma, Principal of PK Roy Memorial PG College, Dhanbad as Coordinator and Prof.

Paramjit Singh Judge of Guru Nanak Dev University as member. Dr. SU Ahmed is the principal of the College while Dr. Sanjib Kumar Borkakoti is the coordinator of Internal Quality Assurance Cell.

It may be mentioned here that ADP College is one of the pioneer institutions to start PG course in Herbal

Science. Till now one batch has completed post-graduation from this department, with all the nine students scoring first class. The Biotech hub of the college is ranked first in northeast India. The College is running six certificate and three Diploma courses. It is running Tea Plantation and Management and Hospital Administration courses under Community College scheme.

The college library is equipped with Wi-Fi and has 44,923 books and it has internet and digital sections.

The faculty members have brought out about 500 publications. The College has brought out several publications. Its annual magazine "Anandalekha" has been adjudged the best among all colleges under Gauhati University for last three years.

ADP College has eleven digital class rooms. The college has a beautiful campus with green environment and it uses solar energy for power.

Voters’ day at Tezpur Asom Sahitya Sabha's on January 25 Central Committee celebrates ET Correspondent Tezpur, Jan 21 : In a bid to create awareness among the voters on conducting free and fair and peaceful election, with the rest of the nation as well as the state under the direction of the election commission, government of India the Sonitpur district administration is going to observe the January 25 as ‘Voters’ Day which has been observed since 2011.

Marking the day in each of the LACs of the District including 71 No- Dhekiajuli, 72 No- Barchala, 73 NoTezpur, 74 No- Rangapara and 75 No- Sotea LACs a voters’ awareness meeting is scheduled to be held.

State education minister Sarat Borkotoky handing over a Laptop to a girl student as part of the Anandaram Boruah award scheme for HSLC first division holders in Jorhat today. Pic - Nekib Ahmed

function a farmer’s scientist interaction programme was held to solve the farmers field problems. Mr. A. K. Sarmah, SMS (Agronomy) Mr. H. S. Datta, SMS (Horticulture) Popy Bora, SMS ( Plant protection) Ms.

She interacted with the village folks dressed in traditional Rabha outfit.She spoke on the domestic attrocities veted out on housewives and appealed every women to speak up whenever any injustice is seen.She said that western culture has greatly influenced today's young generation which has led to degradation of Assamese culture.

She admitted that Change is

inevitable and repeated Jyoti Prasad Agarwalla's line "Rupantar he Jagat Dhunia Kore".The actress was also seen dancing to the tune of Rabha songs with village womens.An open session was held under the presidentship of Akhsay Prasad Das.

Moreover, to mark the day a centrally organized meeting will be held at Court Chariali here followed by

cycle rally, procession besides other supplementary programmes. District administrative head cum, election officer, Laya Madduri urged all concerned to take part in the programme.

Said in an official release.

In the release further stated that as the assembly poll 2016 has come nearer, the final electoral roll has been declared in Sonitpur District against the five Assembly segments. As per the report, in 71 NoDhekiajuli LAC 2.43 pc, in 72 No- Barchala LAC, 0.38 pc, in 73 No- Tezpur LAC 2.35 pc, in 74 NoRangapara LAC 0.36 pc and in 75 No- Sotea LAC 1.33 pc voters have been increased.

A total of779051 new voters have been included this time while 18889 D Voters have been identified.

Silpi Divas at Garuajhar Tangla, Jan21 : Along with the rest of the state the Asom Sahitya Sabha's central Silpi Divas was celebrated at Garuajhar town near the Indo-Bhutan border with a two day colorful cultural event.

The second day programme on January 17 which started at the playground of the Garuajhar High School was surrounded by the literary personalities of the district.

Asom Sahitya Sabha's President Dr. Dhrubajyoti Bora was accorded a warm welcome by the citizens of Garuajhar town. He was welcomed in a decorated vehicle.Many people of different culture and tribe attired in their traditional outfits accorded a warm welcome to Bora.

At about 2 pm an open session was held under the Presidentship of Bora. Followed by welcome speech of President of organising committee Taznur Ali Ahmed,Dr. Parmananda Rajbongshi General Secretary spoke on the purpose of the meeting.The session was attended by many distinguished guests notable among them are Dr. Shadinata Mahanta, Saradi Saikia, Jadav Sarma,Tarun Azad Deka.

The magazine 'Jonaki Baat' was launched by Director Axom Sarva Xikha Abhiyan Thaneswar Malakar.Earlier in the morning Asom Sahitya Sabha flag was unfurled by Paneri Sahitya Sabha's President Baloram Baishya.

PAGE 3

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, JANUARY 22

RMCS and RCCN TV come out for the Cause of Cleanliness Aalo, Jan 21: The wide range of noble ideas conceived by RCCN TV like â•œChale Gaon Ki Aurâ• to link up villagers of far flung areas to the mainstream, Awarding of meritorious students of interior Monigong circle and promoting cleanliness within Aalo township through awards pulling its own resources is seen as great gestures. The Reyi Multipurpose Cooperative Society in collaboration with RCCN TV, Aalo headed by Director Shri Liduk Ete is taking up the mission â•œClean Aaloâ• for the second successive occasion by organising Most Beautiful Colony Award to be presented in the 1st Week of April this year.

A panel of judges consisting Shri Degam Ete, Deba Loya, Shri Kirdo Ete, Shri Kengam Ete and Smty Kenbi Jini Bagra along with the Director of RCCN TV Shri Liduk Ete will go

CM Tarun Gogoi to visit Dibrugarh A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Jan 21: CM Tarun Gogoi will visit Dibrugarh on 24th January'16.

He will distribute land Pattas & allotment certificates etc to tea labourers in a function to be held at old govt. high school field at 11am.

around the sector, colony and market of Aalo and educate people about health and hygienic, cleanliness and emphasize on putting up dustbins in front of every shop and household of the town. The programme has

been able to generate a marked improvement in cleanliness in and around the township and villages.

This year award will also be given to Most Beautiful Private Residence and Most

Survey and mapping team meeting at Upper Subansiri

RSS Programme in Golaghat

Daporijo, Jan 21: A survey and mapping team visited Hali, Paksok, Yudik and Aki Nirin villages in Upper Subansiri district from 15th January 2016 onwards, to survey and map the boundary of schools in the villages and convened meetings at the villages to know the prevailing problems of school teachers and villagers on school matters.

ET Correspondent Golaghat, Jan 21 : With a view to encourage and give inspiration for social activities and to establish India in the World arena Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh(RSS) Golaghat Unit is going to organise a day long program in Golaghat on 23 January .

The programme ' Path Sanchalan' which will be a rally will start from the boarding grounds of Golaghat Government Bezbaruah HS School and marching through Golaghat town the rally will end in Maheswari Bhawan Golaghat .

Led by the Circle Officer (Giteripa) and BRCC (Dumporijo), the team conducted a survey and mapping of Hali Govt. I.V School, Yudik Govt. Primary School, Aki Nirin Govt. Primary School and Paksok Govt. Primary School and states in the report that there is lack of sanitary toilet at various schools and the blackboard provide to the schools are too small. The schools also require proper water supply

and separate toilet for girls and boys. It was also found that the teachers are accommodated in thatch houses without proper roofing which will cause problems during the rainy season.

The Circle Officer, during the meetings, advised the village authorities (GBs & H/GBs), public and youth of villages to maintain balance in nature by keeping away from killing of wild life. He also advised the teaching staff to provide quality education to children studying in the village schools and requested the villagers to extend their full cooperation.

The circle officer also stressed on the importance of clean water supply system and sanitation and requested the villagers to stop the practise of open defecation. (DIPRO)

‘Illegal trafficking continues unabated’ alleges AMWWS Contd. from Page 1

“This sort of racket illegally operating in the township has to be busted out else our innocent & poor girl from our society may trap. The police need to act tough against such evils while increasing their vigilance and punishing the cul-

prits to root out illegal fresh trade operating for several years in the heart of the market”, opines Jamselu Kri President AMWWS. The law enforcing agencies are also maintaining deafening silence. When such type of illegal trafficking is operating in the market premises for several years police could have nabbed

them but unfortunately failed. Yet we also gave ultimatum to the lady to leave the town or else face dire consequences if she continues such kind of misnomer, adds the release.

Meanwhile, Moso Chiba President Bazaar Welfare Committee, Dibroo Boo DTO, T Gambo head constable were also in the team.

District Horticulture Officer Namsai takes bold initiative for cultivation watermelon Abdul Ansari Namsai, Jan 21 : Sir , Namsai the 18rd Jan 2016. All these days the cultivation of watermelon was done in few pockets of certain villages of Namsai district but the District Horticulture Officer, Namsai has taken a bold initiative for scientific cultivation in professional way in association with Known You Seed with deputing there technical resource person for on the spot practical demonstration in Chongkham, Lekang and Namsai circle in which the field functionaries, beneficiaries of the concern circle and others interested person including the PRI members were present wef 12th Jan to 16th Jan 2016.

Probably this is for the first time that plastic

Beautiful Govt. Quarter of Aalo Town by the Reyi Multipurpose Cooperative Society and RCCN TV. This innovative endeavour will go a long way towards cleanliness and healthy living for Aaloites.

District Health Society review meeting held at Lower Subansiri Ziro, Jan 21: The District Health Society, Lower Subansiri held its review meeting in the conference hall of the General Hospital, under the Chairman ship of Deputy Commissioner shri Kanki Darang today.

DC shri Darang congratulated the entire medical fraternity of Lower Subansiri for moving ten point ahead at 6th position in the Health Management Information System(HMIS) of the districts maintained by the Govt. Of Arunachal Pradesh. Since our district is smaller and well connected than few other districts, we should endeavour to top the chart in the HMIS, he added and exhorted the doctors,nurses, health workers and other para medical personnel to be sincere and dedicated to their practices.

Finding few anomalies in the reports prepared by various vertical program coordinators, he insisted that the M/O incharges of CHCS and PHCS should submit reports for feeding into the

District Health Society review meeting held at Lower Subansiri.

HMIS after through verification.

DMO Dr. Moli Riba while reviewing the performance of the CHCS and PHCS of Raga and Ziro _II centres observed few centers are lagging behind in the performance parameters and directed the incharges to gear up and improve the performances. Immunization program for the children should be religiously followed,he added.

DPOs of various vertical programs like DRNTCP,

DNCDCP, DVBCCP etc presented PowerPoints on their third quater performance. The DPOs also highlighted their financial crunches faced during implementation of the programs and requested the Chairman to look into the matter.

Dr.Kuru Tama, DPO, DVBDCP informed that the use of ddt to prevent mosquitoes will be discontinued and LLIN (long lasting insecticide nets) will be provided to avoid

mosquito bites. These LLIN nets will be effective for five years.

Presentations were also made on the performances of the ASHA ,Rashtriya Bal Swashthya and Rashtriya Kishore Swasthaya Karyakaram.

Among others the meeting was also attended by Dr.Derin Likar,DRCHO, Medical Superintendent , General Hospital, MOs and doctors and nurses from across the district.

(DIPRO)

Kamrup metropolitan administration instructs all to use Assamese language A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Jan 21: The Kamrup metropolitan administration in Assam on Wednesday instructed all commercial, semi-commercial and private institutions in Guwahati to use Assamese as primary language on their hoardings and signboards.

“It is hereby ordered that the primary medium of communication in all institutions – both government and private – must be Assamese.

legedly punished for speaking in Assamese during class hours. The inquiry will be conducted by Assistant Commissioner Pratima Rangpipi.

She has been asked to submit the probe report within seven days. Thirteen students were allegedly barred from having their tiffin and made to stand for one and half hours for the offence. The incident sparked a row, with activists from the All Assam Students Union (AASU) and Assam Sahitya Sabha staging a demonstration at the school gate on Wednesday.

Moreover, all signboards, hoardings, banners etc of all commercial, semi-commercial and private institutions must primarily be in Assamese,” an official “The management order said. should ensure discipline, but they cannot The commercial es- punish students for tablishments will have speaking in their mother to comply with the or- tongue. We blame the der by January 31. “Af- administration and the ter January 31, we will Education department be forced to remove any for the incident. signboard or hoarding Such incidents have which violate this or- occurred in the past, but der,” deputy commis- the government has sioner M Angamuthu failed to tame the prisaid. vate institutions who have hatched a conIn a separate order, the spiracy to destroy the administration also or- Assamese language,” dered an inquiry into the general secretary of All incident at Little Flower Guwahati Students School in which thir- Union Raifuddin teen students were al- Ahmed said.

Glimpses from the Kameng River Festival 2016 at Seppa.

Pic - UB Photos

Court imposed fine on senior civil servant against criminal charges. mulch supplied by the department are used for scientific cultivation where land preparation is vital for its cultivation.

Other inputs like fertilizers, organic plant protection chemicals including seeds from reputed company are being supplied.

The variety chosen is as

per market demand where the product (ice size box ) is likely to come during the peak season March / April. PRI members present on this occasion also spoke and advised all the beneficiaries to heed the advises of the technical officers / staff for a true profession.

Mayukh Goswami Mangaldai, Jan 21: In a significant verdict the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Darrang Lohit Kumar Saikia on Wednesday has imposed a fine on a senior officer of Assam Civil Service (ACS) in the rank of a Director and in default ordered for his three months imprisonment. The senior officer against whom the court passed judgement has been identified as Suresh Ch Sarma, a former Additional Deputy Commissioner in Darrang and pres-

ently holding the post of Director in Welfare of Tea Tribes Govt of Assam.

According to the case records, President of Darrang District Government Drivers Association Prafulla Deka had filed a CR case (No. 737/09) in the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate against both the officers. In the case it was alleged that on the mid night of May 16 of 2009, the then Additional Deputy Commissioner Suresh Chandra Sarma physically assaulted government driver Biren

Boro. The incident took place near the Deputy Commissioner's office complex and residence. After hearing both the sides, the court awarded a fine of Rs. 1000.00 on the Additional Deputy Commissioner Suresh Chandra Sarma and in default to pay the fine awarded imprisonment for a period of three months. In the same judgment a fine of Rs. 500.00 has also been imposed on another senior officer from Assam Civil Service and the then Circle Officer of Mangaldai Rev-

enue Circle Dr. Tahidur Rahman who was also present along with Suresh Sarma at the time of incident and in default awarded imprisonment for twenty two days.It was alleged that Dr Rahman who has been presently serving as the Circle Officer in Tezpur Revenue Circle prohibited Biren Boro to get into the vehicle. Meanwhile both the executive magistrates strongly refuted the court decision and submitted petition before the court to make appeal in the appellate

court and both of them were allowed to go on bail.

It may be mentioned here that Dr. Tahidur Rahman had lodged an FIR against driver Biren Boro at Mangaldai Police Station (Case No. 322/09) accusing the driver of reckless driving. However the court after hearing both the sides acquitted the accused driver Biren Boro of all the charges.

Advocate Premeswar Sarma and his associates appeared for driver Biren Boro in both the cases.

PAGE 4

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, JANUARY 22

JACAS oppose ST(Hills) Sarat Borkotoky launches CM’s Special status to Bodo community Award Scheme to second division holders

Sushanta Roy Diphu Jan 21: Granting of Schedule Cast (hills) status to the Bodo community residing in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts of Assam has drown sharp reaction from various students and youth organizations of both the districts. Today Karbi Students Association ( Mirjeng Kro and Rajen Enghee faction, Karbi Youth Devlopment Organization and United Farmers Committee has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to review the decision of the Central Government on this issue within 24th January failing which the organizations will impose indefinite period strike ( bandh) in both Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts.

Joint Action Committee for Autonomous State (JACAS), the Diphu based association of several organizations today has expressed concern about the rescheduling of the Bodo community by the Union Government. Addressing a press meet at its Diphu of-

fice JACAS Chairman Khorsing Teron alleged that the basic anomalies in the scheduling of various tribes of Assam have in fact harmed the tribal peoples residing within Assm. He mentioned that the Bodo people has been recognized as Schedule Tribe (plains) in all the plains districts of Assam where as they do not have any tribal status in the two autonomous hill districts. Teron pointed out that the Karbi community recognized as ST (Hills) in hill districts does not enjoy this facility outside the geographical limit of the two autonomous districts; this is the case with the Dimasa tribes also. The JACAS demanded that before granting ST (Hills) class to the Bodo community domiciled in the two hill district, government should review the whole scheduling regulation.

Mean while some 6th schedule tribal organizations of Dima Hasao district have also opposed the government move. These organizations have pointed out

that around 16 tribes domiciled in both the autonomous hill districts enjoy 5% reservation in Assam while the Bodo community being the second largest community enjoys 10% reservation and if they are given the ST(Hills) status in the hill districts singularly the Bodo’s will receive 15% reservation, JACAS today criticized the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Chief Executive Member Tuliram Ronghang and Mongol Sing Timung, Executive Member in charge land revenue for displaying neglectful attitude regarding allowing handing over of Nirmal Kumar and Lahorijan tea estate for defense use. In the same press meet JACAS Chairman Khorsing Teron said that under what compulsion a large land mass is allowed reassign should be clarified by the KAAC. He mentioned that if KAAC keeps on giving away its landed assets in near future its geographical area will not remain 10432 square kilometer.

Two arrested with arms by police-CRPF joint team in Barpeta

Illegal arm being recovered by police during an operation following a secrete information from Satra Kanara last night in Barpeta district. Pic- UB Photos

Juthika Das Barpeta, Jan. 21: Two persons namely Rahim

Badshah and Jalaluddin were arrested by the police and some arms and ammu-

nition were recovered from their possession from Baghbar in Barpeta district last night. According to police, the duo was arrested during a joint operation conducted by the police and CRPF. The operation was led by Siladitya Chetiya, SP, Barpeta and was assisted by the ‘G’ company of 136 Battalion of CRPF. Rahim was arrested from No 15 Satra Kanara village at Baghbar and one pistol; two live cartridges were recovered from him. Same way the same team also arrested Jalaluddin from no 10 Satra Kanara village along with one handmade gun (SBBL) from the house of one Ainul Hoque. These two persons are involved in murder etc stated Amrit Kalita, I/C., Barpeta sadar Police station.

ET Correspondent Jorhat, Jan 21: The Anandaram Baruah scheme which has been implemented since 2005 has made great impact among the student community of the state, with this award the number of students securing first division mark in Class X examination has substantially gone up over the years, till date about 2lakh 60 thousand first division and 80 thousand 2nd division students have been benefitted from this award which is really very encouraging said Sarat Borkotoky –the state Education Minister at the launching ceremony of the Chief Minister’s Special award Scheme-2015, here at the Jorhat District Sports Association ground this afternoon.

The Education Minister Sarat Borkotoky said seeing the over whelming performance of the students, the honourable Chief Minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi was highly pleased to announce another scheme for students securing second division with minimum 50% marks in various matriculation examinations viz. HSLC examination, High Madrassa examination and other equivalent Board examination of Assam under the Education (Secondary) department, Government of

Assam.

As per guidelines Dispur decided to award this special award in the name of Chief Minister’s Special award scheme since 2013 Net Book PCs were given to the students securing 2nd division marks.

The Minster said for the batch of students passing 2014, the award was provided to the deserving students comprise with Tablet PC installed with the latest Anroid 4.2.2 operating system along with integrated Cloud Service called Assam Knowledge Cloud with is a server as a guided tool to assess the massive wealth of free education content and Anroid application. For the batch of students passing in

2015 it was officially launched at the Jorhat JDSA ground today by Education Minister Sarat Borkotoky , Rekibuddin Ahmed-Parliamentary secretary, PK Borthakur-Principal secretary, D.S Pegu-Managing Director AMTRON, and in presence of Solanki Vishal Vasant-deputy Commissioner, Jorhat.

Over 1600 second division holders were awarded with Tablet PCs. This year 43140 from HSLC under SEBA, high Madrassa under SEBA-1356, FM examination under State Madrassa Education Board-493. Till now 78513 numbers of students have already been awarded with Net computer and Tablet PC under Chief Minister’s Special scheme

and completion of distribution of Tablet PC for 2015 under the scheme the total number of beneficiary will cross 1 lakh 20 thousand.

Rana Goswami –the AICC secretary and Jorhat MLA said considering the immense popularity of the scheme and its impacts on the students community the government of Assam has decided to continue the scheme for the 11th year in a row, the pass percentage of HSLC examination from all the board have increased from 40983 to 53126 which is 29.63 percent higher than the previous years.

Other those who spoke on the occasion were Rekibuddin Ahmed-Parliamentary Secretary, PK

NSUI State level meet for to its office bearers, gears up for poll ET Correspondent Jorhat, Jan 21: The National Student Union of India (NSUI) the young house of the congress party has fastening their safety belts right from the grass root level.

The NSUI has been sorting out its juniors right from the young tips and has been imparting training to its elected office

bearers from the block levels, informed sources from the Students Union here.

A three days training programme for its elected office bearers from the constituency wise, was held at the Shri Shri Pitambar Dev Goswami auditorium from 19 to 21 January today.

Altogether several hundreds of elected delegates took part in the three day program and they were trained from political to social, from social to law, while law to media differences etc.

A team of experts from New Delhi and Uttar Pradesh attended several brain storming sessions speaking about rules,

regulation, principles, organisational activities of the party along with the aim and objectives and how to gain the hearts of the masses.

Gaurav Gogoi – State NSUI adviser and Koliabor MP addressed the young office bearers and members how to take active part during and before election hours.

Barthakur-Principal secretary also congratulated the awardees and advised them to do more better results in coming higher secondary exam so that they can get more such award from several public and private sector enterprises who has been eyeing for students like you to mould and groom for a bright and perspective future. Both the speakers said OIL giants like OIL India Ltd, OIL India, ONGC, NRL, are the enterprises which we have it here in the state of Assam is a big asset which is always looking after brilliant and bright students like you all present in this JDSA ground today.

The entire programme was anchored by Dushmanta Madhav Sarma –the Regional Public Relation Officer

KPLT calls for 48 hour KA strike Sushanta Roy Diphu Jan 21: Claiming to be Karbi Peoples Liberation Tiger resource, a telephonic massage has informed the local media of Diphu that Karbi ultra organization (KPLT) has called for 48 hour Karbi Anglong strike ( bandh) beginning from 5 AM of 25th January to 5 AM of 27 January. The organization has called for boycotting the Republic day observation in protest against reprisal measure of the government against it.

Three KPLT cadres nabbed with arms Tarun Gogoi dares Sonowal at Bokajan in East Karbi Anglong to come out with white paper tion and 3 live ammunition of AK-47 Rifle in possession.

ET Correspondent Bokajan, Jan 21: With Republic Day drawing close and possible threats looming around every corner, a join team of Barpathar Police and Security Forces nabbed three KPLT (KARBI PEOPLE'S LIBERATION TIGER) cadres at Bokajan in East Karbi Anglong district of Assam.

Acting on a tip-off, the join team conducted a search operation at Majung Teron Gaon under Barpathar Police Station and nabbed one Winson Teron(26) along with a muzzle loaded Rifle, a .22 Pistol with 3 live ammuni-

The arrest cadre was later interrogated and based on his information, the join team conducted another raid in the Bonarea locality and successfully nabbed two other cadres viz. Biren Engti(26) and Amus Ingti(45) thereby recovering a .22 Pistol with 2 live ammunition from their possession.

3 K.P.L.T cadres nabbed in a joint operation launched by 8JAT Army and Barpathar Police (Karbi_Anglong) at Barpathar. Pic - UB Photos

It needs be mentioned here that security forces have beefed up operations in search of 12 other KPLT cadres active in the area.

23rd Foundation Day of Tezpur University observed Shambhu Boro Tezpur, Jan 21 : The 23rd Foundation Day of Tezpur University was observed with three lectures by eminent personalities of the country including Prof. P. Balaram, Former Director of IISc-Bangalore, Prof.

Sanjoy Hazarika, DirectorNE Studies, JMI, New Delhi and Mamang Dai, noted journalist and author of Arunachal Pradesh.

Prof. Mihir K. Chaudhuri,

VC-TU, called upon the youths of the 'youngest country' of the world to utilize their energetic talents for the cause of development - the the word that requires to be redefined today.

Mamang Dai said that a Foundation Day is not only an observation or a celebration, it should symbolize the foundation of tomorrow which is our greatest responsibility to make our successors responsible. Citing a number of instances,

Prof. Sanjay Hazarika threw significant lights on the brutalities of communal hatred and urged upon all to be extremely careful in using words like 'foreigner', or 'Bangladeshi' while referring to a person or a group of persons.

Delivering his oration, Prof.

P. Balaram said, "Conflict begins where the chemistry ends." Referring to the role of chemistry, he urged upon all, particularly the youths,

to utilize the, "Concept of 'chemistry' - the word now seen so popular in India even among politicians".

The chairperson of the organizing committee Prof.

Munmun Hazarika observed that occasions like Foundation Day should mean much more than what it literally means. Such occasions should symbolize something new and innovative for the future generations.

Contd. from Page 1 Gogoi said the Modi-led Government after its total failure to usher in acche din has been trying to divert people’s attention by spreading false propaganda against the Congress Government in Assam.

“Narendra Modi had promised galore that it would resolve the major issues confronting Assam during his Lok Sabha campaign. But after becoming the Prime Minister he has taken U-turns on issues like pushing back Bangladeshis, stopping rhino killings, lower Subansiri dam, granting ST status to six ethnic communities, et al,” he said.

Gogoi asked Sonowal to explain that if PM Modi has so much of love, affection and concern for the people of the State, then why his Government had deprived the State of the Special Category Status, put under suspension the North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy, changed the funding pattern of Centrally Sponsored Schemes and slashing funds from the Ministry of DoNER against NLCPR and NEC. “PM Modi has promised once more that Assam would get every help from the Centre during BJP’s rally in Guwahati while he had deprived the State of its legitimate dues thus putting a spanner in the wheels of development.”

Gogoi said PM Modi during his recent visit to the State did not utter a single word on foreigners’ issue, flood and erosion, granting ST status to six ethnic communities, lower Subansiri dam, major poll planks on which his party bagged the maximum number of Lok Sabha seats.

The Chief Minister said if

PM Modi loves the people of Assam from the bottom of his heart then why he did not find time to take stock of their plight during the floods in 2014 and 2015. “Not to speak of releasing funds sought by the State for rehabilitating the flood victims and huge infrastructure damage, the Centre did not release a single penny under the NDRF. The SDRF funds released to Assam are the State’s dues and the Centre has not done any kind of favour by releasing the funds,” he said, adding that the Centre has kept hanging in balance restructuring of the Brahmaputra Board into North East Brahmaputra River Rejuvenation Authority.

The Chief Minister said while the Prime Minister talks big of Make in India, Skilled India, Start Ups, it has deprived Assam and the North East region of the Special Category Status and suspending North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy thus adversely affecting the development process. “How come PM Modi’s three-point agenda of development, development and development alone can be a reality if his Government continues to deprive Assam and other North Eastern States of its just and rightful dues. The North East part of the country needs extra incentives if it has to catch up with developed States.

Depriving the State of its legitimate dues is not the right approach. PM Modi must realize that his development mantra will be a far cry if the North East lags behind. It calls for his introspection and translating his rhetoric into concrete action,” he added. The Chief Minister said though the State Government had handed over stretches of National Highways

Nos. 37, 37A, 52 and 53 to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) as per policy decision of the Central Ministry, the Corporation had neither taken up the construction activities nor undertaken maintenance work, leaving the State in the lurch. “If NHIDCL is unable to carry out the work, then the Ministry should revert to its earlier policy and allow the State Government to develop and maintain these stretches of highways,” Gogoi said.

Gogoi said that the BJP-led Government has ignored the State’s proposal for Rs 1350 crore for establishment of Skill Development Centres in all 219 development blocks of the State. “PM Modi talks of Skill India Mission, he has not given any response to our proposal submitted in August 2014.

Even Sarbananda Sonowal who was then the Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship could do nothing on this front,” he added.

The Chief Minister said that he would be too happy to see BTC or for that matter the State receiving ‘sufficient funds’ in the upcoming budget session of Parliament as promised by Sonowal. “I will be happy to see BTC or for that matter the State receiving sufficient funds in the coming Budget as made out by Sonowal as his promise comes close on the heels of PM belying the high hopes and expectations of not only Bodo leaders but also the people of the State at large,” he said.

Countering Sonowal, Gogoi said being the Chief Minister he has every right to announce new financial packages to different communities so that they can surge ahead towards the path of progress and prosper-

ity.

“I have every right to announce new packages for welfare of every community.

Sonowal has no right to question me,” he said adding that the BJP-led Government is adopting discriminatory attitude against other tribal communities while adopting a soft corner towards the BPF with whom it has entered into an alliance for political gains. “If we have to ensure just and equitable development, then all tribal communities, SC, ST, OBC and minorities have to get special packages.You cannot adopt a discrimi natory and lopsided policy to appease leaders of a particular community just for political gains. Our Rs 1000 crore package will cover each and every segment of the society,” he said. Refuting Sonowal’s claim that the NRC update process started during the tenure of the present BJP-led NDA Government, Gogoi said, “Sonowal is making blatant lies that the NRC updation work started during the tenure of BJP-led NDA Government. The people know that the modalities were worked out during the Congress-led UPA Government’s rule and the updation work started thereafter. Sonowal cannot hoodwink the people….they know his game plan.” Gogoi said Sonowal must come out with a reply as to what he or his Government has done for the flood victims of Dhemaji district. “Let Sonowal come out with factsheet as to what he or his Government has done for the rehabilitation of the flood affected people of Dhemaji district. When erosion is a major problem, why his Government has changed the funding pattern of Flood Management Programmes?” he quipped.

PAGE 5

REGION

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, JANUARY 22

PM Greets Meghalaya, Tripura, Manipur on Statehood Day New Delhi , Jan 21:Prime Minister Narendra Modi today greeted the people of Meghalaya, Tripura and Manipur on their statehood day. Greeting the people of Meghalaya, Modi said: "My dear sisters and brothers of Meghalaya, my greetings on your statehood day. I extend my best wishes for Meghalaya's development journey."

"During my recent visit to the north-east, I was fortunate to have inaugurated the first train that brought Meghalaya on India's railway map. This will add tremendous impetus to

'Christians do not enjoy minority status in State' Shillong, Jan 21: With questions on the minority status of persons, especially the Christians and Niam Khasis in Meghalaya, doing the rounds, the State government on Wednesday asserted that Christians in Meghalaya do not enjoy the minority status."The Christians in the State are not given any minority certificates as they avail only ST certificates," an official with the Law department said here.

According to the official, a person cannot avail both the certificates (ST and minority) as it is against the norm. Hence, he added that no minority certificate is issued to the Christians in Meghalaya.

On Monday, the Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court while referring to the question on a plea to accord minority status to the Sikhs in Punjab wanted to know whether the Christians which is a numerically strong group in Meghalaya and similar other states can avail minority status.The Law department official said that when the case of pending demand for minority status to Niam Khasi and Niam Tre, came up, the stand of the government was that there was no instance of issuing minority certificates to the Niam Khasi and Niam Tre as the indigenous people in Meghalaya irrespective of religious affiliations avail only ST certificates.

(Agencies)

Meghalaya's progress," he added. The prime minister also said that he was "committed to leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the dreams of Meghalaya's youngsters are fulfilled and they get opportunities to shine".

Extending warm greetings to the citizens of Tripura, Modi said: "I have very fond memories of my visit to Tripura in December last year. I will always remember your warm nature and the excellent hospitality." With regard to the people of Manipur, the prime minister said: "I hope Manipur

PM Greets Meghalaya, Tripura, Manipur on Statehood Day scales newer heights of progress in the years to come.""I can never forget the enthusiasm with which I was welcomed into Manipur during my recent visit. I was fortunate to join

the Sangai Festival, which showcases Manipur's rich culture." "We are very proud of the hard work and dynamism of the people of Manipur. We are committed to doing everything pos-

"My dear sisters and brothers of Meghalaya, my greetings on your statehood day. I extend my best wishes for Meghalaya's development journey."Modi sible that will give an impetus to Manipur's all-round development," he said.The erstwhile princely states of Tripura and Manipur were merged with India in October 1949 and became full-

fledged states Jan 21, 1972.

Meghalaya was a part of Assam before it was carved out as a full-fledged state under the North Eastern Region (Re-Organisation) Act, 1971. (Agencies)

KHADC to organize black flag protest against Govt on Jan 29 Shillong, Jan 21: Condemning the State Cabinet's decision to amend the Meghalaya Services (Conduct) Rules, representatives of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) will stage a black flag protest on the premises of the KHADC on January 29.Speaking to media persons on Wednesday, KHADC Chief Executive Member P.N. Syiem said the KHADC was aggrieved over the recent ruling of the High Court of Meghalaya on the role and functions of the traditional heads.

The decision to stage a black flag protest was taken at a meeting convened here,

chaired by the KHADC chief and attended by MDCs from Congress, UDP, KHNAM, HSPDP and also Independents. The Council has urged the traditional heads and the public from both the outskirts and the city to participate in the black flag protest in support of the district council.

Indicating that the KHADC premises may not accommodate a large crowd, he said the people can show their support for the district council by wearing black flags in their respective localities and drivers can show support by displaying black flags on their vehicles.He, however, made

it clear that the district council will not pressurize the people to participate in the protest and it would only be voluntary.

"We are aggrieved that the High Court has directed the State Government to give its recommendations to empower the traditional heads," Syiem said, while adding that such a move will bring about a conflict between the State government and the District Council which falls under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.He informed that the secretary of the District Council and some officials are presently in Delhi along with the EM in charge

of Town Committee and EM in charge Elaka, to prepare the groundwork to file a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court. "We will file the Special Leave Petition by this week," he stated.

In connection with the amendment of the Meghalaya Services (Conduct) Rules, Syiem questioned the State government's move and stated that it is childish on the part of the overnment to decide in haste to amend the rule.

"We are aggrieved that the decision has been taken at such a crucial period of time.

Let the situation come to normal and we will discuss

the matter," he said.Asserting that there are intellectuals and educated persons who will contribute much to the welfare of the community as office bearers of various organizations, Syiem said the issue has to come up in consultation with the traditional heads, the district council and stakeholders.

He has also mentioned that the KHADC will hold consultations with the Federation of Traditional Dorbar (FOTD) on the matter on January 27.Syiem also added that the JHADC will also be briefed on the issue.

(Agencies)

Quality education best foundation for kids: Pukhayi Dimapur, Jan 21: Parliamentary Secretary for Soil & Water Conservation, Pukhayi Sumi on Wednesday stressed on the importance of imparting quality education to children at young age as it laid strong foundation for all round development.Speaking at the inaugural function of Eurokids International School (Center-2) at Valley View Colony near 32 Assam Rifles Camp here, Pukhayi said sending kids to pre-school would prepare them for formal

education.Pointing out that pre-schools or Montessori schools were essential in moulding a child, the parliamentary secretary said such schools have their own method, art and speciality to teach little children in the way they could learn better.Lauding the management of the school and principal for taking the initiative to set up a pre-school in the locality, Pukhayi expressed the hope that the school would help in moulding up children for the wel-

fare of the community and the State.

Citing the example of American, he said USA has large number of preschools that helped in imparting quality education and laying strong basic foundation for a progressive future. Admitting that education institutions, both government and private, have become more competitive, Pukhayi said it has been observed that some private schools were doing much better than the

government schools.

Meanwhile, extending New Year greetings to the community and Nagas, the parliamentary secretary asked the citizens of Nagaland to learn to live together for a peaceful and harmonious society.

Eurokids International School (Center-2) principal Sandeep K Jain, who also runs the same school in Dimapur town, said the idea of setting up the pre-school outside the main town area was to provide an opportunity to

parents and children to avail quality education from a reputed school like Eurokids.He said now the children from the locality and nearby villages need not travel till the main town but avail same education in their own doorstep.Earlier, a dedicatory prayer for the pre-school was said by Valley View Sumi Baptist Church, associate pastor (youth) Vinika Shohe.

The inaugural programme was attended by family, friends and well-wishers.

(Agencies)

Air pollution on the rise in Dimapur city Dimapur, Jan 21:With mercury level going up everywhere in the world, the denizens of Dimapur have also experienced a change in weather particularly this year. What is worrisome is that toxic air pollution in the city and its suburbs leads to increase in number of respiratory diseases in recent years.Even as there is no record in place to ascertain the intensity of air pollution impact on health, Nagaland Pollution Control Board (NPCB) member secretary Rusovil John said numbers of some unrecoverable diseases like Silicosis are increasing in highly-polluted areas from this part in the last years.

NPCB records stated that concentration of Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM) and Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) in the city exceeds the permissible limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre (Âľg/m3). The

concentration of RSPM in Dimapur air is above 100 Âľg/m3.

Exposure to RSPM causes cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and even cancers. The main causes for the increase of particulate matter in the dry season are because of the dust- from stone crushers and bad roads. Moreover, constructions activities, vehicular emissions, burning of wastes, construction and commercial activities add rising air pollution in the city. Air pollution has become very grave that people are seen roaming with their mouth and nose covered with handkerchiefs these days.

The worst effected may be those people exposed to dust and smoke the whole day such as the people living near the busy roads and the traffic police in the junctions, Rusovil stated.

Dimapur is the first polluted city in Nagaland while Kohima stands at second position. Bad

roads condition is one of the factors for which dust pollution is increasing in the city, especially at Purana Bazaar, Kuda Village and Nagaland gate areas. The major pollutant, non black topped roads itself is a pollutant. When one drives on dusty roads, there are pedestrians inhaling the dusts. These small particles when it gets to the lung, it raises various health conditions, especially of the lung, Rusovil said. "However, we don't have much data to back up the effects, locally," he said.

In 2015, Dimapur Municipal council (DMC) repaired more than 12 roads, Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) had also taken up the repairing of several roads. However, there is no change in the situation in some places like Purana Bazaar, he said.In addition to this, burning of wastes, mostly carpentry wastes add more trouble for the

dwellers in these areas.

Burning of tyres by motor garages located at Assam Gate and its suburb areas also release black smoke causing health hazards to the dwellers.

What more panic is that setting up of some industries like stone crushers in human habitation also aggravate the situation. The stone crushers release high density of stone dust in its surrounding areas causing health hazards for the inhabitants. There are reports of rising cases of Silicosis among Inhabitants living in such locations due to affect of such mushroom growth of stone crushers industries.

Stone dusts released by stone crushers are being cement in the cells of human body resulting in unrecoverable diseases like silicosis, Rusovil said.

Vehicular emission is also another factor for rising pollution level in Dimapur.

However, Nagaland is far better off compared to other cities in terms of vehicular pollution. NPCB had been monitoring the Air Quality of the Dimapur city for several years of four air pollutants viz., Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Oxides of Nitrogen as NO2, Suspended Particulate Matter SPM and RSPM. The air monitoring stations in Dimapur i.e.

Dhobinala and Bank colony shows that during winter/dry months the air pollution goes up. Basing on the records, the average concentration of RSPM was found to be highest in the month of December in both the stations.

NPCB has suggested the government for taking measures from all ends starting from every household, business establishment, Institutions, Industries etc to reduce the pollution level in the city. It said polluting industries

should not be allowed within the towns and villages and existing industries located within residential area should be closed or relocated to earmarked industrial areas.It also stressed on creation of massive awareness among city dwellers on environment protection, especially for urban planning with focus on environmental issues, phasing out of grossly polluting vehicles to check vehicular emission, curbing fuel adulteration, improvement of roads to reduce dust, netter traffic management to reduce congestion and emission and for a clean and new eco-friendly technologies to check pollution level in the city.Presently, NPCB has been undertaking a innovating plan for solid waste management in Kohima, which is also operational in Dimapur city.

It is believed the new mechanism will help check air pollution level to some extent. (Agencies)

Govt contemplating filing review petition or appeal against ruling Shillong, Jan 21: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma today said the Law department which is examining the recent ruling of the High Court of Meghalaya on traditional institutions will present their views on the matter before the government on Thursday.Speaking to media persons after a Cabinet meeting, the chief minister said based on the views of the Law department, the government will take a call on whether to file a review petition or appeal before the Court.

According to the chief minister, the Law department was asked to examine the High Court order from both legal as well as constitutional aspects and they have completed their exercise. Earlier, the High Court of Meghalaya in its ruling had recommended that the State government should bring in a suitable and comprehensive legislation to

settle the controversies connected with the issue once and for all. The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Uma Nath Singh and Justice T.N.K. Singh had said that until a suitable legislation or an Ordinance during the pendency of the Bill, is brought by the State government, the directions passed by the single Bench headed by Justice S.R. Sen on December 10, 2014, will remain in force.

The Court also observed that the traditional institution of headman needs to be brought within the purview of the provisions of the Right to Information Act since this institution acts as a tool of governance at the grassroots level and is also being assigned an important role in implementing various programmes and schemes of the Central government as well as the State. (Agencies)

Woman arrested with explosive materials in Manipur Imphal, Jan 21: Assam Rifles personnel today caught a woman carrying explosive materials in her bag while checking a mini bus in Manipur's East Imphal district.

The personnel of 16 Assam Rifles seized nine detonators, three gelatine sticks, 125 gm of highly explosive powder and fuses from the woman at Gwaltabi village which is adjacent to Ukhrul district of the state.

The middle-aged woman,

who was identified as a resident of Ukhrul, was arrested and handed over to police along with the explosives.

Security forces have been alerted by the authority in view of the Republic Day, a home department official said.Manipur police have picked up 26 people for verification today from Manipur's Imphal East a n d We s t d i s t r i c t s b y conducting search operations in different areas of the state. (Agencies)

Government planning venture fund for start-ups in northeast

DoNER Minister Jitendra Singh New Delhi, Jan 21: The government was planning to create a venture fund for start-ups in the northeast region, DoNER Minister Jitendra Singh said on Wednesday.

Calling Sikkim's newly inaugurated organic farming project a booster for the economy of the northeast, he said: "The declaration of Sikkim as the first Organic State of India has opened up new vistas for start-up initiatives in or-

ganic farming in northeast."

At an event on a one-day conference on 'Start-up India' organised by business chamber Assocham, Jitendra Singh said India was on the verge of becoming a world power on the basis of its youth strength who comprise over 65 percent of the country's population and were thus the real torch-bearers of the 'Start-up India' mission. (Agencies)

Heavy snowfall in Sandakphu, Nathu La

Gangtok, Jan 21: Heavy snowfall was reported from Sandakphu in West Bengal's Darjeeling district and Nathu La, Tsomgo and Juluk of Sikkim on Wednesday. Due to the weather condition in Sikkim, tourist vehicles did not venture out to spots like Tsomgo and Baba Mandir in East Sikkim district, police said.

The decision was taken as the road to Tsomgo was shut due to snowfall and to prevent accidents.The Sikkim weather office forecast more snowfall and dense fog in the

upper reaches of the hills over the next three days.Visibility will go down to below 100 metres in the northern West Bengal districts also due to fog over the next three days.

Since Wednesday morning, vast stretches of Darjeeling district including Sukhiapokhri, Lodama and Jorebungalow were wrapped in a thick veil of fog. Siliguri and Darjeeling towns, as also large parts of Sikkim, experienced heavy rain between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning. (Agencies)

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, JANUARY 22

PAGE 6

Kejriwal slams Centre, says Irani's statements 'shameful' Hyderabad, Jan. 21: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday flayed the Centre over Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani's clarification over the death of a Dalit scholar and said the issue is not about Dalits but 'injustice'. "We strongly condemn the caste angle given to RohithVemula's death by Smriti Irani. Yesterday, Irani's statements were shameful, she was lying," Kejriwal said.

He further slammed Minister of State for Labour Bandaru Dattatrey for his letter to the HRD Ministry, saying it is shameful that a responsible minister without inquiring into

the facts has concluded that the Ambedkar Students Association is casteist. "It is shameful that a Union Minister used words like 'extremist, casteist and anti-national' in his letter," he said. "Talking about Ambedkar and his views, cannot be anti-national," he added.

Kejriwal further said it is the responsibility of the HRD Minister to provide justice to the Dalit students. Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani in a clear reference to political rivals yesterday said that 'malicious attempts are being made to make the incident a 'Dalit v/s nonDalit' issue to ignite pas-

Kerala Hummer case: Beedi baron gets life imprisonment Thrissur, Jan. 21: A Thrissur Court on Thursday awarded life sentence to beedi tycoon Mohammed Nisham in connection with the murder of security guard Chandrabose in 2015. The court, which had convicted Nisham in this case yesterday, has also imposed a fine of Rs.71 lakh.

Thrissur District Additional Sessions Court Judge K P Sudheer found Nisham guilty of mowing down the guard of his apartments with his Hummer jeep on January 29 last year. Nisham ran his jeep over the Sobha City security guard after he was infuriated with his de-

lay in opening the gates. He was reportedly in an inebriated state.

According to reports, the Kerala Police had invoked provisions of Kerala Antisocial Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA) against Nisham, who is a serial offender and has 16 criminal cases against him. Nisham is the son of beedi businessman Adakkaparambil Abdul Khadar. Khadar had founded King Beedi Company at Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu. Nisham, who is Khadar's second son, is now the managing director of King Beedi Company.

(ANI)

Ignore 'Pet' Salauddin's Pathankot terror attack claim: Swamy New Delhi, Jan. 21: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy on Thursday said that Hizb-ul-Mujahideen chief Sayeed Salahuddin's claim that his outfit was responsible for the January 1 and 2, 2016 terror strike in Pathankot, Punjab, should be dismissed and disregarded.

"I don't think we should bother about statements of everybody and anybody who gives it, let them claim credit, do hell with it. They are here because they are being fed like their pets of the Pakistan government," Swamy told here. "They (HuM) are just the pets who wag their tail and bark and bite at the masters instruction. We have to fix the mas-

Mohammed.

Last week, Pakistan arrested the head of Jaish-eMohammed as well as several other leaders of the group and shut down offices and seminaries linked to the outfit. "We are at a loss to understand whether they (the Pakistan government) are concerned about the interests of the country that feeds them or that of its enemy?" Salahuddin told at a news conference, referring to the government's crackdown.

"Pakistan is not only an advocate but also a party to the longstanding Kashmir dispute and therefore the Pakistani people, government and media should play the role of a patron rather than of an adversary."

BJP leader Subramanian Swamy ter and for that we need time, and we need to prepare for that," he added Salahuddin had earlier taken responsibility for the Pathankot attack, calling it 'a continuation of their activity, targeting Indian military installations'. He has also criticised Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's "Kashmir policy". These comments are part of an interview given to the Urdu news portal, Wajood, based in Pakistan.

The militant commander is also the head of the United Jihad Council, an amalgam of militant outfits operating in Kashmir. The claim of responsibility was met with a sceptical response among India's security establishment, which blames another group called Jaish-e-

Heavily armed terroriusts attacked the Pathankot Air Force Station, part of the Western Air Command of the Indian Air Force between January 1 and 4, 2016.

Four attackers and six security personnel were killed in the gun battle that was spread over a period of three days Initially, the terrorists were suspected to belong to the Islamist militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed, but later the United Jihad Council claimed responsibility for the attack. The security operation lasted till January 4 and end after a fifth attacker was confirmed killed. Media reports thensuggested that the attack was an attempt to derail a fragile peace process meant to stabilise the deteriorated relations between India and Pakistan. (ANI)

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal sions'. Irani evaded a query whether she agreed with Cabinet colleague Bandaru Dattatreya's view calling Ambedkar Students' Association 'anti-national'.

More than 10 SC/ST teachers of the University yesterday resigned from

teachers alleged that baseless and misleading statements by Irani were bringing down the morale of the Dalits holding administrative positions in the university.

Meanwhile, politicians from various parties continued to mount pressure on the Centre demanding action against Irani and her Cabinet colleague Bandaru Dattatreya, charged with abetting Vemula's suicide. The Opposition has also been demanding the resignation of Hyderabad University Vice Chancellor Appa Rao.

their 'administrative roles' protesting against Irani' remarks in Delhi that Dalit faculty members were also part of the University's probe that eventually led to the expulsion of research Rohith, a second-year scholar Rohith Vemula research scholar of Sciand four others. The ence, Technology and

Society Studies Department, and others were suspended from the hostel last year following allegations that they attacked ABVP leader Sushil Kumar after the screening of a controversial documentary 'Muzaffarnagar Baaqi Hai'. Earlier this month, five students were thrown out of the hostel after they accused the university authorities of denying them access to campus facilities, except their classrooms and workshops. The 28-year-old victim from Andhra Pradesh's Guntur district was found hanging at the hostel room of one of his friends around 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. (ANI)

Dalit scholar's suicide: BJP accuses Congress of 'dividing society' New Delhi, Jan. 21: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday backed Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani's clarification on the death of a Dalit scholar at the Hyderabad University and accused the Congress Party of attempting to divide the society by playing politics on such a sensitive issue. "The Congress Party has been saying that this incident was against Dalits. Smriti ji has just given a reference about the action being taken in this case, she has not spoken about castes.

This is not about Dalits or non-Dalits, it is about the death of a student," BJP s p o k e s p e r s o n Shahnawaz Hussain told.

"The Congress is playing politics on the Hyderabad issue. Smriti ji has made it clear that this is not about Dalits and nonDalits... Leaders from the Congress are visiting Hyderabad University to do politics, they are not going there to express their solidarity but to divide the society," he added. When asked about the Congress' demanding Irani's resignation, Hussain said it has

now become a habit of the grand old party to demand the resignation of elected representatives as they were outright rejected by the people in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

The Congress earlier accused Irani of 'shamefully justifying' the Dalit scholar's suicide at the University of Hyderabad and alleged that she committed the unpardonable sin of lying through her teeth to protect the ABVP and BJP leaders. Irani in a clear reference to political rivals yesterday said that 'malicious attempts are being made to make the incident a 'Dalit v/s non-Dalit' issue to ignite passions'.

More than 10 SC/ST teachers of the University yesterday resigned from their 'administrative roles' protesting against Irani' remarks in Delhi that Dalit faculty members were also part of the University's probe that eventually led to the expulsion of research scholar Rohith Vemula and four others.

The teachers alleged that baseless and misleading statements by Irani were bringing down the morale

of the Dalits holding administrative positions in the university. Meanwhile, politicians from various parties continued to mount pressure on the Centre demanding action against Irani and her Cabinet colleague Bandaru Dattatreya, charged with abetting Vemula's suicide.

The Opposition has also been demanding the resignation of Hyderabad University Vice Chancellor Appa Rao. Rohith, a second-year research scholar of Science, Technology and Society Studies Department, and others were suspended from the hostel last year following allegations that they attacked ABVP leader Sushil Kumar after the screening of a controversial documentary 'Muzaffarnagar

BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain Baaqi Hai'.

Earlier this month, five students were thrown out of the hostel after they accused the university authorities of denying them access to campus facilities, except their classrooms and workshops. The 28-year-old victim from Andhra Pradesh's Guntur district was found hanging at the hostel room of one of his friends around 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. (ANI)

"The Congress is playing politics on the Hyderabad issue. Smriti ji has made it clear that this is not about Dalits and non-Dalits... Leaders from the Congress are visiting Hyderabad University to do politics, they are not going there to express their solidarity but to divide the society."

Legendary classical dancer Mrinalini Sarabhai passes away Ahmedabad, Jan. 21: Legendary classical dancer Mrinalini Sarabhai passed away here this morning. She was 97. Sarabhai was born in Kerala on May 11, 1918. She was the daughter of social worker and former Member of Parliament Ammu Swaminathan. Her father, Dr. Swaminathan was a renowned barrister at the Madras High Court and principal of the Madras Law College. Her elder sister, Lakshmi Sehgal, was the commander-in-chief of Subhas Chandra Bose's 'Rani of Jhansi Regiment' of the Indian National Army ( Azad Hind Fauj) and her elder brother, Govind Swaminathan, was a famous barrister who practiced in Madras as a specialist in constitutional and criminal law apart from civil law and company law. He served as the attorney general for the State of Madras State (now Tamil Nadu) with great distinction.

She spent her childhood

in Switzerland, where, she received her first lessons at the Dalcroze School, a Western technique of dance movements. She was educated at Santiniketan under the guidance of Rabindranath Tagore where she realised her true calling. She then went for a short time to the United States where she enrolled in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. On returning to India, she began her training in the south Indian classical dance form of Bharatanatyam under Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai and the classical dance-drama of Kathakali under the legendary Guru Thakazhi Kunchu Kurup.

Mrinalini married well known Indian physicist Vikram Sarabhai who is considered to be the Father of the Indian Space Program in 1942. She had a son, Kartikeya and a daughter Mallika who too went on to attain fame in dance and theatre. Mrinalini was the

founder director of the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts. She was well-known for her experimental reforms in Bharatnatyam and Kathakali, which helped to preserve and popularise the traditional art form.

Vikram Sarabhai had a troubled marriage with Mrinalini. According to his biographer Amrita Shah, Vikram Sarabhai sought to fill the personal void in his life it by dedicating himself to applying science for social good. Besides choreographing more than three hundred dance dramas, and training over 18000 students, Mrilani was the author of many novels, poetry, plays and stories for children. She was the chairperson of the Gujarat State Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation Ltd. She was one of the trustees of the Sarvodaya International Trust, an organisation for the promotion of Gandhian ideals, and the chairperson of the Nehru

Foundation for Development (NFD). She also wrote an autobiography titled Mrinalini Sarabhai: The Voice of the Heart.

During her lifetime, she received a number of national civilian awards, including the Padma Bhushan in 1992 and the Padma Shri in 1965. She was honoured with the Degree of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa (LittD) by the University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK in 1997. She was also the first Indian to receive the medal and Diploma of the French Archives Internationales de la Danse. She was nominated to the Executive Committee of the International Dance Council, Paris in 1990[2] and awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, New Delhi in 1994. She was presented with a gold medal by the Mexican Government for her choreography for the Ballet Folklorico of Mexico. (ANI)

CBI to challenge order on release of documents against Rajendra Kumar

CBI will challenge the order on release of documents in a case against Principal Secretary Rajendra Kumar New Delhi, Jan. 21: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will challenge the order on release of documents in a case against Principal Secretary Rajendra Kumar in the Delhi High Court. A trial court yesterday made scathing remarks about the CBI's conduct in probing the corruption case against Rajendra Kumar and others, saying the agency seemed to be in "haste" and appeared to have "abused its power".

The court further alleged that the agency did not even carry out a preliminary enquiry before filing the FIR. The court, however, rejected the government's prayer for stringent action against the investigating

agency officials, who had seized the documents in alleged violation of the provisions of the CBI manual.

The CBI had earlier opposed the government's plea and argued that even the court had no powers to decide the admissibility of the documents at this stage.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had yesterday welcomed the court's verdict and said the judiciary has vindicated the AAP Government's stand that the raid at Rajendra Kumar's office at the Delhi Secretariat was 'politicallymotivated'. On December 15, the CBI raided the office of Rajendra Kumar in connection with a corruption case. (ANI)

Gujarat riots convict arrested for assaulting journalist Ahmedabad, Jan. 21: The Ahmedabad Police on Thursday arrested 2002 Gujarat riots convict Suresh Chhara for allegedly assaulting journalist Revati Laul. Earlier, Laul met ACP Manjita Vanjara regarding the alleged attack on her.

She asked as to how the people can feel safe if the courts are unable to save the common people from such convicts. "My question is how the court could give him parole despite knowing the fact that he attacked his wife last time when he came out," Laul told reporters here. "How can the country feel secure if the courts are unable to save the common people from these convicts?" she asked.

Laul said the convict Suresh Chhara slapped her when she asked him to share information about his past. "I visited him at his house and I politely asked him if he wanted to share information about himself, his past and family. Without provocation, he started slapping me,"

Journalist Revati Laul she added.

Laul, who is writing a book on the convicts in the 2002 Naroda Patiya massacre case, said she was attacked

by Suresh Chhara when she visited his house in Naroda area of Ahmedabad late Wednesday evening. "I kept meeting his family members regarding my book. Last year in July, his wife telephoned me saying Chhara raped her while he was released on parole and asked for my help, I helped her to get a lawyer and lodge a complaint," she added. Chhara has been convicted to 31 years in prison for his involvement in the Naroda Patiya massacre case. (ANI)

'Any act of violence aimed at killing civilians is condemnable': Parrikar New Delhi, Jan. 21: Expressing his grief over the loss of lives in the terrorist attack on Bacha Khan University in Pakistan which left 21 people dead, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday said that any act of violence aimed at killing civilians is 'condemnable'. "Any act of violence and killing of civilians is condemnable. Even the Prime Minister has said this and I would also like to say that what happened there was bad," Parrikar said at a press conference here.

He also said that a committee to look into security preparedness of important defence installations has been formed post the Pathankot terrorist attack.

"The incident is being investigated by the NIA. We will do analysis of our responsibilities after NIA does its primary exercise.

We have asked the in

charge of all defence installations to make an assessment of their bases themselves and make immediate steps to ensure that weaknesses are blocked," he said.

"We have also constituted a team which will visit these installations and prepare an action plan for their security after discussing with commanders," he added.

The defence minister also mocked the postcard letter, supposedly sent by ISIS, threatening to kill Prime Minister Narendra Modi and him. "On a 50 paisa post card..(laughs)," he said when asked about threats. At least 21 people were killed and 30 injured in yesterday's attack on the university. Four suspected attackers also died in a battle that lasted nearly three hours at Bacha Khan University in Charsadda.

(ANI)

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, JANUARY 22

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NEIGHBOURS

Taliban Attack at Bacha Khan University Slum demolitions leave residents out in Pakistan Renews Fears Cairo, Jan 21: Attacks on education have long been a signature atrocity of the Pakistani Taliban, whose militants have set schools on fire, banished girls from classrooms and gunned down students at their desks in a quest to impose an extremist ideology on Pakistani society. The height of the attacks seemed to come in December 2014 when gunmen swarmed through a school in Peshawar, massacring dozens of schoolchildren in an assault that prompted widespread revulsion and a fierce military crackdown on militants.

Hong Kong students skip classes to protest at 'pro-Beijing' uni appointment Beijing, Jan 21:Students protested on the campus of Hong Kong's leading university yesterday after a pro-Beijing official was appointed to a senior role, as fears grow of increasing political interference in education.Around 100 protesters left classrooms to rally at the Hong Kong University campus following the appointment of Arthur Li, known to be close with the government, as chairman of the university's governing council last month.

The appointment taps into wider concerns that academic freedoms in Hong Kong are under threat, particularly in the wake of student-led mass prodemocracy rallies in late 2014."We are conducting a class boycott in order to target unfairness in the system. Students have raised opposition to the appointment but the school's autonomy is threatened," student leader Yvonne Leung told protesters through loudspeakers.

"It's an abuse of power," she said. Li, a member of Hong Kong's Executive Council, the top advisory body to the government, started his three-year term on Jan. 1.He is close to the city's unpopular leader Leung Chunying, who is also the chancellor of all the city's universities.His appointment came after the university council rejected the nomination of liberal law scholar Johannes Chan as pro-vice chancellor at the university, sparking protests from staff, students and members of the public.Protesters vow to boycott classes for a week.Former British colony Hong Kong was handed back to China in 1997 under a deal that guaranteed the retention of its civil liberties and capitalist system for 50 years. But there are fears those freedoms are being eroded.In 2012 tens of thousands marched against plans for 'national education', a government proposal to introduce Beijingcentric patriotic teaching in schools. The plan was later dropped.

(Agencies)

But on Wednesday, Pakistanis were drawn back into their national nightmare. At least four Taliban attackers stormed a university campus in another northwestern town, gunning down at least 20 people, most of them students and teachers.After a year in which the Pakistani Taliban had finally seemed to be pushed to the margin, with attacks at their lowest pace in a decade, the new school assault renewed worries that the insurgency, even if diminished, has survived and retained its capacity for brutality.The attack, at the Bacha

Bloodstains and attackers' flak jackets lined a dormitory hallway

Khan University in Charsadda, 20 miles from Peshawar, began just before 9 a.m. when the militants, using winter fog as cover, slipped through

nearby fields and scaled a rear wall. Gunfire and explosions rang out across the campus as the attackers, some apparently teenagers them-

selves, rushed through classrooms and dormitories shouting "Allahu akbar!" as they fired.

Witnesses described scenes of carnage as gunmen sprayed bullets at students, one of whom leapt through a window while others cowered in bathrooms. Many staff members locked themselves in their offices. But one junior chemistry lecturer, armed with a pis-

tol, was reported to have returned fire; witnesses said his actions helped several students escape before he, too, was killed.The assault ended after hours of pitched combat when the security forces cornered the attackers into two university buildings. The attackers were killed before they could explode their suicide vests, officials said.(Agencies)

At least four Taliban attackers stormed a university campus in another northwestern town, gunning down at least 20 people, most of them students and teachers

Nasheed leaves for UK for urgent medical treatment Colombo, Jan 21:Mohamed Nasheed, the former Maldivian president serving a 13year jail sentence on terror charges, today left for London for urgent surgery after a brief stopover in Sri Lanka, his party has said. Nasheed, 48, arrived here on January 18 after he was released by the Maldivian government to seek medical treatment in the UK following an international intervention.

"He left Colombo early this morning," Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) spokesman Hamid Abdul Ghafoor said. Sri Lankan foreign ministry denied that Nasheed had met President Maithripala Sirisena and other government leaders during his two-day stay in Colombo.

Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera and Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake visited Male last week to broker the arrangement which was also supported by India, the UK and US, officials said. Nasheed was supposed to leave on Sunday after a deal brokered by diplomats from India and Sri Lanka as well as Britain, but his departure was delayed as the government imposed new conditions on his trip. The Maldivian government was insisting that he nominate a family member to stay in Male to guarantee his return.

Nasheed initially refused this proposal, but finally agreed to the offer. According to Maldivian government, Nasheed had signed an undertaking to

return after his treatment and his brother has agreed to act as guarantor.

Nasheed, the country's first democratically elected leader, was sentenced to 13 years in jail in March over the arbitrary arrest of chief criminal judge Abdullah Muhammed during his presidency. He was elected in 2008, ending three decades of rule by former strongman Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Nasheed resigned as the Maldives leader in February 2012 after weeks of protests over the judges arrest on corruption allegations.

The former president had appealed his prison sentence after backtracking on his earlier decision and opted to go to the Supreme Court instead.

Mohamed Nasheed

In his appeal, Nasheed had sought a lesser penalty under the new penal code that came into effect in November. The Supreme Court had also been asked to nullify the charges lodged against him in the lower court and the subsequent sentence.

India, the US and the European Union had all ex-

pressed concern over Nasheed's imprisonment and conviction. His conviction drew widespread criticism over the apparent lack of due process in the 19-day trial. The current President Abdulla Yameen was elected in controversial polls in 2013 and is the half-brother of Gayoom. (Agencies)

One dies as strong earthquake shakes southwestern China Beijing,Jan 21: A strong, shallow earthquake shook southwestern China overnight, killing at least one person, damaging buildings and prompting thousands to camp outside as aftershocks continued to strike the area, officials said Wednesday.

The earthquake with a magnitude of at least 6.0 hit the Weiyuan city area of Yunnan province at 9:49 p.m. when most residents would have been in their homes. At least 324 people also were injured, eight of them seriously, the Yunnan provincial government said.

"The whole building was

shaking terribly with a loud cracking sound.

Plates fell off in the kitchen," the official state Xinhua News Agency quoted Weiyuan resident Li Anqin as saying."We all ran out and the streets now are packed with people," Li said.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake measured magnitude 6.0 at a depth of 10.1 kilometers (6.3 miles). Its shallow focus was likely to cause greater damage, but there were no immediate reports of serious destruction.China's national earthquake monitoring agency gave the

quake's magnitude as 6.6 and said it struck just 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) below the surface. It said the quake was followed by eight aftershocks, the strongest of which registered at magnitude 4.2.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang ordered an "allout effort" to rescue quake victims, ensure the delivery of food, water and other supplies, and fix disruptions to transportation and communications.Worst hit was the town of Yongping, 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the epicenter, where some houses had collapsed,

Xinhua said. Yongping has a population of 54,000, while the surrounding county of Jinggu closest to the epicenter has a population of 290,000.Residents of a community near a 5square-kilometer (2square-mile) reservoir in Jinggu were evacuated after the reservoir's dam was found to have an 8centimeter-wide (3-inchwide) crack that was leaking water following the quake. Officials were assessing the risk to the dam and seeing about repairs, said a Jinggu county official who gave only his surname, Yao.Xinhua said

strong tremors were felt in the provincial capital, Kunming, about 360 kilometers (220 miles) to the northeast.

It said an initial 230-member rescue team was dispatched to the quake area within two hours of its striking.The remote mountainous region near the border with Myanmar is prone to earthquakes. A 6.1-magnitude quake in northern Yunnan in August killed at least 615 people and left more than 100 others missing. In 1970, a magnitude-7.7 earthquake in Yunnan killed at least 15,000 people. (Agencies)

Transition in translation, Chilean president visits Myanmar Yangon, Jan 21: Visiting Myanmar to share his experiences of making the transition from military rule to civilian democracy, Mr Lagos said that, despite the horror of those years under Pinochet's grip, it had been crucial to Chile's success to work together with, and not against, the former dictator during the 1990s transition.He recommended a similar partnership for Myanmar.

"I'm sure that the voice of the citizens will be heard by the military because they also have something to do in this century," he said. "They could be part of the UN Missions, keeping peace in many places in the world. The military has a place in society.

"Speaking at a Yangon forum, Mr Lagos launched the Myanmar-language edition of Democratic Transitions: Conversations with World Leaders, a project by the NGO International IDEA. The book comprises interviews with 13 prominent

political scientist Francis Fuku-yama writes.IDEA said the book would be distributed to key players in the Myanmar transition as Daw Aung San Suu Kyi prepares to form a government and share power with the military following her party's landslide victory in last November's elections.

Former Chilean president Ricardo Lagos speaks during a presentation of an earlier edition of his book in Santiago, political figures that helped lead efforts to end dictatorships and begin democracies in nine countries.

"Many of the challenges now facing Myanmar as it seeks to build a democracy are similar to those faced by other countries in the past, and this volume will provide useful points of comparison,"

Pinochet died in 2006 aged 91, under house arrest on charges of human rights abuses stemming from the 1973 US-backed coup that brought him to power.

Mr Lagos took over the presidency in 1990 but the general remained commander-in-chief of the military until 1998."Now I know that many people complained that our transition was not there enough. We didn't challenge enough - that probably it was possible to advance more.

And I say, that may be," Mr Lagos said."But it's so important to have a good transition, not only for the

democratic forces but even for the military. Then they will be respected, if they are able to have a transfer of power in such a way that there is also order and we are going in the right direction.

"Also speaking at the forum were Daw Lahpai Seng Raw, co-founder of the Metta Development Foundation, and U Ko Ko Gyi, a leader of the 88 Generation Peace and Open Society who spent more than 17 years in prison.Both spoke openly about the road ahead. Daw Lahpai Seng Raw focused on national reconciliation, arguing that the "nationwide ceasefire agreement" signed last October was

insufficient and calling for a federal system.

"All parties must join the process with mutual respect and good intentions," she said.U Ko Ko Gyi spoke more to the general air of expectancy that has followed the NLD election victory. Many in Myanmar have touted the election as a certain turning point, but he said expectations of sudden changes or rapid economic growth should be checked.Funding of the Myanmar edition of Democratic Transitions was supported by the Club de Madrid association of democratic former world leaders and the EU. (Agencies)

Ricardo Lagos, former president of Chile, yesterday recalled asking Augusto Pinochet, then still commander-in-chief after 17 years as military dictator, about the fate of some 200 missing people.

in the cold

Dhaka, Jan 21: Thousands of people made homeless in an eviction drive in Kalyanpur slum on Thursday are occupying the open spaces around the shanty town that they called home, after bulldozers razed their dwellings to the ground.The decision to destroy the shanty town came in the middle of winter. Meteorological Department Duty Forecasting Officer Hafizur Rahman says Dhaka temperatures are likely to fall over the next three to four days.

The High Court has issued a stay order on the eviction of Kalyanpur slum for three months.'We have evicted illegal structures on eight of 50 acres of the land'Houses and shops covering an eight-acre swath of land have already been mowed down by bulldozers under the watch of officials of the Housing and Building Researc Institute, as policemen and two water

cannons remained on standby.The nine slums in Dhaka's Kalyanpur area cover some 50 acres of land and are home to around 22,000 people.During the eviction drives, police were pelted by brickbats and confronted by angry protesters as slum dwellers armed with sticks attempted to defend their homes and stop the demolitions.With the help of police, Executive Magistrate Nur Alam recommenced the drive around 12 noon, before it was later stayed by the High Court.Asked whether residents were given prior notice, Magistrate Nur Alam said: "We followed all of the legal procedures."Housing and Building Research Institute Architect Jamir Uddin said: "We issued notices several times but residents did not vacate the slum. So we started the drive."We have evicted illegal structures on eight of 50 acres of the land." (Agencies)

Judicial probe ordered in sexual harassment charge against cops Dhaka,Jan 21:A Dhaka court has ordered a judicial probe into a case filed against four police officers and a constable for sexually harassing a woman in an effort to intimidate her in connection with a prior family dispute.Dhaka Women and Children Repression Tribunal 2 Judge Shafiul Azam passed the order after recording the statement of petitioner Shirin Akter Shila, wife of Sahidul Islam of Uttar Kutubkhali in Jatrabari.

The accused in the case are Jatrabari OC Abani Sankar, SI Jasim, SI Jamal, constable Debashish and Mugda SI

Abdul Kader.According to the statement, plaintiff Shirin's younger brother Imran Hossain married Mugda SI Abdul Kader's daughter. But Kader did not approve of the marriage.

Kader then filed a case with Jatrabari police station against Imran, Shirin and their brother Tutul.On December 3, Imran, Shirin and Tutul were called to Jatrabari police station.Police officers including OC Abani Sankar later sexually harassed Shirin in connection with the dispute over her brother's marriage. (Agencies)

China military reports landing drills days after Taiwan election

China military conducts landing drills Beijing, Jan 21: A Chinese military unit based in a city that lies opposite self-ruled Taiwan has carried out live fire exercises and landing drills, state television reported just days after an independence-leaning opposition party won elections in Taiwan.China considers Taiwan a wayward province, to be brought under its control by force if necessary. Defeated Nationalist forces fled to Taiwan in 1949 after the Chinese civil war.

In a piece late on Wednesday, state television's military channel said the 31st Group Army, based in the southeastern Chinese city of Xiamen, had carried out the drills in "recent days", though it did not give an exact location.It showed aphibious armoured vehicles ploughing through the sea towards a landing spot, helicopters firing missiles at locations on shore and soldiers parachuting down from helicopters.

Taiwan's Defence Ministry said it was "aware of the information", and declined further immediate comment.Xiamen sits oppo-

site Taiwan, and right off Xiamen's coast is Kimnen, an island controlled by Taiwan since 1949 and until the late 1970s a place regularly shelled by China.Since Tsai Ing-wen and her Democratic Progressive Party won by a landslide Taiwan's presidential and parliamentary elections on Saturday, China has warned against any moves towards independence and that it will defend the country's sovereignty.

Tsai has said she will maintain peace with China, and Chinese state-run media has also noted her pledges to maintain the "status quo" with China.China's military, the world's largest, held live-fire drills in the Taiwan Strait in September, though Taiwan's Defence Ministry described them at the time as routine.Taiwan's military has warned that China is building two new aircraft carriers and has practised attacks on targets modelled on places in Taiwan. China confirmed on New ear's Eve it was indeed building one new carrier, to add to its existing one.

(Agencies)

PAGE 8

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, JANUARY 22

The Key to Understanding the Pathankot Attack Atrocity on Wildlife Un-ethical act of human being Assam is now becoming a land of atrocity on wildlife. Often different type of immorality and un-ethical act of human being often appears in news which are happening in different parts of the state of Assam.

But this is not happened in overnight. It was a prolonged process through which it is evident now. The brutal and mindless killing of a hoolock gibbon in a distant village Ketetong in upper Assam's Margherita had not only deeply pained animal lovers but also sparked serious reactions among various section of the people. Ninda, the owner of the gibbon said that Kalia had bitten one of the children and as result they had attacked Kalia with catapult. According to Linda many people had met Kalia in the past, she was even filmed by internationally reputed channels National Geographic and Animal Planet, she was never aggressive. If anybody annoyed her she retaliated. But, it does not mean that she will be killed in such a manner.

Ninda, a nature lover, had found her at a very tender age and injured as she was bitten by dogs. Her parents were reportedly killed by poachers earlier.

Later, her male partner too was killed after which Kalia became more closer to the Ninda family. She use to roam around the trees in and around the area and often came back when guests came to the house of Ninda. Ketetong is around 6 kms away from Margherita town in Tinsukia district. Sources said that the around 40 year old gibbon popularly known as 'Kalia' was mercilessly beaten up to death by shovel like weapons by two persons. But a case no- 9/16 under section 429 IPC R/W 51 of Wildlife protection act, 1972 as the accused had fled after committing the crime. It can be said that is an alarming sign of persistence of prolong conflict between the so called development and the conservation of environment in the state. The increasing population pressure is the major drivers of this situation. Outcome of population pressure leads to activities like extension of agricultural and settlement area, increasing rate of deforestation and degradation forest areas, etc, which posses threats to regions wildlife and biodiversity. Moreover, we are living in a global biodiversity hotspot where globally rare, threatened and endangered species are found not only in the defined forest area or protected area but also in our homestead or in our village/town area too. Therefore, it requires different approaches of management and conservation, policing approach may not be ideal.

It requires an integrated approach with more emphasis on developing public understanding on protection and conservation through awareness and imparting knowledge on conservation issues along with their active participation in conservation and protection activities.

Fifth Navigation Satellite India successfully put into orbit India successfully put into orbit in its fifth navigation satellite called IRNSS-1E powered by its own PSLV rocket. India's successful launch - its first this year - has now moved it closer to joining a select group of nations possessing their own satellite navigation systems. The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) consists of a constellation of seven satellites of which five - IRNSS-1A, IRNSS1B, IRNSS-1C, IRNSS-1D and IRNSS-1E-have been put into orbit till date. The 44.4-metre high Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket weighing 320 tonnes blasted off into the morning sky with an orange flame tailing it. Just over 19 minutes into the flight, the PSLV rocket detatched from IRNSS-1E. Soon after the ejection into the orbit, the satellite's solar panels were deployed. The satellite's control was taken over by the Mission Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan in Karnataka. The MCF will manage the satellite's orbit and fire the on-board motors till it is placed in its slotted orbit. The Indian space agency's officials earlier said that the concept of IRNSS has been proved a success by the signals received from the first four orbiting navigation satellites.

According to officials, two more navigation satellites will be launched soon to complete the launch of seven satellites required for a fully functional system. The IRNSS system also includes two satellites on the ground as stand-by. Each satellite costs around Rs.150 crore while the PSLV-XL version rocket costs around Rs.130 crore. The seven rockets would involve an outlay of around Rs.910 crore. The space agency's officials said IRNSS system was unique in the sense that it comprises of only seven satellites while other similar systems in the world have more than 20 satellites. However, while other systems are global, the Indian system is regional in nature. But once fully operational, the IRNSS will provide accurate position information service to users across the country and the region, extending up to an area of 1,500 km. While ISRO is silent on the system's strategic application, it is clear that the IRNSS will be used for defence purposes as well. The IRNSS is similar to the global positioning system (GPS) of the US (24 satellites), Glonass of Russia, and Galileo of Europe, China's Beidou. While GPS and Glonass are fully functional global systems, the Chinese and the Japanese systems are offering regional coverage whereas Europe's Galileo is yet to be operational.

The IRNSS will provide two types of services - standard positioning service and restricted service. The former is provided to all users whereas the later is an encrypted service for authorised users.

The attacks at Pathankot are best understood as a tactical maneuver by spoilers in Pakistan Terrorism is best defined and the PML-N governas an operational technique ment in Pakistan. which involves the use or Jaish-e-Muhammad the threat of using violence (JEM), the perpetrators of to deliver a message to a the attack, are Kashmirwider target audience. The centric in their approach January 3 Pathankot attack and the organization cites on a base of the Western Kashmir's integration into Air Command of the Indian Pakistan and atrocities Air Force, resulting in the committed by Indian forces deaths of seven security in the territory as a justififorces personnel and six cation for its targeting of inattackers, is a classic ex- stitutions that carry symample of terror acting as a bolic significance for New spoiler for diplomatic initia- Delhi. It is noteworthy that tives ever since the Modi-led NaFirstly, the timing of the tional Democratic Alliance attack is significant. It (NDA) government came into power, comes in the there have wake of Prime Minis- Hamzah Rifaat been atter Narendra tempts to Modi's visit to Lahore after abrogate Article 370 of the previously addressing the Indian constitution, which Afghan parliament and grants special status to striking a mammoth defense Kashmir. In addition, LOC deal with Russia. His visit skirmishes as well as crackwas viewed as a possible downs against the Muslim ice breaker for both govern- population in Kashmir over ments, which could put ten- the past year may have fursions from 2015, such as ther motivated JEM to carry line-of-control (LOC) skir- out the attack. mishes and the cancellation The political dimension of NSA level talks, behind of this attack is also importhem.

Given that senior BJP of- tant. The BJP government's ficials have been more nu- policy towards Kashmir has anced in their bashing of fomented discord and alPakistan after the event, it lowed for spoilers, such as is clear that there is a real- the JEM, to target military ization that this attack was institutions. On the other aimed at ensuring that pros- hand, Kashmir has been pects for bilateral coopera- raised as a central issue in tion do not materialize be- Pakistan's foreign policy tween the BJP government under the Pakistan Muslim

League government. The Pakistani government's inability to raise the Kashmir issue as a focal point in resuming dialogue with India is also a motivating factor for JEM's attack on Indian military installations and hijacking potential avenues for dialogue.

If one examines the joint statement between Narendra Modi and Nawaz Sharif in Ufa, Russia last year, Pakistan does not draw special attention to Kashmir. As a result, Sharif was castigated by many analysts for not mentioning the dispute alongside "all outstanding issues." Doing so had long been a cornerstone of Pakistan's policy vis-Ă -vis India. Similarly, much was expected from Sharif, given his indomitable commitment to raising the Kashmir issue at multilateral forums such as the United Nations.

The Pathankot attack also lends credence to the argument that for Pakistan economic cooperation cannot be divorced from security concerns, such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the activities of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, and the Balochistan Liberation Army's activities. China's repeated assertion that it trusts the Pakistan's army's

Image source:ndtv.com commitment to defeat the East Turkestan Movement has allowed for CPEC to push on without fear. Trade between India and Pakistan, however, has been held hostage by trust deficits between the two sides and the activities of rogue elements that do not want amiable ties between the two countries. In part due to the economically friendly manifestos of the ruling political parties in both countries, militant groups want to hijack the relationship through violence and terror to make their presence felt despite their political insignificance.

The Pathankot incident thus serves as a reminder that while both Modi and Sharif can continue to talk about regional connectivity, the inability to silence rogue actors will continue to be a flash point between India and Pakistan. This is best exemplified by the fact that there are contrary narratives over Pakistan's intentions, despite arresting members of JEM. These concerns may be wellplaced given how previous efforts in putting the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks on trial have so far proven to be futile.

If such encouraging

signs do allay trust deficits over the issue of terrorism and bring both governments together to find common ground, that would be ideal. However, as we've seen, the overall prognosis of the bilateral is subject to the reactions of both governments and rogue actors, which wish to divide both India and Pakistan. Courtesy: The Diplomat Hamzah Rifaat is a 2016 Visiting Fellow at the Stimson Center and has worked as a Freelancer for the Friday Times, a newsweekly based in Lahore, since November 2012.

Relevance of Sustainable Development

Pranjal Kumar Phukan Sustainable development is the concept of needs and limitations imposed by technology and society on the environment's ability to meet the present and future needs.

World Commission of Environment and Development (WCED) has defined sustainable development as "a process of change in which the exploitation of resources, the direction investments, the orientation or technological development and institutional change are all in harmony and enhance both current and future potential to meet human needs and aspirations".

Thus, the concept of sustainable development provides framework for the integration of environmental policies and development strategies having implications at international, national regional and local levels.

Development

should not endanger the natural systems that support life on earth. Many people in the industrial world today operate with the frontier mentality, which is a human-centered view based on the three erroneous basic ideas: * The world has an unlimited supply of resources for human use; * Humans are apart from nature, and * Nature is something to overcome.

With this attitude towards nature, technological advanced increase our ability to use earth's resourced and thus, increase the damage.

However, the realization is growing fast that we are in a world of limits, and everincreasing growth of material consumption can only damage, the life-giving physical components of the environment.

Hence, the concept of

sustainable development leads us to new resource consumption strategies, which are: * Conservation or reduction of excessive resource use, * Recycling and reuse of materials and * More use of renewable resources like solar energy rather than non-renewable resources such as oil and coal. * Sustainable development also requires meeting the basic needs of all deprived people in this world and extending to all, the opportunities to satisfy their aspirations for a better life. Otherwise, the world, in which poverty and inequity are endemic, will always be prone to ecological and other crisis. * In Gandhi's word, "Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need but not any man's greed."

The view of frontier society and the concept of sustainable society are compared in below* Equity and the Common Interest Ecological interactions do not respect the boundaries of individual ownership and political jurisdictions. For example, the irrigation practices, pesticides, and fertilizers used on farm affect the productivity of the neighboring ones, especially among small farms.

resources become depleted, late-comers to the industrialization process loss the benefits of cheap raw materials.

Globally, wealthy nations are better placed financially and technologically to cope with the effects of resource depletion and environmental degradation.

We can say that our inability to promote common interest in sustainable development is often a product of the neglect of economic and social justice within and amongst the nations.

Image source: googleimages

The interdependence of various components of the earth was recognized to some extent by traditional social systems, which enforced practices such as community control over agriculture or traditional rights relating to water, forests and land. But with the surge of technological progress the responsibilities of decision-making are being taken away from traditional communities.

Interdependence is not simply a local phenomenon.

Rapid growth in production has extended it to the international plane with both

physical and economic manifestation. There are growing global and regional environmental hazards such as over consumption of fossil fuels leading to global warming or excessive use of chlorofluorocarbons leading to depletion of ozone layer.

Inequalities sharpen when a system approaches ecological limits. For example, when urban air quality deteriorates, the poor, living in vulnerable areas suffer more health damage than the rich, who live in cleaner neighborhood and also have the means to find a remedy or when mineral

However, the search for common interests would be less difficult if all developmental and environmental problems are tackled in totality for the betterment of whole mankind. Also our growing knowledge of the global interconnection would create a more thoughtful approach to development.

(Author is Regional General Secretary, CaSI GlobalCSR & Sustainability certification body head-quartered at New York, US. He is recipient of prestigious Peter F Drucker award for his outstanding contributions in the field of management from University of SwahiliA Fully accredited chartered Government University. He can be contacted at pranjal_xlri@yahoo.com).

Shilpi-Divas

Shilpi Divas, the date of death of Rupkonwar Jyoti Prasad Agarwalla, the doyen of Assamese cinema, the pioneer of the Assamese culture and modern songs was observed at Dibrugarh Arts player (DAP),

Amolapatty jointly by the DAP and Mancharupa with much enthusiasm on 17th January. The function started at 9 a.m. with the offering of floral tribute to the statue of Rupkonwar. After the floral tribute, a chorus of Jyoti Sangit was presented jointly by the artists of DAP and Mancharupa. Exactly from 10 a.m. competition of Art started participated by a good number of children. From 12 noon, Jyoti-sangit-competition was held. A sizeable number of girls joined the competition. Performance of some of them was superb. In the evening, from 5.30 p.m. prize-distribution ceremony was held, followed by a variety show. The function was inaugurated by Sri Munin Sarma, dramatist. Before the inauguration, tribute was paid to the portrait of Jyoti Prasad Agarwarwalla by lighting lamp. Sir Munin Sarmah, Dr. Prakash Baruah, President, DAP, Dr. Bipindra Nath Kakati, President, Mancharupa, Hasan Shorif Ahmed, Aboni Sarma, Bolin Bordoloi - Secretary of DAP and Mancharupa, Ranjana Sarmah Bordoloi, Mozibur Rohman, Hiren Gohain, Anil Dowerah, Runuma Sarma and other dignitaies present took part. After the Prizedistribution, the function started. The participants who got the Prize in Jyoti Sangit performed in a superb way.

That apart, dances performed to the tune of Jyoti-Sangit

by Girls, particularly by some small girls mesmerized the spectators. The organizers, mainly 'Mancharupa' gave a warm felicitation to Ashok Bordoloi, the award-

winner for the 'Best Conscious Citizen, 2015' declared by "The Indian Patriotic Federation Socialist" under Late educationist Keshabananda Rajguru and Late Chandan Rekha Rajguru Memorial Trust, Sivsagar.

Mr. Bordoloi in his brief speech thanked the organizers. Thereafter, a few Jyoti-Sangits were presented melodiously by the artists of DAP and Mancharupa.

The play on mandolin of two Jyoti-Sangits by Manab Gogoi will long be remembered.

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

p O

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d e This new museum is a crash course in Meghalaya's culture and history

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, JANUARY 22

Ornella D'Souza A retired, Shillong engineer's museum on 'all things Meghalaya' is a crash course in the state's culture and history, says an enchanted Ornella D'Souza "Materials used by our people and nature's bounties were gathered and shown for generations to be seen... Kindly donate so that we can heartedly serve you and your endless generations." Placed above a donation box at the Ever Living Museum, this note brings a smile.

Inaugurated in April 2015 as the latest addition to Shillong's long list of museums, is 62-yearold Kyntiewbor War's modern-day 'cabinet of curiosities', a microcosm of Meghalaya showing a collection of its tribes, stones and flowers, painstakingly put together by this 'magpie' after years of combing the picturesque northeastern state.

Now, experts may frown over missing de-

tails like provenance and date in theKhasi and English captions. Gaudy seashells or a flaky tree stump touted to be one million years old, though few, are glaring fakes.

Even War's conservation techniques are limited to basic silica gel and annual 'drying' out of few artefacts in the sun.

But then War is no curator, just a 'keeper of culture' blessed with shifty feet and an untiring curiosity about cultures he encounters.

His fascination for ancient coins and pebbles began at age 10. He would scale tall limestone formations just to watch orchids grow or scour for unusual stones.

When reprimanded by elders for venturing into the unstable Krem Shelm Khla caves alone, he awed them with his variegated stone findings that renewed the interest of locals to preserve the caves. Stones, in his college geology department and later, travels across remote Meghalaya as engineer with the state's water

supply and sanitation department, kept his interest in rocks perennial.

Once, on his way to inspect a water tank at an interior village (War is mum about its whereabouts) he chanced upon a school being built from slivers of agate and onyx mixed with cement - its locals ignorant about this precious 'mortar.' In 1998, on a land survey near Nongnam village, he discovered the Phud Khongpong cave - rich in calcium waterfalls, needle-thin stalactites and curtain-like dripstones.

"I request god and nature before every outing to give me something worthy to add to my museum."

Until last year, his collections lived in boxes, exposed to a select few.

"But, I realised my life would be useless if I didn't expose this 'wealth', especially our dying traditions, to the public."

So, War sold off land and gathered funds from friends to build the onestorey 'ethnographic'

Source: dnaindia.com museum of Khasi, Garo and Jainthia artefacts, converted the garage to house his 'stone' collection and pruned the garden into a horticulturist's delight.

It's this garden you first see upon entering. War is proud of his 75 varieties of orchids, cherry blossoms, plums, walnuts, chestnuts, pomegranates and peaches.

The ethnographic space has the replica of a Khasi hut from Lyngkyrdem village. Other attractions

are bamboo rings intertwined into a coded message, statue of a kneeling man with a cockroach back, rhino shield, gourd and bamboo 'water bottles', rows of twisted driftwood barks like eerie art installations, swords ofKhasi tribes and much more.

Contributions from his family include a 100-litre capacity black Khra pot that War's great grandmother brought from Pakistan to ferment be-

tel nut. And an ivory beard comb belonging to a relative who was a descendent of Khasi chief Tirot Sing Syiem, who was killed by the British. Seeing his efforts at keeping culture alive, locals have gifted or sold their heirlooms to War. A 116-year-old flautist from West Khasi Hills, for instance, handed War his flute before passing away while a Nokma or tribe leader's wife donated her ancient Bara marang silk shawl - neither trusted their prog-

eny with these heirlooms.

There are notes from friends of War's, a parade of helmets recording a 1986 Kynshi river rafting excursion and photographs of a 1998 expedition to Ki Krem Jong caves with Americans both expeditions headed

by War. War pays tribute to his late mother with a silhouette wrapped in her Jain Kup (overcoat), tapmoh(merino wool head wrap), nara (tunic) and knup (sun umbrella).

Immaculate white walls of his stone museum make War's stone treasures stand out on the glass shelves. Some exhibits are quirky - coiled resins from trees and burnt coal, ores with orange veins or magnetic ones to which metal nails cling and variegated quartz, sillimanite crystals and palm-sized Stone Age tools (the one with a foot impression could have been a child's slipper).

There are two 'globes' a Mawkhan stone that can be lifted only after praying to the gods and a Garo bachelor stone, a 'rustic dumbbell' for

heavy weightlifting.

More than stones, the fossils - starfish, worm, snake, centipede and ferns - intrigue. War's own photographs of Meghalaya on the walls appear like pages from a '60s National Geographic. Like Garo female dancers in feather and metal finery, farmhands using age-old bamboo or metal implements, and prominent waterfalls and bridges.

War wants to add a photo gallery, library and information centre. The entry fee, Rs 50 for adults and Rs 25 for children, doesn't set the cash register ringing.

He had approached the Northeast Council (NEC) for funds while building this museum space and now again, but in vain. So have requests to the tourism department for signboards of the museum at junctions. Brochures at local restaurants have meagre impact. "I can only rely on social networking sites and word-ofmouth," he says.

Courtesy:dnaindia.com

A little known trendsetter before the Indian Constitution was enforced," Chakraborty said while praising Das's arduous research work.

Source: Tripura.org.in

Sujit Chakraborty A recent book highlights that the princely State of Tripura had a written constitution with democratic provisos including the right to vote to the women nine years before the Indian Constitution was formulated This is certainly an important slice of northeastern history, long neglected by mainstream Indian history writers.

Few today know that the erstwhile princely state of Tripura, which ruled for 550 years until it joined the Indian Union in 1949, not only had a written constitution with the same basic democratic provisos of the Indian Constitution nine years before it, but also gave women the right to vote and get elected to its legislative assembly.

The little known fact is highlighted in a recently published book, "Commentaries on Constitution

of Princely State of Tripura". The book's author, Sankari Das, underlines that even at a time when many countries did not ensure voting rights for women, Tripura's royal constitution put together in 1941 "made it clear that no woman shall be disqualified as a voter or a candidate for election to the assembly on the basis of her gender."

Das points out in the book that the royal constitution covered all important provisions and sections of the Indian Constitution, including 'The Preamble', gender neutrality, emergency provisions and judicial institutions. "It appears that many things, including terms in the Indian Constitution, were borrowed from the Tripura king's constitution, particularly because king Bir Bikram sent Barat-Law Girija Shankar Guha to represent his princely State to the Constituent Assembly," says

the 43-year-old director of Tripura Law Training Institute and Research Centre.

After a prolonged study of government documents, evidences of princely rulers and numerous other sources, Das came up with the book with commentaries, featuring the similarities between the Constitution of India and that of the Tripura royal dynasty including the bit on women suffrage.

Releasing the book in Agartala recently, the State Law and Education Minister Tapan Chakraborty declared that this disclosure would be a matter of research for the future generation.

"Tripura's last king Bir Bikram notified the royal dynasty's constitution with 68 sections, seven parts and three schedules in July, 1941. It came into being roughly nine years

The book says the royal constitution was maintained according to Tripura Era, which was prevalent in all official matters of the princely state. The Tripura era or the 'Tripurabda' is set on 15 April AD 590, three years ahead of 'Bangabda' or Bengali Era. Das states that the idea to formulate a constitution based on democratic values must have come to Bir Bikram from his travels to the West. He was the first from his dynasty to travel to Europe and America. From his experiences in Europe and the USA where he met both totalitarian heads of States and kings to democratically elected rulers - Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and Nazi supremo Adolf Hitler to the British monarch and President Franklin Roosevelt, Bir Bikram could see the writing on the wall in pre-independent India of the 1930s that the future lies in involving people in administering it. His ideas unfortunately never got recorded properly but his actions amply indicated that he predicted the end of absolutist monarchical rule in India's inevitable

march towards independence and democracy.

In 1939, after returning to Tripura from his second foreign tour, Bir Bikram formed a constitution drafting committee comprising officials and law experts to enact a constitution for his princely dynasty to establish participatory governance in which his appropriate person could play an effective role in authority.

The royal constitution came into force in 1941 with a preamble that briefly explained the king's earnestness to provide a space for people's participation in governance.

In Section 22 of the constitution, Bir Bikram provided for a 49-member legislative assembly in which 29 were to be elected by people to represent villages and mandalas, notified urban areas, tea planting interests, trade and business communities and even backward communities and tribals. A provision for minority representation was also incorporated in the princely constitution along with 'historically important' communities and groups as a matter of social justice.

The constitution gave voting rights to women in Section 25 (II).

ecutive and judicial authority in the interest of fair and impartial governance. it also provided for a council of ministers designated as 'Vyabasthapak Sabha' headed by a chief minister and collective responsibility with specified powers, like presentation of budget or annual financial statement, audit of accounts and measures, later incorporated by the Constituent Assembly in the Indian Constitution.

An emergency provision had also been included in Section 6 (II) whereby a breakdown of the constitutional rule would lead the king to extend legislative power to the executive for coping with the situation better. A system of oath-taking by elected and nominated representatives was also introduced in the constitution.

Das, recently appointed the additional district and session judge of West Tripura district, highlights that in spite of surrendering the right of representation to the designated people, the king retained sovereign power in his hand even under the constitutional dispensation.

She, however, points out, "The king's thought and spirit could be read in his decision on April 28, 1947, 19 days before his death, to appoint Girija Shankar Guha as a representative of his State in

independent India's Constituent Assembly. It was a decisive step towards abolition of monarchy and merger of the State into the Indian Union."

His royal constitution remained in force till his death on May 17, 1947.

She also highlights, "The constitution had clearly described the provision of disqualification of membership in legislative assemblies for criminal offences. This provision was incorporated in the Representation of People Act, 1951, but it is not followed properly still."

The constitution also had 'interpretation' provision like that in Indian Constitution (Article 367) besides having resemblance with the judiciary and executive, council of ministers, chief minister, khash adalat (high court), etc.

It was during the middle of the 18th Century, the plains of Tripura were taken out of the direct control of the king and granted zamindary rights.

Chakla Rosanabad comprising 22 paraganas (notified areas) which consisted of one-fourth of Mymensingh, half of Sylhet, one-third of Noakhali and some portion of Dacca district of what is now Bangladesh came under the zamindary system.

Modernisation of the administrative system in "Independent mountainous Tripura" began fol-

lowing several administrative reforms introduced by Raja Birchandra Manikya in the line of British administration during his regime from 1862 to 1896.

"Until the year 1873-74, the courts of Tripura dispensed justice according to primitive system of equity and good conscience and there was no judicial procedure."

The Tripura King adopted the Acts of the Government of Bengal and Acts of British India. Nine enactments were passed in 1873-74 including Criminal Procedure Code, Police Code, Cattle Trespass Act and Civil Procedure Code.

According to historian and writer Pannalal Roy, Bir Bikram's visionary zeal and western exposure helped him to construct a unique constitution which had a democratic spirit under monarchy.

Nasty Bedfellows

It also introduced a complete separation of power among the legislative, ex-

(The writer is an Agartala based-senior journalist. He is the 2015 recipient of the Press Council of India's National Award for Excellence in Rural Journalism and Developmental Reporting. He can be reached at agt.sujit@gmail.com ) Courtesy:nezine.com

Chimpanzees, Like Humans, Make Friends Based On Trust: Study The study revealed that friendship based on trust has evolved much earlier than previously thought.

Friendship may not be unique to humans as chimpanzees also bond with each other based on trust, a new study suggests.

The findings suggest that friendship based on trust has evolved much earlier than previously thought.

Researchers observed the interactions of fifteen chimpanzees over a fivemonth period. Based on friendly interactions among chimp pairs, in-

cluding grooming and eating together, the researchers identified each chimpanzee's closest 'friend' and a 'non-friend.'

The researchers from Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany (MPG) then made the chimps to play a modified version of what is known as the human trust game, both with their friend and with their non-friend.

In the game, chimps had a choice between pulling a 'no-trust rope' and a 'trust rope.'

When the no-trust rope

was pulled, the first chimp got immediate access to a food it did not like especially well.

When the trust rope was pulled instead, the other chimp got immediate access to a much more tempting food item and the option to send a treat back to the first chimp (or not).

The trust rope offered the potential for a winwin, but only if the first chimp trusted the other enough to send something back.

Each chimp played the game twelve times with

its friend and another twelve times with its non-friend.

The results of those experimental interactions between the chimps showed much greater trust between friends than non-friends.

"Chimpanzees were significantly more likely to voluntarily place resources at the disposal of a partner, and thus to choose a risky but potentially high-payoff option, when they interacted with a friend as compared to a non-friend," said researchers.

The findings suggest that human friendship is not so unique, researchers said.

"Other animals, such as chimpanzees, form close and long-term emotional bonds with select individuals," said Jan Engelmann from MPG. "These animal friendships show important parallels with close relationships in humans. One shared characteristic is the tendency to selectively trust friends in costly situations," he said.

Courtesy:dnaindia.com

Source:newsdiscovery.com

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, JANUARY 22

BUSINESS

PAGE 10

6.9 % growth of China brings in relief for market nerves Beijing, Jan 21: China's economy grew by 6.9 per cent last year, in tune with official projection of "around 7 per cent" growth.

The numbers signalled that the government was so far on track of transitioning the economy from manufacturing to the lower growth "new normal" path, where consumption and services would dominate. Though last year's growth was the slowest since 1990, it nevertheless calmed nerves in the global market, which had feared that the Chinese economy was on the brink of a "hard landing" following the recent mayhem in the stock market and spurts of currency volatility. Consequently, the data emerging from China's National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) triggered a significant rally

in industrial commodities, in anticipation that Chinese demand may not be falling as sharply as feared. Brent crude, the international energy benchmark, which had on Monday dropped to $27.67 a barrel-a 12 year intraday low-firmed up by 5.5 per cent to reach $30.12, following data from Beijing. Copper also rose to $4,447 a tonne, after dropping last week nearly to a seven-year low of $ 4,318. The NBS figures revealed that China's GDP stood at around 10.3 trillion dollars. Significantly, the services sector- the indicator of an economic shift from inefficient manufacturing - accounted for 50.5 per cent of the GDP. This was the first occasion that services sector's contribution had breached the 50 per

Roca eyes stronger focus on premium segment

cent mark. Unemployment rate in major cities stood at around 5.1 percent.

Sales of new energy vehicles soared by more than 160 per cent, while the output growth for the high-tech industry reached 10.2 per cent, 4.1 percentage points higher than the overall industrial output.

Yet, the figures showed that major hurdles had to be crossed before the economy settled along the planned "new normal" path. For instance, industrial output growth slowed to 6.1 per cent year on year from 8.3 per cent in 2014. Urban fixed-asset investment continued to taper, expanding 10 per cent year on year, compared with 15.7 per cent in 2014.

Retail sales grew 10.7

A SOOTHING EFFECT China's economy grew by 6.9 per cent last year, in tune with official projection of "around 7 per cent" growth.

Brent crude, the international energy benchmark, which had on Monday dropped to $27.67 a barrel-a 12 year intraday low-firmed up by 5.5 per cent to reach $30.12, following data from Beijing. per cent, significantly below the 12 per cent recorded in 2014. For the first time in six years, foreign trade contracted in 2015. Wang Boan, the head of NBS said at a press conference on that tepid global trade, rising financial

Copper also rose to $4,447 a tonne, after dropping last week nearly to a seven-year low of $ 4,318. The NBS figures revealed that China's GDP stood at around 10.3 trillion dollars.

Retail sales grew 10.7 per cent, significantly below the 12 per cent recorded in 2014. For the first time in six years, foreign trade contracted in 2015.

Significantly, the services sector- the indicator of an economic shift from inefficient manufacturing - accounted for 50.5 per cent of the GDP.

risks and changing domestic market conditions were among the factors that had affected the economy. However, he asserted that China's government debts were not a cause of anxiety, as they accounted for less 40 per

cent of the country's GDP, well below the 60 per cent alert line that was internationally accepted.

Mr.Wang stressed that supply-side structural reforms were essential to streamline the economy.

(Agencies)

This was the first occasion that services sector's contribution had breached the 50 per cent mark.

View of an Apple Store. Source: goggleimages

Q2 profit of HCL up marginally Bengaluru, Jan 21: HCL Technologies, the country's fourth largest software services exporter , on Tuesday reported an almost flat growth in net profit for the December quarter at Rs.1,920 crore mainly due to investments made in new generation technologies. The company, which follows July-June fiscal year, had registered a net profit of Rs.1,915 crore in the year-ago period. Revenue during the quarter grew 11.4 per cent to Rs.10,341 crore from Rs.9,283 crore.In dollar terms, the company's net profit declined 5.4 per cent to $290.8 million in the quarter while revenue grew 5.1 per cent to $1.56 billion. HCL Technologies President and CEO Anant Gupta said the flat growth year-on-year was mainly due to investments made in expansion during the year. "We have seen broad-based growth across sectors and busi-

to set up 20 more outlets to take the total number to 200 for Roca brand. We will primarily be focusing on metros, Tier-1 and Tier-II cities for Roca network," said Pau Abello Pellicer, Managing Director of the firm's Indian Pau Abello Pellicer, subsidiary, Roca BathManaging Director of the room Products. Though firm's Indian subsidiary, retail segment constitutes Roca Bathroom only 20-30 per cent of Products.Source: Roca brand's revenue, the cdn.ndtv.com segment continues to Mumbai, Jan 21: Spain- maintain growth momenheadquartered bathroom tum. Bulk orders or the products maker Roca is institutional segment acset to give greater thrust counts for major portion to premium products seg- (70-80 per cent) of revment this year to improve enue. Meanwhile, the market share and meet company has also set up threats from competition, a new hospitality vertical a top company official to strengthen Roca busisaid. The company, which ness in the hotel segment, sells sanitary ware prod- which is presently domiucts for mass segment nated by global brands under Parryware brand such as Kohler. "Our presand premium products ence in hotel segment is under Roca brand in In- very small. Though there dia, plans to strengthen its is tough competition in the exclusive network for segment with more and Roca brand to boost sales more global brands enterin the retail segment. "In ing India, we intend to 2015, we added 40 new grow our business with showrooms and during renewed strategy," said this calendar year, we plan Mr. Pellicer. (Agencies) New Delhi, Jan 21: Diversified group ITC's instant noodles brand Yippee is inching closer to become a Rs 1,000crore brand, making the most out of the controBengaluru, Jan 21: Furthermore, in line with versy that hit rival Online retail company the "Pehle App" offerings Nestle's Maggi. "Sunfeast Amazon 'Great Indian Sale' on Amazon.in, top Deals YiPPee! as a brand is now started at will be in its fifth year post the 12am (midavailable national rollout... We are night) on An amazing offer 15 min- proud to say that Yippee January utes ear- Noodles is poised to en21st to 11.59 pm on 23rd lier on the app, giving cus- ter the Rs 1,000 crore January. Amazon.in seems tomers a better chance to club in the ITC Foods to be all set to organize a bag the deal of their stable," ITC Ltd Divi72 hour deals marathon choice. Customers can sional Chief Executive, with discounts offered by also enjoy instant discounts Foods Division V L sellers every hour across on Amazon.in gift cards. Rajesh.

Explaining hundreds of categories and Citibank credit card hold- Yippee's growth pre- and lakhs of products. Cus- ers will enjoy a 10 percent post-Maggi ban, he said tomers can access the cash back in addition to it was "growing at more deals from their PCs, mo- great savings during the than 40 percent before bile phones or mobile app. sale. (Agencies) the controversy broke

Image for representational purpose. Source: pti

ness lines. Our investments and focus on BEYONDigital, Next-Gen ITO and IoT WoRKS will enable us to stay ahead of the curve," he said. He said the company signed 8 transformational engagements during this quarter with more than $ one billion of total contract value.

The company's shares ended the day at Rs.838.50 apiece, down 0.58 per cent from its previous close on the BSE. Dipen Shah, Senior VicePresident and Head Private Client Group Research at Kotak Securities said, "The results were lower than expec-

tations. Margins continue to reflect profitability challenges faced by HCL Technologies in a bid to sustain high growth.

SG&A spends at about 13 per cent do not provide much room for further downsides." In October last year, the company had said it has invested about Rs.1,300 crore towards setting up development and collaboration centres globally, hiring senior talent and on new technologies like IoT (Internet of Things) and cloud. The company is also expanding its presence in China to cater to its clients that have a manufacturing presence in the country. On the impact of Chennai floods, Anil Chanana, CFO at HCL Technologies did not share specific details. "We managed the situation well with the business continuity and disaster management kicking in. We were able to keep the impact at a minimal," he said. The company has about 30,000 employees in Chennai. (Agencies)

ITC's Yippee gains from Maggi controversy, profit reaches Rs 1K-crore mark

Amazon Great Indian Sale started on January 20; offers lakhs of products

out... (in June 2015), with all the competitors in the market". "The controversy and confusion that prevailed adversely affected the whole industry. However, with our proactive inputs and innovative campaigns, we were the fastest to recover and then exceed our old sales levels," Rajesh added. The company's campaigns had focused on "worldclass product and manufacturing processes", he said. Nestle had relaunched Maggi in November following a Bombay High Court order, which in August had lifted ban on the instant noodles brand imposed by food safety regulators. In June the company had withdrawn the instant noodle brand from the

market. It had suffered a damage of 70-85 million Swiss Francs (nearly Rs 530 crore) due to the ban that lasted five months.

Exuding confidence of taking on the market leader in the instant noodles segment, he said: "We were gaining market share month-on-month even before the controversy happened and are continuing to grow even now." In financial year 2015, ITC had a revenue of Rs 36,507.40 crore.

For the first half of the fiscal 2015-16 ITC's net sales was Rs 17,310.23 crore, in which non-cigarette FMCG segment including branded packaged food business had contributed Rs 4,522.63

Net profit of Reliance surges to 8-year high of Rs. 7,290 crore Mumbai, Jan 21: Reliance Industries third-quarter profit surged 39 per cent to Rs. 7,290 crore, an eightyear high, helped by a fall in global crude oil prices. The Mumbai-headquartered oilto-retail conglomerate earned $11.50 for every barrel of crude it processed during the quarter, the highest in seven years, compared to margins of $7.3 a barrel a year earlier. Reliance, headed by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, which was India's most profitable firm till December 2014, had lost its position to TCS and then to state-owned Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) in June 2015. During this December quarter, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) reported a net profit of Rs. 5,957 crore. The company posted a 24 per cent fall in revenue during the December quarter to Rs 73,341 crore but the operator of the

world's biggest refining complex saw margins widening on turning crude into fuels due to falling crude oil prices.

Refining contributes a significant two-third of RIL's profits and 70 per cent of its revenues. Refining and marketing business saw 99 per cent growth in EBIT to Rs. 6,491 crore while petrochemicals segment saw 28 per cent growth in EBIT to Rs. 2,639 crore. "The benefits of

low crude oil and energy prices for our downstream businesses clearly outweigh the impact of these factors on our upstream segment, reflecting in the record earnings for the quarter," said RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani.

Ambani's personal wealth grew most in the world as crude oil prices fell. Mr. Ambani's net worth increased by $620 million as of January 15, the most in

the world in 2016, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, making him the only Indian billionaire among the 13 Indian billionaires in the world's richest 400. Profits from oil and gas business continued to fall on declining production from its KG D-6 block.

RIL saw its EBIT from oil and gas business falling 90 per cent to Rs 90 crore, while the company registered 10.5 per cent growth in EBIT from

RECORD BREAKING SUCCESS Ø Reliance Industries third-quarter profit surged 39 per cent to Rs. 7,290

crore, an eight-year high, helped by a fall in global crude oil prices.

Ø The Mumbai-headquartered oil-to-retail conglomerate earned $11.50 for

every barrel of crude it processed during the quarter, the highest in seven years, compared to margins of $7.3 a barrel a year earlier.

Ø Refining contributes a significant two-third of RIL's profits and 70 per

cent of its revenues. Refining and marketing business saw 99 per cent growth in EBIT to Rs. 6,491 crore while petrochemicals segment saw 28 per cent growth in EBIT to Rs. 2,639 crore.

organised retail to Rs 147 crore. "RIL reported better than expected earnings while gross refinery margins at $11.5 per barrel came in line with expectations.

We rate the stock as neutral as the expected Rs. 1 lakh crore proposed investment in telecom is yet to start contributing to cash flows and is currently a drag on return ratios. Stronger gross refinery margins in this quarter should keep up the excitement as will clarity on commercial launch date and news flow on Jio," said Ravi Shenoy VPMidcap Research at Motilal Oswal Securities. Debt of the company rose to Rs 17,8077 crore ($26.9 billion). It is one of the most indebted companies with cash and cash equivalent of Rs 91,736 crore ($13.9 billion), or a little more than half of its total debt. (Agencies)

Single brand stores soon to be opened

by Apple in India

crore. When asked if ITC is planning to set up new manufacturing units for Yippee considering its growth rate, he said: "We will continue to invest in line with our ambitions in this category." ITC had launched Yippee noodles with a plant in Pune. It has now manufacturing facilities in Kolkata, Haridwar and Bengaluru.

(Agencies)

Washington, Jan 21: Apple, the maker of iPad and iPhone, has sought permission from the government to open single brand retail stores and also enter the e-commerce business in the country. In this context, Apple India Pvt Ltd has sent an application to the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP). The DIPP is expected to seek some more information about the proposal, sources said. "The company has sought permission for single brand retailing and sell its product online also," they said adding Apple has not mentioned the amount of investment and number of stores it wants to open.

The development comes after the government relaxed the foreign direct in-

vestment (FDI) policy for single brand retailing. The government may also relax sourcing norms for entities undertaking single brand retailing of products having 'state-of-the-art' and 'cutting edge' technology and where local sourcing is not possible. Single brand retailers are also allowed to take ecommerce route for such trading. At present, 100 per cent FDI is permitted in the sector.

But beyond 49 per cent, permission of Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) is required. The company sells its products through Appleowned retail stores in countries including China, Germany, the US, the UK and France. It has no whollyowned store in India and sells its products through distributors such as Redington and Ingram Micro. (Agencies)

Cabrio DS3 and 2016 DS3 launched in Paris Paris, Jan 21: Citroen's standalone luxury marque is going after the Mini and the Audi A1 with its newlook compact hatchback and convertible models.

The new car, officially revealed recently in Paris has a much stronger design language reminiscent of the new DS4 and DS5, plus a sharper, accented front grille. And behind that new nose, will sit a choice of seven different engines ranging from hyper efficient three-cylinder units to a very potent 205bhp 1.6-litre motor. The cabin is also suitably upgraded and there's a greater emphasis on connectivity

thanks to a new 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports iOS and Android smartphones.

However, one thing that hasn't changed is the huge potential for personalisation, the feature that made the original such an innovative and appealing car. "Refined, high-tech and high-performance, the stylish Parisian car appeals to customers looking for exp r e s s i v e n e s s , personalisation and motoring thrills. This sparkling model expresses an 'art de vivre' in town and country alike," said Yves Bonnefont, CEO of DS Automobiles.

(Agencies)

NEW IN THE MARKET Ø Citroen's standalone luxury marque is going after the Mini and the Audi A1 with its new-look compact hatchback and convertible models. Ø The new car, officially revealed recently in Paris has a much stronger design language reminiscent of the new DS4 and DS5, plus a sharper, accented front grille. Ø And behind that new nose, will sit a choice of seven different engines ranging from hyper efficient threecylinder units to a very potent 205bhp 1.6-litre motor.

TECHNOLOGY Samsung Galaxy On7 Best Price: Rs. 9,990 - Rs. 11,499 Display and Design The Samsung Galaxy On7 arrives with a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display with a screen resolution of 720 x 1,280 (HD) pixels which leads to a pixel density of 267ppi.

The capacitive touchscreen phone measures 8.2mm around the waist and weighs 172 grams. The device is available in gold and white colours.

Configuration and OS The Samsung Galaxy On7 derives its strength from a 1.2GHz quad-core processor seated on Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 MSM8916 Chipset. It is backed by 1.5GB RAM which collaborates with the processor to make sure the device functions to its full potential. The smartphone runs on Android v5.1 (Lollipop) operating system.

Camera and Storage The device is stacked with a 13 MP main camera which lets you capture your favourite moments. The camera comes with inbuilt features like face detection, Geo-tagging, High Dynamic Range mode (HDR) and Touch to Focus. For selfies and video calling, it

sports a 5 MP front camera. The Samsung Galaxy On7 houses an inbuilt memory of 8 GB which can further be expanded up to 128 GB via an external microSD card.

Special features The Galaxy On 7 comes with a Samsung Milk Music app that brings hundreds of radio stations of Europe and Asia and keeps you updated with the latest songs. The phone also sports Samsung Smart Manager that protects the device from harmful Virus, monitors traffic and detects status.

Battery and Connectivity The dual-sim smartphone sips juice from a 3,000mAh li-ion battery which gives

plenty of power for regular multi-tasking. The 4G phone is compatible with a wide range of connectivity features which include 4G, Bluetooth v4.0, Wi-Fi 802.11, b/g/n, mobile hotspot, A-GPS and USB support among others.

Verdict The Samsung Galaxy On7 looks very elegant with its textured back and smooth metal-styled frame. The 13MP stunning camera makes snapping vivid photos delightful. Selfie lovers can comfortably rely on the 5MP front camera for posting perfect snaps on social websites. The device is backed by a powerful battery which gives excellent running time.

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, JANURY 22

Features

PAGE 11

TRAVEL & TOURISM The Best Hotels of NorthEast India Srikant Mohanty North-eastern states in India have forever stayed favorite destinations of tourists from all over the world. The luscious environments in the seven sister states keep the visitors spell-bound with their breath-taking beauty. The splendid sights for honeymoon located at unimaginable heights in the states have stayed hot destinations for newly married couples. Moreover, the rich flora and fauna in the natural parks of the states have evermore kept their magnetic pull on the hordes of tourists in the seven states. With the rich diversities in natural attractions in the magnificent lakes, splendid national parks, breath-taking hills, luscious hill stations, the spiritual solace in the monasteries and imposing monuments in the public places, the northeastern states have literally become irresistible attractions in the tourism industry in India. The authentic cuisine of the places, traditional music

and dances and colorful festivals make the states highly popular as superior cultural milieus. As major hubs in trading, the states have also considerable importance all over the world. All these have contributed immensely to the growth in the states. In the last two decades, the capital cities and other tourist spots in the seven sister states have come up with several luxury as well as budget hotels for the convenient stay of visitors.

Let's know about some of the best hotels in the states.

Radission Blu Hotel, Guwahati, Assam The remarkable location of Radission Blu on 37 National Highway comes as the biggest convenience for all the visitors.

As the state has the outstanding mosaic of culture and festivals, this hotel fits all the purposes like comprehensive stay for sights watching as well as trips for vacations or business. During a stay, the visitors could look forward to avail excellent facilities for visiting the natural places, while the premier hotel

offers all the amenities with its remarkable bar, gymnasiums, meeting halls, excellent provisions for food, outdoor banquets for weddings and social activities, and terrace with world-class swimming-pool.

Ri-Kynjai Hotel, Meghalaya Literally meaning "tranquility by the lake", RiKynjai has forever stayed a paradise for the people, who love to spend time in the lap of the nature.

The unique architecture is derived from the seminal Khasi thatched huts.

The style of construction of the walls of cottages is uniquely exotic as those are made of pine and excellent flooring makes them exclusive among the other hotels in Meghalaya. Each room inside the hotel has adequate sleeping as well as living space, bath-room, space for dressing, and exquisite balcony, where the guests could relax and take pleasure. The garden of Ri-Kynjai comes with facilities of a restaurant, bar, and conference room. The guests could take the pleasure of trekking in the

"Lumsophetbheng" and "Lumdiengiei" peaks, which are situated nearby.

Hotel Pemaling, Arunachal Pradesh When the visitors to Arunachal Pradesh seek to spend a great time in an exotic atmosphere and warmth of hospitality, hotel Pemaling in Dirang of Arunachal Pradesh is the best place for one and all. As this hotel is located in the verdant green hills, it has excellently furnished and decorated rooms to welcome its guests. The visiting tourists could take the delight of remarkable cuisine, while viewing the interesting life-style of Monpa tribes.

The Classic Hotel, Imphal, Manipur Located in the heart of Imphal city, hotel Classic just sits opposite the historic Kangla Fort. Distinguished for its premier hospitality services and truly majestic food and stay facilities, every guest gets the best in everything, while enjoying a stay. The hotel offers all the modern facilities with a splendid boutique of traditional handloom and

handicraft items. The rooms in the hotel come in various categories to fit the budget and needs for comforts of the guests.

The attached-bath rooms in the hotel come with the exclusive privileges of Wi-Fi internet connection, and digital satellite connection and roundthe-clock room service.

Hotel Ritz, Aizawl, Mizoram Be it warmth or hospitality, nothing could stand in comparison with the services offered by Hotel Ritz in Aizawl of Mizoram. Situated in the heart of the city, it has renovated and transformed itself as a place for luxurious staying. Its restaurant- "Blue Berry"offers A-Z cuisine like Indian, Chinese, Tandoor, Continental, and last but not the least, Italian. With its 25 rooms, executive suit, it almost offers every type of privilege that a seasoned traveler would look for during a stay.

Hotel Acacia, Dimapur, Nagaland No description would be complete about the railway station of Dimapur in Nagaland without the

Source: Nelive.in mention of Hotel Acacia.

With its 64 rooms, suites, multi-cuisine restaurant, conference hall, and banquet hall, the hotel is simply the best among other hotels in Nagaland. The service staff is always ready with their roundthe-clock attention to help the guests with their every need. The best attraction of the hotel is the terrace on the roof-top that offers magnificent panoramic view of Dimapur's

skyline.

Hotel Sonar Tori, Agartala, Tripura Hotel Sonar Tori is the ideal place, where the visitors could while away a marvelous time away from the push and pull of life. As the visitors look for calm, comfort, and ease during their stay, this hotel could bestow on them only the best in three things. Lauded as the premium place for convenient stay, it is the only

world-class hotel to cater to the needs of business and family travelers. With free Wi-Fi facility, currency exchange, room service, laundry, banquet, and other premium services, Sonar Tori has always stayed paradise for travelers. Literally, the guests need not look out of the hotel facilities for anything, while they spend a delightful time inside the premises of the hotel.

Courtesy: Nelive.in

The Serene and Amazing Lakes of Mizoram Top Pilgrimage Places in Sikkim Arnab Ghosh A lot of people opt for touring the states in north eastern India, but there is no denying Mizoram has its unique charms! The hilly landscape, natural splendor and pleasant climate make it ideal for all types of tourists. However, the natural beauty of Mizoram is not necessarily limited to the peaks, national parks and numerous caves! You should explore the enchanting lakes in the state too.

Below listed are the top and popular lakes in Mizoram: Tamdil Lake Located in Mizoram's Aizawl district, it is a natural lake with amazing landscape and ambiance. It is about 110 km away from the state capital and close to Saitual village. The local folklores link the origin of lake with a fictional huge mustard tree. The word Tamdil denotes 'Lake of Mustard Plant'. Over time, it has become a popular tourist destination in Mizoram.

To reach Tamdil Lake, your best option is hiring a cab from Aizawl city.

Saitual serves as a stopover. However, some tourists also hire Auto

Rickshaw from the village to reach the lake which takes less than 30 minutes.

The journey from Aizawl to Tamdil Lake is pleasant owing to views of the greenery around, chirping of birds and well maintained roads.

The view of Tamdil Lake is nothing short of enchanting. You will find the adjacent region replete with tropical evergreen plant species and bamboos too. You may enjoy a walk along shore of the lake. It is a haven for the photography buffs. The lake has plenty of fish and prawns. The forest encircling the lake is known for various animal and bird species including deer, wild pig and bear.

Apart from watching the natural splendor at the spot, you can also enjoy boating at the lake. For accommodation, you may avail the facility offered

by Mizoram Tourism department resort, located right at shore of the lake.

There is a lodge at Saitual village too.

Palak Lake Mizoram's biggest natural lake, Palak Dil or lake is located near Phura village in Chhimtuipui district. It is 391 km away from Aizawl in the state's

Arnab Ghosh

Tamdil Lake. Source: Nelive.in southern part. The lake has an oval shape and it is encircled by lush Tropical Wet Evergreen forest. It is a major attraction of the Palak Wildlife Sanctuary.

Apart from Phura-two other villagesTongkalong and Lawngban are adjacent to the lake and you can reach the place from those villages. Only lightweight vehicles can be used to reach the lake.

Palak Lake is home to a rich aqua fauna ecosystem. Various types of fish and crab species are found in the lake. The surrounding forest is home to animals like wild pig, tiger and Asiatic black beer. Bird lovers should not miss visiting

Palak Lake. Source: Nelive.in

Palak Lake since it is deemed as an important stopover place for migrating Pintail Duck.

Based on your time of visit, you may come across diverse types of aquatic birds- especially wild duck variants.

Rarely seen birds like spot-breasted scimitar babbler, black-capped kingfisher and whiterumped munia can be found here. Apart from these some major reptile and amphibian species have been found in and around the lake.

Rungdil Lake Rungdil Lake, comprised of twin lakes divided by a strip of land is a major crowd puller located in Mizoram's Aizawl district.

It is about 14 km away from Suangpuilawn village. Earlier, it was the habitat of a huge number of partridges. Even now, some species of bird can be seen here. It is encircled by tropical evergreen forest. It is thought the twin lakes are interconnected despite the strip of land that separates them.

You can hire taxi from Aizawl to reach the lake.

Rungdil Lake has become a popular picnic destination for both locals and tourists. It has facility for boating as well. Courtesy: Nelive.in

Sikkim has always been a favorite destination for tourists willing to witness the amazing beauty of the Himalayas and it also has some nice biodiversity spots. However, over the years the state has also become a major destination for pilgrims especially those believing in the philosophy of Buddhism.

Sikkim's culture has seen an amalgamation of people belonging to Buddhists and Hindu faiths, as it is.

You will find several prominent monasteries and temples in the state which attract thousands of visitors over the years.

Below listed are the top pilgrimage spots in Sikkim: Solophok Chardham

was inaugurated by state CM Pawan Chamling and Swami Swarupananda Saraswati Maharaj. The Pilgrim Centre also has twelve Jyotirlinga replicas for the devotees. In the temple, there is a 16 1/2 feet tall idol of Lord Kirateshwar, a form of Shiva. The place is ideal for all tourists and you get facilities like Car parking, VIP Guest house, dormitory and cafeteria.

Ganesh Tok Temple The capital city of Sikkim, Gangtok is also home to several key pilgrimage destinations. One of these spots is the Ganesh Tok Temple. The temple is a small one and the path to it is marked by multi colored flags. The temple, placed on one elevated

Rumtek Monastery. Source: Nelive.in It is one of the newer pilgrimage spots in Sikkim, made by the state government as part of its plan to stress on "Rural, Eco friendly and Religious Tourism." Situated at the picturesque Solophok hill in South Sikkim, the beautiful complex is spread over 7 acres. The main temple has a height of 108 feet. On top of the hill the 87 feet high Shiva statue is nothing short of a visual splendor! On 8th November, 2011, the temple

spot offers great view of Gangtok. On days when sky is clear, you will get a grand view of the Khangchendzonga Mountain too. The temple is quite narrow so only one visitor can enter at one time.

Hanuman Tok Hanuman Tok near Gangtok is another prominent pilgrimage spot for visitors. There are actually two hanuman temples here and the new one has been set up by the Indian

Solophok Chardham. Source: Nelive.in Army. The visitors are captivated by serene surroundings of Hanuman Tok and the viewing the Kanchenjunga range is also possible from here. It is about 11 km from the capital city.

Kirateshwar Mahadev Mandir The Kirateshwar Mahadev Mandir is located in Legship is a major pilgrimage tourism destination in Sikkim. The temple is situated on banks of Rangit River. A foot suspension bridge links the temple to the main road. This temple is associated with an age old myth related with Mahabharata involving the third Pandava Arjun who was blessed by Lord Shiva disguised as a hunter. The name Kirateshwar denotes the Hunter god. The Shiv Ratri celebration is done here every year on a grand scale and regional people arrange a festival too.

There is one Dharamshala meant for pilgrims close to the temple.

Rumtek Monastery Sikkim is replete with monasteries which is natural given the fact the state is a major center of Buddhism. The Rumtek Monastery, located 24 km from skim's capital, is deemed as one of the pivotal pilgrimage centers for people devoted to Tibetan Buddhism. This Monastery is famous for housing several pivotal and his-

torical artifacts including metal statues and gemstudded cenotaphs. The old monastery was set up in 1730 by the 12th Karmapa Lama Changchub Dorje, and post its destruction in a fire the Monastery was rebuilt.

Pemayangtse Monastery Pemayangtse Monastery is another major Buddhist pilgrimage site located near Pelling. The word Pemayangtse stands for 'Perfect Sublime Lotus'.

Set up in 1705, it is one of the oldest Sikkim monasteries. This three storied Monastery has an impressive and vast range of sculptures and wall paintings. It was founded as well as designed by Lama Lhatsun Chempoway. At the beginning it was a crypt but later large sale renovations were carried out. It also went through further revamps post two quakes that shook Sikkim.

There are statues near its entrance that are quite stunning. The visitors also admire the garden near the monastery. The spot also marks beginning of famous Dzongri trekking trail.

There are some other monasteries in Sikkim with historical significance and these are Enchey Monastery, Phodang Monastery, Phensang Monastery.

Courtesy: Nelive.in

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DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, JANUARY 22

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Murray demolishes Groth, Elgar calls on Proteas to reclaim pride in Centurion Test enters Oz Open third round ANI Johannesburg, Jan.21 : South Africa opener Dean Elgar believes that his side can reclaim their lost pride if they manage to clinch victory in the fourth and the final Test against England.

Despite losing the fourmatch Test series, the 28year-old believes that the importance of the game is still up and, therefore, called on his side conduct themselves well on the field, Sport24 reported.

Elgar insisted that although his side had tried

adding that he would try his best to contribute well for his side.

Dean Elgar hard to end the series well, he said that things didn't work out in their favour.

Elgar further said that he did not see the fourth match as a dead-rubber,

Earlier, South Africa suffered a seven-wicket defeat in the third Test in Johannesburg to give England a series win and thereby losing the number one Test ranking to India.

AB de Villiers -led side, which had earlier suffered a humiliating defeat in the Test series against India, will now play their final match against England at Super Sport Park in Centurion, starting from Friday.

Bopanna- Mergea romp into Determined Spieth Australian Open third round eyeing Ryder Cup victory the Australian Open.

Rohan Bopanna

The Indo-Romanian pair brushed aside the Australian pair 7-5, 6-3 in their thrilling opening round contest of the men's double event.

ANI Melbourne, Jan.21 : Indian tennis ace Rohan Bopanna and his Romanian partner Florin Mergea on Thursday claimed a straight-set win over the Australian pair of Omar Jasika and Nick Kyrgios to advance to the second round of

Earlier in January, Bopanna and Mergea lost their hopes of clinching the Sydney Internationaltitle following their 3-6, 6-7(6) defeat at the hands Brazilian-Briton pair of Bruno Soares and Jamie Murray in the summit clash.

Johannesburg, Jan.21 (ANI): World number one golfer Jordan Spieth, who recently equaled Tiger Woods' record of seven PGA Tour wins before the age of 23, has admitted that winning the Ryder Cup is a huge goal for him.

Talking about his strategy for the tournament, the 22-year-oldTexan said that his team, the United States would going to listen their captain and would put their best foot forward to win the matches, Sport24 reported.

ANI Johannesburg, Jan.21 : World number two Andy Murray swept aside bigserving Sam Groth in straight sets to advance to the third round of the Australian Open on Thursday.

The 28-year-old Scottish player outclassed the Australian player 6-0, 64, 6-1 in the second round contest that lasted for about one and a half hour.

Talking about his perfor-

mance, Murray said that Groth didn't start off the match serving so well that eventually helped him in claiming the victory, Sport24 reported.

Labeling Groth as `quite different`, the secondseeded revealed that the game became much tougher when the former managed to pick up the match in the second set.

With the win, Murray has now set up a third-round clash with Joao Sousa of Portugal.

Earlier, Murray had declared that he would not hesitate to pull out from the Australian Openeven

in the middle of the even if his wife Kim Sears goes into labour.

Unsatisfied Bayliss wants England to maintain standards against Proteas win against Proteas.

Earlier, South Africa suffered a seven-wicket defeat in the third Test of the four-match series in Johannesburg to give England a decisive 2-0 lead and thereby losing the number one Test ranking to India.

Spieth said that his side would prepare well and put a lot of thought ahead of the campaign in order to avoid any last minute confusion.

The reigning Masters and US Open champion believes that his team were now hungry to win and added that no one could stop them if they head into the tournament with the positive mindset.

The U.S team led by Davis Love III would head into this season's of Ryder Cup in September at Hazeltine.

Andy Murray

The second Test between the two sides ended in a draw.

Johannesburg, Jan.21 (ANI): England coach Trevor Baylisshas urged his side to continue their high standards if they want to become the best team in the world and to

win the final match against South Africa.

Bayliss believes that good teams are not satisfied by simply clinching the Test series, calling on his side to aim for 3-0

Echoing similar views, skipper Alastair Cook, whose place would be taken over by Eoin Morgan for upcoming ODI and T20 series, also

urged his side to look at the areas where the team need to improve themselves,Sport24 reported.

Meanwhile, former South Africa skipper Graeme Smith said that the team management were equally responsible for the side's dip in form and ,therefore, called on them to look after the issue.

England will now take on the hosts in the final Test, a dead rubber, in Centurion from Friday.

ET SPECIAL COVERAGE Colourful start to Dibrugarh University Inter College Youth Festival at DHSK College 28 one act plays will be presented in the one act play competition category, which is a record in the history of the varsity The Dibrugarh University Inter College Youth Festival today got off with a colourful start with the massive cultural procession which went past through the major thoroughfares of the town catching the attention of the onlookers. Smartly as well as colourfully dressed contingents from various college affiliated under the varsity took part in the procession which was led by Dr. Sashi Kanta Saikia, the Principal of DHSK College.

started with the flag hoisting ceremony by the principal of DHSK College Dr. Sashi Kanta Saikia and Montu Boro, Director, DU Sports Board. In his short speech after unfurling the flag, Dr. Sashi Kanta Saikia, the Principal of the DHSK College welcomed all the students and participants and expressed hope that their stay in the college

The procession was flagged off by Dr. Chandra Kanta Gogoi, the Chairman of the Governing Body of the college. Around 2000 students from 60 colleges from Golaghat, Jorhat, Sivasagar, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts are taking part in the three daylong event.

Students in their traditional attire marched along with the beating of drums and various other musical instruments which created a unique atmosphere in the town. Earlier, the event

campus for the next three days will be a memorable one. It might be mentioned that DHSK College under the able Kankana leadership of Dr. Saikia is hosting the event for the first time.

The three day long festival was formally inaugurated by the Vice Chancel-

lor of Dibrugarh University Dr. Alok Kumar Buragohain. In his speech, the VC urged upon the students to Baruah strive for the culture development side by side performing their academic duties.

Dr Nagen Saikia, former President of Asom Sahitya

Sabha and renowned litterateur was the chief guest of the inaugural meeting. Dr. Saikia also released the souvenir published on the occasion. He also wished that the organisers will be successful in organisation of the mega event in which thousands of students are participating.

The inaugural meeting was chaired by Dr. Sashi Kanta Saikia, Principal of DHSK College. Dr. Chandra Kanta Gogoi, Chairman of the Governing Body of the college, Amarjyoti Mahanta, Principal, Sivasagar Commerce College, K.Mishra Bhagawati, Principal, DHSK Commerce College, J.P.Kanoi, Member of Governing Body of the college and journalist Gautam Sarmah were present during the inaugural ceremony. Dr. Bharati Dutta offered the vote of thanks.

The competitions are underway in six different venues and stages of the college. 28 one act plays will be presented in the one act

play competition category, which is a record in the history of the varsity. The organizing committee has arranged various facilities for lodging, food and ground for different events. Provision for drinking water, power supply has also being arranged.

An open stage as well as a food court has also been constructed at the large

open space at the backyard of the College. The Lalchand Kanoi auditorium has also been renovated for the event.

The different programme will be held simultaneously at the seven stages within the college premises. The three 窶電ay event will see competitions in Jyoti sangeet, bishnurabhageet, borgeet, bhajan, kheyal,

ghazal, khol, table, violin, guitar, flute, folk song, debating , elocution, painting, collage, dhol-pepa-gagana, mimicry, one-act play, recitation, Bhupen Hazarika geet, modern song competition, Parbati Prasad geet, Jayanata Hazarika geet, folk dance, classical dance, creative dance, quiz, installation and cartooning, spot photography and mime among others.

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