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ASSENG/2015/64205
PAGE 10
Vol. II
5 MUST-READ STORIES OF YOUNG INDIAN WOMEN WHO STARTED CHANGING LIVES WHILE STILL IN THEIR TEENS
Arunachal girl asked to pay Rs 300 meant for foreigner at Delhi's Jama Masjid New Delhi, Nov 3: It has happened in Delhi again. Several reports about people from northeast becoming victim of racism have not sensitised authorities in the capital city. Niyang Pertin, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh and studies law at Delhi University, posted a video on social media tagging MoS Home Kiren Rijiju narrating the discrimination she faced at Delhi's Jama Masjid. The incident reportedly took place when a group of students belonging to the North East visited Jama Masjid on Wednesday. Niyang alleged that she and her friends were asked to pay Rs 300 at the Jama Masjid's gate number 8 for taking mobile phones inside. Others were allowed to carry their mobile phones without charging anything, Niyang said. "I and my friends were particularly targeted and asked to pay Rs 300 each to take mobile phones inside the premises of Jama Masjid. When we asked as to why only we are being charged, we were told to mind our own business," Niyang said. In her video message Niyang said that she had to prove that she was an Indian and not an outsider. "Being a member of northeast India, unfortunately, I always have to prove my nationality. Even if I visit a national museum, park or a site, I need to show my identity card to ensure that I am Indian and not an outsider. I don't know when a time will come when we will not be asked to prove our nationality and accepted as an Indian," Niyang said MoS Home Kiren Rijiju retweeted the video of Niyang saying that he had asked the police and concerned officials to look into the matter. In another tweet, Rijiju said, "Despite Home Ministry taking various steps to stop discriminations against the North-East people this still happened! I will follow it up." According to the Delhi Tourism website, entry to the Jama Masjid is free while a fee of Rs 200 is charged for photography.
Involve all stakeholders in nation building:Mukherjee to Nepal Kathmandu, Nov 3:President Pranab Mukherjee has underlined the need to involve every section of the Nepalese society as "equal stakeholders" in the process of building democracy, in an apparent reference to the political upheaval over the new Constitution that had strained Indo-Nepal ties.
Issue 108
Dibrugarh, Friday, November 4, 2016
Top 7 Institutes in India for studying Flavor Chemist
P7
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The candidature of Indian National Congress (INC) nominee, Engineer Lupalum Kri for the bye-election to 45Hayuliang Assembly Constituency has been rejected by the Returning Officer during the scrutiny process, even as the members of Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) led by its president Padi Richo were staging a hunger strike at Tennis Court, IG Park today. Earlier, the state Congress, which according to inside source had anticipated such an outcome, had declared for staging a three days ‘hunger strike’ against the alleged delaying tactics by the incumbent state government, which in the words of APCC president, Padi Richo was “deliberately holding up the application for Voluntary
INJUSTICE OR POLITICS INC candidate for 45Hayuliang Assembly Constituency, Engineer Lupalum Kri has been rejected by the Returning Officer during the scrutiny process State Congress has called off the remaining two days of hunger strike all the while pledging to seek justice from the appellate authority in the days to come. Retirement by Kri from the post of Chief Engineer (PHE & WS), so as to leave enough reasons to reject his candidature in the scrutiny.” Meanwhile, following the rejection of its nominee, the state Congress has called off the remaining two days of hunger strike all the while
APCC President, Padi Richo said, “The govt was deliberately holding up the application for Voluntary Retirement by Kri from the post of Chief Engineer (PHE & WS), so as to leave enough reasons to reject his candidature in the scrutiny.” 3 candidates viz. Dasanglu Pul (BJP), Yompi Kri (IND) and Konteso Kri (IND), have been found valid by the RO. pledging to seek justice from the appellate authority in the days to come. “The entire episode of stalling the voluntary resignation procedure to forcefully allow loopholes to reject an aspirant candidate, as done by the incumbent PPABJP Government in the case, is
a bad precedent for any government servant who hopes to run for election in the future,” observed a disgruntled Richo. Also, asserting that “there is no way the BJP candidate is going to win this election despite their various sinister attempts,” the APCC president went on to dare the BJP saying, “BJP should dissolve NEDA and run for fresh election in all fairness when they come out as losers from the bye-election of Hayuliang Assembly Constituency.” It is pertinent to mention here that, following today’s scrutiny, the names of three candidate viz. Dasanglu Pul (BJP), Yompi Kri (IND) and Konteso Kri (IND), have been found valid by the RO. Further, November 5 next has also been notified as the last date for withdrawal of the candidatures.
A Staff Reporter Guwahati, 3 Nov
While highlighting the key priority areas and challenges, CM requested for railway corridor along the foothills to establish railway connectivity to the eastern part of the State with the rest of India. He proposed for seven rail links namely Itakhola to Seijosa – 15.00 Km, Doomdooma to Wakro via Namsai to Chokham – 70.00 Km, Dangri to Roing – 52.00 Km, Naharkatia – Deomali – 20.00 Km, Simaluguri to Kanubari – 30.00 Km, Existing of Lekhapani –Miao Line to Deban, New Kamlang, Nampong, Jairampur and back to Lekhapani making a circular link – 75.00 Km, Rupai to ParshuramKund for urgent consideration of the Ministry of Railways.
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has directed Director General of Assam Police to revamp Assam Police and take appropriate steps for its modernisation. In a high level meeting held at the conference room of his Office in Assam Secretariat on Wednesday, Sonowal asked the DGP to go in for skill upgradation and modernisation of the police forces to prepare it to face all kinds of onslaught professionally. In the face of changing dynamics of crime, modernisation of police has become an inevitability to fortify the police forces to contain crimes and other criminal activities. Sonowal asked the DGP to go in for all out innovations to enable all the wings of the State Police to deal with all kinds of exigencies. To increase surveillance on the city areas,
Chief Minister asked the police department to bring Guwahati under Closed Circuit Camera coverage and operationalise all CCTVs in the city within one month. CM has also asked the project report for setting up of a model hospital and Assam Police Public School Directed the police department to introduce forensic science programme in Assam Chief Minister asked the police department to bring Guwahati under Closed Circuit Camera coverage and operationalise all CCTVs in the city within one month.
Khandu further requested that the frequency of the weekly train from Naharlagun to Delhi be increased to a daily train or suitable trains from Delhi - Guwahati be extended to Naharlagun. He also impressed upon for increase of the quota earmarked for Arunachal with to and fro journey. “It is pertinent to mention here that sanitation facilities at Naharlagun Railway
Deban, New Kamlang, Nampong, Jairampur and back to Lekhapani making a circular link – 75.00 Km
7. Rupai to ParshuramKund passengers besides, urging for a goods train from Guwahati to Naharlagun for movement of basic goods, construction materials and essential supplies. “On return, the agriculture produce of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in that region can also easily reach the markets of India through Guwahati” he justified his request. Giving a patient hearing, the Union Minister assured all out support to Arunachal Pradesh. He assured that
Shatabdi train would be started soon as requested while quota for Arunachal would also be increased. In respect of railway recruitments, the Union Minister said that a separate recruitment process for North East region is being worked out to address the manpower. While saying that the border state is on high agenda of the Railway ministry for providing rail connectivity, Gohain assured to take up the proposed new rail links on priority.
Contd. on Page 3
A five-member team from Russia had reached Kurung Kumey from Guwahati a few days ago and the incident took place on October 31 last.
Namsai to Chokham – 70.00 Km 3. Dangri to Roing – 52.00 Km
4. Naharkatia – Deomali – 20.00 Km 5. Simaluguri to Kanubari – 30.00 Km 6. Existing of Lekhapani –Miao Line to
Sonowal moreover, asked the DGP to submit a detailed project report for setting up of a model hospital and
Russian national drowns in Kamala River of Lower Subansuri recovered
1. Itakhola to Seijosa – 15.00 Km 2. Doomdooma to Wakro via
Station needs to be augmented and the catering services be upgraded in the Express train to be brought at par with the Rajdhani Express. The deployment of manpower at Naharlagun Railway Station also needs to be enhanced. In the backdrop of many railway employees abstaining to join at Naharlagun Railway Station, provisions for taking State Government officials on deputation to Railways for general duties as well as security duties may be considered favourably. Similar arrangements may also made for Murakselek to Guwahati services” Khandu requested further. While informing that Guwahati is the main connecting hub for Arunachal Pradesh, CM requested to introduce a day train on the lines of Shatabdi to address the needs of the ever growing
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TOWARDS MODERNISATION OF ASSAM POLICE
PROPOSAL FOR SEVEN RAIL LINKS IN ARUNACHAL
Chief Minister Pema Khandu who is in National Capital called on Union Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain today and requested for a robust connectivity within the state with railways playing a crucial role to overcome the connectivity issues of Arunachal Pradesh.
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Chief Minister Sonowal directs DG to revamp Assam Police
Union Railway Minister assures to take up proposed 7 new Rail links in Arunachal ET Bureau New Delhi, 3 Nov
Pages- 12
17TH ASAN GENERAL CONFERENCE
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Congress candidate’s nomination rejected, calls off hunger strike A Staff Reporter Itanagar, 3 Nov
5.00
DC informed that they has no information on the tourists visiting either Kurung Kumey or Lower Subansiri district. A Staff Reporter Ziro, 3 Nov The body of a Russian national, identified as Lifanov Alekxandr, who reportedly drowned while on a rafting expedition in Kamala River near Tamin under Lower Subansiri district on October 31 last, was finally recovered on Wednesday. Sources informed that the five-member team from Russia had reached Kurung Kumey from Guwahati a few days ago and the incident took place on October 31 last. When contacted, Lower Subansiri DC Kemo Lollen informed that the search for the body was on since the day the incident took place, but the body of the deceased was recovered on November 2 at
Kamala River, “We had no information on the tourists visiting either Kurung Kumey or Lower Subansiri district and the district administration learnt about the incident today,” informed Lollen. He further added that the body has currently been kept at General Hospital, Ziro for post mortem and the police would need a clearance from the Russian Embassy before they go ahead with the medical formalities. The DC also informed that the state government has been made aware of the incident and accordingly Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Chief Secretary Shakuntala Gamlin are in constant touch with the district administration.
Youth Congress workers burn effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Upper Assam
P8 Sharmila attends Malom anniversary
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P5
Jorhat Photo by Nakib Ahmed ET Correspondent Jorhat/Tinsukia/Golaghat, 3 Nov
Youth Congress workers on Thursday staged protest against the detention of party vice President Rahul Gandhi in
Jorhat by burning the effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Jorhat Youth Congress workers, along with MLA of Mariyani Constituency Ropjyoti Kurmi took part in burning the effigy
Tinsukia Photo by Siddhart Singh
of the Prime Minister. "BJP is showing its true colour now. Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be ashamed of such deeds" said Rupjyoti Kurmi, MLA of Jorhat. In Tinsukia hundred of Congress workers
gathered and burn the effigy of Narendra Modi. The same kind of protests also taken place in Golaghat. Earlier, Congress VicePresident Rahul Gandhi was
detained twice by the Delhi Police on Wednesday after he tried to visit family members of ex serviceman Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal who committed suicide over the one-rank-one-pension issue.
Golaghat Photo by Amit Nagori The unfortunate suicide triggered a political standoff between the Congress, BJP and AAP with Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia parachuting to visit relatives of
the deceased ex-jawan and getting detained. The youth Congress raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and even block A. T. Road for around twenty minutes.
cmyk
Imphal, Nov 3: Irom Chanu Sharmila, today, elaborated on the need to bring a political solution to the issue of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 during the 16th anniversary of the infamous November 2, 2000 Malom killing during which 10 bystanders were gunned down by the Assam Rifles at Malom Makha Leikai Boroi Makhong along Tiddim road allegedly in retaliation to an attack on their convoy.
DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4
P2 Senior Congress leader accuses Minister of playing communal politics ET Correspondent Margherita, 3 Nov: Md Towfik Khan Senior Congress leader of Margherita and Former Chairman of Margherita Sub Divisional Minority board has slammed and criticized BJP Government of Assam for doing politics in the name of religion in Assam. Md Towfik Khan was reacting to the comment made by Assam Government Education,Health and Finance Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma. Earlier Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said that "Hindu Population is falling fast against the rise in Muslim population in Assam hence the Bangladeshi Hindu should be given Indian
Citizenship which indicates that communal riots shall begin in Assam very soon”. The Senior Congress leader termed the Minister as an opportunist and treacherous leader accusing him of playing descendent politics. “Assam is a land of Srimanta Sankardev, Azaan Pir Phakir,Chaolung Chukafa,Veer Chila Rai and Lachit Barphukan but after the formation of BJP Government in Assam, the only intention is to give citizenship to Hindu Minority people living in Bangladesh,Pakistan and Afghanistan which will be disastrous and it is against the Assam Accord”, said Md Towfik khan.
HOROSCOPE Aries
Your natural warmth is enhanced by a new sense of self-confidence, Aries. Group activities and social events might bring you into touch with people who prove to be valuable business contacts. Whatever goals you've attempted to reach may finally show signs of materializing, possibly through the efforts of others who believe in you. This should be a very fortunate and enjoyable day for you. Make the most of it!
Taurus
Today you might pinch yourself to see if what you're experiencing is real, Taurus. Success and good fortune are coming thick and fast, with only minor setbacks and irritations to complicate matters. Business, money, and career success are likely to be at an all-time high, although you might find yourself feeling a little fearful of what comes next. Don't worry about that. Go with the flow.
Gemini
Career and financial success might have paved the way for you to fulfill some of your fondest dreams, Gemini. Perhaps you've wanted to return to college and get an advanced degree, take a trip around the world, or try writing and publishing. Whatever it is, your schedule should be freer and more flexible than ever, so this is the time to go for it. Start planning today!
Cancer
Leo
Virgo
Now that you feel more secure regarding your business and financial situations, Cancer, you might be looking for ways to feed your spiritual and metaphysical interests. Your intuitive and psychic abilities should be operating at a very high level, causing you to experience some vivid dreams and visions and receive the insights that come from them. Books and lectures might prove especially enlightening.
Just about every department of life should be going very well for you now, Leo. Business, finances, and partnerships are likely on their way to success, while personal relationships of all kinds, particularly romantic ones, should also be more rewarding. You might be thinking of expanding your horizons through new enterprises or study. Don't be shy - go for it. Whatever you're working on at the moment, Virgo, whether business related, personal projects, or volunteer work, it's likely to bring you increased satisfaction on many levels. You're enjoying what you do, making a difference, and meeting new friends. Your health continues to glow. You may feel as if nothing can stop you. Watch out for minor upsets, but nothing that will burst your bubble.
Libra
It's likely that your personal and creative horizons are expanding, Libra. Your or another's artistic enterprises might pay off big today. You could be introduced to people who prove to be valuable contacts as well as new friends. Your love relationships are going well. Your new feeling of enthusiasm and self-confidence certainly doesn't hurt!
Scorpio
A huge get-together of some kind could take place today either at your home or the home of someone close to you, Scorpio. It's possible this may turn into more than just a fun party. You might become involved in conversations with people who become valuable business or social contacts. Expect to have a wonderful time no matter what you do today.
Sagittarius
Capricorn
Aquarius
Pisces
Expect many advantageous changes to take place in your community, Sagittarius. New businesses could open their doors, interesting neighbors could move in, or some necessary repairs could finally get done. You might spend a lot of time in the car or on the phone and spreading the news. An exciting proposition may come to you or someone close to you through a letter, email, or phone call. You've probably had few periods when business and finance have gone well for you, Capricorn. Now this trend seems to be coming to a head. Today you might start or close some type of agreement that will make a big difference to your finances. Your money situation should not only improve but also stabilize at a level higher than it's ever been. As long as you're diligent, this growth should continue. You tend to be practical and businesslike by nature, Aquarius, but the tremendous growth you've experienced may increase your desire to be as sensible and efficient as possible in order to continue this trend. You're feeling upbeat and positive. You're likely to continue to feel this way. The only downside is that you're probably going to be working very hard. You will like the results, though, so go for it. You probably think of yourself as a curious intellectual, Pisces, but a recent expansion in career and finance has brought out talents for business and money that you didn't know you had. This has been a time not only of success and good fortune but also of learning more about yourself. Don't fall back on old fears or underestimate yourself. You're capable of accomplishing more than you know.
He further added, “After March 25, 1971 Hindu,Muslim or any foreigners regardless of their faiths who have entered Assam cannot be accepted as Indians but unfortunately present BJP Government at Assam wants to give Citizenship to Hindu Minorities which will be disastrous. Md Towfik Khan stressed that there are many burning problems of Assam which should be solved first and Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal must be wary of his Cabinet Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma who in the coming Days may potentially create communalistic tension in Assam.
Assam Medical College celebrates 70th foundation day A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Nov 3: The premier medical college of the North East, Assam Medical College (AMC), Dibrugarh celebrated its 70th foundation day today. The day-long programme began with the hoisting of the institution flag by AMC principal, Ratan Kumar Kotokey. Earlier in the morning the students participated in a cleanliness drive inside the college campus. An open session was held at the Dr John Berry White auditorium where the principal presented the annual report of the medical college. Prizes were awarded to students for academic excellence. The principal in his speech recalled the glorious history of the medical college which began as the Berry White Medical School in 1900.
sum at that time, for the establishment of the medical school. In 1900, the Berry White Medical School was set up in Dibrugarh. The Medical School not only heralded the beginning of allopathic medical education in Assam, but also paved the way for the subsequent establishment of the Assam Medical College in 1947, through a process of upgradation, thus gaining the distinction of being the first medical college in the entire northeastern region.
Speaking on the occasion, the Principal stressed on the rich heritage and history of the premier medical institute. It is noteworthy to mention that in 1858, a British
7 ULFA(I) Cadres and ULFA(I) Linkman Arrested at Tinsukia
surgeon John Berry White arrived in Assam to work under the erstwhile East India Company during the British rule and served in upper Assam for long 24 years. Following his
retirement as a civil surgeon from undivided Lakhimpur district in 1882 he contributed his whole life savings of fifty thousand rupees, which was considered a princely
The first batch in 1947 consisted of only six students. The medical college which was accorded full recognition by the Medical Council of India has produced over 8,500 MBBS doctors and 3,000 specialists till date
BAD ROAD
The Santoshi Maa road in Dibrugarh town in a dilapidated condition. Photo by Manoj Pandey
Sports One 22 Revolver along with live ammunition and Rs. 8,000/- has been recovered from the apprehendees Pranjal Bhuyan Jairampur, Nov 3: Jairampur Battalion of Assam Rifles under the aegis of Dao Divisison apprehended two active cadres of ULFA (I) namely Sarat Mohan, S/ o Moteshwar Moran, Vill Longkshi and Chiteshwar Chetia, S/o Taileshwar Chetia, Vill Hebeda. On 01 Nov 2016, on specific input of presence of UG cadres in Jagun area, a sustained operation was launched by the troops of Jairampur Battalion Assam Rifles and Jagun police , during which two active cadres of
ULFA(I) were apprehended. On interrogation, the cadres revealed that they were given specific tasks by Arun Dahotia of ULFA (I) to carry out extortion activities and recruitment of new cadres to beef up the strength of the banned outfit. They also revealed that the banned organisation also plans for abduction of a local businessman to fulfill their extortion demands. The apprehended cadre’s later revealed regarding presence of an OGW named Monto Sonowal. S/o Jiban Sonowal, VillDuliajaan, Dist-
Tinsukia Assam in Phulbari who was later apprehended by the same team from Phulbari. Nabbing of these hardcore cadres and the OGW has tightened the nose of the extortion activities of the banned UG organisation and has brought relief to the locals who were constantly succumbed under the extortion demands by them. One 22 Revolver along with live ammunition and Rs. 8,000/- has been recovered from the apprehendees. The cadres were later handed over to Jagun Police.
Cinema Galleria Cinema Dibrugarh Junction Mall Screen-1
Bhadoi High School & Katalguri Higher secondary claims Subjunior & Mini sub-junior title 5th Greater Duliajan Inter school Football Tournament A Sports Reporter Dibrugarh, Nov 3: Bhadoi High School and Katalguri Higher secondary School claims Sub-junior and Mini sub-junior title of the 5th Greater Duliajan Inter school football tournament organized by Duliajan Football Academy at Nehru Maidan in Duliajan . Altogether, 22 teams participated in the tournament. Bhadoi High School defeated Oil India Higher Secondary school 5-4 via tiebreaker in the final of Subjunior match. The regulation time was ended in 1-1 draw. Bishal Koya of Bhadoi High Schhol scored the opening goal for his team in the 26th minute.
Chandan Gogoi of Oil India HS school equalized the goal in the 70th minute. Bishal Hemran, Arup Pal, Kusha Mahali and Kiran Boraik scored netted the goal for Bhadoi High School. Roshan Daimary, Suraj Tamang and Chandra Gogoi scored goal for Oil India HS School. Sandeep Thapa and Parag Mili missed goals. Bishal Koya of Bhadoi High School was adjudged man of the match. Suraj Tamang of Oil India HS School was given best player of the tournament. In another Mini Sub-junior final match, Katalguri Higher secondary School thrashed Kachari Pathar ME
School 4-0. Sujit Kurmi of Katalguri opened the account in the 15th minute through a pass from the right flank. Five minute later Abhijit Thapa found back of the net. Hemanta Sonowal strikes the third salvo in the 30th minute. Sujit Kurmi collecting a pass from the left flank and scored the goal in the 50th minute. Sujit Kurmi of Katalgur was adjudged man of the match. Nitin Sonowal of Kachari Pathar ME School was awarded best player of the tournament. Chief Guest Pranjit Deka, General Manager of Public Relation, Duliajan was present during the prize distribution ceremony.
ATPA shield starts in Jorhat
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ET Correspondent Jorhat, 3 Nov: The prestigious ATPA Shield Football Tournament had started at the Jorhat Stadium on Thursday.Former State Santosh Trophy and Indian school team player Herold Sangma of Golaghat had inaugurate the championship. In the 53rd edition of the tournament Halwating FC takes on Milanjyoti Sangha, A division league champions of Jorhat, in the opening match. From the beginning of
the match, Milanjyoti Sangha was able to keep Halwating FC on pressure and manage to score goal on the 55th minutes by a surprise shot by the Rajib Karmakar. The match concluded with 1-0. Many dramatic moments are seen in the match. Wahengbam John of Halwating FC and Jugen Telenga of Milanjyoti Shangha showed red card and had to leave the field in the first half. Many foreign players
are also seen in action in today's match. This season Shillong Lajong FC; Oil India FC, Duliajan; Assam State Electricity Board SC, Guwahati along with noted teams of the region is participating the tournament. The tournament is organised by Jorhat District Sports Association (JDSA). Assam Tea Planters Association is the principal sponsor while financial aid is also expected from organisations like OIL, ONGC.
DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4
P3
IAF lands largest transport plane C-17 Globemaster in Arunachal near Indo-China border ET Bureau Itanagar, 3 Nov: The Indian Air Force landed its largest military transport aircraft C-17 Globemaster at Mechuka in Arunachal Pradesh close to the IndiaChina border on Thursday at an elevation of 6,200 feet above sea level. The landing of the aircraft gives further boost to the IAF’s transport capabilities. The Mechuka air strip, called the ‘Advanced Landing Ground’ (ALG), is maintained by the Indian Air Force and will be one of its key forward bases along the China border. The IAF had started its operations with Dakota and Otter in 1962 in the area and subsequently the Antonov32, popularly known as AN32, was operated till October 2013 before the upgrade work was started. The road connectivity to the nearest air/rail head at Dibrugarh, about 500 km away, is generally two days of travel, unless the roads get damaged due to frequent landslides.
from Itanagar, Mechuka is only 29 kms from the China border, and is already part of a major tourist circuit in the frontier state.
Indian Air Force lands C-17 Globemaster at Mechuka, in Arunachal Pradesh. (Source: ANI) “This is a quantum jump from the existing capability of An-32 and C-130J aircraft. Such airlift capability facilitates speedy transfer of men and material in this rugged terrain, interspersed with valleys and high mountain ranges that inhibit road connectivity,” a statement by the IAF said. In the event of a disaster in the region,
C-17 operations to the remote ALG can enhance the speed and quantum of national relief effort. Mechuka, located at an elevation of about 1830 metres above sea level and close to China border, was one of the several strategic locations during the 1962 war with China. Left unused and abandoned for a long
time until a decision was taken in 2013 to reconstruct it, the IAF Works department completed the task in a record time of 30 months, Tezpur-based Defence PRO Lt Col Shombit Ghosh had said. With Mechuka becoming operational, the number of upgraded ALGs in the frontier state has gone up to four. About 500 kms by road
The IAF has carried out such daring maneuvers before. Back in 2013, India landed the C-130J Super Hercules at the world’s highest and recently-activated Daulat Beg Oldie airstrip in Ladakh near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in what was seen as a strong message to China. The landing of C-17 Globemaster in Arunachal Pradesh shows the IAF’s growing commitment to secure its international borders along the India-China border as well as the farflung North-East region. The C-13J, the largest aircraft with the Indian Air Force, has a capacity to carry 102 para-troopers and cargo such as tank and Armored Security Vehicles, among others. The plane has a payload capacity of 77, 520 kg. (With inputs from agencies)
Quarter of Asst Engineer DC oversees ongoing burnt to ashes at Changlang preparations for
Adventure@Mechuka ET Bureau Aalo, 3 Nov: West Siang Deputy Commissioner Gamli Padu, accompanied by DSP, EE PHED, DDSE, PD DRDA, DDI, SRA Planning visited Mechukha to oversee the ongoing preparations for the Adventure@Mechuka festival and conducted a coordination meeting with all HoDs of Mechuka on November 1 last.
Lomhom Tangha Changlang, 3 Nov: The Government Quarter of AE Electrical Sri Nanu Doji belonging to Department of Power under Changlang, Arunachal Pradesh burnt down to ashes at around 11 pm on the unfortunate night of 2 Nov 2016. The Government Quarter was built at at power house colony, Changlang, district changlang, Arunachal Pradesh. According to
sources, not even a single belonging could be saved including all the necessary documents of the department under his disposal. Rightly, the government engineer lamented that they had lost their personal belongings worth hundreds of thousands of rupees, especially important documents of the department. However, his wife, kit and kins are reported to be saved at the
mercy of almighty as per inputs from the eye witnesses. Officials have been unable to determine the cause of the fire so far. Nevertheless, the cause of the fire accident is believed to be due to short circuits. It is expected that the government will come forward to extend necessary alternative arrangement to restore the victim’s household.
Chairing the meet, the DC sought cooperation from all departments, the Indian Army, PRIs and public of Mechukha to make the three-day long Adventure@Mechuka extravaganza commencing from November 7 to 9 to be a successful one. He exhorted all to pull resources to showcase the pristine beauty and tourism potentials of Mechukha to the outside world, and asked the celebration committee to keep in touch with day to day programmes so that any shortcoming in men, materials, and mobility can be supplemented from Aalo on time. The DC also inspected all
schools, schemes under BADP, block, and DRDA and interacted with the people at Mechukha and Tato. He had a patient hearing on grievances at both places pertaining to posting of school teachers, posting of required police strength at Tato Police Station, posting of ministerial staffs, appointment of lady constable, appointment of GBs in place of old and ailing GBs and various other issues, and assured to do the needful at an early date. Mechukha ADC Tumge Loya, ZPM Mechuka-Tato Monigong and engineer Komba Taso, local event manger highlighted all arrangements being taken up so far. The Indian Army at Mechukha also took part in the deliberation. The APWWS Mechuka unit is also spearheading social service works under the banner of Swaach Bharat Abhiyan and face lifting work at market places are also in full swing ahead of the mega event.
Arunachal Pradesh asks private varsities to follow UGC, AICTE norms PTI Itanagar, 3 Nov: The Arunachal Pradesh government has asked all the seven private universities, functioning in the state, to strictly follow the norms laid by UGC and All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE).
The instruction came during a review meeting on the functioning of private varsities in the state which was chaired by Education Minister Honchun Ngandam here yesterday, an official release informed. The seven private uni-
versities operating in the state includes Arunachal University of Studies at Namsai, Apex Professional University at Pasighat, North Eastern Technical University at Aalo, Himalayan University at Chimpu near here, Indira Gandhi
Technology & Medical Science University (Ziro), Venkateswara Open University (Lekhi) and Arunodaya University (Jollang). During the meeting the private universities were asked to prove their credentials in quality edu-
cation and keep away from practices often reported from the private universities in other parts of the country. They were also directed to come up with their permanent infrastructure for running their universities, the release added.
1st ever pre ‘Podi Barbi’ festival celebrated at Pasighat Kebang Women Wing, East Siang, Dr. Joyanto Perme, Jt. Secy. Publ. ABK E/Siang and lecturer, Kaling Darung, as Special Guest.
Staff Reporter Pasighat, Nov 03: The Podi-Barbi festival of Boh Ramo Bokar tribe, a sub-tribe of the Adis mainly concentrated in Mechuka, Monigong, Pidi and Tato circles of Mechukha Sub-Division in West Siang District was celebrated with great pomp and gaiety at Tebo Village, GTC today organized by Mechuna Adi Students Union, Pasighat Unit.. Attending as Chief Guest, Okom Yosung, President, Adi Baane Kebang East Siang Unit cum Zila Parishad Member, Bogong Anchal Block-II said that, each one of us must preserve our traditions and cul-
ARUNACHAL GOVERNOR IN DIBRUGARH
tures which is our identity. Appreciating the brethren from Mechukha Adis for organizing a Pre Podi Barbi festival celebration, Yosung said
that, ‘Giidii Notko’ (Festival Ground) is getting ready after celebration of Mega Solung this year and ABK will lead the next year’s Podi Barbi
festival here at Pasighat. Tadam Talom, Convener, AdiSU (Apex) attended as Guest of honour, while Yalem Taga Burang, President, Adi Baane
The Podi-Barbi festival is celebrated every year on December 5. According to the legend "PodiBarbi" means a small Cricket-like migratory insect which makes a tweeting sound and migrates from far-flung places and arrives at the time of harvesting season in the region. Since the primitive people did not use any calendar by which they could know the exact time of harvesting, they took the arrival of this small insect as their calendar.
Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, V. Shanmganathan glances Assam Silk Products in an Assamese Cloth Store, Silkalaya in Dibrugarh during his visit to Tea City of India on Thursday. Photo by Manoj Pandey
Arunachal Congress moves high court after bypoll candidate rejection ET Bureau Itanagar, 3 Nov: The Congress in Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday approached the Gauhati High Court after the state election officer rejected the papers of party candidate Lapalum Kri for the Hayuliang legislative assembly constituency bypoll. Kri, who is holding the post of Chief Engineer of Public Health Engineering department, applied for Voluntarily Retirement Scheme (VRS) but is yet to be released by the state government. In view of this, the state election officer rejected the candidature of Kri for the bypoll, which is slated for November 19. "The BJP and PPA government in Arunachal Pradesh is scared of the
Congress and is afraid of facing us in electoral battle. This is the reason the government had not released our candidate despite his supplication for the VRS," said Arunachal Pradesh Pradesh Congress Committee (APPCC) President Padi Richo.
the November bypoll.
He said they have already moved the Gauhati High court following the rejection of Kri as the candidate.
There are two independent candidates in the fray now -- Yompi Kri and Konteso Kri.
The Congress alleged that the government led by Chief Minister Pema Khandu deliberately withheld the release of Kri from the department so that he cannot contest the polls. A total of four candidates, including two Independents, had filed nomination papers for
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While the BJP has fielded Dasanglu Pul, third wife of former Chief Minister late Kalikho Pul, the state election officer had rejected the candidature of Congress candidate.
The bypoll to Hayuliang constituency was necessitated after Kalikho Pul was found hanging from a ceiling fan inside his official residence in August 2016. Pul represented the constituency. While the bypoll will be held on November 19, the counting of votes will take place on November 22.
Kharsang VKV kicks off its annual winter sports in style Lomhom Tangha Kharsang, 3 Nov: The three day long Annual Sports Meet kicked off in style VKV, Kharsang. The participating students have been divided into four groups namely, Subansiri, Kameng, Lohit and Siang. The sports spectacle will see students from grade I to X across various categories vying for glory. The Annual Sports Meet was declared open by the principal Mr. Shyamal Chakraborty at 9.30a.m at VKV school ground in presence of the staffs and the students. Special mention of credit goes to VKV School for its commendable contribution to the field of education ever since the school had established. No wonder VKV School stands tall among hundreds of schools across the Northeast. The institution resounding the ideology of swami Vivekananda vouching for inculcation of sports in our
daily lives certainly synchronizes with the initiative the conducts its annual sports spectacle. The institute in itself is well disciplined and robust in its educational and extracurricular structure. The Annual Winter Sports Meet will culminate on 5th
November. However the prize distributions will be organized on 19th November which coincides with the 103th birth anniversary of Late Eknath Ranade, the founding father of Vivekananda Kendra Vidhyalaya.
Chief Minister Sonowal directs DG to revamp Assam Police Contd. from Page 1
Assam Police Public School in line with the ones that have been constructed for Indian Army. He also directed the police department to introduce forensic science programme in Assam in the same module prepared and taught by Gujarat Forensic Science University. Chief Minister Sonowal also asked the DGP to revamp Village Defence Parties (VDPs) and bring
char areas and other interior areas completely within the purview of VDPs. For empowerment of women and enabling them to handle any injustice perpetrated on them, Sonowal stressed on including at least five women into VDP units. He also advocated for observing Village Defence Party Day on January 29 in a befitting manner so that the observance becomes a source of inspiration for the VDP personnel. He also directed to bring out a souvenir christened as
‘Ahuti’ depicting the sacrifices of Harinarayan Baruah and other protagonists of VDP. Chief Minister also mooted the idea of publishing a booklet incorporating all inputs that Assam Police put in for investigating and controlling corruptions. Chief Secretary Vinod Kumar Pipersenia, DGP Mukesh Sahay , Commissioner and Secretary to the Chief Minister Sanjay Lohia and a host of senior civil and police officers were present at the meeting.
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CEM expresses concern over substandard Bangladeshi Smuggler caught by Guwahati Frontier BSF works of Haflong- Jatinga Road ET Correspondent, Haflong Nov 3: The chief Executive Member, N C Hills Autonomous Council Debolal Gorlosa expressed serious concern over the sub standard works of Haflong – Jatinga road which connects the District HQ with other prime places of the district of Diuma Hasao on Thursday. Gorlosa along with Executive Engineer, PWD Gautam Paul inspected the ongoing works of the road in question on Thursday morning from zero point at Jatinga to Haflong Post office and found the quality of the road construction was compromised and the specification in terms of width, thickness etc were not maintained as per the schedule of the construction of the road. E E Roy talking to this correspondent said that the size and quality of the materials used in this were not up to the requirement
which wouldnt last for long. Compromise in construction of such an important road should not be allowed. Since the NH authority has been incurring a huge amount for the construction of Highway, poor quality and substandard has caused serious concern among the people of Dima Hasao. CEM interacting with the
media personnel at Jatinga informed “I have inspected the construction of the Jatinga – Haflong and found to be of very poor quality; accordingly I have moved the higher authority to take adequate action against the construction company as per law. He further said that the work for the feeder road
Haflong-Jatinga was awarded to one Simplex company long back but due to delaying attitude of the construction company, the road remained incomplete till date. It is learnt that the work/ project of two Lanning of Haflong-Jatinga Road of only 7.761 km awarded to M/S SIMPLEX-Som-Datt Builders which is still ly-
ing incomplete. The tender value of the said work is Rs. 25,48,66,l89.00 and the target date of completion was 20/02/2014 and extended the time on the request of SIMPLEX or its representative till O6/09/ 2015 vide letter NO. NCH/BR/7/2007/Pt/08, Dated 06/03/2014 from the Chief Engineer PWD (NH Works). It was also well known that the progress of work of this project of twoLanning of HaflongJatinga Road was very slow and tardy. The quality of work is also not up to the mark as standard specifications were not being maintained by the contractor/firm while executing the work. Reportedly false report on physical progress of Work was made and was submitted bill/advances for payment of Rs. l3, l9, 37,4l3.00 which was paid by the previous Congress Rule Govt. of N.C. Hills Autonomous Council.
A Staff Reporter Guwahati, 3 Nov: Troops of Guwahati Frontier of Border Security Force apprehended one Indian cattle smuggler yesterday during the joint operation with local Police and CRPF near the International Boundary in Dhubri District of Assam. The cattle smuggler was identified as Sehar Ali (25), S/O Lt Foijal
Rehman, R/o vill-Vati Jagrachar, PSMankachar, Distt- South Salmara (Assam). He was apprehended by the troops along with 08 cattle heads, while he was trying to smuggle them from India to Bangladesh. He has been handed over to local police for further legal action. Besides, BSF troops of Guwahati Frontier also
seized 65 cattle heads having an approx value of Rs 2,28,800/- and miscellaneous items Valuing Rs. 15,214/- on the intervening night of 2/3 Nov’ 2016. BSF troops are always alert towards the issues of trans-border crimes particularly illegal infiltration and are making all endeavours to contain such trans-border crimes.
Assam Govt announces 6 pc hike in DA for state govt employees ET Bureau Guwahati, 3 Nov: Assam government today announced to hike Dearness Allowance of its employees by six per cent with effect from this month. The hike in DA would be applicable on existing scale of an employee, Assam finance minister Himata Biswa Sarma said at a press conference here.
The Union Government had hiked the DA for its employees by two per cent, while the state government has decided to raise the same by six per cent as the Centre's increase was on revised salary, he said. Sarma said the increase in DA would put an additional burden of about Rs 300 crore on the state exchequer. He further said the com-
mission appointed for recommending revision of pay for state government employees has finalised its report and it would be submitted within this month. "The new pay structure will come into effect from April next year... At present, the salary and pension costs about Rs 30,000 crore to the state exchequer annually," Sarma added.
Industries and Commerce Minister Meets Governor asks journalists Student Bodies; Students submit MoU to report on development ET Bureau Guwahati, 3 Nov: Industries and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary held a cordial discussion with representatives from various students’ organisations pertaining to issues relating to Bongaigaon Refinery at Dispur today. ?District student leaders of Bongaigaon and Chirang representing All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU),
Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP), All Assam Koch Rajbonshi Students’ Union (AKRASU), All Assam Minority Students’ Union (AAMSU) and All BTC Minority Students’ Union (ABMSU) submitted a Memorandum to the Industries and Commerce Minister and reiterated their demands for 100% engagement of both executives and non-executives posts from the State and North-East and setting up of a ‘Skill Develop-
ment Centre’ in the area. They also demanded to expand the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities beyond sanitary constructions, as the provisions for the same are already in concurrence under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. ?Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary assured that the government in principle would consider their demands and take appropriate measures to address the issues amicably ac-
cording to the rules. He added that the Memorandum of the organizations would be soon sent to the Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas. He said that the Government has given major thrust on skill development of youth for which a new department namely ‘Skill Development, Employment and Entrepreneurship Department’ has been recently created. The Minister further stated that 2% of the net profit of Bongaigaon Refinery is used for CSR
activities and the authorities can channelize the fund for other charitable and social development activities as proposed by the student organizations. ?The meeting was attended by Water Resources Minister Keshav Mahanta, MLA of Bongaigaon Phani Bhushan Choudhury, DC and SP of Chirang District, BK Deka and SB Raimedhi respectively and Executive Director of IOCL, BGR, LW Khongwir.
Tusker killed by Cattle thief apprehended by villagers miscreants ET Correspondent Tezpur, 3 Nov: A matured tusker seems to be of 65 years old was killed by miscreants at Dhekiduba Pothar under Chardwar PS in Sonitpur District last
night around 10.30 Pm. According to the forest department source, the wild elephant was killed with poisoned arrow and after the death miscreants cut away one of it’s ivory.
ET Correspondent Tezpur, 3 Nov: At a time when organized gang of burglar and thief are rendering common public of different areas of Sonitpur district passing of sleepless night over the last few months the people of Chardwar area under the Chardwar PS in
Poultry farming has potential to revamp rural economy: Governor ET Bureau Guwahati, 3 Nov: “Poultry farming if taken in right earnest can ensure livelihood to all and unleash nutritional and economic security especially in the rural areas”, said Assam Governor, Shri Banwarilal Purohit in the inaugural function of XXXIII Annual Conference of Indian Poultry Science Association at College of Veterinary Science in Khanapara today. Speaking on the occasion Governor Shri Purohit said that vocation in poultry is an important economic activity and if taken in right earnest, poultry has the potential in creating employment avenues in rural areas and can revamp rural economy. He also said that besides providing employment avenues, this sector has an important contribution towards providing nutritional security of a vast segment of the country’s population. The Governor also thanked Vice Chancellor Dr. K.M. Bujarbaruah and his team for organizing the IPSACON 2016. He lauded the scientists and universities of the country for their efforts in huge production of wheat which are being exported outside the country. He also underlined the importance of soil testing before plantation of crops and he advocated for suitable land for sowing right kind of seeds. Scientific methods should be used for
growing of crops. He asked the Vice Chancellor of Assam Agriculture University to impart practical training to the students and send them to the fields to share their expertise with the farmers for good production of crops and to increase productivity of poultry farming. The Governor also asked the gathering to bring transparency in professional and personal life, he called upon the delegates to practice highest degree of professionalism to bring in revolution in poultry sector. Minister for Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Atul Bora while speaking on the occasion said that the theme “Rural Poultry for livelihood, Nutritional and Economic Security” fits well in poultry production scenario in Assam. He called upon the poultry scientists assembled on the occasion, to take initiative for the development of region specific growth and production technologies for rural poultry so that their productivity and availability increases manifold. He also hailed the efforts of Assam Agriculture University for developing and releasing a poultry variety named ‘Kamrupa’ with higher egg and meat quality while retaining the local colour and flavor. The variety has also received overwhelming response from the growers. The Vice Chancellor of Assam Agriculture Univer-
sity Dr. K.M Bujarbaruah earlier in his welcome address apprised the assembly that India has done remarkably well in poultry sector. From a mere 1.8 billion eggs in 1950-51, the country produces today 69 billion eggs a whooping 32 times increase in egg production. In the function the Governor handed over the Life Time Achievement award to Dr. R. Prabhakaran for his contribution to poultry farm research. The Entrepreneurship awards were conferred on to Chandan Sengupta, Dr. Ajit Kumar Bhagawati, Dr. Upendra Pathak for their outstanding contribution to Poultry Production through years. Indian Poultry Science Association fellow awards were given to Dr. Srikant Viswas Rao Deshmukh and Dr. Prabhat Kumar Mandal. ADG (AP&B), ICAR Dr. R.S.Gandhi, Director (Vety), AAU, Khanapara Dr. A .Chakraborty, President of Indian Poultry Science Association (IPSA), Dr. A. Jalaludeen, General Secretary, Indian Poultry Science Association (IPSA) Dr. S. Majumdar were present on the occasion. A host of dignitaries from different states also participated in the conference. R.N.Goswami, Dean, FVSc, AAU & Chairman Organizing committee offered the vote of thanks.
Sonitpur District last night managed to apprehend a gang of cattle thief while they were trying to lift a cow from a local resident of Chardwar area. However, after beating the apprehended gang into a critical condition the locals later handed them over to the
Chardwar Police. The accused were identified as Ram Gambler (32), Prem Pegu (30), and Prem Lipijang (35) of Bhalukpung, and Bishnu Koch, of Charidwar. A Maruti VAN bearing Registration Number -AS 12 B-2845 was also recovered from them.
Water Resources Dept of Assam organises an International Level Seminar on Flood and Erosion of Brahmaputra ET Bureau Guwahati, 3 Nov: Flood and erosion have been the biggest problem faced by the state of Assam for a long period of time. Floods create serious devastation every year affecting the economy in a big way. Lack of proper research on Brahmaputra has been a problem. North East festival is a platform created to promote the North East India and to highlight the critical issues of the region. The fourth edition of North East festival is being organised from 4 to 6 November at IGNA, India Gate, New Delhi. The North East festival will bring music, dance, Bhaona, food, handloom and handicrafts, fashion under one roof. During North East festival an international level seminar on flood and erosion of River Brahmaputra is to be organised from 4 to 6 November at IGNA Conference Hall, Janpath on 5th November 11 am onwards. The seminar would be presented by Water Resources, Department, Government of Assam with support from North East festival team and would be attended by top experts of IITs, World Bank, ADB, CWC, etc. Keshab Mahanta, Water Resource Minister, Government of Assam who has taken strong initiative to organise
the seminar informed that idea of the seminar is to brainstorm on technical intervention required for a permanent solution to flood and erosion issues of Brahmaputra. Keshab Mahanta is hopeful that serious and meaningful suggestions will come out of the brainstorming session and informed that findings of the seminar would be seriously taken by Government of Assam for implantation. Mr.PP Changkokoti, Chief Organizer of North East Festival informed that many top experts of thecountry including Mr. A K Gusain of IIT Delhi, KD Singh, Nayan Sharma, Rajnish Ranjan of IIT Roorkee, MS Mohan of IISc, Bengaluru, Dr. Arup Sharma of IIT Guwahati and many others have already confirmed their presence. Keshab Mahanta also informed that stakeholders form Assam including Prahanta Rajguru, Dr. Ranoj Pegu, Sanjay Hazarika and media personalities would also be present during the seminar. Keshab Mahanta informed that this year, Assam is the focus state of North East festival and this seminar would bring best of brains of India to talk about Brahamputra and to raise awareness about the flood and erosion problem of the state.
A Staff Reporter Guwahati, 3 Nov: Assam Governor Banwarilal Purohit today exhorted journalists in the state to report about the development activities in the North East state. "There can be different views but Assam's papers (should) write about the development activities in the state so that people support the government development projects", said Purohit talking to
journalists in the Raj Bhavan here. "Journalists have a major responsibility towards it. the pen of journalists has a lot of strength. Take advantage of the situation for development of Assam", said the Governor who owns a major newspaper in Nagpur in Maharashtra. The Governor was also appreciative of new BJP AssamChief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal stating, "He is working
very hard with honesty for the development of the state and its people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is behind him to support him as he wants to do a lot for development of Assam and the North East region". Purohit also praised the Prime Minister of being above board and his anti-corruption policy "has percolated below and action against those corrupt has been started".
Seminar on “commerce education and beyond” at Tezpur university ET Correspondent Tezpur, 3 Nov: A oneday National Seminar on “Commerce Education And Beyond: The Professional Edge” organized by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India in association with the Department of Commerce, Tezpur University will be held at Tezpur University on
coming November 15. The seminar will be addressed by eminent personalities, motivational speakers as well as there will be an interactive session with Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX). The main focus of the seminar is students’ pursuing commerce
education which will address important issues about commerce education and more specifically professional education vividly. “There is no participation fee. Heads of institutions offering commerce are requested to encourage students to join the seminar.
District level competition of Aryabhatta science centre held ET Correspondent Tezpur, 3 Nov: Aryabhatta Science Centre of Sonitpur organized a District level competition on Science model exhibition, extempore speech and poster drawing among the students of different Development Blocks recently at Sootia H.S. School. The Programme supported and Catalyzed by the Assam Science Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC), Deptt. of Science and Technology Govt. of Assam, Guwahati was inaugurated by Principal of Sootia Higher Secondary School, Bhupen Das, with commemoration of Aryahhatta, the famous mathematicianastronomers of ancient India followed by lighting a lamp. Besides other noted dignitaries, the event was graced by Vice Principal Sootia H.S. School, Kamala Kanta Kafle. The competition
was moderated by Dr. Ajay Bhattacharya, Lecturer, Biswanath Commerce College, Dr. Sangita Baruah, Research Scholar of Biswanath Agriculture College, Bipul Khaund and Samir Bora, Lecturer of DIET, Biswanath, Prabin Mech, Lecturer of Biswanath B.Ed. College and Mahim Acharya , Subject Teacher, Khilikhabari H.S. School. Ganesh Sarma, District Co-coordinator, Ary abhatta Science Centre, Sonitpur welcomed the gathering.
School, Rituraj Sarma of Sankardev Sisu Niketan, Borsola and Ajay Mandal of Pub- Behali H.S. School bagged respectively the first, second and third position. In extempore speech competition Miss Devipriya Barthakur of A m b e k a g i r i Raichoudhury Jatiya Vidalaya, Hawajan , Samridhi Sarthak Saikia of Sankardev Sisu Niketan, Kalabari and Anaya Borah of Sankardev Sisu Niketan, Dhekiajuli bagged the first, second and third position respectively.
Sanu Nath of Dhekiajuli High School, Dhekiajuli and Akunthita Garg, of Bhaskarjyoti Adarsha Vidypith, Sootia and Ganesh Das of Thelamara High School bagged respectively the first, second and third position in the poster drawing. In science model competition, Manash Gogoi of Gohpur Town High
Around 110 students of different schools under different development Blocks of Sonitpur District participated in the competition. The participants bagging First and Second position of his event will be facilitated to participate in the State level competition schedule to be held in November at Regional Science Centre, Guwahati.
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17th ASAN general conference Online submission of Dimapur, Nov 3: Agricultural Student's Association of Nagaland, a premiere organization for the Naga students studying Agriculture all over the country held its 17th general conference on November 2 at NU: SASRD Medziphema campus under the theme "Innovation in Hill Agriculture" culminating on November 3, with parliamentary secretary, Agriculture, NSAMB, Dr Benjongliba Aier as the chief guest and department of Land Resources, director Hoto Yeptho as the guest of honor at the inaugural function. The 17th ASAN general conference magazine and memento was released by Dr. Benjongliba Aier, who speaking at the function said, Nagaland was gifted
Dr. Benjonliba Aier releasing the 17th ASAN general conference magazine. with unique topography and varied agro-climatic and soil conditions which offered vast resources and scope for development of various agricultural farming. The potentialities of these
features in the state were yet to be tapped fully due to lack of adequate flow of required agricultural inputs, latest technologies, extension services and investment from the financial institutions, he
stated. He further said greater emphasis was needed on safeguarding natural resources and agro-ecological practices as well as on tapping the wide range of traditional knowledge held by local communities and farmers, which could work in partnership with formal science and technology. Speaking at the occasion Hoto Yeptho exhorted the students to accumulate practical, applicable knowledge and not simply to acquire good marks. He also opined that the low capita income of the state was due to low agriculture productivity and emphasised on creating more Agro-based industries in the state. Earlier the programme was chaired by Prof M.
Aleminla Ao, invocation by APYCM, Medziphema Town Ao Baptist Church Bendangsashi Walling, welcome address by general secretary, ASAN P. Sakotsungba Longchar, welcome song presented by EU Choir, NU: SASRD. ASAN president RovizelhouKuotsu delivered the presidential address and vote of thanks by ASAN ags Atenjen Lemtur. Scale Model Competition based on the theme "Innovation in Hill Agriculture" was held where 4 groups participated under different sub-themes, viz: Settled Agriculture, Improved Zabo System by using available materials, Agro-biodiversity Farming and Tackling the problem of Hill Agriculture. (Agencies)
Police officer accused of Only 40 Bru families come forward beating juvenile in custody Kohima, Nov 3: In what could be termed as "extreme high-handedness" of the law enforcers, a police officer has been accused of brutally beating up one 17-year-old boy in police custody in Kohima on October 25 last. The minor student, a class-XI student of Siekhazou government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) Kohima, was falsely accused of stealing bag containing academic documents along with Rs. 40,000 cash belonging to one graduate teacher. Narrating the incident to media persons, who visited the victim at his paternal uncle's place in Kohima Wednesday evening, the victim's aunty said the boy was innocent and he would not commit such offence or would ever steal anything that did not belong to him. She said on October 24 last, the victim visited his neighbour's place where a house construction was on. The graduate teacher who filed FIR was staying at that place for a month now to oversee the construction. She said on October 24 morning, they were told that the bag containing Rs. 40,000 cash and academic document was lost and accused the juvenile of stealing the bag. In spite of guardian pleading innocence of the boy, the teacher lodged a com-
plaint with North Police station, which the victim's guardian learnt only in the evening. Subsequently, she said the police team arrived and arrested the juvenile on October 24 evening even after they told the police that he was innocent. Upon his arrest, the victim's guardian rushed to the North Police Station to claim his innocence, but the police reportedly informed that he has to be in the custody since interrogations were to be made. Victim's uncle requested the police officers not to beat him or harass him as he was innocent and left the police station. The victim told the media persons that on October 25 early morning, the police officer appeared and abused him even after he pleaded his innocence. He said the officer in an attempt to let him admit beat him up saying he was caught on CCTV footage stealing the bag. The victim said when he had asked the officer to show him the CCTV footage, the police officer started to bash him up with his hands tied. He said the police officer even accused him of being a murderer and that he would kill people if he was released. The victim claimed that the police officer in an inebriated condition slapped him several times. Fur-
ther, the victim alleged that the police officer beat him up with lathis for almost an honour and in the process six to seven lathis were broken. The victim said that there were other police personnel at that time. After bashing him, he said the police officer fed him food. The victim's aunty said they were not aware of the whole situation until they reached the police station to bail him out after the teacher told them FIR has been withdrawn. Later, they took the victim to hospital, where he is still under treatment. Meanwhile, the Swurotsomi Clan of Thenyizumi Village, which has taken up the case, has written a letter to the district child protection officer Kohima. The Swurotsomi Clan after narrating the incident has sought justice according to the Constitution. They have demanded a video footage copy of torture by duty officer, arrest and handing over of complainant to the youth organization and interpretation and justification of the juvenile as per the constitution/human rights. Failing to respond to its demand within 10 days, the clan warned that they would exercise the rights of their own choice. The clan also attached the birth certificate of the victim for age proof. (Agencies)
Naik threatens Ronnie with defamation suit Shillong, Nov 3: Former principal secretary of the Urban Affairs Department P. Naik on Wednesday rebutted the claims of Ronnie V. Lyngdoh and threatened to file a defamation case against the minister. The Urban Affairs minister had on Tuesday blamed Naik for the mismanagement and pathetic condition of the buses. Speaking to The Shillong Times here on Wednesday, the former bureaucrat said the operation and management of SPTS buses were decided through a special purpose vehicle, which included other departments like transport and traffic, and not "arbitrarily" as claimed by Lyngdoh. Naik said Lyngdoh's allegations were based on "perceptions and fictions", and that he would soon file a defamation suit against Lyngdoh.
"I would not like to comment anything on late Minister FS Cajee as it is not appropriate," he said and added that the government has all records of the SPV. According to Naik, the department had initially called a tender for the operation of the buses. Since there was no response from any bidder, the government decided to hand over the buses to Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC). Pointing out the loopholes in the functioning of MTC, Naik said there was a huge gap as far as revenue sharing was concerned even though MTC and the Urban Affairs operated on a ratio of 70:30. "Out of 50 buses, which were given to MTC, 23 need major repair and seven will have to be auctioned," he said and added that an estimate of around Rs 1 lakh is
required for the repairing of each of those buses. Lyngdoh on Tuesday had questioned the decision to prefer private entities to a government one in managing the buses. To this, Naik clarified on Wednesday that there was no such policy that stated that buses have to be given to PSUs. "The government had one motive and that was to sustain the bus services for the benefit of the people." Many of the buses which were handed back to Meghalaya Urban Development Agency (MUDA) were in a shambles, Naik said. The retired bureaucrat further said it was the responsibility of MUDA, which is headed by the minister as executive chairman, to look after the management of the buses and issues like revenue generation, complaint and cleanliness. (Agencies)
Agartala , Nov 03: On the first day of the repatriation process today, over 40 Bru families came forward for identification at the Kaskau relief camp in North Tripura before the Mizoram government officials who are there to identify the bona fide residents of the state. Deputy Commissioner of Mamit district in Mizoram bordering Tripura, Lalbiaksangi, who is heading a team of 30 officials, told from Kaskau camp that the identification process was undertaken peacefully.Brus, who were enrolled in the 1995 Mizoram voters' lists and their descendants were accepted as bona fide residents of the state, she said. Around 500 families were lodged in the Kaskau relief camp and the task became difficult as the Tripura government did not have any proper record of those lodged in the six relief camps and deaths and births were also not registered, she added.The identification process was the beginning of the proposed eighth phase physical repatriation of 3,445 Bru families lodged in the six relief camps in North Tripura
district and is scheduled to continue till November 21. As per the schedule of the Road Map-V for Bru Repatriation, the physical repatriation was to commence from November 30.As per the proposal, 2,594 repatriated families would be resettled in Mamit district while Kolasib district bordering Assam and south Mizoram's Lunglei district would host 628 and 223 Bru families respectively. Thousand of Bru left Mizoram and migrated to Tripura en-masse after Bru militants gunned down a forest guard near Persang hamlet inside the Mizoram-BangladeshTripura border Dampa Tiger Reserve on October 21, 1997. The Brus were lodged in six relief camps at the Kanchanpur Sub-Division of North Tripura, of which 1,686 families have been repatriated since 2010 till date. The efforts to repatriate the rest of the community in the relief camps during June one to September four last year was unsuccessful as not a single Bru came forward for identification before the Mizoram officials in the relief camps. (Agencies)
Strike called by Petroleum leaders on November 15 Agartala , Nov 03: The city may run short of fuel tomorrow and on November 15 as the West Bengal Petroleum Dealers' Association has called a strike to protest against the rising expenditure and declining profit margin.The Association's move is part of a nationwide strike called by the All India Petroleum Dealers' Association (AIPDA).As part of their continued agitation demanding change in dealers' commission formula, around 3,000 petrol pumps in West Bengal, including 53,500 across the country has decided to go in for a strike on November 15. "We are doing business on a very low margin and it is difficult to manage expenses. Our business is at stake at the moment. We want to increase the profit margin, which is our major demand."Tomorrow we will not procure fuel
oil marketing companies (OMCs) and on November 15, we will neither buy nor sell fuel... This may trouble customers, but we have no other options. If issues are not resolved, many of us have to leave the trade," state Association president Tushar Kanti Sen told reporters in Kolkata. Incidentally, petrol pumps on October 19 and 26 undertook a token "blackout" protest for 15 minutes from 7PM."Tomorrow we will sell fuel till stocks last. But generally a day's stock does not last long, This might cause a dry spell in the second half of the day," Sen said."All petrol pumps would be closed. This will leave 3,000-odd pumps shut on November 3 and 15. In Kolkata, nearly 180 petrol pumps will be participating in the protest. (Agencies)
UDP demands probe into SPTS mess Shillong, Nov 3: With the current developments over the alleged mishandling of the public transport system, the UDP on Wednesday called for an independent probe into the handing over of operation of buses and maxi taxis to NGOs from Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC). UDP leader Allantry F Dkhar said as per the CAG report, MTC was making profit when the service was pro-
vided by it. "We appreciate the bold stand taken up by Urban and Municipal Affairs Minister Ronnie Lyngdoh to streamline the system and hence there is a need to have an independent probe," Dkhar said. The UDP also wanted to know that when MTC was making profit what made the concerned department to hand over the operation to NGOs. (Agencies)
applications enabled
Agartala , Nov 03: In a significant initiative, the Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation has enabled online submission of applications by the urban poor for affordable houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana(Urban) from tomorrow. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard was signed today by the Ministry of HUPA and Common Services Centre e-Governance Services India Limited of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, in the presence of respective ministers Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu and Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad. Out of the over two lakh Common Services Centre across the country, about 60,000 located in urban areas will enable online submission of applications from November 3,2016 at a nominal cost of Rs.25/per application. As per the MoU, CSCs will also facilitate printing of
the acknowledgement receipt with beneficiary photograph which helps applicants in tracking application status. Beneficiaries have to visit the nearest CSC for seeking assistance for seeking benefits of PMAY(Urban) online. In case the beneficiary does not have Aadhar Card, CSCs will enable beneficiaries acquiring them. This process of applying online is e-KYC (Know Your Client) enabled which means applications are submitted after due verification. Minister of HUPA Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu said on the occasion that Digital India Mission is transforming the country and collaboration with CSC SPV will help in bringing more urban poor under the ambit of PMAY(Urban) by addressing the difficulties associated in physical submission of applications to Urban Local Bodies, for want of adequate help and guidance. He said that while 13.70 lakh
urban poor were sanctioned affordable houses during 2005-14, about 11 lakh houses have been already sanctioned for urban poor during the last one year and this will pick up further momentum through online applications. Minister of Electronics and IT Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad said that CSCs are the front end soldiers of Digital India Mission and are engaged in empowering different sections of the society through skilling and online delivery of services.The MoU was signed by Shri Amrit Abhijat, Joint Secretary, Ministry of HUPA and Shri Dinesh Tyagi, CEO, CSC e-Governance Services India Ltd.Through a similar MoU with the Ministry of Urban Development, CSCs have so enabled 15 lakh transactions helping beneficiaries apply on line for construction of toilets under Swachh Bharat Mission in urban areas. (Agencies)
Sharmila attends Malom anniversary
Iron Sharmila. A file phototo. Imphal, Nov 3: Irom Chanu Sharmila, today, elaborated on the need to bring a political solution to the issue of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 during the 16th anniversary of the infamous November 2, 2000 Malom killing during which 10 bystanders were gunned down by the Assam Rifles at Malom Makha Leikai Boroi Makhong along Tiddim road allegedly in retaliation to an attack on their convoy. The observance was held at the Memorial Park, Malom Boroi Makhong organised by the families and relatives of the 10 victims of the incident. Sharmila was attending for the first time the anniversary programme commemorating the Malom incident which had prompted her to go on her record hunger strike demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act. "There is a need to bring
political solution to this political issue," Sharmila said referring to the Act. She further called for "freedom from this draconian law that is violating our basic human rights." Sharmila said that the draconian law under the AFSPA-1958 has uprooted the significance of harmonious living in the state. Law is to safeguard civilians, but it is violating even the basic human rights, Sharmila said adding people should not remain silent against this inhuman Act. She added she has embarked on her political campaign with a meeting at the Keishamthong community hall on August 27. The government, she alleged, has remained silent on the crimes against civilians perpetrated under the AFSPA which has compelled various sections of the society to raise slogans against the Act.However, the voice seems to be inaudible to the
government, she said.Violation of human rights is a political issue and a solution could be brought only politically, she added.She said she is stepping into politics with a conscience to bring in real democracy and justice for all.Sharmila, who recently announced her newly-floated political party Peoples Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA), said members of her party have pledged to bring changes in the society with love, peace and justice. She further called on the people to join her struggle for better growth and to bring peace and harmony in the state. Sharmila, family members and friends of the 10 victims paid floral tributes before portraits of the victims. It may be mentioned that on November 2, 2000, at around 3:20 pm 10 civilians including a 62-yearold woman were shot dead by personnel of the Assam Rifles at Malom Makha Leikai Boroi Makhong following a bomb attack on an AR convoy along the Tiddim road. Following the explosion, the AR troops began firing towards people who were running for cover. Eight persons, including a middle-aged woman, were killed at a set of bus stop at Malom Makha Leikai, while two others died near a culvert. (Agencies)
KDCC objects to draft Eroll for municipal councils Kohima, Nov 3:Kohima District Congress Committee (KDCC) has raised objection to the ongoing exercise on "draft electoral roll for Municipal/ Town Councils", saying that the draft electoral roll for Municipal/Town Councils was that of the latest e-roll summary revisions made for assembly elections. While reacting to an order that the present summary revision of e-roll of the 19 wards in Kohima, should be completed within 10 days starting from November 1, 2016, KDCC said that e-roll for ULBs should be done from 2004 till date so that sufficient time was granted to the electoral registration officer to ensure that all eligible electorates registered in the
democratic exercise. In this regard, KDCC president Kevi Vizo urged the State government and the responsible department to implement the municipal guidelines in letter and spirit and immediately order complete revision of the e-roll for all the wards and colonies under the Municipal and Town Councils. According to Vizo, as per "The Nagaland Municipal Election Rules, 2003" summary revision of eroll for Municipal and Town Councils should be separately prepared for each ward of the municipality in accordance with the rules. KDCC has threatened to approach the court for legal action if their appeal was not pursued in all earnestness. Kohima District Con-
gress contented that if eroll for assembly election was to be followed, then almost half of the electorates for urban local bodies will not get opportunity to exercise their franchise as the last municipal election in the state was held in 2004 with the creation of separate e-roll. It stated that with urbanization, thousands of electorates are migrating into the town areas, however since the Election Commission of India has strictly ordered "One Man One Vote" thousands of electorates with a view to maintain their names in the e-rolls in their respective villages do not have the registration in the e-rolls in Town areas despite being resident of colonies and wards. (Agencies)
EDITORIAL
DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4
Today's quote
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The most important service rendered by the press and the magazines is that of educating people to approach printed matter with distrust. Samuel Butler
Tight race in a divided country A
few weeks ago, many Americans would have guffawed at any suggestion that there could be a nailbiting finish to the November 8 presidential election. Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton had a comfortable lead in the polls, around 12 percentage points in some surveys. The campaign of Republican nominee Donald Trump had been dealt multiple blows stemming from the "Access Hollywood" tapes, where he was caught boasting about groping women without their consent. His popularity plummeted further after at least nine women alleged he had sexually assaulted them years ago. However, with less than a week to voting day, the race has tightened. For the first time since May, Mr. Trump is leading in one major poll. The game changer is FBI Director James Comey's announcement that his agency was reopening inquiries into Ms. Clinton's email record after discovering correspondence relating to her in the computer of Anthony Weiner, estranged husband of her aide Huma Abedin. There are multiple undercurrents to this vicious election battle that need to be parsed. In the blue corner, Ms. Clinton still enjoys an overwhelming statistical probability of winning the 270 electoral college votes required to secure the presidency. She maintained a statesmanlike poise throughout the presidential debates, and in Email-gate the FBI has failed to unearth any evidence of criminality against her so far. Yet her problem lies in the perception of untrustworthiness created by her use of a private server while she was Secretary of State, her proximity to deep-pocketed donors on Wall Street and her hard line on a fiscally expansive welfare agenda for the middle class. In the red corner, Mr. Trump has refused to tone down his abrasive rhetoric against women, Latinos, Muslims, African-Americans and the differently abled despite the expected backlash from these demographics and growing alienation from mainstream Republican Party leaders. He has similarly hurled defiance in the teeth of those demanding that he release his tax returns. His brazen invitation to Russian hackers to go hunting for Ms. Clinton's emails, and allegations about his shadowy financial connections to associates of Vladimir Putin raise troubling questions. That 21 months of feverish campaigning have ended not with a bang but a collective groan of disappointment in two such untrusted and uninspiring candidates says a lot about how bitterly polarised the electorate is. No matter who wins this ugly election, America's leaders will have to initiate an honest national conversation about reconciling its social mores. Else, the world's only superpower will find itself diminished.
Green farms and clean air The massive pollution cloud enveloping north-
ern India every year is a good example of the disconnect between official policy and ground realities. It has been known for long that burning of agricultural waste in the northern States significantly contributes to the poor air quality in large parts of the IndoGangetic Basin, with local and cascading impacts felt from Punjab all the way to West Bengal. Harmful fine particulate matter measuring 2.5 mm in diameter (PM2.5) is among the pollutants released. Punjab responded to the issue with a prohibition on the burning of paddy straw, and the launch of initiatives aimed at better utilisation of biomass, including as a fuel to produce power. Yet, there is no mission mode approach to the annual crisis. The efforts do not match the scale of agricultural residues produced, for one, and fail to address farmers' anxiety to remove the surplus from the fields quickly to make way for the next crop. The national production of crop waste is of the order of 500 million tonnes a year, with Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and West Bengal topping the list. Again, 80 per cent of straw from paddy is burnt in some States, impacting air quality and depriving croplands of nutrients. It is an irony that the national capital and several other cities suffer crippling pollution in the post-monsoon and winter months partly due to biomass burning, when demand for fodder is rising and the surplus material could be used productively. Pilot projects to produce power using biomass demonstrated in Rajasthan, and mechanised composting and biogas production units of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute could be scaled up, and farmers given liberal support to deploy such solutions. Given the twin benefits of pollution abatement and better productivity, conservation agriculture needs to be popularised. This would encourage farmers to use newer low-till seeding technologies that allow much of the crop residues to remain on site, and curb the release of a variety of pollutants. Burning residues add greenhouse gases that cause global warming, besides pollutants such as carbon monoxide, ammonia, nitrous oxide and sulphur dioxide that severely affect human health. Sustained work is called for, given that higher agricultural productivity to meet food needs is inevitable, with a cascading increase in biomass volumes. The challenge is to identify measures to utilise it. By one estimate, if India can reach its own air quality standards for fine particulate matter from all sources, annual premature deaths can be cut by almost 10 per cent. A programme to cut pollution from waste-burning would be a good start.
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A tale of two Americas Thirty years ago nobody took Donald Trump seriously. Today many people do. Because, in America, the future is no longer what it used to be Varghese K. George "Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall." - U.S. President Ronald Reagan, speaking in what was then West Berlin, June 12, 1987. "There's a great big beautiful tomorrow." - Theme song to 'Carousel of Progress', the longest running stage show at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. The show started in 1964 and runs to date. "Future ain't what it used to be." - Graffiti at a restaurant in the Ohio countryside. "Build that wall." - The most heard slogan at the rallies of Republican presidential candidate Donald J. Trump. It is not a coincidence that we get to repeatedly hear about "the last 30 years" in political rhetoric in many parts of the world. Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders, who lost out on the Democratic presidential nomination to Hillary Clinton, are two prominent critics of America's involvement in the trade-driven global capitalist system, and they frame all their arguments in the temporal framework of the last three decades. To cite an example closer home, Prime Minister Narendra Modi repeatedly points out that this is first time in three decades that India has a single party with a parliamentary majority. The three decades in question roughly start with the Reagan speech quoted above and end with the last slogan - the journey of America, from yearning to "tear down that wall" to the war cry of "build that wall". Understanding what has happened in America in these three decades is essential to understanding what has happened in India, and anticipating what may happen. Because, America remains and will remain in the foreseeable future the global centre of capital, technology and ideas that will influence the rest of the world. Two Americas cheek by jowl
America under Reagan, seen from a critical Democratic perspective, was summarised in a soaring piece of political rhetoric by Mario Cuomo, then Governor of New York. At the 1984 Democratic National Convention, as Reagan was seeking re-election, Cuomo made the speech that became famous as the 'tale of two cities' speech. He said, referring to an equally famous Reagan speech: "President Reagan admitted that although some people in this country seemed to be doing well nowadays, others were unhappy, even worried, about themselves, their families, and their futures. The President said that he didn't understand that fear. He said, 'Why, this country is a shining city on a hill.' And the President is right. In many ways we are a shining city on a hill. But the hard truth is that not everyone is sharing in this city's splendour and glory. A shining city is perhaps all the President sees from the portico of the White House and the veranda of his ranch, where everyone seems to be doing well. But there's another city; there's another part to the shining city; the part where some people can't pay their mortgages, and most young people can't afford one; where students can't afford the education they need, and middle-class parents watch the dreams they hold for their children evaporate." Three months after Reagan made his Berlin speech, on September 2, 1987, Mr. Trump - then a 41-year-old real estate tycoon - made his first move that could be called political. He took out an advertisement in the New York papers on the "stupidity" of American politicians and spoke to CNN's Larry King in an interview. What he said proves that what has not changed in the last 30 years are Mr. Trump's world view, words, and style. He told Mr. King: "Looking at our own stupidity, other countries are laughing at us.
This is a great country. But we have stupid leaders… The country is losing $200 billion a year [in trade deficit]… Japan, Saudi Arabia… these are countries that would be wiped off the face of the earth if it were not for the U.S.A. This country will go bust in a couple of years. Japan and all these countries must pay for protection." He was asked whether America should protect its trade through protectionist policies or by making its businesses more competitive. "There is no free trade in the world, it is virtually impossible for an American company to go and do business in Japan or Saudi Arabia. In the meantime Japan is coming to this country and buying up all of Manhattan," he said. He added: "Our farmers are dying, the homeless are all over the streets of our cities… We give so much money to the wealthiest countries of the world, but we can't take care of our own people - the poor, the sick, homeless, the farmers, those people we are not helping." The establishment takes all In the last three decades, post-Reagan, there have been two Republican presidents and two Democratic Presidents. It was a Bush who became President from the Republican side both the times; a third Bush was the favourite of the party establishment and U.S. corporations for this year. From the Democratic side, a Clinton was the President for eight
years and another Clinton, who has been a Senator and then the Secretary of State, is running to be the next President. Meanwhile, different versions of the Cuomo speech got repeated in Democratic Party conventions over the years, even as the policies of both sides became increasingly indistinguishable. Also, among the next-generation Cuomos - the elder one, Andrew Cuomo is now New York governor and his younger brother Chris Cuomo is highly rated anchor on CNN. When Mr. Trump and Mr. Sanders speak about "establishment", people know who they mean. Mr. Trump has his own version of what's happened to the average American in the last thee decades, but let's us turn to Elizabeth Warren, former Harvard academic, Democratic Senator, strongest of all Trump critics, and the most credible of all Hillary Clinton supporters. Speaking at the Democraticleaning Center for American Progress recently, she summarised the change in the last three decades. "The average two-income family in America is far worse off than a one-income family in just a generation ago. One in three Americans with a credit file is dealing with a debt collector; 70 per cent of college students are in debt by the time they turn 18. Last year, 8,20,000 American families filed for bankruptcy," she said. "The
American economy may look great from the outside, but for the families living inside, this economy is very different. Why did they get so squeezed, so hard?" She offered the answer: "What has changed is the policy. We went from being a country that strengthened its middle class to one that bets on its wealthiest." Result? "From 1935 to 1980, 70 per cent of all the new wealth that was created went to the lower 90 per cent of the population and the top 10 per cent of the population took 30 per cent. From 1980 to 2016, the top 10 per cent took almost all of the new wealth created, and the 90 per cent got almost nothing." Big squeeze for average Americans How has this affected the life of average Americans in the last 30 years? "They spend 13 per cent less on food, 46 per cent less on clothing, 48 per cent less on appliances (iPhones and all fancy gadgets included, after adjusting for inflation)." At the same time, fixed costs are going through the roof. Americans spend "11 per cent more on transportation, 57 per cent more on shelter, 104 per cent more on health insurance, 275 per cent more on college education, 953 per cent more on child care," compared to 30 years earlier. The change in U.S. politics over the same period, measured by a particular matrix, is also notable: in the early 1980s, interest groups spent $200 million for direct lobbying of American politicians; in 2002 they spent $1.8 billion and in 2012 they spent $3.3 billion. Adjusted for inflation, it is a seven-fold increase in 30 years. When Barack Obama breezed into the scene with the promise of hope, 'Yes, We Can', eight years ago, average Americans of all backgrounds thought he would rescue them. He tried to tinker with the existing
economic order without seeking to fundamentally change the system. For a man who promised hope and change, he spent considerable time in the last year trying to convince agitated supporters of Mr. Sanders and Black Lives Matter (a movement against systemic racism) that they should be patient, and change comes slowly and incrementally. Why Trump's pitch resonates 'Carousel of Progress' features the material progress that a typical American family makes year after year new gadgets, comforts, leisure and fun. For the most part of the 20th century, that "there's a great big beautiful tomorrow" was true. That promise of tomorrow began to eclipse through the recent decades. Former Disney World employee Leo Perrero has experienced that untimely sunset in his life. In 2015, Mr. Perrero made national headlines when he broke down before a Congressional hearing while relating his story. Disney World contracted an Indian company the entire division in which Mr. Perrero used to work. He told media recently that he and most others who lost their jobs have not been able find a new IT job even a year later. He joined his family's small business that pays him much less than what he used to earn. He has appeared with Mr. Trump on stage a few times. "It's very hard to say what will happen if somebody gets into office," he said, but believes that Mr. Trump will be better for American workers. Mr. Trump said the same thing that he says today 30 years ago too - same words, same insults, same halftruths. Ms. Clinton is also making roughly the same speech that Cuomo made over three decades ago. "Tale of two cities" is today "an economy that works for all." Thirty years ago nobody took Mr. Trump seriously. Today many people do. Because, in America, the future ain't what it used to be.
The extraordinary life of M.P. Anil Kumar The story helps us reduce an entire discussion to a single question. Who is a better asset: a dead soldier or a living one?
Josy Joseph Among the military heroes of independent India, Flight Lieutenant M.P. Anil Kumar aka 'MP' stands out. His heroism was neither in a battlefield nor was it flying MiG-21 fighters that he mastered as an Air Force officer. MP's bravery, now celebrated in a just-released book, was as a quadriplegic. Hardly able to move his head, he spent almost half of his 50 years in a wheelchair. MP's accident did not have anything to do with war or regular duty. Simply put, his is an example that even a quadriplegic, if given a chance to live in a healthy peaceful environment, can be a great inspiration. MP attributed everything he was able to do in life to his Sainik School education and training at the National Defence Academy. In many ways he exemplified what soldiers can achieve in peace. Modern history is replete with narratives of
how nations that do not make enough efforts at peace, so that their soldiers can enjoy a normal lifespan to showcase their unique skills and abilities, will be reduced to chest-thumping jingoists in a land awash with forgotten war widows.The improbable story On June 28, 1988, MP was winding up a usual day at his fighter base in Pathankot after flying a couple of sorties as a wingman to senior pilots. Night flying had just been called off because of thundershowers, and MP, then just 24, was returning to the officers' mess when he met with a freak bike accident. "In one quirky instant 20 years ago, a mishap reduced me to a wreck of a combat pilot. From the fighter cockpit to a wheelchair, from a bird's eye view to a worm's eye view of the world… Life was never the same," he wrote a few years ago. It was his personal battle against tragedy, almost en-
tirely from the Army's Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre in Pune until he passed away on May 20, 2014, that makes MP a truly inspirational figure. With a pencil in his mouth, he taught himself to tap letter by letter, every comma and full stop in place, on to a keyboard that was placed in front of him. The specially created workstation helped MP write some of the most powerful and original commentaries on military issues in India for various publications. Many of his readers, enthralled by the lyrical prose and precise numbers, never even figured out that all of it was written from memory and without references. What really connected MP to the thousands of his admirers were his personal narratives of his own struggle after the accident. He mouth-wrote "Airborne to Chairborne", an iconic 1994 essay about his accident and how he fought his way back into life, which is
The fence There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily, gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was
able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said "you have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one." You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound is still there. Make sure you control your temper the next time you are tempted to say something you will regret later.
now part of textbooks in a few State syllabuses. There is hardly a better piece of writing in modern India that captures what determination can achieve. "Greater the difficulty sweeter the victory," MP signed off that piece. Ever since his article emerged in public, hundreds of children dropped in at his Pune home to talk to MP, and thousands more were inspired by him. From his wheelchair, MP counselled many into new careers, to find fresh meaning in life, and to embrace challenges with indomitable human spirit. MP didn't need any academic examples to illustrate his arguments. In many ways, Born to Fly, MP's biography by his course-mate Air Commodore Nitin Sathe that was released on October 25, holds a mirror to the urban elite of India who are yet again in a jingoistic mood. From TV channels to print media, from political platforms to NGO meets, war-
mongering is the loudest noise emanating. There are jarring whispers of gratitude for soldiers about some imminent martyrdom in the air. War is being sought with such passion that human progress seems like a focussed march into bloody battlefields. As if soldiers are born to die, mere commodities and symbols to prove the dishonest and ill-informed patriotism of the loud- and foul-mouthed. The real question The story of MP will actually help us reduce the entire discussion to a single, simple question. Who is a better asset: a dead soldier or a living one? A dead soldier is a martyr celebrated in public for a short while, when his teary eyed daughter's war cry at the funeral and widow's angry outburst against the "enemy" are all great visuals for inspiring short-term passion. After embers of the pyre go out, the martyr becomes the private misery
of his family and fodder for occasional rhetoric at public rallies. Reliable estimates put the number of war widows at around 25,000 in India. A majority of these women were widowed not by wars with external enemies but by insurgencies that have been lingering because of lack of political courage to negotiate peace. Their husbands were killed by the repeated political myopia which repeats the same jingoistic errors with such horrible frequency. The celebration of military heroism and the evocation of jingoistic nationalism at the drop of a hat are ways in which most of us find a way out of nuanced debates and our dishonest existence as citizens. If you are still not convinced about the responsibility of a nation to find peace and secure the lives of its soldiers, ask any one of us whose lives were deeply touched by Flying Officer M.P. Anil Kumar.
Drugs Abuse Dear Editor, As the drug epidemic continues to painstakingly seep into the country’s social and cultural aspects, drug abuse naturally trickles into our younger generation – a generation refusing to be left out. The youth of our nation will eventually determine the country’s moral, political, and social persuasions. Bearing the burden of a densely populated country like India is no small task. And drug abuse does nothing to lighten the load. The youth of our nation has a massive responsibility. To make a conclusion, nowadays alcohol and drug abuse is a very significant problem, which becomes more and more acute. Young people start drinking and taking drugs gradually earlier, which leads them to crimes, car accidents and rapes. The village society should take measures in order to reduce the number of drinking children. But first of all these are parents who are responsible for their children. More attention to them and their companies can solve the problem somehow. Your Sincerely Khirod Barauh Moran, Assam
DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4
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5 Must-Read Stories of Young Indian Women Who Started Changing Lives While Still in Their Teens Sanchari Pal
Across India, young women are increasingly leading and empowering communities through their innovative work. From creating free organic wigs for cancer patients to educating street kids, these confident young ladies are using their courage and creativity to ensure that India sees a brighter future. They may be young, but their passion for making a difference would inspire even the cynics! Here are 5 stories of young Indian women taking chances and changing lives of people near and far. Get ready to be amazed and inspired by these champions of change!
Meera Sharma - Off with their tresses, for cancer!
Avani Singh - A rickshaw of hope!
Anjali Chandrashekhar When a brush is mightier than the sword! Meera Sharma runs Tangled, an organisation that provides organic wigs to women fighting cancer. It all started when Meera found out that real hair wigs for cancer patients were prohibitively expensive (as high as Rs. 30,000) and that synthetic wigs were itchy and extremely uncomfortable. As the chairperson of the Rotaract Club of Women's Christian College, Chennai, Meera decided to do something about this. Along with her dedicated team at the club, Meera started by donating her own hair for the cause. Next, they partnered with the salon chain, Green Trends, and a wig-maker, Raj Hair Intl. Pvt. Ltd, who agreed to make natural hair wigs for them at a price of Rs. 4,500 per wig. These wigs are then distributed for free to the underprivileged cancer patients of the Cancer Institute. The cost of wig-making is borne by the sponsors whose generous contributions make this possible. Today, Tangled is working across India to provide free, organic wigs to cancer patients and boost their self-confidence.
An aspiring industrial designer with passion for painting and sculpture, Anjali Chandrashekhar was just 16 when she raised funds for causes such as natural calamities, child abuse, and rehabilitation of underprivileged children through her artistic creations. In 2008, she used her artwork to raise around 3 lakh rupees at an International Diabetes Charity and used that money to provide insulin and medication to many poor diabetic children. She also won the third prize at the United Nations Poster for Peace Contest for her disarmament posters, Break Free and Cutting a Peace Deal. A firm believer in the philosophy that art transcends barriers of age, language and literacy, 22-year-old Anjali has been working silently on her global social project, Picture It, for over a decade. Through it, she has been using her art to raise funds for various health, humanitarian and environmental causes.
A Delhi girl, Avani founded Ummeed, a program that trains women from the slums of Delhi to become taxi and rickshaw (electric rickshaws) drivers, when she was just 17. She started this initiative with a single electric rickshaw, donated by the local manufacturer, Green Wheels. To find a driver, Avani collaborated with the Delhi-based NGO CEQUIN to put out a call for volunteers in the Jamia area of the city. Soon, she had her first e-rickshaw driver, Kohinoor, who was delighted by the opportunity. Today, Ummeed is giving many women a way to earn both a living and a level of physical and social mobility that was previously nearly impossible. Other than training underprivileged women to drive, it also provides and maintains the e-rickshaws.
Varsha Varghese - For the love of words! Rashi Anand - A better childhood for street kids!
It was Varsha Varghese's love for books and her experience as a teaching volunteer in Make A Difference (MAD) that made her initiate the The Wordsworth Project. Along with college batchmates, Priyanka Roychowdhary and Rahul Sreekumar, Varsha decided to improve language competency in children. The trio firmly believed that since
language is the medium through which all subjects are taught, better language skills would directly lead to better learning outcomes. The Wordsworth Project works to create interactive reading spaces in low resource schools and learning centres, by equipping them with books catering specifically to the children's reading level. Mindful that books alone cannot make language accessible, they have also recruited and trained volunteers who teach kids basic grammar through interactive activities. The volunteers also help map the individual progress of each child's progress to help the team analyse the outcome of their efforts and take the necessary steps.
Seeing the plight of children on the streets of Delhi compelled Rashi Anand to make a difference in their lives. Worried about how vulnerable these kids were to exploitation, Rashi set up Lakshyam, an NGO working for street and underprivileged children in Delhi when she was just 18. Her next step was to set up a Toy Library programme that provided pictorial books and educational toys to street kids. Till date, this programme has donated books and toys to over two lakh underprivileged children in India. Today, Lakshyam has established several schools (called Sakshyam) for street kids in
Small Loans Make Big Entrepreneurs out of 10 Women in the Heartland of UP Since 2002, the Rajiv Gandhi Mahila Vikas Pariyojana, through a network of 1, 31,175 SHGs across 43 districts, has transformed the lives of many women by making them entrepreneurs. Take the story of Usha Singh, an SHG member from Naraini village of Amethi District, who, with two loans of Rs 1 lakh and Rs 50,000 and some money saved by her father-in-law, was able to buy two bighas of land and construct and run a co-ed school for 470 students. It was a struggle, but the Sarvodaya Bal Vidya Niketan, set up in 2011 in Nanha Bartoli, adjoining Naraini, is a recognized school with 11 rooms and 11 teachers. As the money came in from admission and tuition fees, rooms were added and teaching scaled to secondary level. Usha Singh, who had studied till graduation, is the headmistress of the school; her husband and father-in-law, qualified and experienced teachers, help run the school. The construction is basic but the teaching standards are high, attracting students. Of the Rs 85,000 a month that comes in as fees every month, Rs 45,000 goes towards teachers' salaries. At Phoolwari village, in the Phoolwari block of Lakhimpur Kheri, Manisha, Rekha and Preeti Gupta of the Ekta Mahila Gram Sangathan, all related by marriage, took loans and helped their husbands open and run Chandan Sweet House at Monu Chat Corner on the main road of Phoolwari. Eight years ago, the shop they ran had been closed and their husbands were out of the village in search of livelihoods as electrician and bus conductor. In 2013, they took their first loan of Rs 10,000, and with Rs 1,000 the family could pool together, started the business. Then, with a second loan of Rs 10,000, they
purchased the required kitchenware. In two years the eatery is doing well and the loan has been repaid with 2% interest. Its samosas, mithai and puri bhaji are in demand and often orders are received in advance. While the women manage the back end of the business, making the products for sale at home between 7 am and 9 am, the sales counters are managed by the men. Sales are brisk and the daily profits range from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500. A family member, Chandan Gupta, who was in the catering business, groomed them for the enterprise, to bring that extra zing to their samosas. The 20 ft by 20 ft shop caters to 10 to 15 people at a time. Rekha, who has studied till Class 5, keeps the books, ensuring that purchase, sales and profits are neatly recorded. Rekha has taken another loan of Rs 15,000 and bought a freezer for keeping cold drinks. Adding to the business, in 2015, Manisha took a loan of Rs 2,000 and her husband bought a machine for packing namkeens. He buys 3-4 varieties in bulk and makes small packets. Not only
have the women been the backbone of the business but their children are going to private schools too and life is looking up. Forty-year-old Kiran, a mother of three, also from the SHG of Phoolwari, had never worked. But seeing the transformation in the lives of other women of her samooh, she took her first loan of Rs 5,000 in 2015 and started a bangle shop from a room in her home in the busy marketplace. Her husband takes her to Lakhimpur and she buys a variety of bangles in wholesale, keeping in mind the latest trends. Having repaid the loan, she has taken another of Rs 10,000 and is now also selling artificial jewellery, mehendi and other decorative items used at weddings and special occasions. Her daily sales are Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 and, during festivals and weddings they shoot up to Rs 4,000 a day. Bypassing money lenders, a large number of the SHG members across the state are taking loans and opening grocery stores, investing in goats, pigs and buffaloes to improve their
economic status. There is no looking back for them. However, two stories that need to be told are of the mother and daughter team of Anju, a 45-year-old widow of Ekta Mahila Samooh, and her 21-year-old daughter Sandya, who, with SHG loans, have been able to take back eight bighas of land they had kept in mortgage. Sarita, 30, of the same samooh, was able to recover five bighas of land that a landowner had grabbed taking advantage of her alcoholic husband. Anju's husband had blood cancer and she kept taking loans from the money lender keeping her eight bighas on mortgage. However, he could not be saved. In 2013, she and her daughter, who is now doing her MA in political science, joined the samooh, took a loan of Rs 20,000 and got back the mortgaged land. The mother and daughter toiled on the land and paid back the loan. Then they took another loan of Rs 10,000 and started running a general store; Rs 5,000 of the second loan too was repaid. Sandya's 12-year-old brother, who goes to school in the morning, runs the shop in the evenings. Sandya, who wants to become a teacher, says, "We have crawled back from hell. We are happy now and don't depend on anyone. The mahajan (money lender) is losing a lot of his clients!" Sarita, mother of 15- and 10year-old boys, joined the samooh in 2013. Her husband worked as a casual labourer and blew up his earnings in booze. A landlord claimed her husband had borrowed Rs 20,000 and grabbed the fivebighas of land the family owned. So she took this amount as loan and recovered her land. A hard working woman, Sarita grows sugarcane on her five bighas, as well as on two more bighas she farms on. After paying off the initial loan she has taken two more loans of
Rs 15,000 and Rs 12,000 and bought two buffaloes. She does farming, looks after the buffaloes and sells milk to improve her earnings. Her husband, living separately, continues to be an alcoholic. "He can no longer bully and beat me," she says. Due to economic empowerment, women are now investing in better, private education for their children. Like Anju and Sarita, five other women of Phoolwari have been able to release their mortgaged land with loans from the SHGs. Lakshmi and Babli of the Pooja Mahila Samooh are big league entrepreneurs. With extremely supportive husbands, th n fact, this samooh got a cash credit limit of Rs 3 lakhs from the Allahabad UP Grameen Bank. Lakshmi took two loans of Rs 20,000 and Rs 10,000 in 2013 to buy utensils, tables, chairs, gas, and basic necessities for running a big dhaba that could cater to over 100 persons every day. The dhaba is conveniently located opposite a cooking gas depot and there is an assured stream of customers from among those who come to collect gas as well as those working in the depot. Lakshmi's husband, Krishna Gopal, has worked at Sheri-ePunjab restaurant as a cook and makes good desi and Chinese cuisine. A plate of dal, channa, sabzi and roti (quantity unlimited) costs Rs 50. Chicken and meat are made to order by Lakshmi at home and bring in more money. Lakshmi says with pride, "Mai gaddi per baithi hoon (I handle the cash)". In addition, she runs a sweets shop where 15 to 20 items of peda, burfi, jalebi, samosas, etc., are made by hired cooks who are paid Rs 220 daily. Lakshmi's five children study in a private school and the couple works hard, saving every day to return the loans.
the slum areas of Delhi. The organization also conducts workshops with street children under flyovers, in red light areas and at railway stations to provide basic education and create awareness about issues like drug addiction. Thanks to Rashi's efforts, Lakshyam has also expanded its work to states like Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Most of us nurture a passion but few translate it into action. These 5 young women didn't just dream about making a difference, they also built an effective social venture around a cause they were passionate about. Old or young, these go-getters are an inspiration to us all! (Source: THE BETTER INDIA)
Don't worry, Be happy Chetan Bhagat Alright, this is not cool at all. A recent survey by Nielsen has revealed that Indian women are the most stressed out in the world: 87% of our women feel stressed out most of the time. This statistic alone has caused me to stress out. Even in workaholic America, only 53% women feel stressed. What are we doing to our women? I'm biased, but Indian women are the most beautiful in the world. As mothers, sisters, daughters, colleagues, wives and girlfriends - we love them. Can you imagine life without the ladies? It would be a universe full of messy, aggressive and egomaniacal males running the world, trying to outdo each other for no particular reason. There would be body odour, socks on the floor and nothing in the fridge to eat. The entertainment industry would die. Who wants to watch movies without actresses? Kids would be neglected and turn into drug addicts or psychopaths by age 10. Soon, allmale world leaders would lose their tempers at the slightest provocation, and bomb the guts out of each other's countries. In short, without women and their sanity, the world would perish. Yet, look at how we Indians, a land of spiritual people, treat them. At an extreme, we abort girls before they are born, neglect them in their upbringing, torture them, molest them, sell them, rape them and honourkill them. Of course, these criminal acts are performed by a tiny minority. However, a majority of us are involved in lesser crimes. We judge, expect too much, don't give space and suffocate our women's individuality. Imagine if you did this to men won't they be stressed out? At a broader level, this isn't just
about our women. We Indians have a habit of exploiting anyone without power. As a flip side, we are suckers for anyone with power. We look up to corrupt politicians, keep voting them back, and feel they have an entitlement to loot us silly, because they are in power. In fact, we love power so much that when power comes to a woman, we automatically begin to regard her well too. Goddesses, female politicians, senior mothers in a household with a firm grip on family power - they all get our respect. Anyone else doesn't. This kind of society, which values power above equality and justice, doesn't achieve too much. These societies remain like backward tribes, because they do not allow people without power to come up, even though they may have many talents. When we don't allow our women to come up, or create stress for them if they do, we are not allowing half of India to come up. When we abuse our power, we kill the exploited person's will to contribute to society. When we believe powerful people are always right, and the less powerful should be crushed, we resemble a jungle of animals. And animals don't progress, humans do. These regressive attitudes will take a while to change. For now, i want to give Indian women five suggestions to reduce their stress levels. One, don't ever think you are without power. Give it back to that mother-in-law. Be who you are, not someone she wished you would be. She doesn't like you? That's her problem. Two, if you are doing a good job at work and your boss doesn't value you - tell him that, or quit. Talented, hardworking people are much in demand. Three, educate yourself, learn skills, network - figure out ways to be economi-
cally independent. So next time your husband tells you that you are not a good enough wife, mother or daughter-inlaw, you can tell him to take a hike. Four, do not ever feel stressed about having a dual responsibility of family and work. It is difficult, but not impossible. The trick is not to expect an A+ in every aspect of your life. You are not taking an exam, and you frankly can't score cent per cent (unless you are in SRCC, of course). It is okay if you don't make four dishes for lunch, one can fill their stomach with one. It is okay if you don't work until midnight and don't get a promotion. Nobody remembers their job designation on their dying day. Five, most important, don't get competitive with other women. Someone will make a better scrapbook for her school project than you. Another will lose more weight with a better diet. Your neighbour may make a six-dabba tiffin for her husband, you don't - big deal. Do your best, but don't keep looking out for the report card, and definitely don't expect to top the class. There is no ideal woman in this world, and if you strive to become one, there will be only one thing you will achieve for certain - stress. So breathe, chill, relax. Tell yourself you are beautiful, do your best and deserve a peaceful life. Anybody trying to take that away from you is making a mistake, not you. Your purpose of coming to this earth is not to please everyone. Your purpose is to offer what you have to the world, and have a good life in return. The next time this survey comes, i don't want to see Indian women on top of the list. I want them to be the happiest women in the world. Now smile, before your mother-in-law shouts at you for wasting your time reading the newspaper.
DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4
INTERNATIONAL P8 Three dead in Thai Involve all stakeholders in nation south night of violence building:Mukherjee to Nepal
Bangkok, Nov 3: The assaults began late Wednesday and rippled out over a wide area in the following hours with shootings, arson and bombings as well as the unfurling of banners decrying Thailand, which colonised the region more than a century ago. More than 6,600 people -the majority civilians -have died in a 12-year insurgency across the country's southernmost provinces bordering Malaysia as Muslim rebels fight for greater autonomy from the Buddhist-majority state. Two security guards were gunned down in Songkhla, one of the four provinces claimed as a historic sultanate by the rebels. "They were shot and killed at a car showroom," Lieutenant Colonel Pipop Chanapol of Songkhla police told AFP, adding the suspected rebels then torched the premises. In another fatal attack a soldier was shot dead guarding an office for war veterans in Pattani province, police added.
Several people were wounded in numerous other shootings and small bomb attacks in Songkhla, Pattani and Narathiwat provinces. Ethnic Malay Muslim rebels are suspected of being behind the violence, although they rarely claim responsibility, instead using fear and subterfuge to hide within local communities. The attacks appeared timed to coincide with a day trip to the south by Udomdej Sitabutr, a former army chief, who was recently appointed minister for the troubled region. Udomdej, who is also deputy defence minister, is heading a newly minted cabinet for the region with a remit to bring peace. But peace talks have sputtered. The Thai side is unconvinced that the rebel representatives at the table can control the violence, while the rebels do not believe the junta will concede political autonomy anytime soon. In that context, rebels are increasingly using force
such as Wednesday's apparently coordinated action to try to undermine the Thai state and chip away at its reputation by spreading fear among civilians. The near-daily insurgent attacks include car bombs and killing anyone perceived to be a collaborator with the government, including teachers. Last Friday a 49-year-old Buddhist teacher was killed and her colleague injured in a drive-by shooting. An army spokesman for the south played down the link between the latest violence and the new minister's visit. "The rebels are retaliating as authorities are aggressively arresting their people," Colonel Pramote Prom-in told media. "They want to destroy the economic lifeline of people in the south." Thai security forces stand accused of widespread rights abuses, including arbitrary arrests and extra-judicial killings -- although no soldier has ever been successfully prosecuted for murder. (Agencies)
Australia's 'dirtiest' power station to close Sydney, Nov 3: One of Australia's dirtiest power plants will be shuttered, its owner said Thursday, in a move hailed by environmentalists. After decades of belching pollution, the Hazelwood brown coal-fired power station in Victoria state's Latrobe Valley will close in March after French energy giant Engie decided it was no longer viable. Some 500 people are set to lose their jobs when the plant shuts down, with another 250 remaining until 2023 to manage the decommissioning of the power station and rehabilitation of the adjoining mine site. Engie said it was also looking to sell the brown coalfired Loy Yang B power station in the Latrobe Valley and the gas-fired Kwinana plant in Western Australia which supplies steam and electrical power. "Hazelwood is now more than 50 years old. It has been a wonderful contributor to the National Electricity Market but we have now reached the point where it is no longer economic to operate," Engie's Australia chief executive Alex Keisser said in a statement. "Engie in Australia would need to invest many hundreds of millions of dollars to ensure viable and, most importantly, continued safe operation. Given current and forecast market conditions, that level of investment cannot be justified." Hazelwood-which supplies
Kathmandu, Nov 3:President Pranab Mukherjee has underlined the need to involve every section of the Nepalese society as "equal stakeholders" in the process of building democracy, in an apparent reference to the political upheaval over the new Constitution that had strained Indo-Nepal ties. As a close neighbour, India is interested in peace, stability and progress of Nepal, said Mukherjee, who is the first Indian President to visit Nepal in 18 years. "We have learnt from our own experience that sustainable socio-economic development can only be achieved in an environment of peace, stability and a participatory democracy, and where every section of the society is an equal stakeholder in political processes and the outcomes. "These lessons could be of benefit to Nepal as it embarks on its own path of building democracy," he told Nepalese dailies Kantipur and The Kathmandu Post in an interview. Like any relationship of "this depth and intensity, there are times when we may have differing perceptions on certain aspects," he said on questions about India's position on the Madhesi protests that led to a blockade of border checkpoints and caused shortage of essential commodities in
the landlocked country, effectively nosediving the bilateral ties briefly. Madhesis, the inhabitants of southern plains who share close ties with Indians, had launched months-long agitation demanding more political representation and had alleged the Constitution Nepal adopted in September last year was discriminatory to their interest. Mukherjee said because of the shared border, developments within Nepal "can impact on the flows across it." "But we do manage any such differences with sensitivity, goodwill and utmost understanding of each other's vital interests. This has been the case throughout the history of IndiaNepalrelations," he said. "(And) let us not forget that ours is a unique partnership, which is driven by extensive contacts between our two peoples... As close friends, we, therefore, welcome all efforts that lead to enduring peace and stability in Nepal," he said. Mukherjee said India's engagement with Nepal will always be guided by the long-term interests of both the countries. "Going forward, I firmly believe that India and Nepal need to do more to work together for our common goal of development, peace, economic prosperity and well being of our two peoples," he said.
Israel sentences Palestinian minor to life in prison for murder
After decades of belching pollution, the Hazelwood brown coal-fired power station in Victoria will close in March after French energy giant Engie decided it was no longer viable. around 22 percent of Victoria's energy requirements and about four percent of the nation's-is 72 percent owned by Engie and 28 percent by Japanese trading house Mitsui. Paris said late last year that Engie-partly owned by the French government-was going to stop investing in the development of coalfired power plants, the biggest source of man-made CO2 emissions. Brown coal is considered "dirtier" than black coal, with environmentalists welcoming the closure. "Hazelwood is the dirtiest power station in Australia and one of the dirtiest in the world," Australian Conservation Foundation's chief executive Kelly O'Shanassy said. "This is a key moment in a transition that is already well under way-the switch from dirty energy to clean energy-and Australia's en-
ergy policy is now at a fork in the road." The federal government unveiled a Aus$43 million (US$33 million) support package for the workers, alongside Aus$22 million from the state government. Federal Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg said he would closely monitor the impact of the closure on energy supply across the nation. It followed question marks over energy security after the entire state of South Australia was left without power in September following a severe storm. The Hazelwood closure follows the shuttering of several other coal-fired power stations across the country in recent years. Some 63 percent of electricity generation in Australia is from coal, according to government data for 2014-15. (Agencies)
Israel, Nov 3: An Israeli military court on Wednesday sentenced a Palestinian minor to life in prison for killing an Israeli woman, the army said. "The Judea military court sentenced the assassin of Dafna Meir, who was killed by stabbing on January 17, 2016, to life in jail and to fines of 750,000 shekels" (about $196,000), the army said in a statement. Murad Ideis, 15, was arrested in January in a raid on his family's home and charged with the murder of Dafna Meir, a 38-year-old mother of six. The Israeli nurse died of her wounds after she was stabbed at her home in the Jewish settlement of Otniel in the occupied West Bank. The army's statement did not mention Murad by name, but he was identified in previous news reports. It said the army would "continue dispensing justice with the greatest of severity against
those who carry out terrorist acts". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged at the time of the murder that the alleged assailant's home would be demolished as a deterrent. In June, Israel's army demolished Murad's family's home in the West Bank town of Yatta. Over the past year, Palestinians, many acting alone and often using rudimentary weapons and cars, have killed at least 35 Israelis and two visiting Americans in similar attacks. During the same period, at least 225 Palestinians were killed by Israeli soldiers. Most of the Palestinians killed were carrying out attacks, according to Israeli authorities. Others were shot dead during protests and clashes, while some were killed in air strikes in the Gaza Strip. Most of the attacks were by lone-wolf assailants, many of them young people, including teenagers. (Agencies)
Israeli soldier keeps watch as Palestinians sit after army entered Yatta in June.
President Pranab Mukherjee . Asked if India has reservations on exploring trilateral relations between India, Nepal and China, Mukherjee saidIndia has an age-old, multi-faceted and time-tested ties with Nepal. "Our ties with Nepal have their own natural logic. The open border is its most unique characteristic. We remain open to any ideas, which will be mutually advantageous and enable economic development and well-being of the people of Nepal," he said without commenting of the possibility of a trilateral engagement. Mukherjee said both the countries have tremendous untapped potential to boost cooperation in hydropower and connectivity. "An essential dimension of'neighbourhoodfirst'policy is enhancing
connectivity in the region physical connectivity, digital connectivity, trade and transit facilitation, and exchange of ideas," he said. "With economic transformation underway in India, new opportunities are opening up for cooperation between India and Nepal in particular, given our open border and national treatment accorded to each other's citizens," he said. Talking about regional groupings like SAARC and BIMSTEC, he made it clear that there is no possibility of cooperation among SAARC member-states under the shadow of terrorrism. "India continues to attach importance to cooperation within the framework of SAARC. However, no cooperation can take place in an environment of terror,"
Mukherjee said. Asked why India seems to be giving greater priority to alternative regional forums like the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) over SAARC, he said "our interests lie in fast growth and development. We do not want to get bogged down by the processes or formats." "Also, we do not see any competition between cooperation under the rubric of different regional and subregional organisations," he said, responding to questions BIMSTEC comprises Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal; Pakistan, a member of SAARC, is not included. The 19th SAARC Summit scheduled in Islamabad this month had to be cancelled after Indiaopted out following an attack on an army base in Uri in September by terrorists backed by Pakistan. 19 Indian soldiers were killed in the attack. On Nepal's request to India to allow the Visakhapatnam Port for transport of its goods, Mukherjee said the facility has already been made available to Nepal. "We have also taken new measures to facilitate movement of goods between Nepal and Bangladesh through India," he said. (Agencies)
20 killed, 50 injured as trains collide in Pakistan Karachi, Nov 3: At least 20 people were killed and 50 others injured today after a passenger train rammed into a stationary train in Pakistans southern port city of Karachi, in the countrys second major rail collision in as many months. The accident occurred in Gaddafi Town in Landhi area here at 7:18 am when Zakaria Express crashed into the Fareed Express which was waiting for a signal to move onto the city station in Karachi at Juma Goth Train station. "It all happened because railways officials gave the wrong signal to the incoming Zakaria Express which was coming from Multan," advisor to the Sindh Chief Minister on Labour Saeed Ghani told the media. Ghani said railway officials were trying to confirm how many passengers were in both trains but said the figure could be around 1,000. Two bogies of Fareed Express and one bogie of Zakaria Express were completely destroyed in the collision. TV footage showed mangled and overturned carriages, and local media
reported rescuers were working to free people trapped in the wreckage. Cranes were being used to clear the rubble and site and rescue all the passengers trapped inside the damaged carriages. "Electric cutters are being used to cut through the mangled wreckage," railways senior superintendent Jahandad told PTI. The crash resulted in traffic jam, and ambulances carrying the injured got stuck on the roads. All trains from Karachi have been suspended till rescue work is completed. "It will take some time before the track is cleared and railway traffic can be restored because this was a big collision," Jahandad said. Fareed Express was coming to Karachi from Lahore, while Zakaria Express had set off from Multan. Eyewitnesses said they had watched in horror as the Zakaria Express rammed into the parked Fareed Express from behind which led to three carriages overturning and damage to both trains. A senior police official said
that the death toll was around 20. As many as 50 injured have been brought to Jinnah Hospital, said Dr. Seemi Jamali, Head of Emergency Department at the hospital. "Many among the injured have head injuries and some are in critical condition," she added. President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of lives in accident. Sharif ordered immediate inquiry into the accident and directed authorities to provide medical facilities to the injured. Railway minister Khwaja Saad Rafique announced Rs 1,000,000 as compensation for the dead and Rs 500,000 for the injured. He tweeted that an "independent inquiry" will be held to hold accountable those responsible for the incident. In September, six persons were killed and over 150 others injured when a Karachi-bound passenger train rammed into a stationary freight train near Multan in Punjab province in a predawn accident. (PTI)
S. Korean president risks probe, new PM nominee warns 13 killed as 12 cars Seoul, Nov 3: Ahn Jong-Beom was taken into custody late Wednesday over suspicions he helped Park's friend Choi Soon-Sil coerce companies into donating large sums to dubious non-profit foundations that she then used for personal gains, Yonhap said. Ahn, who was dismissed on Sunday, is the second person to be taken into emergency detention after Choi was held Monday for questioning in the influence-peddling scandal. Park is scrambling to deflect rising public anger over suggestions that Choi -- the daughter of a shadowy religious figure -- vetted presidential speeches, had access to classified documents, and used her influence for per-
sonal enrichment. "Everyone including the president is equal before the law," new prime minister nominee Kim Byong-Joon declared at a press conference. "My position is that it is (legally) possible to interrogate and investigate" a sitting president, he said. Under South Korea's constitution, the incumbent president may not be charged with a criminal offence except insurrection or treason. But many argue the sitting president can be probed by prosecutors and then charged after leaving office. Justice Minister Kim Hyun-Woong also told parliament Thursday that prosecutors could question Park, if the ongoing investigation required it.
The probe also targets firms -- including Samsung and SK -- that offered donations to foundations favoured by Choi, and a Samsung executive was questioned by prosecutors Thursday, Yonhap added. Samsung -- by far the South's largest business conglomerate -- also faces allegations that it separately offered millions of euros to Choi to bankroll her daughter's equestrian training in Germany. The scandal has shaken the presidency, exposing Park to public outrage and ridicule and, with just over a year left in office, seen her approval ratings plunge into single digits. In an effort to deflect rising public criticism, Park had been urged to
create a neutral cabinet by bringing in members from outside her ruling conservative Saenuri Party. - Rasputin-like figure She has reached across the traditional political divide with a host of new appointments, including tapping the liberal Kim Byong-Joon as her new prime minister, a largely symbolic post. She announced Thursday her pick for chief of staff, Han Gwang-Ok, a former aide to late President Kim Dae-Jung in an appointment the presidential Blue House said would help get the rattled administration back on track. But the opposition has dismissed the reshuffle as a smokescreen. They have called for a full investigation of Park's relationship with
Choi, vowing to block the new prime minister's nomination by wielding their combined parliamentary majority. The media has portrayed the 60-year-old Choi as a Rasputin-like figure, who wielded an unhealthy influence over Park that continued after her presidential election victory in December 2012. Choi is the daughter of late religious leader Choi Tae-Min, who was married six times, had multiple pseudonyms and set up his own cultlike group known as the Church of Eternal Life. He befriended a traumatised Park after the 1974 assassination of her mother -- who he said had appeared to him in a dream. Park treated him as a mentor and sub-
sequently formed a close bond with his daughter. Choi flew back to Seoul from Germany on Sunday to submit to herself for questioning, saying after she fought her way through a scrum of press and protesters that she had "committed a deadly sin", Yonhap reported. Prosecutors are seeking a warrant to formally arrest Choi -- who they have deemed a flight risk and "unstable" -before the emergency detention period expires. The scandal comes as South Korea, Asia's fourth largest economy, faces slumping exports and high unemployment amid rising nuclear and missile threats from North Korea. (Agencies)
collide on motorway in Pakistan
Islamabad, Nov 3: At least 13 people were killed and over 70 others injured today when 12 cars and a bus collided into each other on the IslamabadLahore Motorway, police said.
said. The injured were shifted to nearby hospitals. An official of motorway police said that most of those killed were going to annual religious congregation of Tableeghi Jamaat which is being The accident occurred held at Raiwind near on the busy motorway Lahore. near Hafizabad when 12 cars crashed into Maximum speed limit each other and collided on motorway is 120 with a bus due to heavy k m / h o u r b u t s o m e fog, they said. motorists often tend to cross the limit "I can confirm that 13 due to smooth and people have been broad road, linking killed," senior police Lahore to Peshawar. official Sardar Gul (Agencies)
DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4
EDUCATION
P9
Flavor Chemist How to Become a Flavorist: Career Path Guide If you want to become a flavorist, you first need to determine if this career path is a good fit for you. If the following description sounds like you, then you're probably well suited for a career as a flavorist: Those who become flavorists are strong in academics and are emotionally stable, as this is required to complete short and long-term tasks. They must be educated in food chemistry, biology and laboratory testing and experimentation techniques, and have a natural aptitude in these areas. Those who become flavorists typically have a keen interest in food and food flavour, and enjoy working in an industry where they can conduct research relating to it, and apply that knowledge to the improvement of food flavouring. They must be comfortable working in a laboratory setting, and communicating their findings and opinions to others. Below we've outlined what you'll need to begin a career as a flavorist. We've also included helpful information for this career, such as job description, job duties, salary expectations, a list of possible employers and much more! o Psychology and market- area related to flavor cheming, for understanding istry or an accrual of work experience in food manuconsumers you typically need a o Chemical engineering or facturing and distribution bachelor's degree in an food technology for an un- will allow you to move into area such as chemistry, bi- derstanding of product a variety of positions ology, biochemistry, food development within food chemistry, science or a related area. A master's degree in an such as: Whichever specific major area related to food or o Supervisory or manageyou choose, pursuing the flavour chemistry will ment levels of quality asfollowing coursework dur- qualify you to become a surance, inspection and ing your undergraduate flavorist. Research and regulation years will help you de- teaching positions in post- o Positions in marketing velop the fundamental secondary institutions and sales knowledge necessary for a (especially universities) o New product developcareer as a flavorist. generally require a doc- ment, and process reo Chemistry, biology and toral degree in an area re- search and development physics for background lated to flavor chemistry, o Regulatory positions knowledge in science sensory science or food with federal and provinIn order to get a junior-level job in flavour chemistry, o Statistics and mathemat- science. cial/state government such as a laboratory technician or research assistant, ics for result analysis A graduate degree in an agencies
Top 7 Institutes in India for studying Flavor Chemist
Education Needed to Become a Flavorist
Flavorist Job Description Flavorists, also known as Flavour Chemists, are research scientists that are primarily concerned with how to improve the flavour of food and beverage products. To do this, they study how the properties of food ingredients interact with our sensory organs, and apply that knowledge to the development of natural and artificial flavours. Some examples of what flavorists do include figuring out how to give cereals artificial flavors and colors, and making corn chips taste like salsa when there are no fruit or vegetables involved in the product. Flavorist Job Duties o Use knowledge of how ingredients function and interact o Study the properties of proteins, fats, starches, carbohydrates, additives and flavour components
o Use natural and artificial ingredients to replace flavour that was removed by reducing fat or sugar o Liaise with production plant engineers o Direct the work activities of food technicians and laboratory assistants o Produce food product samples for testing and scrutiny o Ensure that food products meet company and government health and safety regulations o Maintain detailed records of research and work activities Who Creates Jobs for Flavorists? Flavorists are mainly hired by organizations that conduct research for the purpose of improving the flavour of food and beverage products. They may also be hired by organizations in other sectors of industry that produce prod-
ucts that need to have a good scent (such as beauty products), as well as academic organizations and regulatory agencies. Organizations that hire Flavorists include: o Flavour houses (sells finished extracts to small food manufacturers and distributors) o Large food manufacturing organizations o Colleges and universities o Private research firms o Federal and provincial/ state government agencies o Food flavour consulting companies o Companies that manufacture cosmetics, hair care products, skin creams and other products o Pharmaceutical companies Lab Skills and Knowledge Base Necessary for a Career as a Flavorist In order to become a
flavorist, you need to have a certain knowledge base and set of laboratory skills. This knowledge base and skill set are typically acquired throughout the undergraduate and graduate years of study in chemistry through coursework and related lab work. o Basic understanding of microbiology, including microorganisms and food spoilage o Flavour interactions with processed foods (carbohydrates, proteins, fats) o Instrumentation - separation, isolation and identification of flavour components o Laboratory techniques for isolation of flavour components for further study o Extraction techniques (use of various volatile solvents to extract flavour volatiles) o Distillation techniques (use of distillation equip-
ment to isolate flavour components) o Separation techniques (instrumentation and wet chemistry to separate and isolate flavour components) o Knowledge of flavour profiles of various foods and beverages as references o Understand basic tests used to determine sensory differences, matches, quantitative profiles o Able to use databases, spreadsheets and industryspecific software Careers Similar to Flavorist Listed below are careers in our database that are similar in nature to Flavorist, as they may involve many of the same skills, competencies and responsibilities. o Brewmaster o Food Chemist o Food Scientist o Food Technologist o Sensory Scientist
Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal
University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chandigarh
Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi
Top 5 Flavor Trends Flavor is the No. 1 driver for all food purchases. It doesn't matter how many marketing dollars are behind a product or if an award-winning chef made the dish. If it doesn't taste good, you can bet the customer won't be coming back for more. The good news is that today what people deem as tasty and are willing to try is broader and more diverse than ever before.
Poona College of Pharmacy, Pune
Sweet + Heat
Institute of Pharmacy, Nirma University, Ahmedabad
According to Technomic's MenuMonitor data, "spicy" flavors are increasingly appearing on restaurant menus. In fact, more consumers today than in 2011 indicate that they enjoy spicy flavors (2013). " The snacks category is already seeing the proliferation of spicy flavor introductions, due in part to the Millennials combined love for snacking and bold flavors.
Umami
"Umami has been a trend topic with chefs for quite a while now, but I think the general consumer 'foodie' will begin delving into these flavors too," said Chef Michael McGreal, Dept. Chair, Culinary Arts Dept., Joliet Junior College. Usually found in ramen, seaweed is also rich in glutamic acid and is beginning to transition from sushi staple to everyday snack. While nori, a red seaweed that turns black and green when dried, is the most popular of the edible sea vegetables, there are other commonly eaten varieties including kelp, Irish moss, and laver.
Sour, Bitter & Tangy "Sourness to the extreme appears to continue growing in popularity as consumers experience it from ethnic dishes as well as candies, fruit blends, pickled foods, etc.," said Mann. One of the main ethnic dishes that has contributed to this growing fondness for sour flavors is kimchi. Made by salting and preserving fermented cabbage in a bed of pepper, garlic, ginger, and scallions, kimchi has benefitted from a newfound interest in that old-time practice of fermenting or preserving food.
Smoke & Oak
Beverages are a good place to explore when looking for new exciting flavors. What you find in craft soda, spirits, and beer today may make their way to snacks and entrĂŠe products over time. The popularity of the craft alcohol movement has spurred innovation in flavors and techniques.
Bombay College of Pharmacy, Mumbai
Middle Eastern & North African Another flavor from North Africa that is becoming more widely known is harissa, which is a blend of roasted red peppers, serrano peppers, and other hot chili peppers with additions of garlic paste, coriander seed, or caraway. "With the popularity of chili peppers these days, we believe the popularity of this flavor is going to peak in 2015," said Sensient's Schigoda.
Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra
NATION
DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4
Akhilesh rath yatra: Mulayam, Shivpal send SP unity message Lucknow, Nov 3 : Ending days of suspense, SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav on Thursday flagged of his son, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's rath yatra with Shivpal Yadav in tow, seeking to project a united face after a bitter public power struggle that threatened to derail the party's Assembly poll campaign The SP patriarch arrived at La Martinere grounds - the flag off venue - soon after Akhilesh reached there. Shivpal joined them moments later. With all eyes on who all turned up at the grand event, Mulayam took a seat on the stage and was flanked by Shivpal on one side and Akhilesh on the other to drive home a message that the party was united ahead of the UP Assembly elections. "Akhilesh ko hum shubhkamna detey hain (I wish him well)," Shivpal said, adding the "vikas sey vijay ki aur yatra" will send a message of unity across the state and halt BJP in its tracks. "Our target is to prevent
The SP patriarch arrived at La Martinere grounds. BJP from coming to power in the state in the crucial 2017 elections," he said. Before embarking on the highly-publicised rath yatra to highlight the development works undertaken by him during the last over four years, the 43-year-old chief minister said, "I want to thank youths for this historic event...From this yatra, we appeal to people to vote in favour of our party." On recent controversy within the party and family, Akhilesh said, "Due to some conspiracies we
were affected a bit, but in the days to come we will be able to form government again." The presence of Mulayam, Shivpal and Akhilesh on one platform came days after bitter acrimony in the Yadav clan that saw no holds barred tit-for-tat sackings and expulsions of followers of warring camps Incidentally, the hi-tech customised rath broke down after barely one km journey forcing Akhilesh to shift to his official vehicle to resume his yatra. . (PTI)
GST Council decides on 4-tier tax structure of 5-28% New Delhi, Nov 3: A 4tier GST tax structure of 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent, with lower rates for essential items and the highest for luxury and de-merits goods that would also attract an additional cess, was decided by the allpowerful GST Council today. With a view to keeping inflation under check, essential items including food, which presently constitute roughly half of the consumer inflation basket, will be taxed at zero rate. The lowest rate of 5 per cent would be for common use items while there would be two standard rates of 12 and 18 per cent under the Goods and Ser-
vices Tax (GST) regime targeted to be rolled out from April 1, 2017. Announcing the decisions arrived at the first day of the two-day GST Council meeting, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said highest tax slab will be applicable to items which are currently taxed at 30-31 per cent (excise duty plus VAT). Luxury cars, tobacco and aerated drinks would also be levied with an additional cess on top of the highest tax rate. The collection from this cess as well as that of the clean energy cess would create a revenue pool which would be used for compensating states for
Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa is undergoing treatment at Apollo Hospital in Chennai since last month. Chennai, Nov 3: Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa, undergoing treatment at a hospital here since last month, was recovering fast and will soon resume her "duty to the people", AIADMK spokesperson CR Saraswathi said on Monday.
"Amma is doing well and will come back to resume her 'makkal pani' (duty to the people) very soon," she told reporters outside Apollo Hospital, where Jayalalithaa is being treated since September 22. State ministers and the AIADMK cadre continued to organise special rituals
Burning of schools in Kashmir unacceptable: Kailash Satyarthi New Delhi, Nov 3: Nobel Peace laureate Kailash Satyarthi today termed the burning of schools in Kashmir as unacceptable and claimed that extremists are doing it as they are scared that education will open up the minds of children and they would't be able to use them for their vested interests. "Education is attacked, schools are burnt, teachers are kidnapped and children are killed, this is a widespread global phenomenon. The extremists are scared that education will open up the minds of children. "They want to create a situation where children cannot get education. For if they go to schools, they will learn about technology, citizenship, peer to peer relationship, mutual respect, history, culture and values, and then they won't be able to brainwash and use them for their own vested interests," he said. He was speaking during the launch of a global initiative 'Nobel Laureates and Leaders for the Children'. The platform aims to bring together Nobel laureates and world leaders who would commit to accelerating progress and achieving breakthroughs to benefit children, by signing a declaration. He said the Kailash Satyarthi Children's Foundation, is convening the first-ever gathering called the 'Laureates and
compensate states for loss of revenue from rollout of GST, which is to subsume a host of central and state taxes like excise duty, service tax and VAT, in the first year.
Truck drivers walk out of a Commercial Taxes Department check post after getting clearance to cross a checkpoint in Tamil Nadu. any loss of revenue during the first five years of implementation of GST. The cess, he said, would
be lapsable after five years. Jaitley said about Rs 50,000 crore would be needed to
The protesters left the pile of dead dogs near the civic body's office. Kottayam, Nov 3: With at least five dead dogs hung by their legs on a pole, more than a dozen members of the youth wing of Kerala Congress (M) marched down the roads in Kerala's Kottayam district on Monday in what they called a protest. They had killed the stray dogs to protest against the increasing number of canines on the streets and incidents of dog bites across the state, members of the party said. After their march, they left the dead dogs in a pile outside the post office facing the offices of the municipal body. "We have killed these dogs. And it's a warning that this will continue if the central and the state government do not control the stray dog menace," Saji Manjakadambil, who was heading the protest told reporters. The protest appeared to be an open challenge to
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who had earlier through his Facebook page, said that there won't be any illegal killing of stray dogs permitted in Kerala. But a police case was yet to be registered against those who had said they had killed the dogs. An increasing number of incidents of attacks on people by stray dogs have fanned outrage among large sections of the population in Kerala, fanning it into a political issue. After a 65-year-old woman died in Thiruvananthapuram last month, the government said it will cull violent dogs, rejecting opposition by Union Minister Maneka Gandhi and animal lovers. Chief Minister Vijayan also called an emergency meeting of all department heads to address the public fears over the attacks. (Agencies)
cide by an ex-servicemen allegedly over OROP triggered a political storm, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Arvind Kejriwal of indulging in vote bank politics, saying people are tired of their "dramas". In a series of tweets, Rijiju said the Narendra Modi government was committed to the cause of soldiers and honour of martyrs. "Pls don't compete to be better dramebaaz? Soldier's issue is too serious. We live closely with soldiers. Do you know about soldier's life?(sic)" Rijiju tweeted. The Minister of State for Home said people are "tired of vote bank political dramas and sympathy for terrorists". "People are intelligent and matured. Those terrorists sympathisers and vote bank political opportunists will be severely punished by the people," he said. Rijiju also uploaded pictures of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Rahul, saying the issue of 'One Rank, One Pension' was "created" during Indira's rule and she had "removed" the OROP benefits but no one
Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju. criticised her. The Minister alleged Sonia did not take the initiative for resolving the OROP issue when the UPA was in power for 10 years while Rahul neither care about OROP nor did he speak about OROP when Congress was in power. Referring to Kejriwal, Rijiju wrote "there is limit to vote bank drama. Despite release, Arvind Kejriwal refuses to leave police station (last night)." Ram Kishan Grewal, 70, an ex-servicemen, along with some other ex-servicemen was in the process of submitting a memorandum to the Defence Ministry over the issue of OROP. According to his friends, Grewal had been upset over the issue for some time. Grewal had gone to Delhi with three of his friends
Leaders for Children Summit' on December 10-11 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here. The summit will be inaugurated by President Pranab Mukherjee. "Thirty-four nobel laureates extended their support to the initiative and 14 of them would assemble here in Delhi and participate in the summit. In addition, 150 eminent personalities from academia, corporate sector, sports, industry, media and civil society will also be present," Satyarthi said. He said Malala Yousafzai, who shared the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize with him, has neither refused nor given the consent to be a part of the programme. During the summit, the '100 million for 100 million' campaign will be launched which aims to mobilise over the next five years, 100 million youths
for as many underprivileged children across the world. Dalai Lama, former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, wife of late former South African president Nelson Mandela, Graça Machel, Nobel Prize winner and former president of Timor-Leste, JosÊ Ramos-Horta, Prof Yuan Lee would be attending the event. Other distinguished representatives of organisations which have been conferred the Nobel Peace Prize will also be in attendance like Tawakkul Karman, Liberian activist Leymah Roberta Gbowee, Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein of the United Arab Emirates, Princess Charlene of Monaco, Leading US economist and UN special adviser Jeffrey Sachs. (Agencies)
Bhubaneswar, Nov 3: Odisha chief minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik on Thursday asserted that his regional outfit would not enter into any alliance with Congress. "There is no question of any kind of alliance with Congress," he told reporters on the sidelines of a function at Simulia in Balasore district. Alleging that the Congress have always neglected the people of Odisha, Patnaik said his party would like to go alone with its own strength. The chief minister's clarification came in the wake of BJD's parliamentary party leader in Lok Sabha Bhartuhari Mahtab's statement that the regional party would think about entering into alliance with Congress, if required. "I do not see any logic behind maintaining the equal distance policy in case of Congress as the national party is not the same as it was earlier. The BJD would make an
amendment to its policy, if required," Mahtab had told a local news channel on Wednesday. On being asked about BJD's role in the proposed grand alliance likely to be floated by Samajwadi Party (SP) veteran Mulaym Singh Yadav ahead of the 2017 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, Mahtab said, "The SP's effort is not totally unjustified." The ruling BJD has been maintaining equal distance from both national partiesCongress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for a long time. While Patnaik had described Congress as "corrupt", he termed the BJP as "communal" since BJD snapped ties with the saffron party ahead of the general elections in 2009. BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb said that Patnaik's statement was final and the party will never support such an alliance. "Mahtab is not the party chief to take any such decision," he remarked.(PTI)
from Bhiwani in the intervening night of October 31 and November 1. On Tuesday evening, he allegedly consumed poisonous tablets leading to his death. The suicide by the army veteran over OROP snowballed into a huge political show with Rahul, Kejriwal and other opposition leaders attacking the Modi government on the issue while there was high drama after police detained and prevented them from entering a hospital yesterday. The Congress Vice President was detained twice and was finally released last evening while restrictions were put on Kejriwal's movements before he was briefly detained. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was kept in custody for close to 10 hours. (Agencies)
Deceased armyman Grewal was a Congressman: V K Singh
Naveen Patnaik: BJD will not enter into an alliance with Congress He was speaking during the launch of a global initiative 'Nobel Laureates and Leaders for the Children'.
The 4-tier tax structure agreed to has slight modification to the 6, 12, 18 and 26 per cent slab that were under discussion at the GST Council last month. The structure to agreed is a compromise to accommodate demand for highest tax rate of 40 per cent by states like Kerala. While the Centre proposed to levy a 4 per cent GST on gold, a final decision was put off, Jaitley said. (Agencies)
Dangling Dead Dogs On Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal indulging A Pole, Kerala Activists in vote bank politics, drama: Kiren Rijiju Protest Stray Menace New Delhi, Nov 3: As sui-
Jayalalithaa doing well, will resume her 'duty to the people' soon: AIADMK at various temples across the state for the speedy recovery of their party supremo. Former Congress MLA Yasodha, veteran actress Saroja Devi and South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce vice-president Kalyan were among those who visited the hospital on Monday to enquire about Jayalalithaa's health. "She is a great lady. She will return home and meet the people. I spoke to the doctors and was told by them that she was recovering," Saroja Devi said. Jayalalithaa, initially admitted for fever and dehydration, was being treated for an infection with respiratory support among others. In the last medical bulletin issued on October 21, the hospital had said she was "interacting and progressing gradually". (Agencies)
P10
Union Minister V K Singh New Delhi, Nov 3: A day after he raised questions about the "mental state" of Ram Kishan Grewal, an army veteran whose suicide, allegedly over OROP, has sparked a political row, Union Minister V K Singh today said the deceased soldier was a Congress worker. He also rejected reports about Grewal being a prominent face of the
'One Rank-One Pension' agitation, saying ex- servicemen protesting at Jantar Mantar for its implementation had yesterday said they had seen the former armyman at the protest venue for the first time before he committed suicide. "He (Grewal) was a Congress worker. He became sarpanch on Congress' ticket. However, he was
our soldier. I feel sad over his death," the Minister of State for External Affairs said. The Minister had landed himself in controversy yesterday when he said the "mental state" of Grewal needed to be probed before drawing conclusions about his extreme action. "He has committed suicide. No one knows the reason behind it. OROP is being shown as the reason. What his mental state was we do not know. Let it be probed first. OROP should be kept above politics," Singh told reporters, while reacting to the incident which led to highvoltage protests in the national capital yesterday. He went on to state that the Centre had accepted the long-pending demands of the agitating veterans and there was no need to get into what one was saying for "4 paisa. (PTI)
Cong stages protest over Rahul's detention in Delhi Jaipur, Nov 3: Congress workers today staged protest against the detention of party vice president Rahul Gandhi in Delhi when he went to meet the family members of army veteran Ram Kishan Grewal who allegedly committed suicide over One Rank One Pension issue.
Led by Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee chief Sachin Pilot, the party workers held a demonstration and accused the BJP-led NDA government of misusing the machinery and termed as "murder of the democracy" the detention of Gandhi. "The BJP government has murdered the democracy
by detaining yesterday Rahul Gandhi. The government misused the police and administration," Pilot said. Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, former PCC Chief Chandrabhan, former Union minister Namonarain Meena and others also participated in the demonstration. (Agencies)
DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4
BUSSINESS
P11
Sensex slides further by 81 Bridging the funding gap: PE firms cash pts; IT, auto stocks drag in on last-mile financing in real estate Mumbai, Nov 3: Continuing its downward trend, the BSE Sensex fell about 81 points and the NSE Nifty broke below the 8,500-mark in early trade today amid weak global cues. Sentiment remained downbeat due to sustained selling by foreign funds and retail investors on the domestic bourses. The 30-share barometer declined 80.91 points or 0.29 per cent to 27,446.31, with sectoral indices led by IT, teck, auto and infrastructure accounting for much of the losses, falling by up to 0.43 per cent. The index had lost 414.29 points in the previous three sessions. Also, the NSE Nifty was trading lower by 24.40 points or 0.28 per cent at 8,489.60. Brokers said steady capital outflow by foreign funds and a weak trend at other Asian markets with uncertainty over the US presiden-
Sentiment remained downbeat due to sustained selling by foreign funds and retail investors on the domestic bourses.
tial election sending investors rushing for the sidelines, kept the domestic bourses here on a sticky wicket. Shares of ONGC, Tata Motors, Bharti Airtel, Wipro, Bajaj Auto, Sun Pharma, M&M and Infosys witnessed selling pressure, which pulled down the indices. Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 0.42 per cent while
Shanghai Composite declined 0.19 per cent in early trade today. Japanese financial markets are closed for a 'public holiday'. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.43 per cent down yesterday even as the Federal Reserve kept the benchmark interest rate at the same level where it has been since December 2015. (PTI)
Nifty holds 8,500 amid rangebound trade; Tata Steel falls 3% Mumbai, Nov 3: Metals and telecom stocks were among the top gainers while select index heavyweights were trading firm Markets remained rangebound in noon trades on Thursday as gains in metals and telecom stocks helped cap further downside. At 14:30 PM, the benchmark S&P Sensex was up 21 points at 27,506 and the Nifty50 index was up 2 points at 8,514. In the broader markets, BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices were trading flat with mixed bias. Foreign institutional investors were net sellers in equities worth Rs 667 crore on Wednesday, as per provisional stock exchange data. ECONOMY A solid and accelerated upturn in incoming new business helped push up growth in India's manufacturing activity in October, the widely tracked Nikkei India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index showed. After falling to 52 in September due to a slack in new orders, PMI in October bounced back to 54.5, near to the 43
month high of 5.7 seen in August. STOCKS Hero MotoCorp was up nearly 2% after the company said its total motorcycle sales rose 3.65% to 6.63 lakh units in October 2016 over October 2015. State Bank of India (SBI) and ICICI Bank have cut their respective lending rates for home loans to boost housing credit during the festive season. SBI has slashed interest rates by 0.15 per cent for its home loans up to Rs 75 lakh, while ICICI Bank is offering overdraft facility along with home loan. SBI was down 0.8% while ICICI Bank was trading with marginal gains. Hindalco was up over 5% on upgrade by a foreign brokerage and increased the target price to Rs 190 per share. Other gainers include, index heavyweights ITC and Reliance Industries up 0.4%-0.9% each. ONGC was down 2.4% after the stock was traded ex-dividend from today. The company's board at its meeting held on October 27, 2016 announced an interim divi-
dend of Rs 4.50 per equity share. Among others, Shares of sugar producers were trading higher by 15% on BSE after most of them reported robust earnings for the second quarter ended September 30, 2016. Dhampure Speciality Sugars, Ponni Sugars (Erode), Rana Sugars, Simbhaoli Sugars, Uttam Sugar Mills, Thiru Arooran Sugars, Sakthi Sugars and Mawana Sugars were among few trading higher between 5% and 15%. Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers & Chemicals (GNFC) has tanked over 19% on the back of heavy volumes. The Exchange has sought clarification from GNFC, with reference to news flashed on ET NOW dated November 03, 2016 stating "Dahej TDI plant shut down post gas leak", BSE said. Bharti Infratel extended gains and was up over 3% amid a media report which suggested that the private equity heavyweight KKR and pension giant Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) are eyeing stake in the company. (Agencies)
Jet pilots report sick to protest against new duty hours; seniors deny crew shortage
Image for representation purpose. Mumbai, Nov 3: Jet Airways will prepare crew duty rosters in consultation with pilots' union. This was agreed between the pilots' union and the airline management on Wednesday after several pilots reported sick on Tuesday and Wednesday to protest against their new duty hours. A shortage of Boeing 737 commanders added to the chaos as flights were disrupted. Senior company executives however deny claims of shortage. Last month the airline introduced a new software to optimise duty rosters of pi-
lots on trial basis. The new system was introduced to improve efficiency and productivity and takes into account pilot's duty time restrictions as per regulations and leaves. However pilots are unhappy with this. "The new system does not take into account human factors. Pilots are being rostered for consecutive late night or early morning flights. This may be within rules but does lead to fatigue. Also in the new roster pilots are operating flights from outstation bases for 4-5 days at a stretch," a senior commander remarked.
The union submitted 13 points related to "human factors" while expressing concern regarding the new rostering software. The next roster will be prepared taking into account recommendations of pilots, sources said. For some months the airline has been facing a shortage of pilots. "While there is a published duty roster for the month certain flights are open and pilots are asked to do them at short notice," a pilot complained. According to a PTI report, Jet Airways requires at least 200 more pilots to carry out its operations in a seamless manner, the source said, adding "shortage is more in narrow body, Boeing 737 fleet." The airline currently has around 1,200 pilots to operate its fleet of 102 aircraft compr isingBoeing 777s, B737s, Airbus A330s and ATRs. Almost two-thirds of its fleet consists of B737s. However a management source said the airlinr has 350 pilots under various levels of training and has no shortage. (Agencies)
Mumbai, Nov 3: Last-mile financing by private equity (PE) firms has caught on in a big way among property developers, who are seeing prolonged slowdown in sales, fewer launches and lower cash flow. According to fund managers, 70-80 per cent of real estate funding in real estate is happening in this segment and PE funds are charging 16-24 per cent for this, depending on the developer's profile and security. Developers borrow money for a variety of reasons, including funds to complete projects where cash flows have dried up or to give exits to existing investors. Leading the race is Ajay Piramal-promoted Piramal Fund Management. Since the beginning of this year, Piramal has sanctioned Rs 11,800 crore of debt transactions across its real estate vertical and about 70 per cent of this would be some form of lastmile funding to developers, says Khushru Jijina, managing director of Piramal Fund Management. "This is due to the fact that many of the projects that were delayed are now coming on-stream. Moreover, such funding also helps bridge the gap between sales receivables and the pace of construction," Jijina adds. He says they charge between 14 and 18 per cent. Piramal recently lent Rs 2,320 crore to Mumbaibased Lodha Group to replace existing debt and complete projects in south and central Mumbai. Piramal has committed the money across Lodha's multiple projects, to replace
existing debt. Lodha, the biggest developer in terms of sales, recently got Rs 425 crore investment from Piramal for its project Lodha Venezia, a real estate project in Mumbai. Jijina says they expect this form of finance to continue, especially in the wake of the consolidation in real estate, wherein smaller developers are tying up with brand names/Tier-I partners to boost execution and sales velocity of under-construction projects. Recently, US-based Apollo Global Management invested Rs 400 crore in Noida-based developer, Logix Group, through the structured debt route. It was a last-mile funding transaction, wherein the money would be used to complete the construction of four ongoing residential developments in the National Capital Region (NCR). Mumbai-based Altico Capital has also done a large number of such investments, says Amit Pachisia, chief credit officer at Altico Capital. He says Altico has executed nine transactions aggregating around Rs 1,800 crore in the nine months ended September, where a large part of projects secured fall in the late-stage category. He says Altico has also sanctioned further deals that are under due diligence at present and in this category, totalling around Rs 1,000 crore. "Such trades reduce the risk on all three counts - approvals, sales and construction and still fetch you healthy returns, making these trades compelling for us particularly with credible and re-
BRIDGING THE FUNDING GAP 70-80% of all realty funding is last-mile financing Funds are charging between 16% and 24% for this, depending on developer profile and security Developers borrow money for variety of reasons - to complete projects or give exit to existing investors Piramal Fund Management, Altico, Apollo key players Piramal has sanctioned Rs 11,800 cr of debt transactions across its real estatevertical, and about 70% of this would be some form of last-mile funding to developers Recently, Piramal lent Rs 2,320 cr to Mumbai-based Lodha Group to replace existing debt and complete projects in southern and central Mumbai US-based Apollo Global Management has invested Rs 400 crore in Noida-based developer Logix Group, wherein the money would be used to complete the construction of four ongoing residential developments in Noida in NCR Recently, Altico lent Rs 500 cr to Mumbai-based Nirmal Group where two of the three key projects here are at late stage sourceful developers. We are currently evaluating deals of over Rs 40,000 crore in a year and a healthy proportion of these include refinancing and construction funding," Pachisia adds. Altico recently lent Rs 500 crore to the Mumbai-based Nirmal group where two of the three key projects are late stage. The investment was with regard to three condominium towers in Mulund - Amethyus, Zircon and Turquoise - besides a residential project named One Edition in Nirmal Lifestyle and separately an early-stage project closer to Thane. Pachisia says lastmile financing has caught
on also because of lower investor sales due to stagnation of prices and in some cases, the market has become end user-driven with buyers demanding project completion, track record and so on. Sales to investors in NCR and Mumbai in the initial project stages are a source of funding for developers. Investors and lenders such as Altico are also ensuring that their lending is adequately covered by collaterals. Pachisia says they take full charge on the underlying projects, which typically includes first mortgage of project, receivables, cash flows, etc. In many cases,
they also take pledge of shares of the special purpose vehicle developing the project. "Our cash cover on loan is generally above 2x. Besides underlying projects, we may also take additional hard assets as collateral," he adds. When Piramal did the deal with Lodha, it said the deal was structured as a fixed return debt investment with periodic coupon payments and appropriate security mechanism in place, including hard asset cover and an escrow on receivables. Ajay Jain, executive director at Centrum Investment Banking, agrees that the quantum of last-mile funding has gone up in 2016 as the number of new launches has somewhat dried up due to slowdown in home sales. "Large developers are slowing down the launch of new housing projects, with their primary focus being completion and delivery of existing projects. At present, developers need multiple rounds of refinancing to allow exits to current lenders and to help the projects cross the finishing line." Piramal's Jijina says this form of funding is required in redevelopment projects to allow exits to current investors due to the lengthy timelines associated with them. "Last-mile financing is also free of any hurdles related to the initial stages of a project (obtaining permissions, etc) and requires little investment to churn out the balance receivables from the project," he adds. (Agencies)
Rupee strengthens by Skoda Rapid facelift launched 2 paise against dollar in India at Rs 8.34 lakh
Image for representation purpose. Mumbai, Nov 3: The rupee edged higher by 2 paise to 66.69 against the US dollar at the forex market in early trade today on fresh selling of the American currency by exporters. Besides, the dollar's weakness against some currencies overseas supported the rupee but early losses
in the domestic equity market restricted gains, dealers said.Yesterday, the rupee had ended steady at 66.71 against the US dollar. Meanwhile, the benchmark BSE Sensex was trading lower by 80.91 points or 0.29 per cent at 27,446.31 in early trade today. (PTI)
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana: Online applications for affordable homes to start today
Beneficiaries have to visit the nearest CSC for seeking assistance for seeking benefits of PMAY(Urban) online. New Delhi, Nov 3: With an aim to bring more people under the ambit of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), online applications for affordable homes under the PMAY (Urban) will begin from Thursday. An agreement in this regard was signed by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation and Common Services Centre e-Governance Services India Limited of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in the presence of respective ministers M.Venkaiah Naidu and Ravi Shankar Prasad. Beneficiaries have to visit the
nearest CSC for seeking assistance for seeking benefits of PMAY(Urban) online. In case the beneficiary does not have Aadhar Card, CSCs will enable beneficiaries acquiring them. This process of applying online is e-KYC (Know Your Client) enabled which means applications are submitted after due verification. Out of the over two lakh common services centre across the country, about 60,000 located in urban areas will enable online submission of applications from November 3, 2016 at a nominal cost of Rs 25 per application. (Agencies)
New Delhi, Nov 3: It's time! Skoda's most affordable sedan in the Indian market gets a thorough makeover on Thursday, as the Rapid facelift goes on sale. The sedan is launched at a starting price of Rs 8.34 lakh (ex-showroom, Maharashtra) and the top end variant is priced at Rs 12.67 lakh. The new version continues to be based on the same platform as the Volkswagen Vento, but there are a few thoughtful additions as well. Let's take a look. The Looks This is where folks from Skoda have spent most of their time. The Rapid now looks like a member of the Czech family, sporting a face that's in tune with its elder siblings theOctavia and the Superb. It gets an entirely new face, sporting the new family grille and a new pair of headlamps that not only get a projector setup, but also daytime running lamps. The air dam gets some honeycomb detailing and is flanked by a sharper set of foglamps. The silhouette and the rear do not feature any major overhaul save for a new set of alloy wheels and updated detailing in the taillamps. Other minor updates include a restyled rear bumper, new wing mirrors with indicators, as well as a stubby antenna. The Cabin The insides of the Rapid remains largely identical to the outgoing version. It now sports a friendly beige-black theme instead of a brown-beige
Image for Representation purpose. combo. As is the case with most Skodas, the Rapid is decked with a lot of features as well. On the convenience front you get a height-adjustable seat, tilt and telescopic adjust for the steering, as well as a central armrest. Other goodies include a touchscreen audio system with MirrorLink, automatic climate control, one-touch down on all four power windows, a multi-information display that reads out fuel efficiency, distance to empty, current speed and more. There has been no change to the wheelbase of the car, which means that space on the inside is identical to the outgoing Rapid. Engine Options The updated Rapid will soldier on with its tried and
tested motors - a 1.6-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel. Both motors get a 5-speed manual transmission. Automatic options include a conventional 6-speed torque converter paired with the petrol motor; the diesel gets the 7-speed dual-clutch DSG. Notably, the diesel motor has just got an update and it now produces 110PS and 250Nm. The petrol motor on the other hand belts out 105PS and 153Nm. The Rivals In its latest avatar, the Skoda Rapid will take on the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, the Honda City, the Hyundai Verna, and its own sibling, the Volkswagen Vento. With the new looks and the plethora of features on hand, the Skoda sure looks well prepared. (Agencies)
Sugar shares in focus; Oudh Sugar, Thiru Arooran Sugars up 5% New Delhi, Nov 3: Shares of sugar producers were trading higher by 15% on BSE after most of them reported robust earnings for the second quarter ended September 30, 2016. Dhampure Speciality Sugars, Ponni Sugars (Erode), Rana Sugars, Simbhaoli Sugars, Uttam Sugar Mills, Thiru Arooran Sugars, Sakthi Sugars and Mawana Sugars were among few trading higher between 5% and 15%. At 10:56 am, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 0.18% or 49 points at 27,576. Total five sugar companies Dalmia Bharat Sugar and Industries, Dwarikesh Sugar Industries, Oudh SugarMills, Upper Ganges Sugar & Industries and Parrys Sugar Indus-
tries - have so far declared their Q2FY17 earnings, reported a combined net profit of Rs 124 crore against Rs 7 crore in year ago quarter. Oudh Sugar Mills was up 5% at Rs 115 on BSE after the company reported a net profit of Rs 18.63 crore in Q2FY17 against loss of Rs 19.15 crore in Q2FY16. EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) margin improved to 18.62% from 6.28%. "After five years of surplus sugar production in India coupled with aggressive sugar export strategy, domestic sugar production in sugar season 2015-2016 was marginally lower visĂ -vis domestic consump-
tion and has consequently resulted in an improvement in domestic sugar prices," Oudh Sugar Mills said in a press release. During the period under review the Industry also saw a normalcy in sugar prices both domestically and internationally," it added. Upper Ganges Sugar & Industries surged 7% to Rs 389 on BSE in intra-day trade. The company posted net profit of Rs 18.39 crore in Q2FY17 against Rs 36 lakh in Q2FY16. EBITDA margin nearly doubled to 20.83% from 10.86%. Oudh Sugar Mills and Upper Ganges Sugar & Industries are K.K.Birla Group companies. (Agencies)
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DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4
P12 India juniors qualify for World Mixed Team play-off Bilbao, Nov 3: Indian colts dished out another dominating performance as they streamrolled Bulgaria 5-0 in a Group G2 match to qualify for the play-off of the BWF World Junior Mixed Team Championships, here today. The Indian junior team, who had beaten The Netherlands 5-0 yesterday, continued their rampaging run and will take on Finland in their final group match. Mahima Aggarwal and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy started the proceedings for India as they spanked Maria Delcheva and Ivan Panev 21-8 21-12 in just 18 minutes in the mixed doubles match to give India a 1-0 lead. Lakshya Sen then thrashed Daniel Nikolov 21-10 21-12 in a 26-minute match men's singles match and then Shikha Gautam trounced Mihaela Neycheva 21-15 21-8 in 23 minutes in a women's singles clash to help India take an unassailable 30 lead. In men's doubles, Krishna Prasad Garaga and Satwiksairaj blew away Ivan Panev and Dimitar Yanakiev 21-5 21-14 in just 19 minutes and then women's doubles pair of Mahima and Mithula U K brushed aside Maria Delcheva and Mihaela Neycheva 21-8 21-11 to seal the tie for India. (Agencies)
Goa condemn Pune City to Top foreign grapplers the bottom of the table to feature in PWL 2
Balewadi, Nov 3: FC Goa lifted themselves off the bottom of the 2016 Hero Indian Super League table with a 1-0 victory over FC Pune City at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium in Balewadi on Thursday evening. Rafael Coelho’s curler into the top corner from a free-kick in the 32nd minute dashed the hopes of an 8,500-strong home crowd in attendance. FC Pune City began on a strong note as they unleashed a flurry of attacks down the flanks. Goa came back strongly though by asserting dominance in midfield. Rafael Coelho put in a dangerous ball while Joffre got a couple of half chances of his own. The game settled down with Pune dominating possession, but there was no goal in sight. Finally the breakthrough arrived in form of a freekick in the 32nd with Coelho pulling out a curling-stunner to find the back of the net. Joffre was pulled down outside the box by Augustine Fernandes and Coelho did the rest to put Goa 1-0 ahead. Pune upped their game after that, gaining a couple of corners with Jesus Tato coming close
Match Awards: Club award: FC Goa Fittest Player of the Match: Mohamed Sissoko
Winning Pass of the Match: Joffre Swift Moment of the Match: Rahul Bheke Curling free-kick sent into the box was put wide by Gouramangi Singh.
and Laxmikanth Kattimani making a good save. The last few minutes of the first half saw Pune trying hard to get the equaliser. Jonatan Lucca cut in from the left to unleash a low shot but Kattimani was equal to the task and made another beautiful save. A minute later Tato almost equalised with a header but Kattimani once again displayed his calmness and was able to collect the ball. Pune dominated the ball but Goa got the goal, making it 1-0 in favour of the visitors at half-time. The second half continued in a similar fashion with Pune seeing more of the ball. Pune’s attacking
half kept winning the ball with Tato leading the way. A curling free-kick sent by him into the box was put wide by Gouramangi Singh. Pune put more men forward as the game opened up, paving the way for Goa to hit on the counter. One such move in the 60th minute had Coelho finding Joffre in the clear but the Spaniard wasted the chance as he blasted the ball over the net. Zico looked to secure all three points as he substituted Robin Singh with Raju Gaikwad and Joffre with Reinaldo, and Pune brought on Momar Ndoye hoping he will replicate his performance from the first encounter between these teams this season. Soon
ISL Emerging Player of the Match: Rahul Bheke
Hero of the Match: Richarlyson
after those substitutions, Lucca aimed for the top corner with his free-kick but Kattimani once again came to the rescue for the Gaurs. Coelho could have doubled Goa’s lead after he went past Edel Bete with an open net but was blocked by the brilliant effort of Rahul Bheke as the defender took the shot head-on. The subsequent cross was then put wide by the Brazilian. The Gaurs held on to their lead to achieve their second win this season as the Stallions failed to break down their opponents. (Agencies)
Khanna withdraws from Prez post for sake of AITA recognition New Delhi, Nov 3: Veteran sports administrator Anil Khanna today decided to withdraw his candidature as President of All India Tennis Association (AITA), saying an acrimonious relationship with the government will only hurt the game. Khanna was elected President for a second term (201216) at AITA's AGM in Indore on September 3 but he had refused the post, citing ambiguity on cooling off period as per the Sports Code. He though became AITA Life President. A tussle between AITA and the Sports Ministry is on since Khanna first became President in 2012 after serving two consecutive terms as Secretary General. The government says
Khanna had not served a mandatory four-year cooling off period before being elected as President but AITA contends that he did not seek re-election as Secretary-General and there were no instructions that a person, who has served as Secretary-General cannot become President without serving cooling-off period. However, the ministry stuck to its stand and resultantly, the AITA was derecognised recently. "I am going to recommend it to the AITA Executive Committee that I would not like to stay as President and I want it to go ahead with the election, as per constitution of AITA to get a new President," Khanna, who is also ITF Vice President, told PTI.
When reminded that he had taken a similar decision last year also but the AITA Executive Committee had not allowed him to quit, Khanna said he won't change his stance this time. "This time it is very specific. I want to withdraw my name. I will write to all 23 Associations, who have supported me, not to consider me. The Federation is unnecessarily getting a bad name. I have no sense of attachment," Khanna, who is also IOA treasurer, said. "We don't want any acrimony with the government. I can always advise from outside if they need me. The Federation keeps on working even when the President or Secretary are not in country."
Verma brothers advance to prequarterfinals of Bitburger Open HIGHLIGHTS
Asked if he has taken this decision under pressure, Khanna replied in the negative. "I am not under pressure from anyone but I feel it is important for AITA to work in complete cooperation with the government. Without the government's support and funds, it's not possible. IOC says we should be independent but not independent of government. We have to be in sync with the government," he said. Khanna, however, said the issue was not buried and he will continue to fight. "I have accepted it personally because of my responsibilities with ITF and ATF but I will take it up from IOA to ensure that no Federation is singled out it. "When we started only two
people were working for DLTA and now 150 odd officials are there and we have made it financially independent. We conducted more than 800 tournaments last year without any government help." The Sports Code requires a cooling off period of four years if an office-bearer seeks re-election after serving two consecutive terms. The Ministry has also derecognised three other federations - Archery, Judo and Gymnastic - for the same reasons but did not push the IOA with the same rule. AITA Secretary General Hironmoy Chatterjee had said the government should not single out any one Federation and rules should be same for all, including IOA. (Agencies)
Lodha panel instructs BCCI to submit Deloitte report on state units by November 8 The four states that are under scanner are Odisha, Assam, Jammu and Kashmir and Hyderabad.
Ruthvika spanked Netherlands' Soraya De Visch Eijbergen 2111 21-13 in a lop-sided match Sourabh will next take on sixth seed Ihsan Maulana Mustofa of Indonesia
Ruthvika Shivani Gadde
Saarbrucken, Nov 3: The Verma brothers Sourabh and Sameer and RuthvikaShivani Gadde advanced to the prequarterfinals of the men's singles and women's singles competition respectively at the $120,000 Bitburger Open Grand Prix Gold badminton tournament here. Sourabh sailed into the third round after his Chinese opponent Xue Song, seeded 14th, retired when he was trailing 9-16 in the opening game. The Chi-
nese Taipei Open winner will next take on sixth seed Ihsan Maulana Mustofa of Indonesia. Younger brother Sameer, seeded 12th, brushed aside Finland's Eetu Heino 21-10 21-16 in 30 minutes to set up a clash against Scotland's Kieran Merrilees. In women's singles, Ruthvika spanked Netherlands' Soraya De Visch Eijbergen 21-11 21-13 in a lop-sided match. She will take on top seed He Bingjiao of China, who
Sameer brushed aside Eetu Heino 2110 21-16 to set up a clash against Kieran Merrilees had defeated Olympic silver medallist P V Sindhu at the French Open last week. India's Prajakta Sawant and her partner Zhi Qing Lee of Malaysia also registered a hard-fought win over Denmark pair of Julie Finne-Ipsen and Rikke Soby Hansen 2220 17-21 21-15 in a 49minute women's doubles match. They will next face top seed Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan of China. (Agencies)
Anurag Thakur-led BCCI have been asked not to release funds to state associations until compliance with Lodha panel reforms.
New Delhi, Nov 3: The Supreme Court-appointed Lodha Panel on Thursday instructed the BCCI to furnish the reports by accounting firm Deloitte on four state units before deciding on disbursal of funds for their players' payments, allowances and other expenditures. The deadline given is November 8. The four states that are under scanner are Odisha, Assam, Jammu and Kashmir and Hyderabad. With reference to the letter sent by BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke on October 28, panel secretary Gopal Shankarnarayan stated:
"With regard to the Associations of Orissa, Hyderabad Jammu & Kashmir and Assam mentioned by you, you are directed to furnish the Report obtained by the BCCI from M/s. Deloitte on State Associations, as well as any undertakings submitted by the State Associations pursuant thereto. "This shall be submitted within 5 days from today. It may be noted that the question of release of funds to these Associations is also governed by Para 20(i) of the Supreme Court's order." (Agencies)
Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi said the league has helped her in becoming a top wrestler. New Delhi, Nov 3: The second edition of the Pro Wrestling League (PWL) promises to be bigger and better than the inaugural one with the world's top grapplers set to feature in the one month-long event next month. The PWL 2 was unveiled here today with several top-notched wrestlers of the world, including India's Sakshi Malik, walking the ramp wearing designer clothes. Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi said the league has helped her in becoming a top wrestler and she was looking forward to second season, which will have more number of teams competing. "The league gives an opportunity to young and talented Indians to face world's top wrestlers and improve their game. I am certainly looking forward to the tournament as I get to learn a lot," Sakshi, who walked the Ramp wearing designer Rohit Bal's creation, said. Besides Sakshi, three other Olympic medallists Yogeshwar Dutt, Sofia Mattson of Sweden and Mariya Stadnik of Azerbaijan along with CWG medallist Yana Rattigan, Geeta Phogat, Babita Kumari walked the ramp for designers like Rohit Bal, JJ Vallaya, Ashish Soni and Rohit Gandhi. London Olympics bronze medallist Yogeshwar said while it was unlikely for him to take part in the upcoming league as his wedding is scheduled in January next year, he was still trying to work things out and play a few matches.
"I want to play in the League. I am trying to work out if I can play some part of it. My wedding is scheduled around mid January and that's clashing with the tournament," said Yogeshwar. With Sakshi having bagged an Olympic medal, Yogeshwar feels that the League would help the women wrestlers come to the fore as talented young girls are wanting to do well in the sport. "It is going to be a very good exposure for the junior women wrestlers who are keen to do well, especially after Sakshi's achievement at the Rio Games," said Yogeshwar. Asked if Pakistani wrestlers should be allowed to take part in the League, Yogeshwar said, "They should not be a part of the league till the situation between the two countries improves." Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh insisted that PWL 2 will see more top wrestlers of the world in action. "During last year's inaugural edition also, we had invited top wrestlers from around the world but since it was the first edition and also in the run-up to Olympic year, many opted out. But after last year's success, more grapplers are keen to take part and we have extended invitation to almost all wrestling playing countries," said Singh. "We have also invited the wrestlers from Iran, who are considered one of the strongest. Even if our wrestlers lose to them, it would be a very
good exposure for them and we will like the Iranians to be a part of the tournament," he added. Asked about double-Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar's absence from the League, Singh said: "There is no ban on any wrestler to take part in the PWL. Whoever is willing to play will play and WFI is not going to stop anyone if he/she is keen to compete." Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sofia Mattson said that she was very excited to participate in the League as she could not be a part of it last year due to the Olympic schedule. "I could not be a part of the League last year as we were suppose to follow the schedule strictly in the run-up to the Olympics but I have heard so much about it. "I have heard that spectators come out in large numbers and it is an electrifying atmosphere. I am looking forward to all the action and fun. Hopefully I will be picked up by some franchise and come back to India," said Sofia. PWL 2 auction is likely to take place on November 15 or 16. Another Indian Olympian wrestler Babita Kumari said playing in the League was a different ball game. "There is a different kind of a pressure in a team game as because of you, your team can win or lose if that is the deciding bout. So, there is different kind of a responsibility but I enjoy it. I am looking forward to put my best foot forward during the tournament," said Babita. (Agencies)
India vs England: Rahul Dravid Has Made me Mentally Stronger, Says Hardik Pandya New Delhi, Nov 3: Ecstatic after his maiden call-up into the Indian cricket team, allrounder Hardik Pandya said that India A coach Rahul Dravid's guidance during the Australia tour has made him "mentally stronger". "For me, everything changed after my tour of Australia with the India A team. It is a tour that transformed me as a cricketer. I can't but thank Rahul Dravid enough for his contribution. I understood that there is a mental aspect about the game that needs to be worked upon. He (Dravid) made me mentally stronger," Hardik said. "I don't think I have learnt more than what I did during those one and half months under Rahul sir. He would tell me about things that I need to try out. I was mentally strong but after interacting with him, I understood that I could get even better. If my bowling is being talked about today, it's because of Rahul sir and Paras Mhambrey (India A bowling coach)." Terming it as the biggest day of his life, Pandya said: "Playing Test cricket is ultimate for anyone and I am no different. Yes, this is my biggest achievement till date. In fact, yesterday the Baroda team was travelling to Raipur for their Ranji game. I told the boys that let me stay back in Mumbai for a day. If I don't get selected, I will join you guys next day. It was the happiest moment." Talking about his bowling, Hardik said: "The more you practise the craft, better you get at it. I bowled so much in
Hardik Pandya Australia that it yielded results when I was back with the senior team. I became more consistent, hit the right length. The increase in pace has got a lot to do with the rhythm. If I am in rhythm, the pace will automatically increase by a few yards. The more I play at this level, the better I will get." Speaking about his batting, Hardik is realistic about his position in case he gets a lookin in the playing XI. "I used to bat at No 3 for Baroda and then I have been batting at No 5 in Ranji Trophy. I have to be realistic that in the Indian team, I can't bat at No 5. I would be probably batting at No 8 or No 9. I am perfectly fine with it. I am ready to bat at any position," Hardik said and there was an element of conviction in his statement. India A bowling coach Mhambrey also echoed Pandya's sentiments. "Since me and Rahul go back a long way, it was easy to share the workload regarding Hardik. Rahul focussed on the mental
aspect and he gave me a freehand in dealing with the technical aspect of his bowling," Mhambrey said. "What Rahul told me specifically is to not go for an overhaul of his action as the main emphasis is on performance part. I saw that there were times when his left hand (nonbowling arm) was dropping at the point of release. We fixed that. Also there was a tendency to push the ball through during release," Mhambrey elaborated. "What he needed for increase in pace was a strong bowling action. We wanted him to get right behind the ball during loading. We also worked that he comes closer to the stumps so that he can bowl the outswinger more effectively. At the end of the day, credit goes to Hardik because it is the player who needs to understand his own requirements and work hard on those aspects. A coach can at best help. That's where Hardik scores," concluded Mhambrey. (Agencies)
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