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ASSENG/2015/64205

PAGE 12

Vol. II

Issue IV

Dibrugarh, Wednesday, June 22, 2016

SHARAPOVA'S LAWYER BLASTS WADA CHIEF OVER `UNPROFESSIONAL` INCOME COMMENT

Page - 6

Legislators of PPA, BJP and Independent MLAs expresses confidence in the leadership of CM Pul A joint Legislature Party meeting comprising of Legislators of the People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Independents (Ind) was held at the Conference Hall of the Chief Minister’s official residence at Itanagar on Monday to discuss various issues related to development and planning.

Welcoming the members, Chief Minister and Leader of the People’s Party of Arunachal Legislators Party

ET CAPSULES

Road mishap Tezpur, June 21: One Shambhu Ram Mochahari (56) died on the spot this afternoon while two motorcycles knocked down him from behind at Kokalbhagi area under Bihaguri Police outpost in Sonitpur District. The deceased an inhabitant of Majbarigaon area under Thelamara PS was though rushed to TMC, he was later declared death. The motor cycle rider and the pillion rider who sustained serious injury in the incident were admitted in the Tezpur Medical College.

(Correspondent)

Yoga Divas held at Golaghat Golaghat, June 21: Today International Yoga Divas was observed by CRPF 142 Bn of Golaghat from 7 am to 9 am at Unit Headquarter, Junaki Nagar of Golaghat.

P Kharmujai, Second in Command, Kunjumole T.K Deputy Commandant and all ranks and files of 142 Bn participated in the programme. P Kharmujai gave speech on importance of Yoga in human life as well as Armed Forces to release stress in performance of vigorous duty. (Correspondent)

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Kalikho Pul said that the meeting was necessitated to take stock of the development scenario and to plan for the work to be done in the year ahead. Inviting all the members to participate candidly in the deliberations, he said that we must work collectively to deliver on the promise of change that we made to the people of the State.

The legislators affirmed the Chief Minister’s actions of making all out efforts for development within the short period of 4 months since taking office.

The

PPA,

BJP

5.00

UP CM AKHILESH QUESTIONS CENTRE'S MOVE TO INCREASE FDI CAP

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ET Bureau Itanagar, June 21

Price -

and

Independent MLAs unequivocally expressed their complete faith and confidence in the leadership of Chief Minister Kalikho Pul. All the MLAs also authorized the Chief Minister to take appropriate political decisions as deemed proper, on a need basis and in keeping with emerging political situations if they arise, keeping the best interests of the development of the State, the Party and the Members in mind.

In the course of the meeting, the assembled legislators, which included Deputy Chief Ministers Chowna Mein and Kameng Dolo as well as

cabinet ministers, parliamentary secretaries and MLAs, came out in strong support of the achievement in procuring land at New Delhi, Mumbai, Shillong and Guwahati for construction of Arunachal Sadan and House.

They said both this, and the highly successful public darbar were indeed vital achievements to reach out to the unreached.

Taking up discussions on the disbursement of Disaster & Relief Funds, the members shared that this must be done on a need basis and examining the severity of the impact at various locations. Similarly,

the house was unanimous that the funds that the State government receives from the DONER Ministry and the NEC should also be utilized so that there is equitable and balanced growth across the State.

Speaking on the great need for creating jobs and livelihoods, the Chief Minister informed that of the NonTechnical and Group C & D posts that have been created recently in the health,

Contd. on Page 3

AASU for shoot at sight Arunachal Police and against poachers in Kaziranga Army Camp, Chowkham apprehended 2 militants ET Correspondent Tezpur, June 21

Security forces along with the arrested APDPF militants Spl Correspondent Tinsukia, 21 June

In a joint operation launched by the security forces including personnel from the Army Camp Chowkham and Arunachal Pradesh Police, a listed cadre of Arunachal Pradesh Deprived People’s Front (APDPF) Cheto Chakma alias Ranjeet and Amit. R. Morak were arrested with arms and ammunition, recovered from their possession.

According to an Army officer, there was a reliable input that wanted militant in the region Cheto Chakma and Amit R Morak were coming to meet some on near Chakma Basti, Chowkham. Security forces launched a joint search operation in and around Chakma Basti along with Arunachal Pradesh Police under inspection Thomas Pertin and arrested the cadres with two pistols and ammunition, the Army officer added.

According to the information received by the

Army Camp, Chowkham, both cadres were allegedly missing since Jan 2014 and went to Bangladesh for training along with eight others youths to form APDPF outfit. The outfit consisted of the fugitives of Chowkham’s jail break who were also involved in various cases. The group is supposed to be led by Gyan Ratan Chakma who was instrumental in drafting the by-law of the outfit, stated the information of the Army.

Gyan Ratan Chakma along with four cadres returned to Arunachal Pradesh in 2014 while remaining cadres stayed in Bangladesh. It is believed that outfit leader Gyan Ratan Chakma was trying to re-group the outfit again SF apprehended one cadre in 13 Mar 15 and again two cadre of same outfit were apprehended in search operation launched in 20 Jun 2016.

It is major success for the security forces as we have been able to arrest a listed cadre along with weapon, an Army official said.

Amidst largescale controversy over unabated killing of rhinos in the world famous Kaziranga National Park, the influential All Assam Student’s Union today demanded that the state government must issue shoot at sight orders whenever poachers are found inside the national park.

“The previous Tarun Gogoi led Congress government in the state had totally failed to curb rhino poaching and the present government too have made several promises to save the rhinos, however, it seems that the confidence of the poachers are still sky-high”, Sammujjal Bhattacharaya, advisor of AASU said during an interaction with media persons in Tezpur.

Therefore, it is high time the state government must compulsorily issue shoot at sight orders whenever poachers are sighted roaming. It might be mentioned that despite the new forest minister Promila Rani Brahma commenting that the government will come down heavily on poachers; poachers have continued to target rhinos at Kaziranga.

Bhattacharya added that the army must be deployed in the national park and the park must be manned by the army only since forest department personnel and the police had totally failed to tackle the menace. “A force should also be constituted by inclusion of local Assamese youths so that rapid patrolling can be carried out”, the firebrand student leader said.

Rhino would be protected at any cost, says Forest Minister ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, June 21

Assam Forest Minister Pramila Rani Brahma said that she wouldn’t be declined to protect illegal Rhino poaching and wildlife along the Kaziranga National Park.

Brahma while talking exclusively with this reporter today in Kokrajhar said that forest department has been initiated stern strategy to check rhino poaching and wildlife in the state. She said that protection of rhino was her priority job and poaching would be checked through stern policy for which she had discussed with Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.

‘There would be no declined from initiating of strong steps while

Forest Minister Pramila Rani Brahma

Pages- 12

PAGE 4

3 LION CUBS, 10 PYTHON SNAKELETS BORN IN TRIPURA ZOO Page - 5

Massive manhunt against ULFA (I) in Upper Assam, fifth cadre arrested A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, June 21

Security forces operating in upper Assam today tasted success for yet another time following the arrest of another hardcore ULFA (I) cadre Rahul Hazarika alias Laden Asom (24). Rahul is a resident of Khelmati village in Moran in upper Assam's Dibrugarh district and he was arrested on Monday last night by Dibrugarh police. Police recovered twelve demand notes signed by Ulfa deputy commander-in-chief Drishti Rajkhowa on the outfit’s letterhead.

A hand grenade was also recovered from the militant.

Security forces has started a massive operation against the ULFA(I) in upper Assam and till now they have arrested five rebels so far from the outfit and one GNLA cadre.

Dibrugarh SP Bir Bikram Gogoi said that the cadre has confessed that he arrived from Myanmar in December 2015 to carry out extortion activities in the district under the orders of Rajkhowa. He had joined the banned outfit in 2013 and underwent arms training in Bangladesh in 2014.

This is the third major success for the police against the Ulfa (I) in Dibrugarh district in the past one week.

On June 16, Biplob Asom alias Mamon Gogoi, a Ulfa (I) rebel was apprehended from Khowang with 700 gram of TNT. The police claimed that he was on a mission to carry out two major strikes in Dibrugarh town including the local BJP office on the orders of the Ulfa top brass.

ULFA (I) militant viz Rahul Hazarika @ Laden Asom (24 yrs) apprehended in Dibrugarh. Pic - UB Photos On June 18, three hardcore Ulfa (I) militants and a Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) rebel were apprehended during a joint operation by security forces from Chabua while on their way to Myanmar from Meghalaya. Three 9 mm pistols, 6 pistol magazines, 40 round live bullets and two BFDX BF 860 Chinese wireless radio sets were recovered.

Sources said that the proscribed outfit which influence has been on the wane

has been desperate to make their presence felt by their activities in Dibrugarh district, which is the home district of chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal. The fugitive Ulfa (I) commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah also belongs to the district.

Sources said that ULFA (I) was financial weak and running out of manpower so they are desperate to make their presence felt in upper Assam which was once a major area of the rebels from where many youths joined the rebel group.

Yoga helps to build not only healthy body and stable mind but also moulds our personality : Sonowal

checking poaching of rhino and forest wealth in the state’, she said adding that she was working whole hearted towards protection of rhino and forest wealth. Rhino would be protected at any cost and forest wealth be safe through supports of common citizens in the state, Brahma said.

DC orders inquiry into PM Modi leads thousands at PDS scam in Sonari Mass Yoga Session in Chandigarh

cmyk

Monimala Phukan Borthakur, Deputy Commissioner, Charaideo has ordered an inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the public distribution system ( PDS ) in Sonari LAC. According to information the Deputy Commissioner has formed a one man inquiry committee comprising Mousumi Chetia, AEC, Charaideo to conduct a probe into all the related documents of five co-operative societies of the LAC. It is to be mentioned here that since the change of government in Assam people of Sonari LAC has been

expecting a probe into the irregularities going on in the PDS. Kamakhaya Prasad Tasa, MP Jorhat Lok Sabha Constituency has recently announced to conduct an inquiry into the matter in a public meeting. Of late Tapan Kr. Gogoi, MLA Sonari had instructed the DC to order an inquiry into the matter following which the probe has begun. It is to be mentioned here that there has been allegations of large scale irregularities in Paschim Abhaypur, Pub Abhaypur, Kanu, Sapekhati and Baruasali Co-operative Societies. These societies are presently run by Congress leaders or supporters.

PTI Chandigarh, Jun 21 ET Correspondent Jorhat, June 21

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday joined over 30,000 people here for the second International Yoga Day celebrations as he pitched for treating diseases like diabetes through the ancient spiritual discipline.

Modi, dressed in a whitecoloured t-shirt and trouser along with a scarf, led over 30,000 participants, including defence forces personnel and school children, for the second International Day of Yoga

PM Modi leads thousands at Mass Yoga Session in Chandigarh

celebrations here at the Capitol Complex amid tight security.

participated in a mass demonstration of 'Common Yoga Protocol'.

The Prime Minister, who arrived here last night,

Contd. on Page 3

Yoga helps to build not only healthy body and stable mind but also moulds our personality. For inculcating discipline, punctuality and grooming of personality, the world has realised the importance of Yoga,” said Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal at the International Day of Yoga 2016 at Majuli College Field, Doria at Garamur in Majuli today.

Speaking at the State level function, Chief Minister

Sonowal said that the State Government is wholly committed towards making Assam a developed and prosperous State in the country.

“For making Assam a developed State, we have to be disciplined, punctual and hard working. Sri Sri Sankaradeva and Sri Sri Madhabdeva tried to bring about major transformation in the State through Yoga. We have to follow their ideals to attain our avowed goals,” he added.

Heaping praises on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for

his initiative in making Yoga a mass movement worldwide courtesy United Nations, Sonowal said, “This is a matter of pride for 125 crore Indians.

Our Prime Minister deserves encomiums for prevailing upon UN to observe June 21 as International Day of Yoga,” he added.

The Chief Minister said that the country is witnessing a surge on various fronts due to bold and innovative initiatives of Prime Minister Modi.

Contd. on Page 3

cmyk

ET Correspondent Sonari, June 21

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22

PAGE 2 ASTRO FOR YOU Aries Life sometimes smiles down upon you, and today seems to be such a day. Though you will remain occupied with your work, there will be no pressure. Same is the case with your personal life. What more does one need? It is probably trying to teach you to be content.

Taurus In all probability, you will come across as extremely prudent today. Your common sense will prevail over your intellect this afternoon. Things will probably change for the better during the course of the day. Loved ones will shower you with care and concern in the evening.

Gemini There are chances that your love life will go through some ups and downs today. Care and concern must be the watchwords in the afternoon. You will probably take chances in money matters. Don't lose your head, keep the faith and get back to your charming self.

Cancer Your actions will be dominated by your impulsive trait. Later in the day, close your eyes to the negative aspects and focus only on the positives. Your action rather than thinking will yield better results. Immerse your heart and mind in light music.

Leo You will have to fulfill all your responsibilities carefully, and will be duly rewarded for your troubles. Begin all auspicious work and new projects in the afternoon. Your generosity and capability will keep you at peace today.

Virgo You are most likely to wield the baton if a question on your authority is raised. Also on the cards is a possibly risky venture with finances. An unexpected and not-so-nice event in the evening will add certain lines of worry to your face. But don't worry because where there is life, there is hope.

Libra There may be issues with your competitors playing around with your emotions and questioning your competency today, but you will be able to defeat them. In your professional field, you may have to face difficult times; these people will come forth to help you. You have to be careful today as it is a decisive day filled with stress and tensions.

Scorpio Passionate love affairs will be even more intense and seductive than before. Evening may see a new romantic aura around you. Professionally, you shall answer all the riddles that have left you in a lurch till now.

Sagittarius You may be surprised at the state of your support and subsidy. Economics will worry you today. Your generally upbeat mood will be marred by small, insignificant problems at work. Hedge your bets carefully in matters of money. But keep those spirits high and meet all such matters head-on.

Capricorn If you had scheduled the launch of a new product today, you should tarry a while. It will be in your benefit to delay the launch till late in the day. But if you are headstrong on following the plan, be prepared to face disappointments because the response may not be as satisfying as you may have envisaged. While in the fray, you will be successful in countering the threats posed by your opponents, and will bag the appreciation of your supporters.

Aquarius Your ambition makes you overbearing, and foot-in-mouth will be a common phenomenon today. If you're too forceful or insistent, you may be tormented by regret tomorrow. Avoid being coerced into taking drastic decisions.

Pisces You are likely to reveal your innermost feelings and the true nature of your thoughts today.

Feel free to be optimistic about your chances of success if you are thinking of proposing to someone special in the evening. More pleasure, less pain. Now, who wouldn't want that?

PRASAR BHARATI (India's Public Service Broadcaster) ALL INDIA RADIO : DIBRUGARH (M.W.529.1m/KHz567 F.M. 101.30 MHz) Phone No.-03732325456 E-mail -dibrugarh@air.org.in Facebook Page-All India Radio Dibrugarh Programme Highlights 22-6-16 (WEDNESDAY) 5-35 A.M-Bhaktigeeti(Devotional Songs) 6-10 A.M-Swasthya Charcha (Health Programme) 6-15 A.M-Hindi Language Lesson 6-30 A.M-Vidyarthir Anusthan 7-15 A.M-Aajir Dinto (Morning Information Service) 7-30 A.M-Geetanjali (Assamese Modern Song) 8-35 A.M-Surar Panchoi (Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 9-05 A.M- Antara (Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 12-05 P.M-Surar Satsori (Request Programme of Assamese Songs) 1-10 P.M-Troops Programme 2-30 P.M-Western Music 3-45 P.M-Programme in Miju Mishmi 4-05 P.M-Programme in Khamti 4-25 P.M-Programme in Wancho 4-45 P.M-News for Arunachal Pradesh 5-00 P.M-Programme in Idu 5-20 P.M-Programme in Tangsa 5-40 P.M-Programme in Nocte 6-15 P.M-Ganya Raijor Anusthan 7-15 P.M-Karpumpuli 8-00 P.M-Parikrama 9-30 P.M- Kramasha-"Jangam",Written by Debendra Nath Acharya Sd-/H.O.P

Tinsukia ITI centre locked down by agitating students Spl Correspondent Tinsukia, June 21: Angry students here in Tinsukia locked down the ITI centre on Tuesday over mishap in mark sheet. The students of 1st semester of under welder trade course alleged that the centre declared results in May in which they failed all students in paper 2 ie workshop calculation and science and engineering drawing. The angry students were shocked and asked how could all students fail in one paper. Accordingly, after repeated attempt they learnt that the master - result sheet based on which papers where checked was

AJYCP submits memorandum to Sivasagar DC ET Correspondent Sivasagar, June 21: The Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP), Sivasagar Town Committee staged a three hour protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner office, Sivasagar on Tuesday.

The student body later submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner, Sivasagar, demanding solution to the various burning issues which includes poor condition of side wall of historical Borpukhuri and a bridge over Jamuna canal which is in dilapidated condition.

dents issue. Hence, they were forced to take this extreme step. The students have written a letter to the chief minsiter of Assam to step in the matter.

AJYCP, Sivasagar town committee staged a three hour protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner office, Sivasagar on Tuesday.

The memorandum was signed by Sivasagar town

committee Secretary Abhijeet Das and Presi-

dent Arup Borbora.

While speaking to the

On the other hand, secretary Abhijeet Das appealed the District Administration to stop the menace of illegal drugs business in the district.

Court convicts APCS officer Dr. Ngangin Lego for case of disproportionate asset ET Correspondent Dhemaji, Jun 21: In a Judgment passed in the mishandling of infamous Public Distribution System (PDS) in Arunachal, APCS officer Dr. Ngangin Lego has been convicted by District & Sessions Judge, Lakhimpur, Assam relating to a case of disproportionate asset filed against him by the Vigilance department.

In a judgment (Special Vigi-

lance case No 2/2010) passed on June 15 last, the officer has been convicted for a period of five years and a fine of Rs. 2 crores has been slapped against him by the court.

Lego is sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for five years and to pay a fine of Rs. 2,00,000 (Rupees Two crores) only, in default, to undergo Rigorous Imprisonment for a period of one year for com-

17th death anniversaryof Seuj Konwar in Sivasagar Spl Correspondent Sivasagar, June 21: A day long celebration of 17th death anniversary of Seuj Konwar Porag Chaliha took place at the Natya Mandir in SIvasagar town on Tuesday under the joint venture of "Seuj Konwar Porag Chaliha memorial trust and Sivasagar Natya Samaj.

The organizers tried to recall the signigicant works of the Lion Heart MP and noted cultural activist who was not only able to hold a special position in the political field of Assam with his deeds and powerful role in the parliament as a MP but also enriched the cultural field of the state with his works, writing dramas, songs and choreographs.

mission of the offence under Section 13(2) read with Sec. 13(1)(e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act” read the Court order.

It further said that “a sum of Rs. 2.89 crores remained found in his bank account bearing A/C No. 4660, which has not been satisfactorily accounted for by the accused. As such, the accused, Lego is held guilty of criminal misconduct under section 13(2) RV Sec. 13(1)

(e) of the Prevention of corruption Act”.

The Court said that the accused amassed ill gotten money to the tune of crores in his personal bank account bearing A/C No. 4660.

The money was allegedly made through Public Distribution System (PDS) during 2001-2003 when he was Director of Food & Civil Supplies.

Later, the Crime branch (P.S

case no 06/05) filed a case under Prevention of Corruption Act dated 24th March, 2005 against him.

A PIL relating to PDS was filed by Bamang Tago and Domin Loya in 2004 following which large scale corruption was unearthed including stashing of Rs two Crore by the officer.

Some 40 people including several sitting MLAs are currently under the scanner of the court for fraudulent dealing under PDS.

Mangaldai gets Clock Tower and public toilets

He supplemented the educational arena of Sivasagar too and thus was able to hold a very special seat in the society of Sivasagar and thereby the state and was well known in the national politics too for his dare devil attitudes.

The consecutive initiative of the trust and the Natya Samaj for recalling his contribution is hence a praiseworthy venture. Various cultural competitions amongst the participants on this occasion at the Natya Mandir. A colourful cultural event was organized at the evening at the auditorium of Natya Mandir hosted by Saurav Chaliha where various veteran cultural activists took part and performed the works of the noted personality.

Photo opening of Clock Tower at Mangaldai

ET Correspondent Mangaldai, June 21: Gurujyoti Das, MLA, Mangaldai today inaugurated the clock tower, erected at the No 1 traffic point of Mangaldai town. On the other hand Manoj Kumar, DC, Darrang formally handed over a setup of modern public toilet to the Mangaldai Municipal authority, close to the busy traffic point chariali.

The clock tower with a height of thirty feet and the public toilets with two separate blocks for both gents and ladies besides iron free running water facilities were constructed reportedly at an estimated cost of around Rs 10 lacs by SRD group of companies as a part their activities under CSR. The ceremonial opening function was attended by

SP, Darrang Sunil Kumar, Chairman Municipal Board Pratap Bordoloi, senior Director of SRD group Mukul Chandra Deka among others.

The guests in their speech urged the local people to enjoy the utilities of these two projects and at the same time maintain it as their own properties to make the township look more clean and beautiful.

21st Installation ceremony of Lions Club of Jorhat held

ET Correspondent Jorhat, June 21: The Lions Club of Jorhat greater solemnized customarily its 21st installation ceremony recently in which the new board of directors took oath for the year 2016-17 under the installation officer Lion Radha Agarwalla, Vice-District governor-I (elect) of district322D, informed lion Mridul Doloi here towrong. The students asked bother to respond to stu- day. how can the institute make such a severe mistake.

They alleged that despite communicating with the principal and DG&ET, Delhi but they did not

media persons, Arup Bora said that they had given a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner on April 1, 2015 regarding both the issues. Following the memorandum, the Deputy Commissioner took the initiative of repairing and colouring of Borpukhuri, but due to slow progress, the work still not completed, he added.

Ujjal Mazumder was patronized by several others past district governors, namely lion

as secretary and treasurer respectively for the year 2016-17.

The prestigious ceremony which was organized in Barsha resort, Kakodonga under Jorhat district was well attended with a huge gathering that included the members of Lions fraternity, guest among special invitees and media.

MP Agarwalla (PMCC), lion Amar Barooah (PMCC), lion NC Karnany, lion Dr. Animesh Baruah and

Vice-District governor, lion Roman Bordoloi.

Lion MK Alam who took oath as the new president of the Lions

Club of Jorhat greater for the second time with lion Manjit Kumar Bordoloi and lion Satish Agarwalla

The new board of directors’ vows to continue to serve the community keeping intact the ethics and the code of conduct on the spirit of philanthropy.

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22

PAGE 3

Yoga Day observed at Diyun

Ram B Sunar Diyun, June 21 : In connection with second "International Yoga Day", a programme on YOGA was organised by Community Health Centre, Diyun, under the abled leadership of Dr Mrinal Kanti Thakuria, Medical Officer In charge and his entire Staffs, Changlang District, Arunachal Pradesh on Tuesday, at unemployed Youth Club.

To make the event successful it was participated by all Medical Staff (organiser), Officer and staff of Field Publicity Department, Teachers and Students of Maha Bodhi School,

Teacher and Student of Sneha School and general Public of Diyun.

On the eve of the International Yoga Day, welcome speeches delivered by Dr Mrinal Kanti Thakuria, Medical Officer In charge, CHC, Diyun, during the speech he lauded the importance of Yoga in day-to-day life and its connection with medical health. He further emphasised the everyday Yoga and its benefits. The other speakers are Shri Sujit Kumar Deori, Field Publicity Officer, talking about the Yoga and its role in curbing the various ailments and overall development of health, Shri Jyotish Gogoi

(Teacher) who also played a very important role to make the event successful lauded the requirement of Yoga in human life and last speaker Shri Nirbhat Hajong, whon was also a Yoga Teacher, talking about the physical and mental development by Yoga and taught the Yoga to Masses.

At the closing, the MO IC speaking on the occasion gave his vote of thanks to entire participants and appreciated his entire staff, for working 24x7 to make this grand event successful within very short span of time. Finally, the International YOGA Day was concluded with pledge.

Legislators of PPA, BJP and Independent MLAs expresses confidence in the leadership of CM Pul Contd. from Page 1

education and police departments, the recruitment would be done at the district level, keeping in view local requirements.

The assembled legislators were of the unanimous opinion that the manpower shortfall and immediate requirement in the power sector to maintain the hydropower and mechanical infrastructure as well as transmission lines as also that of the departments of geology and mining and water supply would have to be resolved with a similar approach. Pul, while appreciating the

suggestions and agreeing to it, said that the government would make a special effort to reinforce the staff strength in the administrative outposts in far flung areas to ensure better delivery of services in these areas. Wherever required, additional posts would be created he assured them.

In order to create awareness amongst the people regarding various developmental activities initiated by the present Government and to share the development vision of the government with the people, the Joint Legislature Party Meeting also

unanimously decided to organize rallies in all district headquarters of the state.

The schedule for this would be finalized in consultation with the appropriate Party functionaries like the Chairman and President of the PPA, as well as with all other stakeholders, they agreed.

“The country is on the path of development and the people are reaping the fruits of development as the present Central Government is committed, responsive and peopleoriented one,” he said adding, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying his utmost to secure a pride of place for India among the comity of nations.”

Sonowal said his

Government would take up a slew of initiatives to make Majuli a spiritual centre and a cultural hub.

Addressing the participants, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the Government’s decision to set up yoga development centres in more than 300 development blocks across the State. “These centres will help to inculcate scientific temperament by

imparting practice on yoga among the youth of the State,” he added.

Dr. Sarma further said that the 2nd International Day of Yoga is being observed at the State, district, sub-divisional, block and panchayat levels across the State.

Earlier, the Chief Minister performed in the Yoga demonstration in which thousands of students, inhabitants of Majuli and senior officials participated.

PM Modi leads thousands at Mass Yoga Session in Chandighar platform. From next year when we celebrate yoga day, in this one year, you continue to do what you do for yoga but focus on one subject and this is my subject -- diabetes -Diabetes and yoga," he said

get rid of this disease or not but with the help of yoga, diabetes can be controlled.

Can we start a public campaign to suggest measures in yoga to the common man suffering from diabetes”, he added.

Over 30,000 people from all ages -10,000 each from Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana - performed yoga 'asanas' on pink and blue coloured mats during the event. Separately, about 10,000 people also performed yoga at over 100 other locations in Chandigarh itself. Earlier addressing the gathering, Modi pitched for treating diabetes through yoga.

"All people belonging to the yoga field, whatever knowledge they have, they must continue with the rest of their yoga activities but this (diabetes) must be the main focus," Modi said.

"It will be an achievement if we can help in treating diabetes. From next year, we can take another disease.

But I want that for good health, we should address any one disease every year.

We should run a public campaign with an aim to address one disease," he said.

"I want to request trainers who are associated with yoga, from this public

"In India, patients suffering from diabetes are rising. We might be able to

Contd. from Page 1

A yoga enthusiast himself, he performed yoga 'asanas' along with the people at the event.

Expressing concern over rising number of patients suffering from diabetes, Modi asked yoga trainers to help in controlling the disease.

ET Bureau Silchar, 21 June: In an official press statement from the Barak Valley Chakma Students' Association (BVCSA), they have strongly condemned discrimination meted out to the minority Chakma students in Mizoram. The press release stated that the Mizoram has created a division of Scheduled Tribes students into Zo-ethnic and Non-Zo ethnic people of Mizoram and placing the Chakmas under Category-II (Non-Zo) and giving 95% reservation of seats to Category I (Mizo Ethnic) candidates selected in the State Medical and Technical Entrance Examination (SMATEE).

Giving a background of the

issue, Arun Kumar Chakma, president of BVCSA stated that the Mizoram government has played fraud with the Guwahati High Court in PIL No. 39/2015 which was filed by the Mizoram Chakma Students Union (MCSU) in 2015 challenging the notification N o . C . 11 0 11 / 1 / 2 0 1 5 END(HTE) dated 24th March 2015 issued by the Higher and Technical Education Department of Mizoram which termed the Chakmas as non-indigenous (Category II) and gave priority to the Zo-ethnic indigenous peoples in the admissions to medical and engineering colleges. On 17 July 2015 the Mizoram government informed the Guwhati High Court that it had withdrawn the impugned notifi-

Yoga day observed at Bomdila Bomdila, June 21: The second International Day of Yoga with the theme of harmony and peace was observed today at Buddha stadium by hundreds.

Exhorting the young and old alike to imbibe yoga in one's daily curriculum for a sound mind and healthy body, Deputy Commissioner Sonal Swaroop opined that with the regular practice of yoga, one discovers the sense of oneness with self, the nature and the whole cosmos.

Prant Seva Pramukh Shekar Kelkar of Seva Bharati and Headmaster Manjushree Shiksha Niketan Hiralal

Patowary assisted by Kesang Chotten of Patanjali Arogya Kendra and Dhananjai Chutia of Seva Bharati imparted the yogasans specially tailored for the day.

Assisted by the Ex-Servicemen unit Bomdila and collaborated by the Seva Bharati and Patanjali Arogya Kendra Bomdila, the programme was organized by the Zilla Sainik Board, West Kameng.

Hundreds of people from all walks of life including those from SSB, Army, paramilitary, police, students, public, officers and officials participated in the hour long yoga.

International Yoga Day Observed

Exhorting all the ministers, parliamentary secretaries and MLAs to take up unannounced visits to various facilities to monitor performance and quality of assets, the Chief Minister said that this also brings us closer to people and gives them an opportunity to present their difficulties to us directly.

Yoga helps to build not only healthy body and stable mind but also moulds our personality : Sonowal Contd. from Page 1

Chakma Students condemns alleged racial discrimination towards them in Mizoram

Yoga is not only a way to get rid of a disease but it also guarantees wellness.

For holistic development of lives, yoga is a great way, he said.

cation and gave an undertaking that Chakmas would be included under Category I (indigenous people of Mizoram).

But the Mizoram government secretly notified the Mizoram (Selection of Candidates for Higher Technical Courses) Rules, 2016 vide Notification N o . C . 1 1 0 11 / 1 / 2 0 1 5 EDN(HTE) of 20th April, 2016 which retained the same text which was challenged in PIL No.39/2015 except deleting the words “indigenous” and “non-indigenous” and reserving 95% of the seats for the Mizos while discriminating against the non-Mizo Scheduled Tribes especially the Chakmas, stated the press release.

Further, the Chakma Students Association alleged that “State Medical and Technical Entrance Examination Information Brochure 2016” also clearly mentioned that Category I (Mizos) will be given seats first and then in case of any vacancy the remaining seats shall be filled by Category II students.

“The division of tribals into Zo and Non-Zo tribes with sinister motives to deny the Non-Zo tribes like Chakmas educational facilities is plain racial discrimination against Chakmas and other non-Mizos. The State cannot discriminate against anyone on the basis of religion, caste, creed, ethnicity or language. The State of Mizoram has played a fraud

upon the Guwahati High Court which the Honourable Court must take strong note when Mizoram government will be brought to justice” – stated Arun Kumar Chakma, President, Barak Valley Chakma Students Association.

“The repeated victimization of Chakma students is yet another testimony that the Chakma minorities are under attacks in Mizoram. But we will not be cowed down by such nefarious designs and will take the shelter of the rule of law. Chakma students of India will never tolerate any kind of injustice against them anywhere and we have decided to launch huge campaign at national level” – further stated Arun Kumar Chakma.

International Yoga Day celebrated at Newman School Neotan

International Yoga Day celebrated at Newman School Neotan ET Correspondent Miao, June 21: The Newman School in Neotan village of Arunachal Pradesh participated in the International Yoga Day with Yoga session for all its students on 21 June 2016.

The 300 students who participated and the staff who participated in the event expressed great joy at the end of the event. The children were taught basic yoga for beginners that can do it

at home everyday. “We do not have to wait for International Yoga Day to do Yoga. We can do it everyday to find peace within” said Miss Junnem Langching, the Science of the teacher of the school.

Tirap District joins International Yoga Day celebration Aalo, June 21: The International Yoga Day was observed at Gumin Kiin and R.K. Mission School and in a befitting manner today.

The District Medical Officer Dr. Marbom Basar attended the function as Chief Guest and stressed elaborately on the value of yoga in life. In-

tensive training was imparted to students by qualified personnel appointed by Govt. of Arunachal in coordination with Kaivalya Dham Yoga Institute based in Pune, Maharashtra at R.K. Mission school. The day was also observed at Army headquarters of Aalo.

Glowing tribute to Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha ET Correspondent Golaghat, June 21: Prabah, the cultural wing of the Department of English, H.P.B. Girls’ College, paid soulful homage to the great legendary figure Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha by organizing a colourful programme at the college auditorium today on his 47th death anniversary. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Deepa Phukan Baruah, president of Prabah. Dr. Dilip Kumar Goswami,

principal of the college, graced the occasion as the chief guest. In his speech, Dr. Goswami highlighted the immense contribution made by the immortal iconic figure to the overall growth and development of Assamese society. Teachers and students of the college enthusiastically participated in the various programmes.

The entire programme was anchored by Ms. Rupali Sarma and Ms. Porismita Devi of B.A. 3rd Semester.

ET Bureau Khonsa, Jun 21: Tirap District today joined the celebration of International Yoga Day with a large number of people including DC, HoDs, VK Arun Jyoti Kendra, Teachers, Air Wing, NCC, Army Wing Cadets of Govt. Higher Secondary School, Khonsa turning out for the programme at Govt. Higher Secondary School, Khonsa.

Greeting the participants and organisers on the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner Ravi Jha, IAS said that International Yoga Day has been celebrated for the second time but Yoga in India was practised since the time immemorial adding that Yoga is not related to any religion but a way of living, aiming for a healthy mind in a healthy body. It aims to achieve this through a series of physical and mental exercises, Jha said.

International Yoga Day celebrated at Tirap He encouraged the participants to adopt yoga on daily basis for a healthy leaving.

The DC also appreciated the instructor Hav. Baishya of 36Bn for exceptional demonstration on the occasion.

Earlier, Principal of the Govt. Higher Secondary School Manphe Hosai, Balram Bhaiya from Arun Jyoti Seva Kendra, Havaldar Baishya of 36Bn CRPF also spoke and high-

lighted on the benefits of practicing yoga.

The Day observed at GHSS Khonsa was organised by District Administration in collaboration with department of health and family welfare and education department. The Day was also observed at RK Sarada Mission, Khonsa, RK Mission School, Narottamnagar, Deomali, GHSS Borduria and other places in Tirap District.

International Yoga Day celebration at Doomdooma Dinesh Goyal Doomdooma, June 21: ITBP, Central weapon store, Rupai in tune and spirit of the clarion call by the Prime minister Sh. Narendra Modi has taken to honoring the International Yoga Day in a big way in continuum to our daily physical training. There is overwhelming enthusiasm in our men to take forward this initiative of the government not just for today but pledge to make Yoga- 6000 years old physical, mental and spiritual practice to power cleanse the body and mind as a personal habit.

On the occasion of International Yoga Day. Central weapon Store, Indo-Tibetan

Border Police (ITBP), Rupai has taken a lead in this noble cause by fully participating in this programme. Taking the drive further under the able leadership of Sh. Jackson P. Theratiil, Dy. Inspector General, ITBP Rupai, organized a mass awareness programme under the aegis of "Yoga" for

the school children and local populace of Rupai on 21st June 2016. Around 50 students from Sishu Vidhya Mandir School (Doomdooma), 03 members (Yog Guru and Yog Mata) from Brahma Kumari Institution and 50 local volunteer participated in this yoga

drive. On this occasion message of Director General ITB Police Sh. Krishna Chaudhary, IPS, an ardent yoga practitioner has also been conveyed "The practice of yoga brings to us ancient wealth in terms of manipulating the subtle energy channels" and as per emphatic direction of Inspector General, (HQr & Trg) Sh. Dipesh Juneja, IPS, yoga has been included in daily training schedule of force. The Programme started at 0700 Hrs with the opening prayer at the Campus area of ITBP, after welcome address note from Sh. Jackson Therattil, DIG CWS. Yoga and Meditation session terminated at

0810 Hrs. The school children's and local volunteer were given light refreshment for their contribution in this drive. After light refreshment all left for their respective places. In spite of limited strength i.e Approx 70 Jawans and limited availability of infrastructure this formation gives his best efforts to make this event successful/ remarkable. This effort was highly appreciated by one and all took pledge/commitment to make yoga a permanent part in their daily schedule of life. After all "Yoga is a light, which once lit, will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter the flame".

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22

PAGE 4

Knowledge acquired through education can help us to attain proficiency : CM Sonowal A Staff Reporter Guwahati, June 21: ‘Knowledge is power.

Through education we can gain knowledge.

Knowledge acquired through education can help us to attain proficiency,” said Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal at a function organised to felicitate the HSLC/HS rank holders and meritorious students at Majuli College Field at Doria in Garamur in Majuli subdivision today.

Chief Minister Sonowal said that the students have to play a pivotal role in getting a pride of place for

CM Sarbananda Sonowal

Majuli in the world realm.

“The students have to play a great role if Majuli has to obtain a powerful position in the world realm,” he said.

Sonowal exhorted upon the students to toil hard in their

studies by burning midnight oil to become successful in life. “Success can be achieved only through hard work and steely determination. You can overcome all obstacles by dint of hard work and perseverance,” he said.

“Being born in a spiritual abode like Majuli there is enough scope for you to carve out a niche for yourselves. As Majuli has immense resources, it has enough potentialities too.

The riverine island will shine if every family makes a mark in education, culture, spiritual and political spheres,” Sonowal said.

Sonowal said that teachers,

parents and every segment of society would have to help the students in fulfilling their ambition in life. “If we all come forward to assist the students the question of failure does not arise. On our part, the State Government will do everything possible to help the students to excel in life,” he said.

The Chief Minister said that the Government is mulling the idea to set up an institute of excellence in Majuli.

“Students of Majuli are deprived of good educational facilities. That is why we have mooted the idea to set up a good

Sivasagar celebrates 2nd International Yuga Day Spl Correspondent Sivasagar, June 21 : In coherence with the 2nd International Yuga Day clebrated in more than 190 countries of the globe, SIvasagar too celebrated the day with various events organized in different parts of Sivasagar town. The district administration of SIvasagar celebrated the Yuga Day with participation of all the officials of the district administration and other distinguished personalities at the staff club besides the Sivasagar Tank on Tuesday.

Sivasagar wing of Khel Bharti too celebrated the event in which lots of health conscious persons and sports persons took part. More than

International Yoga Day celebration at Sivasagar Today. Pic - Firuz Ahmed fifty ladies and girls also participated at the Yuga Day

Celebration camp organized at the Impulse Gym, the only

ladies Gymnasium SIvasagar town.

in

The 2nd International Yoga day celebrated at Haflong ETCorrespondent Haflong June 21 : With rest of the world, the 2nd International Yoga Day organised by the District Administration in association with Dist Ayush Society was celebrated here at Haflong with great enthusiasm at indoor stadium of N L Daolagupu sports complex on Tuesday.

The International Yoga Day was also observed by various NGO & organisations such as Ayush society, Art of Living in different parts of the district such as Maibang, Umrangso,

Harangajao etc At Haflong town yoga programme was organised at Cultural Institution Hall, Jaganath Bari temple near Haflong lake etc.

Amarendra Baruah, Deputy Commissioner, Dima Hasao participated in the programme at N.L Daulagupu Indoor Stadium where he welcomed all the participants. He spoke about the origin of Yoga and its reference with Vedas.

Speaking on the occasion DC Baruah stressed its importance at present days.

Bahim Chandra Langthasa,

a senior citizen and literiorate explained the meaning of Yoga and importance in present days. Dr. Dipali Barman who was also present at the venue briefly spoke about the necessity of Yoga in this stressful life. Explaining about the importance of yoga Dr. Barman termed yoga as stress neutraliser for both body and mind that can help men free from ailments. She also cited yoga as a glaring example of our ancestor and their mental and physical consciousness.

Acharya Chinmoy

Brahmachari of Ananda Ashram along with his disciples from Ayush Society demonstrated the postures of Yogasnas and remedy for various ailments and their precautional measures.

Acharya Chinmoy was assisted by Babita Laobangdisa while performing yoga.

The Programme was attended by a large number of people from various walks of life irrespective of caste, creed and community from the age group of 8 - 80 years.

Assam Govt. to set up Yoga development centres A Staff Reporter Guwahati, June 21: The BJP-led Assam government will set up yoga development centres in more than 300 development blocks across the state.

"These centres will help inculcate scientific temperament by imparting yoga practice among the youth of the state," Assam's minister for health and family welfare, Himanta Biswa Sarma, said while announcing the decision.

Meanwhile Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today met the satradhikars of Majuli subdivision and discussed a gamut of issues concerning

CM Sonowal being felicitated at a function in Majuli Pic - Samir Roy

the satras at a programme organised by Shri Shri Uttar Kamalabari Satra. This is the maiden visit of Sonowal to his constituency Majuli after becoming the Chief Minister.

The satradhikars apprised Chief Minister Sonowal about the problems plaguing the satras. Sonowal assured the satradhikars of State Government’s all possible support and cooperation to solve the problems of the satras. The Chief Minister also promised the satradhikars of initiating steps to preserve Majuli’s rich spiritual-cultural identity and to promote it worldwide.

educational institute,” he said.

“Incentives to students have to continue. For that the State Government is committed. We have to give the students the muchneeded impetus so that they become able citizens.

Concerted efforts are needed to create a pool of human resources. Majuli’s 800 meritorious students are our assets and their energies must be channelized in the nation building process,” he said.

Chief Secretary VK Pipersenia, senior officials and prominent personalities were present on the occasion.

trict while indicating the party’s positive accord in this matter said that it’s a party decision and the district BJP will abide by the party dictate. In a hurriedly convened press meet at his Diphu residence he mentioned that BJP government is committed for the development of all the people and shall fulfill the promises made in the party election manifesto.

Although neither Tuliram

Ronghang has yet spelled out any date or time of joining, according to insider information under all probability the lot of the Congress MACs will embrace saffron on June 23, which is Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council’s foundation day; final go ahead was given by Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal yesterday night after holding a meeting with senior

party leaders and bureaucrates.

The fusion of Congress leaders with BJP is viewed as a strategic move of BJP in the electoral politics of this autonomous hill district. The threat of probable amalgamation of Congress and regional party HSDC in the forthcoming KAAC election could have upset the applecart of the ruling party; this possibility has been cleverly avoided

A Staff Reporter Guwahati, June 21: Expressing serious concern over the condition of roads in Majuli, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal asked the Public Works Department to take over all the roads of the river island and repair them on a ‘war-footing’.

Holding a Sub-Divisional level review meeting in Majuli on Monday evening, Chief Minister Sonowal asked all the departmental officers to implement their schemes effectively, efficiently and creditably. He asked the PWD department to take up the repair work of KamalabariGormur connecting road to the satisfaction of the local people and ensure its early completion.

On the other hand, Chief Minister also asked Water Resource Department to use

paver blocks to fortify the embankments in the river island. Sonowal also took stock of the erosion management work being undertaken in Majuli and asked the Brahmaputra Board and Water Resource Department to provide him their line of actions for erosion management.

Sonowal also directed the SubDivisional Officer (Civil) to do the needful for the constriction of permanent office building and staff quarters in the island and assured his government’s help to his front. He also asked the SDO(C) to furnish him the names of the Departments which failed to set up their offices even after allotment of land.

Sonowal also asked Inland Water Transport Department to prepare a roadmap for a secured and efficient network

of ferry services in the island and sought a report on how many ferries and quantum of load carried by them on a dailybasis. He also reviewed various schemes and projects being implemented by the Block Development Offices and asked them to execute the schemes in the right spirit for the benefit of the people of Majuli. Taking a critical view of the poorly management schemes in Majuli, Sonowal asked the SDO(C) to freeze the subsequent instalments for those schemes.

Special Commissioner and Secretary PWD Mohan Chandra Boro, i/c Deputy Commissioner Jorhat Roshni Aparanji Korati, SDO (C), Narsing Pawar, Officers from the Brahmaputra Board and a host of other departmental officers were present at the meeting.

Kokrajhar celebrates International Yoga Day with enthusiasts ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, June 21: Despite heavy rain since early morning, peoples from all walks of life throng to participate in the second International Yoga Day celebration in Kokrajhar, heart of BTAD administration, was celebrated with befitting manner along with rest of the world and country on Tuesday.

Participant and yoga fans expressed their gratitude for getting Yoga opportunity on the day. Assam Forest Minister Pramila Rani Brahma, lighted the lamp to inaugurate the Yoga Day celebration at KDSA Indoor stadium, being organized by Kokrajhar district administration in association with Patanjali Yoga Samiti in the presence of Madhav Prasad Sarma, Kokrajhar DC, LR Bishnoi, ADGP, SP Shyamal Prasad Saikia and other officials.

Thousands yoga fan and people from all walks of life including elderly persons, women, and children participated and performed yoga on the day aiming good health and social integration.

In separate celebration at

dium and arranged full prepared to mark celebration a grand success”, he added.

LR Bishnoi, ADGP and IGP (BTAD) and Shyamal Prasad Saikia, SP Kokrajhar while participating the celebration at KDSA stadium extended their best wishes on the occasion and hope that the day will bring awareness about building of strong health and integrated feeling in the region.

Rashmela ground, Madhav Prasad Sarma, Kokrajhar DC inaugurated the day with lighting the lamp in the early morning, which was organized by BANDHU, a NGO working for social development among society. In Commerce College, Yoga Day was celebrated, organized by Art of Living and yoga fans and citizens participated.

Minister Brahma said that Yoga is very much essential for human life to get strong health living and free from diseases. She has extended her best wishes to all participant and citizens on the International Yoga Day celebration.

“It is a day for common peoples of getting opportunity for yoga among society across the world. We must have yoga habit to make our health and physical to be free from diseases and strong health. I think, people would be benefitted through this yoga camp which was being celebrated across the world today”, Brahma said.

Madhav Prasad Sarma said that the day was celebrated with befitting manner in the district and peoples from all walks of life and participated with enthusiastic. “We have organized the day centrally at KDSA Indoor sta-

Hiteswar Barman, president of AKRSU while taking part in the celebration at Rashmela ground said that yoga is an essential part of life through which human life can gain strong health care. “It is an opportunity to be part of the day celebration in Kokrajhar where thousands yoga fans thronged and performed yoga on the day”, said Barman.

“We are getting knowledge tips through the international day celebration to keep our health strength through performing Yoga.

Citizens much follow yoga tips every day to make human life strong and tiptop”, he added.

International Yoga Day 2016 Conducted in Tezpur by different organizations ET Correspondent Tezpur, June 21: The international Yoga Day 2016 was held today here at various places. The 5 Assam Battalion of NCC under the aegis of Group Headquarters, Tezpur conducted the Day of Yoga at around 30 centres spread over 4 districts of Assam with the participation of over 1500 cadets. The Tezpur centre witnessed Brigadier RS Jodha, the Tezpur Group Commander releasing two doves as a symbol of peace during the inaugural of the event. The event arranged

by Major Aniruddha Bhuyan, Commanding Officer of 5 Assam Battalion of NCC was buoyed with Yoga art presentation by a NCC girl Manashi Bora, from Dhemaji could mesmerize every body present in the programme. It is to be mentioned here that Manashi who is presently studying in Class 12 also performed a rendition on

Tuliram Ronghang joining BJP ET Correspondent Diphu June 21: As expected the Congress led Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council headed by Tuliram Ronghang’s joining in BJP with his 19 Executive Committee members is going to join BJP by tearing apart the Karbi Anglong District Congress.

Joy Ram Engleng, BJP MLA of Howraghat constituency and senior most BJP leader of the dis-

Sonowal asks PWD to take over all roads of Majuli and repair them on a ‘war-footing’.

through this merger. On the other hand in certain MAC segments where Congress is still holding the ground will be annexed with ease by BJP. The issue of rescheduling the Bodo community in the hills of Assam was resisted by district Congress and HSDP at the initial stage it can be expected that this blend will smoothen the process without any serious jolt.

Participation by all Officers, Staff, Sandiksha Pariwar, Trainees and students of Fakaruddin Ali Ahmed High school at Centralized Training Centre SSB Salonibari during International day of Yoga in Tezpur. Pic - UB Photos yoga before the cadets to the tune of devotional music.

“My aim is to bring out the hidden talents of the North East region and give them the stage to show the world the capabilities of these young kids during my tenure here” Major Bhuyan stated.

Mr Biplab Bhattacharya, a Yoga Guru from Biswanath Chariali showcased art of Yoga before the NCC Cadet in the Chariali centre. The Yoga

Programme concluded with distribution of refreshments and carrying out of Swach Bharat Abhiyan in the premises. At Tezpur College the day was held under the aegis of District Administration and in Association with District Health Society and supported Patanjali Yoga Samitte and Bharat Swabhiman. Noted Yoga teacher Pradip Barthakur showed different art of Yoga and it was participated by

DC, Sonitpur, Laya Maddur, ADC, Tripurendra Pator, CEO, DRDA, Sonitpur, Munin Sharma, Join Director, Health, Dr. Juri Bhattacharya, Inspector of Schools, SDC, Tezpur, Anishur Rahman Chowdhury, DEEO, Sonitpur, Buli Bhuyan Gogoi among others. The day was also observed at Vivekananda Kendra, Naleswar Than and Madhab Dhaam.

Crime and corruption doubles at Dergaon ET Correspondent Dergaon, June 21: cases relating to crime and corruption across the Dergaon PS region doubles day by day. Number of wine business centre increases where holds more outlaw acts which fetches crime and corruption in Dergaon.

Arm licensees increase across Dergaon which paves law and

order situation amounting to crime and corruption. Many factors rest behind the occurrence of law and order situation which are recorded in Dergaon PS case dairies.

More than 2000 FIR have been registered in Dergaon PS for the last 6 month this year.

Illegal forest business, wide sale of wine, issuance of arm

license are the root causes behind the incidence of crime and corruption taken place across Dergaon.

Police plays no fruit role on these which is no safe of public. More than 2000 wine sale pub and nearly 67 arm licensees are opposed to public policy having been demanded for legal inquiry.

REGION

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22

PAGE 5

3 lion cubs, 10 python snakelets born in Tripura zoo IANS Agartala, June 21: At least three lion cubs and 10 python snakelets have been born in Sepahijala Wildlife Zoo and Sanctuary in Tripura.

"The three newly born lion cubs were named Amar, Akbar and Anthony by Forest Minister Naresh Jamatia," Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) Atul Kumar Gupta told IANS. "Last July, the Sepahijala zoo authorities brought one lion and a lioness from Bannerghatta National Park in Karnataka under an animal exchange programme. The lioness recently gave birth to

triplets in the zoo hospital," he said.

Gupta, also the state's chief wildlife warden, said a python had also given birth to 10 snakelets last week in the zoo.

"In captivity, birth of lion cubs is not a rare event but it is very uncommon.

We have taken all kinds of steps to take care of the three cubs and their mother," the official said.

He said the offspring of the python were on Saturday released in the natural habitat of Sepahijala Sanctuary.

"Normally a python gives birth 90 days after laying eggs but in this case snakes were out in

BJP takes aim at Tripura govt over graft, seeks audit of devpt projects

KHADC gets Rs 18,490 deficit budget

Agencies Agartala, June 21: Tripura BJP on Monday accused the state rural development department of corruption and sought an independent audit of centrally-sponsored projects implemented by it.

BJP spokesperson Prasenjit Chakraborty said the Tripura Lokayukta, responding to a complaint lodged by former BJP state president Ranajoy Deb, had found that the department had misappropriated funds meant for constructing box culverts in villages.

The saffron party leader said the rural development department, through block development officers, had constructed several box culverts at the cost of Rs 8.27 lakh each.

"The construction cost of each culvert is around Rs 3 lakh. The state government, however, spent Rs 8.27 lakh on each. This needs to be audited," Chakraborty said.

Expenditure for almost all projects executed by the rural development department was very high, he said and added that there was a nexus between block-level officers and the Left Front government.

Chakraborty also alleged that the state government was not allowing the Lokayukta to function independently. In spite of completion of investigation into the case of misappropriation of funds, the Lokayukta had taken more than a year to deliver its judgement.

In his order, the Lokayukta had observed that the culverts in question were unsafe but had not asked the government to demolish them or take action against the accused officers.

Mizoram Govt constitutes comm to reorganise districts PTI Aizawl, June 21: The Mizoram government has constituted a 'District Reorganisation Committee' headed by state Chief Secretary Lalmalsawma, a senior official said on Monday.

The ten-member committee would examine creation of new districts in Mizoram and make suggestions with proposed jurisdictions, the official said.

The committee would examine boundaries of existing districts and sub-divisions in the state and suggest changes and also look into cases where boundaries of districts and sub-divisions under some departments were to be recognised to align with administrative or revenue districts.

Earlier, in 2008, the then Mizo National Front (MNF) government had created three districts - Hnahthial, Saitual and Khawzawl - but were never officially implemented.

According to the proposal, Hnahthial district was proposed to be carved out of southern Mizoram's Lunglei district, while Saitual and Khawzawl districts were proposed to be carved out from Aizawl and MizoramMyanmar border Champhai districts, respectively.

Agencies Shillong, June 21: KHADC chief Pynshngain N Syiem on Monday presented a deficit budget of Rs 18,490 for the fiscal year of 2016-2017 on the first day of summer session.

The total estimated expenditure is Rs 189, 47, 72,150, which is more than the anticipated revenue collection of Rs 189, 47, 53,660.

Presenting the budget, Syiem stated that the Council would find out ways and means to enhance the revenue generation with disciplined spending.

Unhappy over decline in revenue receipts in comparison with previous years, he said, “The grant released by the state government is set aside for the disbursement of salaries of the Enforcement branch and payment for year 2015-16 has not been released.”

It may be noted that the KHADC had earlier passed a vote on account for three months for the expenditure incurred till June 30.

He stated, “The allocation of funds by the State Government is not sufficient and the Council is unaware of the actual

3 lion cubs, 10 python snakelets born in Tripura zoo

45 days and found to be healthy."

Gupta said Sepahijala zoo had also provided three spectacled Langurs, three pig-tailed

collection and share of the Council in terms of major and minor minerals. The Council expected the share to be released at the earliest.”

Syiem informed that the share of revenue of the Council comes from mortgage, minor forest produce, royalty from legal timbers including grants from the State Government, issuing of license fees/labour license fees/ fines, taxes on profession, revenue from toll gate, shares from Elaka and other sources.

“As far as taxes on motor vehicles are concerned, the state government has not released the share of the Council till date. In the year 2015-16, the state government has released the sanctioning order on April 31 which is the third installment for the year 2010-2011 and the first installment for the year 2011-2012, however the amount was defrayed recently and the actual revenue estimates will be done later,” he said.

Speaking on the revenue generation from the Civil Works and development, Syiem pointed out that the Council expects a grant from the state gov-

Macaque and two Himalayan Black Bears to Bannerghatta zoo.

Last year, Visakhapatnam's Indira Gandhi Zoological Park

ernment for financing own plan scheme, schemes for financing of New Nongstoin market complex, the construction of the Council building.

Syiem also felt the need to strengthen the department of the administration of justice as the revenue created from the department has witnessed a rise over the years where revenue is generated from court fees, sale of forms.

Highlights on the expenditure side of the KHADC includes salaries to the officers, Chairman, Deputy Chairman, staff of various departments, judicial officers, members of the executive committee, advisory committee and others, disbursement of pensions and gratuity, expenditure also included the share of staff and officers at Mawkyrwat branch, monolith festival, attempts are made by the Council to raise legal expenses due to the increase number of court cases.

Similarly, to bring about better service to the people in terms of judicial administration, the executive committee has decided to create the post

and the Sepahijala Zoo had also exchanged animals.

Tripura's wild life department officials were holding talks with the West Bengal forest department and the Rajkot Zoological Park to exchange certain rare species of animals.

West Bengal wildlife wing officials are keen to send some surplus animals to Tripura.

Sepahijala Zoo, situated in the Sepahijala Sanctuary and National Park, is one of India's 22 large zoos.

"Sepahijala is the only zoo in India located within a wildlife sanctuary. A portion of the

sanctuary was also declared Clouded Leopard National Park," Gupta said.

The zoo, national park and sanctuary attract thousands of tourists from within and outside Tripura.

Gupta said the state government has decided to create two elephant reserves in Tripura for the protection of wild elephants and a Rs 10 crore project was sent to the Forest and Environment Ministry to sanction funds.

Gupta said, according to a census in 2013, there are 58 wild elephants in Tripura, bordering Bangladesh.

Later, the state government paid Rs 5 lakh to Minalish Marak, wife of the diseased on December 2 2015.

However, even after six months, action against the police personnel who were involved in the incident is pending.

The state government has not divulged the names of the accused police personnel.

The NHRC has directed the Chief Secretary to ensure that legal/disciplinary action initiated against the erring police personnel is concluded expeditiously.

It was on May 28, 2014 that Witson M Sangma, was arrested by South Garo Hills police suspecting him to be an over ground worker of GNLA. He died inside Chokpot police station due to medical negligence on the night of May 28.

In 2014, the then district police chief Lakador Syiem had said that Sangma (35) hailing from Warima Duragre village of Chokpot “was arrested for his involvement with the GNLA in planting two pressure cooker IEDs on a road in Chokpot”.

The suspect was report-

by holding a flag of the banned United National Liberation Front (UNLF), went viral on the social networking sites.

A cash reward of Rs 5,00,000 to any individual, who may provide information leading to the arrest of Ratan hailing from the Singjamei area, was also announced by the government.

Police slapped charges of "indulging in prejudicial activities against the state, promoting social unrest and enmity among different groups of people liv-

ing in Manipur in the recent past" against Ratan.

The police also tagged him as an UNLF member.

A public meeting was convened on Monday under the aegis of the Joint Action Committee (JAC), set up by Singjamei locals, against calling Ratan a wanted man. The meeting also resolved to call a 48-hour general strike and a series of agitations.

The JAC members have accused the state government of falsely implicating Ratan to suppress the ongoing campaign for

PTI Kohima, June 21: Governor of Nagaland and Assam PB Acharya said Yoga is not a religion but science of well-being and people should take out time to practice the ancient discipline.

In his message to the people after an event marking the International Yoga Day organised by Nagaland government at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Acharya said Yoga plays a vital role in maintaining physical and mental well-being.

Noting that modern life is

full of stress and problems, the Governor said Yoga offers the cheapest and harmless solution to these problems in the form of relaxation.

“It helps in changing our life styles and creating consciousness….And Yoga has nothing to do with religion….It is a science and an exercise to keep our body fit,” he said.

Nearly 2,000 people, including students, teachers, NGOs, government servants and members of public joined the International Yoga Day celebrations.

KHADC of registrar and other posts which will considerably increase the expenditure of the department.

The KHADC chief observed that the post of architect is mandatory to speed up the projects of the schemes in the civil works and development department, he said, “The remaining amount from the 13th Finance Commission will be worked out. There are plans for completing the market at Nongstoin. The expenditure will include the implementation of schemes under the Special Assistance of Central Plan.”

Syiem expressed grati-

tude to the Central Government for the Special Assistance scheme of Rs 133.12 crores for 201516, and the KHADC will operate revenue generation projects that will yield abundant revenue to the KHADC. VAB letter: The KHADC has received the letter from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) which was sent to the state government seeking clarifications on the Village Administration Bill and the Executive Committee of the KHADC is preparing the explanation.

This was informed by Syiem while presenting the budget speech.

edly taken for medical examination by police in Chokpot where a doctor was believed to have noted that he was suffering from hypertension.

Despite his medical condition the accused was sent to the lock up for the night where he passed away.

“At the time of his medical examination he did not show any signs of a major illness and so he was taken back to his cell since he was to lead police the next day to the spot where the IEDs had been placed ,” the district police chief had said in 2014. Police had claimed that the night

duty sentry called and alerted the officer incharge that the accused was having a serious medical condition.

According to the then police chief of the district, as soon as the OC was informed, doctor was brought in to examine him, but he had already passed away.

The death of Sangma in police custody had sparked protests leading to curfew at Chokpot area of South Garo Hills on May 29 following a mob violence in which stones were hurled and three police vehicles were torched.

ILP row: Group warns of stir Agencies Imphal, June 21: An Imphal pressure group has threatened to call a 48hour statewide bandh from Thursday morning if the government fails to withdraw the charges levelled against Khomdram Ratan, former convenor of the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS).

On June 2, Singjamei police station in Imphal West registered a criminal case against Ratan after a photograph, showing him and many others taking oath

Governor of Nagaland and Assam PB Acharya

Rain fails to mar Yoga Day participants' enthusiasm in Aizawl

NHRC seeks action against five cops Agencies Shillong, June 21: After the payment of Rs 5 lakh as ex-gratia to the wife of Witson Sangma who died in police custody in 2014, the political department recently asked the police headquarters to initiative action against five police personnel involved in the incident as per the order of the National Human Rights Commission.

It was based on the complaint of Agatha Sangma, former Tura MP and others that NHRC took up the case under “custodial torture/medical negligence in police custody”.

Nagaland Governor PB Acharya: Yoga a science, not religion

early enactment of the three bills to foil the illegal influx of 'outsiders' in the state.

Joined by over 100 representatives of different Meira Paibi (women's vigil groups) and civil organizations, the JCILPS members also decided to boycott ministers and legislators for levelling false charges against Ratan.

Ratan had resigned as convener of the joint committee on June 3 and subsequently its key leader BK Moirangcha

was appointed as convener-in-charge.

During an earlier media conference, Ratan said the image was manipulated and the same had been uploaded with a sinister design to sabotage the popular anti-migrant influx campaign.

Meanwhile, a civil organization that had announced of its plans to continue its counter economic blockade on Tiddim road at some parts in Bishnupur district till Friday, called off the stir on Monday.

Rain fails to mar Yoga Day participants' enthusiasm in Aizawl PTI Aizawl, June 21: Braving early morning showers, the second International Yoga Day was observed in Aizawl where more than 1,000 yoga enthusiasts participated in yoga exercises organised by the Assam Rifles.

Addressing a function on the occasion, state governor Lt Gen (Retd) Nirbhay Sharma, expressed the hope that yoga would transform 'Healthy Mizoram Campaign' into a reality.

He also sought to demystify the allegation that yoga was an unsafe exercise for followers of some religious faiths by stating that the sole purpose of yoga was to impart good health to people in general.

"Yoga is an invaluable gift of ancient Indian tradition to the world that is presently afflicted with a myriad of health problems," he said.

He invited more people to come forward and be a part of the group of yoga practitioners of more than 200 countries who were reaping the benefits of yoga.

Meanwhile, the Presbyterian Church's Mizoram Synod warned the church members against the practice of yoga saying it is based on Hindu religion and cannot be suitable for Christians.

While accepting that the practice of yoga could cure some illness, the Mizoram Synod said in its message to all the local churches, that it cannot give real cure as given by Jesus Christ.

Earlier, the Mizoram Kohhran Hruaitute Committee (MKHC), conglomerate of 14 major church denominations, also made an appeal to the Christians to avoid yoga as it could dilute their religious beliefs.

High Court summons Kharkrang Agencies Shillong, June 21: The High Court of Meghalaya has directed the East Khasi Hills district police chief M Kharkrang to appear along with the Investigating Officer (IO) before it on Tuesday in connection with the infamous education scam that rocked the state in 2009.

Earlier on June 3, the Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills District was directed to instruct the Investigating Officer concerned to submit the investigation progress report within two weeks time.

However, the State counsel on Monday submitted before the court that no progress report was received till date.

It was on October 21, 2011, that the judge of then Shillong bench of the Gauhati High Court, Justice T. Vaiphei (now a judge of

Tripura High Court) had passed an order directing for an inquiry by the CBI into the alleged large-scale manipulation and irregularities in the appointment of assistant teachers in government lower-primary schools in 2009.

Justice Vaiphei passed this order after nine writ petitions were filed at then Shillong bench of Gauhati High Court by aggrieved candidates in April-May 2010 against the Meghalaya government.

The candidates had found in the information they obtained through Right to Information (RTI) Act the marks scored by qualified candidates were tampered with in order to facilitate the appointment of other “unqualified” candidates.

The CBI submitted the report to the High Court on March 5, 2012.

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22

PAGE 6

Bihar toppers scam: Interim bail plea of board ex-chief, wife rejected Patna (Bihar), June 21 : A civil court in Patna on Tuesday rejected the interim bail plea of Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) ex-chairman Lalkeshwar Prasad Singh and his wife Usha Sinha, a former JD (U) MLA, in connection with the intermediate toppers' scam case in the state.

The couple was arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) yesterday.

The arrest warrant was issued by a Patna civil court against Singh, who

is a key accused in the case and had gone underground after resigning from the board and was untraceable since then.

According to reports, the couple left Bihar and reached Varanasi soon after their alleged involvement in the scam was exposed.

Following the furore over the Bihar Board examination toppers being unable to answer basic questions related to their stream eventually leading to a re-examination, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar

Karnataka: Eight school children killed in road mishap in Kundapur

Karnataka: Eight school children killed in road mishap in Kundapur Kundapur (Karn ataka), June 21 : At least eight school children were killed and 12 other injured in a tragic accident that took place at Trasi village, coming under Gangolli Police Station limits, of Karnataka's Kundapur district on Tuesday morning.

The accident took place at Mohadi Cross near when a

private bus, plying from Byndoor to Kundapur, collided with a Maruti Omni van carrying children of Don Bosco School.

In the accident the driver, as well as a teacher, has also sustained injuries.

The Gangolli police have registered a case in this regard. More details are awaited. (ANI)

Indonesia confirms detention of Chinese crew Jakarta, June 21 : Indonesia confirmed it is holding the crew of a Chinese fishing boat which it says was fishing illegally last week in the South China Sea. An Indonesian official confirmed the reports on Monday.

Indonesian warships challenged a group of Chinese fishing boats operating within Indonesia's 200-mile exclusive economic zone off the Natuna Islands On Friday, the New York Post quoted Atmadji Sumarkidjo, a spokesman for Indonesia's Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, as saying.

Sumarkidjo added the Indonesian Navy fired warning shots to halt the fishing boats and detained a sevenmember crew of a confiscated.

The detainees were taken to the Natuna Islands.

The Chinese say one sailor suffered injuries due to the shots fired.

The injured person was not one of those detained and was treated on the Chinese island of Hainan.

Sumarkidjo compared the incident with those in the

past and stated the Chinese ships were fishing in the area that Indonesia claims is part of its Exclusive Economic Zone.

He added that when the Indonesian Navy pursued the Chinese ships, they tried to run away and did not obey the instructions to stop.

Spokeswoman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hua Chunying, issued a statement on the ministry's website on Sunday contending that the fishing boats were operating in "China's traditional fishing grounds" in the South China Sea. The statement added the Chinese boats were harassed and shot by several Indonesian naval vessels and that China has lodged a diplomatic protest to Indonesia after the episode.

The Chinese statement also said that the latest skirmish occurred in an area "where China and Indonesia have overlapping claims for maritime rights and interests" and accused Indonesia of violating international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. (ANI)

Interim bail plea of board ex-chief, wife rejected

had earlier said the guilty won't be spared, adding

the investigation into this matter will be done with

a criminal angle.

The BSEB earlier on June 4 cancelled the results of two toppers, including Sourabh Shrestha, of the Intermediate (Science) examinations after they failed to prove their merits in a re-test.

The board had on June 3 asked Sourabh and his college mate Rahul Kumar, who were among the 13 toppers from the arts and science streams in the Class XII examinations, to reappear in a re-test following a controversy over their mer-

UP CM Akhilesh questions Centre's move to increase FDI cap

its.

Saurabh Shrestha from the science stream, who had secured 485 out of 500, was caught on camera failing to answer basic questions.

Ruby Rai, the arts topper, from the same college failed to take the re-test earlier on Friday citing health reasons.

Rai had secured 444 marks out of 500 in the arts stream. However, on camera she did not even Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav appear to know the number of subjects in her New Delhi, June 21 : The present FDI regime course. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Min- permits 49 percent FDI ister Akhilesh Yadav on participation in the equity Tuesday trained guns at of a company under authe Centre for liberalising tomatic route. The forthe Foreign Direct Invest- eign investment beyond ment (FDI) regime, say- 49 percent has now been ing the BJP-led NDA permitted through govGovernment needs to in- ernment approval route, trospect whether their in cases resulting in acdecision will be profit- cess to modern technolable for the country or ogy in the country or for not. other reasons to be re"The BJP has opened corded. such gates in FDI that all Monday's decision will political parties need to allow 100 percent FDI think if we are going to under government apmake profit or will go proval route for trading, into loss," he told the including through e-commerce, in respect of food media.

"What will happen with products manufactured a flexible FDI? Business or produced in India. and foreign investments The decision was taken at will flow in. But before a high-level meeting that they should prioritise chaired by Prime Miniswhat their need is," he ter Narendra Modi. added.

(ANI)

1,632 pregnant women set yoga record in Gujarat Rajkot (Gujarat), June 21 : Nearly 1,632 pregnant women in Gujarat's Rajkot city today set up a new Guinness Book of world records by practicing yoga on the occasion of International Yoga Day. "Yoga sends a strong message that it can be very useful and beneficial. We want pre-natal yoga to be introduced permanently for pregnant ladies. We have started it in Rajkot. We will provide this to 20,000 women. More than 140 private doctors and more than 80 government doctors are associated with this. I am hopeful this message would be beneficial to all," District Collector Vikrant Pandey told the media here.

Earlier, the record was held by China, where more than 900 pregnant

women had taken part in the yoga practice.

The second International Yoga Day is being celebrated across the globe today with the theme 'Connect the Youth'.

The main event in India was held at the Capitol Complex in Chandigarh which witnessed the participation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Punjab and Haryana Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki, Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal and his Haryana counterpart Manohar Lal Khattar besides others.

Addressing the International Yoga Day celebrations in Chandigarh this morning, Prime Minister Modi said yoga provides health assurance with zero spending.

He said yoga has become a people's mass move-

Pregnant women during International Yoga Day

ment, adding the people in all parts of the nation have been connected to yoga.

The Prime Minister also announced two awards for distinguished works in the field of yoga at national and international levels.

June 21 was declared as the International Day of Yoga by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2014.

Over 190 countries, including 40 Islamic nations, supported the move to have a special day for yoga.(ANI)

Jaitley releases commemorative silver coin to mark 300th martyrdom day of Banda Singh Bahadur

Employees of civil aviation ministry, AAI mark World Yoga Day

Employees of civil aviation ministry, AAI mark World Yoga Day New Delhi, June 21 : To mark the 2nd World Yoga day, the Ministry of civil Aviation and Airports Authority of India practice yoga with great fervor at New Delhi.

At the INA Colony, the officials and family members of Airports Authority of In-

dia performed yoga under the guidance of experts with a message to keep themselves healthy.

The Chairman of Airports Authority of India S. Raheja, who was present during the program, motivated the staff to perform yoga regularly to stay fit.

He said, "India introduced yoga to whole world and it is given a new phase to that.

Yoga is beneficial for both heart and mind. We have tied up with Isha foundation and yoga program has taken place at our major airports. We wish our staff to practice yoga on daily basis."

In a separate event at Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan, the officials of the Ministry of Civil Aviation took part in the yoga event to mark the second International Yoga Day. The message of adopting yoga in one's daily life for a healthy mind and a healthy body was also conveyed during the program.Yoga experts also demonstrated the Yoga poses during the program.

The secretary at the Ministry of Civil Aviation R N Chaubey said yoga is important in today's hectic lifestyle.

R.N. Chaubey, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, said, "The step of promoting Yoga among others is very appreciable. In today's scenario we neglect our health. Yoga camp conveys the message of healthy mind and heart. Yoga should be made a part of our lives because it will lead to healthy lives and will help in developing the nation."

The United Nations in 2014 declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga after adopting a measure proposed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The day is marked by mass practice of yoga and other healthy activities across the world.

The 193-member U.N. General Assembly approved by consensus a resolution establishing a day to commemorate the ancient practice. (ANI)

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley New Delhi, June 21 : Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday released a commemorative silver coin to mark the 300th martyrdom day of Sikh General Banda Singh Bahadur.

Jaitley, who is also the Information and Broadcasting Minister, said Banda Singh Bahadur was a great leader who continues to inspire the people.

He said, Bahadur fought the Mughals and established the first sovereign Sikh state.

Jaitley said there is a need to educate people

about the rich history and tradition of Punjab, including iconic leaders like Banda Singh Bahadur.

Banda Singh, who was born in 1670 in Rajouri, was given the title of Bahadur by 10th Sikh Guru Guru Gobind Singh. He was appointed

by Guru Gobind Singh as his deputy and military lieutenant.

Armed with the blessing and authority of Guru Gobind Singh, Banda Singh Bahadur assembled a fighting force and led the struggle against the Mughal Empire. (ANI)

Kashmiri writer continues Europe-wide signature campaign against CPEC near UN office in Geneva Geneva (Switzerland), June 21 : The Europewide Signature campaign protesting against Pakistani attempts to illegally annex Gilgit Baltistan, China's designs to cement its stake in Jammu and Kashmir and to raise awareness regarding the objections of the people of Gilgit Baltistan in particular, and Jammu and Kashmir in general, being organized by Junaid Qureshi, a Kashmiri writer, international Human Rights activist and Senior Leader of Srinagar-based JKDLP, was held in front of the United Nations Office in

Geneva on JUne 18 and 19.

The renowned Kashmiri writer had started the Europe-wide signature campaign from Amsterdam in April. The campaign has already been held in Brussels, Vienna, Paris and reached Geneva during the 32nd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Hundreds of signatures were collected during the two days in front of the UN and thousands of people were about the reservations of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and the rest of Jammu & Kashmir vis-a-vis the China-Paki-

stan Economic Corridor in Kashmir by distributing pamphlets and flyers.

Expressing his satisfaction about the progress of the Signature Campaign and the reactions of the people, the Kashmiri writer said, "The Construction of the China-Pakistan Economic corridor is illegal. All Human rights defenders, the UN and the European decision-making institutions, like the EU Parliament should take note and initiate a debate. We, the people of Jammu & Kashmir cannot and will not allow further division of our homeland. We will not allow any country to loot our

resources".

The organizer of the Campaign and Senior leader of JKDLP, Junaid Qureshi had addressed the UN a day before, on Friday 17th of June, by speaking at a side-event and strongly objecting to the Chinese presence in Gilgit Baltistan and Pakistan attempts to annex the region, which according to Junaid Qureshi is part of the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

He also demanded the release of Baba Jan and his associates, who has been imprisoned by Pakistan on fabricated charges of terrorism.

Munir Mengal, the presi-

ity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Baloch Voice Association president said, "I think, we all the victims of Pakistan i.e. Kashmiri, Baloch, and GilgitBaltistan people must be together and stand against the illegal occupation of our lands and against the illegal strategic designs of the occupier assisted by China".

Junaid Qureshi, a Kashmiri writer

dent of The Baloch Voice Association, a Paris-based organization which has raised the Baloch human

rights issue in the European Parliament and at the United Nations, came to the venue to show solidar-

Mr. Mengal further expressed that, "China must understand that Pakistan has illegally occupied Balochistan by force and any design without the consent of the local people

is illegal. The UN has a liability to question Pakistan about the presence of its forces in Balochistan".

Junaid Qureshi further added that the aims and objectives of the Signature Campaign is to create awareness and provoke a debate.

He said, "next month, the signature campaign will move to the UK and will be held in cities like London, Bradford and Birmingham. I hope that the people of UK will support us in the same welcoming manner as the rest of Europe. We hope to collect thousands of signatures there". (ANI)

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22

UN Special Rapporteur asked not to use 'Rohingya' for addressing Rakhine Muslims

Myanmar's Foreign Minister Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

Naypyidaw, June 21 : The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar has been asked to refrain from using the word "Bengali" or "Rohingya" when refering to the Muslim community in Rakhine State.

Myanmar's Foreign Minister Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in told rapporteur Yanghee Lee to refrain from controversial terminology like "Bengali" or "Rohingya" when refering to people in Rakhine State, reports the Myanmar Times.

U Zaw Htay, of the President's Office said: "The government and Daw Aung San Su Kyi herself also avoid using

this word. It is not useful to the community and its usage could cause tensions".

Yanghee Lee met with Foreign Minister Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for the first meeting of the UN monitor's fourth official visit to the country and discussed human rights in Myanmar along with other important issues.

Earlier, on June 17, Myanmar's representative to the UN human rights assembly, Daw Thet Thinzar Tun, had also asked the international community to avoid the term "Rohingya" and instead use "Muslim community in Rakhine State". (ANI)

PAGE 7

NEIGHBOURS

Door open for discussions on India's NSG bid: China Beijing, Jun 21 : China, which has been opposing India's NSG membership bid, today for the first time said the "door is open" for discussions on the issue but took a swipe at the US for backing India, saying it was one of those who made the rule against the entry of non-NPT countries into NSG. Chinese Foreign Ministry, however, asked the 48-member NSG to "stay focussed" on whether the criteria should be changed on entry of non-NPT countries into the elite group.

"I have not seen the US statement supporting India. But US is one of those who made the rule that non-NPT countries should not join the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing.

"The relevant rule was made on the principle that NPT was the cornerstone of the NSG," she said.

Hua made the remarks in response to a question on US asking members of the nuclear trading club to support India's application.

Later talking to Indian me-

Door open for discussions on India's NSG bid: China dia, Hua said while discussions are going on among the NSG members, the admission of new members is not listed in the current plenary meeting in Seoul.

"The door is open. The

room is there. We never said we are against who (a country). We did not target any country, India or Pakistan," Hua said.

China for its part cares about non-proliferation treaty (NPT) as criteria

for admission of the new members into the NSG, she said.

"This is the core of the international non-proliferation.

If the non-proliferation regime is changed how can we explain the Iranian nuclear treaty," Hua argued.

"We just had a treaty with Iran. We have North Korean issues there...So this concerns the core issue whether NPT and non proliferation system could be impacted by this," she said.

Reiterating what she said yesterday, Hua stated that, "According to my understanding, it (entry

Kabul attack: Pak. unanswerable when asked about Govt.

Gilgit-Baltistan's legal status: Abid Minto Nepal making

Islamabad, June 21 : Asserting that GilgitBaltistan (GB) is also part of the Kashmir dispute, Awami Workers Party (AWP) president and Supreme Court advocate Abid Hassan Minto pointed out that when asked about its legal status, the Pakistan Government has no answer to it.

Speaking at a seminar titled 'Gilgit-Baltistan: Democracy or a Colonial System?' Minto asserted that anyone who speaks against the establishment's policy is made to face the consequences.

"Just one secretary has the power to run the affairs of Kashmir and GB and now the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is

Pak. unanswerable when asked about Gilgit-Baltistan's legal status: Abid Minto

passing through GB. However, controversies are arising which are harming the project," Dawn quoted him as saying.

Minto said that the UN, India and Pakistan were not interested in resolving

the Kashmir issue.

Talking about the agreement between Quaid-iAzam and Jawaharlal Nehru at the time of partition, he said that states had the right to remain independent if they wanted and that heads of

states also had the right to decide on the matter.

"Pakistan has been talking about Kashmir and holding a referendum but has not contacted any international body in the last 70 years to address the issue. If the Kashmir matter is solved, there will be no tension between Pakistan and India and the establishment will not get one-fourth of the country's budget," he added.

He said that the Army has ruled the country for 35 years but never bothered to take the issue to the International Court of Justice.

"Some elements just want to keep the issue alive and don't want to solve it. On the other hand, India is an emerging power and no one wants to go against it," he

said.

Meanwhile, other speakers at the event demanded that Baba Jan, a social and political activist and the other 11 political activists who were sentenced to 70 years in prison be released.

Representative of the Jammu and Kashmir National Awami Party, Professor Mark Khaleeq said that instead of allowing the people of Kashmir and GilgitBaltistan to decide their future, the establishment has been taking decisions for them.

Awami Workers Party, Gilgit-Baltistan President Zahoor Elahi said the problems in the region will increase if state agencies continue to interfere in the matters of Gilgit-Baltistan. (ANI)

Two Taliban commanders among 12 killed in Afghanistan's Helmand province Hyderabad Fund Case: UK court rejects India's bid to strike out Pakistan's 35 m pound claim

Two Taliban commanders among 12 killed in Afghanistan's Helmand province Kabul, June 21 : At least 12 Taliban insurgents, including two commanders were killed in a gunbattle with Afghan security forces in Helmand province.

The 2015 Maiwand Military Corps in a statement today, said the clash took place in Nad Ali district after a group of Taliban fighters attacked a military outpost and started firing against the forces, reports Tolo News.

The security forces have also seized a number of weapons during the

clash.

No casualty was suffered by security forces in the conflict, the statement said.

Meanwhile, the Helmand police officials have said military operations in the province will continue in a bid to eliminate antistate groups.

The security officials had last week announced that a large-scale military operation will be launched in Gereshk, Marjah and Nad Ali districts in order to clear the areas of Taliban.(ANI)

Islamabad, June 21 : A high court in the United Kingdom today rejected India's attempt to strike out Pakistan's claim to the Hyderabad Fund.

The Pakistan Foreign Office in its official release said that the 75page judgment of Mr. Justice Henderson J. was a clear vindication of Islamabad's principled stance, and added that an effective legal strategy was being pursued by the new legal team.

According to the release, India had failed to persuade the court that Islamabad's position was untenable and that it could show no legal entitlement to the 35 million GBP sitting in a bank account in the name of the High Commissioner of Pakistan, since September 20, 1948.

As the result, Mr. Justice Henderson accepted that there was good evidence in support of Pakistan's claim to the monies, which needed to be fully considered at

a trial.

He also accepted that there were good legal arguments which were supportive of Pakistan's position.

Losing its applications, India will now face a substantial costs claim.

Pakistan's legal team was led by by Khawar Qureshi QC, who advanced strong legal arguments and placed cogent evidence before the judge, which defeated the India's argument that Pakistan's claim to the monies was not valid, the official release said.

Pakistan's leading Counsel presented arguments before the judge saying that India and the Princes could not assert that Islamabad's claim to the monies was without basis.

Recalling the history, Pakistan's leading Counsel pointed out, "Events in 1947-1948 were very tense and the State of Hyderabad (which the Judge accepted was a Sovereign state at the time) was in danger of being attacked and taken over by India, and had called upon Pakistan for assistance."

Hyderabad Fund Case: UK court rejects India's bid to strike out Pakistan's 35 m pound claim

It said that the UK Government archive documents, record growing concern voiced by British Government officials at the conduct of India towards the State of Hyderabad and its people, which included imposing a blockade, preventing supplies of medicines and food from entering the State of Hyderabad, all designed to force the Nizam to join India.

The counsel also said that after Quaid-i-Azam passed away, the India seized the opportunity to invade and quickly subju-

gated the VIIth Nizam.

"Pakistan had emerged from partition with only 3% of the weapons it was entitled to. Nevertheless, it came to the aid of Muslims when India sought to annex the State of Jammu and Kashmir - a bloody conflict ensued which is still costing innocent lives, " it said.

India dismissing these materials argued that because the VIIth Nizam had asked for the return of the monies within days of its transfer to Pakistan and he must be taken not to have con-

sented to it being handed over to Pakistan.

Following the arguments, the judge observed that it might be naive to expect the VIIth Nizam to have been acting of his own free will after India had invaded his country, and forced him to surrender/hand over power, the official release said.

The case is said to now proceed to trial, unless settled.

Islamabad had offered to mediate in front of retired Law Lords Lord Hoffman or Lord Hope in July 2015, but India had refused on the basis that it believed Pakistan's claim was not valid.

The official release said that Islamabad remains committed to resolving all disputes by negotiation and believes that the path to peace and progress lies in dialogue.

And if the case is not settled, Pakistan is fully confident that its legal team will prevail, the statement added. (ANI)

Pakistan only hurdle to Indian 'hegemony' in South Asia: Sartaj Aziz Lahore, June 21 : Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz has asserted that India has always tried to 'maintain its hegemony' in the South Asian region but Islamabad has effectively stood in New Delhi's way.

"But Pakistan rejected this hegemony and has effectively protected its interests and its stance over Kashmir, nuclear deterrence and conventional balance," The Dawn quoted Aziz as saying in an interview with Samaa TV. He maintained that "protecting Pakistan's sover-

of new members) is not on the agenda of the NSG meeting in Seoul."

"The door is open for the admission of the nonNPT members. It is never closed. It is open. But the members of the NSG should stay focussed on whether the criteria should be changed and whether non-NPT members should be admitted into the NSG," she said.

On US' backing for India's NSG bid, Hua said, "We care about rules. US just sets the rules. This is not an issue between China and India but (about) the pillar for non-proliferation system," she said. . (PTI)

Sartaj Aziz

eignty and vital interests is a great achievement as a nation".

This comes in the wake of the upcoming Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG) meeting in Seoul on June 23rd and 24th where the membership bid of India and Pakistan will be raised.

Earleir, Aziz reportedly

had telephonic conversations with his counterparts in Russia, South Korea and New Zealand in a bid to get their nod for Pakistan's NSG membership.

In its case against India's bid in the NSG, Pakistan has claimed that adding India in the elite group could 'affect the strategic stability of South Asia'.

Meanwhile, with China playing a dampener saying that India's admission to the elite NSG is not on the agenda of the grouping which began its plenary session in Seoul yesterday, the United States has called on the participating governments of the NSG to support India's application. (ANI)

arrangements to bring bodies back home Kathmandu, June 21 : Informing Members of Parliament that 14 Nepalis were killed in the suicide attack in Afghan capital Kabul, Kamal Thapa, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that the government is making arrangements to bring the bodies back.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has, however, confirmed only 12 names of those killed in the attack.

A Taliban suicide bomber on Monday attacked a minibus carrying the Nepali workers who were on their way to the Canadian Embassy in Kabul where they work.

Condemning the attack as a crime against humanity, Thapa said diplomatic efforts have been stepped up to bring the bodies back and ensure that the injured get proper treatment.

"Acting Ambassador to Pakistan Tirtha Raj Aryal has been asked to fly to Kabul to take stock of the situation and make arrangements to bring the bodies back," the Kathmandu Post quoted Thapa, as saying .

Meanwhile, deploring the incident, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was not a targeted attack on Nepali citizens.

"Terrorists carry out various kinds of attacks, and we do not believe the attack was targeted at any specific group," said Bharat Raj Paudyal, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"There were other nationalities as well on the bus that was attacked. We do not see any reason behind targeting Nepalis," he added.

Following the incident, Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani called up Thapa and expressed condolence.

Thapa, requested the Afghan government to assist in the treatment of the injured Nepalis and sending the bodies.

Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli yesterday condemned the attack and said that he was shocked by the incident.

"I express my heartfelt condolences for the victims. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured in the suicide attack in Kabul. Nepal government strongly condemns the Kabul incident," Oli said in a statement.

He added that the government is doing the needful to fly the bodies back.

(ANI)

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DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22

Microfinance and Sustainable Micro-Entrepreneurship The Vicious Cycle Drug Addiction While Punjab is reeling under the threat of drugs but close on it's heels are three Northeastern states with Manipur, Mizoram and Assam right up there in terms of drug usage. It was found that the substance most commonly (Photo: livemint) used are tobacco in various forms, alcohol - both local and IMFL, cannabis, cough syrup, sleeping pills, Eraz-ex and dendrite, heroin and heroin derivatives. As per reports in 2013, 33048 tonnes of drugs were seized from Mizoram which shot up from the 2855 tonnes found in 2011.

In 2011, 1519 tonnes were also seized in Manipur and 1497 tonnes from Assam. This number is astonishing and much higher than Punjab but the attention the state has received on a national level is dismal.

Mizoram recorded the highest number of drugs seized in the country with 48,209 tonnes in the last four years.

Even with these shocking numbers, Mizoram however does not figure in the top five states list where drug related cases are mainly found. There are a wide variety of drugs found in the state from ganja, hash and other types of harder drugs such as cocaine, ephedrine, heroin, ketamine, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).

Whereas according to crime records, car lifting directly or helping others in car lifting, pimping and trafficking, along with drug dealing are also committed by those who have become addicts. Violence with family members for acquiring money to buy the chemicals, stealing money and other belongings from family members and others, and intimidation to get money and collection of donation on false pretext are often linked to the practice of substance abuse. The worst hit states are Manipur, Nagaland, Meghalaya and some parts of Assam. The main cause is the easy availability of drugs by illegal drug trafficking and the close proximity of these states to the Golden Triangle, the second largest site of opium production.which comprises of three countriesMyanmar, Laos and Thailand. The proximity of the countries to the state helps the trafficking of such drugs which we see highest in Mizoram which shares an international border with Myanmar. It would be unfair to say that nothing is being done to ease the situation. There are some organizations like NACO, UNODC, Azad Foundation, among others, who have been very active in taking initiatives in this regard like increasing the availability of clean syringes and drugs like buprenorphine (a semi-synthetic opioid that is used to treat opioid addiction). Several rehabilitation centers have also been set up but all these measures would not be sufficient if the root causes are not addressed and eradicated. Stern measures should be taken to stop the easy availability of drugs and the people involved in drug-trafficking should be severely punished. It is the responsibility of not only the Government of India or the NGOs but of all of us and we should not hesitate to participate in this drive whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Metal Manufacturing Improve the productivity and efficiency Assam has its own tradition of metal manufacturing. Brass-smithy is one of the major traditional cottage industries in the State of Assam, India. Since the activities in the industry are carried on by the artisans rather than by well organized dynamic and risk taking entrepreneurs, so the brass-smithy as found in the state cannot strictly be called an industry in the modern sense. Hence, often the industry is called a craft. Bell metal industry is another customary cottage industry of Assam having known records in history from the 7th century A.D. This industry is also found to be concentrated in certain areas of the state. Historically the most renowned centers are Sarthebari in Barpeta district, Raha, Kamrup and Hojai in Nagaon district and Titabar in Jorhat district.

Due to the lack of proper marketing strategy, exports of bell and brass metal articles to other states of our country are almost absent. Only some amount of products have been exported to countries like Nepal, Bhutan, China and Myanmar. On the other hand, comparatively highly finished and low-priced hand and machines made bell and brass metal articles from Moradabad, Kolkata, Punjab, Haryana, etc are gradually intruding the domestic market. Under such circumstances, artisans of bell metal industry of Raha (Nagaon District), Titabar (Jorhat District) and Dhekiajuli (Sonitpur District) had already given up this traditional craft and engaged in other business. The poor economic condition compelled the artisans to produce brass metal articles under the control of money lenders. From the brass metal industry of Hajo it is found that the artisans engaged in this industry are producing variety of brass metal articles as such- household utensils, religious items, musical instruments, decorative items along with image of deer, elephants, horses, bullock, parrot, eagle, lion, rhinoceros, peacock, tiger etc. However, the articles produced by human drudgery are costly and less beautiful than machine made products. The bell metal industry has identified the problems associated with the industry are supply of raw materials, lack of finance, indifference attitude of government, lack of marketing information etc. along with unhygienic condition of work shed of bell and brass metal industries. The success of brass and bell metal- industry is associated with forward looking strategy for modernization and growth.

Modernization is a continuous effort to improve the productivity and efficiency and cut down their operating costs with a view to improve their viability and competitiveness in the market. Even though the state government took some initiative for the upliftment of the artisans but these seem to be useless as the time has passed.

Majority of the people in ing people's freedom. developing countries like Robinson contends that India lack access to finan- "the first thing that many cial services from institu- poor families do when tions, either for credit or their incomes rise is imsavings, which further fu- prove their nutrition, and els the 'Vicious Cycle of send their children to Poverty'. The people have school". This is fundalimited capacity to invest mental to economic develin capital, productivity is opment but also "because restricted, incomes are in- financial services help the hibited, domestic savings poor to expand their ecoremain low, and further nomic activities and inincrease in productivity is crease their incomes and assets, their prevented.

A lack of Pranjal Bezborah self-confid e n c e access to financial institutions also grows simultaneously." hinders the ability for the Hence, large-scale susIndian entrepreneurs to tainable microfinance engage in new business helps create an enabling ventures, inhibiting eco- environment for such acnomic growth, and often, tivities. Thus, the economthe sources an conse- ics of microenterprise quences of entrepreneur- make it a compelling antiial activities that neither poverty strategy. With a financially nor environ- loan of Rs. 10,000/-, in a poor country like India, mentally sustainable.

Microfinance serves as a one can start a small busimeans to empower the ness; repay the loan in a poor, and provides a valu- year, while still owning able tool to assist their the productive assets. economic development Over time, a poor person process. However, various can earn enough to escape barriers and obstacles poverty. limit the roles of The concept of "Sustainmicrofinance, entrepre- able Micro Entrepreneurneurship and ship" is a developmental sustainability in reducing process combining the aspects of poverty in India. It is not three possible to evaluate a de- microfinance, entrepreand velopment process with- neurship out criteria to be ad- sustainability. It refers to dressed. Thus, economic the specific practice of 'sodevelopment can be de- cial-conscious-driven enfined as 'the process of trepreneurship', perpetuimproving the quality of ated by a sustainable acall human lives", which cess to credit, and without incorporates three equally bearing undesirable exterimportant aspects - raising nalities on people or enincomes and consump- vironment. Sustainable tion, fostering self-esteem Micro Entrepreneurship is through institutions that a small-scale, self-sustainpromote human dignity ing active development and respect; and increas- process initiated by the

poor to help themselves break free from their poverty. The extent to which microfinance, entrepreneurship and sustainability are interrelated is dependent on the extent to which it addresses the economic development process.

Dr. Yunus claims, "If we are looking for one single action which will enable the poor to overcome their poverty, I would go for credit. Money is power." Credit invested in an income-generating enterprise as working capital or for productive assets leads to establishment of a new enterprise or growth of an existing one. Profit from the enterprise provides income, and a general strengthening of income sources. A variety of financial institutions have found ways to make lending to the poor sustainable and to build on the fact that even the poor self-employed repay their loans and seek savings opportunities.

The challenge is to build capacity in the financial sector drawing on lessons from international best practices in micro, small enterprises and rural finance. However, ensuring environmental sustainability is equally important as sustaining microenterprises financially.

The extent to which microfinance, entrepreneurship and sustainability are interdependent is becoming increasingly recognized by experts in their respective fields of work, associated

Image for representational purpose (Photo: gmhun.net) with economic development. Over 5 million poor people around India run profitable micro enterprises and often cite credit as the primary constraint to business growth. Thus, credit is essential catalyst for poor entrepreneurs.

Additionally, firms supplying the finance to these entrepreneurs are equally dependent on them for business, and to expand their services to more villages or urban areas.

However, this dependency belies the assumption that microfinance can be profitable in the less developing countries.

Robinson, a prominent expert in the field of microfinance notes that "the formal sector has begun to realize that financing the poor can be both economically and socially profitable."

Entrepreneurship is the active process of recognizing an economic demand in an economy, and supplying the factors of production to satisfy that demand, usually to generate a profit.

High levels of poverty combined with slow economic growth in the formal sector have forced a large part of the developing world's population into self-employment and informal activities. But this is not necessarily negative; microenterprises contribute significantly to economic growth, social stability and equity. The sector is one of the most important vehicles through which low income people can escape poverty.

With limited skills and education to compete for formal sector jobs, these men and women find economic opportunities as business owners and employees.

They include a variety of firms - village handicrafts makers, small machine shops, restaurants and computer software firms that possess a wide range of sophistication and skills, and operate in very different markets and social environments. It has been noted that "SMEs constitute the most dynamic segment of many transition and developing economies. They are more innovative, faster growing, and possibly more profitable as compared to larger-sized enterprises."

Hence, the role of entrepreneurship in reducing poverty is promising.

Pranjal Bezborah is a Professor in the Department of Commerce, Dibrugarh University. He can be reached at: Pranjalbezborah @yahoo.com

Ethics & Discretion in Public Life When a renowned professor of a university of fame proclaims referring all theses of Ph.D. research of his subject from Sadiya to Dhubri, this is probably the prevue of extra-institutional discretion of an institutionalized position.

This avowed prominence of superpower in academia portrays two concurrent attributes in a conundrum Indrajit the underutilized discretion vis-Ă -vis embezzlement of discretion by hyperboles of deficiency. There are many such amorphous examples where the societal hegemonic discretion engulfs the institutionalized discretion in society.

Are socio-economic processes self-perpetuating and the formulation of an ethical value system an interventionist design? Indeed, the socio-economic transformation process is intrinsically natural, circumstantial and too complex to construe. The formation of institutions based on egalitarian credentials is also not exter-

nally-imposed in the process. As, within the very heart of humanity, there is obvious urge for universal values like ethics, morality and egalitarianism which give rise to definite collective processes. Even as a critical modernist views, the inherent value-based conflicts in society always take its own course to overwhelm the Borah instinctive insurrections and in reality, the democratic fundamentals and ethics are essentially the offspring of traditional collectivism.

Indeed, democratization is a socio-economic process to poise the conflict between creation and co-existence of societal discretion by augmenting social reorganization.

The wall of separation between public and private affairs is the historical challenge which emanates from the primary dilemma between individualism and collectivism. The interminable debate is how the abstract collective paradigm may result in avowed forced mediocrity which

may also be susceptible to fatigue work-life relationship. And, the ingenious human mind struggles in a diverse and multi-dimensional framework to oblige its own perception of the art of earnest living.

From time immemorial, it has been the challenge for humanity to uphold individual ingenuity amidst societally defined summative line of tolerance for co-existence.

With democratization, this societally defined line of tolerance shifts towards the center of buoyancy of the society. In view of that, the social dynamics causes obvious fluctuations of individual discretion in society. However, what is emphasized here is the sphere of discretion of an individual that illustrates the quantum of individual freedom and liberty in society.

Moreover, how can the discretionary actions be ensured as ethical and not devoid of responsibilities?

The consequentialist teachings of the religious texts depict a great deal of disciplinary inferences for misuse of discretionary

roles. However, despite their obvious force and significance in enhancing a value system, the individual ethics may not be enough to change the culture of venality in society. The institutional design has to provide a clear ethical context to operate within.

Let's demystify ethics and values with an incisive postulate that these are not mere products of human mind but the material relations in the social transformation process. Taking example of E&P business, if we consider Energy Return on Energy Investment (EROI) nearing 10 in the present scenario for fossil fuels, the amount of discretionary energy of the hydrocarbon resources is enormous and implies a great prospect for human prosperity. The basic objective of any venture in to this sector is to derive maximum energy resources such that maximum discretion for prosperity can be created in the society. This is actually the ideal objective case for maximum welfare in the society. The debate on social welfare may move even

further, but the current purview confines here only.

Therefore, if we can translate our assigned discretionary plan and action into the yearly balance sheet of the organization then only the optimum material gain to the individual concerned possible, rather than any other motive of instinctual human mind. This is probably the stout fundamental basis for ethics and values.

Any action that pilfers this natural discretion-generating process results in suboptimal return to the society. The leakages from the process will never be a legitimate source of capital for future investment which is nothing but hoarding of legitimate investment capacities in a black hole. Furthermore, the rampant discretionary consumption from the pilferage will result in fast disproportionate depletion of valuable resources. The challenge is to establish an eco-system to a level of individual self-actualization so as to realize the individual and societal implications of the misuse of endowed discretion in life.

The astounding cases of dis-

Road-Accidents in Assam

Image for representational purpose (Photo: motorward)

Sir, A news paper report suggests that over 9291 cases of road accidents were reported in the Northeast last year and of which 3106 died. In 2013 and 2014 the figure was still more alarming. If we take the accident cases in Assam, the figure is the highest while that of Nagaland it is the lowest as the report further suggests. After each major accident in Assam involving killing of several persons, the state government, particularly the Home ministry works out certain measures with top police officials how to curb such accidents. In most of the foreign countries, the alert Police force showing their alacrity with tough action against the traffic rule breakers can bridle the rate of accidents. Even in the Middle East (UAE) say Dubai, the alacrity shown by the Police or Law-enforcement authority is laudable and all those driving their cars do so meticulously for fear of punitive measures. But in India, particularly in Assam this sort of seriousness on the part of the drivers is a Chimera. During the last congress regime, in the Transport department, the only

factor that counted most was money, which is still haunting the department and it would take sometime for the present ruling dispensation to set things right.

We appeal to our Chief-minister, who holds the 'Home' portfolio to maintain a tough stand towards the corrupt Police and Transport officials, ensuring police patrolling to nab those driving recklessly at high speed, those who drive under influence of liquor as many road accidents occur due to these two factors. Further, we suggest that the tainted officials of the Transport department should be transferred immediately cutting them to size.

cretionary woes imprint inimical dents on society and institutions. At the same time, it compels to rebuild institutions and rejuvenate an enlightenment process to achieve the level of self-actualization. The measures of morality and ethics are always objective societally, even though subjective in terms of individual interpretation. Many instances of human behavior in economic life reflect the dilemma of ethics and economic freedom. But, all cases of corruption are at the behest of the unscrupulous eruption of individual instincts. Because, no matter how much reform we legislate by eliminating burdensome regulations or placing meticulous checks in the system, only the individual ethics can invest the discretion for future. What else can the forest lord Mahant Talukdar's fiscal plan have for his feudal hegemony - plundering public money and monetization of natural heritage in the forests?

(Indrajit Borah is a freelance writer based in Delhi. He can be reached at indrajitborah @yahoo.co.in.)

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DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22

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The villain as hero saysHarsh "Kitne aadmi the?" the dia- Gabbar," logue sent a chill down the Sonthalia, who hit on the spine of the audience as idea and opened this outGabbar Singh in Sholay let along with friends walked menacingly in Aman Chitlangia and front of his gang swing- Apurva Salarpuria.

What's it that keeps ing his whip. That even today the villain par excel- Gabbar Singh alive even lence of Indian cinema re- today in the cinegoer's mains an icon is a attribute mind? Gabbar, with all his to the characterisation and evil-doings, exuded a kind of reAmjad Khan's Shoma A. Chatterji spect for the very acting.

Shoma A. Chatterji exam- villainy he lived for. He had ines the phenomenon of neither taste nor time for women. Nor did we see Gabbar Singh Is Gabbar Singh, the vil- him drinking. He chewed lain, still relevant after 40 tobacco and spiked his years of the release of three-liners with his Sholay (1975)? The ques- unique tag, "kyon"? Veeru tion comes to mind as a and Jai are characters we restaurant called Gabbar look back with love but Singh's Bar & Kitchen Gabbar's villainy is the was recently opened in template against which Kolkata. The ambience of their 'goodness' shines.

What makes Gabbar's the restaurant is full of dialogues from Sholay writ- popularity cross two genten on the brick-painted erations? "Bearded, clad in walls and includes anec- army green and boots, taldotes on some of the most isman around his neck, a famous villains like pistol in one hand, a whip Mogambo from Mr. India in another, dacoit and as well "Sholay is gang lord Gabbar Singh everyone's favourite film was a man without conand Gabbar is science, remorse or immortalised in Sholay. mercy. No act was cruel This is a tribute to all vil- enough to make him flinch lains of Bollywood films - from playing Russian but the show begins with roulette with his own men

to slicing off Thakur Baldev Singh's arms. He was vile. He was awesome," wrote Gitanjali Roy in an ode to Sholay on its 40th year.

Replete with one-liners, Sholay was packed with unforgettable dialogues.

They were written in a hybrid of Hindi and Khariboli, a dialect spoken in West Uttar Pradesh.

Khariboli, considered a more rustic version of Hindi, was later used in TV soap Hum Log. The unique blend used for Gabbar Singh's spoken language and Amjad Khan's sinister delivery gave Hindi cinema's 'baddest' guy some of the most killer lines, like Jo darr gaya, samjho mar gaya or, Tera kya hoga Kaalia?

The Filmfare magazine named Gabbar Singh as the most iconic villain in the history of Indian cinema. His is acharacter without history. 'I exist, therefore I am,' Gabbar seems to say with every stride he makes, a sinister signature tune heralding his presence. His name and screen image have been used generously in

advertising too. He appeared in the Britannia Glucon -D ad a funny take on the scene where his three henchmen returning from Ramgarh hand him a packet of biscuits! The commercial was known as Gabbar Ki Asli Pasand.

Amjad Khan's career spanned nearly three decades including Satyajit Ray's Shatranj Ke Khilari and Merchant-Ivory's Perfect Murder. But he could never outlive Gabbar. He stole the thunder off legendary actors like Sanjeev Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan. The latter recalled how once when Khan, a close friend, came to his house, Abhishek, then a small boy, informed his father that Gabbar Singh had come. He had to be explained to that Gabbar Singh was only a character and the man who played it was Amjad Khan.

Amjad Khan stepped into the role through a twist of fate. Ramesh Sippy had penciled in Danny Denzongpa to play Gabbar but he backed out for want of dates. Javed Akhtar of the Salim-Javed duo writers did not ap-

prove of the new entrant because they did not like his voice. Amjad Khan proved everyone wrong.

Among the many remakes, there is a film named Pakistani Sholay starring Nasir Chinyoti.

This was a badly made funny take on Gabbar Singh where the 'comic' makes you want to cry.

But it proves that Sholay in general and Gabbar Singh in particular are greatly popular in Pakistan too.

Ajit Diwani directed Ramgarh ke Sholay (1991) a parody of the original. Amjad Khan played Gabbar Singh again. Quite beyond expectations, this film turned out to be a 'sleeper' hit.

The Amitabh look-alike Vijay Saxena who played Jai, became a hit with this film. He earned the sobriquet Naqli Amitabh because of the uncanny resemblance. But we never had and never will have a naqli Gabbar.

The worst remake of Sholay is Ram Gopal Verma Ki Aag in which Amitabh Bachchan made the biggest blunder of his career by choosing to por-

Image for representational purpose (Photo: images.indiatvnews) tray Gabbar named Babban in the film. After that marvelous performance inCheeni Kum he seemed to write off his many outstanding performances with this film, projecting the worst possible celluloid distortion of Gabbar Singh.

In 2008, Ekta and Shobha Kapoor made a Bhojpuri tribute called Gabbar with the title role portrayed by the Bhojpuri super-hero Ravi Kishen while Jeetendra portrayed Thakur. The film was a thumping hit in Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand where Bhojpuri

is widely spoken. Director Mahesh Pandey emphasised that the film was a tribute to Gabbar Singh.

In 2015, Gabbar is Back portrayed a modern, urban and slick Gabbar portrayed by Akshay Kumar and the character was fleshed out as a crusader for the masses fighting against corruption at high levels mainly with action.

But the film flopped. No one wanted a suave, handsome, slick and sophisticated Gabbar, especially as a positive hero.

In Nasreen Munni Kabir's book Talking Films, Javed

Akhtar says that there is "some Mexican blood in Gabbar. He is a bandit not a dakoo." Gabbar was the first dacoit in Hindi films to wear jeans. Akhtar adds that Gabbar seemed to acquire a life and vocabulary of his own even as he as he wrote the film. The original film, set in rural India, depicts Gabbar as a safarisuited, tough-talking villain with immortal dialogues, rifle in hand and astride a horse.

The remakes are distanced from this original character.

Gabbar defies imitation, on screen or out of it. Courtesy: Trans World Features (TWF)

The RTI Act Is Dying, Should Why It's India's Loss That 'Rockstar' Rajan Is Leaving RBI (Or Being Forced To) We Be Worried?

Answers to questions, constitutes an 'enemy' in sometimes, would be these times of troubled naclear as daylight. Some- tionalism, but the fact retimes they would be mains that the RTI Act hazy, and you will have boldly says it will deliver, to strain to make out the notwithstanding the Offiwords. Sometimes, the cial Secrets Act, if "public answer would just be si- interest in disclosure outlence. And if your coun- weighs the harm to the try feels like you are ask- protected interests". ing too many questions, Yes, the RTI Act was init just makes you forget deed monumental. As it that you had a right to ask confidently promenaded questions in along India's the first front, Bestin Samuel public place. That the writing is exactly what happened on the wall was clear in Rajasthan recently, corruption, which had where a chapter in the permeated every crevice Right to Information of administration, had to (RTI) Act was removed stop. As the fear grew in from the Social Sciences the echelons of power, textbook of Class VIII. applause and relief grew Why teach children that they have a right to question and to information, and later be forced to expose your own blemishes? If you teach them to be silent now, their questions will not haunt you later - this seems to be the mantra.

It is still a fairytale that an incredibly powerful legislative tool like the RTI Act is extant in the world's largest democracy that scored 38/100 in Transparency International's latest Corruption Perception Index.

The milestone Act has a stated objective to "empower the citizens, promote transparency and accountability in the working of the Government, contain corruption, and make our democracy work for the people in real sense".

An informed citizen is better equipped to keep necessary vigil on the instruments of governance and make the government more accountable to the governed, adds the RTI Citizen Gateway. All this in a country which still holds dear the archaic Official Secrets Act, 1923, which talks about not divulging"information or the destruction or obstruction thereof, or interference therewith, [which] would be useful to an enemy" - well-intended but with an exponentially risky purview. It would be time-consuming to even consider initiating a debate on who

Despite multiple attempts at diluting one of the strongest public interest legislations, the Act has survived - but the same cannot be said of many of its users. Lawyer Ram Kumar Thakur from Bihar exposed the MNREGS corruption of around 40 lakh by the corrupt village sarpanch, and was killed in 2013, shot at point blank range. Rinku Singh Sahi, a civil servant who exposed a 40 crore fraud in Uttar Pradesh was assaulted, detained, and admitted in a psychiatric ward in 2012. Reportedly, 289 attacks on RTI activists have occurred since the passing of the Act in

Image for representational purpose (Photo: computer.financialexpress) among the poorest of the poor. According to studies, the total bribe amount involved in a year in below poverty line (BPL) households availing just basic services was estimated to be INR 883 crores. In many of India's villages which house these families, the RTI Act has been used to avail social benefit schemes like getting food ration for individuals, ensuring quality and quantity of mid-day meals, and pushing for teacher and doctor attendance.

When it comes to the relatively better-off citizens, the Act was still used largely for issues like cleaning up the locality, availing scholarships, getting EPF money, receiving passport and processing education loans - going by the success stories displayed in the government's RTI website. At this juncture, India cannot afford stray incidents to determine the fate of a tested and proven law that has benefited millions of lives.

2005, including instances of murder, assault, kidnapping and threat calls.

However, with a well thought-out and futuristic plan, Rajasthan - the fountainhead of most things RTI - has taken giant leaps to censure the way a generation thinks; a way that does not feature questioning status quo, corruption, and injustice. This is not an isolated attempt at nipping free thought and an attitude of questioning. It is, in fact, one of the most recent nails in the coffin that aims to bury the rights to know and understand.

The world's largest democracy, founded on justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, cannot afford to erase one of its biggest achievements - the right to information. Miserably, the recent past has painted a picture of a country which is increasingly intolerant when it comes to dealing with critique and uncomfortable questions.

From lambasting the UN special rapporteur's report

that mentioned caste discrimination to concealing of caste figures of the Socio-economic and Caste Census 2011 (SECC), India has been playing its cards very, very close.

A full-fledged RTI Act retaining its original form is imperative to knowledge-empower India's citizens. According to a 2009 study, the awareness levels about RTI among men was 53% higher than women, and the OBC/SC/ST categories trailed behind the 'general' category by 48%. Poor quality of information and officials' perception of RTI as a time-wasting tool is also a much common complaint, despite an overwhelming majority of the RTIs being related to the delivery of basic needs and amenities. Additionally, implementation of RTI is an area that needs urgent attention, especially protection of whistleblowers, maintaining confidentiality of applicant identity and effective deduction of penalties. A dedicated office for RTI is required, with a focused effort to enhance the range and quality of the usage of RTI among citizens.

In 1910, Tagore visualised a land where the "mind is without fear" and "knowledge is free". However, the Bard of Bengal certainly might not have imagined that things would turn drastically different a century later. The mind is with fear, and knowledge definitely comes at a price. An attitude change is a must - public information is a right, and not charity.

Any attempts to dilute the Act and diminish its ambit must be warded off, 'in public interest', especially when it comes to denying upcoming generations their right to know about their right to know. It might profit the country to treat the blight before it consumes it, and make the essence of democracy an official secret. Courtesy:Youth kiawaaz

The eve of June 18, 2016, growth. Aggressive provi- faced successive droughts introduce the MCLR (Marbrought two unpleasant sion of non-performing in the last two years. Even ginal Cost of Lending surprises to the nation. assets by public sector his decision in the RBI's Rates) system which enThe first was the loss banks, a strong commit- last bi-monthly monetary sures that the benefits of against Zimbabwe in the ment to the fiscal deficit policy of not reducing the the rate cuts reach the genfirst T-20 international af- target, effective modera- repo rate any further, due eral public as it requires all ter having comprehen- tion of the repo rate - all to concerns of weak mon- commercial banks to consively whitewashed the were measures taken by soon triggering a hike in tinuously alter rates in line minnows in the ODI se- the RBI on his behalf, retail prices, proved cor- with the marginal cost of ries. The other one that sometimes even at the rect, as the inflation rate lending replacing the earwas far more defor the last month lier concept of average pressing and Rahul Debasish Mazumdar was a record 21- cost of lending. could have widemonth high of It won't be wrong to say ranging negative repercus- face of veiled criticisms 5.76%. that all was not well besions was that of the cur- by the finance ministry.

By his undying commit- tween the government and rent RBI Governor Dr. When Dr. Rajan took over ment to fiscal discipline, the RBI Governor. His Raghuram Rajan not wish- the reins of the central he has helped India win candid remarks on 'intoling to continue for a sec- bank, the nation's over the confidence of glo- erance' and India being ond stint at the central economy was in dire bal investors which is very 'Andher Nagri, Kana Raja' bank, thus putting an end straits. With retail inflation well reflected in the surge didn't make him a to immense political speculation. The reason ostensibly was to pursue academics but anyone who has been following the recent public diatribes by a certain individual against the widely renowned and highly venerated economist knows that it was just an excuse to distance himself from such political slugfests.

Dr. Rajan is a person of incredible credentials.

Apart from being a gold medalist from IIT Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad, he has invaluable experience in various international banks and forums. He is Dr. Raghuram Rajan as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (Photo: widely acclaimed for befm.cnbc.) ing one of the very few economists who correctly well over 10%, GDP in the Foreign Direct In- favourite of the current predicted the impending growth at surprisingly low vestments (FDI) and For- 'nationalist' government.

US housing bubble crisis rates of 4-5% and continu- eign Institutional Invest- He refused to drastically in 2005, a move for which ous failures to meet fiscal ments (FII) inflows earn- lower rates even at the inhe was widely criticised at deficit targets, India was ing much needed foreign sistence of the Finance that time. He holds the no longer the 'Shining exchange. The Indian cur- Ministry. The government coveted distinction of be- Star' that it had been since rency which was plum- on its part reduced the ing the youngest person to 1991 economic reforms. meting to new lows in powers of the Governor be appointed as the 'Chief Instead, it was listed as 2013, has since then re- and the recent formation Economist' of the Interna- one of the 'Fragile Five' gained stability against the of a committee to appoint tional Monetary Fund and economies that posed a dollar. This is no mean feat the successor of H.R. was also awarded the in- great risk to the global fi- considering the competi- Khan (one of the four curtive devaluation of the Yuan rent RBI Deputy Goveraugural Fischer Black nancial system.

Prize. These are just a few Dr. Rajan's immediate task and a global recession nors) without Dr. Rajan achievements of a person at hand was to somehow leading to a fall in com- heading it shows the who has attained great and moderate the unsustain- modity prices. This atmo- growing discomfort beunseen heights in his aca- able level of inflation sphere of economic stabil- tween Dr. Rajan and the demic and professional through strict monetary ity played a huge part in NDA. policy. He did not give in ensuring a growth rate of It is really disappointing career.

Dr. Rajan was brought into to the constant demands 7.5%, the fast among when such an eminent the Indian bureaucratic of India Inc. and many large economies, even personality is drawn into system by the erstwhile politicians to drastically though the rest of the controversies due to mindless comments by an UPA government when he cut repo rates while main- world faces recession. was appointed as India's taining that such high The initiatives undertaken irrational fanatic whose Chief Economic Adviser rates were essential to pre- by the RBI under Dr. sole aim in life appears to in 2012. A year later in one vent any further loss in the Rajan's stewardship to gain limelight by stoking of its few good decisions, value of the 'rupee'. He boost financial inclusion controversy. A Governor the then UPA government though cautiously and and promote cashless who brings about much appointed Dr. Raghuram systematically reduced the transactions have been needed and progressive must be Rajan as the Governor of interest rates from around commendable. The in- reforms the Reserve Bank of India. 8% in 2013 to the current principal approval given to honoured with a second Since then under his able 6.5% to boost private in- 11 payments banks would term to implement and leadership, the RBI has vestments. As a result of go a long way to ensure moderate the full benefits undertaken many bold his undying commitment financial inclusion, easy of his reforms. India measures which propelled to macroeconomic stabil- remittances, cashless would greatly miss the sinthe Indian economy to- ity, retail inflation reduced transactions and a check cere services of the wards macroeconomic to around 5.5% in 2016 on tax evasion. Another 'Rockstar'. Courtesy stability and sustainable even though the nation landmark step has been to :Youthkiawaaz

BUSINESS

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22

Over Rs 2 crore earned by Gujrat in a month in entry tax from e-tailers Gandhinagar, Jun 21: From May, the state government has begun collecting entry tax on items bought online by consumers from Gujarat, and in a month, has been able to collect above Rs 2 crore by taxing etailers.

State authorities are hopeful that the collection would increase manifold once the government sorts out the online sales and physical check-post tracking system. The new levy was introduced in this year's state budget to provide a level playing field to local dealers and to tax e-

250% annual growth in sellers observed by Amazon India Bengaluru, Jun 21: USbased Amazon said it has witnessed a 250 percent year-on-year growth in bringing new sellers on board as it looks to tap into the booming ecommerce market in India. The company, which is making multi-billion dollar investments in India, has over 85,000 sellers on board. "We started with 100 sellers three years ago and now we have over 85,000 sellers growing at 250 percent year-on-year and adding over 90,000 products a day," an Amazon India spokesperson said in an emailed statement. Amazon, which competes with the likes of Flipkart and Snapdeal, has cut its commissions by 25-30 percent across categories like mobile phones, PCs, electronic devices and personal care appliances. "We think these revised rates can significantly help sellers to perform even better and succeed in their business. In addition, we continue to innovate and offer best in class services such as Fulfilment by Amazon, Easy Ship, Seller Flex, etc to help them with fulfilment/ logistics so that they can focus on their business," the Amazon spokesperson said.

Flipkart, on the contrary, had recently increased its commissions across key segments and asked sellers to bear the costs of logistics in case of returns. Recently, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos had said the company will invest USD 3 billion in India. This is in addition to the American e-commerce giant's USD 2 billion infusion in 2014, taking its total investments here to over USD 5 billion. The funds will be channelled towards enhancing customer and seller experience, said Amazon India managing director Amit Agarwal. "India is a key market for Amazon and we will work towards continuing to reduce operating costs for sellers backed by good logistics and fulfilment capabilities," he had added.

(Agencies)

HUGE EARNINGS From May, the state government has begun collecting entry tax on items bought online by consumers from Gujarat, and in a month, has been able to collect above Rs 2 crore by taxing etailers.

The new levy was introduced in this year's state budget to provide a level playing field to local dealers and to tax e-commerce transactions.

State authorities are hopeful that the collection would increase manifold once the government sorts out the online sales and physical check-post tracking system.

commerce transactions.

The state commercial

tax department, however, could not start col-

The entry tax on online purchases is calculated on the basis of difference in VAT rates between Gujarat and the state from where the item was sent.

lecting the tax from April itself due to some technical glitches, said officers. The entry tax on online purchases is calculated on the basis of difference in VAT rates between Gujarat and the state from where the item was sent.

Though some e-tailers have challenged the move in high court, there has been no interim stay on the tax. Sources said Amazon India is one of the major players currently complying with the tax, while many big etailers are taking a waitand-watch approach,

given the cases pending in the high court. The state commercial tax department, however, has asked all e-tailers to shell out entry tax. P D Vaghela, commissioner, commercial tax department, said, "We have implemented the entry tax on online goods sold in Gujarat from the April 1. However, due to some software issues, we could not collect entry tax for the first few days.

The collection was around Rs2 crore in May, but we hope it will increase considerably, as we have allowed com-

opened our first petrol station," he said. The network was expanded to 1,400 outlets before the expansion was frozen in 2008-09 in view of private retailers being unable to compete with heavily subsidised public sector oil firms. After diesel price was deregulated or freed from government control in October 2014, the expansion was restarted and network has reached 2,225 now, he said. "We saw sales volume increase from 700,000 kilolitres in 2014-15 to 1.67 million kl in 2015-16 and we hope to continue to grow at over 100 per cent this

year as well against an industry growth of 7-7.5 per cent," he said. Essar Oil has a pan-India network now except for Jammu and Kashmir and the North East, he said. Its first petrol pump came up in Maharashtra about 13 years ago in 2003. Essar Oil was the first private company to enter petro product retailing in India at a time when the government was experimenting with the idea of deregulated oil pricing by freeing up the price of ATF. After a brief spell of deregulated product pricing, the diesel market was again regulated in 2004.

The move posed challenges for private oil companies like Essar. Through the course of this regulation regime, Essar Oil, in a bid to keep its retail ambitions alive, provided financial support to its franchisees through various schemes, thus helping them in tiding over the difficult times, he said. This earned the company the dealers' trust. In October 2014 when diesel prices were completely deregulated and private retailers were given a level playing field with their PSU counterparts, the company already had a network of about 1,400 retail

We are charging only the difference between the taxes here and in other states. One or two companies have challenged it in the high court, but the court has not given any stay. So, all the companies have started paying entry tax," Vaghela added. (Agencies)

outlets. Over the last two years, Essar Oil has been on a ramp-up drive to create a larger retail footprint across the length and breadth of the country.

Many outlets in its existing network were revived and work began on launching new Essar Oil pumps. Essar Oil's franchisee model entails giving the petrol pump operator a land lease rental for the land he brings for setting up the outlet. Also, he is paid an pre-agreed return on the investment made in setting up the outlet as well as commission on petrol and diesel sold, he said. (Agencies)

Image for representational purpose. (Photo: media2.intoday) New Delhi, Jun 21: India is expected to get its second bullet train service on Delhi and Varanasi route. The Modi government has proposed bullet train connectivity between the capital city New Delhi to the PM Modi's Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi via Aligarh, Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow and Sultanpur.

The train is expected to cover the journey in just two hours and 40 minutes.

Currently, the trains running on this route take around 10 hours to 14 hours to complete the journey. The travel time between Delhi and Lucknow (506 km) is likely to be 1 hour 45 minutes. As per a report, the

project of bullet train in Uttar Pradesh is expected to be fast-tracked in the wake of UP assembly polls next year.

The report added that a Spanish firm is studying the feasibility of the proposed corridor and it has already submitted the interim report but the final report shall most likely come in by the end of the year.

The preliminary cost, without rolling stock, being worked out is estimated to be about Rs 43,000 crore for the Delhi-Varanasi stretch.

The bullet train project between Mumbai and Ahmedabad is expected to begin operation in 2023. (Agencies)

Petrol variant of Discovery Sport unveiled by JLR

Lighthouse powers unruly start-ups, plans third India fund Hyderabad, Jun 21: Deviating from investing in mostly brand-driven businesses, India-focused private equity firm Lighthouse Funds is now steering towards disruptive start-ups such as a primary education provider Xseed and Uttar Pradesh-based lender Capital Trust. The firm, which had kept most of its investments from India 2020 Fund II under wraps, has disclosed it has put Rs 50 crore in Exeed and Rs 60 crore in SME lending non-banking finance company Capital Trust. With these investments, among others, and two more in coming days, Lighthouse Funds hopes to complete investing its India 2020 Fund II which had closed at $135 million.

"Xseed Education is an amazing start-up that has

been transforming primary education, providing world-class teaching to a million kids for Rs 1,000 a year. The initiative is profound and phenomenal, scalable and can be replicated anywhere in the world," Sean said on the sidelines of CII-sponsored conference on healthcare funding.

"We have just invested in Capital Trust that funds SMEs, giving loans between Rs 1-5 lakh in Uttar Pradesh," he said.

The investment, made through Lighthouse Emerging India Investors Ltd, has given Lighthouse a 24.41% stake in Capital Trust, which also attracted relatively minor investments from Seven Hill Capital and Emkay FinCap, with each picking up 1.08% each. But

Lighthouse Advisors co-founder and managing director, Sean Sovak. (Photo: lhfunds) it's the education start-up that Sean is more excited about. "It's not about text book or the school but making sure the students have the best teachers.

It's all about scaling teachers' training provid-

ing support and materials," he said expressing hope that this disruptive innovator deserves a Nobel Peace Prize.

These two investments are sort of deviation for Lighthouse which has so

far been investing mostly in brand-driven businesses, be it Cera Sanitaryware, Bikaji or Suraksha diagnostics or Kama Ayurveda. "We mostly invest in brands, which consumers can be aware of, even if it's a diagnostic service like Suraksha," he said.

As the process of investing its second fund draws to a close, plans are on for the next installment.

Lighthouse Advisors cofounder and managing director Sean Sovak said that plans are in an advance stage to launch the third fund. "We had raised $135 million under our India 2020 Fund II. We have a couple of investments to make, maybe, two more and we would soon be starting to raise a new fund also."

(Agencies)

Volkswagen aims on Motorola Moto G4 to be obtainable in India on June 22 electric cars, ride-hailing, autonomous driving ONE AFTER THE OTHER TECHNOLOGY

Mumbai, Jun 21: After launching the Moto G 4th Generation and Moto G 4th Generation Plus in India last month, Motorola is all set to begin the sale of the Moto G4. Though the Moto G4 Plus was made available for sale, the company had delayed the sale of the Moto G4, keeping a vague date for June. The company has however officially confirmed that the Moto G4 will be up for sale in India from June 22 onwards. The phone will be available exclusively on Amazon.com though there is no official news on the price of the phone. Notably, the Moto G 4th Generation Plus starts at Rs 13,499 for 16 GB version while the price of Moto G 4th Generation Plus 32 GB version will come at Rs

New Delhi and Varanasi soon to be connected by Bullet train

panies to set their system." "We have asked all the companies to pay advance tax as well as send their weekly sales details. We are cross checking them with the goods movement data at check posts for all online companies.

Essar Oil targets to double petrol pumps in 18 months New Delhi, Jun 21: Essar Oil, India's second largest private oil refiner, plans to nearly double its petrol pumps to 4,300 in next 18 months, a senior company executive said.

"We have 2,225 petrol pumps now which we will increase to 4,300 in next 18 months," Essar Oil's CEO Retail Madhur Taneja said. The retail network expansion planned is on franchise model and will entail an investment of about Rs 2,500 crore by the pump owners. "We were the first private company to enter fuel retailing business when we in 2003

PAGE 10

After launching the Moto G 4th Generation and Moto G 4th Generation Plus in India last month, Motorola is all set to begin the sale of the Moto G4.

The phone will be available exclusively on Amazon.com though there is no official news on the price of the phone.

Image for representational purpose. (Photo: stech3.firstpost)

14,999. The Moto G4 smartphone packs the powerful 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 processor with octa-core CPUs, 3GB RAM and features a 13megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera with flash for selfies.

(Agencies)

Notably, the Moto G 4th Generation Plus starts at Rs 13,499 for 16 GB version while the price of Moto G 4th Generation Plus 32 GB version will come at Rs 14,999.

The Moto G4 smartphone packs the powerful 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 processor with octa-core CPUs, 3GB RAM and features a 13-megapixel rear camera and a 5megapixel front-facing camera with flash for selfies.

Washington, Jun 21: Volkswagen will stop producing more than 40 car models in the coming years as part of a new strategy by Europe's biggest automaker, as reported by sources.

Volkswagen (VW) said recently it would invest billions of euros in electric cars, ride-hailing, and automated driving to become a world leader in green transport by 2025 as it reshapes its business following a diesel emissions scandal. Citing company sources, Handelsblatt said the

overhaul would also involve ceasing production of more than 40 models.

Volkswagen currently makes about 340 car models across its portfolio, which includes brands such as Audi, Skoda and Seat.

A Volkswagen spokesman said, however, the number of models that would be discontinued had not been decided yet.

"A decision on how many models will be phased out or ceased has not been taken yet," he said.

(Agencies)

Image for representational purpose. (Photo: overdrive) Pune, Jun 21: Jaguar Land Rover India announced the launch of a 2.0 litre petrol derivative of the Land Rover Discovery Sport at a starting price of Rs. 56.50 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi. Available in HSE

Trim, the new derivative is powered by a 2.0L petrol engine that delivers a power output of 177 kW. This is in addition to the 2.2L TD4 & SD4 diesel derivatives already on sale in India since September 2015. (Agencies)

Gold future goes down on weak global cues Chennai, Jun 21: Gold prices fell Rs 168 to Rs 30,434 per 10 grams in futures trade as participants cut their bets amid a weak global trend. At the Multi Commodity Exchange, gold prices for delivery in August fell by Rs 168 or 0.55 per cent to Rs 30,434 per 10 grams in a business turnover of 535 lots. Also, the metal for delivery in farmonth October declined

by Rs 112 or 0.36 per

cent to Rs 30,701 per 10 grams in 36 lots.

Analysts attributed the fall in prices to weak trend overseas after gold tumbled as a poll showed a tilt in favour of Britain remaining in the European Union just days before a historic vote, hurting demand for haven investments. Globally, gold was trading 1.2 per cent lower at USD 1,283.23 an ounce in Singapore.

(Agencies)

A GOLDEN FALL Gold prices fell Rs 168 to Rs 30,434 per 10 grams in futures trade as participants cut their bets amid a weak global trend.

At the Multi Commodity Exchange, gold prices for delivery in August fell by Rs 168 or 0.55 per cent to Rs 30,434 per 10 grams in a business turnover of 535 lots.

Also, the metal for delivery in far-month October declined by Rs 112 or 0.36 per cent to Rs 30,701 per 10 grams in 36 lots.

Globally, gold was trading 1.2 per cent lower at USD 1,283.23 an ounce in Singapore.

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22

Features

PAGE 11

HORTICULTURE The secret benefits of Clove Clove is actually the aromatic, dry fully grown, but unopened flower buds of the clove tree.

The scientific name of clove tree is Syzygium aromaticum and belongs to the family Myrtaceae.

Tanzania and Indonesia are the major producers of clove in the world. In India clove is grown in the hilly areas of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka.

Clove grows well in rich loamy soils of the humid tropics and can be grown successfully in the red soils of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. A cooler climate with well distributed rainfall is ideal for flowering. The site selected for its cultivation needs Good drain-

age since the crop cannot withstand water logged conditions. It thrives well in the areas receiving an annual rainfall of 150300 mm and it can be grown at an altitude of 1500m above the sea level.

Besides, belonging to the world of spices, which brings good economic return to India, it has certain health benefits too.

Cloves are used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine, Chinese medicine, and western herbals and dentistry, where the essential oil is used (painkiller) for dental emergencies. Cloves are used as a carminative, to increase hydrochloric acid in the stomach and to improve peristalsis.

Cloves are also said to be

a natural anthelmintic.

The essential oil is used in aromatherapy when stimulation and warming are needed, especially for digestive problems. Topical application over the stomach or abdomen are said to warm the digestive tract.

The use of a clove in toothache is also said to decrease pain. It also helps to decrease infection in the teeth due to its antiseptic properties.

Clove oil, applied to a cavity in a decayed tooth, also relieves toothache.

In Chinese medicine cloves or ding xiang are considered acrid, warm and aromatic, entering the kidney, spleen and stomach meridians, and

are notable in their ability to warm the middle, direct stomach if downward, to treat hiccough and to fortify the kidney yang. Because the herb is so warming it is contraindicated in any persons with fire symptoms and according to classical sources should not be used for anything except cold from yang deficiency. As such it is used in formulas for impotence or clear vaginal discharge from yang deficiency, for morning sickness together with ginseng and patchouli, or for vomiting and diarrhea due to spleen and stomach coldness. This would translate to hypochlorhydria. Clove oil is used in various skin

disorders like acne, pimples etc. It is also used in severe burns, skin irritations and to reduce the sensitiveness of skin.

Cloves may be used internally as a tea and topically as oil for hypo tonic muscles, including for multiple sclerosis this is also found in Tibetan medicine. Some recommend avoiding more than occasional use of cloves internally in the presence of pitta inflammation such as is found in acute flares of autoimmune diseases. In West Africa, the Yorubas use cloves infused in water as a treatment for stomach upsets, vomiting and diarrhea. The infusion is called Ogun Jedi-jedi.

Western studies have

Representational image (Photo: agrifarming) supported the use of cloves and clove oil for dental pain. However, studies to determine its

effectiveness for fever reduction, as a mosquito repellent and to prevent premature ejaculation

have been inconclusive.

Clove may reduce blood sugar levels.

Courtesy: cloveinside

FLORICULTURE

APICULTURE

Brighten your garden with The art of bee- the beauty of Orchids

keeping

Representational image (Photo: apocalypsesurvivalist) Honey and beekeeping have a long history in India.

Honey was the first sweet food tasted by the ancient Indian inhabiting rock shelters and forests. He hunted bee hives for this gift of god.

India has some of the oldest records of beekeeping in the form of paintings by prehistoric man in the rock shelters.

With the development of civilization, honey acquired a unique status in the lives of the ancient Indians. They regarded honey as a magical substance that controlled the fertility of women, cattle, as also their lands and crops.

The recent past has witnessed a revival of the industry in the rich forest regions along the sub-Himalayan mountain ranges and the Western Ghats, where it has been practiced in its simplest form.

In India beekeeping has been mainly forest based.

Several natural plant species provide nectar and pollen to honey bees. Thus, the raw material for production of honey is available free from nature. Bee hives neither demand additional land space nor do they compete with agriculture or animal husbandry for any input. The beekeeper needs only to spare a few hours in a week to look after his bee colonies.

Beekeeping is therefore ideally suited to him as a parttime occupation. Beekeeping constitutes a resource of sustainable income generation to the rural and tribal farmers. It provides them valuable nutrition in the form of honey, protein rich pollen and brood. Bee products also constitute important ingredients of folk and traditional medicine.

The establishment of Khadi and Village Industries Commission to revitalize the traditional village industries, hastened the development of beekeeping. During the 1980s, an estimated one million bee hives had been functioning under various schemes of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission. Production of apiary

honey in the country reached 10,000 tons, valued at about Rs. 300 million.

Side by side with the development of apiculture using the indigenous bee, Apis cerana, apiculture using the European bee, Apis mellifera, gained popularity in Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. Wild honey bee colonies of the giant honey bee and the oriental hive bee have also been exploited for collection of honey. Tribal populations and forest dwellers in several parts of India have honey collection from wild honey bee nests as their traditional profession. The methods of collection of honey and beeswax from these nests have changed only slightly over the millennia. The major regions for production of this honey are the forests and farms along the sub-Himalayan tracts and adjacent foothills, tropical forest and cultivated vegetation in Nagaland, Tripura, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Eastern Ghats in Orissa and Andhra Pradesh.

Resources and Potential The raw materials for the beekeeping industry are mainly pollen and nectar that come from flowering plants.

Both the natural and cultivated vegetation in India constitute an immense potential for development of beekeeping. About 500 flowering plant species, both wild and cultivated, are useful as major or minor sources of nectar and pollen. There are at least four species of true honey bees and three species of the stingless bees. Several sub-species and races of these are known to exist. In recent years the exotic honey bee has been introduced. Together these represent a wide variety of bee fauna that can be utilized for the development of honey industry in the country. There are several types of indigenous and traditional hives including logs,

clay pots, wall niches, baskets and boxes of different sizes and shapes. In modern beekeeping, the combs are built on wooden frames that are moveable. This facilitates inspection and management of bee colonies. Three types of moveable frame hive are in common use: the Newton type along with its standardized version ISI Type A, the Jeolikote Villager, and its counterpart ISI Type B, and the Langstroth type. Besides the hives, the beekeepers need equipment and implements like the hive stand, nucleus box and smoker. The industry also needs equipment and machinery for handling and processing of honey, beeswax, for manufacture of comb foundation sheets, and for other operations.

India has a potential to keep about 120 million bee colonies that can provide selfemployment to over 6 million rural and tribal families.

In terms of production, these bee colonies can produce over 1.2 million tons of honey and about 15,000 tons of beeswax. Organized collection of forest honey and beeswax using improved methods can result in an additional production of at least 120,000 tons of honey and 10,000 tons of beeswax. This can generate income to about 5 million tribal families.

Apiculture Technology Production of honey has been the major aim of the industry. Modern beekeeping also includes production of beeswax, bee collected pollen, bee venom, royal jelly, propolis, as also of package bees, queen bees and nucleus colonies. All these are possible only with a proper management of bees, utilizing the local plant resources and adapting to the local climatic conditions. Modern beekeeping makes heavy use of beekeeping equipment and honey processing plant. This results in high efficiency and also ensures the quality of the processed honey.

Seasonal management of bee

colonies varies in different parts of the country although the basic management methods are the same. Flow management, dearth management, provision of feeding, and control and cure of bee disorders, bee diseases, pests and enemies, are some of the routine measures to keep bee colonies healthy and strong.

There are special management techniques like queen rearing, migration for honey production or for colony multiplication, which the beekeeper takes up after he gains sufficient knowledge and experience in handling bee colonies.

Market About 10,000 tons of forest honey is produced annually.

Apiary honey produced under the KVI sector is estimated to be a little less than 10,000 tons in 1990-91.

Over 95 per cent of this was from the A. carina colonies, the rest being from the European bee colonies. Forest honey, mostly from rock bee hives, is usually collected by tribes in forests and is procured by forest or tribal corporations as a minor forest produce. Quite a large quantity is also collected by groups or individuals on their own. Forest honey is usually thin, contains large quantity of pollen, bee juices and parts, wax and soil particles. The honey collector gets between Rs. 10 and Rs. 25 per kilogram of the forest honey. Forest honeys are mostly multifloral.

Apiary honey is produced in bee hives and is harvested by extraction in honey extractors. Other types of beekeeping equipment like queen excluder, smoker, hive tool, pollen trap, honey processing plant are also used. Beekeepers sell the honey to the cooperative society, if one exists in the area. In many parts of India, the beekeeper gets a much higher price if he sells it directly to the consumer. Apiary honeys are usually multifloral when marketed by state-level marketing organizations, because honeys from different sources are mixed while pooling, storage and processing. Several unifloral honeys are available in markets restricted to small areas within the state where it is produced. Rubber plant contributed to over 60 per cent of the total apiary honey production during 1990-91. Besides this, jamun, hirda, beheda, arjun, neem, litchi, palmyrah palm, eucalyptus, lagerstroemias, tamarind, cashew tree, scheffleras, tun, karanj, false acacia, wild shrubs like shain, crops of different varieties of mustards, sesame, niger, sunflower, berseem clover, khesari, coriander, orchard trees including different

types of citrus, apple, puddum, cherry and other temperate fruit trees, coconut tree and coffee plantations are some important sources that provide unifloral honey.

Much of the forest honey is sold to the pharmaceutical, confectionery and food industries, where it is processed and used in different formulations. Apiary honey is usually processed at the producers level. This consists mainly of heating the honey and filtering. A few beekeepers or honey producers co-operative societies have better processing facilities that involve killing of honey fermenting yeasts.

About 50 per cent of the apiary honey under the KVI sector is graded and marketed under AGMARK specifications. In 1985 the consumption of honey was estimated to be about 8.4 g per capita, while in other countries this was 200 g.

Presently this would be about 2.5 g. Honey has so far been consumed mainly as a medicine and for religious purposes. A small quantity has been used in kitchen as an ingredient of pickles, jams and preserves. With the increasing production in recent years, there is an increasing trend to use honey in food. This is obviously the case with the affluent segments of the population. Forest honey is used in pharmaceutical, food, confectionery, bakery and cosmetic industries.

One often finds a good demand for local honeys like honeys from Mahabaleshwar. People in Maharashtra have a strong liking for jamun, hirda or gela honeys which have acquired special individual medicinal significance.

Similarly, kartiki honey in Kumaon, Uttar Pradesh is locally much favored. Some honeys have an essentially non-local market. Rubber tree honey can only be sold in nonlocal markets. Coorg honey with its characteristic flavour was well-known during 1950s and 1960s. Shain or sulah honey from Kashmir has been very popular. Presently litchi honey from Bihar and other northern states is in great demand. The price structure is regulated by the market forces of supply and demand. Beekeepers in well-known hill stations and other places of tourist attraction take advantage of the popularity of honey and can market their produce at remunerative prices.

Indian honey has a good export market. With the use of modern collection, storage, beekeeping equipment, honey processing plants and bottling technologies the potential export market can be tapped.

Courtesy: tiwa nabeefarm

Orchids are considered as the most beautiful flowering plants for the exquisite beauty of the flowers, variety of fragrance, brilliance in colour, unusual shapes, variation in form and attractive growth habits. There are about 24,000 species and 32,000 hybrids of orchid.

There is immense scope for improving orchids in India, because large number of species is native to this country and many of them have already proved to be important parent plants and contributed in the production of several outstanding hybrids in the world. Due to the diversity of environmental condition in India, it is possible to grow all types of orchids in suitable places without the control of environment.

Forest is the natural habitat of orchids. More or less similar environment can be created by growing the plants in greenhouse and protecting them from direct scorching sun, dry wind and by maintaining high humidity.

Seed Sowing and Care of Seedlings: Seedpod of orchid grows after fertilization, and ripens in six months to one year. After ripening the seeds are collected and stored in a cool and dry place or in a desiccator. Millions of powdery seeds are released from each pod and they contain little or no food to nourish the embryo. Under natural condition, the seeds germinate when they find a right pocket of decaying vegetable matter on the trees.

Seeds of orchids are germinated and seedlings grown in culture media containing agar, inorganic nutrients and sugar. Disinfected seeds are sown in sterilized flasks containing agar-nutrient media and the seedlings grow for 8 to 12 months before they are transferred.

The seedlings are removed from the flask and planted in the community pots, 7 to10 cm in diameter which holds about 20 to 25 small plants.

The compost used for seedlings in the community pot is a mixture of equal parts of the finely chopped tree fern and dust-free crushed bark or moss. A shady but well aerated location in the greenhouse will promote the growth of seedlings. In the community pot, the seedlings are watered daily and during the summer months they may be sprayed with water two to three times a day.

With the increase in size and vigour, each plant is transferred in a small pot, using the same compost recommended for larger plants, but at this stage they benefit by feeding with the weaker concentration of fertilizer solution.

Vegetative Propagation: Besides multiplication by seeds, commercial method of vegetative propagation of hybrids of Cymbidium, Phalaenopsis and Cattleya is done by meristern culture and large number of plantlets develop from a small piece of growing apex. Amateurs, however, propagate their plants by offsets, air layering, cuttings and division. Offsets develop from Dendrobium and some Epdiendrum, which can be detached and planted in small pots.

Air layering is practised on the monopodial types like Vanda. A slant cut is given halfway in the stem and wrapped with sphagnum moss. When roots are noticed in the moss, the upper por-

and porous compost, watering is very important. Atmospheric humidity influences evaporation of moisture from the compost and orchids, in general, prefer high relative humidity. In a dry and willventilated atmosphere, damping down of the floor of the greenhouse, frequent overhead sprinkling of water will increase the humidity.

But in high humid atmosphere watering should be less frequent. Alkaline water is injurious to orchids and slight acidic water or at pH up to 7 should be used.

Newly potted plants should not be watered very frequently but the compost is kept moist by fine spraying.

As new root emerges and growth starts, the plants need

Representational image (Photo: thegardenglove) tion of the plant with roots is detached and potted.

In Arachnis, Renanthera and to a lesser degree in Vanda propagation is done by cutting. As these large-sized plants produce adventitious roots, the stem is cut in section 3 to 4 nodes, placed in a cool and dry place for healing of wound and allowed to root in moist sand or damp sphagnum moss. Plants of many genera such as Cattleya, dendrobium, etc., produce new growth from a lead and they can be propagated by division at the time of repotting.

Potting and Compost: A vigorous and healthy root system often indicates good vegetative growth of the plants, which largely depends on the pot compost. Ideal rooting media will provide high degree of porosity and ensure adequate oxygen for root respiration. Water should drain out freely through the media and it should be resistant to rapid decomposition and decay.

Orchids grow better if undisturbed, Phalenopsis, Vanda, Laelia and some species of Dendrobium should not be repotted unless it is absolutely necessary. Cattleya and many Dendrobium species and hybrid need repotting when roots become potbound.

Watering and Spraying: As orchids are grown in light

more frequent watering and it should be decreased again after flowering. Fine spraying of water is also very beneficial to plants during the period of growth or on warm dry days.

Diseases and Pests: Orchids are less subjected to the attack of pests and disease. Scale insects, mealy bugs, green fly, thrips, red spider and snails may cause considerable damage, fly, thrips, red spider and snails may cause considerable damage, if they are not controlled in time. Application of Rogor or Malathion is very effective to keep the orchids free from pests.

Die-back is a serious disease in orchids which starts in rhizome and if left unattended, it spreads to other plants in the orchid house. Orthocide 50 and Cossan are recommended for controlling fungus diseases on orchids. Virus infection is also common in several species and varieties of orchids. Sometimes black spots appear on leaves and flowers turn yellow and drop off. This is not caused by fungus but due to faulty culture like over-watering insufficient ventilation, too much of light or very dry atmosphere.

Cleanliness of the greenhouse and regular attention to the plants are very important to keep the plants free from diseases and pests.

Courtesy: indiaagronet

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DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22

PAGE 12

"Was sleepless the night before second T20" Boxer Sumit Sangwan one win away from securing Rio berth

PTI Harare, Jun 21 : Young Indian batsman Mandeep Singh, who struck a halfcentury in the team's series-levelling win against Zimbabwe in the second T20, says he spent a sleepless night before the match owing to pressure which vanished the moment he stepped on to the field.

Mandeep, who scored an unbeaten 52 in a modest 100-run chase last night, said the anxiety he felt before the match was surprisingly gone when he came in to bat.

"I had a sleepless night before the match, things like pressure of winning a match or the series play on your mind, and also the fact that the selectors are watching you. Call it pressure or nervousness, whatever you want. But when you go in to bat, it becomes a little easier, at

Young Indian batsman Mandeep Singh least for me. At that time, I just thought, the target is 100, how do I achieve that.

"Once I'm inside, these things don't bother me, that the selectors are watching, that this series is very important.

Before the match these things do play on my mind, this series is obvi-

ously very important, but honestly, once I go in, it's only, I have to bat, and win the match, and obviously, (things like) reading the wicket, what is the situation. So it's a good thing that I forget (all the pressure) once I'm in," insisted Mandeep.

After being handed a shocking defeat in the

opening Twenty20 International, Mandeep said his team solely focused on the process rather than the result and that helped it level the three-match series 1-1.

"We were thinking to focus on our process rather than thinking too much about the result. Obviously, we want to win the series, but if we always think about winning then it will be like building up pressure. So we were trying to focus on the process," said Mandeep at the post match press conference here last night.

After entering the series on the back of a 3-0 whitewash of Zimbabwe in the preceding ODI series, India suffered a shocking two-run loss against the hosts in the opening T20.

But the visitors were quick to bounce back in the second T20 with a crushing 10-wicket win.

"Obviously that defeat (in the opening T20) was hurting, but we discussed a few points that what we need to do and I think whatever we have discussed in that previous game we implemented.

"We have played five games now on this wicket.

We discussed a few points and I think we implemented really well. So that was the main thing," said Mandeep.

The 24-year-old batsman said the Indian players chose to relax on the eve of the second T20, rather than putting additional pressure on themselves.

"A few boys went to see a movie yesterday, we played FIFA, so we had quite a relaxed day yesterday, and obviously we discussed quite a lot about the previous game, and I think we played really well today," he revealed.

Wales victory - `One Smith wants Aussies to thrive under of the greatest nights` pressure in Caribbean tri-series for Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale ANI London, June 21 : After guiding Wales to a comfortable 3-0 win over Russia in Euro 2016 clash, star striker Gareth Bale has admitted that the victory was `one of the greatest nights` of his career.

Bale, who also scored for his country in the previous two games, followed Aaron Ramsey and Neil Taylor onto the score sheet to ensure Chris Coleman's men finish at the top of Group B. While doing so, Bale also broke the 58-yearold record of Ivor Allchurch for most goals at major tournaments in quick time.

"It's hard to describe. [It was] an unbelievable occasion and it's definitely right up there. I think, for the pressure of

the game, the way we played was probably one of the best team performances I've been involved in," Bale was quoted as saying by goal.com.

The Real Madrid forward admitted that his side had learnt a lesson from its last match defeat against England and, therefore, worked upon their weaknesses to tear apart Russia in Toulouse.

"We said after the England game that we needed to keep the ball a lot better and we did that tonight," he added.

Wales, who emerge as the winners of the Group B, will now have to wait for the rest of the groups to be concluded before discovering their opponents for the last 16 round.

ANI Melbourne, June 21 : Ahead of Australia's crucial game against West Indies, skipper Steve Smith has admitted that he is eager to see his young side handle the pressure when they will take on hosts for a place in the Caribbean tri-series decider.

A victory against the Caribbeans would hand Australia side with a place in the series decider while a defeat at Kensington Oval means the World Cup holders have to head home.

Australia's top order had already been hit by an injury with opener David Warner sidelined from the remainder of the series due to a broken figure.

With Warner's loss, Smith arguably remains the key to Australia reaching next week's final.

The 27-year-old believes that

Steve Smith high-stakes games would serve as a learning curve for his young side.

Smith said it is important to put the young players under the high-pressure situations in order to bring the best out of them, news.com.au reported.

The seventh ODI match of the tri-series between Australia and South Africa was abandoned due to an intermittent rain.

Australia will lock horns with West Indies at Kensington Oval on Tuesday.

Sharapova's lawyer blasts WADA chief over `unprofessional` income comment

Maria Sharapova ANI Johannesburg, June 21 : Maria Sharapova's lawyer John Haggerty has lashed out at World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) chief Craig Reedie after the latter made an 'unprofessional' statement about the Russian tennis star's earnings.

While speaking at a WADA symposium in London, Reedie

claimed that Sharapova's annual earning is far more than the whole of WADA's yearly budget of 30 million dollars.

Reedie insisted it was quite satisfactory to see Sharapova suspend despite her potential to earn more than the agency in a year.

Hitting back over Reedie, Haggerty demanded an apology

from the WADA chief to Sharapova as well as to all successful tennis players, Sport24 reported.

Earlier this month, Sharapova was handed a two-year suspension by a three-member Tennis Anti-Doping Program Tribunal appointed by the International Tennis Federation after being tested positive for the banned substance meldonium at the Australian Open.

Meldonium was placed on the banned list by the World AntiDoping Agency this year but the 2012 Olympic silver medallist said that she had been taking the drug since 2006 legally for years for health reasons.

Reflecting on the ruling, Sharapova had said that she would not accept an 'unfairly harsh two-year' ban and would immediately appeal the suspension portion of this ruling to Court of Arbitration for Sport ( CAS).

Indian pugilist Sumit Sangwan ANI Baku, Azerbaijan, June.21 : Indian pugilist Sumit Sangwan re-

mained on course for securing his berth for the forthcoming Rio Games after storming into the

quarterfinals of the AIBA World Olympic Qualification tournament in the men's light heavyweight (81kg) category here on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old displayed a superior performance, thrashing Mongolian opponent E r d e n e b a y a r Sandagsuren 3-0 in the pre-quarterfinal round.

A victory in the next round will guarantee Sangwan's spot for the Rio Olympics, which starts from August 5.

The tournament has 39 qualifying spots up for grabs -- two in the 49kg category, five each in 52kg, 56kg, 60kg, 64kg, 69kg, 75kg and 81kg, and one each in 91kg and +91kg.

Rosberg looks good for 2016 F1 title, says Hamilton ANI Johannesburg, June 21 : Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton believes that it could be a 'good year' for his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg after the German added another victory to his account at the European Grand Prix.

Rosberg, who started from the pole position, cruised to his fifth victory of the season after beating Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel in the inaugural edition of the European Grand Prix on the Baku street circuit.

With the win, Rosberg extended his lead back to 24 points over Hamilton in the world championship.

Meanwhile, Hamilton was once again afflicted by technical problems at

Lewis Hamilton Baku, thus finishing fifth in the race, Sport24 reported.

Following the defeat, Hamilton admitted that Rosberg looks good for the Formula One title this year.

He, however,refused to give up on the title chal-

lenge and said that there are many more races to come.

Earlier, Hamilton slashed down Rosberg's lead in the Formula One world championship to nine points following his second consecutive win at the Canadian Grand Prix.

Inzamam set for England sojourn to observe team's performance PTI Karachi, Jun 21 : Pakistan's former captain and chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq will travel to England to observe the performances of the national team and A side on the instructions of the PCB. Inzamam was initially supposed to be with the team throughout the two and half months tour but the board has now changed his plans to avoid unnecessary expenses.

"The former captain will now go to England after the third Test and remain there for the final Test at the Oval, the one-day series and the lone T20 international," an official in the board said.

He said the purpose of sending the chief selector after the third Test was to give him an

opportunity to watch the match and have discussions with the tour selection committee before the limited over squad is announced for the five ODIs and T20 international.

"Inzamam himself wanted to watch the players in action in English conditions so that he could be in a better position to evaluate which players would be required for the limited over matches," he said.

Since being appointed chief selector, Inzamam has been closely involved with the preparations for the England tour and for the first time not only the national squad but also the A side and women's team are also touring En-

gland for matches this summer.

"Inzamam took keen interest in the preparations and the boot camp and skills camp held in Kakul and Lahore as he himself realizes the significance of Pakistan doing well in English conditions particularly in the Test series and ODI's," the official said.

The former top batsman has been working closely with Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq and new head coach Mickey Arthur in the lead-up to the series.

Pakistan, which is touring England for a full series for the first time since 2010, play four Tests, five ODIs and a T20 match besides several side matches over two and half months.

Running ultra marathon made me realise who I am: Blog ANI Shimla, June 21 : June 18, 2016, 4:00am, I woke up with a great determination and by 10p.m. went to bed with an epic satisfaction. Yes, I had registered for the 70km 'GET SET RUNN-Tuffman Shimla Ultra 2.0' and as a journalist was also covering the event.

I registered for such an event as I realized that it was time for me to dare and endure and come out of my comfort zone.

The race kicked off at 5:45 a.m. and there were around 45 athletes in my category. At an average elevation of 2,146 m, the race track at Mashobra, a town in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh was amazingly beautiful. We started

with two kms of elevation, followed by plains and some 12 kms descent. I was very much at ease in finishing the first lap of 35 kms in about five hours.

The pleasant weather also added to my running ecstasy.

But the real test began in the second lap when my legs almost gave up 17 kms away from the finish line. One really needs strong will power and determination.

It is said that your body can stand almost anything but it's your mind that you have to convince. The same case was with me, I was able to convince my mind to shove my body and that made all the difference. I had made up my mind that whether I walk, jog, run or

next water station and the finishing line. I also met many runners on the way who gave me hi-fives and motivated me to finish the race. The biggest inspiration of all the runners were Col. Saurabh Singh Shekhawat (Army officer who has conquered Mt. Everest thrice) and Delhi-based International ultra marathon runner Arun Bhardwaj. Being an amateur runner, I felt so privileged to run with them.

In fact, if I go back to my running story, it all started when I was 14 years old. In school I use to play basket ball, football, and use to love goal keeping. But one can say I was jack of all trades and master of none. In simple words, I was

not good professionally at any sports. I always wanted to be involved in sports as it teaches you lot of things in life. So, I used to run a lot religiously every evening, sometimes alone, sometimes with a running buddy.

Slowly, I started taking part in Marathons while in college and my latest run was Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon in January which I finished in 4 hour 8 minutes.

But, running in the mountains was a completely different story. I have one advice for people planning to run a marathon. We should run from our heart and mind than our feet.

To be honest, I have a 9 to 5 job in Delhi and taking time

off for running in the extreme hot and cold weather of the city makes me go crazy. But yes, I do run on treadmill every time I hit the gym and people stare at me thinking I am crazy to run so fast. I had practiced for a month at Delhi's Nehru Park, running sometimes 10 kms to sometimes 38 kms, but it is always better to practice in the mountains for such a marathon.

So I finally crossed the finishing line of this ultra marathon in exactly 12 hours 58 minutes (two minutes ahead of cut-off time of 13 hours). The feeling was epic, I felt like I was about to reach Everest or I have already reached the summit.

Also, people congratulating

you made me feel on top of the world.

I am not hoping to change the world or India overnight with my runs, but yes, perhaps, someone inspired me and I am here to inspire others. I just want to give message to people around that yes, one person can make a difference and there is no limit to what you can achieve in life. My friends or family may think I am a lunatic for running such distances or a crazy person for scaling mountains, but, it's imperative to chase one's passion and dreams. And most important of all, the crawl but I have to finish the Mantra (Om Mani Padme challenge to run such disrace.

Hum) praying for some energy. tances in the mountains moI remember chanting Tibetan I was eagerly waiting for the tivates you, tests your endurance level. It also made me realize who I am and what I am capable of ..........

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