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ASSENG/2015/64205

PAGE 5

Vol. II

Issue 6

MAN UTD LEGEND PAUL SCHOLES SIGNS UP FOR PREMIER FUTSAL LEAGUE IN INDIA Page - 12

Dibrugarh, Friday, June 24, 2016

Price -

5.00

BIHAR: GIRL GANG-RAPED IN MOTIHARI, BATTLES FOR LIFE

Pages- 12

PAGE 10

OVER 100 WOMEN HURT IN CLASH WITH 35 AR ON NH-2

Page - 5

Page - 6

Arunachal Chief Minister Kalikho Pul calls upon North East Govt. will do everything possible for Democratic Alliance to reach beyond its political mandate the lakhs of pilgrims who have converged at Kamakhya : Sonowal regional parties agreed to work on consolidating the strength of these parties and bringing even smaller regional parties into the NEDA umbrella. This would be concretized further with the first Convention of the NEDA proposed on 13 July at Guwahati.

Arunachal Chief Minister Kalikho Pul today called for the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) to reach beyond its political mandate and said that the platform had tremendous potential to also carry a very effective developmental mandate for the northeast region.

He was speaking at the meeting of the NEDA at Guwahati which was chaired

by BJP National General Secretary and North East incharge Ram Madhav and also attended by Chief Minister Assam Sarbananda Sonowal, CM Nagaland TR Zeliang, Assam Minister and NEDA Convenor Hemanta Biswa Sarma,former Mizoram CM and President of the Mizo National Front Zoramthanga, Assam Minister and AGP President Atul Bora, MP and National President of the National People's Party Conrad Sangma, President Bodo People's Front Hangrama Mohilary, MLA and Working President UDP Paul

ET CAPSULES

AAHSU protest disrupted by Tinsukia police Tinsukia, June 23. In continuation with their threat for a wide spread protest against price rise, members of All Assam Hindu Students Union on Thursday had gathered at thana charali here in town to burn the effigy of forest minister. However, before they could burn the effigy of the minister Tinsukia police disrupted their protest and seized the effigy.

(Spl Correspondent)

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BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav (left) along with Assam CM Sonowal and Arunachal CM Pul during the meeting. Pic - ET Photo Lyngdoh and Ranoj Pegu President Ganashakti.

Taking part in the deliberations, Chief Minister Pul expressed that NEDA constituted of 2 core ideologies. The first is the emergence of a non-Congress political leadership in the northeast and the other being the idea of coordination. These two together have a lot of

potential in the context of the region, he said."Since the region does not have uniform aspirations, such a forum is critical and will emerge as a major coordination platform to jointly address the issues that confront us all".

The crucial meeting of the NEDA, which was convened to work out the framework for creating a region wide network

of like-minded non-Congress parties, today resolved to have a Congress-mukt northeast, which would be replaced by the development driven governance of the NDA. Underlining the political need for a viable alternative to the Congress, as well as the developmental and strategic importance of the northeast, the leaders of about a dozen

"Regional political parties are often seen as having very little potential of extending their scope and ideology beyond our States and our regions. That is where I think that the NEDA is vastly different. Because of the fact that the present government, under the leadership of Narendra Modiji, has been very keen on protecting the idea and spirit of federalism, I think that itself gives NEDA the advantage of being regional in character but national in outlook. I am confident that working within the framework of the NEDA, we will be able to converge our regional and State aspirations seamlessly with national goals," Pul said.

Contd. on Page 3

A Staff Reporter Guwahati, June 23

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated and dedicated a camp to the service of the pilgrims of Ambubachi Mela near Kamakhya Railway Station in the city this evening. The temporary dwelling camp set up for the pilgrims who have come from all over the country.

Inaugurating the camp, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that through Ambubachi mela which is the biggest religious congregation his government has got an opportunity to serve the pilgrims and extend the hospitality of Assam.

He also said that his government is doing everything possible for the lakhs of pilgrims who have assembled here from all across the country and abroad to realise spiritual bliss.

Sonowal also said that this congregation would serve a big push towards ‘world peace’ and welfare of humanity. He also stated that government is taking all possible measures to make available all facilities to the pilgrims. Sonowal also flagged off one hundred buses pressed in

Engineering ability of power department Ulfa (I) extortion racket of Bordumsa is under question busted in Tinsukia Laxman Sharma Bordumsa, June 23

Following the gross failure of the department of power in restoring the power supply at Goju Village in Bordumsa in Changlang District of Arunachal Pradesh for last 5 days, the aggrieved residents had lashed out at the Bordumsa Power Department terming it as ‘incompetent to find technical faults even in 5 days‘. It

might be mentioned due to frequent power failure, the people of the locality, particularly the students community are suffering a lot. People are raising questions about the engineering ability of the department.

According to Thingnong Umbu, the General Secretary of the Singpho Youth Organization, the said village inhabited by around 800 populations has been the only village which

was been reeling under total darkness without power supply for the last 5 days after a sudden and unwarranted power cut on 18th June last. According to Mr Umbu who was surprised at the step-motherly attitude of the department concerned as well as its Junior Engineer towards the affected Goju village, inspite of serving a formal complaint 3 days ago, Contd. on Page 3

Kingpin of double gutti arrested in Dibrugarh A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, June 23

Abdul Nasim, 35 years, a kingpin of double gutti (double digit lottery) and IPL betting was today arrested by police from his residence at Grahambazar. Police said that he was running the double gutti business from a long time and many a times he managed to avoid arrest by the police when his dens were "raided".

According to sources in this

Arrested Abdul Nasim.

Pic - Anil Poddar

year IPL many youths have betted for their favourite teams and some of them had reportedly earned good amount of money.

“I’ve earned maximum money through IPL betting this year and at last in the final match I lost all my money. I don’t know who are running the whole business but we have managed all our friends to bet in the IPL matches,’’ said a source.

Contd. on Page 2

2 suspected cadres arrested, three AK - 47 (modified) rifles recovered Spl Correspondent Tinsukia, June 23

In continuation with the ongoing operation against Ulfa (I) at Upper Assam, 7 Madras Regiment of Indian army and Tinsukia police got fifth major breakthrough on Wednesday late night and Thursday noon after they arrested two suspected ulfa cadres. The first arrest came from Kerani village under Bagjan police station at around 10.00 in the night in the name of Tutu Moran while the second arrest came from Tezpur this afternoon in the name of Kokul Moran.

Sorces in the army said, based on intelligence inputs, security forces launched a massive manhunt against ULFA(I) and cordoned Kerani village. During search operations Tutu Moran was arrested, he added.

Sources said, during interrogation by army Tutu broke down completely and revealed names of his group members as Kokul Moran,

The two arrested ULFA cadres along with the recoveries.

Pic - Sidharth Singh

Nonu Moran, both resident of Kerani village and one Biku Mahanto resident of Lajimgaon under Kakopathar Police station.

Security forces spread into separate teams and conducted operations till late night and during search of the house of Biku Mahanto they recovered three country made rifles (AK 47 modified) and 16 rounds of AK 47, added source and said, all the remaining three were absconding.

Contd. on Page 4

People urge Dibrugarh MLA to take step and administration to crack down on syndicating

cmyk

Indian food inflation has remained high for several years, and second-round effects on core inflation are estimated to be large. Over the past decade, India has seen a prolonged period of high inflation, to a large extent driven by persistently-high food inflation. Unlike in many advanced economies, food inflation has had a non-trivial impact on aggregate retail inflation in India. High and persistent inflation has been a key macroeconomic challenge

facing India. Elevated inflation coinciding with a growth slowdown distinguished India from other major emerging market economies in recent years.

While India has witnessed sporadic spurts in food inflation, episodes of such persistently high inflation have been rare. The welfare impact of such high rate of food inflation is bound to be significant given that on average, food accounts for 48.6% of overall expenditure in rural areas and 38.5% in urban areas. The proportion is significantly higher for 362

million or 29.5% of the population living in abject poverty.

In Assam, after Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) come to power, quite surprisingly the prices of several essential commodities have gone up. It might be mentioned that before the elections, the BJP had promised that if they come to power they would control price rise, however, it seems that only the opposite is happening. "The party leaders who spoke a lot on price rise during the Congress regime too have become suddenly

service for the pilgrims. He also released a guide book ‘Ambubachi Mela-2016 Management Plan’ Health and Family Welfare Minister, Finance, Education etc.

Himanta Biswa Sharma while speaking on the occasion said that every year Goddess Kamakhya gives the State an opportunity to serve the devotees in a better way.

From the next year he assured that from the next year preparation will be undertaken in a vigorously way to observe ambubachi Mela in a befitting manner and the government would start

preparation well ahead of time.

He also shared government’s intention to develop Majuli and Barpeta as the important sites of tourist attractions which will symbolise unity in the midst of diversity. Earlier, Kamrup (Metropolitan) Deputy Commissioner Dr. M. Angamuthu gave welcome address. Chief Secretary V.K. Pipersenia, NF Railway General Manager H.K. Jaggi, Additional Chief Secretaries and a host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

Ulfa cadre arrested from Tingkong Rishu Kalantri Tinsukia, June 23

Price of essential commodities like potato rises in Dibrugarh market Subham Chakraborty Dibrugarh, June 22

Sonowal lights the ceremonial lamp inauguration of the camp. Pic - UB Photos

silent", a Dibrugarh citizen said. "People like the Dibrugarh MLA Prasanta Phukon who used to stage a 'drama' by taking a bulloct cart ride or by riding a bicycle whenever fuel prices were hiked has vanished from the scene. People have voted for him. Therefore, he should not be a mute spectator to the rampant price rise. He should come and answer", Robin Saikia, another citizen in Dibrugarh said.

Contd. on Page 4

Security forces on Thursday late evening arrested an ULFA cadre from Tingkong in Dibruagrh district. The cadre has been identified as Mrinal Baruah alias Ramen Majhi.

Security forces have recovered 1 revolver, five rounds and 5 detonators from him. Further details are awaited at the time of filing of this news report.

Mrinal Baruah

Class XI girl kidnapped in Tinsukia Spl Correspondent Tinsukia, June 23

A class XI girl student of Tinsukia English Academy has been kidnapped on Thursday evening.

According to sources, the matter is related to love affair.

The girl has been lured and

trapped by one youth named Imran who has finally taken her away, alleged sources.

However, as the girl is a minor it will be treated as a case of kidnapping.

Superintendent of Tinsukia police has confirmed the missing of this girl and said a massive manhunt has been launched.

Security forces nab NSCN (R) cadre ET Correspondent Changlang, June 23

Security forces nabbed a NSCN (R) cadre early on wednesday morning. Acting on intelligence input the Jawans of Assam Rifles apprehended SS Pvt Ngeungthung Techi, 28,from Saching village.

According to army sources, a .22 bore Chinese pistol with magazine and three live rounds were recovered from his possession. The individual was part of the Inter Factional Clashes (IFC) on 6 May 2016 in Changlang and had carried out extortion in Changlang and Manmao. The apprehended NSCN cadre was handed over to the Changlang police station and case has been registered

against him and further investigation launched, the sources added.

cmyk

A Staff Reporter Itanagar, June 23

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, JUNE 24

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.

Congress leaders given State BJP adopts all national resolutions, more importance in a rich tribute paid to SP Mukherjee; four prominent leaders join BJP meeting at DC office

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 24-6-16 (FRIDAY) 5-35 A.M-Bhaktigeeti (Devotional Songs) 6-10 A.M-Swasthya Charcha (Health Programme) 6-15 A.M-Classical Music 7-15 A.M-Aajir Dinto (Morning Information Service) 7-30 A.M-Geetanjali (Assamese Modern Song) 8-35 A.M-Surar Panchoi 9-05 A.M-Antara 12-30 P.M-Gharjeuti 2-30 P.M-Dopahar Samachar 3-45 P.M-Programme in Miju Mishmi 4-05 P.M-Programme in Khamti 4-25 P.M-Programme in Wancho 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 Anushthan 7-15 P.M-Yuvavani 8-00 P.M-Gyanmalini (Sponsored Programme of D.D.E.,Dibrugarh University) 8-30 P.M-Jnan Bijnan 9-16 P.M-Barerahaniya 9-30 P.M- National Programme of Play (Regional Version) Sd-/H.O.P

Advt.

Name Change I, Sri Raj Kumar, sevice N o .

J C 5 8 1 2 1 6 F, Rank Sub, by Swearing Affidavit Before Notary Public, Margarita, Declare that the Actual Name of My son is Manish Kumar

ET Correspondent Golaghat, June 23: The Governor of Assam P.B Acharjya today toured Golaghat district and had discussions with various organisations. But as per the allegations of BJP leader and MLA of Khumtai Mrinal Saikia in the meeting Congress leaders were given much importance than the leaders of other political parties like BJP, AGP which is a matter of great concern.

The Governor is on a two day visit to the District. As per the order an interactive meeting of the Governor was to be held today with

various organisatiins and leading citizens but as per the allegations the Golaghat District administration allegedly played a mysterious role and invited only a few Citizens to the meeting.

Most of the invitees were from Congress and no other political figure was to be seen there.

Mrinal Saikia also added that the people of Khumtai Constituency have complained against two ADCs Nur Hussain and Sonaram Khanikar to be involved in many anomalies and hence he would raise this matter to the Chief Minister.

Tezpur girl selected to represent Global shapers community in it’s annual curators meeting in Geneva Shambhu Boro Tezpur, June 23 : In an achievement a Tezpur based girl has been selected to represent the Global Shapers Community in it’s Annual Curators Meeting organized by the World Economic Forum in Geneva, Switzerland during August 16 to 22. The Global shapers community is a global network of local communities developed and led by young people who are exceptional, in their potential, achievement and drive to make a contribution to their communities. On the otherhand it is to be stated that here that the World Economic Forum (WEF) is a Swiss nonprofit foundation, based in Cologny, Geneva. Recognized by the Swiss authorities as the international institution for publicprivate cooperation, its mission is committed to improving the state of the world by engaging

business, political, academic, and other leaders of society to shape global, regional, and industry agendas.

The Forum is best known for its annual winter meeting for five days in Davos, a mountain resort in Graubünden, in the eastern Alps region of Switzerland. The meeting brings together some 2,500 top business leaders, international political leaders, selected intellectuals, and journalists for up to five days (winter) to discuss the most pressing issues faced by the world.

The organization also convenes some six to eight regional meetings each year in locations such as Latin America and East Asia, as well as undertaking two further annual meetings in China and the United Arab Emirates.

Beside meetings, the foundation produces a series of research reports and engages its members

Contd. from Page 1

Sources said that many high profile people and leaders of various organisations are involved in the double gutti business in Dibrugarh.

“Under the nose of the district administration the

whole business has been running from a long time and some of the police officials collect haftas from the kingpins,’’ the sources added. According to a senior resident of Dibrugarh police should take tough stand to root out this business which has ruined many families.

State anthem "O Mur Apunar Desh" was sung as a welcome song by the committee members of Yog Vidya Pitham NGO. Deep Acharjee, Secretary of Yog Vidya Pitham NGO delivered his speech on the aims and objectives of yoga and requested to do yoga daily

After that prizes were distributed among the student who participated in the various competition held at the eve of International Yoga Day. Dr Mano Brota Gogoi President of Yog Vidya Pitham NGO of Margherita gave vote of thanks to all the persons and committee members who came and made the programme successful one.

Meanwhile, Dibrugarh police have crackdown against the drugs selling in Dibrugarh and managed to arrested eight people involved with the business.

The peace loving people are fed up with all these illegal activities which had brought bad name to this upper Assam town.

Students motivation towards rules of the road: Concern over alarming cases of road mishaps

around which 52 key programmes and policies are being implemented across the board for the larger benefit of the masses at the bottom of the pyramid.

Moving the final resolution of the day, BJP’s chief whip and state treasurer Tage Taki said the country’s growth rate has jumped to 7.9 percent, which is a feat not achieved by any other country in the world. The rate was 4.2 during the nonCongress led UPA-II regime.

Taki also spoke about some economic measures, especially about FDI, social growth and welfare measures taken by the government and expressed satisfaction over their implementation.

Earlier, city unit president Tarh Soping welcomed the delegates from across the state in the morning. After that, rich floral tributes were paid by party leaders and workers alike, to its founding leader, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee on his 63rd death anniversary.

Speaking on Dr Mukherjee, Gao said, “Founding father of our party, Mukherjee’s

contribution to national unity and integrity had gone unrecorded, unrecognized for far too long but time has come that we all must salute to visionary leader who laid his life for country’s unity and in fighting Do Vidhan (two Constitutions), Do Pradhan (two Prime Ministers), Do Nishaan (two flags)”.

After assumption of leadership mantle by Gao, there has been a huge surge for BJP in the state. During the executive meeting, several senior politicians were welcomed into party fold by Gao and Taga. Prominently, former minister C C Singpho, former minister Tater Kipa, former MLA Ngurang Pinch and labour union leader Jalley Sonam formally joined the party.

Welcoming the political leaders into the party, Gao said, “BJP is a cadre based party where leaders and workers have equal say in the party matter. It is ideologically driven unlike some other political party”. He exudes hope that joining of these leaders would boost up the party base in far flung areas.

E-Office suite to be functional from August 15 A Staff Reporter Itanagar, June 23 : Taking further the e-Governance initiative in the State, the Govt of Arunachal Pradesh is all set to go paperless. This decision was taken during a high level meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary, Smti Shakuntala Gamlin which was attended by Principal Secy (Home and Personnel), Secy (IT), Secy (Planning), Director (IT) and Rachna Srivastava, Sr. Technical Director, NIC from New Delhi at Itanagar on 23rd June 2016.

The team from NIC, Delhi made a detailed presentation of the “e-Office Suite”- a successful government office solution developed by NIC, Govt of India. The application in addition to the file management system also has provision for Knowledge Management System (KMS), e-Leave, e-Tour, e-Service book, Information Management System (PIMS) and Collaboration and Messaging Services (CAMS).

The main highlights of this application is that all Govt

files will be processed and decisions taken electronically by using digital signatures by all decision makers.

File tracking system will ensure speedy decision making and transparency in decisions will be ensured.

It was decided that by 15th August 2016, the e-Office suite will be made functional in the State Civil Secretariat after which there will be no manual movement of file. A Project Steering Committee and a Project Implementation Committee will be set up to ensure that the project is implemented on time. A comprehensive training module will be put in place to train all users of this application. Digitization of legacy data will be undertaken to ensure continuity.

It may be recalled that Chief Secretary recently had a detailed meeting with Secretary, DEITY and Director General, NIC to push for the development of IT in the State. This initiative is one of the outcomes of that successful meeting.

PATHETIC INDEED!

for driving purposes but also for becoming a member of the disciplined civil society.

Enforcement Inspector , Tapadar also explained in details about the new computerized method of obtaining a driving license from the authority only after attaining the age of 18 years.

Earlier President of Crystal Vision Mayukh Goswami explained the objectives of the program and appreciated the initiative of the District Legal Service Authority of Darrang for promoting such programmes.

which keeps mind and body strong and Active.

A yoga demonstration and drama was also performed by school students. Honourable Guruji Himadri Purukayastha who was present as the Chief Guest said that yoga is a science and hence is a day to day activity which makes one mind and body fresh.

in sector specific initiatives.

However, Mayuri Bhattacharya a resident of Tezpur Kolibari selected as one of 450 Global Shapers community at this important gathering had her schooling at the local St. Joseph convent school here.

She did her higher secondary from Darrang College here and then moved to Kolkatta University and alongside did a PG diploma in mass communication from Jadavpur University and started her career as an assistant editor of two trade magazines at Fairfest, India, where she also doubled as as event manager. She joined a sanitation NGO in February 2015 and is presently it’s consultant. She is the facilitator of Loo Watch, a social group which acts as a sanitation watchdog and in the process of installing free toilets in various parts of Bengal on purely non-profit basis.

Kingpin of double gutti arrested in Dibrugarh

2nd International Yoga Day held at Margherita ET Correspondent Margherita, June 23: The 2nd International Day of yoga was celebrated at India Club of Margherita on 21 June which was organised by Yog Vidya Pirtham NGO of Margherita.

The programme begins with the lightning of lamp by Honourable Guruji Himadri Purukayastha along with Omkar Jap and Praying. After that invited guest were felicitated with Assamese Phoolam Gamosha.

A Staff Reporter Itanagar, June 23: Under the leadership of state BJP president Tapir Gao, the state BJP held its second executive meeting today which coincided with the death anniversary of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee.

During the daylong executive session, three important resolutions passed at the national executive meeting at Allahabad were unanimously passed in the session.

First resolution on “BJP is the party of present and future of Bharat” was moved by former MLA and former president Tapen Siga, who said that the BJP is the single largest political party with more than 11 crore members and main political rival congress has been reduced to dust. “We are marching towards Congress Mukt Baharat”, said Siga while adding that every karyakarta must re-dedicate themselves.

While moving the second resolution on “two years achievement of the BJP-led NDA Government”, BJP legislature party leader Tamiyo Taga highlighted the key theme, “Sab Ka Sath, Sab Ka Vikas”,

ET Correspondent Mangaldai, June 23: Concern over growing instances of road mishaps particularly bike accidents along the stretch of the NH 15 in Darrang district and loss of some young lives in recent time and as a part of effort to check such accidents in near future a motivation programme on rules of road for students has been conducted at Ranjit Sharma Academy Junior College here today.

The day long motivation campaign organized by District Legal Service Authority of Darrang in association with premier non government voluntary organization Crystal

was addressed by Enforcement Inspector of District Transport Authority Sahabuddin Tapadar and Assistant Sub Inspector of Police (Traffic) Gokul Deka of Mangaldai Police Station as the resource persons .In their speech they dwelt at length on the need and importance of traffic rules only for interest of the precious human lives.

Expressing concern over the recent trend witnessed among the younger generation in defying the traffic rules and to drive two wheelers or four wheelers in excessive speed that too without valid driving license and registration certificate both of them made an earnest appeal to obey the traffic rules not only

Besides students of Ranjit Sharma Academy one of the leading academic institution in the private sector of the district , its director Girin Sharma , teaching faculties, Enforcement Inspector Om Prakash Upadhyaya and office bearers of Crystal Vision including its Vice President Advocate Lutfur Rahman ,Secretary Manabendra Barua, and Publicity Secretary Shekhar Mazumadar also attended the program among others. Booklets , pamphlets containing information regarding rules of road and traffic signals were also distributed among participants free of cost.

Pathetic condition of Subachani Road, Tinsukia has made life hell for the denizens of the area. People are expecting some steps from the new state govt. which is harping upon ‘change’. The road is one of the busiest and leads to important places like Civil Hospital, Income Tax office, Schools, Chalihanagar, Bordoloinagar residential area. Pic - Sidharth Singh

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, JUNE 24

PAGE 3

Extend ‘Pre-recruitment Training’ to all the Directorate of Field Publicity conducts Special Districts of the State says Governor to Army Outreach Programme (SOP) programme at Diyun A Staff Reporter Itanagar, June 23: Major General Vikal Sahni, General Officer Commanding, 56 Infantry Division, Likabali called on the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh JP Rajkhowa at Raj Bhavan, Itanagar on 23rd June 2016.

The GOC briefed the Governor on the follow up action taken of the Army Commander’s meeting with the Governor which was held on 19th May at Raj Bhavan, informed in a press release issued from the administration.

The Governor commended the Indian Army for the prompt response and expressed hope that generous initiative from the Army will instill sense of security amongst the local people.

With cordial relationship, the local villagers can act as force multipliers for the regular Army units, and significantly enhance their Border Guarding potential.

The Governor advised the Army to coordinate with the District Administration and with Goan Burahs of border villages for conducting any multifaceted civic action works for the benefit of rural population at Village

Arunachal Governor J.P. Rajkhowa during his discussion with top army officers. level.

2015.

Expressing his appreciation for special consideration for local youth in Army Recruitment procedure, the Governor advised that the Army must extend ‘Pre-recruitment Training’ to all the Districts of the State.

The Governor, on behalf of people of the State conveyed in person sincere condolence to the GOC on the demise of Lt. Col. Pankaj Chauhan in a road accident.

Lt Col. Chauhan of 218 Medium Regiment was stationed at Likabali, West Siang District under 56 Infantry Division.

Concerned about the safety and security of the people of the State, which has 1680 km of International border and disturbed by cases of spill over militancy, the Governor said that for better coordination at highest level, he is going to convene a high-level Security Review Meeting very soon. It may be mentioned that last Security Review Meeting was conducted on 1st July

Tirap new ZPC assumes office

ET Correspondent Khonsa, June 23 : ZPM, KhelaLamsa, Ms. Sontug Bangsia assumed her office and assignment as Zilla Parishad Chairman today the 23rd June'2016. Earlier motion of No Confidence was moved by 3 (Three) PPA ZPMs against the sitting ZPC Sri Chawang Lowang, 15-Tirap Zilla Parishad.

Accordingly, the hearing of the motion was held on 22nd June 2016 by the Member Secretary at his office where 5 (Five) ZPMs out of 7 (seven) including Independent ZPMs were present. The Members unanimously selected Smti Sontung Bangsia, unopposed as the Zilla Chairperson of 15- Tirap

Zilla Parishad.

The previous motion of No Confidence against Shri Chawang Lowang was challenged in the Hon'ble Gauhati High Court, Itanagar permanent Bench. The Hon'ble High Court had issued a stay order stating that the notice issued by the Member Secretary is in violation of section 63(1) with a liberty to move the motion of No Confidence afresh.

Accordingly, Smti Sontung Bangsia, Zilla Parishad Member 005-Khela-Lamsa was declared elected as Chairperson of 15- Tirap Zilla Parishad.

Earlier, the GOC informed that orders have been issued to various Army formations in the State of Arunachal Pradesh to conduct medical camps, providing study materials to the local children and ration items to people, where it is required in the border areas under Operation Samaritan. He said that

focus in on interior and less developed areas of the border belt.

On the special height and chest considerations for indigenous communities during the Army recruitments, the GOC informed that issue has been taken up.

He added that the Army formations have conducted special recruitment rallies in Daporijo and Likabali and 75 boys have been recruited. Pre-recruitment trainings are provided where local boys are groomed so that they can join the Indian Army.

The GOC also briefed on other issues taken up in the 19th May 2016 at Raj Bhavan.

AACWA urges Nodal officers to implement 1% EMD of govt. notification in all concern authorities A Staff Reporter Itanagar, June 23: The All Arunachal Contractor’s Welfare Association (AACWA) of Itanagar directed all various Nodal office cum- tendering authorities under Department of Power (Electrical) for ensuring schemes under Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DUGJY) which is not being implemented even after government notification for the benefits and interest of tribal contractors of the state in adopting 1% Earnest Money Deposit (EMD).

This was stated in a press release issued by the AACWA. AACWA has urged all the

concerned authorities of various Nodal officer cumSuperintending Engineer (SE) to comply with govt. notification and adopt 1% Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) in all packages, the release stated.

forts of their home. The camp subjected the children to adventure activities like rock climbing, stream crossing and paint ball gun firing.

While enhancement of education was ensured in tutoring children in first aid and medical emergencies, the physical prowess of children was tested in yoga, martial arts, horse riding, trekking, tug of war and other sports activities.

The culinary skills of children were tried in cooking without fire and crew cooking. The mental power of the children was assessed in

quiz, debate and extempore competition. The closing ceremony and camp fire was graced by the distinguished presence of Maj Gen Ananta Bhuyan,SM Gen officer Commanding, (GOC) Dao division, Mrs Barnali Bhuyan, President AWWA Dao Division, senior civil dignitories including MLA Dr. Mahesh Chai and Lohit Deputy Commissioner Mr Danish Ashraf and other prominent citizens. The prizes in various events were given away by the President AWWA Dao division. The fusion of cultures was expe-

Narendra Modi was completed two years on 26th may’ last.

Speaking as chief guest during the programme Provawati Deori, Chairperson Diyun Anchal Block appealed to the gathering that the programme organized by DFP is for the rural people and you should have awareness about the various schemes as well as gets benefit from the schemes. She also requested authority of various flagship schemes that whenever people come over them asking about various scheme they should briefed them po-

rienced while local children of Lohitpur and campers of origin all over India gave out cultural programmes and enthralled the entire audience.

Senior military and civil dignitaries interacted with all children and shared their experiences in the backdrop of camp fire. In his closing address, the GOC Dao division appreciated the efforts put in by all campers over the course of the camp and the cultural evening. He emphasized upon national integration and unity in diversity.

litely.

Speaking about the social security schemes Mridul Hazarika, Branch Manager, SBI Diyun elaborated the gathering about PMJDY, PMJJBY, PMJSY, APY, Sukanya Samridhi Yojana etc.

Dr. M. K. Thakuria, Medical Officer, CHC Diyun briefly informed to the people present during the programme about Mission Indradhanush and also described about JSSK and JSY. N. Singh, JE RWD Diyun informed about PPMGSY and PMAY and Osup Tayeng, Su-

pervisor, ICDS Diyun briefed the gathering about Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme.

Hiteswar Deori, HGB SompoiII, Mihir Kumar Jha, FPO, Tezu and SK Deori, FPO, Nampong also spoke during the programme.

About 500 people including PRI members, officers, youths, villagers etc. participated in the programme. Artists from Song & Drama Division, Guwahati entertained the participants through song, dance and theme based drama to mark the daylong event.

NACWS in collaboration with NES to hold Nyishi Idol from June 25 A Staff Reporter Itanagar, June 23: With district auditions for Nyishi Idol slated to begin from June 25 next, the Nyishi Art & Culture Welfare Society (NACWS) informed that it is all set to host the fifth edition of the singing competition, in collaboration with the Nyishi Elite Society (NES).

Addressing a press conference today at the press club, organizing chairman of the event, Asok Sonam informed that the judges will select a maximum of 10 contestants from each district, who will then battle it out at the state-level mega audition on July 3 next to qualify for the elimination round.

Sonam also said that those who have won the district idol competitions held under their respective district banners would

be granted direct entry into the elimination round, while first runners-up of those competitions will get a place to compete in the mega audition in Itanagar.

Saying that it is an endeavor to help seek out hidden singing talents of the Nyishi community, Sonam called on everyone to support the event.

Further, NACWS chairman Bengia Tabb informed that the contestants will also be judged on their personality this time around. Apart from Nyishi judges, the judges’ panel will largely consist of experts from outside the community to give decisions without any bias.

The district auditions will be held in seven districts that have a large population of Nyishis and also at Chardwar area in Assam.

Lohit joined IYD for healthy body & Mind

“We would like to urge your good office to kindly instruct necessary order to various concerned authorities for comply with govt. order for the interest of local contractors else we shall be compel to lodge complaint against particular officers as per violation of govt. notification which may adversely affect the officers concerned”, said AACWA.

Indian army's esteemed Dao Division organised Hornbill Children summer adventure camp concludes

ET Bureau Tinsukia, June 23: Indian army's esteemed Dao Division organised Hornbill Children summer adventure camp concluded successfully at Tezu in Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh recently.

The camp was attended by 30 campers from all over Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The camp activities were handcrafted to inculcate the spirit of adventure, camaraderie, espirit de corps and overall personality development to bring out the best in children of the age group of 9-18 yrs away from the com-

ET Correspondent Diyun, June 23: Directorate of Field Publicity (DFP), Govt. of India, Ministry of I & B, Nampong unit yesterday organized a Special Outreach Programme (SOP) at Sompoi village under Diyun circle of Changlang District of Arunachal Pradesh. The main objective of the programme was to inform the people about the schemes launched by the present NDA govt. during last two years, it is learnt that the present Central Government under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister

Films, Nirjuli and Audio Craft.

The title winner will receive cash prize of Rs 3 lakhs, while the first and second runners-up will receive Rs 1.5 lakhs and Rs 1 lakh respectively. The top three will also receive an audio album contract with NEFA

Arunachal Chief Minister Kalikho Pul calls upon North East Democratic Alliance to reach beyond its political mandate Contd. from Page 1

Bishnu Rana Tezu, June 23: Joining with rest of the world, Lohit observed the International Yoga day 21 June at Amik Ringya Cultural hall. In the morning a mass rally was carried out with a shouting slogan of ‘Bano Yogi Raho Nirogi’ throughout the Tezu township where several organizations were participated including Patanjali Yogapith Lohit unit, VKV Students, All Mishmi Women Welfare Association (AMWWA), Gaonburas, Arun Jyoti kaivalyadhama, other school students from the township, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Christian Etc also involved to mark the day.

During Yoga of various postures, Danish Ashraf DC, S Manyu DFO, Dr S Chai DMO, HoDs and student performed several types of stretches. In his message he said that ‘Yoga’

is the ancient part of healing in India which is practices as to make calm both mind and body through the mental and physical exercise. “The physical exercise give relaxation only for the short time, but the mental exercise is the core part of the body, and if a man is mentally healthy then he or she would get rid of 80 % percent of the disease”, the DC tells Over hundreds of participated were also seen doing various Asanas. The entire Township and other peripheral schools also participated in the IYD. Meanwhile, at 32 Mile 25th BN ITBP also took part in the IYD where hundreds of ITBP officials and soldiers were seen performing various Asans as demonstrated through power point presentation at Bhismak Hall. They were uniformly clad in white T - shirt with Logo and blue track pants.

Although there is no age bar for the competition, to qualify, the contestants will have to be from the Nyishi community and sing in Nyishi as well as Hindi.

For this, he stressed that it was essential that the BJP-spearheaded NEDA must offer 3 clear alternatives- a respect for federalism, access to party leaders and quick decision-making.

Outlining how, in the earlier Congress governments, Chief Ministers of States would need to wait for days for an appointment with a Central leader or Minister, he compared that to the scenario today when there was an ease of access, with Central Ministers and high level central Govt officials visiting the region regularly.

Initiating a discussion on the development scenario and the gradual decline in the resource allocation into the Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) for the Ministry of Development of the North East Region (DONER) and the North Eastern Council (NEC), Pul proposed that an appeal be made to the Prime Minister to make budgetary provisions for the 10% of funds to be deposited directly with the Ministry of DONER. The forum endorsed his proposal and consequently submitted a joint memorandum to the Prime Minister, which also asked for greater autonomy and resource allocation to the NEC, through the BJP National General Secretary Ram Madhav. He assured the house that the matter would be taken up and the necessary directives issued at the earliest.

The petition, signed by all the leaders of the NEDA stated that at a time when the fund allocations

to the Ministry of DONER and the NEC should have increased with corresponding rise in cost index, it is ironic that it has stagnated for the last 6-7 years. This has greatly impacted the rate of growth of the infrastructure and economies of the northeastern states. Sanctioned and ongoing projects are lying incomplete and retained projects are yet to take off due to the paucity of funds.

It called for greater empowerment of the Ministry of DONER and the NEC to serve as an effective vehicle for transferring resources and capacities to the northeastern states.

The forum also deliberated on the significance of the NEDA in relation to the Act East Policy thrust of the Prime Minister and emphasized that a platform like NEDA would be key to its success.

Since the Policy looks at creating a corridor of commerce, trade and culture through the northeast and into the larger South East-Asian regions, it will be critical that all the States in the region think and act as one. Surrounded as it is by 5 countries, the role of the NEDA is consolidating thoughts and action could be vital.

"The strategic importance of the states in this region, whether as a buffer to the claims on our territory

by China or as a corridor to the economies and markets of South East Asian nations as part of the Act East Policy, need hardly be underlined. And therefore, the role of the NEDA in converging aspirations and action would well prove to be a game-changer", Pul said.

International Yoga Day observed at Jairampur

Engineering ability of power department of Bordumsa is under question Contd. from Page 1 the service was not restored.

"Whenever any query is made they say the power failure is due to technical failure", Umbu said.

Meanwhile, Gumshowng Singpho, another affected resi-

dent of the said village told journalists that the engineers, experts and workers of the local department have failed so far to detect the faults till the filling of the report. "They have assured us to call experts from Kharsang to find the error and repair the same within a short period of time",

Singpho said.

What is irony here is the delay in responding the cries of the people even after receiving complain 3 days ago, if it was a technical error beyond the reach of the local JE, why did the department not hire the experts from the divisional office at once? Does this not indicate

the stereo-type and lethargically functioning of the one of the most essential and vital service sectors of Kalikho Pul Government which has been giving tremendous importance to ensure the people across the state receives prompt and quality services with zero tolerance on deviation.

ET Correspondent Jairampur,June 23: International Yoga Day, 2016 was celebrated at Jairampur Headquater on 21st June, 2016. It was organised at Durga Mandir, Jairampur association with Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya, Jairampur. The

theme was “Yoga is not a religion; it is a way of living with the Aim, is ‘Healthy mind in a Healthy body’ ”. The chief guest was Shri Tusham Longri, ZPM Jairampur attended the program. The principle of VKV, Jairampur highlighted the importance of

yoga in our daily life. He gives us the knowledge of yoga and the benefits of yoga. There a large numbers of people gathered at Durga Mandir including Government officers, PRI members, Public leaders, teachers and students. They all were participated with

great enthusiasm in the yoga ashnas demonstration by the yoga teacher from VKV, Jairampur.

The brief yoga session with lots of knowledge ended with a thanking speech by Shri Kento Riba,ADC,Jairampur.

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, JUNE 24

PAGE 4

Sonowal asks BDOs to prepare list of poor persons in consultations with local MLAs A Staff Reporter Guwahati, June 23: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal asked the Block Development Officers prepare a list of poor persons in consultations with the local MLAs and submit the list within 15 days to the Panchayat & Rural Development Department. At a high level review meeting with Chief Executive Officers, Project Directors and Block Development Officers at Silpagram in Guwahati today, Chief Minister Sonowal asked the officials to transform the office of every BDO as a model office. “Our Government wants to make every development block as a model office so that poor persons get proper treatment and need not have to face harassment in getting their work done,” he said.

sure that a poor person has a hassle-free experience while filing any complaint.

You have to dispose of his application within a day.

Make sure that he does not have to come for the same work the next time,” he said.

The Chief Minister directed the BDOs to put up complaint box at their respective offices and to dispose of the complaints without any further delay. Sonowal instructed the officials to put up big hoardings in the panchayat and block development offices on the status of activities ‘to weed out corruption with screaming slogan: Giving bribe is a punishable offence, so also taking bribe is equally a punishable offence’ within a week. In this connection, Sonowal said he would seek a report from the Chief Secretary.

Sonowal said that the BDOs have to ensure that no poor person encounters any sort of problem in course of filing of any complaint or grievances. “You must en-

Expressing concern over the delay in construction of two lakh house under Pradhan Mnatri Grameen Awas Yojana across the State, Sonowal asked the

BDOs to complete the task expeditiously within the next two month. The Chief Minister warned of stern action if the target is not met by the respective BDOs. He also asked the officials to enlist the approved proposals of gaon sabha in the register book. “It must be recorded in the register book that the schemes have been formulated in deference to the wishes of the people,” he added. Underscoring the need for strengthening the monitoring mechanism pertaining to issuance of job card, Chief Minister Sonowal said, “A proper mechanism has to be in place for selection of job card beneficiaries by ensuring transparency and accountability and creating awareness in a big way.”

Emphasising on toning of style of functioning, Sonowal asked the BDOs to come up with a factsheet on the exact number of bank accounts opened under JanDhan Yojana and total number of beneficiaries under

Husband awarded life imprisonment

by Darrang Fast Track Court ET Correspondent Mangaldai, June 23 : The Court of Additional Sessions Judge, Fast Track Court ,Darrang Thaneswar Kalita vide a judgment passed today in connection with Sessions case No. 200(DM) 2015 has awarded rigorous life imprisonment to an accused namely Babul Sarkar (26) a carpenter by profession of Mowamari village under

Mangaldai Police Station for killing of his wife Puspa Sarkar in August, 2015. According to the case record, the accused convict Babul Sarkar on the evening of 3rd August had killed his wife and falsely informed his father in law that she was found missing. Surprisingly the accused also took an amount of Rs. 500.00 from his father in law. However on the next morning the

the time of disaster on Thursday.

These guidelines are illustrative and decisions maybe taken by the camp authorities as per demand of the situation, within the larger framework of the guiding principles incorporated in the manual, said DC Baruah.

A holistic and integrated approach will be provided to the people at the camps. As per the guidelines on receipt of the report from the revenue officials, the DC or the SDO (C) will order to set up a relief camp in an existing built up accommodation like community hall etc avoiding education institutions as far as possible, which may be located ideally and safe.

The Deputy Commissioner also spoke about the basic amenities that may be provided during setting up of tent such as neat, sufficient warmth, fresh air, security and privacy for health and well being. At least one responsible officer preferably ADC, SDO or CO to be designated, one assistant camp officer for proper camp management and all line departments such as PWD (B), PHE, Health, ASEB etc.

Basic facilities like lighting arrangement and generator set, water facilities, sanitation, food storage and distribution, clothing, medical facilities and physic social support, vermin control and security to be made available at the camps.

Media on daily basis is to be provided basic information of the camp by the DIPRO as briefed by the DC or the SDO said DC Baruah. Entertainment, recreation and IEC programme is also to be taken care at the relief camp according to the guidelines stated, for a meaningful involvement of the inhabitants at the camps.

The press meet was attended by a number of media persons including print and electronic media. The Deputy Commissioner briefed about all the arrangement to be made by District and Sub-divisional administration and to cope with the natural calamities specially earthquake and landslide in Dima Hasao .

Stressing the media to create wide publicity among the people, DC Baruah at length described about the guidelines as given by the government during setting up of relief camp in case of disasters.

Lakhimpur AASU felicitates meritorious student of the District ET Correspondent Lakhimpur, June 23: The Lakhimpur District body of All Assam Student Union today gave warm felicitation to the students who passed the High School Leaving Certificate Exam and the Higher Secondary Final Examination this year.

On this occasion the organisation organised a program in befitting manner in the District Library Auditorium at 11am. It was chaired by Sanjeev Konwar, the District President of the organisation.

General Secretary Pulak Borah elaborated the purpose of the program while Madhurjya Saikia and Dhanmoni Dutta delivered the welcome speech on behalf of the District and North Lakhimpur Regional Committee respectively.

The meeting was inaugurated by Krishna Das, the Chief Organising Secretary of the organisation. Professor of Guwahati University Jogen Chandra Kalita, General Secretary of ASSU Lurin Jyoti Gogoi participated in the program as Chief Guests while DC-incharge of Lakhimpur Dibakar

tion of the people in the days ahead. On the allegation levelled by local MLA that a private gym has been set up with funds from Government of India at Jagiroad, Chief Minister Sonowal asked the concerned BDO to inquire into it and to submit a report to him. In this context, the Chief Minister asked the BDOs to take into account any complaints lodged by MLAs to do away with anomalies and irregularities.

Minister for Panchayat & Rural Development Naba Kumar Doley said that the officials have to take the people into confidence while executing any schemes. The meeting was attended, among others, by Deputy Speaker of Assam Legislative Assembly Dilip Paul, Minister for PWD, Parimal Suklabaidya, Chief Secretary, VK Pipersenia, Additional Chief Secretary, VB Pyarelal, Commissioner and Secretary, KK Dwivedi and Commissioner & Secretary to CM, Sanjay Lohia.

Tinsukia police conducts massive crackdown on tobacco

dead body of the ill fated housewife Puspa Sarkar was found lying in river Bega.

The judgment also awarded a fine of Rs. 5000.00 and in default rigorous imprisonment for another period of three months. Additional Public Prosecutor Abdul Rajek appeared for the state while Advocate Satyendra Nath Basak pleaded for the accused convict.

Special arrangement for women and children in case of any disaster ET Correspondent Haflong, June 23 : Special arrangements are to be made at the relief camps in the context of human vulnerability such as women, children, physically challenged and elderly persons who are considered weaker and vulnerable segment during such occurrences. According to the guidelines female gynaecologist and obstetrician should be made available at hand for maternity and child related health concern. There should be safety and security of women and children vigilance committees, women police officers stationed within camps to record and redress any women complaints, security measures to ensure prevention of women, children and girls abduction, proper accessibility of food and other relief aid, for emotional support and ensure women's needs are attended, proper hygiene and women's special needs such as sanitary pads, white cloths and towels for sanitation are arranged, disclosed Amarendra Baruah Deputy Commissioner Dima Hasao while briefing media about the guidelines for relief camps that may be set up in the district and sub division at

Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, Fasal Bima Yojana, Startup, Stand-up, Mudra Yojana et al within the next two months. Sonowal asked the officials to go to the villages and doorsteps of the people to ‘build a close rapport with the people’. He announced that officials doing a good job will be awarded at a public function every year. Even such officials will be given promotion, he added.

The Chief Minister also called upon the BDOs to conduct an in-depth survey as to whether the schemes have actually benefited the people.

Sonowal said that the State can prosper and flourish only if the rural areas development. “Our Government will take along the rural populace in the process of development and make them an integral part of the development schemes,” he added. The Chief Minister exuded confidence that the Government would be able to surmount the obstacles with the help and coopera-

Doley, SP Bibek Raj Singh attended as the Guests of Honour and delivered inspiring lectures.

Cultural Secretary Jagadish Dutta, Executive Members Udipta Gogoi, Deepak Chamuah were also present in the program.

The rank holders, Distinction and Star mark achievers in HSLC and HS Exams from the district were felicitated in the program conferring them a Certificate of Merit, a memento, cash money in order to buy text books. The event was anchored by Prashanta Dutta, Jadumoni Baruah and Pranashree Borah.

BPL widows given away income generating and CIC sheets at Kokrajhar

ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, June 23: Altogether 35 BPL widows of greater Karigaon area were given away income generating livestock cow and CIC sheet with coinciding celebration of International Widow Day at Moslapara village in Kokrajhar district on Thursday.

The day was celebrated

by Believers Church Bongaigaon Diocese, which has been come out to help the poor widows live in Moslapara, Jitpur, Haldibari and No. 2 Bashbari extremely north of Karigaon. Twelve widows was given away oneeach income generating livestock cow while 23 windows was given away four bundle each CIC sheet at a ceremonial dis-

tribution programme to mark the celebration.

Madhav Prasad Sarma, Kokrajhar DC graced as chief guest and distributed the materials among the beneficiaries. Sarma, in his speech appreciated the initiative taken from Believers Church to facilitate income generating and to erect houses in rural areas.

“It is an appreciated venture initiated from church to extend help in income generating by giving cow and CIC sheet to erect houses among rural widows in the area. This kind of facility providing among society would be benefitted to gain social integration and social development”, Sarma said.

Rev. Fr. Ajay Tulsiary, vicar general, Bongaigaon said that this is an initiative to facilitate poor widows, who are living under risk of starving in the rural areas. The church was working for the uplift of social unity and development in the region.

‘The church distributed cow and CIC sheets among widows at Moslapara area who are far worse than the normal women. We have been celebrating the day with honouring of widows in the region”, he added.

Umarani Basumatary, social worker, Kanan Basumatary, principal Debargaon HS School were also present on the occasion.

Govt. schools in 7 districts of Arunachal in dilapidated condition A Staff Reporter Itanagar, June 23 : In a letter to

Spl Correspondent Tinsukia, June 23 : In a major crackdown by Tinsukia police against tobacco and tobacco products business in Tinsukia, a joint team of Hijuguri police and RPF have seized 120 bags of tobacco leaves from new Tinsukia railway station. However the details of sender and consignee is mysterious.

Superintendent of Tinsukia police Mugdha Jyoti Mahanta said, relentless operations against tobacco sellers is in full swing in Tinsukia district including town. Till now we have seized 4 cartoons of Gutka, Zarda (Tulsi), 10 cartoons of Shikhar and 137 bags of tobacco leaves from new Tinsukia railway station, Chirwapatty and Bura bazar area of town and Margherita.

Altogether five persons, four from Tinsukia and one from Margherita has been detained, added SP and said, a case has been registered against the accused and legal action will be taken as per law.

Responding to a question,

Mahanta accepted till now only small fish has come in Tinsukia net but assured that big fishes, who are the kingpin of the business will not be spared. However, powerful they may be, he added.

It may be noted that tobacco is banned in the entire state of Assam. Minsiter Himanta Biswa Sarmah in his last tenure as a minister introduced Assam Health Bill 2014 through which tobacco has been banned and a provision of jail term ranging from 1 to 5 years for people selling, storing and distributing tobacco has been put in place. Some illegal businessman having high reach in police and media have taken advantage of this ban and openly black marketing gutka and zarda (Tulsi) I'm entire Tinsukia district. A pan vendor said, he procures zarda (Tulsi) having an MRP of rupees 5 from a dealer at Rs 6 and hence sells it at Rs 7 to Rs 10. People are eyeing on Tinsukia police, particularly, Superintendent of police to catch the main players.

Child dies due to doctor's negligence ET Correspondent Barpeta, June 23: Today Rekibul Ali (4) son of Rubul Ali of Bhella village in Barpeta district died of fever in Barpeta medical college and hospital due to doctor’s negligence. It may be mentioned that the child Rekibul Ali was admitted to Barpeta Medical College and hospital as he had been suffering from fever.

According to the complaint of the child's parents, they requested the doctors and nurse team again and again to check her child, but they didn’t do that.

When today morning the child's mother cried aloud and became senseless, then only the doctor

and nurse rushed to them. But it was too late and the child breathed his last fighting with death today morning. The parents could not save him only for the doctor's negligence, complaint the child's parents.

The incident of doctor's negligence is not a new thing at Barpeta medical college and hospital at present. It often occurred here in Barpeta. But no steps had been taken against those doctors here. The doctors who are to save the lives became the murderers. Not only the doctors, here had most of the staffs also neglected their duties. As a result the common people have to suffer a lot.

the state chief secretary, AdiSU general secretary Buteng Tayeng informed that the union visited seven districts with large inhabitants from the Adi community, and observed that the government schools in those districts were in dilapidated condition and lacked basic amenities.

Citing mismanagement in school uniforms, the union demanded that bill payments to suppliers of school uniforms be put on halt unless they deliver the correct sizes and proper code of uniforms. It also demanded strict monitoring of Mid Day Meals, or stop wasting money on it.

The union cited the example of Giching Residential School, and informed that the school authority had to reluctantly shut down the school last month after the school ran short of rations.

Highlighting the poor infrastructure of schools in several Adi-inhabited areas of the state, Tayeng said that several government schools in Namsai are functioning without furniture and blackboards, and the students were found sitting on empty cement bags.

It also called for reviewing the Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) scheme, as students have been found to take low or no interest in attending classes, believing that they will pass under the CCE scheme.

Besides calling for reviewing the current teacherstudent ratio, the union also demanded that teachers be posted in all schools accordingly to remote areas.

In another representation to

Price of essential commodities like potato rises in Dibrugarh market Contd. from Page 1

The constant price rise has hammered the middle class families and they are thinking that why they have voted the BJP into power in Assam. The price of the potato is Rs 24 per kg in Dibrugarh market.

A vegetable vendor at New Market, here said that

the potatoes come from Agra and the transportation cost is higher because of that and they have to fetch at Rs 24 per kg. He said that if the same potato come from Bengal then the price will be less then Agra price.

The wholesale rate is at Rs 2000 per quintal. "The cause for increasing of the price of the potato is due to the waste potato", the

vendor said. However, another source said that the prices have risen only due to illegal syndicating by some unscrupulous elements.

The administration, food and civil supplies, police all will have to make a joint and coordinated effort to evict syndicating and control prices of essential commodities like potato.

the chief secretary, the AdiSU demanded constituting a high level inquiry committee to assess the quality of work in Government Degree College, Geku in Upper Siang district.

It alleged that the executing agency headed by Yingkiong PHED Executive Engineer M Dupak is applying low grade material in its construction of the college.

The materials under use are reportedly below the prescribed norms of the CPWD, with sand gravel being used in place of broken-down stones. The ceiling, which is supposed to be of cement, has been made of plywood, while the main beams of the residential complex for more than 15 quarters were erected using 10mm iron bars, which was not suitable for hilly regions, especially during earthquakes.

Meanwhile, the West Siang district unit of Adi Student’s Union (AdiSU) also demanded magisterial inquiry into the alleged poor implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNEREGA) scheme under CD Block, Monigong.

Speaking to reporters, district unit general secretary Tajer tapir today informed that there have been several complaints regarding misappropriation of the MGNEREGA scheme, for which, a written complaint was also submitted to deputy commissioner of West Siang on May 30 last. However, they are yet to receive any response from the DC’s office.

Allegedly, the DC cum DPC of MGNEREGA DRDA issued 11 sanction orders on January 8 this year, amounting to Rs 21, 27, 023 for the financial year

2015-16.However, after the public of Monigong CD Block cried of gross violation of the scheme, the union made field a visit and found that only a small portion of work has been executed.

Also, Tapir alleged that the Monigong BDO and other officials are exploiting the people of the area by not issuing job cards to eligible card holders since 2009-10. On visiting the official website of MGNEREGA, the union found that names of several people from Monigong are listed as ‘eligible workers’, but have not received their job cards.

The BDO has, however, awarded payment in cash at his official residence at Monigong, the union claimed.

Reportedly, the website also has names of several government employees, which violates the established guidelines of the MGNEREGA. Citing that the BDO and other officials have been exploiting the people of Monigong CD Block for several years, the union demanded a magisterial enquiry to unearth the truth within the next 10 days.

Besides allegations of misappropriation of funds, Monigong-Pidi Block EAC cum BDO Gamtum Padu has also been alleged of misconduct and assault on Sukudom Gaon Burrah Tajen Pujen.

The Panchayat members of Monigong had also submitted a representation to the Secretary of Panchayat, demanding immediate transfer of EAC cum BDO Gamtum Padu.

Ulfa (I) extortion racket busted in Tinsukia Contd. from Page 1

Special sources said, army established contact with Kokul through Tutu Moran. With the help of technology they traced his location at Tezpur and arrested him today afternoon. The operation to hunt the remaining two is

still on at the time of filing this news reprint.

Sources in the army said that intelligence agencies has revealed that Ulfa (I) is getting financially weak and youth are weaning away from the outfit due to loss in trust upon the outfit's top brass.

REGION

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, JUNE 24

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Meghalaya CM asks BJP to snap out of euphoria Shillong, Jun 23: Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Wednesday asked the BJP-led Central government to snap out of its election "euphoria" and talk about development.

"No need for the BJP to be in euphoria. Elections happened not only in Assam but in other states too. But one has to look at the vote share of the Congress. It is time for them (BJP) to get out of the euphoria, and talk about development," Sangma told journalists.

The veteran Congress leader was reacting to BJP national spokesman, Nalin S. Kohli who on Tuesday claimed that the Mukul Sangma government would fall under the

"burden of its own power games and contradictions".

"This government is not at the mercy of Kohli or anybody. Unless he makes such statements, (Prime Minister) Modi will sack him," Sangma said.

IPAK banned the sale of different brands of ice creams in the State

Over 100 women hurt in clash with 35 AR on NH-2

Imphal, Jun 23: Indigenous People's Association of Kangleipak (IPAK) has banned sale of different brands of ice creams in the State for flouting food safety norms with immediate effect. IPAK general secretary Wahengbam Shanta said that sale of Delicious Ice Cream and Frosty Punch Ice Cream have been banned.

Delicious Ice Cream was found manufactured in Imphal although people thought that the brand is brought in from other States. He said that there are no proper licensed manufacturer of the brand in the State.

However, many local manufacturers use the cover of this brand to deceive people, he added.

Shanta further said that during an independent investigation conducted

by IPAK, it has come to light that many people manufacture ice creams under this brand using raw materials of their wish in Imphal East and Imphal West districts.

On the other hand, Frosty Punch has been banned for not acquiring the necessary food safety license. He said that this ice cream brand is manufactured by a firm based in Senapati.

Shanta further said that the association has also decided to impose a ban on unbranded icecreams which are being sold by hawkers at different localities. He said that these ice creams are mostly manufactured at the unregulated units which manufacture ice cubes for fish vendors and fish centres. Shanta also announced ban against Rajesh Prasad Ice Factory, Nagaram, Sitaram Ice Factory, Ragailong, Manish Ice Factory, Ragailong, Moirangthem Ice Factory, Konung Mamang, LM Ice Factory, Konung Mamang, Ayeengbi Ice Cream, Minuthong and Rajbari Ice Factory, Purana Rajbari Konung Mamang. Shanta further said that samples of Delicious Ice Cream have been sent to the food testing laboratory.He said that Delicious Choco Bar ice cream is also manufactured in Manipur.

He said that the drive began yesterday and it would continue for a few more days.(Agencies)

Attacking the Central government, Sangma said the railway project in the Northeast inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the result of the initiatives of the previous Congress-led government at the Centre. Similarly, the East-West Corridor Project in Assam was also initiated by the Congress government which has boosted the economy and also resulted in setting up

Kangpokpi, Jun 23: It was around 1.30 this morning, when the 35 Assam Rifles posted at Hengbung in Sadar Hills went on the offensive and injured more than a hundred women agitators in front of their camp, who were demonstrating against the arrest of four PSOs of KNF President at Hengbung yesterday by Assam Rifles.

Around 600 women from different parts of Sadar Hills congregated in front of 35 AR Hengbung post at around 7.30 pm yesterday started protesting while demanding the unconditional release of the four PSOs of KNF President, ST. Thangboi, who is also the chairman of United Peoples' Front, one of the two conglomerate bodies of Kuki UGs. It may be recalled that the two conglomerates of the Kuki UGs, the United Peoples' Front (UPF) and Kuki National Organization (KNO) on June 15, 2016 held the first round of tripartite political talks with the State and Central Government at Ashoka Hotel, New Delhi.

The women agitators armed with sticks collectively raised the slogan, "Release our boys, nothing more nothing less" while engaging in small confrontation with the security personnel sporadically during the protest which lasted for more than 7 hours without any untoward incident.

Sabha constituency to the National People's Party, Sangma said: "We know when to win and when not to win elections," adding that he stood by his earlier statement that the NPP would be buried in 2018.

"I did not find people who can really connect to the ideology of the BJP. They have to tie up with other parties to reach to the people of Meghalaya, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma of showrooms of various big companies now.

"Peoples' memories are short, and they should be reminded again and again.

Look at Assam, what was happening 15 years ago, and after the Congress

However, a few minutes of retaliation from the Assam Rifles personnel injured scores of women and more than 47 women had to be hospitalized at different hospitals at Kangpokpi and Imphal.

The 35 Assam Rifles personnel including the post commander, Maj Gulati retaliated swiftly and strongly when someone from amidst the women protestors threw a burning object inside the AR camp.

Most of the women protestors sustained head injuries, hand and leg fracture with bruise marks on their bodies.

The injured 47 women protestors were immediately evacuated to Community Health Centre, Kangpokpi while 4 women were referred to Imphal and another 3 women were referred to KCH, Kangpokpi and Imphal.Meanwhile, Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills and Kuki CSOs Sadar Hills condemned the excesses of the 35 Assam Rifles Hengbung personnel.

The apex traditional bodies of the Kukis and various other Kuki civil bodies of Sadar Hills in a joint press communiquĂŠ said that the 'atrocities and brutality' of the Assam Rifles personnel was nerve-racking and shocked everyone.It also said that top brass officials of UPF/KNF were attending a meeting related with the tripartite political dialogue when the AR personnel led by Maj Gulati apprehended the four PSOs of the

government under the leadership of Tarun Gogoi as Chief Minister. People should see and compare," Sangma said.

Reacting to the Congress' defeat in last month's byeelection to the Tura Lok

KNF president which irritated the Kuki people.

It further said that the "Tripartite Political Dialogue" which began on June 15 at the National capital between UPF/ KNO and the Governments since the signing of tripartite SoO in 2008 is a landmark and significant for the Kuki community and it was well regarded by the Governments as well.

"Insulting any signatory or party of the tripartite political talks of the Kukis is an insult to the Kuki Nation", lamented the Kuki bodies before adding that the Kuki political dialogue is not something a graduate grade Major rank officer in the Indian army should undervalue.

It also said that when tripartite SoO agreement was signed it was clearly indicated in the ground rules that operation on the part of both parties shall cease while adding that an Indian army officer who is not well aware of the ground rules is not capable to be posted in a place where Suspension of Operation is in force.

The Kukis bodies also wondered how a simple Major rank officer attempted to play divide and rule policy among the Kuki community and warned not to repeat such a strategy in future.

The brutality of the 35 AR personnel under the incompetent command of Maj Gulati towards the womenfolk who were

and when election comes, they will have contradictory objectives," he said.

Sangma was optimistic that the Congress would bounce back as it been able to withstand the test of times.

"There was only a brief period that the Congress could not lead the government in Meghalaya," Sangma said. (Agencies)

"No need for the BJP to be in euphoria. Elections happened not only in Assam but in other states too. But one has to look at the vote share of the Congress. It is time for them (BJP) to get out of the euphoria, and talk about development," -Says Sangma

Over 100 women hurt in clash with 35 AR on NH-2

simply armed with small sticks out of irritation over his unlawful attitude to suppress the Constitutional rights of the Kukis obviously indicated his insolence towards women, it added.

Strongly condemning the atrocities meted out to more than hundred peaceful agitators and using abusive language while attacking the frail women, the Kuki bodies said that such unrespectable and mannerless Indian army officer is a shame to the whole Indian army.

While condemning the attitude of the 35 AR Hengbung post commander, the Kuki bodies urged the higher authority to take punitive action against Maj Gulati at the earliest.

In the meantime, Kuki Women Union, Sadar Hills in particular vehemently condemned the brutality and atrocities meted out to the womenfolk while demanding that the culprits be booked and penalised at the earliest.

Considering the Kuki political talks and when four PSOs of KNF president were arrested by the 35 Assam Rifles led by

Maj Gulati, hundreds of Sadar Hills women approached the 35 AR Hengbung post and held a peaceful protest, it said.

However, the 35 AR personnel victimized more than a hundred women while 47 critically wounded women were admitted at CHC, Kangpokpi and KCH, Kangpokpi, 7 grievously wounded women were referred to Imphal, the women union said and added that this underlines the inhumane act of the Assam Rifles.

Showing discontentment over the alleged brutality of the 35 AR personnel, the Kuki bodies imposed a flash highway bandh from 8 this morning till 5 this evening along Imphal-Dimapur road.All business establishments, educational institutions, Govt offices were closed for the day while traffic flow along the highway was also halted. The Kuki bodies also warned that if the culprits involved in victimizing hundreds of Sadar Hills women are not penalised as demanded, they will be compelled to launch more vigorous form of agitation in the near future.(Agencies)

IPFT protesters block NH, demand separate state Wednesday blocked the Assam-Agartala National Highway at Khamtingbari in Baramura hill range to press for their demand of a separate state.

The Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT), a tribal based party on Wednesday blocked the Assam-Agartala National Highway at Khamtingbari Agartala, Jun 23: The Indigenous People's

Front of Tripura (IPFT), a tribal based party on

Superintendent of Police, West Tripura district, Abhijit Saptarshi said around 10,000 protesters blocked the highway from morning to press for their demand, which paralysed vehicular movement.

The blockade would continue till thursday morning.

A large contingent of police and paramilitary forces have been deployed there to avert any untoward incident,

Saptarshi said.

IPFT has been demanding a separate state by carving out the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) constituting two third of the state's territory.

The tribal council is the home to the tribals who form one third of the 37 lakh population of the state.

Almost all major political parties have rejected the demand on the plea saying it was divisive and geographically impossible because it would divide the entire state.

Earlier the ruling Left Front, the Opposition Congress and Trinamool Congress and the state unit of BJP have also discarded the demand.(Agencies)

" IPFT has been demanding a separate state by carving out the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) constituting two third of the state's territory."

Ex-PREPAK chairman, driver found killed inside 7 MR complex

Ex-PREPAK chairman, driver found killed inside 7 MR complex Imphal, Jun 23: Bullet riddled bodies of N i n g o m b a m Nabachandra alias Nongdrenkhomba, who had surrendered as the chairman of banned PREPAK outfit, and his driver were found today inside the quarters of 7 MR complex located at Khabeisoi.

Reports culled from the spot said that the bodies were found today around 10.30 am when the wife of Nabachandra, Indira, went inside their room after he reportedly failed to pick phone calls since last night. IGP Clay Khongsai and a team of Imphal East district police rushed to the spot on learning the information.

A team of Manipur Police Forensic Science Laboratory probed the incident.

Local source suspected that the two might have been shot last night when a religious festival was performed within the 7 MR campus.

N i n g o m b a m Nabachandra (58) hailed from Thangmeiband Lourung Purel while his driver Leishangthem Sanjit (41) was from Thangmeiband Hijam Dewan Leikai. The body of Nabachandra was found in the bed room of Type 2 quarter No 3 while the body of his driver was found in the kitchen. Bullet injury was found at the right

side of Nabachandra's head while bullet marks were found at the chin and chest of his driver Sanjit.

Nabachandra was staying in the quarters along with one Potshangbam London alias Chingkhei (48) of Takyel Khongbal, the former finance secretary of PREPAK, who surrendered along with him.

London left the quarters on June 20 for a pujah of his child. Nabachandra is survived by his wife and two daughters.

It may be mentioned that Nabachandra and London surrendered during a ceremony attended by the Chief Minister on Dec 15, 2014 at 1st MR Banquet hall. Apart from them, the chairman of KCP (KK Nganba) Chongtham Manglemjao along with 58 cadres laid down arms on the same day.Meanwhile, driver Sanjit is not related with the outfit in any way. He drove the Cheverolet Beat car of Nabachandra.

He made his living also by driving a water tanker.

Family said that there were instances when he did not return home for two/three days. He is survived by his wife, Radha, a son and a daughter. The bodies are kept at JNIMS morgue while a case has been registered with Heingang PS and investigation is going on.(Agencies)

State Govt violating Council rules, reiterates KHADC Shillong, Jun 23: The alleged interference of the State government in the functioning of the autonomous district councils yet again sparked a debate in the ongoing summer session of the KHADC on Wednesday with CEM Pynshngain N. Syiem accusing the government of infringing into the rights of the council by framing rules and instructions against the interests of the council.

Supplementing a query

by HSPDP MDC M. Mawsor, who had claimed that some government departments and banks do not accept NOCs issued by the district council, Syiem said, "The State government has no authority to interpret the rules passed by the district council."

He added that when confronted with officers, who refuse to accept the NOC, the citizens should inform the district council on any violation of its rules and the order of the Supreme Court.

Syiem took note of the Supreme Court order in February empowering district councils to regulate the powers and functions of headmen and recalled that the order allows persons occu-

pying the posts of headmen to continue to function subject to various instructions framed by the district council under the Sixth Schedule to the Indian Constitution.

In this connection, he said, "Reminders will be sent to the various departments as the Supreme Court has permitted the headmen to function as per the rules framed by the district council under the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution."

The HSPDP MDC had earlier stated that offices in and around the city do not accept the NOC issued by the Sordar and have to approach the MDCs instead.

Later, during the general discussion of the budget estimate, Independent MDC, Donkupar Sumer said, "The State government has attempted to seize the powers of the district council where there are pending bills of the district council which includes the Village Administration Bill (VAB), the issue on Elaka etc. However, there has to be close coordination between the State government and the district council to sort out the issues."(Agencies)

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, JUNE 24

PAGE 6

Sangam Vihar MLA cries foul, says 'an attempt to defame me' New Delhi, June 23: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Dinesh Mohaniya, who has been booked for allegedly 'misbehaving' with women, today alleged that it was an attempt to defame his reputation as the water mafia is frustrated because of the Delhi Government's crackdown.

Downplaying the allegations being levelled against him, the Sangam Vihar MLA told that the woman complainant never visited his office.

"There is no video or photographic proof to back this allegation. It is an attempt to defame me.

The water mafia is now frustrated because of our crackdown," Mohaniya said.

"She never came to my

office. There is no video footage. Everyone is running the news that there is a video, but no one is ready to show any such video. I am not there in the video neither does the woman," he added.

Mohaniya said that he was ready to face a probe by the Delhi Police if indeed there is any complaint against him.

"The people have made it a national news without knowing the truth.

No one even took my version of the story. No one has talked to that woman. I never had a direct talk with that woman. Till now, I didn't have any communication with the police," he added.

Earlier in the day, the Congress attempted to

Bihar: Girl gang-raped in Motihari, battles for life

A girl was allegedly gang-raped by five men in Motihari district Motihari (Bihar), June 23: A girl was allegedly gang-raped by five men in Motihari district of Bihar after she lodged a formal protest against the molestation attempt on part of one of the accused.

The victim was going to defecate in the field when one of the accused namely Samiullah molested her and made a video clip of the same.

The victim narrated the incident to her mother, who went to the residence of the accused to lodge a formal protest in this regard. However, the woes for the victim's family continued as they were instead insulted by the family members of the accused who refused to pay heed to their plight.

Offended by the allegations levelled by the victim's mother, the ac-

cused along with his four male family members namelyAliullah, Javiullah, Smrullah, Klimullah and Nurullah barged into the victim's house, dragged her out and eventually gangraped her.

During the heinous crime, the accused also forced a homemade gun and wooden sticks inside her private parts after which the girl collapsed.

The accused later left the girl naked on the road side assuming that she was dead.

The victim later gained conscious and called for help following which the cops on patrolling duty got her admitted to a primary health Centre from where she was referred to Motihari Sadar Hospital.

The victim is currently in a critical condition while the accused are still on the run. (ANI)

Kamat makes a U-turn, says Cong 'best platform' to serve nation New Delhi, June 23 : Senior Congress leader Gurudas Kamat on Thursday withdrew his resignation from the grand old party.

Issuing a statement, Kamat said that a large number of senior party leaders during the last fortnight tried to convince him to rethink on the decision.

"My meeting with my party president Sonia Gandhi helped me to make up my mind that the Congress Party is the best platform to serve the people of this country," he said.

"I will continue to serve under the leadership of Honble Congress President Smt Sonia Gandhi and Honble Vice President Mr Rahul Gandhi with the same charge of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Dadra Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu as informed to me late last night," he added.

Kamat, who is the Mumbai Congress' chief, further said that he would

be meeting the people of the state beginning tomorrow.

Earlier on June 6, Kamat had resigned from the party and politics.

Kamat then told his supporters in a message that he felt it was time for him to take a backseat to enable others to get an opportunity.

"Dear friends, over the last 44 years, I have worked with most of you and served the Congress. For several months now, I have felt I need to take a backseat to enable others to get an opportunity," he said.

"I met Congress president about 10 days ago and expressed my desire to resign. Subsequently, I sent letters to both Sonia ji and Rahul ji, saying that I would like to exit. Since there was no reply, I have formally informed that I would like to retire from politics," he added. (ANI)

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Dinesh Mohaniya corner the AAP on this issue and said the 'opportunist' Arvind Kejriwalled party has completely lost the moral authority to speak about principled politics.

Congress leader P.C. Chacko said it is strange

that the AAP on one hand claims of practicing clean politics while on the other hand its MLAs are being caught for nefarious activities.

"The Aam Aadmi Party is setting a very good record in Delhi. They

claim that they are going to have clean politics and anti-corruption atmosphere in Delhi. But one by one, their MLAs are being caught in corruption cases," he told.

An FIR has been lodged against Mohaniya, who is also the vice-chairman of Delhi Jal Board, after locals alleged that the MLA and his supporters roughed them up and misbehaved with women in his office when they went to complain about irregular water supply.

The case has been registered under Section 506 (criminal intimidation), Section 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and Section 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) of the In-

dian Penal Code at the Neb Sarai Police Station.

"When we went to Dinesh Mohaniya's office, he refused to identify me. I visit his office everyday to bring water-related issues to his notice. The most important part is that he doesn't even sign or puts a stamp on our complaints.

After that, he pushed me and other women and even abused us. We want that an FIR should be registered against him and he should be arrested," said the complainant.

"When he abused and pushed us, we also did the same. Are we here to be beaten up? There is a severe water issue here. We went there only to ask for water and not for money," she added. The incident took place last evening. (ANI)

Cabinet rejig; Union Council of Ministers meet on June 30 New Delhi, June 23: With rumours of a Cabinet reshuffle doing the rounds in the corridors of power in Delhi, a meeting of the Union Council of Ministers chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be held on June 30.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier reportedly asked his Cabinet colleagues to present their self-appraisal reports since the BJP assumed office in May 2014.

Reports suggest that the Prime Minister has been evaluating his ministers' performances with an eye on implementing key government schemes before the next round of crucial state assembly polls.

There may be several new entrants in the Cabinet and reports indicate that the government may drop ministers above 75 years of age.

There is speculation that Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal, seen as one of the top performing ministers in the present regime, may be given charge of the finance portfolio. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who enjoys the Prime Minister's trust, may take charge of the defence ministry for a second time, as the BJP leadership is reportedly keen on sending incumbent Manohar Parrikar back to Goa to ensure it repeats its success in the state which goes to polls

Prime Minister Narendra Modi next year.

Several performing ministers like Nirmala Sitharaman, Kiren Rijiju and Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore may be elevated and given Cabinet rank.

With Sarbananda Sonowal taking charge as Assam's Chief Minis-

ter after the BJP's splendid win in that northeastern state, the Sports and Youth Affairs Ministry is presently vacant and being looked after by Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Jitendra Singh.

(ANI)

AAP appoints 'Perfect Relations' to maintain perfect relations

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal New Delhi, June 23: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which has been facing criticism from the political opponents in Delhi over its style of functioning and fondness for advertisements, has now sought professional help for image building and media management.

The Delhi Government has appointed Public Relations firm Perfect Relations as its "media consultant".

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's media advisor, Arunodya Prakash, confirmed the same to .

Perfect Relations was established and co-founded in 1992 in Delhi by image consultants and media commentators Dilip Cherian and Bobby Kewalramani.

The cost of hiring the consultant will be met from within the Rs. 200 crore allocations for the department in the 201617 budget.

This includes money already spent and to be spent on advertisements this fiscal.

There has, however, been no official confirmation in this regard from the PR agency.

The AAP Government had last year set aside Rs. 526 crore for information and publicity in the 201516 budget, drawing severe criticism from both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress.

Earlier, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had assailed the AAP Government, saying the government is using advertising funds to manipulate the media.

"While 'friendly' media is being given advertisements, media houses which are critical of the AAP government are being denied ad revenue," Jailtey had said in an interview.

Last year, 'Shabdarth' an internal ad release agency was set up by the Delhi Government to take over the process of releasing advertisements through private agencies.

(ANI)

Anantnag By-polls: Democracy emerges strong yet again

SP, BSP confused, 'focused' BJP will form govt. in UP: Sambit Patra New Delhi, June 23: With the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections inching nearer, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday snubbed both the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bhaujan Samaj Party (BSP), by saying they are confused and preoccupied political outfits that will facilitate and brighten the government formation chances of the saffron party.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra told that the ruling SP is ushering criminals into the party, while the BSP is losing its leaders over allegations of assembly tickets being auctioned by party president Mayawati.

"As far as the politics of Uttar Pradesh is concerned, we have seen as to how Mr. Maurya has left the BSP, and in fact, he

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra has made certain very strong allegations against Mayawati, regarding the selling of tickets in the BSP. This confusion that is seen in the BSP and the SP is quite evident," said Patra.

"The Samajwadi Party is ushering in criminals into their party and here people

are in fact leaving the BSP. This shows that there is some kind of confusion in both the parties and this points the fingers towards the BJP which will form the government in the coming elections in UP as it is singularly focused on the development of UP," he added.

BSP heavy weight Swami Prasad Maurya quit the party yesterday and accused party supremo Mayawati of auctioning tickets. Addressing a press conference here, Maurya said it is a do or die situation for the party in 2017 when the state goes to polls.

"Instead of selecting good candidates who are loyal to the policies of the party, Mayawati is auctioning tickets to the highest bidder," he added. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday sacked senior minister Balram Yadav for engineering the merger of the political party headed by a mafia don despite his stiff opposition to the idea. However, no official reason has been given regarding his sacking from the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet. (ANI)

RSS Muslim wing hosting Iftar party 'pure hypocrisy', says Shiv Sena

Shiv Sena leader Manisha Kayande Mumbai, June 23 : The Shiv Sena on Thursday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak

Sangh (RSS) of losing the 'Hindutva Agenda' after the Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM), an affiliate of the Sangh, an-

nounced plans to host a grand Iftar on July 2, saying it is 'pure hypocrisy' on the part of the saffron party.

"It is surprising that such Iftar parties are organised by the RSS, but at the same time, not surprising also, because the RSS and the BJP seem to be losing the Hindutva agenda," Shiv Sena leader Manisha Kayande told .

"Even the Ram Mandir issue, on which this party rose from two MPs to 181, has now been abandoned by them and they are call-

ing it a cultural program.

This is hypocritical on the party's side," she added.

Kayande also questioned the criticism by the BJP and the RSS of the Congress when it had earlier tried to do the same.

Her comments came after the Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM), invited ambassadors from nearly 140 countries earlier this week to attend an international Roza Iftar party at the Parliament House Annexe on July 2. (ANI)

Democracy emerges strong yet again Anantnag , June 23: The Anantnag by-polls culminated with brisk voting on Wednesday evening, after a muted start. The final count stood at around 34 percent with women voters registering a predominant presence. The bypolls were significant since Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti was a candidate and fighting the election in a constituency earlier represented by her deceased father and former chief minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

Even though the voting this time was less than that registered during the Assembly election, experts are of the view that the peaceful and transparent manner in which the process was conducted comes across as a referendum for the coalition government that Mehbooba is heading.

A larger voter turnout in the rural areas as compared to the urban segments indicates the aspiration fro democracy and development at the grassroots feel experts.

Separatists and terrorist groups had called for a complete boycott of the polls. A notable rise in

terrorist initiated violence in South Kashmir districts during the build up to the By-polls with specific targeting of police personnel is seen to be pressure tactics by anti-national forces to scuttle the election. However, barring an incident of stone pelting in old Anantnag town the polls went off peacefully.

"The separatists made stringent demand of boycott but on D-day they were nowhere to be seen.

This clearly reflects their tenuous position on ground. It seems that that, in actuality, they want a government in place," says Dr. Simrit Kahlon, an academician and analyst deeply interested in Jammu and Kashmir.

Credit goes to the security forces and the state administration who oversaw a smooth election despite the high political stakes involved.

Apart from Mehbooba Mufti, the popular faces in the fray include Iftikhar Hussain Misgar of the National Conference and Hilal Ahmad Shah of the Congress.

All eyes are now on the election result which will be announced on June 25. (ANI)

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, JUNE 24

India-China financial dialogue deferred till next month

India-China financial dialogue deferred till next month Beijing, June 23 : The India-China financial dialogue due to be held in Beijing between Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and his Chinese counterpart Lou Jiwei next week has been deferred till next month.

The meet has been deferred as Department of Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das could not attend the meeting.

Jaitley will today embark on a five-day visit to China, where he will attend the first annual meeting of the board of governors of the 100-billion US dollar Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

Seven rounds of financial

dialogues have been held between the two nations but all of them were headed

by Finance Secretaries of both sides.

The financial dialogue enables the two neighbouring nations to make an annual review and discuss a wide range of international, bilateral issues for strengthening and deepening economic and financial cooperation between the two countries.

The idea of having a financial dialogue was conceptualised in 2003 and the framework was formalised through an MoU signed in April 2005.

(ANI)

Sindh CM announces Rs. 10 million reward for recovery of kidnapped CJ's son

PAGE 7

NEIGHBOURS

Afghanistan reminds UNSC of terrorists finding safe havens in Pakistan Kabul, June 23 : In a veiled reference to the recent killing of Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour in Pakistan, the Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to United Nations Mahmoud Saikal voiced concern over Pakistan emerging as a safe haven for terrorists.

"The fact that terrorist leaders had been found and killed in safe havens in Pakistan was proof that it had violated the sovereignty of other nations," Khaama Press quoted Saikal, as saying before the UN

Security Council.

Saikal also called for urgent implementation of Security Council resolutions 1373 (2001) and 2255 (2015).

Kabul have long been criticizing Islamabad for allowing the Afghan militant groups including the Taliban and Haqqani terrorist network to use its soil as safe havens and carry out attacks in Afghanistan.

The Afghan officials say that the leadership councils of the Taliban and Haqqani terrorist network are based in Quetta and Peshawar cit-

Afghanistan reminds UNSC of terrorists finding safe havens in Pakistan ies of Pakistan.

"Make no mistake, the He also informed the Se- proud Government and curity Council regarding people of Afghanistan the provocative actions have not, do not and will at the Torkham border. not surrender to intimi-

dation, violence and aggression. Our history is testimony to this," he said.

Talking about the peace talks which was scheduled to take place with the Taliban group on April, Saikal said the Taliban instead on April 12 responded with a spring offensive, during which it suffered heavy losses at the hands of the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces.

Saikal also informed the council that Islamic State and Al-Qaida continued to position themselves to

Opposition parties slam govt over changing terminology Pak's prominent noha khawan used for Rakhine Muslim minority claims escaping Naypyidaw, June 23 : Party (ANP) said in a them to attain citizen- from using controversial The previous administraNationalist politicians statement that they totally ship as it is like accept- terms "Rohingya" or tion, which stripped over assassination are criticizing the gov- reject any other term be- ing they are Myanmar "Bengali", including 660,000 Muslims in the ernment for pushing an sides "Bengalis" to refer nationals. most recently the UN state of their "white card" attempt official change of ter- to the mostly stateless mi- The National Prosperity Special Rapporteur for IDs and the right to vote, minology used to refer to a Muslim minority in Rakhine State.

The government has asked to refer to the Rakhine Muslim minority as 'the Muslim community from Rakhine State' rather than using controversial terms "Bengali" or " Rohingya" The Arakan National

nority which self-identifies as "Rohingya", reports Myanmar Times.

ANP's Secretary U Tun Aung Kyaw stating that addressing them as 'Muslim community from Rakhine State' makes it sounds as if they have always lived in the state and Rakhine is their place of origin, added it will create more opportunities for

Party, also released a statement urging the government to reconsider the official terms, saying the change could cause the international community to "mistake the origins of the Bengalis".

State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has asked several visiting dignitaries to refrain

Human Rights in Myanmar Yanghee Lee. The Ministry of Information also instructed state media on June 16 to use "Muslims in Rakhine State" instead of "Rohingya" or "Bengali", and also said it should be "Buddhists of Rakhine State" instead of ethnic Rakhine or Arakan.

officially used the term " Bengali", implying the community had migrated from neighbouring Bangladesh.

Muhammad Salim, the patron of the National Development and Peace Party, a Muslim political group, welcomed the government's change in terminology, calling it a step forward.(ANI)

Myanmar warns business owners against child labour Sindh CM announces Rs. 10 million reward for recovery of kidnapped CJ's son Karachi, June 23 : Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has announced a Rs. 10 million reward for help leading to the recovery of Awais Ali Shah, the kidnapped son of the Sindh High Court Chief Justice .Awais was abducted on Tuesday from outside a super market in the Defence Housing Authority area of the city by four armed gunmen.

Police has registered a case against "unknown suspects" for kidnapping Shah but no progress has been made in the search so far.

The motive of the kidnapping remains unclear as no ransom calls have been recieved.

"There are a few clues which may help clearing the picture further but, right now there is nothing credible to determine people and

motive behind the incident.

The thing which is now turning quite obvious is it's not a conventional kidnapping for ransom case," the Dawn quoted a police official as saying.

To discuss the incident and progress for the safe recovery of Shah, Karachi Corps Commander Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar met the Chief Minister at CM House.

On Tuesday, the Sindh Rangers DG had also announced a Rs. 2.5 million reward to solve the case.

Meanwhile, Sindh IG A. D. Khowaja removed SSPSouth Dr Muhammad Farooq and Clifton SP on the directives of the Chief Minister for falling short of professional requirements which led to a delay in the reporting of the kidnapping. (ANI)

Naypyidaw, June 23 : The Factory and General Labour Laws Inspection Department of the Government of Myanmar has issued a warning to business owners, reminding them to avoid hiring children under the age of 14 in a bid to curb forced child labour.

The department declared a fine ranging from K 5 million to K 10 million or up to six months in prison, or both for the perpetrators.

The warning was issued on June 20 at a workshop in Yangon organised by the Factory and General

Myanmar warns business owners against child labour Labour Laws Inspection Department under the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Populations.

The workshop was attended by hoteliers, restaurateurs, owners of small- and medium-sized

tographs were published now, coinciding with the ongoing session of the United Nations Human Rights Council."

He asked why it took six years after the war when the demining was completed to produce the 'photographic evidence", which is reportedly provided to The Guardian by a former employee of the UK-based demining group Halo Trust.

Deputy Minister, Karunaratne Paranavithana pointed out it was unethical for de-miners to reveal details of their work and added the published pictures don't say they are from Sri Lanka.

The Guardian report said the images that appear to confirm the use of cluster bombs in the end stages of the civil war have been uncovered and suggested that the armed forces may have deployed the munition against civilians.

(ANI)

factories, shopkeepers and other businesspeople, reports Myanmar Times.

Department officials stated it was also illegal for children aged 14 to 16 years to work more than

four hours a day, according to the 2016 Shops and Work Departments Law. U Aung Naing, deputy director of department added that children who work in dangerous environments such as kitchens must be properly trained and all employees in the 14-to-16 age range must have a recommendation certificate from a physician in order to work.

Naing stated that acccording to international conventions, people under 18 years old are regarded as children, but for a developing nation like Myanmar

people who are 14 years or older have the right to work as the situation of the country is different.

He added if children are not hired they will lose job opportunities, and their families will have trouble earning a living.

"Children who do work must be treated like human beings and employers need to help make their lives better," said Director General of the department U Win Shein, adding that Myanmar is working with the International Labour Organization, Save the Children and the United Nations Children's Fund to end forced child labour.

(ANI)

Pak appreciates China's unequivocal Afghan President meets families of soldiers killed support for admission in NSG in Torkham clash (SCO) summit.

Lankan govt rejects allegations of using cluster bombs during civil war Colombo, June 23 : The Sri Lankan government has rejected allegations that the Sri Lankan Army used cluster bombs during the final phases of the war and questioned the authenticity of the report published in the media.

Co-Cabinet Spokesperson and Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne at a cabinet briefing at the Government Information Department on Wednesday questioned the veracity of the "photographic evidence" published in The Guardian newspaper on Monday.

Senaratne said those pictures are unverified and questioned how they can prove that they are from the Army or the LTTE. "Does it have the Sri Lanka Army stamp on it?" Colombo Page quoted Senaratne as saying.

He also questioned the timing of publishing of photographs saying "why the pho-

remerge in Afghanistan, while other regional terrorist networks with links to Central Asian republics, Chechnya and China were highly active.

"Tehrik-i-Taliban remained a long-term threat. Most of those terrorist groups enjoyed support from within the State structure of Pakistan, he said, adding that it was imperative for the international community to establish objective criteria to identify and confront State sponsorship of terrorism," he added.

(ANI)

Pak appreciates China's unequivocal support for admission in NSG

T a s h k e n t (Uzbekistan), June 23: Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain has reportedly thanked his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping for Beijing's unequivocal support for Islamabad's admission to the 48- member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

Stating that both India and Pakistan should be included in the NSG at the same time similar to their inclusion in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO),

President Hussain was quoted by Pakistan state media, as saying that Beijing's stance was based on the policy of non-discrimination.

Both sides also expressed a resolve to maintain a close collaboration for the region's security and prosperity and to jointly fight against terrorism and separatism.

Presidents Hussain and Xi expressed these views during a delegation-level meeting in Tashkent on the sidelines of 16th Shanghai Cooperation Organization

The Pakistani President said both Islamabad and Beijing held a unanimity of views on regional peace, prosperity and stability and mentioned that the former was supportive of the 'One China policy'.

He also reiterated that Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and also made a mention of the ongoing successful Zarb-e-Azb military operation.

Both nations also agreed not to compromise on the execution of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), saying the project guarantees prosperity for the region.

To ensure the timely completion of the CPEC, both leaders also agreed on closer collaboration.

Hussain added that both countries enjoy a unique level of friendship and expressed the hope that the Sino-Pak friendship would touch new heights in the future. (ANI)

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani Kabul, June 23: Afghan President Ashraf Ghani met with the bereaved families of soldiers killed in recent clashes with Pakistani troops in Torkham and Goshta district in eastern Nangarhar province.

Hailing the sacrifices made by the soldiers, Ghani said the courage and sacrifices of country's sons have strengthened national unity among Afghans and that a fundamental mechanism will be created for a long-term support of victims' families,Ghani's Media

Office in a statement today said, reports.

He also handed a number of gifts to the families of the victims. The clashes between Afghan and Pakistani soldiers last week took place after Pakistani border police tried to erect installations near the Torkham Gate.

The clash has left a number of casualties on both sides. Three Afghan border police, two Afghan children and a high ranking Pakistani general were killed during the crisis. In addition, 21 Afghan soldiers were also wounded. (ANI)

Pak's prominent noha khawan claims escaping assassination attempt Karachi, June 23: Pakistan's prominent Shia Noha Khawan Farhan Ali Waris has claimed that hours after the famed qawwal Amjad Sabri was killed in a gun attack, he escaped an assassination attempt in Karachi.

Waris said his car was surrounded by unknown assailants near the Teen Hatti area of the metropolis.

"They were about to open fire but my guard opened fire upon them, forcing them to flee," Dawn quoted him as saying.

"I was not in the car but the manner in which they surrounded the vehicle makes me think that they thought I was inside," he added.

Waris informed that he was provided a security guard by the Jafaria Disaster Cell following the murder of Sabri.

Meanwhile, police official from the area's police station said that the area has been searched and no evidence has been found that Waris's car was shot at.

Renowned qawwal Sabri was shot dead yesterday, after unknown assailants fired at his vehicle in the city's Liaquatabad area.

Sabri, 45, and an associate were travelling in a car in Liaquatabad No. 10 area, when unidentified gunmen open fired at their vehicle.

He later succumbed to his injuries in Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

Pakistan in recent months has witnessed series of shooting, suicide attacks, kidnapping of high profile personalities. (ANI)

PAGE 8

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, JUNE 24

Kashmir Is Slipping Away From India JE on the rise Prevention is better than cure Japanese encephalitis is one of the major public health problems in Assam, northeast India.

House surroundings close to water bodies, rice cultivation, association with pigs, and climatic conditions were environmental factors affecting the abundance of the potential mosquito vectors of the disease. Climatic conditions, abundance of potential mosquito vectors, amplifying hosts, agricultural practices and the socio-cultural behavior of the people are conducive to spread JE in the state. During the rainy summer months of June to August, the incidence of the disease reaches its peak. Cases of deadly mosquito-borne Japanese encephalitis have risen nearly five-fold in five years in India's northeast Assam state as a result of warming weather and changing rainfall, health experts say.

Between 2010 and 2014, the number of annual cases rose from 154 to 744, with deaths rising from 41 to 160, according to data from the Assam health department. The disease, which in 2009 was recorded in only half of the state's districts, now is seen in all of them. Japanese encephalitis is characterised by inflammation of the brain and high fever.

The disease was first recognized in India in 1955, when cases of encephalitis from North Arcot district of Tamil Nadu and neighboring districts of Andhra Pradesh, admitted to Christian Medical College Hospital, Vellore, were serologically diagnosed as Japanese Encephalitis. JE virus was isolated from wild caught mosquitoes in the same year, followed by isolations from patients from the same area in 1958. JE continues to be endemic in these states. Since 1972, JE has spread to newer areas and epidemics / outbreaks have been reported from West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Pondicherry, Karnataka, Goa and recently from Kerala and Maharashtra. The disease in southern India affects children below 15 years, while in north India all age groups are affected. In most of the epidemics, the incidence has been higher in males than in females.

Recent data from the state health department itself shows that the disease has taken a deadly turn over the years in the state. Unfortunately the state machinery waited for the disease to go out of control, whereas it should have taken steps to control the disease much earlier. Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a major cause of high morbidity and mortality in several states across India. However, in 2014, a sharp rise was observed in the number of cases of JE in north-eastern Assam state, and 51% of the total cases of JE in India were reported from the Assam in the same year.

Darrang is one of the few districts of Assam which is majorly hit by deadly JE. This is mainly due to high prevalence of vector populations (mosquito) and their amplifying host (animals) in this district as compared to others. Moreover, Darrang is also one of the most flood affected areas of Assam. Hence flooding of paddy fields also makes this district vulnerable for JE because of the increase in mosquito population.

PSLV-C34 Launches 20 Satellites in a Single Flight The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched a record 20 satellites from its Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh's Sriharikota. The launch of PSLV C-34/Cartosat-2 Series Satellite Mission. Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C34 is being used to carry the satellites, including India's earth observation spacecraft Cartosat-2, from the second launch pad of the space centre. To be sure, the number is not entirely insignificant. The maximum number of satellites that ISRO has been able to launch in a single mission so far is ten. This was achieved in June 2008 when it placed those satellites into various low earth orbits. A larger number of satellites is not so much of a technological accomplishment as it is about maximising the economy of the mission.

The 725.5 kg Cartosat-2 would be used for Earth observation. According to ISRO, the imagery sent by the satellite will be useful for cartographic applications, urban and rural applications, coastal land use and regulation and utility management like road networking.

The primary satellite to be carried by PSLV C-34 rocket is similar to Cartosat-2, 2A and 2B satellites launched earlier. The imagery to be sent by the satellite would be useful for cartographic applications, coastal land use and regulation, utility management like road networking, water distribution, creation of land use maps, precision study, change detection to bring out geographical and manmade features and various other Land Information System and Geographical Information System applications.

Of the 19 co-passenger satellites carried by PSLVC34, two - SATHYABAMASAT weighing 1.5 kg and SWAYAM weighing 1 kg - are University/Academic institute satellites and were built with the involvement of students from Sathyabama University, Chennai and College Of Engineering, Pune, respectively. The remaining 17 co-passenger satellites were international customer satellites from Canada (2), Germany (1), Indonesia (1) and the United States (13). It may be recalled that ISRO, in 2008, launched 10 satellites in a single rocket.

On April 28, 2008, PSLV-C9 launched a Remote Sensing satellite CARTOSAT-2A along with Indian Mini Satellite (IMS-1) and eight nanosatellites.

With this successful launch, the total number of satellites launched by India's workhorse launch vehicle PSLV has reached 113, of which 39 are Indian and the remaining 74 from abroad.

As India clamps down on Kashmir with an iron grip, it risks permanently losing the hearts and minds of the people.

Last April, five civilians old Hizb commander in were shot dead by Indian South Kashmir who has soldiers in India-controlled become the face of the new Kashmir, shortly after pro- rebellion. Wani's brother tests broke out in the after- Khalid was among those math of the molestation of killed by the soldiers, and a young girl by soldiers in this year, a cricket tournaHandwara (50 miles north ment was organized to reof the capital city of member him, with team Srinagar). The attempted titles dedicated to various sexual harassrebels. The ment had gone Fahad Shah people's acceplargely unnotance of this ticed until the victim spoke rebellion has grown with to the media, but it was not the decline of any political the first time that a similar process that can hope to incident had occurred in the empower them. heavily militarized region. The change in mood has its In almost three decades of roots in the 2008 and 2010 armed oppression against mass uprisings in Kashmir, the civilian population, sup- during which Indian troops posedly a bid to win back and police shot more than trust in Kashmir, many 200 teenagers dead on the women and girls have been streets. This has gradually raped and molested by In- led to major protests, drawdian soldiers. Sexual vio- ing in the younger generalence has been used as a tion, with people from all channel to impose author- walks of life vehemently reity upon the female popu- jecting India's continued lation, while torture and rule in Kashmir. From the killings are used to suppress army to the local governtheir male counterparts. ment, the alarm bells are This isn't the only reason ringing, but no one has a why a popular civilian up- political solution to solve rising is underway in Kash- the long-standing issue. mir as India's rule grows Last month in Kashmir, a weak again.

The senior official from the govgovernment's hold over the ernment informally told me territory had strengthened that the new generation is with the help of mass kill- angry. "Have you seen how ings in the early 1990s, and these youths are reacting? later, with the regional elec- They don't want to listen to tions held in 1996. In the anything. They are serious early 1990s, when India's about it (protesting) and can grip was weak and the go to any extent to achieve rebels, as per an India To- their goals," he said. day report in May 1993, Continuous Killings and had "achieved successes Impunity for Soldiers previously unimaginable" Like many problems in and "for the first time estab- South Asia, the roots of the lished liberated zones," a Kashmir issue stretch back government militia was in- to the partition of British strumental in crushing India in 1947. After an popular dissent, leading to aborted attempt at remainthe fall of most rebel ing independent, what was groups. Currently, there is once the princely state of one group (other than a Jammu and Kashmir was scattering of new-formed divided between the two ones) that is still fighting in new countries of India and Kashmir and continues to Pakistan, with a de facto gain power: the indigenous border known as the Line Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, also of Control. known as the Hizb. The The armed rebellion against Hizb has pro-Pakistan lean- Indian rule in Kashmir ings, but most of its cadres started in the late 1980s. In are local. In the last few these years of violence, years, the Hizb has man- around half a million solaged to climb to the top in diers in the region used exterms of popularity, and treme torture and targeted continues to successfully killings against civilians, gain new recruits, who are with hundreds killed in being celebrated as righ- some incidents. Estimates teous warriors by the gen- of the number of people eral public. killed in Kashmir range Even mourning the rebels' from 70,000 to 100,000. losses is seen as a major Force was again used in political statement in con- 2010, when the political temporary Kashmir, as narrative in Kashmir took thousands of people join a different shape as youths funeral processions for both took over the reins of publocal and Pakistani rebels lic dissent and rebellion. who died fighting Indian Two mass uprisings in 2008 soldiers. During several re- and 2010 showed the brucent gunfights, moreover, tal face of the state to chilcivilians diverted the sol- dren born during the 1990s, diers' attention from the who had not seen such procession in order to help mass violence spearheaded the rebels escape un- by the state before. It furscathed. These trends have ther strengthened the alerted Indian agencies. younger generation's antiMeanwhile, social media India sentiments and remains abuzz with many brought about a fresh wave people who idolize rebel of dissent. The slow growth commanders, like Burhan of young rebels over the last Muzaffar Wani, a 23-year- five years is a product of

this phenomenon.

Without a clear policybased solution apparent, two laws that have been instrumental in crushing the recent popular dissent in the Valley: the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), which provides impunity to Indian soldiers for basically any action, and the Public Safety Act (PSA), which is used to imprison people without due process. Amnesty International calls the PSA a "lawless law" and has been campaigning for its revocation. On the AFSPA, Amnesty International said in its report in 2015 that the impunity is a long-standing problem in Jammu and Kashmir. "The lack of political will to account for past and present actions of the security forces, including the state police, is fortified by legislation and aggravated by other obstacles to justice, especially for those who lack financial resources or education," the report read.

After the five civilians were shot dead by soldiers in Handwara, for example, the state government expressed regret over the killings, but it did not issue an investigation. The central government in New Delhi continued its silence, aside from blaming pro-freedom leaders for instigating the violence.

At the core of the long weeks of violence was an underage girl, who was subjected to attempted sexual harassment and was also forced to refrain from speaking to the media while she was kept under police detention. Activists accused the police of a forced detention to protect the solider who had committed the act; there was no clear response from New Delhi.

The girl was released later and spoke to the media, accusing the police of forcing her to give a statement that would exonerate the soldiers. "I had gone to a public washroom," she said. "When I was coming out, a soldier came and held my hand. I freed my hand and ran out, weeping." She demanded that an FIR must be filed against the accused soldiers and action be taken against the police officers involved in her detention.

It has been two months now since the attempted molestation and killings in Handwara, but the government has not yet produced an investigation report, as demanded by opposition parties.

Sexual Violations as a Form of Oppression Incidents like the one in Handwara are not the first of their kind. Sexual violence conducted by the Indian forces has long been a mainstay tactic, with no

Image for representational purpose (Photo: wtop) one prosecuted to date.

Another highly visible episode involving sexual violence occurred in 1991 in North Kashmir's KunanPoshpora villages, when dozens of women accused Indian soldiers of rape.

On February 23, 1991, Indian soldiers had gone to the two villages for a cordon and search operation.

As per various accounts, the soldiers tortured the men and raped the women.

The 20-year-old injustice came to light again amidst the swelling public discontent of the last few years. In 2013, a group of women came together to file a public lawsuit that called for further investigations regarding the case. Months have passed since a local court ordered further investigations, but the police have taken no action.

Essar Batool, one of five Kashmiri women who coauthored the book Do You Remember Kunan Poshpora?, says that "the legal procedure in Kashmir is neither transparent and nor accountable, as it is by extension another arm of Indian occupation." Batool says the delay in the legal procedure not only hampers investigations and but also exposes the true face of the state to the public, who believe the judiciary will deliver justice.

Batool sees the case as a way to strengthen the public's memory, which has supposedly gone fragile despite years of brutal occupation. "We need to comprehend that the occupier is changing its tactics, and hence we need proper documentation to keep memories alive," she says.

"The documentation also contributes to spreading knowledge about Kashmir and Indian occupation‌ through the book many people outside Kashmir and even outside India came to know about the incident in detail only 25 years later."

New Rebels and a Strengthened Movement Earlier this month, rebels

overpowered three policemen and snatched four service rifles from the police in South Kashmir. Rebels have been using this strategy for the last few years, taking weapons from the police or paramilitary troops and later giving them to their new recruits. It also shows the growth of the rebellion as an indigenous movement, as the border with Pakistan has become less and less porous over time. The rebels are mainly focusing on their particular areas, mostly in the south of the Kashmir Valley. But lately some attacks and rebel activities have happened in North Kashmir and Central Kashmir also.

In the absence of any political solution, the youth have become restless and their anger has intensified.

The Indian Army has also started acknowledging the change in the Kashmiri situation. One of the senior military commanders in Northern India, Lt. Gen. D.S. Hooda, recently told the Associated Press that soldiers have little hope of competing against the rebels for public sympathy.

"It's a big problem, a challenge for us to conduct antimilitant operations now," said Hooda. "Frankly speaking, I'm not comfortable anymore conducting operations if large crowds are around. Militarily, there's not much more to do than we already have done ‌ We're losing the battle for a narrative."

Growing anti-India sentiments their counterpart in rapidly rising support for Pakistan among people in India-controlled Kashimr.

Yet the chief cleric of South Kashmir's Ummat-i-Islami, Mirwaiz Qazi Yasir, believes that the ongoing freedom struggle in the Valley is a populist movement.

"More than things, symbols are more important and [the new rebellion] is a symbol," he says. "Even if there are no resources, but still this is a symbol."

However, he acknowledges that "a long-term rebellion"

Momaikata Garh And Chairman

Akhil Gogoi, KMSS leader (Photo: Govmy)

Sir, While we are vocal about Akhil Gogoi's raising hue and cry on certain issues or rather at the drop of a hat, all his protests cannot be brushed aside as a non-issue. This time, he raises his stentorian protest against Rakesh Paul, the Chairman, APSC. During last congress regime, Paul's dubious modus operandi reached the zenith-point. Bowing down before the consistent public demand, the previous government ordered a preliminary inquiry conducted by the directorate of vigilance and anti corruption of Assam Police. It later transpired that Mr. Paul, his wife, his brother had acquired many properties after Mr. Paul became APSC Chairman. The media, at that point of time were publishing/telecasting series of irregularities resorted to by this man, with the help of some invisible political heavyweights. People of Assam were under the impression that with the change of guards at Dispur, the tainted officials one after another, would be shown the door, but we are surprised that the new

will find it "hard to survive without resources."

"If Pakistan wants to help the movement here, they will have their own interests also," he adds. "[...]Pakistan has always tried to show it as an indigenous movement and it is an indigenous to a large extent."

Some observers also believe that Pakistan has changed its approach too, from involving itself on the ground to becoming the political backbone for the Kashmir issue globally.

This endeavor to advocate on behalf of the Kashmiri people was evident at recent United Nations meetings, where Pakistan continuously raised the Kashmir issue, as well as in bilateral talks with India. As a result, India has declared that Pakistan is needlessly internationalizing the Kashmir issue.

The situation in Kashmir may look better compared now to the peaks of violence in the past, but don't be fooled: in the heart of the Valley, the rise of anti-India sentiment has weakened India's control.

Anti-India forces are hugely motivated by the extreme force used against dissenting voices by the newly formed regional government, which brought together the local People's Democratic Party and the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.

The new head of the region's government, Mehbooba Mufti, recently said that there are only four bunkers of Indian forces in the Valley - a statement that highly angered the people, who have to face soldiers and police regularly in their daily lives. The regional government's antidissent tactics combined with the disappearance of opportunities to construct a solid political solution to provide respite to the ordinary people in Kashmir has only made things worse.

Unless India changes tactics - and soon - Kashmir will continue to slip away.

Courtesy: The Diplomat

Best Letter The best letter

of the month in ruling dispensation still allows this tainted man to continue as the Chair- the Letter to the man, knowing fully well about his past Editor section black career. Now, his comment that will be awarded even God cannot declare the result an amount of (Oral interview APSC) within 3 hours Rs 200. So and thereby he is challenging the Chiefplease keep minster. This comment obviously is tantamount to a derision to our Chiefwriting. minister. Rakesh Paul's audacity reminds one of the anecdote when Lachit Letters to the Borphukan, was prompted to behead editor and articles his maternal uncle for his inability to complete the fort (Momaikata Garh) should be sent to : The Eastern Towithin the night to check the Mughals.

We appeal, through this column of your day esteemed daily to our Chief minister Chowkidingee, to remove Mr. Rakseh Paul before long from the post of Chairman, APSC, for Near Sankardeva the greater interest of the people of Hospital Mancotta Assam.

Road, DibrugarhYours etc.

Ashok Bordoloi Dibrugarh

786001 (Assam) Ph: 0373-2328944 Email : editor.easterntoday@gmail.com

p O

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, JUNE 24

Page 9

ed

Ambubachi Mela - an unfathomable belief!

Ambubachi Mela - A be- ing the monsoon season lief that draws people around mid-June every from every corner of our year. country and the world. During this period, the The Mela is held at main doors of Kamakhya Kamakhya temple which temple remains closed for is situated atop the lush three days and daily worNilachal Hills in the west- ship and other religious ern part of Guwahati city, performances are not carAssam. Thousands and ried out. On the fourth day, thousands of M a a pilgrimsKamakhya is s a d h u s , Binita Baruah bathed to retantric and tourists flock trieve her purity, rituals Guwahati city to witness performed and the main the sacred event of the gate is opened for the Mela every year. The devotees. The sanctum word "Ambubachi" or has no specific Idol but a "Ambubasi" is derived stone in the form of "Yoni" from the Sanskrit word or the female reproductive "Ambuvaci" meaning "the organ, a spring overflows issuing forth of water" the Yoni and keeps it moist. which refers to the rise of It is this Yoni-like depresthe water level of the sion that is worshipped. mighty river Brahmaputra The festival is closely asdue to the arrival of mon- sociated with the Tantric soon. Ambubachi Mela is Cult which is believed to the yearly celebration of have prevailed in the the menstruation cycle of Eastern part of India and Goddess Kamakhya, an- many Baba's display their other form of Mother tantric physic powers.

Shakti. A second belief The Mela is also known states that Mother Earth as the "Mahakumbh of herself bleeds for three the East". days and the entire earth I decided to be a part of is impure or unclean dur- this auspicious occasion ing these days. The Mela, and set forth to the also known as "Ameti" or Nilachal Hills. The "Amoti" is celebrated dur- Nilachal Hill was echoed

with sounds of Dhol, Drums and Chants of the devotees. From far off a distance, I witnessed the procession of slow moving cars. Traffic was well organized, but looking for a parking place was a mammoth's task. However, when the intentions are good, one finds a way, and so did I find a parking space, though at quite a distance.

The next hurdle was to get into an local transport- bus or the unlimited trekkers that were making round trips from temple to the stoppage at the main road and to and fro, as private vehicles were denied entry without passes. I managed to get into one of the trekkers and made some space for my mother too, who had accompanied me. The passengers outnumbered the amount of space in the vehicle, but since it was a journey to be one with the Almighty, every passenger had a cheerful face and was accommodating. I initiated a conversation with the young lad making these countless rounds and asked him, "How many

trips do you make in a day?''. He replied, "Uncountable, we start at around 5am in the morning and continue till 3am next morning, of course, in rotation". I was jaw dropped for some moment. I smiled and replied "Yet you look so cheerful, hardworking and untiring - everything in the name of belief, right"? He nodded a big Yes and smiled back.

As soon as I reached the main entrance of the temple, I was stunned to see lakhs and lakhs of pilgrims. The devotees ranged in all age group aged, youth and toddlers in the lap of their parents.

Everyone was submerged in devotion. The security arrangements and the helpdesks were doing a recommendable job, constantly on their toes, helping the ever increasing crowd.

I exchanged a small dialog with the committee members too. They shared their story of a very busy and hectic schedule ahead. They also intimated that devotees will assemble since midnight to

have the first sight of Maa Kamakhya and take her blessings as soon as the main gate opens. I bowed and offered my prayers and accepted her blessings from outside the door.

After offering my prayers, I decided to go around the temple and be a part of this wonderful and pious occasion. Almost everyone was reciting chants and hymns.

Some were lost in meditation; completely unwary of the unlimited crowd.

There were some God and Goddesses also in the making -few local youths took the form of Goddess Kali, there was a little Shiva in a playful mood who needed to be reminded constantly to pose and innumerable SadhuSanyasi's displaying their tantric Shakti's. I requested a group of Tantric Baba's if I could capture them with my camera to which they happily agreed and even posed. Some Sadhu's were preaching about loving oneself which is the ultimate path for inner happiness, some about karma and some on human lives and values. A

How Communalism Has Grown To Become A National Crisis In India "But don't forget, so Lennon offers a good ex- same piece, he also ques- their operations. had Hitler's Nazis and planation. He once said, tions the 'good terms' of The Babri demolition bethe fascists under "When it gets down to leaders like M.K. Gandhi, came the reason behind Mussolini ‌it (the RSS) having to use violence, Ram Manohar Lohia and major communal riots all is a communal body then you're playing the Jayprakash Narayan with over India during the year with a totalitarian out- system's game. The es- the RSS in different peri- 1992-93 in which more look." tablishment will irritate ods of Indian history. Ac- than 2000 lives were lost - Sardar Patel you - pull your beard, cording to him, whether and mostly Muslims were After the 2014 Lok flick your face - to make it be the Congress or the oppressed from Mumbai Sabha elections in India, you fight. Because once Left or the Socialist to Meerut. Noted activist communalism along they have got you violent, Party, all had relationships Aruna Roy termed the with nationalism sud- then they know how to with the RSS for various Babri demolition as an asdenly came handle you. reasons, and it was only sault on reason and ratioto be only because of such support nality of the Constitution.

Anwarul Hoda The among the thing they that RSS, in the post-In- The differences and hatred most dedon't know dependence period, among the Hindu and bated issues which are how to handle is non-vio- gained legitimacy.

Muslim communities conbeing discussed from the lence and humour."

Once Nehru declared his tinue to grow as an afterdhabas to the five-star Communalism also re- dream of India by stating, effect of the demolition. newsrooms of media sults from a breakdown "The one thing that should And since then identity channels. of common conscious- be obvious to all of us is politics of the BJP got esThese two subjects ness based on the idea of that there is no group in tablished in the political complement each other. plurality and of social in- India, no party, no reli- arena of India.

The narrow notion of tegration. 'Fear of the gious community, which "I shall wish for an India, nationalism, which the other' is something which can prosper if India does in which the poorest shall Bharatiya Janta Party and acts as a catalyst in the not prosper. If India goes feel that it is their country its parent organisation process of communal ri- down, we go down, all of in whose making they Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is propagating on the streets is creating a wave of communal feeling among the religious majority group as well as minorities. Nationalism serves as the ground for the operative ideology of communalism to advance a theory of the nation which is based on a common political consciousness of the majority community. RSS with its different political and social organisations is Image for representational purpose (Photo: insightsonindia.) successfully clubbing Hinduism with national- ots. And this often done us‌ But if it is well with have an effective voice; ism by their political by advertising a sense of India, if India lives as a an India in which there theory of a 'Hindu insecurity among the vital, free country, then it shall be no high class and Rashtra'. communities. And once is well with all of us, to low class of people; [and In post-colonial India, 'the fear of other' is in- whatever community or above all] an India in which there is a long list of com- jected among them, it be- religion, we belong." But all communities shall live in munal riots. But what is comes almost impossible soon after his death, his perfect harmony." This is common in all such in- to get rid of it. C.G. Shah, successors failed in con- the Gandhian idea of Indecidences is the state's 'in- in his book 'Marxism, trolling the root of com- pendent India based on sovisible hand'. The state's Gandhism, Stalinism', munalism and in fact cial equality and on comrole has been alleged in says, "Under the pressure they, in a way, gave them munal harmony which is all riots from the 1984 of communal propa- freedom to spread their now facing some serious anti-Sikh riot to the re- ganda, the masses are influence across the setbacks. cent Muzaffarnagar riot, unable to locate the real country.

BJP's totalitarian outlook and also the 2002 Gujarat causes of their exploita- The Babri Demolition upholds the RSS agenda riots. The most surpris- tion, oppression, and suf- With the Independence of of ending diversity and esing part in all these in- fering and imagine a fic- India, communal forces tablishing a state with a stances of communal titious communal source were restricted to an ex- monolithic culture. Since violence is that they be- of their origin." tent. But the event that Modi succeeded gin for reasons that are Tracing The Foot- took place on December Manmohan Singh as not religious. The com- Marks 7, 1992, propelled Indian Prime Minister, RSS mon reasons which trig- To take our understand- democracy into a radical through the BJP is trying ger communal violence ing further we need to go phase. Babri masjid's to push forward its politiare mostly land disputes, way back to the Gandhi- demolition is one of the cal Hindutva ideology eve teasing, fights Nehru era when efforts most unfortunate inci- through different educaamong individuals or, were made to create a dents that happened in tional and cultural institumore commonly these secular state in a religious post-colonial India which tions. Appointment of RSS days, mixed marriages society.

Sumanta revived a situation like that sympathisers to prestiwhich later turn into a Banerjee, in his latest ar- in 1937-47 which is con- gious institutions like the matter of religious con- ticle for Economic & Po- sidered as a stage of ex- Indian Council of Historiflict often after the inter- litical Weekly, highlights treme communalism in cal Research (ICHR), the vention of political fig- how eminent leaders of colonial India according to National Council of Educaures sometimes even as- the freedom movement Bipan Chandra, when the tional Research and Trainsociated with 'secular' failed in countering the communal organisations ing (NCERT), the Film and parties. communal seeds sown like the Muslim League, Television Institute of InA famous line by an En- during their struggle for Hindu Mahasabha and dia (FTII) and at various glish songwriter John independence. In this RSS were at the height of other reputed chairs reveals

so much.

The BJP came to power with the promise of development and of removing the existing corruption. But in two years, Indian politics has largely revolved around the issues like 'love-jihad', 'Ghar Wapsi', 'Gau Mata' and the most recent, 'Bharat Mata'. These issues appear to be tactical tools for the divisive identity politics of the BJP. However, it doesn't mean that India suddenly transformed after BJP was sworn into the power.

The point here is the degree of communal feeling seems to have increased.

The cold-blooded murder of Govind Pansare and Professor M.M. Kalburgi, the murder of Mohammad Akhlaq have shocked the entire civil society. Slogans like 'Muslim Mukt Bharat' are highly communalising and politicisation of the Kairana migration are results of the same.

In the 21st century, when the world is reaching new heights of development and prosperity, organisations like RSS still believes in regressive ideas like 'Akhand Bharat' and 'Hindu Rashtra'. The worsening communal atmosphere in the country is curbing the space for reason and rationality.

Sumanta Banerjee in the same article argues for "break[ing] the umbilical cord with the political tradition of appeasing Hindu majoritarianism, and social toleration of obscurantist divisive religious beliefs and customs".

The time has come to challenge the Parivar and its government in the socio-religious sphere where they violate, every now and then, that provision of the Fundamental Duties given in the Indian Constitution (Part IV - A) which requires every citizen to "develop a scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform".

It needs to be understood that the future of India lies in secularism and any war against linguistic plurality, cultural or religious diversity will only break India. One is well aware of how India changes every 10 kilometres. The identity of India rests in its plurality and diversity which must be preserved.

Courtesy: Youthkiawaaz

good number of tourists too had made the rounds, while many knew about the event; others were enlightening themselves from the local pujari's (priest).

I spent nearly half the day sitting in the rocky stairs and got lost in thoughts and the crowd, mesmerized by the passion every devotee had. Nobody looked tired or weary, infact every face was a happy face full of contentment for being able to make it to the Devi's door.

In the temple premises, there were numerous stalls selling variety of items- idols of various God and Goddesses, jewelry, sweets etc etc- blending business with belief. As one descends from the temple and reaches the main road, one can witness numerous stalls where people were busy offering free drinking water, food and tea to the devotees -a great service in the name of conviction.

After spending five long hours witnessing the pro-

digious event, I made my way back to the car and as I headed home, my mind kept recapitulating the beautiful and exhilarating experience I had. In spite of much sweat, thirst, and hunger, I was fresh and contended in my mind and heart. I whispered to myself: "It is exactly this mixture of chaos, belief and complete surrender to the Almighty that makes this part of India truly enticing and mystic". (The writer can be reached at binita_b2002@yahoo.co.in)

Should Parents Really Be Blamed For Pushing Their Kids To Take Up Engineering?

It is welcoming to see Mr. ent side to the story which ing or the medical sciences Shashi Tharoor engaging often goes unreported or as the 'national hobbies' with the nuances of edu- is conveniently ignored at they want their kids to cation in India. He, in fact, best. After all, as parents, pursue. And the money has been one of the few all they want is their kids verus satisfaction debate leaders engaging with a to do well in life and have seldom works when you number of real issues of a decent standard of liv- have to pay bills and work national importance time ing, something that they for a living. These convenand again. I am glad he have been struggling for. tional vocations come brought up the issue of The massive pressures with a promise of a stable that the and secure future which how having "a pro- Harshita Murarka c h i l d r e n remains the top priority deal with for an average Indian. At fessional degree in the right field" is in coaching institutions the end of the day, all parperceived as the "passport and engineering colleges ents want the best for their to social and economic often finds sympathisers children. This obsession development" in his recent and onlookers but what with STEM education article titled 'India's Deadly Entrance Exams' published in the Project Syndicate. He adeptly talks about the academic pressures Indian parents put on their children for whom engineering and medicine remain the top career choices. But sadly what goes amiss is an understanding of what drives them to do so.

It is crucial to explore the plight of higher education in the country, particularly Image for representational purpose (Photo: in the humanities and so3.bp.blogspot) cial science streams, in light of this incumbent debate. Technical educa- about the stress that innu- seems justified however tion paves the way for a merable social sciences deep the ramifications of bigger paycheck and that and humanities students the same happen to be. is the motivation for the undergo every day of their New IITs are sanctioned aspiring students wanting life? What would they do and so is the focus on proto make it big in life. This with their degree? What liferation of a 'tech culhas inadvertently led to about the years of invest- ture'. Are the students or neglect in other domains ment they have made in a parents left with any of education, particularly subject of their choice? choice but to succumb to humanities. The disci- Why are they supposed to the pressures of keeping plines that focus on shap- settle with peanuts in up with the rat race? It is ing the mind are pushed to terms of the monetary high time that such questhe lower rungs of the edu- compensation they get for tions are addressed. Crecation hierarchy. This their jobs as opposed to ating better opportunities rigid hierarchy in the edu- their technology counter- in myriad fields, promotcation system wreaks parts who end up with a ing vocations diverse in havoc on the aspirations lot more money and per- nature, addressing the massive pay disparities, and creativity of innumer- haps stability? creating space for reable students wanting to carve a path for them- The plight of countless search are the need of the selves. The undue valida- researchers and academi- hour. tion given to success sto- cians in the country is a It is true that education is ries of the IITs or IIMs in testimony to the unfair the only way towards soterms of the pay packages treatment meted out to the cial change but there can stands in sharp contrast to ones who are brave be no single path to the the lack of enough to follow their pas- same. It is even more cenacknowledgement to im- sion. The uncertainty tral to a diverse nation like portant research in un- looming over their jobs, India with people having heard of topics in the so- the absolute aspersion of diverse tastes and intercial sciences. Besides, the dignity in terms of the in- ests. Once proper steps funding offered to hu- sane amount of workload are taken to resurrect the manities' institutions are assigned to them and the crumbling educational crumbs as compared to probable sacking of new situation, I am sure a lot what their science coun- jobs demands immediate many parents will be terparts make. This also attention. These are of brave enough to let their leads to a huge pay dispar- course the material con- children follow the path cerns because the emo- they want to. But are we ity between the two.

Why would the average tional trauma experienced waiting for more suicides middle-class Indian par- as a result of such preju- to follow before addressent, then, not want their dices is way too depress- ing this pressing issue kid to go into a premium ing to be even docu- which gets camouflaged amidst hate speeches, poengineering or medical mented. college? Looking at the It then comes as little sur- litical rhetoric and empty picture from their side prise for parents to adopt promises? Courtesy gives a completely differ- the civil services, engineer- :Youthkiawaaz

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, JUNE 24

BUSINESS

Essar's Raniganj crosses one million SCMD production milestone ANI Raniganj, Jun 23: Essar announced its Raniganj (East) Block in West Bengal as India's first CBM (Coal Bed Methane) asset to cross the one million SCMD (Standard Cubic Metres per Day) production milestone. This makes Essar the country's largest unconventional gas player.

The targeted plateau production from the Block is three million SCMD. As per 2016 NSAI (Netherland Sewell and Associates, Inc.) report, the proven, probable and possible gross CBM re-

LoanAdda ties up with Unity Group's 'Amaryllis' ANI Pune, Jun 23: LoanAdda, an online loan aggregator of financial products and loan distribution services, announces its partnership with real estate giant Unity Group's residential project 'Amaryllis', to facilitate hassle-free loan disbursement services for the latter's esteemed patrons. With this association, LoanAdda hopes to become a syndicate for Delhi's biggest residential project and will provide housing loans for its customers from all walks of life. With a solid background in product structuring of Loans and technological development, LoanAdda is gradually gaining prominence in the realm of fintech. Its highly qualified team unites to create an effective solution for parameterized lending and offers suggestions as to where a particular loan application will be most successful. "We are extremely delighted to be associated with Unity Group, one of the biggest real estate developers in the country. With this partnership, we hope to create a mutually benefitting ecosystem, with customer satisfaction being our topmost priority," said Founder LoanAdda, Anshuman Mishra. Elaborating on this association Unity Group's Krishan Aggarwal said, "Every individual dreams of owning a luxury home they can call their own. Many are well settled in existing locations in Delhi and want to move to a destination location. We've decided to assist such future home owners by offering them a dynamic platform like LoanAdda, where they get easy access to loans and realize their dreams into reality." Being a prominent name in real estate domain, Unity Group is one of the best property developers in India. With over two decades of experience in building sturdy properties for its clients, the company has succeeded in developing over 100 development projects across the National Capital region. Currently, it is developing Amaryllis, in Central Delhi across 39.8 acres of land area. It is also one of the fastest growing startups in India.

With confirmed selection and participation in world's biggest fintech seminars like Money Conference and RISE, Hong Kong, this promising enterprise hopes to disrupt the loan disbursement market in the country and improve loan advize services in India.

CROSSING BOUNDARIES Essar announced its Raniganj (East) Block in West Bengal as India's first CBM (Coal Bed Methane) asset to cross the one million SCMD (Standard Cubic Metres per Day) production milestone.

As per 2016 NSAI (Netherland Sewell and Associates, Inc.) report, the proven, probable and possible gross CBM reserves in the Raniganj (East) Block is estimated at 1.09 TCF (Trillion Cubic Feet).

This makes Essar the country's largest unconventional gas player. The targeted plateau production from the Block is three million SCMD.

The Block is assessed to have additional resources in the 'contingent' category of around 270 BCF (Billion Cubic Feet).

serves in the Raniganj (East) Block is estimated at 1.09 TCF (Trillion Cubic Feet). The Block is assessed to have additional resources in the 'contingent' category of around 270 BCF (Billion Cubic Feet). "We married talent with technology to transform reserves to production. In the last 12 months, the average well productivity has more than doubled, the gas break-out time in new wells has reduced to days instead of months, and the work-over cycle has reduced to a fifth. Our collaborative relationship

with international service providers has resulted in win-win solutions," said CEO-E&P Essar, Manish Maheshwari.

Essar has commenced supply to Matix Fertilizers for its pre-commissioning activities at the rate of 150,000 SCMD. Besides Matix, the CBM gas is being supplied to industrial consumers in the catchment area of Durgapur. The gas pricing is in compliance with the government notified formula of October 2014.

"There are tremendous opportunities in the domestic unconventional

Jugnoo announces 'Dodo Deliveries' for logistics segment ANI New Delhi, Jun 23: Auto-rickshaw aggregator Jugnoo announced its foray into B2B logistics segment with the launch of Dodo Deliveries to provide an omni channel, on-demand, hyper-local logistics service enabling vendors to deliver products to their customers. This is a dual concept that not only adds to the myriad of services offered by Jugnoo, but also aids the local merchants and vendors to scale their businesses. Complementing its recently launched hyper-local grocery delivery service, Fatafat, the launch is aimed at further augmenting its services.

Furthermore, Dodo is integrated with Jugnoo, which gives the drivers an additional source of income by taking delivery requests when they are not taking any ride. Apart from optimally exploiting its existing auto rickshaw fleet, Dodo has also aggregated other means of deliveries such as twowheelers and commercial vehicles. "After launching 'Fatafat', tapping the B2B segment was apparent as we had to associate with various vendors to source goods. Therefore, conceptualizing and actualizing Dodo Deliveries was a natural progression - from only grocery delivery to a comprehensive logistics ser-

Founder and CEO Jugnoo, Samar Singla.

(Photo: smartcity.eletsonline) vice as well that adds great value to our overall service," said Founder and CEO Jugnoo, Samar Singla. "Both the ventures viz. ' Fatafat' and ' Dodo Deliveries', under the aegis of Jugnoo, are

interrelated and complement each other. Additionally, we have the fleet of vehicles and are also aware of the demand for delivery services. There is an urgent need for end to end logistics solutions

in the market and Dodo aims to be the next piece of the jigsaw in the hyperlocal marketplace," added Samar Singla. Dodo is currently doing 200 deliveries per day and aims at delivering more than 500 orders per day in the next one month. Talking about the business model; there is no stipulated size for minimum order and charges for delivery start from as low as Rs. 30 per delivery. Currently operational in Chandigarh, the services will be implemented in Indore, Gurgaon and Noida in two weeks' time. Moreover, Jugnoo intends to launch 'Dodo' in more than 15 cities in the next two months.

Bipasha Basu, Karan Singh Grover unveil Alibaba revamped '9Apps 3.0'

Bollywood's current hit couple Bipasha Basu and Karan Singh Grover. (Photo: media2.intoday) ANI Mumbai, Jun 23: Bollywood's current hit couple Bipasha Basu and Karan Singh Grover recently launched the slick and stylish new 9Apps, a leading third-party app store that is part of Alibaba Mobile Business Group.

The new look launched by 9Apps has been specially designed to capture the trends and pulse of the millennial, a generation that is not only tech-savvy but also style conscious.

Bipasha and Karan recently took to social media to share their new obsession, a game called 'H5' that enables users to check their style quotient. Both the stars took to twitter as they urged their

fans to try the game, 'What's your #StylishSelfie score?'

Stylish 9Apps 3.0 fulfils its commitment to 'Be cool outside, be powerful inside'.

The change in design gives a youthful and energetic look to the app while fun and personalized elements make the app store smarter and more user-friendly.

9Apps also announced that it has clocked over 260 million Monthly Active Users (MAUs) who generate over 800 million app distributions every month (26 million app downloads every single day). 9Apps has a huge repository of localized and region-specific apps, making it the favorite thirdparty app store amongst Indian users.

Timesaverz introduces experience cards

Exide Life Insurance signs on Dhoni as brand ambassador feature in the Exide Life Insurance marketing campaign "Lamba saath, bharose Ki baat." (Long term relationships build trust).

Speaking about his partnership with Exide Life Insurance, Dhoni said, "This is my first endorsement deal in the insurance category. I am pleased to be associated with Exide Life Insurance, a company that helps Indians prepare financially for their long and happy life.

ANI B a n g a l o r e (Karnataka), Jun 23: Exide Life Insurance announced Mahendra Singh Dhoni as its brand ambassador. Dhoni, who represents the aspirations of millions, has a strong mass appeal and followership compared to any other sporting icon in India.

Dhoni is the perfect brand ambassador for Exide life Insurance as he embodies the values of Exide life Insurance.

He is Dependable, Dynamic, Responsive and Foresighted. Dhoni represents a "unique blend of skill, commitment and stability which are all personality traits that are relevant to the life insurance category" said Mohit Goel, DirectorMarketing, Exide Life Insurance. "As a life in-

A file photo of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. (Photo: s.ndtvimg) surance company, we believe that long term relationships build trust, and Mahendra Singh Dhoni is a perfect embodiment of that belief.

Dhoni has appeal that cuts across geography,

gender and age groups.

He is one of India's most celebrated cricketers, and the most successful captain of the Indian team and we are extremely excited to be associated with him." Starting June 22, Dhoni will

Long term relationships build trust and I have always planned for the long term in all aspects of my life. Exide Life Insurance is a brand that resonates well with me and I look forward to working with them very closely." Adding to this, Arun Pandey, Chairman, Rhiti Sports Manage-

To beat Maggi dejection Nestle lines up 25-products New Delhi, Jun 23: Swiss food giant Nestle is launching around 25 products across categories, its largest consolidated launch ever, to offset the gaping hole left by the Maggi controversy.

While Maggi has clawed back to the top spot with around 55.5% of the market share, it is still far away from its hey days when it commanded 77% of the Indian noodles market and contributed around a third to Nestle India's revenues. "Currently, it accounts for a fourth of our overall business," said Suresh Narayanan, chairman of

hydrocarbon sector. The Hydrocarbon Exploration Licensing Policy (HELP), which was announced by the Government in March 2016, recognizes this potential in contributing towards national energy security," Maheshwari added. A study was undertaken with the support of USTDA (US Trade & Development Agency), by an independent US firm that has expertise in shale has made a preliminary assessment of original inplace shale gas resources of around eight TCF underneath the CBM play in the Raniganj (East) Block.

PAGE 10

Nestle India. Although, the company is doubling the variants of Maggi to 12, including new spicy flavours for young consumers called 'Hot Heads' and one for pilgrims that has no garlic or onions, Narayanan said the instant noodles category has taken a beating with consumer sentiment still a tad low. "New players have moved in too," he said.

Data from industry sources shows that the instant noodles category, which was pegged at Rs 4,000-4500 crore before the Maggi crisis, has shrunk to around Rs 2,000 crore at present.

TO COVER UP Swiss food giant Nestle is launching around 25 products across categories, its largest consolidated launch ever, to offset the gaping hole left by the Maggi controversy.

While Maggi has clawed back to the top spot with around 55.5% of the market share, it is still far away from its hey days when it commanded 77% of the Indian noodles market and contributed around a third to Nestle India's revenues. Currently, it accounts for a fourth of our overall business.

Data from industry sources shows that the instant noodles category, which was pegged at Rs 4,000-4500 crore before the Maggi crisis, has shrunk to around Rs 2,000 crore at present.

Apart from the new variants of instant noodles, Nestle India will launch variations of pasta, Nestea, baby food, coffee, masala tea mix, chocolates and confectionery and many more products in a bid to reduce its dependence on Maggi.

"Some among these will provide big opportunities, while others will remain niche," Narayanan said.

"With consumers moving on, we have to move on too as a company. You may have never seen us as a digital or e-commerce savvy company. But there will be more of that soon." (Agencies)

ment (the company which manages all endorsement deals of M S Dhoni) said, "Life Insurance is one category which is more than just a monetary safety net for those left behind.

It is one of the most important long term investments that an individual makes. Hence, brands in this category have to be extremely conscious when it comes to associating with celebrities.

In the case of Exide Life Insurance, the brand's clear vision and promise is well-aligned with the brand attributes of M S Dhoni which makes this association very strong. I am glad we took our time to find the right brand partner for Dhoni in the life insurance category; and am sure this will go a long way."

Co-founder and CEO, Debadutta Upadhyaya. (Photo: media4growth)

ANI Mumbai, Jun 23: Timesaverz, India's first tech enabled services platform that takes care of everything from cleaning tasks to handymen jobs, laundry maintenance to at-home beauty services and appliances repairs to pest control has announced the launch of experience cards that signals the beginning of it selling services as a product. Timesaverz works on both web and mobile interface that has been witnessing a 10X growth YoY operating across key metros like Mumbai, Navi Mumabi, Thane, Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Pune, Hyderabad and Bangalore.

Now the customers will be able to purchase experience cards pre-loaded with a specific service or a certain amount of their choice.

These experience cards will be valid for a period of three months from the date of purchase. Timesaverz is the first company in the on-demand

services space that has made its foray into experience cards akin to gift cards that product oriented companies have. "As a company, most of our category and product launches have been driven by customer feedback and one of the things that emerged during these interactions was that people are increasingly becoming open to the idea of experiencing services to their friends and family, especially young men and women experiencing services to their old parents around festive time and special occasions like Diwali, Mother's Day, shifting homes etc. to ease their life," said Cofounder and CEO, Debadutta Upadhyaya. The experience cards are highly customizable with various templates and a space for adding a personalized message. The customer will be able to purchase these via the Timesaverz website and can pay for the same online through credit/debit cards or wallets.

Sagoon achieves greater user penetration with over 2.5 lakh users ANI New Delhi, Jun 23: Sagoon, a Washington DC and New Delhi based online social commerce venture, announces its latest achievement of acquiring over 2.5 Lakh users registered in its platform. The unique startup enables its users to connect with like-minded people, share interests, and in the process earn some money, practicing the company motto - connect, share, earn. Ever since Sagoon began its operations, it has witnessed an increasing number of users registering from both India and Nepal.

Regions with maximum user penetration include Delhi and Bangalore (India), Kathmandu, Pokhara and

Biratnagar (Nepal), and Dubai as well. "It is an important achievement for us.

We have gained 2, 55,000 users in just two years, which clearly shows what Sagoon is capable of. For us, the experience of users at Sagoon holds utmost importance and we will continue to improve it through regular updates," said CoFounder Sagoon, Swati Dayal. The average age group of users in this platform is between 25 and 34, i.e., the millennial. Apart from its already registered customers, Sagoon currently has over one million potential users on its waiting list - an estimate that is proof enough of its remarkable growth and success. Since its launch in

2014, Sagoon's growing user base has shared more than two million messages. Each user, on an average, invites 12 new users, thereby helping the company scale its business manifold. Currently, Sagoon is all set to enter the next phase of business funding via private placement, which will be followed by Mini- IPO. By the end of this year, the company will launch its 'Social Smart Card', an online shopping card that allows users to earn money, spend money and redeem coupons or gift their loved ones while they socialize. Furthermore, Sagoon will start accepting endorsement opportunities in early 2018 to maximize its visibility among a wider user spectrum.

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, JUNE 24

Features

PAGE 11

TRAVEL & TOURISM These six european-style towns are actually in shanghai Wherever you go in downtown Shanghai, you'll be struck by international influence both past and present. From the leafy avenues of the former French Concession to the modern malls on Nanjing West Road, this is a city that grew up with globalisation.

For a different - and less crowded - take on cosmopolitanism, head to the suburbs. Hidden among the city outskirts are six European-style towns. These novel developments are a result of a 2001 plan to relieve population pressure in the city centre, by building new suburbs on the outskirts. It was hoped the European motifs would help attract Shanghai's middle and upper classes, but deserted streets in some of these areas suggest it takes more than quirky themes to pull residents away from central Shanghai.

If the city's population growth catches up with

its relentless construction, though, these offbeat enclaves are unlikely to stay quiet forever. Here are a few of the most intriguing.

Tie the knot in British Thames town For a very British experience, ride the Shanghai metro to Thames Town.

Almost everything here, including the clambering ivy, the man-made River Thames and the church modelled on its Bristol counterpart, is disconcertingly English.

It's this very Englishness that makes touches of Chinese life stand out all the more: the red-coated guard on an electric moped, the ladies with purple permed hair and their similarly coiffured poodles, the countless couples who travel here for wedding photography.

Though it's known officially as Thames Town, perhaps the place is best summed up by the name of a local language school: Li Yang Crazy English Town.

Spot the statues in a quiet German town Architectural firm Albert Speer & Partner (Speer's father was Hitler's chief architect in WWII) based their design for Anting New Town on modern German residential districts.

The result may indeed be modern, but the empty streets suggest it's not very residential. It is, in fact, a bit of a ghost town, with only one in five properties being inhabited.

As well as rows of yellow and red apartment blocks, the development includes the German Football Park - a small pitch where real players have been substituted for plastic statues.

In the central square, too, statues dominate.

Friedrich Schiller and Johann Wolfgang van Goethe stand with an air of gravity that suggests that they are in a town with more than one open bar.

German beer, and Tai-

wanese sausages, are on offer in the restaurant opposite the literary figures, and you won't need to queue to place your order.

Get back to nature in Swedish Luodian Luodian North European New Town is inspired by Sigtuna in Sweden. Like Luodian, Sigtuna sits on the banks of a Lake Malaren. The Chinese version of the lake is a popular spot for camping and barbecues, and is probably more frequently used for wedding photos than its Swedish counterpart.

Away from the water, statues of naked Scandinavians pose outside northwest Chinese noodle shops. With titles such as Vitality, these scantily-clad artworks fit right into Luodian's natural, outdoors theme.

Shanghai meets la Mancha in Spanish Fengcheng You'll need the adventurous spirit of a knight-errant to discover Spanish

Fengcheng. The 600 year-old town is a bustling jigsaw of hotpot restaurants and clothing stores, and even many locals haven't noticed the Spanish influence.

But Spanish influence there is, and you'll know you've found it once you spot the three windmills.

The adjacent bridge is decorated with stonecarved pictures of scenes from Don Quixote.

Rising up from the river running under the bridge is a sculpture that may well be the Lady of La Mancha; she aims a level gaze at a housing compound with unmistakeable whitewashed walls and redtiled roofs.

Take a cruise in Italian Pujiang To many, Shanghai's Breeza Citta di Pujiang sounds more Italian than it looks. Architects Gregotti Associati International aimed for a rectangular grid layout, and architecture defined by simplicity and clean

Shanghai gone European (Photo: i.guim.co) lines.

The result is a modern hybrid of Italian design and Shanghai suburb, with wide streets and long canals that are popular with both anglers and canoers.

Wander far enough from the populated apartment blocks and you'll find a deserted Venetian-style canal, where a disused gondola floats eerily.

Go Dutch in Gaoqiao Most emblematic of Hol-

land Town (Gaoqiao) is the windmill that stands on an island in the Gaoqiao Port waterway.

To one side of the windmill, a faded sign advertising wedding photography clings to the wooden walls. Though the photography agency is gone, the pretty views across the water are still here.

Gaohe Road, the main thoroughfare, has little open aside from a gym and a martial arts centre.

The rows of narrow houses, in colours from asphalt grey to faded orange, are topped by an array of turrets and gables.

At the northeastern end of Gaohe Road, past Shanghai Renjia and the closed St Michael's Catholic Church, are a few riverside benches from where you can enjoy a panoramic view of this picturesque Dutch town.

Courtesy: roughguides

Little known Facts about the A taste of Kolkata: the foodie capital of India Enchanting Uttarakhand Northeast of Delhi, bordering Nepal and Tibet, the mountains of the Garhwal and Kumaon regions rise from the fertile sub-Himalayan plains.

Together they form the state of Uttarakhand, which was shorn free from lowland Uttar Pradesh in 2000 after years of agitation, and changed its name from Uttaranchal in 2007. The region has its own distinct languages and cultures, and successive deep river valleys shelter fascinating micro-civilizations, where Hinduism meets animism and Buddhist influence is never

here pilgrims set off for the high temples known as the Char Dham B a d r i n a t h , Kedarnath,Yamunotri and Gangotri, the source of the Ganges. Earthier pursuits are on offer at Mussoorie, a British hill station that's now a popular Indian resort. The lessvisited Kumaon region remains largely unspoilt, and boasts pleasant small towns with panoramic mountain views, among them Kausani, Ranikhet, and the tiny hamlet of Kasar Devi, as well as the Victorian hill station of Nainital, where a lakeside promenade throngs with

Garhwal, Buddhism made some inroads in the region, but Garhwal and Kumaon remained Brahmanical.

The Kuninda eventually succumbed to the Guptas around the fourth century AD, who, despite controlling much of the north Indian plains, failed to make a lasting impact in the hills. Between the seventh and the fourteenth centuries, the Shaivite Katyuri dominated lands of varying extent from the modern-day Baijnath valley in Kumaon, where their stone temples still stand, and Brahmanical culture flourished, highlighted by

Har Ki Pauri (Photo:haridwarhotelguide) too far away. Although not as high as the giants of Nepal, further east, or as the Karakoram, the snow peaks here rank among the most beautiful mountains of the inner Himalayas, forming an almost continuous chain that culminates in Nanda Devi, the highest mountain in India at 7816m.

Garhwal is the more visited region, busy with pilgrims who flock to its holy spots. At Haridwar, the Ganges thunders out from the foothills on its long journey to the sea.

The nearby ashram town of Rishikesh is familiar from one of the classic East-meets-West images of the 1960s; it was where the Beatles came to stay with the Maharishi. From

visitors escaping the heat of the plains. Further down, the forests at Corbett Tiger Reserve offer the chance to go tigerspotting from the back of an elephant. Both districts abound in classic treks, many leading through the bugyals - summer pastures, where rivers are born and paths meet.

Brief history The first known inhabitants of Garhwal and Kumaon were the Kuninda in the second century BC. A Himalayan tribal people practising an early form of Shaivism, they traded salt with Tibet and shared connections with contemporaneous Indo-Greek civilization. As evidenced by a second-century Ashokan edict at Kalsi in western

the rise ofJageshwar as a major pilgrimage centre.

In following centuries, Kumaon prospered further under the Chandras, who took learning and art to new levels, while Garhwal fell under the Panwar rajas. In 1803, the westward expansion of the Nepali Gurkhas engulfed both regions, but their brief rule ended with the Sugauli Treaty of 1816, resulting in annexation of both regions by the British.

The Birth of Uttaranchal Following Independence, Garhwal and Kumaon became part of Uttar Pradesh, but failure by the administration in Lucknow to develop the region led to increasingly violent calls for a separate

state. Things came to a head in October 1994 when a peaceful protest march to Delhi was violently disrupted in Mussoorie by the UP police. The sympathetic high-caste BJP took up the separatist cause after coming to power in March 1998, leading to the creation of India's 27th state, originally called Uttaranchal, on November 9, 2000.

The process of creating the new state was somewhat acrimonious. Deep cultural differences characterize Garhwal and Kumaon, and both regions hoped to host the new capital. Dehra Dun, in lowland Garhwal, was eventually chosen, upsetting the Kumaonis considerably. Meanwhile, in Haridwar - culturally a part of the plains - farmers took to the streets to demand things remain as they were. In January 2007, the state reverted to its historical name, Uttarakhand, meaning "northern country". More than a dozen years after it was created, scores of old and new problems continue to face the young state.

On the environmental front, deforestation in the hills has led to a rapid loss of arable land, while global warming continues to shrink glaciers at an alarming rate. As both water and power shortages continue to impact much of the state, many of Uttarakhand's controversial hydro-electric projects have been scrapped or stalled over a scrum of political, religious and environmental concerns. Yet while officialdom founders, groups such as the Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organization (HESCO), inspired by self-reliance crusader Dr. Anil Joshi, are taking sustainable development into their own hands, working to meld local resources and modern technology.

Courtesy: roughguides

India's most underrated city, Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) is a far cry from its negative stereotypes: it's friendly, attractive and home to some of the best - and most diverse food in the country.

Pick up a kati roll Kolkata's ultimate street food is the kati roll: a paratha flatbread stuffed with chicken, mutton, paneer, egg or spiced potato, then spiked with chilli and a squeeze of fresh lime juice, and finally rolled up in paper.

Sometimes referred to as a "kathi roll" or simply a "roll", these inexpensive snacks are sold from humble stands right across the city.

They were invented at Nizam's, which moved to its current location (23-24 Hogg Street), just north of the New Market, in the 1930s: although the restaurant is a bit grotty to look at, the signature dish is seriously good.

Go all out with a traditional Bengali thala Bengali cuisine is one of the tastiest in India, but amongst the least known internationally. Mustard oil, panch phoran (a blend of five spices: fenugreek, and cumin, nigella, mustard and fennel seeds), coconut, seafood, and fresh and saltwater fish all feature heavily.

The best place to sample Bengali cuisine is in a family home, but if you can't score an invite, Kolkata has an ever-increasing number of restaurants specialising in the region's traditional cooking.

Among the best is Kewpie's Kitchen, a private home with an attached restaurant: several lavish thalas (multicourse meals) are on offer, featuring dishes like daab chingri (spicy coconut prawns).

Visit the city's last Jewish bakery Kolkata was once home to a flourishing Jewish community of 4000, but many emigrated after India gained its independence and the city's prominence began to fade. Although there are now barely 20 Jewish Kolkatans left, the community's heritage

lives on thanks to a legendary bakery.

Founded 114 years ago, and with a wood-panelled interior that appears little changed in that time, Nahoum & Sons is tucked away in the covered New Market, surrounding by clothing stores. Today it continues to do a roaring trade in currant buns, cashew macaroons, lemon tarts, cheese straws, chicken puffs and the like.

Its speciality, though, is a rich, succulent fruit cake, which is particularly popular at Christmas.

Sip a cup of Darjeeling

sels produced in their millions by the city's potters.

Bhars are traditionally smashed on the ground after use and the characteristic crunch of shoes on the brittle clay fragments is part of the city's soundtrack.

Head down to old Chinatown During the Raj, the city had a significant Chinese community. In north Kolkata a bustling Chinatown developed, filled with restaurants, temples, markets, shops and even opium dens.

Little remains of this

in which to indulge. Perhaps the most famous sweetshop is Ganguram, which has branches scattered throughout the city.

Don't miss the rosogulla (syrupy cottage cheeseand-semolina dumplings), sandesh (a sugary, creamy sweetmeat), or the mishti doi (a thick, sweetened yoghurt often flavoured with cardamom and served in earthenware pots).

Step back in time at historic restaurants The central Park Street district has long been at the heart of cosmopolitan

Representational image (Photo: bengalirestaurant) "first flush" The city of Darjeeling, high in the Himalayas north of Kolkata, is synonymous with high-quality tea: the crop was introduced to the region by the British in the 1840s. Much of it today eventually makes its way to Kolkata, where you can sample it at one of the city's burgeoning number of cafĂŠs.

Less heralded than a cup of Darjeeling's "first flush" (the first leaves picked during the harvest season), a sweet, milky chai on the street is nevertheless an essential Kolkata activity.

In much of India chaiwallahs now serve tea in glass, paper or plastic cups; in Kolkata, however, most stick to the traditional bhar, small clay ves-

world today - most of Kolkata's 2000 Chinese residents have decamped to the Tangra district east of the centre - but a few echoes remain.

In an unprepossessing location, off Ganesh Chandra Avenue, above a petrol station and up a gloomy flight of steps, is the long-running, familyrun Eau Chew, one of the city's oldest Chinese restaurants.

Its tasty, copiously portioned "chimney soups", which are cooked slowly around a metal coal-burning container, is particularly good, especially when followed by the roast duck.

Indulge your sweet tooth Bengalis have a famously sweet tooth, and there are plenty of places in Kolkata

Kolkata. Start the day at Flury's, a Swiss-style tearoom and patisserie that has been serving all-day English breakfasts, cakes and chocolates since 1927.

Then jump ahead a few decades into the bohemian 1950s and 60s at Peter Cat (18 Park Street), an atmospheric restaurant-bar famous for its Indian-Iranian chelo chicken kebab.

And finally stroll north to Sudder Street, the city's traveller hub, for a taste of the Raj. Nothing beats a sundowner in the beer garden of the Fairlawn Hotel, which dates back to 1783 and has hosted everyone from Michael Palin to Sting.

Courtesy: roughguides

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`Efficient` non-Hindi speaking coach Indian army team shouldn't raise objections: BCCI chief finishes mountain cycling ANI New Delhi, June.23 : Insisting that transparency will be ensured in selecting the Team India head coach, Board of Control for Cricket in India president Anurag Thakur has said that it shouldn't be a matter of objection even if an efficient coach, who doesn't understand Hindi, is appointed.

Speaking in an exclusive conversation with ETV News head Jagdeesh Chandra, Thakur stated that only a talented person will be made the head coach of India, and stressed that the selection

will be made completely on the basis of competence.

Earlier this month, the sport's governing body had laid down nine criteria in order to be eligible for the post with criterion No. 6 asking for the knowledge in 'Hindi and other regional Indian languages'.

This specific clause is expected to leave the case of a foreign coach on a slightly weak wicket.

However, BCCI honorary secretary Ajay Shirke had played down this factor, saying that it was

will be made after studying the report by the three-member cricket advisory committee comprising Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman.

Anurag Thakur 'not a compulsion but desirable'.

Earlier in the day, Thakur told reporters in Dharamsala that an an-

nouncement on India's head coach will likely be made by Thursday evening.

He said that the decision

Last week, the BCCI had shortlisted 21 candidates out of 57 applicants for the post after they met the primary criteria specified by the sport's governing body.

Former India captain Anil Kumble and former team director Ravi Shastri were among the most high-profile candidates who were interviewed on Tuesday.

Russia faces ban from IOC's denial to Mary Kom a Olympic weightlifting 'major setback': Sunita Godara

The International Weightlifting Federation logo AFP Paris, June 23 : Weightlifting's governing body has put Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus on notice that they face being banned from the Rio Olympics over repeat doping offences.

North Korea was among four other nations facing sanctions over the use of banned substances as the sport seeks to clean its image.

The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) action could not have come at a worse time for Russia whose track and field athletes have been suspended from the Rio Games in August.

The IWF executive announced this month that 20 suspicious cases had been found in retests of samples from the 2008 and 2012 Olympics in Beijing and London.

Its executive decided at a meeting on Wednesday that countries with three or more failed tests among the suspicious cases would be banned for a year. It named Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus as the countries fac-

ing suspension.

A final decision will be taken after the International Olympic Committee confirms whether the second samples from the weightlifters were also positive.

The IWF executive also "expressed disappointment" at the appointment of Russian weightlifting chief Sergey Syrtsov as head of the European Weightlifting Feder ation's anti-doping commission.

"Given the current environment, the IWF executive board strongly suggests that Mr. Syrtsov and the European Weightlifting Federation reconsiders the appointment to this particular position," said a statement.

The IWF has already banned Bulgaria from the Olympics for doping.

It has ordered additional sanctions on North Korea, Romania, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Moldova because of repeat doping cases during the qualification period for the Olympics.

This could affect the number of weightlifers they can send to Rio.

ANI New Delhi, June 23 : Former Indian marathon runner Sunita Godara on Thursday dubbed the International Olympic Committee's move to deny wild card entry to five-time world champion Mary Kom for the Rio Olympics as a major setback for boxing.

"It is a major setback for boxing. Mary Kom has earned so much fame world-wide. Now, what is the big deal if she has failed to qualify once?"

Godara told ANI. She said if Mary Kom cannot be accepted as a wild card entry according to the Olympic rules then they may as well take her as a Goodwill Brand Ambassador for the Rio Olympics 2016.

"They can consider people like Salman Khan as a good will ambassador who has passed such derogatory comments against women after his movie, but neglect

Sunita Godara world champion such as Mary Kom who has won so many medals in Olympics before," she added.

The International Olympic Committee has denied wild card entry to Mary Kom for the Rio Olympics.

Kishan Narsi, the chairman of Amateur International Boxing Association appointed ad-hoc committee, confirmed this news to ANI.

Kom's hopes of securing qualification for the forthcoming Rio Olympics were shattered after she crashed out of the second round of the AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships in Kazakhstan.

The 33-year-old became the first Indian woman to win a boxing medal when she clinched bronze in the 2012 London Games.

Copa America: Chile trounce Colombia 2-0 to set up Argentina final enth minute before Jose Pedro Fuenzalida doubled the lead three minutes later. The title holders subsequently defended well enough to frustrate a fitful Colombia, the Guardian reported.

Copa America: Chile trounce Colombia 2-0 to set up Argentina final

ANI London, June.23 : Defending champions Chile thumped Colombia 2-0 in a rain-delayed semifinal match to set up a mouthwatering summit clash

against Argentina in the Copa America Centenario which is to be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday.

Charles Aranguiz put Chile ahead in the sev-

The second half also saw the match being suspended for more than two hours because of a storm in Chicago.

The summit clash will be a repeat of last year's final in Santiago, when Chile beat Argentina in a penalty shoot-out after the game had ended 0-0.

Indian army team finishes mountain cycling

PTI Itanagar, Jun 23 : The 22-member team of the Indian Army has completed the long, challenging and adventurous GAJRAJ Mountain Terrain Cycling Expedition covering a distance of over 900 km within a span of 25 days.

The team was flagged off on May 28 from Rupa in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh, a defence communique said today.

The expedition team led by young officers and JCOs of the Blazing Sword Division traversed through the high altitude regions (12000-15000 ft) of West Kameng and Tawang districts along the Indo-China border.

Despite the odds of rugged terrain, high altitude

conditions, snow covered tracks and rainy conditions, the team completed the formidable challenge, showcasing grit, determination and indomitable spirit of the Indian Army.

Apart from promoting a spirit of adventure amongst the troops, the expedition team reached out to the local populace in far flung areas to include school going children, ex-servicemen and next of kins of the valiant martyrs, spreading the message of national integration and solidarity.

The team also spread the message of nature conservation amongst the local populace by planting saplings at schools, monasteries and villages, the communique said.

Negotiating through the

steep passes of Bomdila (9500 ft), Sela (13700 ft), Bumla (16500 ft) and Gonkarla (15567 ft), the spirited expedition team reached its final destination Tezpur on June 21 and was flagged in by Lt Gen D Anbu, General Officer Commanding GAJRAJ Corps.

While appreciating the achievement of the expedition team, Lt Gen Anbu highlighted the role of adventure activities in Army to inculcate leadership qualities, camaraderie, team spirit and resolution to achieve victory against all odds.

Gen Anbu also congratulated the team and exhorted all ranks to keep up the tradition of Indian Army with such adventurous commitments.

Muhammad Ali's `family member` selling his funeral footage for $1m ANI Johannesburg, June 23 : The footage from Muhammad Ali's funeral has reportedly been put on a sale for a million dollars.

The footage, allegedly taken by a family member secretly during a private service at the Cave Hill Cementery in Louisville, has been offered to US news outlets, reports Channel.24 reports.

A source, who was offered a chance to buy it , said, "It is disgusting that someone claiming to be member of Ali's own family could deceive their own flesh and blood."

"The seller initially tried to conceal their identity, but when asked how the footage was obtained we

Muhammad Ali were told how they were a member of the family.

It shows Ali being lowered into the ground and his family in tears. It's disgusting. Clearly, they have no respect," said the source from one of the outlets.

Muhammad, who passed

away earlier this month at the age of 74 from septic shock, was laid to rest at Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky.

His funeral was attended by family and close friends, including Will Smith and former President Bill Clinton.

Man Utd legend Paul Scholes signs up for Premier Futsal league in India ANI Mumbai, June 23 : Former Manchester United star Paul Scholes has signed a deal to play for the next three seasons of Premier Futsal, the world's first-ever multi-national futsal league announced on Thursday in an emphatic statement of intent ahead of its inaugural season.

Scholes is one of those rare English footballers who played their entire professional careers at a single club. He is one of

the most decorated footballers of England and is one of the most successful footballers in English Club Football.

Scholes has won a total of 25 trophies, featuring 11 Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies during his stint with the Red Devils.

Scholes, part of Manchester United's class of 92 - the famous golden generation which included stars like David Beckham, Ryan Giggs

and the Neville Brothers - is widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of modern football. He boasts a staggering 718 caps for Manchester United over an illustrious career spanning 22 years.

"Futsal is a fascinating format that has played a pivotal role in developing the skills of some of the greatest football players. I have seen Futsal grow not just back home, but also across the world and I

Paul Scholes

have played in a few of those tournaments. Premier Futsal will be a great way to introduce the sport to India and I'm looking forward to meeting the fans across India who I know are some of the most passionate in the world," said Scholes.

Scholes becomes the second of the eight marquee players which will be a part of Premier Futsal. Scholes will light up Indian shores in the five-a-side competi-

tion, starting July 15th 2016. Former Portuguese star Deco was announced earlier this month. Players will be allotted teams through a player draft which is slated to take place later this month.

The league will be hosted from July 15 - 26 to create awareness of Futsal as a sport in India.

Premier Futsal will make India the first country in the world to host a multinational All-Star Futsal tournament that brings

the legends of football and futsal together.

Led by the 'Pele of Futsal' Alessandro Rosa Vieira fondly known as Falcao, the league will feature over 50 International Futsallers from four continents and 21 countries. Each franchise will be assigned a marquee international football player, seven international and five Indian Futsallers through a player draft scheduled later this month.

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