June 25, 2016, Saturday

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ASSENG/2015/64205

Vol. II

Issue 7

Dibrugarh, Saturday, June 25, 2016

Town Cycle Completed Golaghat, June 25: Under the able leadership of Maheswari Yuva Sangathan and in association with Maheswari Sabha and Mahila Sangathan Golaghat the process of books distribution has been recently completed in almost all the schools under SEBA. In the second phase J.K Malpani donated books to a student of Town Bengali High School, Sunil Binnani to a student of Sacred Heart School, Sanjay Binnani to a student of Balya Niketan and Kailash- Sushil Lahoty to a student of Hindi Vidyalaya.

Apart from these one set was donated to school library as well. Along with the above two brilliant students of Reliance College Jr (financially weak) were given books by SushilLiladhar Lahoti and Gaurishankar- Ramawtar Lahoty. One student from Commerce College from financially weak background was assisted with books by Satyanarayan Nagori. Every Head of the institution has appreciated the noble deed.

(Correspondent)

Golaghat AASU Sit in Demonstration Golaghat, June 24: All Assam Students Union Golaghat Regional Unit today staged a sit in demonstration programme near the Office of the Deputy Commissioner Golaghat demanding solution of various problems in the district.

Students Union leaders and members had raised several problems like poor and insufficient medical service at KK Civil Hospital in Golaghat, deteriorating condition of Residential Girls Polytechnic Institution, Traffic problems in the town and several other such problems and demanded immediate solution . Later a memorandum was submitted to the DC in this regard. (Correspondent)

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Hundreds of families living illegally on railway land since years at Tinsukia are fearing for their shelter after they received an order to empty the railway land encroached by them within 15 days. This order has come from the office of Estate officer, NFR, Tinsukia.

In wake of this order, hundreds of families and thousand of people including women and children to be left roofless looms large.

These families has alleged that they are living on this

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri. Dharmendra Pradhan and Chief Minister of Assam Shri Sarbananda Sonowal jointly addressing a press conference at Guwahati. Pic - UB Photos

begun our work in a mission mode to boost the oil sector in the State. Government of India, Government of Assam, OIL, ONGC and other stake holders would partner together to bolster Assam’s economy in a big way.”

The Union Petroleum Minister said that the Ministry has plans on the anvil to expand the capacity of the Guwahati, Bongaigaon, Digboi and Numaligarh Refineries.

Pradhan said mapping has been carried out and plans are afoot to increase the consumption of liquefied petroleum products and to increase the per capita consumption of power. He disclosed that NRL has started sending oil through pipeline to Bangladesh and plans are on the pipeline to make Assam the

‘hub of petroleum products’ by connecting it with Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and South East Asian countries.

“Assam can meet the petroleum requirements of the neighbouring countries and beyond,” he said.

The Minister pointed out that additional 5,000 pipeline network would be laid which would help to boost the production of crude oil, LPG and natural gas.

Pradhan said that crude oil would be brought from Nigeria through pipelines to increase the production capacity of the oil refineries in Assam. He requested the Government of Assam not to levy entry tax on imported crude with a view to ‘increase the volume of imported crude oil’.

The Union Minister said issues like land acquisition and

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Petroleum ministry plans to expand the capacity of the Guwahati, Bongaigaon, Digboi and Numaligarh Refineries Minister of State (independent) Petroleum & Natural Gas, Dharmendra Pradhan said that 1 lakh 30,000 crore investments would take place in the petroleum sector out of which Rs 80,000 crore will be invested in Assam alone by 2030.

The Union Minister said that the investments of Rs 80,000 crore in the petroleum sector would bring about sea-change in development of Assam. Of the total whopping amount, Rs 6,000 crore will be invested in this current financial year.

“From Rs 4,500 crore the State is getting as revenue from the petroleum sector, we want to raise it in the range of Rs 8,000-Rs 10,000 crore in the next couple of years,” he added.

Pradhan said that the Act East Policy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi would help to strengthen the petroleum sector in Assam and boost its economy. “The Ministry of Petroleum will help to augment the economy insofar as enhancement capacity of oil refineries, laying of new pipe lines, replacement of old machineries with latest ones and setting up of new industries are concerned,” he said, adding, “We have set the roadmap in our 2030 Vision Document and have already

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INDIAN ECONOMY WELL PREPARED TO DEAL WITH CONSEQUENCES OF BREXIT: JAITLEY

Assam to have investment of 80,000 crore in the petroleum sector by 2030 : Union petroleum minister environmental clearance will be done expeditiously to pave the way for laying of new pipelines and exploration of new oil fields. In this context, he said that a road show will be held in Guwahati tomorrow for bidding of 12 oil fields in Assam of the 67 oil fields identified in the country as a whole.

Pradhan said measures will be taken to step up gas production in Lakwa and Namrup power plants to the tune of 9 MM CMD by OIL and ONGC. As a result, 447 MW of power will be generated, he added.

The Union Minister said that under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, 29 lakh BPL women will be provided LPG connections in Assam. Pradhan said the scheme will be launched at Majuli, Chief Minister’s constituency soon.

Pradhan assured to provide dry gas to the gas companies and the cost of dryers will be borne by OIL and ONGC. As regards oil crude royalty due to the State, Pradhan asked the Government of Assam to file a case in the Supreme Court as Gujarat did to get the arrears amounting to Rs 1450 crore as in 2014. In this connection, he assured his Ministry’s help to get the rightful dues to the State.

Pradhan said that meetings will be held bi-monthly in Delhi and Dispur between the officials of Government of

India and Government of Assam to sort out any issues expeditiously.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that the roadmap for exploring hydro carbon has been laid in the Vision Document 2030.

Sonowal while thanking Pradhan for evincing keen interest in developing the petroleum sector, said the bold steps initiated would help to increase petroleum production, gas production and setting up of new industries, including downstream industries. He hoped that the coming up of new industries would help to create employment opportunities in a big way.

The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister’s Act East Policy would help to bolster the economy of the State and increased revenue from oil production would be a great boost. “Government of India, Government of Assam, OIL, ONGC and other stakeholders will have to join hands together to take the State to new economic heights,” he added.

The meeting was attended, among others, by Minister for Industries and Commerce, Chandra Mohan Patowary, Chief Secretary, VK Pipersenia, Additional CS, KV Eapen, Additional CS, RT Jindal, Commissioner & Secretary, Finance, Dr. Ravi Kota, companies of oil heads, including ONGC, OIL and other major stakeholders.

Poor's are not getting several medicines at civil hospital, forced to buy from outside shops Spl Correspondent Tinsukia, June 24

The scheme of Assam government of free medicines for poor at government hospitals came falling flat on the face of Assam health department after cases of nonavailability of prescribed medicines by doctors at civil hospital to the people living below poverty line at Tinsukia civil hospital is on a steep rise.

This despite crores of funds through National Health Mission (NHM) for different health schemes and facilities has raised serious questions.

The current case came to light on Friday after a lady patient Uma Das went to civil hospital with some health concern. She got herself registered via hospital no 55316/2016 and later was checked by a doctor at gynaecology department.

Doctor prescribed her some medicines via prescription Sl No 5267. Accordingly, she went to collect free medicines she was just given one medicine which needs to be taken for 5 day, but shockingly she was asked to purchase medicine that needs to be taken twice a day for 30 days as per sl no 3 from medicine shops just outside the main gate of civil hospital.

To confirm the rule, 'The Eastern Today' spoke to the Joint Director of Health Services, Tinsukia Dr. Altaf Ahmed who confirmed that as

per government rules most of the medicines shall be made available to poor people free of cost by hospital authorities.

However, he added that at times medicines supplies dry up and stock gets finished.

It is worthwhile to mention this is not just one of the case.

There are regular reports that several medicines prescribed by doctors at civil hospitals are not available at hospitals and poor people are forced to purchase it from shops outside by spending thousands of rupees instead of getting it free.

Several patients has alleged that this is the result of a nexus between some corrupt officials and doctors at civil hospitals and some medicines owners very close to civil hospital and MR's of several medical companies and have demanded a judicial enquiry into the matter.

It may me mentioned that for poor people buying medicines worth rupees 500 is also a tough task and hence government gives free medicine to poor people. But it has often come to light that several medicines often prescribed by doctors at civil hospital are never available at the hospital and poor people take money on loan from here and there to buy medicines.

Infact, there are few allegations that some doctors knowingly prescribe such medicine names which is not in the government list, while same composition of other brand is their in the list.

It's a serious matter which indeed needs a high level investigation.

Chief Minister Kalikho Pul suggests measures JE Menace claims 8 in Five members of to prevent damage of roads due to floodwater Sivasagar out of which SKAC joined BJP A Staff Reporter Itanagar, June 25

To tide over unfavourable road conditions caused due to waterlogging along the NH 451 from Itanagar to Banderdewa, Chief Minister Kalikho Pul today inspected the highway to gear up measures to prevent damaging effects of water.

Chief Minister on site inspection took note of various man-made practices that aggravated the damaging effects of water on the pavements. It was observed that the newly repaired highway had developed many pavement distresses, including cracking and ravelling with

Railway orders mass eviction on encroached railway land in Tinsukia Spl Correspondent Tinsukia, June 24

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lands since 40-50 years. If they are forcibly evicted where will they go all of a sudden. They have small children and fear for their well being.

Further, allegations has come in that if it is railway land as stated by the order why were they allowed to make homes in the first place. Questions are being asked why only such families will suffers and not those officers of eviction department of NFR and senior officers who had not performed their duty by allowing it to happen and continuing it for so many years.

occurences of potholes.

According to the observations made, on various point of road diversions towards the hills side from the main highway, it lacked proper water drainage system. Instead of cattle trapping facility that would allow percolation of water to the drain, cement culverts were built over the drain that allowed the water to flow down the highway causing damage to the asphalt pavements.

The Chief Minister accordingly instructed the highway Chief Engineer Bora Ete and the chief estate officer Talo Potom, who took part in the visit to remove all such cement culverts and replace it with cattle trapping facilty. He

instructed that wherever road diversion is constructed by the land occupants, the cattle trapping facility is to be constructed by the occupants themselves.

Also on inspection it was found that the building materials stacked on the road side were causing damage to the road pavement. The CM instructed the officials for immediate removal of all such dumping of construction materials on the road side that led to accumulation causing water logging. The officials were also directed to take necessary action against the defaulters who failed to comply with the order to remove all such materials.

Contd. on Page 3

7 were vaccinated

District administration forms joint task team Spl Correspondent Sivasagar, June 25

Japanese encephalitis is gradually turning to be a giant nuisance in Sivasagar as a total of 17 numbers of people have been affected by the hazardous disease with reports of 8 deaths out of those so far. Interestingly out the 8 deaths, 7 were JE vaccinated which has created a doubt on the goodness of the vaccines. This has not only created a panic situa-

tion in the district but also has formed a distrust upon the JE vaccines. On the other hand District Health Department has issued a public notice mentioning that the change in the weather and early rains has added to the JE menace which may turn even bigger in the future and hence advised the people to take preventive measures.

Contd. on Page 4

A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Jun 24

The Congress-led Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council (SKAC) was rendered to a minority on Friday following the joining of five members to the BJP. The present chairman Tankeswar Sonowal, executive member Ghanakanta Saikia and Biswajit Sonowal of the Congress and two independents Diprekha Das Baghri and Khanindra Sonowal shifted to the BJP taking its total strength to 15 in the 26-member council.

They were inducted to the party at the BJP party office here in the presence of party legislators Prasanta Phukan, Rituparna Baruah besides other party leaders.

However, SKAC which was

dominated by the Congress leaders after BJP comes to power in Assam the members of SKAC has decided that it is the right time to move towards the ruling party. Sources said that split has been created inside the SKAC due to internal issues and they tried to form a new council under the BJP. According to high placed sources BJP after assuming the power in Assam tried everything possible to saffronise the whole system.

In 2013, when elections were held for the council for the first time, the Congress had won 14 seats. The BJP bagged 9 seats, AGP 1 while 2 seats went to Independent candidates.

Contd. on Page 4

Armed forces and Assam state prepares to meet challenges of floods directed in the Combined Commanders Conference to hold an Annual Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise incorporating all stake holders including the Armed Forces, CAPF's and the civil administration down to the Municipal Corporation level.

Tapas Samaddar Rangia June 24

The Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been extremely proactive in devising a strategy to formalize the Disaster Relief Mechanism in the country, to make it effective in order to react to a calamity in the shortest time frame.

Keeping in line with this vision, the PM unveiled the National Disaster Management Plan 2016 on 01 June 2016. As a prelude to this announcement, the Hon'ble PM last year had

File picture of security forces carrying out mock drill to rescued flood affected people.

The Hon'ble PM during the Combined Commanders Conference said - "The Indian Armed Forces have always been known not just for the power they represent, but by the maturity and responsibility with which they wield it. They defend our seas and protect our

borders.

They keep our nation secure and our citizens safe.

And, in calamity and conflicts, they do more than just bring relief and hope to our people. They lift the spirit of the nation and win the trust of the world. In Chennai, you battled the fury of rain and the river to save lives. In Nepal, you served with courage, humility and compassion.

And, as in Nepal, in Yemen's conflict, you held out your hand to every human in distress, not just fellow citizens."

Contd. on Page 4

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DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, JUNE 25

PAGE 2 ASTRO FOR YOU Aries Today, you need to access every bit of your mental agility. Quick and spontaneous decisions are the need of the hour. But a word of caution: take advice, as these decisions could have long-term implications, especially if they involve money.

Taurus Hoist the sails and prepare to leave port. Your sugar-coated words will seal business deals with ease. The activity and action may slow down as the day progresses. Resist the urge to get sentimental as it could lead to conflicts that will haunt you in the days to come.

Gemini Putting things in order will be your top priority. You will possibly have a romantic dinner with your sweetheart. Seductive conversations may culminate in sensuous consummation.

Your personal feelings will stir up your partner's private thoughts.

Cancer Today, you will put your heart and soul into whatever task you take up. But the results may not be too forthcoming. However, that should not be a reason for you to get dejected or anxious. You will get your due sooner or later. Also, spending some time with your loved ones will be quite gratifying emotionally.

Leo Be it a job or business, you will face severe competition today. You will need to be extra cautious today. You will need to be more serious about whatever it is that you are doing.

You will become more influential in your social circle or amongst your colleagues as results.

Virgo Appreciate the things that people do and try your best to inspire them to achieve greater success. Put on your thinking cap and contemplate seriously. Simply criticizing others will only hurt you. Be as level-headed as you can and keep pegging on towards your targets.

Libra You will try to attain prestige in society today. This prestige will come to you via the field of communication or by your own thought processes. In your free time you will be able to learn about various topics of interest to you.

Scorpio Focus is the buzzword for you; your eyes should be set on the things you aim, advises. You may even indulge into some kind of research work. Today, you may bump into an old pal with whom you relive those good old school days and rejuvenate yourself.

Sagittarius Unnecessary expenditure might clog your bill today. Organising and detailing will be a time-sink as you will spend hapless hours trying to discipline things. The vibrant evening will be a contrast to your hectic day as you kick back and relax while socializing.

Capricorn You may not get as popular as Romeo did, but your exceedingly romantic nature will earn you quite a reputation, not to forget the hypnotic effect it will have on your sweetheart. On the flip side, troubles will chase you everywhere; you are likely to face problems with your business rivals and health condition, but your mind will be on guard always, giving you an edge over your opponents.

Aquarius You spend a lot of time planning for a better future. Sure, it does minimize the chances of errors as you know possible obstacles in advance. But, the time you spend for calculations takes you away from the reality and you don't fully concentrate on what you have now. You should learn to balance.

Pisces You know how important money is and you will think about it all day. You will think less about expenses today and more about prosperity and fame today. Worry about family might increase and in return they will support you.

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 25-6-16 (SATURDAY) 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

Assam Governor warns school authority to improve their education quality during his sudden visit Bijoy Handique Jorhat, June 24: The Assam Governor PB Acharya paid a sudden visit to Bidyadhar Sarmah Memorial High School within the heart of Jorhat at Ataliagoan area, after getting specific information from media interaction and found teachers students ratio is 11:29, so following specific information the Governor visited the school found the same, along with education department officials, accompanied by Deputy Commissioner i/c Roshani Aparanjita Korati and Jorhat SP Amanjeet Kaur.

Acharya further warned the school authority and headmistress Suranjanana Kakoty to improve their

education quality as in last appeared exam out seven only one passed which is a shame.

“Suranjana Kakoti Bhuyan the headmistress of the school one the other hand was found that her, son Pijush Bhuyan bagged position from Don Bosco Higher Secondary School,

Baghchung, but the school from where she is earning her bread haven’t made any such record which is a big zero, said the Korati DC i/c of Jorhat here after visiting the school.

During his visit PB Acharya met members from the NGOs, interacted with NGO representatives took

feedback and further requested the NGO representatives to play a pivotal role for representing the society. Talking to reporters, the Assam Governor said, to strengthen the society, education is most important to the society. So after education, one should way back to their society to grow the society and to let the society grow.

“What I observed that education has developed the knowledge but contribution in society is zero” he added.

Governor requested all the NGO’s to work and take potentiality of India and go for working in the similar line and the government will surely compliment and supplement for further

Union Minister reviews Water Supply Schemes of the state A Staff Reporter Guwahati, June 24: Union Minister of State for Drinking Water and Sanitation Ram Kripal Yadav, who is on a three day visit to the State reviewed the progress of the various schemes under the PHE Department namely NRDWP, SBM(G), World Bank Project etc and assured all help in their early commissioning.

Minister for Public Health Engineering Rihon Daimary appraised the Central Minister of the problems being faced by the state like availability of sufficient funds for drinking water schemes, issue of addressing quality problem in drinking water, issue of defunct toilets under SBM (G), etc. After taking stock of the schemes Union Min-

ister Yadav assured all help from the Central Government. The Union Minister also assured Centre’s assistance in completing some of the water projects in the State.

Daimary also submitted a memorandum to Yadav highlighting the issues which invited Centre’s intervention. Yadav assured that Ministry will look into

the issue and will extend full support to the State Government.

Principal Secretary Hemanta Narzary and other senior officials were also present in the meeting.

working for the society.

He also said that Arunachal, Assam, Nagaland has huge potentiality for making an independent cum developed states, for which the people need to work. It will definitely work out without any hassle, said PB Achary while speaking with reporters at the circuit house here today.

Apart from the representatives from the NGOs, Renupoma Rajkhowa, former deputy speaker cum Teok MLA, Bhoben Bharali Dergoan MLA, SP Jorhat Amanjeet Kaur (IPS), DC i/c Jorhat Roshani Aparanjita Korati (IAS) and several prominent citizens from the state were present during the meet.

Foreign made pistol recovered from medical practitioner ET Correspondent Mangaldai June 24: Police from Kharupetia Police Station in Darrang district acting on a secret input today recovered one 7.65 mm pistol made in Italy along with two round of live ammunition and an empty magazine from the rental house and campus of one Bubul Choudhury (38) located at Ghanasimalu village under the police station. Bubul Choudhury who originally hails from village Kasulu Panigaon in Nagaon district has reportedly been practicing Ayurveda medicinal treatment for last fourteen years in the locality . In this connection a case (No. 299 / 16) under the Arms Act has been registered . Meanwhile according to police the accused has confessed before police that the certificate of Ayurvedic Medical practitioner to be a fake one .

Hellen Keller CM Sonowal to flag off rally on International Day against Drug Abuse Illicit Trafficking Jayanti celebration A Staff Reporter Guwahati, June 24: The Government of Assam will observe the International Day against Drug Abuse Illicit Trafficking on 26th June, 2016.The state programme will be observed centrally at NEDFi House,

Guwahati. In this connection a rally has been organised which will be started from Nehru Stadium to Guwahati Medical College Hospital at 7.30 a.m. and all citizens are requested to join the Rally from Nehru Stadium on that day, informed in a press re-

lease issued from Janasanyog, Assam.

The Chief Minister of Assam, Sarbananda Sonowal will flagged off the Rally. Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Health Minister will also attend the programme.

Meghalaya Khaisi student gets deprived from taking admission at Dergaon ET Correspondent Dergaon, June 24: A Meghalaya Khaisi student has been deprived from taking admission in DKD College. The student has passed the last HSLC from Meghalaua, taking 2nd division. He submitted admission form in DKD College of Dergaon where his name was selected in the merit list of students against serial number 235 in the ST category.

Inspite of being merit cum ST applicant he was barred from taking admission in the HS Course just because he was from Meghalaya. There was no any such rules under UGC that interstate students are not al-

lowed for admission. Rather, UGC rules that 20% seats are reserved for students of other university or board. Besides there is also a reservation for all category where the said student deserved.

It is noteworthy that prior list of students who are disqualified for admission in the said course of the college have not displayed. So making a discriminatory rule against Ronaldo Sohkhwai just because he is a resident of Meghalaya is totally unfair and unnatural done by DKD College principal which have become an objection.

The student has submitted a petition in the Dergaon police station stating that the DKD College principal, Ranjit Bordoloi did not receive the prayer application and damned the student along with his assistants who accompanied the student.

A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Jun 24: Saksam, Assam chapter is organizing its foundation day and Hellen Keller Jayanti celebration on Sunday at Saharia hall, Chowkeedinghee . To mark the occasion they are organizing a free aid distribution camp in collaboration with Marwari Yuva Manch.

Saksam is a charitable national organisation registered at Nagpur, Maharashtra. Saksam was

established with an aim to bring all the person with various disabilities in the main stream of the nation.

“Saksam believe that the disabled people are not burden on the society but assets of the nation. It has its commitment towards all the person with various disabilities and also to environment, health and social activities to strengthen the society,’’ said Manuj Tamuli, Honorary President of Saksam, Assam.

Bajali faces problem due to deplorable condition of road

The local media both print and electronic were present before whom the student expressed that he will talk to the Meghalaya student union appealing that those studying students of Assam should be out out of Meghalaya which is an interstate threat championed

by DKD college principal Ranjit Bordoloi.

Bezbaruan 88 Comes Forward With a View to Build up a Strong Healthy Society

Members of Marwari Mahila Samity Sonari unit distribute water filter to students of Adarsha L.P. school on the occasion of International Yoga day.

Pix. Mritunjoy Das

ET Correspondent Golaghat, June 24: At present times it is often seen many educational institutions organise Alumni Meet or get together of ex students. In these programmes ex students gather at their educational institutions and celebrate . But the question arises that to what extent these Alumni meets help the society or the educational institutions . Keeping this view in mind some ex students of one of the oldest educational institutions in

Upper Assam have come forward with some positive initiatives for the development of educational, cultural and social fields and thus to build up a strong healthy society.

The 1988 batch from Golaghat Government Bezbaruah Higher Secondary School has formed an association of the Alumnis named ' Bezbaruan 88' recently in Golaghat.

This Alumni association has taken up some initiatives which were dis-

closed by the members at a press meet in Golaghat on Thursday.

Bezbaruan 88 is going to organise a state level essay competition on the topic ' If I Were the Chief Minister of Assam What Would Have I Done ' .

The essay competition will be College Level to University Level. The last date of receiving the essays is on Justice 20. Also the Alumnis organisation has selected ten panchayat and ward areas from where they would

select ten youths from poor economic background families and will provide paramedical training. Also awareness camps and programmes will be taken to rescue young generation from the grip of drugs.

Bezbaruan 88 will also offer scholarship in the field of sports. Another remarkable initiative taken by this group is of Blood Donation. The president of Bezbaruan 88 Utpal Baruah and several other Alumnis were present in the press meet.

ET Correspondent Bajali, June 24: The people of Bajali in Barpeta district are facing problems due to deplorable conditions of road in the area. The roads connecting to Pathsala Railway station to National Highway and from Titka, Pathla, Lasit nagar, Seuj nagar, Santipur to Joytinagar in the heart of Pathsala town along with Muguria, Nitananda, Rampur, and Haripur etc. are in very deplorable state.

People pay road tax and other tax but in return they get such poor roads to ply on. It is barely possible to walk and drive on these roads especially in rainy season. In some places road infrastructure are yet underdeveloped like warning signboards, Street light etc.

The people have urged the concerned authorities to take necessary steps to repair the roads and improve the infrastructure so that the area can develop.

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, JUNE 25

PAGE 3 Mock drill held at Khonsa ET Correspondent Khonsa, June 24: Under the aegis of Deputy Commissioner Khonsa a mock drill on Fire and Earthquake was conducted at the most congested part of Khonsa market area. All stakeholders participated in the drill including Bazar Welfare Committee. The drill was structured in four phase. In the 1st phase the earthquake was triggered, where the earthquake take place followed by collapse of building, in 2nd phase the DEOC got the information from the public about the incident and its location which was then passed to the stakeholders. In the 3rd or response phase the search and rescue team and medical team rescued the injured and give first aid respectively which was then shifted to District Hospital. Finally the loss assessment team assess the losses and debriefed the teams and the drill was completed successfully. The whole drill was coordinated by the DEOC Khonsa.

While interacting with the fire fighter, Shri Ravi Jha, Deputy Commissioner Khonsa advice them to follow the Standard Operating Procedure even in mock drill to avert any kind of mishaps.

Head of the Departments and many public witness the drill.

In the occasion leaflets of safety tips on various disasters were distribute to the public, also 4 numbers of large size First aid box kit was given to the Health and Fire Service Department Khonsa.

Governor announces to provide solar lamps to five Muskan Welfare Society to start hundred households from his discretionary grant Food Processing Unit in Itanagar

A Staff Reporter Itanagar, June 24 : A delegation of Panchayati Raj Institution from MonigongPidi Anchal Samity, West Siang District led by Shri Tachi Hemi, Zilla Parishad Member called on the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Shri JP Rajkhowa at Raj Bhavan, Itanagar on 24th June 2016. The Panchayati Raj representatives along with Shri Tajen Pujen, Gaon Burah apprised the Governor the problems and challenges of the people living in the International border blocks of Monigong and Pidi Circles.

Giving a patient hearing to the people from remote area of the State, the Governor said that the State Government along with Central Government has to give priority to the border areas.

Some positive acts have to be initiated to instil sense of security and negate the feeling of isolation amongst the people. Road communication, education, healthcare and water supply must be focused as priority areas of the Governments.

Emphasising on roads, the Governor suggested that feeder roads must be developed. The foot tracks must be developed into one-lane roads and one-lane roads to

A Staff Reporter Itanagar, June 24: Muskan Welfare Society (MWS), a voluntary ladies organization, based in Raj Bhavan, Itanagar is going to start a Food Processing Unit in the Raj Bhavan Complex, just outside the main compound on 25th June 2016, informed in a press release issued from Raj Bhavan.

two-lane road. Meanwhile, the Border Road Organization must expedite their projects in these remote areas. Such proactive roles of State machineries will halt the exodus of people from the border areas.

Sadden to learn that the border areas of Pidi and Monigong are without power supply and the people, officials and school children are suffering in want of light for daily chores and studies, the Governor announced to provide five hundred solar lamps to five hundred households of the area from his discretionary grant. At the same time, he suggested for solar and wind powered projects for the far-flung villages.

The Governor expressed surprised that the people of the area are not issued with BPL Cards depriving them of the special provisions provided to poorer section of the society. He advised that NGOs of the area must come front and work for the community, create awareness and at the same time check fraudulent practices.

The Governor emphasised that the officials posted in the border blocks and administrative centres must be in their place of posts for sound administration and smooth functioning in promptly addressing the problems of the people. Disciplinary action must be taken to those not in their place of posting. He advised the Principal Secretary (Per-

sonnel) to issue circular regarding this.

Earlier, through a memorandum, the Panchayat representatives informed that inspite of huge horticultural produce such as apples, Kiwis, Strawberry and green vegetables in the area, due to road communication bottleneck, horticultural products cannot be harness on commercial scale. They further informed that there is no healthcare facility, communication network, PDS items and security infrastructure in the area.

Principal Secretary (Personnel) Shri Satya Gopal, Secretary to Governor Dr. Joram Beda and Additional Secretary Shri B.S. Hada were also present on the occasion.

Mrs. Rita Rajkhowa, Chairperson of Muskan Welfare Society (MWS) and its members have felt for some time the urgency of setting up a Fruit Processing Unit in Itanagar which will help the housewives to preserve fruits and to make different types of juice, jam, jelly, pickles etc. At the same time, training could be given to the needy persons, unemployed women and youth in particular who want to learn or who can start their business if they want.

Arunachal Pradesh has abundance of fruits such as Orange, Kiwi, Litchi, Strawberry, Apple, Pineapple, Starfruit etc. So here as Mrs. Rajkhowa stated, in every town or block there should be at least one Food Processing Centre. For want

of that people have to send the fruits outside the State and that too at a cheap price or otherwise those become rotten or spoiled.

Secretary of Muskan Welfare society (MWS) Ar. Kobby Zirdo Bagra informed that the vision and zeal of the Chairperson to start this unit was unparalleled from the very beginning. Encouraged by her, Muskan is going to start this Processing Unit and also organizing a three-day training programme on Fruit Processing from 25th June.

About 30 participants comprising of housewives, working ladies, representatives of Women Helpline and members of Muskan Welfare Society are going to

avail training under the guidance of an expert trainer Gajen Kalita.

It is worth mentioning that, at the initiative of the First Lady of the State, the Advisor Horticulture, Government of Assam, Timothy Das Hanse organized free training including boarding and lodging at Guwahati for the master trainers from Arunachal Pradesh.

In days to come, the Secretary added that MWS plans to hold trainings and workshops in this centre to women SHG’s to assist them to achieve economic empowerment.

The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh JP Rajkhowa has given his kind consent to inaugurate the centre.

Solar lanterns distributed Members of TKSC calls on DCM SEWA felicitates meritorious students of 10th and 12th

by Assam Rifles in standard at Mahadevpur Changlang district ET Correspondent Namsai, June 24: The team of the Tai Khampti Singpho Council led by its President and General Secretary called on the DCM, Chowna Mein at his residence at Namsai today.

The team while apprising him about the latest developments of the council informed him of the formation of the new literature committee and seek his continuous advises and guidance in this regard. It also discussed about many important issues concerning to societies including the illegal influx of outsiders, drug menace, re-induction of the Tai Language teachers with introduction of the revised Tai Script as third language in the schools and the deteriorating trend of the education scenario in our societies.

The HDCM had a patient hear-

Pranjal Bhuyan Jairampur, June 24: The 13th battalion of Assam Rifles under the aegis of Headquaters 25 Sector Assam Rifles in an attempt to reach out to the poor populace of Changlang district distributed solar lanterns to the resident of remote villages in Miao circle a total of 565 solar lanterns were also distributed to the residents of Dharmapur I,II,III where no source of

electricity is available and people were living in the dark.The Bn continues in its endeavour to improve the living conditions of the local populace after having already distributed 295 solar lanterns in Nampong and maio circles of Changlang district in the previous month.

Speaking on the occasion,the Commandant Jairampur Bn reiterated that

Assam Rifles is committed towards overall development of the remote areas and further assured more assistance and added that people should come forward and extend their cooperation to Security Forces to bring peace and tranquility in the area.The villagers expressed their gratitude for the kind gesture and also mentioned that this will obviate the problem of electricity in their household.

SPORTS

Dree Football Tournament2016 final winners A Staff Reporter Itanagar, June 24: Kime Pakka Football Club (KPFC) and Ziro United Football Club (ZUFC) have emerged as the champions of the ongoing Dree Football Tournament-2016 in the senior and junior category respectively.

In the first final played here today at DNGC Ground, ZUFC overcame Kipu Football Club by a solitary goal. After a barren first half, ZUFC started to press hard and got their reward in the 56th minute of the match through a goal by Dani Sambyo.

ZUFC successfully managed to defend their lone goal lead till the last whistle and emerged as the champions in the junior category.

In the senior category, KPFC easily overpowered Being Friends Football

Club with the score of 4-1.

Gyati Obing and Hage Yondo of KPFC netted two goals each, and clearly dominated the match as they scosred the first goal in the 7th minute of the match through Gyati Obing to capitalise on a defensive error.

In the second half, BFFC tried hard to come back in the game and pulled one goal back through Hage Bai. BFFC could have added a goal when they were awarded a spot kick for a hand ball in the box.

However, Nani Tari of BFFC missed the kick.

KPFC added two more goals in the second half and could have added more.

Hage Yondo of KPFC, who scored two goals today, became the highest scorer of the tournament with a total of six goals.

Tadu Aja, Gyati Tatung of ZUFC and Khoda Hano of KFC were adjudged best goalkeeper, highest scorer and best player respectively in the junior category.

Meanwhile in the senior category, Tasso Tagru, Hage Yondo of KPFC and Kago Sambyo of BFFC were declared the best goal keeper, highest scorer and best player.

Earlier, speaking as chief guest MLA Techi Kaso encouraged the players and urged them to perform their best. He also congratulated the organizing committee for successful organization of the event.

Later he also participated in an entertaining exhibition match between Capital Complex Dree Festival Celebration Committee and Dree Ground Development Committee.

ing and appreciated TKSC for taking the initiatives in right earnest. He assured all possible help both in his personal and official capacity and to take up the matters with the concerned authorities at the government level.

The team also called on the Deputy Commissioner, Namsai RK Sharma and discussed about the issues with him. The Deputy Commissioner had assured to look into the matters and resolve it at the earliest.

Meanwhile, TKSC thanks to all the members of the Khampti and Singpho societies for their continued support and seek further cooperation to one and all in order to take pride, identity, unity and legacy to a new height.

GBs Conference held at Boleng ET Bureau Boleng, June 24 : The 1st ever Gaon Bura (GB) conference was held yesterday at Boleng under chairmanship of ADC Boleng Taro Mize to sensitize the GBs of Boleng, Riga and Rebo -Parging circles about provisions of the Assam Frontier (Administration of Justice) Regulation, 1945. It was participated by GBs, legal expert, ABK members and senior public leaders of Boleng Sub-Division.

Addressing the gathering, ADC Mize said that the main objective of the conference was to revive and popularize traditional laws to eradicate prevalent social evils, communal liv-

ing with harmony and to pave the way to blend the good aspects of traditional laws for assimilation with the statutory and codified laws. According to him, such conference was very essential as many cases decided by village authorities found unexecuted due to defective order recorded by them.

The losers of the cases, neither comply the decision nor appealed to higher authority against the decision. To make "Local Kebang" more effective, GBs has to be sensitized about the sections 12(5), 20 and 45(1) of the AFR, 1945 in which the village authorities have been empowered to enforce their decision by distrait of the property of offenders.

ET Correspondent Namsai, June 24: Altogether 127 students who successfully passed the recently concluded CBSE exams of Class X and XII were felicitated from Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein in an impressive function at Mahadevpur today.

The Felicitation-cum-Counseling function for 10th & 12th meritorious students was organized by Socio-Economic Welfare Association (SEWA) at Dihun Neong Memorial Rang Manch Mahadevpur.

The Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein felicitated the meritorious students with a certificate and cash awards.

Deputy Commissioner Namsai RK Sharma, EAC Lekang H.N Dubey, DDSE Namsai Talom Pabin, Block Education Officer (BEO) V.K Pathak, Principal GHSS Lekang C.S Singpho, District Veterinary Officer (DVO) Dr. Keshab Sarmah and ZPM Jugesh Taye

along with members of SEWA, teachers of GHSS Mahadevpur, parents and large number of students graced the occasion with their presence.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein congratulated the students and asserted that study should be qualitative not quantitative and for this students should be mentally & physically fit. He encouraged the students to aim big in life so that they never miss their target and to follow their dreams with hard work and perseverance. Annoyed with the poor performance of result in the district, the DCM urged upon the teacher to prepare a roadmap for the district to encourage the students to improve their quality of education. The Deputy Chief Minister said building a bright future for the children was a collective responsibility of the education department, the par-

ents, teachers and the students.

Deputy Commissioner Namsai R.K. Sharma who also spoke on the occasion congratulated the meritorious students and called upon them to work hard in their field of study. He encouraged them to improve their efforts to achieve more percentage and dedicate themselves towards quality and outstanding education and imbued with good moral character. The DC has thanked SEWA for organizing the function in a grass root level and said that this will inspire other students to do their studies seriously and will encourage the fresh mind in the education sector.

Others who also spoke on the occasion included General Secretary SEWA, CT Manlong, President of SEWA Dr. CM Thoumoung, BEO VK Pathak, Secretary of SEWA Lekang circle Robin Boruah and Principal of GHSS Mahadevpur C Singpho.

Chief Minister Kalikho Pul suggests measures to prevent damage of roads due to floodwater Contd. from Page 1 The Chief Minister further took serious note of the rampant earthcuttings on the hill sides outside the ROW. Debris from such earthcuttings flowed down the roads during rainy days causing damage to the pavements. Strict instructions were issued to take necessary steps to prevent flow of debris on the roads.

Accordingly, all those parties responsible for earthcuttings were asked to take appropriate measures for safe disposal of mucks to prevent flow of debris on the roads.

Also the CM instructed on

proper maintenance of berms along the road side. The raised berm level caused the water to flow over the pavement instead of letting it flow towards the drain. The Chief Minister accordingly asked for subgrade preparation with proper slope towards the drain to be made immediately so that pavement level is raised.

The CM further noted that existing drain walls were above the pavement level that prevented water to flow towards the drain. He instructed on reconstruction and correction of all such existing drains and directed that wherever there is no

drainage facility, it should be immediately constructed.

The Chief Minister also instructed that whenever landslides are cleared, the drainage should also be immediately cleared off all mucks and debris. Such blocked drainage prevented proper flow of water and caused flooding all over the roads. He also directed that 24X7 surveillance and clearance of drainage should be made and asked the department to engage labours and to personally supervise and take stock of situations regularly.

Further suggesting measures for maintenance of drainages, the CM instructed that drains should have outlets at regular intervals to prevent flooding of water without which water volume gets bigger and it overflows towards the road.

On CC roads, the CM asked the department to cover the drain with CC slabs that could be used as footpath and instructed it to be constructed in way that it facilitates flow of water towards the drain minimising the level of drain walls.

Further to ease traffic congestion in Naharlagun, the

CM informed that Lummer Dai road would be developed to facilitate flow of traffic through that road. Also he said a bridge would be constructed in Borum panchayat area that could facilitate an alternative road.

To prevent accidents along the Itanagar-Naharlagun highway, the Chief Minister instructed the department to install convex safety mirror on hair pin bends for clear sight of incoming vehicles from opposite side. Also he instructed that on such hair pin bends, the road area to be widened by earth cutting so that incoming vehicles can be seen.

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, JUNE 25

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You must be sensitive and alert towards Patients’ Rights Day to be observed at Mangaldai interests of the common people : CM Sonowal to IAS probationers A Staff Reporter Guwahati, June 24: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal met seven IAS probationers of 2015 batch belonging to AssamMeghalaya cadre at his office chamber at the Assam Secretariat here yesterday.

Sharing administrative tips with the young probationers, Sonowal said that knowing about the social milieu; the cultural ethos and the complexities of a State help the administrative officials to understand things in proper perspectives and to address the issues. “You must be sensitive and alert towards interests of the common people.

You must understand the problems faced by the people and work devotedly for good governance,” he

added.

“You should not only discharge your duties assiduously and conscientiously but should also have abilities to take prompt decisions,” he pointed out.

Sonowal urged the probationers to be free and fair in the discharge of their duties. “By doing so you will earn the trust and respect of the people,” he said.

During the interaction, the Chief Minister advised them to avail maximum benefit out of their ongoing training programme in the State so that they understand many of the intricate problems which are routinely faced by the ordinary citizens, in particular those residing in remote and farflung areas.

Asking the officers to

maintain the highest standards of probity and integrity in dissemination of their official duties, Sonowal said their main motive should be to serve the people by delivering justice in a fair, transparent and hassle-free manner.

“You have to be on your toes in understanding and addressing the problems of the people,” he said.

The Chief Minister also advised the IAS probationers to familiarize themselves with the special characteristics of the State and to learn the Assamese language which would prepare them better in gaining immediate understanding of the problems and to feel the pulse of the people. He also advised them to get ac-

quainted with various kinds of disasters which Assam is prone to, such as flood, erosion and earthquake and what mechanisms are in place for crisis management.

The Chief Minister wished them luck in all their future endeavours.

The seven young IAS probationers comprise Megha Nidhi Dahal, Nisarg Gautam Hivare, Rohan Kumar Jha, Shantanu Sharma, Swapnil Tembe, Sumit Sattawan and Vijay Bhaskar Reddy.

Minister for Education, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Commissioner and Secretary to CM, Sanjay Lohia and senior State Government officials were also present on the occasion.

Chief Minister Kalikho Pul inspects the long delayed Multi-layer Urban Parking lots at Bank Tinali A Staff Reporter Itanagar, June 24 : In view of the traffic congestions at Bank Banktinali and increase in motor accidents due to absent of parking lots in the area, Chief Minister Kalikho Pul inspected the long delayed Multi-layer Urban Parking lots at Bank Tinali today.

The Parking Lots which was sanctioned and started in the year 2008-09 is languishing for the last 8 years due to misuse and non-release of fund in time as a result of which the work is being delayed and contractor denying handing over of the project to the department.

Chief Minister assured to mobilise the balance fund and extend full support to the department for completion of the parking lots at the earliest.

He asked the contractor to finish the project within 3 week times.

The five storied building will have three flooors for parking 50 vehicles at a time with three separate entry and exit points for each floor.

It will also have an emporium cum heritage centre in the third and fourth floors to facilitates exhibitions and sales of the local handlooms, handicrafts and wood curve products for all districts of the state. On the top floor, it has a provision for restaurant cum cafeteria which the Chief Minister opined to outsource it for the unemployed youths of the state through open tender.

Chief Minister instructed the Power Department to shift the transformer infront of the Parking Lots to a safer

place immediately.

Chief Minister Pul also inspected construction of two separate projects of Inter State Bus Terminal and Truck Terminal at Lekhi Village.

He said that despite huge investment of govt fund, the projects has not been put into use even after 8 years of its execution. He said that the govt will make every efforts to undo the past mistake of the govt and will make these projects functional at the earliest possible.

He further assured to give full support to the department for early completion of the project and said to mobilise the balance amount and resource required.

Inter-State Bus Terminal, once made functional will served as the main stations

for all the buses coming from other states and the districts.

He also mooted to shift the State Transport Terminal at Super Market, Naharlagun to ISBT at Lekhi Village and this way the land at Super Market would be developed in to a multi-layer parking lots which will ease the traffic congestion at Naharlagun Market Area to a great extend.

He further opined to use the massive land available for other useful purposes. He also said to take up flood protection measures as nearby river water are flooding in to the area.

Chief Minister was accompanied by Bora Ete, Chief Engineer Highways (Western Zone), Taba Tedir, Chief Engineer, Urban Development and Taloh Potom, Additional District Magistrate, Capital Complex among others.

Armed forces and Assam state prepares to meet challenges of floods Contd. from Page 1 The Army is hence nominated as the Lead Agency to carry out a National Level exercise for Flood Relief in an urban setting alongwith other stakeholders in Guwahati from 28 to 30 June 2016.

This is a "First of Its Kind" exercise in India with an objective to get all stakeholders together and it will also include practicing of drills to provide succor to people stranded due to abnormal flooding of areas, rescue of marooned groups of people, provision of immediate medical aid, setting up of relief camps, supply of relief material to the affected populace and subsequent rehabilitation of the flood affected people. In the past few years a large number of unexpected floods have been experienced in the major urban centers of the country, resulting in colossal damage to life and property. The devastation experienced by the citizens of Chennai in December last year is still fresh

in the minds of people. Not to go far Guwahati has always been the epicenter of unexpected flooding in particular areas during periods of heavy rainfall during monsoons. This problem is likely to augment and assume colossal proportions in the future, keeping in view the rapid urbanization, population pressure on the existing infrastructure and reducing or overly loaded drainage systems in the city.

The Rangia based Red Horn Division under the aegis of the GAJRAJ Corps of Army's Eastern Command with support from Head Quarters Eastern Air and Eastern Naval Commands, 101 Area and Narangi based 51 Sub Area, is all set to launch this mega exercise Exercise JALRAHAT, orchestrated by Indian Army and Eastern Command to carry out realistic training in providing flood relief to the citizens of an urban centre like Guwahati. Exercise JALRAHAT will actively

involve the participation of Assam State Administration, National Disaster Relief Force Units, Assam State Disaster Management Authority, Guwahati Municipal Corporation and Para Military Forces like CRPF and SSB. The Assam State Administration has infact undertaken great efforts towards the successful conduct of this exercise. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV's), helicopters of the Indian Air Force and Army Aviation and Divers from the Indian Navy and Elite Special Forces of the Indian Army will participate in Exercise JALRAHAT to demonstrate use of potent capabilities and modern technology to assist in Disaster Management effort.

The UAV's will be used to detect people trapped in flood waters and reconnaissance of flood affected areas from an elevated platform, use of Helicopters for rescue and relief operations and distribution of relief material to inaccessible

areas and the Divers will lead the effort of rescue of people from the water.

The flood relief operations practiced and validated during the course of this exercise will act as a readily available knowledge resource for execution of flood relief actions nationally along the length and breadth of the country and will act as ready material for periodical updating of the NDMP 2016. "We cannot stop natural disasters but we can arm ourselves with knowledge, so many lives wouldn't have to be lost if there was enough disaster preparedness". Suffice to say, natural disasters or calamities like floods, earthquakes, cyclones etc are phenomena's of mother nature which cannot be avoided or deflected, but certainly knowledge with reference to the individual characteristics of these natural fury's and preparation based on it can certainly mitigate the devastating effects of these and prevent and minimize the loss of human life and property and alleviate suffering of the people.

ET Correspondent Mangaldai, June 24: The doctors are considered as God by people despite knowing the fact that they are human, as the profession gives ‘hope’ to live to a patient and his family. But due to the increasing number of medico legal issues in the country, there is a serious concern about the doctor-patient relationship. To raise awareness among the patients about their rights and responsibilities as patients and to build up a strong, safe and healthy doctor patient relationship, the Dr. Anamika Ray Memorial Trust has decided to observe June 25 as Patients’ Rights Day under the “STOP MEDICAL TERRORISM” movement for better and transparent healthcare services in India. This is stated in a press release from the Trust. The Trust feels happy that a few civil society organisations such as Ahom Sena, Priyobandhu, CLPF etc. have come forward to support the cause and make it a vibrant movement.

The Trust, in consultation with a panel of medical professionals of national and international repute, drafted the Patients’ Rights in 10 points and the responsibilities in another 10 points. The Rights and Responsibilities of the patients which is already available at http://smt.armt.in since June 23rd in many languages. It's a two page document. The Trust requests ev-

eryone to support the cause by downloading the document in their preferred language, printing it out and distributing it among patients in any hospital in India. The Trust believes that this initiative may save hundreds of lives and will be a great contribution for better and more transparent healthcare services in India. To let others know, the Trust also requests supporters to post a photo of the distribution of the document with ?#?patientsrightsday in any social media.

or damage to property; responsibility to be truthful; responsibility to provide complete and accurate medical history; responsibility to cooperate with the agreed line of treatment; responsibility to meet the financial obligations; responsibility to refrain from initiating, participating or supporting fraudulent and illegal health care practices; responsibility to report illegal or unethical behaviour; responsibility to get a postmortem done and responsibility to discuss end of life decisions.

The rights mentioned in the draft include the right to get the best possible medical care without discrimination; right to prompt, life-saving treatment; right to take part in all decisions relating to one’s health care; right to privacy; right to know the identity and role of people involved in treatment; right to dignity and to have caregivers’ respect; right to appropriate assessment and management of pain; right to receive visitors; right to refuse treatment and to leave the medical centre; and right to get necessary information related to the line of treatment as well as all health records.

The responsibilities mentioned in the draft include the responsibility to refrain from misbehaving and misconduct towards any medical service providers; responsibility to refrain from physical assault of any healthcare personnel

The Trust reiterates that the purpose of the movement is to bring about improvement in health care services in the country through legislation aimed at systemic changes. It is a distant and difficult goal but the movement is determined to succeed so that victims of Medical Terrorism can find justice, so that doctors who wish to and are trying to make a difference through their actions can do so with greater ease, and so that there is greater and justified trust in the relationship between medical professionals and patients.

The Trust urges the public not to be swayed by divertive and misleading arguments and to support the movement. To support the movement launched by this Trust, any supporter can type JOIN ATRUST and ‘SMS’ it to 9220092200 or give a missed call to 02262116842.

Five members of SKAC joined BJP Contd. from Page 1

The Congress went on to form the council with a 12member executive body headed by Dandi Sonowal as the Chief Executive Councillor (CEC). Just before the recent state assembly elections the lone AGP member Dhiren Sonowal had switched over to the BJP boosting its members tally to ten.

Dandi Sonowal, Chief Executive Councillor of SKAC said that they have not got any formal letter from the members those who have joined BJP. “Three of them were from congress and two independent members of SAKC who have joined BJP,’’ Sonowal said.

“Right now we cannot say anything but very soon we will disclosed everything,’’ he added.

NDFB-S cadre held ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, June 24: Security forces apprehended a cadre of NDFB-S from Koilamoila area under Amguri PS early this morning around 4.30am in Chirang district.

The cadre was identified as Jordhan Narzary alias Jaolang, a 38th batch cadre and Myanmar trained, was active in money extortion and collection money.

Unidentified dead body recovered from Barolia River ET Correspondent Rangia June 24: An unidentified dead body of a male was recovered floated from Barolia River on Thursday evening. The dead body whose age was about 40 yrs and was wearing black jeans.

According to the public, the dead body was from Tamulpur side and with injury mark on the body. It is alleged that some miscreants might have killed the boy and threw him in the river Barolia.

Amthisuwa celebrated in Kanthalguri

On the other hand, the BJP office in Dibrugarh has celebrated after the joining of the members of SKAC. BJP member Dipuranjan Markari who is expected to take over the reigns as the new CEC from Sonowal said that his party was ready to form the new Council.

"Since the Congress has been reduced to a minority, we expect the executive body to resign soon. It will pave the formation of a new body from the BJP members because within next week the new body will be formed. In the SKAC everybody wanted a change and the members joined BJP,’’ said Markari while confirming that he will be heading the new Council. Markari is very close with Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.

ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, June 24: An Women's Kabbadi exhibition was organized at Kanthalguri ground on Friday in Kokrajhar district in connection with Amthisuwa festival celebration. Two women group from Kanthalguri village under Shukannjhora VCDC took part in the Kabbadi which had created amusement among specta-

tors, was organized by Kanthalguri Mahila Samiti to mark the Amthisuwa celebration.

'The women's Kabbadi game was organized to bring awareness about game's spirit among society on the occasion of Amthisuwa festival. It was a very entertaining game spirit', one of organizer of Kabbadi said.

JE Menace claims 8 in Sivasagar out of which 7 were vaccinated Contd. from Page 1

It may be mentioned that the state health department had undertaken JE vaccination programmes in the state in the year 2011 and 2014 for both

pediatric and adult. The victims of the peril so far in the district are Rupom Nayak (8)of Galekey, Asima Begum(3) of Deopani TE, Rilu Ahmed(45) of Dhai Ali, Asha Karmakar(38) of Nazira and Abdul

Bakir(70) while Dipen Sukrang(30) of Hihingmukh, Esop Nayak(7) of Taokak TE and Malbika Gogoi(50) of Sapekhati were the victims of similar type of disease.

A total of 584 person have lost their lives affected by

JE in the past 15 years in Sivasagar. The continuous efforts of health department is however not been proved up to the mark. On the other hand District Administration of Sivasagar has formed a Joint Task Team to handle the threat.

Two day work review meeting of Dy. Chief Manoranjan Engineers of NF rly.con.organisation begins Kalita cluding Sikkim. In the meet- passed away Guwahati, June 24: A ing it was decided to comtwo-days Works Review Meeting of all Dy. Chief Engineers of N.F.Railway Construction Organisation has begun from today at Officers' Club, Nambari, Maligaon, Guwahati. Altogether 43 Dy. Chief Engineers of Civil Engineering, Signal & Telecommunication and Electrical departments of Construction Organisation have attended the meeting and discussed various issues like planning for funds utilization in 2016-17, planning for P.Way materials and disposal of surplus materials, requirement of funds during 2017-18 and timely completion of projects under their jurisdiction. In the

Shri H.K.Jaggi, GM/N.F.Railway is seen delivering his speech in the Works Review Meeting. Also seen are Shri Ajit Pandit, CAO/ Con-3, Shri Surinder Pal, CAO/Con-2, Shri A.S.Garud, CAO/Con1, Shri Atul Mohan, FA&CAO/Con.

meeting, the field Project In-charges also presented Power Point presentations showing progress of their respective project works. It may be mentioned that at

present altogether 38 projects of new lines, gauge conversion and doubling are going on in entire N.E.Region and parts of Bihar and West Bengal in-

mission total 100.72 Km of new lines, gauge conversion and doubling during 201617 financial year.

Earlier , in the morning before start of the meeting , Shri H.K.Jaggi, GM/ N.F.Railway was welcomed by the Sri A.S.Garud, Chief Administrative Officer/ Con-1. In the meeting Chief Administrative Officer/ Con-1,2,3, FA&CAO/Con, CSTE/Con-1, CEE/Con, CSTE & Chief Operations Manager, N.F.Railway addressed the participants and emphasized timely completion of the projects. The meeting will also continue with a Technical Session on 25.06.2016.

ET Correspondent Rangia June 24: Manoranjan Kalita, science teacher of Rangia Higher Secondary School passed away after prolong illness on Friday evening at a private nurshing home in Guwahati. He was 56. He was suffering of diabaties and kidney problem.He was associated with Dipteswari Rass committee and other social and religion institutions. He is survived by son and a daughter.

Oil Bazar Bebshay Committee taking step toward clean our OIL Market, Its a initiative taken by the OBBC to keep our surrounding clean. Pic - Sidharth Singh

REGION

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, JUNE 25

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10 hurt in inter-village clash at SPT dist Imphal, Jun 24: At least 10 persons sustained injuries when villagers of Khabung Karong and Maram Khunou clashed over a land dispute at around 4.20 am today in Senapati district.

Since 1962, the two villages have been contesting ownership rights over certain areas, informed a source. A group of Khabung Karong villagers went to a disputed site early this morning purportedly to dismantle houses built there by some Maram Khunou villagers.

However, as they approached the disputed

KHADC proposes amendment of Sixth Schedule Shillong, Jun 24: The KHADC has proposed amendment of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution to incorporate a specific time period for clearing bills of the KHADC. Replying to a query during the summer session of the KHADC here on Thursday, CEM P.N. Syiem said, "In the proposal to the amendment to the Sixth Schedule, the timeframe to complete and clear pending Bills should be within six months. The Governor can return the Bill with a message requesting the Council for reconsideration of the Bill."

In the wake of the pending amendment of Social Lineage Act, 2015 for one year which aims to impose stringent procedures for the issuance of tribal status, KHNAM MDC Adelbert Nongrum sought queries regarding the Bill which was passed during his tenure as CEM. "The Bill was sent to the Governor through the District Council Affairs department but it was returned for further rectifications on certain clauses. The Governor should have returned the Bill with suggestions as per rules," Syiem informed.

"The Bill is currently with the District Council. We will send the Bill as it is and since we have sent it the second time, it is likely to get the Governor's assent," he added. Taking note of the delay of the Council in re-submitting the Bill, Nongrum said, "It is a defeat of the legislative power of the District Council."

It may be reminded that the KHADC had submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the State last month seeking his intervention to amend the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution. (Agencies)

Women helpline in Kohima Kohima, Jun 24: Governor of Nagaland and Assam, P B Acharya on Thursday launched a woman helpline 181 and also inaugurated Sakhi, a one stop centre, intended to support women affected by violence both in private and public spaces under one roof.

Addressing the gathering Acharya reminded the society is witnessing women who are marching ahead in every field.

He also highlighted the multi roles played by women as home makers, guardians of children and the hard workers.

Terming women as the living force behind human race, Acharya reminded the gathering that women were "our mothers, our sisters and our daughters". (Agencies)

site, they were fired upon with 12 Bore SBBL guns.

Another source informed that gun shots were heard by neighbouring villages along the NH-2 between Vakho village and district council at around 3.40 am . P Daihrii (63), V Poul (40), A John (46), Saloni (48), Veinii (22) and Ch Joyson (54) and four others sustained injuries in the firing.

While P Daihrii, V Poul and A John have been admitted in Raj Medicity, Saloni and Veinii have been taken to Shija Hospital. It is said that they sustained bullet

At least 10 persons sustained injuries when villagers of Khabung Karong and Maram Khunou clashed over a land dispute at around 4.20 am on Thursday

injuries and their conditions are said to be critical. However, Ch Joyson was left behind at his home as his injuries were of minor nature and he

did not need medical attention.

Senapati Police led by SDPO Hemant Pandey and 35 AR personnel immediately rushed to the

spot and controlled the situation. Apart from deployment of police personnel around the disputed site, the District Magistrate has issued strong prohibitory orders under CrPC 144 and directed all licensed guns holders of seven neighbouring villages to deposit their guns at Senapati police station immediately.

Meanwhile, DC Jacintha Lazarus, Tadubi SDO Ganguiliu Gangmei, Song Song SDO Adahrii Maheo, Willong SDO Ngathingshim, SDC Duna Dou, SDPO Hemant Pandey and OC

Jonah visited the site.

Meanwhile many civil societies including ANSAM, NPO and Senapati ADC have called for peaceful resolution of the issue. While visiting the disputed site where some house were constructed, leaders of Poumai Naga Women Union (PNWU) led by its president Tabitha and Senapati Karong Area Women's Association (SKAWA) president Daileru have appealed to both the parties to show restraint and refrain from taking recourse to violent means to resolve the case.(Agencies)

Fake encounters, custodial deaths slur on police forces Shillong, Jun 24: The Centre has expressed unhappiness over the style and functioning of the police forces both from the State and the Centre deployed in the North East as they had failed to address the problems of unrest in the region including insurgency in a balanced manner since there were several cases of human rights violations.

The NHRC had recently pulled up many state governments in the North East for several cases of fake encounters and custodial deaths especially in Meghalaya and Manipur. An official

source said the stand of the Centre is that despite spending crores of rupees for modernization of police forces, the output was not encouraging.

Though the security heads of the Northeastern states met on Thursday to discuss the need to have better coordination in dealing with insurgents, the issue of respecting human rights was not part of the agenda, sources said.

Recently, the Meghalaya government had to disburse Rs.20 lakh in a fake encounter case involving four militants.

During the early hours of

December 10, 2010 GNLA leader Joking Momin and three other cadres were killed in an encounter with the police at Gajingpara in North Garo Hills.

After the direction of NHRC, the Political department has initiated the move to disburse Rs 20 lakh (Rs 5 lakh each as ex-gratia) to the relatives of four slain militants in the fake encounter case.

Moreover, in the case of custodial death of Witson Sangma, the State government has already released Rs 5 lakh to the victim's wife even as disciplinary actions against

five police personnel involved in the crime in still awaited.

The NHRC had recommended action against several police personnel in these cases, but in vain as the Meghalaya police failed to act, sources added. An official with the Political department said the matter was taken up with the Meghalaya police headquarters.

Earlier, the Political department had also recommended action against police personnel involved in the Mookhep firing incident which resulted in the death of two civilians, but there was no follow up action from

the police headquarters.

When contacted, a senior police official said he will verify the pending cases. Furthermore, there was a case involving army personnel who had on November 25 night last year shot dead a school teacher Alphius M Momin (35) and his friend Sweetbirth D Marak (30), in a case of mistaken identity at Rajasimla, North Garo Hills, when they were travelling on a motorcycle.

However, the relatives are yet to get justice as the Army has not fixed responsibility on anyone.(Agencies)

The 1st day of 48 hour bandh complete Imphal, Jun 24: Normal life in Imphal and other areas was crippled on the first day of the 48 hours State-wide bandh imposed by the JAC against the declaration of 'wanted' tag on former JCILPS convener Khomdram Ratan and the demand for implementation of ILP. The 48 hours bandh was imposed demanding the withdrawal of wanted tag on former convener of Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) Kh Ratan.

The bandh hampered all forms of business activities in Imphal city and other major business centres in and around the State capital. All interdistrict passenger services remained off the road though few private vehicles related with emergency service and religious activities were

seen plying.

Business establishments, shops, oil pumps and cinema halls in and around Imphal city downed shutters. Khwairamband Bazar, the heart of the capital wore a deserted look. Schools and colleges, offices and movie theatres also remained closed. To prevent any untoward incident, a number of police personnel were seen deployed in and around Imphal area. Supporters of the bandh blocked roads at many places by placing tree branches, logs and burning tyres.

People from all walks of life showed their support by blocking all roads leading to Imphal city crippling all forms of transportation. All major roads leading towards Imphal city were cut off, transforming Imphal city into a ghost town. Large

Normal life in Imphal and other areas was crippled on the first day of the 48 hours State-wide bandh

number of people staged sit-in-protest at different places pressuring the Government to implement ILP system and to save the indigenous populace of Manipur and removal of the 'wanted' tag on Kh Ratan.

Bandh enforcers took to the streets at Wangkhei, Kongba, KongbaSingjamei Road, Singjamei Kshetri Leikai, Moirangkhom, S i n g j a m e i

Chingamakhong, Singjamei Bheigyabati Leikai, Kakwa, Yaiskul, Canchipur and other places.

Supporting the 48 hours bandh, a large number of people blocked roads at different places in different districts. Locals of Khurai Lamlong and Sawombung also enforced the bandh hampering all forms of vehicular movement along the Imphal-Ukhrul road.

Even though bandh supporters strictly prevented any vehicular movements, medical emergencies, religious activity related movements and emergency services were exempted.

Bandh supporters blocked vehicular movement at Khongman Mangjil area too. A bandh enforcer at Khongman Mangjil said that the declaration of wanted tag on former JCILPS convener Khomdram Ratan by the Govt is strongly condemnable. She demanded that the wanted tag on Kh Ratan and the announcement of reward for information leading to his arrest be withdrawn immediately. The protester further warned of launching more intense forms of agitation unless the Govt withdraws the wanted tag on Ratan. (Agencies)

Tripura tribals block railways Agartala, Jun 24: Demanding a separate state, a tribal outfit in Tripura on Wednesday blockaded the National Highway No.8 and the railway line - the northeastern state's two vital links with the outside world.

The Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT), which has been agitating for the past few years for creation of a separate state, started its scheduled 24-hour rail and road blockade at 6 a.m. on Wednesday at Khamting Bari in Baramura hill range in western Tripura.

Tribal protesters led by their leaders sat on the highway and the state's sole railway line.

"Around 10,000 agitators blockaded the national highway and the railway line, shouting slogans in-

termittently," West Tripura district police chief Abhijit Saptarshi, who is camping at the agitation spot, told IANS over phone.

He said that so far no untoward incident has occurred. "We have made adequate security measures in and around the sites of rail and road blockade. Tripura State Rifles and central para-military forces, led by senior officials, have been deployed in the areas," Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Anurag told.

The IPFT wants a separate state to be carved out of Tripura by upgrading the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC). The ruling Left Front dominated by the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) is now governing the

TTAADC, which was formed by amending the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution in 1985.

IPFT President Narandra Chandra Debbarma accused the Left Front government of creating the TTAADC only as a "lame duck institution" without any real powers. "Very little development taken place in the tribal areas.

The basic problems of the tribal people have not been solved. Tribals continue to lose their land. Even the state of affairs of the Kokborok language of the indigenous tribals is dejected," Debbarma told reporters.

"We had submitted memorandum to the union Home Ministry several times.

The ministry officials said our demand would be considered positively. Talks

between the leaders of IPFT and the central government are on," the IPFT chief said.

The ruling Left Front, the opposition Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and other political parties have strongly opposed the IPFT's demand for a separate state.

They said the demand would encourage outlawed militant groups to regain foothold in the state.

CPI-M central committee member Gautam Das told IANS: "A small state like Tripura cannot be divided further. They (IPFT) are merely trying to regain relevance in the state politics by raising such an impractical and provocative demand."

Chief Minister Manik Sarkar had also earlier on

many occasions rejected the demand, saying that the Left Front government would not allow any attempt to divide the state.

Sarkar also said that he would resist any such move with all his might.

The TTAADC, which has been playing a key role in the socio-economic development of tribals, has jurisdiction over two-thirds of Tripura's geographical area of 10,491.69 sq. km.

Over 12.16 lakh people, more than 90 per cent of whom are tribals, reside in the areas administered by the TTAADC. Tribals constitute a third of Tripura's total population of 3.7 million people. (Agencies)

People will decide future of political parties: Conrad

Chief Minister Mukul Sangma Shillong, Jun 24: With Chief Minister Mukul Sangma reiterating that NPP will be wiped out in 2018 Assembly polls, NPP president Conrad Sangma on Thursday said the future of political parties do not lie in the hands of individuals.

Earlier, prior to the byelection to Tura Lok Sabha seat, the chief minister had predicted that NPP will be wiped out hoping that the election results would favour the Congress, but in vain.

Reacting to the stand of the chief minister, Conrad said, "He (Chief

Minister) has been maintaining the same view.

But I want to say that outcome of elections is not in the hands of individuals as public will decide the political fortunes."

According to Conrad, the duty of the politicians is to work hard and be committed to the people.

"We present our goals to the people and ultimately it is the people of Meghalaya, or elsewhere in the country, who decide the future of political parties and politicians," Conrad said.

(Agencies)

JCILPS man held with explosive materials Imphal, Jun 24: Even as a 48-hour bandh demanding revocation of wanted tag announced on former JCILPS convenor Khomdram Ratan is currently on, the publicity incharge of JCILPS Sagolband New Cachar road unit has been arrested along with explosive materials in the wee hours on Friday.

The arrested person has been identified as Nameirakpam Mangi alias Yaima (48) s/o Kondum of Yurembam Mayai Leikai. He is said to be a member of National Revolutionary Front of Manipur (NRFM).

Police brought him before the media along with the seized items at the conference hall of Imphal West district police on Friday.

Imphal West SP Dr AK Jhalajit said that under the joint supervision of Thokchom Vikramjit, Additional SP Imphal West, Krishnatombi, DSP Imphal West commando and Soibam Sachidananda, Dy SP Imphal West commando, a combined security team of police and troops of 12 Bihar Regiment raided Mangi's house at around 3 am acting on a specific intelligence input.

He was arrested after the security team seized 27 Gelatine sticks, 50 detonators, two 6-feet long non-electric safety fuses, two mobile phones and one Honda Activa during the raid, the SP said. Dr Jhalajit stated that Mangi revealed that he is working under the direct command of NRFM commander Binodon alias Kishan alias Wangba and Dhabalo alias Paikhomba.

He further said that Mangi runs a bomb factory at his house for the outfit and the required funds for the said factory are supplied by the two NRFM commanders. The SP further said that Mangi had revealed that bombs assembled by him were used in the blasts which occurred at the residence of Brahmacharimayum Birama-ngol of Uripok Yambem Leikai on February 23, Ima Kerosene Agency, Toupokpi Maning Leikai on March 17, near the residence of Thokchom (N) Laishram

(O) Phullobati w/o Ibopishak on June 7, near telecom tower located at the residential complex of Leitanthem Sanatomba Singh (37) of Thoubal Pakhangkhong Leirak on June 7, Kodompokpi Lamkhai on June 9 and residence of Gurumayum Dhanajit Sharma of Sagolband Ingudam Leirak on June 21.

Dr Jhalajit further said that surprisingly Mangi had also revealed that he is the publicity in-charge of JCILPS Sagolband New Cachar road unit.

The SP said that Mangi took active role in carrying out different pro-ILPS agitations on NH-37 (Imphal-Jiribam road), also known as New Cachar road. The SP further said that Mangi is the tenth NRFM cadre arrested by the police so far.

Nine other cadres who had already been arrested earlier have been identified as Nameirakpam Dolen (41) s/o (L) N Tombi of Nongada Makha Leikai (arrested on February 16, 2015), Yogesh Gurung alias Udit (19) s/ o Durga Gurung of Pangei Nepali Basti (arrested on February 27, 2015), Takhelmayum Ajit Meitei alias Ibomcha alias Lakpa (27) s/o T Kanto Meitei of Nongren Mayai Leikai, Nongmeikapam Sanjoy alias Amuba (47) s/o (L) N Brajabidhu of Singjamei Mayengbam Leikai, Awangta-bam Dilipkumar (35) s/o A Thambangou of Kamarkandi village, Tripura, Nongthom-bam Lakhel alias Chamba (45) s/o N Nodiya of Ghari Makha Leikai, Laishram Deban (40) s/o (L) L Bimol of Chalou Lamlai bazar and Waikhom Pradip alias Abung (31) s/ o W Ibomcha of Seijang Awang Leikai.

The SP further said that the police is likely to nab some more cadres of the outfit in a couple of days.

On the other hand, a reliable source said that the explosive materials seized from Mangi's residence were brought from Sugnu some months back. Another source said that Mangi contested Pradhan election at Yurembam GP in the last Gram Panchayat election.

(Agencies)

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, JUNE 25

PAGE 6

AAP must realise they are no longer a 'street organisation': Rijiju New Delhi, June 24: Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju on Friday asked Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to allow an 'impartial' probe into the NDMC officer MM Khan murder case by not giving it 'political colour' and added that the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government should realise that they are no longer a street organisation.

"The AAP which is the ruling party of Delhi they have to realize that they are no more a street organisation who can say anything which is not in tune with the constitutional provision. While the investigation is on, the AAP and the Delhi Chief Minister continues to attack the Delhi lieutenant government and some other people. It is very unbecoming on the part of the Delhi Govern-

ment. While the case is being investigated if you try to draw a political color to it then it will dilute the case," Rijiju toldhere.

Rijiju said the Center has full faith in the Delhi Police, and therefore, is making 'good progress' in the case.

"They (AAP) are the ruling party and they must behave in that way. The matter related to MM Khan murder case is being investigated fairly and impartially by the Delhi Police. And we have full faith in Delhi police. We have full faith in LG and Delhi Police that the truth will come out and the guilty will be punished," he added.

He further said that the Delhi Government headed by the AAP is playing politics and is throwing the great opportunities they have received from the people of

NDMC official murder: Girri seeks proof on LG's claim

Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju Delhi to serve them and work for them.

As the controversy rages over the murder of NDMC legal adviser M.M. Khan, the Delhi police had yesterday claimed it is conducting an impartial probe into the matter and gave clean chit to BJP MP Maheish Girri and NDMC vicechairman Kanwar Singh Tanwar.

Council, for being legally examined and to intimate action taken/position in the matter," the statement said.

"It needs to be mentioned that the matter had been duly processed on file in this Secretariat on 16.5.2016, prior to the tragic death of Mr Khan, and the letter dated 17.05.2016 was issued in the normal course, without the knowledge of the tragic death," it added.

In response to the above, vide two letters dated 19.05.2016 and 03.06.2016 Joint Director (Estates), New Delhi Municipal Council, stated that the License Deed had been cancelled and the cancellation was upheld by the Apex Court and thus attained finality; as such, the arbitration clause did not survive and the said reference had been filed by New Delhi Municipal Council.

The position was duly noted in this Secretariat and vide letter dated 22.06.2016 of this Secretariat, Chairman, New Delhi Municipal Council was directed to ensure effective and expeditious action in the matter in pursuance of Hon'ble Supreme Court order as also take all consequential action as per law.

The NDMC official was shot dead outside his house in Jamia Nagar by two motorcycle-borne assailants on May 16. (ANI)

The statement clarified that a letter was submitted

by Mr. Girri to the L-G on May 10 stating that in any dispute between the Licensee and the Licensor, in this case regarding that of a prominent hotel in central Delhi, arbitration would rest before the L-G under Clause 54 of the License Deed.

This letter was forwarded to the Chairperson of the New Delhi Municipal Council "for necessary action as per law". (ANI)

"They (AAP) are the ruling party and they must behave in that way. The matter related to MM Khan murder case is being investigated fairly and impartially by the Delhi Police. And we have full faith in Delhi police. We have full faith in LG and Delhi Police that the truth will come out and the guilty will be punished,"Says Kiren Rijiju

Indian economy well prepared to deal with consequences of Brexit: Jaitley

New Delhi, June 24: With the global markets taking a huge blow from the impact of the United Kingdom voting itself to freedom from the European Union, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday said that the India economy was well prepared to deal with the short and medium term consequences of Brexit, adding that the Centre's Girri seeks proof on LG's claim aim will be to minimize New Delhi, June 24: Re- The L-G office said, "A let- its impact on the butting Lieutenant ter from M/s Prominent economy.

GovernorNajeeb Jung's Hotels Limited was submit- According to a statement statement that he had writ- ted by Maheish Girri, MP, released today, Jaitley ten a letter to Jung in the East Delhi, to Hon'ble Lt. said that India respected matter involving NDMC Governor on 10.05.2016, the referendum's verdict official M. M. Khan's mur- stating that in any dispute but at the same time was der, BJP MP Maheish Girri between the Licensee and aware of its significance asserted that he wrote no the Licensor, arbitration in the days ahead and such letter adding that if he would rest before Lt. Gov- also for the medium term has written such a letter, ernor of Delhi under Clause then Delhi Chief Minister 54 of the License Deed "As I have often said, in this globalized world, Arvind Kejriwal should dated 16 July 1982." claim it on 'constitutional This letter was forwarded to volatility and uncertainty provisions' from the LG of- Chairperson, New Delhi are the new norms. This fice and 'release' it.

Municipal Council vide verdict will, obviously, "There is a logic here. If I U.O. No. RN/16/A-3212 further contribute to such haven't written it, why dated 11.05.2016 for neces- volatility not least beshould I demand the letter? sary action as per the law. cause its full implications Kejriwal needs the letter, I "Subsequently, an arbitra- for the UK, Europe and don't need it. He is the Chief tion petition dated the rest of the world are Minister, he can demand the 12.05.2016 was also subletter on constitutional pro- mitted by the same Licensee still uncertain. All counvisions, so he should make in this Secretariat. This was tries around the world a demand for my letter to the also forwarded to Chairper- will have to brace themLG office. He (Kejriwal) son, New Delhi Municipal selves for a period of only knows to point fingers at others," Girri told here.

"If I have written a letter, make it public. They are bringing everything to the fore but not my letter. Is Kejriwal frightened? Why he is not making my letter public?" he added.

Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the murder of Khan, the Lieutenant Governor's office clarified its stand yesterday that "everyone understands that the claims of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are frivolous, and therefore, the attempt to draw political mileage from this tragedy is sad".

The clarification comes just days after Jung's office sent Delhi hotelier Ramesh Kakkar's petition against Khan to the NDMC asking for "action as per law" following reports that the official was allegedly murdered for refusing to take bribe from him.

The statement issued by the Lieutenant Governor's office said the Delhi Police arrested seven people within 24 hours, adding full recovery was made and further investigations are on.

"Further, on receipt of a proposal from the Hon'ble Chief Minister, the Lt. Governor promptly approved a compensation of Rupees One crore to the family of the deceased officer," the statement said.

AAP had earlier alleged that lieutenant-governor Najeeb Jung's role in the Khan case was 'suspicious' and demanded his arrest.

"His (Jung's) role is suspicious in the case. Why had he written to the NDMC, seeking action against Khan? We demand that the L-G be arrested and sacked from his position,"AAP Delhi

unit convener Dileep Pandey said at a press conference.

LG Jung's office had yesterday issued a statement calling the AAP's allegations as "frivolous" and said the murder was a grave tragedy for Mr. Khan's family.

"Everyone understands that the claims of the AAP are frivolous and, therefore, the attempt to draw political mileage from this tragedy is sad," a statement from Mr. Jung's office said.

possible turbulence while being watchful about, and alert to, the referendum's medium term impacts," Jaitley said.

Confident that the Indian economy can brace itself from the consequences of Brexit, the Finance Minister added that India remains committed to its macro-economic framework with its focus on maintaining stability.

Asserting that India stands out in terms of stability and growth, Jaitley added that India is amongst the fastest growing major economies in the world today "The government and the Reserve Bank of India as well as other regulators are well prepared, and working closely together, to deal with any short term volatility. Our aim will be to smooth this volatility and minimize its impact on the economy in the short term. At the same time, for the medium term, we will steadfastly pursue our ambitious reform agenda-including early passage of the GST-that

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will help us realize our medium term growth potential of 8-9% and help achieve our objective of development for all," Jaitley said.

Meanwhile, Britain has voted in favour of Brexit with 52 percent of the voters backing the decision to leave the European Union so far.

After the results many 'leave' campaigners were seen celebrating across

the country.

The total voter turnout was around 72 percent.

The pound had already plummeted to its lowest level against the dollar in decades by the time the poll results were out.

Britain's decision to leave the European Union also brings Prime Minister David Cameron under immediate pressure to quit as the Prime Minister. (ANI)

"India respected the referendum's verdict but at the same time was aware of its significance in the days ahead and also for the medium term"

Brexit: Value multifaceted relationships with both UK and EU, says India for the medium term, we will steadfastly pursue our ambitious reform agenda-including early passage of the GST-that will help us realize our medium term growth potential of 8-9% and help achieve our objective of development for all," Jaitley said.

New Delhi, June 24: With the United Kingdom voting itself to freedom from the European Union on Friday, India has asserted that it values its multifaceted relationships with both the UK and the EU and will strive to further strengthen the ties.

"We have seen the results of the British referendum on EU membership reflecting the choice made by the British people on the issue.

We value our multifaceted relationships with both the UK and the EU and will strive to further strengthen these ties in the years ahead," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Official Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said in a series of tweets.

Meanwhile, with the global markets taking a huge blow from the impact of Brexit, Finance

Value multifaceted relationships with both UK and EU Minister Arun Jaitley said that the Indian economy was well prepared to deal with the short and medium term consequences, adding that the Centre's aim will be to minimize its impact on the economy.

"The government and

the Reserve Bank of India as well as other regulators are well prepared, and working closely together, to deal with any short term volatility. Our aim will be to smooth this volatility and minimize its impact on the economy in the short term. At the same time,

Meanwhile, Britain has voted in favour of Brexit with 52 percent of the voters backing the decision to leave the European Union so far.

After the results many 'leave' campaigners were seen celebrating across the country.

The total voter turnout was around 72 percent.

The pound had already plummeted to its lowest level against the dollar in decades by the time the poll results were out. (ANI)

Law Student moves EC seeking disentitlement of 27 AAP MLAs

Law Student moves EC seeking disentitlement of 27 AAP MLAs New Delhi, June 24 : Coming down heavily on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Vibhor Anand, a final year law student on Friday demanded the disentitlement of the 27 Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs over the office of profit issue after filing a fresh application with the Election Commission.

"These 27 MLAs have been appointed as the chairman of 38 hospitals, whereas the guidelines given by the Central Government in 2015 are highly categorical in nature. It states that only the district magistrate or the local MP or the health minister can be appointed as the chairman.

Local MLAs can only become a member of the committee," he told.

Anand said if Sheila Dikshit's government made some mistakes dur-

ing their term in office the present government should not have repeated it.

"I only ask the government to debar their membership from the office," he added.

Vinhor Anand has claimed in his complaint that 27 AAP MLAs hold posts of Chairpersons of the Rogi Kalyan Samitis (RKSs) of different government hospitals in Delhi without any sanctity of law.

The 27 MLAs include seven legislators against whom the Election Commission is already considering a similar plea.

The list also includes Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel, his deputy Rakhi Birla, former deputy speaker Bandana Kumari and estranged AAP MLA and Swaraj Abhiyan leader Pankaj Pushkar. (ANI)

'Unguided missile' Swamy has backfired at BJP: JD (U)

Terming Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy as an 'unguided missile', the Janata Dal (United) on Friday New Delhi, June 24: Terming Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy as an 'unguided missile', the Janata Dal (United) on Friday said he has backfired at the saffron party, who brought him to the Rajya Sabha to counter the Gandhi family.

"Subramanian Swamy is an unguided missile. Few leaders of the BJP brought him to Rajya Sabha to use him against the Nehru-Gandhi family and now their move has backfired as he is attacking the BJP itself," JD (U) leader K.C Tyagi told.

Tyagi's remark came after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley defended his key policy makers after Swamy continued his tirade against top civil servants."An unfair and false attack on a disciplined civil servant in the finance ministry," Jaitley tweeted, hours after Swamy flung corruption allegations at economic affairs secretary Shaktikanta Das on Twitter.

Jailtey's reaction came

after Swamy's went offensive against top finance ministry officials despite Jaitley defending civil servants and expressing "full confidence" in Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian earlier.

Swamy had yesterday said that he is not bothered about Jaitley's comments on Chief Economic Advisor Subramanian and adding that he will talk to party President Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issues if and when required.

"What am I supposed to do on what Jaitleyji said?

I will talk to party president and Prime Minister when required, right now it's not needed as I've said what I had to say," said Swamy.

Swamy had also suspended his demand to sack Subramanian after the BJP reiterated that the party does not share his views and Jaitley expressed confidence in the CEA. Swamy alleged that Subramanian adopted an "anti-India" stance in the past. (ANI)

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, JUNE 25

Jaitley says wait for full results of Brexit referendum

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Beijing, Jun 24: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday declined to comment on the current trends of 'Brexit' and said that he would prefer to wait till the full results are out.

"I think when the counting is on and you have close margin of results coming in you cannot expect me to comment at this state," he said, adding that he would rather wait for the full results.

Jaitley was replying to a question on how concerned India is about the 'Brexit' results at a business seminar.

Counting is underway today across the UK after millions of Britons cast their votes in the historic referendum that would decide whether the country will stay in or leave the European Union (EU).

Both sides of the cam-

paign have urged the nearly 46,499,537 registered voters, including 1.2 million British Indians, for a big turnout as Prime Minister David Cameron made his final appeal to "get out there and vote Remain" and reject the "untruths" of the camp in favour of 'Brexit' or Britain's exit from the EU. The Finance Minister yesterday began his fiveday China visit by meeting top Chinese bankers and wealth fund managers pitching for more investments in India's infrastructure sector.

Soon after his arrival in Beijing, Jaitley met Bank of China Chairman Tian Guoli and addressed a closed roundtable meeting of heads of sovereign wealth funds, institutional investors and banks. (PTI)

Mexico President Enrique Pena Nieto partly vetoes anti-corruption bill Mexico City, Jun 24: Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto on Thursday vetoed a section of anti-corruption legislation that angered business leaders by requiring firms and individuals who win government contracts to make their assets and interests public.

Congress approved seven bills last week to create a National Anti-Corruption System in a country plagued by graft that costs it billions of dollars per year.

But the business community, which had pressed lawmakers to pass the sweeping anti-graft legislation, criticized a measure added at the last minute and

backed by Pena Nieto`s ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). Pena Nieto met with business leaders this week.

"The government has carefully listened to the voices that argue that this measure is excessive and would make the National Anti-Corruption System inoperable, as it would be impossible to process millions and millions of (asset) declarations," Humberto Castillejos, Pena Nieto`s legal adviser, said in televised remarks. The president requested Congress to hold an extraordinary session to change the legislation, Castillejos said. (Agencies)

India to sign Memorandum of Obligation to join SCO Tashkent (Uzbekistan), Jun 24: India will sign a memorandum of obligation in Tashkent today to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

India is likely to be given the status of full member of the SCO during the extended meeting of member states and observer countries of the organisation today.

India will also sign about 30 other documents during the period of one year to become a permanent member of the SCO. Prime Ministers Narendra Modi will also hold bilateral meetings with the Presidents

of Russia, Belarus and Tajikistan on the sidelines of the SCO Summit before returning home tonight.

The two-day SCO summit began yesterday.

During his meeting with President Putin, Prime Minister Modi is expected to raise the issue of India's NSG membership.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi raised the NSG issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping and asked the latter to view India's application for membership fairly, objectively and on merit.

(ANI)

Three killed in Quetta market explosion Quetta, Jun 24: Three people were killed and 20 reported injured in a loud explosion at Almo Chowk here on Friday afternoon.

The dead and injured, all passersby and shopkeepers in the area, have been taken to Civil Hospital Quetta.

Three of the injured are in critical condition.

Police, Frontier Corps personnel and rescue teams reached the site of the explosion and an investigation is underway.

The blast went off outside a shop in the crowded Almo Chowk market as locals were busy in Ramazan and pre-Eid shopping. Initial investigation revealed the bomb was planted on a bicycle.

Although the exact nature of the bomb used was unclear, the explosion damaged windows and walls of nearby shops and homes in the marginalised neighbourhood.( Agencies)

PAGE 7

NEIGHBOURS

After Swiss blow, Canada, Brazil extend support for India's NSG bid Seoul, Jun 24 : On a day on mixed developments for India on its membership bid in the Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG) membership, Canada and Braxil have extended their complete support to New Delhi.

According to sources, Brazil today supported India's bid but called for a common criteria for all non-NPT states.

Brazil also said that India has by far a better nuclear proliferation record than Pakistan However, in a complete shocker, Switzerland, who had earlier extended its complete sup-

port, has now opposed New Delhi's bid citing it being a non Nuclear NonProliferation Treaty (NPT) state.

This comes as a jolt for India as earlier, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Switzerland, the European nation had extended its complete support.

"I am thankful to the President for Switzerland's understanding and support for India's membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

We have both agreed to support each other for our respective bids for the non-permanent membership of the UNSC," Prime

After Swiss blow, Canada, Brazil extend support for India's NSG bid Minister Modi said while delivering the joint statement with the Swiss President.

Meanwhile, in another blow to India, China has

said that the NSG will not discuss its membership bid into the elite group, adding that New Delhi will first have to sign the NPT, as it is a

must and a major criteria set up by the NSG. Speaking to ANI here, Director-General of the Arms Control Department of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China Wang Qun asserted that India's membership has 'never ever' been on the agenda of the NSG and that there is no such agenda item for the twoday plenary, adding that there is no point of China opposing or supporting India as well as the membership of other countries.

"One thing is clear that India's membership has never ever been taken up as an agenda item. In the

China remains unmoved, says NSG will not discuss India's bid Seoul, Jun 24 : In a major blow to India, China on Friday said that the Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG) will not discuss its membership bid into the elite group, adding that New Delhi will first have to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), as it is a must and a major criteria set up by the NSG. Speaking to here, Director-General of the Arms Control Department of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China Wang Qun asserted that India's membership has 'never ever' been on the agenda of the NSG and that there is no such agenda item for the two-day plenary, adding that there is no point of China opposing or supporting India as well as the membership of other

China remains unmoved, says NSG will not discuss India's bid countries.

"One thing is clear that India's membership has never ever been taken up as an agenda item. In the two plenary sessions, there was no extraordinary session on this matter. There is no such agenda matter. In the caveat there could be observations and interventions but that's all," he said.

However, Wang added that Beijing attaches 'great importance' to India's sentiments for the membership of NSG. Talking about India's chances into the elite group, the Chinese official said that one of the five criteria's set by the NSG is that the signing of the NPT is a must, adding that the rule was

not set by China but by the group as a whole.

"China doesn't support Pakistan or India to enter NSG until they follow rules established by members. NSG consensus is in favour of Non Proliferation Treaty, hope India will join NPT first. The meeting on Thursday was an effort to find consensus on nonNPT state applications, but differences remain," Wang said.

Asserting that China was not isolated in the matter of not accepting India's bid, he further said that on the question of how to deal with Non-NPT states, the group remains divided.

"There are nations which have appreciated the efforts India has made for the NSG but in the meantime, hoped that its membership could be consid-

ered within the framework of the NPT. In fact the NPT is really an issue," Wang added.

Earlier, highly placed sources told that China is not the sole opponent to India's member ship to the NSG, but Brazil, Austria, Ireland, Turkey and New Zealand too have opposed India's entry, citing it's not being a signatory of the NPT for nuclear weapons and weapons technology.

This development comes in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of Shanghai C o o p e r a t i o n Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tashkent and urging China to make a fair and objectives assessment of New Delhi's application to the NSGand to judge it on its own merit. (ANI)

Applications of Pak, India for NSG membership cannot be considered in isolation: MoFA Islamabad, June 24: The Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said the applications of Pakistan and India for the membership of the Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG) could not be considered in isolation from the goal of maintaining strategic stability in South Asia.

"It has been Islamabad's consistent position that the question of Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG) membership for non-NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty signatory) states must be dealt with in accordance with a single, uniform, non-discriminatory and fair criteria," said MoFA s p o k e s p e r s o n Mohammed Nafees

Zakaria, while answering a question on efforts put in by Pakistan to block India's entry in the NSG during a media briefing here on Thursday.

He, therefore, added, "It is absolutely essential for the NSG to consider the Indian and Pakistani applications simultaneously and in an even-handed manner."

Saying that Islamabad has been making efforts to muster support of the NSG members for its membership, Zakaria added: "Pakistan's NSG membership is in the interest of nuclear trading countries as it will further promote NSG's non-proliferation objectives by the inclusion of a state with nuclear supply capabilities

Applications of Pak, India for NSG membership cannot be considered in isolation and its adherence to NSG Guidelines."

Earlier in the day, Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain told his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping that

exception for NSG membership could disturb strategic stability in South Asia.

"Pakistan has made notable efforts over the years to strengthen its export con-

trols, command and control and nuclear safety and security. The President also said that any exception given for NSG membership could disturb strategic stability in South Asia," MoFA said in a statement.

Pakistan President Hussain, who held a bilateral meeting with the Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Head of State Council Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), discussed the subject of Pakistan's entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). India is seeking its induction into the elite group of NSG. (ANI)

two plenary sessions, there was no extraordinary session on this matter. There is no such agenda matter. In the caveat there could be observations and interventions but that's all," he said.

Earlier, highly placed sources told ANI that China is not the sole opponent to India's member ship to the NSG, but Brazil, Austria, Ireland, Turkey and New Zealand too have opposed India's entry, citing it's not being a signatory of the NPT for nuclear weapons and weapons technology.

(ANI)

Nepal bars its citizens from working in Afghanistan Kathmandu, Jun 24 : Nepal has banned its citizens from working in strife-torn Afghanistan, days after 13 Nepali security guards were killed in a Taliban suicide bombing in Kabul.

13 Nepalese nationals working in Afghanistan were killed and five others sustained serious injuries when militants exploded a bomb in a minibus on Monday.

A cabinet meeting yesterday decided to suspend issuing labour permits to Nepalese nationals for Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Libya until a further notice.

After the Kabul attack, the government made the decision to bar Nepalese nationals from going to the war-hit nations for the purpose of employment.

The government also decided to provide Rs 1 million as compensation to families of the victims. It has also made arrangements for the treatment of those injured in the attack

by Taliban.

The meeting also directed the Ministry of Labour and Employment to submit a report after carrying out detailed study of all aspects of the incident.

Moreover, a decision was made to hold diplomatic talks with the Afghanistan government in order to guarantee the security and safety of the Nepalese in Afghanistan and also to provide necessary support for those willing to return home.

The government also evacuated 24 other Nepalese nationals who were working as security guard in the Canadian Embassy in Kabul following the terror attack.

(PTI)

India remains upbeat despite NSG block, calls for 'early decision' on its application Tashkent, June 24 : With the two day plenary meeting of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) remaining inconclusive regarding India's fate in the elite organisation on Friday, New Delhi remained buoyant asserting that an early decision on its application remains in larger global interest and India's participation in the NSG will further strengthen nuclear non-proliferation and make global nuclear commerce more secure.

Speaking to ANI here, Ministry of External Affairs Official Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said that that despite procedural hurdles persistently raised by 'one country', a three hour long discussion took place last night on the issue of future participation

in the NSG, in which an overwhelming number of those who took the floor supported India's membership and appraised India's application positively.

"We thank each and every one of them. It is also our understanding that the broad sentiment was to take this matter forward," he said.

Stating that India's membership had been discussed within the NSG at every plenary meeting since 2011, Swarup said that an early positive decision by the NSG would have allowed India to move forward on the Paris Agreement.

Talking about China's claim that India needs to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) first before joining the NSG, he added that there is no contradiction between the NPT and India's

closer engagement with the NSG. "It is also our understanding that most countries want an early decision. A few countries raised issues regarding the process for India's participation in the NSG. It is self-evident that process issues would not arise if these countries were actually opposed to our participation. This is corroborated by our own bilateral engagement with each of these countries," Swarup said.

Asserting that India believes that an early decision on its application remains in larger global interest, the spokesperson said that India's participation in the NSG will further strengthen nuclear non-proliferation and make global nuclear commerce more secure,

adding that it would also advance energy security and make a difference to combating climate change.

"We are confident that the NSG will recognize these benefits as it deliberates further on this issue," he added.

Earlier today, China said that the NSG will not discuss its membership bid into the elite group, adding that New Delhi will first have to sign the NPT, as it is a must and a major criteria set up by the NSG. Speaking to ANI in Seoul, Director-General of the Arms Control Department of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China Wang Qun asserted that India's membership has 'never ever' been on the agenda of the NSG and that there is no such agenda item for the two-day

plenary, adding that there is no point of China opposing or supporting India as well as the membership of other countries.

"One thing is clear that India's membership has never ever been taken up as an agenda item. In the two plenary sessions, there was no extraordinary session on this matter. There is no such agenda matter. In the caveat there could be observations and interventions but that's all," he said.

Earlier, highly placed sources told ANI that China is not the sole opponent to India's member ship to the NSG, but Brazil, Austria, Ireland, Turkey and New Zealand too have opposed India's entry, citing it's not being a signatory of the NPT for nuclear weapons and weapons technology.

Meanwhile, on a day on mixed developments for India Canada and Braxil have extended their complete support to New Delhi.

According to sources, Brazil today supported India's bid but called for a common criteria for all non-NPT states.

Brazil also said that India has by far a better nuclear proliferation record than Pakistan However, in a complete shocker, Switzerland, who had earlier extended its complete support, has now opposed New Delhi's bid citing it being a non NPT state.

This comes as a jolt for India as earlier, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Switzerland, the European nation had extended its complete support. (ANI)

PAGE 8

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, JUNE 25

India's Place in the Sun: The International Solar Alliance Malnutrition About 2.2 million child deaths annually in the world

Photo: childmothernutrition

Malnutrition can also be defined as the insufficient, excessive or imbalanced consumption of nutrients. Several different nutrition disorders may develop, depending on which nutrients are lacking or consumed in excess. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malnutrition is the gravest single threat to global public health. Underweight births and inter-uterine growth restrictions are responsible for about 2.2 million child deaths annually in the world. Deficiencies in vitamin A or zinc cause 1 million deaths each year.

WHO adds that malnutrition during childhood usually results in worse health and lower educational achievements during adulthood. Malnourished children tend to become adults who have smaller babies. Individuals are malnourished, or suffer from undernutrition if their diet does not provide them with adequate calories and protein for maintenance and growth, or they cannot fully utilize the food they eat due to illness. People are also malnourished, or suffer from overnutrition if they consume too many calories Gujarat is battling malnutrition, with around 10.1% children in the state being grossly underweight and 41.6% of children showing stunted growth.

These are the findings of the Rapid Survey on Children, a nationwide sample survey of over one lakh households, conducted by Unicef, the report of which was accepted by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The report suggests over 41.6% children in Gujarat are stunted and 18.3% are severely stunted, for their age. The report 'Rapid Survey on Children' surveyed 1.05 lakh families in the country and met 2.10 people, including 90,000 children in the age group of 0 to 4 years. The revelation underscores how malnutrition continues to torment Gujarat, an economically progressive state whose development model is to be replicated across India by the Union government. According to the survey, 41.6% of children in Gujarat are stunted.

Some 18.3% of the state's kids are categorized as being 'severely stunted'. The survey also found that 33.6% of children were underweight for their age, with 10.1% being categorized as 'severely underweight'. The number of severely underweight children is 11.3% in rural areas and 8.2% in urban areas. Among scheduled tribes, the proportion of severely underweight children is 13.8%. Sources said this proportion of stunted children is greater than the national average which is 38.80% in India. Similarly, the proportion of underweight children in the country is 29.40% while in Gujarat it is 33.50%.

The socio-economic review 2015-16 had revealed that 1.47 lakh of the 43 lakh children at anganwadis in the state were found to be suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Also according to replies tabled in the state assembly, there are 1.97 lakh malnourished and 24,762 SAM children in 46 talukas of five districts in the state - Banaskantha, Patan, Navsari, Junagadh and Kheda.

Cancer Cases Highest prevalence of 16 forms of cancer In India, the North East region is said to have the highest prevalence of 16 forms of cancer in both male and female. Nagaland ranks 9 in the list of male cancer patients in India and 23 in cancer among women. However the state is ranked 1 in the case of colon cancer. Nagaland has registered a total of 3,338 cancer cases in between 2009 and 2014, with an average 600 new cases being registered every year. The World Cancer Day takes place every year on 4 February and is considered the single initiative under which the world can unite to raise the profile of cancer in a positive and inspiring way. The year wise registration of cancer cases in Nagaland were 2009 - 371, 2010 - 534, 2011 - 505, 2012 - 662, 2013 - 635 and 2014 - 641.

Out of the total 3,348 cases, 2,034 were male and 1,314 were female patients, she said. Nagaland and Manipur has high rate of throat cancer due to smoked meat and salted fish consumption and also firewood burning at homes.

Nasopharynx was the leading site of cancer in Naga men with 19.27 per cent followed by stomach cancer at 17.43 per cent and Oesophagus at 16.06 per cent, while among women the leading cancer site was cervix at 19.09 per cent followed by stomach at 13.64 per cent and breast cancer at 11.82 per cent. Also there are 25 million cancer cases globally and India has about 2.5 million cases.

Also there is a need to raise awareness about the disease, specially among the youth and rural masses. Also it requires for the people to render care and support to cancer patients, while stating it was the responsibility of the society to positively deal with such patients.

India is set to lead the International Solar Alliance, but its task is not without challenges.

India is placing a big bet est round of "reverse aucon solar energy. During tions" (low bid wins). his first year in office, Still, there have been nuPrime Minister Narendra merous coal-fired power Modi quintupled India's providers that have goal for solar. His new signed power purchase budget announces a 2.45 agreements with state distimes increase in the na- tribution companies betional lending facility for tween Rs.2.25 and 3.0 per solar. The outcome of kilowatt hour. Thus, conIndia's solar bet will radi- tinued technological decally affect the chances velopment is needed to for success of Modi's make solar solutions prized "Power for All" price-competitive with and "Make in India" ini- coal. tiatives. The use of solar Furthermore, additional innovation to meet India's research is needed to energy solve g o a l s Raymond E. Vickery solar's m a y c o n well determine whether stancy problem. No solar India is able to supply power can be created electrical power for all when the sun does not and have enough energy shine; this could be beto support increased cause it is night time, bemanufacturing output. cause of inclement India's leadership in es- weather, or, increasingly tablishing the Interna- in India, because air poltional Solar Alliance lution obscures the sun.

(ISA) which was Thus, power storage techlaunched at the UN Cli- nology must be develmate Change Conference oped further if energy in Paris last fall, is a part from the sun is to be of New Delhi's big bet on available even when the solar. The ISA could have sun is not shining or is obsignificant geopolitical scured. implications. Most devel- The need for further sooping nations are like In- lar technological develdia: blessed with an abun- opment drove the andance of sunshine, but nouncement at the Paris cursed by a lack of elec- summit regarding the trical power. India has need for "Mission Innobeen playing catch up to vation." Under this initiaChina on efforts to com- tive, twenty countries acbat climate change ever counting for over 80 persince Chinese President cent of world renewable Xi Jinping, with Presi- energy production dent Obama at his side, pledged to double their announced China's intent research on clean energy to reach a peak of green- over five years. Although house gas emissions in the United States and 2032. India has been un- France led the announcewilling to make such a ment of "Mission Innovacommitment, but did an- tion," India is a member nounce a goal of obtain- and Modi was front and ing 40 percent of its elec- center in announcing the tricity from non-fossil fu- program. Also meant to els by 2030 at the Paris complement this increased climate change summit. governmental research India's leadership on so- was an announcement of lar may provide a way for 28 private sector investors it to surge to the head of as a "Breakthrough Energy the pack on energy and the Coalition." These investors environment. However, pledged to provide earlythe ultimate success of stage, patient capital for India's big bet on solar will clean energy development. require additional re- Within this context, Modi search, available financ- took the lead in organizing, and viable solar ing the International Soprojects that will tie to- lar Alliance. The avowed gether the aforementioned purpose of the ISA is "to research and financing to address the specific needs benefit consumers. of the solar resource rich India's dream is to trans- countries located beform a portion of the so- tween the Tropic of Canlar radiation with which cer and the Tropic of Capit is bombarded (some ricorn." Modi had first 150,000 gigawatts per broached the idea for a year) into usable electric- coalition of tropical deity. The difficulty has veloping countries at an been the cost of this trans- India-Africa Forum Sumformation - particularly in mit held in New Delhi in comparison to the cost of October 2015. His theme power from India's large for the Forum was to supplies of low caloric, bring "one-third of hudirty coal and lignite. The manity ‌together under cost of solar per kilowatt one roof." The unspoken hour dropped from a sub-text was that this 2012 Planning Commis- coming together would sion estimate of Rs. 10.4 be under Indian leader- 12.5 to Rs. 4.3 in the lat- ship. An "alliance of so-

lar rich countries" was to be a part of India's reach for stronger international leadership on a "southto-south" basis.

By the time Modi was ready to announce the International Solar Alliance in Paris, the host of the summit, French President Francois Hollande, saw the ISA as a vehicle for French interests as well. Thus, Hollande played a major role in the ISA announcement. Other developed nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands followed suit and became members of the ISA steering committee, as did China.

Thus, the original focus of the ISA as a coalition of tropical developing nations was broadened, to include non-tropical, developed countries.

When Hollande came to India in late January 2016, he and Modi rode the New Delhi Metro to the Indian National Institute of Solar Energy in suburban Gurgaon.

There they laid the foundation stone of the headquarters for the ISA. India pledged $30 million over five years to get the organization up and running while France announced 300 million euros for solar research.

However, the question remains as to exactly what the International Solar Alliance will do.

The initial ISA working paper positioned the organization as a sort of high-level consultative group, focusing on best practices, standards, and training programs. One difficulty with this approach was that there already exist several international organizations for this purpose. Most notable among these is the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, IRENA has 145 member nations and strong backing from Arab nations. Behind the scenes, some of these nations had expressed concern about competition and duplication from the new organization. Thus, the first meeting of the ISA Steering Committee after Paris was in Abu Dhabi with IRENA-an attempt to quell some of these concerns. Both sides agreed that they should work together, but did little to avoid duplication by the two organizations or come up with specifics for their cooperation. When the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi visited India in

Solar panel (Photo:thinksolar-us) February, the two sides felt it necessary to recognize "the importance of ensuring synergies between the ISA and IRENA"-indicating that those synergies were yet to be determined.

India can at best ensure that the ISA is supplemental to the activities of IRENA, the International Energy Agency, the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership, REN21, and similar organizations by concentrating on the practical aspects of solar power application that will benefit developing nation consumers. ISA and India can stand at the nexus between the increased research pledged by the Mission Innovation countries and the financing announced by the Breakthrough Energy Coalition.

Solar technology needs to be adapted to the conditions and economic realities of India and other ISA developing countries.

Commercially viable solar enterprises should be developed and should adapt the new technologies and relate them to available financing. Without these enterprises, new technology is unlikely to be disbursed at the village level on an economically sustainable basis. The challenge is not so much the availability of funds as it is the creation of projects worthy of investment. The ISA can be instrumental in meeting this challenge.

The linkage between solar technology, finance, and consumer application is where the ISA's value add to international solar efforts lies. It is also where India's solar leadership can be most important.

Recent statements from Indian officials indicate that they intend to promote extensive private sector involvement in the International Solar Alli-

ance and plan to raise as much as $1 trillion for solar power. It is plain that such a vast sum cannot be raised from public sources alone and can produce economically sustainable results only through private sector investment.

The Renewable Energy Investment Program (RE Invest), sponsored by the Indian Government with the support of the United States and others, is the sort of program that could be internationalized through the ISA in conjunction with Mission Innovation and the Breakthrough Coalition. A series of solar energy innovation incubators of the kind presently under consideration for the Indian National Institute for Solar Innovation would be another such program..

There are however impediments to be overcome if India is to exercise international leadership through the International Solar Alliance.

The first is indicated by the RE Invest program, which has been less than fully successful in getting participants to fulfill their pledges of solar investment in India. Primarily, this is because India simply has not yet fully accepted the principle that projects must assure a long-term, knowable income stream that provides sufficient commercial dividends to attract investment. There still is an overreliance on the prospect of government-subsidized finance that will not have to be paid for at market rates.

A second difficulty lies with India's continued insistence on creating the majority of new electric power from coal-fired plants. This reliance on increased coal use undermines India's leadership on solar. How can others believe in India's leadership on solar if India is

Plight of the hapless Police

Image for representational purpose

Sir, Of late, it is observed that people become restless, impatient on the slightest provocation. Moral policing is on the rise alarmingly. Even when a thief is caught stealing a pair of slippers or a goat instead of handing over the thief to the Police, the thief is beaten to death by the mob. Sometimes it so happens that some innocent person too gets killed merely on suspicion. Level of rationality is fast disappearing from human being. Interestingly, the Police force becomes a soft target as the force cannot resort to reprisal for fear of punishment from their political boss. Attacking a police station on this pretext or that has become a common sight. Even a dreaded dacoit when caught and kept in the police custody, the police is not free from danger nowdays. The mob turns up to the police station to free the dacoit from the Police custody. Recently, twenty nine Jehadis were caught by the Assam police, among them Madrasa's teacher and Mosque's Imam also were there. When

these jehadis are kept in Police station, angry mob immediately turns up demanding release of the Imam within 24 hours. The comment of an M.L.A from A.I.U.D.F. in this connection is unfortunate. Political interference in the Police force has come to such a pass that the Police have to accept derogatory terms from the mob and sometimes are compelled to free a criminal. What happened in the past during the Pengeri incident is also really saddening. The police station was attacked by angry mob who demanded handing over the culprits who had murdered two persons. The mob attacked the Police - station who ransacked the station. As a last resort, the Police had to fire. Here too one cannot blame the innocent police.

Yours etc.

Ashok Bordoloi Dibrugarh

pursuing increased power from coal as a primary method of meeting its energy needs?

Finally, India's position on protectionist measures for its local solar entrepreneurs undercuts the internationalization of solar development. India has just lost to the United States at a World Trade Organization case on local content and preference for local Indian solar entrepreneurs. India's case was plainly doomed from the start as being outside WTO rules and yet New Delhi now says it will not accept the initial result and is intent on appealing. The irony is that the restrictions that are the subject of the case are ones explicitly rejected by Modi when he was chief minister of Gujarat. It was Modi's insistence on openness and non-discrimination that was a major part of Gujarat's success in leading on solar and providing electricity to every village in the state. Unfortunately, India's new budget continues the protectionist trend by raising import duties on industrial solar equipment and components.

In spite of these unresolved difficulties, the International Solar Alliance can be a tremendous step forward for India on the world energy and environment stage. If India, with the cooperation of the other nations that constitute the ISA steering committee, can give practical, value-added substance to the ISA's mission, its position as a world leader will be significantly enhanced. Standing at the junction of technology, finance, and consumer application, India, through its domestic solar bet and the International Solar Alliance, can have a transformative effect on the application of solar power and earn its place in the sun.

Best Letter The best letter

of the month in the Letter to the Editor section will be awarded an amount of Rs 200. So please keep writing.

Letters to the editor and articles should be sent to : The Eastern Today Chowkidingee, Near Sankardeva Hospital Mancotta Road, Dibrugarh786001 (Assam) Ph: 0373-2328944 Email : editor.easterntoday@gmail.com

p O

d e Oh Dear: 75% Graduates In India Are

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, JUNE 25

Unemployed. But Smriti Irani Has Other Worries What began as a simple Today?", even as an auditweet by Bihar's minister ence of predominantly upAshok Choudhary on Twit- per-caste Hindu men litter soon kicked-off a heated tered the comments section social media debate. in Irani's Facebook, all in Choudhary, whose tweet praise for her "empowering" addressed Irani as "dear", stance. came in for fierce criticism However, in her impasfrom Irani, who retorted to sioned stance, Irani calls out his query by pointing out the 'trolls' who are the reathe sexism in the word son women like her are sub"Dear". Irani wrote back: ject to humiliation. There's "Since when no denying did you start that Irani has addressing Sabah Kochhar had her fair women as share of 'dear', Ashokji?", adding struggles there. But the realthat she herself addressed ity of trolls is something her others with the prefix own party should account 'adaraniya'. for, given the rampant haOf course, Twitter being rassment of women on TwitTwitter, people were quick ter. Unsurprisingly, any mento point out Irani's double tion of the trolls, or 'bhakts' standards, digging up old unleashing the full force of tweets of Irani addressing saffron fury by calling others such as journalist Barkha Dutt a "randi", or Bhupendra Chaubey with Rana Ayyub an "ISIS sex 'dear' and questioning the slave" seems to have gone rhetoric of Irani's argument. amiss. The constant vitriol While sexism is rampant in that women journalists and our discourse, a "Dear" intellectuals have faced for used as a prefix isn't any- voicing even the slightest of thing new - it's used the dissent has sparked a huge world over to indicate po- debate on cyber harassliteness in formal communi- ment. Does Irani's appeal to cation. But Irani didn't stop women's empowerment inthere, as she went on to clude checking in on the post an impassioned cri- BJP's social media team, with tique on her Facebook, rape threats coming from the which went viral soon. same bhakts who praise her?

The post, which has now It's time Irani realise that Ingarnered over 11K likes, and dian women aren't fighting 1000s of shares, even got for whether to be called CNN News18 to debate"Is "Dear" or "Aunty", but Smriti Irani the Strongest whether they can access Feminist Politician of India educational spaces safe for

them, hostels open to them, and jobs where their labour is valued, especially when they are doubly targetted on religious and caste lines. Indeed, she is right about taking a stand and encouraging women to "keep their heads held high", not look down. But that only happens if there's an environment where it's safe for women to speak without pushback, or even exist in the first place.

What's more, in firing off her salvo, Irani gave a point-bypoint checklist of 'reforms' bought by her government. A glimpse into the list reveals, among others: "o First time ever, focused interventions to improve reading and writing levels- Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat- check o First time ever, the UGC Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of Sexual Harassment of Women Employees and Students in HEIs to protect women employees and students- check o First time ever, a portal dedicated to Indian languages- Bharatvani-check o First time ever, collaborated effort to focus research on the development goal posts of the countryIMPRINT- check o First time ever, SAARC Declaration on Educationcheck o First time ever, Aryabhata's bust installed at UNESCO headquarters to acknowledge India's contri-

bution in mathematics and astronomy-check o First time ever, IIT fee waivers for economically weaker sections- check o First time ever, collaborations with Standford, University of Pennsylvania and MIT to strengthen HEIs in India- check o First time ever, focused effort to bring high-quality international faculty to teach in India through GIAN - check. o First time ever, a credit framework to pursue formal education and vocational training- SAMVAY- check."

Impressive as these reforms may sound, the reality is eerily dismal, as only 25% graduates are employable.

Even for the ever-popular STEM fields, over 80% of engineering graduates in India are unemployable. And no amount of collaborations with MIT can change the institutional hurdles put in place for Dalits, SC/ST students and women in engineering institutions. The problem isn't reservations; its's in the implantation: it's the lack of quality institutes in the very first place, and how these institutions later fail to ensure a supportive environment for some students once they do gain entry. Irani's sheer lack of accountability over the suicide of Rohith Vemula is proof that reforms on paper are piecemeal because no

amount of fee waivers and collaborations will replace an equally dire need for offices in our educational institutions that cater to the needs and mental health of minorities. Similarly, setting up a UGC commission to look into sexual harassment needs to be matched by policy sensitising every university student to rape culture, through a systemic change in what's taught, and by whom.

There's a reason American institutes of higher education are sought after, and it's not just because of focus on developing research and academia. It's also because every university has groups and societies such as a Black and Latino students' unions, centres for Gender and Sexuality, and education programs on campus rape culture and the importance of consensual sex.

Today, foreign corporates slowly realise the importance of diversity and affirmative action beyond a token woman or person of colour, but India remains far behind in both the workplace and educational space. For Irani's ilk to even acknowledge the problem of anti-Muslim, anti-Dalit and anti-women sentiment seems like a distant reality, let alone setting in place spaces for these students to build community and grow.

Courtesy:Youth kiawaaz

The dramatic journey of Anousheh Ansari, the first female private space explorer From the troubled Iran of the 1970s all the way to space, it has been a dramatic journey of hope and grit for Anousheh Ansari. The tech entrepreneur, engineer and the first female private space explorer in history talks to Gargi Gupta Anousheh Ansari fell in love with the stars when, as a young girl growing up in Mashhad, Iran's second largest city, she would sleep out in the open during summer.

"We didn't have air-conditioning and it was cooler that way," she says. It was the 1970s, and the times were tough with the country in the midst of political turmoil

(culminating in the overthrow of the king in 1979). Anousheh's family was privileged, but even so her father lost his job and everyone around her was tense with the violence, the rioting mobs and the bombs and shootings around them.

In the circumstances, the stars became a refuge for little Anousheh.

"I would imagine the new worlds I could visit, the mystery of what's out there," says the intrepid

tech entrepreneur, engineer and 'space tourist', who was in Jaipur for the literature festival this past week. In 2006, she realised her dream of travelling to the stars, which made her the first female private space explorer in history and the first space traveller of Iranian descent.

But the journey to the stars was anything but easy. First, there was the Islamic Revolution Anousheh vividly remembers an incident when a mob set the bank on the ground floor of the apartment they lived on fire, and started throwing stones. "I was around 12 and my sister was six.

My mother covered us with a chador and walked out - the police was out firing, the Islamic Guards were patrolling the streets. It was scary."

Her family decided to migrate to the US, where they had a sponsor in Anousheh's aunt who was a resident of Virginia, but the US wasn't moved. Speaking in the context of all the recent rhetoric in the US and Europe over welcoming or restricting refugees,

Anousheh says she sat for eight-nine hours in the American embassy with her mother and sister and no one would even grant them an interview. "It took us 12 years to get the visa," she says.

Settling down in the US wasn't easy either.

Anousheh knew no English. "When I left Iran, I was 16 years old and in class XI. But in the US, I was admitted to class IX." Anousheh, however, was determined not to waste those academic years. "In the holidays, I went to the nearby college and attended English classes non-stop from eight in the morning to eight in the evening." The

determination paid off and she went on to study electrical engineering at George Mason University, Virginia.

The chance to travel to space happened much later, when Telecom Technologies, the company she'd founded with her husband and brotherin-law after college, was sold off in a multi-million dollar deal. In 2000, the three has also contributed $10 million to set up the Ansari X Prize, which in-

vited teams anywhere in the world to build manned spaceships.

The way Anousheh tells it, it seems she'd actually been working towards the deal which would give her the financial wherewithal to afford to pay her way to space. Denis Tito, an American multimillionaire, had shown the way when he paid $15 million for an eight-day sojourn on the International Space Station in 2001, travelling by the Russian aircraft Soyuz. "I heard about Tito when it happened and I thought, if nothing else, this would be my chance. I was determined to grow the business to a level where I could afford to do this," she says.

But even after she'd paid up - how much is not known and Anousheh won't tell - there was the gender bias within the Russian space establishment. "My husband travelled with me on my first trip to Space City near Moscow, where I trained for nearly a year, before the launch. A Russian general met us there but he wouldn't even look at me; he'd only talk to my husband. My husband kept telling him that it wasn't he that was travelling, I was the crazy one, but it didn't make any difference."

Hamid Ansari, Anousheh's husband, had always known of her fascination with space. "The joke among us was, when we took the vows was, 'until death do us part…or until I went to space.' I have always been fortunate in having people in my life who have been very supportive of my crazy ideas," she says.

The training was gruelling too. "I especially hated the spinning chair, though I loved the parabolic flights where you could experience zero-gravity for about 30 seconds."

Anousheh flew on the

Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station in August 2006, and stayed there for eight days doing research and writing a weblog - which made her especially famous. Among her memorable experiences in space, she says, was the sight of earth. "The spacecraft orbited the earth in 90 minutes and you could see the lights of the cities, the play of thunder and rain like a light show. The diving line between day and night never ceased to amaze me."

It's been 10 years since, and Anousheh's written a book about her journey. She's also launched a company which is now working with the Tata Trust and the state government of Rajasthan to provide information and interactive services in health, education, sarkari programmes and the like via the television set in one lakh villages in India. Her engagement with space remains confined to her being a member on the boards of several companies that are in the emerging area of private space travel. As for going up to space again, she says that she doesn't have any plans yet. "But I hope to. I would go and live in space if I was given the chance. It's a very expensive endeavour. My husband tells me that you have a very expensive hobby."

She's happy at the recent rapprochement between her native and adoptive countries. She's hoping that it means she can travel to meet her admirers in Iran. "I've been told that a lot of Iranian girls look up to me. I've had video conversations with some, but now I'm hoping to be back, perhaps for the 10th anniversary of my flight."

Courtesy: dnaindia

Page 9

TRUTHOSOPHY Indirectly hijacking individuals in the name of spirituality!

Some spiritual institutions in the state, country and all around the world, they force the followers to stay away from family and spend days and nights together at places of worships and spiritual practices!

There are young women, married women, divorced women, young men,married man, etc, etc.

Oh my dear great spiritual gurus and teachers, directly forcing devotees to keep away from family life and hijacking them to Ashram lives especially at night, the family lives get deeply hurt! And by disturbing the peaceful family lives of others in the pretext of spirituality,meditation, etc biggest sins are being committed to get punishments from the real God and the false promises of blessings from pretentious and fake gurus, teachers are not going to help but misguide and ruin lives.

The pretentious and hypocritical spiritual gurus, teachers, they themselves came out of mother's womb and preach that those in pursuit of spiritual knowledge should not marry and avoid a family life.

Perfectly illogical spiritual and moral principles against the order of Universe. Oh great Lord of Universe; spiritual gurus, teachers, ones who doesn't value the Godly law of natural propagation of lives; who doesn't have practical experience of family life, its problems and positive aspects; then how is one gonna teach spirituality and mitigate family re-

Tagam Mibang lated problems and that too when 99.99 percent of the members of humanity are organised into the unit of families. The absolutely deep spiritual knowledge and practices cannot and should not be based upon, illogical, impractical and hypothetical concepts but founded upon infallible logic and richness of practical experiences in ones life.

Night time is for complete spiritual rest of body, mind and soul, but keeping the devotees especially women at nights at Ashrams, what skewed spiritual knowledge and practices are being inculcated? Why should especially the women devotees be indirectly forced to sleep at night at Ashrams if there be no ulterior immoral intentions. The perpetrators of such immoral practices in the pretext of spirituality will be blessed with strictest of punishment from the God. Is the God only available at call at Ashrams only and that too at nights only? The biggest misconception and flawed spiritual wisdom.

God; this Universe, his Creation is always under the control 24×7×12× total life span; then the infinite period of afterlife.

Spirituality and great enlightening path of life should not only be followed but it must strictly be shown to be followed in clean and transparent ways.

Psychological hijacking and keeping devotees especially women at Ashrams at night is apparently not a healthy practice and it must be stopped immediately if any group calls themselves as truly spiritual and Godly.

If not the greatest hypocrite in this world in form of a human being, it's an innate human nature that the gurus, teachers of spirituality are also gregarious human beings and needing company of other humans especially from opposite sex.

And when so innately psychologically, there are best of reasons for gurus, spiritual teachers also to get marry, get company and enjoyments of family life without needing to disturb happiness of family lives of others. Rather, the spiritual pursuit and enlightening the people about it will be sanely logical, practical and truthful if, those who are propagating it are themselves taught upon by practical experiences in their life.

In the long history of practices of spirituality of mankind, there has been infamous reports and instances of sexual and aghastly immoral things happening at various places of worships, so any possibilities of recurrence of such ignominious activities in the name of spirituality must be completely avoided.

Because Godly spirituality must not only be followed but practised in a very clean and pious manners and then only, the true blessings of the Creator of Universe shall be earned. And there shall not be any exception to that.

A lowdown on diverse hair jewellery and trends from bygone eras teresting and rarely seen The Rajasthani borla, she adds. south Indian nethi chutti, No wonder you see an variation of this is a hair and Islamic paasa… are immense diversity of ornament called the just some of the many hair ornaments across shinka, worn by tribals in head ornaments worn by India. For instance, the Gujarat, a series of women in past eras. Islamic paasa has a heavy chains in gold or Gargi Gupta gets you the south Indian counterpart silver held together by lowdown on the diverse - talai saman - circular flat metal strips or hair jewellery and trends ornaments worn on both carved motifs of peasides of the head, signi- cocks or other animals. from bygone eras The paasa, the women's fying the sun and the The maang tika, says moon, the fashion jewellery dehair ornamale and fe- signer Shillpa Purii, and ment worn pinned to one Gargi Gupta male ener- the maatha patti have gies. come back into fashion side of the head, made a comeback Similarly, the maang tika, in the last few years. on the big screen after an embellished chain- "Everyone wants a little decades with Bajirao like ornament that cov- glitter in their hair.

Mastani. In the 1950s ers the front parting, has Mostly for weddings, not and 1960s, when Muslim social dramas and historical period romances were more popular, this hair ornament favoured by royal and high-born Muslim women was a regular feature. But note how the paasa worn by Mastani immediately became a marker for her Muslim-ness?

For the film's costume designer Anju Modi, who spent two years researching every little detail of what the charac- Hair adornments have always been an integral part of Indian fashion and had an immense ters would wear right diversity of hair ornaments across India (Photo: from the drape of the static.dnaindia) sari to the adornments in the hair, the paasa was a Rajasthani counterpart just for the bride, but also as much a marker of the in the borla (also called close relatives. In some times and the culture the raakhdi), which has a cases, I have even defilm is set in the 17th cen- rounded, bell-like shape. signed something that tury Peshwa court - as The south Indians have could be worn with a the distinctive sun-moon- the nethi chutti, which is Western gown." flower hair pins that a more elaborate, band- Among other traditional Kashibai wore high on like ornament embel- pieces of hair jewellery lished with red and green is the sheesh phool, her bun. gemstones. pinned on the bun, which "Hair adornments have is a variation of the always been an integral Then there is the maatha cuda-mani that Sita is part of Indian fashion, patti, an even more mentioned as wearing in and you can see it in the elaborate headpiece the Ramayana, says Ajanta caves," says comprising three golden Usha Balakrishnan, a hisModi, who visited the chains - the central one torian who specialises in over 2,000-year-old site along the parting, and the Indian jewellery. while researching the two side ones that define film. "They added to a the hair line. Several ver- The most elaborate headsions of this basic design adornment is, however, woman's beauty. are worn in different the jadai hu (also called Married women, in par- parts of India - jadai nagam) which ticular, wore the more Rajasthanis have the starts from the top of the elaborate matha pattis khaancha, which is gen- head and runs all the way and maang tikas. In our erally worn attached to to end in tassels at the tip culture, it is considered the borla; brides some- of the plait. "It is usually impolite to look directly times wear sheesh worn by brides and at a woman's face or pattis, an additional jew- elaborately carved with eyes, and the glittering elled hair band, along motifs of vines, snakes, pieces on her hair are with the khaancha in a beads and flowers," says supposed to deflect at- layered style that covers B a l a k r i s h n a n . tention from her face," the head. But a more in- Courtesy:Dnaindia

BUSINESS

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, JUNE 25

City-based hatchback soon to be launched by Honda Mumbai, Jun 24: Reversing the common trend of hatchbacks being made into sedans, Honda is working on an all-new hatchback version of the City sedan.

Images of the same were leaked on a Chinese auto portal. The Honda City is sold by the name of the Honda Griez in China and the hatchback is being called the Honda Gienia.

The cars are based on the Honda City platform. The hatchback is a production version of the Honda Concept B, which was showcased at the 2014

LeEco ties up with HCL Care Services to offer after-sales services ANI New Delhi, Jun 24: Internet and technology conglomerate LeEco announced a strategic alliance with HCL Care Services to deliver superior after-sales service experience to its customers.

A wholly owned subsidiary of HCL Infosystems Ltd., HCL Services will provide one-stop solution for all service requirements to LeEco customers through existing 265 'HCL Touch' centers in more than 240 cities across the country.

Customer Services for LeEco phones have already been activated in the 265 HCL Touch multi-brand centers for walk-in-centre support for customers and supply chain support. "We are delighted to tie-up with LeEco, one of the fastest selling Superphones in India, for providing superior aftersales support for their leading-edge phones. We are confident our stateof-the-art HCL Touch centers will enable LeEco to cater to the Indian markets more effectively and efficiently," Head-Operations and Vice President HCL Care Services, P. Seshachalam. "This initiative is in line with our constant endeavor to deliver service excellence and be a preferred partner for leading Indian and international brands," added P. Seshachalam. On the other hand, COO LeEco India, Atul Jain said, "As a leading superphone brand in India, we believe that the real test of brand loyalty is the after-sales service that a customer can rely on. In this context, we are happy to partner with HCL Services to cater to the needs of our consumers in a truly professional and timely manner." "We have a total of 555 service centers out of which HCL will provide service in 265 centers. We are confident that an eminent and trusted entity like HCL Services will fully support us in serving LeEco's users in the best possible manner," added Atul. HCL Care Services has a network of more than 300 service centers across 250 cities in India, and serves more than three million consumers in a year. It is also the most preferred partner of OEMs with maximum numbers of exclusive service centers. Through its specialized retail outlets 'Touch', HCL Care Services provides end-toend solutions to customers, including contact centers; walk-in centers, on-site support, supplychain operations, repair factory services and after-sales value added services.

COMING SOON Reversing the common trend of hatchbacks being made into sedans, Honda is working on an all-new hatchback version of the City sedan. Images of the same were leaked on a Chinese auto portal.

With a large bold wing face and boomerang taillamps, this production version stays close to the concept.

The Honda City is sold by the name of the Honda Griez in China and the hatchback is being called the Honda Gienia. The cars are based on the Honda City platform.

The bumper remains true to the concept and looks muscular with wide creases. The production car even gets a boot hanging spoiler like the one on the concept.

The masculine black grille features a big Honda insignia and the airdam has a chrome outline.

The headlamps have projector units similar to the ones seen in the City. The side also resembles the City, but the rear is all new.

The hatchback is expected to get a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an optional CVT transmission.

Beijing Auto Show. With a large bold wing face and boomerang taillamps, this production version stays close to the concept. The masculine black grille features a big Honda insignia and the airdam has a chrome outline. The headlamps have projector units similar to the ones seen in the City.

The side also resembles the City, but the rear is all new. The boomerang tail lamps are connected by a bold red stripe running along the bootgate. The bumper remains true to the concept and looks

muscular with wide creases. The production car even gets a boot hanging spoiler like the one on the concept. The hatchback is expected to get a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an optional CVT transmission.

This car is expected to be launched in China sometime soon, but it is unclear that Honda will introduce it in India as well. In India, Honda has the Jazz as the premium hatchback and it is unlikely they introduce a hatchback in the same segment.

(Agencies)

Comic Con India announces 'Maruti Suzuki Alto' as presenting sponsor for 2016 ANI New Delhi, Jun 24: Comic Con India announced Maruti Suzuki Alto as the presenting sponsor of all the Comic Con India shows this calendar year which includes Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad. Comic Con India is dedicated to expanding India's popular culture by creating high profile events that cater to fans of not only comics, but also, gaming, movies, television, merchandise, toys and more.

Comic Con India is part of the Reedpop family of events, which is dedicated to producing worldclass celebrations of popular culture around the world with events like New York Comic Con, Oz Comic Con, Shanghai Comic Con, Star Wars Celebration among many others. Comic Con India (CCI) shows attracted

over 1,50,000 visitors across five cities in FY 2015-16. They are among the biggest consumer events in the country.

CCI has become the hottest platform for brands to engage with young consumers. The CCI visitors are not only eager consumers of the latest and the best, but they are also influencers and trendsetters for content, products and services in the country. Tapping into this energy has become the key for youth-oriented brands and therefore natural fit for a brand such as ALTO. "As our shows evolve and become the places for celebrating popular culture, we looked towards finding brands who would partner with us in this endeavor as well as understand the value of our platform. With Maruti Suzuki - Alto we certainly have found the right part-

Founder Comic Con India, Jatin Varma.

(Photo: cdn.ndtv) ner and i am truly excited in having them on-board for our journey this year," said Founder Comic Con India, Jatin Varma. "Alto is a brand for the younger generation who believe in chasing their dreams and passion. Comic Con is one such platform where such youngsters meet up and share their love for comics. We found a great

synergy between Comic Con India and Alto. Alto is associated with Comic Con for over a year now and the response has been very encouraging.

We saw very high engagement rating with the target audience and the user generated content was exceptionally high.

This year too we aim to reach out more young-

sters, engage and establish connect right from the beginning," said Associate Vice President Marketing Maruti Suzuki India, Vinay Pant. Besides the main events Maruti Suzuki Alto will be a part of the three key special events Comic Con India will host this year entitled "Comic Book Celebration Week, Indian Championship of Cosplay and Comic Con India Awards." These national properties will extend the reach of the main shows, specially focusing on artists, writers and cosplayers. Over and above the mentioned activities, Comic Con India plans to do over 30 Fan Meet ups and celebration nights throughout the year to engage with the fans on a regular basis. Alto will be a prominent part of all such celebrations throughout the year and will add a lot of value to the fan experience.

PAGE 10

Idea launches 'Internet for All' initiative

Chief Marketing Officer Idea Cellular, Sashi Shankar. (Photo: varindia) ANI New Delhi, Jun 24: India's third largest national mobile operator Idea Cellular announced an 'Internet for All' program that empowers all the Idea prepaid consumers and retailers to give one month of free Internet access to Internet non-users.

The Aditya Birla Group company further personalizes this service by sending periodic information on how to use free data to the non-data user and providing various ways to latch onto the internet. The notifications are also sent to the initiator on the progress of internet usage made by the person nominated by them.

As a small token of gratitude, Idea credits 100MB of data to the initiator's account. "Internet adoption today is being shaped predominantly through the use of mobile telephony. However, currently only 25 percent of India's population are connected to the internet. Accelerating mobile internet adoption is

huge task and requires larger participation. Our 'Internet for All' initiative will encourage the uninitiated to learn more about the internet as a tool for education, banking, shopping, and entertainment, while gaining access to a world of opportunity that the internet opens for us all," said Chief Marketing Officer Idea Cellular, Sashi Shankar.

"We believe that internet adoption can be accelerated at the grass-root level if existing internet users introduce their un-connected friends and family to adopt the service, thereby transforming their lives," added Sashi Shankar. With pan India 2G operations and 3G and 4G services in 17 telecom circles, Idea has the capability to provide mobile broadband to nearly 880 million Indians. Demonstrating its commitment to connect the unconnected a reality, Idea will continue to work towards connecting the next billion and making them a part of the digital world.

TECHNOLOGY Huawei unveils Honor T1 tablet, Honor 5C smartphone

Weak global cues brings in loss for gold, silver Chennai, Jun 24: Gold prices drifted lower by Rs. 50 to Rs. 29,700 per 10 grams at the bullion market, tracking a weak trend overseas and slackened demand from jewellers at the domestic spot market.

Silver also dropped by Rs. 370 to Rs. 41,130 per kg due to reduced offtake by industrial units and coin makers.

Traders said that sentiment was dampened mainly due to weak global trend where gold fell for a third day amid

NOT A BRIGHT STAR Gold prices drifted lower by Rs. 50 to Rs. 29,700 per 10 grams at the bullion market, tracking a weak trend overseas and slackened demand from jewellers at the domestic spot market.

Silver also dropped by Rs. 370 to Rs. 41,130 per kg due to reduced offtake by industrial units and coin makers.

Globally, gold dropped 0.5 per cent to $1,261.27 an ounce, the lowest price since June 9 in Singapore.

In the national capital, gold of 99.9 per cent and 99.5 per cent purity traded lower by Rs. 50 each to Rs. 29,700 and Rs. 29,550 per 10 grams, respectively.

speculation that Britain will probably vote to stay in the European Union in a referendum tomorrow, eroding demand for haven assets. Globally, gold dropped 0.5 per cent to $1,261.27 an ounce, the lowest price since June 9 in Singapore.

Furthermore, subdued demand from jewellers and retailers at domestic spot market fuelled the downtrend. In the national capital, gold of 99.9 per cent and 99.5 per cent purity traded lower by Rs. 50 each

to Rs. 29,700 and Rs. 29,550 per 10 grams, respectively.

Sovereign, however, remained steady at Rs. 23,100 per piece of eight grams. Tracking gold, silver ready too fell by Rs. 370 to Rs. 41,130 per kg and weekly-based delivery by Rs. 510 to Rs. 41,150 per kg. On the other hand, silver coins continued to be enquired at previous level of Rs. 70,000 for buying and Rs. 71,000 for selling of 100 pieces. (Agencies)

Govt. announces Rs. 6,000 crore special package for textiles New Delhi, Jun 24: The Union government announced a Rs. 6,000 crore special package for the textile and apparel sector. The package, which will be implemented soon, aims to help in creating one crore jobs, mostly for women, in the next three years, said Textiles Secretary Rashmi Verma at a media conference. The package, approved by the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, includes several tax and production incentives. The government has also suggested bringing in flexibility in labour laws to increase productivity. These initiatives are expected to lead to an increase in exports by $30 billion and help attract investment worth Rs. 74,000 crore in three years. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said China is gradually relinquishing its leadership position in the garment sector due to its rising wages and

production shifting to high technology sectors. This, he said, is leading to garment sector firms shifting to countries including Bangladesh and Vietnam. "Economies of scale can happen in India.

Through changes in schemes and regulations, we are ensuring that the sector realises its full potential in India," he said.The package is a strategic decision that would strengthen the Indian textile and apparel sector by improving its cost competitiveness in the global market, an official statement said. Though India was the leader from the years 1995 to 2000, Bangladesh's apparel exports exceeded that of India in 2003, while Vietnam surpassed India in 2011, a textile ministry presentation showed. With policy support, India can again regain its position in the next three years, it said. Of the Rs 6,000 crore package, Rs 5,500 crore is for an additional five per

cent duty drawback for garments. "In a first-of-its-kind move, a new scheme will be introduced to refund the state levies which were not refunded so far. Drawback at 'all industries rate' will be given for domestic duty paid inputs even when fabrics are imported under Advance Authorization Scheme," the statement said.

The remaining Rs 500 crore is for additional incentives under Amended Technology Upgradation Funds Scheme (ATUFS), where the subsidy provided to garmenting units under the scheme is being increased from 15 per cent to 25 per cent, providing a boost to employment generation. "The package breaks new ground in moving from input-based to outcome-based incentives; a unique feature of the scheme will be to disburse subsidy only after expected jobs have been created," the textiles ministry said. To ensure in-

creased earnings for workers, the package specifies that overtime hours for workers shall not to exceed eight hours per week -- in line with International Labour Organisation norms. Taking note of the seasonal nature of the garment industry, fixed term employment will be introduced for the sector, the textiles ministry said, adding that a fixed term workman will be considered at par with permanent workman in terms of working hours, wages, allowanced and other statutory dues. Considering the industry's seasonal nature, the provision of 240 days under Section 80JJAA of Income Tax Act (allowing deduction of 30 per cent of additional wages paid to new regular employees for three years where the worker has worked at least for 240 days in a previous year) would be relaxed to 150 days for garment industry, the ministry said. Also, the government

said it will bear the entire employer's contribution of 12 per cent under the Employers Provident Fund Scheme, for new employees of garment industry earning less than Rs. 15,000 per month, for the first three years. This is an increase from the present Government provision of 8.33 per cent towards employer's contribution provided under Pradhan Mantri Rozgar Protsahan Yojana, it said.

With Wednesday's decision, Textiles Ministry said it will provide the remaining 3.67 per cent share towards employer's contribution amounting to Rs 1,170 crores over the next three years. EPF will be made optional for employees earning less than Rs. 15,000 per month, it said, adding the move will leave more money in the hands of the workers and also promote employment in the formal sector.

(Agencies)

Image for representational purpose. (Photo: cdn.ndtv) As expected, Honor recently forayed into the tablet PC segment launching a 7-inch screen size tablet and pricing it competitively at just Rs 6,999. The 7-inch PC tablet comes with a 4100 mAh battery and can support 12 hours of movie watching, websites browsing and checking mail for up to 8 hours, the company said. "We found a gap in tablet segment. Hence, we launched a tablet which can occupy position of second device of people after phone," Huawei India's Director Sales (Devices Business) P Sanjeev said at the launch. "This tablet has aircraft grade aluminium body which is found in expensive devices," Sanjeev said. The company also unveiled Honor 5C, its first smartphone on Android Marshmallow platform. It comes with 5.2-inch full-HD display, and is powered by the company's in-house HiSilicon Kirin 650 octa-core processor (4 Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.7GHz + 4 CortexA53 cores clocked at 2GHz).

The smartphone has 8 megapixel front camera and 13 megapixel rear camera, 2GB RAM, 16 GB internal storage and external storage expandable up to 128 GB. "Often people cover one antenna in a mobile

phone while talking. We have provided dual antenna in Honor 5C so that if one antenna is covered, the other can receive signal. We have attempted to resolve call drop problem on devices front," Sanjeev said.

Honor has set 300 per cent sales growth of its devices this year. Huawei sold one million smartphones in 2015 that includes 8,00,000 Honor branded phones in India. Globally, Huawei shipped 108 million smartphones in 2015 and became the third largest player after Apple and Samsung. "We have optimised hardware and incorporated best things from the world for a good consumer experience. We know design is best done in Paris, components in Japan, algorithms in Russia, software in India and USA for chipset," Huawei India President Consumer Business Group Allen Wang said. Both the devices have in-built panic button feature, which can trigger emergency alert that is mandatory for all mobile devices from January 1, 2017. Honor started sale of its tablet on Flipkart but Honor 5C will start selling from June 30 on Flipkart and HiHonor website. (Agencies)

BIG LAUNCHES As expected, Honor recently forayed into the tablet PC segment launching a 7-inch screen size tablet and pricing it competitively at just Rs 6,999.

The 7-inch PC tablet comes with a 4100 mAh battery and can support 12 hours of movie watching, websites browsing and checking mail for up to 8 hours.

This tablet has aircraft grade aluminium body which is found in expensive devices.

The company also unveiled Honor 5C, its first smartphone on Android Marshmallow platform. It comes with 5.2-inch full-HD display, and is powered by the company's in-house HiSilicon Kirin 650 octa-core processor (4 Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.7GHz + 4 Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2GHz).

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, JUNE 25

Features

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WOMEN’S Easy Ways to Tame Frizzy Hair - WITHOUT Heat or Products!

Are frizzy, unmanageable locks the bane of your existence? You're not alone, girl! Not all of us can splurge on expensive products or spend ages blow drying our manes into submission.

Instead, why not put an end to those hair woes for good? We give you some awesome tips on taming your hair without heat and without products for smoother, happier, frizz-free locks. It's possible!

Apply a Dash of Oil When your hair is wet, swipe on a dash of oil on the ends and mid lengths. This will help lock moisture into your

strands and cut down on frizz as your hair dries.

Any nourishing oil like almond or coconut oil will do, just remember to add a dash after your head wash to help your strands look healthier and shinier. You can use dry oil if you like, for it absorbs faster without that chip-chip feeling.

Then, when your hair is about ninety percent dry, run a round brush through it to seal the cuticles.

Cut Down On Your Washes By not washing your hair too often, you can cut down on frizz.

Frizziness is caused by

dryness, and shampooing your hair too often can cause major dryness by stripping the strands of their natural oils.

Stretch the time between washes as much as you can and let the natural oils do their thing.

Defrizz By Putting Your Hair in a Bun Loose hair is way more prone to frizz than tied hair. After you have shampooed, conditioned and applied dry oil, pull your hair back into a bun when it is damp. This will help your locks dry Representational image (Photo: theloop) without frizzing out and can also help give you The best way to prevent moisture is by tying it in and prevent frizz. You'll gorgeous, loose waves. your pillowcase from a silk scarf. This will wake up to much Sleep In a Silk Scarf sucking up all your hair's help retain the moisture smoother locks!

Women social reformers who Inspire Indian women have always been an epitome of beauty, strength, and intelligence. Today, the success of Indian women across various walks of life has proven that they have earned this reputation very deservingly. If you look deeper you will realise that one of the major contributors to the Indian society have been the active participation of some very focussed and dedicated women. The women activists have played a significant role in changing many social evils and have been a shining beacon of hope.

Some of them have displayed exemplary devotion in their respective fields. Here are some of those Indian women who clearly deserve a standing ovation: Aruna Roy is best known for her efforts to fight corruption and promote government transparency. Her parents have had a major impact on her life; her father instilled a strong social conscience, while her mother taught her to be independent minded. After studying in Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry and Indraprastha College in Delhi, Aruna started teaching. But, she realised that teaching wasn't her passion as she aimed to become a civil servant.

She cleared the Indian Administrative Services (IAS) examination in 1967. Aruna is known as a prominent leader of the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS), a social and grassroots organisation for the empowerment of workers and peasants. In 2005, she played a crucial role in establishing the Right to Information Act (RTI).

Aruna has received various awards for her service to the society, such as the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 2000, Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Excellence in Public Administration, Academia and Management in 2010.

In 2011, Aruna was named as one of the '100 most influential people across the world' by Time Magazine.

Medha Patkar is a social reformer turned politician.

Born in Mumbai, Medha had a keen interest in public service at a very early age. Being a daughter of a trade union leader, she started understanding the problems faced by the un-

derprivileged and felt the need to serve them. Her father took active part in the Indian Independence Movement, while her mother was member of Swadar, an organisation formed to assist and support women who are financially weak, and helped them in getting educated.

Patkar is an MA in Social Work from Tata Institute of Social Science. She left her position from the faculty as well as her unfinished PhD when she became completely involved in the tribal and peasant communities in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. She is best recognised as the founding member of the famous Narmada Bachao Andolan - a movement to save the rivers and people of Gujarat. As a candidate of

ing career. She has campaigned along with activist Medha Patkar against the Narmada dam project, stating that the dam will displace half a million people, with little or no compensation, and will not provide the projected irrigation, drinking water and other benefits. In recognition of her outspoken advocacy of human rights, Arundhati was awarded the Lannan Cultural Freedom Award in 2002, the Sydney Peace Prize in 2004, and the Sahitya Akademi Award from the Indian Academy of Letters in 2006.

Irom Sharmila popularly known as the "Iron Lady of Manipur" is the most recognizable face of the conflict-ridden state in the North East. In spite of not clearing her class XII, she

"The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any" (Photo: indianexpress) Aam Aadmi Party in 2014, she received 8.9 percent of votes. She resigned from Aam Aadmi Party's primary member on March 28, 2015.

Arundhati Roy is an author, actress, and political activist. She was best known for the award-winning novel The God of Small Things (1997) and for her involvement in environmental and human rights causes.

Arundhati's father was a Bengali tea planter, and her mother was a Christian of Syrian descent who challenged India's inheritance laws by successfully suing for the right of Christian women to receive an equal share of their fathers' estates. Though trained as an architect, Arundhati had little interest in design; she dreamed instead of a writ-

has become an "icon of public resistance" in her state. For Irom, her father has had a great influence in her life. On November 2, 2000, she began a hunger strike after the "Malom Massacre" where 10 people were killed, which had a major impact on her. Having refused food and water for more than 500 weeks, she has been recognised as "the world's longest hunger striker". On International Women's Day, 2014 she was voted as the top woman icon of India by MSN Poll. Though Irom has refused both water and food, the government continues to force feed her.

Every year, she is arrested on charges of attempt to suicide. It has been 16 years since she started her

movement, but her resolve hasn't broken yet. She states that she will only eat when the Indian government will repeal the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in the seven states of Eastern India.

Amala Akkineni is a former film actress, Bharatanatyam dancer, animal welfare activist, and a mentor to budding film students. Amala was born to an Irish Mother and a Bengali father. Very early in life, she understood the importance of being self-governing and cultured. Her father, an ardent follower of Mahatma Gandhi, taught her to be self-sufficient and fiercely independent. The unconventional upbringing by both her parents has had a great impact on her life.

She is also a strong promoter of vegetarianism and is the Co-founder of The Blue Cross of Hyderabad, an NGO in Hyderabad, which works towards the welfare of animals and preservation of animal rights in India. In 1992, she married Nagarjuna Akkineni, who is a Telugu superstar. She has long since walked away from the glitter of movie stardom and entered the hapless world of Hyderabad's sick, beaten and homeless stray animals hoping to make a difference in their lives.

Laxmi Agarwal is an Indian campaigner with Stop Acid Attacks and a TV host. She is an acid attack survivor and speaks for the rights of acid attack victims. She was attacked in 2005, at age 15, by a 32year-old man whose advances she had rejected.

Her story, among others, was told in a series on acid attack victims by Hindustan Times. She has also advocated against acid attacks through gathering 27,000 signatures for a petition to curb acid sales, and taking that cause to the Indian Supreme Court. Her petition led the Supreme Court to order the central and state governments to regulate the sale of acid, and the Parliament to make prosecutions of acid attacks easier to pursue. She is the director of Chhanv Foundation, a NGO dedicated to help the survivors of acid attacks in India. Laxmi received a 2014 International Women of Courage award by US First Lady

Michelle Obama. She was also chosen as the NDTV Indian of the Year. She is also the face of Viva and Diva, promoting all girls to reflect on their inner beauty rather than exterior appearance.

Shaheen Mistri is the CEO of Teach for India, and the Founder of Akanksha Founder. She has earned global recognition for her dedication and commitment to the fight for educational equity. Born in Mumbai to a Parsi family, she had an international upbringing.

However, she soon realised that children living in the Mumbai's city slums lacked access to quality education and were deprived of the skills necessary to compete in India's formal, competitive job market.

She founded the first Akanksha Centre in 1989, a non-profit education project that provides after-school tutoring to children from low-income communities. As the recognition of Akanksha's work grew, Shaheen saw an opportunity to expand her reach even further and work for more transformative changes she launched Teach For India in 2008.

Since then, the organisation has recruited, trained, and placed nearly 1,700 Fellows in schools across seven cities. Shaheen is an Ashoka Fellow (2001), a Global Leader for Tomorrow at the World Economic Forum (2002), and an Asia Society 21 Leader (2006).

She also serves on the boards of Ummeed.

Shaheen has a Master's Degree in Education from the University of Manchester, England.

While we have mentioned only few activists, there are several others who have helped bring about a change to the Indian society. We salute the Indian women; however, the struggle is still on. As Alice Walker once said, "The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any".

Each and every citizen should consider it as their moral duty and obligation to help shape a better future for India.

Courtesy: yourstory

Is Your Shampoo Sulfate-Free?

Sulfates are super common in shampoos.

They're harsh chemicals that seriously dry out your strands. Dry locks are way more prone to frizz and absorb humidity in the air. Do your mane a favour and make the switch to a sulfatefree shampoo STAT! We love Organix Argan Oil Shampoo (Rs. 725).

Also, stay away from styling products that contain alcohol.

Tame a Frizzy Ponytail It's supposed to rescue you from a bad hair day, but what do you do when

your ponytail turns into a frizz ball? Just grab some lotion from your dresser, rub a little bit between your palms and run your fingers through your hair. This will help tame the frizz as well as add shine and make your ponytail look more polished.

Touch Me Not Resist the urge to touch your hair. Sometimes we do it without even realizing it, so try and make a conscious effort to keep your hands off.

You break the natural pattern of your hair every time you touch it, which causes frizz.

Courtesy: popxo

Little Changes In Your Room That Can Create *Happy* Vibes!

Home is where the heart is, yes - but home is also where peace is. And isn't some quiet and peace what we're looking for after a long day spent battling the world? Your home can be the best place to leave the stresses of the day behind, and add a lot of positive energy into your life too.

Here are tiny transformations you can make to your home in order to make way for more positive vibes!

Move unnecessary furniture out, declutter and create empty spaces.

The size of your room doesn't matter, what matters is how you use this space available to you.

So instead of cramming your room with too many pieces of furniture, pick your favourite few and just leave empty spaces in between. These empty spaces will act as breathing corners and give your whole room a more neat and light feel.

wrapped around them.

House plants and natural products for the win!

Another way to feel closer to mother nature inside your home is by using products that have a natural element to them.

Simple things like wooden bowls, shells, or house plants can do the trick. Also, you must invest in a natural air purifier. It cleans the air you breathe, and in turn, helps you lead a much more healthy life.

Also, don't ignore your bathrooms.

Make your daily bathing ritual a great experience by placing real flowers in your bathroom. They aren't just a pretty sight, but will also add a fresh feel to your bathroom and perk you up. You can also add essential oils and sprays in your bathroom, and their aroma will make you feel relaxed and stress free.

Balance out all colors carefully.

catchers fly.

There is something quite peaceful about wind chimes singing in the blowing wind. Legend has it that they were used in earlier times to ward off the evil eye, but even today their soothing, gentle sound makes one feel like the world order is in its place.

Dress up your walls with positive framed quotes and pictures.

Putting up positive reminders can have a huge impact on your subconscious. When you look at positive quotes everyday, their messages get recorded in the back of your mind, and stay with you for long after. So make sure you dress up your walls with positive reinforcements and pictures that capture your happiest memories only.

Invest in beautiful carpets and pillows.

Carpets and pillows add a soft element to a room and give it a more comforting look. The sight

Happy room Happy you (Photo: content14) Concentrate on getting as much light as possible into your rooms.

Natural daylight can lift the dark and brooding air, and bring positivity into your life. A thin layer of transparent curtains below your heavy ones is all you need to let soft, natural light pass through your room. But, if you are low on natural light, make sure you get enough bulbs and LED lights to brighten up your room. You can even hang pretty cages and mason jars with fairy lights

Every color exudes an energy that has an effect on your life. The reason so many people paint their homes white is because it is symbolic of natural light and is also easier to mix other colors with. It's important to balance colors in a room using pillows, bedsheets and other little things. Just like a bright room can have a calming effect on you, similarly a dark room can put you in a foul mood too.

Let those windchimes whistle and dream

and touch of them relaxes you instantly and they also create a cosy space for you to relax in.

Let your life have background music, always.

Music feeds your soul, so you must make sure you never lack it in your life.

Many people start their mornings with energetic music, because it sets the beat for their entire day after. Make sure you have music playing in your home, and it will make sure your surroundings feel alive and vibrant.

Courtesy: popxo

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DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, JUNE 25

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Harmanpreet Kaur joins Women's Vijayalakshmi maintains slender lead BBL, signs for Sydney Thunder ANI New Delhi, June.24 : Harmanpreet Kaur has become the first Indian women's cricketer to be signed by an overseas Twenty20 franchise after she inked a deal with defending champions Sydney Thunder for the second edition of the Australian league, which will be played in December-January.

president, Anurag Thakur, confirmed the signing during a press conference after concluding the sport's governing body's working committee meeting in Dharamsala on Friday.

This assumes significance as it is the first signing since the BCCI cleared the way for the women's team to participate in overseas The Board of Control leagues such as the for Cricket in India Women's BBL and the

Djokovic, Federer drawn for Wimbledon semi-final clash AFP London, June 24 : Defending champion Novak Djokovic and seven-time winner Roger Federer were today drawn to meet in the semi-finals of this year's Wimbledon which starts on Monday.

World number one Djokovic, who is bidding to take another step closer to the first calendar Grand Slam since 1969, has defeated Federer in the last two finals at the All England Club.

The draw means that second seed Andy Murray, the 2013 champion, was lined up for a semi-final against fourth seeded Stan Wawrinka.

Three-time champion Djokovic completed the career Grand Slam with victory at the French Open earlier this month and now holds all four majors.

It was his 12th career major and made him the first man since Jim Courier in 1992 to win the Australian and French Opens in the same year.

The 29-year-old Serb begins his Wimbledon campaign against British wild card James Ward and could meet big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic in the last-eight.

Murray takes on compatriot Liam Broady in the first round with a potential clash against Australia's Nick Kyrgios in the fourth round.

Frenchman Richard Gasquet is a possible quarter-final rival.

Federer, seeded three but enduring an injury-hit season, starts against Argentina's Guido Pella, ranked 51 in the world.

The 34-year-old Swiss, the holder of a record 17 majors, could face Japan's Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals.

If seedings play out,

Wawrinka would come up against in-form Dominic Thiem of Austria for a place in the last-four.

Defending women's champion Serena Williams, chasing a seventh Wimbledon title to equal Steffi Graf's Open era record of 22 majors, was drawn to face Polish third seed Agnieszka Radwanska in the last-four.

Radwanska made the final in 2012.

French Open champion Garbine Muguruza, who beat Williams in the Roland Garros final but lost to the American in the Wimbledon championship match in 2015, could face Australian Open winner Angelique Kerber in the last-four.

Spanish star Muguruza begins against Italy's Camila Giorgi.

The women's draw held out the tantalising prospect of an all-Williams final with sister Venus in the opposite half of the draw.

Venus, 36 and a five-time champion, is seeded to face Muguruza in the last-eight while Serena could come up against Italy's Roberta Vinci who dumped her out of the US Open semi-finals in 2015.

In other potential quarter-finals, Radwanska could meet Belinda Bencic while Kerber was drawn to face Simona Halep.

Serena starts against a qualifier and will face either fellow American Christina McHale or Slovak veteran Daniela Hantuchova in the second round.

Two-time champion Petra Kvitova meets Romania's Sorana Cirstea in her opener.

British number one Johanna Konta, the first home seed in the women's draw since 1984, takes on Monica Puig in the first round.

Harmanpreet Kaur

Buttler calls on England batsmen to maintain aggressive approach ANI Johannesburg, June 24 : England wicketkeeperbatsman Jos Buttler has called on his teammates to not abandon their attacking approach with the bat despite the hosts endured a top-order collapse in the opening ODI against Sri Lanka.

Chasing a target of 288, England made a stuttering start and were reeling at 82-6 before Buttler (93) and Chris Woakes (95 not out) combined to steady the ship.

Subsequently, tailender Liam Plunkett smacked a six in the last ball of the match to ensure the first of the five-match series ended in a thrilling tie at Trent Bridge.

Speaking ahead of the

Courtney Browne has been appointed as West Indies' new chairman of selectors , replacing

second match in Edgbaston on Friday, Buttler has backed his side to 'play even more shots' in order to put the opposition under pressure, Sport24 reported.

Eugenie Bouchard

ANI Melbourne, June.24 : Sportswear giant Nike has decided to withdraw its 'Premier Slam' dresses for the 2016 Wimbledon Championship after re-

Clive Lloyd.

Browne, who has represented West Indies in 20 Tests and 46 one-dayers, has been a member of the senior men's selection panel and was given a two-year term as the chairman.

Lloyd, who led West Indies to two World Cup triumphs, will be appointed as a special ambassador effective from October 1, according to the West Indies Cricket Board.

ANI Johannesburg, June.24 : Former wicketkeeper-batsman

Jos Buttler Reflecting on the first match, the right-handed batsman also praised his team's resilience saying that 'it was nice to drag one back' from a miserable position.

Nike recalls `skimpy` Wimbledon dresses after players complain

Browne replaces Lloyd as West Indies chairman of selectors

Clive Lloyd

Women's Super League in England.

Harmanpreet, the India vice-captain, grabbed attention when she scored a 31-ball 46 to help her side beat Australia in a historic chase in the series opener.

The all-rounder also stood out among her peers in an otherwise disappointing World T20 campaign for India, where she scored 89 runs and took seven wickets.

West Indies must beat South Africa in Bridgetown in order to set up a tri-series finale against Australia on Sunday.

ceiving increasing complaints from female players that their apparels were too revealing.

Nike has requested its sponsored players to bring their stock of the all-white

outfits to Nike's rented out space at the All England Club so that they can be altered before the first round matches get underway from Monday, news.com.au reported.

According to reports, players complained the dress was too revealing below the waist, with some commentators labeling it as ' skimpy'.

At least 20 female players were reportedly given the faulty dress for the All England Club this year, including Canadian star Eugenie Bouchard and Australian Open semi-finalist Johanna Konta.

However, the All England Club had approved the dress saying it did comply with Wimbledon's strict all-white dress code.

PTI Chennai, Jun 24 : International Master Vijayalakshmi Subbaraman of Air India managed a slender half a point lead at 8.5 points after the 10th and penultimate round of the 43rd National Women Challengers Chess Championship here today.

Vijayalakshmi scored over Varshini V in 56 moves.

Earlier, Michelle Catherina P (Air India) stunned overnight joint leader Swati Ghate (LIC), moving into clear second spot at 8.0 points here at the Nehru Stadium.

Further half a point behind at 7.5 points were Swati, Soumya Swaminathan (PSPB) and Vaishali R (TN).

In crucial final round pairings, former National women champion Mary Ann Gomes (7) faces leader Vijayalakshmi (8.5), while Michelle Catherina P (8) takes on Vaishali R (7.5). In the third board, Soumya Swaminathan (7.5) crosses swords against Swati Ghate (7.5) in an all-Pune clash.

The top eight finishers qualify for the National Women Premier Chess Championship to be held

later this year.

Important Results (Round 10): Swati Ghate (7.5) lost to Michelle Catherina P (8), Vijayalakshmi S (8.5) bt Varshini V (6.5), Kiran Manisha Mohanty (7) drew with Vaishali R (7), Bala Kannamma P (6.5) lost to Soumya (7.5), Lasya G (7) drew with Arpita Mukherjee (7), Srija Seshadri (6) lost to Karavade Eesha (7), Cholleti Sahajasri (6.5) drew with Pratyusha Bodda (6.5), Tarini Goyal (6) lost to Gomes Mary Ann (7), Mohota Nisha (6.5) drew with Chitlange Sakshi (6.5), Mahalakshmi M (7) bt Jain Nityata (6).

BCCI to host mini IPL overseas in September PTI Dharamsala, Jun 24 : The BCCI is set to introduce a new Twenty20 event, to be branded as mini IPL, outside India in September.

"In the month of September, the BCCI is willing to host a mini IPL or IPL overseas with all the eight teams participating," BCCI president Anurag Thakur said at the conclusion of the Board's Working Committee meeting here.

"It will be a shorter format, not home and away matches but a lesser number of matches. In a two-week window we should be able to complete it," he said.

The BCCI move was on the cards with the scrapping of the Champions League T20 last year.

The details of the shortened version of IPL are yet to be chalked out and possible venues are US and UAE, which has already hosted part of the IPL in 2014.

The full-fledged IPL lasts about for almost two months.

The ninth edition of the tournament was held in India from April 9 to May 29.

Minutes after Thakur's statement, the BCCI issued a release stating that "BCCI will explore the option of hosting Mini IPL overseas in September".

Going overseas is not new to IPL as the entire

BCCI president Anurag Thakur 2009 edition was held in South Africa due to the general election in India.

Anil Kumble's appointment as the head coach of the Indian team was also approved at the meeting.

In another significant decision, the Committee approved that an Under19 Cricketer can represent India only once in the Under 19 World Cup and any player entering the system at Under 19 stage can play only two seasons of Under 19 cricket.

Amongst other decisions taken, the BCCI will now have a separate marketing budget for the promotion of the Test cricket.

"The BCCI and the State Units will work together towards promotion and marketing of International matches," said the BCCI statement as the Indian team gets ready for a busy home season

consisting of 13 Tests.

The Working Committee also approved the Technical Committee's recommendation to hold Ranji Trophy matches at neutral venues.

In another big change to domestic cricket, the Committee announced a new T20 league in place of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

"First, all state teams will play an Inter zonal league in their respective zones. All five zones selecting a zonal side to play an Inter Zonal League will follow it," the released added.

The release also stated that BCCI will start annual awards for state associations in categories like best website, best Facebook page, best Twitter handle, best Instagram, best media facility and best media operations.

Hockey India announces junior men squad for EurAsia Cup & England tour ANI Bengaluru, 24 June : Hockey India has announced the junior men's squad for the EurAsia Cup and a six match tour of England in July.

Defender Dipsan Tirkey captains the squad which will take part in the EurAsia Cup in Russia in July. The tournament will be played between the junior men's squad, Dinamo Stroitel, the Russian Team 1 and Russian team 2.

Dinamo Stroitel made their appearance in the European Hockey League in the 2015-16

season after a gap of 34 years.

India's junior men's team will undertake the tour in hopes of gaining experience and in preparation for the Junior World Cup in Lucknow, later this year. Besides Tirkey, the team also includes talents like Santa Singh, Parvinder Singh and drag flicker Varun Kumar.

The same team will subsequently travel to England to take on the England and Scotland teams in six matches from 22 July to 1 August 2016.

Speaking at the announcement, Md. Mushtaque Ahmad, Sec-

Hockey India retary General, Hockey India said, "As hosts of the Junior World Cup, we want to give our junior men's team the best platform and preparation to

bring glory to the country. Keeping that in mind, we have started the process early, and are initiating the boys into international hockey on these two

back to back tours. I have full confidence they will come back enriched and make us proud of their performances."

Suraj Karkera, Kishan B. Pathak (goalkeepers), Dipsan Tirkey(C), Varun Kumar (VC), Hardik Singh, Vikramjit Singh, Gurinder Singh, Nilam Sanjeep Xess (defenders), Nilkanta Sharma, Sumit, Santa Singh, Manpreet, Shamsher Singh (midfielders), Gurjant Singh, Ajay Yadav, Parvinder Singh, Simranjeet Singh and Ajit Kumar Pandey (forwards).

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