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Vol. II

UNC’S ECONOMIC BLOCKADE : ZELIANG URGED TO ENSURE FREE MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES RAJNATH SINGH WRITES, CHIDES CHIEF MINISTER IBOBI

Issue 157

Dibrugarh, Monday, December 26, 2016

Out of my mind: Demonetisation is the least of the events which shaped the year

P5

Price -

Russian military plane carrying 91 people - including a military band and media personnel crashed into the Black Sea.

Russian military plane crashed on Sunday in the Black Sea as it made its way to Syria with 91 people onboard, including musicians heading to celebrate the New Year with troops.

The plane was en route to a Russian air base Latakya, in Syria.

The Russian defence ministry said there had been no survivors after the Tu-154 plane crashed shortly after taking off from the southern city of Adler, south of the Black Sea resort city of Sochi, at 5.40 am local time (0240 GMT).

The ministry said that there were 83 passengers and 8 crew members on board.

At least one body was found among debris in the Black Sea. The plane had been conducting a routine flight to Russia's Hmeimim airbase outside the coastal Syrian city of Latakia, the ministry said.

depth of 50 to 70 metres," the ministry said, adding that search and rescue groups had been dispatched earlier to locate the missing.

"Fragments of the Tu-154 plane of the Russian defence ministry were found 1.5 kilometres from the Black Sea coast of the city of Sochi at a

Among its 83 passengers were Russian servicemen as well as members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, the army's official musical group

Two died in road mishap ET Correspondent Jorhat, Dec 25 : Two youth from Jorhat died in a road mishap on Saturday evening. The victims were identified as Priyanku Duwari, (29) and Jintu Bora (30).The incident took place when their Hundai Eon bearing registration AS 03 M 6220 collided with a truck bearing registration number AS 01 FC 7592 in the Bye Pass of Jorhat. Both the youth died in the spot.

"Both of them died in the spot after succumbing to injuries,” said Utpol Dutta, the traffic incharge of Jorhat. Both the youth were resident of Garmur Napam village.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies that President Vladimir Putin had been informed of the situation and was being kept updated on the search operations.

The Agriculture and DoTCL minister Wangki Lowang while expressing his shock and grief over the loss of life of a woman and gutting down of 55 dwelling houses in a devastating fire mishap at Wakka village on 22nd December said that he was with the unfortunate victims in this hour of unprecedented crisis and extreme calamity. The minister assured the victims that he would do everything possible at his level to mitigate and assuage the sufferings of the people. In the

meantime, Lowang has appealed all leaders, organizations, NGOs, churches and business community to extend their willing humanitarian aids to the people of Wakka village adding that even a small contribution in cash or kind would act as succour for the victims who had lost everything in the fire accident. On behalf of the people of 54-Namsang the Minister dispatched 30 quintals of rice and 50 woolen blankets on 24th December through his wife Smti Chango Lowang and his son Dr. Taam Lowang. The people of

Wakka have expressed their gratitude to the Minister. While expressing his anguish and sadness over the frequent fire mishaps, especially in Wakka in Longding district and Lazu in Tirap district, the Secretary of Society for Promotion of Nocte Indigenous Culture (SoPNIC) Denhang Bosai said, "Our people never seem to learn from their past mistakes. Wakka and Lazu are known for unfortunate fire mishaps. Year before last also Wakka village was partly destroyed by an inferno in which many dwelling houses were

Investigators are currently questioning the technical personnel responsible for preparing the plane for takeoff, the committee said.

Tu-154 aircraft have been involved in a number of accidents in the past.

In April 2010 many highranking Polish officials, including then president Lech Kaczynski, were killed when a Tu-154 airliner went down in thick fog while approaching the Smolensk airport in western Russia.

Moscow has been conducting a bombing campaign in Syria in support of long-time ally President Bashar al-Assad since September 2015 and has taken steps to boost its presence in the country.

completely gutted. But still the villagers continued to construct their thatched houses closed to each other. Wakka and Lazu have enough scopes to settle some families in new habitation areas so that the houses in the original villages can be constructed sufficiently apart to prevent recurrence of fire accidents." He has also passionately appealed to all sections of people to extend their help and support to the victims in this hour of grief and loss. A woman died in the mishap and property and livestock worth in crores were destroyed.

Trends of conversion to Buddhism among OBCs on the rise

A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Dec 25

All the BPL and APL families besieged with chronic, sudden or acute health issues have now all the reasons to cheer as Government of Assam designed a health assurance scheme with Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launched ‘Atal-Amrit Abhiyan’ at a function held at the conference hall of Assam Secretariat on Sunday.

Launched synchronising with the 92nd birthday of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Atal-Amrit Abhiyan is a health assurance scheme which will give comprehensive coverage for six disease groups. The health assurance scheme will cover all individuals in eligible families with annual income below Rs. 5 lakh both BPL and APL. 437 diseases that would be covered this scheme have been again segregated in six

disease groups namely cardiovascular diseases, cancer, kidney diseases, neonatal diseases, neurological conditions and burns.

Speaking on the occasion Chief Minister Sonowal said, “Health always remains a commitment to the present Government and with the launching of Atal-Amrit Abhiyan, access to quality treatment will be a reality for the all the citizens”.

Contd. on Page 4

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At least five thousand people from the other backward classes (OBC)and some of Mushlim and Christian family have converted to Buddhism from Hinduism in Diksha Bhoomi Nagpur ,Maharashtra in 25

December 2016.

If the Satyashodhak OBC Parishad is to be believed, the other backward classes have no respectable space in Hinduism.

"We were treated as Shudhras in spite of being in Hinduism for a long time. So, we felt that it is better to go back to our original religion — Buddhism.

OBCs are Nagvanshi and so Buddhism is our real religion.

We want to do our Ghar Wapsi by embracing Buddhism," said Sandip Hanumant Upre, the Parishad's president.

Stating that religion is for them and they are not for religion, Upre said: "Religion is like a home, where we all

should be treated equally and respectfully.

However, we were treated badly and in the religious texts too we were given bad names.

There is no point staying in this home.

Contd. on Page 3

Secretary education inspects Sainik School progress work and State University site

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Health Assurance Scheme to bring respite to thousands of families under BPL as CM Sonowal launches Atal-Amrit Abhiyan

Russia's Investigative Committee said that a criminal probe had been launched to determine whether violations of air transportation safety had led to the crash.

Agriculture minister provides relief to fire victims A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Dec 25

Photo by Nekib Ahmed

Nine members of the media were among the passengers,

with state-run channel Pervy Kanal saying three of its staff were onboard the flight.

P7

Maksam Tayeng Pasighat, Dec 25

Jongge Yirang and EE, PWD, Er. Tameng Jamoh visited the site today

: To take stock of the progress of work for renovation of existing infrastructures available under Industrial Growth Centre, Niglok for temporary use of Sainik School, Secretary Education, Bidol Tayeng along with DDSE, East Siang,

On inspection of the propose school, hostel and mess buildings Tayeng expressed his displeasure on slow progress of the works. He informed that, the Sainik School will be made functional from the academic session 2017-18 with intake

capacity of 60 to 100 Cadets and has directed the executing agency PWD to complete the renovation works by February 2017. On the part of Executive Engineer (PWD), Tameng Jamoh assured to complete the renovation works of all buildings as per the dateline given by the Secretary.

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Contd. on Page 3

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ET CAPSULES

internationally known as the Red Army Choir, who were headed to Syria to participate in New Year celebrations at the airbase.

There were also eight crew members onboard, the ministry said.

PAGE 7

Pages- 12

Women's safety in INDIA: A crumbling illusion

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Russian military plane with 92 on board crashes into Black Sea, all feared killed Agencies Moscow, Dec 25

5.00

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, DECEMBER 26

P2 Aries Just when you thought that the whole world was turning on you, Aries, things start to come back around. You will find that you don't need to hide. In fact, the more you let your true spirit emerge, the more allies you will gain. Your secret ambition to rule your world is becoming a much more attainable goal than you might have thought at first.

Taurus The more you let your ego and fantasies swell today, Taurus, the more friction you will encounter. Others aren't going to be fooled, nor are they going to want to deal with frivolity. You might consider letting someone else take the lead while you focus more on your internal energy. Don't be surprised if you cry for no apparent reason. It's important that the tears come out.

Gemini The hard work and detailoriented planning you've done lately are really starting to pay off, Gemini. The key is to maintain your sensitivity and look to where you can be of service to others.

Your nurturing side feels the need to express itself. Follow your heart today and be respectful of your emotions. The thing you need to be most conscious of is not overextending yourself.

Cancer You may not want to wander far from your bedroom today.

That's fine. Take this opportunity to get things done around the house that make you feel like your energy is an important part of the atmosphere. Hang new pictures, read inspiring articles, and laugh at magazine cartoons that inspire your humorous side. Be soft and gentle with your words and actions. Just take it easy!

Leo Things are on the upswing for you today, Leo. People are finally coming around to see things from your perspective. There's no need to doubt yourself. Look in the mirror and know that the person you see is capable of accomplishing anything.

Your powerful emotions are your allies.

Don't be afraid to let your heart speak up loud and clear the way it wants to.

Virgo Take a step back from the line of fire today and examine your position. You've made some bold moves and now it's time to pause and evaluate. Listen to others' reactions.

Take the observations and comments to heart.

Other people may see things about your situation that you don't. Don't get boxed in by narrow-minded thinking. Digest what you learn and expand your horizons.

Libra You may not feel like you're in tune with your situation today, Libra. Try not to get too pushy with your opinions about how things should be done. Honor other people's perspectives and approaches.

It may be hard for others to commit to things the same way you do. Their methods may be different, but that doesn't mean they are necessarily any better or worse.

Scorpio Try not to be too competitive today, Scorpio. The more you try to drive your point across, the more it will meet stubborn opposition. This is a better day to observe the situation. Emotions are running high, and people aren't necessarily acting rationally. It will do no good to try to reason with someone determined to fight. Save your ammunition for something else.

Sagittarius Sink into a soft, gentle rhythm and you flow with everything around you, Sagittarius. Ease your mind about any worries.

Your subconscious knows the way. The key today is sensitivity and intuition - your specialties. You don't need to be concerned about a thing. Everything will work out fine. Don't worry that you haven't prepared enough. Give yourself a break and relax.

Capricorn Now isn't the time to prove to people that you're the boss, Capricorn. They would surely become defensive. You're much better off taking a sensitive, nurturing approach on a day like today. Focus your fire internally and use it to drive your own engine. Don't run over anyone else in the process or try to run their engine for them.

Aquarius This is a favorable day for you to deal with intimate and sensitive issues, Aquarius. You will be in comfortable situations that allow you to express what you believe. There's no need to hold back, because people will have a greater understanding of what it is you feel. You combine deep emotions with mental clarity and you're able to see through to the truth in other people's words.

Pisces There's a very heavy atmosphere around you that might feel stifling, Pisces.

Situations are cropping up that urge you to think practically with regard to your emotions. You will find that things go much more smoothly if you slow down and think about a situation before you proceed. Make sure you consider all the choices and what their effects will be on other people.

Roadside vendor evicted, parking streamlined at Charali Bazar in Digboi Laxman Sharma DIGBOI, Dec 25: In order to curb the menace of unplanned and unstructured parking at Charali Bazar here In the Oiltown of Digboi, the representatives of Digboi Town Committee and team Digboi Policeheaded by Inspector Mahesh Borah evicted all the vegetables and fish vendor lying at sixes and seven along the busy NH38 at Charali bazaar area during an eviction drive initiated here this afternoon.

The team of representatives of local body headed by its Chairman, Vice Chairman and police personnel had earlier asked the occupants to shift inside the Charali market and vacate the place along the Highway which had been creating nuisance besides creating traffic congestion

resulting in haphazard parking.

According to official sources, following several requests to the vendors to this effect which bore no significant yield, the eviction was carried out today wherein the affected vendors were also providedwith adequate space to carry on their regular business.

The affected vendors mostly comprised the rural vegetables sellers from various locations of Digboi including Balijan, Borjan, Kenduguri, Lakhipather, Bhimpather and Panbari, etc who earns their livelihood trading on their agricultural produce.

Meanwhile, the Inspector Mr Bora immediately taking over his charge a week ago swung into action and accomplished the task which miserably failed despite several efforts earlier initiated

from different end.

Talking to The Eastern Today, Mr Bora expressing neutral in his approach told that due to shortage of space along the Highway at Charali Market, the menace of illogical parking has been causingenough trouble for the daily goers or the pedestrians particularly in the evening. Beside traffic congestion during the evening the entire normalcy of life was being hit thus affecting the movement of common people most of the time leading to road mishap. However, the affected expressed strong resentment over the drive terming it as ‘partial’. According to the evicted vendors, the entire footpath occupied by fruits stall and other grocery items have been overlooked by the authority concerned which infact adds to the

menace of the pedestrians. “Several stalls have been erected upon the slabs on the main drain connecting from Charali Police point area to mission Para Link road which could not be evicted so far for the reason best known to the political leaders and urban local self-government,” murmured one of the affected daily vegetable sellers of Borjan area.

However, following the eviction, the parking of two wheelers were streamlined in the area on one side while the four wheelers were seen being parked as per the directions of the VDP volunteers on the other end who have been deputed for the purpose with VDP I Card issued by Digboi Police Station. The VDPs were expected to ensure their best service to realize the common objective.

City gears up for Christmas celebration today ET Bureau Guwahati, Dec 25 : Ringing church bells and midnight mass in the cathedrals marked the celebrations of Christmas Eve today as the world geared up to celebrate Christmas tomorrow. The Christmas Eve, marking the birth of Jesus Christ, holds a great significance among the believers of Christianity, both in terms of rituals and merrymaking.

Special midnight masses were conducted in the churches on the occasion of the Eve, whereas the Nativity, a drama depicting the birth of Jesus, and carol singing were a major attraction of the occasion.

Donning a bridal look with the twinkling stars, tiny bulbs, pealing of bells, lights sparkling everywhere and decorated X-Mass trees, Guwahati is celebrating the festival like every year. Christmas

revellers were seen in a hectic last minute shopping spree to celebrate the occasion with friends and family tomorrow.

Governor Banwarilal Purohit conveyed his warm greetings and best wishes to all the people on the auspicious occasion of Christmas.

In his message the Governor said: “I convey my greetings and best wishes to the people belonging to Christian community in particular and all the citizens in general.

Christmas is a celebration of birthday of Jesus Christ and on this occasion let us all rededicate ourselves to the teachings of Lord Jesus for strengthening universal brotherhood, love and compassion for fellow human beings.”

The Governor appealed to all to take Christmas as a cause to spread the message of peace, co-existence, amity and camaraderie amongst mankind through joy and merriment.

Federation of Barua Buddhists Welfare Association of Assam Secretary condemns the murder of Buddhist nun

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also extended warm greetings to the Christian community of the State on the occasion of holy Christmas. In his greetings Sonowal said that through celebration of Christmas we pledge to love humanity and seek blessings of the almighty for harmony and peaceful co-existence in society.

Stating that religion teaches us to show respect, faith and compassion to all, he mentioned that it is through service above self and commitment towards society that positive change can stimulate our lives.

The Chief Minister also underlined the importance of positive values and the need to cultivate them for human peace and progress in his message and commented that positive change can happen only through harmony and we all should rise above self and work for humanity.

Margherita Regional Students Union celebrates centenary celebration of Students Union of Assam Mithun Baruah Margherita, Dec 25: Margherita Regional Students Union today celebrated the 100 years of active students’ activism of Students Union of Assam in Assam at Margherita Xakha Sahitya Bhawan premises.The programme began with hoisting of flag by Debojit Baruah, a former student union leader and noted social worker of Margherita.

This was followed by ‘Swahid Tarpan’ by Dr. Ramen Hazarika, Associate Professor Department of Assamese M a r g h e r i t a College,Margherita Xakha Xahitya Xabha.

Flag hoisting by Debojit Baruah of 100 years for the Students Union of Assam today at Margherita. Photo send by Mithun Baruah Mithun Baruah Margherita, December 25: Federation of Barua Buddhists Welfare Association of Assam Secretary General Sibu Talukdar and all the members have condemned the heinous murder of Buddhist Nun C S Lama by some unidentified miscreants few days at Amingaon Guwahati. Sibu Talukdar said that Assam Government should arrest all those who are involved in the heinous murder case

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and strict punishment should be given to the guilty.

“As a mark of Tribute on 27 December all Buddhist Community people living in Assam will lit candles at their respected homes so that the departed soul of the Buddhist Nun C S Lama may live peace in heaven,” said Sibu Talukdar, Secretary General Federation of Barua Buddhist Welfare Association of Assam.

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Dr. Ramen Hazarika said that Students Union of Assam was formed on 25 December 1917 and thus it it has completed 100 years today. “Students Union of Assam have had worked for the greater interest for the indigenous people of Assam which cannot be forgotten and the Historical Assam Accord was signed on 15 August 1985 by All Assam Student Union,” said Dr Ramen Hazarika. President Lakhyadhar Sonowal and Secretary Mulen Baruah, Margherita Regional Students Union president and Secretary Dipankar Buragohain and Bulbul Saikia,Digboi Regional Students Union President and Secretary Pran Khanikar and Manav K h a n i k a r, A J Y C P Margherita Regional Committee General Secretary Kanchan Bora and many others were present during the Swahid Tarpan.

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DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, DECEMBER 26

P3

Hardcore NSCN-K cadres arrested in Arunachal Pradesh apprehended the two cadres, one Self Styled (SS) Corporal and one SS Private along with arms and ammunition.

ET Bureau Itanagar, Dec 25 : In the series of ongoing crackdown on underground outfits by DAO Division of the Jairampur Battalion, two armed NSCN (Khaplang) cadres were apprehended yesterday.

On spot interrogation both cadres admitted that they belonged to NSCN (K) and said they had undergone training in a NSCN (K) camp in Myanmar.

According to a Defence release issued, the operation was conducted based on specific intelligence information about presence of two cadres trying to terrorize and carrying out extortion in Khamkhai village under Nampong circle in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh.

The cadres were actively involved in extortion.

The operation has tightened the noose around the group and has brought relief to the local population.

Assam Rifles once again truly stood by their motto “Friends of the North East,” the release said.

The Battalion swiftly launched an operation and

Student's death in Rajasthan: Kiren Rijiju asks Arunachal govt to hold independent inquiry ET Bureau Itanagar, Dec 25 : Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju has asked the Arunachal Pradesh government to constitute an independent inquiry into the death of 22year-old engineering student Haa Tama who died last week after falling from his hostel building in Rajasthan.

Rijiju gave this direction to state Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Food and Civil Supplies Parliamentary Secretary Markio Tado and sought a report in the matter during a meeting at New Delhi yesterday.

The Union minister urged

the state government to constitute an independent inquiry by a superintendent of police, an official communiqu? said here today.

Tado also appealed to the Union minister to direct the Rajasthan government to disclose the post-mortem and FSL report.

Khandu assured to take up the matter immediately with Union and Rajasthan governments.

Tama, who was pursuing engineering degree at Dr K N Modi University in Tonk district of Rajasthan, died after he fall mysteriously from his hostel room on December 16 last.

Assam Rifles blamed Longchang Elite Society for Wakka fire disaster conducts cleanliness drive ET Bureau: Changlang, Dec 25: As a part of routine cleanliness drive:”SWACH BHARAT ABHIYAN” Longchang Elite Society (LES) has conducted a mass social services at following areas of Army camp, Longran 9th mile, Longran Village etc, in Margherita Changlang road on Saturday. All the public of this area has voluntarily taken part in the mass social service and road construction work.

ET Bureau Itanagar, Dec 25 : All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) has blamed Assam Rifles (AR) for the fire devastation at Wakka village in Longding district that rendered more than 100 families homeless on Thursday. It claimed that the youths from the village were engaged in clearing the jungle alongside the BRTF road on the faithful day.

“Had the boys been in the village and not engaged by the Assam Rifles, they could have atleast saved some of the houses. The disaster would not have been this large scale,” said AAPSU vice president Meje Taku addressing media persons at Press Club on Saturday.

Calling it an illegal arrangement by the AR, the union has demanded state government’s intervention into the matter.

“It must be investigated properly so that such incident is not repeated again,” said Longding District Students’ Union (LDSU) president Manlem Wangsu.

The union also sought immediate disbursement of relief package for the fire victims and ex-gratia for the deceased Late Bangman Gangsa and demanded that it should be distributed directly to the affected families.

“After the fire disaster that happened in Wakka village in 2014, the compensation was paid after much persuasion one and a half years later,” claimed Wangsu insisting that the compensation and ex-gratia amounts be paid directly to the affected family on the spot.

AAPSU demanded that the minister for disaster management and chief minister must visit Wakka village for spot verification.

Meanwhile, the union informed that it will conduct donation drive for the fire victims.

Secretary education inspects Sainik School progress work and State University site Contd. from Page 1

Later Tayeng also visited the proposed permanent site for establish of Sainik School within the IGC, Niglok where construction of boundary wall are going on in full swing and directed the executing agency to maintain the quality of works.

While interacting with DDSE, Jongge Yirang regarding various issues faced by the Education Department, Tayeng informed that, the Department is viewing the possibility of

linking the annual increment of teachers with their performances as there are many employees who poorly performs their duties.

be strictly monitored by HoD/HoI. Tayeng also made it clear that, executing agency will have to give an undertaking to complete the project within sanctioned amount and time frame.

Earlier on Saturday, the Secretary accompanied by SPD SSA, EE PWD, DLRSO, and Principal JN College Pasighat inspected the site for establishment of State University at Upper campus of Jawaharlal Nehru College, Pasighat. During the inspection he informed that division funds by executing agencies will not be allowed and all projects of education department will

The visit of Secretary Education, Tayeng to renovation works under IGC, Niglok near Ruksin for Sainik School and State University site at JN College Upper Campus with his stern statements over executing agencies has awaken and alerted the various executing agencies of their poor work culture and not being time bound in

completing projects. It is worth mentioning here that, many a project’s cost gets escalate due to non completion of work on time or in some cases the completion time are being escalated to get more additional funds etc by the executing agencies which is one of the main reason behind derailing of countless projects here in the state today. If stern measures are taken to check and regulate the executing agencies as stated by Secretary Education, Bidol Tayeng, it would be a ‘stitch on time save nine’ for the state government.

Trends of conversion to Buddhism among OBCs on the rise Contd. from Page 1

Therefore, we had launched our Ghar Wapsi mission in 2011. In 2016, five thousand other backward class people and even people from some castes embraced Buddhism. And many more will follow in future."

He

added

that

registration for this mass conversion had already started. The OBC people believed that the caste system would be abolished after Independence. "In reality, it is very rigid and there is no hope of that. We are mental slaves of this religion. The upper caste Hindus have kept this caste system alive and so we will always remain poor and deprived," Upre said.

Dhamma Dikaha is given by Bhadanta Nagarjun Surai Sasaie President of Akil Bhartya Bhikku Sanga and Bhadanta Dhamma Sharti Vice President ABBS. According to new Buddhist people Buddhism is one of the best religions in the world to follow. Here, you accept the things on the basis logic and arguments.

You are allowed to think scientifically and if you are

not convinced with any idea, then you can reject them.

This is historical day for new Buddhist because in this day 25 December 1927 Ambedkar ji had burned Manusmriti (root ofinjustic and inequality). This program has been successful with the help of Samta Sanik Dal and Satyasodak OBC parisad, etc

The Society has also constructed 1km rural link road on self help basis with the help of JCV. Furthermore, the Society also held an awareness counselling camp on the sideline of Swach Bharat Abhiyan on the Drug Addictions among the youths about bad effects of drug (Opium, Liquor, etc) at Longran Anchal Samity.

Dr. Maipo Kenglang, General Secretary, has

elaborately described the adverse effects and disadvantage of the Drugs in the family, community and societies. He suggested the villagers to take up Horticulture & Agriculture activities for sustainable economy and advised the people to remain alert against any untoward happening in society for welfare and development in the area.

It is to be noted that Longchang Elite Society observed two minutes’ silence in homage of the departed soul of Late Manthai Mossang at Miao. The Society also requested the District Administration, Police to book the culprit at the earliest possible. Society also cautioned the general public not to remain as silent spectator and to raise voice against any crime that happens in the society.

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, DECEMBER 26

P4

Rly Minister Prabhu and CM Sonowal flag off Humsafar Express from Bengaluru and Kamakhya respectively A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Dec 25 In yet another step to facilitate easy and smooth communication between Guwahati and Bengaluru, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu and Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today flagged off Humsafar Express from Bengaluru and Kamakhya respectively.

The full AC 12504/ 12503 Kamakhya Bengaluru Cantt.

Humsafar Express has been introduced as a part of budgetary commitment of the Centre, as the train includes all the facilities which are otherwise not available in normal AC3 tier coaches.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sonowal thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu for linking Guwahati with Humsafar Express service which according

to him will strengthen the link between North East and South of the country.

I n i t i a t i n g infrastructural development of railways in full throttle in Assam and other North Eastern States will give a boost to Centre’s Act East Policy, as Sonowal urged upon Centre to expeditiously complete all major and minor railway projects in Assam.

He also requested Railway Minister to create an inroad for incorporating ‘Majuli’ into railway

map of the country as he also underlined the need of linking all the districts in the State with the Railways.

He also reiterated the State Government’s commitment of transforming Assam into a State where good governance holds the key for state’s development.

He also assured to give all support to the Railways in all its projects.

Union Minister of State for Railway Rajen Gohain who also spoke

on the occasion gave a detailed overview of the different rail projects that have been going on in North East and stressed on their timely completion. He informed that electrification work of train running will also be started soon in the State.

Member of Parliament Bijoya Chakraborty and Biswajit Daimary, General Manager of NF Railway Chahatey Ram, several MLAs and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

AJYCP stages a sit-in strike demanding autonomy to Assam, dual citizenship Sasanka Talukdar, Pathsala, Dec 25: Assam Jatiyatabadi Yuva Satra Parisad (AJYCP) observed a sit-in strike today at Pathsala in front of their office as per AJYCP's resolution to demonstrate 2 hour sitin-strike throughout the state from 1st January 2016 to 31st Dec 2016.

Their demand is to provide complete autonomy to Assam, dual citizenship and Inner Line Permit for the non-indigenous people of the state.

Led by Bajali Zila Samiti, Joint Secretary Kangkan Talukdar and Organising SecretaryKalyan Kalita,the two hour sit in strike was observed in Pathsala from 11am to 1pm. In the programme leaderSurajit choudhury, Pradipta Talukdar along with Pranjit Rava, Manash Choudhury, Kumud Gayari, Bhargab Roy, Pijush Das, Bapan Talukdar, Upam das, Ganesh Boro,Partha Das many other were present.

Financial crisis fails to dampen the spirit of Christmas festivities ET Correspondent, HAFLONG, Dec 25: Though the people of Dima Hasao have suffered a lot due to non-payment of salaries and demonetisation but failed to dampen the spirit of celebration of festivals.

The Christmas is being celebrated throughout the district of Dima Hasao in a befitting way. All churches at villages like Songpijang, Fiangpui, Muolhoi, etc., here have been beautifully decorated by the youths.

Elderly women and youths are engaged in the preparation ethnic meat delicacies for the grand feast held af-

ter the prayers.

Students studying outside the district have reached here to celebrate Christmas with their parents and relatives. According to some students of Sonpijang, who are student of Colleges and Universities, they came home to celebrate Christmas with their parents and siblings. They are planning to give surprise gifts to their friends who reside here. At Christmas, exchange of gifts is also a tradition.

Village heads said that Christmas is being celebrated with great enthusiasm. The villagers are hav-

ing a grand feast in which all people can take part. To make the celebration an event to remember, people from all walks of life have been invited.

At Muolhoi too, the residents were enthusiastic about celebrating Christmas with everybody. They are arranging a feast which would remain open to all. At Songpijang, Christmas is being celebrated with several programmes, including prayers in the church.

Christmas has been celebrated by the people of Haflong since a long time back.

AASU celebrates 100 years of birth of student body in Jorhat

Rtd. Principal of Tezpur College hails teaching profession; says ‘teachers are the only equipment for society’ Shambhu Boro Tezpur, December 25: “There is no such any profession like teaching through which one can lead a society on its right track besides making the generations morally and mentally fit to face every challenges arisen in the life thereby reflecting the dignity of a nation. Teachers are the only equipment for the society to give it a proper shape through good teaching.” It was observed by noted social worker and retired principal of Tezpur College, Dr. Saru Saharia Nath while taking part as the Chief Guest of the Annual Day Function of ‘College of Teacher Education (Tezpur

B.Ed College) here held today at the College campus.

Addressing the trainee teachers on the occasion the renowned litterateur also mentioned that during her long 36 years of teaching profession she has experienced many experiences and have seen many ups and down in the society compelling her to feel that practice makes a man perfect. Referring to the sayings of many great-men across the globe she also mentioned that Education is knowledge and knowledge is power.

“Hence to make ourselves morally and mentally powerful and to make our society powerful, we will have to acquire knowledge by

reading every possible book published at different times so that we can get involved in every field of the society.” Dr. Saharia said. Referring to how the Indian civilization has helped the education of North-eastern region, in her long discourse she also stated that to cope up with present day competitive world we will have to be studious.

The noted social activist who is also the president of Sonitpur District committee of ‘Sodaw Asom Lekhika Samarauh Samittee’ mentioning how a woman of a foreign country manages her time for study amidst

tough challenges of time further urged the woman community to study more and more for acquiring knowledge.

Prior to it Dr. Saharia inaugurated the annual Wall Magazine ‘Pragya” edited and designed by Shambhu Boro and Geetika Lahon. In the programme trainee teacher participating in various events were awarded by the chief guest and the principal of the college. Earlier in her welcome address Principal of the College, Jinabala Nath appreciated the trainee teachers for showing their talents in various areas of Co-Curricular activities held during the

weeklong programme. It needs mention here that the frontline teacher training institute, like in the past as per the syllabus, this year too held the CCA week.

On the first and second day, expert teacher from “Pidilight” Pankaj Kumar Das imparted training on craft work among the trainee teachers. Next day a cleanliness drive was conducted in and around the college campus. It was followed by events such as plantation and gardening, cultural and literary competitions, wit and humour and mono acting, salad and flower decoration competitions etc.

Health Assurance Scheme to bring Narendra Modi government adopting double standards respite to thousands of families under BPL as CM Sonowal launches with respect to monuments dedicated to nation's leaders: Atal-Amrit Abhiyan Mayawati Contd. from Page 1

Emphasising that health is wealth, Sonowal said that Atal-Amrit Abhiyan is an endeavour of the government to make quality health care affordable to every individual member of a family thereby helping him to enjoy sound body, mind and health. With the launching of the scheme, a roadmap for quality and affordable health care delivery system have been drawn as he called upon all sections of the people to extend all possible help towards success of the scheme.

Sonowal also said, “It is indeed an honour on the part of the Government to have launched a health scheme after the name of Atal Behari Vajpayee who took several painstaking efforts to bring North East in the agenda of priorities

of the Centre who took the initiative in creating DoNER and NLCPR, a budgetary resource from the Centre to ensure speedy development of the North East”. He also said that the scheme has the potential of making the dream of Deendayal Upadhaya a success- that is making the health care facilities accessible and affordable to all.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma while speaking on the occasion said that launching the health assurance scheme was infect a tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and his keen interests for inspiring positive development for the North East. Terming it as the biggest health care initiative by any State Government Dr. Sarma mentioned that the financial outlet for the

scheme will be Rs. 200 crore as the government is committed to make the amount available to ensure health for targetted people of the State.

It may be noted that coverage under the scheme will be up to Rs. 2 lakh annually for critical health care costs. The Assurance will be cashless at the point of delivery and all the members of an eligible family will be given a laminated health card with unique identification number to avail of facilities under the scheme.

A separate society will also be set up under the aegis of Department of Health and Family Welfare which will be responsible for administration of the scheme.

Several MLAs and senior Government officers along with a host of dignitaries were present on the occasion.

Agencies New Delhi, Dec 25: Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati today said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government is adopting double standards when it comes to building monuments in memory of saints and leaders of the country.

"The government on one hand is building Shivaji Maharaj memorial in the Arabian Sea (Mumbai) while on the other hand they call memorials of dalit leaders and saints as extravagance," Mayawati said while criticising PM Modi-led government for building Shivaji Maharaj Memorial at a cost of Rs 3600 cr.

The dalit leader accused Bhartiya Janta Party of being hypocrite when it comes to honouring great men from backward classes.

"We are not against the construction of the Shivaji memorial but why BJP has always criticised memorials of our (dalit) leaders," Mayawati said.

On March 3, 2011, then chief minister of Uttar Pradesh Mayawati came under fire for wasting taxpayers' money on statues of herself, mentor Kanshi Ram, and the party's symbol, an elephant.

She eventually lost Uttar Pradesh state elections due to controversy.

ET CORRESPONDENT JORHAT, 25 DEC: Assam Student Organisation today celebrated its 100 years of its existence at Millennium Park situated in Baruah Chari Ali of Jorhat on Sunday. The function was inaugurated by noted musician Indrajit Sharma. The function paid glowing tribute to Laxminath Bezbaruah, Chandra Nath Sharma who

contributed immensely to the students’ movement.

AASU General Secretary Biren Saikia paid homage to the martyrs. On a special note on the occasion, scanned copy of book “Milan" which was published in the year 1844 was again released today.

Dr. Jyoti Rekha Hazarika, noted writer and lecturer of

J B College accumulated all the other copies of “Milan" and later released today by Bimal Bora, principal of JB College. While inaugurating the book, Bora said, "student can look back to hundred years through this book". “In every student, there is a literary person; one should have focus in life,” Dr. Jyoti Rekha Hazarika said.

PM Narendra Modi on Mann ki Baat: Go cashless, get cashback Agencies New Delhi, Dec 25: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched two schemes to encourage mobile banking and digital payments on his monthly radio programme Mann ki Baat. Businessmen going in for cashless transactions will be given a rebate in income tax, the Prime Minister said.

Saheb Ambedkar, PM Modi said.

The scheme, the Prime Minister said, will be for the benefit of the poor and lower income groups -- only transactions between 50 and 3,000 Rs. will be eligible for reward. Of the 30 crore Rupay Cards, 20 crore belong to poor families.

These people, he said, can join this rewards scheme.

He also announced a "Christmas gift" for those using mobile banking and making digital payments.

Under the 100-day scheme, 15,000 people will get Rs. 1,000 each for each day.

The announcement was part of the government's huge initiative following the ban on high denomination currency to sweep out corruption and black money. As the cash ban, the government had said, will flush out the illegal horde of currency collected over years in cellars and under beds, digital transactions will

The bumper draw for the "Lucky Grahak Scheme" with rewards in crores, will be held on April 14, the birth anniversary of Baba

strike at the root of the practice of skipping taxes.

The Prime Minister said since November 8, when high denomination notes of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 were banned, cashless business has witnessed a rise of 200 to 300 per cent.

In this context, he also mentioned the efforts of the government of Assam, and organisations like the GNFC, who, he said, had started novel initiatives to popularize digital transactions, especially among the poor.

PM Modi also added that to root out corruption, the government has also reshaped the laws in 'Benami Property' Act, with strong provisions.

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, DECEMBER 26

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NORTHEAST

UNC’s economic blockade : Zeliang urged NSF suspends blockade to ensure free movement of vehicles Rajnath on State vehicles Singh writes, chides Chief Minister Ibobi IMPHAL, Dec 25 : Taking a serious note of the ongoing economic blockade imposed by the United Naga Council (UNC) since November 1, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has written to Chief Minister O Ibobi as well as the Chief Minister of Nagaland TR Zeliang , to ensure that NH-2 is kept open.

Chiding the Chief Minister of Manipur for failing to ensure that essential items reach the common people of Manipur, Rajnath Singh said, “ The State Government has failed to keep National Highway-2 open, in spite of the Government of India’s repeated requests and making available Central forces to assist the local forces.”

The Union Home Minister reminded Chief Minister O Ibobi that law and order is a State subject under the 7th Schedule of the Constitution and added that the Centre can only assist the State Government in case such assistance is required and asked for.

Stating that the Ministry of Home Affairs has responded to the request for deployment of extra forces

in Manipur to assist the State forces by providing 30 Coys, the Union Home Minister reminded the Chief Minister that when the State Government moved two convoys on National Highway 2 on December 2 (244 vehicles) and December 8 (314 vehicles), Central forces assisted the movement of the convoys which enabled some essential supplies to reach Manipur.

However, since then there has been no initiative from the State Government to either ensure that NH-2 is kept open or that at least move-

ment of convoys is made, inspite of the availability of the additional forces and in spite of officers of MHA being in constant touch with the State officials, including the visit by Special Secretary (Internal Security) on December 14 and 15, asserted Rajnath Singh.

On December 19, a message was also sent to the DG of Manipur police that the Centre is fully committed to support the State Government in opening National Highway-2, added the Union Home Minister.

This was followed by telephonic calls, both by Special Secretary and the Joint Secretary, said the Union Home Minister and added that however there has been no response, or action, by the State Government.

Recalling the telephonic talks as well as when they met at New Delhi to ensure supply of essential commodities to Manipur through NH-2 by rationally using Central forces, as deemed necessary, Rajnath Singh said that maintaining law and order and ensuring

supply of essential supplies to the people are Constitutional obligations of the State Government.

Urging O Ibobi Singh to display the will to do so, the Union Home Minister said that the High Court of Manipur too has issued an order which requires him to do so.

Reiterating the Centre’s commitment to provide assistance in keeping NH-2 open, the Union Home Minister urged the Chief Minister to discharge the Constitutional obligations promptly for the sake of the people of Manipur.

The Union Home Minister has also written to the Chief Minister of Nagaland to ensure that there is no disturbance in the movement of vehicles, especially on the portion of NH-2 which passes through Nagaland.

Referring to the report that the Naga Students’ Federation has imposed a blockade on Manipur bound vehicles, the Union Home Minister urged TR Zeliang to ensure that there is no disturbance to the movement of vehicles to enable supplies pass through Nagaland.

NEEPCO gives power relief to State Shillong, Dec 25 : NEEPCO has withdrawn the regulation of power supply to Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited (MePDCL) with effect from December 23 after dues were partially paid.

A.G West Kharkongor, the Chairman and Managing Director, in a statement issued here on Saturday said though the dues were only partially liquidated, in view of the hardship likely to be faced by the people of the State during this festive season as well as keeping in mind the various Board and University examinations in the coming months, NEEPCO has decided to withdraw the power regulation.

Power Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar had said on Friday the process of procuring Rs 469-crore from Power Finance Corporation (PFC) will be over shortly.

The statement of Kharkongor said, as on March 31 this year, the outstanding dues payable by MePDCL to NEEPCO against purchase of power stood at a staggering amount of Rs 519.87 crore, including late payment surcharge.

As a result, NEEPCO was finding it extremely difficult to meet its routine expenditure for operation and maintenance of its power stations.

“Despite vigorous persua-

sions by NEEPCO and arriving at a mutually acceptable one-time settlement scheme by way of which NEEPCO had agreed to waive 60 per cent of the accumulated surcharge, MePDCL had failed to commence liquidation of the dues,” the statement said.

In this context, NEEPCO said it reluctantly resorted to regulation of power supply to MePDCL from its power stations with effect from April 7 this year under provisions of relevant regulations of the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission with the purpose of recovering part of the dues by selling the regulated quantum of power elsewhere.

The Minister said though

What did the UPA Govt do in 2010 : Erabot Imphal, Dec 25 : Former MLA Y Erabot, who recently resigned from the Congress and joined the BJP, has questioned what the Congress led UPA Government did when an economic blockade was imposed in the State in 2010.

Speaking to media persons at his residence today, Erabot said that economic blockade has become a disease in the State and questioned what the Congress Government did when such an economic blockade was imposed earlier, especially in 2010.

The former MLA from Wangkhei Kendra said that when he was the CAF and PD Minister in 2010, the State reeled under a spell of economic blockade.

The issue was discussed many times during Cabinet meetings, then but nothing substantial was done to address the blockade, he charged and recalled how he had asked the State Government to provide security

forces to escort back trucks stranded at Jiribam.

However, the State Government suggested Guite road which turned out to be dangerous and treacherous, he said.

At that point of time the State Government sent a report to the Centre wrongly informing that the ImphalJiri road was not fit for movement of trucks and requested for more security forces .

He questioned why the Chief Minister sent a false report and stated it was an act of betrayal.

Erabot said that back in 2010 he was provided a limited number of security forces

when the State Government came to know about his plans to bring back stranded trucks from Jiribam.

Pointing out that the Central Government has already sent three companies and 4000 personnel of Central paramilitary forces, Erabot asserted that the State Government can definitely open the highways if it is determined to do so.

The CM’s statement where he pointed out that the tensions in the State would have been solved if the Centre had acted on time is unfortunate , Erabot added.

He stated that it would not be wrong to question what the CM did in 2010 when the Congress government was in power in both the Centre and the State.

Erabot also extended his wishes to the people on the occasion of Christmas and wished that it brings love and peace among the people of the State.

PN Syiem open to all-party Council Shillong, Dec 25: After getting support from HSPDP, KHADC chief P.N Syiem said the Congress members, who are in the Opposition, and others are free to join the People’s Democratic Forum (PDF) led by him.

“The few others in the Opposition should also join the Forum as this will

only strengthen the Executive Committee,” Syiem said.

The KHADC chief also expressed happiness over almost all the regional parties supporting the PDF. “We hope both the Congress members and even NCP will support us. If

the members of all political parties come and support, because of the issues we are taking up, this will be a welcome step,” he said.

According to Syiem, the support of all MDCs will ensure stability which will help the Council to take up a lot of development initiatives.

there was no load-shedding at the moment, power shortage is continuing.

MePDCL’s unpaid dues to NEEPCO, including late payment surcharge, rose to Rs 643.35 crore as on November 30.

“As a result of the protracted persuasion by NEEPCO, a settlement was finally worked out and MePDCL paid Rs 325 crore on December 21 towards partial liquidation of the mutually reconciled dues of Rs 640.43 crore as on September 30 while requesting NEEPCO to withdraw regulation of power supply,” the statement added.

In October this year, the State Cabinet had decided

to be the guarantor for MeECL’s loan from PFC to clear the Rs 469.32-crore dues to NEEPCO, including Rs 98.44 crore in surcharge.

The amount was calculated keeping in mind that NEEPCO would waive off 60 per cent of the total surcharge.

Besides this, MeECL also has to pay Rs 30.57 crore to NHPC, Rs 44.08 crore to NTPC, Rs 39.71 crore to other sources and Rs 36.44 crore to Power Grid and the total outstanding amount is Rs 767 crore. Replying to a question by reporters, Dhar said the department would try to manage resources soon to clear the pending bills of other agencies as well.

Rapist principal of orphanage arrested by police from Aralia Agartala, Dec 25 : Taking prompt action, the police of Gomati district arrested the rapist principal of an orphanage in Kakarabon, Nilkrishna Roy from a relative's house in Aralia area southeast of Agartala town. Police sources said that Nilkrishna Roy who had raped a minor class-IV girl of the orphanage for days together had fled the orphanage in Kakrabon after a FIR had been filed against him.

TBJEE’s chairman Dr. S Chakraborty said that next entrance examination would be held on April 26 and April 27, 2017 next.

Giving details of the examination schedules, Dr. Chakraborty on April 26, the Physics paper would start from morning 11 AM to 1 PM and on the same

Sources said that the Naga Hoho had requested the NSF to reconsider its block-

ade on the Manipur bound vehicles. The Manipur Chief Secretary also reportedly wrote a letter to the NSF assuring the safety and security of the Nagas in Manipur.

bound vehicles in all Nagainhabited areas “till the Manipur Government assures the safety and security of the Nagas in Manipur”.

It may be recalled here that on December 19, the NSF had announced its decision to impose a “total blockade” on all Manipur-

With today’s decision of the NSF, it is expected that the passenger vehicles will start operating from Sunday, December 25 along the National Highways.

Top security officers study situation in State Imphal, Dec 25 : Chief of Army Staff General Dalbir Singh arrived in Manipur capital Imphal on Saturday to review the security situation in the wake of the blockade imposed by the United Naga Council (UNC), reports ANI. General Singh will also visit Assam to review the security situation there.

DGAR reviews situation : Lt General Shokin Chauhan, Director General of Assam Rifles who visited HQ IGAR (South), Imphal on December 23 and 24 to take stock of the prevailing situation in the State met Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and discussed the law and order situation in the State.

Assuring the Chief Minis-

ter to extend co-operation to the State in maintaining law and order, the Director General conveyed his warm greetings to the people of Manipur on the occasion of Christmas and New Year.

The Director General was also briefed on the present situation by Major General Virendra Singh, Inspector General of Assam Rifles (South).

Director General Shokin Chauhan appreciated the endeavour of IGAR (South) and conveyed his support in tackling the security challenges.

Lauding the AR personnel for ensuring peace and transquility in the State, the Director General encourged them to continue their relentless service.

Christmas celebration begins Shillong, Dec 25 : Christmas celebrations began in the city and elsewhere in the State with special evening prayers and midnight Masses in various churches on Saturday.

People exchanged greetings of peace post the church services attended by a large number of faithful. The celebrations will continue on Sunday and the week ahead in parts of

city.

The churches in and around city which were decorated for the occasion attracted both the faithful and visitors alike on Christmas eve.

Demonetisation did not dampen the spirit of celebration in Shillong as the commercial establishments and houses were illuminated with stars and special lights.

While the sermons in the churches highlighted the role of Jesus as the Messenger of peace, the faithful prayed for harmony among the citizens of the country and the world. Like previous years, Christmas was also celebrated on Saturday night at Ramakrishna Mission, Laitumkhrah by the monks recalling the teachings of Jesus, a tradition started by the disciples of Ramakrishna since 1886.

Candles gifted for Christmas

Since Nilkrishna Roy was missing , the SDPO, Udaipur Rajendra Dutta had launched a search operation and finally traced absconding Nilkrishna Roy from a relative's house in Aralia area yesterday. He was arrested and taken to Udaipur for being produced in court.

He has been booked under section 376 for rape and several other girl inmates of the orphanage also accused him of rape .

TBJEE declares exam schedules, start on April 26, 2017 Agartala, Dec 25 : Tripura Board of Joint Entrance Examination (TBJEE) declared the examination schedules for the academic year 2017-18.

Dimapur, Dec 25 : The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has ‘temporarily lifted’ its blockade on Manipur bound vehicles today.

However, the indefinite economic blockade imposed by the United Naga Council (UNC) continues.

day the Chemistry paper would start from 2 PM and continue upto 4 PM. On the next day on April 27, the Mathematic examination would be held on first part and Biology examination would be conducted on the second part of the day.

The candidates can collect their application form and prospectus from January 2, 2017 to January 31, 2017 from TBJEE office and have to submit the application forms within January 31, 2017.

The candidates can also visit TBJEE website for detail information.

Imphal, Dec 25: AMUCO gifted candles to Churches in the valley ahead of Christmas and as a symbol of peace and unity among the hills and the valley.

Candles were gifted to MBC Centre church (Chingmeirong), Mao Baptist Church (Dewlahland), Kuki Christian Church, KBC Centre Church (New Lambulane, Imphal) and Evangelical Baptist Convention church (Tribal Colony, Imphal).

AMUCO president Ph Devan, Sorokhaibam Sanjoy (general secretary), Nangmeir a k p a m c h a Moduchandra (vice president) and many other members partici-

pated in the gift distributing event.

Ph Devan said that the candles, although a modest gift, are a symbol of peace between the hill and valley brethrens and its light will drive away the cloud of suffering and gloom in the State when they are lit for Christmas prayers tonight.

Church for the people to coexist harmoniously.

The main idea behind the gifting of candles to the Churches is to bring peace, he added.

“Christmas is a big event for Christians but unfortunately, due to the tense situation prevailing in the State, many may miss celebrating Christmas at home. Manipur Baptist Convention wants nothing more than the people of the State to live together in peace and harmony”, Rev Onisima of MBC Centre church said.

Rev Ngamrei Zimik of Tangkhul Baptist Church, Imphal said that he really appreciated AMUCO for gifting candles to the Churches as a Christmas gesture and symbol of peace and added that it was the desire of the

He further appealed the organisation concerned to lift the economic blockade which is causing untold suffering to the people and for the State Government to bring a quick solution to the issue.

EDITORIAL

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, DECEMBER 26

Today's quote

“

You see things; and you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say, 'Why not'

– George Bernard Shaw

Green fiats Two announcements show that Central agencies have not learnt from past failures in dealing with pollution.

A month and a half after Delhi experienced a spell of seriously unhealthy air, two announcements offer a window into the thinking of the Central authorities on pollution. On Thursday, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) imposed a ban on burning waste in open places, across the country. "Violators shall be liable to pay environmental compensation of Rs 5,000 in case of simple burning, and Rs 25,000 in case of bulk waste burning," the NGT bench said. The same day, Union Minister of Urban Development, M. Venkaiah Naidu, said that the Centre is contemplating making a parking space certificate compulsory for car buyers. Congestion and garbage disposal are serious environmental problems. But the two proposals betray familiar faults in the ways authorities have tried to deal with such problems. All too often, cleaning up the environment becomes a matter of punitive actions directed by the courts - including the NGT - or shortsighted policies. It is not difficult to see why the air in the country remains unclean and the rivers remain dirty even after a plethora of court directives and government policies.

Take the case of the NGT ban on waste burning.

The green tribunal had passed a similar order in April 2015. But reportedly, fines imposed by municipalities, in pursuance of the NGT order, did precious little to curb the problem of open waste burning. Dealing with the problem requires concerted efforts involving municipalities, resident welfare and business associations, individual households and private garbage disposal agencies. The green court is not to be blamed for the lack of such coordination in Indian cities. But shouldn't it have learnt from the failure of its 2015 directive?

There are surer ways to deal with congestion than asking car buyers to produce a parking space certificate. A fair number of cities across the world have had reasonable success in curbing pollution when they introduced congestion taxes. The growing aspiration for automobiles is the sign of an emerging middle class. But a rapidly increasing fleet of private cars is also a sign that all is not well with a city's public transport system. There are enough examples from across the world, and scholarly literature, to prove that a combination of economic disincentives and a robust public transport system can keep the number of private cars on the road to a reasonable level, and in turn check congestion and pollution. Agencies charged with protecting the country's environment would do well to pay attention to them, and also learn from past mistakes.

The party's over The Election Commission has delisted 255 political parties and passed on their details to the taxman, so that their finances can be probed. Of course, the EC should be vigilant about money laundering, which is the obvious suspicion, but perhaps it has put the cart before the horse. It would suffice to rub out parties found to be laundering, without discomfiting extraordinary acts of the political imagination like the Womanist Party of India in Mombai's Dombivli and the Life Peaceful Party of Tumkur. These are names to be treasured as living proof of how engagingly peculiar the Indian political scene can be. Indian politics should be confident enough to conserve and celebrate such extraordinary organisations. In fact, the EC might consider opening a museum of defunct parties. Or revive them and take them for an occasional spin, like vintage cars.

Conservation would not be difficult, since a fair number of the parties which were delisted exist only on paper. Some will turn out to be peopled exclusively by the dead. Some consist of an astonishing personality exercising plenipotentiary powers in solitary splendour. The Rashtriya Hindu Sangathan, for instance, whose initials echo those of its founder and sole member, a Hindu devotee of Guru Gobind Singh. Imagine setting the taxman on the dead, the splendidly plenipotentiary, the obscure treasurer with irretrievably bad arithmetic.

It does seem like the use of excessive force. .

Do away with the launderers, by all means. But find a way to let engaging absurdities like the Great India Revolutioners of Delhi, or the standout Ministerial System Abolition Party of Kolkata, live, instead of dematerialising them with a bunch of humourless rules and regulations. Within India's vast political culture, there is room for everyone.

P6

Out of my mind: Demonetisation is the least of the events which shaped the year Meghnad Desai The international order maintained by allies US and UK for 70 years since 1945 has totally collapsed On the last Sunday of the year, it is worth reflecting on what a momentous year it has been.

Demonetisation is the least of the events which shaped the year. The first woman president of Brazil was impeached and replaced. The same fate is about to visit Park Geun-hye, the woman president of South Korea.

British Prime Minister David Cameron lost the referendum and did the honourable thing. He resigned as prime minister and as Member of Parliament. Theresa May became the second woman prime minister of the UK after a properly organised succession battle. Then, on 11/9, as the Americans would call it, Donald Trump surprised America and the world by getting elected as president.

What a topsy-turvy world that led to. He had said he might challenge the

Demonetisation is the least of the events which shaped the year.

verdict but the Democrats cried foul instead.

The losers declared the electoral system unfair after the result while until then it was Trump who called it rigged. When Trump proposed friendship with Russia, it was the foreign policy establishment which insisted that the Cold War enmity be kept alive. Trump took the courtesy call from the president of Taiwan and

again the establishment cried foul. And he was being polite to a woman which he is not supposed to be!

The Syrian war continued to take its toll. Aleppo was destroyed with primitive violence (albeit with modern weapons). The UN as usual proved totally ineffective. No nation feels any obligation to follow the UN resolutions, copious though they

are. Even so it will take many more slaughters before Bashar al-Assad (Syrian president) has had his fill. He will be unscathed and no one will try him for violation of human rights. Nor will Russia suffer as it is the key to peace in Syria as and when it comes.

The international order maintained by allies US and UK for 70 years since 1945 has totally col-

lapsed. America got bogged down in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Again. It is obvious that Pax Americana has ended. It lasted fewer years than Pax Britannica did in the Nineteenth Century. No wonder Trump wants to 'Make America Great Again'.

It is touching how in the middle of this anarchy, India goes on trying to have the Jaish-e-Mohammed

declared a terrorist outfit by the UN. What difference would it make to the JeM or its likely victims in India whether the UN agrees or not? The world is no longer ruled by law.

India has to deal with terrorism as part of its conflict with Pakistan's two armies, one regular and other jihadi. Just surgical strikes will not be enough.

The only logic in the coming decades will be of power. Not just military power but even cyber power as Russia has shown by hacking the emails of Democratic National Committee (DNC).

Forty years ago the Republicans broke open the locks of the offices of the DNC and the resulting Watergate scandal led to the impeachment of President Nixon. Now you can hack from a distance safely. One can only hope India has its cyber warriors ready. It should take the initiative.

It will be a world in which brains will matter as much as physical or material strength. India has those but it also needs friends. When will Modi call Trump?

UP tie-up a forerunner to 2019 Kalyani Shankar share of 42.63 per cent, from Mulayam Singh means accepting Akilesh be seen as a rejection of morning, but after going Will the Grand Old Congress Party forge an electoral alliance with the ruling Samajwadi Party in UP before the ensuing Assembly polls? The two parties have been working closely behind the scenes to cut a deal for their survival, as an alliance will have a significant impact. After all it is the arithmetic and not the chemistry which matters in elections. The fact that the SP is even considering an alliance is seen as its nervousness about coming back. More than the 2017 UP Assembly polls the Congress is looking to the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

In the 2012 Assembly elections the SP won 224 seats and 29.15 per cent vote share emerging as the single largest party, while the Congress won 28 seats and 11.6 per cent of the vote share compared with 15 per cent for the BJP and nearly 26 per cent for the BSP. In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, however, the BJP alone secured a vote

and won 72 out of the 80 seats in the state riding on the Modi wave. The first choice for an alliance for the Congress is the BSP but BSP supremo Mayawati had rejected the idea of a pre-poll alliance with any party. So for the sake of Muslim and Backward Classes votes, the Congress is forced to look in the direction of the SP. The negotiations are at the level of UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and the Congress Vice president Rahul Gandhi who feels that he can do business with the young Yadav. Akhilesh had stated publicly last month that a Congress-SP alliance would win 300 seats. Whether they can form a strong, workable coalition will also show their grip over their respective parties. The electoral arithmetic seems to have convinced leaders in both parties about the advantage of such an alliance, but the SP leadership is not yet ready to commit. The final word has to come

The last ride I arrived at the address and honked the horn.

After waiting a few minutes, I honked again.

Since this was going to be my last ride of my shift, I thought about just driving away, but instead I put the car in park and walked up to the door and knocked.

'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor. After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90s stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she

Yadav who has reservations about a tie up. The SP and the BSP have pushed the Congress to the margins in the past two decades.

Even within the Congress there is a dilemma about the alliance. There is a core group for UP affairs consisting of the General Secretary incharge of UP Ghulam Nabi Azad, PCC chief Raj Babbar, campaign chief Pramod Tiwari and the chief ministerial candidate Sheila Dixit. Of them Raj Babbar was in SP earlier while Pramod Tiwari is said to be close to Mulayam Singh.

The Congress is divided as one section feels they should go ahead with the alliance, as it would indeed boost the prospects of the party, another section feels that they should stick to their original game plan .

The party has already started its Uttar Pradesh campaign with veteran Sheila Dixit as its chief ministerial candidate.

Going for an alliance

said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.' 'Oh, you're such a good boy', she said.

When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?' 'It's not the shortest way',' I answered quickly. 'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry.

I'm on my way to a hospice.' I looked in the rear-view mirror.

Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left', she continued in a soft voice. 'The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

'What route would you like me to take?' I asked. For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building

as the chief ministerial face, which would mean withdrawing Sheila as the party's poll face. This section strongly feels that unless the party gets 125 seats, there should not be an alliance.

The Congress has been trying to come back since 1989 when N.D. Tiwari was the last Congress chief minister. While Rahul Gandhi's Kisan yatra was making a buzz during the initial campaign, the party's position dipped after the BJP government's surgical strikes inside Pak-occupied Kashmir. The rumour about Priyanka Gandhi campaigning all over the state for the party also has subsided.

The feedback from the public after the ill-planned demonetisation move has emboldened the Congress to look for an alliance. The Congress strategists feel that an alliance could save the party from another embarrassing defeat. The Congress leaders feel Modi would become unstoppable if the BJP wins UP while a defeat would

his perceived back to Lucknow he had adventurism. called off the alliance.

Moreover, even last year Secondly, this alliance Mulayam had backed out can reinforce the Muslim- of the Grand Alliance in Yadav combination, Bihar consisting of the which would improve the Congress, JD (U) and chances of both the Con- other smaller parties at gress and the SP. Also, the last minute. they believe that the Muslim tilt towards the Although negotiations BSP can be stopped. are taking place at the It is a million dollar level of Akhilesh and question whether they Rahul Gandhi, the former will really announce the who has recently been alliance. The Congress is asserting his command looking for an improve- over the party, is still not ment on the 29 seats it the final word in SP. Conwon in 2012. It had come gress vice-president second in 50 other con- Rahul Gandhi, now the stituencies. Mulayam de-facto head of the Singh is a tough bargainer party, is known for painand will not agree to give fully slow decision-makmore than 70 seats while ing. The complaint in the the Congress, being a Congress is that despite national party wants to inputs decisions are not contest in at least 125 taken at the right time. seats. This is the main The other opposition hitch. Also there is suspi- parties like the Trinamool cion about the SP chief. are watching closely as In 1991 Mulayam had they feel such a secular agreed to an alliance with alliance could be taken the Congress after de- forward for the 2019 Lok tailed negotiations with sabha polls to defeat then Congress President Modi. UP will be a test Rajiv Gandhi. Singh drove case for the realignment a hard bargain all night of political parties as it and finally inked the deal might give a hint about in the early hours of the the future.

where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired. Let's go now'. We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair. 'How much do I owe you?' She asked, reaching into her purse. 'Nothing', I said

'You have to make a living', she answered. 'There are other passengers', I responded. Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug.

She held onto me tightly. 'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy', she said. 'Thank you.' I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.

Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life. I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life. We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware - beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

Author: New York City taxi driver

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, DECEMBER 26

P7

Women's safety in INDIA: A crumbling illusion

Every single day single women, young girls, mothers and women from all walks of life are being assaulted, molested, and violated. The streets, public transport, public spaces in particular have become the territory of the hunters.

While the ones already hunted down weep in silence or in disdain, the rest fight their way to a basic life with dignity.

There is an unspoken war on the streets. Young school and college going girls use books to shield

themselves, other women wear full-covered attire to protect their bodies, and others avoid the mere glance of the roving gaze.

One look at the official statistics and there's cause for concern: " Officials from NGOs working with women state almost every single day, a young girl is being trafficked (sold) into flesh trade. Most of the times, her parents sell her off. " Officials from Stop Acid Attacks say there are reported cases of acid

attacks on the streets two or three times a week. " Every 20 minutes a woman is raped in India.

Is 2014 going to be any different for women in India?

We don't need to look at statistics to confront the horrid truth. News stories of women from all over India being raped, beaten, killed are flashed across us day after day - and we all are aware of it. The fatal Nirbhaya gang-rape saw an outpouring on the streets of Delhi - protests decrying the fragile status of women

in India. Candle light marches, editorials examining the patriarchal and sexist traditions of our country, an awakening on social media - even conversations on streets revolve around the night they cannot forget: the night that took Nirbhaya.

Push the Pin and reclaim your right to safety On Push the Pin site, an application that is compiling a nation-wide database of problems addressing women's issues - there's been a flurry of activity.

Some comments on the pins pushed: " "Eve-teasing while walking on the street.

People ogle nastily at you and pass dirty comments." " "Eve Teasing everytime I'm out for office or when I go home." " "Catcalls, sexually explicit comments, sexist remarks, groping, leering, stalking." " "Quite a few guys who eve-tease passing women - all over and all the time."

The data is speaking for itself. It is confirming that everyday women are dealing with harassment from

mild to extreme forms on our streets. How long will this menace go on for? What are we supposed to do about it?

With limited options in our hands, and with time fast flying us by, the onus is on us to wake up and do whatever it takes. 49% of India's registered voters are women, and the Power of 49 together needs to demand a tougher India, yet an India that is sensitive to women. Women's issues need to be pushed in every lobby until the leaders have no choice but to yield and take a hold on the crisis that looms across every street and every corner of India today.

Push the Pins now on issues that matter to you, we will make sure your voice is heard by those that matter.

This is the time we own up to ourselves. We stand by each other. Tall and proud.

Brave and unfazed. This is the time we own up to India. No more Harassment.

We want what we deserve - for us and for our daughters - a safer India for women.

(Source: Jagoree.com)

Caste and Marriage in Urban Middle-Class India Only 5 percent of Indians report they are in intercaste marriages. This often results in the casual observation that caste drives matrimonial choices. Traditionally, marriage outside caste has not found social approval, as honor killings continue to be reported across the country. However, in urban, middle-class India, young people are no longer limiting their search for marriage partners within their own caste.

For centuries, marriage has been an important mechanism through which the hierarchical caste system has reproduced itself. Individuals are born into a caste, generally marry someone within their own group, and then go on to have children who do the same.

Openness to intercaste marriage signals the weakening of caste boundaries.

Outcomes are Deceptive Social outcomes do not necessarily reflect people's actual preferences and are an unreliable indicator of social attitudes, as illustrated by the case of black and white marriages in the United States. Today, the percentage of black and white marriages remains close to 1 percent of all marriages in the United States, but the social acceptance of these marriages has increased dramatically.

In 1958, Gallop asked respondents if they approved of blacks and whites intermarrying.

Only 4 percent of those surveyed did. By 1978, this number had risen to 33 percent. By 2013, the figure had further jumped to 87 percent. As a result, low numbers of interracial marriages may not imply low interest in or social approval.

Interest in Intercaste Marriage Evidence increasingly suggests that interest in intercaste marriage is higher than the actual reported rate. The 2004 Indian National Election Study, conducted by the Center for the Study of Developing Societies, asked a sample of 27,000 respondents if intercaste marriage should be banned. 60 percent approved of such a proposition. Urban residents were less enthusiastic, with 47 percent in favor of a ban.

A study of more than 10,000 matrimonial advertisements that appeared across major national dailies between 1970 and 2010 found that the requests for within-caste

proposals fell from 30 per- ciple of exchange; to get cent for the decade of something, one has to be 1970-80 to 19 percent for able to offer something in 2000-10. return.

What Motivates Inter- A middle-class upper caste est in Intercaste Mar- woman can use her higher riage? caste status to improve To better understand the her class status by considmotivations that drive in- ering marriage to a terest in wealthier i n t e r c a s t e Amit Ahuja lower caste marriage, Dr. man.

We Susan Osterman and I found that among upper studied the preferences of caste women, lower Dalit (untouchable) and middle and middle-class upper caste women in the women were more likely urban, middle-class ar- to respond to the two out ranged marriage markets of caste interests than their in three large Indian states: wealthier counterparts.

Uttar Pradesh, Similarly, a lower caste Maharashtra, and Tamil woman from a wealthy Nadu. We focused on family could aspire to a women's behavior be- higher caste status by lecause the taboos against veraging her class status. intercaste marriage are Among Dalit women, the stronger for women than wealthier women were men. Intercaste marriage more likely than lower is more consequential for middle and middle-class

women since they adopt the caste of their husbands.

Besides many other proposals, each of these women received expressions of interest from three potential high-income, high-status matches who were similar in height, age, skin tone, and educational status. They differed only in one respect; each belonged to a different casteupper caste, backward caste, and Dalit.

What Did We Learn?

Out of the 1,070 women we studied, 62 percent were willing to look beyond their own caste to find suitable matches. 71 percent of Dalit women expressed interest in intercaste matches.

Among upper caste women, only 54 percent did the same.

Women approached the marriage market with a view to upgrade either their economic class or caste status. But like any other market, the marriage market works on the prin-

women to respond to the two out-of-caste matrimonial interests.

Although an expression of matrimonial interest does not necessarily translate into a marriage, in the context of caste, even considering an inter-caste match is transformative. After all, to consider someone as a life partner, they have to be first acknowledged as socially acceptable.

Driven by a desire for upward mobility, a significant number of people in the marriage market consider crossing caste boundaries, but the stigma associated with Dalits ensures that discrimination against them remains strong. We discovered that among upper caste women, 52.1 percent responded to an interest from a backward caste groom and only 28.7 percent responded to an interest from a Dalit groom with an almost identical profile.

What Does the Future Hold?

Urbanization undermines

caste. The relative anonymity of an individual's identity in a city makes it difficult for rules of purity and pollution to be observed and enforced in the public sphere. Fewer activities are then mediated by an individual's caste identity. And urbanization will continue to increase. By 2030, 40 percent of Indians are predicted to live in urban areas.

The urban middle class, once a preserve of the upper castes, has become more diverse with gradual entry of backward castes and Dalits.

The marriage market reflects this change. Susan and I found that in 1970 only 1.5 percent of matrimonial ads published in the national dailies belonged to backward

castes and Dalits. This number had increased to 10 percent by 2010.

In cities, the search for partners differs from the one in villages. People in the middle class shift from family and caste networks to friends and professional networks, and rely on technology. Already 250 million Indians own smartphones. Today, even as some online matrimonial websites bundle caste information with personal profiles, the new dating apps are moving away from such a practice.

These enabling factors and a fierce ambition for upward mobility will increase interest in intercaste marriage in the ranks of the urban middle class. But significant obstacles remain. Families still police marriages through the threat of humiliation, boycott, and, in extreme cases, honor killing. Beyond the family, caste-based political parties and caste association leaders stand to lose influ-

ence if caste boundaries weaken; they are opposed to intercaste marriage. But theirs is a losing battle.

Against such backlash, the Indian state must act to protect individual freedoms to marry. Thus far, the state has encouraged intercaste marriage by providing cash rewards to intercaste couples. To add to these incentives, it can also provide these couples preferential access to government programs.

By acting swiftly against the threat of honor killings and its instigators, it will deter such acts. Public campaigns in favor of intercaste marriage will also lower its barriers. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar devoted his life to reflect deeply and movingly on the caste system and its maladies.

In 1936, he had the following to say on caste divisions and marriage: "I am convinced that the real remedy is inter-marriage. Fusion of blood can alone create the feeling of being kith and kin, and unless this feeling of kinship, of being kindred, becomes paramount, the separatist feeling-the feeling of being aliens-created by caste will not vanish. Where society is already well-knit by other ties, marriage is an ordinary incident of life. But where society is cut asunder, marriage as a binding force becomes a matter of urgent necessity.

The real remedy for breaking caste is intermarriage. Nothing else will serve as the solvent of caste." Dr. Ambedkar's observation had a simple message: rules of caste and marriage were socially constructed, and what societies can build, they can also undo. In fact, genetic studies show that the practice of intercaste marriage was common in the Indian subcontinent until 1,900 years ago when it disappeared.

The demise of the caste system is not imminent.

Caste fault lines remain strong in social and political life. But caste relations are not set in stone.

They have been changing.

With time, caste boundaries have become weaker in the public sphere. Openness to intercaste marriage reflects a silent transformation in social attitudes that is no longer confined to the public sphere, but has begun to extend into the private sphere in urban, middleclass India.

4 Ultimate Fashion Tricks To Look Slim And Gorgeous In Indian Wear We all know about the love and desire that most women have for a slimmer body. And, since not everyone is blessed with a naturally slim figure, many of you make a lot of extra efforts to fulfil this desire of yours. You always eat right and hit the gym regularly so that you can look glamorous in anything you wear. But, what if even all this does not work in your favour?

Well, probably your fitness regime will show the results a little later. But, till then you can try some really smart fashion tricks, at least with your Indian outfits to look slimmer and sexier. Yes! Dressing right with the Indian clothes can actually help you to camouflage the flab and look absolutely fab. So, here are those secret tricks that can help you achieve a slimmer look.

Have fun with the salwars

Play smart with the kurtas We suggest you to stay away from the body-hugging kurtas as they tend to lay more emphasis on your voluptuous body.

Rather, you should opt for slightly loose ones. And, even when you wear loose kurtas, keep in mind that material should not be too clingy. One of the safest options among the fabrics is cotton.

If your hips and thighs are also slightly heavy, then make sure that your kurta is long enough to hide that area of your body as well. And, as you go with our suggestion of wearing a loose kurta, just don't forget that we only said 'slightly loose', and not very loose. Just how Farah Khan does it in style and carries them off with poise.

When it comes to the bottom-wear, the logic of fitting goes reverse. Here, you should opt for the slim-fit salwars rather than the loose ones.

Narrow salwarshave the magical power of making your waist look one size smaller than your actual one. Some narrow salwars give the effect of a stylish trouser, which you can even wear with a shirt instead of kurta, just like Kiran Rao, in the below image.

However, you have to be really careful about the material if you opt to wear a churidar. It should not be made of the body-hugging fabriclycra. Rather opt for the ones that are made of fabric that do no stretch. Cigarette pants are yet another trendy options for you, which are being loved by a lot of women these days. These are nothing but a loose form of trouser made of any lightweight fabric. You can wear it with long kurtas and create a cool style statement.

Be careful with the blouses

Add glamour with the sarees Two things that matter the most so as to look slimmer in the saree are- fabric and drape. You should avoid heavier as well as stiff fabrics, like organza, silk, cotton, etc., as they add more volume to your body. Instead, go for the lightweight fabrics, like chiffon, crepe, georgette, etc., to create an illusion of a slimmer body.

If you have extra flab around your waist and stomach, then do not tuck too many pleats at your navel alone. Adjust and spread them all across your waist so that added volume of the fabric does not appear at just one place.

Once you know the kind of sarees will suit your body, next thing that should be taken care of is your blouse. In order to cover your heavier bust area, opt for the printed blouses over the embroidered or embellished ones. The lightweight fabric logic applies here as well.

If your arms are flabby, then it is better to avoid sleeveless blouses and opt for at least quarter-sleeved blouse. Look for the same things in the choli if you plan to buy a lehenga.

Also, it will be even better if the choli is long enough to cover your waist as well.

3 Indian Foods To Avoid During Pregnancy Is your family elated to hear your much awaited 'good news'? Are you receiving an endless list of do's and don'ts ever since? Well, if you are clueless and anxious to know more about foods to avoid during pregnancy reading this post may be a big help in deciding which indian foods to avoid during pregnancy!

In India, we commonly categorize food according to its Taseer or effect on the body temperature.

You can broadly divide food into two broad categories of hot and cold foods. For example, you are sure to avoid guava if you are suffering from cold and cough as its Taseer is cold. While a glass of aam pana, a raw mango drink, can help you beat the heat. Similarly, a pregnant woman should consume foods that help maintain her body temperature.

So let's quickly look at indian foods to avoid in pregnancy the reason for shunning them. Here are a few unsafe foods: It is a veggie that enjoys great popularity across the globe. It contains phytohormones that may have a diuretic effect. Brinjals can be very helpful in curing premenstrual syndrome [PMS] and amenorrhea. If an individual consumes half an eggplant on a daily basis, it could naturally regulate the menstrual cycle. Hence, pregnant women should refrain from consuming eggplants.This is another indian food to avoid during pregnancy.

Raw Papaya

Papaya is a health food, but you should only eat a ripe one. As raw papaya contains a high concentration of latex, a milky liquid that can trigger uterine contractions.

The application of crude papaya latex on the vagina can induce labor and abortion.

Sesame Seeds

Eggplant

In olden days, when allopathic medicines were not available, consuming a mix of sesame seeds or til and jaggery twice a day could terminate an unwanted pregnancy. The sesame seeds can stimulate the uterine muscles, cause contractions and ultimately evict a fertilized ovum. Women especially in the first trimester of pregnancy should avoid eating sesame seeds. Pregnant women can safely munch on nuts like pistachios, walnuts, and groundnuts and other dry fruits like raisins and almonds instead.

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, DECEMBER 26

NATION P8 PM wishes Vajpayee on birthday, Shallow fog in the city, 30 trains delayed lauds his contribution

PTI New Delhi, Dec 25 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi today visited veteran BJP leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee and wished him good health and long life on his birthday.

Modi, who was accompanied by BJP President Amit Shah, also met the family members of the former Prime Minister, who completed 92 years today and is ailing for a few years now.

"Wishing our most beloved & widely respected Atal ji a happy birthday. I pray that he is blessed with good health and a long life.

"Atal ji's exemplary service & leadership has had a very positive impact on India's growth trajectory. His great per-

Prime Minister Narendra Modi sonality is endearing," the Prime Minister tweeted.

Modi also put out a video of his younger days when he met Vajpayee and tweeted, "See what Atal ji does when he meets a party 'karyakarta'. This simplicity and warmth of Atal ji we all cherish."

He also said that he

went to the veteran leader's residence to greet him. He spent some time with Vajpayee's family members and enquired about his health.

Vajpayee has been indisposed for some years now after suffering agerelated problems and has not been seen in public.

Later in his 'Mann ki

Baat' programme, he spoke about the former Prime Minister, lauding his contribution to the country when it grew in stature as a nuclear power.

"Today is also the birthday of Bharat Ratna and former Prime Minister venerable Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji. This country can never forget Atalji s contributions.

Under his leadership, the country proudly grew in stature in the field of nuclear power also.

"Whether in the role of a party leader, Member of Parliament, a minister or the Prime Minister, Atalji always established an ideal. I salute Atalji on his birthday and pray to God for his good health," he said.

Remembering his meetings with Vajpayee, Modi said he had the privilege of working with him as a party worker.

"Many memories emerge before my eyes.

This morning when I tweeted, I shared a video in which you can see for yourself how as a small party worker one had the fortune of having affection showered upon him

by Atalji," he said in his programme.

The Prime Minister also paid tributes to freedom fighter and educationist Madan Mohan Malaviya on his birth anniversary.

"I bow to Mahamana Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya on his Jayanti. He has left an indelible contribution in the history of India," he said.

Due to fog 30 trains were delayed, 6 others rescheduled.

New Delhi, Dec 25 : A shallow layer of fog engulfed the national capital on Sunday, causing delay in services of 30 trains and rescheduling of six others. Flight opera-

tions though were not affected, officials at the Indira Gandhi International Airport said.

The minimum temperature was recorded at 11.4 degrees Celsius, three

notches above the season’s average. According to a MeT department official, the relative humidity was recorded at 97% at 8:30am. The visibility was recorded at 2000 metres at 5:30 am.

Three hours later, it fell to 600 metres. “There was a rise in minimum temperature as the western disturbances approached the city. The skies are expected to remain clear during the day.

Maximum temperature will hover around 24 degrees Celsius,� the official said.

On Saturday, the maximum and minimum temperatures were recorded at 24.5 degrees Celsius and 8 degrees Celsius respectively.

Mamata to go Delhi 'Something lagging' in Woman techie for attending oppoAI staff commitment, hacked to death sition party meet in Pune says Raju

PTI New Delhi, Dec 25 : Sending out a stern message to Air India staff, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju has said "something is lagging" when it comes to commitment shown by them compared with rival airlines.

While acknowledging that Air India, which turned operationally profitable last fiscal, has "done better", the minister emphasised on the need to ensure more cohesiveness at the national carrier.

The national carrier, staying afloat on a bailout package extended by the central government, is making efforts to improve its financial position, including by way of cost optimisation measures, capacity addition and introduction of new flights.

Raju, who has been gen-

erally supportive of Air India which has often drawn flak from various quarters, is of the view that the carrier has definitely done better but there is always scope for improvement.

"The cohesiveness still has to be built in (at Air India)... you have the advantage of different types of airlines, competition is there," Raju told PTI in an interview.

"Commitment shown by some of their staff and the commitment shown

by Air India staff, there is still something lagging."

Asked whether such a situation arises out of complacency in certain quarters that there is job security at Air India, the minister said jobs are assured only as long as the institution exists.

It is a good airline and has served the country well, he noted, but "see everywhere job is as-

sured if that institution is there. If the institution goes, what happens to your job?"

Air India still has a debt burden of around Rs 44,000 crore even as it posted an operating profit of Rs 105 crore in the last financial year -- for the first time in a decade.

The operational profit came mainly on the back of lower fuel cost and higher passenger numbers.

"Everyone will wish them well, it is a good airline, it served the country well, its financial books are bad and it needs to improve on. They have to develop strategies. They are on the right track and we wish them a happy, good, meaningful year ahead," the minister said.

The national airline is surviving on a Rs 30,000crore bailout extended by the government and it runs till 2020-21.

Dense fog leaves 7 dead, 14 injured in road accidents

Dense fog leaves 7 dead, 14 injured in road accidents PTI Lucknow, Dec 25 : Dense fog occurred at many places in Uttar Pradesh today resulting in killing of seven people and injuring 14 others in separate road mishaps.

Five people were killed and seven others injured in separate incidents in Bhadohi today.

While four persons were

killed and five others injured when a truck hit their van near Lalaganj locality in Gopiganj area in Bhadohi, police said.

In a separate incident in the same district, two persons were seriously injured when their SUV rammed into a stationary truck in Amva village in Gopiganj area.

In Mau district, two eld-

erly persons were killed and seven others injured when a roadways bus hit a jeep in Haldharpur area due to fog in the district, they said.

Teju Yadav (60) and Jagdish Yadav (70) were killed on the spot in the mishap, they said.

The injured were rushed to a hospital, where their condition is stated to be serious.

According to the MeT department, night temperature rose markedly in Agra division, rose appreciably in Moradabad and Meerut divisions, rose in Allahabad divisions and changed a little in the remaining divisions of the state.

The lowest minimum temperature over the state was 7.1 degrees Celsius and the weather was dry over the state.

The MeT department has forecast dry weather over the state with a possibility of shallow to moderate fog at many places.

Image for representational purpose.

Pune, Dec 25 : A 23year-old woman software engineer working with an IT firm here was hacked to death by an unidentified assailant barely some metres away from her office on the outskirts of the city.

Antara Das, who hailed from West Bengal, was attacked with a sharpedged weapon at around 8 PM on Friday night when she was returning home from work near Tathwade area, a senior police official of Dehuroad Police Station said.

"Das was rushed to a nearby hospital. However, she was declared dead on arrival," he said.

According to the officer,

robbery angle has been ruled out as the valuables the woman was carrying were intact.

A case was registered in this regard, police said, adding a probe was underway.

According to a statement given by her company Capgemini to the police, Das left the office at 8 PM on Friday night and decided not to travel by the office cab.

The woman mentioned in the office register that she would be taking an auto to get back home, police said.

The attack took place barely some metres from her office and she was rushed to hospital by passers-by.

PTI Kolkata, Dec 25 : In a bid to put up a united opposition against the BJP government, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is slated to go to New Delhi tomorrow to attend a meeting of Opposition parties on December 27.

"Our party supremo will go to Delhi tomorrow and will attend the meeting of Opposition parties on December 27. In that meeting the next line of action will be discussed," a senior TMC leader told PTI. Besides this, Banerjee is likely to hold a separate meeting with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

She will also hold meetings with leaders of other Opposition parties.

Banerjee, who has been opposing Centre's demonetisation move and demanding its roll-

Rahul to address public gathering in Baran tomorrow

Rains lash some parts of Punjab, Haryana PTI Chandigarh, Dec 25 : Rains today lashed some parts of Punjab and Haryana even as the minimum temperature rose by several notches above normal in both states.

UT Chandigarh, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana, recorded rainfall of 8.9 mm with minimum at 12.9 degrees Celsius, seven notches above normal, MeT department official said today.

Rain was also recorded in Sirhind (15 mm), Anandpur Sahib (4mm), Hoshirapur (5 mm) in Punjab and Ambala (0.6 mm), Panchkula (7 mm)in

Haryana.

Ambala had a low of 14.2 degrees Celsius, eight degrees above normal while in Hisar, the minimum was 10.2 degrees Celsius, three notches above normal.

Karnal and Narnaul braved cold weather at 11 degrees Celsius and 6.5 degrees Celsius respectively, upto three degrees above normal.

In Punjab, Amritsar's minimum was 9 degrees Celsius, five notches above normal while Ludhiana and Patiala recorded their minimums at 10.2 degrees Celsius and 13.4 degrees Celsius respectively, up to seven notches above normal.

Rains lash some parts of Punjab, Haryana.

back since the beginning, had participated in a protest dharna in Delhi besides holding protest meetings in Lucknow and Patna last month.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi.

PTI Jaipur, Dec 25 : Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi will address a public gathering

in Baran district of Rajasthan tomorrow.

His visit is said to be a part of Congress' nationwide campaign against

the BJP government's decisions including demonetisation.

"Rahul has been raising people's voice against the problems they are facing due to failure of BJP government at both the Centre and states," Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee president Sachin Pilot said in a statement.

Elaborating about problems that farmers and common people were facing due to demonetisation, rampant corruption and increasing crime rate especially against women, Pilot said that Rahul will raise all these issues in the rally in Baran district.

This will be his second visit to the state this year.

Kanpur mishap, revenue shortfall derail Suresh Prabhu's train NEW DELHI, Dec 25: Railways had a difficult year grappling with mounting revenue shortfall and facing challenge in expenditure and the Kanpur mishap, one of the worst in decades that snuffed out over 150 lives, exposed glaring safety lapses.

The year 2016 will also be remembered for government taking a historic decision of doing away with separate Rail Budget, Railways undertaking much-awaited changes in restructuring of its administration aiming at introducing accountability in functioning ..

On the sunny side, the year saw introduction of new class of services like Mahamanya

Express, Gatimaan Express and Humsafar Express redefining passengers travel experience in trains.

Owing to less loadings demand and poor growth in passenger bookings in 2016, there was a shortfall of about Rs 14,000 crore in total revenue earnings besides the cross-subsidy in passenger segment touching at Rs 33,000 crore and the Pay Commission commitments staring at Rs 32,000 crore.

Acknowledging the difficult market condition that the national transporter witnessed during the year, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said, "2016 was a difficult year. It was a difficult year in terms of

freight. Coal, steel, cement, iron ore all the major commodities that Railways handle witnessed less demand."

He further said, "There are perpetual issues, like salary burden of Railways is very high. The costs are pre-determined so we can't do nothing about it. The revenues are dependent on five commodities.

So expenditure is a challenge for Railways. We will start addressing these challenges in 2017 more."

However, Prabhu said despite challenges, "Railways was ready to handle 1.2 billion of cargo loadings. First time Railways has created such capacity ahead of demand."

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, DECEMBER 26

BUSINESS P9 Sebi may re-look at scheme of arrangement rules Public auditors' body for more

Mumbai, Dec 25 : Market regulator Sebi is looking into regulations concerning clearance for scheme of arrangements such as merger and acquisitions by listed firms to check any possible 'bypassing' of norms due to the companies directly seeking approval of courts for such deals.

As per the listing agreement norms, a listed company needs to file any scheme of arrangement with the stock exchanges for observations at least one month before filing it with any court or tribunal for approval.

Further, the stock exchanges have to forward their objection/no-objection letter on the scheme with Sebi which can also review the scheme and issue necessary observations.

At a recent industry event, Sebi Chairman U K Sinha said, "There has been an observation from one of the high courts that what is the locus with Sebi in

U K Sinha. asking companies to first come to Sebi and then move the high courts...It is not provided in any Sebi regulations that listed companies should come to Sebi first before moving the courts...So is there a violation?"

"Sebi should provide that companies have to come to Sebi otherwise if they don't come to Sebi and go directly to the high court or the National Company Law Tribunal what is the violation for that. So, we are

going to amend our regulations and make specific provision for that," Sinha added.

According to Nishith Desai Associates' Co-Head (M&A) Simone Reis, prior to 2013, listed companies were required to file a draft with the stock exchanges on scheme of arrangements and could move courts after receiving an NOC. "In 2013, Sebi stepped in and said it would also review and issue observa-

Balrampur Chini gets green nod for Rs 72-cr expansion project

Balrampur Chini gets green nod for Rs 72-cr expansion project.

PTI New Delhi, Dec 25 : Balrampur Chini Mills, the country's secondlargest sugar firm, has got environment clearance for expansion of its Babhnan unit of distillery and co-generation power in Uttar Pradesh, entailing Rs 72-crore investment.

The company has proposed to increase the production capacity of its molasses-based distillery plant from 60 kilo litres per day to 100 kilo litres

per day (KLD) along with co-generation power from 1 MW to 6.76 MW in Gonda district.

"We have given the environment clearance (EC) to Balarampur Chini Mills for expansion of its Badhnan unit in UP," a senior Environment Ministry official said.

The clearance was given last week and it is subject to some riders. The investment for the proposed expansion is estimated to be Rs 72 crore. The company has said it will do the ex-

pansion within the existing premises, the official said.

The company has informed the government that molasses will be the basic raw material that will used for manufacturing ethanol.

It would require 450 tonnes per day and will be procured from adjacent sugar unit and other units of Balrampur Chini.

The company is expanding the distillery capacity as the demand for ethanol has been continually increasing on account of the growth of user industries and use of ethanol as a fuel in the country.

It may be noted that the government has made five per cent blending of ethanol mandatory with petrol in order to cut import of crude oil and check pollution.

Balrampur Chini has 11 sugar factories in Uttar Pradesh, having an aggregate crushing capacity of 79,000 tonnes per day. It has three distilleries.

7 among top 10 cos lose Rs 44,928cr in m-cap; SBI worst-hit New Delhi, Dec 25 : Seven of the 10 most valued companies took a combined hit of Rs 44,928 crore in their market valuation last week, with SBI reporting maximum losses, even as the benchmark Sensex lost 1.69 per cent.

SBI, ONGC, HDFC, HUL, Infosys, CIL and ITC witnessed a decline in their market capitalisation totalling Rs 44,927.73 crore, while TCS, HDFC Bank and RIL raked up gains, during the week ended December 23, aggregating Rs 3,257.36 crore.

The market capitalisation of SBI was hit the most as it fell by Rs 12,032.91 crore to Rs 1,93,487.22 crore, while the market valuation of ONGC plummeted by Rs 11,288.79 crore to Rs 2,47,557.66 crore.

Market valuation of HDFC tanked by Rs 7,155.85 crore to Rs 1,94,181.92 crore, while HUL valuation plunged Rs 5,704.93 crore to Rs 1,71,183.31 crore, and Infosys by Rs 3,421.97 crore to Rs 2,27,236.74 crore.

CIL saw an erosion of Rs 3,202.04 crore in its m-cap, following which it stood at Rs 1,78,835.46 crore, while

tions on the schemes.

However, the companies would approach the courts before receiving observations from Sebi...So, things were running on parallel lines," Reis told PTI. She further said, "The regulator could bring in a provision wherein it stipulates a violation for approaching the courts/tribunals without awaiting Sebi approval."

Finsec Law Advisor' Founder and Sebi's former Executive Director Sandeep Parekh said that the listed companies are "bypassing" certain regulatory requirements and approaching courts directly with respect to the schemes of arrangement.

Noting that consequences of such action by a listed company is not clear, Parekh said, "Sebi could amend the listing norms to specifying violations to such acts."

A scheme of arrangement is a court-approved agreement between a company and its shareholders or

creditors.

The role of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) and the stock exchanges in reviewing the scheme can help ensure that it is not in violation of the securities norms and also safeguard the interest of shareholders.

Going by the norms issued

by Sebi in 2013, upon receipt of objection/no-objection letter from the exchanges, Sebi has to provide its comments on the draft scheme to the bourses.

While processing the draft scheme, Sebi may seek clarifications from any entity relevant in this regard including the listed company or the stock exchanges and may also seek an opinion from an independent chartered accountant.

Sebi has been taking an average of 13 days to issue observations on scheme of arrangements as against prescribed time limit of 30 days, Sinha had said at the event.

10 director level posts vacant in RBI

power to PAC, audit of FIs

Image for representational purpose.

New Delhi, Dec 25 : The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) should be given enough powers to take up cases for investigation on its own, the Institute of Public Auditors of India (IPAI) has demanded.

Besides, banks, other financial institutions and projects under the PPP should be brought within the scope of CAG's audit, IPAI -- a non-profit organisation comprising specialists in public finance with focus on public accounting and auditing -- has demanded.

"IPAI strongly demands that PAC should be given enough powers to take up issues for investigation on its own and also advocate to bring banks, other financial institutions and projects under the PPP within the scope of CAG's audit," IPAI said.

It also recommended that apart from providing a time limit within which government departments should submit the Action Taken Reports, a report should also be placed in Parliament about recommendations

of the PAC, which have not been accepted by the government along with reasons thereof.

"Currently, banks, FIs and PPP projects are not under purview of CAG and in view of various anomalies witnessed recently in these important segments of economy, CAG should be empowered to audit these sectors records to ensure transparency and accountability," it added.

IPAI, in a statement, has emphasised for a new Audit Act besides prescribing a procedure for selection of the CAG. "Among other things, stipulate a time period within which Comptroller and Auditor General's (CAG) audit reports should be presented to Parliament/State Legislatures after being submitted to the President/Governor as provided in Article 151 of the Constitution of India."

Set up as a Society in 1996, IPAI has over 2,100 members all over India and The Comptroller and Auditor General of India is the patron of the society.

FPIs pull out USD 3.5 bn from capital mkts in Dec

10 director level posts vacant in RBI. PTI New Delhi, Dec 25 : RBI's all powerful central board is short of ten non-official directors and one Deputy Governor at a time when the apex bank is engaged in massive demonetisation and remonetisation exercises.

The last board-level appointment done by the government was when it elevated N S Vishwanathan to the post of Deputy Governor in June.

Prior to that, in March, the government had nominated three non-official directors -Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Bharat Narotam Doshi and Sudhir Mankad -- on the central board of the bank.

Still, there are 10 positions of non-official directors lying vacant on the RBI's central board.

For the post of Deputy Governor, the government received about 90 applications till October 21, the last date for sending applications.

The post fell vacant after elevation of Urjit Patel as the Governor of RBI in early September.

Currently, RBI has three deputy governors R Gandhi, S S Mundra and N S Vishwanathan.

Besides, RBI Governor and four Deputy Governors, there are 10 non-official directors from various fields and two government official from the Finance Ministry on the Board who are nominated by the government.

There are four directors to represent local boards headquartered at Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and New Delhi, as per the RBI Act. Meetings of the central board is generally convened by the Governor at least six times a year and at least once in each quarter.

On November 8, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took everyone by surprise with his announcement of demonetising high-value currency notes of Rs 500 and 1000 and giving people 50-day window to exchange/deposit defunct notes into their accounts.

RBI has been pushing new notes of Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 into the system, as part of remonetisation as well as monitoring the entire exercise.

Even as the apex bank is indulged in the massive exercise, its central board had a meeting in Kolkata earlier this month.

PTI New Delhi, Dec 25 : Foreign investors have pulled out a massive USD 3.5 billion from the capital market this month so far following rate hike by the US Federal Reserve.

Most of the outflows by the Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) have been witnessed in the debt markets during the period under review.

The latest FPI outflows took place following a withdrawal of over Rs 49,700 crore on net basis from the capital market (equity and debt) in last two months (October-November).

Prior to that, FPIs had poured in Rs 46,000 crore in the capital market in preceding three months (July-September).

"The US Federal Reserve's rate hike was certainly one of the reason for the outflow as the week leading to the announcement saw the maximum outflows as investors exited, expecting lower spread with a US rate hike.

"But independent of that, it appears that the sharp rally in November in In-

FPIs pull out USD 3.5 bn from capital mkts in Dec.

dian gilts could have also led to profit booking by FPIs in the debt segment," Fundsindia.com Head of Mutual Fund Research Vidya Bala said.

Net withdrawal by foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) from equities stood at Rs 3,744 crore during December 1-23, while the same from the debt market was Rs 19,027 crore, translating into a total outflow of Rs 22,771 crore (USD 3.35 billion), depositories' data showed.

The pullout by FPIs started in October 2016 following uncertainty over the US election results and similar trend

was observed in other emerging markets.

This year, so far, FPIs have invested a net sum of Rs 24,998 crore in stocks, while they pulled out Rs 43,737 crore from the debt market, resulting in a combined net outflow of Rs 18,739 crore.

"As of December 23, equities still remain positive on inflows for the 2016 calendar. It was the debt market that was witness to massive FPI outflows in December.

"The net outflows in the month of November and December alone accounted for 92 per cent of the net outflows in debt market, thus far this calendar," she added.

WTO trade facilitation pact: 4 groups begin work on specifics

Shutterstock.

ITC dipped by Rs 2,121.24 crore to stand at Rs 2,72,443.77 crore.

"Since the market started on a weak note as the investor was mostly cautious before the BOJ policy rate decision, no strength was visible at any point of the week," Rohit Gadia, Founder & CEO, CapitalVia Global Research Ltd said.

Defying the broader market trend, TCS added Rs 1,671.39 crore to its market capitalisation to soar to Rs 4,51,267.41 crore, while HDFC Bank saw its market worth ris-

ing by Rs 1,391.08 crore to Rs 3,02,900.38 crore.

The m-cap of RIL improved

by Rs 194.89 crore to Rs 3,43,220.75 crore.

In terms of ranking of the top 10 firms, TCS retained its numero uno status followed

by HDFC Bank, RIL, ITC, CIL, Infosys, HUL, HDFC, ONGC and SBI. For the week, the Sensex lost 448.86 points, or 1.69 per cent, while the broader NSE Nifty dropped 153.70 points, or 1.88 per cent. This is their biggest drop in five weeks since November 18.

PTI New Delhi, Dec 25 : The Commerce and Finance Ministries have formed four groups to work on specific issues like identifying areas where legislative changes are needed, for a smooth implementation of WTO trade facilitation agreement.

The agreement contains provisions for expediting the movement, release and clearance of goods, including those in transit.

The working groups will submit their report soon to the steering committee, which is under Cabinet Secretary-headed National Committee on Trade Facilitation (NCTF), an official said.

The objective of the NCTF, which is a national

Image for representational purpose. level body, is to facilitate domestic co-ordination and implementation of the TFA provisions. It plays a major role in developing a pan-

India roadmap for trade facilitation.

Elaborating on the groups, the official said one of them is headed by the Di-

rector Gedneral of Foreign Trade and and its work is to coordinate on all matters pertaining to infrastructure such as roads and railways.

Another group, chaired by senior customs officials, is identifying the areas where legislative changes are required and is working on it.

A joint secretary from the commerce ministry, commissioner Directorate General of Tax Payer Services and Central Board of Excise and Customs are heading the third group which is working on outreach and publicity for the stakeholders dealing with the implementation of the agreement.

The fourth group is working on a Time Release

Study, which is a method to measure customs performance in trade facilitation. It is headed by two joint secretary-level officers from customs and ports.

In all these groups, members from industry chambers like FICCI and FIEO are also participating.

The steering committee is a core group of NCTF having 15 members from various ministries and trade bodies.

The first meeting of NCTF with the Cabinet Secretary as the Chair was convened in October. It will meet again after six months, where reports of these groups will be discussed.

Trade facilitation Agreement (TFA) was signed by WTO member countries in 2013.

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, DECEMBER 26

Obamas send their final Christmas message from White House

Obamas send out their final christmas message from the White House. screengrab Honolulu, Dec 25 : President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama sent their final Christmas salutations from the White House on Saturday, highlighting common values uniting Americans of all faiths.

“The idea that we are our brother’s keeper and our sister’s keeper. That we should treat others as we would want to be treated,” Michelle Obama said.

“Those are values that help guide not just my family’s Christian faith, but that of Jewish Americans, and Muslim Americans; nonbelievers and Americans of all backgrounds,” the president added.

The Obamas’ seasonal greeting comes at a time when America is deeply divided after a brutal presidential campaign that pitched populist Donald Trump and his frequently incendiary

rhetoric against Hillary Clinton.

The Obamas appeared jovial in their greeting, showing a flashback to the filming of their first Christmas message in 2009, when the president couldn’t stop giggling.

Barack Obama also used the address to recap his time in office, saying the country was much stronger than it had been than when he succeeded George W Bush.

“Together, we fought our way back from the worst recession in 80 years, and got unemployment to a nine-year low,” he said.

“We made America more respected around the world, took on the mantle of leadership in the fight to protect this planet for our kids, and much, much more.”

As is custom, the couple also thanked US troops and their families.

Death toll rises to 36 in Mexico fireworks blasts

Death toll rises to 36 in Mexico fireworks blasts.

AFP Mexico City, Dec 25 : The death toll from an explosion at Mexico's largest fireworks market has risen to 36 after a woman with burns on 90 per cent of her body died, hospital officials said.

The fiery wave of blasts occurred earlier this week at a market in Tultepec outside Mexico City, killing at least 26 at the scene and now a total of 10 at hospitals.

Of the 60 hurt in the explosions several remain in critical condition, accord-

ing to authorities.

At the time of the blast the market was packed with customers buying pyrotechnics for traditional year-end festivities.

Christmas and New Year parties in many Latin American countries often wrap up with a fireworks free-for-all.

The market had been rocked by two explosions in the past: in September 2005 ahead of the Independence Day holiday, and again the following year.

Both incidents left dozens of injured, but no fatalities.

Afghan official: 2 civilians killed in bomb blast AP Kabul, Dec 25 : An Afghan official says that at least two Afghan civilians were killed by a roadside bomb in eastern Laghman province.

Sarhadi Zwak, spokesman for the Laghman provincial governor, said the attack took place early this morning near a

shrine in Mihterlam, the provincial capital.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, but Taliban insurgents routinely use roadside bombs to target Afghan security forces and government officials with civilians frequently caught in the crossfire.

P10

INTERNATIONAL

Trump says he will dissolve foundation amid NY investigation AP West Palm Beach, Dec 25 : President-elect Donald Trump today said he will dissolve his charitable foundation amid efforts to eliminate any conflicts of interest before he takes office next month.

The revelation comes as the New York attorney general's office investigates the foundation following media reports that foundation spending went to benefit Trump's campaign.

Trump said in a statement that he has directed his counsel to take the necessary steps to implement the dissolution of the Donald J Trump Foundation, saying that it operated "at essentially no cost for decades, with 100 per cent of the money going to charity."

"The foundation has done enormous good works

over the years in contributing millions of dollars to countless worthy groups, including supporting veterans, law enforcement officers and children," he said in a statement.

"I will be devoting so much time and energy to the presidency and solving the many problems facing our country and the world. I don't want to allow good work to be associated with a possible conflict of interest," he said.

Trump said he will pursue philanthropic efforts in other ways, but didn't elaborated on how he'd do so.

The Democratic National Committee criticized Trump for what it called "a wilted fig leaf to cover up his remaining conflicts of interest and his pitiful record of charitable giving." The statement from

President-elect Donald Trump. party spokesman Eric Walker also took a jab at the president-elect over his controversial business holdings: "Shuttering a charity is no substitute for divesting from his forprofit business and putting the assets in a blind trust - the only way to guarantee separation be-

7 killed in twin fireworksrelated explosions in China

7 killed in twin fireworks-related explosions in China.

PTI Beijing, Dec 25 : Seven persons were killed and six listed missing in two fireworks-related explosions in China in which 16 others also suffered injuries.

Five persons were killed in east China's Shandong Province when an explosion took place at a house at Jiulongmiao village, Dezhou city at around 3 pm yesterday.

Police have held the house owner under custody and investigation is

under way, state-run Xinhua news agency reported late last night.

In another incident yesterday, two persons were killed and six others went missing after an explosion destroyed a fireworks workshop in north China's Hebei Province.

The explosion at 1 pm levelled down the workshop and damaged about a dozen homes nearby in Yanzihe village in Fengrun District of Tangshan City, the district's public security

bureau said.

Sixteen others were injured, with one suffering severe eye injuries and the rest suffering bruises.

A police investigation found that the workshop owner, a villager surnamed Gao, was allegedly involved in illegal storage and production of fireworks.

Police have retrieved some human tissues at the site and were conducting DNA testing, Xinhua reported.

tween the Trump administration and the Trump business."

A 2015 tax return posted on the nonprofit monitoring website GuideStar shows the Donald J Trump Foundation acknowledged that it used money or assets in violation of IRS regulations, not only during

2015, but in prior years.

Those regulations prohibit self-dealing by the charity.

That's broadly defined as using its money or assets to benefit Trump, his family, his companies or substantial contributors to the foundation.

The tax filing doesn't provide details on the violations.

Whether Trump benefited from the foundation's spending has been the subject of an investigation by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

In September, Schneiderman disclosed that his office has been investigating Trump's charity to determine whether it has abided by state laws governing nonprofits.

Documents obtained by The Associated Press in September showed Schneiderman's scrutiny

of The Donald J Trump Foundation dated back to at least June, when his office formally questioned the donation made by the charity to a group supporting Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Bondi personally solicited the money during a 2013 phone call that came after her office received complaints from former students claiming they were scammed by Trump University, Trump's get-rich-quick real estate seminars.

The Trump Foundation check arrived just days after Bondi's office told a newspaper it was reviewing a lawsuit against Trump University filed by Schneiderman.

Bondi's office never sued Trump, though she denies his donation played any role in that decision.

Indian-American rejects charges of visa fraud in US PTI Washington, Dec 25 : An Indian-origin man, who has been charged in the US with fraud and aggravated identity theft for obtaining two H-1B visas by false immigration documents, has rejected the allegations.

"No Grand Jury has indicted me. I have categorically rejected all the charges and I have requested a Grand Jury. No evidence has been shared with me and there has been no trial yet (we did not even had a pretrial yet).

"It is, therefore, very unfortunate that the US Attorney s office has chosen to release this information without the trial and due diligence," 49year-old Abhijit Prasad said in a statement.

According to a release issued by US Attorney's Office Eastern District of California, the federal grand jury returned a 33count indictment on December 23 against Prasad of Tracy, California, charging him with 31 counts of visa fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft.

According to the indictment, Prasad filed 31 petitions for H-1B nonimmigrant visas containing false statements, made

under penalty of perjury, as to purported work projects to be performed at various locations in California.

The indictment further alleges that Prasad obtained two H-1B visas procured by fraud and false statements, and used the means of identification of a real person to effectuate his visa fraud scheme, the release by Attorney Phillip A Talbert's office said.

On December 23, the defendant was arraigned on the indictment and released with conditions, including the surrender of his passport and a bond until a further detention hearing. The defendant s next appearance is on December 28, 2016, before a US Magistrate Judge, the release said.

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum statutory penalty of ten years on each visa fraud count, and a USD 250,000 fine. He faces a two-year mandatory, consecutive sentence on the aggravated identity theft counts, as well as a USD 250,000 fine.

"Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

"The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt," the release by US Attorney's office said.

After Hiroshima, Abe and Obama to pay respects at Pearl Harbor AFP Honolulu, Dec 25 : Seven months after President Barack Obama visited Hiroshima, the city where World War II all but ended, his Japanese counterpart is paying his respects at the site where the brutal conflict began.

Prime Minster Shinzo Abe is travelling to Pearl Harbor, where he and Obama hope to underscore the alliance between their two nations - 75 years after the Japanese surprise attack that brought America into history's bloodiest war.

The two leaders are meeting Tuesday in Hawaiian state capital Honolulu, on the archipelago's Oahu island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

The visit has particular resonance for Obama, who was born in Hawaii

After Hiroshima, Abe and Obama to pay respects at Pearl Harbor. and spent much of his childhood and adolescence here.

Abe and Obama will visit the wreck of the USS Arizona, where 1,177 sailors and Marines died. The ship's rusting remains, still visible, are now a memorial.

On December 7, 1941, "a date which will live in in-

famy," as then president Franklin D. Roosevelt said, Japan's General Isoroku Yamamoto unleashed a devastating attack on Pearl Harbor's "Battleship Row." The assault caught the Americans off guard, and the Japanese sunk or heavily damaged eight US battleships.

The two-hour offensive killed 2,403 Americans in all and injured more than 1,100 others.

An explosion in the Arizona's ammunition stocks sealed that ship's fate.

Just as when Obama visited Hiroshima, the purpose of Abe's tour is not to question decisions

made three-quarters of a century ago, or to offer an apology, rather to pay homage to the victims and encourage historical reflection.

"It puts a bookend in some ways to this open US-Japan conversation about the past and the war," said Japan expert Sheila Smith from the Council on Foreign Relations.

"It puts us on a very different pedestal on the reconciliation side of things which I think is important for the region to see."

In Hiroshima in May, during a speech given to a completely silent crowd, Obama launched an impassioned plea for a world without nuclear arms and he wrote a message in the visitor book at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.

"We have known the agony of war. Let us now

find the courage, together, to spread peace, and pursue a world without nuclear weapons," he wrote.

More than 16 million Americans served in uniform from 1941 to 1945 more than 400,000 were killed.

Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima marked the beginning and end of the conflict between Japan and America, but it is impossible to compare the two. One was an attack on the heart of US naval power in the Pacific, the other an atomic bomb over a city.

But each event has cemented itself in the hearts and collective memories of the people, and both places remain hallowed sites of pilgrimage to this date.

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DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, DECEMBER 26

P11

Babita Kumari with Yuvraj Singh (L) and Angad Bedi (R).

Mumbai, Dec 25 : Even after two day’s of it’s release, Dangal is going strong at the box office. Before it got released on Friday, a special premier was held in Mumbai for Bollywood and other celebrities that included crickets and businessmen as well.

Not to forget the Phogat family, on whom the movie is inspired. Dangal is a biopic on Mahavir Phogat, father of four girls – Geeta, Babita, Ritu and Sangeeta. The movie is based on Mahavir and his two eldest daughters.

And when the three, with

other members of the family reached the premier of Dangal in Mumbai, everyone wanted to meet them.

Cricketer Yuvraj Singh didn’t miss the chance to meet the Babita. He posted a photo on his Facebook account with Babita, the second of the four Phogat sisters.

While he did not meet Geeta, he wrote he was looking forward to meeting her as well. He praised the movie and Mahavir’s story saying “what an amazing story.

Go watch Dangal.”

“Met the true Indian hero

Babita Phogat look forward to meet her sister Geeta Phogat! What an amazing story of Mahavir Phogat and his daughters. Go watch Dangal,” he wrote with the photo.Yuvraj is himself a cancer survivor that even kept him out of cricket in 2012-13. He was diagnosed with the disease in 2011, just after the World Cup, which India won.

Yuvraj Singh was the hero for India in that tournament with both bat and ball and even won the man-of-the-tournament award.

Virat Kohli in Uttarakhand with Anushka Sharma; Chief Minister Harish Rawat cashes in to promote tourism

Anushka Sharma with Virat Kohli (background) at the Jolly Grant airport. (Source: APH Images)

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Uttarakhand, Dec 25 : After a gruelling phase of Test cricket which saw India emerge as the top Test team this year, the leader of the Indian side Virat Kohli and other members are on a much deserved break.

The captain was on Saturday spotted with Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma at the Jolly Grant airport in Dehradun. Both are in Uttarakhand to reportedly spent Christmas in Narendernagar (Tehri).

Kohli is also the brand ambassador of Uttarakhand and this is his first visit to the state after the announcement which was made by the state tourist de-

partment in April this year. And this prompted Uttarakhand CM Harish Rawat tweet about their arrival in Uttarakhand.

The CM welcomed them through a tweet and even used this as a chance to promote tourism in the state.

“Welcome to #Uttarakhand @AnushkaSharma @imVkohli Hope you have memorable moments throughout your visit #VisitUttarakhand #UttarakhandTourism (sic),” he tweeted.

Kohli, apart from leading India to four consecutive series win in Tests, has had a phenomenal year as a batsman. Not only in Test

cricket, but the Delhi lad has been in prolific form in other two formats of the game as well. Even in the 2016 Indian Premier League, Kohli emerged as the highest run-getter with 973 runs.

His international run tally stands a 2595 runs in just 41 innings. He has also scored three duble centuries this year, the only Indian cricketer to do so and the first Indian captain as well.

In 2016, he has 739 runs in only 10 ODIs and in T20Is, he has amassed 641 runs. In another achievement, his average in all three formats of the game went over 50.

Ranji Trophy 2016-17

Jharkhand take control against Haryana Baroda, Dec 25 : Jharkhand’s Ishank Jaggi lost his cool when his young teammate Virat Singh tried a slog. It wasn’t a risk worth taking as they had just lost their captain Saurabh Tiwary a few minutes ago and were already reduced to a 10-man team after Ashish Kumar suffered a hip fracture.

Jaggi screamed in anger.

For a boy who has scored 4,191 First-Class runs at an average of 44.58, Jaggi knows what it feels to return home emptyhanded from the knockout stages. They exited last year in the quarterfinals and this year, the feeling in the dressing room is that this is their best chance yet.

It has been a long journey for Jharkhand. Even the trip to Vadodara was a day-long affair. It took 2,381 kilometres of arduous travelling to reach their destination. A bus drive from Thiruvananthapuram to Kochi, a flight to Mumbai, another air-dash to Ahmedabad and finally, yet another bus ride to get to Vadodara.

It’s seems worth all that trouble as Jharkand ended the second day on

Virat Singh and Ishank Jaggi slammed unbeaten fifties as Jharkhand reached 228-3. (Source: File) a high. They are just 30 runs short of Haryana’s first innings score but the battle isn’t over, of course. Jaggi and Virat did what the situation demanded of them. Especially after their top three – Anand Singh, Sumit Kumar and Tiwary – were back with just 82 on the board. The ball was turning and with

legspinners Amit Mishra and Yuzvendra Chahal bowling, they decided not to get on to the front foot to prevent getting edges off defensive prods.

Mishra and Chahal tried hard but Jaggi and Virat didn’t give them any chances. It was a partnership that would have tested the patience of T20 fans but the labour

was worth it for Jharkhand. Virat remained unbeaten on 81 off 240 balls while Jaggi took 149 balls for his 77.

They have added 146 runs for the fourth wicket in 53.5 overs.

Jaggi knows that killing time at the crease will be the key. “Job is half done, we need more runs because batting fourth is

always tough. Key will be to score more runs on the third day so that we need to chase less. The first session will be key.

This is the best chance and we are hoping not to throw it away,” Jaggi says.

Jharkhand did not have a good start as Chahal prised out Anand early and Mishra induced Sumit to edge to wicketkeeper Nitin Saini. Tiwary looked in good nick but was caught at first slip by Rajat Paliwal off Harshal Patel.

Jharkhand were revived by the batting pair of Jaggi and Virat, but they couldn’t have found themselves in this strong position without the efforts of Shahbaz Nadeem. The left-arm spinner had grabbed a five-for on Day One and added two more to his tally on the second day to bowl out Haryana for 258. An early batting wobble caused a flutter but the recovery has helped Jharkhand dream of bigger things.

Brief scores: Haryana 258 (Nadeem 7/79) vs Jharkhand 228/ 3 (Virat Singh 81 batting, Ishank Jaggi 77 batting)

It's like a father-son rela- PBL’s 11 point systionship with MS Dhoni: tem will bring more spectators, says Mohammed Shami Mumbai, Dec 25 : Surgical strikes have been the flavour of the season and Mohammed Shami, with his pace, accuracy and the ability to move the ball consistently, was decisive for India against England before a knee injury cut short his series.

The 26-year-old from Amroha, UP, is currently recuperating in Bengaluru, from where he spoke to TOI. I've reached a stage when even if there's the slightest of discomfort, it's easy to identify it. A slight swelling, the least bit of pain and you know that you need to get it checked. Playing at that level helps you immensely because the longer you play, the easier it becomes for you to connect with your body. After the Rajkot match, I could see a bit of swelling on the knee and I immediately brought it to the coach's notice and spoke to the captain. The better thing to do in such scenarios is to avoid any kind of risk.

Bearing pain is the easier part. What I can't bear easily is the whole idea of having to stay away from action, away from my family, away from my team-mates, staying alone in hotels, recovering from an injury and waiting to get back.

Whether it was under MS earlier, or now under Virat, the best thing to have happened to this bunch is that we all stand by each other. It's all within the family. That's where life becomes so beautiful, these small things fall in place.

I remember the first time I walked into this team.

It's a ritual that whoever makes it to the Indian team for the first time has to make a speech. I was a little nervous. Most cricketers have a very active social life and mine was completely different, coming from where I do.

Prakash Padukone

MS Dhoni and Mohammed Shami.

I remember walking up and saying something to the effect that 'I can't speak in English so it'll have to be in Hindi'. And the guys were like "toh isme kya baat hai". That whole feeling of being accepted so immediately was amazing. As far as MS (Dhoni) is concerned, it's like a fatherson relationship. What more can I say.

Just do your job and go home. That's what you're supposed to do.

That's what I also believe in. I like to focus on work at hand. I like to stay a bit relaxed. Of course, when you plan a wicket and it works, then the joy is evident. Like it happened when I got Alastair Cook's wicket in the second Test (when the stump broke).

Cook doesn't like to play away from the body but if you make him play it, I realized, he likes to go for his shots. In Vizag, that was at the top of my mind. I kept moving the ball away from him and it became a game of patience. He hadn't settled yet. He expected that ball to move away and it came in a little sharply, the ball that broke the stump. You asked me whether I like to celebrate, right? That was one of those moments.

Root was another example. Same match, but

in the second innings. He was playing within the crease and I realized I needed to bowl a little fuller. It helped that there was a bit of swing and I made the shiny side dip in. At first the umpire didn't give him out but we were confident and we reviewed it. He was gone.

I don't believe so much in the numbers as much as I like to focus on the job given to me. Concentrate on those two to three wickets that you've planned for and work on them. In the process, if it's a five-for, then all the better. As long as I continue to play cricket, I'll be like this.

Like for instance, there are conversations that happen with Anil bhai before a match or a series and he likes to ask his bowlers what they're looking at. In such scenarios, what I like to focus on is my core responsibility. I'll be given the new ball, so how do I make the most of it. Are conditions going to help swing, how soon can I make the ball reverse, how can I give the breakthrough with the new ball.

As match progresses, you move on. The ball gets older and your mindset undergoes an instant change.

Numbers are for statisticians.

Bengaluru, Dec 25 : Prakash Padukone, the first Indian to win the All England Championship title, said the new scoring system for the Premier Badminton League will be an exciting experiment as it will add uncertainty to the matches and draw in more spectators.

“It will be an exciting experiment. In the 11-point scoring system, anybody can win the match.

There will be a lot of uncertainty, that will bring more spectators to the stadium and more viewership,” Padukone told PTI in an interview.

The statement comes in the wake of some top international shuttlers Saina Nehwal and P V Sindhu welcoming the shorter version of the scoring system.

Saina recently had said it would be interesting to see how it pans out, but the games will get over quickly as points are less.

Sindhu, the Rio Olympics silver-medallist,

had said the system will force players to be on alert and focus from the first point itself.

Padukone, who also won the Danish and Swedish Open, said some amount of tinkering with scoring is always required for popularising the sport.

“I think some kind of innovation and change is required for television viewers to make the sport interesting. So, I think in some ways it is good,” he said.

Striking a cautious note, Padukone said as long as the 11-point scoring system does not affect or becomes a norm for super series and other tournaments, it is definitely worth experimenting.

“As long as it doesn’t affect or become a norm for super series and all that, but I don’t think they (Badminton World Federation) are planning to do that at this stage, but at this moment, it is definitely worth experimenting,” he said.

Badminton legend Prakash Padukone.

(Source: Reuters)

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Yuvraj Singh met Babita at Dangal premier, says ‘she is true Indian hero’

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DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, DECEMBER 26

P12 'Karun, Jayant success is set-up Sindhu's Olympic silver marks a created by Virat, Anil' glorious year for badminton

'Karun, Jayant success is set-up created by Virat, Anil'

injured."

Dravid said that his job is being provider of quality players for the national team rather than giving results in terms of winning and losing matches for 'A' or U-19 teams.

"We are always in touch with the national team as to what is the skill-set that they are looking at in the future. Try and give opportunities. If they are looking at all-rounders, we will try and play as many all-rounders as we can at the junior level to see which all-rounder can make the step-up."

He added: "I don't think U19 and A team is about results. Yes, we want to get results but it is really more about giving exposure, devel o p i n g young people. Coaching is not only about developing them as players but also developing them as people so that they can have meaningful careers and lives from wherever they go on from here."

A bit pragmatically, he also said: "May be someone, who may not be that good at the U19 level, may go onto represent India and become your future star.

In a lot of ways, U-19 and A tours as a feeding ground to national team.

PTI New Delhi, Dec 25 : He is the prime force behind the feeder-line created for the senior national cricket team and India A and U19 chief coach Rahul Dravid on Sunday lauded Test captain Virat Kohli and chief coach Anil Kumble for creating an environment where youngsters are feeling comfortable.

Dravid believes that success of Karun Nair and Jayant Yadav, who are

products of the A team, is purely because of the "process" that has been put in place.

"It's great to see these young boys coming through the 'A' team setup and from domestic performances. It is a tribute to I think the environment created in the national set-up that they are coming through feeling comfortable and performing straightaway.

Credit to Virat and Anil for the set-up and what they

Frank Lampard to stay in close contact with Chelsea

Australia vs Pakistan, 2nd Test: Momentum with Pakistan against weary Aussie bowlers

London, Dec 25 : Former England midfielder Frank Lampard says he will be “in close contact” with his old club Chelsea as he decides on his next career move.

The 38-year-old left New York City in November and media speculation has mounted that he could return to the London team in a coaching role or some other capacity.

Lampard watched Premier League leaders Chelsea’s 1-0 home win over West Bromwich Albion earlier this month and was an onlooker at training on Wednesday when manager Antonio Conte said he was in good enough shape to continue his playing career.

“I’m still waiting for the fiveyear contract to come through from Chelsea, they haven’t called yet,” Lampard joked during an interview on Sky Sports television on Saturday.

“Whatever happens, in some capacity I will be at Chelsea, whether that’s with my season ticket watching them…I don’t know. I will be in very close contact.

“Whether I have a role is not all in my hands so I can’t go any further than that. I am very relaxed about it which is a nice place to be.

“I’m not kind of eager that the end of my career is coming and thinking, ‘What’s going to happen now?’,” added Lampard.

“If the right thing comes then I’ll take it. Obviously Chelsea, I would love that, but it doesn’t always work that way.”

Lampard won three Premier League titles and the 2012 Champions League with Chelsea and is the c l u b ’s a l l - t i m e r e c o r d scorer with 211 goals. He also netted 29 times in 106 appearances for England.

“I’ve taken this Christmas to enjoy family, a couple of beers and an extra turkey and I’ll make a decision in January whether I carry on playing — I have a few options — or finish and move on to whatever the next thing will be,” he said.

Melbourne, Dec 25 : Pakistan say they have the momentum heading into the Boxing Day Melbourne Test after giving Australia a mighty fright during an epic run-chase in the opening clash of the series.

The tourists fell just 39 short of a mammoth 490run target on the fifth and final day of the Gabba Test, led by a magnificent 137 from Asad Shafiq.

Steve Smith was a relieved captain as his Australia team fell over the line after the last five Pakistan wickets piled on 230 runs to get within sight of a world-record Test run chase.

The gruelling 145-over fourth innings has taken its toll on the Australian bowlers with selectors adding bowling allrounder Hilton Cartwright to the squad as a precaution while their recovery is assessed.

The tourists’ batting coach, Grant Flower, said the Australians can expect another hard slog on an abrasive drop-in Melbourne Cricket Ground wicket in expected sweltering conditions as Pakistan fight to level the three-match series.

“The confidence they have gained since that last innings and that momentum will definitely help carry them on into this Test,” former Zimbabwean Test batsman Flower said.

“It’s going to be hard work for the bowlers, but if we can get into them early and if the ball starts reversing then I’m sure we’ve got a good chance

have been doing at the national level. So we are seeing the results, Nice to be a part of that process," Dravid told 'bcci.tv' on Sunday.

Dravid, who has seen Karun Nair in the 'A' team, Delhi Daredevils as well as Rajasthan Royals are proud of one of his wards' success.

"It's fantastic. Incredible to score his first (Test) hundred and then go onto score a triple hundred. I think it not only speaks

volumes about his ability but also his hunger and desire. That's really important. It's good and I am happy for Indian cricket and it is always good to see young people coming through. He can hopefully go on and build on from here.

He has got the ability.

"Great to see guys like Karun, Rahul and Jayant, come along in this tour.

Hardik Pandya got an opportunity from A tour but could not play as he got

P V Sindhu PTI New Delhi, Dec 25 : P V Sindhu cemented her position as a dominant force on the world stage with an Olympic silver medal while Saina Nehwal continued to battle with injuries in a year, which saw Indian badminton take giant strides at the global platform.

It turned out to be a watershed year for Sindhu, who reached the upper echelons of world badminton with a silver medal at Rio Games -- an achievement also for her mentor and chief coach Pullela Gopichand, who became the only Indian coach to produce two Olympic medallists.

On the other hand, for the first part of the year, it was Saina's battle with injuries which dominated the headlines even though she was considered to be the best bet for India at Rio. The Indian ace fought against time to recover from an Achilles tendons and went on to win the Australian Super Series.

Despite her two bronze medals at the World Championship, Sindhu, meanwhile, was still considered one of the hopefuls but not a serious con-

tender for the gold medal, partly because of her early exits from tournaments in the run-up to the Games.

But Olympics had contrasting fates awaiting the duo.

While Saina exited in the second round and later it came to light that she had a bone chip floating inside her knee area, Sindhu went on to become the first Indian shuttler to win a silver at Games and with the feat she finally stepped out of the Saina's shadow.

In the months after that, Saina underwent a surgery in Mumbai and spent a long time in rehab, while Sindhu basked in her Olympic glory.

Besides the Olympic feat, Sindhu also etched her name in history books, becoming only the third Indian to win the China Open, her maiden Super Series Premier title and then reached the finals at Hong Kong Open and finished as semifinalist in her debut World Super Series Finals at Dubai.

"It has been a fantastic year for me, because winning a medal at the Olympics is a big achievement.

It's a dream come true.

Also, I always had in mind that I wanted to win a

Super Series title and that also was fulfilled (at the China Open)," Sindhu said.

"Definitely, the aim is to become No.1. I have achieved my career-best six, so I am really very happy. I wish this can continue and I can continue improving further."

Besides Sindhu's meteoric rise, Saina clinching the Australian Super Series and K Srikanth reaching the quarterfinals at Rio and winning the Syed Modi International championship at Lucknow, H S Prannoy bagging the Swiss Open Grand Prix Gold at Basel were the highlights of the year in which Indian badminton achieved unprecedented success.

In men's singles, Saurabh Verma recovered from a long injury lay-off to bag the Chinese Taipei Grand Prix and finish runners-up at Bitburger Open.

B Sai Praneeth also won his maiden title at Canada Grand Prix and Sameer Verma crowned himself the Senior National champion before finishing runners-up at Hong Kong Open and Ajay Jayaram finished runners-up at Dutch Open Grand Prix.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauds cricketers, junior hockey team in ‘Mann Ki Baat’ Pakistan have lost their last 10 Tests in Australia and last won at the MCG in 1981. (Source: FILE) of making some things happen.”

Australia dominated the first day-night Brisbane Test up until late on the fourth day, when signs of anxiety crept in as Pakistan edged closer to a miraculous victory before Shafiq was dismissed.

“I saw a lot of very nervous campers all of a sudden for the first time,” Pakistan assistant coach Steve Rixon said.

“I would have thought they would have turned up thinking, ‘We’re just going to win this, it’s only going to take two good balls and that’s it’. Well guess what? It wasn’t.”

Pakistan have lost their last 10 Tests in Australia and last won at the MCG in 1981 in the era of Imran Khan, Javed Miandad and Zaheer Abbas.

The Australians are confident crack pace pair Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood will back up to bowl at the showpiece

event despite each sending down 56 overs in the Brisbane heat with just a week’s recuperation.

“They’ll be sore, for sure, but it depends on how significant those little things are and the risks associated with it,” team sports medicine manager Alex Kountouris said.

“In general terms we think they’ll get through but we won’t know until we assess.”

Zimbabwe-born Cartwright, who was recently included in the Chappell-Hadlee ODI squad to face New Zealand but did not play, has averaged 44.50 across 16 first-class matches.

But his 15 first-class wickets have come at an undistinguished 41.93, and he has only four wickets at 74.75 in the current Sheffield Shield campaign.

The selectors’ desire for a batting all-rounder to take a place in the top six means the incumbent number six,

Nic Maddinson, could face the axe after his three Test innings of 0, 1 and 4.

Team vice-captain David Warner is also overdue and has not posted a Test century since his 122 against the West Indies in Sydney in January for an average of 35 this year, well below his career average of 47.58.

Teams Australia (from): Matt Renshaw, David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (capt), Peter Handscomb, Nic Maddinson, Hilton Cartwright, Matthew Wade, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird, Chadd Sayers.

Pakistan (from) – Azhar Ali, Sami Aslam, Babar Azam, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed, Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Amir, Rahat Ali, Sohail Khan, Imran Khan.

Narendra Modi lauded the junior hockey team for lifting the Junior Hockey World Cup trophy. (Source: PTI) New Delhi, Dec 25 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the national cricket team and the junior hockey side for their recent successes, saying that their performances have done the country proud.

In his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address to the nation, Modi appreciated the sporting success that India has achieved in the past fortnight during which the cricket team routed England 4-0 in a Test series while the junior hockey team became world champion.

“Being Indians, it is but natural for us to feel elated.

In the cricket series against England, India has triumphed 4-0. In this, the performance of some of the younger players deserves a

special word of praise. The young Karun Nair scored a triple century and K. L. Rahul played a brilliant 199 run innings. Test captain Virat Kohli batted extremely well and also provided inspiring leadership,” Modi said.

“Indian Cricket team’s offspin bowler R Ashwin has been declared ‘Cricketer of the Year’ as well as the ‘Best Test Cricketer’ by the ICC for the year 2016. My heartiest congratulations and many good wishes go to all of them,” he added.

Modi then went on to laud the junior hockey team. “After a gap of 15 years, there was good news, in fact grand news from the hockey arena too. The Junior Hockey

Te a m l i f t e d t h e Wo r l d Cup. This festive occasion came to us after fifteen years as the Junior Hockey team won the Wo r l d C u p . H e a r t i e s t congratulations to these young players for this grand feat,” he said.

“This achievement is a very good omen for the future of our Hockey team. Last month our Women players too won laurels. Indian Women’s Hockey Team won the Asian Champions Trophy and just a few days ago in the under-18 Asia Cup, Indian Women’s Hockey Team secured the Bronze Medal. I congratulate all our Cricket and Hockey team players from the core of my heart,” he added.

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