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ASSENG/2015/64205

Vol. II

Issue 162

Dibrugarh, Sunday, January 1, 2017

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Pages- 12

PAGE 11

It is now BJP Govt in Arunachal 33 MLAS of People's Party of Arunachal Pradesh join BJP

cmyk

Following two days of high voltage political drama, 33 legislators of the Peoples’ Party of Arunachal (PPA),

including Chief Minister Pema Khandu today formally joined the saffron brigade of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

With the strength of 47 legislators now, a full-fledged BJP Government was installed

in the Northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh after 33 of the 43 PPA MLAs formally joined the BJP, in presence of state BJP president Tapir Gao. To show the strength of his numbers, Khandu also

paraded the MLAs before Assembly Speaker Tenzing Norbu Thongdok, who later accepted their joining. “The lotus has finally bloomed in Arunachal,” said Khandu, while justifying that his joining

from the regional party to a national party was necessary for the all-round development of the state.

“The state has seen unprecedented political chaos for the past two years which

had stalled all development activities in the frontier state.

The people of the state will now see a new dawn of development under the shadow of visionary Prime Minister of India Narendra

Modi,” Khandu asserted.

Elaborating on the decision, the chief minister said that the ongoing circumstances compelled the MLAs to take the decision. He said that the Congress party has no

reverence for its members and had disqualified its elected representatives in the past,

Contd. on Page 3

cmyk

A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Dec 31

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, JANUARY 1

P2 Aries Issues having to do with love and romance are in your favor today, Aries. You're more in touch with your emotions. You will find that your attitude toward love is more grounded than usual. Feel free to let go of some control. Let fate take you where it will in this department. Also make sure that you don't worry so much about things. Worrying will cause doubt, something you don't need.

Taurus You may not feel in sync with the day's energy, Taurus.

Something about it may not sit right with you. Your natural instinct to want to take the lead may be overshadowed by an unwillingness to even get up. You may feel like your internal fire is squelched, especially when it comes to love and beauty. If your mind is cloudy, don't worry about it. The fog will clear soon.

Gemini Issues regarding love and romance should be going well for you now, Gemini.

You will find that your natural tendency to ground and plan is working perfectly with your desire to find what you want in a mate. Things may be about to come to a dramatic climax in your emotional realm. A foggy, dreamy feeling may make it difficult for you to keep your feet on the ground.

Cancer You may want to escape into your dreams today, Cancer.

Trying to do something practical may be met with opposition, as the general mood of the day calls for things to be more ethereal and elusive.

Connect with your sensitive side and feel free to spend time on artistic projects. You may have to take a more grounded approach when it comes to matters of love.

Leo You may want to escape into your dreams today, Cancer. Trying to do something practical may be met with opposition, as the general mood of the day calls for things to be more ethereal and elusive. Connect with your sensitive side and feel free to spend time on artistic projects. You may have to take a more grounded approach when it comes to matters of love.

Virgo You may have many irons in the fire today, Virgo. People and projects could demand your attention, yet you may feel so dreamy and unmotivated that it could be hard to make progress on any of them. Creative solutions are the best route for you. Be flexible and open to other people's ideas, and make sure you consider the unlikeliest ways to tackle the issues.

Adivasi Students’ Association of Assam submits Memorandum, demands surplus land to Adivasis ET Correspondent Tinsukia, Dec 31 : All Adivasi Students’ Association of Assam(AASAA) Tinsukia District Committee today submitted a memorandum to Honourable Tinsukia District Deputy Commissioner regarding allotment of Government Tea Ceiling Surplus land/Tea Estate NLR Grants land which must given to Adivasi Tea workers of Tinsukia District. Raja Kujur, Lawrence Nag and Ramanus Lakra President,Vice President and General Secretary of AASAA Tinsukia District Committee who were present during the Submission of Memorandum to Honourable Tinsukia District Deputy Commissioner said that Adivasi Tea Workers living in Assam has been one of the

most deprived communities since British period and the sorry state still continues even today.

Ramanus Lakra said that Adivasi Tea workers must be given Government Tea Ceiling Surplus Land/Tea Estate NLR Grants land and Non-Adivasi Tea Garden People must be kept far from getting land allotment. “We also request Assam Government to take immediate action and cancel all the Non-Adivasi Tea Garden people allotment land and give justice to the Adivasi Tea Workers by providing allotment of Land in this LAC Board(December 2016) and also in the Forthcoming LAC Board in 2017,” said, Raja Kujur,Lawrence Nag and Ramanus Lakra.

Felicitation ceremony by army for newly selected youths in indian army from Doomdooma and Phillobari ET Correspondent Doomdooma, Dec 31: Under the aegis of DAO division, to motivate the young generation to join in Indian Army, Army camp at Rupai Siding organized recruitment training camp since August 2016 where candidates were imparted free physical and written training classes and medical checkup. Three candidates were got selected in Indian Army and territorial Army from these location and many more are undertrainig and preparing for forthcoming recruitment rallies under guidance of this army camp.

These three successful candidates belong to Rupai Siding and Phillobari. There names are-: Mr.Anjan Moran, son of Munin Moran, village Rangajan , M r. Ta p a n B o rg o h a i n s o n o f D i b a k a r B o rg o h a i n resident of Simulguri , Phillobari area , Mr.Santosh Chettri , son of Ghanshyam Chettri , resident

SUN SET

of Rubarguri, Phillobari area to felicitate the successful candidates a felicitation ceremony was organized at army camp.

The commanding officer 7 Madras colonel Avneesh Singh, SM congratulated and felicitated the successful candidates on their achievement along with their parents who were invited for the felicitation ceremony in presence of Army authorities.

The successful candidates also expressed their gratitude to the commanding officer 7 Madras and training staff along with DAO division and the Indian Army authorities for their help and guidance in achieving their aim as these camp help more than 15 candidates to get enrolled in the Indian Army which is a great help to overcome the unemployment in this area felicitation was aimed at attracting inspiring youth of North- East to join the Army and become part of mainstream of our country.

Sun Set at Sivasagar Desangmukh near Brahmaputra. Photo by Firuz Ahmed

‘Saptahantik’- a Weekly Newspaper to go on floors from Jorhat

ET Correspondent Jorhat, Dec 31: A group of young journalist from Jorhat had taken a unique step by giving a big leap forward to publish a weekly newspaper named Sapthantik. The newspaper release was inaugurated at Jorhat Press Club on Saturday by Prafulla Rajguru former residential editor of 'Amar’. In

the inaugural function, Dr. Jyoti Rekha Hazarika noted writer, Rintu Goshwami senior advocate, critic Jugananda Bora, Indrajeet Bora noted writer Debabrat Sharma and many other dignitaries were present.

The ceremony began with the lighting of lamp by Indrajeet Kumar Baruah. The welcome speech was delivered by Biraj

Baruah, a journalist of Jorhat, who is also the publisher of the weekly newspaper. "We are coming out to contribute to society," said, Biraj Baruah in his speech. While delivering her speech, Dr. Jyoti Rekha Hazarika said, “I would love to get involved with the good works that was done by these youth journalist group."

Sourav Pran Bora was the editor of the "Saptahantik". Youth Journalist from both print and electronic media of Jorhat were involved in the journey leading by Deepjyoti Saikia, Dibyajoti Bora, Jadumoni Gayan, Anibeshan Baruah, Pranjal Hazarika, Nekib Ahmed, Jitul Kumar Gogoi and many others.

Libra This is going to be a great day for you, Libra. Strangely enough, you will find that tension may help you get things done. There's an easiness today that will create openings for exploring creative outlets.

Regarding love and romance, try to stay grounded. You and the object of your desire may have two different points of view on the relationship. Communicate clearly.

Scorpio You may need to let go and release your control, Scorpio. You know what you want, so just trust your intuition. If you continue to let your brain do all the work, you will probably miss valuable information that can only come when you slow down and look within. Connect with others on sensitive issues and feel free to let your guard down. Let your mind work freely.

Sagittarius This is an excellent day for you, Sagittarius. You will find that things automatically flow your way. You will receive more attention than usual and be the center of any social gathering. The one difficult point might be intimate relations with others. Romantic issues may take on a more serious, grounded tone at this time.

Capricorn You may feel a bit lazy and unmotivated today, Capricorn. It could be hard to drag yourself out of bed. In terms of love and romance, there's apt to be some tension, as one part of you wants to make plans while another part is feeling up in the air and in the clouds. These two different viewpoints might make it difficult to make a move in any one direction.

Aquarius Love and romance are apt to be going quite well for you now, Aquarius. You should find that it's easier to be yourself in a partnership. Let your romantic side shine through. Indulge in delicious candlelit dinners and share your deepest fantasies with those you love. If your partner resists this energy now, you may want to consider looking elsewhere for romantic company.

Pisces You may feel a great deal of nervous energy today, Pisces. Tension could come to you from all angles. Indecisiveness might be your biggest problem. You may be in a frenzy trying to figure out where to move next. The key is to slow down and relax. Don't make a move without evaluating things. Be careful about acting too hastily, especially when it comes to matters of the heart.

Curtain falls on Rasabari Tourism Festival ET Correspondent Doomdooma, Dec 31: Rasabari Tourism Festival came to its splendid end today amidst festivities and fanfare. The three-day tourism festival witnessed huge turnout from diverse age groups defying all complexities.

It may be noted that Rasbari is remotely situated in Tinsukia district near Duamara rivulet and Tarani Reserve Forest with an immense scope for tourism prospect. Capitalising on its tourism scope Rasbari village youth organization in collaboration with local students and social organization has organised the Rasabari Tourism Festival for the third time. On the second day of the fair the Doomdooma Press Club was awarded and all its members were felicitated. Keshav chandra memorial social responsibility journalism award was awarded to Doomdooma Press Club here.

All the member reporters of Doomdooma Press Club were felicitated and “sarai”, "prasastipatra" and “guwa-pan shah arihna" awards were given to Doomdooma Press Club. After receiving the award the president of Doomdooma Press Club Anuj Kalita expressed gratitude for choosing Doomdooma Press Club for the prestigious

award. Abhijit khataniar the Secretary of Doomdooma Press Club also expressed gratitude to the family of late Keshav Chandra Bora and said that after receiving the award the responsibilities of Doomdooma Press Club have multiplied.

Senior journalists Dhiren Deka and Arjun Barua also made their gracious presence. It was a great moment when the vice president

of Doomdooma Press Club Pradip Moran recited two of his self composed Assamese poems on Rasbari Mela along with Pushpdhar Moran, the executive secretary of Rasbari Paryatan Mela-2016 -2016.

Tinsukia district Satra Mahasabha president Viren Mahant, executive committee president Baidya Bora, assistant secretary Surajit Bora and other dignitaries were also present.

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DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, JANUARY 1

P3

Longding DC Donyi-Polo Day observed with traditional distributes solar lamps; fervour & gaiety in E/Siang 119 families benefited

Maksam Tayeng PASIGHAT, Dec 31: The Donyi-Polo Day was observed across various Donyi-Polo Gangging (place of worship for DonyiPoloism) here in East Siang today by the believers with traditional fervor and gaiety.

At Donyi-Polo Gangging, Miglung village, some 22 km from here, Er. Mugling Tayeng, EE, RWD Pasighat Division graced the day as Chief Guest, while Tapang Taloh, retired DSE, AE RWD, Er. Jorsing Moyong, BJP District General Secretary, Lala Tayeng etc also attended. In his speech, Er. Mugling Tayeng appealed the people of Miglung village to carry forward the traditional believe and faith of Adis which was re-founded as a religion “DonyiPoloism” by Golgi Bote Talom Rukbo and his team during 31st December 1986 after it first move and con-

ference held at Along (now Aalo), West Siang during 28th August 1968. Tayeng also assured of good road to Miglung village which is under construction by his department, RWD and directed the concern contrac-

tor present in the occasion to maintain quality work.

Former DSE, Tapang Taloh also spoke on the occasion.

While at Central DonyiPolo Yelam Kebang, Pasighat Gangging, the day was celebrated with much

traditional fervor. The newly appointed APPCS Chairman, Tajom Taloh also spoke on the occasion and sought for preservation of Donyi-Poloism which has been attached with our tradition and custom since time

immemorial. The day was also observed at Solung Ground with much traditional faith where Member of Parliament, Ninong Ering and MLA Nari-Koyu, Kento Rina also attended. The duo also appealed for strong preservation of DonyiPoloism which is a universal religion offering prayers to Sun and Moon which are supreme of all. At Ngopok Village Donyi-Polo Gangging, under Mebo Sub-Division, Robo Megu, FAO attended as Chief Guest and he also bated for preservation of this religion which has been believe and faith of Adis since time immemorial.

In all other Donyi-Polo Gangging at various villages here in E/Siang, the day was observed with much traditional fervor & gaiety as input/report are still coming in from all quarters like Silluk village, Borguli village etc.

ET Bureau: Wakro, Dec 31: Bapenlu Kri, Deputy Director, DUDA with Chaitanya Sangawar, Director, Rural Electrification project of AoL distributed the mobiya lamps to 119 families of Longkhaw village in Longding. Amaka and Mingtu Ngemu assisted by BDO Komnem Tungkgang, AoL teacher Hanpot Jugli and AoL volunteer Roopa Teshi distributed mobiya lamps to 25 families in Bubang-I, 40 families of Bubang-II, 41 families of Bubang-III and 10 families of Langchuk of Changlang district. Amaka also took great efforts to organize happiness programs benefiting numerous people in the area. Dr. Rama appreciated Amaka for the selfless service she renders braving great hardships and persons health conditions.

It was a delightful moment

for the 23 families in Khulang when Gotitun Krisikro, founder patron of Anu Shiksha Seva Trust reached their area accompanied by Basamlu Krisikro, former chairperson, 6-Wakro Anchal Samiti, Sohan Krong,ASM, and Binod Subba with Mobiya solar lamps by Schneider. The delighted villagers thanked the Art of Living and AoL trustee Deepak Sharma, AoL Director Chaitanya Sangawar and Ashok Harishchandra.

ASM Sohan demonstrated and guided the villagers about the proper handling of the lamps and its multiple user friendly features.

Gotitun Krisikro also reached the Pangung village of the border district of Anjaw and distributed solar lamp gifts of the AoL for the people. Earlier Mantaw Bellai distributed the AoL solar lamps to all

the families of Glotong glat, Chirang glat and Ngilang glat. 150 mobiya lamps were sent for the border district of Anjaw.

Deepak Sharma expressed happiness over the fact that the lamps were timely distributed well before the New Year eve. He said that it was AoLs long time wish to be of some assistance to the people in remote border areas with tough terrain and hostile weather conditions. While the numerous families thanked Deepak Sharma and Dr. Rama Tewari they also appreciated the selfless services of Sohan Krong, Mantaw Bellai and Binod Subba. The villagers thanked Himanshu Gupta, IAS, DC Longding for the care and assistance. The DC recommended the name of the village and supported the initiative in all ways possible.

multiplied every year which are from believers from all section of religions. Around fifteen to sixteen thousands visitors were reported to have visited the temple today, informed Temple sources.

According to priest of the Dangaria Baba Temple, celebration of this Dangaria Baba Puja has begun way back during the 1962 when PWD engineers constructing Pasighat-Pangin Road (PPR) then had once saw in a dream where it was told to

make puja offerings at this present location where a small size Siva Linga was found. It is also said that in those days, the engineers and passer-by often happen to come across a big cobra in that place which also testified the need of construction of a Mandir.

And it is also told by temple management that, during the early days when construction works were in progress along PasighatPangin road then, several men and machines met with

accidents, reason of which were beyond the wisdom of earthly human being. However, the cases of accident went down almost to nil after this temple was constructed, informed the temple sources. So, with that believe, every believers to Dangaria (locally called ‘Epom’ or unseen natural forces), passing by this road doesn’t forget to offer prayer to this temple for a safe travelling/journey upward hilly and mountainous road PPR.

Farmers Training cum demonstration, motivation and management programme Hundreds and thousands thronged into Dangaria Baba Mela on "Integrated Farming System" Dirang (West Kameng), 31st December : ICAR-National Research Centre on Yak in collaboration with KVK, Dirang conducted a three-days training cum demonstration, motivation and management programme on "Integrated Farming System" and distribution of vegetable seeds and garden tools under Tribal sub plan (TSP) from December 29 to 31st at Morshing village under Kalektang Circle for supporting optional income generation of Tribal farmers.

The programme was organized on the request of tribal farmers engaged mainly in agriculture as well as the livestock farming to aware them about integrated farming system. A total of 30 tribal farmers from Morshing and Sarlem basti

participated in the programme.

The programme was launched with an inaugural ceremony which was ornamented with the presence of Mr. Pema Khandu, Gaon Burah Mr. T.T. Bapu, ASM, Morshing village, Dr. N. D. Singh, Head cum Senior scientist,KVK, and Dr. Dinnamani Medhi, Senior Scientist, ICAR-NRC on Yak, Dirang. In inaugural ceremony Mr. Pema Khandu and Mr. T.T. Bapu expressed the importance of such type of programme and appreciated the three days' venture of ICAR-NRC on Yak at Morshing. Dr. Dinnamani Medhi, Dr. N. D. Singh and Dr. Mokhtar Hussain, Programme Coordinator addressed the importance of such programme for poor tribal farmers of Arunachal

Pradesh and also assured scientific intervention of ICAR-NRC on Yak and KVK, Dirang not only agriculture development but also towards improvement of livestock, poultry and fishery sector through Tribal Sub Plan, Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav, and Swaach Bharat Abhiyan programme taken by Govt. of India During three days programme, farmers were also educated on locally available feed resources and their nutritional quality, regarding high yielding vegetable seeds and importance of garden tools, promote nutritional status and the water holding capacity of soil by the usage of organic manure at the farmers level, importance and scope of organic Farming through Vermi-composting, different

newer technologies like complete feed block and total mixed ration etc. by Dr. Mokhtar Hussain, Dr. N. D. Singh, Dr. Dinamani Medhi and Mrs. Purnima Devi during the three days programme.

At the end, some agriculture tools i.e. Pressure Sprayer, Secateurs, Pruning Saw, Sickles, Khurpa, Grubber Double Hoe, Hand Hoe, Budding & Grafting Knife, Plastic shed for seeds germination and vegetable seeds i.e. tomato, cauliflower, cabbage, capsicum seeds and PP chemicals, Gumboot & steel bucket were also distributed amongst the tribal farmers of Morshing village under TSP. Besides five big size dustbin were also provided for their community uses.

Staff Reporter PASIGHAT, Dec 31: The famous Dangaria Baba Puja Mela (fair) here at Raneghat which is observed in the last Saturday of every year was observed today with much pomp and gaiety which drew as many as around fifteen thousand devotees cutting across all religious groups from across the country.

Due to its popularity year after year, the numbers of pilgrims visiting Dangaria Baba Temple are getting

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Governor Shanmuganathan visits Regional High Altitude Fish Seed Farm in Ziro ET Bureau Itanagar, 31 DEC : The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh V. Shanmuganathan visited the Regional High Altitude Fish Seed Farm, Tarin at Ziro today. The Governor, who is on a three-day tour to Lower Subansiri District, interacted with officials and fish farmers of the area on the occasion.

The Governor exhorted them to go for larger production of fishes, which in turn will ensure economic empowerment of the rural community. He said that because of the fresh water, the quality of fish in high altitude is very good and tastier. As the plateau is well-known for fish-cumpaddy culture, the Governor expressed hope that

the farm will give impetus to the financial empowerment of the people. As a token, the Governor bought some fishes for his entourage as an encouragement to the farmers.

Earlier, the Governor met the officials of the Ranganadi Hydro Electric Project at Yazali 43.

Deputy General Manager (Elect) In-charge Head of

Project Shri Bijit Goswami briefed the Governor on the project.

T h e G o v e r n o r, w h o reached Ziro via Potin by road, expressed his concern on the condition of the road from Itanagar to Ziro. He emphasised that for development and economic growth the roads have to be of high quality and well maintained.

It is now BJP Govt in Arunachal

Contd. from Page 1

and the regional party is taking the same path now as it attempted to disqualify party members without consent or consultation of its legislators.

On the pending case at Guwahati High Court filed

by Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Padi Richo against the joining of Congress MLAs with the PPA, Khandu said that the joining was done in accordance with the Constitution. The hearing for the case is scheduled for January 5 next. The drama

began late Thursday night after PPA president Kahfa Bengia temporarily suspended Khandu, his deputy Chowna Mein and five legislators from the primary membership of the party for alleged anti-party activities. Meanwhile, Khandu also divulged that three sitting cabinet

ministers have been dropped and a letter has been also forwarded to the governor for his consent.

The minister who were dropped include Minister for PHED Takam Pario, Minister for Sports &Youth Affairs Rajesh Tacho and Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Tanga Byaling.

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DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, JANUARY 1

P4

Assam to introduce electronic file Gentle sunset during management system starting April gentle hour of 2016 ET Bureau Guwahati, Dec 31: BJPled Assam government has decided to introduce File Management System (FMS) to track government files electronically. State government has also decided to rename the Assam Secretariat as 'Janata Bhavan'.

each file in Assam Secretariat. The first component of the FMS will be introduced on April 1, 2017, while the second component of e-filing will be introduced subsequently.

With the introduction of FMS, public will get acknowledgement of their application either through sms or e-mail.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that under the FMS system a unique number will be generated for tracking

The government has also decided to build an integrated complex in Majuli with an investment of Rs

278.21 crore. The complex will incorporate a modern circuit house, Centralised District Administration Office with all departmental offices, official residences with sports and educational complex.

A government-level communique is also initiated to construct Assam Houses in Pune, Chandigarh, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Bhopal, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar and Cooch Behar.

A man with fake PM Narendra Modi’s currency arrested speech highlights: Here at Dhubri are the top quotes

ET Correspondent Dhubri, 31 Dec: counterfeit demonetised notes with face value of around Rs. 2.86 lakh were seized at the time of depositing at Dhubri state bank bazaar branch from one man on Friday evening.

According to sources, a person named Nur Alom came to deposit 2.86 lakh of rupees of five hundred of old

currency denominations.

At the time of depositing, the bank official personnel checked and found the currency notes to be fake. The bank officials immediately alerted the local police. The police personnel apprehended the culprit Nur Alom for further interrogation.

Fireworks galore as Australia welcomes New Year 2017 with grandeur New Delhi, Dec 31 : Revellers from across the world are set to bid adieu to 2016 and usher in the arrival of a brand New Year with different countries planning festivities to celebrate in their own way.

Fireworks will set the tone of the midnight celebrations in major cities around the world. The tiny pacific island of Tonga was the first country to welcome the New Year, almost three hours before it reached Australia and New Zealand.

Dazzling display of fireworks over Sydney harbour symbolises the start of global New Year’s festivities for many of them.

In Dubai, Twitter will, for the first time, stream the New Year Eve’s breathtaking fireworks display at the world’s tallest building Burj Khalifa to a global audience.

Minor outlying US islands like Baker Island and Howland Island will be among the last places on Earth to witness the New Year.

Interestingly, an additional second has been added to this year’s New Year countdown in order to keep in sync with Earth’s rotation, which gradually slows down over a period of time.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on New Year eve, a day after 50day deadline post demonetisation came to an end on Friday. In his address, PM Modi threw light on the post-demonetisation steps to further curb the menace of black money and counterfeit currency.

The prime minister had made a surprise announcement on November 8 when he announced his government’s decision to scrap old higher denomination currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000. The government has so far faced immense criticism from opposition parties for allegedly implementing the decision in a ‘rush’ without a cohesive plan. The Winter Session of Parliament also saw continued protests in both the Houses as the Opposition demanded PM’s presence throughout the demonetisation debate. The ruling BJP, however, alleged that Opposition was running away from the debate. On December 25, PM addressed the nation through his monthly radio broadcast ‘Mann ki baat’ and praised the countrymen ‘for supporting the demonetisation move’.

Here are the top quotes from his address:

ET Correspondent Jorhat, Dec 31: As people rushed to their home to bid farewell to the year 2016 whereas the sun too is bidding farewell for the year

2016 as it looks a very gentle hour for several areas throughout the NH 37 for the state of Assam as in all side celebration to bid farewell to the year 2016 is

round the nook and corner throughout the region and state as commuters in the highways are busy rushing home as well as to celebration destination

Assam to introduce electronic file management system starting April * Patience, discipline, resolve displayed by 125 crore Indians will play a critical role in shaping future of the nation for years to come * Corruption, black money, fake notes had become so rampant in India’s social fabric that even honest people were brought to their knees * In this fight against corruption and black money, it is clear that you wish to walk shoulder to shoulder with us * These events after Diwali have proved that millions of people were looking for such an opportunity to get themselves freed from suffocation * Do you not feel, that for the good of the country, this movement for honesty, needs to be further strengthened * The suffering undergone by the citizens is an illuminary example of our citizens’ sacrifice to secure a bright future for the country

* Your love and support is like a blessing in the fight against corruption, counterfeit currency * Efforts should be made to ensure normality in the banking system at the earliest * Pro-active endeavours in rural areas need to be taken to provide relief to villagers, farmers. * What Indians have done against corruption, there is no example in the world. * Law will take its own course. This government is a friend of the honest and in favour of putting the dishonest in the path of truth * Two housing schemes for the economically weaker sections have been announced under the Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojna * In the next three months, 3 crore Kisan cards will be converted into RuPay cards

PTI New Delhi, Dec 31: The New Year will see the government starting work on a weather service catering specially to north east India, a move that will lead to significant enhancement of meteorological infrastructure in the region.

Under the project, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) will procure 14 doppler radars for the region, a big leap from existing two at Agartala in Tripura and Mohanbari in Assam, and set up 270 surface observatories and eight microwave radiometers.

The 19 heliports in the north east will also have dedicated surface observatories, a facility which is now missing.

M Rajeevan, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) said looking at the region’s diversity and requirement, a separate

weather service for the north east was required.

“If you see the observations received from the north east are very scant in terms of data. The norm is that where the topography is hilly, it is necessary to have more observation systems.

“Plus, there is so much of heterogeneity of topography in the north east that it demands separate weather services and an infrastructure boost,” Rajeevan said.

The north east has a few RAdioSonde And RadioWind Observatories in comparison to the rest of the country.

The RAdioSonde And RadioWind Observatories send a balloon in the air twice a day to check humidity, wind patterns and temperature.

Envisaged under the XII Five Year Plan (2012-17),

the weather service was stuck in red tape as it was initially supposed to be funded by the Department of North East Region (DoNER).

As funding has not come from DoNER for the last four years, the MoES has now decided to go ahead with the Rs 194 crore project.

Rajeevan said the IMD will start with procuring equipment from next year. IMD Director General J J Ramesh said work is on to enhance meteorological infrastructure in the north west Himalayas.

A request for proposal (RFP) is also under process to have more doppler radars in north western Himalayas which cover the three states of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.

Hope and aspiration grow for a welcome change in New Year Shambhu Boro After many ups and downs witnessed in 2016, the common people here are hoping that the New Year will usher in a welcome change. While interacting with this correspondent at the advent of 2017, noted litterateurs, academicians, artistes, social workers, sport personalities and politicians stressed that the good things that happened in the bygone year should be cherished.

Registrar, Tezpur University Dr. Biren Das, said that being in academic sphere, he has seen the year 2016 as a good one for the state of Assam. By and large, the academia has taken a momentum without any hurdle.

“The new Government in the State has declared good number of welfare schemes for students and academic institutions and initiated reforms in the sector targeting overhauling the state’s education sector. Results of HSLC and higher secondary final examinations have shown upward trends with remarkable performances by the vernacular medium institutions. Earlier, hardly any college or University could secure Good grading in NAAC’s assessment; but in this year a good number of colleges have been accredited with A or higher grades. Hope other institutions of Higher Education in the state will be inspired by this example.” He said adding that making a history,

Tezpur University was able to get accolade of Visitor’s Best University Award2016 among the 44 central Universities in the country.

It is also worth mentioning that IITG, Guwahati University and Tezpur University could get respectable positions in the First ever National Rankings of Higher Educational Institutions in the country by MHRD under NIRF. Tezpur University got 5th rank in this ranking. Tezpur University and IITG also shared a position in the 600+ band of World Universities in Times Higher Education World University rankings for 2016. Government of Assam’s new initiative to celebrate Swahid Divas to respect the departed souls (Swahids) of the great Assam Movement, celebration of 100 years of students’ union in Assam, precentenary celebration of Assam Sahitya Sabha are positive sign of people’s movement. Winning of Sahitya Akademi Awards by three litterateurs of the state are three important good news of the year. With many positive attributes, failure to complete NRC is a matter of concern. The ongoing controversy of Assam Sahitya Sabha leadership is another matter of concern for me. He said.

Expressing grave concern over the ongoing conflict regarding existence of secre-

tary of Asom Sahitya Sabha, Paramananada Rajbangshi in the platform of the apex literary body of the state, Sahitya Akadami award recipient Geeta Upaidhyai said that it is very unfortunate that in a sacred platform like Asom Sahitya Sabha that has been dealing very sensitively with the national life of the Assamese people, such incidents should not have been taken place. “Particularly, during the moment of centenary year celebration this issue has faded up the common literature loving people. There are many people fit for the post of the secretary selecting whom the issue could be mitigated.” She said and added that she hopes that in the days to come the literature loving people will have a good day in the platform of Asom Sahitya Sabha.

Speaking on the changes witnessed during 2016 she also said that an activity like demonetization is a good step for making a corruption free nation. “However, for giving a totality towards this endeavor positive involvement from all concerned is a must,” She added.

Noted teacher Manmayuri Goswami sharing her views at the door step of the New Year 2017 said that the year 2016, despite certain pitfalls has seen some significant moments with the surgical strike, demonetization and GST topping the list. The prime minister of the country was lauded for his ef-

forts. Although the common people have to undergo certain hardship, yet he had come outing support of these measures. “In the field of sports also put in the limelight by six women including PV Sindhu, Sakshi Malik, Deepa Karmakar, Aditi Ashok and Sania Mirja in their respective fields. It was also a good year for the Indian Hockey.

But about pitfalls in Assam a measure issue has been unabated poaching of onehorned rhino. Although the government has issued stringent action against poachers, altogether 18 rhinoceros have been killed this year. This need to be checked more,” She mentioned. Adding as far as the New Year is concerned, she welcomes it with certain expectation. “We hope it would keep up the good works of 2016 with some welfare and pro-poor schemes that could bring in a surge in social spending expenditure,” she said.

Echoing the same a noted social worker and senior Journalist of Jamunguri area, Basav Bhuyan said that the year 2016 was remarkable one in the state and national perspective.

People witnessed a lot of changes in political and economic fields specifically.

“As a social being, myself is very much concern with the aforesaid issues. Apart from these, several eventful moments of excellence created a ripple of joy in public joy. The coming year will hopefully bring an atmosphere of peace and devel-

opment in public domain,” he opined.

A noted personality belong to the historic Tezpur town closely attached with the cultural field, renowned Assamese cine actor, Arun Nath expressing his views regarding the bygone year said that change is always invitable and accordingly he has seen many changes in the cultural world including Assamese film industry.

“But noticeable change is yet to be happened,” he said adding the stagnant condition in Assamese film industry is seen regaining a new pace. Welcoming the demonetization policy he also said that there is no other option to make the country free from the corruption.

Hemanta Baruah, noted litterateur, mentioned that he always expected a better tomorrow. Saying about the changes he has witnessed during 2016 Baruah also said that according to the wish of the common masses the state has got a new government. “But I think the government will need few days more for delivering good-governance. However, the most unwanted incidents that have pained me a lot are that frequent killing of one-horned rhino in the state and ethnic clashes happened now and then which should be stopped forever thereby turning the region into a peaceful zone.” He said and added that the demonetization is a good step for taking forward the nation, but the cashless system of transac-

tion is too early to introduce in a state like Assam where 80 percent people are yet to accustom to the digitized world.

For Deputy Commissioner, Sonitpur, Manuj Kumar Deka 2016 was good for the state as the people have got a new government after which the work culture is grown among the people. “Though the demonetization in the beginning created some trouble for the people it has now come to the streamline.

The new government has given many responsibility of work which is to be taken forward near the people.”

The administrative officer said adding that the New Year 2017 will bring a ray of hope and aspiration, besides peace and tranquility among the people.

Noted cultural activist Anil Bhattacharya expressing concern over the degradation in the cultural field said that a society’s identity is reflected through its culture and heritage. The cultural activists will have to come forward to capitalize whatever the culture loving people want. “As a cultural activist I feel that cultural activists are to create good taste connecting with the receiver (the common masses). I hope in the new year people involved in the cultural field will give a concerted effort to provide a new dynamism to the new generation,” he said.

Noted radio artiste Durgamoyee Bora said that government is trying to bring a change but in this

regard people’s cooperation is a must. “Because work culture is yet to grow among us without which development of a nation is simply a dream.” She said and hoped that hoped that 2017 would be even better and urged all concerned to play a positive role.

Actress Krishna Das Nath stated that audience is the soul of cinema world. “But it is necessary to meet the taste of the audience by presenting good cinema. We hope the year 2017 will help the people involved with the Assamese cinema world to fall everything into place,” she mentioned.

Dr. Atul Kalita, Secretary of Indian Medical Association said that policy like demonetization is a welcome step which will be helpful to carry forward a corruption free nation and curbing all the illegal properties held many unscrupulous people of the country. “Moreover I am hopeful that the New Year will bring more changes to the health sector to provide good health care services to the people,” he said.

Punyabrata Deva Goswami, Sattradhikar, Nikamul Sattra, was optimistic as he felt that political chaos and intolerance was scaled down in 2016 and now at this moment he is hopeful enough that the 2017 will be a year of peace and tranquility as both in national and regional perspectives the government have initiated many good steps including the demon-

etization to curb the corruption. Noted sports personality and the Director of Sports, Tezpur University, Pankaj Bora hoped that in the days to come, promising sportspersons of the State would get the requisite exposure.

Tezpur MP, RP Sharm said that 2016 was a mixed year as both good and bad things were witnessed including killing of 12 innocent People in Kokrajhar by the militants and bold step curb the poaching of rhino by the new Forest Minister Pramila Rani Brahma. “I am hopeful that the new year will be more fruitful for the state and the nation as the government is taking many good steps.”

Bhuyashi Talukdar a rank holder in last year’s HS (Comers) from Darrang College here said that the 2016 can be mentioned in the pages of history for a series of revolutionary events that took place.

However, expressing concern over the shortfalls in state education system she opined that issues like question paper leakage damage of answer scripts will be checked in the year 2017 restoring the dignity of the students and the education system of the state. Mridul Chutia a noted playwright and cultural activist said that the government is yet to deal properly with the folk culture of the state. “I hope the government will work in this field in the days to come giving a new dimension.”

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, JANUARY 1

REST OF

After quitting Cong, Kikhonbou joins BJP IMPHAL, Dec 30: Z Kikhonbou Newmai who earlier resigned from the post of Vice Chairman of the Hill Areas Committee and from the Assembly has joined the BJP. Along with Z Kikhonbou, 23 other elected representatives including three Tamenglong ADC Members, Zilla Parishad Members, Pradhans and Ward Development Committee Members of Lamsang, Sekmai, Naoriya Pakhanglakpa, Hiyanglam and Wangkhem Assembly segments have quit the Congress and joined BJP today.

A reception function was held today in their honour at the office of BJP Manipur Pradesh.

Speaking at the gathering, BJP Manipur in-charge Prahlad Singh Patel remarked that there is no need to re-elect the spineless Congress Government which cannot even open the National Highways leading to the State even though the ongoing economic blockade has crossed 50 days.

The incumbent Government led by Chief Minister O

on to ask why the Congress party should be re-elected for another five years after they have already ruled the State for the past 15 years.

Z Kikhonbou Newmai said that his resignation from Congress and enrolment in BJP is one of his happiest moments.

He said that he joined BJP for he wanted to bring peace and development in the State.

Ibobi has no political will.

The Government has been engaging in rampant corruption by carrying out massive recruitment drives at the time of election, Prahlad Singh Patel said.

He further wished that the Congress party never comes to power in Manipur again.

After the State Government could not open the National Highways, the Central Government intervened and transportation of goods had

started, he continued.

People of Manipur aspire for a BJP Government which can bring rapid development in the State, and this was reflected quite clearly in the local body elections.

BJP can be interpreted as development, he added.

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari had already announced a package of Rs 22,000 crore for taking up different road projects in Manipur including development of Imphal-Jiribam high-

way. If BJP is elected to power in the State, people of the State would enjoy many advantages, he claimed.

BJP Manipur Pradesh president Ksh Bhabananda said, “We should decide our own fate”.

Entry of four sitting Congress MLAs would prove to be a big boost to the BJP. If there is a BJP Government in Manipur, the State can definitely achieve rapid development, he said and went

Even if the State Government lacks financial capacity, additional funds can be sought from the Centre for development of road and transport infrastructure.

Peace and normalcy can be restored in Manipur if there is a BJP Government, Kikhonbou said.

MLA Th Bishwajit stated that there is no question of BJP losing its strength.

The entry of MLA Kikhonbou Newmai has given a big impetus to BJP Manipur Pradesh, Bishwajit remarked.

He further informed that the party has chalked out its election strategies for the forthcoming Manipur Legislative Assembly election.

NK Sanajaoba remembered Role of State media deliberated IMPHAL, Dec 30: Lamyanba NK Sanajaoba Memorial Observation Committee has observed the 80th birth anniversary of late Nongmeikapam Sanajaoba, the pioneer of investigative journalism in Manipur, today at Lamyanba Sanglen, Palace compound here.

The commemorative function was marked by offering of floral tributes to the portrait of the journalist and observation of two minutes’ silence.

Dr Lokendra Arambam, chairperson, NKS Trust presided the function.

A panel discussion on “Manipur Media and the coming Assembly Election” was also organised as a part of the observance.

Senior journalists of the State including AK Sanaton, A Mobi and Khelen Thokchom took part in the discussion as

He highlighted the need for media to inform people accurately about candidates and political parties, both at individual level as well as at party level.

Referring to the recent incident of placing a hand grenade at the office of a newspaper, he said “We are not afraid of the threats and the media fraternity resumed their duties promptly although they suspended their daily work for a day in protest.” panellists while Irengbam Arun moderated the panel.

Panellists highlighted the need and importance of general public’s moral support toward making media a strong and meaningful medium to change the society towards positive development. The panellists also expressed strong resentment against use of force

and threats by some elements.

They also pointed out socio-political and economic complexity of the contemporary Manipuri society which have been hampering journalists from discharging their duties in strict compliance to their professional ethics.

Khelen Thokchom, Special

Correspondent, The Telegraph stressed the role of media in teaching the true structure of a democratic country to public.

He said, media has to play its part in good governance right from enlisting peoples’ names in electoral roll up to choosing the right candidates.

A Mobi, president of Editors’ Guild Manipur pointed out that different factors have been trying to influence media for their own benefits.

Irengbam Arun, Consultant Editor of The Imphal Free Press highlighted the deeprooted corruption system prevalent in the State which has been indirectly influencing media in the State.

Nagas in Delhi burn Ibobi’s effigy Dimapur, Dec 31 : Intensifying their protest against the arrest of the two UNC leaders and the “unconstitutional formation” of the new seven districts in Manipur, the Committee of Joint Naga Civil Societies, Delhi (CJNCSD) organized a mass protest rally at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on Thursday.

In a press release, CJNCSD information & publicity wing secretary, Sira Kharay, stated that a large number of Nagas thronged the streets of Jantar Mantar chanting “Nagas shall defend their land to the last man standing” and burnt the effigies of Manipur chief minister O Ibobi and deputy chief minister Gaikhangam.

Raising serious doubt on the political intention of the Centre for its continued silence on the issue, the CJNCSD questioned why the government of India has not raised even a single question to the Manipur government for the imprisonment of the two UNC leaders and “unconstitutional formation” of new seven districts.

Further, the committee criticised the government of

India for “insidiously siding with the communally fascist and anti-Naga regime of Ibobi Government at the cost of the legitimate aspiration of the Nagas.”

CJNCSD stated that the Centre’s “indifferent attitude” towards the present crisis was tantamount to dishonouring of the August 3, 2015 Naga Framework Agreement. It also asked “Is this how the Government of India wants to sell the Indian democracy and political institution to the Nagas?”

Stating that Nagas have been defending every inch of their ancestral land, liberty, identity and dignity with blood and tears since the British times, CJNCSD dared the Manipur government to attempt to carve out even an inch of the Naga ancestral territory in the name of formation of new districts.

Also, reaffirming that Naga issue was a political issue, the committee has vowed to stand its ground with UNC till the unconditional release of the two UNC leaders and rolling back of the proposed seven districts.

CJNCSD alleged that Ibobi has been targeting tribal lands through various un-

constitutional legislative actions as the valley brothers cannot legally buy tribal lands. “Ibobi has been playing politics with the life, soul, land, dignity, identity and culture of the hill tribals to cling on to power by exploiting the anti-tribal sentiment of the valley brothers as the valley brothers are socially patterned to perceive any anti-tribal policy as the interest of the valley,” the committees claimed.

Meanwhile, CJNCSD has clarified that UNC has been observing partial peaceful shutdown along the national highway, which it said was “absolutely” a legal and democratic form of protest. However, the committee said “communal Ibobi and paid valley-based media ingeniously” coined the term “economic blockade” to criminalise the Naga political issue and illegally arrested the president and the information secretary of UNC. According to CJNCSD, it has submitted another memorandum to the Prime Minister of India today reiterating their demands including immediate nullification of the creation of the seven new districts; unconditional release of the two

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NORTHEAST

UNC leaders; to respect the 3rd August Naga Framework Agreement and to expedite the finalization of the Framework Agreement; imposition of President’s Rule in the State of Manipur; CBI enquiry into the December 18, 2016 communal violence against the innocent Naga civilian passengers at Imphal and immediate compensation for the victims.

MNTF blames Mnp govt for crisis Expressing concern over the prevailing situation in Manipur, the Naga community of Manipur residing in Guwahati under the banner of Manipur Naga Tribes Forum (MNTF), Guwahati has accused the Manipur government intentionally driving a huge wedge into the fragile socio-ethnic fabric of Manipur by creating seven new districts without consulting the stakeholders and at the cost of indigenous Naga people to accommodate the migrant Kuki/Thadao tribe.

In a press release, MNTF Guwahati convener Bhim Anal and secretary Athishu Jonah said Manipur government, instead of trying to resolve the issue sincerely through dialogues, chose

not to pay heed to Naga historical rights over their ancestral land and was clandestinely planning to inaugurate two districts of Jiribam and Sadar Hills, which were to be created by slicing a major chunk of the existing Naga districts of Senapati and Tamenglong.

Affirming that it opposed “divisive policy” of Manipur government, the MNTF Guwahati appealed to the Manipur government to reconsider withdrawal of the seven newly created districts immediately.

It also appealed to the Manipur government not to vitiate the atmosphere in Manipur where Naga people were “fervently hoping” that their decades old political problem would be resolved and peace would return soon following the Framework Agreement signed between government of India and NSCN (IM) on August 3, 2015.

Further, the forum also appealed to civil society organisations of different ethnic communities living in Manipur to engage in dialogues and shun violence of any form for finding a solution to the present imbroglio.

Police hunt for Dorphang Shillong, Dec 31: Hunt is on by the police to get Mawhati MLA Julius Dorphang, who has been charged under the POCSO Act after an FIR named him as sexually exploiting a minor girl.

The case first surfaced after one Usha Deb Barman, a waiter at Marvelene’s Inn in Rilbong owned by Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh’s family, was arrested for trafficking of the 14-year-old girl.

The girl was taken to many guest houses and hotels and the police are examining different angles on the role of the accused in the sex racket case involving

politicians and others.

Besides Marvelene’s Inn, the girl was sexually abused at a guest house in Madanrting and other places at Demthring and Umiam.

After the arrest of the waiter at Marvelene’s Inn, three other pimps Mamuni Parveen, Tarisha Mary Kharbamon and Mona Lisa Shangpliang, who transported the minor girl to different guest houses, and a client Madan Bahadur Thapa were arrested.

All the accused who were booked under various provisions of the IPC and the Immoral Traffic (Prevention)

Act are currently in judicial custody.

Police are yet to arrest two more persons against whom an FIR was registered under the provisions of the POCSO Act. Criticism has come to the fore from various quarters on the need of the Home Minister to relinquish his post for a fair inquiry into the matter.

According to some critics, the administration with the help of police are yet to close down Marvelene’s Inn where the trafficking case was first detected since the guest house is run by the the Home Minister’s family.

Hek asks Govt to announce MHIS-III as New Year gift Shillong, Dec 31: Former health minister A.L Hek has urged the state government to start phase III of the Meghalaya Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS) at the earliest as a New Year gift to the people of the State.

The State government had suddenly announced the discontinuation of MHIS Phase II on October 31 and the beneficiaries are now a confused lot as they have to wait for MHIS III to get medical treatment.

“I am getting hundreds of calls from the economically backward section as they are eager to avail the

scheme, but in vain,” Hek said on Friday.

In a letter to Hek recently, Union Health Minister J.P Nadda said the Centre had raised the benefit cover from Rs 30,000 under Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) to Rs 1 lakh in the proposed National Health Protection Scheme.

MHIS also makes use of the RSBY scheme.

The status of claims under MHIS II as on June 30 this year is that as many as 34,589 female and 17,942 male persons have availed themselves of the scheme.

With a total of 52,531 pa-

tients getting medical benefits, the claims raised during the period is Rs 33,46,40,837.

MHIS phase I report for the period from May 2013 to June 2015 states that 39,843 persons opted for the benefits and out of them 27,409 are female and 12,434 male.

The total claim during the period was Rs 15,98,03,136.

However, another phase of MHIS 1 from May 1, 2013, to April 30, 2014, highlights that the total beneficiaries were 19,332 persons (13,202 female and 6,130 male) and the claim was Rs 9,32,34,827.

Loaded trucks leave Jiribam for Imphal No ban on Manipur vehicles : NSCN (IM)

DIMAPUR/JIRI, Dec 30 : Triggered by rumours doing the round that the NSCNIM has barred or banned Manipur registered/bound vehicles from entering Nagaland, some Manipur bound vehicles are reportedly stranded at Khatkhati in Assam today. Sources said that the rumours started in the afternoon of Friday.

Meanwhile, the NSCN-IM has clarified that it has not issued such a directive to ban Manipur bound vehicles. “We have nothing to do with such rumours,” dismissed V Horam, who is the ‘kilonser’ (minister) in the Ministry of Information and Publicity (MIP) of the

NSCN-IM. V Horam asked, “Why should we ban or bar Manipur bound vehicles or Manipur registered vehicles ?” He then asked rumour mongers not to create unnecessary confusion.

Meanwhile 536 loaded trucks are headed to Imphal from Jiribam under tight security. 356 more loaded trucks have arrived at Jiribam today, our correspondent reports.

The loaded trucks heading toward Imphal include 9 petrol tankers, 17 diesel tankers, 4 LPG bullet trucks, 2 ATF, 12 FCI, one truck carrying wheat , 140 cement laden trucks, 7 vehicles with

medicines, and 343 trucks carrying other essential commodities.

Of the 356 trucks that reached Jiribam today, 18 are oil tankers, 2 LPG trucks, one of the FCI Department, 3 ATF and 332 trucks loaded with other basic amenities.

Earlier, the security escorts ensured that majority of the trucks are escorted to Imphal on the first trip. Now, since the CRPF took over, the number of trucks per trip have been limited to 500 or less, a truck driver told this correspondent.

Citing the difficulties faced by truck drivers, he urged the State Government to arrange a way so that more trucks are escorted per trip.

Disciplinary action against MPSC staff Shillong, Dec 31: The MPSC has decided to initiate departmental proceedings against its staff for the alleged mismatch in the marks allotted to a job applicant.

The job aspirant, Millon Ch Momin, had filed the petition in the High Court of Meghalaya doubting the nature of recruitment for police personnel by MPSC. In response to a news report in this regard, MPSC chairman L.M Sangma, in a statement issued here on Friday, said the decision on disciplinary action against the staff was communicated to the State government.

Sangma said the Commission in the past had issued showcause to the staff who had committed the typing mistake while uploading the marks in the MPSC website in December 2014. Moreover, the Commission had also censured the staff

though there was no mala fide intention as it was an act of human error, Sangma said.

He said the mistake was even declared and admitted by MPSC in the affidavit in opposition field in the Court.

However, the Commission, in a meeting held on December 6, agreed to initiate disciplinary proceedings.

Commenting further on the disciplinary action, Sangma said the government agreed, promptly approved and communicated officially the selection of the enquiry officer to the rank of Deputy Secretary.

“This action by the Commission has been taken as a mechanism to streamline the functioning of MPSC and to create a professional working atmosphere in MPSC, to avoid such mistakes being made in future and more importantly to instill faith in the public that there was no manipulation of marks

in the recruitment of MPS officer,” he added.

Sangma said the candidate who filed the case against MPSC was shown his actual interview marks by the Commission but instead he chose to file a case against the MPSC claiming that the Commission had manipulated the marks.

The MPSC chief also said the expert member of the interview panel for recruitment of MPS officers, whose score sheets were under scanner in the court of Single Judge, has made known that the marks were entered and eraser was used by him and that even though the marks were written with pencil and pen there was no irregularity.

“The same marks were written in pen and pencil by him and that there was absolutely no tampering or manipulation of marks by MPSC,” Sangma said.

EDITORIAL

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, JANUARY 1

Today's quote

“

A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning. – Brad Henry

Managing risk in banks The Reserve Bank of India's biannual Financial Stability Report has once again flagged the fact that risks to the banking sector remain worryingly "high". That the risks have stayed "elevated due to continuous deterioration in asset quality, low profitability and liquidity," in the central bank's assessment, is cause for concern. Given the central role commercial lenders have in the financial system - serving to harness public savings and direct the flow of crucial credit to the most productive industrial and infrastructure sectors - any systemic risk to the banking industry has the potential to ripple across the entire economy. There has been no perceptible improvement in the health of domestic banks, even six months after the RBI's previous report had highlighted the sector's high vulnerability on account of the increase in capital requirement and worsening asset quality, spotlighting the need for urgent policy interventions. Some measures have been initiated and others are in the pipeline, including a draft Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance Bill to address bankruptcy situations in banks and other financial entities. Still, there is every reason to prioritise the restoration of the sector's health as some of the risks inherent in banks may already be getting transferred to other segments of the financial markets, according to the RBI's report. A survey, of experts and market participants, conducted by the RBI in OctoberNovember reveals that among institutional risks, credit growth and cyber risk were seen as two key "high risk factors".

The appointment of Viral Acharya as Deputy Governor overseeing monetary policy at the RBI, therefore, comes at a crucial juncture. A former member of the Advisory Committee of Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission, he brings substantial expertise in both identifying and dealing with systemic risks in the banking sector. Having authored a number of papers on the risks lenders could pose to the wider financial system and even the sovereign's credit standing, he will have his task cut out. A proponent of sequestering and separately dealing with the stressed assets and bad loans on a lender's books, Mr. Acharya had in an interview suggested that the "unhealthy parts of the troubled banks" could be separated from the healthier assets and put into a 'bad bank' to prevent systemic contagion. With the RBI pointing out that banks saddled with bad loans were likely to remain "risk-averse" and find themselves lacking the capital needed to lend more to meet credit demand in the economy, the regulator and the government will need to work in close concert to expeditiously resolve this vital legacy issue.

2016: The Supreme Court's report card Suhrith Parthasarthy Collectively, the court's choices this year have shown us that any independence it enjoys hasn't guided it towards concerted courage in decision-making The Supreme Court finds itself at a curious juncture.

It has spent much of the year lodged in a widely broadcast battle with the Union government over judicial appointments. Led by Chief Justice T.S. Thakur, who retires on January 3, 2017, the court has fought this contest presumably to assert its independence from executive and legislative control.

But, somewhat counter-intuitively, the wrangle has had a deleterious impact on the court's moral authority.

The court has not only been intransigent in allowing the executive no say in matters of appointments, despite the Constitution's clearly contrary mandate, but it has also failed to make the existing system - selections through a "collegium" of senior judges - more transparent and democratically justifiable. What's worse, while constantly stressing on its apparent autonomy, the court has often appeared to cave in to the very majoritarian impulses that it is tasked with refuting.

While it is no doubt difficult to make grand assertions about the Supreme Court given that it doesn't sit en banc, as one, and given that it comprises judges who can be disparate in their outlook and attitudes towards what constitutes a proper judicial role, collectively the court's choices in 2016 have shown us that any independence it enjoys hasn't guided it towards concerted courage in decision-making. On the contrary, particularly in enforcing fundamental rights - which it ought to see as its

There is a convergence of interests for Turkey and Russia in finding a peaceful solution. Having seen the U.S. interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan, Russia doesn't want to get stuck in Syria. By promoting a negotiated deal, it could retain its core interests in Syria while at the same time projecting itself as a power broker in West Asia. Turkey wants to limit the spillover effects of the war on its soil and stop Kurdish rebels from capitalising on the chaos in Syria. This explains why Turkey and Russia have come together now despite their bitter relations last year. But these objective conditions alone may not produce sustainable peace. It is still not clear which rebel groups have agreed to the ceasefire. Turkey supports only some of the rebel groups, while several other groups get support from Gulf monarchies. There are jihadist elements as well in the Opposition, such as Fateh al-Sham, that could play the spoiler by carrying out attacks on government positions. Besides, the Kurdish question remains unaddressed. If Kurds are invited for talks, Turkey might withdraw its support for the peace process. For now, however, if the ceasefire holds at least till next month's Astana summit of the related parties, it could be a new beginning for Syria.

most important function the court has, barring a few notable exceptions, scarcely served as the keeper of the country's conscience.

Tussle between judiciary and executive The present battle lines between the judiciary and the executive were drawn in October 2015 when the court delivered its verdict in Supreme Court Advocateson-Record Association v.

Union of India. Here, the court struck down the 99th Constitutional Amendment and consequently the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC), which had been created to replace the collegium. Four of the five judges who heard the case (Justice J. Chelameswar dissented) found that the primacy the collegium enjoyed in choosing the country's judges was a part of the Constitution's basic structure. According to the majority, the NJAC - a body that was to comprise the law minister, two eminent laypersons, and the three senior-most judges, including the CJI - in removing the primacy that the judiciary enjoyed in selecting its own members infracted the basic structure, and, therefore, had to be quashed.

Although this is a decidedly bizarre conclusion when you consider that the collegium finds no mention in the bare text of the Constitution, many political observers believed that it was a verdict that was necessary to ensure the independent functioning of the judiciary. But not even the most ardent supporters of the judgment backed the existing status quo. The collegium system indisputably required reform. To this end, in December 2015, the

Supreme Court, after receiving a slew of suggestions on how to improve the collegium's functioning, directed the executive, whose sovereign power to make appointments it had divested in its verdict, to prepare a draft memorandum that would lay down the procedure for the collegium's functioning.

Since then, there has been a constant back and forth between the two wings, with no end apparently in sight. But if the court were so loath to giving any leeway to the executive in the process, it makes one wonder why the task of preparing the draft memorandum was assigned to the government in the first place.

Making things worse, one of the collegium's members declined to participate in a meeting of the group in September this year, on grounds purportedly of a lack of transparency in its working.

Whatever one might think of Justice Chelameswar's methods in expressing his demur, his objections only made it clearer that there was something broken at the core of the system: the collegium, in his assertion, was simply functioning in a manner beyond the remit prescribed for it by the court's own judgments.

Two flawed decisions While enshrouding the process of appointing judges from any reasonable standard of candour and accountability, the court has simultaneously made choices that only show that the present system doesn't necessarily produce the kind of counter-majoritarian judiciary that a democracy requires. Two decisions from the past year exemplify the court's remarkably unflattering outlook on fundamental rights. The first, rendered in May - Subramanian Swamy v. Union of India rebuffed a challenge to the colonial-era criminal defa-

mation law and upheld Sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code.

Judges, under any sensible interpretation of their role, are required to apply rules derived from precedent, statutes, and the Constitution, in checking legislative or executive excesses.

But the court in Subramanian Swamy did none of this. It brushed aside legitimate concerns about the chilling effect that the criminal defamation law has had on speech with a frightening disdain for tradition and precedent. Justice Dipak Misra, who wrote the judgment, in holding that the law constituted a reasonable restriction on the right to freedom of expression, made no effort whatsoever in relying on any of the constitutionally sanctioned limitations to free speech. Instead, he appealed to his own distinct sense of what ought to constitute the law, by carving out of the ever-malleable Article 21, which guarantees a right to life and personal liberty, a "right to reputation." Worse still, he conceived a concept of "constitutional fraternity," hitherto unknown to Indian law, which, he ruled, demanded an "assurance of mutual respect and concern for each other's dignity." This reasoning is flawed on many counts. But chief among them is the fact that neither of the precepts relied upon

by Justice Misra finds mention in Article 19(2), which contains the legal basis for restricting speech. The consequence of the judgment is vastly damaging: it has the effect of placing values that rest on individual predilections above the right to freedom of speech, which, by any equitable interpretation of the Constitution, ought to stand on firmer footing.

The second decision, delivered on November 30, ex-

traordinarily takes rights even less seriously. In an interim order on a public interest litigation filed by a supposed social activist from Bhopal, the court directed that all cinema halls in India play the national anthem before the screening of any film, and that persons present in the hall compulsorily stand up to show their respect for the anthem.

Quite apart from indulging in rule-making that ought to be the prerogative of Parliament, the order sidesteps its complete disregard for basic liberties by offering no reasons whatsoever. In doing so, the court simply assumed the role of a super legislature, having tasked itself with the power to impose its own brand of distorted nationalism.

There have been other instances in 2016 of the Supreme Court using what it perceives to be a power to do complete justice to achieve precisely the converse - among other impacts, these verdicts set a poor example for high courts which are concomitantly tempted to extend the use of their writ to perform what are principally legislative functions. But what's been even more damaging to the Supreme Court's legitimacy has been its dithering under pressure. Despite issuing interim orders as early as in 2013 making the securing of the Aadhaar card optional, the court has failed to adequately enforce its directions - seemingly every day the government and its various agencies appear to extend the use of the unique ID linking it with the provision of a number of essential services. The court can be excused for failing to haul up the government for contempt of its orders were it to expedite its hearing of the basic challenge to the UID scheme.

But the Constitution Bench

established to determine whether India's citizens have a fundamental right to privacy, which the Aadhaar policy quite clearly appears to contravene, is yet to hear concrete arguments on the issue.

C h a l l e n g i n g demonetisation In similar vein is the challenge to the policy of demonetisation. A number of petitioners have not only questioned the procedural validity of the government's and the Reserve Bank of India's various notifications, but have also contended that the policy infracts significant fundamental rights. We now have a very quick answer, and it's not a good one.

After many false beginnings, on December 16, the court directed the establishment of a five-judge bench to rule on the constitutional validity of the demonetisation notifications and on the legality of the policy's implementation.

If we were to go by the example of the Aadhaar case, it is entirely likely that this policy too would be rendered fait accompli by the time the court gets around to hearing the challenge. In many ways, these acts of wavering in the face of public pressure showcase a Supreme Court lacking in moral courage. The harm in consigning to the academic challenges to laws that have an immediate bearing on our lives, which invade into our cherished liberties and into our ability to function as equal beings, is enormous.

An independent judiciary, properly understood, far from being one that appoints its own members, is one that possesses the will and the conviction to resolve swiftly hard cases, uninfluenced by societal perception, in a manner that enriches the finest values of our constitutional tradition.

The year of the will

A new dawn for Syria?

The ceasefire reached between Syria's government and Opposition, with the mediation of Turkey, Russia and Iran, could be a turning point in the country's civil war. Unlike the two previous failed ceasefires this year - which were negotiated between Russia and the U.S. - the latest one is sponsored by countries directly involved in the conflict. The positive reaction from both the Syrian regime and rebel commanders to the announcement of the ceasefire by Russian President Vladimir Putin also suggests that the warring parties are willing to give diplomacy a chance. For the Syrian government, this is an opportunity to announce it is ready for a peaceful settlement. Though President Bashar al-Assad has repeatedly claimed that he would retake the entire territory from the rebels, a military solution appears to be illusory. A prolonged conflict will exhaust the regime forces further and multiply the humanitarian costs. On the other side, after the victory in Aleppo, the regime could now negotiate with the rebels from a position of strength. For the rebels, the momentum is gone. Their support is limited to certain parts such as Idlib, Daraa and the outskirts of Damascus. The question they face is whether they should continue fighting a never-ending war of attrition or seek to gain leverage from whatever military influence they are left with.

P6

We no longer trust politics, language, institutions. We look for saviours and leaders who have the power to act on the world Pratap Bhanu Mehta Our civil calendar new year, not withstanding the sociability associated with it, marks a profoundly lonely moment. Other forms of "new year" are about the world changing: The seasons changing, the planets turning, or the year itself signifying something new. The new year supposedly tracked some rhythm, of nature, of the cosmic cycle, or even fate. The rhythm may not always be consoling, but it brought the expectation of change. The civil new year marks a change of date. Most people rightly treat it as a matter of indifference. But there are rituals associated with it.

Usually these are endowed significance not by the promise that the world will change but by an exhortation that we should, as individuals, change.

The "new year resolution" is a profoundly subjective act. The year does not promise you change; you promise change to the year. It is an exhortation to change oneself, find new willpower, and start a new personal regimen or hobby. You might say, it is the type of |resolution suited to modernity: Men and women, no longer prisoners of rhythms they cannot control; we have at least the power to order

ourselves, no matter what the world portends. The new year resolve, if it exists at all, is about care of the self.

But care of the self is often overshadowed by two concerns. On a lighter vein, as the wise Mark Twain knew, a resolution to oneself has about as much sanctity as money printed by oneself. He wrote: "Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual. Yesterday, everybody smoked his last cigar, took his last drink, and swore his last oath.

Today, we are a pious and exemplary community.

Thirty days from now, we shall have cast our reformation to the winds and gone to cutting our ancient shortcomings considerably shorter than ever."

There is a reassuring stability in this human frailty.

But resolutions of the self also require a degree of certainty in our public world. How much certainty men and women can assume varies considerably. The world, despite a decline in poverty, still has an unconscionably appalling degree of pov-

erty, always the greatest threat to human dignity.

But now the normative frameworks that anchored our politics and societies are up for grabs in an almost unprecedented way.

Populations, particularly in liberal democracies, are increasingly finding the status quo unbearable; many revolted and in that revolt felt empowered.

The net result of that tumult is a radical reopening of fundamental questions of the kind we have not seen in a generation.

First, in the economy, there is not just increasing pessimism whether the promise of endless growth, productivity and jobs can continue in a vein that reconciles the interests of all sections of the globe - capital and labour, the North and the South.

Second, in a long time, the basic constitutional structures of a liberal democracy are going to be seriously tested by a challenging combination of populism and growth in executive power. In the contest between plutocratic incrementalism and soft authoritarianism, the latter seems to be winning.

Third, the values of liberal societies, the preference for liberty over authority, deliberation over propaganda, dispersal of power rather than its concentra-

tion, diversity as an asset rather than a liability, civility rather than aggression, are now a source of contempt. Liberal has become a "sneer" word, without any thought of what will replace it.

Fourth, globalisation, the greater material and human integration of the global economy, is seriously under question. Nationalism is back with a vengeance, not as a harbinger of a new civic commitment, but as a new collective narcissism.

Fifth, the balance of global power will also become uncertain. A world in which its leaders vie for attention on Twitter, around nuclear weapons and surgical strikes, is not a reassuring one. Sixth, even in the social space, new forms of communication have transformed our sense of self in ways whose implications are not clear. Social media has been empowering and democratising in some ways; it has been divisive and abusive in many others. But it has altered the boundaries of the public and the private, the sacred and the profane, the serious and the trivial in ways we still do not understand.

Finally, it is not clear whether the incremental resolve the world had shown to save the planet

from climate change will survive.

Such a moment of crisis can be a moment of regeneration; the opportunity to look beyond settled complacencies.

But these challenges will not follow the rhythms of the calendar, or be amenable to individual resolve. If anything, the sense of isolation, the gap between our intentions and the shape of the world as it emerges, is only likely to grow.

Gramsci's ever prescient advice "pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will" was made in the face of disappointment over the possibility of revolution, of the world taking shape in a way that conforms to our aspirations for it. The return of the "will" is in a sense a sign of disappointment with the world.

We can no longer trust ordinary politics, with its messy compromises, procedures and mediations.

We no longer trust language, since common meanings have been eroded under the weight of partisan misunderstandings. We no longer trust the intellect and reason: They are too elitist and compromised. We no longer trust institutions

since they are too corrupt.

Perhaps this is a reason why we are looking for saviours and redeemers, leaders who by sheer dint of will can change our politics. When the intellect suggests a world of difficulty and complexity, the only way out is acts of assertion that can remind us of our power to act on the world.

So, the convulsions of 2016 were not about recovering a new idealism, a new sociability. It was about looking for exemplars of "optimism of the will," leaders who promise to amass power in themselves to stamp their authority on the world.

Our fates are in the hands of Supreme Leaders; 2017 will be a test for how wellfounded or misplaced this faith has been; is this "triumph of the will" a road to paradise or perdition?"

And if the latter, what is plan B? But we still have our new year's resolutions. Oh wait! It turns out in 2016 we are not even sure whether our new year resolution should involve cutting cholesterol as sharply as we thought we were supposed to. And social scientists are telling us we don't understand happiness. Happy New Year anyway!

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, JANUARY 1

P7

Han-up-ahi-kiti: Karbi celebration for a pork delicacy Slaughter, slice, season plains; their counterparts in and savour - this is the rou- the hills of Karbi Anglong tine followed across the just cannot do without it world for meat products. during festivals or commuFew, like the Karbi ethnic nity events. community in Assam, go A popular Karbi saying through an elaborate celgoes thus: "Chiti-han-upebration to relish theirs.

A ahikiti". meal Mangalsingh Rongphar I t witho u t means pork, salted, smoked, wet- preparing for the pork delicured or steamed, is a rarity cacy during Chiti, a month for the tribes of Northeast in the Karbi calendar that to the India. The Karbis inhabiting corresponds Assam's Karbi Anglong Gregorian September. Durdistrict love phak-ok (pork) ing Chiti, people of a partoo, but would rather wait ticular village or area go to months for a special deli- a nearby hill to collect bamcacy seasoned with bamboo boo shoots while playing the chengburup (traditional shoots.

Karbi drum) and singing The preparation for this folk songs in traditional atdelicacy undergoes a ritu- tire. They select a bamboo alistic celebration called with offshoots, circle it rituHan-up-ahi-kiti, where han- ally and offer puja to their up means bamboo shoot. gods.

The preparation, though, is not popular among the After the puja, a youth of Karbis living in Assam's the Ronghang clan cuts the

Karbis just cannot have enough of this delicacy that they feel is worth the wait.

Photo: Mangalsingh Rongphar

bamboo shoots and hands them over to a young girl of Timung clan. The celebration begins after the girl places the bamboo shoots in a hak or hora (bamboo basket). This is a signal for the other villagers to cut and collect bamboo shoots from different bamboo groves.

But the shoot-harvesting comes with a rider. The bamboos of the hill from where the bamboo shoots are collected for han-up-ahi-kiti cannot be cut for any other purpose for the whole year.

How did this tradition of collecting bamboo shoots begin? According to a Karbi legend, a Ronghang boy and a Timung girl had first gone to collect bamboo shoots from the hills during Jir Kedam, an agricultural custom that boys and girls of traditional youth dormitories observe together.

While returning to the village, they cut the shoots from the bamboo groves en

route. It was a sign for other villagers to know that the bamboo shoots were being harvested for han-up-ahikiti. This caught on, primarily to keep the tradition alive.

After the harvesting is done, the villagers collect the bamboo shoots at a particular place. The village women then cut the bamboo shoots into small pieces, keep them on banana leaves placed on bamboo mats and pound them with bamboo poles.

It is then the turn of the men folk to cut slabs of pork into small pieces. These are subsequently mixed with the bamboo shoots and allowed to ferment in a large conical bamboo basket for three-four months. In some areas, small pieces of pumpkin and chilli are added to the mixture.

This basket is usually 2025 ft in height, and its inner side is lined with banana

leaves for preserving the han-up-ahi or the bamboo shoot-pork mixture. Villagers climb a bamboo ladder to pour the mixture into it rhythmically with the beats of the chengburup.

The pouring follows a norm; the village headman, known as Rong Asar, starts the process followed by the boy from the Ronghang clan and the girl from the Timung clan.

A long piece of bamboo is placed at the bottom of the conical basket for collection of a viscous fluid that trickles from the mixture of fermented pork and bamboo shoots. This fluid is used to add flavour and taste to dishes made from leafy and other vegetables.

Pieces of pork and pumpkin are added for that extra punch.

Karbis just cannot have enough of this delicacy that they feel is worth the wait.

Courtesy: nezine

hangings are uniquely designed. Carpets with dragon designs are very famous here. This is also the place from where you could buy craft items to take back with you as souvenirs. Image credits ddlogo.blogspot.in Bomdila is not only a beautiful town but it also

has strategic importance being on Indo-China border.

The snow-capped mountains, scenic valleys, lush green landscape thanks to the dense forests, orchids and orchards and challenging trekking options make Bomdila an 'all-in-one' gift package from nature. If you

were seeking a perfect holiday to enjoy nature at its best, you would love tourist places in Bomdila for what it has to offer. Enjoy nature and have an insight into the culture and lifestyle of the land that stays fresh untouched by the modern world.

gets inundated during floods. There is no primary health centres.

There are two schools but one school is yet to have a proper shed for students.

The residents spoke with much caution with military personnel around.

Dependent on the military's goodwill for all kind of emergencies, they kept quiet about whether they had to face any harassment from the military.

The residents are issued a gate-pass by the BSF. While talking about the law and order situation, an elderly resident Haleswar Roy recalls that some years back people from across the border used to come and loot. Cases of robbery were common.

Around five years back some robbers came and tied him up and stole his four cows. When BSF intervened, three cows were returned.

teaches in one of the primary schools says that he has moved to Golokganj town with family although he originally is from Fauskarkuti. Upward social mobility led to people moving out of this border village.

civic amenities and pushed them to a position between a well and a deep sea.

Turned into prisoners in their own homes, their mobility is strictly regulated. To go over to India they have to cross a check gate and they cannot go to markets within a walking distance because it happens to be in a different country. However interference from the other side is frequent. BDR personnel and Bangladeshi people protested against the installation of pillars with solar flood lights in the villages. They also did not want the bridge to be constructed on the pretence that no construction should be carried out within 200 metres of the border on either side.

Tourist Destinations in Bomdila With snow clad Himalayan mountain ranges and lush greenery to flaunt its natural beauty and various crafts to boast of its rich culture and lifestyle, Bomdila ranks amongst the leading tourist destinations in Arunachal Pradesh. Situated 8000 feet above sea level, Bomdila is aphotographer's delight, as the snow-capped mountain ranges of Himalayas offer spectacular views. To enjoy the essence of nature in its varied forms, you could not think of a better place than Bomdila.

Sessa Orchid Sanctuary Established in the year 1979, Sessa Orchid Sanctuary covers more than 100 sq. km area of land. Doimara and Tenga reserve forests form a part of the sanctuary.

Sessa Orchid Sanctuary has deep valleys, high hills as well as hills of lesser heights. Several rivers originate from these hills and the area thus looks picturesque with hills, valleys, rivers and waterfalls along with over 200 species of orchids. It

also houses animals including red panda and pheasant.

The sanctuary is beauty personified on all seasons of the year. While it rains mostly between April and October, during winter, high mountain peaks covered with snow make the environment stunningly beautiful.

Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary Close to Sessa Orchid Sanctuary, you will find Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, which covers an area of 217 sq. km.The sanctuary offers spectacular views with waterfalls flowing from lesser heights and Kameng River flowing through the lush greenery. The sanctuary is home to various birds likeeagle, hornbill, kingfishers, ducksand pheasants.

The animals found here include Bengal tiger, langur, Asian elephant, black bear, red panda and many more.

Over 165 types of butterflies that are seen here add color to the colorful sanctuary.

India and Bangladesh The problem of enclave shared a peculiar history dwellers began with the inand geography of en- troduction of passports claves. It and visas in is a long 1952. They twisted their Parvin Sultana lost tale of cerlimited motain areas bility and finding themselves in were allowed to pass trans-territorial setting. through only designated Enclaves are fragments of check points. They ran the one country totally sur- risk of being arrested for rounded by another. The not carrying passport trans-territorial setting while crossing the internameans an area being geo- tional border. As the engraphically located in one clave dwellers had no votcountry but politically and ing rights, both India and legally belonging to an- Bangladesh lost interest in other. While there are a their cause. few enclaves in countries like Norway and Belgium, The life of the enclave there were 111 Indian en- dweller is subject to law claves in Bangladesh and but is unprotected by the 51 Bangladeshi enclaves in law. They are left invisible India. in the eyes of the state.

State machinery is present The situation within the as a punitive force in these enclaves has always been enclaves but never as an grim. Being surrounded agent of development. by the territory of another During the bird flu epicountry, to travel to their demic of 2009, poultry home state, people have to owners whose chickens cross international borders were destroyed were and take necessary permis- compensated. But this sion for doing so. Along benefit was not extended with this, due to the ab- to the enclaves. However sence of access to the border guards often enter home country the people these enclaves to catch have been systematically anti-social elements who denied of basic amenities. use this area as a hideout.

They are practically prisThe enclave situation oners in these enclaves as simmered for a long time. they cannot procure docu- Political compulsions ofments required for travel- ten pushed this problem to ling to their so-called the backburner. motherland.

Bangladesh had more Indian enclaves. Any talk of

Dirang Valley Dirang Valley is a stunningly picturesque valley that lies between Bomdila and Tawang.Dirang, the town situated in the valley has a pleasant weather that makes for a comfortable stay. The views from Dirang are mind blowing. If you love trekking, you would the high peaks in Dirang irresistible. Dirang is also famous for hot water springsand apple orchards that enhance the natural beauty of the place. Bird watchers andtrekkers use Dirang as their base camp before venturing towards Mandla.

Dirang valley is also famous for medicinal plants that are found in plenty here.

Monastery of South Tibet.

The temple of Buddha in the monastery attracts pilgrims in great numbers.

Bomdila Monastery Bomdila Monastery was established in the year 1965 and it represents the spiritual essence of Buddhism.

It is situated close to Tipi Orchid Research Center in West Kameng district. Followers of Mahayana Buddhism consider this place sacred. The monastery resembles Tsona Gontse

Bomdila View Point Nature lovers will love Bomdila View Point, as views from here are spectacular. The highest point here offers breathtaking views of the landscape around including Nechipu Pass. West Kameng Valley spreads out in front of your eyes when viewed from here.

Apple Orchards Bomdila is famous for apple orchards. They are spread across large areas of the land. Laden with apples, the huge trees in the orchards are great attractions to tourists. Visiting Bomdila in winter would be a feast to your eyes as apple orchards will be at their optimum best in production.

You are sure to love the casual stroll in the apple orchards and the temptation tobuy apples for unbelievably low prices is too hard to resist.

Craft Centre and Ethnographic Museum Craft Center and Ethnographic Museum is precisely where you need to be if you want to experience the essence of the culture and lifestyle of Bomdila.

The hand woven carpets, traditional masks and wall

Bhogdanga- Life beyond the fence land swap meant India and Bangladesh would give up their claims on the area of enclaves within their territories. This meant India would have to give up claim on more land. This did not go down well with states like Assam and West Bengal. Another aspect of the Land Swap Deal was to give option to the enclave dwellers on choosing their country.

They could accept the citizenship of the host country or move to their home country. Hence the residents of Indian enclaves could travel to mainland India and be given Indian citizenship.

Many showed concern that this would pave way for illegal immigrants to move into India. This was accentuated by the fact that the question of illegal immigration continues to be an important one in the political discourse of northeast.

While a bill to address the problems of the enclave dwellers was formulated as back as in 1974, political compulsions and

opportunism put it on the backburner. Another concrete step was taken by the UPA government in 2011, but BJP then in opposition played up the sub nationalist feelings of people from Assam and Bengal and thwarted the bill. It was only after BJP came to power in 2014, they decided to go ahead with the Land Swap Deal.

While the passage of the bill and the signing of the treaty have a potential to address the problems of enclave dwellers after all these years, the unnecessary delay showed how political parties undermined the problems of enclave dwellers in front of electoral compulsions.

At a time when the first step towards solving the problem of enclaves has been taken, there is another peculiar problem of an Indian 'exclave' facing the country. A village called Bhokdanga in Golokganj of Dhubri district is a narrow strip of land barely 50 metres in breadth protruding in Bangladesh. Bhogdanga

and Fauskarkuti are two villages which fall outside the fence. They are surrounded by Bangladesh and the inhabitants enter Indian land through a BSF check gate which is closed at 4 p.m sharp.

These villages are surrounded by Kacher Kuti, Shaber Kuti, Kanur gaon, Shiver Haat, Balabari and Angler Kuti of district Kurigram of Bangladesh.

A visit to the village which has around 125 families with a population of around 750 brought to the forefront a case of serious absence of basic amenities. Residents are mostly Koch Rajbongshis with a few Muslim families. They have one mosque with two makeshift temples in a close proximity to each other.

For small things the villagers have to cross the check gate, register there and then go to the market in Nalia which is at a distance of 4-5 km. The two villages are connected by a wooden bridge which was constructed after much delay. Even then the bridge is not very high and

With nothing to mark the border except some pillars, animals often crossover to the other country. This leads to skirmishes also. Mayuri Bala Barman, a local resident tells us that few days back her ducks crossed over and were captured by people there. The BSF again had to intervene to ensure they were returned. Birkanta Roy, who is a school teacher and

People were mainly engaged in agriculture, fishing with very few in government jobs. Haleswar Roy further lamented that yearly floods are devastating and the villagers have to live in terrible conditions during those times with no help from the authorities. Keen to witness the exchange between the people of the two country, me and my fellow researcher wanted to stay overnight. But we were strictly told that permission will not be granted and leaving us on our own might be a threat to our safety. We could see people from the neighbouring country keenly observing us from a few metres distance.

In the few hours that we spent in the two villages made us realize that these people lived in equally precarious conditions like the enclave dwellers. After 4 p.m they are at the mercy of the neighbouring village people of Bangladesh. The location beyond the fence have denied them basic

The villagers are caught between the devil and the deep sea. The distance from Indian land and the proximity to Bangladesh have worked against their interests. Bound to their land for livelihood, villagers can give up their claims only if compensated properly. Looking at the condition of the people, one is forced to wonder that if the problem of enclaves took more than six decades to be solved, the possibility of the villagers being shifted and rehabilitated seems distant.

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, JANUARY 1

NATION P8 2016 saw several Indian women Last minute patch-up in feud-ridden SP;Akhilesh, Ramgopal back breaking the glass ceiling

PTI New Delhi, Dec 31 : Several Indian women made their way into the record books in 2016 with awe-inspiring feats be it in the field of defence, politics or sports.

Indian Air Force welcomed to its fold its first batch of women fighter pilots when Avani Chaturvedi, Bhawana Kanth and Mohana Singh were commissioned in June.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar termed the combat role for these women in the Air Force as a "milestone".

Archana Ramasundram

became the first woman head of a paramilitary force when she was appointed Director General of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) in February.

The 58-year-old resident of Uttar Pradesh is a Tamil Nadu cadre IPS officer.

In politics, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, 56, became the first woman chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir when she took charge in April following the death of her father.

Former Union minister Najma Heptullah was appointed as the 18th governor of Manipur, the first woman to hold that

post in the northeastern state.

Upma Chowdhary, a 1983-batch IAS officer of Himachal cadre, became the first woman to be appointed Director of Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) at Mussoorie.

In the sports arena, Indian women achieved several milestones.

Shuttler P V Sindhu became the countrys firstever woman silver medal winner at the Olympics when she achieved the feat at the Rio Games.

Sakshi Malik too had her share of glory when she became the first woman

wrestler from India to bag an Olympic medal - a bronze at Rio. Tripura girl Dipa Karmarkar became the darling of the country when she reached the vault finals at Rio -- the first Indian woman to do so. She is also the first Indian to qualify for the Olympics gymnastics event.

Young Aditi Ashok entered the record books by becoming the first woman Indian golfer to win a European Tour event.

The list does not stop here.

Deepa Malik became the first Indian woman

athlete to win a medal at the Rio Paralympics where she bagged a silver medal in shot-put event.

Sania Mirza retained her World number one rank in doubles in the WTA rankings in a gruelling 2016 season in which she won eight titles, including the Australian Open with Swiss partner Martina Hingis.

At the 129th session of International Olympic Committee (IOC) in August, Nita Ambani was elected an individual member of the IOC, the first woman from India to achieve the feat.

Proposal to add 15000 men to PM Modi urged Delhi Police cleared by Home to offer relief for

Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

PTI New Delhi, Dec 31 : The Union Home Ministry has cleared a proposal to add 15,000 more personnel to the Delhi Police and it awaits the Finance Ministry's nod, Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said terming its strength as "inadequate".

Singh made the announcement at a mega police event here where ranks were awarded to 24 personnel out of the

27,000 promoted this year.

The expansion, if effected, will make the force nearly one lakh strong.

"I feel Delhi Police strength is not adequate.

It has to increase. The proposal pertaining to recruitment of 15,000 personnel have been sent to the Finance Ministry by the Home Ministry. I hope the approval will be received soon," he said.

The event also saw the presence of Ministers of State (Home) Kiren Rijiju, Hansraj Gangaram Ahir and Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Verma and a bevy of senior officials, inspectors, constables and their family members.

Singh said it was "raining promotions" in Delhi Police as "no where" have so many personnel been promoted together. He lauded Verma's efforts toward removing the stagnation in promotion.

"Promotions are in short supply in Police as well as in paramilitary forces and when it happens the person is on the last leg of his career. I had told the police commissioner to promote personnel when it is due without any hesitation," Singh said.

According to official data, Delhi Police at present has a total sanctioned strength of around 82,242, of which 77,083 are filled.

Anil Baijal Takes Oath As Delhi Lt Governor, Says Will Work Together With Elected Government

Anil Baijal was administered oath as Delhi Lieutenant Governor by High Court chief Justice G Rohini.

New Delhi, Dec 31 : Former bureaucrat Anil Baijal has taken oath as the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, a post that fell vacant after the surprise resignation of Najeeb Jung last week. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was present when Mr Baijal, 70, was administered oath as the 20th Lieutenant Governor of Delhi this morning by High Court chief Justice G Rohini at Raj Niwas in Civil Lanes area of North Delhi.

Mr Baijal, after taking oath, thanked President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and said, "I hope we will work together with the elected government. We have too many problems, law and order, women safety, pollution, infrastructure. We will work on all of this."

On previous Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung's tussle with the Delhi government, he said, "This is speculative. We will sit and talk and you will come to know whether relations have improved or not."

Anil Baijal retired in 2006 as the Secretary of the Urban Development Ministry. As Union Home Secretary, he had been shifted to the Urban Development Ministry in a rejig after the UPA government came to power in 2004.

A former vice-chairman of the Delhi Development Authority, Mr Baijal was involved with the designing and roll-out of Rs. 60,000 crore Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission launched by the Manmohan Singh government.

He was also on the executive council of the think-tank Vivekananda International Foundation, several of whose former members, including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, have been appointed to senior positions

by PM Modi's government.

Mr Baijal, known to follow the rule book, will have to take a series of important decisions including on the report of Shungulu committee, set up by Mr Jung to examine over 400 files pertaining to decisions taken by the AAP government in the last two years.

The Shungulu committee has reportedly pointed out "irregularities" in some of the Kejriwal Government's decisions.

Najeeb Jung had unexpectedly submitted his resignation on December 22, almost 18 months before his tenure was scheduled to end. His tenure had been marked with constant conflict with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal since the Aam Aadmi Party government swept to power in Delhi in 2015.

Accusing Mr Jung of being the "Centre's agent", Mr Kejriwal had alleged that the BJP-led Central government was carrying on a proxy war with the Delhi government through him.

bank deaths

Mulayam Singh Yadav.

PTI Lucknow, Dec 31 : After a massive show of strength by Akhilesh Yadav, who was expelled from SP by father Mulayam Singh Yadav, the party supremo today backed down revoking with immediate effect the expulsion orders of his son and brother Ramgopal.

After hectic confabulations involving Akhilesh Yadav's warring uncle Shivpal Yadav, Mulayam and the Chief Minister, Shivpal tweeted that on the SP supremo's directive, expulsion of Akhilesh and

Ramgopal Yadav from SP was being revoked with immediate effect.

"I am coming after having met party chief Mulayam Singh along with CM Akhilesh Yadav. Netaji has given the order that the suspension orders of Akhilesh and Ram Gopal are terminated with immediate effect," Shivpal said.

"All of us together will fight communal forces and we will once again form a SP government in UP with full majority.

These are my orders.

We will hold discussions within ourselves and de-

cide, and prepare for the upcoming elections," he said.

"All matters have been solved and we will fight the upcoming polls together. We will all sit togther with Netaji and I am sure all problems will be resolved," he said.

On a day of fast-paced developments, Akhilesh earlier in the day convened a meeting of SP legislators where over 200 of the 229 party MLAs turned up expressing their loyalty with the chief minister, a day after he was expelled from the party for indulging in "indiscipline", pushing the ruling party to the precipice of a vertical split.

Some SP MLCs and senior party functionaries loyal to Akhilesh also attended the meeting at the chief minister's official residence at 5Kalidas Marg.

Senior SP leader and UP cabinet minister Azam Khan then arrived at the CM's residence and after a brief stay, they drove to Mulayam's bungalow at a stone's throw distance.

Jharkhand: Death toll climbs to 12 in Lalmatia colliery mishap Prime Minister PTI Puducherry, Dec 31 : The CPI today urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to sanction ex gratia relief to the families of those who had collapsed and died while waiting in queues before the banks and ATMs in different parts of the country, post demonetisation.

"The demonetisation move of the Centre is the most dictatorial and senseless and had cost lives of around 120 persons who died during their wait in long queues before banks to withdraw money," CPI National Secretary K

Godda, Dec 31 : With the recovery of one more body on Saturday, the death toll climbed to 12 in Narendra Modi. the coal mine collapse at Narayana told reporters Lalmatia open cast coal mine of Eastern here.

Coalfields Ltd (ECL), the He further said, "The scheme is a worst initia- worst such disaster in tive as black money con- over a decade. R R tinued to rule the roost Mishra, officiating CMD and in fact it was con- of ECL, a Coal India subverted into white money sidiary told PTI, "We in different forms of im- have recovered one more body at 10.30 AM. The movable properties."

The CPI will launch na- total bodies recovered so tion-wide agitations from far are 12".

January 3 to 10 to con- "We have also recovered demn the "pro rich and one more machine. We pro corporate policies of are carrying on the resthe NDA government" cue operation in a systemand to condemn the atic manner so that the demonetisation and digital situation does not aggratransactions plans of the vate as the debris is too Centre, said Narayana, much and they should not who was here to attend fall," he said. an executive committee Danger zones have been declared around the place meeting of the CPI. of incidents to restrict the entry of people there.

Moreover, the district commissioner has also stationed police and CISF officials to restrict entry of people in the danger zone, Mishra said.

"We have also called experts from outside to help us in the rescue opera-

Mamata Banerjee questions restrictions on cash withdrawal

At the site of the mine collapse in Godda.

Manob Chowdhury. tion. We have fully ensured that the rescue operations are done with proper safety measures.

We have also come up with Standard Operating Procedures which would help us in proper operations so that there is no loss to lives," Mishra added.

Heavy machinery was deployed as rescuers, including those from the NDRF, toiled through the day yesterday extricating bodies and looking for survivors. Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDIL, the consultancy arm of Coal India Ltd, has deployed

magneto meters along with imaging system for locating magnetic and conductive material up to a depth of 80 meters, the statement said.

Mishra said the incident occurred at around 7.30 PM on Thursday when excavators were working there following which rescue operations was launched immediately.

Senior officials of Director General of Mines Safety (DGMS) have arrived at the site and launched an inquiry. All 12 excavators and dump trucks which were swamped under the debris have been recovered.

Sikkim became india's first fully organic state in 2016 Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. (PTI File Photo).

Kolkata, Dec 31 : Questioning the restrictions imposed on cash withdrawal, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said the government cannot simply "snatch away" economic rights of the people. "Modi Babu, public are not beggars.

Why are there still restrictions on cash withdrawal?," Banerjee asked in a statement. "50 days are now over. How can you take away the rights of citizens to withdraw their own hard-

earned money ? A government just cannot snatch away people's economic rights," she said.

The Reserve Bank of India said last night that cash withdrawal limit from ATMs would be increased to Rs 4,500 per day from the current Rs 2,500 from January 1.

There has been no change in the weekly withdrawal limit, which stands at Rs 24,000, including from ATM, for individuals and Rs 50,000 for small traders.

Gangtok, Dec 31: 2016 turned out to be a great year for Sikkim as it became India's first fully organic state besides being adjudged the cleanest state, overall best in education and tourist destination while the famed Kanchenjunga National Park was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Around 75,000 hectares of agricultural land were gradually converted to certified organic land by implementing practices and principles as per guidelines laid down in National Programme for Organic Production.

It took the state 13 years to fully implement organic farming since the idea was mooted way

back in 2003.

2016 also saw the Pawan Chamling government amending the state gambling and casino rules banning all locals from entering casinos in the state starting July.

Kanchenjunga National Park in West Sikkim was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site by the world heritage site committee at its 40th session held on July 17 at Istanbul.

August was a dampener after a freak landslide blocked a portion of Kanka river, a tributary of river Teesta in North Sikkim's Dzongu which created an artificial lake submerging five houses and affecting hundreds

of families in the area.

The threat of the lake bursting and causing a flash flood down river triggered panic along the Teesta river belt towards West Bengal.

Achievers from the state who made news were Meriya Subba who bagged the Mega Miss North East title in June along with kickboxer Sushmita Rai who made the country proud by winning a bronze at the World Martial Arts Masters Championship held in South Korea in September.

Sikkim also had its share of lows in 2016.

The rape of a student from Kolkata who was on a vacation here in May shocked the state.

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, JANUARY 1

BUSINESS P9 Gold, silver log out of 2016 on BSNL launches unlimited lomuted note, post annual gains cal and STD calls at Rs 144 Overall, global growth worries and geo-political risks amid collapsing oil prices have come as a "perfect blend" for gold, which added to its safe haven appeal.

PTI New Delhi, Dec 31 : Halting its 4-day upmove, gold on Saturday plunged Rs 200 to Rs 28,300 per 10 grams on the last trading day of 2016, in keeping with a subdued trend overseas amid fall in demand from jewellers. Silver, too, dropped Rs 500 to Rs 39,400 per kg due to lower offtake by industrial units and coin makers. The precious metal got back some of its sheen in 2016, more so after the Brexit shock and volatility due to Chinese market rout. Overall, global growth worries and geo-political risks amid collapsing oil prices have come as a "perfect blend" for gold, which added to its safe haven

Gold and silver have yielded returns of 26 per cent and 45 per cent, respectively, since the start of this calendar year before backing down.

(Source: File) appeal.

Gold hit a high of Rs 31,750 per 10 grams on November 9 and a low of Rs 25,390 on January 1 in

2016. For the year, the yellow metal registered a notable gain of Rs 2,910, or 11.46 per cent, in its prices while silver

climbed Rs 6,100, or over 19 per cent.

Globally, it zoomed to USD 1,372.60 an ounce in August 2016 from USD 1,060.20 in 2015 before settling at USD 1,150.90, a growth of over 9 per cent. Also, silver skyrocketed 50 per cent to hit a high of USD 20.70 an ounce before pulling back in early November to USD 15.70 and ended at USD 15.88, a rise of USD 1.92, or about 14 per cent. Marketmen said that apart from a weak global trend, fall in demand from jewellers and retailers at the domestic spot market mainly pushed down the prices of the precious metals today. Overseas, gold fell 0.59 per cent to USD 1,150.90 an ounce and sil-

ver by 1.49 per cent to USD 15.88 an ounce in New York yesterday.

In Delhi, gold of 99.9 per cent and 99.5 per cent purity plunged by Rs 200 each to Rs 28,300 and Rs 28,150 per 10 grams, respectively. The precious metal had gained Rs 950 in the previous four days.

Sovereign, however, remained steady at Rs 24,000 per piece of eight grams in limited deals.

Tracking gold, silver ready plunged by Rs 500 to Rs 39,400 per kg and weeklybased delivery cracked below the Rs 39,000 mark by falling Rs 980 to Rs 38,700 per kg. Silver coins, however, continued to trade at the previous level of Rs 70,000 for buying and Rs 71,000 for selling of 100 pieces.

Select freight 2016 had a few roadblocks rates up on tight for car sales in India position of trucks 2016 has been a bumpy road for automobile companies in India.

2016 had a few roadblocks for car sales in India

New Delhi, Dec 31 : While the year started at a low, it shifted gears in the months of July, August and September.

These hopes, however, were dashed at the end of the year by the impact of demonetisation.

In January passenger car sales declined by 0.72% according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).

This decline came about due to a very high 12.87% growth in December due to the large discounts from automakers during the month. February passenger car sales declined even further to 4.21%.

However, in March, domestic car sales rebounded and grew by a good 7.87%. This was the end of the financial year and many cars were on discounts to boost sales.

In April domestic car

sales fell nearly 2% as uncertainties due to the diesel car registration ban and additional taxes as infrastructure cess mentioned in the Budget 2016 scared car buyers.

May saw a good 6.26% rise as new launches and economic indicators such as a good monsoon season approaching helped withstand the negatives of the diesel car ban.

However, this positives were not enough to keep car sales on a high for long, as in June it declined by 5.18%. This was also partly due to the fact that the monsoons were a bit delayed which was a cause for concern.

July recorded a high 9.62% car sales. Start of a good monsoon season along with the 7th Pay Commission news resulted in buoyant sales. This continued the following month as in

August sales grew by 9.53% which were driven by new launches and favourable monsoon.

Car sales in September grew by 15.14%, the highest during the year.

This high growth in three months made SIAM predict a 10-13% growth in the current fiscal in the passenger vehicle segment.

The growth however was short-lived. October saw excess inventory which resulted in low orders from the car dealerships.

Car sales in November grew by a low 1.82% due to the impact of demonetisation. Some dealerships even reported zero sales during the month. While sales of commercial vehicles and two-wheelers were the most impacted, the cash crunch had resulted in fewer car sales of due to poor consumer sentiment.

While December sales figures from SIAM are yet to be revealed, automobile analysts and dealerships Zeebiz spoke to mentioned that the impact of car sales would be more as whatever inventory would be over and very few new orders have come in due to the demonetisation drive continuing. They expect car sales to be low for the coming Q4 FY17 quarter too.

Mahindra KUV100 to come with CNG version; spotted testing Mumbai, Dec 31 : The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday has increased the daily cash withdrawal limit to Rs 4,500 per day from the earlier cap of Rs 2,500 per day starting from January 1 next year.

However, the weekly cash withdrawal limit of Rs 24,000 per week remains unchanged.

"On a review of the position, the daily limit of withdrawal from ATMs has been increased (within the overall weekly limits specified) with effect from January 01, 2017, from the existing Rs 2,500 to Rs 4,500 per day per card," the central bank said in a notification issued late on Friday evening.

"There is no change in weekly withdrawal limits," cited RBI in a statement.

PTI New Delhi, Dec 31 : Freight rates for ninetonne pay load section for select centres moved up

by Rs 1,000 at the local truck transport market in the national capital today following less availability of trucks as compared to pick up in cargo movements.

Transporters said in-

creased cargo movements and thin position of trucks mainly pushed up some of centres freight rates.

Delhi to Kolkata and Patna freight rates went up by Rs 1,000 each to Rs 34,000 and Rs 28,000.

Rates to Goa and Thiruvananthapuram also rose by Rs 1,000 each to Rs 59,000 and Rs 86,000.

Demonetisation: PM Narendra Modi to address nation on New Year's eve

Prime Minister Narendra Modi New Delhi, Dec 31: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address nation on New Year's eve on Saturday. The address is scheduled at 7.30 p.m.

The address is important since 50-day period sought by him to ease cash crunch ended on December 30.

It was on November 8,

last time, Modi announced banning of old notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 to take on black money menace.

On Friday night, in a relief to common man, the Reserve Bank increased cash withdrawal limit from ATMs to Rs 4,500 per day from the current Rs 2,500 from January 1.

Things normalising for MSMEs after note ban, says Mishra

Image for representational purpose The Reserve Bank has also asked banks to ensure that disbursals of cash should predominantly be in the denomination of Rs 500.

In a surprise move to curb black money, corruption and terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8 this year announced scrapping of old currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 as legal ten-

der from circulation resulting in cash crunch across the country.

The goverment had given 50-day window period for holders of old currency notes to deposit or exchange their old notes to banks and RBI offices which ended on December 30, Friday. It has later, however, withdrawn the notes exchange facility before the said deadlines.

PTI New Delhi, Dec 31 : Trying to dispel fears that the MSME sector had taken a big hit from demonetisation, Union Minister Kalraj Mishra today said things are falling in place slowly despite "initial difficulties".

Addressing reporters here on the ministrys achievements in 2016, Mishra admitted that "there were difficulties initially", but things are moving towards normalisation. "There were difficulties initially, but wage payment to labourers has started normalising and migrant labourers who had left are returning," Mishra said when asked about reports of job losses in the informal sector after the cash recall exercise.

About banks reluctance to disburse loans under the MUDRA Yojana in the wake of demonetisation, Mishra acknowledged some issues, saying

these are "only for the time being". Banks are expected to disburse Rs 1.80 lakh crore loans under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) in the current fiscal. Last year, 3.5 crore beneficiaries availed of Rs 1.22 lakh crore loans under PMMY. Under the scheme, loans ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 10 lakh are provided to small entrepreneurs.

To increase sales of khadi products, the government is also trying to penetrate global markets and adopt a franchisee model to open more outlets in India, with an emphasis on attracting youth towards the indigenous fabric, the minister said. Sales of khadi goods went up by about 29 per cent to Rs 1,510 crore in 201516. Mishra said the muchawaited Goods and Services Tax (GST) will benefit micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the country.

Chennai, Dec 31 : Cashing in on the rollout by several telecom operators offering unlimited free call facility, Government run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd today joined the bandwagon with launch of a new Rs 144 plan for its customers offering similar features.

The plan, which is valid for six months, would

offer unlimited local and STD calls to any network for a period of one month and it would come with 300MB data, BSNL Chairman and Managing Director Anupam Srivastava told reporters here.

After handing over two new packs to customers, Srivastava said with the new pack, calls are absolutely free and

would be available for both pre-paid and postpaid customers.

The telecom service provider was also taking up several initiatives including launch of 4,400 WiFi hotspots across the country.

"We have 4,400 WIFI hotspots launched country wide. I think in Mahabalipuram near Chennai has a similar WiFi hotspots. Our immediate strategy is to expand this. In next one year, we will be having around 40,000 WiFi Hotspots across the country," he said.

Besides the company had also obtained 2500 Mhz from Government of India for launching service in rural areas, he said, adding BSNL would unveil classic LTE (Long Term Evolution) spectrum in phased manner.

Demonetisation will eventually yield better results: Drabu New Delhi, Dec 31 : Jammu and Kashmir Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu today said while demonetisation has caused short-term pains to the people, its longterm impact is going to be far more important than what is seen at the moment.

"There are two ways about it, one is a very short-term kind of interpretation where it has caused a lot of distress in terms of transactional demand for money has not been met," Drabu told reporters here.

"But I take a slightly more long-term view and feel that this is going to set us on a path of much superior digital payment system and (comes) also as a shock to the system which should eventually yield better results. So, I am not negative on it but yes there have been short-term pains," he said.

The minister further said that the long-term impact of demonetisation is going to be far more important than what is being see at the moment.

The State Finance Minister was here to unveil the Jammu and Kashmir

Bank's calendar for 2017.

Asked whether he and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti were not on the same page over the issue demonetisation as the latter has praised the Centre's move, Drabu said he speaks as a professional, while the CM has given a general opinion about it.

"Why should one be (on the same page)? I mean demonetisation is a national macro-economic policy measure. It will affect different people differently. I take a view which is professional," the minister added.

Acknowledging that they can have different views on the same matter, Drabu said: "She was giving a general opinion about it. But even then I do not feel any dissonance".

The finance minister who will be presenting his third budget next week, said, he would continue with some of the reform measures.

"Last year, I did a lot of reforms on provident fund. This year also, I will continue doing some reforms...Basic trend of

my budget has been to make things easier for the people and finance should not be seen as a constraining department, but something that aides development.

"But, because I presented the last budget in July (2016) its been only six months and I think this budget will also consolidate and do a stock taking of the previous three budgets. It means a lot" he said.

Unveiling the banks calendar which focuses on the achievement of youth from the state, the minister said "it is great in terms of its timeliness as the counter-narrative that exists today in the world is that we have a world champion (eight-year old kick boxing champion Tajamul Islam) coming out of Kashmir."

"The biggest challenge that J&K as a state faces is youth. The image that today is...A youth who has lost its way. The first image that will come to your mind today is of a youth pelting stones, anarchy, social disorder. I do not think it is a political problem. It is a social issue," the minister said.

Entire currency in circulation from December 31 legitimate: Arun Jaitley New Delhi, Dec 31 : Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that from Saturday onwards, the entire currency in circulation will be legitimate, Friday being the last day to deposit the demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes in banks.

"With effect from tomorrow the entire currency in circulation would be legitimate," Jaitley told reporters at a press briefing here on Friday.

From Saturday the legitimate currency that would continue to be legal tender is Rs 100 and other lower denomination notes along with the new Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 notes that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has printed, he added.

The deadline to deposit old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes in banks ends on Friday.

Refusing to give any de-

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley tails on the deposits received in old notes postdemonetisation, he said that the data was yet to be tabulated.

"The banks will now have the re-circulated currency, plus what the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is injecting," Jaitley said.

The RBI on Friday asked the banks, which have accumulated old notes to deposit it in the office of the central bank or a currency chest by Decem-

ber 31.

The old notes cannot form part of banks` cash balances from the close of business as on Saturday, the central bank added.

From next week onward, those still holding the scrapped currency can deposit it only with the Reserve Bank of India till March 31, 2017.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on November 8 announced that Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 rupee notes would no longer be legal tender.

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, JANUARY 1

Twitter to live stream Burj Khalifa's New Year

Twitter to live stream Burj Khalifa's New Year.

PTI Dubai, Dec 31 : For the first time, Twitter will live stream the New Year Eve's scintillating fireworks display at the world's tallest building Burj Khalifa in Dubai to a global audience.

Emaar Properties, developer of Burj Khalifa which stands at 828 metres, said it has partnered with Twitter to live stream the New Year's Eve fireworks display in Dubai.

This is the first live streaming deal Twitter has signed with a partner based in the the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the real estate company said in a statement.

The live show will air on New Year's Eve, from Downtown Dubai at 7:30 PM GMT (0100 AM IST) and will be available worldwide to Twitter's logged-in and logged-out audience on Twitter and connected devices.

A series of fireworks

crescendos will extend across the 500-acre Downtown Dubai and can be viewed from key locations across the city.

Choreographed to a customised soundtrack, the pyrotechnics display will bring to life several milestone moments and artistic interpretations in fireworks of a falcon flying high, swirling comets, and Arabian dance forms.

In specialised red and white comet shows and LED shows, the pyrotechnics will be displayed from Burj Khalifa, Dubai Opera and various landmarks.

The finale of the event will feature a display in pyrotechnics celebrating Dubai's current and future icons.

"The first-of-its-kind live streaming partnership with Twitter for the much-awaited New Year's Eve gala in Dubai will offer audiences across the world a realtime experience of the spectacle," Ahmad Al Matrooshi, Managing Di-

rector of Emaar Properties, said.

"The New Year's Eve celebrations by Emaar is a tribute to the positive spirit of our city, and the live streaming will define it further as a true global celebration from Dubai," Al Matrooshi said.

"We are excited to announce our first live streaming partner event in the MENA region.

Live streaming the firework displays, combined with the live conversation on Twitter, will allow people across the world to view and Tweet about the festivities as they happen, creating a truly global celebration," said Kinda Ibrahim, Director of Media Partnerships, Middle East and North Africa, Twitter.

The stream will be available globally at DubaiNYE.twitter.com and on @MyDowntownDubai.

The hashtag will be #MyDubaiNewYear.

Pak to hand over dossier on India to new UN chief

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

PTI Islamabad, Dec 31 : Pakistan would hand over a dossier on alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav and evidence of attempted violation of maritime boundary by an Indian submarine to incoming UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday, his first working day after assuming office.

Pakistan's Permanent UN representative Maleeha Lodhi will officially pass on the dossier to Guterres at the UN headquarters in New York, Dawn reported, citing officials.

"Soon after assuming office incoming UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres will get a feel of Pak-India rivalry as Islamabad is set to raise the issue of Indian interference with him," the paper said.

Pakistan claims that Jadhav, an Indian navy officer and an alleged operative of India's intelligence agency RAW,

was caught by its security forces earlier this year. His capture was announced in March and was flaunted by military as "proof of Indian interference and state-sponsored terrorism".

The government, which had pledged to expose alleged Indian hand in terrorism in Pakistan, domestically faced a lot of criticism for the delay in presenting to the international community evidence of Jadhav s alleged involvement in subversive activities.

Responding to criticism in the Senate, Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz had on December 7 said that "insufficient material" had been delaying the finalisation of the dossier.

"It is not that material has been provided and it s lacking in English and we are overcoming it. The (provided) material, in our view, was insufficient," Aziz had told a meeting of the Senate Committee of the Whole House.

P10

INTERNATIONAL

"The required additional information" has now been made available and the dossier has been completed, the paper said, citing the officials.

The officials did not share the specifics, but said it would contain proofs that India was allegedly patronising terrorism in Pakistan.

The new UN chief would also be informed about the attempt by an Indian submarine to "intrude into Pakistani waters before it was spotted and forced to abandon the mission", the paper said.

The submarine incident, which happened last month, coincided with the fourth Pak-China joint naval exercise for promoting maritime security and stability in the region and the start of shipping activity under the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor from Gwadar.

Lodhi had in October 2015 presented three dossiers to the then secretary general Ban Kimoon, which were said to be containing proofs of alleged Indian interference in Balochistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Karachi.

But, the move did not get much traction.

When the attention of the officials was invited to the "credibility deficit" that Pakistan internationally faces, they expressed the hope that the UN would look into the fresh evidence that would be placed before it.

Trump praises Putin for holding off on reprisals against US AFP Washington, Dec 31 : US President-elect Donald Trump has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin for not quickly hitting back at Washington for the punitive measures imposed over alleged interference in the November election.

"Great move on delay (by V. Putin) - I always knew he was very smart!"

Trump tweeted yesterday.

Earlier, the Russian leader ruled out any immediate tit-for-tat expulsions of American officials in the row over what Washington says were "efforts to harm US interests" in connection with the November 8 election

won by the Republican.

Putin's own foreign ministry had recommended that he eject 35 American officials to counterbalance US President Barack Obama's move on Thursday to expel 35 Russian intelligence operatives and shut down two Russian compounds in the US. Trump, who succeeds Obama on January 20, has repeatedly praised Putin and made a number of cabinet picks of people with ties to Russia.

The FBI and CIA have concluded that Russian intelligence agencies oversaw the hacking and leaking of emails from Democratic Party organizations under Kremlin orders this year in order

US President-elect Donald Trump. to benefit Trump's campaign against Hillary Clinton.

In the past, the president-elect has ridiculed US intelligence about Russia's cyber-meddling, saying it was not clear who conducted the attacks.

He has long treated such accusations as a thinly veiled effort by a Democratic president to delegitimize a Republican victory.

On Wednesday, he issued a call for the country to "move on to bigger and better things,"

but said he would meet with US intelligence leaders next week to be "updated on the facts of this situation."

While Trump has already received intelligence briefings about the election and substantial evidence is in the public sphere, his pledge to meet with intelligence chiefs could provide a face-saving opportunity to further soften his stance.

Also next week, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper will appear before lawmakers to testify about foreign cyber threats to the United States -- a possible opportunity for him to expand on Russia's activities.

British-Indian pro- Iceland's 'crazy' year ends fessor knighted in without a government New Year's honours

Shankar Balasubramanian.

PTI London, Dec 31 : Shankar Balasubra manian, an Indian- origin British professor of chemistry and DNA expert at Cambridge University, has received a Knighthood along with Olympic stars Andy Murray and Mo Farah among others by Queen Elizabeth II for their contributions.

Balasubramanian, 50, Herchel Smith Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at Cambridge University, has been recognised for his work as a co-inventor of Next Generation DNA sequencing, described as the most transformational advance in biology and medicine for decades.

"Solexa sequencing, as it is now known, allows an individual genome to be sequenced in a day or two at a cost of less than 1,000 pounds; previously, sequencing the human genome took years of work and cost billions. His work has spawned an entirely new discipline of Bioinformatics," his citation reads.

"More recently, he has made major contributions to understanding the role of DNA-quadruplexes in cancer and invented a method for the sequencing of epigenetic modifications," his citation reads.

Murray, Farah and British track and field athlete Jessica Ennis-Hill are among others honoured in the 2017 New Year Honours list, which also includes big names from the entertainment world, including actors Mark Rylance and Patricia Routledge.

Rio 2016 men's tennis champion Murray and

double gold- winning athlete Farah receive Knighthoods, while heptathlete Ennis-Hill becomes a Dame.

A host of other Indianorigin professionals are also included in the honours list, including Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for Hardip Singh Begol of the UK's Department for Education for services to education; Kamaldeep Singh Bhui, Professor of cultural psychiatry and epidemiology at Queen Mary University of London for services to mental health research and care.

Neena Gill, Member of the European Parliament for the West Midlands for parliamentary and political service, Ravindra Pragji Govindia of Wandsworth Borough Council for services to local government and the community in Wandsworth, London and Anita Thapar from the Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences at Cardiff University for services to child and adolescent psychiatry are also included in the list.

Indian-origin Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBEs) include Poonam Gupta, Chief Executive Officer of PG Paper Company Ltd, for services to Business and charity; Dr Brinder Singh Mahon, Chief Executive Officer of Nishkam School Trust, for services to education; Yorkshire prison officer Avtar Singh Purewal for services to prisoners; and Jasvir Singh, founding chair of City Sikhs, for voluntary service to faith communities and social cohesion.

AFP Reykjavik, Dec 31 : Iceland is ending an eventful year in a political quagmire, left without a government for two months after the Panama Papers scandal and a snap election reflecting deep divisions in the island nation.

"In recent years we thought we were seeing the craziest, but we were proven wrong every time - Iceland found ways to be even crazier," a parliamentary assistant from the Icelandic opposition said on April 6, seeing a government in tatters hesitate on its next move.

Former Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson had resigned the day before over revelations of his holdings stashed away in a tax haven.

This prompted demonstrations for six consecutive days with protesters shouting "Elections right away!

Elections right away!" while striking metal fences in front of Iceland's parliament.

The anti-establishment Pirate Party was pushing at

the gates of power - but they never opened.

The government said it would wait six months to hold a snap election, triggered by the latest scandal in a country that had seen its share already after the 2008 financial meltdown.

The outcome in October dashed the hopes of a clearcut exit to the political crisis. Neither the left, the right, nor the centre had a majority.

Efforts to form a coalition were paralysed by everyone's refusal to deal with Gunnlaugsson's centrist Progressive Party, which won eight of the 63 seats.

Journalist Johannes Kristjansson, the only Icelander to have access to the Panama Papers, had been bewildered when he saw how many politicians were listed in the documents.

Two months after the election he commented: "They were all re-elected."

Icelandic Finance Minister Bjarni Benediktsson, who had set up an offshore company in the Seychelles, even saw his

party, the Conservatives, win the most seats, with 21.

Gunnlaugsson is still an MP. The "Pirates" revolution did not take place. Instead, the 2017 budget, adopted days before Christmas, was a compromise between the outgoing government's bill and concessions to other parties.

To form a new cabinet, "several formal and informal talks have taken place without leading to anything, and no one knows yet what will emerge," the daily Frettabladid wrote yesterday.

In November, the right first tried its luck with the centre, without any success. So did the left.

Even the sworn enemies, the Independence Party and the Left-Green Movement, made an attempt.

The Pirate Party, given a mandate by the president in December, failed as well.

In the last days of 2016, it was back to square one with the right renegotiating with centrists.

Pak seeks US support in water dispute with India PTI Islamabad, Dec 31 : Pakistan has sought support of the US on the implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with India, as Secretary of State John Kerry called for an amicable settlement of the issue by New Delhi and Islamabad, media reported today.

The development came after Pakistan was irked by the World Bank pause in mediation to resolve differences over construction of two water projects by India.

The Express Tribune reported that Kerry made a phone call to Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday night and discussed the row over the IWT implementation and the role of the World Bank (WB), which had brokered the treaty in 1960.

After Kerry's call, US Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale also met Dar in Islamabad at the Finance Ministry.

The back-to-back contacts highlight the importance of the water issue, which can potentially endanger regional stability if the situation slips out of control, according to sources at Finance Ministry.

"The US would like to see an amicable solution to this (water) issue," a Finance Ministry statement quoted Kerry as saying.

Kerry told Dar that the WB president had informed him

Pak seeks US support in water dispute with India. about Pakistan's complaint against India on the IWT. The water dispute has catapulted the US back into Pakistan's economic picture.

The American civilian and military assistance to Pakistan has drastically come down in recent months and its implications on Pakistan's fiscal situation have started emerging in the shape of a larger-than-anticipated budget deficit.

Independent analysts argue that Washington may not play an effective role in resolving the water dispute, as the Obama administration is preparing to hand over the White House to Donald Trump next month.

"Senator Dar indicated that the US support on the principles and legal position of Pakistan will be greatly appreciated,"

stated the Finance Ministry.

Early this month, the WB had announced a pause in playing its legally binding role of mediator in the IWT implementation.

In October, Pakistan had approached the WB seeking appointment of the Chairman of Court of Arbitration to resolve a dispute over construction of two mega hydropower projects by India in violation of the IWT. The Finance Minister told Kerry that the IWT was an international commitment and it was the WB's responsibility to make sure India honoured the treaty and the water rights of hundreds of millions of Pakistani people were protected, said the finance ministry.

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DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, JANUARY 1

P11 Ashwin finish year Mixture of improvements, good results as No.1 Test bowler for Indian hockey (2016 in Retrospect) and all-rounder

PTI Dubai, Dec. 31: The Indian spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja held on to the top two positions in the ICC Test bowlers rankings, while the national team ended the year as the numero uno side in the latest list issued here.

Ashwin also continued to lead the all-rounders' table with no change among the top five in the list. Hence, Jadeja re-

mained at third spot.

This is just the second time the top two spots in the bowlers' chart is occupied by India players, with the pair emulating left-arm spinner Bishan Singh Bedi and leg-spinner Bhagwath Chandrasekhar, who were ranked one and two in 1974.

In the Test batsmen's ranking, India skipper Virat Kohli has ended the year at second position with Australia's

Steve Smith heading the chart.

Pakistan opener Azhar Ali has moved up 10 places to reach a careerhigh sixth rank, riding on his scores of 205 not out and 43 in the second Test against Australia in Melbourne.

Meanwhile, Team India has ended the year as the No.1 ranked Test side with 120 ranking points, 15 points clear of second placed Australia (105 points)

Fluminense chase ex-Argentina striker Barcos

Fluminense chase ex-Argentina striker Barcos IANS Rio de Janeiro , Dec. 31: Brazilian football club Fluminense is in talks to sign former Argentina striker Hernan Barcos, according to media reports.

The 32-year-old still has six months remaining in a loan spell with

Argentine clubVelez Sarsfield from Portugal's Sporting Lisbon, reports Xinhua.

But the Argentine club is willing to negotiate with Fluminense after Barcos struggled for form and fitness in the second half of 2016, Uol Esporte reported.

Capped four times for Argentina's national team, Barcos has already had successful spells at Brazilian clubs Palmeiras and Gremio.

Fluminense finished the 2016 Brazilian Serie A standings in the 13th place.

Mixture of improvements, good results for Indian hockey especially how the national team progressed under veteran Dutch head coach Roelant Oltmans.

A lot of credit goes to Hockey India League (HIL), which gives them to rub shoulders with the world's very best and in the HIL, Jaypee Punjab Warriors finally managed to bag the title.

For Punjab, Sardar Singh, S.V. Sunil and Varun Kumar sizzled and the trio played important roles in helping India earn plaudits.

India entered the final at the Sultan Azlan Shah tournament, where they lost twice to Australia, including in the final, with the identical margins of 04.

India's margin of losses to Australia reduced in the next tournament at the FIH Champions

Tropy held in London in June. Playing without a rested captain Sardar Singh, who prior to the tournament was accused of sexual exploitation and alleged rape by a London-based woman hockey player of Indian origin, India won two out of their five matches, one ending in a draw and two losses.

In the final, it boiled down to the penalty shoot-out against Australia after both teams played goalless 60 minutes. But the team's silver medal was its best result in 38 years of Champions Trophy, also its maiden podium finish since claiming bronze in 1982.

At the Rio Games, India qualified to the quarterfinals finishing fourth in the group consisting defending champions Germany and reigning Euro-

pean champions Netherlands and eventual champions Argentina.

India's margin of losses to both Germany and the Ducth was 1-2 and in the quarter-final, Belgium too faced a tough fight before winning 3-1.

India's women's team couldn't win a single game at the Olympics and many blamed it on the controversial sacking of skipper and centrehalf Ritu Rani.

Next task for the eves was the Asian Champions Trophy and it made amends for its earlier losses by capturing the title, prevailing over China in the final in Singapore on November 5.

The men's team too stamped its authority in the Asian meet, pipping South Korea via penalty shoot-out in the semi-fi-

nal before overcoming a spirited Pakistan fightback 3-2 in the final.

Seasoned goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh and dragflick expert Rupinderpal Singh starred for the national team.

Afterwards, all the eyes were on the Harendra Singh-coached junior side in Lucknow. India peaked when it mattered as they moved past Australia via penalties and Belgium (21) in the semi-final and final respectively, bringing the Junior World Cup title home only for the second time.

The title was a perfect end to the year as it signalled a strong message for the future and the continued development process of 2016 needs to be restored, if not better, in 2017.

Knighthoods for Murray and Farah in New Year's Honors List

New coach Romero feels qualified to develop Malaga

AP London , Dec. 31: Andy Murray received a knighthood in Queen Elizabeth II's New Year's Honors list on Friday, recognition from the monarch for reaching the pinnacle of tennis by winning his second Wimbledon and Olympic titles on his way to topping the rankings.

The 29-year-old Murray was previously named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, or OBE, in 2012 after becoming Olympic champion for the first time.

Joining Murray in being knighted in British sports is Mo Farah, who retained his 5,000- and 10,000-meter titles at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics

in August, becoming the first British track and field athlete to win four Olympic gold medals.

"I'm so happy to be awarded this incredible honor from the country that has been my home since I moved here at the age of eight," Farah said Friday. "Looking back at the boy who arrived here from Somalia, not speaking any English, I could never have imagined where I would be today it's a dream come true.

"I'm so proud to have had the opportunity to race for my country and win gold medals for the British people, who have been my biggest supporters throughout my career."

Lee Pearson, who won his 11th Paralympic gold

in equestrian in Rio, was also knighted. He already held the MBE, OBE and CBE for services to equestrianism and to disabled sport.

Damehoods went to heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill and rower Katherine Grainger, who both retired from competitive action following the Rio Olympics.

Ennis-Hill added silver in Rio to her gold at London, as did Grainger, who came out of retirement to compete in the double sculls alongside Vicky Thornley.

Knights are addressed as "Sir" or "Dame." Recipients of the other honors have no title, but can put the letters after their names. The ranks for the

Orders of the British Empire are Commander, Officer and Member, in descending order.

Away from the Olympics, Wales manager Chris Coleman was awarded an OBE for steering his national football team into its first semifinal at the European Championship.

Northern Ireland was eliminated by Wales at Euro 2016 in the round of 16 but its manager, Michael O'Neill, has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire, or MBE. Britain's honors are bestowed by the monarch, but recipients are selected by committees of civil servants from nominations made by the government and the public.

Russia registers record number of volunteers' applications for 2018 World Cup

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IANS Moscow, Dec 31: A new record in the number of volunteers bids for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia was registered in the global football tournament's history, Alexei Sorokin, the director general of Russia-2018 Local Organising Committee (LOC), said.

"We are more than satisfied with the results of the (volunteer recruitment) programme," Sorokin said in an interview with Tass on Friday. "We have received an overall of some 170,000 applications.

This is the most impressive campaign by its scale in FIFA's history."

The 2018 World Cup as well as the 2017 Con-

federations Cup Volunteer Recruitment campaign was launched at a solemn ceremony in Moscow on June 1 by Russian President Vladimir Putin and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

In October of 2015, the Russian Sports Ministry certified 15 higher education establishments in

11 cities across Russia, officially authorising them to recruit and prepare volunteers for the Confederations Cup and the World Cup, which are the two major FIFA events to be hosted by Russia in 2017 and 2018 respectively.

A total of 5,000 volunteers were to be selected to serve at the

2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, while 15,000 volunteers were planned to be recruited for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The deadline for submitting the applications was December 30, 2016.

The 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup will be held between June 17 and July 2 at four stadiums in Russia and they are

Otkritie-Arena in Moscow, St. Petersburg Arena, Fisht in Sochi and Kazan-Arena in Kazan.

Seven nations have already qualified for the 2017 Confederations Cup and they are hosts Russia, 2014 FIFA World Cup Champions Germany, 2015 Copa America Champions

Chile, 2015 AFC Asian Cup Champion Australia, 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup winners Mexico, 2016 UEFA Euro Cup winners Portugal and OFC (Oceania Football Confederation) Nations Cup winners New Zealand. The remaining eighth nation will be determined following the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

Malaga's new chief coach Marcelo Romero

IANS Malaga (Spain), Dec. 31: Malaga's new chief coach Marcelo Romero has said that he feels that he is qualified to develop the Spanish football club.

The Uruguayan succeeded Spaniard Juande Ramos, who left the Spanish club last Tuesday, reports Efe. Romero, 40, played for Malaga between 2001 and 2007 and spent two and a half years as part of the Malaga coaching staff, first as an assistant coach with Javi Gracia and then with Juande.

During his presentation at a press conference on Friday, Romero explained that he learned a lot during his work with both Juande and Gracia.

Romero reiterated that it is an honour for him to coach Malaga, where he will start "a new stage" at the helm of the Spanish club.

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Ravichandran Ashwin

IANS New Delhi, Dec. 31: Indian hockey in 2016 saw its process of improvements delivering results, marked by a silver medal at the FIH Champions Trophy and a perfect end to the year in the form of the Junior World Cup title after a gap of 15 years that enlightens future hopes.

The result of the Indian men's team at the Rio Games was below-par, a quarter-final entry. But India's performance was good and showcased the improvement they had shown with silver medal finishes at the Sultan Azlan Shah Tournament and the Champions Trophy before the Games.

Their only title came at the Asian Champions Trophy and the under-21 team applied the perfect finishing touch in the Junior World Cup in Lucknow.

The women's team appeared at the Olympics after a gap of 36 years and underwhelmingly finished at the 12th spot after losing four group stage games. They later in the year too tasted success, winning the Asian Champions Trophy.

Off the field, the highlight was Hockey India (HI) chief Narinder Batra being elected as the President of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) in November. He became the first Indian to head an Olympic sport federation.

However, many will latch on to the result at the Rio Games and may opine that if it was only a quarter-final appearance, then it is a failed year.

But that would just be a half-hearted assessment,

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DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, JANUARY 1

P12 Williamson, Broom sweep series for New Zealand Bindra backs IOA suspension,

Neil Broom and Kane Williamson put together 179 runs for the second wicket to drive Bangladesh out of the contest. Š Getty AFP Nelson , Dec. 31: Fillin batsman Neil Broom and skipper Kane Williamson produced a match-winning 179-run stand for New Zealand to crush Bangladesh in their final one-day match in Nelson on Saturday.

Williamson was left unbeaten on 95 while Broom fell just before the close for 97 as the hosts overhauled Bangladesh's 236 for the loss of only two wickets to sweep the series 3-0.

For the 33-year-old Broom, battling to prove he deserves to stay in the squad, it was his second consecutive match-winning performance after his unbeaten 109 when New Zealand won the

second match by 67 runs.

Broom, who scored 22 in the first match, which New Zealand won by 77 runs, was recalled for the Bangladesh series after nearly seven years in the wilderness to cover the number four batting slot while Ross Taylor recovers from eye surgery.

He has since been the home side's stand-out performer, not only with his prolific scoring, but also his magic touch in the field with some athletic catches.

Williamson was full of praise for his batting partner and his contribution to help the side bounce back from the 30 hiding they suffered

against Australia earlier this month.

"He's shown his experience in these last two games in particular -huge contributions which certainly were what the side was after to get across the line," Williamson said.

After the Australian nightmare, Williamson said New Zealand needed to improve and the third Bangladesh match "was far more the complete performance we were after."

Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza said his side have to pick themselves up before they meet New Zealand on Tuesday in the first of three T20 fixtures.

"As a team we have to

improve lots," he said.

"We had a good partnership in opening and we lost the game. There were some good individual performances but as a team we couldn't go through."

After Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat in Nelson, Imrul Kayes and Tamim Iqbal produced a century opening stand in 21 overs to set the tourists up for a big finish.

But when Imrul slashed at a Mitchell Santner delivery and the ball flew high behind the wicket, Broom sprinted nearly 20 metres and dived to take a spectacular one-handed catch and break the partnership.

Imrul's dismissal for 44 opened the floodgates and despite the pitch holding no dangers, most of the

remaining Bangladesh batsmen were unable to settle in.

Broom was again in the play to catch Tamim for 59 as the top six Bangladesh wickets fell for 68 runs and only Nurul Hasan with 44 from 39 balls offered late resistance.

Bangladesh briefly felt they could defend 236 when Tom Latham (four) went in the second over, Martin Guptill retired hurt on six and Broom edged Mashrafe Mortaza straight to Imrul at first slip before getting off the mark.

But Imrul dropped a regulation offering allowing Broom and Williamson to embark on their 179-run stand for the second wicket.

Broom's 97 was at a runa-ball rate and included one six and 12 fours, while Williamson faced 116 deliveries for his 95, which included one six and nine fours.

He was left five runs short of what would have been his ninth ODI century when Jimmy Neesham came in at the fall of Broom's wicket to hit a rapid 28 to end the match.

In the final few overs, Neesham toned down his lusty hitting in an apparent attempt to let Williamson reach his milestone.

But after a mid-wicket conversation with his captain, Neesham was evidently told to finish the match, which he did with a boundary off the next ball.

The series now moves on to three T20s to be followed by two Tests.

lauds ministry's decision

Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra PTI New Delhi, Dec 31: Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra today backed the Sports Ministry's decision to suspend the Indian Olympic Association and called it a "good step" following the sports body's move to honour two scam-tainted administrators.

The IOA named its former presidents Suresh Kalmadi and Abhay Singh Chautala as life presidents on Tuesday, a decision that has been heavily criticised as both are facing allegations of corruption.

As a result, the Vijay Goel-led ministry yesterday suspended the IOA.

"The @Olympics movement and specially the movement in India can no longer hide behind autonomy. It's the age of good governance and ethics," Bindra wrote on his Twitter handle.

The 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medallist India's lone gold medal winner in individual sport at the Games - added.

"Change in Indian sport will only happen if mandated. A law is necessary in India. A good step by @IndiaSports & @vijaygoelbjp to suspend IOA." Cracking the whip, the Sports Ministry yesterday suspended the Olympic body till the

time it reverses the decision to make the tainted duo of Kalmadi and Chautala its life presidents.

The government took the firm decision after IOA failed to reply to its showcause notice within the deadline.

Kalmadi spent nine months in jail after allegations, stemming from the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. He was released on bail pending an appeal to Delhi High Court and has denied any wrongdoing.

Chautala is also facing unrelated corruption charges in an ongoing court case. He has also denied the allegations.

Pakistan first Test team member Imtiaz dies

Mumbai take on Tamil Tiger Woods turns 41 with Nadu in high octane comeback plans for 2017 Ranji semi-final

PTI Lahore, Dec 31: Imtiaz Ahmed, A Member Of Pakistan's First-Ever Test Team, Died In A Lahore Hospital On Saturday After A Brief Illness, His Family Said.

The 88-Year-Old Ahmed Featured In Pakistan's First Test Played In Delhi Against India In October 1952 And Went On To Play 41 Matches As A Wicketkeeper-Batsman.

Ahmed's Family Confirmed His Death.

"He (Imtiaz) Was Suffering From Chest Infection And Died Early Saturday," A Member Of The Family Told Local Media. Ahmed Was Known As An Aggressive Batsman Who Had A Variety Of Strokes, Most Notably The Hook And The Pull Shot. He Scored 2,079 Test Runs For Pakistan With A Career Best Of 209 Against New Zealand In Lahore In 1955.

He Put On 152 For The First Wicket With The Legendary Hanif Mohammad In The Bridgetown Test Against West Indies In 1958, Scoring 91.

Mohammad, Who Died In August This Year, Went On To Score An Epic 337 In 970 Minutes - Still The Longest Innings In Test Cricket History.

Ahmed's Death Means That Middle-Order Batsman Waqar Hasan Is Now The Only Surviving Member Of Pakistan's First Test Team.

AFP Miami, Dec. 31: Tiger Woods celebrated his 41st birthday on Friday, the 14-time major winner having already made a comeback from a 466-day back surgery layoff with hopes of recapturing success.

Woods was inconsistent over 72 holes at the Hero World Challenge, an 18-man Bahamas event in early December to benefit his charity foundation, and fan interest remains high even though he has only showed glimpses of the form that made him a must-see attraction for years.

While saying he still has designs on the record 18 majors won by Jack Nicklaus, Woods would be bucking the odds to catch his boyhood idol.

Old Tom Morris won three British Opens at 41 or older in the 1860s and remains the lone threetime major winner beyond his 41st birthday.

Nicklaus became the oldest Masters winner by taking his last green jacket in 1986, while Julius Boros is the oldest major winner, taking the 1968 PGA Championship at age 48. Boros, Harry Vardon and

Tiger Woods Woods's pal Mark O'Meara each won two majors after turning 41.

British Opens have produced three champions in the past six years who were 41 or older with Swede Henrik Stenson at 40 when he took the Claret Jug in 2016.

Woods has said he will play at Riviera in February at another event hosted by his foundation, although he did not rule out another appearance earlier in 2017 or give any hint about other tuneup plans for the

Masters in April. Woods last won a major title at the 2008 US Open and last won any title at the 2013 WGC event in Akron, Ohio as he tries to win three more career PGA titles to match the record 82 won by Sam Snead.

In addition to finding his form, Woods will face in 2017 a new generation of players such as topranked Australian Jason Day, two-time major champion Jordan Spieth, rising Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama and

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, a four-time major winner needing only a Masters green jacket to complete a career Grand Slam.

Woods tweeted Friday "Hoping StanfordFball gives me a win for my birthday" before his college's American football side, the Stanford Cardinal, kicked off against North Carolina in the Sun Bowl.

Woods got his birthday wish as Stanford edged the Tar Heels 25-23 at El Paso, Texas.

IANS Rajkot , Dec. 31: Defending champions Mumbai's quest for their 42nd Ranji Trophy title will go through a stern test when they take on Tamil Nadu in the semifinal, starting at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium here on Sunday.

For the high-profile knockout clash, Mumbai have called up 17-year old Prithvi Shaw to their squad after dropping an out-of-form Kevin Almeida.

Almeida failed to make an impression in the only match he played this season, scoring 9 and 1 while opening the innings. He also spilled a catch, fielding at slips, in Hyderabad's second innings.

Shaw, who was part of the India Under-19 squad that won the Youth Asia Cup in Sri Lanka earlier this month, scored 191 runs in five matches, including a highest score of 89.

Going into Sunday's clash, Mumbai will aim to get a huge first innings total unlike in the quarter-final against Hyderabad which they

won by 30 runs in Raipur.

With the opening duo failing to fire in both the innings against Hyderabad, Mumbai will hope that at least two batsmen in their middle order -- Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, skipper Aditya Tare and Siddesh Lad -- reach the three-figure mark.

Seasoned all-rounder Abhishek Nayar inspired the lower order batsmen with a fine half century before impressing with the cherry, to finish the quarter-final tie with figures of 9/100.

On the other hand, Tamil Nadu will look to avenge their Ranji opener's narrow two-wicket loss to Mumbai when they take the field on Sunday.

The team's batting has revolved around Kaushik Gandhi (726 runs at 60.50), Abhinav Mukund (689 at 62.63) and India discard Dinesh Karthik (664 at 60.36), while Baba Indrajith and Vijay Shankar have also impressed.

Tamil Nadu banked on an impressive show from their bowling department, specially the pacers -- Aswin Crist,

Krishnamoorthy Vignesh and T. Natarajan -- to thrash Karnataka by seven wickets in the quarter-final. The trio have picked up 94 wickets among them.

Tamil Nadu still need to clear two more hurdles to end a 28-season drought of Ranji titles.

Squads: Mumbai: Aditya Tare (Captain, wk), Praful Waghela, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Siddhesh Lad, Abhishek Nayar, Shardul Thakur, Balwinder Singh Sandhu, Tushar Deshpande, Royston Dias, Sufiyan Shaikh, Vijay Gohil, Akshay Girap, Eknath Kerkar, Prithvi Shaw Tamil Nadu: Abhinav Mukund (Captain), Baba Aparajith (vc), Aswin Crist, Aushik Srinivas, Kaushik Gandhi, Baba Indrajith, Narayan Jagadeesan, Dinesh Karthik, Krishnamoorthy Vignesh, Washington Sundar, J. Kousik, M. Mohammed, T. Natarajan, Malolan Rangarajan, Rahil Shah, Laxmesha Suryap rakash.

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Editor: Prahlad Hammey

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