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PAGE 10

Vol. II

INDIA BEAT SOUTH KOREA TO STORM INTO ACT FINAL

CM reviews 4lane work; asks contractors for quality roads Dimapur, Oct 29: Nagaland chief minister, T.R. Zeliang on Friday asked the contractors and departmental officials to provide good quality roads to the people, saying roads are the lifeline of the public.

CMO media cell through a press note said Zeliang, during the review meeting on the progress of the 4lane highway work (Dimapur-Kohima) with the contractors, NHIDCL, Border Roads Organisation and officials of National Highways and Roads & Bridges, reminded them that people does not only want the project to be completed on time but to have high quality roads.

P10 Iraq says it foiled Islamic State attack on Ramadi Baghdad, Oct 29: Iraqi officials said Saturday that the security forces foiled an attack by jihadists of the Islamic State group on the city of Ramadi, capital of the western province of Anbar.

The reported thwarted attack led to 11 arrests and comes after a string of diversionary attacks by the jihadists since the start two weeks ago of a massive offensive against IS bastion Mosul.

Iraqi forces "arrested 11 Daesh (IS) members who were planning to attack the city" from the suburb of Al-Tash, on the southern edge of Ramadi, said Captain Ahmed al-Dulaimi of the Anbar police.

P8

Issue 103

P11

Dibrugarh, Sunday, October 30, 2016

THE MARRIAGE VOWS BETWEEN BHATKAL AND KARACHI

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72-hour Assam Bandh called Forces are giving befitting reply by six communities withdrawn to Pakistan, says Rajnath Singh ET Bureau Dibrugarh, Oct 29

The 72-hour Assam bandh called by the United Forum of six communities comprising Ahom, Koch-Rajbangshi, Moran, Matak, Chutiya and Adivasis (the so-called ‘Tea Tribes’) commencing from 1, 2016 November has been withdrawn.

The bandh call has been suspended for the time being considering people's appeal.

However the other agitational programme will be continued till the government provides the ST status to the six tribes.

It may be noted that earlier.

The agitation to demand Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for six communities in Assam erupted again in a bandh last

All ST communities together Addl. DSP appointed as comprise about 14% of Assam’s new mediator to liaise population. Of this, Bodos are with the 6 communities 41%, Mising 17.8%, Karbi 10.7%, demanding ST status Rabha 8.4%, Kachari 7.1%, Tiwa A Staff Reporter Guwahati, 29 Oct 5.2%, Dimasa 3.4% and Deori 1.2%. No break-up of population Government of Assam has Pallav of the 6 communities demanding appointed Bhattacharjee, Additional DGP Assam as the new ST status is available. (SB), mediator to liaise with the week — days after the October 15 deadline for a committee headed by Home Ministry official Mahesh Kumar Singla, looking into the demand, to submit its report passed. The Singla Committee, set up by the central government on March 1, was to originally

submit its report in three months, but was given time until October 15. The Committee has consulted representatives of the six communities seeking inclusion in the ST list, Contd. on Page 2

organizations agitating for ST status of six communities of the state.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced this while discussing the progress on the issue of Contd. on Page 4

After a day long strike against the DC, IMWA calls off 7 days shutter down A Staff Reporter Itanagar, 29 Oct

After the Itanagar Market Welfare Association (IMWA) called a seven- day shutter down strike of all shops from October 29, the District Administration, with the support of the Police Department has been providing security to all shops in Itanagar since early morning, today.

Speaking to this daily, Itanagar-Capital Complex Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Kumar Singh said that magistrates have been deployed and are keeping a check at various locations, and would facilitate those who want to keep their shops open.

“Nobody can take the government on ransom; this is not a banana republic. We are in a democracy and when such strikes take place for personal benefits then the administration and government have to take action

ROW IN ITANAGAR BEFORE DIWALI Itanagar Market Welfare Association (IMWA) had initiated shutter down to register its protests against the Capital Complex DC. IMWA members had erected few structures at Ganga Market to celebrate Diwali in a grand manner at Ganga market and Bank Tiniali areas, it alleged that the DC destroyed the structures without any prior information IMWA was not allowed to hold jhandimunda (dice play) for Diwali

Police Dept provided security to all shops in Itanagar today. against it, which is what we are doing”, he said.

He also informed that there are several shopkeepers who want to open their shops, but they have allegedly been receiving threat calls, and since they are businessmen, they are

DC said that attempting to organize illegal activities in the name of puja is not right, and even if they want permission for any type of pandal, permission has to be sought from the Itanagar Municipal Council or District Administration.

also treading cautiously.

He said that they hope to see 50 percent of the shops open up by evening and all shops to open by tomorrow.

The DC said that attempting to organize illegal activities in the name of puja is not right,

and even if they want permission for any type of pandal, permission has to be sought from the Itanagar Municipal Council or District Administration.

Contd. on Page 3

ET Bureau New Delhi, 29 Oct

Union home minister Rajnath Singh said today that the Army and the Border (BSF) "are giving (a) befitting reply to Pakistan", even as Pakistani troops today killed a BSF soldier in yet another ceasefire violation along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, ANI reported.

"If today we are being able to celebrate Diwali , it is only because of our jawans. India won't be let down," Rajnath added.

Yesterday, cross border terrorists mutilated the body of

"I'm always of the view that the human rights of soldiers+ should enjoy precedence over

human rights of anybody else.

Pakistan is already exposed but it continues to be in denial mode, (we are) confident our forces are capable of responding to any kind of threat," Jitendra added.

A similar BAT action by Pakistan in the Mendhar sector of J&K in 2013, in which an Indian soldier was beheaded and another's body mutilated, had later been avenged by the Indian Army in "a befitting manner". The then Army chief General Bikram Singh had said that the Indian force could not be expected to stick to rules if the neighbour was breaking them. (With inputs from agencies)

Government of Assam has declares 1st November as Restricted Holiday A Staff Reporter Guwahati, 29 Oct

Government of Assam has declared Bhai Tika (Bahtri Dwitya) celebrated by Gorkhas nationwide and across globe as Restricted Holiday as per the communication received from Chief Minister’s Office to the Chairman of Gorkha Autonomous Council Demand Committee (GACDC). Dr. Kashyap Prakash, Office on Special Duty to the Chief Minister, Government of Assam in a telecommunication to Shri. Harka Bahadur Chetry informed that the Government of Assam has decided to declare Bhai Tika on 1st November 2016 as Restricted

Holiday to enable Gorkhas of state to celebrate the festival in their own way. It may recalled that GACDC had submitted Bhai Tika special memorandum in Dispur to the Chief Minister through Commissioner & Secretary, Home & Political Affairs and Etc. Government of Assam who has been given the responsibility of designated officer to discuss the 8 point demand submitted by GACDC after 650 kms Marathon March followed by ‘Raithaney Gorkha Bhela’ at Khanapara in Guwahati on 9th September 2016. The GACDC delegation had high level discussion at Brahmaputra Guest House on

10th Sept in Guwahati where the GACDC had submitted a 8 point demand memorandum beginning with declaring Gorkhas of Assam as indigenous community through a Government Notification and change all any such notifications / mention in Government records the Gorkhas being inadvertently written Nepali.

Bhai Tika being one major festival celebrated by the Gorkhas of state along with the greater Assamese society the GACDC had demanded it to be a state holiday followed by same demand raised by All Assam Gorkha Students Union Contd. on Page 4

Body found at Chaulkhowa A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Oct 29

The news of a body being recovered at a tea garden here at Chaulkhowa, has triggered sensation among the residents of the area.

The body was identified to be of a youth named Niranjan

YOUNG LEADERS CONNECT CONCLAVE IN ITANAGAR

an Army soldier in the Macchil sector of Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district.

"There can't be anything more atrocious than this," said Jitendra Singh, Minister of state at the PMO, to ANI. Sources informed that the operation seemed to be the handiwork of a BAT (border action team), which typically consists of terrorists and Pakistan Army regulars, and is bound to further escalate tensions along the Line of Control and the international boundary in J&K.

Saikia of Chandoi Pothar village. The actual cause of death of the deceased youth remains a mystery. Police have not ruled out the possibility of suicide as a suicide note and an insect repellant bottle were seized near the body. Suicide note which police seized from the site bore the names of a woman and two other

people.The names mentioned in the suicide note, according to source, are presently under police surveillance.

Meanwhile, a case has been registered at Dibrugarh Police Station, by the family members of Niranjan Saikia. No arrest has been made till the filing of this report.

All Assam Mottock Students’ Union and Asom Jatyatabadi Yuba Parishad protest Centre’s move on Hindu migrants ET Correspondent Tinsukia, 29 Oct

CM Sonowal distributes cheques to CM Sonowal to attend colleges for giving free admission to National Unity Day economically poor students celebration in Dibrugarh A Staff Reporter Guwahati, 29 Oct

cmyk

Reiterating that the government has fulfilled its commitment given in the budget speech for making higher education free for economically underprivileged students, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that

this is just the beginning of a new era in education sector of the state.

Acting on the government’s commitment to make higher education accessible to poorest of poor students of the state, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today distributed cheques to colleges for giving free admission in Higher

Secondary and Degree 1st year to students with annual income of below one lakh rupees at a function held at Rabindra Bhawan in the city.

Terming that education gives knowledge and knowledge is power, Contd. on Page 4

A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Oct 29

Dibrugarh on 31st Oct'16at 9:30am.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal will attend the function of National Unity day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas) organised by Dibrugarh district administration at Chowkidinghee field,

The nation celebrates the birth anniversary of the first Deputy Prime Minister of India, Sardar Patel as *Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day)* every year on 31st Oct.

Members of AJYCP and ASMSU took to the streets.

Indo-Bhutan friendship car rally concludes in Guwahati A Staff Reporter Guwahati, 29 Oct

The week-long journey of the Indo-Bhutan International car rally, which began from Tawang on October 23 last, concluded at Guwahati today after it covered all major parts of Arunachal, Assam and

Bhutan.

The rally was flagged-down by the Bhutan India Friendship Association general secretary Bawa Galsen.

International Friendship Car Rally Association (IFCRA) president Pem Sonam informed that they had a wonderful journey in

Arunachal, Assam as well as in Bhutan, and were accorded a warm reception everywhere.

He informed that there was an interaction programme set up with the locals at all their rest stops in relation to cultural exchange and traditional value and friendship.

cmyk

As a part of the 2- Day Young Leaders Connect Conclave in Itanagar, the legislators of Arunachal Pradesh including the himself himself played a football match against the young leaders participated at the Conclave on Saturday. The match was between CM XI and YLC XI. The 2 Day conclave with the theme “ starts -up North East, Stand-Up North East witnessed several prominent young leaders such as Minister of State for Home Affair Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy and Baichung Bhutia.

Tinsukia district committee of All Assam Mottock Students’ Union and Asom Jatyatabadi Yuba Parishad jointly have staged protest programme at Hijuguri today by burning the effigies of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and Chief Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal on NH 37 against the Centre’s move to provide citizenship to the Hindu Bangladeshi migrants in Assam under the provision of newly amendment of Citizenship Act. Protesters also demanded immediate grant of Schedule Tribe status to the six communities, and Assam as well as the ban of China-made materials.

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30

NEWS

NE docus, films make cut for Goa film fest

ET Bureau Guwahati, Oct 29: Two English documentaries 'Memories of a Forgotten War' and 'Guns and Guitars' - have been selected with five other feature and non-feature films from the region for the Indian Panaroma section of the 47th International Film Festival of India, 2016, to be held in Goa from November 20.

While the first documentary is on famous WWII battles fought in the NE region, the second one is a musical travelogue.

Both the movies have been made by Assamese filmmakers. Manipuri documentary 'Ima Sabitri' directed by Bobo KH has been chosen as the opening film in the non-feature section of the festi-

val.

Assamese national award winning film critic Utpal Borpujari, an alumnus of IIT-Roorkee and a journalist-turned filmmaker, has directed 'Memories of a Forgotten War.' Borpujari was among the 177 worldwide film critics invited by BBC Culture to poll individual Top 10 films of the 21st century recently.

Mumbai-based filmmaker Bidut Kotoky directed 'Guns and Guitar' that focusses on the music culture of the region.

Among the three feature films from the region are Manipuri film 'Loktak Lairembee' directed by Haoban Paban Kumar, Khasi film 'Onaatah' directed by Pradip Kurbah

HOROSCOPE Aries

Taurus

A goal that you've been working on could finally be reached, Aries. A group of friends you might not have seen for a long time could schedule a get-together that you will be all too glad to attend. Expect to have a lot of fun exchanging news and ideas with these people.

You will probably feel particularly happy to see them. You won't want to let so much time go by before you reconnect again.

Today you could meet some interesting new people, Taurus. Among them is at least one person who shares a lot of your interests and could become a close friend. The joy you receive from meeting these people is likely to spill over into the rest of your day. You could be warmer and more congenial with everyone else in your life, too. In the evening, go out and have some fun.

Gemini

A book or movie about a foreign country could capture your imagination and make that country seem especially appealing, Gemini. You might toy with the idea of taking a trip there soon. If you're serious, it might be a good idea to start making your plans. You're in a particularly practical frame of mind and have the enthusiasm to do it. Have fun browsing through travel brochures and maps.

Cancer

Someone close who owes you money might suddenly turn up and repay you, Cancer. This might be a surprise, but you will be glad to get it. You may want to blow some of it by taking a friend out to lunch or buying someone a gift. Some beautiful dreams could haunt your sleep tonight, perhaps to the point where you feel frustrated when you wake up. Write them down. They're saying something about you.

Leo

Today you should feel especially warm and loving toward everyone close to you, Leo, particularly a love partner. You may want to spend some time with friends or family or schedule a romantic evening with your significant other or both. If you have paperwork to take care of, this is the day to do it. You're particularly practical and feeling good, so the drudgery won't get you down.

Virgo

Stimulating conversations could take place with partners of all sorts, Virgo, from business to exercise to romantic. Some new and useful information could come your way that you will want to explore further. This is a great day to execute legal papers or enter into any kind of agreement or commitment.

It's a good time to sign up for a class or workshop.

Make good use of the energies of the day.

Libra

Today you should be feeling especially warm and loving toward close friends and children, Libra. You could also especially appreciate the arts.

You might attend a play or concert or decide to try your hand at one of the fine arts yourself. In the evening, go out and enjoy your friends' company.

Celebrate just being together!

Scorpio

Today you might decide to buy a plant for every room in your house or plant a garden, Scorpio. If the weather is good, you might visit a nursery or botanical garden. You may not normally be attracted to plants and gardens, but today both beauty and nature seem especially appealing. Make the most of this, however temporary. Your house will look that much more beautiful because of it!

Sagittarius

A warm and loving communication could come to you today from someone close. This could be an email, call, or even a gift of some kind. This could make your day, Sagittarius, and you will probably pass whatever good feelings you draw from it to other friends and family members. Take a walk around your neighborhood and say hello to whomever you meet. It will make you feel even better!

Capricorn

A very welcome sum of extra money could come your way today, Capricorn, possibly out of the blue.

You might want to put this money to work for you in some way, perhaps investing it or purchasing supplies or materials for personal projects.

You should feel especially positive where your resources are concerned, and confident in your ability to earn.

Aquarius

Pisces

Today you may feel especially warm and loving toward just about everybody in your circle, Aquarius, even those you usually find irritating.

You could also be looking especially attractive and feeling more confident than usual. You might even feel like shopping for new clothes. Artistic ideas could flow freely, and you might think of different ways to put them to work for you.

Someone you care about but haven't seen for a long time could suddenly contact you. You'd usually love this, Pisces, but today you could be too caught up in projects of your own to want to put them aside. But you will have a lot of fun with this person, and you might even interest him or her in your project. After finishing your work, go out to dinner.

and Assamese film 'Dikchow Banat Palaax'

by Sanjib Sabhapandit.

There were 13 entries from the northeast in the feature film section - nine in Assamese, two in Khasi and one each in Manipuri and Bodo.

The first Assamese fulllength animated feature film, 'Sarbagunakar Srimanta Sankardeva' directed by national awardwinning Manju Borah, could not make it to the final list despite being one of the 25 entries in the feature film section.

Apart from 'Ima Sabitri', the other non-feature film in local language selected is national award-winning film critic Altaf Mazid's 'Sabin Alun' in Karbi language. Mazid died a few months ago.

BSF under Guwahati Frontier apprehends ganja smuggler A Staff Reporter Guwahati, 29 Oct: Troops of Border Security Force under Guwahati Frontier apprehended one suspected ganja smuggler in Coochbeharyesterday.

On specific input provided by Border Security Force Intelligence team of CoochbeharSector, West Bengal, a joint team of BSF and local Police apprehended the suspect alongwith 91 kgsganja from Dinhata area.

Earlier the Intelligence Team of BSF Coochbehar Sector received an information that the suspect had concealed huge quantity of Ganja underneath hay in the general area of Khatamari, under PS Dinhata, Distt Cooch Behar, West Bengal. On receipt of this information, the team developed

the information, through their sources for necessary action.

After receiving the input the joint operation team comprising of BSF troops and the local police raided thearea and apprehended one NagenBarman, 55 yrs, s/ oSanatuBarman,VillKarala, PO- Karala, PSDinhata, DistC o o c h b e h a r (WB)alongwithGanja weighing approx. 91 kgs.The apprehended person and the ganja have been handed over to local PolicePolice for further disposal.

BSF troops are always alert to issue of trans-border crimes and illegal infiltration and are making all out efforts to prevent commission of illegal crimes.

NE docus, films make cut for Goa film fest ET Bureau Guwahati, 29 Oct: Two English documentaries 'Memories of a Forgotten War' and 'Guns and Guitars' - have been selected with five other feature and non-feature films from the region for the Indian Panaroma section of the 47th International Film Festival of India, 2016, to be held in Goa from November 20.

While the first documentary is on famous WWII battles fought in the NE region, the second one is a musical travelogue. Both the movies have been made by Assamese filmmakers. Manipuri documentary 'Ima Sabitri' directed by Bobo KH has been chosen as the opening film in the non-feature

section of the festival.

Assamese national award winning film critic Utpal Borpujari, an alumnus of IIT-Roorkee and a journalist-turned filmmaker, has directed 'Memories of a Forgotten War.' Borpujari was among the 177 worldwide film critics invited by BBC Culture to poll individual Top 10 films of the 21st century recently.

Mumbai-based filmmaker Bidut Kotoky directed 'Guns and Guitar' that focusses on the music culture of the region.

Among the three feature films from the region are Manipuri film 'Loktak Lairembee' directed by Haoban Paban Kumar, Khasi film 'Onaatah' directed by Pradip Kurbah and Assamese film

'Dikchow Banat Palaax'

by Sanjib Sabhapandit.

There were 13 entries from the northeast in the feature film section - nine in Assamese, two in Khasi and one each in Manipuri and Bodo.

The first Assamese fulllength animated feature film, 'Sarbagunakar Srimanta Sankardeva' directed by national awardwinning Manju Borah, could not make it to the final list despite being one of the 25 entries in the feature film section. Apart from 'Ima Sabitri', the other non-feature film in local language selected is national award-winning film critic Altaf Mazid's 'Sabin Alun' in Karbi language. Mazid died a few months ago.

Defence personnel to get disability pension under old norms New Delhi, Oct 29 : Under attack for introducing slabbased disability pension, Defence Ministry today said armed forces personnel would continue to get such pension based on percentage system till the Anomaly Committee came out with a report on the issue.

There was widespread criticism from opposition parties and the military establishment over a letter issued on September 30 which had introduced a slab-based system, as recommended by the 7th Pay Commission, for determining the disability

pension for defence forces.

Following this, the Ministry had referred the matter to the Anomaly Committee.

However, there was confusion as to what system would be used to determine disability pension.

Till the Committee comes out with a report, existing percentage system will be used to determine disability pension, defence sources said.

Earlier, the Defence Ministry had said the 7th CPC had recommended a slab-based system for determining dis-

ability pension, which was accepted by the government.

A percentage-based system was followed under the 6th CPC regime for calculating disability pension for defence forces personnel as well as civilians.

What the military personnel are upset about is that civilians will continue to be paid pension according to the earlier "percentage system", which means that a civilian employee will get higher disability pension than his military counterpart. (PTI)

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P2 Governor dismayed over defunct ITC at Longwa; wants status report ET Bureau Nagaland Oct 29: Nagaland Governor P.B. Acharya expressed deep concern over the condition of the International Trade Centre at Longwa which remains defunct and in a dilapidated state.

Acharya, who was on his way to Longwa, Mon to inaugurate the Chief Angh’s Residence and tourism Guest House on October 28, stopped briefly at the International Trade Centre (ITC), PRO to Governor stated in a communiqué.

The Governor was very displeased on finding the almost abandoned infrastructure, virtually occupied by domesticated animals as their shelter.

Upon further query, the local MLA Phowang Konyak who had also accompanied the governor, said despite several attempts through the elected representatives and the people of the concern area, to revamp the International Trade Centre (ITC), it

could not make any headway due to the lackadaisical response from both the state and the central government The Centre was established way back in 1996 and inaugurated on in 2006 to have border trade with the neighboring country, Myanmar.

In this regard, Governor directed the local MLA and the administration to submit the actual report on the status of ITC. He also urged upon the MLA and the public of the

area to pursue for resumption of the centre seriously.

“Any trade centre should have a brisk activities and this ITC should be no less as it will benefit people residing in the border area of India and Myanmar,” he added.

Later, to boost the morale of the armed forces, Governor also visited Delta company of 35 Assam Rifles manning the border area and held a brief interaction with the officers and the jawans.

72-hour Assam Bandh called by six communities withdrawn Contd. from Page 1 as well as those who’re opposed to the demand. Many other tribal organizations of Assam fear that if these six communities were accorded ST status it would mean that all the seats in educational institutions, government jobs and political institutions (whether autonomous councils or the State assembly) currently reserved for the STs could be contested by these communities. This would be detrimental to the current STs of Assam as there could not be differential treatment for the same group of people i.e.

(Scheduled Tribes) as per the Constitution of India.

On many occasions, the Registrar General of India(RGI) and the National Commission for STs have rejected such a proposal on the reason that these six communities do not fulfil the criteria set for enlisting a tribe as ST under the Indian Constitution. In retrospect, on August 14, 2007, P. R. Kyndiah, the then Minister of Tribal Affairs, Government of India replying to a question in the floor of Parliament, had stated that the RGI had already commented eight times (1981, 1992, 1995, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2006) and turned down pleas of the above mentioned communities for scheduling as ST. On several occasions, other tribal organisations justified the non-inclusion of TaiAhoms and the tea tribes by stating these communities are very advanced communities having considerable political and economic clout over the State. Majority of these communities do not prerequisites characteristics which define tribals in India.

Plus, other tribal organisations of Assam also prove their justification that that there was no study to prove that many of these six communities were politically, economically, educationally, socially and culturally backward, justifying the grant of Scheduled Tribe status. In retrospect, the Coordination Committee of the Tribal Organizations of Assam (CCTOA), the umbrella organization of the Scheduled Tribe (Plains) people of Assam time and again has vouched their strong opposition to the granting of ST status to Tai-Ahoms and the tea tribes. For instance, if the Koch Rajbongshis were granted ST status in Assam, the Koch Rajbongshis from West Bengal would migrate to Assam leading to unhealthy competition for the ST seats.

This will aggravate the balance of competition against the mainstream Assamese who are notified as STs, the genuine STs of all over the country will further suffer as they will not be able to compete with the mainstream communities. On the other hand, the Tai Ahoms, Chutias, Morans and Motoks have always been regarded as

the mainstream Assamese and not ST. In modern India’s history, the mainstream Assamese have neither been classified as tribals nor had any special administrative classification been made even by the British.

The Ahoms, who belong to the Tai race, ruled Assam for nearly 600 years (1228-1826), and played a major role in uniting the various ethnic communities of the Brahmaputra valley under a common Assamese identity.

The Morans and Mataks, whose roots can be traced to the Hukong Valley in Burma, had migrated to Assam before the Ahoms. They faced increasing oppression from the second half of the 18th century; their situation becoming worse after the British annexed territories in Upper Assam to set up tea gardens.

The KochRajbangshis had their kingdom for several decades in Assam and present-day North Bengal.

The kingdom of Cooch Behar joined India on August 28, 1949. The Chutiya community, the oldest among the six, is a Tibeto-Burman race which had its own kingdom for about 400 years in eastern Assam. The Adivasi ‘Tea Tribes’, comprising 96 sub-groups, are largely of Chhotanagpur origin who were brought to Assam by the British to work in tea plantations from the mid-19th century. These peoples already have ST status in the states; they originally came from — in Assam, they are clubbed together as ‘Tea garden labourers, Tea garden tribes, Ex-Tea garden labourers and Ex-Tea garden tribes’.

The Constitution does not provide a definition of a Scheduled Tribe (or Scheduled Caste). Art 366 (25) mentions “such tribes or tribal communities or parts of or groups within such tribes or tribal communities as are deemed under Article 342 to be Scheduled Tribes…” Article 342 empowers the President to specify, after consultation with the Governor, “the tribes or tribal communities… which shall… be deemed to be Scheduled Tribes” in a particular state or Union Territory, with Parliament having the right to add to or delete from the list.

As per the web site of the union Ministry of Tribal Affairs: “The criterion followed for specification of a community as Scheduled Tribes are indications of primitive traits, distinctive culture, geographical isolation, shyness of contact with the community at large, and backwardness. This criterion is not spelt out in the Constitution, but has become well established. It subsumes the definitions contained in the 1931 Census, and the reports of the first Backward Classes Commission, 1955, the Advisory Committee (Kalelkar), on Revision of SC/

ST Lists (Lokur Committee), 1965, and the Joint Committee of Parliament on the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Orders (Amendment) Bill, 1967, (Chanda Committee), 1969.”

There are two ST lists — one for the two hill districts (Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao), the other for the plains districts.

STs in the hill districts are Dimasa Kachari, Chakma, Karbi, Garo, Hajong, Hmar, Khasi, Jaintia, Pnar, Kuki (37 subgroups), Lakher, Man, Mizo (several sub-tribes), Naga tribes, Pawi, Synteng and Tiwa. The ST communities in the plains districts are: Bodo, Rabha, Mising, Deuri, Hojai, Kachari (including Sonowal, Thengal), Tiwa, Mech, Dimasa, Hajong, Singpho, Hojai, Khamti and Barman (in Cachar district only).

All ST communities together comprise about 14% of Assam’s population. Of this, Bodos are 41%, Mising 17.8%, Karbi 10.7%, Rabha 8.4%, Kachari 7.1%, Tiwa 5.2%, Dimasa 3.4% and Deuri 1.2%. No break-up of population of the 6 communities demanding ST status is available.

According to the Coordination Committee of Tribal Organisations of Assam (CCTOA), these 6 communities are educationally and economically advanced, as well as numerically significant, and there is no way the existing ST communities can compete with them. CCTOA claims giving them ST status would wipe out existing communities from elected bodies from the village council to Lok Sabha, as well as from education and jobs, and would lead to STs losing their land rights. The Committee recalls the situation in 1996, when, it says, the Centre granted ST status to the Koch-Rajbangshi community for six months, leading to the majority share of the ST quota in college admissions passing to them — 33 out of 42 MBBS seats, 17 out of 21 BE seats, all 8 BAMS seats, and 35 out of 45 BSc seats reserved for all ST communities in government colleges.

The Assam government has repeatedly forwarded the case of the 6 communities to the Centre, but the Registrar General of India has turned the proposals down. The BJP, Congress and AGP are unanimous on granting them ST status. All three parties had mentioned this in their 2014 Lok Sabha and 2016 Assembly election manifestos. The central government set up the Singla Committee to consult with the state government and the agitating groups to suggest modalities for granting them ST status. Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju has said the government would change the modalities, if necessary, to include them in the ST list. (With inputs from agencies)

NEWS

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30

'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharata' scheme to launch on Monday ET Bureau Aizawl, Oct 29: The government would launch a new programme -- 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' -- on Monday to connect the country's states and districts, Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development (HRD) Mahendra Nath Pandey said here on Friday.

"A new programme -'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' (one India, excellent India) -- would be launched on Monday to connect states and districts of the country through varied cultures and tourism," Pandey said on Saturday while addressing a function in Mizoram capital Aizawl.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi would launch the new programme -- 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bahrat'. All the states and districts of India would be linked through diverse cultural and tourism schems under the programme," he said.

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had announced the programme while presenting the budget for 2016-17 in the Lok Sabha on February 29.

The Minister, who arrived in Aizawl on Friday evening, was speaking as chief guest at the valedictory ceremony of the "Innovative Water Technology Management Fest" of Mizoram University.

He said, "By changing previous 'Look East' policy into the 'Act East' policy with more specific thrust, the central government is committed for the overall development of the northeast India."

Praising the people of Mizoram, the visiting minister appreciated the people for achieving high literacy rate of 92 per cent.

Hostel for Mizoram University students inaugurated ET Bureau Aizawl Oct 29: Union Minister of State for Human Resources Development Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey today inaugurated the ninth hostel of the Mizoram University called, ‘Senhri Hall of Residence’ at the University campus near Aizawl, an official statement today said.

The girls hostel was constructed with Rs 578.36 lakh received from the University Grants Commission to accommodate 100 students.

Pandey discussed issues related to students with state Higher and Technical Education Minister R Romawia and senior officials of the department, the statement said.

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350 Student sensitized over CM and Governor Drugs De-addiction at Bolung extend Diwali wishes Bishnu Rana Roing, Oct 28: At a time when the youth are the most vulnerable from drugs abuse, The Brahmakumaris Rajyoga Meditation Centre (BRMC) Tezu and Roing jointly held a one day sensitization camp at Govt. Hr Secondary School Bolung to get rid of them from the dreaded substances.

Over 350 student and 30 (thirty) teaching and non teaching staff were educated regarding various types of Hard Drugs (Ganja, Charus, Brown sugar) and Soft Drugs (Tobacco, Cigarettes, Gutkha and Alcohol) and its serious implication through power point presentation.

“Youth are the most targeted and are in threat.

Gutkha, Tiranga, Rajaniganda and Pan Masala are bye product of Tobacco which is predominantly available and commonly used by school goers resulting common diseases like submucus fibrosis lead-

350 Student sensitized over Drugs De-addiction at Bolung ing to cancer”, alerts BK Jayanti in charge BRMC Tezu as resource person.

These soft drugs are slow poison which gradually damage mental and physical health that failed a person to excel better. She educates easy method to quit addiction to win in life.

She also presented a show on ‘7 million goodness act’

and advised them to do good work and help each other to experience peace and happiness.

BK Gitamoni In charge BRMC Roing also realized the student and teachers the essence of spirituality and the importance of Rajyoga Meditation for a peaceful and joyful lifestyle. She also educates them about moral

education and how to live a stress free life by doing regular easy Rajyoga.

While extending gratitude to the Brahmakumaris sisters, BR Das History Senior Teacher (PGT) said spirituality and meditation is need of the hour to inculcate in the student a positive mindset and dissuade them from all sort of addiction.

Resignations no threat to KHADC EC: Syiem ET Bureau Shillong, Oct 29: KHADC chief PN Syiem has brushed aside any threat to the Executive Committee despite the resignation of three of its members.

Syiem on Friday accepted the resignations of three executive members PT Sawkmie, Jansing Tynsong and Lamphrang Blah.

The Council recently witnessed a political churning within when five Congress MDCs – Sawkmie, Tynsong, Blah, Manstudy Nongrem and Donevan Wanlang – withdrew their support to the ruling PDF coalition led by suspended Congress member Syiem.

At a press conference on Friday, Syiem downplayed probable threats to the coalition as he pointed out that there are 16 other members in the ruling PDF. The KHADC CEM downplayed the allegations of Congress MDCs that it was due to corruption that they came out of PDF. “They are just finding an excuse as they wanted to leave,” he said.

Indicating the State

government’s failed attempt to overthrow him, Syiem said, “It is interesting that in the history of the District Council and the state, where one is suspended and five have resigned. And in the case of dual posts, there was an intention to remove me. However, in the ensuing matter, seven MDCs had to resign. I have not committed any wrong and I stand on my principles, particularly on the issues of the state,” he said and added that he would not apologise to the party following his suspension.

On whether he would join any other party, Syiem said he would take a decision a few months before the Assembly elections in 2018 as he is currently suspended for three years. On floating a new party, he said, “As of now, PDF is a forum and not a ‘front’. I have no intention of floating a new team.”

However, the CEM hinted that some parties have approached him but did not divulge details.

On the resignation of the

five MDCs, he said, “I accepted their resignations as EMs on October 28 and have sent it to the Commissioner and Secretary, District Council Affairs (DCA) department to enable the Governor to do the needful as per the Assam Meghalaya District Council Rules. Copies have also been sent to the Principal Secretary to the Governor.”

“With regard to the resignations of KHADC chairman Nongrem and deputy chairman Wanlang, the secretary of the KHADC sent their resignations to the Commissioner and Secretary on the same day, i.e. on October 26 and copies have been sent to the Deputy Secretary to the Governor with the request to appoint pro tem Chairman as per Rule 12 (1) of the Assam Meghalaya District Council Rules and to fix the date for the election as per Rule 32,” he added. Syiem informed that a Special session will be convened after the date of election is fixed by the Governor who can also appoint pro tem chairman from

Update on missing girl from Arunachal Pradesh!

ET Bureau Itanagar Oct 29: Arunachal girl who went missing from M umbai identified as Torik Ete has been safely found in Mumbai’s Kalyani area on Saturday. She, however does not intend to pursue the case any longer and will be heading to her home town soon.

As per a recent information given by Nodal officer for North East people, Delhi, IGP Robin Hibu, a 28 year old girl from Arunachal Pradesh identified as Torik Ete working in Mumbai called up her sister on Friday in a panick stricken state informing that she is being forcefully confined in some unkown location in a single room by some anonymous miscreants.

Here mobile number was

switched off since the incident. A case was filed

in this regard with the Mumbai Police.

among the MDCs and fix the election date. The pro tem Chairman will conduct the House.

According to him, the characteristics of a Chairman are efficiency, competency and seniority.

When asked about the vacant EM’s seat, he said, “Any member of the People’s Democratic Forum (PDF) can be made EM as it is my prerogative.”

The vacant seats in KHADC are those of HDR Lyngdoh (Nongspung-Sohiong), Sanbor Shullai (LabanMawprem), Ardent M. B a s a i a w m o i t (Nongkrem), KP Pangniang (RambraiJyrngam), Metbah Lyngdoh (MairangNongkhlaw) and Brolding Nongsiej (Mawthadraishan).

Commenting on the Rs 2-crore scam, he said, “Let the inquiry be over.

Copies of the report will be sent to all the MDCs after the report is submitted.”

ET Bureau Itanagar, 29 Oct: Chief Minister Pema Khandu has conveyed his best wishes and greetings on the auspicious occasion of Deepavali to the people.

“Deepawali or Diwali is certainly one of the biggest and the brightest of all festivals. It's the festival of lights that's marked by four days of celebration, which literally illumines the country with its brilliance, and dazzles all with its joy,” said Khandu in a message on eve of the festival.

While asserting that though there are several myths behind the celebration, in each of these lies the significance of victory of good over evil. “Änd it is with each Deepawali and the lights that illuminate our homes and hearts, that this simple truth finds new reason and hope. From darkness unto light — the light that em-

powers us to commit ourselves to good deeds, that which brings us closer to divinity,” Khandu observed.

Wishing everybody, the Chief Minister also appealed all to be cautious in lighting lamps and crackers to prevent any kind of mishap.

“While we enjoy the festival we must also keep in mind safety of our children and others sentiments. Let’s celebrate Diwali with responsibility,”Khandu requested.

Meanwhile, the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh V. Shanmuganathan has expressed hope that the festivity would motivate all to fight against all odds and evils and drive all to move forward on the path of progress and success.

In his message to the people, the Governor said that the festival of lights inspires all to move to-

wards light from darkness. Let us light the lamps of compassion, love and righteousness.

Let us resolve to fight against illiteracy, inequality, poverty, discrimination and malice. And let us promote universal peace and brotherhood in the society, he exhorted.

With his greetings, the Governor has also appealed to all for a pollution-free environment friendly Deepawali celebration.

Conveying warm greetings and gratitude to the brave sentinels and each and every member of the Armed Forces and Para Military Forces on behalf of people of Arunachal Pradesh and on his own behalf on the joyous occasion, the Governor wished that the festive occasion and the year that lies ahead will be filled with peace, happiness, joy and prosperity for all of them.

1962 war veteran, who crossed into India, yearns to return to family in China

Septuagenarian Wang Qi with his family PTI Bhopal Oct 29: A 77-yearold former soldier from China, who entered India during the 1962 Sino-India war after allegedly losing his way and later settled in Madhya Pradesh, is longing to go back to his native land and reunite with his siblings.

Septuagenarian Wang Qi, who lives with his wife and children in Tirodi area of Maoist-infested Balaghat district, has been harbouring a desire to see his relatives since the last five decades but his wish hasn't been fulfilled for want of a permit from the Indian government and other procedural roadblocks.

Wang who has grown frail over the years might now face more hardships in visiting his homeland given the prevailing tension in the Indo-China relations but he is still hopeful.

His younger son Vishnu Wang, 35, said that his father had joined the Chinese army in 1960 and he entered India from the eastern frontiers after losing his way in pitch darkness one night.

He landed in Assam where he was caught by Indian Red Cross Society and handed over to Indian Army on January 1, 1963.

"My father spent six years in different prisons in Assam, Ajmer, Delhi and the Punjab and Haryana High Court finally released him in March 1969," he said.

"The Indian government had promised to the court that it would rehabilitate my father. He was taken to Delhi, Bhopal, Jabalpur and then finally handed over to Balaghat police," he said.

After coming to Balaghat, Wang, in order to eke out a living, started working as a

watchman with a mill where his colleagues started calling him by name Raj Bahadur apparently due to his Nepali features, Vishnu said.

But little did he know that the enemy nation against whom he had waged a war would become his home, where he would rear a family. Wang married his wife Sushila in 1975 but his desire to live a comfortable life was short-lived.

"Soon after my father married my mother, the Indian government stopped his monthly pension of Rs 100," Vishnu Wang, who works as an accountant for a small business unit, said.

"My father faced a lot of hardships, wanting to go to China. He tried very hard and even entered into correspondence with the then prime ministers but in vain," he said.

After a day long strike against the DC, IMWA calls off 7 days shutter down Contd. from Page 1

“Such people should be taken to task and there should be a public outcry against such people as they are curtailing the public’s freedom”, he added.

However, most shops remained closed till late evening, and only Legi Complex, and parts of bank Tiniali and ZeroPoint were found to be open. Locals selling meat and vegetables were the only ones open from the start.

On patrol, SDPO Techi Hanyir said that they have asked the business community to open shops without fear, but most have been reluctant.

“We are patrolling all areas in Itanagar and putting our men in some places to provide protection, but we cannot force them to open shops”, she added.

She also informed that a few people have been detained to avoid public nuisance.

She was accompanied by Itanagar EAC Jiken Bomjen, CO Marina Siram and ITBP and IRBn personnel.

The public also seemed displeased with the actions of the IMWA, especially with Diwali tomorrow.

“I had some last minute shopping for Diwali, but most shops were closed.

And all items are not available in the few shops that are open”, said a housewife at Legi Complex.

Some shopkeepers, though seemingly upset about the shutter down strike, seemed fearful of opening their shops.

Though everyone knew that the shops were closed because IMWA was not allowed to hold jhandimunda (dice play) for Diwali, they said that they were only told to keep their shutters down.

Meanwhile, the IMWA informed that after threadbare discussion, and keeping the interest of the business community in mind, it has called off its seven days shutter down strike to allow its members

to resume their business activities.

IMWA had initiated shutter down to register its protests against the Capital Complex DC. It said that it stands with the Capital Complex Administration against gambling, but due to the “misanthropic mentality of the present DC especially towards tribal community some escalation has been recorded between the DC and IMWA”.

Informing that IMWA members had erected few structures at Ganga Market to celebrate Diwali in a grand manner at Ganga market and Bank Tiniali areas, it alleged that the DC destroyed the structures without any prior information.

“The outgoing Capital Complex DC is a typical insufferable arrogant Indian bureaucrat, who thinks that power surrounds him, both at the national and state levels, and is quite resistant to reforms that affect them or in the way they go about discharging their duties”,

the IMWA alleged.

The IMWA strongly appealed to the state government to post effective and efficient administrator who is prolocals and denizenfriendly and who discharges his/her duty without bias.

Resilient in their annoyance with the DC, the IMWA also offered the state government ways to counter “menace officers” like DC Singh and said that all matters relating to misconduct of IAS officers should be referred to the Central Vigilance Commission, which should have the power to investigate cases and implement the judgements/decisions reached.

A timeframe should be also decided beforehand within which the matter has to be investigated and a decision reached. A separate civil service court should be set up to determine the guilt of such insufferable arrogant members of civil services and to decide upon the punishment, it added.

NEWS

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30

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Assam on track to achieve RSS chief Bhagwat meets Sonowal its goal of building skilled PTI Guwahati, Oct 29: Assuring Union minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy that Assam was on track to achieve its goal of building skilled manpower, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today said his government was "earnestly pursuing" the skill development plan for the state.

At a meeting with the Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship here, Sonowal apprised him of the status of the recently-opened Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra (PMKK) in Guwahati among others.

Rudy underlined the need

for structuring of the Directorate of Skill Development in the state and asked for submission of the states plan for the Skill Development Mission, assuring a "100 per cent support" of the Centre for the same.

To the Union ministers request for a 10-acre land on lease for setting up a drivers training centre in the state, Sonowal assured him of providing land of Assam State Transport Corporation for setting up such centres all over the state.

An MoU in this regard would be signed between the state and the Centre for jointly operating these centres.

Sonowal told Rudy that 10 buildings constructed by the Industries Department would be handed over to the Skill Development Ministry which would be turned into state-of-the-art skilling centres.

Rudy said job melas for entry-level jobs would be organised shortly in the state which would give a "huge fillip" to the employment scenario.

The chief minister advocated a "synergising approach" between the government and corporate houses wherein, the government would impart skill development training to the youth and the corporate

houses would absorb them in various vocations.

Stating that PMKKs would be opened in all the districts of the state in a phased manner and the respective MPs would be entrusted with the task of monitoring the functioning of these centres, Rudy said the funds for the same would be entirely provided by the Centre.

Appreciating the state government under the leadership of Sonowal for taking swift action to implement the Skill Development Mission, the Union minister said setting up of the Skill Development Department by the state government was a step in the right direction.

Sonowal, Sarma kick off Lakhimpur bypoll campaign ET Bureau Guwahati Oct 29: The BJP kicked off its campaign for the Lakhimpur parliamentary seat byelection on November 19 on Friday with chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal and health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma leading from the front.

BJP has fielded Dhemaji MLA Pradhan Baruah for the Lakhimpur seat, which was vacated by Sonowal after he became the chief minister. Baruah, who was in Congress, joined BJP after Sarma was inducted in the saffron party in August last year.

"Our governments at the Centre and in the state are committed to solving Assam's burning problems," Sonowal said at an election rally in Lakhimpur. He added that the eviction of villagers near Kaziranga shows the state government's commitment to fulfill its prom-

ises.

Like in the run-up to the assembly polls, Sarma on Friday talked about jati, mati, bheti (identity, land and homeland) for consolidating votes. The BJP's election campaign is primarily centred on safeguarding the identity of indigenous people and ushering in development in the state.

"Congress has failed the

state on many fronts.

Since the BJP-led government came to power, the state has taken significant steps in paving the way for development. This is the government which has taken a firm and resolute stand against infiltration from Bangladesh so that the identities of indigenous people are protected," Sarma said.

For BJP, winning the

Assam: Four persons killed, 11 injured in three separate road mishaps ET Bureau Guwahati, Oct 29: According to the reports, two persons were killed when a vehicle in which they were travelling lost the control and hit in a roadside tree at Sixmile area in Guwahati last night.

In separate incident, a minor was killed and five

others were seriously injured when a Ford vehicle, which they were travelling in, fell into a deep gorge at Koroia in lower Assam’s Nalbari district.

The injured persons were rushed to nearest hospital.

In the third incident, a

person was killed and six others injured in collision between two vehicles at Lepetkata in upper Assam's Dibrugarh district on Saturday morning.

The injured passengers were admitted to Assam Medical College Hospital.

CM Sonowal distributes cheques to colleges for giving free admission to economically poor students Contd. from Page 1

Sonowal said that creating a generation of students with strong ideals is the prime objective this government and for that purpose teachers must play a proactive role.

Economic barriers have always pushed many poor but meritorious students away from the higher education system and the government has acted strongly to remove this barrier, Chief Minister said.

Saying that this step of the government to make higher education accessible to the underprivileged students would go a long way in revolutionizing the higher education scenario in the state, Chief Minister Sonowal said that people’s faith on the government’s capability to deliver on its promises would be bolstered further. As there is a huge gap in number of students registering for Matriculation and Higher

Secondary Examinations due to economic reasons, Sonowal said that the government is mulling abolishing all fees for registration for both the examinations.

Minister for Education, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said that government is committed to the people of the state to deliver on its promises and it would act tough against those government officials found neglecting their duties. Informing that a total of 1, 38, 085 students could take free admission in 301 colleges during the current year because of exemption of admission fees under this prorgamme, Dr. Sarma said that a total amount of Rs 43,97,13,324 has been released to the colleges as refund for giving free admission.

Saying that those students who have income above 1 lakh rupees annually should not try to take advantage of this free admission programme meant for genuine underprivileged students,

Dr. Sarma said from next year government would take strict measures against such students. He also informed that from next year even Degree 2nd year admission would be made free and from 2017 students of 9th and 10th standards would get free text books along with the current system of providing free text books upto only 8th standard. He informed that in the coming years the free text book scheme would be extended to Higher Secondary and Degree levels. He also asked the college principals to make their offices and libraries Wi-Fi zones within 45 days, incurred cost of which would be refunded by the government.

Jorhat MP Kmakhya Prasad Tasa, Press Advisor to Chief Minister Hrishikesh Goswami, Principal Secretary Education Pawan Borthakur, Commissioner and Secretary Higher Education Ajay Tiwari were present on the occasion among others.

Lakhimpur parliamentary seat is crucial as it will be a litmus test to prove how popular is the four-monthold Sonowal government.

However, BJP workers in Lakhimpur are confident about the party's organizational strength which was boosted during the 2014 parliamentary polls and then the assembly election.

"Congress is demoralized after the debacle in the Lok Sabha and assembly polls," said BJP spokesperson Diplu Ranjan Sarma.

Sonowal won the seat by defeating Congress MP Ranee Narah in 2014. In fact, BJP scripted history in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls by winning half of total 14 seats in the state for the first time. Political observers said the victory helped BJP create another milestone - forming its first government in Assam.

Hukato Naga’s body to arrive today ET Bureau Dimapur, Oct 29: The dead body of Hukato Naga, a prominent businessman of Dimapur and CMD of HN company, who passed away in Nottingham, UK on October 25 will arrive Dimapur on Sunday afternoon, family sources informed.

According to family sources, the dead body will arrive Delhi on Sunday at 11.40 a.m. from London after which a brief funeral service would be held there. The body would then be flown to Dimapur by a chartered flight and land at around 3 p.m.

Family sources further informed that the funeral service will held on October 31, 2016 at 9 a.m. at Naga Mansion (H/ No. 119), Ikishe village.

ET Bureau Guwahati Oct 29: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat met chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal here on Friday evening.

Saying that Bhagwat's meeting with Sonowal was a courtesy call, RSS insiders revealed that some current issues of the state were also discussed.

"There is nothing political or administrative about the meeting. It's just a courtesy call. The RSS chief has actually arrived here to attend Chaturmas (holy four months from July to October) at Dharapur on Saturday," a senior RSS func-

ST status to the leadership of these organizations in a meeting at Brahmaputra State Guest Houselast night.

Reiterating state G o v e r n m e n t ’s commitment to the cause of ST status to these communities, Chief Minister said that he has already taken up the matter with the Union Home Minister and the issue is moving in a right direction. The Chief Minister assured the organizations that he will call on the Union Home Minister alongwith the agitating organizations to discuss about the Report of the Recommendation Committee after the Lok Sabha and Assembly bielections are over in the

RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat tionary said.

Bhagwat will have dinner at the Raj Bhavan and spend the night at the RSS headquarters at Keshav

Dham here. Health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who also met Bhagwat, said he went to seek the RSS chief's

RSS leaders had earlier raised the issue of completion of National Register of Citizens (NRC) and fencing of the India-Bangladesh border with the chief minister.

RSS functionaries said as Bhagwat is in the state, he will try to know about NRC update and fencing from the chief minister.

24th national children’s science congress 2016 ET Bureau Kohima, Oct 29: Twentyfourth state level national children’s science congress 2016 was held today at the Zonal council hall under the theme “Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development”, under the Ministry of Science and Technology, organized by Nagaland Institute of Health, Environment and Social Welfare.

Editor in chief, the South Asianist, University of Edinburgh, Scotland Dr. Michael Heneise graced the inaugural function as the chief guest. In his brief address, Heneise narrated his childhood experiences to the students that had taught him patience, perseverance and passion for his projects. He said science was an interesting subject that combined a great deal of commitment and inspiration. He informed that a lot of scientific discoveries have been done from a small place and urged students to face life with confidence and present the project with accuracy. He said with the efforts of the student-scientists, the world would be a better place to live in and appealed to reach for the

stars.

Students from the districts of Kohima, Phek, Wokha, Dimapur, Peren andMokokchung, Zunheboto took part in the science congress.The programme was chaired

by Santu Thapa while Hony.

Director NIHESWDr. Vizovol Mekro delivered welcome address.

The following selected child-scientists would rep-

resent the state at the national level science congress to be held from December 27 – 31 at Baramati, Maharastra.

The selected students are Mitishar, Rudilhounuo Regina Mere Christ King Higher Secondary School (CKHSS), Kohima, Kaboli G. Aye,Cornerstone School, Zunheboto, Shneha Chakraborty LGHSS Kohima, VithoK. Yeptho,

Cornerstone School, Zunheboto, Vikusunuo Natso AldervilleSchool Kohima, Botoholi Achumi LFHSS Kohima and Ryan Sivakoti of Cornerstone School Zunheboto. Amongla Pongen and Neingumenuo Thur both from CKHSS Kohima would represent the state at the 104th Indian science congress to be held from January 3 to 7, 2017 at Sri. Venkateswara University, Tirupati.

Erosion takes grim turn in Morigaon dist ET Bureau Morigaon, Oct 29: The Brahmaputra’s erosion in riverine areas under Lahorighat revenue circle in Morigaon district has taken a grim turn in the last few days rendering 40 families homeless in Kathoni village, official sources said.

The affected homeless people took shelter on dyke and nearby highlands. Though the water level of the Brahmaputra is down, yet the devastat-

Addl. DSP appointed as new mediator to liaise with the 6 communities demanding ST status Contd. from Page 1

blessings.

RSS insiders said Bhagwat and Sonowal had a one-to-one meeting and the performance of the BJP-led government in the state also came up for discussion.

state.

Stating that the G o v e r n m e n t ’s commitment to the cause is manifested byseveral rounds of discussions it has made with these organizations recently, Sonowal called for their co-operation and patience for a positive outcome.

The Chief Minister also requested the organizations to reconsider their agitational programme and withdraw the bandh call given by them.

Representatives of the organizations expressed satisfaction on the assurance given by the Chief Minister and informed that they would reconsider their agitational programme keeping in mind the greater interest of the six communities.

ing erosion of the mighty river is going on in several parts of the dyke of the river in Lahorighat and Bhuragaon revenue circles under Morigaon district.

The Kathoni village and its surrounding areas were affected due to the erosion forcing the villagers to go nearby areas.

In the area, one high school, one health centre, one panchyat office are on the verge of going into the bosom of the river.

The catastrophe caused

by the Brahmaputra during this year’s monsoon has led the rural economy of Bhuragaon and Lahorighat to a moribund state.

All crops and vegetable fields were devastated.

The flood and erosion affected the agriculture sector besides damaging fisheries and animal husbandry. The road communication systems in rural areas of Lahorighat and Bhuragaon were completely damaged.

The additional dyke constructed in between Bhuragaon and Baralimari at the cost of Rs 5 crore by the Rural Development Department was breached during the last flood in the month of August.

Now the river may again cause devastation in between Bhuragaon and Mayong as there is no erosion-protective measure in the 27- sq km area along the bank of the Brahmaputra.

Government of Assam has declares 1st November as Restricted Holiday Contd. from Page 1

Speaking to this correspondent Harka Bahadur Chetry, Chairman, GACDC said, ‘It is matter of contentment that Bhai Tika henceforth has been declared as Restricted Holiday for 2016 and is coming up with official notification through appregension surrounding Bhatri Dwitya as Restricted Holiday have been raised now and I look forward it to be a State Holiday as demanded by GACDC and AAGSU so that besides the Gorkhas the entire Assamese society can celebrate it and spread message of brotherhood and strengthen community

relations thereby enabling prosperity and growth of Assam together. On behalf of people of Assam I want to thank the Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal, his cabinet, Chief Ministers’ Office and specially madam L. S. Changsen Commissioner & Secretary Home & Political Affairs, Government of Assam for her active administrative participation in making it happen and confirming it to me over telephone.

Gorkhas of Assam slept last night with a good news that they will be able celebrate Bhai Tika this year with applying for full fledged proper leave like every year and woke up to see social media flooded to see with this news.

However the students and youths wants the Government to make the notification public instead of a declaration as testimony.

Gorkha youth leader Nanda Kirati Dewan said, ‘Government of Assam notification vide No. GAG(A)/139/2015/81-83 dated on 16th Oct 2016 List of Holidays mentioned Bhatri Dwitya as Restricted Holiday.

Why is the announcement now made , the demand was for State Holiday, the Honorable Chief Minister must respect the sentiments of Gorkhas and declare it State Holiday on or before Monday to stand with its political will respecting the sentiments and emotions of 30 lakhs Gorkhas of Assam.’.

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30

REST OF

CM reviews 4-lane work; asks contractors for quality roads Dimapur, Oct 29: Nagaland chief minister, T.R. Zeliang on Friday asked the contractors and departmental officials to provide good quality roads to the people, saying roads are the lifeline of the public.

CMO media cell through a press note said Zeliang, during the review meeting on the progress of the 4lane highway work (Dimapur-Kohima) with the contractors, NHIDCL, Border Roads Organisation and officials of National Highways and Roads & Bridges, reminded them that people does not only want the project to be completed on time but to have high quality roads.

"This is the first 4-lane project in the State and all eyes are on you," he told the representatives of the contractors, ECI Engineering and Construction Co Ltd and GayatriMaytas firms.

The chief minister opined that works should first begin in areas where the road conditions were bad and sinking, so that the stretches in relatively good conditions could be spared for smooth flow of traffic.

"The BRO has been dealing with the problems of sinking roads and land-

Zeliang along with officials and representative of the firms. slides for so many years now that I feel they have become sort of experts in this field," said Zeliang while suggesting the contractors to use their expertise.

According to CMO, the firms said their priority was to complete the works even before the stipulated time and at the same time keeping in mind the smooth flow of the traffic while the works are in progress.

However, the firms expressed apprehension that in the process of executing the works, there may come a time when only one-lane road could be made available for traffic and sought cooperation from the government in regulating the flow of traffic.

In areas where blasting of

rocky mountains would be carried out with dynamites, the firms informed that traffic would have to stopped for 30 minutes or more for safety reasons.

To this, the chief minister assured full cooperation to allow smooth flow of works.

Zeliang also expressed happiness with the villagers and organisations along the highway for their support despite resistance from some quarters initially, which was settled amicably later, CMO stated.

While enquiring from NHIDCL about NH-129 between Maram (Manipur) to Peren, Zeliang, in order to ease traffic flow, suggested diversion of Manipur-bound vehicles from Jharnapani to Peren and then to

NCRC felicitates reverend Beilieü Shüya Dimapur, Oct 29: Nagaland Christian Revival Church (NCRC) women elder's group organised a program to felicitate the only Lady Reverend of the NCRC, Beilieü Shüya, on October 26, at Angami Christian Revival Church, Dimapur.

Sharing about her experience in religion as well as in politics, Rev. Beilieü Shüya said that Nagas have been uniquely blessed by God and though it's a small nation it stands up to the mighty nation of India.

She spoke about the importance of wearing traditional costumes and language. She further encouraged the gathering quoting from the book of 2 Timothy 1:7.

Delivering welcome address, NCRC president and pastor of Angami CRC Dimapur, Rev. Dr. N. Paphino mentioned that NCRC has been able to grow and expand in the last few years to encompass not only India but eight other foreign countries thus making the NCRC an international organization. He further thanked the organizers, NCRC Women Elders Group for organizing the programme.

Presidents of the various NCRC Women organizations gave greetings.

Detail history of the for-

Reverend of the NCRC, Beilieü Shüya, along with well wishers at Angami Christian Revival Church, Dimapur.

mation of NCRC women organizations in Nagaland was highlighted by Krosano from Angami Women organization where she mentioned that Angami Christian Revival Women Association was 53 years old starting from 1963.

She informed that late Khrieviü Sekhose was the founder president of the association along with vice chairman Neikienuo, Asa secretary and Dzobvunuo (Treasurer).

She also spoke about the contribution of Rev. Beilieü towards evangelism efforts of the ACRWA. On behalf of Mokokchung division women association, Sumi NCRC women association, Lotha women and Nagamese CRC women association association,

Asangla Jamir, Tokheli Assumi, Jotano, Azieü Sekhose shared their positive experiences with Rev. Beilieü respectively while Rev. Yagwelie Shüya spoke on behalf of family as well as Angami council advisory board where he thanked the organizers for organizing the program.

Earlier the programme was chaired by Chakhroma Christian Revival Church Women's Association (CCRCWA) president and garden mission church associate Pastor, Nini Sekhose.

Sekhose informed that Rev. Beilieü Shüya joined the NCRC during the mid 1970's after receiving the Holy Spirit baptism from Chathe Prayer Centre, Dimapur.

Altogether 200 NCRC elders and believers attended the service. (Agencies)

Two weekly trains from NEFR for Agartala Agartala , Oct 29: Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) will run two weekly special trains between Agartala and Guwahati and Dibrugarh from next week initially for four months.NFR officials said Guwahati-Agartala weekly special train will leave from Guwahati every Saturday at 1645 hrs to arrive at Agartala at 1005 hrs on Sunday. In return, the same will leave from Agartala every Sunday at 1500 hrs to arrive at

Guwahati at 0905 hrs on Monday.

The train will have an AC 2-tier, three AC 3-tiers, 14 sleeper class, two general 2nd class accommodations apart from luggagecum-parcel vans. To cover 577 km distance the train will take 18 hours.This service is scheduled to start from November 12.Another weekly special between Dibrugarh and Agartala is scheduled to start from November 21 next with an

AC 2-tier, two AC 3-tiers, eight sleeper class, six general 2nd class accommodations apart from luggage cum parcel vans.

The train will leave from Dibrugarh every Sunday at 2230 hrs to arrive Agartala at 1900 hrs on Monday and for return journey it will start from Agartala every Monday at 2200 hrs to arrive Dibrugarh at 1920 hrs on Tuesday.This will take about 20 hrs to cover the 721 km distance.

(Agencies)

P5

NORTHEAST

Maram.

He also directed R&B and National Highways officials to check the condition of the DimapurNiuland-Zhadima Highway and carry out necessary improvements and repair works so that an alternative route could be provided to vehicles while the 4-lane work was being carried out.

He also asked BRO to expedite completion of the Botsa-Bokajan highway to ease the problems for those commuting to and from the Northern districts of the state to Dimapur.

On the other hand, Zeliang while lamenting about the poor conditions of roads in Kohima and Dimapur, directed the BRO, R&B and NH departments to immediately repair and

improve the road conditions.

"Hopefully, these unseasonal rains will stop very soon and I want that repairs, filling up of potholes and blacktopping wherever necessary should be carried out without any delay," Zeliang told the officials and also asked the contractors (ECI and Gayatri) to fill up the potholes and repair the bad stretches along the NH between Dimapur and Kohima.

It may be mentioned here that the ECI firm was awarded with the stretch between Patkai College Junction to Piphema, a distance of 28 km, and Gayatri was awarded with 14.2 km from Piphema to Jotsoma Junction while BRO has jurisdiction from Jotsoma Junction through Kohima onwards to Imphal.

The firms undertaking the 4-laning works said jungle clearing along the route has already started and that by the second week of November the required machineries would reach the work sites straight from the company and works would start and continue almost 24/7 with 18 hours of work and 6 hours dedicated to maintenance of machineries.

(Agencies)

TSP dharna in Delhi in support of Tipraland Agartala , Oct 29: Twipraland State Party have held dharna in Jantar Mantar in New Delhi in support of Tipraland .

The TSP also called on Union Tribal Welfare minister Jewel Oram and raised the same demand.

The TSP leaders will try to place the same demand before Union Home minister Rajnath Singh. The TSP agitation has evoked unprecedented response and hundreds of TSP supporters joined the dharna.

Delhi police cooperated with the TSP supporters who joined the agitation and later when the leaders went to present the memorandum to Union minister.

The TSP moves come as a setback for IPFT. Keeping in mind of the 2018 Assembly elections, the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura is all set to bring momentum to their prolonged struggle for separate statehood.The party

would sit for hunger strike for 100 hours at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi from November 27 on the separate land Tipraland demand. As many as 500 delegates including youth activists are expected to join the stir.

The delegates from Tripura would leave for New Delhi on November 24.

They had pressed the Union government centering their separate state demand time and again."No development in any sector has been done in the hilly areas during the 23-year-old Manik Sarkar regime. After undergoing through the sufferings for many years, we have decided to form a separate land for the indigenous people," one IPFT leader said. "We have also planned to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and submit a memorandum stating reasons that pushed us to cry for separate land," he said. (Agencies)

A GNLA militant killed in fierce gun battle, huge quantity arms-ammu recovered

Arms and ammunition recovered from the militant.

Tura, Oct 29: A hardcore militant of Meghalaya's outfit group Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) was killed in a fierce gun battle with security forces in Meghalaya's South Garo Hills district on Thursday morning. A team of South Garo Hills had launched operation at Nangalbibra region following intelligence input of in

presence of a militant group.

"When troops reached the remote area, the militants started fire and heavy bullets exchanged lasting for half an hour. In the fierce gun fight a militant killed on spot. But the other militants of the group were managed to flee from the area," a top police official said. "After

fierce gun battle, the general area was searched and found one unidentified male dead body with one AK rifle in his hands.

A huge amount of sophisticated weapons, ammunition and huge number of GNLA demand pads were recovered from the area," the police official said.

The slain militant has yet to identify. Security personnel had recovered one HK Rifle, 1 AK rifle, 1 SLR, a 2 inch mortar, one grenade launcher, 2 mortar shells, 1 Chinese live grenade, 7 Magazines, 160 live ammunition, one walkie talkie, 3 mobile handsets, one notebook, huge number of GNLA demand pads and other warlike stores from the area.Police and special commando had launched combing operation at the area to nab the fled militants. (Agencies)

Resignations no threat to KHADC EC: Syiem Shillong, Oct 29: KHADC chief PN Syiem has brushed aside any threat to the Executive Committee despite the resignation of three of its members.

Syiem on Friday accepted the resignations of three executive members PT Sawkmie, Jansing Tynsong and Lamphrang Blah.

The Council recently witnessed a political churning within when five Congress MDCs - Sawkmie, Tynsong, Blah, Manstudy Nongrem and Donevan Wanlang - withdrew their support to the ruling PDF coalition led by suspended Congress member Syiem.

At a press conference on Friday, Syiem downplayed probable threats to the coalition as he pointed out that there are 16 other members in the ruling PDF. The KHADC CEM downplayed the allegations of Congress MDCs that it was due to corruption that they came out of PDF. "They are just finding an excuse as they wanted to leave," he said.

Indicating the State government's failed attempt to overthrow him, Syiem said, "It is interesting that in the history of the District Council and the state, where one is suspended and five have resigned. And in the case of dual posts, there was an intention to remove me.

However, in the ensuing matter, seven MDCs had

to resign. I have not committed any wrong and I stand on my principles, particularly on the issues of the state," he said and added that he would not apologise to the party following his suspension.

On whether he would join any other party, Syiem said he would take a decision a few months before the Assembly elections in 2018 as he is currently suspended for three years.

On floating a new party, he said, "As of now, PDF is a forum and not a 'front'. I have no intention of floating a new team."

However, the CEM hinted that some parties have approached him but did not divulge details.

On the resignation of the five MDCs, he said, "I accepted their resignations as EMs on October 28 and have sent it to the Commissioner and Secretary, District Council Affairs (DCA) department to enable the Governor to do the needful as per the Assam Meghalaya District Council Rules. Copies have also been sent to the Principal Secretary to the Governor."

"With regard to the resignations of KHADC chairman Nongrem and deputy chairman Wanlang, the secretary of the KHADC sent their resignations to the Commissioner and Secretary on the same day, i.e. on October 26 and copies have been sent

to the Deputy Secretary to the Governor with the request to appoint pro tem Chairman as per Rule 12 (1) of the Assam Meghalaya District Council Rules and to fix the date for the election as per Rule 32," he added. Syiem informed that a Special session will be convened after the date of election is fixed by the Governor who can also appoint pro tem chairman from among the MDCs and fix the election date. The pro tem Chairman will conduct the House.

According to him, the characteristics of a Chairman are efficiency, competency and seniority.

When asked about the vacant EM's seat, he said, "Any member of the People's Democratic Forum (PDF) can be made EM as it is my prerogative."

The vacant seats in KHADC are those of HDR Lyngdoh (NongspungSohiong), Sanbor Shullai (Laban-Mawprem), Ardent M. Basaiawmoit (Nongkrem), KP Pangniang (RambraiJyrngam), Metbah Lyngdoh (MairangNongkhlaw) and Brolding Nongsiej (Mawtha draishan).

Commenting on the Rs 2crore scam, he said, "Let the inquiry be over. Copies of the report will be sent to all the MDCs after the report is submitted."

(Agencies)

Ronnie prefers habitable city ASAK kidnaps 9 to 'smart' project

Assam traders

Tura, Oct 29: The ASAK rebels led by former GNLA commander Reding T Sangma kidnapped nine traders from Assam who were on their way to a weekly market at Dumnikura in South Garo Hills on Friday morning.

This is the second kidnapping case in a span of a month. On September 29, nine traders from Assam's Mankachar were kidnapped from near Chokpot in South Garo Hills.

The setback to the security apparatus comes less than two days after police in the district busted a hideout of a breakaway GNLA faction at Nangalbibra killing one rebel and seizing a huge cache of weapons.

The traders kidnapped on

Friday were also from Mankachar. They were travelling in a mini truck to the local weekly market when six rebels stopped the vehicle near Dumnikura around 8am and took them hostage, police said.

The rebels had initially picked 10 traders but let one go as he was a small-time trader and would not have been able to pay ransom.

The driver of the vehicle who was also allowed to go said one of the rebels had a "large firearm", possibly an AK-47 rifle, while others were carrying pistols.

A combing operation has been launched to rescue the kidnapped traders. (Agencies)

Shillong, Oct 29: Urban Affairs Minister Ronnie V. Lyngdoh has put forward a practical and immediate plan to make the city a better place to live in.

At a time when the euphoria over smart city is gripping the nation, including Shillong, Lyngdoh stressed on the need to make the city a habitable one by eliminating the existing shortcomings.

The minister said the Wahumkhrah and the Umshyrpi have turned into drains in the last few years and revival of these rivers should be a priority. "How about cleaning these two rivers first," he said. Referring to the appalling condition of Iewduh, Lyngdoh said the accumulating filth in the market is a cause for concern.

Also, in case of a disaster in the market that has no emergency exit point more people are likely to die in a

stampede. "Let us make these places more habitable, clean and hygienic with proper entry and exit points," the minister said.

Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, who visited Bara Bazar (Iewduh) last month, had also emphasised on the need to give facelift the market a facelift.

Land availability is a must for implementing the Centre's smart city scheme but the city does not have enough land for even road expansion and construction of pavements, Lyngdoh pointed out. "The government could have thought about smart city if it had a huge land bank but the entire population of Shillong cannot be relocated to pave the way for the smart city project," he said.

Reacting to a query on hawkers and street ven-

dors encroaching on footpaths and roads, the minister said the Government wanted to address the problem of hawkers.

"Hawkers should have a livelihood but even pedestrians and motorists have the right to use pavements and roads. If you are encroaching on the footpath, you are also infringing on the rights of the people," he said.

When asked about the funding pattern of smart city, he said the Chief Minister has taken up the matter with the Centre saying Meghalaya does not have resources like other states to fund the project on a 50:50 basis and unless it is 90:10, it would be difficult for the State to go ahead with the project.

The Centre recently announced the third list of smart cities and Shillong was not on it. (Agencies)

EDITORIAL

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30

Today's quote

“

The most important service rendered by the press and the magazines is that of educating people to approach printed matter with distrust.

Samuel Butler

A bracing week for Nawaz Sharif E

ven by the standards of Pakistan's unpredictable polity, the week ahead for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif could be tempestuous, as all his troubles threaten to come to a head together. Opposition leader Imran Khan has announced that on Monday he will go to court seeking clearance to stage a "shutdown" protest in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. He has also said that regardless of the outcome of the hearing, his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf will go ahead with the protests starting Wednesday to force Mr. Sharif's resignation over corruption allegations. Mr. Khan will be joined by several political groups and flanked by religious extremists of the Difa-e-Pakistan Council that include Hafiz Saeed, and the cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri, with their combined followers estimated in the hundreds of thousands. The allegations of corruption pertain to the 'Panama Papers' that contained details of offshore companies and undeclared assets allegedly owned by Mr. Sharif's family. On Tuesday, petitioners calling for Mr. Sharif to be disqualified from office are scheduled to be heard by a special bench of Pakistan's Supreme Court. The Chief Justice, who heads that panel, has already passed several strictures against the government, and rejected its request for a commission to investigate the Panama disclosures instead. Meanwhile, Pakistan is in mourning for more than 60 people, most of them young police cadets, who were killed in a terrorist strike in Quetta, and a massive security operation is under way as Mr. Sharif attempts to refute criticism of his government's National Action Plan after the attack.

These troubles come at a time when Mr. Sharif is expected to announce who Pakistan's new army chief will be. While the possibility of General Raheel Sharif receiving an extension is not being ruled out, Mr. Sharif is reported to be considering other options too.

His decision on what is effectively the most powerful office in the land will have a bearing on Pakistan's strained civil-military relations. The rift between the government and the military is not new, but it seems to have been widening since the Uri attack and India's announcement of surgical strikes in retaliation. Since then, crossfire at the LoC and the international border and an escalating diplomatic stand-off between the two countries have added to Mr. Sharif's sense of siege. It hasn't helped that he has done little to mend ties with the opposition. To the military, he has offered no resistance as it has steadily encroached on his power. Part of the reason is that the Panama Papers have rendered him vulnerable. But given the storm gathering around him, isolating himself may not be a viable option.

Extending food security T

he Centre's coercive method has worked. Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the two States that were holding out against pressure from New Delhi to implement the National Food Security Act (NFSA), have also fallen in line. By threatening to raise the price at which it was allocating foodgrains if they did not implement the law, the Centre has managed to get these two States to agree to the implementation of the Act from November 1. If they had not done so, they would have had to pay Rs.22.54 a kg for rice for their monthly allocations under the 'above poverty line' (APL) category, as against the Rs.8.30 a kg they are paying now.

For Tamil Nadu, it would have meant an additional expenditure of Rs.2,730 crore, over and above the Rs.2,393 crore it is spending on its universal public distribution system (PDS). The State says it will implement the Act and also continue its universal PDS coverage. In the bargain, it will have to maintain a uniform supply of 5 kg of rice per person as stipulated in the NFSA, and protect the existing entitlements of PDS beneficiaries. The resultant increase in offtake would result in additional expenditure of Rs.1,193 crore for Tamil Nadu. Kerala maintains an APL-BPL distinction in its PDS. However, its concerns over the implementation of the Act related to the possibility that many beneficiaries may be left out under the Centre's categorisation of PDS consumers into 'priority households' and others.

Over the last year or so, Kerala and Tamil Nadu had been warming to the idea of joining the NFSA, but sought time to do so. They wanted to complete endto-end computerisation of their PDS and the process of seeding Aadhaar numbers with family cards. One clear advantage of joining the national food security system now is that the computerisation and Aadhaar seeding process may result in the elimination of bogus cards and beneficiaries. Tamil Nadu's case for such a clean-up is glaring as the number of people covered by its family cards is about 7.81 crore while the State's population is 7.21 crore. There are lessons for both the Centre and the States in this conflict involving a zealous Central government seeking to force its idea of food security on States that believe they are already addressing the issue with the same, if not greater, level of seriousness. A national food security law may hold good for States with weak food security systems - but for the rest, it would perhaps be better if States implemented their own schemes. On the other hand, the States need to temper their zeal for 'more than universal' coverage with a realistic assessment and identification of beneficiaries.

P6

Why Donald Trump has already won Neelanjan Sircar The defining characteristic of his campaign has been an unapologetic endorsement of nativism that threatens to unleash an angry, paranoid population that no longer trusts American institutions The former grand wizard of the white supremacist group Ku Klux Klan, David Duke, cautioned his (presumably white) radio listeners that voting for anyone besides Donald Trump would "be treason to [their] heritage". He further stated that Mr. Trump has made it acceptable to talk about the "incredible concerns of European Americans today". Without a doubt, the defining characteristic of Donald Trump's presidential campaign has been an unapologetic endorsement of nativism.

Nativism is more than a mere rhetorical assertion of national identity. At its core, it is the exertion of control over a country's institutions and policies for the expressed benefit of a dominant ethnic group.

Mr. Trump has not been shy about promoting the interests of the white population. His policy proposals include building a wall between the United States and Mexico, banning all Muslim immigration, and ending the H-1B visa programme that has brought so many foreign workers to the U.S. How did things get so ugly?

The U.S. is not an obvious candidate for this brand of nativism. In perhaps the most popular patriotic song in the U.S., 'God Bless the USA,' Lee Greenwood offers, "I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free. And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me."

Americans tend to define their identity rather obliquely, in

terms of "freedom" and "liberty" and the dogged defence of these ideals - hardly the sorts of proclamations that should stoke any kind of nativism.

Contrast this to Europe, where identity is often explicitly defined in terms of ethnicity, religion, or language, and where nativist parties like the U.K. Independence Party and Front National in France have been agitating for decades. To be sure, the U.S. has a nativist past, but, until recently, nativism was stuck in the fringes of American talk radio and didn't seem to have much of a future as a mass political strategy.

But something has changed.

This year, the Republican National Convention that crowned Mr. Trump as the party's presidential nominee hosted nativist darlings Nigel Farage (from the U.K.) and Geert Wilders (from Holland), who joined the chorus to "make America great again."

This signalled not only a frightening turn in American politics but also America's entry into the carefully coordinated nativist movement sweeping the globe.

Many have pinned the rise of nativism on the shrinking manufacturing sector in America and increased globalisation. But, as Nate Silver from FiveThirtyEight.com has shown, the median income of a Trump supporter ($72,000) is actually quite a bit higher than that of his opponent, Hillary Clinton ($61,000). Furthermore, globalisation has been a longterm, steady process over the past fifty years, not the sort of economic shock that one can easily associate with the arrival of mass-scale nativism in the past few years. Rather, the catalyst for the sudden rise of nativism in the U.S. seems to have been the 2008 election of

Barack Obama. It is the result of many in America's white population, incensed by Mr. Obama serving as the leader of their country, attempting to reassert control over the country's institutions.

Constructing a nativist argument To understand why nativism followed Mr. Obama's election, one must take a few steps back to understand how America's institutions work.

America's institutions have never been fair, especially to America's black population.

Today, according to official statistics, black males are five times more likely to be jailed than white males.

According to The Sentencing Project, one in eight voting-age black males was ineligible to vote in 2014 due to America's highly discriminatory election

laws. When American Football player Colin Kaepernick sought to peacefully protest these injustices against the black population by kneeling during recitations of America's national anthem, a standing Supreme Court judge (a supposedly liberal one at that) called the protest "dumb." Research has consistently shown that institutions like the police, elections, and the courts are significantly biased against the black population. This is a status quo that suited white Americans well until Mr. Obama was elected in 2008.

The visceral image of a black American President, born of a Muslim father, who spent many of his formative years outside of the U.S., represented a perceived loss of institutional control for a large segment of the white American popula-

tion. The accompanying loss of social prestige led to a highly reactionary form of politics to "take back" American institutions for the benefit of white Americans.

The rise of Mr. Trump in politics has its roots in the extremist "Tea Party." While the origins of the Tea Party are murky, there is little doubt that it gained political traction soon after Mr. Obama's election, becoming a major faction of the conservative Republican Party.

In a well-researched book on the Tea Party, political scientists Christopher Parker and Matt Barreto show that the Tea Party displays an instinctive hatred for Mr. Obama, harkening back to a paranoid, reactionary form of politics that often arises in periods of great social change and accompanies a perceived loss of social prestige. This type of politics is differentiated from standard conservative politics in key ways.

For instance, they provide survey data showing that 71 per cent of those belonging to the Tea Party believed Mr. Obama was "destroying the country," whereas only 6 per cent of nonTea Party conservatives believed that statement.

Donald Trump gained prominence in this movement in 2011 by openly questioning whether Mr. Obama was born in the U.S., and asking him to produce his American birth certificate (Mr. Obama did in 2011, but Trump refused to accept its authenticity until September 2016). Mr. Trump has since followed the paranoia script diligently, linking corporations, media, Ms. Clinton, and Mr. Obama in one vast conspiracy. A CNN/ORC poll taken in September 2015 found that 54 per cent of Mr. Trump's supporters believed Mr. Obama to be a Muslim (he's Christian). The same poll found that only 61 per cent of

Mr. Trump's supporters believed Mr. Obama to be born in the U.S. despite his American birth certificate being shown years earlier. These are foundational lies for Mr. Trump's movement; they manufacture the conspiracies that allow one to believe that American institutions need to be rescued, forming the basis for the nativist argument.

What's next?

If we take the opinion polls at face value, Mr. Trump seems likely to lose the presidential election on November 8. But Mr. Trump is not losing because of his rhetoric, he is losing because of his character.

Mr. Trump's opponent, Hillary Clinton, remains deeply unpopular with many Americans.

A Donald Trump that isn't so abhorrent to women, and who does even a little bit of homework on relevant political issues, is an eminently winnable candidate in 2016. Nativism remains popular with much of the American electorate, and, win or lose, the movement Mr. Trump created isn't going anywhere.

The damage that has been inflicted will have lasting consequences, including for democratic institutions, which Mr. Trump has shown little respect for. He has threatened to jail his opponent, if elected, and stated that the election is likely "rigged" against him. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 70 per cent of Republicans believe that a Trump loss would be due to illegal or rigged voting. This is a dangerous game.

It threatens to unleash an angry, paranoid population that no longer trusts American institutions and is ready to tear the American system to pieces.

Today, the greatest threat to the American way of life lies not outside, but within America's own borders.

The marriage vows between Bhatkal and Karachi Partition cleaved the littoral Nawayati community of Bhatkal from their kin in Karachi. Between visa delays, citizenship hardships and the need for approval to venture anywhere out of town, Mohit M. Rao finds out what makes their cross-border marriages tick Forty-year-old Fatima (name changed) stands on her toes, ready to sprint to the unseen part of the room to ward off an unwelcome question. She attempts to drape the pallu of her sari across her face in keeping with the rigid proprieties of a tradition that dictate she is veiled. Myriad emotions play on her countenance as she flaps her hands and narrates tales of police, Pakistan, intelligence officials, kidney stones and her frequent visits to the court. Her three children, a husband working in faraway Dammam (Saudi Arabia), are her universe, save for the men in khaki and those claiming to be from intelligence who intrude without so much as seeking permission.

Born in Pakistan and with a Pakistani passport, Fatima is testament to the cross-border relationships of the Nawayat community in Bhatkal and Karachi - two regions that have come to symbolise terror and radicalism in the popular press. In the small town, over 14 'Pakistani' wives are currently married to Indian Nawayati men - a tradition that has lasted centuries despite the post-Partition rhetoric.

A passage to India "Whatever you write, please say that getting the visa is very difficult. As the wife of an Indian, they should let us stay here in peace," she says for the third time in the brief conversation we have. She stands at some distance in the living room, while we are restrained at the porch. She is one of the few women of Pakistani citi-

zenship in Bhatkal who has consented - albeit reluctantly, and with much persuasion to talk about her experiences of living in India.

Fatima is no stranger to India, and her association with Bhatkal goes back to her childhood when she would accompany her parents during their annual vacations. The visits would be for a few months, mingling with their relatives and friends, before the family would have to return to their thriving jewellery business in Karachi. However, it was 15 years ago that she became Bhatkal's daughter. On one of the visits, her family met her husband's family.

Within a week, a small gathering of 20 people marked their nikah (wedding). "He is a distant relative and his family is known. I said yes because I had been visiting Bhatkal so often, I did not think it would be a problem if I stayed here," she says. For the first few years, Fatima stayed in Karachi, where her first child was delivered. The child, now in Class VI, is a 'Pakistani'. The other two children were born after she moved to Bhatkal a decade ago. They are 'Indian'.

A high wall and metal gates completely cut off their houses from the main road.

Their lives are confined to the compound. And once a month, Fatima visits the nearby court for violating her visa guidelines.

In July 2014, she developed a slipped disc. Her back seemed to be on fire, and local doctors told her to go to

Your influence on the universe I read the first chapter of "A Brief History Of Time" when Dad was still alive, and I got incredibly heavy boots about how relatively insignificant life is, and how, compared to the universe and compared to time, it didn't even matter if I existed at all.

When Dad was tucking me in that night and we were talking about the book, I asked if he could think of a solution to that problem. "What problem?" "The problem of how relatively insignificant we are."

He said, "Well, what would happen if a plane dropped you in the middle of the Sahara Desert and you picked up a single grain of sand with tweezers and moved it one millimetre?" I said, "I'd probably die of dehy-

Mangaluru - around 140 km south - for treatment. To travel legally, however, she needed to take written permission from the SP's office in Karwar, nearly 130 km north.

"Each time I had to go to Mangaluru, I had to wait a week or 10 days for the permission to arrive from the SP but with the slipped disc, the pain was too much and I had to leave immediately," Fatima says. With her back convulsed and pain shooting through her body, she informed the local police. An oral permission was given, not a written one, she says.

A few weeks later, the Home Ministry enquired about visa violations in Bhatkal, and eventually, a head constable of the police station was suspended, while charges under the Foreigners Act, 1946 were filed against Fatima and two others - a couple who like Fatima had left the town on an emergency.

Like most embroiled in the labyrinths of the judicial system, Fatima looks for a closure. Even though she manages extensions on her Longterm Entry Visa (which varies from individual to individual and could be between one and five years), she knows she and her elder son have to get citizenship within four years. "He has four more years until his Class X examinations, for which he requires an Indian identity card. If he does not have it by then, he will have to drop out," says Fatima, who knows the difficulties in finding a school willing to take a 'Pakistani' child. Does she ever think of

dration." He said, "I just mean right then, when you moved that single grain of sand. What would that mean?"

I said, "I dunno, what?" He said. "Think about it." I thought about it. "I guess I would have moved a grain of sand." "Which would mean?"

"Which would mean I moved a grain of sand?"

"Which would mean you changed the Sahara."

"So?" "So?" So the Sahara is a vast desert.

And it has existed for million of years.

And you changed it!" "That's true!" I said, sitting up. "I changed the Sahara!"

"Which means?" he said. "What? Tell me."

"Well, I'm not talking about painting the Mona Lisa or curing cancer. I'm just talking about moving that one grain of sand one millimetre."

"Yeah?" "If you hadn't done it, human history would have been one way ..." "Uhhuh?" "But, you did do it, so...?"

I stood on the bed, pointed my fingers at the fake stars, and screamed: "I changed the universe!" "You did."

going to Dammam, away from the difficulties? "I am alone there. My in-laws stay here and so Bhatkal is my home," she says.

The terror tag The rhetoric against Pakistan, which is reaching a crescendo in political offices and media newsrooms across the country, cuts through the air and lands uncomfortably in Bhatkal where a centuries-old relationship of the scattered Nawayati Muslim community is gradually dissipating.

The town barely stretches six km between the highway and the sea. The skyline is dominated by minarets of mosques (more than 90 estimated to be in the town), while large mansions dot the area - many of them owned by West Asiabased businessmen.

Much of Bhatkal wakes up to the first prayers, when the air is still cool and a slight mist hangs around the distant mountains and on small rivulets that make their way lazily to the sea. Fishermen leave at dawn, following the Chowtani river and out into the open Arabian Sea. Not too long after the last call of prayer ends in the day, Bhatkal goes to sleep.

But in the undercurrents of mosques and coconut trees, shopping streets with 'Dubai goods' and restaurants serving the famous Bhatkali fish biryani, there is a palpable nervous energy. Sulaimani tea (spiced black tea) flows here as freely as rapid speeches that attempt to defend the reputation of Bhatkal: a town that heaves under the heavy tag of "terrorism" and

"radicalisation".

The town had shot into infamy in 2010 when the Indian Mujahideen, supposedly founded by three Bhatkal youth - Yasin, Riyaz and Iqbal - were blamed for bomb blasts in Bengaluru and Pune. The notoriety seemed to strengthen as Abdul Kadir Sultan Armar from the town was believed to be recruiting for the Islamic State; Anwar Husain 'Bhatkal' is believed to have died fighting alongside the Taliban in Afghanistan; and, early last year, three persons were arrested and "bomb-making" material found at their homes in Bengaluru and Bhatkal.

It is in this context of terror and intelligence bureaus that Bhatkali Nawayatis, who comprise up to 70 per cent of the town's population of 32,000, find their links to Pakistan under immense scrutiny. After all, last year, the family of an accused told reporters that Pakistani numbers found on a cell phone were that of his in-laws and not the Inter-Services Intelligence.

Maqbool Ahmed, principal of Jamia Islamia where over 700 children study Islamic studies, says with a tinge of pride that the Nawayatis can trace their lineage to the businessmen of Iran. Perhaps sailing on dhows, they crossed the Arabian Sea and made their way up the Chowtani river nearly 1,500 years ago. "They were shrewd businessmen. They married local people, and developed a language and culture that remains unique," he says.

Nawayati, the language, is

evidence of their roots: it sounds like Persian and Urdu, with smatterings of Marathi and Konkani. Conservative and insular, the community of barely 60,000 is prosperous, having found their fortunes as traders and businessmen in Bhatkal, Karachi, Dubai and Saudi Arabia. Though separated by sea and rigid borders, the pockets of Nawayatis continue to remain in contact.

This year, police records show at least 15 persons have visited Bhatkal town from Pakistan - a number remarkably down from the hundreds who would visit before the "terrorism tag" descended on the town.

The Home Ministry's office in Bengaluru has more than 60 applications for citizenship are pending since 1992, a majority of them from the Nawayati community. Many have left the "stressful" citizenship procedure halfway and migrated to West Asia, an option taken primarily by the younger generation. Some, including the mother of a 10month-old child, are in Karachi awaiting visas that would allow them to stay with their husbands in Bhatkal. The local qazi, who requests anonymity to stave off any "trouble" - local intelligence men were at his office when The Hindu reporter entered repeatedly asserts that Nawayatis do not marry 'Pakistanis'. "It creates an issue if we say that. We have only married those from our community who happen to be in Pakistan due to Partition. We do not seek Pakistanis, we seek Nawayatis.

Secondary School of Bijoypur-1 must focus on construction apprenticeships Dear Sir, Govt. Sec. School Bijoypur is located in the remote area of Bijoypur-1 village under Bordumsa Circle in Changlang District of Arunachal Pradesh. The school had a humble beginning and the school has now classes up to Secondary Section. I would like to bring to the notice of the authorities regarding the school building as well as about the class rooms of the school. There are only three or four RCC building class rooms without library. The school has a shortage of teachers also. Moreover, it adversely affects the students to complete their syllabus. To improve the higher secondary result, we are badly in need of more permanent staff in the higher secondary section.

Considering the genuineness of the above grievances, I humbly request the authorities concerned to look into the gravity of the matter and take remedial measures in resolving it.

Yours Faithfully Indrajit Changma Bijoypur, Arunachal Pradesh

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30

BUSSINESS

Swamy urges PM Modi to probe Ratan Tata for money laundering

Amazon's global margins feel Flipkart heat

New Delhi, Oct 29: BJP MP Subramanian Swamy on Friday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking a multi-agency probe against Tata Sons interim chairman Ratan Tata for alleged money laundering and cheating.

Swamy said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) consisting of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) should be set up for the probe.

Citing ousted Tata Sons' chairman Cyrus Mistry's recent letter to the company directors, Swamy alleged that four grievous criminal offences were committed by Ratan Tata in various deals.

"The commission of offences are under Sections 120-B (conspiracy), 403 (dishonest misappropriation of public funds), 405

BJP MP Subramanian Swamy (criminal breach of trust) and 415 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code, prima facie documented in Mistry's letter," wrote the Rajya Sabha member.

"Hence, I urge you to direct the setting up of an SIT consisting of the CBI (for criminal offences), ED (for money laundering) and SEBI (for violation of fidu-

ciary and company laws) and prosecute Ratan Tata with full vigour and without interference from anyone in the government to protect Tata," said Swamy.

He also cited his June 2014 letter to Modi, wherein he alleged "fraud by Tata as Indian partner in AirAsia and Vistara Airlines".

(ANI)

Mumbai, Oct 29: Amazon's fight with Flipkart to become India's largest e-commerce marketplace has emerged as the biggest source of drain on its international margins.

Since mid-2014, Amazon has pledged to invest $5 billion to grow its business in India, far higher than the $3 billion unlisted rival Flipkart has raised so far.

"By far the biggest individual thing is the investment in India that we continue to make and are very excited about it," said Brian T Olsavsky, chief financial officer at Amazon, during a call with analysts and investors on Thursday.

Since entering India three years ago, Amazon has invested in building warehouses in major hubs, buying Bollywood rights to power its upcoming Prime video streaming service, undercutting costs of products by charging lesser commission from traders on its platform and marketing aggressively to build the brand. It has also expanded its India technology

team, which helps build products for global operations, besides solutions for the local market.

In September quarter, Amazon's international losses, which include India, more than doubled to $541 million, largely due to investments in India.

Amazon's international business, which contributes a third of its total revenue, stood at $10.6 billion in the quarter. The losses would have spiked in the quarter due to its aggressive spending during the Great Indian festival sale, which saw Flipkart, which was almost written off, fight back.

Since mid-last year, Flipkart's value eroded by a third from a peak of $15.2 billion to as low as $9 billion after several investor markdowns. Amazon's aggression forced Flipkart to overspend on discounts to customers and hire expensive talent, a plan which soon backfired.

It led to massive management change that saw cofounder Binny Bansal replace his partner Sachin

P7

Bansal as the chief executive and also exodus of top leaders such as Punit Soni, Mukesh Bansal and most recently Sanjay Baweja. At the same time, top investor Tiger Global stepped in to rationalise costs, weed out expensive talent and push the company towards profitability.

"As people get more and more comfortable with the convenience that e-com-

merce offers, the scale, the diversity and more customers come into the fold, the business structure is such that we will see profitability. It may not be in the next six months but we definitely are on that path," said Sanjay Baweja, outgoing CFO of Flipkart in an interview on Wednesday.

Now that Amazon is within striking distance of Flipkart, the pace of invest-

ment isn't expected to slow down soon as the Indian company is looking to raise $1 billion, reportedly from Walmart.

"We are very encouraged by what we are seeing in India but it is certainly very early on still. Most recent highlights would be the launch of the Prime program in India this past quarter. It's now one of the top selling units based on Amazon.in. And so it's very been very well received by customers," said Olsavsky.

"It's hard to compare India to any other country. It's very different in its stage and structure."

Amazon on Friday said it will pay Rs 39.80 crore to acquire the publishing arm of Westland, giving it access to a library of popular books and offer local content to push higher sales of Kindle readers in India.

The acquisition will also help Amazon score over Flipkart by offering ahead books by authors such as Amish Tripathi and Ashwin Sanghi exclusively to its customers.

Markets end Samvat 2072 on a flat note; Midcaps outshine Govt considering further FDI Dhanteras 2016: Gold price drifts lower relaxation in select sectors

by Rs 110 to Rs 30,590 per 10 grams

Shriram City Union Finance surged 8% to Rs 2,546, also its record high on BSE. Mumbai, Oct 29: Benchmark share indices ended higher, amid a choppy trading session, with Tata Motors gaining the most following a rebound in Tata Group shares while recovery in financials also aided sentiment.

The benchmark S&P Sensex closed at 27,942 level up 26 points or 0.1% whereas the Nifty50 index closed at 8,638 up 23 points. The broader markets outperformed the benchmark indices. The S&P BSE Midcap and Smallcap ended nearly 1% higher.

"The occurrence of a 'Bullish Hammer' at the retracement support raises the expectation of a move beyond the channel pattern.

A breach above 8,730 from hereon could amplify the momentum. Hence longs could be initiated with a stop below 8,540," said Sacchitanand Uttekar, Equity Technical Analyst of Motilal Oswal Securities.

In overseas stock markets, European stocks edged lower as earnings season continues amid heightened expectations that the US Federal Reserve will raise rates in the near-term.

Asian stocks witnessed a mixed trend. US stocks settled with modest losses yesterday as a selloff in government bonds hit yield-sensitive sectors such as real estate and utilities.

PRECIOUS METALS SHINE DURING FESTIVE SEASON Diamond-studded or platinum jewellery is leading the trend this Diwali on the back of growing change in the mind set of women, particularly those working, away from their role as homemakers, who take jewellery more as a daily wearable than buying gold as investment avenue, an ASSOCHAM survey based on jewellers' and consumer feedback has noted.

High gold prices and innovations on the part of jewellery firms, especially the large houses, is driving the change in the fashion trend.

Even within gold jewellery, the trend is seen on lowercost wearables, though more needs to be done to tempt consumers. Small items like earring, rings and light bangles see heavy demand.

STOCK TRENDS Top gainers from the Sensex pack were Tata Motors, Bajaj Auto, Coal India, Tata Steel and Dr Reddy's Labs, all surging between 2%-3%. On the losing side, ICICI Bank, Cipla, Asian Paints, Bharti Airtel and ONGC were down 1%-2%.

Shares of two information technology (IT) majors Infosys and Wipro hit their respective 52-week lows on BSE in intra-day trade on

Friday.

Shares of mid-and-small sized chemicals companies were in focus and rallied by up to 20% on the BSE. Thirumalai Chemicals, IG Petrochemicals, Plastiblends (India), Ultramarine Pigments, Vishnu Chemicals, Jayant Agro-Organics, Keltech Energies, Sudarshan Chemical Industries, Punjab Chemicals, Mysore Petrochemcials and Philips Carbon Black were up 5% to 20% Tech Mahindra rallied 5% on the BSE after the company reported dollar revenue growth of 5% sequentially on a constant currency basis, best among its peers for the quarter ended September 30, 2016 (Q2FY17).

NMDC moved higher to its 52-week high of Rs 132 and closed up 6.2% on BSE, after the company announced signing of a tripartite pact with Government of Madhya Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh State Mining Corporation Ltd (MPSMCL) for geological and geophysical exploration for various minerals in the state.

Shriram City Union Finance surged 8% to Rs 2,546, also its record high on BSE, after the company reported a strong 34.3% year on year growth in net profit at Rs 204 crore for the quarter ended September 30, 2016 (Q2FY17), on the back of healthy net interest income.

Shares of Tata Group companies were trading higher by up to 5%, recouping part of their losses recorded in past three trading sessions.

Tata Motors, Tata Motors DVR, Tata Communications, Tata Metaliks, Tata Elxsi, Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra), Tata Sponge Iron, Tata Coffee, Tata Global Beverages were up between 2%-5% on the BSE. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), however, was down nearly 1%.

GSTN signs MoU with DGFT for sharing forex realisation data

Pic for representation purpose.

New Delhi, Oct 29: With an aim to strengthen processing of export transactions of taxpayers under GST, Goods and Services Network (GSTN) has signed an MoU with the commerce ministry for sharing of foreign exchange realisation and import-export code data.

The move is "expected to strengthen processing of ex-

port transactions of taxpayers under GST, increase transparency and reduce human interface," the commerce ministry said in a statement today.

GSTN is a not-for-profit, non-government, private limited company promoted by the central and state governments with the specific mandate to build the IT infrastructure and the services required

for implementing GST. The MoU was signed by Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Ajay K Bhalla and GSTN CEO Prakash Kumar.

An electronic bank realisation certificate captures transaction level details of foreign exchange realised in India.

The eBRC (electronic Bank Realization Certificate) project implemented by DGFT created an integrated platform for receipt, processing and subsequent use of all bank realisation related information by exporters, banks, central and state government departments.

The e-BRC project enabled banks to upload foreign exchange realisation information related to exports on to the DGFT server under a secured protocol. (PTI)

Pic for representation purpose.

New Delhi, Oct 29: Government is considering further relaxing foreign direct investment (FDI) norms in several areas, including trading, with an eye on more inflows. The commerce and industry ministry is already on the job in this direction, sources said. They said there are certain sticking points in single brand retail trading that need to be reviewed.

In this segment, a big retailer has made a plea to the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) to look into the issue of putting the maximum retail price labels and re-labeling of goods.

The government may also consider easing certain norms in the information and broadcasting sector, among others, they added.

It had relaxed the FDI policy in November last year. In June this year, it lifted certain restrictions in over a dozen sectors, including civil aviation, food processing, defence and pharmaceuticals.

DIPP Secretary Ramesh Abhishek has recently stated that the government is trying to address specific policy issues in various sectors.

"We are also trying to address specific policy issues in various sectors. We have identified a number of them that remain despite liberalisation in FDI (policy). There could be issues in various sectors," he had said.

FDI in 2015-16 grew 29 percent to USD 40 billion.

(PTI)

Find out why 3rd AC Railways tickets turn steeper than flight tickets New Delhi, Oct 29: Railways ticket prices have shot through the roof this Diwali. If one travels without booking the ticket much in advance, one will have to shell out 3 to 5 times of the normal fare for the train journey.

On some routes, even the third-AC fare route has surpassed the rate of flight fares on the route.

For example: The price of ticket on Suvidha or special train from Bhopal to Delhi is Rs 1,045. The ticket price on the route has touched Rs 2,500.

Similarly, If one travels between Kolkata to Delhi

by third AC, he or she will have to shell out Rs 7,185 for the 3rd AC fare and Rs 9,000 for the 2nd AC fare.

The air fare ticket between Kolkate and Delhi is around Rs 5,000.

The normal time 3rd AC fare between Delhi to Chennai is Rs 2,000, which has shot up to Rs 7,185 for the 3rd AC. and to Rs 8,970 for the 2nd AC. Similarly Chennai to Kolkat 3rd AC fare during the normal times is Rs 1,775, which has shot up to Rs 6,305 for the 3rd AC and Rs 7,800 for the 2nd AC. (Agencies)

The price of ticket on Suvidha or special train from Bhopal to Delhi is Rs 1,045. The ticket price on the route has touched Rs 2,500.

New Delhi, Oct 29: Gold prices drifted lower

by Rs 110 to Rs 30,590 per 10 gram at the bullion market here despite token buying by jewellers and retailers on the occasion of 'Dhanteras' on Friday.

A weak trend in the precious metals overseas mainly led to the fall in gold prices, bullion traders said.

Silver however managed to close steady at Rs 42,700 per kg on scattered demand from coin makers ahead of the Diwali festival.

Dhanteras is considered to be an auspicious day for buying gold, silver and other valuables and is largely celebrated in North and West India.

Despite buying support from jewellers for the auspicious festival of Dhanteras, gold failed to glitter largely due to a weak trend in global market.

Globally, gold fell 0.17 percent to trade at USD

Dhanteras is considered to be an auspicious day for buying gold, silver and other valuables and is largely celebrated in North and West India.

1,265.90 an ounce in Singapore, while silver shed 0.34 percent to USD 17.53 an ounce.

Back home, gold 99.9 and 99.5 percent purity fell by Rs 110 each to Rs 30,590 and Rs 30,440 per 10 gram, respectively.

Sovereign, however, continued to be enquired at Rs 24,500 per piece of 8 grams.

In futures trading, gold for delivery in December too was down by Rs 46, or 0.15 percent at Rs 29,881 per 10 gram.

On the other hand, silver ready in restricted activity held steady at Rs 42,700 per kg, while weekly-based delivery was down Rs 15 at Rs 42,170 per kg.

Silver coins remained unaltered at Rs 74,000 for buying and Rs 75,000 for selling of 100 pieces on some support.

Gold prices have gone up

by Rs 4,360, or 16.6 percent, while silver has spurted by Rs 7,290, or 20.58 percent from last year's Dhanteras. (PTI)

Stock limits on sugar traders extended for another 6 months

The stock limits on sugar traders were imposed for six months ending October.

New Delhi, Oct 29: Government on Thursday decided to extend stock limits on sugar traders by another six months till April 2017 in order to check sweetener prices, which at present are ruling around Rs 40 per kg.

A decision in this regard was taken in the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The Union Cabinet has given its approval for extending the validity of the existing Central Order in respect of Sugar for a further period of six months from October 29, 2016 to April 28, 2017," an official statement said.

The main objective of the decision is to enable states to issue control or-

der with the prior concurrence of central government, for fixing stock limits/licensing requirements in respect of sugar, whenever need is felt by them, it said.

"This is expected to help in the efforts being taken to improve the availability of these commodities to general public at reasonable rates, and control the tendencies of hoarding and profiteering," it noted.

The Centre will notify the current decision and will communicate to all the States/UTs. Early this year, the government had reimposed stock limits on sugar traders after a gap of five years due to rise in sugar

prices following drop in domestic production.

The stock limits on sugar traders were imposed for six months ending October. Traders were allowed to hold sugar stock of up to 10,000 quintals in Kolkata and 5,000 quintals in other parts of the country.

As per the stock limit order, a dealer was allowed to stock up to 10,000 quintals of sugar in Kolkata, which is the largest trading centre for the commodity in the country. However, the limit was kept 5,000 quintals for rest of the country.

It had also prescribed that a trader has to sell his stock within 30 days from the date of receiving the sugar.

Retail sugar prices are ruling around Rs 40 per kg in most places due to likely fall in domestic production due to backto-back drought.

Sugar production of India is likely to decline to 23.2 million tonnes in 2016-17 marketing year (October-September) from 25 million tonnes in the previous year.

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30

INTERNATIONAL P8 Iraq says it foiled Islamic Syria rebels battle to break Aleppo siege State attack on Ramadi

11 jihadists arrested in plot against city retaken from Islamist group earlier this year Baghdad, Oct 29: Iraqi officials said Saturday that the security forces foiled an attack by jihadists of the Islamic State group on the city of Ramadi, capital of the western province of Anbar.

The reported thwarted attack led to 11 arrests and comes after a string of diversionary attacks by the jihadists since the start two weeks ago of a massive offensive against IS bastion Mosul.

Iraqi forces "arrested 11 Daesh (IS) members who were planning to attack the city" from the suburb of AlTash, on the southern edge of Ramadi, said Captain Ahmed al-Dulaimi of the Anbar police.

Iraqi forces retook Ramadi from IS early this year.

Mine clearing and reconstruction efforts are under way but few civilians have returned.

Anbar provincial council member Raja al-Issawi said that the 11, arrested on Fri-

Members of Iraq's elite counter-terrorism service flash the "V" for victory sign on December 29, 2015 in the city of Ramadi after Iraqi forces recaptured it from the Islamic State jihadist group. day, had confessed to planning an attack on the city.

The loss of Mosul could spell the end of IS's days as a land-holding force in Iraq but observers warn the group's remnants could increasingly activate sleeper cells to carry out spectacular attacks in cities.

On October 21, sleeper cells joined up with militants

who infiltrated Kurdishcontrolled Kirkuk, sparking deadly clashes with security forces that lasted three days.

Since the start of the offensive on Mosul, IS fighters have also launched attacks on Rutba, an outpost in western Anbar that government forces retook earlier this year, and in the northern Sinjar region.

The rebel fire has killed at least 21 civilians, including two children, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Aleppo, Oct 29: Fresh fighting shook Aleppo on Saturday as rebels battled to break a siege of the city by the Syrian regime, accused

by Washington of using starvation as a weapon of war. Opposition fighters unleashed a barrage of rockets on the government-held western side of the divided city on Friday as they announced a major offensive aimed at reopening vital supply lines. "In just a few days, we will open the way for our besieged brothers," rebel commander Abu Mustafa told media.

The rebel fire has killed at least 21 civilians, including two children, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. "Fighting continues on the western outskirts of Aleppo, where rebels have been making

advances," the Britishbased monitoring group, which has a network of sources on the ground, said on Saturday.

More than 1,500 fighters from the provinces of Aleppo and Idlib to the west were attacking governmentcontrolled districts of the city along a front stretching for 15 kilometres (nine miles), it said.

The Observatory reported Russian air raids on Aleppo's western front lines but said that a halt to Moscow's aerial bombing of the rebel-held east of the city was holding.

Fierce fighting, shelling and car bombs killed at least 18 regime forces and allied fighters on Friday, according to Observatory, which was unable to provide a toll for the rebels.

Rebel fighters react while riding a military vehicle in Dahiyat al-Assad, west Aleppo city More than 250,000 people live under government siege in the eastern half of Aleppo, which the army began an operation to retake several weeks ago.

Syria's second city, Aleppo

has been devastated by some of the heaviest fighting of the five-year civil war that began with antigovernment protests and has since killed more than 300,000 people.

Much of the once-bustling economic hub has been reduced to rubble by air and artillery bombardment, including barrel bombs crude unguided explosive devices that cause indiscriminate damage.

Last week, Russia implemented a three-day "humanitarian truce" intended to allow civilians and surrendering rebels to leave the east.

But few did so, and a UN plan to evacuate the wounded failed because security could not be guaranteed. Russia, whose intervention in September 2015 with air strikes in support of President Bashar al-Assad's forces was seen as a gamechanger, says it has not bombed Aleppo since October 18. (Agencies)

Palestinian Iraq forces launch operation president meets to cut Mosul off from Syria Palestinian attacker shot Hamas chief

by Israeli troops

Human rights groups have accused Israeli security forces of using excessive and often lethal force in tackling the violence, most of which has been carried out by lone-wolf assailants, many of them young.

Jerusalem, Oct 29: A Palestinian attacked Israeli troops with his car and then with a knife in the occupied West Bank before being shot and seriously wounded, the army said on Saturday.

The attack happened late on Friday near the Jewish settlement of Ofra, northeast of the city of Ramallah, an army statement said.

The assailant attempted to run over soldiers with his car, prompting them to open fire. He then got out of the vehicle brandishing a knife and troops fired again, seriously wounding him, the statement said.

There has been a spate of car-ramming and knife attacks in Israel and the Palestinian territories, most of them in the West Bank or

annexed east Jerusalem.

Analysts say Palestinian frustration with the Israeli occupation and settlementbuilding in the West Bank, comatose peace efforts and their own fractured leadership have fed the unrest. Israel says incitement by Palestinian leaders and media is a leading cause.

Human rights groups have accused Israeli security forces of using excessive and often lethal force in tackling the violence, most of which has been carried out by lone-wolf assailants, many of them young.

Internal reviews by the army of two fatal shootings of attackers earlier this month found that the use of deadly force could have been avoided, public radio reported on Tuesday.

Since October last year, the violence has claimed the lives of 235 Palestinians, 36 Israelis, two Americans, a Jordanian, an Eritrean and a Sudanese, according to an AFP count. (Agencies)

South Korean president orders Five Qaeda senior secretaries to resign amid militants leaked document scandal killed in

Pakistan

South Korean President Park Geun-hye Seoul, Oct 29: South Korean President Park Geun-hye has ordered 10 of her senior secretaries to resign amid an investigation that she let an old friend and daughter of a religious cult leader to interfere in important state affairs. The announcement by Park's office came on the eve of large anti-government protests planned in Seoul on Saturday over the scandal that is likely to deepen the president's lame duck status ahead of next year's elections.

Park has been facing calls to reshuffle her office after she admitted on Tuesday that she provided longtime friend Choi Soon-sil drafts of her speeches for editing. Her televised apology sparked huge criticism about her mismanagement of national information and heavy-handed leadership style many see as lacking in transparency.

There's also media speculation that Choi, who holds no government job, meddled in government decisions on personnel and policy and exploited her ties with the president to misappropriate funds from nonprofit organisations. The saga, triggered by weeks of media reports, has sent Park's approval ratings to record lows and the minority opposition Justice Party has called for her to resign.

In the last few days, prosecutors widened their investiga-

tion by raiding the homes and offices belonging to Choi and some of her associates and also the offices of two nonprofit foundations she supposedly controlled. Park's aides on the way out include Woo Byung-woo, senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, and Ahn Jong-bom, senior secretary for economic affairs.

Lee Won-jong, Park's chief of staff, tendered his resignation on Wednesday.

Woo has been blamed for failing to prevent Choi from influencing state affairs and has also been embroiled in separate corruption allegations surrounding his family. Ahn is under suspicion that he helped Choi pressure South Korean companies into making large donations to the Mir and KSports foundations, launched in October last year and January this year, respectively.

Choi reportedly masterminded the creation of the two nonprofits, which managed to gather around USD 70 million in corporate donations over a short period of time, and is suspected of misappropriating some of these funds for personal use. Park's office said she plans to announce a new lineup of senior secretaries soon.

Choi's lawyer Lee Gyeong-jae told reporters on Friday that she is currently in Germany and is willing to return to South Korea if prosecutors summon her. (Agencies)

Lahore, Oct 29 : Five Al Qaeda militants planning to carry out an attack in Gujranwala city were killed today by Pakistan police during a raid at a house in Punjab province.

"The militants were hiding in a house in Wapda town. When a CTD team along with police surrounded the house and asked the inmates to surrender," the Counter Terror Department (CTD) said in a statement.

"But the militants opened fire at police.

The police team returned the fire. During the shootout five terrorists were killed and three others managed to escape taking advantage of darkness," the CTD said in a statement. According to CTD, it received intelligence reports that eight militants belonging to Al-Qaeda were planning to carry out an attack in Gujranwala city, some 80km from Lahore, yesterday.

The CTD recovered one Kalashnikov, two pistols, two hand grenades and explosive material from the hideout. (PTI)

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas addresses the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly at UN Headquarters.

Ramallah, Oct 29: Palestinian president and Fatah leader Mahmud Abbas has met the head of Hamas and his deputy in Qatar, a Palestinian official said on Friday, in a sign of easing tensions.

Yesterday's meeting in the Qatari capital was the first between Abbas and Doha-based Khaled Meshaal in two years, and the second between him and the Hamas chief in the Gaza Strip, Ismail Haniya, since 2012.

Abbas's secular party Fatah and the Islamist Hamashave been at loggerheads since the latter seized Gaza in a near civil war in 2007.

The Doha meeting provided the opportunity to "insist on the need to resume dialogue between

Fatah and Hamas", Palestinian presidency spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina said.

Abbas stressed the need for "Palestinian national reconciliation", as well as "forming a national unity government and holding elections".

The Palestinian government postponed the first municipal polls in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip in 10 years earlier this month after the high court ruled they should be held only in the Fatah-run West Bank.

The Palestinians have not held an election in which both Hamas and Fatah have taken part since 2006. They have also not held a simultaneous vote in both the West Bank and Gazasince then.

(Agencies)

Baaghdad, Oct 29: Iraqi paramilitary forces launched an operation Saturday to cut the Islamic State group's supply lines between its Mosul bastion and neighbouring Syria, opening a new front in the nearly two-week-old offensive.

Forces from the Hashed alShaabi, a paramilitary umbrella organisation dominated by Iran-backed Shiite militias, have largely been on the sidelines since the launch of the operation to retake Mosul.

But on Saturday they began a push on the town of Tal Afar on the western approach to the city, the only side where ground forces, which have advanced from the north, east and south, are not yet deployed.

"The operation aims to cut supplies between Mosul and Raqa and tighten the siege of (IS) in Mosul and liberate Tal Afar," Hashed spokesman Ahmed alAssadi told AFP, referring to IS's main stronghold in Syria.

Assadi said the operation was launched from the Sin al-Dhaban area south of Mosul and aimed to retake the towns of Hatra and Tal Abta as well as Tal Afar.

The drive toward Tal Afar could bring the fighting perilously close to the ancient city of Hatra, a UNESCO world heritage site that has already been vandalised by IS. Though it was not mentioned by name, the operation may also pass near the ruins of Nimrud, another archaeological site that has previously been attacked by IS. The involvement of Shiite militias in the Mosul operation has been a source of contention, although some of the Hashed's top commanders insist they do not

plan to enter the largely Sunni city.

Iraqi Kurds and Sunni Arab politicians have opposed their involvement, as has Turkey, which has a military presence east of Mosul despite repeated demands by Baghdad for the forces to be withdrawn.

Relations between the Hashed and the US-led coalition fighting IS are also tense, but the paramilitaries enjoy widespread support among members of Iraq's Shiite majority.

Tal Afar was a Shiite-majority town of mostly ethnic Turkmens before the Sunni extremists of IS overran it in 2014, and its recapture is a main goal of Shiite militia forces.

As the Hashed push on Tal Afar got under way, Iraq's federal police advanced into Al-Shura, an area south of Mosul with a long history as a militant bastion that has been the target of fighting for more than a week.

"Federal police units raised the Iraqi flag" on a local government building in the area, federal police commander Lieutenant General Raed Shakir Jawdat said in a statement.

Police are now "chasing terrorists fleeing towards the north" of the Al-Shura area, Jawdat said.

The offensive operations came despite an assertion from the US-led coalition on Friday that Iraqi forces were temporarily halting their advance on Mosul for a period expected to last "a couple days."

"They are pausing and repositioning, refitting and doing some back clearing," coalition spokesman Colonel John Dorrian told Pentagon reporters via videoconference.

An Iraqi military statement, apparently issued in response to Dorrian's remarks

on the halt, said that "military operations are continuing" and proceeding on schedule.

- Rising displacement More than 17,500 people have fled their homes toward government-held areas since the Mosul operation began, the International Organisation for Migration said on Saturday.

Numbers are expected to soar as Iraqi forces close in.

Civilians are suffering even more in jihadist-held territory, with the United Nations saying that there are credible reports of IS carrying out mass executions and seizing tens of thousands of people for use as human shields.

IS's "depraved, cowardly strategy is to attempt to use the presence of civilians to render certain points, areas or military forces immune from military operations", UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said in a statement.

The jihadists are "effectively using tens of thousands of women, men and children as human shields", he said.

The UN cited reports indicating IS has forcibly taken civilians into Mosul, killing those who resist or who were previously members of Iraqi security forces.

It said more than 250 people were executed in just two days earlier this week.

The jihadists have also launched a series of diversionary attacks since the operation began, including one in the city of Kirkuk that sparked multiple days of fighting and left dozens dead.

Officials said on Saturday that another such diversion, this time in the Ramadi area, west of Baghdad, had been foiled and 11 people arrested. (Agencies)

Russia voted out of UN Human Rights Council United Nation, Oct 29: Russia, facing allegations of war crimes in relation to its policies in Syria, lost its seat on the UN Human Rights Council as the UN General Assembly voted to elect 14 members to the Geneva-based organ. The 193-member General Assembly yesterday elected 14 nations by secret ballot to serve on the Human Rights Council, the United Nations body responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights around the globe. Brazil, China, Croatia, Cuba, Egypt, Hungary, Iraq, Japan, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Tunisia, United Kingdom and the United States were elected for three-year terms beginning January 1, 2017. India is a member of the 47-member human rights body and its term will expire in 2017.

Russia was seeking re-election to the human rights body, competing with Hungary, Croatia

and Bulgaria for two seats in the Eastern European bloc.

Russia was edged out in a close vote, getting 112 votes, just two shy of the 114 that Croatia polled, Hungary got 144 votes.

In Russia's loss, leading human rights organizations saw a strong message to Moscow condemning its policies in Syria. "In rejecting Russia's bid for re-election to the Human Rights Council, UN member states have sent a strong message to the Kremlin about its support for a regime that has perpetrated so much atrocity in Syria," UN director at Human Rights Watch (HRW) Louis Charbonneau said in a statement.

Geneva-based human rights organization UN Watch described Russia's ouster from the Human Rights Council as a "positive outcome" of the election.

UN Watch Executive Director Hillel Neuer said the "nonelection of Russia shows that

United Nations. the nations of the world can reject gross abusers if they so choose." Moscow has faced severe international criticism for allying with the Syrian government, carrying out airstrikes to support the Syrian armed forces that have indiscriminately killed and wounded countless civilians.

Over 200,000 people are be-

lieved to have died in the Syrian conflict during the last five years. China, Cuba, South Africa, Saudi Arabia and the UK were seeking re-election to the Council as their terms were set to expire in December this year. HRW had strongly opposed the candidacy of Saudi Arabia, criticising its "widespread unlawful attacks" on ci-

vilians in Yemen.

Charbonneau said that Saudi Arabia, which was re-elected without competition, "doesn't belong on the council in light of its indiscriminate attacks on civilians in Yemen. We'll be keeping all members' rights records under the microscope while they're on the council." UN Watch said the re-election of China, Cuba and Saudi Arabia, "regimes which systematically violate the human rights of their citizens, casts a shadow upon the reputation of the United Nations."

Neuer said the world's highest human rights body was now dominated by a "majority of 53 per cent which are non-democracies". "The UN's election of Saudi Arabia as a world judge on human rights is like a town picking a pyromaniac to be the fire chief," said Neuer.

(Agencies)

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30

EDUCATION

P9

How to Become a Web Editor: Step-by-Step Career Guide Should I Become a Web Editor?

Top 5 Colleges in India for courses in Online Editing

Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) Delhi

Web editors are responsible for creating and reviewing websites, emails and social media postings.

They look for and correct spelling and grammatical errors. Editors may write content or review copy written by a website contributor. They also manage the flow of Web content production and ensure publishing deadlines are

met.

Web editors spend many hours in front of a computer screen, posses a keen eye for detail, and work nontraditional hours.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), more editors in this field are working from home offices. The BLS also states that while competition in this field is strong,

there is more job growth for editors working online than in print media.

Educational requirements for this job vary. Many employers will hire Web editors who have a bachelor's degree in journalism or English, while other Web editors can start their own sites with little or no formal education.

Career Requirements

Established in 1965, IIMC was established to set global standards for media education, research, extension and training, using state-of-the-art technology. There are five campuses of Indian Institute of Communication which are located in Delhi, Dhenkanal (Odissa), Aiawl (Mizoram), Amaravati (Maharashtra), Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) and Kottayam (Kerala). Students can opt for the campus according to the course available and the availability of the seats. IIMC is a reputed name in the media industry and is known for its course structure.

Xaviers Institute of Communication (XIC) XIC, Mumbai was established in 1969 as a professional media centre which aimed to offer variety of services in training and production. XIC is located in Mumbai is known to have good infrastructure and provide practical learning for students.

Asian College of Journalism (ACJ)

Asian College of Journalism was founded in 1994 in Bangalore. It was later taken over and shifted to Chennai in 2000 and been successfully running there ever since. Asian College of Journalism ACJ offers a one year postgraduate diploma with specialisation in Television/print/ new media or radio under its 10 month programme.

Degree Level

Bachelor's degree

Degree Fields

Journalism, English or communications

Experience

At least one to two years writing and proofreading online content

Key Skills

Spelling, grammar and communication skills, creativity, proficiency with Word processing, email, social media, content management systems, HTML

Salary (2015) $46,488 per year (Median salary) Earn a Bachelor's Degree Most employers require that Web editor to have at least a bachelor's degree.

The most common fields of study for Web editors include communications, journalism and English, but some employers may hire editors with degrees in advertising, business, or a technology field. Many schools offer journalism programs that focus on online media.

Success Tips: " Work on a school newspaper. Many schools allow students to produce a newspaper for distribution on campus. Students can gain editing experience while earning their degree by working for a school affiliated newspaper, or another type of school publication. " Participate in an internship. Interns receive hands-on training from experienced industry professionals and are able to establish contacts in the publishing field. Completing an internship may boost a student's marketability after graduation. " Learn about computer software programs.

Some companies prefer to hire editors who know how

to use computer and Internet programs and tools such as basic HTML, video and uploading along with specific Web-based writing techniques. Completing classes in these

working as a writer beyond what they did as a student in a bachelor's degree program. Many editors prefer to hire Web editors with online writing experience because it indicates that

subjects may increase employment opportunities.

Gain Experience Before Web editors are considered qualified, they often need experience

the individual possesses the writing skills and knowledge required to work in multimedia and edit Internet content. By writing blogs, information for

websites, or working for online newspapers and magazines, aspiring Web editors receive the experience some employers require.

Success Tip: " Create a writing portfolio. Writing samples are a common requirement for anyone applying for writing or editing positions. Therefore, having properly revised and edited pieces ready to submit to employers is essential for job seekers. Aspiring Web editors should compile a writing portfolio of their work to accompany their resumes.

Work as an Editor for Career Advancement Editors who gain enough experience managing organizational flow and generating ideas for content may eventually move into supervisory roles, such as those of managing editors or publication directors.

Web Content Coordinator: Job Description, Duties and Salary Learn about the education and preparation needed to become a Web content coordinator. Get a quick view of the requirements as well as details about training, job duties, and career outlook to find out if this is the career for you.

Web developers are wellpaid professionals that earned an average salary Rs. 7,00,000 in 2016 as per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. After completing two years of study and earning an associate's degree in a relevant field, web developers can compete for jobs in their field.

Essential Information Web content coordinators are primarily responsible for producing content on Web pages and ensuring usability and accuracy.

Attention to detail and knowledge of website programming software are needed to become a Web content coordinator. In addition, a relevant associate degree is typically required to work in this field.

Job Description for a Web Content Coordinator Web content coordinators

oversee the layout, visual look, and overall content of a website. They must understand the demographics and characteristics of a website's users and develop material that appeals to them.

Most Web content coordinators work 40-hour workweeks during regular business hours. Some may have to work after hours in emergency scenarios, such as a website crash or network failure. Most Web content coordinators work in an office or a computer lab, while others are able to work from their homes.

Because so many industries are using the Internet to gain a presence online, these professionals may work for a range of companies, from manufacturing firms to hotels.

Web Content Coordinator Duties Web content coordinators develop, write, and edit Web pages using computer script languages such as Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) and JavaScript.

They are in charge of the overall visual look of a website, including images, videos, and other digital media. They may use software such as Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Flash Player.

Web content coordinators analyze and test all links and content to ensure that information is accurate, accessible, and userfriendly. They must also make sure the website is compatible with all Internet browsers and mobile devices. If any issues are found through testing or user feedback, they must find solutions.

Technology is constantly evolving; therefore, Web content coordinators must keep up with current programming and technological trends. Reading books, magazines, and journals; attending conferences; participating in workshops; and completing continuing education coursework are some ways that these professionals can stay informed.

Top 3 Online Editor's in India Online Editor at INDIA NEWS location New Delhi Area, India industry Broadcast Media Current Online Editor at INDIA NEWS Past Online Editor at Zee News, VT Editor at jain studios ltd.

Education Jimmc, Noida (Dainik Jagran's Institute) Summary CONNECT ME ON FACEBOOK http://www.facebook.com/ mohitlove333?ref=ts&fref=ts

Symbiosis Institute of Mass Communication (SIMC) SIMC was established in 1990 with the aim to broaden the scope of media training and extend it beyond journalism. The SIMC campus is located in Lavale, Pune. SIMC offers two full time post graduate degree programmes in the areas of Mass communication (production of creative content), Brand communication and Media management (management of creative businesses). The courses offered by SIMC cover all aspects of the media industry, meeting all the industry expectations.

AJ Kidwai Mass Communication Research Centre (AJKMCRC)

AJ Kidwai Mass Communication Research Centre known as AJKMCRC was founded in 1982 and has proved to one of the premier institutes for Mass communication. The college has been churning out well educated mass communication graduates every year.

Situated in Delhi, AKRMCRC is amongst the few colleges that provide an M.A in Mass Communication as opposed to one year diploma courses offered by other institutions.

Devika O

Online Editor & Features WriterFHM India location New Delhi Area, India industry Marketing and Advertising Current Online Editor & Features Writer- FHM India at FHM India Past Writer at Reshareit, Senior Consultant- Social Media & Content Manager at WishBox Studio, Senior Content Writer and Social Media...

Education University of Delhi, Wilsonia College Summary ? I am currently working with FHM India Magazine as their Online Editor and Features Writer. ? I worked as an Overall Content Contributor...

Vikas Baliyan

online editor at live india location New Delhi Area, India industry Media Production Current online editor at live india, El. media at ABP News (formerly STAR News) Past online editor at INDIA NEWS, online editor at total tv, online editor at total tv Education r.k.pg. college, r.k.inter college

Mohit Verma

NATION

P10

Foxconn not going anywhere, says Fadnavis

Samajwadi Party MP's PA arrested in espionage case

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30

Mumbai, Oct 29: Amid apprehensions that Taiwanbased tech giant Foxconn may shy away from its proposed USD 5 billion investment in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today said the company is "not going anywhere" and hoped issues raised by it will be resolved soon.

"Foxconn had issues pertaining to the Central government.

The company wants its manufacturing costs here to match those in China,"

he said while speaking to reporters at his residence 'Varsha' here.

The world's largest electronics contract manufacturer plans to set up manufacturing units in India, which boasts of the world's second-largest base of mobile phone users, to mitigate rising labour costs in China and also lower manufacturing cost of iPhones.

Fadnavis said the company, which counts Apple, Xiaomi, Blackberry and Amazon among its clients,

had laid down certain conditions, which were being examined by the Centre.

"I met officials from Foxconn a month back and they assured me their issues with the Centre would be solved soon.

Once that happens, they will immediately start their work," Fadnavis said.

"It is true the project has got delayed but I can assure Foxconn is not going anywhere," he said.

The state government's widely publicised MoU with the iPhone maker ap-

Rocky Yadav surrenders before Gaya district court

JDU MLC Manorama Devi's son Rocky Yadav, accused in the murder of Aditya Sachdeva surrendered on Saturday

New Delhi, Oct 29: Suspended Bihar MLC Manorama Devi's son Rocky Yadav surrendered before the Gaya district court on Saturday, reported news agency ANI. On Friday, the Supreme Court had stayed the bail granted to him by the Patna High Court. Senior advocate Rajiv Dutta, appearing for Bihar government who had challenged the bail granted to him on October 19, said this was an open-and-shut case adding that Yadav was highly intoxicated.

News agency PTI reported that Yadav could not be traced after the apex court

had stayed his bail. "As soon as the Supreme Court judgement reached us the police raided Rocky Yadav's house in A P Colony, but did not find him there," the SP had said.

His lawyer, however, filed an affidavit in the court of the ADJ during the day and said that Yadav was out of Gaya and would surrender on Saturday. Yadav's parents said the family respected the judiciary and their son would appear before the ADJ court.

While surrendering on Saturday Yadav said that he had faith in the judiciary. "I have immense faith in the judiciary. The allegations lev-

elled against me are baseless and concocted‌. I have full faith in the court," he told reporters.

The 23-year-old had shot a class XII student Aditya Sachdeva after the latter overtook his SUV on May 7. The Bihar government had ensured speedy trial in the case. Consequently, Rocky was arrested on May 10 and the investigation was completed in three weeks and charge sheet filed within a month of the incident. According to reports, Rocky is charged with Aditya's murder and also under the Excise Act for recovery of liquor bottles from Manorama Devi's house.

Reacting to the Patna High Court's bail, Aditya's parents had said, "We have lost our child and he wont come back but still we are looking for justice. He (Rocky Yadav) should realise his mistake."

JD(U) spokesperson Ajay Alok said, "The law will catch up with him finally and there is no point in running away from it. He will be back in jail, which is his place."

(Agencies)

Rahul asks PM to reassure soldiers 'in deed', questions steps New Delhi, Oct 29: Rahul Gandhi today questioned Modi government's resolve to work for soldiers' welfare, asking the Prime Minister to first implement the 'one rank, one pension' scheme in a meaningful way and redress their pay anomalies and other grievances.

The Congress Vice President wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he was saddened at the decisions of the government taken in the last few weeks "which are far from reassuring the soldiers and has caused them pain instead".

Steps should be taken to send a message to soldiers on Diwali expressing "our gratitude both in words and in deed", Rahul said in his letter to the Prime Minister who has launched a campaign through which people can send their Diwali greetings and messages to soldiers guarding the nation's frontiers to boost their morale.

The PM will celebrate this Diwali with ITBP personnel at one of the remotest border posts in Uttarakhand.

"Just days after our soldiers conducted the surgical strikes, the disability pension system was converted to a new slab system, that in many instances drastically reduces the

pension received by these brave men in case of a disability," the Congress leader said.

"OROP must be implemented in a meaningful way to satisfy ex-servicemen and the anomalies in the 7th Pay Commission must be addressed at the earliest, because soldiers should not have to struggle to claim what is surely due to them on behalf of a grateful nation," Rahul said, claiming that some decision of the government have "adversely affect the morale of our armed forces".

The Prime Minister had earlier accused Congress of not taking the OROP issue seriously by earmarking a paltry sum of Rs 500 crore for it.

Rahul said, "As a responsible democracy we must make sure that the brave soldiers who put their lives on the line for each one of us, feel the love, support and gratitude of 125 crore people."

"I therefore urge you Prime Minister to ensure that our soldiers get their due whether it is regarding compensation, disability pension, or parity with civil employees," he said.

Rahul said that the roll out of 7th Pay Commission continues to keep the defence forces at a disadvantage and further exacerbates the dis-

parity between them and civil employees.

"As we celebrate Diwali, and rejoice in the victory of light over darkness, let us send this message to our soldiers that our gratitude is expressed both in words and in deed. This is the very least we owe to those who give up their today to secure our tomorrow," the letter further said.

Rahul greeted the Prime Minister on Diwali and hoped the new year brings peace, prosperity and happiness for the people of the country.

He told the Prime Minister that the soldiers risked their lives each day to defend the nation and "it is our duty to show them that we care for them and their families, not only through our words, but also through our actions".

Rahul also accused the government of downgrading the status of military officers vis a vis their civilian counterparts through a letter of October 18, 2016.

He said the OROP implemented by government does not fully meet the genuine demands of ex-servicemen and they have been forced to come out on the streets to make their voice heard on this vital issue. (PTI)

Railway app to offer multiple service New Delhi, Oct 29: To make train journeys pleasant and hassle-free, railways will launch an integrated mobile app for availing all travel-related services such as hiring taxis, porters and booking retiring rooms and lounges at stations among others.

The app which aims to provide a one stop solution for various services

can be used for booking tickets, ordering food from a favourite restaurant or finding hotel rooms of passengers' choice outside the stations.

The application is likely to be launched early next year as the required ground work for it is underway, a senior Railway Ministry official said.

Currently, a few apps are operational for booking

tickets and food but there is no such app for availing multiple services.

As per plan, the app will offer 17 services like porter, wheelchair, taxi, lounges, bedrolls among others to more than 2 crore passengers who travel in about 11,000 passenger trains per day across 7000 stations in the country. (Agencies)

peared to be in trouble after a senior official from the Industries Department said production has not taken off as the company was "yet to find customers" here.

"They (Foxconn officials) say they haven't found customers yet and have thus not started their manufacturing plant. We don't think this is disappointing as we would like to give them some more time before coming to a decision," Apurva

Chandra, Principal Secretary (Industries), had said.

Fadnavis had earlier said the MoU with Foxconn will create direct employment for 50,000 people.

Opposition Congress had used the delay in implementing the Foxconn MoU to criticise Fadnavis. The party had asked the Chief Minister to clear the air on the big-ticket project and said the delay exposed his "tall claims" about investment and employment generation in Maharashtra.

(PTI)

Mehbooba hopes for return of peace to J-K

New Delhi, Oct 29 : Pakistan High Commission staffer Mehmood Akhtar, expelled by India for spying, had named Samajwadi Party's Rajya Sabha MP Munavvar Saleem's personal assistant Farhat as one of his "close associates" in the crime following which he was arrested.

Farhat was picked up from Saleem's residence last night and detained. He was arrested this afternoon after prolonged questioning. This is the fourth arrest in the case.

"During Mehmood's questioning, Farhat Khan's name surfaced as one of his close associates in the espionage racket he was running along with names of some other Pakistan High Commission staffers," said a senior police officer.

TV channels also aired a confessional video of Mehmood Akhtar in which he purportedly named Farhat besides others including Syed Farruq, Khadim Hussain, Shahid Iqbal and Iqbal Cheema, claiming that

Delhi Police is also trying to apprehend other members of the espionage ring who, it believes, were in close contact with Pakistan Mehmood Akhtar. they were also "staffers". In the video, he also said he used to meet Farhat at Mandi House Metro Station.

A crime branch officer said Farhat's preliminary questioning has led to "certain revelations" that need to be further investigated. Names of several other people allegedly involved in the racket have cropped up.

Delhi Police is also trying to apprehend other members of the espionage ring who, it be-

lieves, were in close contact with Pakistan Mehmood Akhtar. The Pakistan High Commission staffer was caught receiving secret documents here on October 26.

Two others, Maulana Ramzan and Subhash Jangir, residents of Nagaur, Rajasthan, were held along with Akhtar. Another accused Shoaib was detained in Jodhpur and brought to Delhi by the police where he was arrested.(PTI)

KP employees chain hunger strike enters 4th day Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today

Jammu, Oct 29: Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today expressed concern over the plight of border residents and those living in the Valley who have been affected by the nearly four month-long unrest, and hoped peace returns, as she greeted people on eve of Diwali.

"I am concerned over the plight of hapless border residents and the people in Kashmir valley who are entangled in an agonising situation. I hope that all the rightthinking people will strive towards making peace a reality in and around Jammu and Kashmir," Mehbooba said in her greetings on the eve of Diwali.

The chief minister said the people of the state have suffered a great deal due

to violence and there is a need for peace.

"We have suffered too much and too long, let us strive towards healing the wound and bringing peace in the lives of our people and ensure prosperity of our future generations," she said.

Mehbooba expressed hope that the festival of lights would be a harbinger of peace, progress and prosperity for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

"On this auspicious occasion I wish and pray that all good values of love, compassion, tolerance, mutual respect and brotherhood become hallmark of our society to take forward the state on the path of progress, prosperity and lasting peace," she said. (Agencies)

Espionage case: PA of Samajwadi Party Rajya Sabha MP arrested Delhi Police are also trying to nab other members of the racket who, it believes, were in close contact with Pakistan High Commission staffer Mehmood Akhtar.

India has expelled a Pakistan High Commission staffer on charges of running a spy racket.

New Delhi, Oct 29: A personal assistant of Samajwadi Party's Rajya Sabha MP Munvvar Saleem was on Saturday arrested by Delhi Police in connection with the espionage racket in which a Pakistan High Commission staffer was expelled from the country, the fourth arrest in the case.

Farhat was detained on Friday night from the residence of Mr. Saleem in New Delhi and was arrested on Saturday afternoon after prolonged questioning, said a senior Crime Branch officer.

The officer said that preliminary questioning has led to certain revelations that need to be further in-

vestigated as other names have cropped up.

Delhi Police are also trying to nab other members of the racket who, it believes, were in close contact with Pakistan High Commission staffer Mehmood Akhtar who was caught receiving secret documents in New Delhi on October 26, 2016.

Two others, Maulana Ramzan and Subhash Jangir, residents of Nagaur, Rajasthan, were held along with Akhtar.

Another accused Shoaib was detained in Jodhpur and brought to Delhi by the police where he was arrested. (Agencies)

Jammu, Oct 29 : The hunger strike of the Kashmiri Pandit employees, who have refused to join their duties in the Valley after their transit camps were allegedly attacked by stone pelting mobs there, today entered the fourth consecutive day.

The Kashmiri Pandit employees under the banner of All Migrant Employees Association of Kashmir (AMEAK) have been protesting for the past 105 days outside the office of the Relief Commissioner, Jammu.

The All Parties Migrant Coordination Committee (APMCC) has also ex-

tended its complete support to the agitating employees and have warned the government of dire consequences if the protesters are forced to join their duties in the Valley.

"The protesting employees are being forced to re-join duties in Kashmir not caring about their safety and security.

The community leaders warn the government of dire consequences if the Kashmiri Pandit employees are forced to join their duties in Kashmir under the present circumstances," Chairman APMCC, Vinod Pandit said.

He also asked the government to immediately release the salaries of the protesting employees so that they can also celebrate the Diwali festival with their families.

APMCC National Spokesman King Bharti warned that the party would resort to nationwide agitation if the government forces the Kashmiri Pandit employees to return to the Valley under present circumstances.

"The situation in Kashmir is not conducive for the return of the employees and if they are forced to return we will resort to a nationwide agitation," Bharti said.

(PTI)

Muslim women feel secure under Sharia law: AIMPLB New Delhi, Oct 29: Muslim women from across the country feel secure under the Sharia law and do not want a Uniform Civil Code, AIMPLB claimed today amid a raging debate on the practice of 'triple talaq'.

"It is not the personal law board or the women in it, who are against the proposed Uniform Civil Code, but Muslim women in general in the country do not want it. They feel safe and secure under the Sharia law," Kamal Faruqui, a member of AIMPLB said.

The practice of triple talaq (immediate divorce) is at present the subject of a Supreme Court case, with the Centre and some Muslim women organisations seeking a ban on it on the grounds of being discriminatory to women.

The All-India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has, in its opposition to the move, submitted an affidavit to the apex court stating that though triple talaq is "undesirable", it is "permissible" in Islam.

The Board has already started a signature campaign in support of the

practice.

"The campaign has already got support from Muslim women in Rajasthan, Gujarat, UP, Bihar, Delhi, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. And, in many cases, where our members are not there, we are getting good support from them, mostly spontaneous," Faruqui claimed.

Executive member of the AIMPLB, Asma Zehra, said Muslim women from across the country were coming together to demand that the personal law be protected.

"The incidences of divorce in Muslim community is much lower compared to other ones. Also, women have maintenance rights even after the divorce.

They can also go for remarriage to begin a new life.

The women feel much secure under the Sharia law and do not wish to be governed under a Uniform Civil Code," she asserted.

"We are also getting a good response from women in small villages and cities," she said.

Zehra also hit out at right wing groups for fueling the debate.

"The PM was right when he said this is not a 'HinduMuslim' issue. This is an issue created by the RSS. As citizens, Indians need to decide whether we want to follow the Constitution, which gives us religious rights, or some vested saffron agenda," she said.

Meanwhile many women activists have slammed the board for its counter-affidavit, saying the Muslim body has "turned a blind eye" to the plight of women suffering due to this practice.

Noorjehan Safia Niaz, cofounder of Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA), which is one of the petitioners in the Supreme Court against triple talaq, said, "No one can stop the citizen of this country from approaching the court. That is a right Muslim women also have."

Zehra, however, alleged that the groups opposing the practice were "tools of BJP".

BMMA rejecting the charge said, "AIMPLB has been completely obstinate and there is no point talking to bodies like these.

(Agencies)

BSF jawan killed while retaliating to ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops in Macchil sector Jammu, Oct 29: A BSF jawan was killed accidentally while he was retaliating to ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops in Macchil sector along the Line of Control in Kashmir.

BSF constable Nitin Subhash sustained grievous injuries on Friday evening when an explosion inside the chamber of the long range weapon led to a recoil while he was firing in retaliation to ceasefire violation from across the LoC, BSF IG (Kashmir) Vikash Chandra said.

"Subhash was injured due to recoil and was admitted to a medical facility where he succumbed late last night," the official said.

Earlier, a top BSF official had said that the jawan was killed on Saturday in firing by Pakistani troops.

28-year-old Subhash, hailing

from Sangli in Maharashtra, had joined BSF in 2008 and is survived by his wife and two sons aged four years and two years. Pakistan Rangers also violate ceasefire in RS Pura and Kathua sectors along International Border on Saturday.

In Macchil sector, terrorists, aided by the cover fire by Pakistani Army, had last night crossed the Line of Control in the sector. They killed an Indian army jawan and mutilated his body prompting the Indian army to warn that "the incident will be responded to appropriately".

Four army and three BSF personnel have died in the latest escalation along the boundary with Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir. In Friday night's attack, one militant was also killed. "In an encounter close

to the Line of Control this evening, one solider was martyred and one terrorist was killed. The terrorists mutilated the body of the jawan before fleeing back into Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir under the cover of firing by Pakistan Army," an army spokesman had said. He said the incident reflected the barbarism pervading in official and unofficial organisations in Pakistan.

Two civilians were also killed and as many injured on Friday after Pakistani troops pounded civilian areas and forward India posts with 120 mm mortar shells and automatic weapons in Jammu, Kathua, Poonch and Rajouri districts.

BSF on Friday said that it had killed 15 Pakistani soldiers in retaliatory firing along IB so far after the flare up started.

(Agencies)

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DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30

P11

New Delhi, Oct 29: Seeking to bring in transparency, the Sports Ministry today said the hiring of foreign coaches for various disciplines will be done through open advertisement.

Sports Minister Vijay Goel approved has the proposal which emerged at a meeting he had with senior officers of his Ministry and Sports Authority of India in New Delhi yesterday.

"This will bring more names before the foreign coaches Selection Committee in addition to those suggested by National Sports Federations," the Ministry said in a statement.

"The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports spends a substantial amount on foreign coaches to prepare Indian athletes for Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and other important tournaments.

Keeping this in view, extension to foreign coaches in future will be given on the basis of their performance as assessed by a committee.

"Hiring of foreign coaches is a necessity for training Indian athletes in many sports disciplines at present, but they will be utilised for training Indian coaches so that our dependence on foreign coaches can be reduced in future.

"The contract with foreign coaches will invariably include a component of training of Indian coaches for a certain period. (Agencies)

Chennaiyin, Kerala share points after goalless draw in south Indian derby Chennai, Oct 29:The first south Indian derby of the 2016 Hero Indian Super League failed to live up to its reputation as Chennaiyin FC and Kerala Blasters FC cancelled each other out in a 0-0 draw at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Saturday evening. Over 23 thousand fans were in attendance as both teams failed to capitalise on their chances. After sharing the spoils, both Chennaiyin and Kerala retained their fourth and fifth positions in the standings.

The derby kicked off amidst a charged-up atmosphere in the stadium. Dudu was the man behind the first action of the night as his shot from the angle bounced off a diving Sandip Nandy’s chest and it was cleared away by a defender. Both teams tried to find a way through each other’s defence but were unable to break through.

Chennai had the better chances of the two with Raphael Augusto at the heart of every attack. The Super Machans upped the ante as Kerala marquee Aaron Hughes had to come to his team’s rescue twice.

Eli Sabia’s header off Baljit Sahni’s corner was saved off the line and then Davide Succi’s cross off the re-

Match Awards: Club award: Shared by both clubs Fittest Player of the Match: Raphael Augusto Winning Pass of the Match: Mohammed Rafique Swift Moment of the Match: Aaron Hughes

An action moment of the match. bound was also cleared away to safety. The defending champions persisted with their attacks earning three corners in a row with the last of them falling to Bernard Mendy, whose poke hit the sidenetting in the 27th minute.

The home side suffered a big blow when Hans Mulder had to come off due to injury with Manuele Blasi coming on, and it wasn’t a surprise that the Blasters soon clawed their way back into the game with Michael Chopra and Mohammed Rafi getting a couple of near chances, the last of them producing a deflected shot from Rafi which safely made its way to Karanjit Singh’s hands.

Both teams failed to light

up the first half and headed in 0-0 at the break.

The second half began with Chennayin right on cue as Succi found himself one on one against Nandy but he was ruled offside. Sandesh Jhingan then tried to hit on the counter but was duly thwarted by Mehrajuddin Wadoo. The first five minutes of the half were rounded off with Succi again being offside. Kervens Belfort’s effort also narrowly went past the post when Josu Currais whipped in a cross in the 57th minute. Both teams were still unable to deliver the killer blow.

Succi was soon replaced with Maurizio Peluso and the Blasters also had to take off Hughes due to injury. A burst of pace from

ISL Emerging Player of the Match: Jerry Lalrinzuala Hero of the Match: Cedric Hengbart

Mohammed Rafique saw him delivering an inch perfect low cross to Belfort but the Haitian wasted the best chance of the night as he put it wide.

Substitute Duckens Nazon who came on for Rafi turned and had a crack at the goal but Karanjit was in the right position to collect the ball.

The Super Machans threw their last throw of the dice by bringing on star striker Jeje Lalpekhlua but nothing came of it. Kerala came close in the dying minutes but Belfort’s effort was saved by the custodian and then Rafique shot wide as the match ended in a goalless draw. (Agencies)

India beat South Korea to storm into ACT final Kuantan, Oct 29: India defeated South Korea 5-4 (2-2) via penalty shootout in the first semi-final match to storm into the final of the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament here on Saturday.

The two sides were locked 22 at the end of the regulation time. For India, Talwinder Singh, Ramandeep Singh found the target in the regulation time while Seo Inwoo and Yang Jihun scored for the Koreans.

In the penalty shootout, Sardar Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Akashdeep and Rupinder Pal Singh scored as India entered the final.

Rupinder also stepped up to convert the penalty stroke which was awarded to Indiaafter South Korean goalkeeper D. Hong hit the legs of Birendra Lakra with his stick during the fifth and final shootout effort.

Indian captain P.R. Sreejesh, who took his place under the goal after being sidelined for two round-robin matches due to an ankle injury, stopped the fifth and final South Korean player in the penalty shootout, paving the way for India's win.

Post this win, the Asian Games

Both teams exchanged many shots and a few penalty corners in the final minutes of the quarter but failed to make the mark.

2014 champions will take on the winner of the second semifinal to be played between Pakistan and hosts Malaysia.

Right from the push-back at the Wisma Belia Hockey Stadium, India tried to build up the early moments by penetrating the defence. But the South Koreans stood solid to India's probing attacks as they denied many attempts by applying sharp man-to-man marking.

Despite the various failed attempts, the Roelant Oltmanscoached side played with the same attacking strategy and soon it paid off as in the dying minutes of the first quarter.

Talwinder, who was not in his prime touch in this tournament, found some space and played a reverse hit to give India a vital 1-0 lead in the 14th minute.

Soon after conceding a goal,

South Korea started counterattacking and received their first penalty corner of the match but missed the chance for an equaliser.

In the second quarter, South Koreans seemed much more disciplined and it paid off as a defensive error by Rupinder saw South Korea equalising in the 20th minute of the game.

Inwoo slammed into the Indian net after Rupinder failed to trap the ball cleanly.

India, unlike the first quarter, tried to bring down the pace of the game. It seemed like they lost their momentum after the South Korean equaliser but soon the Indian mid-field started rotating the ball with purpose.

In the dying minutes of the second quarter, India got many chances to take the lead including a penalty corner that was denied by the South Korean custodian as both the teams went to half-time 1-1.

After the half-time, South Korea played with eight men in the circle while defending to look out for counter-attacks.

Soon the strategy paid off and they got a chance to take the lead but Rupinder denied it.

After witnessing this, India made their move and started

pressing the Korean defence.

In this process they got their third penalty corner but failed to convert it.

The third quarter saw India playing with the same strategy as they were playing in the first quarter but a crowded South Korean defence and predictable moves did not allow them to take the lead.

Both teams exchanged many shots and a few penalty corners in the final minutes of the quarter but failed to make the mark.

In the fourth quarter, South Korea were the first to get a penalty corner in the 53rd minute and they successfully converted it.

Yang Jihun's goal helped them take the lead as Sreejesh was beaten by a low flick.

The drama unfolded in the last five minutes of the game as India grabbed the scoring opportunity with both hands as Sardar Singh played a move from the left by-line. He gave a pass to Ramandeep, who did not make a mistake.

The last few seconds saw both teams trying to penetrate in the circle but were unable to find the winner, taking the game to the shootout where India prevailed. (IANS)

Pakistan target historic 9-0 rout of West Indies

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Sharjah, Oct 29: Pakistan are determined to complete an historic 9-0 rout of the West Indies when the two teams meet in the third and final Test in Sharjah from Sunday.

Having blanked their opponents 3-0 in both the Twenty20 and one-day internationals, Pakistan also claimed the first two Tests -by 56 runs in the day-nighter in Dubai and by 133 runs in the second match in Abu Dhabi.

No team has ever won all nine matches of a tour in cricket history.

Pakistan s strong batting lineup, coupled with the leg-spin of Yasir Shah, proved too good for the inexperienced West Indies who started the tour on a sour note when head coach Phil Simmons was sacked.

They looked rudderless in the limited-overs series and despite fighting gallantly in both Tests by extending the matches to the fifth and final days with stubborn batting, they need a huge lift to avoid another whitewash in Tests.

"Yes, we want to be ruthless, definitely," said Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur.

"We set the challenge that we have eight Tests to play (three in the UAE followed by five in New Zealand and Australia).

We have only played two. We are going to judge ourselves on

Teams (from) Pakistan: Misbah-ulHaq (captain), Azhar Ali, Sami Aslam, Asad Shafiq, Younis Khan, Babar Azam, Sarfraz Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, Zulfiqar Babar, Rahat Ali, Sohail Khan, Imran Khan.

The third and final Test between Pakistan and West Indies starts in Sharjah from Sunday. the eight Tests and every Test presents a different challenge."

Pakistan fly out to New Zealand from Sharjah where they play two Tests, the first in Christchurch from November 17. That will be followed by three Tests in Australia.

Arthur said that besides results, he wants to see consistent improvement from notoriously unpredictable Pakistan.

"I go deeper than getting good results. I want us to play a good brand of cricket, see improvement in the players and the roles players are executing.

India thrash Kiwis in fifth ODI, win series

"Those are all things I really take note of and the way we are going is unbelievable. Everybody is improving and settled in what they are doing and work rate is outstanding."

Despite targeting another win, Arthur has not been surprised by the West Indies battling performances in the first two Tests.

"The conditions are conducive to five days because the games start very slowly and quicken up towards the back end.

"We mustn t under-estimate the West Indies, they are a

young side."

Pakistan could bring in either left-arm paceman Wahab Riaz or untried right-arm fast bowler Imran Khan while Mohammad Amir is also an option.

Another flat Sharjah pitch will see Shah and two left-arm spinners, Zulfiqar Babar and Mohammad Nawaz retained.

Meanwhile, the West Indies are likely to bring in fast bowler Alzarri Joseph for Miguel Cummins who has taken only one wicket in the two Tests.

Despite the UAE losing streak, West Indies captain Jason

West Indies: Jason Holder (captain), Kraigg Brathwaite, Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Shai Hope, Leon Johnson, Alzarri Joseph, Marlon Samuels, Jomel Warrican.

Holder believes his team is improving.

"We had some positives from the two Tests," said Holder.

"The difference between our team and the big teams is we have not capitalised after getting starts and that is due to a lack of experience."

(Agencies)

Amit Mishra after taking wickets.

Visakhapatnam, Oct 29: A five-wicket haul by Amit Mishra coupled with half-centuries from Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma saw Indiathrash New Zealand by 190 runs in the fifth and final One-Day International (ODI) here on Saturday.

Chasing a target of 270 runs, New Zealand collapsed for a mere 79 with Mishra returning figures of 5/18.

This was the second fivewicket haul for Mishra, who took home the man of the match award. The leg-spinner was also adjudged the man of the series for a total haul of 15 wickets over the five ODIs. India thus won the five-match series 3-2.

Among the other Indian bowlers, Axar Patel notched up figures of 2/9 in his 4.1 overs while Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and debutant Jayant Yadav picked up a wicket each.

Earlier, half-centuries by Kohli and Rohit helped Indiapost a decent total of 269/6.

Both Kohli and Rohit were off to slow starts before going for the big shots once they got their eye in.

Kohli scored 65 runs off 76 deliveries with two boundaries

and a six while Rohit smashed five boundaries and three hits into the stands on his way to a 65-ball 70.

Leg-spinner Inderbir Singh Sodhi and pacer Trent Boult bagged a couple of wickets each for New Zealand. James Neesham and Mitchell Santner claimed a wicket each.

Opener Ajinkya Rahane brought India's first runs on the board with a boundary through the off-side. The second boundary came in similar fashion as the right-hander clobbered a widish delivery from Boult.

However, just like in the earlier matches of the series, Rahane could not build on a good start as he hit a Neesham delivery to Tom Latham at short midwicket to return to the pavilion with a 39-ball 20.

Rohit Sharma was off to a slow start before getting into his groove with a six over longoff off James Nisham.

Rohit was lucky to be handed a reprieve when on 66 when he was dropped by Ross Taylor at short midwicket off Neesham's bowling.

The Mumbai batsman could not however, make too much use of the opportunity as he was soon dismissed after mistiming a pull off Boult's

bowling.

Santner trapped Dhoni leg before with a beautiful delivery.

Manish Pandey lasted all of four balls before holing out with a loose shot.

Kohli followed him to the dressing room soon after while trying to go after Sodhi. The Indian vice-captain came down the track to Sodhi's half-volley but only managed to find Martin Guptill at long-off.

Kedar Jadhav and Axar Patel produced a 46-run stand off 39 balls to give some late momentum to the hosts' innings.

Jadhav scored 39 off 37 deliveries with two boundaries and a six. Patel smashed 24 runs off 18 balls before being bowled by an accurate yorker

by Boult.

In reply, the New Zealand innings suffered a setback in the very first over when Yadav bowled opener Martin Guptill with a beautiful delivery that uprooted the off-stump.

Bumrah accounted for the other Kiwi opener Tom Latham as an attempted flick through midwicket took the leading edge and found debutant Jayant Yadav at mid-on.

Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor tried to stem the rot with a 35-run partnership. But the visitors ran into trouble when Williamson, Taylor and Bradley-John Watling departed in quick succession.

Yadav notched up the distinction of claiming a wicket on his ODI debut when he trapped Corey Anderson leg before. Mishra then dismissed James Neesham and Tim Southee in the 20th over to leave the Kiwis reeling at 74/ 8. (Agencies) IND 269/6 (50.0 Ovs) NZ 79-all out (23.1 Ovs) India won by 190 runs PLAYER OF THE MATCH Amit Mishra PLAYER OF THE SERIES Amit Mishra

Harmanpreet replaces Mithali as T20 captain New Delhi, Oct 29: Harmanpreet Kaur was today named the new captain of the Indian women's T20 team replacing veteran Mithali Raj, who has retained her ODI captaincy.

Mithali is however a part of the T20 squad led by Harmanpreet.

The BCCI today announced the India squad for the home series against the West Indies from November 10 and Asia Cup to be played in Thailand from November 27.

Mithali was captain in the team's last international T20 campaign, which was the World T20 at home. The venue of the West Indies comprising three ODIs and as many T20 Internationals is Vijaywada.

Asia Cup squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana, Mithali Raj, S Meghna, Vanitha VR, Anuja Patil, Veda Krishnamurthy, Sushma Verma, Nuzhat Parween, Poonam Yadav, Ekta Bist, Preeti Bose, Jhulan

Harmanpreet Kaur Goswami, Shikha Pandey, Mansi Joshi.

ODI squad for West Indies series: Mithali Raj (captain), Harmanpreet Kaur, Smrit Mandhana, Thirush Kamini, Mona Meshram, Veda Krishnamurthy, Devika Vaidya, Sushma Verma, Jhulan Goswami, Shikha Pandey, Sukanya Parida, Ejta Bisht, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Deepti

Sharma.

T20 squad for the West Indies series: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana, Mithali Raj, S Meghna, Vanitha V R, Anuja Patil, Deepti Sharma, Nuzhat Parween, Ekta Bisht, Poonam Yadav, Preeti Bose, Veda Krishnamurthy, Jhulan Goswami, Skhika Pandey, Mansi Joshi. (Agencies)

Mothers' Day Out: MS Dhoni And Co. Wear Jerseys With Moms' Names in ODI vs NZ MS Dhoni-led Indian team wore the name of their mothers, during the 5th ODI against New Zealand, on the individual jerseys in a gesture to appreciate their sacrifices

HIGHLIGHTS Indian team members wore jerseys bearing their mother's names in NZ ODI It's an effort to appreciate their mothers' sacrifices MS Dhoni asked countrymen to remember mothers' role everyday MS Dhoni's jersey bearing the name of his mother during India vs New Zealand 5th ODI. Vishakhapatnam , Oct 29: MS Dhoni-led Indian team on Saturday wore a different look for the ODI series decider against New Zealand in Vishakhapatnam. In place of surnames, the cricketers' jerseys bore the name of their mothers.

This initiative was taken to salute the sacrifice all mothers have done over the years to give her child a prosperous future.

"It's an initiative to appreciate the contribution of the mothers. If you ask me, it was always about how emotionally connected I was to my mom.

It's not like the dads are not there, they're there, but just that we often don't appreciate mothers role in a way we should do," said Dhoni, whose jersey displayed his mother's name Devaki.

"It's good that it has been put

on a public platform. But I would request the whole of India one thing. Often we talk about soldiers and get patriotic before 26th January or 15th August. What's important is get up everyday and thank them for what they are doing. We need to appreciate mothers' role the same way."

Dhoni, who hails from Ranchi, was supported by his family through thick and thin, especially his mother to pursue his passion despite coming from a humble background. (Agencies)

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Ministry decides to advertise for foreign coaches

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DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30

P12 I am not a Kapoor or Khan but a hard worker, says Poonam Pandey

Aamir Khan: Today more people are challenging themselves and creating different stories not-so-good work. I think its in nostalgia that we think that the movies in the 1960's were real and good... They were indeed and I am not denying that," the 51-yearo l d said.

"At

Sultanpuri... very left wing leaning people..."

"I feel I wish I was born at that time...

Mehboob Khan saheb, K Asif, Guru Dutt... these are all people of that turmoil time, they grew up in that era. I feel that was t h e golden period of

that time people had gone through, risen from the social upheaval, Independence struggle was there, partition had taken place... so that entire generation of people who were creative at that time... Sahir Ludhianvi, Majrooh

Indian cinema . But I think in fact now today even more and more young people are coming up with different stories, challenging themselves, challenging the audience," Aamir added.

Giving examples of his

Model-turned-actress Poonam Pandey says that she doesn't have famous surnames like Kapoor or Khan but she works hard. "Neither do I belong to a filmy background nor I am a Kapoor or a Khan but I am a hard worker. It's all my hard work that I have come this far. I used created controversies of course to gain the limelight.

You (media) people made me. Today I thought to do something better," She said at the press conference of her short film 'The Weekend'.

Commenting on the recent trend of womencentric films in Bollywood, Poonam said, "It's a good thing that Bollywood is

own films, Aamir, who has projects like 'Taare Zameen Par', '3 Idiots', 'Rang De Basanti' and 'Talaash' to his credit, shared that not all films have advertisements and there are many creative people who love their art and their job.

"Today also there a lot of creative people who love their art, their job, work, they do crazy work. In films like mine, you won't see advertisements in them.

There are a lot of creative people. For example the movies I have worked in, look at the writers of those films, the stories that you liked or might have liked in which I have worked... those have been penned by other writer, not me."

"These creative people with whom I got the opportunity to work with...different people, so there are creative individuals in our industry...

Marathi cinema today is coming up with really challenging work," he said.

Deepika Padukone's 'xXx: Return of Xander Cage' to have India premiere

Nargis Fakhri and Sunny Leone party in LA Nargis Fakhri was celebrating her 37th birthday with friends at a Los Angeles restaurant when she spotted Sunny Leone cheering on birthday boy, husband Daniel Weber, in the vicinity. Soon, the two parties joined forces for a double celebration."Nargis and Danieleven cut a cake together," informs a source close to Sunny.

"Sharing my birthday with Nargis Fakhri. Same day, now that makes u cool," Daniel posted on the social media, along with a video of him blowing out the candles with the Houseful 3 actress.

Sunny had recently flown out to the States to

I don't want to depend on fame: Irrfan Khan

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Actor Irrfan Khan, who has carved a niche for himself in India as well as in foreign cinema, says he needs fame to spread his stories around the world, but doesnt want it to become his need.

spend some time with Daniel and her family and friends. The couple also dropped by the Universal Studios in Florida for a Halloween party.

"She is returning to the Bay this week to resume shooting with Arbaaz Khan for Tera Intezaar.

She plans to throw a Halloween party for close friends and family in the city," adds the source.

Confirming this Sunny told Mirror, "I love Halloween and have been meaning to throw a party for a while now but I'm either shooting or I'm abroad so I never got around to doing it. I'm in Mumbai this year and prep for the party is on.

"I don't want to depend on fame...One day it should not be my need. I would want myself to be free from this need," said Irrfan Khan in an interview.

Asked if he is free from the urge to get famous, he said "No, I am not away from that need right now. I do need acknowledgment because I have stories to share with the audience.

"You do need acknowledgment from the audience what it (your story) is doing to them and whether it is reaching to them or not."

With projects like 'Paan Singh Tomar', 'Talvar', 'Maqbool' and '7 Khoon Maaf', Irrfan has been lauded for his work in Hindi cinema. And globally, he is known for films like 'The Namesake', 'Life of Pi', 'A Mighty Heart', 'Slumdog Millionaire', 'The Amazing SpiderMan', and most recent 'Inferno'.

The actor says he wants to reach that point when he need not care about anything else other than the story.

"Given a choice at one point of time, I don't want to care whether it is reaching or not. If I want to do a story, I will do the story and just be happy by the process and forget about it," he said and added that with fame, come responsibilities.

But he feels that handling those responsibilities depends on an individual.

"It depends on you whether you want to feel responsible or not. It doesn't come with a condition that you have to be responsible. Some people feel responsible and some people don't," he added.

Actress Deepika Padukone's Hollywood debut 'xXx: Return of Xander Cage', which also stars action star Vin Diesel, will have a special India premiere ahead of its release in January 2017.In an interview, Diesel revealed that the first thing the Bollywood star asked after coming on board was to have an India premiere of the film.

"When Deepika first met us to talk about the role, she said, 'If I do this role, you have to promise me one thing that we do a premiere at India'. And just last week,

we were scheduling a premiere in India for January 2017. So it's really going to happen," Diesel, 49, said. 'xXx: Return of Xander Cage' is set to hit theatres on January 20, 2017 worldwide.

The movie, which is the third installment in the 'xXx' franchise also stars Donnie Yen, Tony Jaa, Nina D o b r e v, R o r y McCann, Ruby Rose and Samuel L Jackson.

Katrina Kaif's a biker babe

Befikre trailer featuring Ranveer, Vaani & their kisses gets U/A certificate

Much to the surprise of fans and critics alike, the 'Befikre' trailer featuring Ranveer Singh, Vaani Kapoor and their kisses has been granted U/A certificate by the Censor Board of Film Certification. The trailer is loaded with intimate kisses between the lead couple.

According to a report, CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani justified the decision saying that the images in 'Befikre' are not

about the kisses alone but it's about a whole lot of things, about love and the trailer shows kissing as a manifestation of love rather than just for titillation. He further added that all the kisses are in long shots as it's only in closeups that kissing on screen tends to look overblown.

Nihalani also went ahead to praise the film's director Aditya Chopra for his aesthetic sense that makes the kissing look natural instead of vulgar.

Padmavati: Will Aditi Rao Hydari romance Ranveer Singh?

After casting Shahid Kapoor and Deepika Padukone together in Padmavati, it seems Sanjay Leela Bhansali is ready to gift yet another brand new jodi to the film industry. According to reports, Aditi Rao Hydari will romance Ranveer Singh in the upcoming period romance, Padmavati. She will be playing the favourite begum of Alaudin Khilji (played by Ranveer), Kamla Devi, in the movie.

Bhansali met Hydari sev-

eral times and she was finalised for the role over four other choices, a source confirmed.

The historical drama stars Deepika Padukone in the lead role as Rani Padmavati, Shahid Kapoor as her husband Raja Ratan Singh, and Ranveer Singh as Sultan Alauddin Khilji. And, to the disappointment of Ranveer-Deepika fans, the rumored couple will not romance each other in the movie.

Seems like Katrina Kaif love for bike is not just for the reels. The actress reportedly uploaded an old picture of her on a bike. 'How I used to love riding .... I've not been on a bike in ages,' she wrote in the caption.

She was immediately inundated with queries from her fans. A source was quoted to have said, "Her fans immediately sent in queries about whether she will be riding a motorcycle or performing bike stunts in her next project, 'Tiger Zinda Hai', which revolves around espionage, and co-stars Salman Khan. She also began receiving personal messages, in which people asked her if biking was her new hobby."

The actress's obsession with bikes apparently took off while shooting for Zoya Akhtar's 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara'.

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Editor: Prahlad Hammey

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Superstar Aamir Khan believes that when it comes to churning out creative content and bringing in the quality craft that is seen as the trademark of the 1960s, today even more and more people are 'challenging themselves' and 'coming up with different stories'.

Aamir was speaking at the launch of book 'Music, Masti, Modernity - The Cinema of Nasir Husain', on the legendary filmmaker, who was his uncle, along with Husain's children Mansoor Khan and Nuzhat Khan on Friday.

Lauding the quality and content of the films that were created in 1960's and later, he said that this era was a golden age for Indian cinema but today too there are people who do good work and those who don't.

"Creative people and the creativity was there before as well. Then also there were people doing good work and people doing

making more women-centric films. And while the audience is accepting well, then why should I do controversy. But jokes apart, I did 'The Weekend' because the audience is liking those films. Things are changing. So why not do something better?"

The 'Nasha' actress who made headlines for saying that she would strip if India won the 2011 Cricket World Cup, admits it was all a strategy to get work in films.

"People give 200 auditions out there, I've seen it. I just chose the shortcut. People ask me why I do all these things. I say to them it's my decision what to do and I am happy with what I do."

About her film, Poonam said, "It's not a porn film. It is a full-fledged film in terms of acting and content. Though you may think if Poonam Pandey has done it, but it is a complete film."

Directed by Aryan Singh, the horror short film has been coproduced by Poonam with Suresh Nakum under the banner The World Networks.

'The Weekend' is set to release on September 24.