Sunday,oct 18,2015

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GOOD NEWS The Eastern Today in Khonsa For Your Copy: HAKHUN DIAGNOSTICS

Bank Colony, Khonsa Contact :

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dress to party workers, Sonowal informed that the Modi government was giving special emphasis to the North Eastern states including Arunachal Pradesh and that communication sector was being given priority. He urged the BJP members to continue working to build a strong party base. The district unit Bharatiya Janata Party submit-

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Empower yourself to fight racial discrimination: Roshni Rai

ET Correspondent Itanagar, Oct 17

The All Nyishi Youth Association (ANYA) has announced a 12-hour (5 am to 5 pm) bandh call on 19th Octo○

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Security forces step up operations against Ulfa (I) in Charaideo

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Governor of Assam and Nagaland, PB Acharya has conveyed his greetings to Contd. on Page 3 ○

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sneaked into the sub division with orders from the outfit’s military chief self styled Maj. Gen. Paresh Barua. Sources in the police said that a six member fresh trained group of

ET Correspondent Sonari, Oct 17

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ET Correspondent Guwahati, Oct 17

The army and police have stepped up counter insurgency operations against the Ulfa (I) after receiving an input that a group of Ulfa cadres have

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Many sensitive and vital issues unresolved in Passport Rules, 1950 and Foreigners’ Order 1948: Assam CM ET Correspondent Guwahati, Oct 17

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Governor of Assam and Nagaland, PB Acharya will be presenting the best Tulsi plantation awards to the first three best tulsi plantation and ‘Bheti’ (Platform) preparation awards at Raj Bhavan, Durbar Hall on 27th October, 2015 at 3-00 pm. The awards, instituted by the

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Hon’ble Governor himself, named after Yoga Guru, Saint Patanjali; Astronomer and Scientist, Aryabhatta and Ayurvedic Surgeon, Sushruta carrying cash prizes of Rs. 5, 000, Rs. 3, 000/- and Rs. 2, 000/- for first, second and third best tulsi plantations respectively will be presented to the three best tulsi plantation and

ET Correspondent Guwahati, Oct 17

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Assam, Nagaland Governor extends Kati Bihu greetings

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PB Acharya to present best Tulsi plantation awards

STEP BY STEP

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From the Mountain to the Ocean-Run with Roshni, a book by Roshni Rai – the Indian Gorkha international ultra-marathon runner, was launched on Saturday at Gauhati Press Club in Guwahati. The book was released by Anshu Jamsenpa, a mother of two and only Indian woman who scaled the Mount Everest thrice and Pomi Baruah, Officer on Special Duty to the Chief Minister,

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Six persons from two families died in a tragic crash while another was critically injured when the car in which the families were travelling had a head on collision with a day super bus at around 1.30 pm today. Sources said that the Nissan Micra car in which

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Govt of Assam, in a function organized by Gorkha Youth of Guwahati (GYG) and Mantraa Media & Events. Addressing the gathering Rai said, “I have chosen sports i.e marathon as the medium to air my voice against racial discrimination, which people of the Northeast often face in the mainland India. I feel, by and large, I have been quite successful. I am delighted to be here in this beautiful and holy city of Guwahati and thank the

ET Bureau Guwahati, Oct 17

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ber, 2015 as a mark of protest against the silence of the Govt. with regard to fulfilling their charter of demands. ANYA President Biri Kakum said that the association is ready for talks with the State Govt. but the former have never given them a call despite their repetitive memorandums submitted. The main point of their demand is immediate scrapping of the installation of prepaid meters in Itanagar and Naharlagun, followed by

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ET Correspondent Nagaon, Oct 17

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ANYA calls 12-hr bandh on 19 Oct

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and seeking sanction of funds.

In this regard too the minister has assured to do the needful.

Though Minister Sonowal did not comment but his visit at a time when the state government is in turmoil because of dissident activities assumes significance, said a senior leader without wanting to be named. The minister had actually halted the previous night in Mahadevpur.

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The Union Minister of State (Independent charge) Sports and Youth Affairs, Sarbananda Sonowal today visited Namsai and held an interactive session with the BJP district office bearers and party members.

The brief visit was hosted at the Namsai Town Club. In his ad-

ted a one point memorandum to the visiting minister for a sports complex at Namsai with an estimated cost of twenty crore rupees. Sonowal has assured to look into the matter on priority. Taking the opportunity of the minister's visit, a local NGO, ACHEW Society also submitted another memorandum with a proposal for holding a youth festival at Namsai

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Tragic road mishap at Burapahar, 6 dead, 1 injured

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Indrajit Tingwa Namsai, Oct 17

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MoS Sonowal visits Namsai

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Poonch: Large cache of weapons recovered Poonch, Oct. 17: The Special Operations Group (SOG) of the district Police on Saturday, recovered large quantities of arms and ammunition from a major terrorist hideout in Mandi Chaprian area of Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir.

The hoard recovered included some Pakistan-made pistols and 20 kilograms of RDX. (ANI)

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Biker dead Golaghat, Oct 17: A young man died today in an accident at Padumani in Golaghat. The youth identified as Mridupawan Hazarika (24) from Sagar Gaon in Dergaon was on his way to home from Golaghat on his motorbike bearing no. AS05-E-3012. He was hit by a speeding bus bearing no. AS05-B-5309 and killed him on the spot. The bus had lost control while it collided with Mridupawan's bike and later it rammed into a residence breaking the wall. The driver of the bus fled from the spot.

(Correspondent)

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ET CAPSULES

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The 108 feet Durga Idol at Deshapriya Park Puja Committee Workshop in South Kolkata which has all ready entered into the Limca Book of records. The idol is made by Cement Manufacturing Company Ltd. owner of Star Cement.

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“The manner in which the Central Government tried to have some sort of a control over the judiciary by trying to replace the collegium system is not in consonance with the spirit of our democratic polity. The legislature, the executive and the judiciary have to go together for a healthy democracy and that is the cardinal principle of our Constitution,”

Contd. on Page 4

Pages- 12

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As the countdown to Durga Puja begins, the eastern most district Tinsukia is all set to get coloured in the mood of festival. According to sources, the arrangement for Durga Puja are in full swing and the celebrations are expected to include different types of themes this year to attract the devotees.

Out of scores of durga puja pandals, the one with the theme of a snake conceived by Deviphukri Durga Puja committe at Deviphukri is the buzz of the town this year. To give it a different concept, artist has made a 400 feet snake and devotees will have to pass through this cave type snake

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Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said that the legislature, the executive and the judiciary, the three main organs of the State, have to work in tandem for a strong and healthy democracy. In the light of the Supreme Court judgement declaring the constitution of the National Judicial Appointment Commission as ‘unconstitutional and void’ thus restoring the collegium system for appointment of judges to the higher judiciary,

to see Maa Durga idol and take her blessing.

Like every year, this year also New Tinsukia Durga Puja committe is coming up with an unique concept at new Tinsukia railway station compound. According to the secretary of New Tinsukia Durga Puja committe secretary Pawan Kariwala they have come up with a pineapple shape pandal inside which Maa Durga idol will be placed.

The artist have used plug sand and colour to give interiors a different look, he he added.

Kariwala said that rhe lighting given to it is such that from a far distance it seems as a tall Pineapple is kept. It is important to mention that off late New Tinsukia Durga Puja has become a favourite.

Contd. on Page 4

Spl Correspondent Tinsukia, oct 17

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Chief Minister Gogoi said the independence of the judiciary has to be maintained to ensure justice, uphold the fundamental rights of the people and remove the inequities from which the anti-democratic forces derive their sustenance.

“The manner in which the Central Government tried to have some sort of a control over the judiciary by trying to replace the collegium system is not in consonance with the spirit of our democratic polity.

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Snake shape pandal buzz SO BIG, REALLY...

Tinsukia this Durga puja, preparations in full swing

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Independence of judiciary must be maintained to ensure justice: Tarun Gogoi ET Correspondent Guwahati, Oct 17

Price -

Dibrugarh, Sunday, October 18, 2015

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Issue 136

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Vol. 1

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08730849369/ 08471896580/ 03736-222269

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Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India amended the Passport (Entry into India) Rules, 1950 and Foreigners’ Order 1948 in a haste leaving many sensitive and vital issues unresolved thus further compounding the vexed foreigners’ problem in Assam. In a

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statement here today, Chief Minister Gogoi said though the Government of India has amended the Passport (Entry into India) Rules, 1950 and the Foreigners’ Order 1948 through a notification on September 7, 2015 by exempting persons belonging to minority community in Bangladesh or Pakistan who have been compelled to seek shelter in India due to religious persecution or fear of religious persecution and entered into India on or

before December 31, 2014, it did not mention specifically about their acquiring Indian citizenship. “The amendments have sought to provide relaxation for certain class of foreigners and for their stay in India. It did not mention anything about their acquiring Indian citizenship. It is not clear what kind of link is there, if any, with the Citizenship Act, Contd. on Page 3

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ISIS claims responsibility for attack on Shia prayer hall Models walk the ramp during cultural programme at the ongoing North East Festival at Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts in New Delhi. Pic - UB Photos

Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for killing five people in a Shia prayer hall in Saudi Arabia.

According to The Independent, a group name "Bahrain Province", a branch of Isis in the country posted a statement online after the attack, claiming responsibility of the attack.

In the statement, it named ○

12.5% rise in Reliance net profit New Delhi, Oct 17

Backed by strong performance of its refining and petrochemicals business, Reliance Industries (RIL) reported consolidated net profit rose 12.5 per cent to Rs.6,

cmyk

Contd. on Page 4

PROFITABLY GOING STRONG ØRIL reported consolidated net profit rose 12.5 per cent to Rs.6,720 crore in the quarter ended September 30, from Rs.5,972 crore in the same period last year despite a 34 per cent fall in sales. Ø Reliance Retail achieved a

milestone of Rs.5,000 crore quarterly turnover mark for the first time, reflecting continuing growth momentum in physical retailing.

ØDuring the period, RIL’s sales declined to Rs.75,117 crore from Rs.1,13,396 crore a year earlier, tracking the fall in global crude oil prices.

ØThe company achieved a gross

refining margin (GRM) of $10.6/ bbl, the highest in seven years, as compared with $8.3/bbl in the same period last year.

ØThe company’s Jamnagar refineries witnessed average utilisation of 110 per cent reflecting rising global oil demand, which is expected to grow at 1.8 million barrels a day in 2015 as compared with 0.8 million barrels a day last year.

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the gunman as Shuja al-Dosari and said that he used a Kalashnikov rifle to attack worshippers as "they finished their polytheist rituals.”

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Shahlang people face extortion demands from militant groups ET Correspondent Shillong, Oct 17

People of Shahlang area under the West Khasi Hills District are reeling under fear psychosis due to threat of militant outfits operating in the

area. The area is famous for rich coal belt where hundreds of coal laden trucks used to ply for transporting coal to Bangladesh and even to Assam.

Contd. on Page 3

cmyk

London, Oct. 17 ANI

PAGE 2

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18

ISIS claims responsibility for attack on Shia prayer hall London, Oct 17: Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for killing five people in a Shia prayer hall in Saudi Arabia.

According to The Independent, a group name "Bahrain Province", a branch of Isis in the country posted a statement online after the attack, claiming responsibility of the attack. In the statement, it named the gunman as Shuja al-Dosari and said that he used a Kalashnikov rifle to attack worshippers as "they finished their polytheist rituals." The gunman which killed five people was later shot dead by police in a gunbattle in Saihat which left nine other people injured. The Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry in a statement

though has declined to comment on the likely motives or identity of the gunman. Bahrain Provinces has appeared as the third ISIS branch in the Arabian Peninsula this year. The other two branches have earlier claimed responsibility for various attacks on Shiites and security forces whichoverall killed 70 people. The Friday's attack has come two days after the start of the Ashura commemorations, one of the holiest dates in the calendar for Shia Muslims. According to an eyewitness, the gunman randomly started shooting at people present in the Shia hall. Seven people were killed during Ashura last year by gunmen in the town of al-Dalwa. (agencies)

ASTRO FOR YOU Since you want to examine things and carry out some research, you will get all the required equipment ready today. You will also be very irritable, and anyone posing a hurdle will face your wrath. Be more caring and considerate about the needs of your near and dear ones.

An Awareness rally being taken out under the banner of "Poriskar aaru Xeuj Asom Sojagota Saptah" to generate public awareness for green and clean Assam. Pic - Arjun Mishra

Bihar polls: BJP mocks 'unstable' Mahagathbandhan Patna, Oct 17: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday questioned Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on his allegiance to the Mahagathbandhan (Grand) alliance, and accused him of playing dirty politics with the people of the state for his own nefarious gains. They also highlighted the 'rampant instability' within the Mahagathbandhan. "The common man understands that the Mahagathbandhan can't work together. They can't work in unison ever for a single day. In the morning, its cooperation followed by operation, then comes separation in the evening, and finally, depression at night. You have seen this JD-U pattern before," Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu told reporters here.

He expressed confidence in the people of Bihar, saying

they had already made up their mind to chose the BJP, as they wanted both development and progress.

"People want to see the beautiful vision of Sonia ji, Lalu ji, Nitish ji and Rahul ji sharing the stage together for their campaign. This is the same Congress that imprisoned Nitsh and Lalu in jail and the same Nitish who fought with Lalu over the fodder scam," Naidu said. Reflecting Naidu's thoughts, Union Communication and Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad stressed on Nitish's first priority being to always ensure his own gains, without thinking about the damages he was leaving behind. "First, he made the Samta Party.

Then, he came into the NDA and became the CM with BJP's support, and later, because of his hatred towards Modi ji, he fell into

the lap of Lalu Yadav. So clearly, Nitish has been fooling the people of Bihar for his own nefarious needs," Prasad told reporters here. Escalating the war of words, Nitish had earlier today attacked Prime Minister Modi over the drop in Indian exports for 10 straight months, saying that instead of promising 'Acche Din', the return of 'Purane Din' (Old days) would be

appreciated. The campaigning in the Bihar polls so far, has witnessed the BJP highlighting the mahagathbadhan's failure to bring their leaders together to share a dais and the grand alliance in return, has been pointing out the NDA Government's failure to curb communal tension in parts of the country. (Agencies)

"The common man understands that the Mahagathbandhan can't work together.

They can't work in unison ever for a single day. In the morning, its cooperation followed by operation, then comes separation in the evening, and finally, depression at night. You have seen this JD-U pattern before," Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu told reporters here.

School girl commits suicide after being harassed by three men Noida, Oct. 17: A class 11 girl student on Thursday committed suicide by hanging herself after she was allegedly stalked and harassed by three men."The girl complained about harassment in phase- 3 police station where an FIR was registered under Section 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty). We have recovered a suicide note from the bag of the deceased in which she has mentioned about being harassed,"Dinesh Yadav, ACP city told ANI here.

The family members of the deceased girl however alleged that the police didn't act on their complaint earlier, when the girl had written a suicide note a few days stating that she was very disturbed. "We went to police late at night but they didn't initiate any action against the accused," brother of victim said. (ANI)

Taliban GHADC's new CEM, Conrad Sangma vows to escalate attack on US troops in Afghanistan Karachi, Oct.17 : Two days after US President Barack Obama announced to keep the American troops till 2017 in Afghanistan, the Taliban has urged its fighters to carry out intense attacks on American targets in the war-torn country.In a statement released in Pashto by its leadership council, Taliban urged their fighters to plan out attacks to particularly hit American installations.The US decision neither ends in the favour of Afghanistan nor will it stop the Taliban's 'jihad' (holy war) against occupation forces in the country, the statement added.It also asserted that America will never stop invading the country and they are making false promises to mislead the people of Afghanistan.The US Government had earlier announced to delay the withdrawal of their troops from Afghanistan and maintain its presence in the country till 2017.The decision was welcomed by the Afghanistan officials as they said it showed commitment and honesty of their international partners to fight insurgency. (ANI)

Tura, Oct 17: In the biggest political surprise in the history of Garo Hills, the majority party in the GHADC, the National People's Party (NPP) has selected Purno A Sangma's younger son Conrad K Sangma, an unelected MDC, to head the new executive committee as the Chief Executive Member (CEM).

The former MLA of Selsella and previously leader of the opposition in the State Assembly, was elected head of the new Garo Hills Progressive Alliance comprising of 17 MDCs. The GHADC has 29 elected members and one MDC is nominated by the ruling side. Conrad is expected

to fill that gap. "It was a unanimous decision by the ten NPP MDCs to select Conrad as the new CEM to take over the GHADC," said elder brother and Dadenggre MLA James Pangsang K Sangma while announcing the name of the new council chief on Friday night. Conrad K Sangma, a former power minister in the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance government of Donkupar Roy in 2008-2009, represented Selsella in West Garo Hills. He was defeated in the 2013 assembly polls by Clement Marak of the Congress.

Nephew of P.A. Sangma and two-time MDC from Nogorpara, Boston Ch Marak,

was unanimously elected by the NPP legislative party to be the new GHADC Chairman.

Purno's party stakes claim to form new EC The Nationalist People's Party (NPP) is all set to stake claim to form the new executive committee in the GHADC following the formation of the Garo Hills Progressive Alliance with 17 MDCs on Friday afternoon. The alliance comprises of 10 NPP members, three from Garo National Council (GNC), one from the BJP and three Independents. The Independent MDCs who have joined the NPP led alliance are Mark Goera B Marak (Batabari), Kurosh M Marak

(Barengapara) and Devier M Sangma (Gasuapara). Another Independent MDC representing Balachanda, Sofior Rahman, also arrived at P.A. Sangma's house during the press meet. The three GNC MDCs who are in the alliance are Augustine R Marak (Silkigre), Wenison Ch Marak (Rongrikimgre) and Jinbirth Marak (Amongpara). Triumphant BJP MDC from Zikzak, Bhupendra B Hajong, has also joined the alliance which was formed on Friday after a meeting at the residence of P.A. Sangma in Walbakgre locality of Tura.

(Agencies)

List of hospitals in Dibrugarh with contact details & phone numbers, Assam Aditya Diagnostics & Hospitals Bordoloi Avenue, Paltan Bazar, Dibrugarh - 786005 Phone Numbers: 0373 - 2302219, 2302225

G M Hospital

Shrishti Hospital & Research Centre Paltan Bazar, Dibrugarh - 786 005 Phone: 0373 - 2300024, 2302099

AMC Road, Jalan Nagar Dibrugarh - 786 005

Archana Trauma & Orthopaedics Hospital

Brahmaputra Diagnostics & Hospital

Paltan Bazar, Dibrugarh - 786 005 Phone: 0373 - 2302100, 2302099

Near Indian AirLines City Office Paltan Bazar Dibrugarh - 786 005 Phone Numbers: 0373 - 2303476

Assam Medical College

Marwari Arogya Bhawan Hospital Paltan Bazar, Dibrugarh Phone: 0373 - 2302872, 2302051

Graham Bazar, A.T. Road Dibrugarh Phone: 0373 - 2322547

Jalan Nagar, Dibrugarh - 786 002 List of Phones numbers: Emergency Room : 0373 - 2300627 Labour Room: 0373 - 2300022 Drug Deaddiction Centre: 0373 - 2302952 Community Medicine: 0373 - 2302994 RIA Centre: 0373 - 2302093

Sanjivani Diagnostic & Hospital

Dr. Pawan Bajaj's Skin Clinic

Aastha Hospital

Paltan Bazar, Dibrugarh Phone: 0373 - 2303448, 2303458, 2301904

Sankardev Hospital Mancotta Road, Chowkidinghee Dibrugarh Phone: 0373 - 2327717, 2327715, 2326960

Paltan Bazar, Opposite Aditya Hospital Dibrugarh

Dr Damani's Nursing Home Near Circuit House, Dibrugarh Phone: 0373 - 2300928, 2302873

You will find it difficult to keep up appearances. Be prepared. Situations are likely to bring out your inner feelings, your true nature. If someone crosses or confronts you will neither take it lying down, nor be inclined to forget and forgive. Maintain your composure and don’t allow anyone to hassle or provoke you. Later, you will get out of this mood and remain cheerful and lively for the rest of the day.

Your heightened sensitivity could be the cause of many a problem today. You need to curb your emotions and keep your feelings in check. You will pay attention to your family and spend more time with them. An auspicious and progressive day awaits you, so make the most of it.

The stars look fiery today. Now what does that imply? There is a definite possibility of conflicts and an outburst of anger at your workplace. Try to steer clear of arguments and sticky situations as far as possible. You may also need to get your blood pressure checked, for you may feel too restless. Try your hand in adventurous or creative activities like trekking or painting. This will soothe your ruffled feathers.

While the schedule you have planned for today will see some major changes, you will still stick by your decisions resolutely. If you suspect anyone of wrongdoing, now is the time to clear your misgivings. The day may start off on a tense note but by evening, things will be peaceful and calm.

Today you will serve to be an example of sincerity and punctuality. However, the operative word should be: Caution. Pay heed to even the smallest of details and read between the lines when it boils down to contracts. Precaution is better than regretting later.

Today you should think before spending your money because you know and understand the importance of money. You will not hesitate to spend money on family members and on entertainment. You will be able to meet like-minded people with whom you will be able to share your experiences and knowledge. This is a very good day to start a new scheme or to turn over a new leaf in life.

Today, you may think with your brain and not with your heart. As a result, your decisions are likely to be practical and reasonable. Be careful while conversing with your seniors, as there are chances of you being misunderstood. When it comes to relationships, communication is the base of it. Express your feelings freely to your beloved.

Fuel those tanks and propel yourself today to meet your targets today. On the business front, the fast buck that you expected might just not materialise. Expect to sail into rough seas in the love journey. Play the wait-and-watch game in matters of the heart.

Love is in the air for you, today. You will take your sweetheart out for a romantic dinner, shopping or anything of that sort and pamper him/her to the hilt. But, don’t spend like a sailor as you have limited sources of income. Busy in social gatherings and parties, you will make a mark on everyone’s mind with your wit and humour.

What you have been trying to hide in the corner of your heart, may come to the fore today. At work, you will be more patient and calm. Everyone will notice this change in you. Your friends and family members will also be surprised to see a different side of your personality.

You are likely to embark on a picnic or travel today, or will be busy planning for the same. You will not be able to concentrate on your work till noon, but later on you will find yourself making excellent progress. You will be able to meet all your deadlines and hence will be able to implement your plans for travel.

PRASAR BHARATI (India's Public Service Broadcaster) ALL INDIA RADIO : DIBRUGARH (M.W.529.1m/KHz567 F.M. 101.30 MHz) Phone No.-03732325456 E-mail -dibrugarh@air.org.in Facebook Page-All India Radio Dibrugarh Programme Highlights

18-10-15 (SUNDAY) 6-10 A.M-Swasthya Charcha (Health Programme) 6-30 A.M-Sponsored Programme-"Sojai Tooloo Jeewanar Path" 7-15 A.M-Aajir Dinto (Morning Information Service) 7-30 A.M-Geetanjali(Assamese Modern Song) 8-35 A.M-Surar Panchoi(Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 9-00 A.M- Antara(Composite Programme of Hindi Film Songs) 9-20 A.M-Seuji Chora-1.Lokageet by Banajit Rajbongshi,2.Borgeet by Shyamalima Das 1-10 P.M-Gharjeuti (Women's Programme)-"Utshavar Dinor Saundarya Charcha Aaru Saaj-Sojja"-A Dialogue with Utpola Baruah 2-30 P.M-Western Music Programme 3-45 P.M-Programme in Miju Mishmi 4-05 P.M-Programme in Khamti 4-25 P.M-Programme in Wancho 5-00 P.M-Programme in Idu 5-20 P.M-Programme in Tangsa 5-40 P.M-Programme in Nocte 6-15 P.M-Gonya Raijor Anusthan 7-15 P.M-Chah Chramikar Aasor 7-45 P.M-Juye Poora Soon 8-00 P.M-Ekalabya (Sponsored Programme of KKHSOU) 8-30 P.M-SAARC News Bulletin 9-30 PM-Bhaona-"Parijat Haran" Sd-/H.O.P

PAGE 3

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18

Global handwashing day observed Pasighat, Oct 17: Joining the rest of the world in a campaign to motivate and mobilize people of Bodak village under Mebo Subdivision to improve handwashing habits, a workshop was organized by the AE cum nodal officer PHED and WS, Pasighat Division Kaling Taki on Thursday under active supervision Executive Engineer Bimal Welly to mark the “Global Handwashing Day”.

Participating in the workshop, Chief Engineer (Sanitation) Er. T Ketan said handwashing is the

most effective and inexpensive way to prevent diseases that claim millions lives in the world. He stressed on the importance of “raise a hand for hygiene” and stated that hand washing is one of the basic steps to prevent diseases. He emphasized some basic steps to wash hands with soap before and after food and whenever our hands are dirty. He advised the departmental engineers to conduct more awareness campaigns under Swachch Bharat Mission to sensitize the people.

Earlier, in his keynote address Executive Engineer Welly said according to official sources, due to unsanitary conditions thousands of children in India die every day due to diarrhea and pneumonia alone.

These are preventable if one has good sanitary habits like washing hands with soap, Welly asserted and further opined that sanitation is not only a health issue but an environmental issue at large and encouraged the people to create awareness about it.

(DIPRO)

AASAA demands ST status for Adivasi ET Correspondent Lakhimpur, Oct 17: All Adivasi Students’ Association of Assam (AASAA), the Lakhimpur District Committee yesterday submitted a memorandum to the President of India demanding the inclusion of Adivasis of Assam in the list of scheduled tribes (ST) through the Deputy Commissioner of Lakhimpur. In the memorandum, the organization stated that the Adivasis of Assam comprise of Santhal, Mundas, Oraons, Kharias, Gonds, Pans, Prajas, Bheels, Koyas, Bhumij, Ho, Kissans, Paharias, Lohars, and dozens of other tribes and less than half of whom are working in tea gardens while the rest are engaged in agriculture. But here they are branded as Tea and Ex-Tea Garden Tribes.

This branding is said to have done irreparable damage to their community’s culture, tradition, language

and economy. Moreover, the organization says that the Adivasis of Assam are an indispensable part of the greater Assamese society.

Though, their economic contribution to the states exchequer is huge and undeniable but sadly the Adivasi are the most backward community in the state and lagging behind in all development parameters, the students’ association said. For decades and time and again they have placed their demands before the Government of Assam and the Union Government for the overall development of their community. But their demands have been denied while no effort is being made by the Government to bring them in the larger framework and main streamline of development, it is alleged. By being deprived of scheduled tribe status the Adivasis are being deprived of their tribal Identity, their

constitutional rights, their all round development, the student body stated. The AASAA has taken a resolution on its 12th Adivasi Mahasabha at Kokrajhar on 4th October, 2015 and on 12th October at its Central Executive Meeting at Dhekiajuli of Sonitpur that if Government fails in the consideration of their demand within the following 10 days it will initiate bike cum cycle rally on 27th October, 2015 and a mass gathering for Dharna at District Headquarters on 5th November, 2015 in addition to a series of agitations including boycott of celebrations of the Independence and Republic Days of India. President Godwin Hemrom, Secretary David Soymorum, Edn Secretary Binod Dhan, Cultural Secretary Patric Dorka, Advisor Bimal Sandiguria and Publicity Secretary Nuel Sandiguria submitted the memorandum to the DC.

Assam: Woman gangraped, husband beaten by 7 person, three arrested

Administrative outreach camp: A huge success Khonsa, Oct 17: An administrative outreach camp was conducted by the Tirap district administration in close coordination with other government departments on 17th October at Old Tupi Tupi village.

The main objective of the administrative camp was to take administration to the doorsteps of the people and enable the villagers to avail all facilities without going to Khonsa thereby wasting their valuable time and money. During the one-day outreach camp the government departments facilitated the villagers to avail STC, PRC, I-Card, Adhar Card, Driving License, free medical check-up with free medicines, medical assessment of handicapped persons, plans and programmes related to education and so and so forth.

All the departments actively participated in the camp. The SSA distributed blind stick, elbow clutch, hearing aid to the children from 1–14 years free of cost. The Agriculture and Horticulture departments provided tools, appliances, seeds and medicines to the

PB Acharya to present best Tulsi plantation awards Contd. from Page 1

‘Bheti’ (Platform) preparation winners of the Tulsi Plantation Contest organised by “Aashray”, a Nature Organisation of Dergaon on the occasion of Kati Bihu on 18th October, 2015. Besides the cash awards, the winners will also be presented with Certificates of Honour.

The objective of the pre-

last evening when her husband was severely beaten and the woman taken to a nearby jungle where she was repeatedly raped by the seven persons last night, Kamrup (Rural) Superintendent of Police Indrani Barua said. An FIR was filed with the police who arrested three of the accused, including a relative, while a search operation has been launched to nab the

remaining four who are absconding. Those arrested include Pankaj Das, the woman's relative, Tilak Das and Nareshwar Das while the absconding have been identified as Sonmoni Das, Prabhat Das, Satish Das and Dipak Das. The condition of the woman was stated to be critical and she has been shifted to Guwahati Medical College Hospital.

Night curfew along IndoMyanmar border in Manipur ET Correspondent Imphal, Oct 17: Night curfew has been imposed along 380 Km Indo-Myanmar border in Ukhrul, Chandel and Churachandpur districts in Manipur for six months following a request made by Indian Army and Assam Rifles authorities. The magistrates of the three districts issued separate orders in their re-

spective districts prohibiting movement of any person within 3 km belt from the international border, government officials said. The curfew would be in force from 5 pm to 5 am, the officials said.

Army and Assam Rifles deployed along the international border in Manipur are maintaing strict vigil to check night movement, they

said. Myanmar government had signed the ceasefire accord with eight out of 15 ethnic armed groups involved in the peace deal on Thursday, signalling an end to nearly six decades of civil conflict in that country. The impact of the ceasefire in Myanmar might have effect on the porous Indian border, the sources said.

Security forces step up operations against Ulfa (I) in Charaideo Contd. from Page 1

Ulfa cadres have entered the sub division through the Assam – Nagaland – Arunachal Pradesh tri-junction after crossing over the international border from Myanmar. The group had received arms training while staying in the Ulfa and NSCN (K) camps in

Myanmar, the sources said. Although, the police and the army are properly not sure about the intent of the group, it is speculated that the group might have come to strengthen the outfit’s base and also to carry out extortion.

The news of entry of the Ulfa group has become a matter of worry for the security forces. Despite carrying out several

rounds of counter insurgency operations the security forces have so far failed to track the group’s members. Meanwhile, the Charaideo sub divisional administration as a security measure has instructed all Durga puja committees to install Closed Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) to monitor the crowd presence in the pandals during the puja.

sentation of the awards is to make the people aware about tulsi and our other medicinal plants and herbs which are our precious wealth and encourage the people to cultivate, preserve and conserve them for promotion of better ecology, environment and good health.

The winning contestants are requested to be present at the Raj Bhavan, Durbar Hall on 27th by 2.30 pm.

ISIS claims responsibility for attack on Shia prayer hall Contd. from Page 1

ET Correspondent Rangiya, Oct 17: A newly-married woman has allegedly been gangraped and her husband severely beaten up by seven persons in Assam's Kamrup district, police said on Friday. A woman, hailing from neighbouring Baksa district, came with her husband to visit a relative in Kekenikuchi area of Kamrup (Rural) district

farmers free of cost. The DRDA organised awareness on IEC including IAY and NREGA in local dialects. The Khonsa and Dadam CD Blocks issued Income Certificates and created awareness on various schemes under the two blocks. Biometric Enrolment of 46 persons was done on the spot for Adhar.

Two BME Kits were deployed at the camp itself.

They catered to the left out

The gunman which killed five people was later shot dead by police in a gunbattle in Saihat which left nine other people injured.

The Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry in a statement though has declined to comment on the likely motives or identity of the gunman.

Bahrain Provinces has appeared as the third ISIS branch in the Arabian Peninsula this year.

The other two branches have earlier claimed responsibility

for various attacks on Shiites and security forces which overall killed 70 people.

The Friday’s attack has come two days after the start of the Ashura commemorations, one of the holiest dates in the calendar for Shia Muslims.

According to an eyewitness, the gunman randomly started shooting at people present in the Shia hall.

Seven people were killed during Ashura last year by gunmen in the town of al-Dalwa.

Shahlang people face extortion demands from militant groups Contd. from Page 1

Several people living and those who are doing coal business in the area have expressed concern over the threat of militants. The worst factor being that the militant outfits did not spare even those engaged as daily labourers from their extortion demands.

“The militant outfits dropped demand note at our house and owing to fear and threat to life, we had to pay just to save our lives although we are only daily labourers”, said one aggrieved victim. People are fearful even to inform

the police as they would be targeted once police left the premises.

The acts of the militant outfits have conspicuously caused communal feelings between the Khasi and Garo communities residing in the area.

According to information, most of the militant outfits operating in the area belong to Garo tribes.

However, police failed to act since there is no complaint lodged.

In fact, the people of the area said that it is the duty of the law enforcers to protect people when they already know the presence of the militant outfits is rampant in the area.

population obviating the need to come to Khonsa as the district is facing problems due to lack of adequate number of kits.

The department of ICDS issued NSCP forms, disability certificates, old age pension certificates and widow welfare forms. The DD (ICDS) and her staff created awareness on different schemes implemented by the department. The department of civil supplies

conducted awareness on national food security. The department of Environment and Forest issued about 900 saplings of ornamental, fruit and medicinal plants. However, most of the villagers thronged the Jansuvidha counter which issued 272 ST certificates, 197 PRCs during the camp.

The Health department organised a medical camp wherein 270 patients were screened and distributed

free medicines. All 7 (seven) patients tested for malaria were found to be negative. The department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry distributed poultry feeds and medicines to the villagers and created awareness on rearing of animals and birds.

The administrative outreach camp was attended by about 700 villagers from 10 villages. The camp which was initiated by Tirap district Deputy Commissioner Ravi Jha was a huge success in terms of reaching out to the people. The villagers highly appreciated the district administration for the innovative and beneficial programme. The Chief of Old Tupi Newang Lowang thanked Deputy Commissioner for the out reach camp describing it as historic for the villagers of Ranglamja and Dadan area.

Earlier, the DC, while replying to the memorandum submitted by the villagers, assured to look into the grievances on priority. He thanked all the HoDs and the villagers for making the administrative outreach camp a grand success. (DIPRO)

ANYA calls 12-hr bandh on 19 Oct Contd. from Page 1

other demands including immediate creation of Kamle district and Pakke-Kessang district,

immediate construction of 4-lane highway from Itanagar to Banderdewa, immediate release of Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) fund with State matching share

among others. The President also said the agitation in the form of a bandh call will continue if the Govt. does not pay heed to their repeated demands.

Assam, Nagaland Governor extends Kati Bihu greetings Contd. from Page 1

the people of Assam on Kati Bihu. In a message he has said that, Kati Bihu is being celebrated throughout Assam on 18th October, 2015. Like the other two Bihus, Kati Bihu is also related to agriculture. This Bihu mainly has a pastoral as-

pect as it is mainly concerned with the activity of driving away or destroying the insects and pests that destroy the paddy in the paddy fields. It is celebrated mainly in the evening on the day of ‘Sankranti’ by lighting lamps or ‘Saakis’ in the paddy fields and also in households and various places to attract the insects

and pests so that they are destroyed by the flames of the lamps. In households, the lamps are lit up in front of Tulsi plants. The cultivators pray for the good health of their crops. This Bihu is also known as ‘Kongali’ Bihu. I convey my best wishes and greetings to all my Assamese brothers and sisters on the occasion of Kati Bihu.

Many sensitive and vital issues unresolved in Passport Rules, 1950 and Foreigners’ Order 1948: Assam CM Contd. from Page 1

1955 particularly Section 6-A of the Citizenship Act pertaining to citizenship of persons covered by the Assam Accord and the Citizenship Rule, 2003, the Foreigners’ Tribunal Order 1964 and Foreigners’ Tribunal for Assam Order 2006,” Gogoi said. Gogoi said the notification did not address on certain vital issues concerning foreigners who entered India before December 31, 2014 and have been detected as foreigners by the Foreigners’ Tribunals and lodged in detention centres or absconding. Seeking clarification on a number of important points from the MHA, Gogoi said, “In view of the amendments exempting specified categories of persons from the Foreigners’ Order 1946, what will be the status of the cases registered against such specified categories of persons in different Foreigners’ Tribunals of Assam?” The Chief Minister questioned about the status of the persons belonging to the specified categories exempted by the Government of India’s latest notification who have been declared foreigners by the Foreigners’ Tribunals and kept in the detention

centres. “If the persons of specified categories as exempted by the MHA notification and are currently lodged in detention centres have to be released, then what process will have to be adopted? The notification is vague on this,” he added. Currently there are 191 persons belonging to the specified exempted category lodged in the detention centres across the State. Gogoi further pointed out that the amendment notification did not say anything on the status of the specified exempted category of persons who have been absconding after being declared foreigners by the Tribunals. “The moot question is what will be the status of these persons who are absconding after declared foreigners by the tribunals? Will the police not go in for search and apprehension of the persons as is being usually done?” he said.

The Chief Minister said the amended notification did not mention anything as to what sort of legal process will have to be adopted with regard to the persons already tried and found as foreigners by the Foreigners’ Tribunals but belonging to the exempted categories.

“Will the burden of proof lie upon them to prove that they

belong to the exempted category? What about those persons who were tried and convicted by judicial court for violation of Passport Act 1967?” he queried. Gogoi said the amended notification carried out in a haste has come to the fore as several issues have been left unresolved vis-a-vis whether the specified categories of persons need to apply for exemption under Foreigners’ Act 1946, as provided by the amended notification; whether these persons need to prove they are victims of religious persecution or fear of religious persecution and if so, in what manner or what evidence; whether they have to register themselves as belonging to specified category as mentioned in the notification and if so by what process, under which authority and whether there shall be any means of identification or issue of Identity Card. The Chief Minister while asking the MHA to come out clear on these issues, queried as to whether the present notification would eventually lead to naturalization of the exempted categories of persons and enable them to acquire Indian citizenship as per Schedule III of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

PAGE 4

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18

Indian Economic Association's national seminar at Morigaon College Dalim Phukan Morigaon, Oct 17: A national seminar on 'Make in India and the Relevance of the Act East Policy: Issues and Challenges' will be held on November 27 and 28 at Morigaon College in association with Indian Economic Association under the sponsorship of ICSSR. The suggested sub themes are 'Genesis of make in India, its importance in present period', 'Make in India and the relevance of the act east policy', 'Make in India and the future of the indigenous industries', 'Make in

Peace committee meeting held ET Correspondent Golaghat, Oct 17: Ahead of the Durga Puja celebrations a peace committee meeting was today held at the Golaghat DC office in Golaghat. The peace committee meeting was presided over by DC Anarul Haque where the DIG (central range) Apurba Jeevan Baruah appealed to all the people to maintain peace and harmony during this festive season. He also suggested setting up of peace committees at the subdivision level. Also it was discussed in the meeting to install CCTV cameras at sensitive areas, to alert VDPs, to beef up security near religious spots and to deploy two homeguard jawans at each Puja Mandap. An emergency number was also announced by the administration to prevent any law and order situation during Puja celebrations.

The number is 03774 283282.

India and development of rural areas', Make in India and socio- economic development of the north east in the wake of act east policy', 'Make in India for reducing the regional disparities', 'Make in India and sustainable development with due concentration on act east policy', 'Make in India and removal of unutilization and under-utilization of natural resources of the north east region', 'Make in India and proper development of human resources, Act East Policy and North East Culture, its prospects', 'Make in India

and its impact on Gender Development', 'Make in India and Health Issues', and 'Make in India and the infrastructure of India and North East India'.

The maximum word limit of submissions invited is 3500 along with an abstract of 350 words stating the theme of the paper, contact address with phone number and e-mail addresses with institutional affiliation of the authors which must reach the seminar committee before November 15 at the address: Dr. Budhen Saikia, Head of the Department of

Economics, Morigaon College, Email: budhen35@rediffmail.com o r bksaikia123@gmail.com.

Young researchers are requested to submit and present their research works. The president of the organizing committee and the Principal Dr. L K Barthakur and the and organizing secretary Dr. B K Saikia request participation from academicians, researchers, government officers, NGO activists, research scholars and students.

A Staff Reporter

ing Committee, streamlining the entire system for boosting efficiency and fostering accountability, it was decided that the Managing Committee should be registered as a “Society” under the Societies Registration Act, XXI of 1860. Subsequently, after compliance of prescribed formalities, the Managing Committee of Shri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Dibrugarh has been registered as a Society under the Societ-

ies Registration Act, XXI of 1860 on 01-102015, vide Registration Certificate no. RS/DIB– 255/E/55 of 2015-2016 issued by the Registrar of Societies, Guwahati.

This organization shall be known as Shri Guru Singh Sabha Management Society (SGSSMS) with registered address Gurdwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha Campus, A.T. Road, Dibrugarh, PIN786001, Assam.

Chatra Mukti Sangram Samiti students take out a protest rally against on going anomalies in educational institutions at Dibrugarh on Dibrugarh. Pic - UB Photos

Assam BJP spokesperson Dibrugarhs' SGSSMS criticizes Margherita MLA now a registered society

Dibrugarh, Oct 17: The Managing Committee of Shri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Dibrugarh, Assam on the 23rd of August, 2015 had adopted a resolution to formalize the organizational structure of the management of Shri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Dibrugarh which was established in the year 1919. With the multiple objectives of granting legal status to the Manag-

ET Correspondent Margherita, Oct 17: Assam State BJP spokesperson Pabitra Margherita has slammed Margherita constituency MLA Pradyut Bordoloi who was earlier a powerful Cabinet Minister for alleged lack of development work within Margherita constituency.

Pabitra Margherita said that al-

District level conference and training programme for gaon burahs A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Oct 17: A daylong district level conference cum training session for gaon burahs from Dibrugarh district was held today at District Library Auditorium under the aegis of the Dibrugarh District Administration. Inaugurating the occasion the Deputy Commissioner, MS Manivannan said that the

gaon burah as a government functionary has a pivotal role to play at the grassroots level. He stated that their duties and responsibilities has increased to a great extent and called upon them to extend their services with sincerity and dedication. He also touched on the responsibility of gaon burah in the Village Level Land Management

and Conservation Committee (VLMCC), Relief and Disaster Management and other important revenue matters. Attending the occasion as resource persons, PK Das, Circle Officer, Tingkhong Revenue Circle, Ankur Bharali, Circle Officer, Moran Revenue Circle and D Hatikakoti, Project Officer, District Disaster Management Au-

thority explained at length about the role and responsibilities of gaon burahs, formation of VLMCC and role of gaon burahs in it and relief and disaster management and the role of gaon burahs respectively. The occasion was also attended by LN Gogoi, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Dibrugarh.

Kalam's birth anniversary Tragic road misobserved at Doomdooma hap at Burapahar, 6 dead, 1 injured Contd. from Page 1

ET Correspondent Doomdooma, Oct 17: Rich floral tributes were paid to former president Dr Abul Pakir Jainulabddin Abdul Kalam on his birth anniversary at Kordoiguri Girls' ME and High School under the guidance of its headmaster Pradip Moran. The programme which was held today marked the culmination of a month long com-

memorative function observed in the school. Senior journalist Dhiren Deka and Abhijit Khatniar, journalist of an English daily and headmaster of Learners' High School, graced the occasion and attended the event as guest speakers. A wall magazine titled "Amar Smaran" was released on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, Khataniar said

that Kalam's life was marked by simple living, perseverance and secular approach. He also put a few examples to show how teachers played an important role in shaping the life of Abdul Kalam. Dhiren Deka also spoke at length on the life and achievements of Dr Kalam. Pradip Moran, the headmaster of the school, presided over the meeting.

the two families were travelling rammed into the bus in full speed due to which all but one in the car died on the spot.

The deceased have been identified as Bikash Jain, 43, his son Aowa, 10, his daughter Googly, 5, Kailash Jain, 45, his wife Anita Jain, 32 and Abhishek Jain, 20.

Bikash’s wife Binita who is the lone survivor is undergoing treatment at the Guwahati Medical College and Hospitals (GMCH). Her condition

HSPDP sticks to demand of Article 371 implementation in the State ET Correspondent Shillong, Oct 17: The oldest regional party in Meghalaya the Hills State People Democratic Party (HSPDP) decided to keep up its demand for application of Article 371 in the State like other States of North East like Nagaland, Mizoram.

Though the party has remained silent on the issue of separate State for Khasi and Jaintia people, the newly elected president Mr. Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit said that the party would continue to demand implementation of Article 371 of the Constitution.

“Article 371 will provide no room for the Central government to intervene and inter-

fere with the laws enacted by the State government in matters related to their custom, practice and tradition, ownership of transfer of land and its resources, administration of and criminal justice involving decisions according to their customary law, religious or social practices,” he said during the general council meeting held here on Friday.

It may be recalled that the former HSPDP supremo late Hoping Stone Lyngdoh had been spearheading the movement for the demand of a separate Khasi-Jaintia State for the past many decades.

“We would want to discourage the consumption of to-

bacco in different forms. We are aware the use of tobacco causes several kinds of diseases,” Basaiawmoit added.

He said that the party would continue to pursue the issue for the early demarcation of the inter-State boundary with Assam.

“We are aware that the issue has been lingering for the past many decades. We would impress upon the State Government to find a solution to settle the problem of boundary dispute with Assam once and for all,” Basaiawmoit said.

“As new leader of the party, we would try our level best to guide the party to victory and form the Government after the 2018 election”, he

said.

In the meantime, the party is looking towards the byeelection in the lone Nongstoin Assembly constituency and also the byeelection in the two Autonomous District Councils (KHADC and JHADC).

Along with Mr Basaiawmoit, the newly elected members of the Central Executive Committee include KP Pangniang (vice president), Witting Mawsor (general secretary), Nolipstar Lyngdoh (joint secretary), Pyniaid Sing Syiem (State Youth party president) and Teilinia Thangkhiew (Party women wing president).

was stated to be critical.

“She was rushed to the Jalkalabandha FRU after which she was taken to Nagaon Civil Hospital and finally referred to GMCH”, a source said. A source said that Bikash who was driving the car hails from New Delhi and might have failed to negotiate the sharp edges and turnings at Burapahar due to which the accident might have taken place. “Moreover, the condition of the road is also bad in this stretch”, the source said.

though Pradyut Bordoloi was earlier Industry Minister of Assam, there are hardly any industries set up during his tenure except one which was set up near Dehing and that which belongs to Pradyut Bordoloi's family members. Pabitra Margherita said that many contracts were allocated to Pradyut Bordoloi's fellow Con-

gressmen only and hence thousands of unemployed youth of Margherita are running pole to post for jobs. If one visits the rural areas of Margherita constituency such as Buridehing Mauza, Kailashpur, Kenia Gaon, Ledo 2 No Mulang Gaon, Jagun Remote areas, Ledo Kuhiaarbari and others, one finds that roads,

electricity, water supply, schools, health centre facilities are lagging behind where the residents of these villages are deprived, said Pabitra Margherita. Now that the 2016 assembly elections of Assam are coming near, the Assam BJP spokesperson predicted that the people of Margherita constituency would seek change.

Independence of judiciary must be maintained to ensure justice: Tarun Gogoi Contd. from Page 1

The legislature, the executive and the judiciary have to go together for a healthy democracy and that is the cardinal principle of our Constitution,” said Gogoi. Gogoi also criticised the Central

Government for making attempts at saffronising education and culture with Hindutva ideology.

“The Central Government’s attempts at saffronising education and culture with Hindutva ideology are not in conformity with the Constitution’s cul-

tural diversity and pluralism.” In this context, the Chief Minister took a dig at the Governor of Assam for nominating RSS ideologues to the highest academic body, the Dibrugarh University court, which drew flak from different quarters.

Snake shape pandal buzz Tinsukia this Durga puja, preparations in full swing Contd. from Page 1

Off late, Chaliha Nagar durga puja has gaining popularity among devotees because of huge open space and food court.

This time, the committe is coming up with Mushroom shape pandal.

Lighting has always been

at its best by this committee. Other favourite includes Shree Durgeshwari durga puja near thanda ghar, shree nauphukri durga puja, shree nai durga puja near rani sati mandir, shree kalibari durga puja, shree durgabari durga puja and shree marwari durga

puja. Apart from puja pandals, eateries has always been a point of attraction in Tinsukia. To rope in devotees thronging one pandal to other most pandals offer food court apart from local restraus offering durga puja special.

Empower yourself to fight racial discrimination: Roshni Rai Contd. from Page 1

organizers Gorkha Youth of Guwahati and Avas Foundation for their support and Mantraa Group of Companies for arranging my book release function and sponsors for their wholesome support.” Replying to a question on Gorkhas of

Assam and Gorkhaland, Roshni Rai, an advocate by profession, said, “Darjeeling is the heart of the Gorkhas but Assam is the face of Gorkhas of the nation and Gorkhaland is not about Darjeeling alone, it is the aspiration of 10.5 million Gorkhas of this country out of which more than 30 lakhs

I am told are in Assam.”

From the Mountain to the Ocean-Run with Roshni is a story of the patriotic community Indian Gorkhas, who not only laid down lives for the nation but contributed in the nation building process demanding their Indian identity in India and statehood for a century now.

12.5% rise in Reliance net profit Contd. from Page 1

720 crore in the quarter ended September 30, from Rs.5,972 crore in the same period last year despite a 34 per cent fall in sales. During the period, RIL’s sales declined to Rs.75,117 crore from Rs.1,13,396 crore a year earlier, tracking the fall in global crude oil prices. “The decline in revenue was led by the 50.6 per cent year-on-year decline in benchmark (Brent) oil price,” the company said.

“We achieved record levels of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) and profits for the quarter, underscoring our ability to optimally utilise our assets across the value chain,”

Mukesh D. Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director, said in a statement.

“Refining business performance was notable, as it benefited from a combination of high utilisation levels, advantageous crude market opportunities and strong global fuels demand,” he added. While the performance of RIL’s exploration and production business was adversely impacted, its refineries, working overtime due to growth in the demand for gasoline and diesel, yielded satisfactory results. The company achieved a gross refining margin (GRM) of $10.6/ bbl, the highest in seven years, as compared with $8.3/bbl in the same period last year. The company’s Jamnagar refineries wit-

nessed average utilisation of 110 per cent reflecting rising global oil demand, which is expected to grow at 1.8 million barrels a day in 2015 as compared with 0.8 million barrels a day last year. RIL said its premium over Singapore complex margins widened to $4.3/bbl during the quarter, the highest level since early 2009. During the quarter the company’s KG-D6 field produced 0.39 mmbbl of crude oil and 37 BCF of natural gas, a reduction of 24 per cent and 9 per cent respectively. “The fall in oil and gas production was mainly on account of natural decline in the fields,” the company said. In the absence of viability and uncertainty involving the KG fields and pricing the

company is not making any additional investment in these fields, a senior official said. The U.S. shale gas operations of the company remained challenging due to overall macro environment, company officials said adding that during the quarter the company had made a provision for impairment of $637 million in shale gas assets held by Reliance Holdings USA. “Petrochemicals segment performance reflects strong volume growth, product mix improvement and lower energy costs,” Mr. Ambani said adding “Reliance Retail achieved a milestone of Rs.5,000 crore quarterly turnover mark for the first time, reflecting continuing growth momentum in physical retailing.” (Agencies)

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18

PAGE 5

REGION

Bihar voters defy Naxals, 55 percent turnout in second phase Patna, Oct 17: An estimated 55 percent of the electorate cast their votes in 32 constituencies across six Maoist-affected districts of Bihar on Friday in the second phase of assembly elections which passed off peacefully. Like the first phase on 12 October, Friday's polling also saw more women voters turning out than the menfolk.

Friday's polling figure is three percent higher than the 2010 assembly election in the state, Chief Electoral Officer Ajay V Nayak told reporters. While the women voters' turnout was 57.5 percent, it was 52.5 for men, Nayak, who was accompanied by Additional Chief Electoral Officer R Lakshmanan, said. The two officials said polling was more or less peaceful and there was no major untoward incident reported from

anywhere. Only in Maoisthit Gaya district, two IEDs were recovered by security personnel and defused. Senior BJP leader and former minister Prem Kumar (Gaya town), former state BJP chief Gopal Narayan Singh

Poll issues: Mamata to hold meeting post Puja

Kolkata, Oct 17: After Durga Puja, Trinamul Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee will hold a meeting with the party MPs, MLAs, recently elected councillors, district presidents, zilla shabhadhipatis and presidents of party's different frontal organisations as part of preparation for 2016 Assembly poll and likely to discuss on selection of candidates for next year poll.

Miss Banerjee had earlier declared that the Trinamul Congress would fight 2016 election alone without taking any "help or favour' from any party. "I only need blessings from the people,' the chief minister retorted.

But Miss Banerjee is carefully weighing the consequences of a possible attempt by the rebel and disgraced MP Mukul Roy to join the newly floated outfit - Nationalist Trinamul Congress. The NTC is actually the brainchild of Mr Roy but for tactical reasons he is maintaining a distance from it. But the way he participated in its programme to

launch the festive number of its organ has caused jitters in Trinamul. The party is worried that Mr Roy may quit the party before 2016 Assembly poll along with a sizeable section of party leaders and followers loyal to him. For this development, Miss Banerjee is likely to give a strong message to her own party men and asked them to be restrained, remain united and stand beside the masses. She would likely to caution her party leaders and workers that that she would not tolerate any indiscipline in the party. Party insiders said that Miss Banerjee may ask her party leaders that they should be prepared to fight every inch in the coming Assembly poll. Miss Banerjee would reportedly ask her party leaders and workers to challenge the "rainbow' coalition of CPIM, BJP and the Congress.

She earlier said," the BJP, CPI-M and Congress have no ideology and morality.

They have become irrelevant in Bengal and only resort to spreading canards against us," she said. A senior party leader said that she would put special thrust on her government's different development works and would reportedly ask all party leaders to go to block level and make people aware of the different development works of the government.

ICA-Press Club hold workshop on disaster management.

Agartala, Oct 16 : The department of information and cultural affairs (ICA) in association with Agartala Press Club today organised a day's workshop on disaster management for mediapersons. The programme was inaugurated by the minister for ICA Bhanulal Saha while Sushanta Dutta, deputy secretary PWD and Sarat Das programme officer of Tripura disaster management, acted as resource persons. Addressing the programme the ICA miister Bhanulal Saha laid stress on higher awareness among people about natural disasters and how to face them , appealing to media persons to play their role in raising the level of awareness among people. He attributed the

increasing number of natural disasters to climate change, environmental degradation and human follies. Saha also referred to man-made disasters like war and social instability, citing an anecdote about his experience in the Indo-Pak war of 1971 when he was a teacher in Sabroom subdivision. The department of ICA also treated the media persons and guests to a tea session and lunch besides offering gifts to all.

The workshop on sensitising the media persons ended at 5-00 in the evening. For press club the president Satyabrata Chakraborty moved the motion of thanks and expressed his thanks and gratitude on behalf of media persons to the ICA department for organising the work-shop. (Agencies)

(Nabinagar) and state minister Jay Kumar Singh (Dinara) are among those whose fate would be decided in this phase. Nayak said the two bombs weighed 12 kg and 10 kg and both were defused successfully

under Maigra police station of Imamganj constituency of Gaya district by CRPF personnel. While Kaimur recorded a maximum of 57.86 percent voting, Aurangabad saw the lowest turnout of 52.5 percent. A

total of 456 candidates, 32 out of whom being women, are in the fray in this phase.

Polling took place in 9,119 polling stations where security cover was provided by 993 companies (one company comprising of 100 personnel) of central paramilitary forces and the state police. Rohtas recorded 54.66 per cent turnout, Arwal 53.21 percent, Jehanabad 56.49 percent and Gaya 55.54 percent, election office sources said.

Nayak and Lakshmanan said 34 people were arrested during polling from different areas and a MUV and a motorcycle were impounded. A middle-aged voter and a CRPF personnel died of heart attacks in polling booths at Rafiganj and Imamganj. Nayak said a 104year-old woman exercised her franchise at booth number 205 at Bhabua in Kaimur

district. A cane bomb was found by the security personnel near a polling station located at Balar village in Kasma police station area under Rafiganj assembly constituency, Kasma police station SHO Sujit Kumar said. The bomb was later found to be a dud and filled with sand, he said. Meanwhile, former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, who is contesting from Imamganj constituency against Speaker Uday Narayan Choudhary, a JD(U) candidate and a five-term MLA from the seat, alleged that names of many scheduled caste voters have been removed from the voters' list.

After voting, Manjhi, who is also in the fray from Makhdumpur, claimed that NDA would emerge victorious and there was no question of his defeat. (Agencies)

BJP MP's brother arrested in attempt to murder case Korba, Oct 17: BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ranvijay Singh Judeo's younger brother, who was wanted in an attempt to murder case, has been arrested from the forests of Chhattisgarh's tribaldominated Jashpur district, police said on Friday. "Vikramaditya Singh Judeo was apprehended last night from a forested patch under Narayanpur police station limits of the district," Jashpur Superintendent of Police Girijashankar Jayaswal said. Vikramaditya, who belongs to erstwhile royal family of Jashpur, had ran over his SUV on a school director over a property dispute in Jashpur town on April 6 this year and was since then absconding. The school director, Barmeshwar Gupta, was seriously injured in the incident and was ad-

mitted at a hospital in Ranchi (Jharkhand). The accused and his two associates were booked under section 307 (attempt to murder) and other relevant sections of IPC in this connection. Besides, declaring him as "absconding", police had also announced Rs 5,000 reward for information leading to his arrest, the SP said. Acting on a tip-off about his arrival at Jashpur Palace to take part in a programme related to traditional Dussehra festival of Jashpur, a team of police raided the spot last evening.

Sensing the movement of the police personnel, Vikramaditya fled from palace leaving his vehicle there, the SP said.

However, security personnel arrested him after a chase from Bene v i l l a g e f o r e s t s , he added. (Agencies)

Forget 'Acche Din', just give us back 'Purane Din': Nitish to PM Modi New Delhi, Oct 17: Further fuelling the verbal war in the ongoing Bihar polls, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the drop in Indian exports for 10 straight months, saying that instead of promising 'Acche Din', the return of 'Purane Din' (Old days) would be appreciated. "The Indian export has hit an all time low this year after its decline for 10 months. Modi ji, forget Acche Din, just give us back our Purane Din," Nitish tweeted.

India's merchandise exports declined for the tenth straight month in September, by 24.3% to $21.84 billion compared to a year earlier, indicating weak global demand for the country's products. Imports also fell 25.4% to $32.33 billion in September, according to the official data released on Thursday. (Agencies)

Sister Valsa Joan murder case: 16 get life Pakur, Oct 17: A local court on Friday sentenced 16 persons to life imprisonment for killing social activist Sister Valsa Joan in Pakur district four years ago. District and Sessions Judge Omprakash Srivastav, which convicted them on October 13, delivered the sentence under Indian Penal Code sections 302/149. Sections 302/ 149 state that if an offence be committed by any member of an unlawful assembly, every other member of such assembly shall be guilty of the offence - life term). The court also found them guilty under various other IPC sections. The prison sentence will run concurrently. The convicted are: Saheb Ram Madaia, Jitan Bagchi, Bablu Murmu, Bablu Murmu (two persons of the same name), Jairam Marandi, Raju Murmu, Suresh Murmu, Paisil Hembram, Prem Turi, Edwin Murmu, Tala Hembram Rakesh Turi, Pradhan Murmu, Ranjan Marandi, Nazir Soren and Munsi Murmu. Sister Valsa had been brutally killed around midnight on November 15, 2011 at Kathaldih village under Amrapada police station of the district. (Agencies)

Immersion of idols should ve done following proper guidelines Kohima, Oct 17: Administrator KMC, Kovi Meyase has issued instructions for immersion of idols as per the guidelines received from Nagaland Pollution Control Board. KMC informed that idols should be made from natural materials as described in the holy scripts such as traditional clay, backed clay or plaster of Paris etc., painting of Idols should be discouraged. In case idols are to be painted, it said water soluble and non-toxic natural dyes should be used and added that use of toxic and non-biodegradable chemical dyes for painting idols should be strictly prohibited. KMC said that worship materials like flowers, clothes, decorating materials etc. (made of paper and plastic) should be removed before immersion of idols and that biodegradable materials should be collected separately for recycling or composting. Non-biodegradable materials should be collected separately for disposal in sanitary landfill. It said clothes may be sent to local orphanage house. At the immersion sites, burning of solid wastes, so generated comprising of used flowers, clothes, decorating materials etc. should be prohibited. (Agencies)

Bengal's intervention on Sikkim transport Gangtok, Oct 17: The Sikkim Transport department today wrote to the West Bengal government seeking intervention on alleged harassment of Sikkim registered trucks by the West Bengal Transport authorities at Siliguri and Jalpaiguri. "There was a written complaint from the Sikkim Truck Drivers Association (STDA) demanding State government's intervention on regular harassment given by the Motor Vehicle officials especially along the road leading to NJP and Bagdogra. We have sent a letter to the authorities concerned asking for an intervention," said Transport secretary S.B.S. Bhaduaria. The letter has been marked to district mag-

Vehicles stranded on the Jalpaiguri Siliguri highway on Thursday.

istrates of Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri. Speaking to the media, Sikkim Truck Owners Association president Mingma Sherpa said: "The harassment to drivers on Sikkim-registered trucks has become a regular affair. The Motor Vehicle officials regularly harass even if our documents are up to date. We have to travel frequently to NJP and Bagdogra to bring goods and this kind of unnecessary harassment is affecting our transport business." The association members also submitted a memorandum to the Sikkim Transport department.

"There is a reciprocal transport agreement signed between Sikkim and West Bengal government in 2007.

According to the agreement, vehicles from both the States can travel freely in the specified places. I hope that the letter would be taken in a good spirit and the matter mode generate around wouldand be taken up seriously 25,000 to 30,000 jobs.

The by the West Bengal governprivate developers would be ment," said Bhaduaria. selected through e-auction.

(Agencies) "Bengal once occupied the first position in manufacturing of clothes for children.

We are hopeful that the park will help the state regain its lost position. The park would offer both locally manufactured apparel as well branded clothes," said a minister who is also member of the committee.

(Agencies)

Chinese automobile company takes route in Bengal Kolkata, Oct 17: A Chinese PSU is coming up with a bus manufacturing unit in Bengal Aerotropolis airport city project at Andal in Burdwan. The standing committee of the Cabinet on industry, infrastructure and employment cleared the unit on Friday. According to a member of the committee, the state government has 11 per cent stake in the Bengal Aerotropolis project and so any project that comes up in the airport

city has to get the government's clearance.

The matter would now be placed before the state Cabinet. The unit would be set up by Zhongtong, a bus manufacturing company, on 15 acres of land in the industrial hub of the airport city. There will be an initial investment of Rs 250 crore and after five years this would rise to Rs 1500 crore. The buses would be termed as Bengal Zhongtong Bus and the

company plans to manufacture 1,500 buses per year.

Initially, the buses would have 80 per cent Chinese components and remaining local components and later on this would be revised.

The cost of manufacturing these buses would be around 20 per cent cheaper than the common Volvo buses that ply in the city.

The company plans to run both inter-city and intra-city fleets. The unit plans to start functioning from next

year and the first bus is likely to roll out from the factory by October 2016. According to the member, the matter was taken up during chief minister Mamata Banerjee's Singapore trip last year and was finalised by state finance minister Amit Mitra when he visited Kunming for a business trip a few months ago.

Zhongtong Bus Holding Co. Ltd. is a Chinese bus manufacturing company based in Liaocheng,

Shangdong Province. The company is listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange and is one of China's major bus manufacturers. Apart from giving permission for setting up the bus manufacturing unit, the state government also gave approval to set up an apparel park in Sector V. The park would come up on 3.78 acre of land under micro small medium enterprises department. The park would be set up on a public private partnership

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18

Writers protest a case of 'intellectual intolerance': Jitendra Singh Jammu, Oct. 17: Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh on Saturday said that writers' returning their Sahitya Akademi awards was clearly a case of 'intellectual intolerance'. "It is the intellectual intolerance that society needs to guard against. Intolerance and intellectualism are not compatible, and therefore, for a writer or an intellectual, it is given to be an obligation and also a duty towards society to work against such elements which tend to create intolerance," Singh told the reporters here. "Therefore, intellectual intolerance is something which is more ominous than any other intolerance," he added. Singh also said the government was not convinced about the manner in which the awards were being returned. "I think for a writer, or an intellectual, in true sense, the obligation, is to work against intolerance if he or she perceives it happening in the society," he added. Well-known author of Hindi books, Professor Namwar Singh, had

Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh questioned other literary icons on why they were returning their Sahitya Akadmi awards on alleged grounds of rising intolerance in the country. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also had earlier alleged that the writers across the country returning their Sahitya Akademi Awards to protest curbs on free speech were the recipients of past patronage and trying to create a crisis for the present

NDA government. More than 20 writers of different languages across the country have returned their Sahitya Akademi Awards so far. It has been reported that all writers were 'hurt' with the spread of "communal poison" and "rising intolerance" in India. The writers are returning their Sahitya Akademi Awards as a mark of their protest against the central government-led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (ANI)

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

PAGE 6

Hindi author Namvar Singh bucks the trend, ques- Paris Hilton tions writers returning Sahitya Akademi awards gets stuck in New Delhi, Oct 17: Bucking the trend, well-known author of Hindi books, Professor Namwar Singh, on Saturday questioned other literary icons on why they were returning their Sahitya Akadmi awards on alleged grounds of rising intolerance in the country. Singh said the awards were not given to them by the Centre, but by the Sahitya Akademi. "I respect all my colleagues, but they should not have returned their Sahitya Akademi awards.

The awards were not given to them by the government, but by the Akademi," Singh told ANI here. "The Akademi is not a government body. Rather, it is an autonomous body," he added. Singh was also of the view that the protesting writers should have waited for the October 23 meeting of the Sahitya Akademi to deliberate on the issue at hand before taking their ex-

treme steps. "I feel the writers have taken this decision fitfully, and few people will also question this move as a move to gain publicity," he added. "The state government should be held responsible, not the central government," he said of the protest. Singh has been chosen for the prestigious

Kuvempu Rashtreeya Puraskar this year. The award, which will be presented to him on December 29, includes a cast prize of Rs. five lakhs and a citation.

He will receive it at poet Kuvempu's birthplace from Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Kuppali Venkata Puttappa, popularly

Taliban vows to escalate attack on US troops in Afghanistan

13 killed in Khattar row: BJP will be road accident responsible for their own in Andhra doom, says Congress New Delhi, Oct 17: The own are going to be responPradesh Congress on Saturday tar- sible for their fate," ConPrakasam (Andhra Pradesh), Oct 17: Thirteen people were killed and 15 others injured in a road accident here in Kandukuru in Prakasam District on Saturday. The dreadful accident occurred when a mini bus collided with a truck here on Saturday morning, claiming the lives of the passengers. Further details are awaited. (ANI)

BSF confirms seizure of 14 kilograms of heroin near Amritsar Amritsar, Oct 17: Border Security Force (BSF) personnel on Saturday confirmed seizing 14 kilograms of heroin near Amritsar.

Speaking to ANI, BSF Inspector General (IG), Anil Paliwal said, "14 kilograms of heroin seized from IndoPak border near Amritsar."

On Wednesday, the BSF had seized 12 kilograms of heroin at Attari town of Punjab bordering Pakistan.

On October 10, BSF had seized 11 kilogram of heroin, worth 550 million rupees, from two different districts of the state. On September 19, a joint team of Border Security Force (BSF) and Customs officials recovered 23 kilogram heroin worth Rs. 115 crores in the international market at Tehkala border outpost of Amritsar Sector. (ANI)

geted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the controversial remark made by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, saying that the Narendra Modiled party's very own ministers will be responsible for their downfall. "There is a saying that it's good to have a mature enemy than immature friends. The BJP fails to understand whether to maintain distance or support its own ministers. The way things are going, the BJP's

gress leader Rashid Alvi told ANI here. Khattar had earlier in an interview to a national daily said that 'If Muslims want to continue living in India they must give up consuming beef', after which he drew ire of the political fraternity. His clarification that he was 'misinterpreted' and 'it was not his deliberate intention to hurt anyone' fell on deaf ears as he continued to garner criticism for his statement.

(ANI)

Rail Neer scam: Railway Ministry likely to suspend two officials New Delhi, Oct 17: The Railway Ministry is likely to suspend two of its officers who were raided by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with alleged corruption in supply of packaged drinking water other than the mandatory 'Rail Neer' in premium trains. "MINISTRY OF RAILWAY intends to suspend two officer raided by CBI, @sureshpprabhu," said the official twitter handle of the ministry. "MR @sureshpprabhu Zero tolerance on corruption, Instructed Chairman Railway Board for immediate action against officers raided by CBI," it added.

Earlier, the CBI had recovered Rs. 20 crore in cash during searches at 13 locations against two former Northern Railways officials and seven private firms in connection with 'Rail Neer' scam.

According to reports, a case has been registered against the then Chief Commercial Managers (PS and Catering) of Northern Railways M S Chalia and Sandeep Silas. Silas has served as the private secretary of a former Union Minister. (ANI)

Karachi, Oct 17: Two days after US President Barack Obama announced to keep the American troops till 2017 in Afghanistan, the Taliban

has urged its fighters to carry out intense attacks on American targets in the war-torn country. In a statement released in Pashto by

garian government had slammed its door to hundreds of migrants by closing its borders with Siberia.

The country, while erecting a steel fence in its southern frontier, said that it is dutybound to secure the borders of European Union (EU)

its leadership council, Taliban urged their fighters to plan out attacks to particularly hit American installations, centers and related

bases, The Express Tribune reported. The US decision neither ends in the favour of Afghanistan nor will it stop the Taliban's 'jihad' (holy war) against occupation forces in the country, the statement added. It also asserted that America will never stop invading the country and they are making false promises to mislead the people of Afghanistan. The US Government had earlier announced to delay the withdrawal of their troops from Afghanistan and maintain its presence in the country till 2017.

The decision was welcomed by the Afghanistan officials as they said it showed commitment and honesty of their international partners to fight insurgency. (ANI)

`crowded` elevators

Washington D.C., Oct 17: Paris Hilton just got trapped in a crowded elevators in Beijing, China and the situation got worse when mechanics were not able to open the doors of it and people got breathless. The elevator camera video showed that everything was calm, but things turn into fullon panic and people started screaming when security guys were not able to do anything, TMZ.com reported. Reportedly, Hilton also shouted for help and to call anyone who can better help them in getting out of the elevators. At last after an hour, a person risked an arm to get the doors unstuck, and even he threw up afterward from nerves. (ANI)

Protest escalates in Punjab over alleged desecration of religious texts Kotkapura (Punjab), Oct 17: Protests in Taran Taran village has escalated over the rumours of alleged desecration of religious texts.

On Monday, more than 100 pages were reportedly found scattered on a street that led to a local Sikh temple, which the Sikh leaders claimed to be torn from a copy of the Holy Scripture, Guru Granth Sahib, that was allegedly stolen in June this year. Violence broke out in Punjab's Kotkapura city on October 14 after Sikh protesters and police clashed, where reports of stone pelting by protestors and counter baton charge and open firing by the police came to fore. (ANI)

Root lauds `role model` Cook after epic double-ton London, Oct17: England vice-captain Joe Root has lavished praises on Alastair Cook, describing the captain as a role model who has set an example for the remainder of the series after scoring an epic double hundred against Pakistan in the opening Test in Abu Dhabi. Cook

was relentless in his 263run knock and played the longest innings by an Englishman by holding on to the crease for gruelling 836 minutes in sweltering conditions on day four at Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

Reflecting on his captain's performance, Root said that Cook produced a hell of an effort and showed

Hungary closes its borders to Croatia to stem 'migrant' flow Zakany/Beremend, Oct 17: The Hungarian government has closed its southern borders with Croatia, diverting routes of thousands of Middle Eastern, African and Asian migrants into Slovenia. The decision has come a month after the Hun-

known as Kuvempu, was a major poet and prolific writer of the 20th century. His works include 27 collection of poems, 10 literary essays, 12 plays, three collections of short stories, four translations, two biographies, two novels of greater magnitude, one autobiography, one epic and three Khandakaavyas. Born in a peasant family at Jiwanpur in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi district, Dr. Namwar Singh was educated at the Banaras Hindu University ( BHU ), obtaining a doctorate in Hindi literature in 1953. He then taught at Banaras and Sagar Universities. He later worked as a professor and Head of the Hindi Department, Jodhpur University, and Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He also served as the vice chancellor of the Wardha-based Mahatma Gandhi International Hindi University in Gujarat. (ANI)

mainly from the Muslims migrants that threaten the prosperity, security and 'Christian values' of Europe, the Reuters reported. Croatia, through which the migrants used to enter Hungary, has decided to now divert the migrants to Slovenia. Both

huge amounts of skill, concentration and fitness by batting out two days in the heat, the Guardian reported. Root, who provided an able support to Cook by scoring 85, further said that his captain has led from the front and insisted that the inspiring show has given them a

glimmer of hope that they could force a result on the final day. England overcame a monumental task of crossing 523-8 declared by Pakistan and accumulated 569-8 at stumps while holding a 46-run lead over the hosts. Cook struck a 141-run partnership with Joe Root

for the fourth wicket and then added another 91 for the sixth with Ben Stokes (57) after England resumed at 290-3. Adil Rashid (six) and Stuart Broad (0) will resume the first innings, with the first of the three-match series heading towards a possible draw. (ANI)

DCW head Swati Maliwal condemns gang rape of minors in Delhi

the countries have indicated that there will be no restriction till the time Germany and Austria continue to open their gates for the migrants.

Germany and Austria are said to the most preferred destination for the migrants. New Delhi, Oct 17: Delhi (Agencies) Commission for Women (DCW) Chairperson Swati Maliwal on Saturday condemned the brutal gang rape of a two minors. Referring to the rape of a two-andGandhi Hospital. No ar- half-year-old infant, she rests have been made in said, "In last seven days, the case so far. On the this is third such case. I same day, a five-year-old don't get this, what is gowas raped allegedly by ing on in Delhi, what sort of three men in east Delhi's ghastly people are these? I Anand Vihar area. The have met the victim she has girl was reportedly alone been bitten all over her at home when one of the body, and she was left poaccused, her neighbor, rously bleeding in the took her to his house and park." "There are huge then allegedly raped her shortcomings in the law along with his friends. Her and order situation of the neighbours saw her com- capital. All the agencies of ing out of the accused's the Centre and the Delhi house and informed the Government as well should police. "She was crying find a solution to it," she and her clothes were added. When asked about soaked with blood," one of Chief Minister Arvind blaming the Delhi them has told police. All Kejriwal Police and the Centre for three accused have been these crimes, Maliwal said arrested. (ANI) she wouldn't like to engage

Two minors gang-raped In Delhi, both critical New Delhi, Oct 17: Two minor girls, one aged two-and-a-half, and the other aged five, were gang-raped in separate incidents in Delhi, and are presently in a critical state. In the first case, a two-and-a-half-year-old girl was raped allegedly by two men who abducted her on a motorbike from outside her house in west Delhi's Nangloi area on Friday. Neighbours later found her lying unconscious at a nearby park. She was bleeding profusely. The girl's mother has claimed that her daughter was abducted while she was

watching a Ramleela performance near her house.

"My girl was watching a Ramleela when there was a power cut. That is

when they kidnapped her," she said. The girl has suffered severe damage to her private parts and has bites marks on her

body, said Swati Maliwal, Chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) who visited her today at the Sanjay

DCW head Swati Maliwal in verbal volleys. "I am into a coordination agency (DCW), I know what is happening is not right and needs to be corrected, I will reach out wherever I can against such crimes. We do not want another Nirbhaya in Delhi," she added. A week after the horrific rape

and torture of a four-yearold girl in Delhi, two more cases of minor girls being gang-raped have been reported from the capital.

Both the girls have suffered severe injuries and are recovering in hospital. No arrests have been made in the case so far. (ANI )

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18

Hundreds of Myanmar nationals queue to vote at embassy today Singapore, Oct 17: Snaking queues outside the Myanmar embassy off Tanglin Road were seen again today, as the country's nationals lined up to cast their advance votes for the Nov 8 election.The Straits Times understands that many in the queue are unhappy after they were told at noon that tokens would be given out only to the first 3,000 in line. PeAnother batch of 3,000 tokens to vote on Sunday (Oct 18) was later given outople could only vote if they had a token.Photos on social media showed many waiting in line, with the queue stretching past Shangri-La Hotel along Orange Grove Road. One tweet said that some had queued from as early as 1am outside the St Martin's Drive embassy. Similar queues were seen since Thursday. Hundreds turned up, with many waiting patiently in the sun as the line stretched down Tanglin Road. They had turned up from as early as 5am, volunteers said.

About 20,000 Myanmar nationals had submitted requests for early voting, the country's media said. Voting in Singapore will continue until Sunday (Oct 18).For many Myanmar nationals, this general election is the first time they can have a say over who governs their nation after decades locked in the military's grip.

80 Bangladeshi asylum seekers start hunger strike in Texas prison Dhaka, Oct 17: More than 80 Bangladesh nationals, detained for illegal crossing of the border to the US, have started a hunger strike unto death in a Texas prison to protest alleged deportation back home, rights activists said.The border-crossing migrants at El Paso county detention facilities in Texas began the strike on Wednesday. The authorities have also dismissed their cases they filed to seek political asylum in the US citing a dangerous situation in Bangladesh."We have started these since we have nothing to lose anymore at this point," Mahbubur Rahman, a detainee and also the leader of the protest in the El Paso prison, was quoted to have said by activist Kazi Fouzia of rights group Desis Rising Up and Moving (DRUM).Two Afghan and one Pakistani aliens also joined them to demand that their cases be heard and they must not be deported back home. (Agencies)

'China to do its best to help Nepal' Beijing, Oct 17: China said it is ready to do its best to help Nepal in accordance with latter's request. Hua Chunying, spokesperson at the China's Foreign Ministry, made such remarks in Beijing in Friday, responding to a question whether China will transport fuel to Nepal. China has constantly been saying that it will help Nepal in all possible ways but Nepal is facing difficulties to open blocked highways and opening new trading routes due to difficult geographical terrain in the border area.

Stating that the Jilung (Raswuagadi in Nepali side) border crossing linking China and Nepal reopened on Thursday after it was disrupted by the April 25 earthquake, the Chinese official said they transferred a batch of assistance supplies to the Nepali side through the crossing.

(Agencies)

Nepal elects its first woman speaker Kathmandu, Oct. 17 : Unified CPN-Maoist leader and former deputy speaker Onsari Gharti Magar has been elected as the first woman speaker of the Nepal Parliament.She was announced as the speaker, after the withdrawal of candidacy of Nepal Workers' and Peasants' Party lawmaker Anuradha Thapa Magar by her proposer Prem Suwal. Even the Nepali Congress (NC) supported Onsari's candidature for the post of the speaker.NC vice president Ramchandra Paudel said that his party's support for Onsari would lead to an increase in cooperation among the parties Onsari after the announcement thanked the lawmakers for unanimously electing her and said that her victory showed the united face of the parties. (ANI)

NEIGHBOURS

Myanmar's Suu Kyi calls for unity in divided Rakhine Thandwe, Oct 17: Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi called for unity in volatile Rakhine state today in an impassioned election rally, tackling head-on bitter religious divisions between Buddhists and Muslims that have shaken the former junta-run nation .The opposition leader has faced international disappointment at her reluctance to speak out in support of marginalised Rohingya Muslims in the western state, but is also viewed with suspicion among Buddhist hardliners who see her as sympathetic to the minority. In a speech to hundreds of supporters in Rakhine's Thandwe

town, Suu Kyi said it was critical that people nationwide could live "without discrimination based on race and religion". All citizens in the union need to unite great hatred and fear does not benefit our country," she said, repeating recent assertions that her political opponents had tried to use religion as a tool in campaigns for the November 8 polls.Myanmar's general elections are tipped to be the freest in generations for a nation that languished in poverty and isolation under almost half a century of military rule. Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) - contesting its

first nationwide vote in 25 years - is expected to shunt out the army-

backed ruling party, which has overseen a quasi-civilian transition

since junta rule ended in 2011.But there are rising fears that the polls could act as a flashpoint for religious intolerance that has festered in Myanmar since deadly unrest between Buddhists and Muslims swept across Rakhine in 2012, later spreading to other parts of the country.Radical monks have surged in prominence in recent years, preaching a message that Muslims threaten the very fabric of Buddhist-majority Myanmar. In Thandwe the gateway to Myanmar's most popular tourist beach resorts - a wave of anti-Muslim rioting in 2013 killed at least

Tuticorin fishermen protest against Sri Lanka Colombo, Oct 17:Demanding the release of seven Terespuram fishermen and their boats detained by the Sri Lankan Navy recently, Tuticorin fishermen struck work and staged a demonstration in front of the harbour. When fishermen from Terespuram Gemiton,

Gerald, Najfudeen, Regan, Meldon, Romando and Brezhnev were fishing on the high seas on September 26, they were detained by the navy and remanded in judicial custody.Though the fishermen had sent representations to the State and the Central govern-

ments for early release of them, there was no sign of getting them freed.Upset over this, the country boat fishermen from 23 coastal hamlets from Vembar to Periyathaazhai in the district had announced that they would strike work on October 16 and lay siege to the Tuticorin

Pakistan, Russia ink deal on North-South LNG pipeline Islamabad, Oct 17: Pakistan and Russia signed an agreement on Friday to build a gas pipeline stretching hundreds of kilometres from Karachi to Lahore.Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak and Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi signed the agreement at a ceremony witnessed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and broadcast live. Officials said the North-South gas pipeline project would be built by Russian company RT Global Resources - a part of Russian state corporation Rostec. The 1,100kilometre pipeline, with a capacity of 12.4 billion cu-

PAGE 7

bic metres per year, will connect liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in Karachi with those in Lahore.Russia is to invest about $2 billion in the pipeline and its first phase is expected to be completed by December 2017, a senior government official said.Russia has long been the largest supplier of weaponry to Pakistan's nuclear-armed arch rival India, which is the world's top arms buyer. But now Moscow appears to be pivoting towards Islamabad as New Delhi becomes closer allies with Washington.Russia's ITAR-TASS news agency reported in June that the

country had lifted its embargo on arms supplies to Pakistan and was holding talks on supplying Islamabad with combat helicopters.PM Nawaz at the time invited Russian companies to invest in Pakistan, particularly in the energy sector, and benefit

from the business-friendly policies of the government.

The South Asian state is desperate for solutions to a long-running power crisis that has sapped economic growth and left its 200 million inhabitants deeply frustrated by incessant electricity cuts. (Agencies)

1,100-kilometre pipeline with a capacity of 12.4 billion cubic metres per year will connect LNG terminals in Karachi with those in Lahore

harborBased on this decision, the country boat fishermen, who abstained from fishing operations, staged the demonstration in front of the Green Gate of Tuticorin harbour.After assembling in front of Our Lady of Snows Basilica, the fishermen left for the protest venue in

50 vehicles and staged the demonstration in which 700 fishermen, including the families of the detained fishermen, participated.The State police and the Central Industrial Security Force personnel had been deployed in front of Green Gate. (Agencies)

Appropriation bill to be presented in Parliament on Oct 23 Colombo ,Oct 17: The First reading of the annual budget is scheduled to take place next Friday (23).The proposed parliamentary program for the annual budget was submitted by the acting Minister of Finance, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena at the cabinet meeting on Wednesday (14) and the cabinet has approved it.Accordingly, the First Reading of the Appropriation Bill will take place on Friday, October 23.Minister of Finance

Ravi Karunanayake will deliver the budget speech on November 20th in Parliament.The debate on the second reading of the Budget will commence following the Minister's speech and will continue for 14 days till December 08 at which time the Second Reading Division will be taken.The Committee Stage Debate will continue for 12 allotted days until December 22 and third and final Reading Division will be taken on December 22.

(Agencies)

PM Oli directs Nepal Police to be devoted to their responsibility Kathmandu, Oct 17: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that Nepal Police is an organisation devoted to the nation, people and human kind and is also guided by law. At a programme organised on the occasion of 6oth Establishment Day of Nepal Police at the Police Headquarters in the Capital, Prime Minister Oli directed

the Nepal Police to further strengthen and expand as a organisation free from political interference and directed and operated through the objective of law and responsibility. He said, "I direct the Nepal Police to carry out works in an independent manner as well as responsible manner without any discrimination." The Prime

Minister Oli said that the Nepal Police have become an example of having gender equality and its image should be further brightened. PM Oli assured that the government would not leave any stone unturned for the promotion of Nepal Police as well as capacity building and to provide means and resources. Praising the

role of Nepal Police to maintain peace, control crime and deliver justice, PM Oli said that police have established the institution as disciplined and responsible one, not only in Nepal, but also in the globe. Similarly, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Upendra Kanta Aryal said that police are an integral part of the society in terms

of providing security to the society. On the occasion, kin of those police personnel killed in August 24 incident in Tikapur, Kailali were honoured and provided with monetary assistance collected from police and the state. Likewise, families of the police personnel killed in different incidents in the country were honoured and pro-

vided with monetary aid as well. Also on the occasion, PM Oli garlanded a police monument in the premises of the Nepal Police Headquarters and launched 'Police Darpan, 2072' published by police. Likewise, former AIG Anantaram Bhattarai was awarded with the 'Lifetime Achievement Award-2072' on the occasion. (Agencies)

six and left a legacy of fear in the region. Those anxieties were on display at the rally today, where Suu Kyi took questions from both Buddhists and Muslims. Asked by a Muslim man how the NLD would prevent religious discrimination, the veteran activist said a government under her party would prioritise the rule of law, a common response from the Nobel laureate.But she slammed a Buddhist asking her to respond to rumours that her party would usher in a Muslim take-over of the country, saying the very question risked "inciting racial or religious conflict". (Agencies)

Schoolchild killed in Mymensingh road crash Dhaka, Oct 17:A female schoolchild has been killed in road accident on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in Beltali area of Sadar upazila.Being anguished by the death, locals put up a barricade on the highway for half an hour, creating immense suffering to the commuters. However, the stalemate ended finally in the face of police action. The victim, Asha, 9, daughter of Alal Uddin, is a class-II student of a Bilarpara Panchimpara Government Primary School.Sources said Asha died instantly as a speeding truck ran over her on the busy highway on Saturday morning and fled away soon.When contacted, Kotwali model police station Officer-in-Charge Kamrul Islam confirmed the dead.(Agencies)

Attempt to smuggle ganja to Sri Lanka foiled Colombo ,Oct 17: Over 130 kg of ganja, allegedly meant to be smuggled to Sri Lanka, was seized and two persons were arrested in this connection at S P Pattinam in Ramanathapuram District, in Tamil Nadu, the police said, according to the media.Acting on a tip-off, police seized the ganja, weighing 134 kg, kept at a place on the seashore at S P Pattinam, about 70 km from Rameshwaram, they said.Two persons were arrested in connection with the seizure of ganja, which was to be allegedly smuggled to Sri Lanka by the sea route. (Agencies)

Sharif's visit will help strengthen US-Pak ties: White House Islamabad, Oct 17: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's threeday official visit to the US next week reflects the enduring nature of the bilateral relationship, the White House has said even as top experts noted they had low expectations from the trip.

President Barack Obama would host Sharif for a meeting at the White House on October 22. This is for the second time that the two leaders would be meeting at the White House."The visit will highlight the enduring nature of the US-Pakistan

relationship and provide an opportunity to strengthen our cooperation on issues of mutual interest, including economic growth, trade and investment, clean energy, global health, climate change, nuclear security, counterterrorism, and regional stability," the White House said in a statement."The President looks forward to discussions with Prime Minister Sharif on ways we can advance our shared interest in a stable, secure, and prosperous Pakistan," the White House said ahead of Sharif's second trip to

Washington during his current term as prime minister.

Sharif is scheduled to arrive in Washington on the night of October 20.Ahead of the much

anticipated visit, which is soon expected to be followed by that of Pakistan army chief Gen Raheel Sharif next month, prominent American experts on Pakistan said that

they do not expect much from the visit."I think we should keep our expectations low for this visit.

We should regard it as more of a courtesy call than a major summit.

President Obama invited Prime Minister Sharif some time ago, and this is simply Sharif taking him up on that invitation.

We should not expect any splashy announcements or big milestones," Michael Kugelman of the prestigious Wilson Centre think-tank told media. They will talk about the future of Coalition Support Fund (CSF) reimbursements, which Washington has indicated

it may phase out. There will be talk about a possible deal to rein in the scale of Pakistan's nuclear programme, he said.And there will probably also be talk about means of cooperation on counterterrorism, with particular focus on ISIS, Kugelman said.It is significant that this visit comes shortly after Obama announced his plan to extend the US troop presence in Afghanistan, said Lisa Curtis of the Heritage Foundation."During the press conference yesterday, Obama acknowledged that Pakistan had a role to play in Afghani-

stan by cracking down on Taliban sanctuaries on its soil. Obama's meeting with Sharif provides an opportunity to reiterate US expectations that Pakistan will indeed crack down on these sanctuaries and use its influence to get the Taliban back to the negotiating table," Curtis said."Obama knows, however, that it is not Nawaz Sharif, but Pakistan Chief of Army Raheel Sharif, that calls the shots on Pakistan's Afghan policy. Still, Nawaz can convey the US message to the military leadership," she said. (Agencies)

PAGE 8

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18

Terrorism fight IS calls on Muslims to launch Jihad against US, Russia Islamic State called on Muslims to launch a "holy war" against Russians and Americans over what it called their "crusaders' war" in the Middle East, through an audio message distributed by supporters of the ultra hardline group. Though the audio made no specific mention of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, whose health and whereabouts became a subject of speculation earlier this week when an Islamic State convoy was hit in Iraq. Eight senior figures from Islamic State were killed in the Iraqi air strike while meeting in an Iraqi town, but Baghdadi did not appear to be among them, residents of the town and hospital sources said.

The call came as Russian President Vladimir Putin criticised Washington for refusing to cooperate with Moscow in its Syrian campaign, which is having an increasingly dramatic effect. IS seeks not only to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad but is also vying with Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front for jihadist supremacy in the country. Al-Nusra chief Abu Mohamed al-Jolani also threatened Moscow, saying its air war would have dire consequences. According to Russia, its air force had hit 86 "terrorist" targets in Syria in the past 24 hours - the highest one-day tally since it launched its bombing campaign on September 30. Among them, it said, were several IS targets. Washington and its allies - engaged in their own air war against IS in Syria and Iraq - accuse Moscow of targeting moderate Western-backed rebels and seeking to prop up Assad, a longtime Russian ally. US Defence Secretary Ash Carter said the two sides would hold another round of talks Wednesday on how to stay out of each other's way in the skies over Syria. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the rockets were fired from the eastern edges of the capital, where Islamist rebels are entrenched. Russian news agency Interfax quoted an embassy official as saying the rockets hit "embassy territory" but that there were no casualties. The fighting has intensified in recent weeks, with regime forces making gains with Russian support.

The Syrian Observatory said fighters from the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah - which also supports Assad - arrived in the strategic Sahl al-Ghab plain to reinforce an offensive there.

A powerful rebel alliance that includes Al-Nusra - the Army of Conquest - announced the launch of a major offensive of its own to take the central Hama province. It called on fighters there "to light the fire on the fronts inside the regions, so that hordes of Muslims will meet in Hama as liberators". NonIslamist opposition factions say they are using the US-made TOW missiles to halt an army advance that is backed by Russian air strikes in Hama and Idlib provinces.

Man Booker Prize Marlon James becomes first Jamaican to win the award The Man Booker International Prize recognises writers for their achievement in fiction. Worth ÂŁ60,000, the prize is awarded every two years to a living author who has published fiction either originally in English or whose work is generally available in translation in the English language. Author Marlon James made history this week when he became the first Jamaican to win the Man Booker prize for his novel, A Brief History of Seven Killings. Set in 1976, in Jamaica, it's about the attempted murder of Bob Marley who is referred to as the Singer throughout the book. The plot to kill Marley isn't fiction. It actually happened, but Marley survived and the gunmen were never caught. Their story is what James imagines in A Brief History of Killing. Weaving deftly between Jamaican patois to New York patter, James crafts distinctive voices for his characters.

Despite the success of his latest novel, which the Man booker judges described as "an extraordinary book" after a unanimous decision, James said he thought the publishing industry had not changed that much since his first book was repeatedly turned down.

This is the second year the Man Booker prize has been open to all authors writing in English, regardless of nationality.

James, who currently lives in Minneapolis, US, can expect a dramatic boost in sales following his win.

After A Brief History of Seven Killings was named on the Booker shortlist last month sales tripled to more than 1,000 copies a week, according to Nielsen Book Research. It's a visceral and uncompromising novel that sheds a stark light on a profoundly disturbing chapter of Jamaica's history, but it's also an ingeniously structured feat of storytelling that draws the reader in with its eye-catching use of language.

Australian author Richard Flanagan won last year's prize for his wartime novel The Narrow Road to the Deep North. James' other works includes two novels, "John Crow's Devil" (2005) and "The Book of Night Women" (2009).

The award was presented to James by the Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla. The author on receiving the award, said that this award he wished to dedicate to his late father. The writer also said that he was very hopeful that now that he has won this award, more attention would get diverted towards Caribbean writings.

James's novel, his third, has won high praise from book reviewers around the world. The New York Times described A Brief History of Seven Killings as "epic in every sense of that word: sweeping, mythic, over the top, colossal and dizzyingly complex". His winning of the prize is extremely important for him as an author and for Caribbean literature's canon. His work is experimental and vital and forces us to engage with what the Caribbean has become. Winning the prize validates him. It lets us know that our stories and voices continue to be powerful and relevant.

NSCN-Khaplang not among groups signing Myanmar ceasefire accord Subir Bhaumik India's national security advisor Ajit Doval's attending the signing of the 'nationwide ceasefire agreement" between the Myanmar government and eight ethnic rebel armies in Nay Pyi Taw is significant.

Doval is obviously satisfied that the NSCN-K is not among the eight who signed the agreement.

Doval had former Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga in tow seeking to emphasize a 'silent role' India has played in the Myanmar ceasefire process.

Zoramthanga, once considered Atal Behari Vajpayee's 'Man Friday' in Northeast for his role in mediation between government and rebel groups, has been playing a similar role in neighbouring Myanmar.

He has been a mediator between the coalition of ethnic rebel armies, the UNFC,

and the Myanmar government and has therefore a regular visitor to Myanmar in recent months.

The Myanmarese ethnic rebels have closely studied, with Delhi's support, the Indian peace-making process - especially the 1986 Mizoram accord which has helped bring complete peace in the oncedisturbed northeast Indian state.

That the NSCN-K is not among the seven signatories of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) is extremely significant.

Myanmar, though upset by the Indian chestthumping triumpgalism after the para-commando raids, did not want the 'Khaplang factor' to adversely impact on the IndiaMyanmar relations.

They perhaps sought to pressurize Khaplang by not including his group in the NCA, though they have

made it clear that the 2012 ceasefire with the Burmese Naga rebel leader will hold and there was no question of reneging on it.

Doval has been able to impress on the Myanmar functionaries during his previous visit to Yangon that India has a major stake in the Burmese peace process.

If the insurgencies in Myanmar come to an end, it will help India tackle those in the Northeast, he had rightly reasoned.

Myanmar's main peace negotiator Aung Ming has gone on record to appreciate the Indian support for the nationwide peace process, even as media reports pointed to Burmese anger at what they see as 'Chinese mischief' in persuading some of the northern rebel groups from staying away from the ceasefire.

In fact, while eight ethnic rebel armies sign the ceasefire, ten are not. Those

who have not signed including powerful ethnic armies on the MyanmarChina border, including the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO).

The groups that signed the ceasefire are from Myanmar's eastern and western borders -- the Karen National Union (KNU), the Chin National Front, the Arakan Liberation Party, the Pa-Oh National Liberation Organisation, the KNU/ KNLA Peace Council, the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army and the All Burma Students' Democratic Front.

None of those up north have signed up.

Aung Ming is seeking to use Zoramthanga to break the deadlock with the Kachins, one of three most powerful rebel groups who have fought the Burmese military offensive to a standstill since fighting erupted again in 2012.

Zoramthanga have known the Kachins for years, since his days as a top leader of the Mizo National Front which fought India for twenty years (1966-86).

Batches of MNF rebels reached China for training through the Kachin corridor in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The Kachins have put several pre-conditions for joining the ceasefire process - one being inclusion of all rebel groups up north including the Kokang dominated MNDAA. Myanmar's government is unwilling to include the MNDAA because they see the group as a 'Chinese lackey' and the Kokangs as 'ethnic Chinese' disturbing the peace along the country's northern borders.

China has stridently denied disrupting the Myanmar peace process but suspicion in Yangon

remain strong that the big neighbor is playing an adverse role.

So, getting the Kachins on board and persuading them to sign a ceasefire is top priority for Myanmar's peacemakers.

Since Zoramthanga and the Indian government have agreed to help, the Thein Sein government was in no mood to upset Delhi by including Khaplang in the NCA at this stage.

(Subir Bhaumik is a former BBC Correspondent and now works as Senior Editor of Dhakabased bdnews24.com. His books on Northeast "Insurgent Crossfire" and "Troubled Periphery" are well acclaimed. His forthcoming book "Agartala Doctrine" is being published by Oxford University Press. )

BANGLADESH OUT TO CRUSH ISLAMIST RADICALS The furore over the twin murders of an Italian and a Japanese national in Bangladesh within a week has buried a big piece of news. In the first week of October, Bangladesh police hunted down Mohammed Javed, the military wing chief of the dreaded Jamaat-ulMujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) in the port city of Chittagong. Four other JMB activists were arrested with Javed. Mysteriously enough, Javed died next day in a 'grenade explosion' while he was apparently leading the policemen to an arms cache of the JMB. Bangladesh security agencies have been accused of employing extra-judicial executions and torture in their fight against terror and human rights groups across the world have been critical of the Hasina government. The Prime Minister is however undeterred and insists her government has 'zero-tolerance' for terror and those who perpetrate it.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has particularly come in for some adverse observations for its very heavy handed campaign against the terror groups.

Many Islamist radicals have been picked up by the RAB and then died mysteriously within a day or two in 'crossfire'. Invariably these 'crossfires' happened when the RAB would be taking the militant to track down a rebel hideout or an arms cache and were fired upon by other militants. Some security person-

nel are also found to be injured - as were three policemen on Saturday when Javed died of the grenade explosion.

The Bangladesh security agencies can be accused of extra-judicial executions, torture, hounding of family members of Islamist radicals - but they cannot be blamed for lack of commitment in chasing or hunting them down. Something that even the Americans, usually critical of Hasina's government, have to acknowledge.

With Javed's death, the JMB has lost its main operating leader in Bangladesh.

He was a textile engineer who had turned to militancy and developed a network of terrorist cells around Chittagong. The Detective Branch and RAB have been on Javed's trail ever since they busted two arms training camps of the JMB in hills around Chittagong and Ukhia. This was an area traditionally dominated by the Jamaat e Islami party which sheltered JMB and HUJI activists. In fact, the growth of Islamist radical groups in Bangladesh peaked between 2001 and 2006 when the Jamaat was in power with the BNP. Chittagong port was also the hub of weapons smuggling for both these Islamist radical groups and Northeast Indian rebel groups like the ULFA. Bangladesh intelligence says the JMB may still have a few leaders and 'sleeper cells' left in West Bengal and Assam , where the JMB had

developed secure bases until the accidental bomb explosions in October last year

northern part of West Bengal.

They suspect he is planning a major attack across the bor-

puts to India's NIA which is investigating the Burdwan blasts. Even India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval has been all praise for Bangladesh agencies in the

blew the lid off its presence.

Assam police chief Khagen Sarmah had talked of the JMB's presence in Assam immediately after the Oct blasts in Burdwan. In December last year, Shahnur Alom, a Jamaat-ulMujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) militant and a key accused in the Oct 2 blast in West Bengal's Burdwan district, was arrested in Assam.

In September this year, nearly ten JMB activists including a top leader Ashique have been arrested in Assam.

But Bangladesh intelligence officials are most worried about JMB's main bomber Jahidul Islam alias Boma Mizan who they believe is operating in an area between western Assam and

der on some Bangladesh target, especially to avenge Javed's capture and death.

Mizan escaped in a dramatic fashion in early 2014 when his comrades attacked a police van carrying him and two other JMB leaders to a court from prison. The prison van was ambushed at Trishal and some policemen were killed.

Police recaptured one of the escapees and he was again killed in a 'crossfire' - but they failed to track down Mizan.

One Detective Branch (DB) official told this writer that Mizan is 'definitely in India', operating around western Assam and northern Bengal.

"He is a major cause for worry for us," the DB official said. DB and RAB have provided a lot of leads and in-

fight against terror. But the Bangladesh agencies say they look forward to 'regular real-time cooperation' from Indian agencies in tracking down the JMB remnants. According to their estimates, atleast 20 JMB 'sleeper cells' remain active in West Bengal and Assam.

Until they are neutralized, India and Bangladesh cannot take it easy.

As far as the murders of the Italian aid worker Cesare Tavella in Dhaka and Japanese farming expert Hosio Kunio in Rangpur is concerned, Bangladesh and Indian intelligence have both discounted the involvement of Islamic State, though the Middle East radical group had apparently claimed re-

SUBIR BHAUMIK

sponsibility.

Bangladesh Information Minister Hasanul Huq Inu claimed on Thursday that the JMB was involved in the murder of the two foreigners -- Italian aid worker Cesare Tavella (Sept 28) and Japanese farming expert Hosio Kunio (Oct 2).

"Both these murders were possibly executed by JMB militants with backing from BNP-Jamaat, who are shielding them as they did when they were in government ", he said.

Hasina blames the BNPJamaat alliance for trying to 'destabilise' her government and 'discredit it', a charge the BNP has denied.

Police in Bangladesh's Pabna region arrested on Monday Rakibul Islam Rakib and four other JMB activists for trying to murder Father Luke Sarkar, a Christian priest in Iswardi, last week. Pabna's SP Alamgir Kabir told this writer that the five have 'accepted their involvement' in the crime.

(Subir Bhaumik is a former BBC Correspondent and now works as Senior Editor of Dhaka-based bdnews24.com. His books on Northeast "Insurgent Crossfire" and "Troubled Periphery" are well acclaimed.

His forthcoming book "Agartala Doctrine" is being published by Oxford University Press.)

Courtesy: www.nezine.com

An Open Secret erating the tainted Chairman, reports were submitted. Needless to add, it was only eyewash. But Mukul Saikia, the superintendent of Police (Anti-corruption) during the course of his enquiry revealed many startling facts about the colossal properties owned by Mr. Rakash Paul. The crux of the question is, the Chief-minister, in a show of glaring arrogance, ignoring the Public opinion hesitates to hand over the case against Rakesh Paul to CBI. It is an open secret that more than crores of rupees have been embezzled by Mr. Paul in order to accommodate some undeserving candidates. The Chief-minister, might feel scared, once the beans are spilled, it would be embarrassing not only for him but also for many of his colleagues.

Yours etc.

Ashok Bordoloi Dibrugarh

Sir, We have been harping on the same string that Congress is synonymous with corruption. Just one instance, amongst a host of others, is enough to drive home what we contend. Why the Chief-minister harbours softness for the tainted Chairman of the Assam Public Service commission (APSC), we fail to understand. Is the Chief-minister, too, is a part of the game of corruption? We are prompted to think so. The Chief-minisHearty Congrats! ter, simply handed over the case of corrup- Sir, tion to a puppet enquiry officer, Subhas Das Through your esteemed daily, I would like and to the full satisfaction of the CM, exon- to take this opportunity to convey my hearty

congratulations to Tirong Aboh on his induction as a Cabinet Minister in Nabam Tuki-led government. Hardwork, sincerity and honesty pay in the long run. Although, you are a first-timer MLA you got the coveted ministerial post which speaks volumes about your political acumen. Here's hoping to and looking forward to witnessing work towards uplift of Tirap in particular and the state in general. Cheers!

Yours etc.

Denhang Bosai

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

Letters to the editor and articles should be sent to : The Eastern Today Chowkidingee, Near Sankardeva Hospital Mancotta Road, Dibrugarh-786003 (Assam) Ph: 0373-2328944 Web : editor.easterntoday@gmail.com

JOBS & CAREERS

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18

Page 9

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Food for thought: A look at exciting career options in agro sector Contrary to the popular belief, the agriculture sector in India is not just about farming and animal rearing. Over the years, a plethora of exciting and paying careers have been introduced in the field.

Gauri Rane digs deep to find out more The Indian agriculture

to develop new crop hybrids and varieties that grow more efficiently, and are more beneficial to society," he informs. "Agronomist could specialize in areas such as crop protection, irrigation and drainage, planet breeding, soil science, weed control," Says Aurangabadkar.

sales, inputs and output linkages, environment and labour issues, and women farmers and their rights.

"Also for ensuring the right price for farm produce, farmers need to carry

sector can provide lucrative career options but there are few who wish to take it up.

Experts observe that this is because students are ignorant about the various career opportunities in this field. "Much needs to be done to promote the sector and its allied professions as career options to aspirants of agriculture," says Vivek Aurangabadkar, agronomist at Agrocel Industries.

Contrary to popular opinion, agriculture does not only mean cultivating. Today the field has gone beyond just farming and keeping of animals. Over the years, many exciting professions have been introduced in the field like: Agronomy/ soils and food sciences Agricultural marketing and communications Agro-economics Agricultural education Agro-engineering Abhijit Bose, agricultural professional, Atul Chemicals, demystifies agronomy as a career choice.

"Agronomists deal with interactions among plants, soils, and the environment using sophisticated research tools and techniques

Finding employment in this sector is not a difficult.

Government agriculture departments offer jobs as block officer, district agriculture officer and director agriculture. There are wideranging jobs in the private sector as well. "Agriculture has opened doors to anybody who wants make a career in sector. They may be employed as agriculture development officers at banks, as professionals at fertilizer, agrochemical and seed manufacturing companies and even as writers with agricultural journals," says Bose.

Agri-communications has sprung up as a new profession. "An unorganized sector stemming from primary occupation of growing food, we need to understand that agriculture has a multi-dimensional approach where communication plays a crucial role," says Maya Rane, communication specialist, Agrocel Industries. Apart from good communication skills, an agri-communicator ought to have a fine understanding of the regulatory and policy affairs, grading, branding, marketing, and

out process of grading, evaluating and transportation - creating a market for their produce. This too needs effecting networking and communications," informs Rane adding that a career in communications for agricultural departments requires one to keep a tab on the grass root conditions, an eye on the policy affairs and also a deep understanding of the regulatory conditions.

Experts are of the opinion that there is an obvious skill gap in the field. According to Aurangabadkar vocational courses should be introduced in class XI and XII. Bose says that more career oriented courses on food technology should be designed. "Agriculture is the only sector which generates real value.

Growing food for the growing population is a challenge that more and more countries face and so it is a sunshine sector," concludes Rane.

COURSE CURSOR One year certificate course in Agriculture Sciences after class X: Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phule University (Jaipur), Nalanda Open University

Gauri Rane

(Patna), Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (Nasik) Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University (Gujarat).

Two year diploma course in Agriculture after class X: Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University (Hyderabad), Guru Kashi University (Bathinda), Sri Balakrishna Polytechnic College (Salem) Vanavarayar Institute of Agriculture (Coimbatore).

BSc in Agriculture: Anand Agricultural University (Gujarat), Assam Agricultural University (Assam), Bihar Agricultural University (Bihar), College of Agriculture (Pune) AgraUniversity (Agra).

BSc (Hons) in Agriculture: (three-year degree programme after class XII (science)) Guru Nanak Dev University (Punjab), MPUAT (Udaipur), Punjab Agricultural University (Punjab), Rajasthan Agricultural University (Rajasthan) SKN College of Agriculture (Jaipur).

BBA Agriculture: four-year degree programme after class XII offered exclusively by the College of Agriculture Business Management, A h m e d n a g a r , Maharashtra.

MBA (International Agribusiness): Two-year post graduate degree programme offered

by Anand Agricultural University.

MTech (Dairy Technology): is a two-year postgraduate degree programme Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University (Tirupati) Karnataka Veterinary Animal & Fisheries Sciences University (Bidar) MPhil (Horticulture): A two year pre-doctoratal programme offered by the Meerut University for students who have a master's degree in horticulture.

The Social Butterfly Social media marketing is the new tool of communication in companies, says Patricia Mascarenhas while exploring the growing opportunities in this field.

Do you spend all your free time on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and other online portals? Do you spend all your free time online, wonder how you can parlay that into an actual paid position?

The good news is that it is possible. Imagine how fascinating it would be to turn your passion into a profession. "Many people will be impressed that you get paid for the activity that they pursue for fun and convenience," says Nikhil Kharabanda, head- social media, Ignitee Digital Services Pvt. Ltd. Social media is a rapidly growing career choice for young professionals and fresher. Today, more than 200 million people in India are online and more than 120 million of them are on social media. "The reach of social media, especially among the youth, is greater than the reach of television. So brands are placing lots of emphasis in this field.

Hence more jobs are being made available here," says Mahesh Murthy, founder, Pinstorm.

"Social media management is the art and craft of helping brands improve their presence and reputation in digital mediums," says Murthy.

However, a career in social mediainvolves much more than having personal experience on Twitter and Facebook.

There are several job profiles that are part of social media management across different seniorities (SEE BOX).

The beauty of social media marketing resides in its ability to foster personal connections be-

Patricia Mascarenhas tween companies and their customers at little to no cost. "Writing posts and tweets is not everything, but how can you use your creative artistry to create noise without calling for attention is the challenge," says Vicky Ganji, senior manager- digital marketing, Flarepath Solutions pvt ltd.

It requires expertise in many angles of business, including communication, human relationships, marketing, Internet technologies, customer service and more. "It includes developing content for each platform, posting it at the necessary time, monitoring each platform for queries/complaints etc., developing campaign/engagement ideas that help achieve the brand's objective on social media and creating reports that help track the brand's progress," informs Kharabanda.

The skills needed depend on the specific function or profile you're interested in. "But across all functions, a familiarity with social media, a clear command over written English, and an ability to understand how the dynamics of interactions happen in social media are all necessary," says Murthy.

One also needs to have a strong understanding of analytics and how to use it effectively to ensure that the brand is getting the most out of social media. "You need to get your basics right so you understand how other functions of digital marketing impact social media and vice versa - this is essential in creating holistic campaigns," warns Kharabanda.

So, if you are looking

for a career in this field its best to start building your bridges as early as you can. "If you do consider training, then check out the credibility and competence of the trainer before you spend any money on them. The best training, anyway, is on the job," says Murthy. Ganji agrees.

"Work experience or an internship with an online marketing department will give you a good grounding. Setting up and writing your own blog can help you get experience in your own time and provide a showcase for your work.

Networking is essential, so consider your online profile as the important first step in building and extending your professional network," he advises.

As the digital business continues to grow, the careers in this industry are here to stay. "From being a social media executive, one typically graduates to a managerial role, where the responsibility is to ensure deliverables, as opposed to hands-on execution," says Russell Pinto, social media executive.

"From there, one can look at taking on the role of a Social Media Planner - providing strategic and creative inputs only. Over time, it's important one understands digital marketing as a whole to take on roles that involve other functions as well," he adds.

Helping companies foster customer loyalty is bound to come with rewards. "It entirely depends on the individual and how well he/she manages to build brand awareness and make connections," says Ganji.

However, "For fresher, the packages start at Rs. One to 1.5

lakh per annum and go up with experience to well over Rs. 10 lakhs," informs Murthy.

It's the easiest career to get into. Yet it's the most difficult careerbecause only the truly talented and experienced go far. The bars are low, so any one can jump in, but the path is long - so you must have the passion to make it all the way.

PROFILE IT 1. Listening: Involves using in-house or licensed software to listen to public comments about a brand - and to categorise them as "to be ignored", "to be noted" and "to be responded".

2. Responding: Involves crafting responses on behalf of brands to comments or questions that appear online 3. Analysis: Is presenting trends after looking at data on what consumers chatted about- what's hot, what's a rising trend, what was the share of positive response, of negative response etc.

4. Influencer management: Is working with social media influencers who have significant reach and using them on a paid or unpaid basis for promoting a brand 5. Copywriter: Creates content for a brand that is share-worthy and can go viral on a social network 6. Designer: Designing memes and content for a brand that is shareworthy and can go viral 7. Video producer: Creates digital videos for brands that are share-worthy and can go viral on a social network 8. Technology: To write or manage software applications that do any or all of the above.

9. Client Service: To manage client expectations and demands for these services.

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18

BUSINESS

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Apollo Tyres eyes expansion in the US Chennai, Oct 17: Apollo Tyres is mulling hiring a sales team to grow its business in the U.S., a top company executive said, having failed two years ago to buy U.S. Cooper Tire & Rubber for $2.5 billion. Apollo's global push is aimed at reducing dependence on the domestic market, where passenger and commercial vehicle sales are recovering slowly after a slump and where it plans to invest $400 million over the next three to four years. The company, the number 2 tyremaker in India, also faces growing competition from cheap replacement tyre imports from China that rose 60 per cent in the fiscal year that ended on March 31 from a year ago, industry data showed. Apollo's bid for Cooper collapsed after le-

EYEING EXPANSION Apollo Tyres is mulling hiring a sales team to grow its business in the U.S., a top company executive said, having failed two years ago to buy U.S. Cooper Tire & Rubber for $2.5 billion.

Apollo's global push is aimed at reducing dependence on the domestic market, where passenger and commercial vehicle sales are recovering slowly after a slump and where it plans to invest $400 million over the next three to four years.

The company, the number 2 tyremaker in India, also faces growing competition from cheap replacement tyre imports from China that rose 60 per cent in the fiscal year that ended on March 31 from a year ago, industry data showed.

Apollo's bid for Cooper collapsed after legal battles, scuppering its plans to break into one of the world's biggest tyre markets.

By 2020, Apollo's revenues outside of India are expected to rise to 40 per cent from about 35 per cent today, as it expects to double its sales from Europe and ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) over the period.

The company will next year start raising, in tranches, up to $250 million of debt towards its planned $400 million investment in India.

With the Indian government working to kickstart stalled road infrastructure projects, Apollo, which mainly manufactures tyres for trucks and buses, is planning to double capacity at its Chennai plant.

Bombay HC's mandated lab tests cleared by 'Maggi'

Hatchback Baleno to be launched by Maruti Suzuki next week Chennai, Oct 17: Country's largest car maker Maruti Suzuki India will launch premium hatchback Baleno next week, which will be exported to over hundred countries as a 'Made-in-India' car. "We showcased the car in Frankfurt motor show. By October 26, we will be launching it in India not only to domestic market but also to over hundred foreign markets", Maruti Suzuki India executive director RS Kalsi told reporters. Maruti Suzuki introduced Baleno as a premium sedan in the domestic market years back but later stopped its production. The company is mulling the re-entry of the brand Baleno as a premium hatchback.

"It will be a Made-in-India car and will be exported to over hundred countries like European countries and Latin American countries", Kalsi said after unveiling the 71st Nexa outlet here. Stating that the premium hatchback segment was growing at a rate of 20 per cent year-on-year, the company would sell Baleno as the second product from Nexa outlets. "Baleno will be available as our second product from Nexa showrooms after SUV S-Cross. Already, we have sold 10,000 S-Cross. There has been a significant response for Nexa outlets. By March 2016, we will be having 100 Nexa showrooms across the country", he said.

The company is also planning to open seven more Nexa outlets in Tamil Nadu, said Maruti Suzuki India Senior Vice-President (New Channel) Marketing and Sales Partho Banerjee. "We already have three outlets now. We are planning to open seven more, taking the total to 10 Nexa outlets in Tamil Nadu", he added. (Agencies)

more cost competitiveness to sell in the U.S. We would begin with hiring a small team... and grow from there," he said, adding that the company is still studying how big the team will be. Mr. Kumar said the company also hopes to supply to carmakers in Europe such as Volkswagen AG, Daimler AG and Suzuki Motor Corp that build cars close to its upcoming plant in Hungary. The company will next year start raising, in tranches, up to $250 million of debt towards its planned $400 million investment in India. With the Indian government working to kickstart stalled road infrastructure projects, Apollo, which mainly manufactures tyres for trucks and buses, is planning to double capacity at its Chennai plant.

(Agencies)

Fashion portal abof.com launched by AB Group Mumbai, Oct 17: Aditya Birla Group has launched abof.com (all about fashion: ae-bof), an online fashion portal for apparel, footwear and accessories for men and women as part of its e-commerce drive. "The e-commerce sector is a sunrise sector from an investment point of view. While a lot has happened in the

Mumbai, Oct 17: Nestle India recently said all samples of Maggi have cleared tests conducted by three laboratories, as mandated by the Bombay High Court, paving the way for the instant noodles brand to be back in the market after it was banned over the presence of excess lead. "We have received test results from all three laboratories mandated by the Hon'ble Bombay High Court to test Maggi noodles samples. All the 90 samples, covering six variants, tested by these laboratories are clear with lead much below the permissible limits," Nestle India said in a statement. "In compliance with the orders of the Hon'ble Bombay High Court, we will now commence manufacture and will start selling only after the newly manufactured products are also cleared by the designated three laboratories," the company added. Stressing that Maggi noodles are safe, Nestle India said it has "conducted over 3,500 tests representing over 200 million packs in both national as well as international-accredited laboratories and all reports are clear". In June, food regulator Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had banned Maggi noodles saying it was "unsafe and hazardous" for consumption after finding lead levels beyond permissible limits. The company had withdrawn the instant noodles from the market. Nestle India had challenged the ban by the FSSAI in the Bombay High Court. In August, the court lifted the nationwide ban imposed by the food regulators on Maggi noodles but ordered a fresh test of samples of the product in three independent labs across India. (Agencies)

gal battles, scuppering its plans to break into one of the world's biggest tyre markets. "We are now looking at the U.S. market through organic growth," Chief Financial Officer Gaurav Kumar said in an interview on Thursday. By 2020, Apollo's revenues outside of India are expected to rise to 40 per cent from about 35 per cent today, as it expects to double its sales from Europe and ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) over the period, said Mr. Kumar. In 2014, the year after the Cooper bid collapsed, Apollo said it would invest 475 million euros ($540 million) to build a new manufacturing plant in Hungary. That plant will begin production in 2017.

"Once Hungary comes on stream we will have much

last couple of years, a lot more is yet to happen in this space. We plan to stay focused on seeding and growing specific businesses in areas where we have specific strengths which we can play upon extensively," said Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman, Aditya Birla Group while announcing the launch. "We

see fashion e-commerce as one such space. With abof.com, we aim to offer a wide but curated range of merchandise and a differentiated shopping experience that can compete with the best in the world. We see abof emerging as the most admired player in online fashion within the next three years," he said. The

portal will provide a personalized shopping experience.

It is equipped with India's first-of-its-kind 3D virtual trial room - a tool where customers can instantly view themselves in any product by inputting their basic body proportions. The tool allows one to layer various garments to check out looks. . (Agencies)

Mahindra Comviva to offer tech solutions and infrastructure to payments banks New Delhi, Oct 17: Mahindra Comviva, which has a 25 per cent market share in the global mobile money market, will offer technology solutions and infrastructure to payments banks in the country as it aims to tap the opportunity created by the Reserve Bank of India's decision to issue licenses to 11 Payments Banks, the company said. "Mobility will be the key lever in the fast evolving Indian banking landscape. Acknowledging this change, Mahindra Comviva has enhanced its leading mobile financial solution 'mobiquity' to meet the needs of the payments and small finance banks in India," Srinivas Nidugondi, Senior Vice-President and Head of Mobile Financial Solutions, Mahindra Comviva, a subsidiary of Tech Mahindra, said. There are several reasons why payments banks and mobile banking are so important for India, Mr. Nidugondi said. First, he cited the high cost of cash. A Mastercard study, he said, found that the cost of maintaining, managing and transporting cash cost the banking sector Rs.21,000 crore in 2014. Mobile banking and other forms of electronic transactions stand to greatly reduce this cost, Mr. Nidugondi said. The second reason for the success of payments banks is to do with Indians' perceptions of their bank accounts. At the moment, he said, about 20 crore bank accounts are dormant. "These are the accounts we need to focus on," Mr. Nidugondi said. People need to see these payments banks not as savings instruments, he said. "The focus (with payments banks and mobile money) should not be on financial inclusion, the focus should be on electronic payments. In addition, these accounts should be seen more as transactional instruments rather than savings instruments," Mr. Nidugondi said. He added that his company's focus would be on two core groups: the unbanked, and the millennials (aged 15-35 years).

"Our experience internationally has shown us that people who are unbanked take to mobile phone banking really well. They conduct all their transactions through them. The other group we are looking at are evolved customers, especially millennials. This group is heavily into the use of smartphones," the executive said. So far, Mahindra Comviva's technological product has been deployed with Idea and is expected to be adopted by Tech Mahindra as well when it rolls out its own payments bank. In addition, Mr Nidugondi said that his company was in talks with Vodafone and Bharti Airtel as well. Airtel Money in Africa already uses Mahindra Comviva's systems, he said. (Agencies)

Boeing joins 'Make in India' bandwagon

New Delhi, Oct 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' campaign got a major boost with American aviation major Boeing joining the bandwagon. Boeing chairman James McNerney said here that the company could assemble fighter planes and either the Apache or Chinook defence helicopter in India. "Even (building a commercial aircraft wing or fuselage in India) is closer than you think," McNerney said, making Boeing the biggest global company to commit to the 'Make in India' programme. Last

month, Boeing had got a $3-billion contract for supplying 22 Apaches and 15 Chinooks to India. While finalizing the chopper order, the defence ministry had said that contract will have a 30% offset clause and bring in business worth $1 billion for the Indian defence industry. "Make in India is a very important mission for the country.

Over the last two to three decades, the capability of the Indian people has been obvious and clear. Modi's initiative takes up those capabilities two to three levels," McNerney, who met

Modi on Thursday, said.

"Make in India is not just someone handing you a blueprint and you make it.

It can't be that way. I think the vision of the Prime Minister is more than that.

India will get technology that can be used elsewhere in manufacturing ... Make in India is for India and globally. Given the global nature of our products, we can play at the centre of that," he said. Boeing sees huge potential in India for civil aviation growth and it projects the country will need 1,800 aircraft over the next two decades. "Boeing

sees this market as a civil aviation opportunity as conversion of only 1% of people travelling in trains to aviation can double the market size here. We are also looking at producing more fuel-efficient, green and longer-flying capable planes to bring down the cost of flying to attract more customers," McNerney said. Appreciating India's low cost Mars mission, he said Boeing was keen to partner India in space technology. Given the shrinking size of satellites, he hinted at using India's launch capabilities for

Boeing's satellites. "If the politics here allows this initiative, to continue with the same momentum that it has today, for the next five years, the goal of moving the manufacturing contribution to the economy from 14% to 25% is achievable.

The capability is here."

"The civil nuclear deal (between India and US) unlocked everything ... India is now better poised to make investments for us after the new government has come in," he said.

However, Boeing said India needed to resolve issues like the uncertain tax regime and the long time it takes to resolve a dispute here. He gave credit to Modi for trying to address these issues. "Under the new leadership, the country is moving towards the manufacturing dream. The efforts of changing tax regime and working towards speedy dispute resolution are some of the things that this government is working on and it is an encouraging feeling." (Agencies)

90-year-old fragrance co 'SH Kelkar' to get listed Mumbai, Oct 17: At a time when the focus of India Inc is majorly on technology-driven startups, a 90-year-old company, which was set up in a garage in a Mumbai suburb, is going for listing with a Rs 500crore maiden initial public offering. S H Kelkar, which makes flavouring agents and fragrances for food & beverages, FMCG, cosmetics and other companies that need to enhance aroma in their products, has got Sebi nod for its IPO, which is expected to be launched before Diwali. Of the total offering, the company is raising Rs 210 crore while PE major Blackstone, that

in 2012 had bought a 33% stake in the company for Rs 243 crore, is offloading about 10% of its stake for the balance Rs 290 crore.

According to S H Kelkar's IPO document, the company has a market share of 20.5% in the Indian fragrance industry, about

2% of the flavour industry and 12% of the combined two industries.

Among the Indian manufacturers of fragrance and

flavours, it is the largest and now competes with global majors like Givaudan SA, Firmenich, International Flavors and Fragrances Inc and Symrise SA in India. It also exports its products to 49 countries. The company was set up in a garage in Dadar area of central Mumbai in early 1920s, and in the 1950s it moved to Mulund, a Mumbai suburb. Currently it has manufacturing facilities in Mumbai, Raigad, Vapi and Barneveld in The Netherlands, and supplies to Indian majors like HUL, Godrej Consumer Products, Marico, Wipro Consumer Care, VINI Cosmetics and J K Helen Curtis. The IPO is being managed by JM Financial and Kotak Mahindra Capital Company. (Agencies)

Migration of gas is natural, ONGC has no claim: RIL Pune, Oct 17: Reliance Industries recently said that ONGC can have no claims on the about Rs.9,000-crore worth of natural gas that migrated from the stateowned explorer's fields into RIL's KG-D6 block as it is a natural phenomenon and RIL is not at fault. "Migration of oil and gas beyond block boundaries is a natural phenomenon which the contractor has no means to control. Therefore, any suggestion that RIL has breached any obligations or violated any provisions of law or of the PSC (Production Sharing Contract) is incorrect," RIL said in a communication to its employees. RIL further said that it had "scrupulously followed every aspect of the Production Sharing Contract and has confined its petroleum operations within the (boundaries of its) KGD6 Block" in the KrishnaGodavari basin. RIL's statement follows a recent submission of U.S.-based consultant DeGolyer and MacNaughton's draft report saying that about 9 billion cubic meters of natural gas worth about Rs.8,675 crore may have migrated from ONGC's Bay of Bengal fields (called G-4) to the adjoining KG-D6 fields belonging to RIL. The report, submitted to the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, RIL, and ONGC, said that the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons made a mistake in laying out the boundaries between the blocks belonging to ONGC and RIL. The seismic data, it said, showed that it was all one big reservoir and that the DGH's boundaries created an artificial bifurcation. In other words, D&M maintains that there is no independent gas reservoir in ONGC's fields that is unconnected to RIL's KG-D6 field. The G-4 and KG-D6 fields are fully contiguous. ONGC's spokesman was unavailable for comment. . (Agencies)

"Zimbabwe Cricket has with immediate effect banned Mark Vermeulen from participating in all cricket activities, after he owned up to repulsive remarks that reflect racism, prejudice and plain ignorance"

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18

PAGE 11

Zimbabwe Cricket Board

India look to take series lead on flat Rajkot wicket Agencies Rajkot: High on confidence after levelling the series, a resurgent India will look to capitalise on their return to winning ways when they take on formidable South Africa in the crucial third ODI cricket match in Rajkot on Sunday. The splendid 22-run victory in Indore on Wednesday was a shot-in-the-arm not only for the team but also for under-fire captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni after they lost the series opener at Green Park.

The confidence of the Indians will have been lifted by this come-from-behind victory after they were struggling at 124 for 6 around the 30-over mark before posting a challenging score of 247, thanks to Dhoni's blazing 86-ball knock that contained 4 sixes and 7 fours. Dhoni not only shone with the

bat in his inimitable style but also utilised his bowlers well as his preferred ODI line-up in home conditions appears to be a left-arm spinner and off-spinner at the cost of leg spinner Amit Mishra who had bowled

well in India's 5-run loss in the first match, but was omitted for the second ODI. The victory in Indore helped India halt South Africa's threematch winning run on this tour, the visitors' other two victories having

come in the best-of-three T20 series held prior to the ODI contest. However, Dhoni and his men would be wary of dropping their guard on Sunday, for the team that triumphs is bound to hold a distinct psychological edge ahead of the penultimate game in Chennai on October 22.

While Dhoni's return to his clinically finishing best is a big plus for the team, the lack of runs from the blade of Virat Kohli, as well as key members -- Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan could be a bit worry for the hosts. The visitors, too, have plenty to ponder on after their loss in chasing a modest total in Indore. One of the priorities they need to address is tackling spin bowling effectively. While captain AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis have delivered

well at the of the order, the same has not been the case with Hashim Amla and David Miller. It's of primary importance for Amla to get into the groove for he has the ability to counter spin bowling effectively and play the sheet-anchor's role for the other stroke makers to flourish around him. In bowling, the effectiveness of the tourists' pace battery led by Dale Steyn has been nullified to a large extent by the Indian tracks. But India cannot forget the ability that Proteas have in the bowling department. Steyn's extra speed and the steep bounce capable of being extracted by colleague Morne Morkel, along with the raw pace of the young Kagiso Rabada cannot be discounted even on shirtfront tracks.

They have adequate spin support from Imran Tahir

Herath inspires Lanka to FA suspends support innings win over Windies for Platini's FIFA ANI Galle: Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath claimed his fifth 10-wicket match haul as Sri Lanka won the opening Test against West Indies by an innings and six runs on the fourth day in Galle on Saturday. The 37year-old continued to be West Indies' tormentor-inchief as he grabbed four wickets in his second spell to complete the haul. Re-

suming from an overnight position of 67-2, West Indies lost the remaining eight wickets of their second innings for the addition of 160 runs. The tourists failed to overcome their run deficit as they were bundled out for 227 in the afternoon session, with Jermaine Blackwood (92) being the top scorer for his side. Earlier, Sri Lanka scored a mammoth 484 in their first

innings, thanks to centuries from Dimuth Karunaratne (186) and Dinesh Chandimal (151). Herath, who was adjudged as the Man-of-the-Match, had wreaked havoc on the tourists by scalping six wickets in their first innings to enforce the follow-on against the West Indies. With the win, Sri Lanka have taken an unassailable 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Football legend Pele attends 'Subroto Cup Football Tournament' in Delhi ANI New Delhi: Brazilian soccer legend Pele attended the final of the Under-17 boys Subroto Cup Football Tournament in New Delhi. The final fixture was between the All India Football Federation Football Club (AIFF FC) and the Manipur under-17 teams.

Deepandra Negi-led AIFF

FC won by 4-1. Pele was the chief guest at the match in the 56th chapter of the tournament held at the Ambedkar Stadium in the national capital. He presented the winners with a trophy and a cash prize worth 350,000 rupees (USD 5409). Manipur, who finished runners-up, were awarded with 200,000 ru-

pees (USD 3091) as well as medals. Pele, who is on a week-long India visit, had earlier suggested that young Indian players should be provided with more exposure and opportunities to play abroad and also said that Indian coaches should be sent to Latin America and Europe to gain experience.

ET Correspondent Chongkham, Oct 17: HSS, Chongkham defeated AFC, Namsai 2-1 in a match of the ongoing 9th Chongkham Champions Running trophy at the Chongkham mini stadium. The tournament is being organised by the Chongkham Youth Welfare Association. The

Chongkham camp of the army is helping the organizers in publicity of the event which has become a popular event of the locality. The match was a brilliant one with both teams playing some skillful football. The first goal of the match was scored by the team from Namsai when Janaka Namchoom

managed to beat the HSS, Chongkham goalkeeper through some wonderful skills in the 15th minute.

There were no other goals in the first half as both the teams kept each other at bay. The local team managed to get the equaliser in the 63rd minute courtesy Bhudhiman Gurung.

It was a good counter at-

Cuttack: Govinda Poddar and Anurag Sarangi remained unbeaten as Odisha defeated Assam by eight wickets in the third round of ongoing Ranji trophy taking six crucial points. Govinda scored a calculated 77 runs from 77 deliveries, Anurag supported him with his 101ball 29. Meanwhile, Pritam Das and Arup Das were the wicket-takers for Assam, but their bowlers who were successful in their previous game failed miserably in this match. Chasing 141 in the fourth innings, the hosts needed 35 overs to seal the match after bowling out Gokul Sharma's side for 137 in their second innings with Syed Mohammed being their top scorer for his 42 from 116 deliveries.

Suryakant Pradhan's five-wicket haul in

the second innings derailed the Assam's top-order as their three batsmen Kunal Saikia, Gokul Sharma and Amit Verma got out for a duck.

After a brilliant opening game against defending champions Karnataka, where Assam had successfully taken the first innings lead and that was followed by a superb victory by an innings and 152 runs over Rajasthan, this game undoubtedly was a disappointment for the young squad. Meanwhile, Odisha who had picked just two points from their previous matches bounced back in style.

Brief scores: Assam: 92 & 137 (Syed Mohammed 42; Suryakant Pradhan 5/27); Odisha: 88 & 142/2 ( Govinda Poddar 77; Krishna Das 1/31)

Mendoza's brace inspires Chennaiyin 2-0 victory over Mumbai in ISL ANI Mumbai: Chennaiyin registered their second win of the tournament after claiming a 2-0 win over Mumbai City in the second edition of the Indian Super League, thanks to Stiven Mendoza's twin strikes at the DY Patil Stadium here.

The Colombian striker broke

the deadlock in the 60th minute before he added his second goal six minutes later.

With the win, Chennaiyin are third in the points table, while Nicolas Anelka's team will have to regroup his squad as Mumbai City have a run of another four games at home. (ANI)

CK Naidu Trophy match in progress

presidency bid

ANI London: Michel Platini received a major blow to his FIFA presidential ambitions when the English Football Association suspended support for the embattled UEFA chief after learning new information on his legal battle. Earlier, the 60year-old Frenchman was given a provisional 90-day ban by the ethics committee of the world football's governing body over claims that he had received a 'disloyal payment' of two million swiss dollars from football chief Sepp Blatter in 2011.

The FA stated that it had learned more information relating to the ongoing issue from Platini lawyers and thereby it has decided to suspend its support for Platini's candidature for the FIFA presidency un-

HSS, Chongkham edge past AFC,Namsai 9th Chongkham Champions Running Trophy

and Jean-Paul Duminy to slow down the pace if the fast bowlers go for too many runs on what is expected to be a belter of a track against the likes of destructive and in-form batsmen like Rohit Sharma and Dhoni. One major worrying factor for the organisers is the threat of disruption issued by Hardik Patel's Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), who have stated their plan to use the game as a platform for their ongoing agitation for reservation. Patel issued a threat on Friday stating they would block the way of the two teams to the stadium with their community members blocking off the venue as tickets were allegedly not sold to his community members. Security is expected to be tighter than usual in view of this threat to the game's conduct.

Odisha beat Assam by 8 wickets

tack and the goal itself was a spectacular one which was scored from well outside the box. With under fifteen minutes remaining in the match, HSS, Chongkham managed to take the lead through another brilliant display of football by Ajay Gurung . The goal knocked the sail out of the team from Namsai as they were unable get the equaliser and push the match into the penalties.

Couple of players were shown yellow cards in the match for rough play in the second half, namely Bikash Gurung of HSS, Chongkham and Chanda Ansari of AFC,Namsai.

Auradha Namchoom, who had a brilliant match was adjudged as the player of the match. Tomorrow, Chongkham Celta will play with Mao Tai Club.

til the legal process has been concluded and the position is clear. However, the FA declined to divulge more information on it, saying that they had been instructed to keep the information confidential and therefore couldn't go into specifics. Platini had been considered as the favourite to succeed Blatter as FIFA president until he was named in a criminal investigation alongside the former in Switzerland.

FIFA plunged into an unprecedented crisis when Swiss prosecutors opened criminal proceedings against embattled Blatter last month over allegations that he sold World Cup TV rights to disgraced former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner for 20 times below their true value.

ET Correspondent Golaghat, Oct 17: After winning the toss and electing to field proved fruitful for Railways as SB Thakra bagged 7 wickets for 37 runs.

The only batsman to offer some resistance

to the Railway bowling attack were Manas Gogoi (32) and Rahul Hazarika (15) who in spite of putting on a 51-run stand, Assam team were bundled out for 72. On the other hand, Railways batsmen GS

Anand (46) and AP Ya d a v ( 3 4 ) h e l p e d their team take a 61 run lead. However, they were too bowled out at 143 runs.

Assam's Mantu Das took 5 wickets while Romario Sharma took 3.

LMB United lifts 14th Odam Ering Memorial Football Tourney

Spl Correspondent Pasighat, Oct 17: Playing in the final of the 14th edition of late Odam Ering Memorial Football Tournament here yesterday at the general ground, Pasighat, Ledum Mirem Bilat United (LMB) outscored Pasighat Sporting Club (PSC) by 2-0, informed DSO (Sport) Nada Apa in a release.

While addressing the huge gathering of football lovers, Isha Khosla, IAS Deputy Commissioner East Siang

District appreciated the organizing committee for making the tournament a grand success and she urged the youths of the East Siang District to take up sports seriously and make a career out of it. She also added that nowadays sports can keep the youths of the society out of harmful ways thereby fostering personality development and pave the way for good society. Ninong Ering, MP Lok Sabha Eastern Parliamentary Constituency,

son of late Daying and late Odam Ering who sponsored the tournament in memory of his late Mother was also present during the final ceremony encouraging the players. Meanwhile Tamat Gamoh, Chief patron of District Football Association East Siang District, informed that 30 probable players were also selected for intensive coaching camp for the ensuing State Level Tadar Tang Memorial Football tournament to be held

at Tezu from 1st week of the November 2015 For LMB United, Tatem Talo and Mushi Saroh scored in the 40th and 48th minutes respectively.

Individual prizes were also awarded to Mushi Saroh (LMB United) for highest scorer, best goalkeeper award to Najong Nonang (LMB United) and best player of the tournament went to Ninu Rukbo from Bogong Soccer Club (BSC).

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18

Puja Special Puja Musings W

centres are seen collecting clay and other ingredients to make a suitable mix to be pasted on a skeleton made of bamboo ribs which would ultimately come out as the image of the goddess.

I still remember how, while going to and coming back from school, my friends and I would stop for some time in front of an idol-maker's shop watching the whole process of making idols and wondered how the artiste could create such beautiful

female figures out of the rough and dingy materials he used. In those adolescent days I felt envy for the simple-looking, tall and bearded man thinking that he must be a person with extraordinary talent and qualities which I was not fortunate to possess. And the thought that the yet to be painted and clothed clay image modeled probably, as I felt then, on contemporary beauties, would finally be installed in an exquisitely laid out form as the venerated goddess with her family and trampling the terrible demon on a splendidly decorated pedestal, caused in me unfamiliar feelings of

awe and excitement. Later, however, I realized that this particular attitude of mine was due to the fact that unlike most other children of the neighbourhood I, being born and brought up in a Vaisnava environment, had not had the opportunity to be acquainted with such idols during my early childhood. And as I grew in years I came to understand how life was infused in a frame of clay not just by the artist who made it, but more

importantly by hundreds of the faithful who did puja to it as the living goddess, the destroyer of evil and the protector everything good and noble.

I have said 'did puja', because the Sanskrit word 'puja' means the act of worshipping or paying obeisance and the like. In ancient Kamarupa, that is present Assam, the Goddess was widely worshipped along with her consort, Lord Shiva, by people belonging to various ethnic groups even before the Aryans made their inroads into these parts, the former form of worship going by the name Shaktism, while the latter is known as Shaivism. The tradition continued down the ages, and the symbols used in the rituals indicate that it was primarily a fertility worship invoking the deity to bestow on both Nature and humans the power of producing rich crops and more children. Worshipping in those days was performed either in temples or in private homes (kamarupe grihe grihe). The type of community festival that is being organized nowadays is a much later practice entering this land with the 'babus' from Bengal who were brought by the colonial rulers to initially man the lower strata of their administration here. As the years rolled by, the pujas, particularly Durga Puja, assumed the form of a big popular gala being organized in large proportions in most parts of Assam like it is done in Kolkata or elsewhere in the neighbouring state. I, for one, always enjoy watching the huge participation in these yearly festivities of people of all

classes from the rugged beggars to those moving in posh cars and pandal-hopping in fanciful dresses, and relish thinking that even in the most strained of times-economically, socially, politically and so onmy compatriots manage to eke out some time for such glee.

But the sense of enjoyment vanishes the moment reports of killing animals as sacrificial offering - and even visuals of such cruel rituals - come to my mind which is purposely committed to appease the goddess or put the worshippers themselves out of harm's way as a result of her supposed displeasure. It is true that animal sacrifice was there in the primitive ages in most parts of the world, both orient and occidental. But these were the times when magic and incantation ruled the people's psyche, and superstition, not reason, got the upper hand. With the growth of rationalism and scientific outlook the western world threw away such practices, and there is no reason why we, too, who are fond of aping the West in very many ways, cannot

take a stand against animal sacrifice. Assam is presently known to be one of the Indian states where animals ranging from birds like pigeons to four-footed creatures as big as buffalos are killed ritualistically every year in the name of the goddess. Those who stick to such inhuman practices despite opposition from a section of the society, insist that this is done as part of a long standing tradition which cannot be dispensed with. If that is so, what about human sacrifice which, too, had been a tradition among the followers of Shaktism in these parts?

Can we now think of somebody called 'Bhogi', a man chosen for sacrifice to the goddess who was allowed to indulge in all kinds of luxuries for a certain period before he was taken to the alter for sacrificial beheading? Is India not noted for ahimsa as advocated by the Bhagavata Purana, the Gita, the Buddha, the medieval saints, Mahatma Gandhi and many other great souls? Ahimsa does not mean being kind and non-injurious to fellow humans alone, but equally to other animals also. But the

pity is that while our country has adopted strict laws for prevention of cruelty to animals, sacrificial slaughtering is still going on with little or no hindrance from any quarters. There is currently a hue and cry about killing cows and eating beef, and certain states have already banned it. What is the difference between a cow and a buffalo?

How I wish to see a puja without any loss of precious animal lives! How beautiful the altar would be if no animal blood is sprinkled around! Since everything about puja, including the idol of the goddess, is symbolic, there is no reason why sacrifice, too, cannot be symbolic, say replacing the living creature with something like a gourd. I hope this is not a wishful thinking, and sooner or later this will happen making the pujas more enjoyable to one and all.

Dr Pona Mahanta (Formerly Professor and Head, Dept. of English, Dibrugarh University) Indranil Enclave B1 Ananda Nagar, Sixmikle Guwahati 781022

Thengal Manor offers a royal experience Bijoy Shankar Handique Once you walk into the Thengal Manor, you will know you have stepped into history to live, to feel another day in paradise. As the young, energetic, gentle boy shows you in, you will be stunned at the sight of awesome symbol of Assamese aristocracy of early 20th century.

The milky white manor, with its sprawling lawns and imposing grandeur, seems like a portrait from another time offering the nuances of almost regal lifestyles.

Thengal Manor was

built in 1929 by late Rai Bahadur Siva Prasad Barooah, the scion of Khangia Barooahs of Thengal, in the Jorhat district of Upper Assam.

It was from this sprawling estate that the Raibahadur first published the Assamese daily, dainik batori, on August 12, 1935, in the days of the freedom movement, when cries of 'Inqualab Zindabad' rang down the alleys of Assam's villages.

On the way to Thengal, one drives down na-ali, along the 7 km Jorhat-

Titabor road, the historic bongal pukhuri, rajmou pukhuri, where the Ahom traitor, Badan Chandra Barphukan, was put to death for having invited the Burmese army into Assam in the 19th century.

The manor's sprawling bungalow forms the central piece in a resort spread over 38 bighas of land. Its five double-bedded suites are a class apart. Past the afternoon siesta, visitors at the manor wake to bihu dancers, their mohor singor pepa (buffalo horn trumpet), dhol (drum),

Page 12

Unearth the Goddess in You with these Top 9 Trendy Festive Saree Designs for Durga Puja 2015

Dr Pona Mahanta ith the advent of autumn, the Pujas are ringing in again. The incessant rains causing floods in most towns and cities, not to speak of the countryside, have ceased to fall and the simmering heat, too, is slowly disappearing. In short, Nature in the Northeast is putting on a new garb preparing the ground for the faithful to organize puja of the goddess Durga who, in this small part of the globe, goes by various names symbolizing shakti or energy or the creative force. As the day begins with a sunny morning, artists and craftsmen in certain localities in most urban

ASSENG/2015/64205

Four days in a year, saptami, asthami, navami and dashami - the four main days of the famous festival Durgotshav, Dussehra or Durga Puja, celebrated with pomp and joy, glee and utmost chic fashion, do you think we wouldn't want to dress up like Paro or Phultushi while the shenanigans and the maddening crowds sweep every nook and corner of the city? Durga Puja apart from its rituals and traditions showcases traditional touches of fashion galore, and the cotton sarees especially are a visual treat for fashionistas across the city and the nation to indulge in. Bengali cotton sarees don't have to be shimmery and shiny, but yet they make an elegant statement.

Let us show you ten cool saree designs and styles to seek inspiration from this festive season!

1.Georgette at the Bhashan While biding adieu to the Goddess and asking her to bless the city and its inhabitants, the waters of the Ganga welcomes the daughter of the mountains in its ebbs and waves. Style your saree for Durga puja in dark blues or royal purples, with georgette touches while the Bhashan (immersion) is on!

2.Printed Sarees for The Day Parties and gatherings, the community lunch and more, Durga Puja brings us all together for a meal and a little fun time under the shamiana's so colourfully spread. Floral patterns and chic designs on cotton Bangladeshi inspired sarees are thus haute to wear!

3.Dhanekali Weave for Daytime Rituals Bling for the day is so passĂŠ but the Dhanekali weave on cotton Bengali sarees are timeless creations to adore and admire. The byloom creation with light weaves, quite a far cry from the conventional weighty versions as seen around, makes cotton a fabric so pleasing to doll up in!

4.Quintessentially Haute for the Mid-Morning Aartis Announcements for the aartis and anjalis have been made, and its time for the ladies to flock and pray.

While the Goddess is being revered and invoked, bring out the diva Goddess with style and utmost minimal grace in a Cotton Bengal Tangail - nothing speaks more of the Bengali touch here!

5.Lemon Touches at The Saptami Anjali While gathering around for

cultural activities, and fun be the norm every Durga Puja, dressing up in heavy embellishments and sarees that shine is best kept for the night. For the day, may we suggest dolling up in the famous Dhakai Bangal cotton saree for the quintessential Bong touch!

6.Bengal Taant for Saptami Nights Break away from the stereotyped colours of the season, and bring on the dark black with silver mystical touches. The Bengal taant black and silver cotton saree for the first night out with family, makes pandal hopping your ramp walk saga!

7.You Could Go Chic and Traditional for the Ashtami Anjali Night Dressing up chic and traditional for the anjali on the second night, shouldn't be a toughie. Take inspiration from Bengali actress Konkona Sen who sports a white Bengali cotton silk saree with yellow borders so very bong we say!

8.Dhakkai Jamdani Cottons for Navami Anjali While revering the goddess on day two, dressing in all red seems to be the norm for women and PYTs around Bengal. Call it a traditional way to celebrate the vibrancy of the festival; an all red dhakkai jamdani sure would steal more than just looks, while rituals are performed!

9.Bengal Handloom Hazarbuti Another evening out with friends and the pandal visitations and hopping sprees don't cease. Dress up like a Goddess on a walk, with the chic yet simple and very elegantly draped Bengal Handloom Hazarbuti saree on dashami!

Machcher Dompokht

toka (bamboo joint) and tal (brass plate), a glimpse of Assam during spring time when the entire Assamese community gather to make merry with celebration of love and rejuvenation. Tea tribe dance jhoomor as well as the Mising girls' dance before Mising bihu, the bihu before going to the paddy fields which is also followed by late in the evenings the unique - Onkiya bhaouna's, the play written by 15th century Assamese guru and cultural icon, Shri Shrimanta Sankar Deva, at the manor's amphitheatre.

The Thengal also has a namghar, a traditional Assamese prayer hall, where elders recite the Bhagawat Gita and namghosa, followed by Sattrya Nityyo a dance in the form of a classical Indian dance.

There is more if you would wish to search, around the manor, the green paddy fields and sprawling green tea gardens, wild grasses with bamboo groves where the jackal and leopards loiter freely around.

Have a week stay; make an hour drive to historic Sivasagar, the historic Ahom capital that became a tea and oil city of the east.

The other places to visit may be the Kaziranga National Park, Gibbon Wild Life Sanctuary, Panidihing Reserve Forest and Nambor Reserve forest where rare species of birds sing sweet as the cricket blow its whistle, as the gentle Nambor Hot Water spring several bubbles for tourists who gather to taste the Nature's Gift.

The heritage homestay at the Majestic Thengal

Manor which offers a royal retreat in a homely environment is also about leisurely walks into the majestic outdoors exploring the green groves beyond the heritage bungalow. ** How to reach, six hours drive from Guwahati via NH 37 from Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati Railway Station to Mariani then half-hour drive from Mariani Railway Junction, 20 minutes drive from Roworia Airport daily flight from Kolkota-Jorhat only and regular train services Jansatabdi/Inter-city Express to reach Jorhat Railway Station, besides there are daily flights and train services from Guwahati to Dibrugarh which is only at a distance of two-hour drive.

Ingredients: 1 kg rohu-cut into big pieces 250 gm ghee 1 tbsp onion paste 1 tbsp ground poppy seed paste 2 tbsp onions-chopped 1 tbsp green chillies-chopped 1 tbsp ground almond paste 500 gm yoghurt 100 gm raisins Method: Rub in the salt into the fish pieces and saute lightly on low flame for a few minutes.

Mix all the ingredients except the chopped onion in the yoghurt and pour over the fish and marinate well.

Heat the ghee in a kadhai and fry the chopped onions and add to the fish.

Simmer for about 5-6 minutes

and then add a tsp of ghee and remove from fire. Serve hot.

Sandesh Ingredients: 150 gm paneer (cottage cheese) 1/2 cup khoya - grated 4 green cardamom - crushed Large pinch of kesar(saffron) 6 Tbsp sugar / gur 6 almonds - shredded thin lengthwise Method: Blend the paneer, khoya and sugar/gur together till smooth.

You can do this in a blender or use the back of akatori to mash them together.

Mix in the elaichi and set in a layer about 1/2" thick.

Refrigerate till set and cut into squares or diamonds and serve.

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