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ASSENG/2015/64205

PAGE 12

Vol. 1

Issue 348

Dibrugarh, Friday, May 27, 2016

Chief Minister Kalikho Pul meets injured victim of Tawang firing; victim breaks down medical authority.

A Staff Reporter Guwahati, May 26

The Chief Minister advised Thutan on number of physiotherapy courses and suggested him to do breathing exercises to regain mental strength during the treatment.

Forty-four-year old Wangpa Thutan, injured in the May 2 police firing of Tawang broke down when Chief Minister Kalikho Pul visited him here at Hayat hospital on Thursday.

Regular meditation and breathing exercise would regulate blood circulation, which would help the patient recover fast, said the CM and asked the hospital authority to help Thutan with such exercises.

Thutan was unable to control his tears moved by the words of comfort expressed by the Chief Minister. He suffered femoral shaft fracture after a bullet hit him in his right thigh.

The CM softly patted on Thutan’s forehead and consoled him, enquiring on his health conditions and assured him of all financial support until full recovery. The CM also checked on the X-ray information to assess the extent of damage to the femur bone.

Extending financial support for the treatment, the Chief Minister gave away Rs 2 lakhs from his personal source. This

ET CAPSULES

Road mishap Tinsukia, May 26.

Altogether 5 persons were injured following a road accident at Rangagora road in Tinsukia town on Thursday. According to information accident WagonR car (AS 23 L 0109) coming from Tulsiram road hit a rickshaw due to which it overturned injuring 3 persons including the rickshaw puller. The incident did not stop here as the car owner in an attempt to flee hit as bicyclist and than a scooty injuring two persons out of which one Nayan Dasgupta had been referred to Assam Medical College and Hospital in Dibrugarh.

In the meantime angry locals gheroed the car.

Finally, police came and somehow rescued the car owner and took him to police station. The car owner has been identified as Anand Verma. (Spl correspondent)

Child feared drowned in Golaghat Golaghat, 26 May: A wave of mourn prevailed today in Golaghat when a child feared drowned in a pond. According to the report a seven years old child and student of Dharampur LP School of Kachomari Luku Saikia in Golaghat today went along with his friends and went missing. Later his friends informed the parents and local people that the child fell into a pond. The local people and parents rescued the child from the pond and was taken to the hospital but the doctors declared him to be brought dead.

(Correspondent)

is in addition to earlier financial assistance of Rs 6 lakhs as ex-gratia relief and Rs 1 lakh from CM’s personal source.

For Thutan to recover fully, it would take almost 18 months, the doctors told the

CM. He was brought to the Hayat Hospital in a very critical condition and was directly admitted to the ICU. Further delay and complications could have led to leg amputation had it not been for timely medical intervention, informed the

The CM also advised him to strictly follow the instructions of the doctors and assured to provide full financial help if the need arises for further treatment outside North East.

Further the Chief Minister asked the hospital authority to take full care of the patient and drew satisfaction from the service offered by the hospital.

The CM also interacted with the doctors and other patients admitted in the hospital.

Price -

5.00

APCC tense of whom to make next APCC president A Staff Reporter Guwahati, May 26

With former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi having openly announced that ‘he is there to stay’ in Assam politics, the Congress MLAs have heaved a sigh to relief at having found someone to lead the party in the opposition and to guide them, but the question mark over the issue who will head the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee still remains.

“Our leader Tarun Gogoi has said that he will lead the Congress in Assam from the front and we are sure he will

do very well, and he is in full fighting spirit,” said senior Congressmen and Rajya Sabha MP, Ripun Bora.

immediate ouster as the president, and some have even said that he should resign citing more responsibility for the debacle.

Bora however said that the party is still to take a decision on who will be the leader of opposition from the Congress.

“The party leadership wants someone young and efficient to take over as the leader of opposition, and it could be Ajanta Neog or Rakibul Hussain,” said a senior Congress leader.

“Dutta’s was over confident and was last connected with the grassroot, and this is one of the major reason for the party’s debacle in the state, and we need someone dynamic, more approachable to lead the party,” said APCC secretary.

Meanwhile, dissidence has picked up with the Congress and a section are demanding APCC president Anjan Dutta’s

ET Correspondent Lakhimpur; May 26

rejoice as Naba Doley was conferred to shoulder the responsibility of Panchayat and Rural Development, Sports and Youth Welfare, Social Welfare and Cultural

Tinsukia police seizes 1000 liters expired refined oil Workers flee from ET Correspondent Sonari, May 26

the entire stock of the oil.

In the meantime, despite contacting several times

Tinsukia police tried to maintain secrecy on the exact quantity of seized goods which has raised several doubts.

Councillor alleges IMC for gross financial mismanagement and inefficiency

Addressing the media persons at the Arunachal Press Club, the BJP councillor expressed disgust and regret at the alleged inefficiency of the Congress dominated IMC members in handling the

through his strong leadership.

We want him make the corrupted P&RD department free of corruption"-commented several persons expressing great expectation over him. It

threat from ULFA(I)

In a major raid conducted by Tinsukia police on Thursday, several thousands of expired refined oil was seized from a factory located at Balugoda, namely, Abhinav Food Products.

Gora Lotak, Councillor of Ward No. 18 of Itanagar Municipal Council (IMC) while alleging of gross financial mismanagement and inefficiency, demanded the resignation of the IMC Chief Councillor along with Deputy Chief Councillor and the members of Empowered Standing Committee (ESC) on moral ground today.

Affair portfolios in the newly constituted Ministry of Assam.

"We are happy as he gets the charge of some crucial departments. We hope he will bring historic change in them

CM Sonowal inaugurates work site following Assam House at Shillong

Spl Correspondent Tinsukia, May 26

A Staff Reporter Itanagar, May 26

Ripun Bora

On being asked whom the party workers would prefer, he said that, more want either Bhubaneshwar Kalita or Ripun Bora to take over as the APCC president.

People of Dhakuakhona rejoice as Naba Doley gets P&RD, Sport &Youth Welfare, Cultural Affair Portfolios The people of Dhakuakhona Legislative Assembly Constituency have expressed

According to sources, following a tip police conducted the raid and found several hundreds of 15 kg tin of Gold brand refined oil.

However, the refined oil had crossed the expiry date following which police seized

PAGE 6

Pages- 12

matters of finance within the council and also in keeping the twin city within its jurisdiction clean.

“Three years after the inception of municipal council, the Capital Complex has only grown dirtier than before,” asserted Lotak before adding that, “The fact that the state Capital being listed among the third most dirtiest cities in India only speaks volumes about the inefficiency of IMC.” In this regard, Lotak while seeking to substantiate his claim of inefficiency by the IMC leadership highlighted that the vehicles meant for picking the garbage within his own jurisdiction of Ward No.

18 has been lying defunct due to non-availability of battery to run the vehicle.

Fleeing of workers engaged by a contractor to built a road along with a RCC bridge following extortion demand by suspected ULFA(I) cadres have created sensation in Charaideo district . According to sources Numal Saikia, a class one contractor from Dibrugarh, was running construction work of the Rohan Changmaigaon – Hatipukhuri connecting road along with a bridge at a cost of Rs. 3 crores. Meanwhile Saikia received a number of threat calls from suspected ULFA (I) cadres demanding money.

Following this the contractor had slowed down the construction work. Recently an armed group of suspected

ULFA (I) cadres forcibly entered the camp of the contractor at night and asked for one Kusha Sonwal, mohorar of the contractor. But as Sonwal was not present at that time the suspected ULFA(I) cadres went away threatening the labourers to stop construction work.

Though the incident took place on 12 May last the contractor neither informed the security forces nor logged an FIR with the police, which kept the incident in darkness till yesterday. It is to be mentioned here that some labourers who were staying in the camp before fleeing yesterday had informed some locals about the incident. The incident has created some sensation in the district which was once a hot bed of ULFA activities.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the newly constracted Assam House in Shillong. Pic - UB Photos A Staff Reporter Guwahati, May 26

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday inaugurated the refurbished Assam House in Shillong at a function held in Shillong.

The three-storied Assam House built on a sprawling 12 bighas of land has 30 rooms including six VIP suites and two VVIP suites. The state of the art

Assam House has facilities like conference hall, office space, lobbies, foyers, dining hall and a dormitory and the total the project cost involved in the construction is Rs. 10 crore 36 lakh.

The plaque was unveiled by the Chief Minister in presence of Chief Secretary V.K. Pipersenia, Commissioner and Special Secretary PWD (B), Ajay Bordoloi and a host of other dignitaries.

“The concern authorities within the IMC are unable to replace a battery of Rs 2500 despite huge fund reserves and consequently, the vehicle has been lying unused for three months now and subsequently resulted in the piling up of garbage in the area,” Lotak informed.

The ward no. 18 councillor was also highly critical of the non-pursuance and alleged lackadaisical attitude shown by IMC chief with regards to the

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Manjit- A Man with excellent painting ability Can someone even imagine, drawing on a single grain of rice! But Manjit Kumar Shah has put everyone into surprise by drawing 26 portraits of Mahatma Gandhi on a single rice grain within 3 minutes and 33 seconds. I really do wonder how was he able to hold such a tiny little piece and draw portraits. This is really something to be thought, admired and be proud of.

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Manjit Kumar Shah, son of Manoj Kumar Shah and

Gayatri Devi Shah was born on 13th June 1989. He is a resident of Makum, Tinsukia district of Assam and was not born with a golden spoon in his

mouth. He leads a very simple life and even personally he is simple but yet extremely talented boy.

He has not only drawn on a

single rice grain but has drawn 1390 portraits of great personalities of the world and 1615 portraits of Mahatma Gandhi on the surface of duck egg shell with a black gel pen within 5 hours and 45mins.

For this he has received numerous awards namelyIndian Book of Records, Unique World Record, Assist World Record, Record Holder Republic and the India Pride Awards. Even after winning such big awards he still remains the same simple Manjit as before and nothing in him has changed.

Contd. on Page 4

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Shristi Khati & Sidharth Singh

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, MAY 27

PAGE 2 ASTRO FOR YOU Aries You are to look before you leap. One hasty decision may undo a lot of hard work accomplished over a long period of time. After a tense morning, you may simply want an evening with kids, helping them grow the Dahlias.

Taurus You are likely to get extra passionate and fervent today. If your logic prevails over your heart, things will probably change for better during the course of the day. It is high time that you set into motion the poignant side of your character.

Gemini You will be filled with concern and sensitivity towards others, and will bestow your blessings upon many. However, being too emotional is not advisable. Your emotions could get in the way of your progress at the work-front. You need to listen to your head over your heart when it comes to professional matters.

Cancer You may be in one of your more frivolous moods today. Gossip, fun, laughter and some harmless flirting shall make your day interesting, yet these are not the pastimes you usually enjoy. Hence, as the day rolls on, you shall find yourself to your reserved, reticent self concentrating hard on getting the work done to make way for the early evening gym/ driving class. Good going, after all finding balance is just the right thing to do.

Leo You will give importance to your work and your style of functioning to get a promotion in the office. You will also increase the amount of work you put in. While the fruits of your labour may not be immediately available to you, in a very short time you can expect to make more gains than you expected to. Nothing worthy of note is likely to occur in your personal relationships today.

Virgo You are renowned for your leadership qualities and today they will be much appreciated for the way you manage your team. You will get a long-due promotion, and will come in for some extra cash. You received all this by wisely balancing work and home, so be careful not to slip up on this front.

Libra You never let a favour go unacknowledged or let ridicule pass by unanswered. So, it's time to settle those old accounts that are so important to you.. This will increase chances of interesting developments that will continue to surprise you throughout the day.

Scorpio Socially, you enjoy being in limelight as all the eyes are focused on you. However, beware of evil eyes that may not have good intentions towards you. You are a good soul and never hurt anyone. But, at times, it's important to know your foe's weakness to be on the safer side.

Sagittarius Brace yourselves; the day has a lot of uncertainties today. You may have to shell out money for unexpected expenses. But, this may also teach you to be economically independent.

Always look at the brighter side.

Capricorn The day calls for making amends and undoing the damage done to relationships, so you will most likely focus on improving rapport with relatives and peers. But despite your affable approach, family feud may occur. Keeping obnoxious neighbors at bay will save you some trouble.

Aquarius You are an excellent team player and your performance reaches a new high when you are a part of a group. Be an active member of your group, express your opinions, share your knowledge and see how your team becomes the winning team. Wind up your day by hanging out with friends and family.

Pisces You will be treading new ground at work. Exciting as that sounds, it merely means you will have to do a lot of travelling today. You will also find yourself swamped with drafting new business proposals, holding meetings, or otherwise networking over the phone. On the brighter side, your travels are unlikely to involve the cramps of flying economy class.

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 27-5-16 (FRIDAY) 5-35 A.M-Bhaktigeeti (Devotional Songs) 6-10 A.M-Swasthya Charcha (Health Programme) 6-30 A.M-Bidyarthir Anusthan 7-15 A.M-Aajir Dinto (Morning Information Service) 7-30 A.M-Geetanjali (Assamese Modern Songs) 8-30 A.M-North East News Bulletin in English 8-35 A.M-Surar Panchoi (Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 9-05 A.M- Antara (Composite Programme of Hindi Film Songs) 12-05 P.M- Live Phone in Surar Satsori 1-10 P.M-Troops Programme 2-30 P.M-Western Music 3-45 P.M-Programme in Miju Mishmi 4-05 P.M-Programme in Khamti 4-25 P.M-Programme in Wancho 4-45 P.M-News for Arunachal Pradesh 5-00 P.M-Programme in Idu 5-20 P.M-Programme in Tangsa 5-40 P.M-Programme in Nocte 6-15 P.M-Ganya Raijor Anusthan (Rural Programme) 7-15 P.M-Chah Sramikar Asor (Tea Garden Programme Programme) 8-00 P. M - S p o n s o r e d Programme-"Brahmaputra Swasthya Sewa"(Sponsored by BDHL) 9-30 P.M-North East Collage Sd-/H.O.P

Arundhuti Devi assumes charge of General Manager of Upper Assam Zone, APDCL A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, May 26: Arundhuti Devi who was serving as Deputy General Manager (Technical Inspection) in the GM office, Jorhat recently joined as the General Manager of Upper Assam zone, Dibrugarh of Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) after being promoted to the post.

She is the first lady to have joined the post in upper Assam zone which earns revenue to the tune of almost 45 crores every month. Born at Jorhat Kakoti Gaon, Arundhuti Devi completed her schooling from Jorhat, after which

she joined Jorhat Engineering College for higher studies. She is the daughter of Late Tralokya Sarma, who was a renowned journalist and editor of Janambhumi and Ranu Devi.

dynamic leader. Therefore, we do hope that she will be able to bring good results to the zone apart from maintain a good rapport with the consumers", one of the officer said.

Apart from her professional life, Arundhuti Devi is also known to be a music composer who once worked with the All India Radio as a music composer. She is culturally sound, and had also played the role of a judge in the music sector.

Overall, it can be said that Arundhuti Devi is a multifaceted personality and the people can expect higher level of performance from the zone, despite shortage in manpower.

In the year 1980, she completed her studies thus obtaining an Engineering degree in Electricals. After 1 year i.e. in 1981 she joined ASEB. All the officers and employees of the zone is now expecting that under her dynamic leadership, the zone will be able to achieve more higher goals in near future.

"We have known her to be a very hard working and

Rail Hamsafar Books donated Saptaah observed in school library

ET Correspondent Naharkatia, May 26: Today Tinsukia railway division observed the "Rail Hamsafar Saptaah" commencing from 26th May to 1 June, 2016 - a weeklong event to highlight achievements of Indian Railways during the last two years.

During this period, Railway will highlight the several initiatives taken in the last two years and will also showcase the significant achievements made by it.

This week will be marked with various events and each day has been assigned with a special name as well as purposes, namely, on cleanliness, punctuality,

catering, ticket checking, passenger interaction, freight customer. On Thursday, at Naharkatia and Namrup railway station the first day of 'Rail Hamsafar Saptaah', observed 'Swachchta Diwas' wherein efforts will be made to undertake intensive cleanliness driven all the stations and in trains.

As a part of which at Namrup Shri Biprajit Dutta Sr.DSO and at Naharkatia Shri Ramananda Harijan, Sr.R A carried out cleanliness drive at the stations. It is to be noted that under the Rail Hamsafar Saptaah all stations will be inspected by an officer including the railway staff, NGOs.

ET Correspondent Golaghat, May 26: Under the able leadership of Maheswari Yuva Sangathan in association with Maheswari Sabha and Maheswari Mahila Sangathan Golaghat came up with valuable book sets consisting 6 books in each of class 10 was donated to library and student of Christian High School named Priyanka Mishra by Businessman Pawan Kabra. One set was donated to library and student of Government Bezbaruah High School Ritupawan Baruah by Industrialist Prabhu Dayal Verma. One set was donated to library and student of Dandadhar Girls School

named Sayanika Saikia by Businessman Deepak Agarwal. One set was donated to library and student of Mahatma Balya Bhawan named Salma Begum by Businessman Umesh Chandak. One set was donated to library and student of Kushal Konwar Balya Bhawan named Geetashri Borah by Businessman Hitesh Lahoti and Prateek Binnani. The Principal and teachers appreciated the imitative of the organization and said it will be helpful to the students. It is to be known that motive behind this project is to help the needy students good in studies and provide some help for their HSLC exam.

Storm brewing up over ST (H) status to Bodo ET Correspondent Diphu May 26: Granting of Schedule Tribe (Hills) status to the Bodo community people dwelling in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao by central government has provoked mass opposition from among the Karbi community of this sixth schedule autonomous district.

Although the central government’s decision has benefited the Karbi tribes residing outside sixth schedule autonomous districts of Assam, maximum leadership from both Congress, HSDC, various factions of

KSA and few leaders of BJP have expressed strong resentment against the centers verdict.

Dr. Jayanta Rongpi of HSDC and Tuliram Ronghang, Chief Executive Member of Congress led Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council has declared that massive democratic agitation will be formed to ward off the government’s decision.

Mean while various factions of Karbi Students Association, political parties opposing BJP is seeking advice

from senior leaders for lunching severe movement within shortest possible time. Amid all these development till now Karbi Anglong district BJP has not expressed any view on this issue officially.

“Whatever may be BJP parties agenda in this issue people sympathetic to this party have not been taken into confidence by the parties’ high commands to build up the required political will needed at this hour in favor of the party, moreover even after electing 4 MLA from the hill districts BJP do not have any repre-

sentation from the hills, Karbi’s have been totally ignored by BJP, if this goes on, the forthcoming Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council election may turn another Delhi debacle for BJP, probably the BJP party leaders are listening to ill advice of few Congress leaders, they are just deteriorating BJP here, situation is such that, the tail is wagging the dog and not the dog wagging the tail” said Dhoni Ram Tisso, ex. Chairman of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and prominent cultural personality of Assam.

Homeopathy doctor Anil Bhuyan passes away ET Correspondent Sivasagar, May 26: Anil Bhuyan, a Homeopathy doctor of Sivasagar town, passed away after a stroke at a private hospital in Dibrugarh recently. He was 53 years old.

He was also a senior employee in the Tourist Office, Sivasagar. He was also involved with various socio-cultural organizations of Sivasagar.

As soon as his body arrived at his residence at Sivasagar of M.I. Bora Road near SP Office, a special condolence ceremony was arranged where mourners which included all caste and religion offered floral tributes and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul.

They also expressed sympathy to the bereaved family members. Bhuyan is survived by his parents, wife, one daughter and one eight month-old baby. His last rites were performed at his native place Majuli.

Food Materials Distributed Et Correspondent Golaghat, May 26: Akhil Bhartiya Marwari Mahila Samellan of Golaghat recently distributed Food Materials and Carpets to Ekal Vidyalay of Rungajan.

Mr. Vimal of the school accepted on behalf of the school.

World Environment Day to be celebrated with a weeklong programme at Charaideo ET Correspondent Sonari, May 26: Along with rest of the globe, preparations are on in full swing to celebrate World Environment Day with a weeklong programme in Upper Assam’s Charaideo district under the joint aegis of 63 Field Regiment of Indian Army and district administration. A meeting was held today in DC con-

ference hall to discuss about the last minute preparation of the event which is going to start on 30 May. The meeting which was presided over by Dhiraj Das, SDC, Sonari was attended by all departmental heads of the district and army officials.

All the officers were briefed about the weeklong

agenda of the event. According to the agenda the weeklong celebration will get off to a start on 30 May with a mass cleanliness drive in all government, non-government offices, educational institutions, banks etc.

On 31 May awareness programme on necessity to preserve environment will

be carried out in all educational institutions in the district. Drawing competition, Essay, Go as you like and debate competitions will also be held in all four educational blocks of the district on 1st June. Mobile quiz competition will be carried out on the very same day.

In the following days vari-

ous other environment related activities including mass plantation of saplings along the historic Dhudar ali road, approach road of historic Charaideo maidam premises etc. will be carried out. An open meeting will mark the end of the weeklong celebration where best participating institution and individuals will be awarded.

Barking Deer rescued by forest dept with assistance from villagers

The pathetic condition of the Community Health Centre, Kamba under West Siang District which has sadly become a cowshed cum animal shelter in this monsoon season.

Debojit Sonowal Naharkatia, May 26: A barking deer which came out from the Deoshali hill near Joypur Tipam hill area under Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary was rescued today by the forest department personnel with active assistance from the local villagers.

The area comes under the Digboi forest division in upper Assam’s Tinsukia district. The animal prob-

ably came out from the sanctuary and might had lost it way before it found itself amidst human settlement area, forest officials said.

“However, as the deer tried to flee on seeing human beings it got trapped in the fencing of a local tea estate. Later it was rescued by the forest department personnel and local villagers”, the officials added.

On examination of the deer some marks probably left by some leopard was found on the deer’s body.

Later the deer was sent to the animal rescue and rehabilitation centre at Guijan for treatment and subsequent recovery. The forest department has lauded the efforts of the local villagers who extended all necessary help in rescue of the deer.

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, MAY 27

PAGE 3

Chief Minister Kalikho Pul to attend NEC meeting at Shillong ET Correspondent Shillong, May 26: Chief Minister Kalikho Pul will attend the two-day 65th Plenary meeting of North Eastern Council (NEC) meeting here, which will be attended

by Governors and Chief Ministers of the eight north eastern states.

The meeting is expected to fast track development projects in the eight north eastern states. This is Chief Minister Pul’s maiden visit to Shillong after becoming Chief Minister.

On the first day of the meeting, two technical sessions on the topics of ‘Livelihood’ and ‘Entrepreneurship’ will be held. Different Central ministries will interact on

the development projects in North East region. Ministries and departments including Agriculture, Rural Development, Food Processing, Textiles, North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC), Communication & IT, Skills, Tribal Affairs, AYUSH, MSME, Commerce and Department of Financial Services will participate in the interaction during the two technical sessions.

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and Youth Affairs and Sports (IC), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space and

Chairman, NEC, Dr Jitendra Singh will chair the first Plenary session tomorrow. The first Plenary Session will include tabling of Action Taken Report on the 64th Plenary meeting and approval of Draft Annual Plan of NEC, 2016-17 by the Council.

Other topics to be discussed will include North East – Organic capital of the country, North Eastern Road Sector Development Scheme, Assistance for procurement of agriculture and horticulture produces including medicinal plants, Extension of runway at Umroi Airport, Shillong etc.

During the second Plenary Session, discussion will be held on issues such as infra-

structure and connectivity and the Ministries such as Road Transport & Highways, Railways, Civil Aviation, Power, Tourism and Human Resource Development are participating.

During the third Plenary Session to be held on May 27, 2016, various ministries and departments including Ministry of Home Affairs, Inland Waterways Authority of India, Health & Family Welfare, External Affairs and Drinking Water & Sanitation will participate in the discussions. On the same day, in the morning, Marathon race “North East leads the way- Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” will be flagged off from Polo Ground, Shillong.

Capacity building program of women on disaster management held at lekang Indrajit Tingwa Mahadevpur, May 26: A capacity building program for women on disaster management was today held at Mahadevpur for Lekang CD Block under Namsai district. The programme was organised by CDPO Lekang and sponsored by District Disaster Management Authority, Namsai district.At the outset the CDPO delivered the welcome address and briefed about the Aims and Objectives. Sri H.N Dubey EAC, Lekang

chaired the program. The EAC spoke on the yearly flood scenario of Namsai district in general and Lekang circle in particular and how to minimise the sufferings during such disasters by Prevention, Preparedness and Mitigation etc. He also pointed towards what contribution women can make during disasters.

Smti.

Emily Tingkhatra,DDMO Namsai dhared safety tips on Earthquake and Flood and dwelled on the vulnerability

of women, children and elderly people during disasters.

Role of women volunteers during disasters was also highlighted.

Demonstrations on First Aid was imparted by Dr.Tayo Medical Officer, PHC Mahadevpur and demonstrations on fire fighting by personnels of Fire Service Station, Namsai while on search and rescue demonstrations were given by the police personnels of Mahadevpur PS.

Demonstrate fair and moral action in schools to improve education standard: DC

DC Calls Meeting on CSS Programme of Siang DRDA

ET Bureau Pangin May 26:- A co-ordination meeting was held under the chairmanship of Shri Rahul Singh Deputy Commissioner, Siang District in connection with CSS Programme of DRDA Siang District. The meeting was attended by the BDOâ•™s, ZPC and ZPMâ•™s of Siang District.

The DC said that Aadhar card seeding should be

taken up by all CO/ BDOâ•™s by engaging their respective staffs with logistic support from DRDA and DPDO. House to house survey should be taken up and Aadhar card number be entered in Job Card to avoid duplicity in the system. The door to door visit should be completed by 10th June without delay as per dateline fixed

by Govt. All the MGNREGA scheme of the

district should be routed from Gram by conducting Gram Sabha in respective segment for selection of schemes. He emphasized that minutes of Gram Sabha & Photo graphs is requird in estimate and also photographs of worksite of before, during and after along with GPS reading is mandatory to avoid duplication.

All BDOs have been directed to maintain a register indicting name of

scheme, date of commencement work & status report of work so that the schemes can be properly monitored.

He appealed PRI members to achieve 100% free open defecation district under Pradhan Mantri Swatch Bharat Mission executed by PHED within 6 months by motivating villagers for use of toilet .

Shri T. Jonnom, Project Director, DRDA Siang District elaborated on scope of CSS programme under DRDA Pangin and asked BDOs for proper implementation of scheme and informed the tentative programme of seeding Aadhar Card Number into MGNREGA. Smti Opung Jerang, ZPC Siang District, advised officers to maintain cordial relations with PRI members for successful implementation of all developmental works including MGNREGA. Er. G. Ado, TA (RE) briefed on focus area and its importance and appeal BDPs and EO(RE) to take concrete step for timely completion of works for creation of durable asset .

Prize Winning Tae-Kwon-Do Team Return Home Aalo, May 26: The Players from West Siang Taekwondo Association (WSTA) representing India to participate in 2nd International Taekwondo Championship and 1st International Poomsae Championship held at Thimpu, Bhutan from 20th to 22nd May returned home amid ovation today. Miss Nyalin Basar and Miss Yaman Bunyi with silver medal each and Miss Marpi Basar won a Bronze to bring laurel to the district.

This rare feat of WSTA players will boost the spirit and morale Taekwondo event in the district and state.

The District Youth Sports Officer Shri Tumto Loyi, General Secretary WSTA, Shri Modam Karbak and team of receiptionists appreciated the efforts put in by the participants and exhorted them to excel further in future competitions to earn laurel for the district at international level.

BJP party workers observes ‘Victory Celebration' in Bokajan, newly elected MLA receives warm welcome ET Correspondent Bokajan, May 26: Dr. Numal Momin, the newly elected Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) MLA from 17-Bokajan(ST) LAC was accorded a warm welcome by his party workers and supporters here on Thrusday.

In the meantime, party workers also organised a huge bike rally to welcome Dr. Momin from Silonijan thereby escorting him with cheers and slogans to CCI Playground where his supporters organised a grand feast to mark the 'victory Celebration' of the party in the lately concluded State Assembly Elections 2016.

While addressing the mammoth gathering, Dr Momin retaliated the role of the peoples in putting up a united fight against corruption and incumbency. He tendered his sincere thanks to the peoples and said that he is committed to work for the development of the area and change is inevitable. He even promised of ensuring development of the area at par with rest of the state.

regulations.” Giving a brief account of his first day in the constituency after being sworn in as the MLA, he stated to find himself very lucky to start his official journey with the ceremonial opening of a training programme for the Haj pilgrims of the district. Besides this first official programme , he also visited DC , Darrang in his office chamber and also his subordinate officers and staff assured his full cooperation in all sorts of good governance and prompt public service .

MLA Das also informed media that in his first meeting with the DC he discussed several developmental issues including planning to proper preservation and develop the neglected big water bodies on ward no 5 of Mangaldai into a resource of amusement as

A Staff Reporter Itanagar, May 26: The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh JP Rajkhowa expressed shock and deeply mourned the loss of precious lives in the Tata magic accident on NH-415 near Karmajuli Bridge, Nirjuli on Wednesday.

While conveying sincere and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, Governor said, “In this hour of crisis, I join all the well wishers in praying to the almighty to give them enough strength and courage to bear the irreparable loss and to grant eternal peace of the departed souls”.

The Governor also conveys his best wishes for the quick recovery of those who were injured in the unfortunate accident.

District level Open Badminton Championship begins, DC advocates for fair play ET Correspondent Pasighat, May 26: “Teachers are responsible for shaping futures of millions of youths and therefore they should demonstrate fair and moral actions in schools.

They should do their duty with a missionary zeal and dedication”, stated the East Siang Deputy Commissioner Isha Khosla while chairing a coordination meeting today with principals and headmasters, here at the DC's conference hall.

The government is making all out efforts for making sure that best education infrastructure is available and adequate staffs are posted in schools, stated the DC. While instructing for judicious utilization of government funds, Khosla informed that fund for maintenance and infrastructure development would directly be transferred to SMDC (School Management Development Committee) so that transparency is maintained and real development come up. Principals & headmasters should prioritize their requirements and issue “Utilization Certificates” only after satisfactory comple-

Newly elected Mangaldai MLA assured govt. servants free from political pressure

ET Correspondent Mangaldai , May 26: Good news for the government officials serving in Mangaldai , the district head quarter of Darrang as from now onwards there will be no political influence over then , hence they can exercise their government duties freely according to their will . The newly elected BJP MLA from Mangaldai Gurujyoti Das has announced giving them free hand in serving their official duties for the betterment of people of the constituency.

It needs to be mentioned here that Addressing media in Press on the judgment day, Dr Momin Club here on Thursday afwas lacking behind of 4000 votes till round 10 from his rival INC ternoon, Gurujyoti Das said, candidate Klengdun Ingti. How- “I will never any interfere on ever, in round 11 and 12 of which the functions of the governthe poll stations falls within the ment servants when they Bokajan town; Dr Momin made will performing duties for a comeback with majority votes casted in his favour giving him a the development of the conbig leap of 4744 votes in the fi- stituency . But they must follow government rule and nal round.

Water logged roads and improper sewerage facilities have been a perennial problem of the peoples in the Bokajan town. The main bazaar road which had been constructed six months back is now replete with trenches and potholes everywhere. The newly elected MLA, in a bid to wean the confidence of the peoples, inspected the road as well as the drainage facilities leading to the town and assured of corrective measures at the earliest. Taking a step further, Dr Momin said that he would start his development module right from the town considering the hopes and aspirations of the people in the area.

Governor conveys heartfelt condolence to victims of Karmajuli Bridge mishap

well as alternative sub away of the busy township in future . In his address he also assured of putting an end to the middle man culture during the Congress regime and bringing transparency in all sorts of government schemes from distribution of fund under MLA area development to selection of IAY beneficiaries among others. The third youngest MLA in the fourteenth Assam Assembly through media offered his heartfelt thanks to people of Mangaldai constituency for reposing faith on him and electing him as their public representative . Meanwhile in a significant announcement during media interaction he offered his full amount of his first month salary as the MLA for the benefit of the meritorious but financially backward students of his constituency.

tion of works. She also directed to transfer “students’ stipend” in individual bank account of students, seeding with AADHAR card. Giving a strong message, the DC directed the principals and headmasters to recommend Child Care Leave (CCL) if regular school transaction is not hampered or alternative teacher(s) is provided by the directorate of education department.

all students regularly attend classes and progressing well in their studies. They should convene coordination meeting quarterly with parents and career counseling with students on regular basis as constant motivation and monitoring was very important. They should motivate their students to maintain cleanliness and punctual, disciplined and attentive in studies, she added.

In her address, Khosla stressed upon zero tolerance towards teachers’ absenteeism and opined that teachers should take their jobs seriously as an exercise in nation-building. She cautioned that stern action would be initiated against absentee teachers and further advised them to dedicate themselves for the betterment of the students in particular and the society as a whole.

Earlier, the DDSE Obuk Panor informed that the actual motive of the coordination meeting was to improve the education standard. He asked to implement RTE properly in schools and to bring results/performance reports of the students in every coordination meeting. Panor also threw light on Vidya Scheme, mid-day-meal etc and gave some educational tips for betterment of schooling activities.

Administration will install biometric attendance machines in four schools in first phase to curb absenteeism, informed the DC. Principal and headmasters should to ensure smooth functioning of schools so that

ET Bureau Pasighat, May 26: The first ever district level "Open Badminton Championship" began yesterday at the Pasighat Town Club amidst much fanfare. The tournament is being organized by the General Administration in collaboration with the East Siang Badminton Association (ESBA) and good numbers of players are taking part to show their talents and skills. East Siang DC Isha Khosla who is also Organizing Chairman formally declared the tournament open amidst host officers and leaders and hundreds of sports lovers.

Khosla exhorted the youths to take full advantage and to excel themselves to earn name and fame in future. Participants should take part with discipline and sportsman spirit and enjoy the entire episode with full of discipline and fun. Sometime you lose but the main advantage is that it teaches you to renew your efforts to achieve success for next time, she added All the principals and in her brief speech. headmasters briefed and submitted a report on de- Earlier, the District Sports velopment and shortcom- Officer Nada Apa inings of their respective formed that the achievers schools. ADC Ruksin T will be rewarded with Pada and ADC Mebo Y. cash prizes at the end, Tayeng also attended the scheduled to held on May30 next. meeting.

Councillor alleges IMC for gross financial mismanagement and inefficiency Contd. from Page 1

incorporation of Engineering Wing in the IMC and added that the file processing of the same has been kept on hold for some six to seven months now.

Herein, Lotak demanded for initiating actions against the officer in charge for delaying the process.

With regards to the financial mismanagement, councillor Lotak while citing a letter of the incumbent IMC Deputy Chief Councillor, Kipa Babu, informed that, “He (Babu) had written a letter to the state government requesting not to disburse the funds meant for IMC on account of prevailing mismanagement of the

same.”

Dwelling further on this, Lotak maintained that during an extra-ordinary meeting of the ESC on February 4 last, the members had agreed to implement a total of 18 schemes/components against funds which were allocated only for five of such schemes/components.

This, he maintained was a glaring example of fund mismanagement by not implementing the actual allocated works.

Also, dismissing all claims of IMC blaming the Urban Department (UD) for its own lack, Lotak asserted that “IMC and UD are two very independent entities and IMC with its own reserves of all the necessary

man and machine powers along with huge fund reserves cannot pin its own failures on any other bodies or department.”

Further, the BJP IMC Councillor was also highly critical of the IMC initiated collection of parking fees currently prevalent in the twin capital complex.

Asserting that “It is improper to collect fees for parking within 15 metres range of the Highway,” he also went on to observe that, “It is beyond my understanding as to how and why those private firms are benefitting Rs 8 from the parking fees and the IMC is receiving only Rs 2 from the total of Rs 10” and accordingly, demanded for scrapping the same.

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, MAY 27

PAGE 4

Newly sworn Digboi MLA to fight against corruption and illegalities ET Correspondent Digboi, May 26: Filled with zeal and enthusiasm, forty seven years old newly sworn in MLA of Digboi Constituency, Suren Phukon following his landslide victory against the deep rooted Congress addressed the public and his party workers here this morning at India Club Digboi to mark the successful completion of the two years term of BJP led NDA government at the center and its Lok Sabha’s Member throughout.

Offering floral tribute to the various leaders and martyrs, Mr Phukon begun extending his gratefulness towards his electorates for reposing their faiths on him in the last Assembly election and lending him an opportunity to bring in a good governance thus getting rid of the various socio-political and economic infections that had gripped the nook and corner of the historic oil

clean the germs and with the active support of the common people and the State government to create a conducive atmosphere for all to live with assured two square meals, where the basic amenities and rights of the people would always be treated in top priority”, said Phukon.

town Digboi.

Mr Phukon who has been widely hailed by his people reiterated the significance of the day maintaining that on 16th May, 2014, BJP-led NDA under the leadership of Narendra Modi registered a landslide victory, virtually decimating the Congress in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Proud to represent the BJP party at a small but potential OilTown of Digboi, Mr Phukon appraised the people and his party workers about the multi-dimensional achievements of the Modi led BJP Government at the center and assured his electorates to bring in all the benefits under different schemes and developmental projects aiming to serve the people and his place who were otherwise always deprived during the congress regime.

Meanwhile, assuring no discrimination and no prejudice among the people on any fronts, the new MLA

Suren Phukon, MLA criticizing the antagonist congress told that, the menace of syndicate, corruption, commission raj and other illegalities and irregularities in any department would be dealt with in an uncompromising manner.

Sounding a note of warning, he further said that, “Matters relating to Encroachment either in the township or in the prohibited forest area either by individual or

NHM & teachers fraternity welcomes Assam’s new Health & Education Minister ET Correspondent Jorhat, May 26: Every health worker under the National Health Mission (NHM) and teachers under Assam Education Department all welcomes the new Health and Education Minister Dr. Himanata Biswa Sharma, once again under his dynamic leadership aspects to prove its quality service for both the departments which will shine and over lakh of rural, remotest of remote people will be benefitted, stated employees from the both the department here today.

The statement stated that under the dynamic leadership of Dr. Sharma the Health department especially grew light wild fire with the round the clock, ambulance service and several other projects like model hospitals, special maternity cum pediatric centers that came up in several districts throughout the state.

“It is to be mentioned that after his political defeat during the former government, several centers were running without doctors and staff in rural and re-

mote health centre”, the statement added.

On the other hand the State Education department under the leadership of Dr. Sharma will be great for which the Teachers Association need to praise and laud from his past experiences. With his able guidance the Teacher Association assures to go ahead quality education for the students in every nook and corner of the state of Assam, says an executive member from the teachers association Ms Punya Bora here today.

Rangia Two years of NDA Govt ET Correspondent Rangia May 26: Different organisation including N F Railway Rangia Railway Division, Sashastra Smeema Bal(SSB) with the help of Rangia Municipal Board and Assam police and other organisation organised missive cleanliness drive under the Scheme of 'Sascha Bharat Avijan' separately at different parts of Rangia Town including Railway station, Train, Highway, Rangia Girls Higher secondary School, M G Road etc separately to mark the 2nd anniversary of Narendra Modi lead

Two fundamentalists arrested ET Correspondent Tezpur, May 26 : Two jihadists were arrested by Indian Army today in the morning from Parmaiguli village in Tezpur under Mahabhairob Police outpost. According to the information available here following sufficient inputs army conducted an operation in the area and managed to apprehend the two jihadists who were later identified as Imran Hussain (32) and Mujammil Azan (35). However, after the apprehension of the two fundamentalists Mujammil Azan tried kill himself by cutting on his throat. He was immediately rushed to the Kanaklata Civil hospital in a critical condition.

Though detail is awaited regarding the entire incident the sources informed that the two accused are the mastermind of various unlawful activities including the recent robbery case of popular singer Jubillee Barua’s sound system, many car and motor byke lifting cases, Pormaiguli Murder case and mobilization among the Muslim people in favour of jihadi acts etc.

NDA govt.The Railway authority of Rangia Railway Division organised the programme under the Banner 'Rail Hum Safar'. The programme was inaugurated

by Radhey Raman Divisional Railway Manager Rangia Railway Division. He inaugurated the programme by with all of his departmental Heads and staffs by taking oath in the station campus. The Railway staffs of the division cleaned all the train from and to Rangia around the Day. The Alipurduar bound Shifung Passenger was cleaned leading

by Subrata Chakraborty Divi-

sional Asstt. Safety Officer and Dharmendra Kumar Railway Traffic Officer. According to the Railway authority the cleanliness drive will be continue up to 30th May. On the other hand SSB staffs and officers with the help of Rangia Municipal Board and Assam police cleaned entire Rangia on May 26. They will continue the drive up to 31st May. DIG SSB Chance Keishing, Asstt.

Commandant Bhupen Das, Asstt. Commandant (Communication) G.J.Sarma and Bijoy Buzarbaruah including all the staffs and jawans participated in the avijan.

Devastative fire gutted business establishments at Pachmile area ET Correspondent Tezpur, May 27: In a devastative fire altogether four shops of cloth, drug and stationary items including Bitu Cloth store, Parmud Cloth Store, Kajal Ghosh Cloth store and Mausumi Medical Hall were completely gutted

at Pachmile area under Barghat Police outpost last night at around 11 Pm. In the incident loss of worth about Rs. 17 lacs have been reported. However, the area was saved from loss as the fire brigade team arrived timely at the spot.

Handicraft exhibition continues at Kokrajhar ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, May 26: A seven day Handicrafts Exhibition 2016-17 began at Durgabari, Depot Road in Kokrajhar from Thursday, was organised by Bodoland Regional Apex Weavers’ & Artisans Cooperative Federation Limited (BRAWFED).

Altogether 50 artisans from different parts of the BTAD region as well across the state participated in the exhibition and displayed their handicrafts.

Binode Narzary, Chairman BRAWFED lighted the lamp in presence of artisans

and publics. Narzary, in his speech said that “the federation has been organising exhibition and expo in the region where they exploring weaving and handicrafts”.

Caroline Poiner, fashion designer from Sydney, Australia and Praveen Chouhan, New Delhi graced as guest on the occasion. NN Rana Patgiri, Managing Director of BRAWFED said that federation has been stressing to make healthy growth of the weaving sector in the region through which unemployed youths are getting job opportunities.

in groups would not be tolerated anymore” adding, “ the welfare of the garden workers would be given due importance”.

“The Congress has left Digboi infected with its venoms of corruptions, irregularities, misrule, syndicate and above all its family centric misgovernance, now the BJP would shoulder the responsibilities to

While showing his strong and offensive attitude towards cracking upon the menace of gambling in the OilCity, Phukon quoted “I am offered different temptations from various business corners, but refused all”.

During an exclusive with the Eastern Today, Mr Phukon told that besides focusing on the all round developments of his constituency assuring equal treatment to all, his primary agenda also includes the issues related to illegal infiltration of Bangladeshi, provisions for regular and pure

drinking water for his people, effective drainage system and rural electrification. However, blowing the trumpet of the BJP government for his achievements , Mr Phukon during the interview to the Eastern today on the eve of the two years of BJP rule and when asked as how he would meet the expectation of the people, Mr Phukon said that the Centre has laid an effective and scientific roadmap for progressive growth and put the onus on us the state government and we the MLA’s to utilize it to embark on a path of accelerated growth, thus proving our mettle and standing by our commitment to serve the people and the nation.

Beside party workers, the programme was attended by host of invited dignitaries from various walks of life who also spoke on the occasion and expected the new BJP MLA would stand by his commitment to the people.

Women Organization flayed council indifference attitude ET Correspondent Haflong, May 26: The Shakti Mahila Mandol, a front line women organization of Haflong expressed anguish and serious concern over the indifferent attitude of N C Hills Autonomous Council, which had submitted a memorandum to the chief executive member demanding ouster of a most corrupt officer from Dima Hasao.

The SMM had detailed in their memorandum about the most corrupt and even charge sheeted by CBI Dr Jadav Gagoi and had demanded his ouster from the district so that no further damaged caused to the Vety Department as well as to the society.

The NCHAC had released

earlier Dr Jadab Gogoi before election but he by convincing the District Administration remained in the district in the name of election.

Later he was reinstated ignoring the peoples demand.

At this the SMM approached the Principal Secretary, NCHAC to know why and how Dr Gagoi was reinstated even after their complaint against him and that also without constituting any enquiry on this matter. They also warned if the council fails to resolve their concern they would go for stronger agitation in near future.

Talking to this correspondent Smt Parboti Thaosen, President, Sakti Mahila Mondol argued that is the NCHAC for corrupt officials to be guarded ignoring the

people’s concern? Is this Modi Govt’s assurance for the corruption free India. But it is sure, we will not sit tight here but will approach all the concerned authorities to get justice on this matter and to oust the corrupt official from Dima Hasao.

She also said if the NCHAC was not made corruption free then there would be no development in the district and we would be suffered a lot for such corrupt practices of these corrupt officials. Meanwhile, the employees in the Vety department has organized a protest rally tomorrow demanding ouster of Dr Jadav Gagoi as they believe that if Dr Gagoi was allowed to stay in the district the entire society would be disturbed and shattered.

Manjit- A Man with excellent painting ability Contd. from Page 1 He draws in a very miraculous way by using both hands and legs together at the same time; and is the fastest painter known. He can scribble out any picture beautifully and one can have no option left but to sit and admire it. He even does sand and gum painting.

Not only does Manjit keep his talent to himself but even has an art school named Y.D.M art school and is doing a very great job by teaching the children free of cost that come from below poverty line. He too comes from a very poor

background and knows how it feels to have passion and talent for something but also not having any means to make the passion work and also to polish ones talents.

Assam is privileged to have someone like Manjit who is making the state proud and India as a whole, as he has received various awards both nationally and internationally.

At the same time it is very unfortunate to hear that even after bringing so many laurels to the country and state, the condition of Manjit has not changed. He still remains deprived as no facilities have been granted by the

Government. At least the State Government should realize the talent of Manjit and should provide him the necessary emolument which will certainly help him come out of his present deprived condition. He should be encouraged even more and who knows after seeing Manjit how many more will be encouraged from our state to follow his footsteps.

Manjit challenge to break the world’s largest painting record by painting at a very short period of time and we wish him all our luck so that he comes out with flying colours. We also wish him for a very bright future and career in his coming years.

Arrested jihadist confirmed as member of Jamat-Ul Muzahiddin, Assam ET Correspondent Tezpur, May 27: Amidst sharp reaction among the common people here regarding apprehension of Jihadists during a successful army operation in the Pormaiguli area here under the Mahabhairab Police outpost yesterday, the two jihadists who were handed over to the Police this morning were appropriately confirmed as members of an orthodox Muslim fundamentalist group Jamat-Ul Muzahiddin, Assam, that has been carrying out various unlawful activities in the greater Pachmile area for the last many years.

Army sources informed this correspondent that after the marathon interrogation upon one of the apprehended Jihadists Imran Hussain and based on his confession, army later conducted a search operation at his residence and recovered two guns, five mobile phones having contact numbers with militants shelter-

ing in foreign country, one Tablet (Laptop) and letter heads with the heading “Jamat-Ul Muzahiddin, Assam, Sonitpur District Committee.

Various national organizations here appreciated the successful operation of the Indian army and urged the agencies concerned to root out the anti-national element at the earliest stage

Bodoland University organizes International seminar on Orality ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, May 26: Bodoland University ViceChancellor, Prof. Hemanta Kumar Baruah inaugurated the international seminar on the topic of ‘Orality: the quest for meaning’ which was organised by department of English, Bodoland University at Bodoland University with a two-day long programme at Kokrajhar.

Over 150 participants from different university and colleges participated, besides resource person and scholars from abroad like USA, Thailand, Estonia, Argentina, were also witnessed the international seminar where they presented orality aspects of different language and literary terms.

Madhav Prasad Sarma, Kokrajhar Deputy Commissioner graced as chief guest on the inaugural session.

Sarma, in his speech said that the international seminar being organised by Bodoland University was a

symbol of peace and integration in the region because scholar and researchers arrived in Kokrajhar to attend the seminar from different parts of the country and abroad.

“We have luck enough to organise such an international event to discuss about orality aspects of different language and literary aspects amongst the communities besides exchanging of cultural traditions”, said Sarma.

Dr john Zemke, editor of Oral Tradition, Columbia, University of Missouri, Dr Onusa Swavanprast, Nareman University, Thailand, Ulo Valk of Tartu University, Estonia attended the seminar and presented their papers.

Dr Sekhar Brahma, Registrar of Bodoland University chaired the inaugural session where students of the university and Bodo cultural troupes presented cultural showcase on the occasion.

Retired school teacher expires ET Correspondent Rangia May 26: Prafulla Kalita a retired school teacher of Rangia Tulsibari Bahumukhi School died on May 26 Morning after prolong illness. He was 61.

Being a social worker kalita was loved and admired by all. He left behind a son and a daughter.

Bhabesh kalita, MLA

Rangia, Ghanashyam Kalita and Ananta Deka Ex MLA including Tariful Islam Ex-Member of Anchlik Panchyet mourned the death of Kalita.

Tulsibari Market was remained closed for the death of the retired teacher .Different organization paid homage to the departed soul of Prafulla Kalita.

“Teachers and freedom fighters still have honour in south India but not Assam.” Dr. Sadhinata Mahanta ET Correspondent Tezpur, May 26 : Urging the teacher community, parents and their children and the people of the common civil society to play a positive role in creating a conducive educational environment reflecting an overall development of the society noted academician and president of Sonitpur District Sahitya Sabha, Dr. Sadhinata Mahanta said that the sacred relationship between teachers and the students is to be kept alive by the positive attitude of teachers. Dr. Mahanta who was addressing a mammoth gathering of the open session of 49th biennial conference of Tezpur District Madhyamic teachers and employee’s association that came to an end yesterday evening at Rastrabhasa School here, in her speech further observed that as the teachers play a pivotal role in cutting a rout of the society

for it’s future they have still a dignity in the society, but the teacher community too has a responsibility. Expressing displeasure over the tough challenges that teachers have often to face in their life, the noted litterateur further said that teachers and the freedom fighters are given adequate honour in south India, which is not happened in Assam. “It is nothing but it discloses the negative attitude of our society.”

She said adding teachers will have to maintain certain personalities like having good companion, hard working capability, logical justice, good will towards every positive works, guru-sisya tradition etc. She also said that spirituality is a base of morality of human being and everybody must admit that we are controlled by an unseen power. “There should have no classification among the

teachers like TET or non TET, contractual or regular or planned and unplanned teachers. Teachers have a single identity who take forward the society by creating human resources and they should be given top priority in the society.” She added.

Another speaker, President of Tezpur Sahitya Sabha, Hemanta Baruah in his speech said that the new government should take initiative in addressing the grievances of the teachers as well as the education sector so that the teachers need not come to the street for raising their voice seeking their legitimate rights. “With money one can purchase book but not the mind.” He said. Emphasizing the importance of the mother tongue, he also said that everybody dreams in mother tongue only. Saying teacher’s duty is to create inquisitiveness among the students he further said that the

teachers have been playing a major role in leading the society on a right direction.

“Teachers are honoured allowing sitting in front of the judge in the court in France while in America a teacher is given dignity of member of Sinnet.

However, though such status cannot be given to teacher in Assam, the agencies concerned should at-least be concerned about unwanted incidents like the teachers committing suicide because of not getting their legitimate right.” Hemanta Baruah said.

The august occasion held under the aegis of President of Tezpur District Madhyamick Teachers’ and Employee’s Association Gobinda Chandra Nath was attended by Rabin Saikia, General Secretary of Asom Madhyamic Teachers association alongwith office bearers of the teachers body, Atul Chandra Saikia, Rajen Sahu,

Ranjit Some, Biswajit Boro, Vice president of Tezpur Sahitya Sabha Benudhar Kakoti, head Master cum President of Reception committee, Bijay Kandulana among others. The event was conducted by noted teacher and journalist Pankaj Baruah and inaugurated by Secretary of Sonitpur District Adhividya Parishad, Hariprashad Uppaidhyai. In the programme altogether sixty retired teachers were felicitated with citation, sorai and gamusa. The souvenir “Gyanashri” edited by Bhupen Bordoloi was also released in the programmer. Prior to it, on the first day of the biennial conference the first and the second phase of the delegate’s meeting was held wherein after an hours long threadbare debate a new committee was formed taking Gobinda Chandra Nath as President and Biswajit Boro as general secretary.

REGION

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, MAY 27

NSCN(K) cadre held with arms

NSCN(K) cadre held with arms Kohima, May 26: An NSCN (K) cadre carrying a Rs.2 lakh award on his head was arrested along with arms and ammunition during an operation in Nagaland's Dimapur district, an Assam Rifles official said on Wednesday. The cadre, identified as 'SS Capt' Nasaka, was apprehended from Dimapur and the arms recovered from him included one AK-47 assault rifle, one US carbine, two .22 rifles and two single barrel rifles.

Besides, one Chinese

hand grenade, one prismatic compass and 194 rounds of assorted ammunition were recovered from him, the official said. Nasaka was an accused in the attack on Assam Rifles jawans on March 26 last year at Indira Gandhi Stadium here. Four AR jawans were injured in the attack. Nasaka had then fled to Myanmar and recently returned to Nagaland, the official said, adding he was arrested from Thilixu area of Dimapur on May 23.

(Agencies)

"An NSCN (K) cadre carrying a Rs.2 lakh award on his head was arrested along with arms"

PAGE 5

Pro-ILP volunteers try to storm Manipur Congress office Imphal, May 26: A day after trying to raid the BJP office, volunteers of Joint Committee of Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) on Wednesday tried to storm the state Congress office here but the police thwarted the attempt.

The volunteers, comprising mostly of women, then staged a sit-in protest over the state Congress's 'failure' in getting the assent of the President to convert three ILP related Bills into

Pro-ILP volunteers try to storm Manipur Congress office Acts. The volunteers also headed for the CPI office

but returned as no members of CPI were present

there, police said.

Ten persons, including three policewomen, were injured when student and women wing of JCILPS tried to storm the state BJP office on Tuesday.

The police lobbed tear gas shells and used batons to disperse them. A group of JCILPS volunteers had also tried to head for the state Congress office but were stopped by the police on Tuesday.

JCILPS has been demanding conversion of

three Bills passed by Manipur Assembly in August last year into Acts to protect the indigenous population from illegal immigration. The Bills were introduced in the

"The volunteers, comprising mostly of women staged a sit-in protest over the state Congress's 'failure' in getting the assent of the President to convert three ILP related Bills into Acts."

State dist leads in tobacco-related cancer Aizawl, May 26: East Khasi Hills district has the highest relative proportion of tobacco-related cancers (TRCs) for both men and women in the country, the latest National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP) data shows. "The East Khasi Hills district has the highest relative proportion at 69.5 and 45.0 percent for males and females respectively," said the NCRP's three-year report on population-based cancer registries: 2012 to 2014.

The report charts out can-

cer-related information on 27 Population-Based Cancer Registries (PBCRs) in India. It includes a chapter on TRCs, which indicates the impact of tobacco use on cancer incidence through overall proportions and specific anatomical sites of cancer.

Among the males, the lowest TRCs was in Arunachal Pradesh's Naharlagun in Papum Pare district (18.3 percent) whereas the lowest TRCs proportion among females was in Pasighat PBCR (6.9 percent) in

the state.

In men, lung cancer prevalence was highest in 11 registries, with its rate ranging from 21.5 percent in Sikkim PBCR to 48.2 percent in Manipur. Lung cancer's incidence in women ranged from 24.1 percent in Chennai PBCR to 72.2 percent in Manipur PBCR. The report also revealed that Aizawl in Mizoram had the highest incidence of cancer (expressed as age adjusted rate or AAR) in men in India, followed by Papum Pare district un-

der Naharlagun PBCR in Arunachal Pradesh.

The order was reversed in case of women, with Papum Pare district recording the highest AAR followed by Aizawl district, the report said. According to the cancer registry released by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) new cases in Delhi have increased rapidly since 2008-09 and the burden in NE states is also high. Cancer cases in India are expected to jump from around 14 lakh in 2016 to over

17.3 lakh by 2020.

Deaths due to cancer are projected to go up from 7.36 lakh to over 8.8 lakh in the next four years.

Breast, lung and cervical cancer have topped the list of new cases, the data show. Over 1.5 lakh new breast cancer cases were estimated during 2016, which is over 10% of total cases.

Cancer of the lungs is second with estimated 1.14 lakh new cases (83,000 in males and 31,000 in females) during this year. (Agencies)

Pala not in race for Drugs seizure case fron Imphal Airport O Henry CM's post appears before Court, next hearing on June 16

The Shillong MP Vincent Pala Shillong, May 26: The Shillong MP Vincent Pala, who has been entrusted with the task of playing the role of a mediator to sort out the reported differences within CLP by the High Command, has made it clear that he is not in the race for the post of chief minister.

"I am not an MLA, my voters have sent me to Lok Sabha to work for the state from there", Pala said on Wednesday when asked if he is interested to take over the reins of the State. The Congress MP also denied that he was planning to join BJP and termed it as rumours.

Majority of Congress legislators have revolted against Chief Minister Mukul Sangma for the poor performance of the party in the Tura by poll which compelled the MPCC president DD Lapang to take up the matter with the Congress

High Command. To a question on the demand for a change of leadership, Pala said that he was unaware of the ground reality as he was out of the country for several days.

"Within two-three days, I will be able to assess the situation", Pala, who will be arriving here on Thursday, said. Pala, however, admitted that he attended the meeting called by AICC leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi along with the MPCC president DD Lapang and the AICC general secretary in charge Meghalaya V Narayanasamy in Delhi to discuss the grievances of the legislators. He also said that there will not be any official meeting with the legislators in Shillong and added that incase the legislators wanted to meet him, they are welcome.

(Agencies)

Dead girl clears exam, family laments The 19-year-old victim of rape and murder at Upper Shillong passed the SSLC examination, the result of which was declared by MBoSE on Wednesday.

Shillong, May 26: She is no more with them, but the family members relished her memories when they came to know that she passed the SSLC examination. The 19year-old victim of rape and murder at Upper Shillong passed the SSLC examination, the result of which was declared by MBoSE on Wednesday.

The body of the victim was found on March 17 midnight inside a jungle close to her residence. During the visit to the residence of the victim's family at 4½ Mile, Upper Shillong on Wednesday, the brother and the mother of the

victim told this reporter that their dear one Shailina Kharrymba who appeared from St Gabriel's Higher Secondary Higher Secondary School Upper Shillong passed the examination, but expressed sadness that she is no more with them. Soon after 10 am when the result was out, the curious family checked the MBoSE website and found that she emerged successful in the examination though death had separated her from them. Now, the family wants speedy justice to the victim as they consider that this will only bring some solace to them. (Agencies)

Imphal, May 25: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi's nephew Okram Henry, who contested the last Assembly election on an MSCP ticket in Wangkhei AC, today appeared before the Special Court of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance in connection with the seizure of a consignment of drugs from Imphal Airport on January 11, 2013.

CBI Special Crime Branch, Kolkata submitted chargesheet against Henry and four others regarding the case on April 18.

Henry arrived at the Court complex along with his security escorts at around 11.30 am. Another accused of the case identified as Sapam Angus alias Nanao alias Naoba also appeared before the Special Court.

It may be mentioned that the Court summoned all the five accused to be

present at the Court today. However, three other accused - Rajneesh Kumar, Md Rajauddin and Ramveer Tyagi failed to appear before the Court due to which the hearing of the case could not be held on Thursday. Ramveer Tyagi and Rajneesh Kumar are residents of Ghaziabad (UP). As such, the Court asked all the accused to come to the Court on June 16.

During today's Court proceeding, Advocate B Bimoljit filed a p/a and appointed himself as the defence counsel of Okram Henry and Sapam Angus.

The authority concerned has sent a report to the Court following its summon that Ramveer Tyagi is not present at his official residence. Regarding the summon sent to Md Rajauddin, the Court is still awaiting a report from the authority con-

cerned.

Advocate M Digendra filed an application for dispensing with the attendance of Rajneesh Kumar.

The Advocate submitted before the Court that Rajneesh Kumar could not appear in the Court due to illness. The Court later adjourned the case till the next date of hearing which falls on June 16. The ND& PS Court registered the case as a special trial CBI case a few days after the charge sheets were filed. The Court then issued summons to all the accused to appear on Wednesday.

On January 11, 2013, a team of Special Intelligence Unit, Manipur under the supervision of Inspector K Ranjit along with his team led by SubInspector E Ajit seized seven unattended carton boxes which were suspected to contain contraband drugs from Imphal

Airport. The boxes were brought by a Air Deccan flight from Kolkata to Imphal.

The carton boxes were later opened in the presence of some witnesses and the SIU team recovered Robocoff tablets, Seafied tablets and Respified tablets from these boxes. The seven carton boxes were seized by the SIU team and handed over to Singjamei police station OC. Seven days after the incident, a team of Imphal West Narcotic Cell arrested Md Rajauddin on January 18. During preliminary interrogation, Md Rajauddin allegedly admitted that he brought the seized contraband drugs from Kolkata. He remained in judicial custody till January 24, 2013 as per the order of the ND&PS Court.

The case was later handed over to CBI. According to the charge

sheet submitted against the accused, Sapam Argus was supposed to receive the consignment.

After a few days of seizing the consignment, SIU Imphal West was disbanded by the State Government with immediate effect. It is also mentioned in the charge sheet that Rajneesh Kumar is the proprietor of Mehak Pharmaceutical located at Mayur Vihar, New Delhi.

He allegedly purchased huge number of Robocoff tablets and Respified tablets from different pharmaceutical companies and sold it issuing false invoices to different chemist shops.

Ramveer Tyagi is the proprietor of IS Pharma and he purchased a huge amount of Seafied tablets from different pharmaceutical companies and sold it issuing false invoices to different medicine shops. (Agencies)

Tribal organisations to intensify "antitribal Bills" movement Senapati, May 26: Tribal organisations campaigning against the "anti-tribal Bills" in Manipur are likely to intensify their movement in the next few days.

United Naga Council (UNC) president Gaidon Kamei when contacted by Newmai News Network disclosed that they are closely observing the steps of the State Government and the ongoing agitation in the valley under the aegis of Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS).

Meanwhile, a separate source said the tribal organisations may resort to indefinite agitation any day. Nine pro-

testers lost their lives when security forces tried to control violent protests that erupted in Churachandpur following the passing of the three ILP Bills on August 31 last year. The tribal people say the Bills impinge upon their rights and hence they should be withdrawn.

Earlier the JAC expressed that to the tribal people of Manipur, the three 'anti-tribal' Bills which "infringe" on tribal identity, land rights and economy are only a new chapter in Manipur Government's intrinsic policy of cultural alienation, political marginalization & developmental exclusion of the tribals, a well-

thought out State policy of modern-day political conquest and annexation having absolutely nothing to do with the Inner Line Permit System.

In fact, as the names themselves suggest, the withdrawn Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill, 2015 and the proposed Manipur Unorganized Workers (Control of Infiltration) Bill, 2016 seem to be more in line with the Inner Line Permit System than all the three "antitribal Bills" combined.

It also expressed that "having totally lost faith" in Manipur Government's commitment and ability to bring about any acceptable so-

lution, and with the anticipation of many similar 'anti-tribal' Bills from the State Government in future, "the growing sentiments among the tribal people now is that of mistrust and total disregard for the State Government which further nourishes the tribal aspiration for separation of tribal territories from the control of Manipur Government, which is also increasingly seen as the only viable solution".

The JAC said that it is dismayed to learn that "Constitutional rights of the Manipur tribals as enshrined in Clause 2 of Article 371C - that the Governor shall annually, or whenever so required by the President make a

Assembly after the State Government signed an agreement with JCILPS on August 25 following an agitation by it demanding implementation of ILPS in Manipur. (Agencies)

report to the President regarding the administration of the Hill Areas of the State of Manipur and the executive power of the Union shall extend to the giving of directions to the State as to the administration of the Hill Areas - has not been executed for many years now, as evident from the answers given

by Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs to unstarred question no.

1528 posed by Jitendra Chaudhury, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) during the current Lok Sabha Parliament session on May 3, 2016 regarding the administration of the Hill Areas of Manipur".(Agencies)

To protest deplorable road condition, CSOs Sardar Hills warn highway bandh Kangpokpi, May 26: Civil society organizations of Sadar Hills comprising of KSO, TSA, KWU including its constituent units under the aegis of Kuki Inpi, Sadar Hills have warned of imposing a highway bandh along the Trans Asian Highway No.1 over the dilapidated stretch along Imphal-Dimapur road today. CSOs Sadar Hills Spokesperson, Lamcha Chongloi while addressing the media on the sidelines of a highway inspection on Thursday from Taphou Kuki to Gamgiphai in Sadar Hills said that the Trans Asian Highway No.1 which is dotted with numerous potholes, present the untold misery of the road users as well as the indifferent attitude of the State Government apart from the departments and contractors concerned.

More than 400 to 500 trucks and various other heavy loaded vehicles have been passing through the said highway daily. As such it is important that the road is kept in a good condition, Chongloi added.

He added that considering the deplorable condition of the highway, CSOs of Sadar Hills have repeatedly appealed to the State Government to repair it but no positive response has been received so far.

The CSOs Sadar Hills spokesperson asked the State Government as to why the repairing work of the Imphal-Dimapur road cannot continue smoothly and urged the State Government and the department concerned to immediately repair the same within a stipulated time. The deplorable condition of the highway has also led to frequent road accidents.

The stretch between Keithelmanbi and Sapormeina via Bongmol and Leikop is strewn with potholes while the stretch between Sapormeina and Motbung is worse with oversized potholes enough to keel over heavy loaded vehicles.

The stretch between T Khullen and Senapati DHQs via Taphou Kuki is also dotted with potholes.

Earlier the CSOs Sadar Hills had imposed an economic blockade on the same issue and the stir was suspended after the contractor concerned assured to begin the repairing work but till today no repairing activities have been taken up along the highway.(Agencies)

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, MAY 27

PAGE 6

India at forefront of global affairs, not 'standing in corner': PM Modi New Delhi, May.26: Ahead of his Washington visit early next month where he is set to meet President Barack Obama and address a joint session of the U.S. Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modihas in a veiled reference to India's traditional nonaligned stand in the world stage said 'India is not standing in a corner'.

In an interview to Wall Street Journal (WSJ) Editor-in-Chief Gerard Baker on the eve of his two years in office, Prime Minister Modi said, "Today, unlike before, India is not standing in a corner."

The leading New Yorkbased daily said the ties between both sides have been growing stronger

over the last decade despite India's traditional stand of being a nonaligned country, which had remained reluctant to play a prominent role in global affairs.

The WSJ said the U.S. wants India to emerge as an 'economically strong' and 'credible counterweight' against a rising China, adding this has led to deepening of defense cooperation between the two countries.

The international daily further stated that Prime Minister Modi downplayed any friction with China and instead pointed at increasing trade and diplomatic exchanges between the two nations. He asserted that all countries need to cooperate and respect in-

Hardik to be produced in court for insulting tricolour

Patidarquota agitation leader Hardik Patel New Delhi, May 26: Patidarquota agitation leader Hardik Patelwill on Thursday be produced in a local court in Rajkot for allegedly insulting the National Flag. There are also charges of sedition against Hardik, after he purportedly told a member of his community to kill policemen.

Patel was arrested on October 19 last year by the Rajkot Police after an FIR was filed against him at the Paddhari police station in connection with the matter. Hardik was detained by the police on October 18 last year when he

was on his way to Khandheri cricket stadium in Rajkot ahead of the India-South Africa One Day International.

He had threatened to stage a protest at the stadium during the game seeking quota for his community.

Hardik is the face of the Patel agitation which practically brought Gujarat to a standstill in September.

The state of Gujarat has witnessed severe disruptions and incidents of violence in the past few weeks, with curfew imposed in some areas, including the biggest city of Ahmedabad. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi ternational norms in order to ensure a collective success in an 'interdependent world'.

"Relationship between China and the U.S., there are areas where they have substantial differences but there are also

areas where they work closely.This is the new way. If we want to ensure the success of this interdependent world, I think countries need to cooperate, but at the same time we also need to ensure that there is

respect for international norms and international rules," the WSJquoted Prime minister Modi as saying.

The Prime Minister refrained from commenting on U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and his proposal to temporarily ban Muslims from entering the U.S. "These are issues of debate in the election. A government shouldn't respond to that...As a part of the election debate

many things will be said there, who ate what, who drank what, how can I respond to everything?" he said.

Prime Minister Modi will travel to the US for a bilateral summit with President Obama in the first half of June. President Obama had reportedly invited the Prime Minister for a bilateral summit when they both met briefly during the Nuclear Security Summit. (ANI)

"Prime Minister Narendra Modihas in a veiled reference to India's traditional non-aligned stand in the world stage said 'India is not standing in a corner'."

Congress move to corner Big B 'utter hypocrisy': Swamy New Delhi, May 26: With the Congress dubbing as illegal, unethical and immoral Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan hosting an event to celebrate the NDA regime's two years in office, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy on Thursday said this reflected the 'utter hypocrisy' of the grand old party as its top brass is presently out on bail following charges of cheating and conspiracy.

Swamy said this is utter hypocrisy because Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party vicepresident Rahul Gandhi are presently out on bail.

"They have been proved prima facie guilty of cheating, criminal misappropriation, fraud, conspiracy. And they had to come to court to get bail and give surety and today they are talking about Amitabh Bachchan be-

cause there is some enquiry going on," Swamy told. "Enquiry is going on against so many people. This does not mean that they will be presumed guilty, not even prima facie guilty.

So, how can the Congress talk when their own leaders are out on bail?" he added.

The Congress on Wednesday questioned Centre's decision of selecting the megastar to host the show, likely to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and said this step might send wrong signals to the investigating agencies probing the Panama paper leaks.

"We have no objection to Amitabh Bachchan hosting the NDA programme, but what signal will it send to investigation agencies?" said Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala.

The Bollywood megastar's

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy son and actor Abhishek Bachchan, however, downplayed the entire controversy yesterday and said that his father would be hosting only a part of the event where he would be talking about educating the girl child.

"He (Amitabh Bachchan) is not hosting any political event. He is part of a function and is talking about educating

girl child and I think that's not a political event," he said. The fivehour long event beginning at 5 p.m. at the iconic India Gate on May 28 will highlight the achievements of the BJP-led NDA regime in the last two years in office. Reports, however, not suggest that actor R. Madhavan and not Amitabh Bachchan will be hosting the event.

(ANI)

Haryana govt., Jindal University lay out roadmap to transform higher education landscape Sonipat (Haryana), May 26: Haryana's Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma unveiled the State Higher Education Plan 2016, a comprehensive roadmap for revamping the region's higher education landscape with an aim to boost the gross enrolment ratio, ensure greater equity, reduce inaccessibility to education, and enable the state to reap a rich demographic dividend.

The State Higher Education Plan Haryana 2016 (SHEP) has been prepared by the Dept. of Higher Education, Govt. of Haryana in collaboration with International Institute for Higher Education & Capacity Building (IIHEd), O. P. Jindal Global University (JGU) The document was officially released at the JGU campus in Sonipat, Haryana, on Wednesday, in the august presence of Mr. Vijai Vardhan, Additional Chief Secretary, Dept. of Higher Education, Govt. of Haryana and numerous other dignitaries, education ministry officials, senior bureaucrats and representatives of higher education institutions from across the state.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ram Bilas Sharma noted, our vision is to create and promote

an atmosphere of academic excellence in the state and the State Higher Education Plan 2016 is the first step in that direction. The government will systematically implement the recommendations of the SHEP and seek to achieve accessibility and quality of education in higher education institutions across the state.

Congratulating JGU and its team for their contributions in compiling the State Higher Education Plan 2016, the Minister observed that the state of Haryana was indeed proud to have a higher education institution like JGU which is not only contributing to research but is also making great progress in forging international collaborations and taking India to the world. Mr. Ram Bilas Sharma further promised greater collaboration with JGU in the future, and said, "There will be greater collaboration with JGU on issues of higher education, and the Government of Haryana and the University will work together towards enhancing quality of higher education in the state."

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Vijai Vardhan, Additional Chief Secretary, Dept. of Higher Education, Govt. of Haryana noted that the State Higher Education Plan

Haryana's Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma unveiled the State Higher Education Plan 2016 Haryana 2016 is a research intensive document that characterizes critical issues of availability, accessibility and quality in Haryana's higher education landscape. The comprehensive document is the result of extensive education mapping exercise on areas of regional and general deficit.

Describing the importance and imperative need for the SHEP project Mr. Vijai Vardhan, observed, "Our country's universities are tasked with producing a relevant workforce for the 21st century, nurturing minds which will create new ideas and new technologies that will drive invention, discovery and understanding. These graduates

will have cutting edge ideas boosting not only personal success but national economic competitiveness." Mr. Vardhan also commended IIHED and JGU for their efforts and contributions in creating a meaningful discourse on revamping higher education and expressed hope that the visionary document will help the state substantially improve and expand its education sector.

Speaking on the occasion Prof. C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor, O. P. Jindal Global University said, "The state of Haryana has extraordinary potential in nurturing quality institutions, colleges and universities and is expected to play a lead-

ership role in the setting up of world class universities and institutions which is in line with the key objectives of this Plan that seeks to establish Haryana as an intellectual capital of the country."

Prof. Kumar further noted, "The state education ministry led by the honorable minister has made significant efforts towards galvanizing academic consciousness for raising the quality of higher education in the past few years, I am hopeful the government will make serious efforts to implement the State Higher Education Plan, which underlines a number of substantive issues relating to equity and access of higher education."

Speaking of the report Nisha Nair, Senior Research Associate, Jindal Global Law School & Fellow, IIHEd, said, "Haryana can contribute tremendously in nation building initiative in the coming years as 67 % of its population is expected to fall in the working-age group of 15-59 by year 2026. The Plan moots for setting up of academic staff colleges, research centres, and institutions of research excellence in the state that will help create and inculcate a culture of research amongst the faculty and students at both institutional and state

Development agenda to continue as 'lotus' will blossom in UP: Irani

level universities and colleges of Haryana."

Speaking at the program, Prof Anamika Srivastava, Assistant Professor, Jindal Global Law School & Fellow, IIHEd discussed the highlights of the Plan and the recommendations laid out by it. "We have tried to take into account the systemic inequalities existing in social structures that augment educational inequalities. The higher education system finds itself skewed in favor of males, urban centres as well as economically better-off citizens. The report identifies districts that have been left behind and blocks within districts that need greater focus. The report also identifies the districts which are devoid of any government university and need immediate attention."

While there are a number of private professional institutions catering to technical education in Haryana but lack of government institutions hinders the progress of students from poor socioeconomic background.

Given the rich sports, art and culture tradition of Haryana, the Plan also advocates co-opting of sports in formal education and utilization of institutional resources in promoting sports. (ANI)

Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani Amethi (Uttar Pradesh), May 26: Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani on Thursday sounded a note of confidence ahead of the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls scheduled in February next year, saying 'lotus will blossom' in the state.

Irani, who is on a dayvisit to Congress vicepresident Rahul Gandhi's parliamentary constituency Amethi, said that the BJP would go into the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls with the agenda of development.

"Our party president Amit Shah ji has already said that we will go into the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls with the agenda of development. It is certain that the BJP would emerge as victorious. I am sure that the lotus would blossom on the land of Uttar Pradesh," Irani told reporters.

As the NDA regime completes two years in office, the Union Minister said the regime of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has been full of achievements.

"If you see from the side of subsidies, nearly 60,000 crore rupees have gone into the bank accounts of the people from the treasure of the government. We started the 'Jan Dhan Yojana'. It is

also right to say that growth rate has increased significantly in the last two years. I express gratitude to the nation for their support and cooperation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi," she said.

Throughout the day, Irani is scheduled to visit all five constituencies of Amethi district.

Irani, who unsuccessfully contested against Gandhi from Amethi in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, will inaugurate a health fair and distribute aid to the physically challenged here.

In Tikermafi, she will address participants at a function organised in the IIIT complex. In Jagdeeshpur, she will pay a visit to the home of former minister Ram Lakhan Passi to meet his family and offer her condolences.

Fresh from a thumping victory in Assam and a good showing in West Bengal and Kerala, the BJP would be eyeing to win the all-important assembly election in Uttar Pradesh.

Prime Minister Modi is today holding a rally in Saharanpur to formally sound the poll bugle. The choice of venue is significant as the city suffered a communal conflagration in 2014. (ANI)

Doctors in Delhi Govt. hospitals to go on strike over salaries, allowance

Doctors in Delhi Govt. hospitals to go on strike over salaries, allowance New Delhi, May 26: Doctors in government hospitals in Delhi are to go on strike today demanding increase in their salaries andallowances. They also threatened to go on an indefinite strike from June 1 if their demands is not fulfilled.

The Federation of Resident DoctorsAssociation (FORDA), an umbrella organisation of 15,000 resident doctors across 41 government hospitals in the national capital, has also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to revise the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission which they termed were 'particularly discriminating to doctors'.

"We will be on strike tomorrow for a day. If our demands are not fulfilled even after that, we will go on indefinite strike from June 1,"said Dr. Narayan

Dabas, Convenor, FORDA. Additional Secretary in the Health Ministry Arun Panda today held deliberations with Medical Superintendents of RML, Lady Hardinge and Safdarjung hospitals and later said "our hospitals have put in place contingency plans so that all emergencies, trauma cases are taken care of".

"Senior doctors will handle the situation tomorrow. We are still trying to make them (FORDA) see reason.

RML has cancelled all leave. Senior doctors have been asked to come and attend patients. Hospitals think they can handle the situation. All trauma and emergency will be taken care of. The MS of RML, Lady Hardinge and Safdarjung have also talked with FORDA," Panda said. (ANI)

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, MAY 27

PAGE 7

NEIGHBOURS

President Mukherjee outlines eight steps for a 'people Nepal Parliament to take decisions on key centric partnership' between India and China issues on Thursday

Beijing, May 26: Delivering a lecture at Peking University, here, on the topic 'India-China Relations: 8 steps to a peoplecentric partnership', President Pranab Mukherjee said to build apeople-centric partnershipbetween both the country there must be mutual trust predicated on mutual respect and a better appreciation of respective political and social systems.

Addressing the gathering, the President said at a time of global economic uncertainty, India and China, despite the pressure of having 40 per cent of the world's human population, have managed to maintain unity and growth.

"The joint contribution of the two countries to world economy as well as regional and global stability, cannot be underestimated. India and China are poised to join the ranks of leading global powers. It is incumbent on the two countries, as

emerging economic powers to remain equally focused on nurturing regional and global prosperity," said President Mukherjee.

The President said both countries are at the threshold of an opportunity to join hands and create a resurgence, a positive energy, an 'Asian Century'.

"This will not be an easy task. Obstacles need to be resolved with fortitude.

The two countries must persevere to realise this dream. They must join hands in a durable friendship," he added.

The President said political understanding between India and China is vital for a Closer Developmental Partnership.

One of the ways it could be developed is through enhanced political communication. There is need to enhance and strengthen co-operation to the mutual benefit of both peoples. The President quoted Gandhiji and said "I look forward to the day

World leaders kick off G7 talks in Japan

'Light beating' for wives defying husbands: CII

London, May 26: World leaders kick of two-day G7 talks in Japan, with critical issues like global economy, terrorism and refugees crisis to be top on their agenda.

Heads of state and government from the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and host Japan are meeting in Ise Shima, 300 kilometres southwest of Tokyo.

US President Barack Obama arrived in Japan for the summit that will also take him to the atomic-bombed city of Hiroshima.

Britain's David Cameron, whose country's referendum next month on continued membership of the European Union is likely to figure prominently on the summit agenda.

With the G7 leaders expected to continue their support of David Cameron's argument, the Australian prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, has hit back at criticism of his own position, arguing he is on a "unity ticket" with Barack Obama, Justin Trudeau and John Key, reports.

The G7 leaders are set to discuss how to deal with China's dumping of surplus steel with global steel industry crisis likely high on the agenda in Ise-Shima.

Earlier, the visiting politicians in the Ise Jingu shrine were greeted by the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe. The leaders were taken to the inner Naiku shrine, where they underwent a cleansing ceremony. British Prime Minister Cameron, French President FranĂƒÂ§ois Hollande and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau then planted a Japanese cedar tree, helped by schoolchildren from the Mie prefecture. The G7 leaders begin their talks on Thursday afternoon.(ANI)

Islamabad, May 26: In a bizarre move, the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has proposed its own Women Protection Bill, recommending 'a light beating' for the wife if she defies her husband. The council has proposed that a husband should be allowed to 'lightly' beat his wife if she defies his commands and refuses to dress up as per his desires, turns down the demand of intercourse without any religious excuse or does not take bath after intercourse or menstrual periods.

It further suggests that beating is also permissible if a woman does not observe Hijab, interacts with strangers, speaks loud enough that she can easily be heard by strangers and provides monetary support to the people without taking consent of her spouse. It says that there should be

President Mukherjee when a free India and a free China will cooperate together in friendship and brotherhood for their own good and for the good of Asia and the world."

He called on the peoples of India and China to tirelessly strive for that objective - despite current challenges. Underling the steps for people-centric India-China relations, the President said both India and China are 'young' societies.

"Our youth share common aspirations and perceptions. Their annual

exchanges have been fruitful but both sides need to synergize their potential. In a digital age, joint film productions could be useful instruments for creating positive perceptions among our peoples," he added.

President Mukherjee said that greater exchanges between institutions of higher learning, more cultural festivals and joint research and scholarship programmes can help dispel the notion that we need to look to the West and not to each other to

'Light beating' for wives defying husbands a ban on co-education after primary education, ban on women from taking part in military combat, ban on welcoming foreign delegations, interacting with males and making recreational visits with 'Na-Mehram'.

It further states that female nurses should not

be allowed to take care of male patients and recommends that women should be banned from working in advertisements. The council recommends that an abortion after 120 days of conceiving should be declared 'murder'.

However, it says a

make progress in education, science and technology.

"Travel can also be a very important binding factor between the two countries. Indians would like to have more opportunities to travel to their holy sites in China and, in turn, welcome more Chinese visits to Buddhist pilgrimage centres in India," he added.

The President said by pursuing sustainable solutions and sharing experiences, civil societies on both sides can collaborate - duly respecting the pa-

rameters in which they are required to operate in their respective countries.

"We can use multilateral fora including the G-20, BRICS, EAS, AIIB, SCO and the United Nations to enhance public awareness of the desire of both our countries for a shared future shaped by us together.

Trade and commerce can also be the most powerful agents in reinforcing our complementarities. He called upon India-China entrepreneurs to jointly innovate to create a new model for business," he said. (ANI)

"The joint contribution of the two countries to world economy as well as regional and global stability, cannot be underestimated. India and China are poised to join the ranks of leading global powers. It is incumbent on the two countries, as emerging economic powers to remain equally focused on nurturing regional and global prosperity,"

woman can join politics and contract a 'Nikah' without the permission of parents. The bill suggests that anyone, who tries to force women to marry with the Holy Quran or facilitate this, should be awarded 10year imprisonment.

Similarly, the proposed bill says if any non-Muslim woman is forced to convert then the oppressor will be awarded three-year imprisonment while the woman will not be murdered if she reverts to her previous faith. This proposed bill is under consideration by the body and further deliberation will continue today when CII chairman Muhammad Khan Sheerani will give final recommendations with the consent of other members.

The three-member delegation of Justice (Retd.)

Manzoor Hussain Gilani,

Noor Ahmed Shahtaz and Muhammad Abdullah yesterday raised objections on many clauses of the proposed bill and urged the chairman to moderate the same. They said the bill was drafted

by Mufti Imdadullah, a member who belongs to JUI-F, adding that the above three members have insisted the chairman and Imdad follow the current circumstances while drafting the law.

They said the bill was discussed by a panel comprising men as the only female CII member, Sameeha Raheel Qazi, was not present yesterday. The bill was drafted after the CII rejected Punjab's controversial Protection of Women against Violence Act (PPWA) 2015, terming it un-Islamic. The CII will now forward its proposed bill to the Punjab Assembly. (ANI)

China warns people to shun practise of Islam Hong Kong, May 26 : China's top leadership, led

by Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping, has warned the Chinese people, especially those living in the Xinjiang province to shun the practise of Islam and to stick to China's state policy of "Marxist Atheism".

General Secretary and President Xi Jinping's remarks made at the Second National Work Conference on Religion are being widely reported by state media led by China Central TV. President Jinping's warning is directed at the Uyghurs, who in recent times, have become very aggressive in their protests against the state. Large parts of the population living in Xinjiang province have become radicalised and the Chinese Government is only now realising the gravity of the situation.

Xinjiang borders Pakistan from where the hardline Islamic teachings flow.

China has also been subtly warning Pakistan to stop the flow of Islamic messaging to Xinjiang but to no avail. President's Xi's

speech at the religious Conference was also a veiled message to Pakistan, say observers. Making China's State policy of intolerance towards Panislamic tendencies very clear, President Xi warned Chinese citizens "not to confuse themselves with non-CCP approved tendencies" and to "never find their values and beliefs in this religion or any religion."

Among the other warnings issued by him, was one to resolutely resist overseas infiltration through religious means and to guard against ideological infringement by Islamic extremists. Other senior Communist Party Officials who spoke on this occasion highlighted the dangers that Islam is assuming in some parts of China, making the nation vulnerable to extremist infiltration.

Communist Party Officials strongly backed President Xi's statements and cautioned citizens to be vigilant against Islamic tendencies like Halal products. They made it clear that Halal products will remain banned in

China warns people to shun practise of Islam China as these "promote religious segregation."

While coming out strongly against Islam and Islamic traditions, the Second National Work Conference on Religion also promoted a number of articles that expressed support for the new policies.

One such article in the official newspaper of the CCP's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. It criticised Officials for having forgotten party discipline and engaging in the practise of physiognomy and fortune telling, burning incense and praying. This was followed by

a report in the Xinhua on May 9 urging all Chinese Communist Party Cadres at all levels to engage in propaganda, political unity and to guide the masses away from religions, especially those which disrupt the Chinese state.

China has already declared 2016 as the "Year of Ethnic Unity and Progress", a move aimed squarely at ridding the nation of Islamic influences. President Xi Jinping is making efforts to tighten control over religious practises, as it is his belief that religion, es-

pecially Islam, could emerge as a competing force in society unless it is nipped in the bud now.

China's Communist Party has declared that the growing influence of radical Islam is a national security issue and the declarations of the Work Conference on Religion have made it clear that Beijing will target all those who assist in the propagation of Islam. In Xinjiang, there is already considerable resentment over the control being exercised over the practise of Islam, such as the growing of beards, observation of fasts during Ramazan, the wearing of the Hijab, dietary restrictions like consumption of Halal food, prayers five times a day and so forth.

These practises are perceived as "anti-state" and are the subject of crackdown by the authorities. President Xi has now made it clear that these policies will be reinforced with renewed vigour, as China is looking at Pakistan-sponsored Islamic radicalism as the number one threat to its society. (ANI)

Nepal Parliament to take decisions on key issues on Thursday Kathmandu, May 26: Nepali Parliament will on Thursday take decisions on crucial legal provisions related to education, banking, procurement and regulations to guide its own business Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli- led government is also preparing to table the Economic Survey, the first since the promulgation of the Constitution of Nepal, reports the Kathmandu Post.

Three crucial bills related to education, banking and procurement will be tabled for the endorsement today, while budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2016-17 will be pre-

sented on Saturday.

Sudarshan Kuikel, Deputy Spokesperson for the Parliament Secretariat, said that the Parliamentary Committee on Finance will table the bill for the Bank and Financial Institution Act (Bafia) while the Parliamentary Committee on Women, Children and Social Welfare will present the bill on eighth amendment to Education Act-2017. Other committees are also going to table their bills. If the Bafia Act is endorsed, it will help reduce banking crime as it has set stringent measures to curb banking and financial offences. (ANI)

Afghan Taliban under new chief reject peace talks, vow to continue fighting

Afghan Taliban under new chief reject peace talks, vow to continue fighting Kabul, May 26: TheAfghan Taliban under its new leader, Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada, has rejected peace talks as a viable solution to bringing the Afghan insurgency to an end, and have said that fighting will continue. An audio message has been released in Pushto, circulated by Taliban commanders, where Haibatullah is saying, "Taliban will never bow their heads and will not agree to peace talks," reports Dawn.

Haibatullah added, "People thought we will lay down our arms after Mullah Mansour's death, but we will continue fighting till the end." Following the group's chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour

death in a US drone strike, the insurgent group said its new leader was Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada, a former head of the Taliban's judiciary and one of two Mansour's deputies.

In a statement released by the insurgent group, Sirajuddin Haqqani, head of a network blamed for many highprofile bombs attacks in Kabul in recent years, and Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, son of former leader Mullah Mohammad Omar, will serve as deputies, Zabihullah Mujahid.

Mansour was reportedly killed in Pakistan on Saturday when his vehicle was struck by a US drone. (ANI)

Pakistan ink deal with Leonardo-Finmeccanica for Italian choppers Islamabad, May 26: Pakistan has signed a contract with Italy-based aerospace giant, LeonardoFinmeccanicafor an undisclosed number of search and rescue helicopters.

In a statement released by aerospace company, it said the contract for the AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters was signed in Islamabad in the presence of Italy's Ambassador to Pakistan Stefano Pontecorvo, reports the Express Tribune.

The statement added that the contract was part of a fleet renewal programme spread

over several batches and includes a logistic support and training packages.

The deliveries of the helicopters are expected to begin in 2017. Pakistan reportedly already operates eleven AW139 helicopters, five of which are used by the government for civil protection and transport tasks.

The AW139 is a 15-seat medium-sized twin-engined helicopter used by some 38 countries in a variety of roles and has a service ceiling of around 20,000 feet which allows it to be used for highaltitude rescues. (ANI)

PAGE 8

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, MAY 27

The Flooding Frontier - Beyond Dominant Narratives Cancerous Carbs Time to exclude bread from breakfast India's latest food safety controversy involves your morning loaf of bread. The bread you eat everyday could be pushing you closer to cancer. In a recent study conducted by NGO (Photo: Centre for Science and mages6.alphacoders) Environment (CSE) in Delhi, 38 commonly available branded varieties of prepackaged breads, pav and buns, ready-to-eat burger bread and ready-to-eat pizza breads of popular fast food outlets tested positive for potassium bromate or iodate, a chemical, which is said to cause diseases. More than 80% of 38 popular brands of breads, buns and readyto-eat burger and pizza tested positive for potassium bromate and iodate, a study by the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment says. The first of the two chemicals is a category 2B carcinogen - that can possibly cause cancer - and the second is known to trigger thyroid disorder. Indian manufacturers use potassium bromate and potassium iodate for treating flour while making bread, the study said.

Despite CSE's findings, the food industry is reluctant to back down. Britannia Industries, India's largest biscuit maker, flatly refuted claims of the study. "Britannia would like to categorically state that it does not use potassium bromate or iodate as an ingredient in any of its bread recipes," the company said in a statement. "All Britannia bread products are in 100% compliance with the existing food safety regulations as stipulated by FSSAI." Burger chain McDonald's India also dismissed CSE's claims as "baseless".

"McDonald's India does not use potassium bromate or potassium iodate in the flour and all other ingredients that goes into our buns. The claims made by CSE in their press release and report are completely baseless.

Meanwhile, the All India Bread Manufacturers Association, a lobby group for the country's top bread manufacturers, said it is yet to review the findings of the report. Quoting Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Additives) Regulations, 2011, CSE said the maximum level of use of potassium bromate and/or iodate in bread is set at 50 ppm. The maximum level of use of potassium bromate in flour for bakery is 20 ppm, while that of potassium bromate is 20 ppm in maida (refined wheat flour), if used for bakery. The tested bread samples included brands such as Britannia, Harvest Gold and the fast food chains KFC, Pizza Hut, Domino's, Subway, McDonald's and Slice of Italy.

Britannia, KFC, McDonald's and Subway denied that these chemicals were used in their products. Other brands did not comment despite repeated attempts.

The brouhaha over bread comes a year after laboratory reports alleged the presence of monosodium glutamate, or MSG, in Maggi, the noodle brand owned

by Nestle India. The fiasco put the spotlight on regulating permissible ingredients in packaged foods and the efficacy of lab reports in India. This is the second major food scandal in the country. The country's food regulator banned the popular instant noodle snack Maggi last year after several state laboratories found excess levels of lead. The ban was lifted by the Bombay high court last November.

Smart City Declaration Brings Joy A smart city is an urban region that is highly advanced in terms of overall infrastructure, sustainable real estate, communications and market viability. It is a city where information technology is the principal infrastructure and the basis for providing essential services to residents. There are many technological platforms involved, including but not limited to automated sensor networks and data centres. Agartala finds its place among 13 cities declared as Smart City by the Central government. Agartala had participated against 23 other cities from several states in a fast track competition to recognize smart cities. Whereas Warangal, Lucknow,New Town Kolkata,Pasighat, Dharmashala,Faridabad and Raipur are some of the cities that took part in this competition from which Lucknow, Warangal, Dharmshala, Chandigarh, Raipur , New Town Kolkata , Bhagalpur, Panaji, Port Blair, Imphal, Ranchi, Faridabad and Agartala emerged winners. Almost 13 crore people are expected to be benefited from this project, which is nearly 1/3rd of the urban Indian population. Some other vital areas that this project addresses are assured water and power supply, sanitation and solid waste management systems, efficient urban mobility and public transportation, IT connectivity, e-governance and citizen participation.

Assured water and power supply, sanitation and solid waste management systems, efficient urban mobility and public transportation, IT connectivity, e-governance and citizen participation are some of the highlights of the smart city project.It aims to transform 100 cities by 2019-20, with the Union government providing financial support of Rs. 48,000 crore over five years. And each city will receive Central assistance of Rs. 200 crore in the first year and Rs. 100. crore over the three subsequent financial years. State governments and respective urban local bodies will also match the Centre's contribution. While 20 cities were selected in 2015-16 as per the Mission's guidelines, another 40 (including the 13) will be selected this year.

The remaining will be chosen in the next financial year.

While the specter of mainstream Indian meprevious year's devas- dia. It has been obtating floods are still served that water loghaunting a considerable ging on streets of section of the Assamese Mumbai and Delhi are society, here come the of far greater relevance floods yet again. While in the TRP driven media the national capital industry in comparison wakes t o u p Uddipta Ranjan Boruah reg u and l a r goes to sleep preoccu- floods in the periphery. pied in defining and re- Thus, every time the defining the basic math- frontier is flooded, anaematics of odd and even lysts and critics are printed on their number mostly engaged in tracplates, the forgotten ing media representafrontier reels under tions and relief efforts. chronic floods. As per a Plethora of write ups report on NDTV on covering the lack of April 26, 2016, nearly 1 agency of the frontier Lakh people were al- and indifference of ready affected across 6 "mainland" India are districts in Assam by lined up. then. By the time one is reading this, the num- But, behind these domibers of course shall nant narratives remain multiply manifold. veiled alternative narratives ranging from unFlooding is an annual preparedness for disasrecurrence in Assam ter mitigation, loss of and floods as such have land and livelihood, become for Assam in degradation of soil words of Ashis Biswas, quality and agricultural "the usual thing". What sustainability, need for is seen as usual is thus regional cooperation for rarely covered by na- effective disaster mititional and international gation, human-induced media. According to the climate change and the daily flood report issued entire narrative of deby the Assam State Di- velopment and disaster. saster Management Au- Also remains veiled the thority on Sept 7, 2015, unacknowledged in14.42 lakh people in 19 equalities, patterns of districts of the state corruption and power were then reeling under imbalances within the the last year's floods. peripheral state itself.

Assam has always been Does it require mention prone to flood but the 1950 Great Earthquake in the region has made Assam even more vulnerable.

Dominant Narrative on Floods in Assam The predominant narrative on Assam floods has been revolving around the issues of disaster relief and media coverage. In this regard, the indifference and dereliction of duties by the government in providing relief and also the limited coverage by mainstream national media have mostly remained the hot potato during and after floods.

There can be no denying of the fact that there exists a power imbalance within the broad federal democratic structure of India wherein Assam and for that matter all other Northeastern states have fared poorly. This lack of power and agency is more than explicit - among other things - in coverage in

male equally vulnerable as a man in remote traces of Dhemaji? Is that rural man in turn equally vulnerable as is his wife (a woman) and his daughter (a child in addition to being a girl)?

In our entrapment within dominant narratives we thus fail to engage with the 'intersectionalities' within the Assamese society, eventually ignoring the voices of the silent and marginalized.

While demanding for greater coverage and breaking through the "step-motherly" attitude of New Delhi there exists the need to go beyond the dominant narratives to avoid getting cocooned within the obvious.

"Naturalness" of Natural Disasters First and foremost, the narrative that natural disasters are unpredictable and unpreventable does not go well in case of floods in Assam.

It is more than obvious by now that flood in Assam is a recurring annual phenomenon and shall visit every year during the summers when the level of rainfall is high. By sticking to the popular idea that

What is seen as usual is thus rarely covered by national and international media. According to the daily flood report issued by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority on Sept 7, 2015, 14.42 lakh people in 19 districts of the state were then reeling under the last year's floods.

Assam has always been prone to flood but the 1950 Great Earthquake in the region has made Assam even more vulnerable.

that not all sections of the Assamese society are equally affected by calamities such as floods? Is an urban Assamese middle class

floods are unpredictable natural disasters the entire discourse is then shifted towards disaster relief by ignoring the discourse of disaster

A herd of cattle during flood (Photo: Amarjyoti Bora) mitigation. We then fail to ask that despite decades of flooding why do people still die every year.

Will people keep dying every year in Assam till humanity exists? Is there no alternative to redeem the vulnerable of their predicaments other than dropping medicines, clothes, and sympathies every time there is flooding?

Having said that the floods in Assam are more than predictable, it should be the responsibility of the government - both central and state - to ensure preparedness and effective mitigation. This unfortunately has not been upto the mark in case of Assam.

Tarun Gogoi, the Chief Minister of Assam said during the floods of 2015 that the state was unable to provide adequate assistance to flood-hit villagers as it did not have enough resources and called on the federal government in New Delhi for more support. Over the past 60 years, successive governments have built levees along most of the Brahmaputra, but experts say the embankments are not only poorly maintained but are a discredited form of flood management. The confining of the floods to "natural", "unpredictable" calamities helps the government to actually escape from preparedness for mitigation and rather putting the weight predominantly around post-flood relief and therefore facilitating the political blame game.

While engaging primarily with the relief ac-

tivities and on that line criticizing central and state government for dereliction of duties, what goes unnoticed is the post-disaster plight of the victims.

The loss of shelter, cattle, livelihood, and land, leaves behind a considerable section in sheer poverty, making them even more vulnerable to the next year's flood. Assam loses 8,000 ha of land to rivers like the Brahmaputra and the Barak and their tributaries every year. Very less is talked about the post-disaster relocation of the victims and there is absolutely no discussion about the entire discourse of development and its relation to disasters.

Sustainability of agriculture Sustainability of agriculture in Assam on the face of damages wrought by natural calamities like flood is a crucial question. Unfortunately the dominant narratives on flood in Assam have mostly undermined the issue.

Agricultural productivity and sustainability is a prerequisite in a predominantly agricultural economy like India.

Frequent floods every year in Assam have been destroying standing crops, creating water logging, soil erosion and affecting large crop areas and thus threatening the sustainability of the drive towards higher productivity and production of various crops in the state. The Shukla Commission Report of 1997 titled Transforming the North East stated -

Retailers charging extra over cold drinks weights that include among others the Prime minister, the President of the BJP, 30 ministers of Narendra Modi cabinet, the Chief-ministers of BJP (NDA) ruled states and good number of religious leaders. Prime-minister in his speech candidly stated that Assam, would never suffer from any dearth of funds. Honesty and transparency would be the two factors based on which the new ministry along with their bureaucrats would have to proceed. Employees of the state government must shun lethargy, they have to be punctual. They must develop ideal work culture. The employees of departments like Transport, water Resource, irrigation, supply, public-Health, Rural development, Yours etc Agriculture, Health, Education, Social welfare, Forest and Gwshad Basumatary, those of all other departments must relinquish Haltugaon, Kokrajhar. their old habits of corruption, giving up their arm-twisting tactics of resorting to agitation for salary hike. Eviction of illegal land-grabbers from government land should be another priority. Non-inclusion of any member from minority community and Ahoms in the Cabinet of Sri Sir, Sonowal is a matter of grave concern. Since TaxPeople of Assam had the rare experience of wit- payers are paying tax for 'Swachch Bharat', the nessing an unprecedented scene on the occa- new government should prioritize the 'Abhiyan'. sion of the swearing-in ceremony of the new We believe, 'Change' will be all pervasive after cabinet of Assam led by Sarbananda Sonowal. couple of months.

The occasion will remain memorable for several reasons. For the first time in the history of Yours etc Assam, the government of an alliance led by Ashok Bordoloi BJP is formed. Never before people of Assam Dibrugarh could witness such a galaxy of political heavy

the printed MRP. As far as we are concerned, the retailers can't sell products beyond the printed MRP, however, this rule is not practiced in case of cold drinks.

Though this issue has been time and again been raised by several people on different occasions, yet no positive outcomes has been reported till date, in fact, this malpractice has been going on unabated for the past several years.Will this time the appropriate authorities bother to look into the matter and resolve the grievances of the common people?

Thanking you,

Image for representational purpose (Photo: gannett-cdn) Sir, As the level of mercury is soaring with each passing day, the people are turning to cold drinks to quench their thirst as well as to beat the summer heat, which is completely okay. But the problem lies with the retailers selling those products. In the guise of refrigerating cold drinks, the retailers are found to be indulging in charging extra amount of money ranging from about Rs.5 to Rs.7 per bottle or per tetra-pack in addition to

Priorities Of The New Government In Assam

"The flood damage to crops, cattle, houses and utilities in Assam alone between 1953 and 1995 is estimated at Rs 4,400 crore with a peak of Rs 664 crore in a single bad year".

Regional Cooperation for Mitigation of Floods In South Asia, floods in India and Bangladesh are often exacerbated and sometimes caused by cross-border river flows.

In these circumstances the form, content and efficacy of relations between South Asian nations may have implications for flood warning, the range of possibilities for mitigating floods, and the extent to which precautionary investment can be made.

The losses of lives and valuable assets could be significantly minimized by implementing nonstructural measures including the improvement of flood forecasting and warning system.

The existing flood forecasting and warning systems could be more effective if real-time data could be acquired from upstream areas where runoff is generated. Hence there is an urgent need for better cooperation between the GangaBrahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) basin countries viz, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan for effective flood control.

Now that natural disasters do not stop at arbitrary international borders, the need of the hour is to go beyond the traditional confrontational issues and foster better relations with the neighbors. Courtesy: Nezine

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

So please keep writing.

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

p O

Page 9

d e 4 Times Indian Tribes Kicked Corporate Ass

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, MAY 27

To Protect Their Rights, And The Environment Tribals or adivasis to most and protect the dignity of us are 'primitive' 'Ne- and honor of a lifestyle, anderthal savages' living in they've still been patrona forest, devoid of any civi- ized, exploited, and iglization, progress or devel- nored by all and sundry opment. Some find them since the 1800s. exotic, some fascinating, Social indicators reveal some disgusting. Rarely do the dismal conditions of we care to see them on the tribals which are the news but even worse we all have Parth Sharma than Dalits. an opinion like A literacy we always do. rate of just 23.8% and However, with 104 million with 49.5% of the popuin number, they form lation living under the about 8.6% of India's official poverty line. population. With over 500 Most of them are also endogamous tribes (better oblivious to the workings known as "Scheduled of the Indian democracy Tribes"), they all have their but unknown to the unique cultures, traditions, methods and proceand rituals; among which, dures of the courts they some like matriarchy, unity still show absolute claramong clans and brother- ity in their understanding hood seem to be way too of right and wrong. profane for the 'modern' They can not only disworld. But there is one tinguish between the cause that unites them all- devil and the angel but their continuous economic can also show a strict reand social marginalization solve to fight the devil even after 70 years of in- with all their might. dependence.

Some recent unfolding Although the constitution of events show us how: has a plethora of measures When Five Villages Of to help them gain, sustain Chhattisgarh Royally

Kicked SECL Southeastern Coal Fields Limited or SECL, a subsidiary of India's public sector coal mining giant, Coal India Limited (CIL), wanted to mine the forests of Chhattisgarh. But under the Forest Rights Act (2006) were obligated to obtain the consent of the indigenous communities before mining their land; which is what halted their winning streak.

The people of five villages-Pelma, Jarridih, Sakta, Urba and Maduadumar, gathered in each of their Gram Sabhas on March 16 and royally booed and shooed the company officials.

Much as they also did in October 2014, February 2015 and June 2015.

When Kamanda Gram Sabha Of Odisha Denied IDCO The Chance To Screw Them Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation of Odisha (IDCO) was denied by the people of

Kamanda Gram Sabha on March 23rd when around 400 people unanimously decided against the acquisition of their private land for Rungta Mines. The people disowned the resolution of Feb 13th, 2009 as the district administration and Rungta Company had allegedly turned the situation to their favour by bringing in 100 people from outside to get a twothird majority over the 30 people present of the village.

When HPPCL Had To Ask For Clearance From The Lippu Gram Sabha of Himachal Pradesh It all happened when the Himachal Pradesh govt. turning a blind eye to the Forest Rights Act (2006), gave the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (HPPCL), a state-owned body, the rights to build the Kashang Integrated Hydro Electric Project in the Kinnaur district. The people of Lippu Gram

Sabha, a consortium of 200 odd families, then stood up and fought this project - a harbinger of ecological disaster and an annihilator of livelihood.

Standing firm since 2009 to fight against the govt. it was on May 4th, 2016 that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) recognized that these people should have a say in the matter because it's their property.

When Odisha Govt. Got Kicked Left, Right, And Center By The Kondh Community The badass Dongarias, a sub-section of the Kondh community, inhabiting hills of Odisha had already denied the mighty UKbased Vedanta from touching the bauxite-rich Niyamgiri Hills (a sacred hill to the Kondhs) in July-August 2013. All the 12 Gram Sabhas of the area had out-rightly rejected the project proposal and forced the Ministry of Environment to withdraw the permission for mining. Don't

I Chose To Volunteer In Dharamsala Instead Of Holidaying, And It Was The Best Thing Ever Nestled amid the lush of 30-40 kilometres from green and exquisite Dharamsala; making it a Himalayas, Dharamsala is perfect location to spend a valley city in the north- summers travelling ern state of Himachal abroad. Last summer, I Pradesh, India. The spec- chose to take up this stint in my tacular n a t u r a l Dronacharya Dave o w n counbeauty and the pious aroma that fills try, India, and chose the air is a soothing and Dharamsala for the tranquil experience to same. What I experihave. Students in their gap enced and learnt while in year choose to volunteer volunteering abroad, and India is one of Dharamsala was an unthe most popular destina- matched experience. tions for them. Since it is And, thus, I decided to mainly around the sum- share my experience in

that, there are a number of Buddhist pagodas and temples spread across the region. In the Palampur area, I was accommodated along with seven other volunteers who had arrived from different countries, which showcases homogeneity in terms of spiritual environment.

Challenge Your Limits Trekking In The Himalayas Palampur and Dharamsala both lie in

breathtaking experience to fly over the beautiful valley of Palampur. Why walk, when you can fly your way down!

Experience The Summer With The Joy Of Giving While it's a summer travel expedition, at the end of it all, it is a volunteer trip you take. Which means there will be work for you to do for the community. During my summer volunteer programme, I worked at

Image for representational purpose Photo: cdn.youthkiawaaz. mers that travellers arrive to volunteer in India, the Himalayas is the most apt location to visit.

I came across the concept of volunteer travelling during my early days of nomadic life, when I was travelling in the beautiful city of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. And, since then, this has been 'my way' of travelling across different destinations.

There are a number of volunteer placement organisations that provide special summer volunteering in India at Palampur, which is at a short distance

the hope that it might motivate others as well.

That Dharamsala is home to His Holiness The Dalai Lama is just one of the factors that attracts the global community of travellers to this region. Here is a list of a few irresistible reasons to visit Dharamsala this summer to volunteer in India.

the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, which offers a number of breathtaking adventure activities. During the three weeks' summer volunteering trip in India, I got the opportunity to explore the destination and take part in a number of activities in and around Palampur.

One such activity was the Himalayan trek to the scintillating Triund Hill.

Awaken The Spiritual Sense In You Dharamsala is home to his holiness The Dalai Lama, which is a strong enough indication of the piousness spread in the atmosphere. Apart from

There's this another trek option which takes you to the hilltop of Bir-Billing that is world famous for it's international paragliding events. Yes! You guessed it. It was a

the childcare centres in Palampur. The first lap of the volunteer work, however, began in Delhi where I worked under the 'Street Children' programme.

Both these programmes revolve around the welfare and development of underprivileged children who come from highly compromised backgrounds. Volunteers can also involve themselves in construction work at these centres to refurbish parts that need repair and give them a new and fresh look.

Introduce Yourself To

A New Culture And Lifestyle The Indian sub-continent is known for its diverse culture and traditions.

The kind of culture and lifestyle that I found in Palampur-Dharamsala was a lot different from what I saw in Delhi, or any other part of the country for that matter.

Every region in India has its own set of language, dress, lifestyle, food, and more. So, while volunteering in Palampur, it was a totally different experience for me to witness a culture I had never even heard of. Now, isn't that what we call globetrotting?

Image for representational purpose (Photo: cdn.youthkiawaaz) mistake the power of the Govt. of Odisha and the influence of Vedanta which went to the extent of incarceration and killing of tribals by armed forces to get their consent-but couldn't taste anything but dust.

And as they say, old habits die hard. The govt. which claims to be the 'champion of tribals' went to the Supreme Court through the Odisha Mining Corporation

(OMC) to reconvene the Gram Sabhas for a vote.

Their petition was sadly not entertained.

To totally sideline the political disenfranchisement, land grabbing, and destruction of their natural habitat by the all-powerful capitalists with the kind cooperation of the state would be a mistake as of now. But the overthe-top functioning of democracy in areas with the progressive use of

FRA, 2006 and constitutional guarantees of Panchayats (Extension to Schedule Areas), PESA, should be surely recognized. David winning against Goliath in real life must be lauded, with the courage of 'primitive' tribals and their love for their habitat honored.

And, for now, we can definitely say‌"The times, they are a changing!"Courtesy: Youthkiawaaz

Silent Slaves If you think your day is a and prey upon their desgood morning just take titution and vulnerability any news paper of any of such poor people by state and start going making false promises of through it and I am sure offering high paid jobs in your good big cities and morning will Shristi Khati o f - c o u r s e turn into a sad marriage. morning. As you will no- But in reality they are tice that in each and ev- taken and sold to brothery paper there will be els or are forced as more than two missing roustabout. Whereas cases of either a young children are often subject girl or woman or boys. to involuntary servitude Not only just missing as factory workers, docases you will be sure to mestic servants, beggars, find cases of human traf- agricultural workers and ficking also. many at times they are Human trafficking, al- also sexually abused by though illegal according to their owners. No crime Indian law, still remains a can be worse than this. significant burning prob- It is a multifaceted threat lem. Our country shows as it robs people of their an alarming rate of hu- right to freedom. The vicman trafficking with an tims are completely devestimated 400 million chil- astated, demoralized and dren. Human trafficking defeated. Those who can be referred to as a suffer emotional abuses politically correct term for and rapes can never be modern day slavery. Mod- able to live a normal life ern day slaves are mostly again with a happy mind. women and children as The impact of human traffickers know that they trafficking is chilling, but

result they end up being psychologically compromised.

The impact of human trafficking is chilling and although the victims suffer the brunt but we should also know that the nation too becomes a sufferer to the safety, security and the privileges of roaming freely in ones country.

Trafficking has also led to the spread of diseases and death along with destruction of dignity and innocence. Modern society has allowed this slavery to continue, although many are fully aware of the toll that it is taking on the human race. Human trafficking is a horror that must be stopped and can be stopped only when strict disciplinary actions are taken against everybody involved in such a crime. Also better education and information should be provided at native places so that parents do not opt these ways for

Look Forward To Explore Other Destinations The summer volunteering in India programme was a complete three-week extravaganza which kicked off from the capital city of New Delhi and then took me to some of the best locations in North India. While most of my journey covered exploring areas in and around Dharamsala and Palampur, the first lap, however, started from New Delhi including visits to: 1) Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab 2) The Taj Mahal, Agra 3) Amer Fort and Hawa Mahal, Jaipur In Jaipur, we took a pit stop at an elephant village where we spent time with the friendly giant while doing some volunteer work as well, such as making food for the elImage for representational purpose (Photo: Livelaw) ephant, taking them for bath, etc. can be easily dominated. apart from this the vic- their kids. Above all attiSlavery is just as preva- tims who suffer, the na- tude towards women and Overwhelmed with the lent today as it was hun- tion too as a whole also young girls must change, number of fun activities? dreds of years ago. It is suffers; safety, security people should understand Well, guess what? There not an obsolete institution. and the privileges of liv- that they are just not a are a number of other Trafficking is a demand ing in a free country is piece of meat. reasons as well which based industry. It is completely compro- People need to become aware and need to undercan't be explained or formed of the buyer (end mised. mentioned but can only user), the business (pimp, Human trafficking is a stand that these things are be felt and seen. Sum- recruiter, transporter etc) multi-faceted threat. It not something that should be mers here and there and the bought (prosti- robs people of their right hushed up. If we the people couldn't be a better time tuted child, bonded slave). to freedom. It is inhu- are aware and remain conto plan your summer trip. Because there is a de- man. Those that suffer cerned than we can make Keep travelling‌ re- mand for using and abus- physical and emotional the government hear our ing little girls and women, abuse and rape may voices and save our sisters, sponsibly!

C o u r t e s y : traffickers simply go into never be able to live nor- mothers and brothers from poor and isolated villages, mal lives again and as a such heinous crimes.

Youthkiawaaz

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, MAY 27

BUSINESS

Bareilly-Moradabad to have India's first Talgo train trial rail route Bareilly, May 26: The first trial run of Spanishbuilt Talgo train will be held on the BareillyMoradabad rail route in Uttar Pradesh on May 29.

The first Talgo train trial will be conducted at a maximum speed of 115 km per hour for oscillation test. The next trials of the Talgo trains, which are capable of hitting a maximum speed of 200 km per hour, will be conducted on MathuraPalwal corridor and Delhi-Mumbai corridor.

Besides reducing travel

TravelTriangle achieves rare milestone in world of startups ANI New Delhi, May 26: TravelTriangle, India's first online holiday marketplace has become Contribution Margin Net Marketing (CMNM) positive in 6 Key geographies including an International market, along with reaching 200 Cr GMV. With an enviable growth of 6X since last year, the company is now aiming to reach 100 million dollars by March 2017. The 6 key markets include Sri Lanka, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Gangtok, Darjeeling and Kashmir which have already started delivering phenomenal results to the business.

Travel Triangle with its unique business model is looking at the metrics which really matters for a business being CMNM Positive. The company takes pride in its lean and efficient model of operations from day one. Speaking on the achievement, Sankalp Agarwal, CEO & Co-Founder, TravelTriangle said, "TravelTriangle has a DNA of innovation and it is visible from its innovative business model. We have always believed that liquidity is the currency on which marketplace business will be defined and on the same lines, for the fiscal year ending March'16, we have accomplished 3 decisive objectives.

First and foremost, we ensured that we achieve enough liquidity in marketplace. Secondly, along with achieving liquidity, we increased take rates by 25%. And thirdly, with sufficient increase in our take rates, we were able to break even in our key geogr a p h i e s . " TravelTriangle is focused on building India's largest holiday marketplace. Its endeavor is to make holiday planning a delight for its customers.

It believes the planning process should be simple and intuitive and is constantly adding newer and exciting destinations to its offerings.

time, Talgo's lighter trains consume 30 per cent less energy which will help railways reduce their power bill. As per reports, the coaches of Talgo trains have seats set close to each other, like in planes, and just a normal luggage rack along the top side of the coach. The space between the seats, which face each other with a wall-mounted table in between, do not leave any space for anything bigger than a briefcase.

Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu had earlier this

FIRST OF ITS KIND The first trial run of Spanish-built Talgo train will be held on the Bareilly-Moradabad rail route in Uttar Pradesh on May 29.

The first Talgo train trial will be conducted at a maximum speed of 115 km per hour for oscillation test.

Besides reducing travel time, Talgo's lighter trains consume 30 per cent less energy which will help railways reduce their power bill.

The next trials of the Talgo trains, which are capable of hitting a maximum speed of 200 km per hour, will be conducted on MathuraPalwal corridor and Delhi-Mumbai corridor.

As per reports, the coaches of Talgo trains have seats set close to each other, like in planes, and just a normal luggage rack along the top side of the coach.

The space between the seats, which face each other with a wallmounted table in between, do not leave any space for anything bigger than a briefcase.

month told the Rajya Sabha that the government is working to bring faster trains with more facilities while trying to meet the expectations of the society. Prabhu, who was replying to a debate on the Railways Appropriation Bill, said the railways is trying to meet these diverse expectations as he mentioned seven missions including the 'Mission to have zero accidents', 'Mission on Speed' and 'Mission on accounting reform' etc.

(Agencies)

Believers Church adds momentum to PM Modi's "Skill India" campaign ANI New Delhi, May 26: With a mission to contribute towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Skill India" Campaign, Believers Church has started imparting skill to underprivileged women across the country to help them earn their livelihood. The organization is providing free tailoring courses and sewing machines to women across India and trying to make them financially independent. An initiative of Dr. K.P. Yohannan, the project has already been initiated in various parts of the country. In the latest phase, 127 women were trained & given certificates and sewing machines in New Delhi & NCR. "We identified the areas where women

needed to be equipped, not only with resources, but also the skill required to make the ends meet.

This time we have reached out to areas like Mukundpur and Bharat Vihar. The project is being implemented in phases across India and will benefit thousands of women, thereby making lives better for lakhs of people," he said. Narender Rana of Bharat Krishak Samaj, who presided over the Delhi event said, "It is commendable that K.P. Yohannan led Believers Church is reaching out to the most vulnerable section of our society and trying to make them self sufficient." "These women aged between 18-45 years were selected not only basis of their economic

A file photo. (Photo: globsynskills) limitations but also the social difficulties they are facing. We will continue to follow up on their progress while we identify more areas and women who need to be empowered through this program," Bishop Simon John, Head of the Delhi

unit added. In this phase of program, the organization has reached out to women in Nathupura, Fatehpur, Mukundpur, Dwarka, Rohini, Surat Nagar & Bharat Vihar areas of Delhi. Besides, the program also reached out to women from Kutti area

of Ghaziabad, Agwanpur area of Faridabad & Sohna region in Gurgaon.

Believers Church is a Christian denomination with congregations and parishes worldwide and over 2.6 million followers in 10 countries. The Church at present has eleven Bishops who give spiritual and administrative leadership to the various activities of the Church. The current head of the Believers Church is Metropolitan Bishop, Dr K. P. Yohannan. The church also undertakes various charitable programs including Women Empowerment, Educational Projects, Community Development Programs, Rehabilitation Projects and Relief Works.

PAGE 10

Anand Chandrasekaran quits as Chief Product Officer of Snapdeal

Anand Chandrasekaran, former chief product officer of ecommerce site Snapdeal. (Photo: recodetech.files.wordpress)

New Delhi, May 26: Anand Chandrasekaran, the chief product officer of ecommerce site Snapdeal, has quit to start his own venture, the company said.

Chandrasekaran, who was brought on board in June last year, quit the company to start his own entrepreneurial venture, Snapdeal said. "Anand has done some stellar work on the product side at Snapdeal. His insights and attention to detail have helped us traverse quickly towards launching and improving products at Snapdeal," a Snapdeal spokesperson said. He was brought on board to revamp the company's platform.

Prior to joining Snapdeal,

Chandrasekaran worked with Bharti Airtel holding the same designation.

Chandrasekaran cofounded Aeroprise, a personalised mobile applications software company, which was acquired

by BMC Software Inc. in 2011. Snapdeal cofounder Rohit Bansal tweeted: "@anandc proud of the super work by you and the product team. Hard to believe that this was just 1 yr.

Farewell, keep rocking!"

In response, Chandrasekaran tweeted: "@rohitkbansal thanks for the support.

We did in 1 what would take 3 years anywhere.

Incredible passion @snapdeal. Best still to come!" (Agencies)

Refreshing new 2016 Activa-i unveiled by Honda Cinepolis announces launch of first

International multiplex in Delhi

Managing Director Cinepolis India, Javier Sotomayor. (Photo:) ANI New Delhi, May 26: Cinepolis India has announced the launch of their first International multiplex in Rohini with an aim to offer unmatched and excellent cinema viewing experi-

ence to its patrons. This will be the first multiplex with Cinepolis Design ID and will be equipped with 659 seats along with advanced Real D 3D technology. The announcement was made in presence of Javier

Sotomayor Managing Director, Devang Sampat Business Head Strategy and Ashish Shukla Director - Expansion, Cinepolis India.

Speaking on the occasion Managing Director Cinepolis India, Javier Sotomayor said, "Committed to our brand promise and focus to offer unique cinema viewing experience to the Delhi audience, we are delighted to introduce our first property replete with international Cinepolis state of the art technology." "We aim to provide a superlative cinema viewing experience to the entire gamut of our discerning Delhi patrons.

With this launch we get

a step closer to our targets in India and have 240 screens running now, with a promise to open another 160 screens, by 2017," added Javier Sotomayor. "Cinepolis launched at Unity One, is the first of our Ebony design concepts. It is a premium and luxurious property that brings the best in cinema experience. This will expand our NCR circuit from current 13 screens to 17 screens. The current 13 was part of our Fun Cinemas circuit, which we amalgamated last year," said Director Expansion, Ashish Shukla. "The capital of India, reflects the movie loving country, we are making it a prime

market for the entertainment industry. We have 75+ screen planned to be open in the NCR region in couple of years helping in increasing our presence in the country," added Ashish Shukla.

Cinepolis India has aggressive plans of rolling out 400 screens by 2017.

The company in India has already been awarded with 'Most Admired Retail Launch' in 2010, 'Most Admired Retailer Innovation' in 2011, 'Fastest Growing Multiplex Chain' in 2015, 'IMAGES Most Admired Retailer - Entertainment' in 2015 and 'DLP cineasia Marketing Achievement Award' in 2015.

YuppTV, ACT Fibernet partner to delight Hyderabad users ANI New Delhi, May 26: YuppTV, the world's largest Over-The-Top (OTT) provider for South Asian content has announced its collaboration with ACT (Atria Convergence Technologies Pvt. Ltd.), the country's fourth largest Internet Service Provider (ISP) in the wired broadband category and pioneers in Fiber-to-theHome technology. As a part of the partnership, the entire array of YuppTV's diverse content of 200+ Live TV channels, 2000+ movies, 100+ TV shows and 1000+ short movies will be available for as low as Rs. 99 per month for ACT subscribers in Hyderabad as an add-on package.

With top TV channels and latest movies from Tollywood amongst the

content on offer, the move comes as a very attractive development for the audience in the city of Hyderabad. ACT is currently leading in net wired broadband subscriber additions in calendar year 2016 and continues to offer consumers the fastest, most consistent and unparalleled Internet experience, through the immensely scalable and future proof technology of fiber optics. It is at the forefront of driving Internet consumption in India, not just in terms of growing the market but also changing the online user behavior and enhancing the way users experience this medium.

YuppTV's latest collaboration will enable its highquality content to be bundled with the best

Founder and CEO YuppTV, Uday Reddy.

(Photo: d152j5tfobgaot) high-speed internet connectivity for the city's users. YuppTV's provision of Catch-up TV, which allows users to watch their favorite programmes from the last 7 days at their convenient time, will also a major attraction for viewers. "Hyderabad is

one of the highest internet penetrated cities in the country and we are delighted to associate with YuppTV, which is one of the world's largest internet-based TV. This partnership is line with our strategic plans for Hyderabad as the city

continues to be a key market for us and we will always attempt to give reliable high speeds with upload and download, the consumers can enjoy equal data limit on both," said CEO of the ACT Group, Bala Malladi.

"Streaming videos require high fidelity networks with consistent speeds to deliver a buffer-free experience. With this partnership, we are attempting to enhance accessibility to YuppTV content and solve internet connectivity concerns for our users through ACT's high-speed broadband framework.

We are confident that our Hyderabad users will welcome the initiative, and be able to enjoy our library of diverse entertainment solutions through ACT," said Founder and CEO YuppTV, Uday Reddy.

Image for representational purpose. (Photo: indianautosblog) Mumbai, May 26: Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt. Ltd (HMSI) launched three new colours of Activa-i.

This is Honda's seventh new model of 2016. The new 2016 Activa i is priced at Rs 50,255 (exshowroom Mumbai). Besides the new colours Pearl Trance Yellow and Candy Jazzy Blue, the standard variant of new Activa-i will be available in Pearl Amazing White and Black. In addition to

Orchid Purple Metallic and Pearl Amazing White the Deluxe variant will be available in the new exciting Imperial Red metallic colour also. Known for its sleek, lightweight and compact design, the 2016 Activa-i powered by the 110cc HET engine (Honda Eco Technology). Activa-i generates 5.84 kW of power (8 BHP @7,500rpm) and maximum torque of 8.74Nm@5,500 rpm.

(Agencies)

FRESH AS DEW Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt. Ltd (HMSI) launched three new colours of Activa-i.

This is Honda's seventh new model of 2016.

The new 2016 Activa i is priced at Rs 50,255 (ex-showroom Mumbai). Besides the new colours Pearl Trance Yellow and Candy Jazzy Blue, the standard variant of new Activa-i will be available in Pearl Amazing White and Black.

In addition to Orchid Purple Metallic and Pearl Amazing White the Deluxe variant will be available in the new exciting Imperial Red metallic colour also.

Known for its sleek, lightweight and compact design, the 2016 Activa-i powered by the 110cc HET engine (Honda Eco Technology).

Activa-i generates 5.84 kW of power (8 BHP @7,500rpm) and maximum torque of 8.74Nm@5,500 rpm.

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, MAY 27

Features

PAGE 11

TRAVEL & TOURISM A Hidden Citadel of Tai-Buddhist Culture Places to visit around in Assam: Namphake Village Jowai, Meghalaya The Tai Phake is a lesserknown tribe with microscopic population found in the Dibrugarh district.

Though they are small in population yet they maintain their gorgeous multicolored costume of their traditional distinctiveness and retain the Tai Phake language and culture.

Tai Phake is the branch of the great Tai race, which entered Assam in the latter half of the 18th century. They came through the Patkai range and lived in Mogoung (now in Myanmar) till 1700 A.D. The word 'Phake' has been derived from the Tai words 'Pha' meaning wall and 'Ke' meaning old antiquity.

People living near and around the antique stone wall in due course came to be known as 'kunphake' i.e. people residing near phake part of the country. They are also called 'phakeyal' by the Assamese Indians.

A Buddhist temple in Namphake (Photo:staticflicker) They introduced themselves as Phakeyat (Jat) i.e people of Phake caste, as there had been no letter pronouncing 'Z' in Tai. In course of time the word 'phakejat' changed into 'phakeyal' and latter on 'phakial', which contested by the phake people.

On their arrival in

Assam, in search of a suitable land for inhabitation, they inhabited in the riverine area of Buridihing River in 1850, which is now known as the Namphake village.

As regards to religion, the Taiphake people worship Lord Buddha. The monks with the trainees

reside in the Buddha Vihar or Monastery. The culture of these people is very rich which is still being maintained. PoiChang Ken or the Water Splashing Festival is the most popular and important festival of this tribe which falls every year on 14 th April. Buddha purnima festival solem-

nizes the birth enlightenment and death of Lord Buddha and is known as Poi-Nun-Hok. PaiKathin festival is celebrated in the month of October or November with the significance of donating of 'Kathin'to a 'bikshu'or monk. Poi Nen-Chi festival is observed in the month of march by this tribe with the belief that offering of Chaitya will help to attain peace in this life and also in the life after death.

Other attractive features of this village are sunset in Namphake, boating in the river Buridhing, The Pagoda built in 1937, Buddist Monastry, symbolic Ashoka Pillar, Nong Mungchiringta (Musulinda tank), traditional stilt house, traditional dances like Kakong (drum Dance), Kapan (welcome dance), Kachong (umberella Dance) and Ka feefai (dimond dance).

Courtesy: dibrugarh.nic

Toilets, Travels and the Silenced Voices Ever since childhood we longest of the highlearn and inculcate a lot ways! of things. And the tini- While talking of bus est of things can have the journeys, I cannot miss greatest impact on us in out the opportunity to the subtlest of ways. The voice out one of the horfailure to relieve our- rible experiences we selves during the school faced while travelling break times, and getting back home at night. It the need to pee during was a 12 hour journey class a n d t i m e , Deboleena Sengupta w h e r e w a s w e something very funny could generally use the for us. Well, because toilets of hotels on the words like pee/poop highway, but neither the have been placed under bus driver nor the conindecent codes of lan- ductor bothered to stop guage construct. the bus by any safe and clean toilets.

I would remain uncomfortable and in pain till After four long hours the next break just to es- they stopped the bus in cape embarrassment a somewhat deserted from talking about a place. We were on the

Who would you blame?

My friend who needed to pee? The conductor and the driver for having been insensitive in their understanding that women too have needs?

The nightfall for having been so dark? Or would you stop women from travelling at night?

The blame game goes on. But the truth is we still lack security when it comes to meeting our basic needs.

While this happened at the time which is called the 'state of normalcy', the thought of women during conflict shudders me. Let me tell you, it's like horror films gone

Photo for representational purpose (Photo: squarespace) 'function' which is very natural. Such stupid ideas that someone else would decide for me a 'shubh muhurat' (auspicious moment) when I could relieve myself also followed me when I started taking long journeys.

But this time there were NO TOILETS in the

National Highway 37, at around 11pm.

Two of my friends who were travelling along got down and went to pee finding a darker place. And that was when one of my friends was assaulted by two men there. When she shouted, they fled and got lost in the dark.

real, I wouldn't place a step out of my home. My state witnesses frequent ethnic conflicts which quite often cripples daily life. Sometimes when someone needs to travel out of dire emergency, we go through nightmares and have to keep contacting to assure they are fine.

So what about those who are rendered homeless? The ones whose homes are burnt and need to put up in relief camps? While the constant fear of resurgence of violence haunts them there is more to it.

A 'Report on Visit to Bodoland Territorial Autonomous Districts (BTAD) and Dhubri District in Assam (August 11 -12, 2012)', i.e. the time when these places around my hometown were around their peak point of conflicts, states how toilet facilities were inadequate and there was hardly any place for people to take a bath. As per the report, toilet facilities were minimal with 10 toilets for 4,300 in the Relief Camps of S r i r a m p u r a , Gossaigaon and Kokrajhar. That means one toilet for 430 people! Isn't it quite ironic that they are called 'relief camps'?

While even if the men could somehow manage to bathe or defecate in the open, women couldn't because they carry the extra burden of 'stigma' attached to their bare bodies. In such circumstances, addressing the needs of pregnant women and menstruating women are a far cry. Besides that, post conflict times also see a sharp rise in the chances of sexual harassment, rape, or girls falling prey to trafficking. While lack of toilets might not be the only reason but this lack indeed creates unsafe situations, which is one of the biggest security issues that females face.

Remember what my friend faced on the highway?

The problems I have stated are very common and there are many more of course. From not finding toilets to toilets without latches; to getting infections from unclean toilets and the list goes on. What could be the resultant? Can it restrict our free mobility? YES! It can. If domination is deep enrooted in our culture, I feel unavailability of toilets act as stabilizer to the domination. It provides the opportunities for violence against women and their dignity.

When we talk of security, these experiences shouldn't get unnoticed.

Toilets and security, yes the connection needs to be made and enforced.

But what bothers me is to see voices being silenced in our society and to learn to see pain as 'normal'. To see not having clean and safe toilets as 'natural'. To conform to the irrational conditioning to see toilets as a taboo. And that's when we are being unfair to the voice within us and others.

If we talk of justice, it has to be inclusive; we cannot exclude the stories of pain. If we talk of peace, it isn't just the absence of physical violence, but mental too. I cannot claim to be in peace when my body is uncomfortable because I cannot address a basic need. I cannot be in peace if I have the fear of being assaulted for not having safe toilets around. Recalling the NH37 incident, I can say there is a big failure on the part of our 'welfare sate' to provide us with such a basic sense of security.

The article was first published in LooWatch.

14 kms from city center honour of him. able stalagmites and staMonoliths exist through- Jarain Pitcher Plant lactites add to the look of out the length and breadth Lake these caves. The caves are of the Khasi and Jaintia 10 kms from city center 100m deep and 21km Hills. However, the larg- Surrounded by the fasci- long. est collection of monoliths nating carnivorous pitcher Lalong Park lies here. Here lie the rem- plants, boat rides in this 10,226 kms from city nants of the 'Summer Pal- lake are a great experi- center ace'. The archway of the ence. The plants, spread Famous for its sacred site has o v e r groves and beautiful b e e n 50,000 sq. Pynthorwah Valley, the made us- Nartiang Monoliths m proves Lalong Park has gained ing red to be a popularity in terms of bricks - and is quite a unique sight for all. tourist destinations. A wasight.

Krangshuri Falls ter Eco park is apparently Durga Temple 20 kms from city center also taking shape with an 36 kms from city center Krangshuri is one of the intention to change Ialong A famous temple of the re- most beautiful waterfalls into a major Tourism Hub gion, the Durga temple is in the District. It is located of the District. located near the remnants in the Amlarem Civil Sub Thadlaskein Lake of the Summer Palace. Division. Chiseled and 6 kms from city center Long ago, human heads graveled footpaths and Located at Mukhla, near were offered to Ma Durga with viewpoints to enable the highway about 20 kias sacrifice.

Stone Bridge 21 kms from city center This is an old historic stone bridge used by the Jaintia Rajas to cross while travelling from their Summer Capital in Nartiang to their Winter Capital in Jaintiapur (now in Bangladesh). The strong structure was broken once when an elephant tried crossing it.

Tryshi Falls 2 kms from city centre These falls are compared with the Elephant falls of Shillong. A bridge connects the waterfall's surroundings with an ex(Photo: Kishore Gogoi) panse of green paddy fields. A breathtaking pan- visitors to appreciate the lometers from the district oramic view of the beauty of the waterfall and town of Jowai, this is a Pynthor Nein is visible its surroundings, have beautiful lake with anthrofrom the bridge. A trek to been added to the com- pological importance as the bottom of the falls is plex. well. amazing too.

Umlawan Cave Mawlynnong Syntu Ksair 10,226 kms from city 40 kms from city center 1 km from city center center Located in the East Khasi Meaning the 'flower of Meghalaya takes pride in district, this village has gold', the Syntu Ksair is housing the sub- won the title of Asia's located on the banks of continent's deepest and cleanest village in 2003 Myntdu river. This is the largest caves - the and India's cleanest village centre of the freedom Umlawan Caves. These in 2005. This village is struggle led by Kiang caves are interconnected also referred as God's own Nanbagh. A memorial has with the Kot Sati and garden. also been set up here in Umskor Caves. Innumer- Courtesy: holidify

A day trip to Namphalong in Myanmar Myanmar, earlier known as Burma lies to the East of the Indian subcontinent. Having come to Moreh, a Manipuri town that serves as a border between India and the land of the Burmese, I just had to make my way into the country. Just a 10 minute walk from Moreh Bazaar and you will find yourself standing under the Indo-Myanmar Friendship gate. To cross over, one needs to provide a Government of India approved identity card (voter ID or driving license will do). The Army personnel made it a point to inform us that the gates (both Indian and Burmese) close strictly at 4 pm Indian Standard Time and 5 pm Burmese time. I was excited to visit a 'foreign' country and soon made my way past the friendship gate into the town called Namphalong. The place is known for its trade market that sells commodities that range from food to electronics.

Burmese women selling fresh fruits tried their level best to woo us to take something from their baskets. I rushed to change some Indian money (not a good idea as the Burmese people want only Indian money and items are priced likewise). The currency in Myanmar is Kyat and the exchange rate equates 100 Indian rupees to 1700 Kyats. I must mention that I encountered a member of an underground group (of Pakistani origin).

The fellow wanted to recruit

me, but I gladly put him off.

Into Myanmar, we browsed through the market, picked up local favourites like Joker, a buttery tea time delight manufactured in Yangon, Nescafe (the Burmese sell it dirt cheap), shoes (Vans and Converse), and much more.

However, I would like to mention that the market favours those who buy in bulk. The heat and humidity of the place got me to buy a tamarind iced drink and sip away as I made my way to the auto stand to visit Tamu and a few other places in Myanmar. Twenty minutes into Myanmar and we were at a beautiful monastery in Tamu. The auto driver, whose auto we reserved for the journey informed us that this was a famous tourist hub and an important religious centre for the country as well. The Buddhist monastery was empty as we visited it around 8:30 am in the morning. The huge edifice of Lord Buddha is a wonder and the structures shed much light of the religion and teachings by the founder of the faith. We spent a few silent minutes enjoying the view and praying for various needs.

We then drove away to Tamu.

I must mention that the market in Tamu is extremely overpriced and thus one is better off shopping at Namphalong. Can I visit Myanmar and not sample their local cuisine? No way!! I knew that the dish 'Khow-Suay' originates in the

Bryan Khan

region. Having found a nice road-side eatery, I had to order the dish. Like an impatient child, I waited to be served. A yummy bowl of noodles doused in chicken broth, pieces of chicken and dark soy.

The dish is topped with chilli flakes, roasted garlic and spring onions. With my chopsticks in hand, I went through the bowl in no time and had to order a second one. Soon after my gastronomical rendezvous, I made my way to the market at Namphalong to do a little shopping.

Namphalong is very simple.

The people are simple and this is evident from the lifestyle that they live. For example, the lady at whose shack I had the khowsuay, used a charcoal furnace to cook and not a gas stove cooktop. When I presented her with a Rs. 1000/- note to pay my bill, her face shone bright and she began to clap. Had carts and auto's dominate the roads. I rushed back into my country around 2pm in time to catch my car back to Imphal.

The experience was a fun filled and adventurous one. There was much to learn, see and appreciate. For those who think that life is difficult in India, please make a trip to Myanmar.

You will thank your stars to have been born in India (I did)!

Having said this, those who are up for great travel experience, the Moreh-Myanmar trip is worth every minute spent.

Courtesy: nelive

cmyk

cmyk

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, MAY 27

PAGE 12

Warner praises bowlers, fielders for win over KKR PTI New Delhi, May 26 : Sunrisers Hyderabad captain David Warner has credited his bowlers and fielders for his side's comfortable 22-run win over two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL Eliminator here.

After posting 162 for eight, riding on Yuvraj Singh's 30-ball 44, Sunrisers came up with a fine bowling performance and fielding effort to restrict KKR to 140 for eight last night, thereby progressing to IPL Qualifier 2 for the first time since making their debut in 2013.

Sunrisers will now take on

the losers of the Qualifier 1, Gujarat Lions in the allimportant second qualifier tomorrow for their maiden entry into the summit clash of the T20 league.

"The bowlers have shown fantastic appetite. The experience of injured (Ashish) Nehra was a big miss for us.

His experience is second to none. But the guys have stepped up. Barinder Sran has been bowling really well. He is still learning and big credit goes to Bhuvneswar Kumar because he has been helping him (Sran) a lot day in and day out. That's the good thing about this team that everyone is willing to

came out and took some very good catches. I was very pleased with our ground fielding," he said at the post-match press conference.

Warner though feels Sunrisers were some runs short after being put into bat by KKR. "I thought we were probably 10-15 runs short. Before the toss I was in two minds whether to bat or bowl. I always felt playing here in the past when you get good runs on the Sunrisers Hyderabad captain David Warner board and put pressure on learn," Warner said prais- way we fielded in the the opposition it's always match. We were pretty hard to get going. That's ing his pacers.

"The pleasing thing from sloppy throughout the how we felt when we were my point of view is the tournament. But the guys batting," he said.

Marwari Hindi High School, Don Bosco in Final Sports Reporter Dibrugarh, May 26: Marwari Hindi High School and Don Bosco Higher Secondary school registered victory in their respective matches of the Phapram Das inter school cricket tournament organised by Dibrugarh District Sports Association at DDSA stadium here today.

In the first semifinal match, Marwari Hindi High School beat Jyoti Vidyapith by four wickets. Put into bat, Jyoti Vidyapith were all out for 67 in 14 overs. Manab Rai and Anurag Handique scored 8 runs each respectively.

For Marwari Hindi High School, Dipak Rai, Suresh

Sahania claimed three wickets each by giving away 9 and 13 runs respectively.

Nishant Singhania took two wickets.

Dibrugarh Inter school cricket

Bosco put up 112 on the board before being all out in 18 overs. Dibakar Saikia chipped in with 32 off 22 balls, laced with five fours and one six while Nitin Hazarika scored 18 off 11 balls. Anshuman Hazarika contributed 11 runs.

In reply, Marwari Hindi scored 68 by losing six in 14.3 overs. Mrintunjoy Yadav remained unbeaten on 22 off 31 balls with one six. Suresh Sahania contributed 16 runs.

Abdul Wasim scalped two wickets for Jyoti Vidyapith.

In another semifinal, Don Bosco Higher Secondary school defeated Sampoorna Kendra Vidyalaya by 58 runs. Opting to bat, Don

For SKV, Akash Chetia bagged four for 15 in 4 overs. Prangam Sharma scalped three for 23 in 3 overs.

In reply, SKV bundled out for 57 in 13 overs. Manab Saikia scored 10 off 11 balls with two boundaries.

For Don Bosco, Dibakar Saikia claimed three for 6 in 3 overs. Chrinjib Bora and Nitin Hazarika took two wickets.

Sharapova listed in Russia's Olympic Ronaldo believes Man Utd lacked Domingo backs `champion` Steyn squad despite doping ban to return to his menacing best identity under van Gaal

Maria Sharapova ANI Melbourne, May.26 : Embattled Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova has been provisionally named in her country's squad for the forthcoming Rio Olympics.

The five-time Grand Slam champion was handed a provisional suspension from the sport in March

after she revealed that she had tested positive for the banned substance meldonium at this year's Australian Open.

Meldonium was placed on the banned list by the World Anti-Doping Agency this year but the 2012 Olympic silver medallist said that she had been taking the drug since

2006 legally for years for health reasons.

Last month, the WADA had in fact suggested that athletes who were tested positive for meldonium before March 1 could have their bans overturned as the agency was unable to detect the span of time that the drug takes to get cleared from the human body.

However, the 29-year-old has been told to expect a verdict next month after the tennis anti-doping committee's hearing on her case took place last week, news.com.au reported.

Russian Tennis Federation president, Shamil Tarpishchev, had earlier expressed that he expected Sharapova to represent her country in Rio, while branding the positive test as 'nonsense'.

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo ANI London, May.26 : Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has said his former club Manchester United lacked 'a bit of an identity' under the tutelage of sacked manager Louis van Gaal.

Van Gaal was shown the door despite United won the FA Cup. This was believed to be due to the Old Trafford club's failure to qualify for the Champions League.

On the other hand, Jose Mourinho, the former Chelsea manager, is being widely con-

sidered as the favourite to succeed the Dutchman at the helm of the Old Trafford club.

While admitting that he still holds a special place in his heart for United, the Portuguese international said he hoped Mourinho could bring the good times back to his former club, the Guardian reported.

Ronaldo also dismissed a possible return to Old Trafford, insisting that he wants to stay at Real while describing the Spanish giants as the best club in the world.

ANI Johannesburg, May.26 : South Africa head coach Russell Domingo has thrown his support behind misfiring Dale Steyn, insisting that the pace spearhead will return to his menacing best in no time.

Considered as one of the most feared pacemen in Test cricket, Steyn seemed to be ineffective in the 20overs format in recent times and played only two matches in the World Twenty20 in India.

The right-handed paceman struggled with a series of injuries over the last 12 months and has been rested for next month's triangular series against Australia and the West Indies in the Caribbean.

Describing Steyn as a 'champion' bowler, the

South Africa head coach Russell Domingo coach observed that players like him cannot be written off because of their ability to make a strong comeback, Sport24 reported.

The 32-year-old, who has taken 406 wickets in Test format, will instead get some match practice by playing in the Caribbean Premier League and for

English county club Glamorgan.

The decision to rest Steyn for the triangular series is part of a plan to keep him fresh for the upcoming test season. South Africa will host New Zealand in August before touring Australia for three-test series in November.

Mitchell Starc ready to go full throttle on comeback

Australian speedster Mitchell Starc ANI Melbourne, May.26 : Australian speedster Mitchell Starc, who rejoined with the national side after a six-month injury layoff, has declared himself fully fit and said he is ready to return to his menacing best in next month's triangular ODI series against West Indies and South Africa in the Caribbean.

The 26-year-old lefthander has not played since suffering a stress fracture in his foot during the inaugural day-night Test against New Zealand in Adelaide last November. He went on to miss Australia's tour of New Zealand before the World Twenty20 in India in March.

"It's been a long time coming. The foot has been great, there's no pain in the ankle or the foot. I've had a good three or four months in gym to get a bit of size back on, and I'm feeling really good; fit, strong and ready to play some cricket," Starc was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

"It feels like it's in a good place. I'm not sure if I'll be back up to top speed straight away, it might take a couple of games as it normally does for fast bowlers coming back, but I'm excited to see how it comes out on the gun," he added.

Australia will play their first match of the tri-series against the West Indies in Guyana on June 5.

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