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Vol. II

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Pakistan violates ceasefire in Poonch, Rajouri Jammu, Oct 31: Pakistani troops on Monday violated ceasefire by indulging in firing and shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in the twin frontier districts of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Pakistani troops indulged in unprovoked ceasefire violation from 0900 hours in the Balakot sector using 120 mm and 82 mm mortars, automatic and small arms," an army officer said.

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US gun store's ad says won't sell to Muslims, Clinton backers New York, Oct 31 : A US gun store owner has put up a controversial sign and published an advertisement in a daily refusing to sell arms to Muslims and Hillary Clinton backers, saying "we do not feel safe selling to terrorists".

Paul Chandler, the owner of Altra Firearms in rural Jackson Center, Pennsylvania, said he turns customers away at his door who are Muslim or who are supporting Hillary Clinton for President.

Issue 105

Dibrugarh, Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Tata versus mistry.

Is it indeed a capital crisis?

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Price -

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Govt withheld resignation of Chief Engineer, the congress candidate for Hayuliang bypoll: APCC asks Chief Electoral Officer to intervene A Staff Reporter Itanagar, 31 Oct

The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), today in a press briefing informed that the Congress party in the state selected Lapalum Kri, Chief Engineer PHED & WS from two other candidates who were in the fray for the candidature the ensuing bye-elections to 45Hayuliang ST Assembly Constituency, which included Dangwimsai Pul, the first wife of former Chief Minister late Kalikho Pul, and Ejunso Yun, who had contested in the last Assembly Elections from the People’s Party of Arunachal.

APCC president Padi Richo informed that the idea of selecting Dangwimsai Pul as a

candidate was dropped after she could not be contacted, and the decision to field Kri came after considering all factors.

However, he alleged that the state government is deliberately delaying the acceptance of Kri’s voluntary retirement even after all mandatory clearances, including vigilance, which has been done as per CCS rule.

Kri had applied for grant of Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) on September 5, 2016, requesting the Government of Arunachal Pradesh to accept his VRS with effect from September 30, 2016. He had also submitted a vigilance clearance, which is valid for six months.

POLITICS OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH APCC alleged that the state government is deliberately delaying the acceptance of Kri’s voluntary retirement even after all mandatory clearances, including vigilance, which has been done as per CCS rule The APCC requested Chief Minister Pema Khandu to accept the resignation of Kri at the earliest, or cautioned that the Indian National Congress party would be compelled to take out a democratic process in the state and nation levels, and knock the door of the Election Commission of India and the Chief Electoral Officer to postpone the 45Hayuliang bye-election till justification is given The Congress party has won the seat in 45-Hayuliang for five terms earlier and is confident of keeping the streak alive APCC submitted a memorandum to the state Chief Electoral Officer Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar and informed of the circumstances and asked for its intervention in the matter

With reference to his petition submitted on

September 5, 2016, a reminder petition was submitted on October 3, 2016 stating that he has not been intimated about it for a month. He also quoted (CCS) rule, Pension rule 48-A (2), that not receiving any communication from the concerned authority or office regarding the same automatically becomes operative after lapse of one month.

On October 13, Kri submitted a second petition for early acceptance of his resignation with should come into effect from September 30, 2016, stating that he is going to contest the upcoming byeelection from 45-Hayuliang (ST) Assembly Constituency.

Contd. on Page 3

Organisations from Assam and Arunachal sort out hardship faced

by Arunachal passengers at Kolajan

DIWALI ILLUMINATION

PM to release stamp on Vallabhbhai Patel

Maksam Tayeng Pasighat, Oct 30

Deeply concerned about the harassment caused to travelers of Pasighat and its peripheral districts of Arunachal Pradesh going to Dibrugarh, Assam via Bogibil ghat for various reasons like medical treatment etc by Kulajan Taxi Service

New Delhi, Oct 31: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 141st birth anniversary.

"Paid tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel & recalled his contribution in uniting India & strengthening the cooperative movement," Modi said in a tweet.

All the speakers including the Mising Autonomous Council Executive Members like Johan Doley and Joggeshor Kutum besides Adi Baane Kebang advisors Tabi Jerang, Apel Tayeng, Kumson Pangging, Okeng Tatung and ABK Secy (HQ) Tabung Ering, Onyok Pertin, former

Mising people not to harass the Arunachal passengers which may further stale the AdiMising unity. By restricting the Arunachal vehicles at Kolajan and forcing the passengers to board the Kolajan vehicles despite road are thorough to reach Bogeebil ghat, several commuters are facing untold miseries. Even ill and sick

BONE OF CONTENTION

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Obama celebrates Diwali, lights firstever diya in Oval Office

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FORMER LECTURER WINS AWARD FOR HELPING CREATE 15,000 JOBS IN NAGALAND, MANIPUR

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Wasington, Oct 31 : US President Barack Obama has celebrated Diwali by lighting the first-ever diya in the Oval Office of the White House and hoped that his successors would continue the tradition.

Obama, who was the first president to celebrate Diwali personally at the White House in 2009, talked about this momentous occasion in a Facebook post soon after he kindled the diya in his Oval Office with some Indian-Americans working in his administration.

5.00

The festival of lights, Diwali illuminated the whole of Upper Assam and Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh by dazzling lights and colorful decorations of homes and building. The Festival concluded on Tuesday. In the photo, girls lighting earthen lamps on the occasion of Diwali, in Sivasagar on Monday. Photo by Firuz Ahmed

‘60% dip in sales of Chinese goods this Diwali’ IANS Dibrugarh, 31 Oct

The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has claimed that there was a 60 per cent dip in the sales of Chinese goods this Diwali as a result of the massive social media campaign urging people to boycott Chinese products.

“Realising the mood among the people because of the social media campaign, traders across the country were seen reluctant in displaying Chinese goods on the counter and some

traders had even put “Make in India” boards at their business establishments to woo consumers,” a CAIT spokesperson said.

“These statistics are based on the indications gathered by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) from 20 cities in different states, including Delhi, Mumbai, N a g p u r, J a i p u r, Ahmadabad, Kanpur and Bhopal which are generally considered as distribution cities,” the spokesperson added.

A shop in Old City in Hyderabad displays a banner that explicity says ‘no’ to Chinese fire crackers.

Arunachali passgengers time and again have been facing harassment.

Instances of forceful boarding of Arunachali passengers into overcrowded Assamregistered vehicles have been on the rise.

Who are guilty?

Kolajan Maxicab Union cabs forcible boarding of Aruachali passengers into their vehicles instead of Pasighat bound direct vehicles

AMBK, ABK, MAC representatives sits to sort out hardship faced by Arunachal passengers at Kolajan

Association, Dhemaji, Assam, the Adi-Mising Baane Kebang held a meeting at Kolajan College today to discuss about finding a permanent solution of the issue.

Solution Direct plying of Pasighat vehicles from Bogibil Ghat to Pasighat

Final decision A final meeting on this will be held on 3rd November next.

Secy (HQ) ABK sternly condemned the act of Kolajan Maxicab Union for compelling the passengers of Pasighat to board their vehicle at Kolajan.

Johan Doley appealed his

patients are also not spared, they are forced to board the already over crowed vehicles of the Kolajan.

Contd. on Page 3

NHIDA releases funds to complete Nabinata Das shows the path to Sustainable farming construction of four-lane highway project

cmyk

Nabinata Das’ success story of sustainable farming has caught the imagination of people of late. Thanks to her patience, persistence and her belief in organic farming, which were the foundations of her rise from humble farmer to a self style farming expert.

Nabanita Das, a 32 years progressive woman farmer of Jorhat, Borali, has clearly mastered the art of sustainable and subsistence farming and is now giving her lessons on sustainable farming management.

Our correspondent caught up with Nabanita Das to find out more.

Her rustic demeanour and

From theory to practicethe transformation

Nabinata Das 32 years progressive woman farmer of Jorhat, Borali.

Initially, she was mono cropping- growing paddy or mustard, growing a single crop. But later on, she started poly cropping and nursery farming. Thus began, growing more than one complimentary crop in the same field.

Contd. on Page 2

Shambhu Boro Tezpur, October 31

The northern belt people will soon enjoy a hassle-free surface communication as the ongoing construction work of four lane from Dibrugarh via Koliabar-Chariali bordering Sonitpur District and Dolabari and Jamuguri etc. areas up to Dhemaji connecting both northern and southern belt and the neighbouring state Arunachal Pradesh, besides a few major bridge including the additional bridge over river Brahmaputra at Koliabhumura area and the Chowkighat will soon be completed as the National Highway Infrastructure Development Authority

Bridge over river Brahmaputra at Koliabhumura area (NHIDA) has already released required all the funds that is specially sanctioned for the big-budget project.

Contd. on Page 4

cmyk

expertise do not reflect her humble educational background as her highest qualification is only matriculation. However, very few of us can undermine her practical knowledge on agriculture and cropping mechanism.

ET Correspondent Jorhat, 31 Oct

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1

NEWS

Dibrugarh CRPF and DIGP Ops Range run for unity

A run for unity organised by 171 Bn CRPF and DIGP Operation Range in Dibrugarh on National Unity Day. Photo by Manoj Pandey ET Bureau Dibrugarh, 31 Oct: On the occasion of 141 Birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, 171Bn CRPF and DIGP Ops Range, Dibrugarh jointly organized Run for Unity at Dibrugarh Town this morn-

ing. The Run was flagged off by the RGR Bhat, DIGP CRPF Ops of Dibrugarh who was invited as the guest of honor. On the onset of the occasion floral tribute were paid to the Iron Man, Sardar Patel by all ranks and file of the unit.

HOROSCOPE Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancer

Leo

Your natural warmth is enhanced by a new sense of self-confidence, Aries. Group activities and social events might bring you into touch with people who prove to be valuable business contacts. Whatever goals you've attempted to reach may finally show signs of materializing, possibly through the efforts of others who believe in you. This should be a very fortunate and enjoyable day for you.

Make the most of it!

Today you might pinch yourself to see if what you're experiencing is real, Taurus. Success and good fortune are coming thick and fast, with only minor setbacks and irritations to complicate matters. Business, money, and career success are likely to be at an all-time high, although you might find yourself feeling a little fearful of what comes next. Don't worry about that. Go with the flow.

Career and financial success might have paved the way for you to fulfill some of your fondest dreams, Gemini. Perhaps you've wanted to return to college and get an advanced degree, take a trip around the world, or try writing and publishing. Whatever it is, your schedule should be freer and more flexible than ever, so this is the time to go for it. Start planning today!

Now that you feel more secure regarding your business and financial situations, Cancer, you might be looking for ways to feed your spiritual and metaphysical interests. Your intuitive and psychic abilities should be operating at a very high level, causing you to experience some vivid dreams and visions and receive the insights that come from them.

Books and lectures might prove especially enlightening.

Just about every department of life should be going very well for you now, Leo. Business, finances, and partnerships are likely on their way to success, while personal relationships of all kinds, particularly romantic ones, should also be more rewarding.

You might be thinking of expanding your horizons through new enterprises or study. Don't be shy - go for it.

Virgo

Whatever you're working on at the moment, Virgo, whether business related, personal projects, or volunteer work, it's likely to bring you increased satisfaction on many levels. You're enjoying what you do, making a difference, and meeting new friends.

Your health continues to glow. You may feel as if nothing can stop you. Watch out for minor upsets, but nothing that will burst your bubble.

Libra

It's likely that your personal and creative horizons are expanding, Libra. Your or another's artistic enterprises might pay off big today.

You could be introduced to people who prove to be valuable contacts as well as new friends. Your love relationships are going well. Your new feeling of enthusiasm and self-confidence certainly doesn't hurt!

Scorpio

A huge get-together of some kind could take place today either at your home or the home of someone close to you, Scorpio. It's possible this may turn into more than just a fun party.

You might become involved in conversations with people who become valuable business or social contacts. Expect to have a wonderful time no matter what you do today.

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

Expect many advantageous changes to take place in your community, Sagittarius. New businesses could open their doors, interesting neighbors could move in, or some necessary repairs could finally get done. You might spend a lot of time in the car or on the phone and spreading the news. An exciting proposition may come to you or someone close to you through a letter, email, or phone call.

You've probably had few periods when business and finance have gone well for you, Capricorn. Now this trend seems to be coming to a head. Today you might start or close some type of agreement that will make a big difference to your finances. Your money situation should not only improve but also stabilize at a level higher than it's ever been. As long as you're diligent, this growth should continue.

You tend to be practical and businesslike by nature, Aquarius, but the tremendous growth you've experienced may increase your desire to be as sensible and efficient as possible in order to continue this trend.

You're feeling upbeat and positive. You're likely to continue to feel this way. The only downside is that you're probably going to be working very hard. You will like the results, though, so go for it.

You probably think of yourself as a curious intellectual, Pisces, but a recent expansion in career and finance has brought out talents for business and money that you didn't know you had. This has been a time not only of success and good fortune but also of learning more about yourself.

Don't fall back on old fears or underestimate yourself. You're capable of accomplishing more than you know.

The Run for unity proceeded from the Children Park near DC office and concluded at the Police Ground at Reserve Police Line covering a distance of about 2.5 KM. Afterward a grand ceremony was held at Police Ground where RGR

ET Bureau Guwahati, October 31: The Government of Assam observed the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) in a solemn ceremony held in front of Block A of the Assam Secretariat here on Monday, in commemoration of the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Chief Secretary to the Government of Assam, V.K. Pipersenia and other senior officials offered floral tributes before the portrait of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

The week starting October

31 to November 6, 2016 will also be observed as Rashtriya Ekta Saptah across the state.

Also, as part of the Vigilance Awareness Week 2016, a pledge-taking function was held at the same venue in the presence of senior Government officials, officers and staff of the Assam Secretariat.

The Chief Secretary administered the oath of RashtriyaEkta Diwas followed by the pledge on National Vigilance Week.

Sports Greater Duliajan Inter school football tournament: Bhadoi High School defeats Katalguri HSS Mini sub-junior match: Kachari Pathar ME School beats Kendriya Vidyalaya Sports Correspondent Dibrugarh, Oct 31: Bhadoi High School defeated Katalguri Higher Secondary School 2-1 in the first semifinal Sub-junior of the 5th Greater Duliajan Inter school football tournament organized

by Duliajan Football Academy at Nehru Maidan in Duliajan .

Altogether, 22 teams participated in the tournament.

Bhadoi High School took the lead through Dishal Koya in the 15th minute. Dishal got a pass off his teammates from the left flank. Ten minute later Bishal Hemron of Bhadoi scored the second goal by converting a pass from the misfield. Katalguri HS School tried everything possible to open their account in the first half but their boys failed.

In the second half, Katalguri

RALLY FLAG OFF

Bhat, DIGP exhorted the force personnel about the significance of the event and recalled the contribution of Late Sardar Patel in unification of the country.

The ceremony concluded with a pledge by all officers and personnel to reaffirm the inherent strength and resilience of our nation to brotherhood in upholding peace, unity and integration.

Around 150 personnel from all ranks and file participated in the event.

Later in the day an observance of Vigilance Awareness Week Function was organized at Unit HQ 171 in an auspicious way. Jagdish Prasad Panghal, Commandant 171Bn spoke on the importance of Public Participation in promoting integrity and Eradicating corruption in public life. The function concluded with a pledge by all everyone in the unit.

Assam observes Rashtriya Ekta Divas, Vigilance Awareness Week

HS School got their first goal in the 70th minute through Dipankar Das. Dipankar received a pass from the left flank and found back of the net.

Bhadoi High School registered their berth in the final.

In another mini sub-junior match, Kachari Pathar ME School beat Kendriya Vidyalaya, Duliajan 2-1.

Saurav Saikia of Kachari Pathar opened the account for his team in the 24th minute converted a kick from the right flank. Saurav Saikia strikes his second goal in the 55th minute.

Anekit Choudhury of KV scored the lone goal for his team in the 78th minute. Anekit collected a pass from the right flank and found the back of the net.

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A Rally was flagged off by the Deputy Commissioner of Sivasagar, Narayan Kowar for the Book Fair Sivasagar Programe organised by the All Assam Students' Union, Sivasagar Unit. Photo by Firuz Ahmed

Sonawal stresses on unity as key to development and prosperity of Assam A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Oct 31: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that their government is committed to preserve the Assamese culture and work for the welfare of the indigenous people of Assam.

Participating in the National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas) celebration in Dibrugarh on today to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Sarbananda Sonowal said that to make Assam a developed and prosperous state unity is necessary among the communities of Assam and all the communities should work for the development of the state.

"We believe in unity in diversity. Our motto is equality and justice to all sections of the people. We also need to ensure that the indigenous and tribal people get their due rights. The rights of the 'sons of the soil' will be protected at all cost. People have lots of expectations from us.

We are going to fulfil them gradually but we need some time.

We want Assam to be free from foreigners, corruption, terrorism and pollution,” the Chief Minister said. “The upcoming generation should work on the ideology of unity and follow the path of Mahatama Gandhi to make Assam a devel-

CM Sarbananda Sonowal and local MLA Prasanta Phukan lighting the lamp during the inaugural programme of a blood bank at Marwari Arogya Bhavan in Dibrugarh on Monday. Photo by Manoj Pandey

oped state,’’ Sonowal said. CM Sonowal highlighted the contribution of Vallabhbhai Patel, popularly known as the “Iron Man of India”, in uniting the country and worked for the welfare of the country.

"Sardar Patel forged a united India by integrating the numerous princely states. He was one of the architects of our great nation. He believed that peace and progress was not possible without unity and discipline. On his birth anniversary, I urge upon the people of the state to come together and join hands for a peaceful and progressive Assam. Our goal is to make Assam as the number one state in India. Peace is a pre-requisite for the economic

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"This is much more profitable as well as interesting in some extent" she said. Residing in the valley of Brahmaputra, Nabanita took to cultivation of a variety of vegetables in the infertile sand bars of the Brahmaputra and later on shifted to the Potia Gaon and Neemati area.

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growth and well-being of the citizens. So for those who have gone astray from their path, I appeal to them to shun the path of violence and killing’’.

Sarbananda Sonowal said "Sardar Patel forged an united India by integrating the numerous princely states.

He was one of the architect of our great nation.

He believed that peace and progress was not possible without unity and discipline. On his birth anniversary, I urge upon the people of the state to come together and join hands for a peaceful and progressive Assam. Our goal is to make Assam as the number one state in India. Peace is a pre-requisite for the economic

The CM later visited his alma mater Don Bosco School, Dibrugarh where he was felicitated by the student and school management.

Sonowal, who did his matriculation from the school in 1976 recalled his early student days.

He praised the activities of the Salesians pertaining to education in the north eastern region of the country. Sonowal wound up his day-long programme by inaugurating a state-of-the-art blood bank at the Marwari Arogya Bhavan, Dibrugarh.

Nabinata Das shows the path to Sustainable farming

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growth and well-being of the citizens. So for those who have gone astray from their path, I appeal to them to shun the path of violence and killing," CM said.

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Her success story is not only due to her application of knowledge of farming but also it is because of her hard work. She works 12 hours a day in her fields. “I used to work around twelve hours in my fields", said Nabanita Das. Building self reliancebuilding entrepreneurship

Young farmers who chose to be farmers have been largely influenced by Nabanita Das’ success story. Clearly, the fact that the young farmers never sought for jobs but fought to be self reliant and self employed is a testimony to that. Along with her she now at times engages more than 15 people to help her in the fields.

Record production of mustard last year on 27 bighas with 4 quintals of mustard in a bigha which is normally one and half quintals per bigha of land was also made by her.

This year, she grows paddy, mustard, a variety of flowers, a variety of vegetables and even fish is bred in her 3 bigha plot of land that she procured last year. Now she owns a total of 83 bighas of land has a turnover of over 5 lakhs annually.

Challenges ahead All is not well for her! She shared how untimely rains has spoilt crop in the village and

how the vegetable plantation in her field withstood the rains and started to yield fruit. She told us it is just due her organic farming practices that the plants are strong enough to withstand the change in weather conditions. She laments the lack in infrastructure as well.

“To till 83 bigha land , a sum of 2 lakh is required for renting tractor every year”. “More over the arrangements for adequate vermi-composting also draws out a substantial amount of money “, the women farmer added.

Nabanita also feels the absence of a cold storage is taking a toll on her. "We have to depend on the middleman who paid less but earned huge profits due to absence of cold storage" said Nabanita Das. Though a cold storage in Chenijan of Jorhat was projected to open this year, which could bring hope for the progressive farmers like Nabanita Das.

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1

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Assam Rifles of Jairampur Battalion Directorate of Health responses to apprehends an active NSCN (K) cadre news report, assures stern action ET Bureau Jairampur, 31 Oct: Jairampur Battalion of Assam Rifles under the aegis of Dao Division apprehended an active cadre of NSCN(K) namely Chankap Mossang, s/o Limman Mossang, Vill Phinbero – II, Dist Changlang.

On 31 Oct, on own specific input of presence of UG cadre in general area Kharsang, a joint operation was launched by the troops of Jairampur Battalion Assam Rifles and Arunachal Police during which one cadre of NSCN (K) was apprehended. The cadre was trying to rejuvenate the foothold of banned organization amongst the locals by getting extensively involved in extortion activities.

A Staff Reporter Itanagar, 31 Oct: Taking serious note of the news report that lack of facility lead to the death of a pregnant woman during childbirth at Aalo District Hospital, the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare expressed deepest condolences for the grieving family and instructed to obtain a detail report of the matter immediately to figure out whether it was due to negligence or system failure or cumulative result of both.

has tightened the noose of the extortion activities of the UG organization and brought a sigh of relief for the locals who were constantly threatened to fulfill the extortion demands by them. Four blank extortion

notes of NSCN (K) and one extortion note for Kharsang petrol pump was recovered from the apprehendee.

(K) group and he has been active in Kharsang and Miao circle, extorting money from shopkeepers and petrol pump owners.

The individual was later booked at Kharsang Police Station.

Director of Health Services Dr Moji Jini said that the department will take appropriate and stern action against act of negligence, if any, and all possible measures will be explored to

improve service to avoid such unfortunate incidences in future.

He informed that at present there is a shortage of anaesthesiologists in many district hospitals, including Aalo, because of which routine and emergency surgical operations are not performed even where facilities for such operations are available.

He further said that the process is in progress for filing up of the newly created posts of anaesthesiologists, which if and when completed would ensure posting of at least one anaesthetist in each district hospital.

With regard to Aalo District Hospital, Dr Jini informed

that till recently there was an anaesthesiologist posted there on contract basis under NHM, but he resigned some weeks earlier.

However, gauzing the importance of District Hospital Aalo and the patient load there, the department had initiated posting of one GDMO with PG Degree (Anaesthesiology) and it is expected that he will join at Aalo very soon.

“It is very unfortunate that this incident had to happen during the absence of an anaesthetist before alternative arrangements could be made”, he said.

Admitting that the present infrastructure and the quality of health service avail-

able in the state is far from satisfactory, Dr Jini said that filling up the recently created posts in all 13 categories (from Sanitary Assistant to Super Specialists) of core functionaries, posting according to the equitable distribution of manpower fixed by the state government and phase-wise upgrade of the aging infrastructures is the way forward.

Along with progress for the upcoming 500-bedded state hospital and medical college under Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences, upgrade of five zonal general hospitals (Aalo Hospital being of them) will further improve the health service scenario of the state in the coming days.

Parliamentary Secretary Likha Saaya exhorts AAPAFSA conducts Social Service transport department to achieve revenue target

Apprehension of this cadre

On further questioning, the individual revealed that he is an active cadre of NSCN

A Staff Reporter Pasighat, Oct 31: As a part of Swacch Bharat Mission¸ the East Siang unit of All Arunachal Pradesh Agriculture Field Staffs Association (AAPAFSA) led by President Naut Tayeng and General Secretary Jurmi Riba has conducted social service in community hall and agriculture guest house in GTC, Pasighat today.

The members of AAPAFSA cleaned all the surroundings in and around the Community Hall and agriculture Guest House while carrying forward a step ahead of the Swacch Bharat Mission as the said locations needed the drive for healthy environment.

Mega Arunachal Tribes Festival in Shillong Shillong, 31 Oct: A redemption song urging all to ’emancipate your mind from mental slavery’ could well be the crux of the Mega Arunachal Tribes Festival 2016 where several speakers stressed on the need for the North East to unite and be a part of the nation-building process.

UDP MLA Paul Lyngdoh picked the right song for the occasion when the audience at the festival, organised by Arunachal Students Union, Shillong (ASUS), on Sunday requested him to sing. His rendition of ‘Redemption Song’ by Bob Marley blended with the mood and was followed by huge applause.

During his speech, Lyngdoh asked the members present at the festival to be deep-rooted in their heritage in the face of the onslaught of westernisation.

“Heritage is a bird that hovers all day long but comes back to its nest.

Again, a boy after the fun of flying a kite brings the kite back to him, which can also be termed as heritage,” the MLA said, and added that it was time for the northeastern tribes to prove their mettle and show the rest of the world what it lacks.

“We cannot consider our strength on the basis of numbers though we are small in quality,” he said.

Known in India as the Land of the Rising Sun, Arunachal Pradesh boasts of the presence of 26 tribes and more than 100 sub-tribes. Dignitaries at the festival had a glimpse of Arunachal Pradesh in Shillong in the dances and ethnic attires showcased by different tribes.

Besides Lyngdoh, Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, chairman of Royal Tripura Foundation and chief editor of North East Today, and Animesh Mishra, Head of the department of Cardiology at NEIGRIHMS, also delivered speeches which

focused on unity of all communities and tribes.

Debbarma called upon the people gathered on Sunday to be aware of and respect other tribal communities. Observing that the North Eastern region has got a distinct identity, he said, “Mainland India or the world will look at the North East as a community or a race and no longer as the northeastern region.”

Highlighting the need for unity among all tribes in the region, he said, “In Tripura, we feel like a minority. This is because we failed to unite and stand up against the refugees… It is we who have failed on our part to choose able leaders. In this matter, we have to be aware politically. We have to take active participation in nation building.

“Unity is important but we should also have the ability to understand what is wrong,” he added.

'All top leaders will be forced to leave': Upset at being sidelined in talks, Pakistan warns Taliban Islamabad, 31 Oct: Two senior Taliban figures said that Pakistan issued a stark warning to the militant group, apparently surprised and angered over being excluded from the insurgents' secret talks with the Afghan government.

They said the Pakistani government warned the Taliban that unless they consult with Islamabad during the negotiations all top Taliban leaders will be forced to leave Pakistan along with their families.

The Islamabad ultimatum was given last week to a three-person Taliban delegation visiting Pakistan from Qatar, where the militant group's political office is located, said the two Taliban figures. They spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the talks.

Pakistan's government declined to comment on Monday. It denies Afghan accusations+ that Islamabad is providing a safe haven to the Taliban.

"We won't communicate with the Taliban through the media. I have no com-

ment to make," said Sartaj Aziz, a government adviser on foreign affairs.

The three members of the Taliban delegation are Mullah Salam Hanifi and Mullah Jan Mohammed, both former ministers in the Taliban government, and Maulvi Shahabuddin Dilawar, a former ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. They arrived from Qatar two weeks ago, apparently aiming to smooth Pakistan's ruffled feathers after it was revealed that the Taliban held secret talks with the Afghan government in September and October.

Under pressure from both Washington and Kabul to get the Taliban to the negotiating table, Islamabad has been frustrated by the refusal of Taliban leaders living in Pakistan to participate in talks.

The three Taliban representatives are now in Quetta, the capital of Pakistan's southwest Baluchistan province, to brief other leaders of the group about their discussions with Pakistani officials, said the two Taliban figures.

Many of the Taliban lead-

ers living in Pakistan are accompanied by their children, who attend school in the country. Several also own property and businesses in Pakistan. Some of them trace their association with Pakistan back three decades. Although the Taliban have carved out some areas in Afghanistan where they can live in relative safety, it would be difficult for them to move there with their families, especially with children, who would have no access to school.

While Pakistan provides health care to wounded Taliban fighters and shelter to many of its leaders, the relationship between the two is often quarrelsome and tainted with mistrust on both sides.

In one of several official Taliban Whats App groups, an app that the insurgent group uses to chat, as well as for issuing claims of responsibility for attacks and sharing pictures, the militants recently accused Pakistan of helping the United States kill Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour, who died in May in a USdrone strike in Pakistan's southwestern Baluchistan province.

He reminded the audience that though Arunachal Pradesh is a beautiful land, it is mired in scams, unstable governments and bad roads, among other problems.

Speaking on the theme for the festival, ‘To stay true to our heritage: That’s what our brand is about’, Debbarma pointed out that people are ashamed of their roots and that there is not enough information and communication between different tribes in the North East.

“We take pride in knowing about the elections in America, Justin Bieber ’s new album which is a good thing but how much does a Khasi know about a Garo, or a Tripuri about a Mishing? We have to about know each other well,” he said.

NEIGRIHMS’s Mishra said people in the North East are divided and urged for unity among different tribal communities.

(Agencies)

A Staff Reporter Naharlagun, 31 Oct: Presiding over a departmental coordination meeting of the Directorate of Transport on October 29 last at Naharlagun, Transport and Supply Parliamentary Secretary Likha Saaya assured that he would put in additional efforts to help the department grow to its full potential.

Assuring that he would coordinate with the state government as well as central government to avail the facilities and schemes for the department, Saaya sought support from the department to achieve the desired results.

During the course of the meeting, Director of Transport N Ete made a detailed presentation about the achievements of the department, as well as of those areas which require immediate attention from the government.

Speaking about their needs and grievances in their respective districts, all DTOs had major issues regarding infrastructure, including DTO office, residential quarters for DTOs and it staffs, procurement of new vehicles for DTOs, internet connectivity to enable data collection of vehicle registration, driving license and other pertinent data to go online for public viewing,

Jairampur police apprehends one more drug peddler Jairampur Lomhom Tangha, 31 Oct : In the wee hours of 30th October 2016, a team of Jairampur police led by Sub Inspector Mr. Umeshan.C had arrested drug peddler named, Rajesh Mohadi of 4th mile, PO/PS Lekhapani, Assam and recovered 50 gms of opium from him.

The accused had been booked under appropriate NDPS Act at Jairampur police station under Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh. He was arrested while trying to sneak into Arunachal with the contraband to sell it to the local addicted residents.

The total number of persons

arrested so far in connection with drugs related crimes has reached to eight with the apprehension of this Rajesh Mohadi, as per police official communiqué.

In the meeting all angles were discussed thoroughly and accordingly, after which direct plying of Pasighat vehicles were agreed by Assam side also as representatives from MAC also were not in the support of Kolajan Maxicab Union who were illegally collecting

royalties also besides causing harassment to the passengers. The meeting was headed by Okom Yosung and Mojit Pao from Adi-Mising Baane Kebang which was attended by representatives from ABK, AUPO, Maxicab Union Pasighat, Maxican Union Kolajan and TMPK. A final meeting on this will be held on 3rd November next.

collecting relevant data, preparing action plan and executing road safety measures in the state.

The officials regretted to inform that with the existing manpower and work overload, it is difficult for the department to carry out work effectively and efficiently.

Also, new and innovative ideas and proposals to augment revenue generation

Govt withheld resignation of Chief Engineer, the congress candidate for Hayuliang bypoll: APCC asks Chief Electoral Officer to intervene Contd. from Page 1

With last date of filing nominations set for November 2 next, Richo questioned that if the BJP candidate Dasanglu Pul’s resignation from the post of W/C Meter Reader can be accepted within no time, why is the government holding up the retirement file of former chief engineer Kri?

Organisations from Assam and Arunachal sort out hardship faced by Arunachal passengers at Kolajan Contd. from Page 1

and strengthening field or enforcement and ministerial staffs.

The parliamentary secretary was also informed that the workload of the Directorate of Transport had increased manifold with the added responsibility of Road Safety Cell. As such, it has to coordinate with various stakeholders like departments of Public Works, Health, Police and Education, besides

and enhance the activities of the department were discussed during the meeting.

The department felt the need to create vehicle jail or impounding pen in every district to keep seized vehicles under safe custody, setting up of Institute of Driving Training and Research, Regional Driving Training Centre in every district and Inspection Certification Centre, which are all supported and funded by MoRTH, Government of India.

The parliamentary secretary exhorted the department to consistently achieve the revenue target set by the government and to generate good revenue for the government exchequer with fewer investments, despite all ordeals and difficulties.

He expressed regret for the lack of funding and attention towards the department from the state government despite its excellent performance, and was hopeful that under the progressive leadership of Chief Minister Pema Khandu and experience of Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, all aspirations of the department would soon manifest.

Among others, the meeting also had the attendance of Joint Director, Transport, all district transport officers, motor vehicle inspectors and staff of the Directorate of Transport.

Claiming that it is a tactic of the NEDA Government, Richo said, “The BJP should fight a fair battle. It is afraid of being left red-faced and of losing the bye-elections.”

The APCC requested Chief Minister Pema Khandu to accept the resignation of Kri at the earliest, or cautioned that the Indian National Congress party would be compelled to take out a democratic process in the state and nation levels, and knock the door of the Election Commission of India and the Chief Electoral Officer to postpone the 45Hayuliang bye-election till justification is given.

The Congress party has won the seat in 45Hayuliang for five terms earlier and is confident of keeping the streak alive.

Later in the evening, APCC submitted a memorandum to the state Chief Electoral Officer Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar and informed of the circumstances and asked for its intervention in the matter, with a request to pass necessary directives to the government to issue notice of acceptance within today to allow Kri to contest in the byeelection.

It also informed the CEO that despite Kri’s all-out efforts, the government did not pay any heed and has withheld the file in the office of the CMO till date. With no option left, he had also filed a petition in the Guwahati High Court, Itanagar Bench for passing necessary directives to the government for early approval of his request.

It highlighted that there is no provision in all relevant laws, including CCS rule that debars any government official from availing VRS/retirement,

and that in the instant case, applicant Kri is free from disciplinary/ judicial proceeding pending against him. Moreover, the Vigilance Department has issued Clearance Certificate for the purpose.

The Congress party also cast its aspersions on the conduct of the government and alleged it of conspiring to refrain the Congress candidate from contesting in the byeelection, which it stated is a grave misconduct and sheer infringement of fundamental rights.

In a similar letter to the state chief secretary, the APCC served an ultimatum asking her office to issue a notice of acceptance within November 1, 2016, to allow Kri to contest in the byeelection, failing which the Congress proposes to organise a democratic movement against the authority in phase-wise manner.

It announced that the first phase will be a peaceful dharna on November 2 at the entry gate of Arunachal Pradesh Civil Secretariat, Itanagar from 9 am onwards, followed by a series of agitations in the state.

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Dima Hasao tourism gets back United Nations Development Proits possession after two decades gram launches eVIN in Sonitpur ET Correspondent, Haflong Oct 31 : After more than two decades, the Tourism department of Dima Hasao got back its prized possessiontourist lodge following the handing over of symbolic key by the Brigadier Parimal Pant of 22 Sector Assam Rifle in a ceremonial programme organised at the venue on Monday.

On May 2nd, 1995 the tourist lodge which was provisionally arranged for accommodation of the paramilitary forces during the adverse law and order situation in the district had been under the use by the Assam Rifles recently.

Of late pertaining to much tourism related activities undertaken by the North Cachar Hill Autonomous Council (NCHAC), for promotion of the tourism in the district, the Council Administration in understanding with the Assam Rifles felt the need of tourist lodge in order to facilitate the tourists coming from various places.

The Tourism Department under the administrative control of NCHAC has taken up various tourism related events in order to promote Dima Hasao as

ET Correspondent Tezpur, 31 Oct: The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) launched Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN) in Sonitpur with a four day long training of Cold Chain Handlers of the district in two batches that concluded on October 2.

tourist destination. Limited number of lodging facility for the visitors in Haflong was one of the major hindrances faced specially during the pick season.

Kulendra Daulagupu Executive incharge of the department has actively been liaising with the stake holders in the tourism industry and under his leadership the long necessity for the tourist lodge has seen its day light.

During the ceremony EM Daulagupu conveyed the necessity of connectivity and hospitality as the basic requirement for the growth of tourism. He said that the department has plans for promoting the place as tourist desti-

nation with the help of various NGOs through various events. Referring the success of recently concluded Falcon festival in Umrangso, he said they look forward to such programme which will pave ways for people to visit the unexplored places in Dima Hasao.

Present during the programme Brigadier Parimal Pant, DIG, 22Sector Assam Rifles praised the hospitality and good nature of the local people and encouraged for cleanliness around the town. Speaking on the occasion, Samuel Changsan Executive Member for Medical and Healthcare claimed this as the landmark occasion for the

The inauguration ceremony of the project was held on October 24 last at Hotel Heritage. Inaugurating the project Join Director of Health Serdistrict. He said that vices, Sonitpur District in NCHAC will take all her speech Dr. Juri possible steps in order encourage tourism sector and spoke on continuity of peace and brotherhood within the district which is most vital.

Shambhu Boro The programme was Tezpur, October 31 : organised under the lead- The severe erosion ership of Nirmendu caused by the river Kemprai incharge Dy. Jiabharali has been causDirector of Tourism dept. ing large scale erosion of and his staff. Others adjacent agricultural land present during the occa- at Singitoli and Rajgar sion were Col. Gagan area of Singitoli GP unPande, Commandant, 43 der Rangapara LAC in Assam Rifles, Capt. S. K. Sonitpur district over the Yadav, 43 Assam Rifles last couple of days. Due Purabi Phonglo, District to the erosion problem alInformation and Public ready hundreds of agrarRelations Officer, stu- ian people living in the dents from Navoday area have been rendered Vidhyalaya, NGOs and homeless. The erosion media persons. problem by the river Jiabharali has been a major issue for the villagers over the last many years.

But the problem has taken a serious turn since 1997. The victims have alleged that despite the while it was between 26-64 ug/m3 last year. issue being known to the agencies concerned, the On Diwali night, PM then Congress-ruled government 10 ranged from 448 Assam hardly did anything in the (micrograms per cubic metre) g/m3 to 939 g/ name of mitigating the m3 in Delhi as against years long vexed problem during their 15 years of the national safe standard of 100 g/m3, regime in the state. It is worth mentioning here DPCC said. that the agrarian areas The 24-hour average of comprising more than PM 2.5, particles that fifty villages falling unmeasure less than 2.5 der the Rangapara and microns in diameter, Tezpur LACs have been ranged between 180 g/ endangered due to the m3 and 440 g/m3. The erosion problem by the prescribed standard for m3. The data for 2014 it is 60. was not immediately available.

Diwali in 2015 saw PM 10 averaging between 296 and 778 g/m3 Prolonged exposure to while in 2014, the same PM 2.5 and PM 10 bewas recorded between yond the safe limits can harm the respiratory 421 and 790 g/m3. system as the ultra fine In case of PM 2.5, the particulates can find average concentration their way deep into the recorded in 2015 was lungs and also enter the between 184 and 369 g/ bloodstream.

Various monitoring agencies including Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Central Pollution Control Board, Pune-based SAFAR and Centre for Science and Environment were unanimous about the severity of the air quality in the city.

As per DPCC's real time monitoring mechanism, the ultra pollutant PM 2.5

breached the safe standard by over 14 times at Anand Vihar, Delhi's most polluted area, at 2.30am. Many other areas including densely populated R K Puram had nearly similar readings when pollution peaked past mid night.

smog. Commuters in several areas found it difficult to find their way as the visibility level plunged to nearly zero in several areas.

Noise pollution, which was monitored at five locations in the city, was marginally higher than last year as it ranged between 66.1 decibel(A) and 75.8 dB(A), while last year, it had varied from 65.9 dB(A) to 74.8 dB(A), according to DPCC findings.

SAFAR, an agency of Earth Sciences Ministry, said air quality was not only severe but plunged to its worst in three years during Diwali mainly due to low wind movement and falling boundary layer, that traps pollutants close to the surface. The most critically polluted period was between 11am on October 30 and 10am on Monday.

In the morning, the city woke up to the season's worst air quality as smoke from Diwali fireworks, coupled with moisture and nearly stagnant wind movement, shrouded the city in a thick cover of

The volume of sulphur dioxide (SO2), which can aggravate asthma, also breached the safe standards, indicating that the crackers contained a high level of sulphur. It averaged between 20-131 ug/m3

AirAsia India responds to Cyrus Mistry's allegations, says 'fraudulent transactions being probed' NEW DELHI, Oct 31 : Days after Tata Sons' ousted chief Cyrus Mistry levelled charges of "fraudulent transactions of Rs 22 crore" at the group's JV AirAsia India Pvt Ltd (AAIPL), the airline on Monday confirmed that a probe was on.

"There is an ongoing investigation against certain former personnel of AirAsia (India) Limited involving irregular personal expense claims and certain company charges. This has already been reported to and discussed at the previous Board meeting of AirAsia (India) Limited.

AirAsia (India) Limited

will not make any specific reference to the matters investigated at this stage as it may be prejudicial to AirAsia (India) Limited or the personnel investigated," a statement issued by AAIPL said.

"AirAsia (India) Limited, AirAsia Berhad and Tata Sons Limited look into all allegations of impropriety and misappropriation very seriously. The three entities do not approve of any unethical practices and will take very stern action against the perpetrators at all levels of the organisation. The three entities would like to re-

iterate that they strictly adhere to internal procedures and policies," it added.

Mistry, in a five-page letter+ last week, had written: "Board members and trustees are also aware that in the case of AirAsia, ethical concerns have been raised with respect to certain transactions as well as the overall prevailing culture in the organization. A recent forensic investigation revealed fraudulent transactions of Rs 22 crore involving non-existent parties in India and Singapore.

Executive Trustee, Mr Venktatraman (sic), who

Himadri Pathak also addressed the participants and elaborated on the “Open Vial Policy” formulated by the World Health Organization to reduce wastage of vaccines. In the programme Android mobile handsets containing the eVIN app were distributed among the Cold Chain Handlers. With the help of the mobile phone having the e-VIN will keep the stock updated daily after each immunization session which will be collected at district level via web Dr. portal.

Attending the occasion as chief guest Kamalajit Talukdar, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Health), Sonitpur said that launching of eVIN marks the implementation of Prime Minister’s Digital India vision in the health sector. “This mobile application based data recording and reporting technology is going to ensure efficient vaccine and logistics management at the district level as well as at the state level.” He said.

WHO

official

Erosion by River Jiabharali intensifies in the last two days at Singitloli area

Pollution in Delhi during Diwali worst in 3 years PTI New Delhi, 31 Oct: Diwali fireworks pushed pollution in Delhi to a dangerous level, the worst in three years, as it turned the air highly toxic due to a deadly cocktail of harmful respirable pollutants and gases, engulfing the city with a cover of thick smog triggering health alarms.

Bhattacharya said that an efficient Cold Chain is the backbone of the whole immunization process and quality maintenance of the cold chain process is a must for effective vaccination in a state like Assam where the infant mortality is high. She also said that the eVIN programme launched by Govt of India in collaboration with UNDP in all the states is going to be implemented in all the districts of Assam and Sonitpur is the 7th district where eVIN is started with a four day long training.

is on the board of AirAsia and also a shareholder in the company, considered these transactions as non-material... (later) the board decided to belatedly file a FIR." While the charges of financial irregularities are new, AAIPL has been battling serious questions over the JV airline's "effective control" being completely in the hands of the Malaysian airline. AAIPL's former CEO Mittu Chandilya had earlier this year chosen not to renew his contract due to this reason. And, Arun Bhatia of Telestra Tradeplace completely

sold off his stake in this airline this March as he was also unhappy since inception with AirAsia running the airline.

The grant of licence to AAIPL and the other Tata JV airline, Vistara, has been challenged by BJP MP Subramanian Swamy and the Federation of Indian Airlines, which has Jet Airways, IndiGo, SpiceJet and GoAir as members on the grounds that its effective control is with foreign partner AirAsia, alleged misgovernance and fraud. The cases are being heard both in Delhi High court and the Supreme Court.

river Jiabharali.

Jiabharali has already eroded a half portion of Rajgarh village, Singitolti (B) and Koroibari for which people of the area have been rendered homeless.

Moreover, during the last few days the erosion problem has eroded more than two hundred bighas of crop land including matured paddy field. It is reported that the people after losing their home and the villagers are taking shelter in Char areas and government lands.

However, the people are increasingly getting infuriated with the government for not taking any initiative to control the

wrath of erosion by river Jiabharali. More than one thousand people today came out to the bank of River Jiabharali and raised their voice against the Government’s failure to check long pending issue.

For the victims numbers of representation had been intimated to the then Congress government but they did not get any positive response from the government.

“Though now and then the funds were sanctioned for checking the issue, due to the siphoning of lion’s share of the same nothing has been implemented.” They alleged. They also blamed

the present BJP government for being failure to deal with the issue sincerely. Coming down heavily on the indifferent attitude of the local MLA of Rangapara LAC cum state cabinet minister Pallab Luchan Das towards the burning issue, the victims lamented that though the BJP government came to the power with the commitment of delivering transparent governance and a change for the common people, in practical it is not witnessed. The victims threatened to launch a massive movement against the government if the latter fail to address their issue at the earliest.

Proposed visit of the Joint Committee on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill ET Bureau Guwahati, 31 Oct: The Lok sabha Secretariat, Government of India, has informed vide letter No. 1/ 1/JCCAB/2016 dated 31-10-2016 that the proposed visit of the Joint Committee on Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 to Guwahati on 2nd and

3rdNovember, 2016 has been postponed due to some unavoidable reasons. ?The Lok Sabha Secretariat will inform the Government of Assam the next date of visit of the Committee. ?The State Government has already registered

names of the organisations/ stake holders who have contacted the Nodal Officers for seeking appointment with the Committee as per earlier programme. Such organisations/ stakeholders need not register again once the next date of visit is announced.?

NHIDA releases funds to complete construction of four-lane highway project Contd. from Page 1

It is worth mentioning that due to the gradual increase of traffic volume and the dilapidated condition of NH 15 and 37 (A) motorists and the common people have been facing a number of problems besides witnessing frequent road accident for the last few years. More importantly hundreds of Lakhimpur or Dhemaji bound vehicles plying from either Guwahati or from any part of Upper Assam have to touch Tezpur town which has been a major cause of traffic problem in Tezpur town.

But the administration here along

with the common people hope that as soon as this four lane is completed, people will get a respite from the traffic problem, besides a better communication, reflecting a socio-economic development of the region.

Meanwhile addressing a press conference, the Deputy Commissioner, Sonitpur, Manuj Kumar Deka revealed that the funding agency National Highway Infrastructure Development Authority (NHIDA), Government of India has already released an amount of Rs. 2,68.40 crore for the project. “The work is on progress is in full swing and the

inhabitants who have lost their properties for the ongoing construction work have been paid compensation under the Fair-Compensation Act.” The Deputy Commissioner mentioned that the issue ofreleasing of lands occupied by the locals in Jamuguri and Gohpur-Tammanna Gaon was settled amicably.He also urged the people to extend their helping hand for an early completion of the big budget project.

However, replying to a query regarding discrimination in giving compensation in some areas, he said that though such questions arose it was settled down as per the government norms.

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1

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NE fest in Delhi to explore Former lecturer wins award for helping culture and food of region create 15,000 jobs in Nagaland, Manipur New Delhi, Oct 31: The 'North East Festival' beginning next week at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts here will promote rich cultural heritage of the north eastern region.

The three-day festival, will showcase the rich cultural heritage of all the north eastern states including handicrafts, food, fashion, music, dance, tourism and much more. It will kick off on November 4.

Talking to UNI, chief organiser of the North East Festival Shyamkanu Mahanta said, "A large exhibition of handloom, agro and food products from North East called 'Make in North East Exhibition' would be open on display with around 100 entrepreneurs participating from the region."

He also said rock music

contest among colleges and bands of the national capital is one of the new additions in this year fest.

Mahanta said, "Musicians comprising Bollywood singers from AssamZubeen Garg and Papon, rapper Borkung Hrangkhal, DJ Zaeden, rock bands Traffic Jam, Fourth Element, Mo & The Shooting Stars, Reverse Tragedy and many more will perform in the festival."

"This year we will organise a seminar dedicated to flood and erosion that affects the region, where experts from across the country would congregate and discuss to find a permanent solution on the issue," the chief organiser said.

He said, "the seminar would be presented by

Water Resources Department of Assam, where ministers, officials of different states of the region and Centre will participate."

Besides these, live art, a photography exhibition showcasing the vivid wildlife and natural beauty of the region, an art workshop with 20 talented young artistes, games would be organised, Mr Mahanta said.

He also said the fest is a platform to promote business for the North east entrepreneurs, apart from building bridges with Delhi.

The chief organiser said, "in last year, two lakh footfall was recorded at the festival. We are expecting high numbers of people this year and no entry fee would be charged."(Agencies)

Garo bodies sniff scam in GHADC Shillong, Oct 31: The Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) has been accused of misusing over Rs 100-crore Central fund meant for development of the region and non-transparency in allotting contracts for several projects.

Members of several pressure groups have written to Denang T. Sangma, the CEM of GHADC, about the Council's "dubious way" of using the Rs 100.71 crore that was disbursed by the Centre around a month ago.

The groups- GSU, ADE, AYWO, FAF and FKJGP - accused the GHADC of duplicity of completed schemes. The Council issued a summary of the projects that were implemented using the Central money in the 'Abstract of Schemes of the GHADC Volume 1: Creation and maintenance of Assets for 2016-16?.

However, the pressure groups alleged that there was neither any advertisements for the contract works nor tenders were floated for the projects mentioned in the abstract.

"Almost every person we spoke to, from clerks, peons to officers, said no tender was floated in the office or in newspapers.

We have information that a tender committee was formed on October 24 but the abstract mentions that the same was formed on October 14," the letter stated. The Committee was formed after the Council realised that it had committed a faux pas in not following the procedure, it added.

It also mentioned that the opposition parties in the Council had protested against "gross violation" of NITI Aayog guidelines in projects like construc-

tion of a member's hostel in Tura, construction of taxation office building and extension of the shopping complexes at Tura Bazar and Hawakhana.

The NITI Aayog guidelines say the District Council Level Committee (DCLC), comprising the MDCs and the department heads of GHADC, must submit recommendations to the State Level Committee (SLC) for approval so that state and Central schemes are implemented in a convergence manner.

However, the projects mentioned in the Council's abstract were cleared in two or three weeks without detailed study, the pressure groups alleged.

They also sought to know who the members of the DCLC as well as the SLC were. "The GHADC should provide these details if there is no scam," the letter demanded.

The guidelines also say that SLC should ensure coverage of all villages under the development schemes, but major project proposals of DCLC are for Tura and only minor projects have been allotted to the villages of Garo Hills, the groups alleged.

Allegations of duplicity of projects have also been levelled against the GHADC. "The GHADC said an additional guest house is coming up in Shillong for Rs 81 lakh. As far as we know the Council does not own any other plot in Shillong. So where is the additional building coming up? And wall fencing around the Shillong guest house at a cost of Rs 11 lakh is also interesting," said Tengsak Gabil Momin, president of the GSU's Tura unit.

"The taxation office that

GHADC has mentioned in its abstract was completed under the 13th Finance. When enquired about this, the Council's secretary said the staff quarters would be razed to build a new taxation office. We would like to know how work on a small area, and that too without a retaining wall, will cost around Rs 2 crore," said Momin.

Also, there is no clarity on how the shopping complex in Tura will be extended with the addition of two more storeys because as per the urban building laws, the GHADC can raise only four storeys.

"They must be using high quality marbles and precious gems in the complex to spend more than Rs 1 crore on it," said John Miltu, general secretary of GSU's Tura unit.

The pressure group said the members' hostel building is already there in Tura and probably more than Rs 6 crore will be used to build a new one. "A part of the fund (Rs 45 crore) has already been withdrawn and disbursed to the contractors even before work has begun. This means, the remaining amount (around Rs 55 crore) is still in the account. We need information about the accounts maintained by the District Council," the groups demanded.

GSU and the other groups wondered how Chief Secretary K.S Kropha, who heads the SLC, approved the proposals without confirmation and full information. "We demand that the GHADC immediately stop withdrawal of money from the Central 'onetime special assistance' for 2015-16 till the questions are answered to avoid a potential scam," they demanded.

India, Bangladesh organise joint band display, cultural programme Agartala, Oct 31: To further promote relations, the border guards of India and Bangladesh on Monday organised a joint band performance and cultural programme at AgartalaAkhaura (Bangladesh) check-post near here, an official said.

Musical bands of Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) played jointly while children and singers from both countries performed popular common songs including patriotic songs.

"Along the IndiaBangladesh border, this is the third combined musical band performance and cultural programme of BSF and BGB. Earlier this month, two such joint

events were organised along India-Bangladesh frontiers along West Bengal," BGB's 12th Battalion Commandant Lt. Col Md Shah Ali told IANS. "To further promote relations and strengthen friendship between BSF and BGB, such types of programmes were initiated.

In future also we would organise such types of joint programmes," he said.

Ali said that one and-a-half hour-long programme, designed as a confidence building measure, showcased popular, patriotic and folk songs and music of two countries by the artistes from two sides before the public.

Earlier as part of confidence building measures,

Manipur, Oct 31: A former college lecturer from the state of Nagaland has helped create over 15,000 jobs across the north-east states of Nagaland and Manipur by empowering youths to become new age entrepreneurs have been awarded by the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship.

Neichute Doulo, a former lecturer in Economics at Baptist College in Nagaland, won the ‘Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2016’ given by the Schwab Foundation, which works closely with the World Economic Forum, in partnership with Jubilant Bhartia Foundation.

Leaving his secure job in 2000, Doulo launched En-

trepreneurs Associates (EA) to teach the youths of insurgency-hit Nagaland basic skills, provide start-up capital and marketing network for initiating small enterprises.

This venture was his second attempt after 1992, when he had formed ‘Beacon of Hope’ to motivate youths to take up jobs that may even look small, but the process did not sustain and he joined a regular job of teaching.

“When we started, 13 of us at EA donated Rs 500 and one day’s wage as initial corpus. So, we started our journey with an initial capital of Rs 7,500. We began by making greeting cards and selling leather belts and bags, which helped us raise a few lakh rupees,” Doulo told

has been instrumental in channelising over Rs 150 crore of loans with 100 per cent recovery to banks.

“It was a big challenge initially to motivate people.

We have been able to create 15,000 jobs, either directly or indirectly, in Nagaland and Manipur,” Doulo said.

Neichute Doulo, a former lecturer, was awarded the Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2016. mediapersons after the humble beginning, EA went to the people seeking donations as an investment in the organisation, he added.

Now, EA provides financing at 16 per cent interest to youths to start their

own small businesses and over 10,000 people have availed loans from it.

The organisation, which expanded its services to neighbouring Manipur around three years back, received RBI approval as a lending institution and

Currently, more than 2,700 enterprises are running successfully and over 3,500 farmers are on sustainable livelihood cultivation with direct support from EA. Doulo says his organisation has been invited to impart training and launch other activities in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam by respective local governments.

Head of family Meghalaya Lokayukta, Antimurdered by wife Corruption Branch in limbo Transparency mechanism fails in state and offsprings Agartala, Oct 31: In a bizarre incident two sons and their mother killed the father last night in Ratanpur village under Belonia subdivision of south Tripura district.

Police sources said that Gouranga Tripura (65) had been in the habit of daily boozing and creating trouble at home . Last night after returning home Gouranga, as usual, had started abusing his wife and sons in the vilest possible manner in a drunken delirium.

Having put up with his daily torture and heckling all through his life Gouranga's wife Janapirya Tripura (60) strongly protested and started beating up her husband with her two sons Kalanjay Tripura (30) and Gitya Tripura (28). They severely beat up Gouranga and then drowned him in the pond behind their thatched hut.

Gouranga died on the spot and when police came,

Janapriiya pleaded guilty and courted arrest, saving her two sons.

In another incident a mentally imbalanced housewife Swapna Chakraborty (40), wife of Ajit Chakraborty (45) of Ranirkhal area under Jirania police station, had apparently committed suicide at home on Saturday night. Her dead body was discovered in the courtyard of her home yesterday in the morning by her husband and two sons. Police sources said that, according to claims of the dead lady's husband and two sons, Swapna Chakraborty had been suffering from severe depression because of her illness and had committed suicide. 'We cannot say anything definitive on the issue before receiving the postmortem report; a case of unnatural death has been registered' said police sources.(Agencies)

Shillong, Oct 31: With the much talked about Meghalaya Lokayukta yet to become a reality and the existing Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) turning non-functional, the State is deprived of a strong anticorruption panel.

Sources said on March 26, 2014, the Governor had given assent to the amended Meghalaya Lokayukta Bill, 2014, but two and half years later, no move was made either by the bureaucracy or the political masters to set up a vibrant Lokayukta.

Sources added that after the formation of ACB in 1996 under the State CID and monitored by the chief secretary as head of the State Vigilance Commission, no official was convicted despite having several pending cases.

The purpose of forming the Lokayukta was to probe the graft cases involving public servants and take action. This however, is now left to the state police in absence of

an effective anti-graft panel.

The sources said the delay in the formation of Lokayukta will only help public servants as the Lokayukta Act stipulates that only cases which were reported within a span of seven years after its formation will be considered by the panel.

A chairman and four members constitute the full Meghalaya Lokayukta, but before the formation, the formalities include constitution of a search committee by the selection committee.

An official source on Sunday admitted that no meeting of the selection committee was held to name members for the search committee. The selection committee comprises the Chief Minister (chairman) and the Assembly Speaker, the Chief Justice of the High Court of Meghalaya or a Judge nominated by him, the Leader of the Opposition and the nominated mem-

ber M.P Bezbaruah as members.

Sources pointed out that other than the state cabinet in June this year using a provision of the Meghalaya Lokayukta Act to ensure that public servants declare their assets and liabilities annually, there was no initiative by the Chief Minister, who is the chairman of the selection committee, to hold meetings to finalise the names of search committee members to find out suitable names to head the Lokayukta.

The task of the search committee is to suggest names to the selection committee. After getting suitable names from the search committee, ultimately it is the selection committee that will decide the appointment of the Chairperson and four members of the Lokayukta.

However, the Governor will give final approval to the Meghalaya Lokayukta.

BJP candidate files 'MPCC violated party constinomination for Barjala tution in suspending Syiem'

BJP candidate files nomination for Barjala

Agartala, Oct 31: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for 4BSF and BGB had Barjala assembly conorganised various types of stituency, Shista Mohan joint programmes includ- Das has filled his nomiing sports along the bor- nation paper for the byelections after a rally of ders.

Senior BSF and BGB offi- the BJP supporters on cials along with their fam- Monday. ily members were present The BJP rally, which on the occasion. How- passes various thorough ever, journalists boycotted fares of Agartala before the event as the BSF officials reportedly ignored and did not cooperate with them from covering the programme, and showed Agartala, Oct 31: Police on reluctance to brief the Sunday claimed to have the sensational media about it. India's cracked murder of Joy Sankar Roy 4,096-km-long border as all the three prime acwith Bangladesh is shared cused persons- Manjit Roy, between five states - West Brahm Deb Roy and Ranjan Bengal (2,216 km), Roy were booked.

Tripura (856 km), Although Ranjan Roy was arrested a day after murder Meghalaya (443 km), of Joy Sankar but police Mizoram (318 km) and have got major breakAssam (263 km).(IANS) through after getting

the submission of nomination paper to Sadar SDM. BJP candidate for 25Khowai assembly constituency Tapan Kumar Paul submitted his nomination paper to the returning officer on October 27 last for ensuing byelections, which is scheduled to be held on November 20 next.

Shillong, Oct 31: The Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has violated the party constitution while taking action against Congress legislator and KHADC CEM P.N Syiem, some party leaders feel.

In the past, the party would first serve a showcause notice to any member who violated the principles of the party, a Congress leader said. He added that based on the reply of the member, the disciplinary committee would take a decision on whether to take any action.

However, in the case of Syiem, neither a showcause was issued nor any meeting of the disciplinary committee was held to discuss the matter.

MPCC president D.D Lapang recently justified the reason for not issuing a show-cause notice to Syiem by saying that the rebel leader's intention was very clear as expressed

through the media reports. Lapang had claimed that show-cause notices are generally issued to party members whose intentions are not clear.

Curiously, the MPCC did not seek clarification from Syiem on his various critical statements to the media related to the functioning of the government and the party.

Party sources said the MPCC should have crosschecked with Syiem on the veracity of the media reports as in the past Lapang himself was sceptical about several reports, especially when he was the chief minister.

There was lack of clarity on who ordered the suspension of Syiem with the MPCC indicating that it came from the AICC which, on the other hand, had said the matter was left to the state leadership to decide.

Sources said the decision to suspend Syiem was

jointly taken by AICC general secretary in charge of Meghalaya CP Joshi and Lapang.

Soon after the suspension, Shillong MP Vincent Pala had said sufficient time should have been given to Syiem before taking any drastic steps. Pala's statement had irked the MPCC president who wanted the AICC to take note of it.

Syiem had said that the action against him was arbitrary as no show cause was served. Senior congress leader Rowell Lyngdoh had also criticised the sudden action by the state Congress leadership.

When contacted, former chief minister SC Marak, without defending anyone, indicated that as per the normal course of action, a show-cause notice is issued first and the matter then goes to the disciplinary committee which takes a decision based on the reply of the rebel member.

Kingpin arrested with pistol in Joy Sankar murder Manjit Roy arrested from South Kalamchoura police station yesterday.

In course of the raid, the Investigating officer has also recovered the pistol which was used in killing Joy Sankar.

In course of investigation, police came to know that Joy had been murdered following a rift over money transaction of illegal ganja

trade.

Following confessional statement of Ranjan Roy and Brahm Deb Roy, a police team apprehended Manjit Roy from South Kalamchoura in Sonamura subdivision. Police recovered the pistol from Manjit.

Sources claimed Manjit had shot dead Joy Sankar Roy and later his body was thrown to Bhallukiyatilla

near ILS hospital. The pistol was brought from Bihar.

Although Officer in Charge (OC) of NCC police station refused to give details on the murder case, he hinted at gathering a lot of ‘avenues of crime’ at Goyala Basti area.

There were allegations that some youth from Bihar were coming to Goyala Basti and procured EPIC

and PRTC by spending Rs. 5000-Rs 7000.

After getting two important documents, they often grabbed jobs in paramilitary forces meant for the domicile citizen.

In Barjala Assembly constituency, growth of voters in Goyala Basti booth was highest raising eye borrow for many people.(Agencies)

EDITORIAL

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1

Today's quote

“

Manpower without Unity is not strength unless it is harmonized and united properly, then it becomes a spiritual power.

Sardar Patel

In Centre-SC showdown, it is people awaiting justice who suffer the most

T

he Supreme Court's allegation that the government was stalling appointments of high court judges is an indication that the face-off between the two is getting more complicated by the day.

Chief Justice of India TS Thakur has expressed his frustration over the inordinate delay in judicial appointments. At a function where Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present in the national capital earlier this year, he was almost in tears while talking about the problem.

His anger is understandable. Many courtrooms in high courts are locked because there are no judges. Most high courts are functioning at less than 60% of their strength even as the collegium's recommendations for appointments have been pending for months. More than 450 posts of judges out of the sanctioned strength of 1,079 are vacant while close to 3.9 million cases are pending in 24 high courts. The apex court - which has a sanctioned strength of 31 - has five vacancies. The situation is likely to get worse next month as two SC judges are slated to retire.

The government has its own arguments. Had it intended to stall, it would not have appointed 86 new judges to the high courts, four to the Supreme Court, 14 chief justices to the high courts and accepted the collegium's recommendations for the transfer of four chief justices and 33 judges from the high courts since December.

But the blame game between the Centre and Supreme Court is not helping either in making the process of judges' appointments transparent or in filling vacancies.

While this face-off continues, people awaiting judicial redress are suffering the most. In many high courts, it takes almost 10 years for a murder convict's appeal to come up for hearing.

The problem lies in the fact that the political class has yet to digest the 1993 verdict by which the judiciary arrogated to itself all powers to appoint SC and HC judges to the exclusion of the executive. And then the apex court declared the National Judicial Appointments Commission unconstitutional and revived an admittedly opaque collegium system.

The judiciary must realise that the elected government has a legitimate stake in the matter. If it is not allowed to have its say legitimately, it is bound to try other methods. The approach adopted by the judiciary has failed to serve any purpose.

There are dissenting voices from within the collegium as is evident from the questions raised by Justice J Chelameswar. Lack of transparency is a problem highlighted by the apex court's constitution bench and it must be addressed at the earliest. Every call for judicial reform can't be blocked in the name of judicial independence.

Mr Modi had suggested that some senior people from the government and the judiciary should sit together and sort out the differences. This should be done before the matter escalates to the level of a constitutional crisis.

Mental problem, national disease The National Mental Health Survey conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, has revealed that mental health problems are widely prevalent in the country. At least 13.7% of India's population suffers from some kind of mental disorders with around 10.6% of them requiring immediate medical intervention. While depression is the most common mental health problem, almost 2% suffer from serious mental health disorders. The study found that mental health problems are higher among urban populations and those coming from lower income and less educated sections of society. Those availing treatment remain low; with the exception of epilepsy, the treatment gap for all mental health disorders is over 60%.

Stress and breakdown of traditional support systems has made people more vulnerable to anxiety, depression and mood disorders. Worryingly, people are not accessing treatment for several reasons. Social stigma attached to mental disorders is the main reason for this reluctance. People do not want to admit they have a problem or let others know they do as they fear being ridiculed.

Even when a person is obviously anxious or distressed, families and friends prefer to ignore it. Awareness of mental disorders and their treatment is also low. Many continue to believe that these disorders are triggered by spirits. Such beliefs prompt people to go to quacks or exorcists for treatment. Chaining patients is not uncommon and in fact, deepens the patient's problems. Importantly, availability of treatment and rehabilitation facilities is inadequate or hard to access. Cost of treatment too keeps people away from getting help. It is a matter of concern that only one in five patients is receiving treatment.

India is beginning to act to address problems related to mental healthcare. It adopted a Mental Health Policy a few years ago and relatively progressive mental healthcare legislation is in the process of being enacted.

However, budget allocations for health in general and mental health in particular are shrinking. Additionally, even this limited allocation is not being spent as there isn't enough institutional capacity to absorb this funding. Just one psychiatrist is available for every 1,00,000 people in the country. The availability of psychiatric nurses and workers is worse. This shortage must be addressed. Creating public awareness about mental health issues must be prioritised. Availability of counselling facilities in schools and work places must be made mandatory. It is important that people are educated not just about causes and treatment of mental health issues but on appropriate language to refer to these problems.

Mental health problems cannot be dismissed any longer as a problem afflicting a small number of people. It is a public health issue.

P6

Tata versus mistry. Is it indeed a capital crisis?

Kanchan Gupta In his latest article, published in The Indian Express on Friday, noted commentator Pratap Bhanu Mehta argues that Tata Sons' ousted chairman Cyrus Mistry's 'leaked' letter listing his grievances and the follies and foibles of patriarch Ratan Tata, blows another hole in the facade of Indian capital's social legitimacy. The thrust of his argument is that Indian capital, hobbled as it is by a crisis of credibility, now stands denuded of all remaining vestiges of respectability. Not only has an icon 'fallen', Ratan Tata's reputation lies in tatters. He writes, "The issue is not just the fate of the Tatas. The issue is that in the short run, a letter like this will only deepen credibility crisis of Indian capitalism."

I have a few perceptiondriven points in response to Mr Mehta's profound commentary. First, a necessary disclosure which could well have been made at the end, or not been mentioned at all, but that would be ethically incorrect. I grew up in Jamshedpur, the 'steel city' (it was really a small town in the 1970s) that owes its origin to Jamshedji Nusserwanji Tata, intrepid trader-turned-entrepreneur from Navsari.

A little known fact is that Tisco (now Tata Steel) came into being some three years after JN Tata's death. Credit should have gone to his sons Dorabji and Ratanji, but those names are rarely heard, unless it's in the context of the trusts they set up and which own 66 per cent stake in Tata Sons.

We were, like everybody before us was, what a classmate in our school Whatsapp group described as 'Tiscodeewane'. The missionary school we attended was a beneficiary of the Tatas'

munificence; indeed, every institution and individual in Jamshedpur was a beneficiary in one form or the other.

The local Tata dispensary with a GP and a pharmacist who created white and pink concoctions with magical curative powers was a lifeline. My father suffered a heart attack quite early in life.

That was our first exposure to Tata Main Hospital, popularly known as TMH, whose services we would not have been able to afford had it not been entirely paid for and subsidised by the Tatas.

My elder daughter was born in that hospital whose doctors saved my wife from a rare near-fatal prenatal infection. My maternal grandmother breathed her last in the cancer ward of TMH. My father was not even a Tata employee; he worked for a firm that supplied oxygen to fire Tisco's furnaces.

This is just one example of how our lives were intricately linked to and touched by the munificent Tatas. Private capital with steadfast social commitment in the pre-CSR days was a rarity. Such examples abound and it is not my purpose to draw up a laundry list. The disclosure is essentially to admit that my perception could well be biased and not as detached as that of Mehta. It's a worm's eye view, not a lofty discourse.

Which brings me to where we began, that is, my response to Mehta's commentary.

There are broadly three categories of stakeholders in Tata enterprises. The owners, Tata Sons. The workers and their families, or the communities where the Tatas operate. Shareholders and investors, including banks that have lent money. It is likely they have been shaken, if not rattled, by the litany of accusations and charges levelled

by Cyrus Mistry. But the waves will settle and calm shall return. Decades of confidence and trust are not destroyed by a passing storm.

All private sector firms in India, listed or unlisted, operate in a manner unique to each of them. Given the legacy of India's pseudo-socialism (quota-licence-permit raj still exists though in a more muted form), the continued intrusiveness of the state and the unrestrained hostility of tax collectors who operate on the principle of profit is evil (endorsed by political bosses irrespecive of their party symbol) certain opaqueness has always clouded the decision-making and execution processes of India's capitalists.

It's mighty unfair to expect Indian capital to be governed by transparency, morality and ethics when the governance of India and its state agencies, as well as public sector institutions in which I would include tax-funded universities, is clouded by dishonesty, favouritism, cronysm and remarkable mediocrity.

If the Indian state lacks credibility, Indian capital cannot be expected to be the epitome

of credibility. We could also cite the abysmal governance of our political parties. For instance, technically and legally the Congress has no president heading the organisation, Sonia Gandhi's term having expired some time ago. Bad begets bad.

By letting his confidential correspondence with the Tata Sons board leak into the public domain, Cyrus Mistry has reinforced the popular perception that only family can be trusted - in politics and industry. Cyrus Mistry was the second 'non-Tata' to become chairman of Tata Sons; the first was Nowroji Saklatwala.

Cyrus Mistry came in on the strength of his family's 18.5 per cent shareholding, not necessarily for extraordinary merit. The five-odd years be was chairman, he was complicit in all the transgressions he now lists in his letter. Had he been truly repelled and felt offended, he could have walked out to manage his own family business. After all, as he claims, he had reluctantly agreed to become chairman of Tata Sons. In the least, he could have spoken out and insisted that he would play according

to his rules; the board could take it or lump it.

He chose not to do so, much like bureaucrats who discover they have a mind and a spine of their own only after they retire with a taxfunded pension, or politicians who rat on their party and leaders after being denied the loaves and fishes of office.

Mehta mentions the admittedly damning 'Radia Tapes' episode. Two points merit mention. First, it's a commentary on the nature of India's political executive that India's capitalists should feel compelled to use fixers and influencers.

Even otherwise, middle class morality apart, lobbying to promote the interests of entrepreneurs and their enterprises is not illegal in capitalist societies. That's how the descendants of America's and Europe's robber barons have become respectable capitalists.

Second, if 'Radia Tapes' is meant to measure the integrity quotient of Ratan Tata, it should be used for a similar purpose to measure the appalling absence of integrity quotient among sanctimonious members of India's fourth estate.

A lot more can be said about MSM harlotry but that would be pointless. I have been around long enough to see media waging war on behalf of Indian capital, most famously during the Nusli Wadia versus Dhirubhai Ambani spat of the 1980s. In more recent times we have seen media playing a partisan role when Dhirubhai's sons fought a bitter succession battle. The then editor of the Indian Express had led the battle for Nusli Wadia; he later became a defender of Dhirubhai Ambani's defiance and violation of existing rules and norms. I

put such changes down to the simple fact of life that times change, people change.

I am blissfully clueless of corporate affairs and boardroom intrigue. And since I have no money to invest in stocks and shares, I feel no urge to track the performance of companies. So blame my ignorance if you will but I find Sam Swaminathan's commentary facile and facetious.

An Indian company does not have to fashion itself after American corporates solely driven by profit motive, nor do Indian CEOs have to model themselves after American CEOs who are essentially carpetbaggers. The Tatas have survived and along with them millions of families have survived. We could say the same thing about Reliance and many others. Devil take the hindmost is the American way of life. Sarve bhavantu sukhina is the Indian way of life.

The Tata corporate culture of not being brash that Sam Swaminathan berates and scoffs at is essentially Indian culture: Satyam bruyat priyam bruyat na bruyat satyam apriyam / priyam ca nanrutam bruyat esha dharma sanatana. Point is we don't have to constantly look critically at ourselves while wearing baseball caps the wrong side front. Corporate and commonplace life in India is layered and have a million shades of grey. Leave it that way.

I could, of course, be horribly wrong. I would rather be that than a namak haram.

(The writer is commissioning editor and commentator at ABP News TV). The article is republished from the Pioneer.

Vigilante patriots in Assam The vigilante propensity for proclaiming bans and indulging in castigation defies logic and the latest "call to arms", as it were, concerns a diktat to embargo "Chinese products" and refrain from buying/selling these. That China blocked a tributary of the Yarlung Tsangpo flowing into Assam that threatens to turn the Brahmaputra into a drier basin, is tantamount to the Chinese backing Pakistan after the Uri attack. The "make in India" vigilante advocates and their call to boycotting goods from China, which includes crackers and other Diwali products flooding in from that country, have inundated Guwahati and other Assam towns.

Everything becomes overly emotional and tinged with patriotic sentiment. It is also stated that Assam's famous Soalkuchi silk threads are threatened by fabrics from Varanasi. Parallels are drawn; much in the way Chinese products threaten the Indian market, so does the era of globalisation emasculate local and regional well-being.

There is a growing constituency of zero tolerance towards anything foreign and a renewed passion for local, regional and national that resists the inflow of goods from the neighbourhood. Although no one can deny a direct connection between such howlers about the foreign and subtle xenophobia, the mood is born of a stronger perception pertaining to China's attempts to flood India with its products even as that country has been accused of being no friend in India's quest to become a "global and responsible" power, having opposed India's entry to the elite nuclear suppliers' group.

Of all the "nationalists", Baba Ramdev - who has been granted 400 acres in an Adivasi hamlet in Chirang district of Assam to develop an ayurvedic-aromatic medicinal product industry-cum-plantation, has raised hackles as the land deal is supposedly pinned to the enforced eviction of Adivasis from the proposed land The yoga businessman listed in Forbes, recently tweeted from an iPhone of Chinese manufacture his call to boycott Chinese products in India.

Despite such an appeal, which Ramdev termed a simultaneous yuddha (war) and Buddha (a cloak and a dagger call), the Gujarat government signed an MoU with Chinese companies Suraj for investment worth $5 billion. The other big business deal is Reliance's proposed plan to purchase some $4 million worth of Chinese smartphones to supply these cheap to Indian customers as part of revolutionising the IT sector. Vigilantes probably cannot fathom this level of corporate and state giveand-take, but they see fit to cry wolf against cheap Chinese products and generate nationalist passions against perceived foreign enemies.

When "ex-nationalist" Sudheendra Kulkarni pointed out the absurdity of such a boycott by stating that Indians, in order to carry out the boycott, would have to stop using mobile phones altogether, he was roundly castigated of being a man of some Chinese parts and having an allegiance to Pakistan by tweeterrati bhakts.

Going by such bhakt vigilante logic, Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal and allpowerful minister Himanta Biswa Sarma joined the cho-

cades. Demanding a sudden ban on all these would adversely affect small businesses in the food, cosmetic, electronics and mechanical sectors and, in turn, substitute it with the same cheap Chinese product pool mooted by big industries like Reliance and Patanjali. What's even more ironical is that despite Bollywood's ban on Pakistani artistes, Baba Ramdev has not given up the idea of opening yoga training camps in Pakistan or China.

This implies big business house in India playing to Chinese interests, given how their stakes have risen through sheer compulsion. India's partnership with China at the Asian Infrastructure Gogoi/ Prasenjit Biswas and Investment Bank and BRICs also porBut there is no stopping cross- tray an unceded diplomatic border India-China invest- tie-up and engagement that ment and, for a fact, vigilante totally nullifies any call to boylogic cannot overrun eco- cott Chinese products. When nomic compulsions. However, Chinese President Xi Jinping what provides Assam vigilan- stated that the call to boycott tes grist for their mill is China's his country's products would belligerence in creating skir- jeopardise bilateral relations, mishes and tension along the one could see the rapid followLine of Control in Arunachal up in the Gujarat deal, despite Pradesh by repeated intrusions all the anti-Chinese proin the last few years and then nouncements meant for pubarbitrarily using its upper ri- lic consumption. Is it possible parian advantage to block the to isolate oneself from the shadow of bigger political, Brahmaputra.

While the ban on Chinese strategic and economic powproducts gain populist ers by an aspiring country like ground, it just cannot be over- India? looked that Baba Ramdev's For India's North-east, paradesi Patanjali products are be- doxical nationalist standpoints ing given support by the state only create a rapid adrenaline to increase their turnover and rush for buffoons and pundits kill potential competition from alike. Patanjali's proposed aloe any cheaper brands. Chinese vera garden in Chirang and the goods coming into the Indian perception of the Brahmaputra market through major ports, running dry in the near future either as parts or as "fully as- because of Chinese blockage sembled" or "manufactured in as a response to India's plan to India", have sustained a huge scrap the Indus treaty with small industrial sector and its Pakistan and noted Akademi growth over the last two de- Award-winning bestselling rus by asking the people of Assam not to buy Chinese products anymore since that country had blocked the Brahmaputra.

To make matters worse, the visit of US ambassador Richard Verma to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh in the company of the Assam and Arunachal chief ministers prompted China to tell the USA to refrain from such endorsements in what it considered a "disputed territory".

Two apparently divergent reactions of this nature - one, the vigilante appeal to the masses, and the other, a strategic and diplomatic tactic - blow the lid off the self-stultifying call for a boycott of Chinese goods.

Mother “I’ll slap you if you say another word”, shouts dad at his younger son.

The mother silently removes her husband’s socks and places his shoes on the rack. “sorry”, says dad to his younger son.

“Why did you even give birth to me ?”, shouts son at his mother.

The mother gently places his head on

her lap and waves her hand over her head. “sorry”, says son to the mother and sleeps.

The mother knew that her husband got abused by his boss at work.

The mother knew that her son couldn’t get selected for the football championship.

Mother is the greatest example of empathy. She vibrates empathy !

author Rita Chowdhury's "Makam" narrating stories of two or three generations of abandoned Chinese families in Assam's upper districts, come as a pastiche of despair and hope.

Images of the eviction of Adivasis from their hearths in Chirang; the killing of women in the recent Kaziranga eviction operations; the enforced displacement of a small Chinese community in 1962 in upper Assam and their confinement in Deuli, Rajasthan; the large number of Indian citizens tagged "doubtful" and dumped in detention camps and prisons; the 400,000 displaced riot victims of 2012 in western Assam; the painful stories of the loss of flood victims; memories of Nellie, Gohpur, Mokulmoa and other genocides - the endless list of human tragedy rocks sensibility.

Vigilante adrenaline created these man-made disasters that have perennially damaged the social fabric of Assam.

The current spree of agitations against foreigners and foreign goods, be it Hindu Bangladeshi refugees or Chinese goods, stems from a self-disparaging sense of insecurity that creates more problems than can be solved.

It leads to social and cultural paranoia of a variety that turns the imagination virile, as it keeps generating talks about loss, be it the Brahmaputra or the official status of language and culture. That millions of Hindu Bangladeshis are waiting to cross over to Assam once the Modi government gives the nod to the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016, or a tit-for-tat by way of blocking Chinese goods, are a portrayal of an abject object of

aversion that sustains and drives the social psychology of fear, paranoia and such negative symptoms of hyper-rational nationalist imagination.

The media circulates these symptomatic images by projecting an internal and external enemy, be it Bangaldeshi or Chinese. The legal and political discourse about what is good and proper assumes a figure of adversary, without which it cannot be complete.

Discourse about an open border with Bangladesh, Myanmar and even China in certain parts of the North-east creates the continuous fear about illegal immigrants crossing over. Even when the border is sealed, certain "open" parts are repeatedly shown in the media to reinforce the fear of being swamped by Bangladeshis.

Assam's multi-ethnic and multilingual social fabric gets jolted by little perturbations like these. For example, during a recent vist to Dhaka, an ex-chief ministers of Assam started talking about the possibility of Bangladeshi Hindus crossing over to the state. Fear of the "other" gets internationalised. In this climate, it is very easy to create mass reaction to Chinese goods.

The vigilante logic of boycott serves to add spice to this drama of insecurity.

(Suraj Gogoi is a researcher with the National University of Singapore and Prasenjit Biswas is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at North Eastern Hill University, Shillong). Republished from the Statesman.

Not to buy Chinese Product Sir Now a day’s abnegation of Chinese products is hot topic in India whether it is social media or news. Indian public is now become aware after china's opinion on Pakistan and Pakistani terrorism. In India China has a very big market of goods and services and cheap items, if Indian people repudiate Chinese products it will be very detrimental in the context of business, and china is now petrified and nervous about it and also about India's elevation in the world. Today everybody is cognizant about what is happening in the world and is handy in taking actions. Today Indian public enunciated Chinese products. Not only buyers but also vendors and proprietors refuse to sell Chinese items. Now Indians become very conscious, wise and appraised and determined about not to purchase and invest in Chinese items. And I personally feel that it is a good sign for the Indian cottage and minor industries and small business man.

Indrajit Changma Changlang, Arunachal Pradesh

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1

P7

Apple MacBook Pro announced in 3 new flavours; price Rs 1,29,900 onwards display · 2.9GHz or 3.1GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 or 3.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor · Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz · Up to 10 hours battery life · Up to 1TB SSD · Force Touch trackpad · and weighs 3.02 pounds

At its Special Event today, Apple announced its all-new MacBook Pro. As expected, Apple went with a complete redesign to make its new MacBook Pro lighter, thinner and more powerful than the previous ones. The new MacBook Pro will be available in three flavours, a 13-inch new MacBook Pro with traditional function keys, a 13-inch MacBook Pro with the new Touch Bar and the bigger and more powerful 15-inch model. All models have been marked as ‘coming soon’ on the Apple India website. But fear not! As the price tags are official. The new 13-inch MacBook Pro with traditional function keys will start from Rs 1,29,900 while the 13inch and 15-inch models with the new Touch Bar start from Rs 1,55,900 and Rs 2,05,900 respectively.

The new MacBook Pro offers Force Touch trackpads

that are 46 percent larger on the 13-inch MacBook Pro and twice as large on the 15-inch MacBook Pro. And, the secondgeneration butterfly mechanism makes typing more responsive and c o m f o r t a b l e .

Futhermore, macOS Sierra brings new features like Siri integration, Universal Clipboard, Apple Pay on the web and Photos, and more.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro with traditional function keys will offer: · 13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit Retina display · 2.0GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 or 2.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor · Turbo Boost up to 3.4GHz · Up to 10 hours battery life · Up to 1TB SSD · Force Touch trackpad · weighs just 3.02 pounds The 13-inch MacBook

Pro with the new Touch Bar offers: · Touch Bar and Touch ID · 13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit Retina

Coming to the most powerful MacBook Pro in the line up, the 15-inch MacBook Pro with the Touch Bar, you get: · Touch Bar and Touch ID · 15.4-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit Retina

display · 2.6GHz, 2.7GHz, or 2.9GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor · Turbo Boost up to 3.8GHz · Up to 10 hours battery life · Up to 2TB SSD · Force Touch trackpad · and it weighs in at 4.02 pounds Indeed the highlight of the new MacBook Pro models, would be the Touch Bar, which basically acts like an additional layer of touchbased interaction similar to 3D Touch. Apple also showcased with thirdparty software developers like Adobe’s Photoshop, how useful

the new Touch Bar really is and how it allows for proper full screen editing also exposing hidden menus at times. The same Touch Bar also feature Touch ID hidden under the power button.

Support for the new Touch Bar with these apps should be available by the end of the year.

At the end of presenta-

tion it was easy to notice how Apple has conveniently upped the price range of its MacBooks. Tim Cook showed off the new line up: 12-inch 2016 MacBook : Rs 92,810 13-inch MacBook Pro with traditional function keys : Rs 1,29,900

13-inch new MacBook Pro with Touch Bar : Rs 1,55,900 15-inch new MacBook Pro with Touch Bar : Rs 2,05,900 Which also meant that the current and outdated Apple MacBook Air lineup could be phased out soon with the pricey 2016 MacBook taking its place.

Reliance Lyf F1 Plus with 4G Xiaomi Redmi 4 coming soon; spotted with 3GB RAM, Snapdragon 625 VoLTE launched at Rs 13,099 New Delhi: After the Redmi 3 launch in early January 2016, it seems that Xiaomi is gearing up to launch the upgraded version Redmi 4.

According to the latest leak on Chinese certification site TENAA, the upgrade of the Redmi 3? or Xiaomi’s Redmi 4 was spotted.

As per the leak Redmi 4 will come with the following features: A 5-inch FullHD display.

Will run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 625 chipset which has a 1.4GHz octacore processor.

I likely to be paired with 3GB RAM and 32GB stor-

age which is expandable to 128GB. Expected to have a 13MP rear camera with dual LED flash unit and a 5MP frontfacing camera.

Will run Android 6.0 Marshmallow along with Xiaomi’s custom MIUI skin atop it.

A fingerprint scanner in the top half on the rear side.

Expected to come with a 4000mAh battery.

May have a price tag of CNY 699 (approx Rs 7000).

The is no official statement from Xiaomi on the time and date of launch, but it is being speculated that Redmi 4 may hit the market sometime in November.

10 evergreen Android games Reliance Retail has expanded its product portfolio with the launch of a new smartphone - Lyf F1 Plus. Priced at Rs 13,099 the handset is available via Snapdeal. Similar to all other Lyf-series smartphones, this one too offers 4G VoLTE support.

In terms of specifications, Lyf F1 Plus features a 5.5inch Full HD display with a 1080x1920 pixel resolution. The display is made of a scratch-resistant coating of Corning Gorilla Glass 4 on top.

The smartphone runs the Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system and is powered by a 1.6GHz octa-core processor.

It offers 3GB RAM and

32GB internal storage expandable up to 128GB through a microSD card.

Sporting a 16MP rear camera with LED flash, it also carries an 8MP front camera for selfies. On the connectivity front, the smartphone offers 4G, LTE, 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS and is backed by a 3,200mAh battery.

Recently, the company had launched Lyf Water 11 smartphone at a price tag of Rs 8,199 in India.

The handset comes bundled with a Reliance Jio SIM along with the Jio Welcome offer which includes unlimited data, calling, SMS, and access

to Reliance Jio services.

It has a 5-inch HD display of 720x1280 pixel resolution, and runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system. It is powered by a 1.3GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6735A processor.

The smartphone offers a 3GB RAM and 16GB internal storage expandable to 32GB with a microSD card. For imaging duties, it has a 13MP rear camera with LED flash and a 5MP front-facing shooter.

The smartphone packs a 2,100mAh battery and offers 4G, LTE, 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS and USB OTG as connectivity options.

Zen Cinemax 2+ launched in India at Rs 3,777 New Delhi: Domestic mobile manufacturer Zen mobiles on Friday launched a new smartphone Zen Cinemax 2+ at Rs 3,777.

The new 3G device comes with 5.5-inches screen along with 5MP primary camera and 3.2MP frontfacing camera with flash.

The smartphone is equipped with 1.3 GHz Quad Core processor powered by 1 GB RAM, 8GB storage capacity along with expandable up to 32GB. "With the launch of Zen Cinemax 2+, we are completely confident about the success of our newly

launched smartphone. Our objective is to expand our reach for Zen Mobile and cater to as many customers as," said Sanjay Kalirona, CEO, Zen Mobiles in a statement.

Zen Cinemax 2+ is exclusively available on Shopclues.

Almost every one of us likes to play some games in our free time. And it's easy today, as most modern smartphones are powerful enough to double up as really good handheld gaming devices. But due to the sheer variety of mobile gaming titles out there, deciding on the ones to play can get a little tricky.

To help in making that choice easier, we've compiled a list of ten evergreen Android games that can be played anytime and anywhere.

Angry Birds Angry Birds needs no introduction. The entire plot of this ridiculously popular game revolves around birds with different powers who take revenge against the greedy pigs who have stolen their eggs. The popularity of Angry Birds can be gauged from the fact that it was recently adapted into a liveaction movie.

Candy Crush Candy Crush is another mobile game that has become insanely popular, keeping people glued to their smartphone screens for hours. Playing Candy Crush is simple. You just have to switch and match your way through hundreds of fun levels in this puzzle-based adventure. The game also has a 'Spin and Daily Booster

wheel' which gives delicious surprises. You just have to cross the 50th level to unlock the Dream world and escape reality with Odus the Owl. Temple Run The original Temple Run is one of the first games that took the smartphone gaming world by storm. It's an endless runner type game. You have to keep running while

saving yourself from falling off a cliff or getting killed by demons and traps. Given how popular it is, we might see a Temple Run movie in the near future as well.

Subway Surfers Similar to Temple Run, the Kiloo-developed Subway Surfers is also an endless runner and one of the most downloaded games on An-

droid. You have to keep running without getting caught by the cop. Along the way you collect coins and unlock goodies like jetpacks and gifts.

Where's My Water Created by Disney, Where's My Water is an addictive game that gets harder as you progress. The game involves ensuring that the cute crocodile who's trying to bathe gets enough water to finish his bath.

Clash of Clans Clash of Clans revolves around rage-filled barbarians and pyromaniac wizards. You have to build your own army and lead your clan to victory. You can also build your own village and battle against other players across the world to make your clan the most powerful of them all. There are multiple level upgrades as well as countless combinations of troops, spells, heroes and reinforcements.

Cut The Rope Cut The Rope's primary character is a tiny frog. The motive is to cut the rope smartly so that the candy tied at the end of the rope falls directly inside the frog's mouth. It sounds easy but once the levels increase, Cut The Rope gets pretty challenging.

Fruit Ninja Want a good workout rou-

tine for your fingers? Look no further than Fruit Ninja.

You need to slice all the fruits that appear on the screen by quickly running your finger across them. But you also have to avoid slicing the explosives that appear along with them.

Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft is an interesting and addictive card based game. You have to build decks from cards you purchase and win, in order to battle against your friends and strangers. The game requires a proper strategy.

You can also polish your skills by first playing against the computer. After practicing enough, you can enter the arena and duel with other players for winning some exciting prizes.

Asphalt 8: Airborne Any list of best mobile games can hardly be considered complete without Asphalt 8: Airborne. Among the best racing games available on Android (and other platforms) right now, Airborne's game play is similar to that of its predecessor. You are given four control options - 'Tilt to steer,' 'Tilt and icons,' 'On-screen controls' and 'Tap to steer'. However, the game consumes a lot of space on your smartphone and its frequent updates are equally massive.

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1

INTERNATIONAL P8 US gun store's ad says won't sell Obama celebrates Diwali, lights to Muslims, Clinton backers first-ever diya in Oval Office

New York, Oct 31 : A US gun store owner has put up a controversial sign and published an advertisement in a daily refusing to sell arms to Muslims and Hillary Clinton backers, saying "we do not feel safe selling to terrorists". Paul Chandler, the owner of Altra Firearms in rural Jackson Center, Pennsylvania, said he turns customers away at his door who are Muslim or who are supporting Hillary Clinton for President. The 54-year-old business owner has posted a sign on the door of Altra Firearms conveying those rules, and he is currently running an advertisement in a local newspaper declaring: "Please NO Muslims or Hillary Supporters? -- We do not feel safe selling to terrorists!". Chandler told ThinkProgress that, as the owner of a store that brands itself as "politically incorrect firearms", he is free to turn Democrats and Muslims away. "She's clearly stated that she doesn't think Americans should have what she calls 'assault weapons' or even guns themselves," he said about Clinton. The Democratic nominee, however, has said she believes in

US gun store's ad says won't sell to Muslims, Clinton backers

people's right to keep and bear arms, and will not abolish the Second Amendment. "It's incrementalism. She will take one gun away and then she'll take the next gun and the next gun until finally there's no guns. So if you're supporting her, I'm not going to arm you," Chandler was quoted as saying. The stance is not new for him as Chandler said he has had a sign on his door telling supporters of President Barack Obama to "go to hell" and that he has never been comfortable selling firearms to Muslims.

"They want to destroy America, they want to destroy the American way of life," he said. "And so we're

putting more and more Muslims...here, and I don't feel safe arming them," he added. As for Obama and Clinton supporters, Chandler said they have clearly stated they "want to take guns out of the hands of people, and if they don't want guns in the hands of people, I'm helping them not to be a hypocrite." The US Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion at public accommodations, although it is unclear if a gun store qualifies. In 2015, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) sued a different store in Florida which declared itself a 'Muslim Free Zone'.

‘Indian-Americans very concerned about Donald Trump’s rhetoric’

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trum New York, Oct 31 : Indian-Americans are “very concerned” about the rhetoric from Donald Trump who has “poisoned” the political dialogue with his insults to immigrants and women, US House of Representatives contender Raja Krishnamoorthi has said.

The 42-year-old is contesting for the 8th Congressional District of Illinois that includes west and northwest Chicago suburbs. He won the Democratic Party’s Congressional primary in Illinois in March and has also been endorsed by President Barack Obama.

Obama, in a rare video message this week, described Krishnamoorthi as his “good friend” and called on Americans to vote for him. Obama said when he had run for the US Senate, Krishnamoorthi had helped him “develop ideas for building an economy that works for everyone.

Now Raja’s plans will help small businesses grow, raise wages, and help families pay for college.”

Krishnamoorthi said he was “honoured” to have the support and endorsements of the President as well as those of other bodies and unions. He said the endorsements from the leading Chicago area newspapers, that have different perspectives, “means that we are doing something right”.

Krishnamoorthi’s district has a sizable IndianAmerican population and Krishnamoorthi said the community, in its interaction with him, say, “they are very concerned about the rhetoric coming from people like Donald Trump who has basically poisoned the political dialogue in this country with his insults to immigrants, people with disabilities, women, other minorities and veterans.

“People more than ever

are yearning for unity in the face of the collective challenges confronting the country. Indian-Americans feel that call to action and call to unity even more keenly,” Krishnamoorthi told PTI. “Trump says these things in a very cynical way. I personally think that he knows better but he is trying to deliberately appeal to the worst instincts in Americans,” he said.

Krishnamoorthi emphasised that the only way for people to combat such rhetoric is to become more politically engaged and to vote and express their preferences for the way they believe America should be run through the political process. “Now more than ever people have to vote and ensure that November 8 is the day when America decides to go in the direction of unity and collective teamwork in facing the common challenges confronting the country,” he said.

Krishnamoorthi expressed strong appreciation for the India-US relationship, which he said has steadily become stronger and deeper. He underscored that a strong relationship between the two democracies is crucial as the world confronts a plethora of challenges. “I hope to be a positive force in developing the relationship between the world’s oldest democracy and the world’s largest democracy.

Wasington, Oct 31 : US President Barack Obama has celebrated Diwali by lighting the first-ever diya in the Oval Office of the White House and hoped that his successors would continue the tradition.

Obama, who was the first president to celebrate Diwali personally at the White House in 2009, talked about this momentous occasion in a Facebook post soon after he kindled the diya in his Oval Office with some Indian-Americans working in his administration.

"I was proud to be the first President to host a Diwali celebration at the White House in 2009, and Michelle and I will never forget how the people of India welcomed us with open arms and hearts and danced with us in Mumbai on Diwali," Obama said.

"This year, I was honoured to kindle the first-ever diya in the Oval Office -a lamp that symbolises how darkness will always

be overcome by light. It is a tradition that I hope future Presidents will continue," Obama said on the White House Facebook page, which became viral on the social media.

By late night, it was liked by more than 1.5 lakh people and shared more than 33,000 times.

"On behalf of the entire Obama family, I wish you and your loved ones peace and happiness on this Diwali," Obama said.

"To all who are celebrating the festival of lights across America and around the world, happy Diwali. As Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists light the diya, share in prayers, decorate their homes, and open their doors to host and feast with loved ones, we recognise that this holiday rejoices in the triumph of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance," said the US President.

"It also speaks to a broader truth about our shared

A draft of the report reportedly found that "the security establishment did not have a comprehensive plan for dealing with Hamas's offensive tunnels".

The army has conducted its own internal review of the conflict, which also found that the military was unprepared for the tunnel threat.

The official, who has read the internal review of some 182 pages completed several months ago, said: "I think that we could come to this war... better than we came to it."

"I think the (military) did not do a good enough job to close a gap between the

problem and the solution," he said.

Special engineering units have since been bolstered, the official said. Efforts have also been made to increase collaboration between units.

Israel is also reportedly building an underground wall around Gaza to block tunnels.

"We tried to learn and to teach ourselves what we need to do," the official said.

During the war, Israel's military found 32 tunnels, including 14 that extended from the Gaza Strip into Israel, according to a UN inquiry into the conflict.

Militants in Gaza, run by

US President Barack Obama has celebrated Diwali by lighting the first-ever diya in the Oval Office He was the first president to celebrate Diwali personally at the White House in 2009 He hoped that his sucUS President Barack Obama lights diya in the Oval cessors would continue the tradition Office of the White House American experience. It's a reminder of what's possible when we see beyond the differences that too often divide us. It's a reflection of the hopes and dreams that bind us together," he said.

Obama said that it is a time to renew collective obligation to deepen those bonds, to stand in each other's shoes and see the world through each other's

eyes, and to embrace each other as brothers and sisters -- and as fellow Americans.

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, who has a large fan following in the IndianAmerican community greeted Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains across the world on the occasion of Diwali.

"On Sunday, nearly a bil-

lion Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists around the world -- including more than two million Americans -- will celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights. For members of these faiths, lighting the lamp (the diya) is a reminder that light prevails over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil," Clinton said.

FBI obtains warrant Clinton says she won't be 'knocked to search newly off course' in final week found emails

FBI Director James Comey AP Washington, Oct 31 : The FBI has obtained a warrant to begin reviewing newly discovered emails that may be relevant to the Hillary Clinton email server investigation, a law enforcement official has said.

FBI investigators want to review emails of longtime Clinton aide Huma Abedin that were found on a device seized during an unrelated sexting investigation of Anthony Weiner, a former New York congressman and Abedin's estranged husband.

The official, who has knowledge of the examination, would not say when investigators might complete the review of Abedin's emails but said they would move expeditiously.

The Clinton email inquiry, which closed without charges in July, resurfaced on Friday when FBI Director James Comey alerted members of Congress to the existence of emails that he said could be pertinent to that investigation.

The FBI wants to review the emails to see if they contain classified information and were handled properly, the focus of the earlier Clinton inquiry.

Separately yesterday, an-

other law enforcement official said FBI investigators in the Weiner sexting probe knew for weeks about the existence of the emails potentially related to the probe of Clinton's server. A third law enforcement official also said the FBI was aware for a period of time about the emails before Comey was briefed, but wasn't more specific.

In his letter that roiled the White House race, Comey said he'd been briefed on Thursday about the Abedin emails and had agreed that investigators should take steps to review them.

It was not immediately clear yesterday what steps investigators took once the emails were first found to fully advise FBI leaders that additional and potentially relevant messages had been discovered.

The officials were not authorised to discuss the matter by name and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The timing of Comey's letter less than two weeks before Election Day drew criticism from Democrats and some Republicans who cast it as unprecedented and as potentially tipping the scales in the presidential race in favour of Republican Donald Trump.

Israel wasn't ready for 2014 Gaza war: army official AFP Tel Aviv, Oct 30 : Israel should have better prepared for Hamas's use of tunnels in the 2014 Gaza war, a senior army official said today, ahead of the release of a key report on the conflict.

Speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, the official said Israel's military has sought to learn lessons from the 2014 war, including by better preparing troops to deal with tunnel warfare.

The official's comments come ahead of a report by Israel's state comptroller on the conflict expected to be released before the end of the year.

HIGHLIGHTS

Islamist movement Hamas, used the tunnels during combat, including to carry out cross-border attacks.

The new threat of attack tunnels led to deep concern in Israeli communities bordering Gaza.

But despite criticism over Israel's handling of the tunnel threat, the Gaza Strip suffered an overwhelmingly higher number of victims and amount of damage in the 2014 war.

The 50-day conflict killed 2,251 Palestinians and left 100,000 homeless.

On the Israeli side, 73 people were killed, most of them soldiers.

The UN report said both Israel and Palestinian militants may have committed war crimes, decrying "unprecedented" devastation and human suffering.

The upcoming Israeli comptroller's report on the conflict may pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has faced criticism from political opponents over the tunnels.

Netanyahu has reportedly asked the comptroller for another hearing to defend his government's handling of the issue by explaining that the cabinet had repeatedly discussed it in-depth.

AP Wilton Manors (US), Oct 31 : Hillary Clinton has vowed that she would not be "knocked off course" in the election's final days, as she sought to push past a new FBI email inquiry in a sexting probe that delivered a late jolt to her race against Republican Donald Trump.

"I'm not stopping now, we're just getting warmed up," Clinton declared during a packed rally with gay and lesbian supporters in battleground Florida yesterday.

"We're not going to be distracted, no matter what our opponents throw at us."

Trump campaigned in Las Vegas at a casino owned by billionaire GOP megadonor Sheldon Adelson and accused the Justice Department, without offering evidence, of trying to protect Clinton following the FBI's discovery of new emails that could be related to its investigation into Clinton's use of a private email server.

"Hillary has nobody but herself to blame for her mounting legal problems," Trump said during a rally.

Clinton's advisers and fellow Democrats pressured FBI Director James Comey anew to release more details about the emails, including whether Comey had even reviewed them himself. The message was aimed at gathering more information

Hillary Clinton about what the bureau is seeking from a computer that appears to belong to disgraced former New York Rep Anthony Weiner, the estranged husband of Huma Abedin, one of Clinton's closest advisers.

Tim Kaine, Clinton's running mate, said Comey owed it to the public to be more forthcoming about the emails under review by the FBI with only nine days remaining before the November 8 election.

Calling Comey's announcement "extremely puzzling," Kaine said that if Comey "hasn't seen the emails, I mean they need to make that completely plain."

Clinton's campaign chairman, John Podesta, said Comey's handling of the matter was "inappropriate."

Clinton made unan-

nounced stops yesterday in Florida at an early voting location, a Miami brunch spot and a soul food restaurant. She also addressed a predominantly black church, where she spoke of overcoming disappointments.

"Scripture tells us to rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character," she said. "And character produces hope."

Clinton made no direct mention of the new FBI investigation, which has created anxiety among Democrats. But while she criticised the FBI for a lack of transparency during a campaign appearance on Saturday, she tried to shift her attention back to Trump yesterday, casting him as a selfish billionaire with a striking lack of empathy.

Iraq forces say gaining ground around Mosul Qayyarah (IRAQ), Oct 31: Iraqi forces said today that they recaptured a series of villages surrounding Islamic State-held Mosul as the operation to retake the city from the group neared its third week.

Tens of thousands of Iraqi troops and Kurdish peshmerga fighters have been advancing on Mosul from the north, east and south after the launch on October 17 of a vast offensive to retake IS's last stronghold in the country.

After standing largely on the sidelines in the first days of the assault, forces from the Hashed al-Shaabi -- a paramilitary umbrella organisation dominated by Iran-backed Shiite militias -- began a push yesterday towards the west of Mosul.

The ultimate aim is the recapture of Tal Afar, a town west of the city, and the severing of jihadist supply lines between Mosul and Syria.

In a series of statements today, the Hashed's media office announced it had retaken at least four villages

southwest of Mosul.

Al-Imraini, one of the recaptured villages, is 45 kilometres (27 miles) from Tal Afar, according to the media office.

The drive toward Tal Afar could bring the fighting perilously close to the ancient city of Hatra, a UNESCO world heritage site, and the ruins of Nimrud -- two archaeological sites that have previously been vandalised

by IS. Forces from Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region also announced gains today, saying that they had recaptured six villages north and east of Mosul.

Kurdish units are effectively operating on the opposite side of Mosul from the Shiite militiamen, with whom relations are tense.

The involvement of Shiite militias in the Mosul operation has been a source of contention, though the Hashed's top commanders insist they do not plan to enter the largely Sunni city.

Iraqi Kurds and Sunni Arab politicians have opposed

their involvement, as has Turkey which has a military presence east of Mosul despite repeated demands by Baghdad for the forces to be withdrawn.

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

The Hashed has been a key force in Iraq's campaign to retake areas seized by IS in mid-2014, when the jihadists took control of large parts of Syria and Iraq and declared a cross-border "caliphate".

But the paramilitaries have been repeatedly accused of human rights violations during the war against IS, including summary killings, kidnappings and destruction of property.

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

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1

EDUCATION

P9

Importance of Nurses - Healthcare Community Nurses Importance of Doctors in Society

A nurse is a health care professional who is engaged in the practice of nursing. Nurses are men and women who are responsible (along with other health care professionals) for the treatment, safety and recovery of acutely or chronically ill or injured people, health maintenance of the healthy, and treatment of lifethreatening emergencies in a wide range of health care settings.

Nurses may also be involved in medical and nursing research and perform a wide range of non-clinical functions necessary to the delivery of health care.

Nurses develop a plan of care, sometimes working collaboratively with physicians, therapists, the patient, the patient's family and other team members. In the U.S. (and increasingly the United Kingdom), advanced practice nurses, such as clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners, diagnose health problems and prescribe medications and other therapies. Nurses may help coordinate the patient care performed by other members of a health care team such as therapists, medical practitioners, dietitians, etc. Nurses provide care both interdependently, for example, with physicians, and independently as nursing professionals.

According to the US Department of Labor's revised Occupational Outlook Handbook (2000), "Registered nurses (R.N.s) work to promote health, prevent disease, and help patients cope with illness.

They are advocates and health educators for patients, families, and communities. When providing direct patient care, they observe, assess, and record symptoms, responses, and progress; assist physicians during treatments and examinations; administer medications; and assist in convalescence and rehabilitation.

R.N.s also develop and manage nursing care plans; instruct patients and their families in proper care; and help individuals and groups take steps to improve or maintain their health."

The nursing career structure varies considerably throughout the world. Typically there are several distinct levels of nursing practitioner, distinguished by increasing education, responsibility and skills.

The major distinction is between task-based nursing and professional nursing.

In various parts of the

world, the educational background for nurses varies widely. In some parts of Eastern Europe, nurses are high school graduates with twelve to eighteen months of training. In contrast, Chile requires any Registered Nurse to have at least a bachelor's degree.

At the top of the educational ladder is the doctoral-prepared nurse.

Nurses may gain the PhD or another doctoral degree such as Doctor of Nursing Science (DNSc) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), specializing in research, clinical nursing, etc. These nurses practice nursing, teach nursing and carry out nursing research. As the science and art of nursing has advanced, so has the demand for

doctoral-prepared nurses.

Registered Nurses generally receive their basic preparation through one of three basic avenues: Graduation from an Associate of Science in Nursing degree-granting nursing program (two to three years of college level study with a strong emphasis on clinical knowledge and skills) earning the degree of ASN/AAS or ADN in Nursing.

Graduation with a threeyear (Diploma in Nursing) certificate from a hospital-based school of

nursing (non-degree).

Few of these programs remain in the U.S. and the proportion of nurses practicing with a diploma is rapidly decreasing.

Graduation from a university with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (a four - five year program conferring the BSN/BN degree with enhanced emphasis on leadership and research as well as clinically-focused courses).

There are also special programs for "LPN to RN", for people who hold undergraduate degrees in other disciplines, and for paramedics or military medics.

Graduates of all programs, once licensed, are eligible for employment as entry-level staff nurses.

A typical course of

study at any level typically includes such topics as: Anatomy and physiology Microbiology Pharmacology and medication administration Psychology Nursing ethics Nursing theory Nursing practice Legal issues in nursing practice All pathways into practice require that the candidate undergo clinical training in nursing. Care is delivered by the student nurses under academic supervision in the hospital and in other practice settings.

Clinical courses typically include: Maternal-child nursing Pediatric nursing Adult medical-surgical nursing Geriatric nursing Psychiatric nursing While in clinical training, student nurses are identified by a special uniform to distinguish them from licensed professionals.

In many nursing programs in the United States, a computerized exam is given before,

during and upon completion to evaluate the student and nursing program outcomes.

This exam upon completion of the nurs-

Science in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Science to prepare for leadership or advanced practice roles within nursing. Management and teaching positions increasingly require candidates to hold an advanced degree in nursing. Many hospitals offer tuition reimbursement or assistance to nurses who want to continue their education beyond their basic preparation.

Many nurses pursue voluntary specialty certification through professional organizations and certifying bodies in order to demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills in their area of expertise.

All U.S. states and territories require RNs to graduate from an accredited nursing program which allows the candidate to sit for the NCLEX-RN, a standardized examination administered through the National Council of State Nursing Boards.

Successful completion of the NCLEX-RN is required for state licensure as an RN. Nurses from other countries are required to be proficient in English and have their educational credentials evaluated by an association known as the Council of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools prior to being permitted to take the U.S. licensing exam.

Government regulates the profession of nursing to protect the public. In the U.S., the individual states have authority over nursing practice. The scope of practice is defined by legislative and regulatory laws which are administered by State Nursing Boards.

Many states have adopted the Model Nursing Practice Act and Model Nursing Administrative Rules created by the National Council of State Nursing Boards (NCSNB).

In addition, many State Nursing Boards model

ing program is done to measure a student's readiness for the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN state board licensure exam. The exam identifies strengths and weaknesses and provides the need for remediation prior to taking the state board exam. This is not a requirement of all nursing programs in the United States, but has increased its usage in the past three to four years.

It is common for RNs to seek additional education to earn a Master of

their licensure requirements on the Uniform Core Licensure Requirements which set forth competency development and competency assessment principles.

Nurses may be licensed in more than one state, either by examination or endorsement of a license issued by another state. In addition, the states which have adopted the Nurse Licensure Compact allow nurses licensed in one of the states to practice in all of them through mutual recognition of licensure.

Before the discovery of modern medicine, life was fleeting for humans. The environment was replete with unseen dangers in the form of disease and medical conditions. Then medical practice changed into an organized profession, and humans experienced a significant improvement in the quality of life. Aided by modern scientific innovation, the boundaries of medical technology extended to unimaginable limits. Nevertheless, even with all these technological innovations, the position of doctors in society hasn't diminished; doctors remain indispensable. Saving Lives In certain circumstances, a doctor can mean the difference between life and death. Accident and violent crime victims and soldiers wounded on the

battlefield know this because their lives depend on the skills of trauma surgeons. People who suffer critical injuries need a doctor to attend to them quickly because delaying treatment might simply mean death.

Extending Life Doctors are responsible for increased life expectancy and improved well-being in society.

People who survive diseases such as cancer usually owe their survival to doctors, whose skills and dedication are vital for their cure. Modern medical technology coupled with doctors’ care can give persons diagnosed with terminal illnesses hope of living longer.

Humanitarian Work Doctors perform humanitarian work in society. Some advo-

cacy groups on health issues, such as hypertension and cancer, draw membership from the medical profession and help disseminate information about how to avoid so-called lifestyle diseases. Doctors may work as volunteers on missions ranging from providing care to disaster victims to training medical personnel in the developing world.

Controlling Epidemics and Conducting Research.

When disease outbreaks occur, information provided by doctors can help contain the epidemic. They also check the spread of disease by alerting the public to factors -- such as poor hygiene and risky behaviors -- that spread disease.

Doctors also work alongside researchers to find new cures for diseases, running drug tests on consenting patients.

5 reasons to work in business development

When aspiring aid workers think of a career in international development, it’s rare they envision spending their days scouting requests for proposals, writing key personnel sections or developing a Gantt chart work plan. n fact, business development — or what nonprofits often refer to as program development — is a career path few intentionally seek out.

Yet it comprises a hefty percentage of jobs in the sector and is critical to many organizations engaged in global development work.

International development implementers can only do good if they have the funds to do so.

Aside from traditional fundraising tactics, a vast percentage of funding comes from bilateral or multilateral agencies like the U.K. Department for International Development, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the U.S. Agency for International Development or the World Bank in the form of grants and contracts. These awards are competitive — and it’s common that dozens of organizations are vying for the same money.

With millions, and even billions, of funding dollars at stake, global development organizations employ teams dedicated to responding and winning these proposals.

Business development positions tend to be based in the home office of international organizations, where you will be closer to the source of funding. You’lll find most of them in places like Brussels, Canberra, London or Washington, D.C., though international travel is typically a part of the job.

There are a variety of roles at all career levels, including proposal coordination, recruitment of key personnel, cost proposal development, proposal writing, research and business intelligence gathering.

For those looking to break into global development, or find their next challenge in this sector, here are five reasons why working in business development can be a good career move.

1. It provides a crash course in technical areas Building up a specific technical expertise is a challenge many early career professionals face.

“How can I become a technical expert when all of the technical roles require you to already be one?” is a question you might be asking.

Working in business development can be an effective way to break this chicken-or-the-egg scenario. When you work on a proposal, typically a four- to six-week effort, you’re expected to quickly become an

expert in the subject area. The pressure-cooker environment of proposal work requires you to dive deep to understand the latest innovations, newest technologies and best practice approaches to specific issues.

Working alongside senior technical experts, who may have the expertise but need your guidance on how to package it into a compelling proposal, provides an opportunity to learn from the best.

If you work for an organization that focuses on a specific sector, you’ll start to build up an arsenal of knowledge that can help you better execute on those projects in the future. If you work for an organization that engages with a wide range of sectors, say working on a food security proposal this month and a conflict mitigation program next, the wide range of experience can help you hone in on a specific sector you want to pursue later.

Many veteran business development professionals say the experience provided better technical training than entrylevel program management positions.

2. You’ll work closely with leadership and senior experts Working closely with the leadership of an organization not only provides an opportunity to learn from the brightest but also an opportunity to get noticed by those making hiring and career advancement decisions. It’s not uncommon for business development professionals to move more quickly up an organization’s ranks when they impress their superiors with their work ethic, creative solutions or ability to tackle a challenging project.

The network of experienced professionals you build both within and outside of your organization during the proposal process can be valuable when looking to make moves later in your career.

3. It’s a valuable skill that will be marketable for the rest of your career Employers highly value business development experience because it is so critical to their organization’s livelihood. It’s rare for someone to work with an implementing development organization and never have to work on a proposal. Even if you later pursue a project management or technical role, you’ll undoubtedly need to get involved in business development in some capacity. Already having some exposure will make you a more competitive candidate for many different types of jobs.

Writing concisely and persuasively, creating realistic budgets, developing partnerships and working collaboratively

with diverse teams are also skills business development professionals gain and can later use in a wide range of roles.

4. Positions can be less competitive, with higher salaries Perhaps because it isn’t what most people envision when pursuing a career in international development, business development roles often receive fewer applications than program-focused roles at the same career level.

If you aren’t getting a response to your program officer or coordinator position applications, consider pursuing a business development associate or proposal coordinator position instead. In fact, recruiters tell Devex that business development roles are some of the most difficult positions to fill.

Business development is one of the more measurable roles when it comes to impact on an organization. It is easier to prove your value when you can show you helped bring in, for example, $10 million in funding. As a result, salaries in this function tend to be one of the highest paying in the sector.

While most people do not choose a career in international development to make a big wage, if this is an important criteria to you to say, pay off student loans, it is something to consider when weighing career options.

5. It can open up a wide range of future career options Starting a career in business development doesn’t mean you have to spend the entirety of your career in this role, although you certainly can. Business development can be a springboard to many different roles in international development work. The exposure to many technical areas, visibility of working alongside senior staff, and marketability of business development skills means these positions can open doors to a wide range of opportunities.

It’s not uncommon for an organization to move someone from their business development team to the project startup team when they win a project. After all, they will be more intimately acquainted with the program more than anyone. Working on proposals is a demanding and often stressful role. Many employers reward those who put in their time by helping them transition to other areas of the company rather than lose them to burnout.

If you happen to be someone who thrives in this role, there are opportunities at all stages of your career to advance to the highest levels of an organization.

NATION

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1

P10

Pakistan violates ceasefire in Poonch, Rajouri PM to release stamp Jammu, Oct 31: Pakistani troops on Monday violated ceasefire by indulging in firing and shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in the twin frontier districts of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Pakistani troops indulged in unprovoked ceasefire violation from 0900 hours in the Balakot sector using 120 mm and 82 mm mortars, automatic and small arms," an army officer said.

He said our troops are responding to the firing appropriately and befittingly.

Pakistani Army fired and shelled on the forward posts and civilian areas along the LoC in Mendham sector of

(IB) in Samba, Kathua and Jammu districts, prompting BSF to retaliate.

JAMMU: Pakistani troops on Monday violated ceasefire by indulging in firing and shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in the twin frontier districts of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Pakistani troops indulged Border Security Force (BSF) personnel patrol along in unprovoked ceasefire violation from 0900 hours the fence at International Border in Jammu. in the Balakot sector usPoonch district. They also (IB) since 2100 hours af- ing 120 mm and 82 mm violated ceasefire in several ter ceasefire violations by mortars, automatic and areas of Rajouri district this Pakistani rangers yester- small arms," an army officer said. afternoon, the officer said. day.

There was firing and shell- They had pounded BSF He said our troops are reing of mortar bombs in posts and civilian areas sponding to the firing apMankot and Balakote areas using small arms and mor- propriately and befittingly. along the LoC. tars shells in continuous Pakistani Army fired and A lull had prevailed along ceasefire violations along shelled on the forward the International Border the International Border posts and civilian areas

along the LoC in Mendham sector of Poonch district.

They also violated ceasefire in several areas of Rajouri district this afternoon, the officer said.

There was firing and shelling of mortar bombs in Mankot and Balakote areas along the LoC. A lull had prevailed along the International Border (IB) since 2100 hours after ceasefire violations by Pakistani rangers yesterday.

They had pounded BSF posts and civilian areas using small arms and mortars shells in continuous ceasefire violations along the International Border (IB) in Samba, Kathua and Jammu districts, prompting BSF to retaliate.(PTI)

Pakistan: Terrorists escape after opening 10-month-old child killed, mother injured in firing fire outside school, students safe New Delhi, Oct 31: Another heinous attack similar to Peshawar school tragedy was escaped when police saved the students from two suspected terrorists who opened fire at a school in Bahawalnagar in Punjab as reported by the Pakistani media.

As per the reports, the terrorists opened gunfire as they tried to enter the private school.

However, the duo escaped after heavy contingents of police reached the spot.

Although the students were safely evicted from the school, a guard was injured during the gunfire.

Pratapgarh (UP), Oct 31:A child was killed and his mother injured in firing by some persons at Sarai Subhadra village in Sangramgarh area here, police said today.

The incident occurred yesterday when Aradhana Shukla (35) was sitting with her 10-month-old son Veer and some persons indulged

Pakistan: Terrorists escape after opening fire outside school, students safe

The attack came a week after the attack on a police training center near Quetta that killed at least 61 security personnel and injured 165 others. Three terrorists entered the

New Sariab Police Training College, some 13 kilometres away from Quetta city. They headed straight for the hostel where police recruits were sleeping.(Agencies)

India has Sardar Patel to thank for its unity: PM Modi on Patel's 141st birth anniversary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi New Delhi, Oct 31: On the 141st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhai Patel, celebrated as National Unity Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off 'Run for Unity,' a marathon organized in Delhi to commemorate the occasion.

Speaking at the event, the PM said India had the 'Iron Man of India,' to thank for its unity.

"Today, the country from Kashmir to

Kanyakumari is under one flag and the credit for this goes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel," the PM said.

"While leaving the country, the British had played politics to divide India into numerous small states, but Sardar Patel made sure that it stayed as one nation," he explained.

"We must never forget Sardar Sahab (Vallabhbhai Patel) and his mantra for country's

unity," he added.

PM Modi also explained why unity was still the need of the hour in modern India.

"Everyone dreams that India should be strong and self-reliant, but for that, India needs to be united," the PM said. The PM also said that a lot of powers were working to divide the nation and create internal strife and that in such circumstances, Indians needed to make even more efforts for to be united and stay alert.

The PM had earlier paid tributes to Sardar Patel, and former PM Indira Gandhi - on her death anniversary. The 'Run for Unity' event was attended by Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Venkaiah Naidu.(Agencies)

Judges' phones being tapped, Kejriwal alleges New Delhi, Oct 31: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal created a flutter on Monday when he alleged in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that phones of judges are being tapped by Centre.

Speaking on the occasion of 50 year anniversary of Delhi High Court, the CM also raked up the issue of delay in appointments and said Modi government must clear name forwarded by Collegium in 48 hours.

"There is a widespread fear in the judiciary.

Judges have told me their phones are being

tapped. This is illegal and undermines independence of judiciary," the Delhi CM said at the event that also saw CJI T S Thakur and union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. Prasad was quick to respond and strongly denied the charge."I have been communication minister and with all authority at my command I deny fully that phones of judges are tapped at all," he said.

Kejriwal also said delay in judges appointment to SC and HC is fuelling rumour mongering which is not good for the institutions.

"People say this minister wanted that judge to be appointed. Or the govern-

ment doesn't approve of some names recommended by Collegium," the CM said, adding that "Executive can't have any say in appointments of judges, it has to be completely independent."

With Delhi LG Najeeb Jung and Chief Justice G Rohini also sharing the dias with him, Kejriwal invoked the Constitution to stress that "people are supreme, executive can't take away their powers."

He added, "if judiciary interprets the Constitution in a way that hands over power to one person that is harmful for democracy."(Agencies)

in firing, resulting in bullet injuries to the mother-son duo, they said.

While the child died on the spot, Aradhana was rushed to a hospital where her condition was stated to be stable, police said.

No arrest has so far been made in this connection.

Further investigations are on.(PTI)

on Vallabhbhai Patel

New Delhi, Oct 31: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 141st birth anniversary.

"Paid tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel & recalled his contribution in uniting India & strengthening the cooperative movement," Modi said in a tweet.

Earlier in the day, he paid a floral tribute to Patel at his statue in the heart of national capital at Patel Chowk here.

Patel was born on October 31, 1875 at Nadiad in Gujarat.

Modi will also release a Commemorative Stamp at a programme to be held at India Gate later in the day, besides administering Ekta Pledge and flagging off the 'Unity Run'.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi A Digital Film on the life of Patel will also be released by the prime minister at a programme to be organised in the evening by the Ministry of Culture at Pragati Maidan.

The government last year decided to observe Sardar Patel Jayanti Day as 'Ekta Diwas'.

As part of celebrations,

8 SIMI activists who escaped from jail, killed in encounter

Two Bangladeshi nationals arrested in Bihar Begusarai , Oct 31:Two Bangladeshi nationals were on Monday arrested

by GRP officials from a train at Barauni railway junction in Bihar's Begusarai district.

During routine checking, the Government Railway Police (GRP) men found two Bangladeshi men in a coach of Sampark Kranti Express and arrested them for their suspicious behaviour, GRP Inspector Alok Pratap Singh said.

They were identified as Md Mustafa Kamal (23) and Md Salim (24). They told the interrogators that

they were residents of a refugee camp in Myanmar before shifting to a refugee camp in Bangladesh last year, he said.

Singh said the two Bangladeshis had crossed the international border to reach Agartala recently and boarded a train to Jammu and Kashmir on "someone's direction", the inspector said.

The Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) from Patna was on its way to Barauni to question the two Bangladeshi nationals, Singh said.

(PTI)

Soldier martyred in Pakistan ceasefire violation; Army retaliates with massive fire assault Jammu, Oct 31: An army soldier was on Monday killed and two women were injured when Pakistani troops targeted Indian posts and villages using small arms and mortar shells along the Line of Control (LoC) in the twin frontier districts of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu & Kashmir.

"Ceasefire violations in Rajouri sector are being retaliated with massive fire assault. One army soldier was martyred," a spokesman of the Army's Northern Command said.

Two women have also been injured, one of them seriously, in the firing in Poonch sector.

"Two women have been injured. One of them seriously and has been shifted to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMC) Jammu," Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Poonch JS Johar said.

Pakistani troops violated ceasefire by firing on Indian positions and villages in the twin border districts since early this morning.

"Pakistani troops indulged in unprovoked ceasefire violation from 9 AM in the Balakot sector using 120 mm and 82 mm mortars, automatic and small arms," an Army officer said.

He said the troops were responding to the firing appropriately and befittingly.

Pakistani army fired and

shelled the forward posts and civilian areas along the LoC in Mendhar sector of Poonch district.

They also violated ceasefire in several areas of Rajouri district this afternoon, the officer said.

There was firing and mortar bomb shelling in Mankot and Balakote areas along the LoC. A lull had prevailed along the International Border (IB) since 9 PM yesterday after ceasefire violations by Pakistani Rangers.

They had targeted BSF posts and civilian areas using small arms and mortar shells in continuous ceasefire violations along the IB in Samba, Kathua and Jammu districts, prompting BSF to retaliate.

There have been more that 60 ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops along the LoC and IB in the state since September 29 surgical strikes against terror launch pads by Indian Army in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Eleven people, including three civilians, and eight security personnel were killed and over 40 people, mostly civilians were injured in the incidents.

"There were no reports of any firing last night in the RS Pura sector. Firing took place at one area in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district before 2000 hours," Deputy inspector general of BSF (Jammu frontier) Dharmendra Pareek said.(Agencies)

various programmes will be organised during the week till November 6, recalling Sardar Patel s contribution to unification of India.

All Central ministers will visit different parts of the country during the week, garlanding Patel Statutes and holding public meetings.(PTI)

Pic for representative purpose.

Bhopal, Oct 31: Eight SIMI activists who pulled off a daring prison break and escaped in the wee hours after killing a security guard at the Bhopal Central Jail here, were today hunted down and killed in a police encounter on the city outskirts.

All the eight activists were killed by Bhopal Police at Malikheda on the city outskirts, Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Bhupendra Singh told PTI. Acting on the leads provided by locals, the cops tracked them down to Malikheda, where they were encircled and killed when they tried to challenge the police.

The activists of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India had managed to escape around 2-3 AM after killing a jail security guard and scaling the prison wall with the help of bed sheets, DIG Bhopal Raman Singh said.

The activists were identified as -- Amzad, Zakir Hussain Sadiq, Mohammad Salik, Mujeeb Shaikh, Mehbood Guddu, Mohammad Kalid Ahmed, Aqeel and Majid, a police official said.

Soon after the incident, the state government today released their sketches and suspended four officials including Jail Superintendent Akhilesh Tomar. It had also announced a reward of Rs 5

lakh each on the heads of the activists.

This is the second major jail break by operatives of banned SIMI in three years after the sensational escape by seven members of the group from a jail in Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh in 2013.

The Union Home Ministry has sought a detailed report from the Madhya Pradesh government on the jail break whether there was any lapse on the part of the jail administration and the steps taken to check such incidents.

The central security agencies were particularly anxious as four of the seven SIMI activities, who escaped from a jail in Khandwa October 1, 2013, could be arrested only after three years and during the period of their hiding, the militants were involved in multiple incidents of terror and a bank robbery.

While in hiding, the SIMI men were allegedly involved in terror activities in several states including Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, M a h a r a s h t r a , Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.

SIMI was banned by the government in 2001.(PTI)

Naidu expresses concern over burning of schools in Kashmir New Delhi, Oct 31: Expressing concern at the burning of schools by miscreants in Jammu and Kashmir, Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu today said people of the Valley should realize that those responsible are acting at the behest of enemies and hoped that they would be isolated.

"This is nothing but a combination of madness and perversion, otherwise how can anybody think of setting fire to educational institutions which are importing education and

knowledge to our own children," said Naidu, who is holds the portfolios of Information and Broadcasting, and Urban Development.

He said residents of Kashmir Valley should realize that these people have crossed all limits and is acting at the behest of enemies from across the border that are aiding, training and funding terrorists regularly.

"This is an extreme act they have (under)taken. I hope people will realize and also isolate them from

rest of the society," he said.

The children of the state should not be deprived of peaceful studies, the senior minister said, adding, "they have already disturbed peace to some extent and they are now disturbing studies as well".

"Some of these leaders children are studying outside, I am told. Some have to take security to write examinations.

These so-called leaders should really ponder over what it they are doing is," Naidu added. (PTI)

Bengal killer held in Mumbai Mumbai, Oct 31: The Mumbai Crime Branch on Saturday handed over a 22-year-old murder accused to their Bengal counterparts for questioning after flushing him out of a Raigad hideout.

Sahid Sk was wanted for gunning down two people in Murshidabad. A Mumbai court allowed his transit to Murshidabad on Sunday. The incident had taken place in Murshidabad on September 1 around 8.30am.

Three men, armed with machine guns, had gone on a shooting spree and killed two people before fleeing. A case of murder was registered against the

trio by Domkal police.

The Mumbai crime branch received a tip-off that a key accused in the murder case was holed up in Raigad district. A team from Unit 1 of the crime branch went to Roha where they learnt that the accused had taken up a job with a paints company. They laid a trap close to a river near the company's premises. The accused was taken into custody and brought to Mumbai. During interrogation, he revealed that the people he had gunned down had used explosives to kill two of his relatives a few years back. He wanted to

take revenge and roped in two associates for that.

Murshidabad SP Mukesh said, "The accused was arrested with the help of Mumbai Crime Branch. A police team is bringing him back to Murshidabad."

On September 1, three bike-borne youths had gunned down two former Ajimganjgola panchayat members -Yar Ali Mondal (52) and Abedul Seikh (47). The duo was having tea at a roadside stall in Domkal's Ramnaseikhpara. While Harun Sk, one of the accused, was arrested, Sahid and the other managed to flee.(Agencies)

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1

BUSSINESS Ensure revenue collection targets are met: CBDT to taxmen

New Delhi, Oct 31: CBDT has asked taxmen to pull up their socks to ensure targeted revenue collection targets are met as the figures till September show a shortfall of an estimated over Rs.14,000 crore.

In a letter written to all the field formations of the Income Tax department, Central Board of Direct Taxes Chairperson Rani Singh Nair has asked regional chiefs to "personally monitor budget collection" work especially in the area of corporate tax and personal income tax.

"The budget collection figures as on September 30, 2016 show growth in net collection of direct taxes of just 8.95 per cent as against the targeted

Pic for representative purpose growth of 14.1 per cent for the current fiscal year.

"This gap of about 5 per cent between the current growth rate and the targeted growth rate for the year has resulted in an asking growth rate for the next six months to the tune of almost 19 per cent

which will have to be reached in order to achieve the revenue targets," the CBDT boss said in her recent letter to I-T regional chiefs.

Direct tax collections till September grew about 9 per cent to Rs.3.27 lakh crore even as the govern-

China's civilian airport market now open to private capital Beijing, Oct 31: China's civilian airport market has now been made fully accessible to private capital for the first time with the national aviation authority issuing sweeping rightsgranting guidelines, official media reported today.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) rolled out the red carpet for private capital in all civilian airport projects that are planned in the country's outline for airport development or special regional and industrial planning. Financing for civilian airports' construction and operation under public-private partnerships will be encouraged to improve "service quality and efficiency", an official guideline, which points to a reduced number of stateowned or state-holding airports, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Private capital is permitted in participating in the

construction and operation of civilian airports and their affiliated facilities via franchising, transfer of operation or stock right and entrusted operation.

Private investment no longer needs the agency's approval to fund terminals, logistics and warehousing, ground services and other operations of entirely civilian airports.

Qualified private and foreign investments are now admitted to providing intermediary services such as counseling, designing and maintenance to civilian airports, the guideline said.

The country also fully opens the market of general aviation airport construction, launchpad for a fledgling industry with a market value projected to hit 150 billion yuan (about UsD 22 billion) by 2020.

Investment source for general airports is not limited, as well as inter-investment

between general airports and other market entities, CAAC said.

China will become the world's first aviation market to exceed one trillion US dollars in value in 20 years, according to a forecast by the US airplane giant Boeing.

The country is predicted to demand 6,810 new airplanes over the next two decades, with the total value of new aircraft reaching USD 1.025 trillion.

However, insufficient number of civilian airports especially general airports is hampering China's ability to meet the demands of a booming consumer market, fuelled by rising income and more service consumption.

Opening the door to private capital is believed to alleviate the government's financial pressure and accelerate the building of civilian airports. (Agencies)

ment is eyeing and has given a target of Rs.8.47 lakh crore direct tax collection this fiscal to the tax department.

She said while performance in the collection of personal income tax is showing growth of 19.59 per cent up to the second quarter (till September this year) as against the asking rate of 22.93 per cent, this indicated a "shortfall of Rs.3,871 crore" under this category.

"The advance tax collection of personal income tax shows a figure of Rs.1,38,360 crore as against the collection of Rs.1,15,699 crore up to the second quarter of last financial year," the Chairperson said adding the current figures of personal

income tax are "partly due to advancing of one instalment of advance tax and the TDS collections on account of 7th Pay Commission" remittances.

Therefore, she wrote, the advance tax collection figures of corporate tax up to the second quarter of the current financial year show collection of Rs 1,85,375 crore as compared to Rs.1,80,746 crore collected up to second quarter during last financial year (201516).

"This indicated a growth of 2.56 per cent only as against the asking rate of 8.62 per cent, indicating a shortfall of Rs.10,954 crore in the area of corporation (corporate) tax," she said.(Agencies)

Mumbai airport shut for five hours for repair work Mumbai, Oct 31: More than 2,000 flight operations will be hit at the city airport as both the main as well as secondary runways of the CSIA are shut for five hours for nine days beginning today through November 28 for surface repairs.

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) said they will be closing down the only main runway (No 09/27) as well the as the secondary runway (No 14/32) for five hours on October 31, November 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24 and 28, which is likely to affect as many as 2,100 flights. The runways will be shut from the peak 1200 hrs to 1700 hrs, the airport added. “On an average there are 45 air traffic movements an hour. So a five-hour shutdown means 225 movements could be hit,� the airport operator MIAL told PTI today.

None of the airlines responded to queries from PTI on the impact on their operations. Ironically, despite being the nation’s second busiest airport, the CSIA has only one main runway (as one-third of the airport land is occupied by slum squatters who are refusing to move out into newly built apartments) and yet manages around 50 flights during peak hours, making it one of

the most efficient airports in the world.

In November 2010 also, the airport operated by the GVK Group, had conducted similar repair work, months after it opened the spanking new terminal-T2 in February of that year. Operations were partly hit between October 18 and 31 for four hours between 1200 and 1600 for seven days on alternate days, as the main runway was closed for surface repair. But it keep the secondary runway (14/32) open during these hours, a MIAL official had told PTI earlier. But beginning today and upto November 28, on specified days operations would be completely shut for five hours from 1200 to 1700 hrs in the second phase of repair work, an airport official said, adding this is needed as the repair work involves inter-section work.

In total the airport will be shut during these hours for nine days, while in the first phase the main runway was partially shuttered for seven days between October 18 and 30, the official added. On an average, the city airport handles over 800 flights a day. Against this the Delhi airport, with three runways, handles around 78 flights during peak hours.

Banks to report frauds of Rs one crore and above to CVC New Delhi, Oct 31: With several high-ticket alleged frauds like Vijay Mallya loan default case coming to fore, Central Vigilance Commission has now made it mandatory for the public sector banks to report to it all such matters involving funds over Rs one crore.

Based on the reports, the anti-corruption watchdog, which has hired four Gen-

eral Manager ranked officers from bank as advisors, will recommend whether or not a CBI probe can be ordered.

According to CBI data, in 2015, the agency had probed 171 cases of bank frauds involving funds of Rs 20,646 crore. In addition, CBI is also investigating the Ponzi schemes involving funds of over Rs 1.20 lakh crore.

The Commission will also call regular monthly meetings of senior officials of Reserve Bank of India (RBI), CBI and banks to monitor probe in suspected bank frauds of Rs 50 crore and above.

The banks have been asked to share their reports of Fraud Monitoring and Reporting (FMR) mechanism with the CVC in the suspected fraud

cases of Rs one crore and above.

Till now this report was shared with the RBI only, Vigilance Commissioner T M Bhasin said.

The banks will also now have to report the modus operandi of all the alleged frauds to the CVC which will share these details with other banks to ensure that systemic changes can be brought in to prevent

such cases being repeated, he said.

"Frauds were being reported by the Central Vigilance Officers of the banks to the RBI through the Fraud Monitoring and Reporting (FMR) mechanism. Now the Commission has decided that fraud of Rs 50 crore and above will be regularly followed up by the CVC. (Agencies)

More drama in the offing? Tata cos board meet will set tone for transition New Delhi, Oct 31: The multiple stakeholders of the Tata Group, including foreign investors, and regulators such as Securities and Exchange Board of India and Ministry of Corporate Affairs, who are on high alert are keeping a close watch on the upcoming board meetings of the group's companies to approve their respective quarterly results.

Though ousted from the chairman's post in Tata Sons, Cyrus Mistry serves as the Chairman of Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), The Indian Hotels, Tata Global Beverages, Tata Chemicals, Tata Industries and Tata Teleservices. TCS declared numbers earlier this month.

According to data compiled by BS Research Bureau, 13 Tata companies are yet to declare their results for the quarter ended September 30. This list includes biggies such as Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Tata Power and Indian Hotels, which Mistry chairs. According to regulations, the companies are required to declare their quarterly numbers in 45 days. Most of these companies would call their board meets over the next couple of weeks to meet the November 15 deadline.

The way these boards deal with Mistry would determine the

further course of events in the Tata vs Mistry saga. Legal experts feel the transition may not be smooth given the stand taken by Mistry and the tone of his leaked letter.

SN Ananthasubramanian, a senior company secretary, said, "The transition may not be smooth, but it is likely to be quick." According to him, though the procedure for removal would be broadly the same as what happened in Tata Sons, the articles of association of individual companies would also come into play. In Tata Sons, Mistry was redesignated as a non-executive director after the board passed necessary resolutions to replace him and appoint Ratan Tata as interim chairman.

Further, Mistry himself would be more careful and apprehensive while approaching these board meets and their agenda papers. Two days after the big change at Tata Sons, Mistry came to Bombay House to chair a routine board meet of Tata Global Beverages, giving a signal that he may not resign on his own. On Friday, the board of Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) met to approve and declare its results. However, there was no news of any change in board composition.

Another factor that would come into play is the mode of

Cyrus Mistry and Ratan Tata appointment. If the shareholders had appointed the chairman, then only they would have the right to remove him too. On the other hand, the shareholders only appointed him as the director and later the board elected him to chair, then the removal could be done by the board itself, said experts.

This is where the role of independent directors and nominee directors, who represent institutions, could come into play.

Among independent directors of companies chaired by Mistry are eminent personalities such as Deepak Parekh, Nusli Wadia, Mallika Srinivasan, OP Bhatt, Narendra Jadhav, Ireena Vittal

and Subodh Bhargava. Some like Wadia and Bhargava serve on more than one Tata board.

Ananthasubramanian feels the alignment of purpose displayed by directors of Tata Sons would be difficult to achieve in these different companies. "Especially, in those companies where Mistry has made allegations, people would be careful. If not managed well, things could turn messy," Ananthasubramanian said. A small misstep could end up in the courtroom triggering a protracted legal battle.

While some like Parekh have publicly expressed their displeasure, other independent

directors have criticised the move in private. Parekh, who is an independent director on the Indian Hotelsboard, said earlier this week that "Cyrus was removed despite doing a reasonably good job", adding that "Mistry's ouster doesn't go well for Indian business and India's reputation".

Therefore, an early announcement of the successor, probably even before some of these crucial board meets, could be on the cards to allay concerns, some insiders feel, citing the quick elevation of TCS chief Chandrasekaran and Jaguar Land Rover's Ralf Spelth to the Tata Sons board.

Tata himself has reached out to Life Insurance Corporation and his lieutenants are busy engaging other local and foreign institutions to restore confidence in the market.

It is not clear if all this would fuel more boardroom drama in coming days. Prithvi Haldea, founder of Prime Database and recently appointed public interest director of MCX, said it is unlikely that even in these listed companies there are directors purely from Mistry's camp.

"All these directors are appointed by the promoters. It is unlikely that anyone would go against them," Haldea said. (Agencies)

P11 'India to get electricity from offshore wind energy in 5 yrs'

Image for representational Singapore, Oct 31: India will get electricity generated by wind-propelled plants installed in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu in about five years as part of the country's green energy development programmes, an energy expert has said.

"We are preparing India for offshore wind (and) providing MNRE a road map for offshore wind for Gujarat and Tamil Nadu," said Mathias Steck, Executive Vice President and Regional Manager at DNV GL, an international renewable energy group.

"It would take three to five years that we see commercial offshore winds

projects in India," said Steck who is an expert in renewable energy at DNV GL, which has a 30-consultant team in India and made its entry into the Indian market in 1989.

A 100-megawatt pilot project will likely be installed in ocean off Gujarat in about three years, he said on the sidelines of the Singapore International Energy Week held last week.

A FOWIND consortium has done a series of report on wind conditions for wind-generated electricity and its integration into a grid along the coastlines of Gujarat and Tamil

Nadu.

FOWIND is supported by Euro 4 million grant from the Indo-European Cooperation on Renewable Energy programme and Euro 500,000 contribution through the Gujarat PowerBSE 6.04 % Corp Ltd (GPCL).

The consortium, Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), comprises GPCL, DNV GL, the Centre for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), and the World Institute of Sustainable Energy (WISE).

The project is being implemented in close cooperation with Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and National Institute of Wind Energy.

"Over the time DNV GL has been in India, we have looked over 50-gigawatt of onshore wind projects," he said, adding "this is a market leading position" as DNV GL works for a large number of clients in renewable energy projects.

DNV GL is also looking at prospects in solar and tidal wave energiesBSE 17.43 % in India, Steck added.

(Agencies)

CAIT claims 60% dip in sales of Chinese goods this Diwali Agra, Oct 31: The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has claimed that there was a 60 per cent dip in the sales of Chinese goods this Diwali as a result of the massive social media campaign urging people to boycott Chinese products.

"Even the traders showed lack of enthusiasm in selling Chinese products," a CAIT spokesperson said.

Instead of Chinese goods, people preferred earthen lamps and decorative items made from paper, clay and plastic to decorate their houses, and some households even used last year's material for decoration purposes.

Less consumption of Chinese goods did not deter people from celebrating the festival with great fanfare.

"Realising the mood among the people because of the social media campaign, traders across the country were seen reluctant in displaying Chinese goods on the counter and some traders had even put "Make in India" boards at their business establishments to woo consumers," a CAIT spokesperson said.

"These statistics are based on the indications gathered by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) from 20 cities in different states, including Delhi, Mumbai, Nagpur,

Pic for representative purpose.

Jaipur, Ahmadabad, Kanpur and Bhopal which are generally considered as distribution cities," the spokesperson said.

CAIT National President B.C. Bhartia and Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said the social media campaign, which affected consumers beside the markets, further intensified following the statement in the Chinese media that "India can only bark". The people decided to opt for Indian products which included earthen lamps, decorative items made from clay and plastic, dry fruits, sweets, FMCG products and Indian electronica, among others.

Crackers made at Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu were preferred in comparison to Chinese crackers.

Although alternatives to various Chinese products

were very limited people still focussed more on Indian goods. In order to discourage sale of Chinese goods in India, the need to develop alternative products was felt for which the government has to plan a long-term strategy by providing all-out support to our small manufacturing sector to produce quality goods at cheaper prices and augment their manufacturing capacity, a resident here said.

The government has to make the latest technology available to the small sector and must incur substantial expenditure on research and development.

If all these steps are taken simultaneously, our trade can do wonders since we have everything at our end to give competition in the global market, the resident added. (Agencies)

Markets closed on account of Diwali Balipratipada Mumbai, Oct 31: Indian equity, forex, money and commodity markets will remain closed today on account of Diwali Balipratipada.

On Sunday, markets ended the customary 'Muhurat' trading session to usher in the new year Samvat 2073 on a negative bias with the broader markets outperforming the benchmark indices.

The S&P BSE Sensex ended down 11 points at 27,930 and the 50-share Nifty settled 12 points lower at 8,626. In the broader markets, the BSE Midcap index gained 0.5% and the Small-cap index gained nearly 1% to hit 52week high in intra-day trade.

"Nifty50 has found a strong support at 8,500 but the breaching of which will start a long spell of sideways movement with downward bias. However market is also likely to face strong resistance at 8,800 and 8,900 on the upper side. The broad trading range looks the possibility in the immediate term

with 8,500 and 8,800 being the range for the market in the short term. The long term strength of the market is intact. Buy on dips and fresh longs can be entered at current levels with stop below 8,500 in the Nifty50," said Jimeet Modi, CEO, SAMCO Securities.

"Corporate results, shorter week and the impending results of US Presidential election will keep the market in a trading range for some time.

The downside seems to be capped as the super negative numbers of Axis bank and the melodrama in India's biggest industrial house TATAs, did not shake the confidence of the bulls but at the same time excellent results have met with profit booking at the higher levels indicating that there seems to be a cap on the upside in the near term," he added.

Shares of auto companies will be in focus as companies start unveiling monthly sales volume data for October

2016 from tomorrow.

Among macro economic data, Markit Economics will announce the India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) data for October 2016 tomorrow.

Globally, Asian stocks got off to a shaky start on Monday after a renewed FBI probe of US Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's use of a personal email server sparked fresh tumult in markets, just days before the Nov. 8 presidential vote.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was off 0.2%. It is set to end the month down 2%.

Japan's Nikkei slipped 0.6%, but remains poised for a monthly gain of 5.4%.

On Friday, Wall Street and the dollar closed lower, after FBI Director James Comey sent a letter to the US Congress informing it that the agency is again reviewing emails related to the private server Clinton used when she was secretary of state. (Agencies)

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DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1

P12 Seven points strengthen Force India's fourth position PTI Mexico City, Oct 31 : Sahara Force India consolidated its fourth position in the constructors championship by collecting seven points from the Mexican Grand Prix with Nico Hulkenberg finishing seventh and Sergio Perez 10th here.

Force India now have 145 points, nine more than closest rival Williams, who collected six points from the race as Valtteri Bottas finished eighth for them ahead of his teammate Felipe Massa.

Nico Hulkenberg said it was the best result they could hope for in regular circumstances.

"I made a great start, but once the pit stops were out of the way, it turned out to be quite a lonely afternoon for me.

This allowed me to manage my tyres and my pace. At the end, the battle with Kimi [Raikkonen] was always going to be difficult, because he had a massive tyre advantage over me.

"I was surprised we could keep him behind for so long. I tried to defend as hard as I could on the inside, but braking on a dirty line with 60-lap-old tyres is quite tricky. He turned in on me and there was no way I could stop the car, so I forced it into a spin to avoid a crash.

Asian Champions Trophy 2016: Losing wasn’t an option, admits coach Roelant Oltmans Nrw Delhi, Oct 31 : It was an extremely satisfying night for Roelant Oltmans, who saw his team earn him his first victory as Indian hockey coach.

Brought in as high-performance director in 2013, Oltmans has outlasted three coaches — Michael Nobbs, Terry Walsh and Paul van Ass. On Sunday night in Kuantan, after the Asian Champions Trophy final against Pakistan, these thoughts were banished; Oltmans was a tad upset with the errors committed by his team, but extremely happy that they had managed to give the country a Diwali gift.

"It's a great win, and I think in the first 20-25 minutes we played outstanding hockey," said Oltmans. "We took a 2-0 lead, but then we started to make mistakes in the final part of the first quarter. Pakistan equalised, and just when it seemed to be getting critical, I think for the third time in the tournament, the team raised its level and we were able to score the match winner. We have been down before in the tournament — against Pakistan, Malaysia and Korea, but we have been able to come back.

That shows the mental strength of this team."

Oltmans agrees that losing wasn't an option. He understands that when it comes to an India-Pakistan match, especially in a final, winning is everything. "Losing was not an option," Oltmans stresses. "I have been in about 20-25 India-Pakistan matches, mostly on India's side. I know what it means for people in both countries. It's a very important game and there is no option other

The victorious Indian hockey team. Image courtesy: Twitter/ @TheHockeyIndia than winning. We did it. And that's not easy. It's different for us. Even in the Asian Games, we were not the favourites, as we were not the top ranked Asian team. Then suddenly we are the top ranked Asian team and other teams are chasing us. It brings a different kind of pressure.

It's also a different style of play than what we would employ against Germany or Australia."

In the last few matches, especially the semi-final against South Korea, the Indian defence was seen to be vulnerable to the aerial ball. Both Rupinder Pal Singh and Jasjit Singh Kular had difficulty in judging and trapping after the bounce. Pakistan also used it to good effect, and just when it seemed that India might break under the strain, they got out of it.

But not before Oltmans had a word with them after the third quarter. "I believe that they

used the aerial ball in the first and second quarter and after that we discussed it," says Oltmans.

"By the fourth quarter, they stopped the aerial ball and played a different style. I think we made many unforced errors.

But we stuck to the plan and we had four big chances."

"Sitting outside and watching the match is not easy," said Oltmans. "You have a plan and the players stick to it. But it sometimes comes unstuck, because the opposition might change their plans and you have to adapt. But this is a team that does that very well. They stick together and play as per the plan."

Oltmans is then joined by skipper PR Sreejesh, who missed the final with a hamstring injury. "We have to calm him down when he is on the bench," the skipper says of the coach.

The Indian captain still limping a bit because of the hamstring strain. "I can’t sit still. I have to shout, push the players. I have

been doing that for ten years now. I keep motivating them.

Sometimes the coach tells me to calm down but I cannot. It's a different feeling to sit outside on the bench. When someone makes a mistake inside, I feel tense."

The Indian captain was a member of the 2011 Asian Champions Trophy winning side, and to sit out when the trophy was being regained would have been frustrating. But Sreejesh doesn't agree. "It is still the best Diwali gift to my country. I already did my part in the semifinal. I took the team to the final. I trust my team. And they proved it today. It's not about one individual. It's about the team winning," he said.

Pakistan coach Khwaja Junaid was more philosophical about losing the final. "The rankings say the story," Junaid emphasised. "India is a stronger team and I am proud of the way the team (Pakistan) played today. They came back into the match when they were 0-2 down and equalised. India did play better in the fourth quarter and we might have held them a bit. But we take a lot of positives from this tournament and hopefully we will keep improving."

Junaid added that more matches should be played between the two countries. "Only sports can bring about a change in the nations," he said. "Once we used to play 8-9 matches in one series, and I think we should come together in hockey and play more matches.

I can assure you that we would come up to the level of Australia, Holland and other nations if we do so," he said.

Judge England after India series, not Bangladesh, says Ian Botham London, Oct 31 : Ian Botham believes England’s end of year tour programme will be judged on their upcoming five-Test tour of India, rather than a stunning loss to Bangladesh. England, 100 without loss at Tea on Sunday’s third day in Dhaka, collapsed to 164 all out on a spin-friendly pitch to lose by 108 runs — their first Test match defeat by Bangladesh.

The result saw Bangladesh share the two-match series 1-1 and raised fresh concerns over how England would cope in similar conditions in India, whose attack will feature offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin — Test cricket’s number oneranked bowler.

“It (a rapid collapse) can happen in that part of the world,” England great Botham told AFP in an interview in London on Sunday.

“The wickets are tailored, they are designed to spin. When you

England suffered an embarrassing loss to Bangladesh in the second Test. see spinners opening in Tests with the new ball, you get an idea of what’s coming.

“It’s good for them (Bangladesh). But what they’ve got to do is to start winning outside of their own country. That’s the acid test and that’s what England have got to do now.

“At the end of the day, they’ll be judged not so much on what happens in Bangladesh, but they will be judged more on what happens in India.”

While questions remain about England’s spinners, and their ability to play spin, Botham said all was far from lost for Alastair Cook’s side as they

headed to India.

“England have got the bowlers who can take the pitch out of the equation with reverse swing,” the former pace bowling all-rounder added. “If they go out there and they perform they can win.”

Stuart Broad, controversially rested in Dhaka, is set to lead England’s pace attack and make his 100th Test appearance when the India series opener in Rajkot starts on November 9.

“I presented him with his cap when he first played in Colombo,” said Botham. “There was stuff about Stuart Broad ‘the enforcer’. He got a bit caught up in that.

“But he’s bowled his best spells when he bowls at the top of off stump, Australia at The Oval (when Broad took four for eight in 2009), Australia at Trent Bridge (eight for 15 in 2015).”

As the cricket-lovers among the wine-buffs at London’s Olympia exhibition centre posed for ‘selfies’ with Botham, he recalled how a friendship with the late English cricket broadcaster John Arlott — also a noted wine writer — had broadened his horizons.

“John took me under his wing when I was about 16 or 17,” said Botham, himself now 60.

“We got on very well and stayed friends. I helped carry the coffin at his funeral. He was a wonderful man.

“I was a boy from Somerset and we used to drink cider. He started my education in wine.

“We bought a house just down the road from him (in the Channel Island of Alderney).

“Now when I go to Alderney I always get a very good bottle of red, go down to his grave, take the cork out, toast him with a glass, and leave the cork on the grave.”

Purav Raja and Divij Sharan seek respect for doubles players Pune, Oct 31 : India’s Purav Raja and Divij Sharan have emerged as a force on the ATP Challenger this season by winning four doubles titles and getting inside top-70 but lack of recognition for their achievements in their own country has left them a bit disappointed as they seek a change in perception for the doubles exponents of the game.

Raja and left-hander Sharan won the Pune Challenger two days back and before that they had triumphed in Segovia, Surbiton and Manchester.

Not only this, they clinched an ATP 250 title in Mexico (Los Cabos) and made semifinals in Atlanta, Gstaad and Newport events on the World Tour, gaining more than 1200 points each in the current calendar.

Apart from them, only one team — Matt Reid and JohnPatrick Smith — has managed to win four Challenger level titles together. Four teams won three titles.

Singles players always get more prominence but they feel there should not be any discrimination.

“We are not hungry to be in limelight. We are simple, but there’s evidence that nobody knows we are ranked 60 in the world. Outside (India), if you are 60-70, people know and support you. They will give you whatever you want. They understand your achievements.

But in India, not many people know so you can’t blame them.

We have played 6-7 Finals this

season,” Raja, ranked 66, told PTI in an interaction.

“Tennis players should be respected for what they do. I don’t think one should be given bigger (respect/help) than the other and one should be given less than the other. To make a living out of tennis, you have to be a very very good player, whether it’s singles or doubles,” he said.

Sharan, who hails from Delhi, added, “Sometimes it (lack of acknowledgment) obviously hurts. May be it will not be treated at par but (respect) would make us feel better.”

Playing semifinals of Tour events is as good as winning Challenger in terms of points and they have done that.

“If someone had told us that we will finish the year at 60, when we were sitting outside 150 at the beginning of the year, we would have taken it gladly, we have made thousand or 1200 points in this period. if you look back logically, it has been a very successful year,” Raja said summing up the season.

Asked how they have evolved as a team after joining forces for the second time, Sharan said they have changed tactics a lot.

“We play different formations.

Our positioning and volleying is our strength, so tactically we are doing a lot better. It’s better understanding of doubles.

We know our strengths better and whatever we have learnt we have put everything together and it shows in the re-

Purav Raja and left-hander Divij Sharan won the Pune Challenger two days back and before that they had triumphed in Segovia, Surbiton and Manchester. sults,” Sharan, who plays on deuce side of the court, said.

Raja added they are much more “aggressive than we have ever been”.

“We are playing a lot more ‘Eye-Formation’ to help us out, we are beating a lot of teams from baseline. We do the same thing over and over again. We can’t cover everything on the court. It’s a mathematical probability that we are trying to work out a formula to get more and more points, doing same stuff. He is a specialist on Deuce court and I am comfortable at the Ad-court. It’s a good combination of touch and power.”

Sharan said they were capable enough to challenge the big teams on the Tour but they

need to do it more consistently.

“We have played higher-ranked teams and beaten them. It’s more about how we can play bigger tournaments, which have more points. We would now fancy our chances against some of the big teams,” Sharan said with confidence.

“We would love to go down as a famous Indian pair but that requires us to win Grand Slams.

I believe we can do it, it takes a lot to win those Slams, we need to put in more effort,” added Raja when asked if they see themselves becoming wellknown pairs such Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi.

Their confidence comes from the fact they have have won the most number of deciding points this season. They played 73

such crucial points and their winning percentage was 66.

“From next year, we should be making the Grand Slams. It’s just about kind of getting into the big league, playing those matches. In doubles anything can happen. It’s unpredictable.

If you ask a singles player ranked like us, it would be difficult for him but in doubles, level is almost same,” Sharan said.

“You name a top-20 player and we have played them. Level is same, just one or two points here and there. It’s about winning those seven matches in a row. That makes good teams great team. We hope to be there,” Raja said further.

Sharan appreciated the support he gets from Indian Oil, where he is employed.

“I had had support from Indian oil. I get salary and perks and kit from Adidas, racquet from Head.”

Raja though said they have reached a stage in their career when they need a trainer and coach to travel with them.

“We are getting into 30s, the prime years of doubles. We will invest if someone can help us out for a trainer. That makes a big difference. It’s one or two percent that makes the difference.”

Both Sharan and Raja have been without a regular coach and a trainer all these years and have got some help from a few people when they do not play tournaments.

Atletico Madrid find new vigour in attack Barcelona , Oct 31 : Diego Simeone can scoff all he wants at the suggestion that his Atletico Madrid team has become a formidable attacking side.

But the numbers, and the added threats he now deploys, don’t lie. The team that Simeone long forged into a defensive machine could just score its way to a title in 2016-17.

The improvement in attack is thanks to the continued growth of Antoine Griezmann and the emergence of a pair of partners to share the scoring burden the France standout has shouldered in recent campaigns. Yannick Carrasco and Kevin Gameiro might just be the missing ingredients Atletico needs to successfully culminate another run at silverware.

Simeone, however, insists that this latest incarnation of his team is true to his team-first philosophy.

“I laugh when they say that now we are an attacking side and that now we are playing well,” Simeone said. “The facts speak more than words.”

The Argentine coach points back to his 2012 team that won the Europa League with Radamel Falcao in his prime. But having to reach that far back highlights that missing No. 9 since Diego Costa left Atletico for Chelsea following their surprise 2014 Spanish league title.

But now Atletico appears to have finally found the help that Griezmann lacked last season when Atletico came up short in the Champions League final to Real Madrid and stumbled in the league with two matches left.

This season is barely two months old and Griezmann, Carrasco and Gameiro have combined for 18 goals.

No, they aren’t as glamorous as Barcelona’s trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez or Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema.

Yet Atletico’s forwards may be good enough, considering the perfectly balanced squad behind them with Jorge “Koke” Resurreccion and Saul Niguez in midfield, Diego Godin in defense, and goalkeeper Jan Oblak.

Atletico has maintained the

Yannick Carrasco(right), Kevin Gameiro and Antoine Griezmann have made Atletico Madrid a formidable attacking side.

staunch defense that has defined it since Simeone’s arrival in 2011, allowing a league-low six goals through 10 matches this season. But it has also scored 25 league goals, 10 more than at this point last season.

Atletico is in third place in the league, three points behind Madrid, and leads its Champions League group after three wins, including a victory over Bayern Munich. Atletico hosts Russian club FC Rostov in the European tournament on Tuesday.

In the league, it has dished out lopsided thrashings of 7-1, 5-0, 4-0 and 4-2, giving it the best goal difference in the competition. Only Barcelona with 30 goals and Real Madrid with 28 have scored more.

That 4-2 result came against Malaga on Saturday, a victory that featured two goals apiece from Carrasco and Gameiro.

Carrasco’s goals showcased his best weapon: speed.

The 23-year-old winger used a quick change of pace to wrong-foot his marker before opening the scoring. He later surpassed that with a breathtaking solo effort in the final minutes when he overtook a defender with a blistering sprint before rifling home a pin-point shot from long range.

“I am very ambitious,” said Carrasco, who two weeks ago renewed his contract through 2022.

“Thanks to the team I am enjoying a good stretch. I hope it continues.”

Carrasco has already sur-

passed his scoring total for last campaign with seven goals. That includes the Belgium international’s first career hat trick to fuel the 7-1 rout of Granada, and goals for 1-0 victories over Bayern and Rostov.

“Carrasco has grown thanks to work,” Simeone said. “He works as hard as anyone. He continues to grow and has a lot more to give. The best thing about Carrasco is that he is now fully integrated into the team. It’s not just about his goals.”

Gameiro’s two strikes against Malaga were his first multi-goal outing for Atletico since his arrival from Sevilla for a reported 30 million euros ($34 million).

The investment is paying off as Gameiro settles into a side that has been missing consistent goals from its striker position. It got 22 league goals from Griezmann in each of the last two seasons, but lacked a reliable second scorer after Mario Mandzukic and Jackson Martinez didn’t pan out.

Gameiro’s promising start earned him a recall from France for its World Cup qualifiers. He didn’t disappoint, scoring twice to lead its 4-1 win over Bulgaria on Oct. 7.

And Gameiro believes he has more to give his new team.

“We still haven’t seen the Gameiro of Sevilla,” he said. “I still need a bit more of confidence. Little by little I am honing my style and my teammates are helping me a lot.”

West Indies struggle after Pakistan's 281

Pakistan's Mohammad Amir takes a catch to dismiss West Indies' batsman Darren Bravo (unseen) on the second day of the third and final Test at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah on October 31, 2016 Pakistan, resuming at 255-8, were dismissed for 281 in their first innings on the second day of the third and final Test against West Indies in Sharjah.

AFP Sharjah, Oct 31 : West Indies had lost the key wicket of Darren Bravo and were a shaky 38-3, trailing by 243 runs, at lunch on the second day of the third and final Test against Pakistan on Monday.

Bravo (11) miscued a drive off a flighted ball from spinner Zulfiqar Babar and was smartly snapped up by a diving Mohammad Amir at extra cover, his first catch in 20 Tests.

At the break in Sharjah, opener Kraigg Brathwaite (21) and

Jermaine Blackwood (0) were at the crease.

Earlier, leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo finished with figures of 4-77 while fast bowlers Shannon Gabriel took 3-67 and Alzarri Joseph 2-57 to dismiss Pakistan for 281.

West Indies got off to a disastrous start, with opener Leon Johnson trapped leg-before by paceman Wahab Riaz in the fourth over for just one.

Bravo, who made a fighting hundred in the first Test, was left frustrated by shortpitched deliveries from Riaz

and Amir before getting out.

Marlon Samuels also did not last long, trapped leg-before by leg-spinner Yasir Shah without scoring to leave West Indies struggling on 38-3.

Pakistan earlier added 26 to their overnight score before losing Amir for 20 and Shah for 12, both to Joseph. The pair added 32 for the ninth wicket.

Pakistan are targeting a 3-0 whitewash after winning the first Test in Dubai by 56 runs and the second in Abu Dhabi by 133.

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