Wednesday, 28 Dec. 2016

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PAGE 8

Vol. II

Issue 159

END OF A SAGA: SALESIAN SAMARITAN FR BUSOLIN LAID TO REST IN TURA

Jorhat student dead body found in Silchar NIT hostel ET Correspondent Jorhat, Dec 28 : A studious student from Jorhat dead body was found in NIT Silchar Hostel on Monday.

The boy was identified as Maharnav Hazarika of Jorhat Bahona. After his dinner on Sunday, Maharnav went to his room and was found unconscious in a critical condition on Monday morning. He was immediately shifted to hospital where he was confirmed as dead.

Maharnav Haziraka had passed his metriculution from Tezpur Don Bosco and completed his Higher secondary from Cotton College Guwahati.

The death of a studious student create gloom over the area.

Peddler caught with brown sugar in Nagaon ET Bureau Guwahati, Dec 27: Nagaon Police on Monday arrested wanted drug peddler Sarafat Ali along with a cache of brown sugar from the Haibargaon area in the district.

Police said they have seized almost 150 g of brown sugar from his possession.

More raids are going to be conducted, police said.

Assam Police constable held for blackmail GUWAHATI: The crime branch of city police arrested a constable on charges of extortion and blackmailing on Monday.

The arrested cop Abdul Mazid was working as a constable at Bhangagarh police station.

The crime branch held Mazid after a woman lodged a complaint accusing him of blackmailing her and trying to extort money. Sources in the crime branch said, "Mazid was demanding money from her to settle a case. She then asked him to come to a Shiv temple near Chandmari to take the money when the crime branch sleuth nabbed him red-handed."

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7 Foods And Drinks That Are Banned Around The World

P5 P3 P7 govt. launches consultation Government has decided to proceed BJP cum interaction programme on aggressively on organic farming to next year budget maintain ecological balance : CM A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Dec 27

A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Dec 27

"Krishi and Rishi are the fundamental basis of India.

The future of the State rests on judicious utilization of agricultural potential with special focus on organic farming", said Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal while speaking at a Workshop on Agriculture organized by Bharatiya Kishan Morcha at Krishi Vigyan Kendra located at Kanhikuchi in the city today.

Highlighting the role of farmers in the social development, the Chief Minister said that the

CM Sarbananda Sonowal Government has decided to proceed aggressively on organic farming to maintain ecological balance. He also stressed on the need to make farming more popular in the state and stated that the Chief Minister's Samagra Gramya

Unnayan Yojana is aimed at transforming the rural economy focusing on farm based industry through investment of Rs. 1.2 cr. per revenue village.

Further stating that all Government schemes are targeted at improving the condition of rural poor, the Chief Minister favoured coordinated effort of Agriculture, Soil and Irrigation Department and effective utilization of post monsoon period for increased agricultural production in the State. Sonowal also said that already Assam Agricultural University has been entrusted

with the responsibility to produce two varieties of paddy seeds for cultivation which can be harvested within three months.

Stating that the Mega Herbal & Food Park which will soon come up at Balipara in Sonitpur district will offer vast agricultural avenues for the farmers, the Chief Minister urged the participants of the workshop to spread the message of medicinal farming in each household.

KVK Coordinator Dr. Dhirendra Nath Kalita and other functionaries of Bharatiya Kishan Morcha were present in the workshop.

Development meeting calls to heed Changliang confronting issues ET Correspondent Tezu, Dec 27

Coming close to the villagers in order to address various confronting issues, a Development Meeting is called

by Dr Mohesh Chai MLA 44th Tezu – Sunpura Constituency at Changliang village outskirt of the township here today which has been enthusiastically attended by the PRI, Men & Women, youth and senior citizens of the village.

The flood affected villager thronged at the community hall in high hope of flood mitigation plan which the inhabitant has been suffering since last so many years. Soyam Khellai a senior citizen of the village while submitting Memorandum to the MLA highlighted several long pending issues of the villages giving pivotal thrust to tap the Dhura River before monsoon. He feared if this time the river is not tapped then the village is no more going to exist in coming monsoon.

Citing his visit as first of its kind after being elected, Dr Chai mentions frequent political upheaval during his two and half year of tenure where he failed to host development meeting to heard the public grievances. He affirms to start the flood protection work from first week of January next on priority basis in first phase, build up 1 Km approach road from NH to

platform for the students to show their hidden talents. He assured to extend help to organise in such programme in Namsai circle.

A memorandum was submitted by Nang Sonika Namchoom (Choutang) Headmistress for redressal of some grievances like acute shortage of desks and

In a major shift to the Budget preparation exercise, Govt. of Assam has launched a consultation cum interaction programme with the MLAs to make the Budget for the year 2017-18 more inclusive and public interest oriented. The new approach, which is started today with the consultation with the MLAs of the BJP will continue with similar interactive sessions with the MLAs of other political parties as per schedule prepared by the Finance Department.

Sonowal while speaking on the occasion urged the MLAs to study their constituencies for identifying the resources and to come up with innovative schemes fulfilling people's expectations. Sonowal also asked the MLAs to take up schemes on priority basis to offer maximum benefit to people. Sonowal also underlined Government's commitment in streamlining the state administrative machinery and stressed on collective responsibility of elected representatives in implementing the Govt. schemes.

This exercise is aimed at soliciting suggestions from the elected representatives on ways to increase internal revenue, implementation of the budget and identifying new proposals for incorporation in proposed Budget, identification of schemes of wasteful expenditure and steps for their discontinuation, increasing investment in large capital works, enhancing efficiency of execution of projects and innovative and signature projects that can be taken up in the Budget.

Lauding the novel step taken by the Finance Department, the Chief Minister further said that the MLAs should pursue their constituency related schemes with concerned Minister for timely execution. He also urged them to prepare a roadmap for benefitting the youth, aged and the differently abled in their constituencies.

Sonowal further asked the MLAs to get actively involved in the implementation of flagship as well as individual benefit schemes.

Chief Minister Sarbananda

Stating that the MLAs are not mere individual but an

institution representing their constituency, Sonowal urged them to act as watchdog in ensuring effective role of the Govt. employees in execution of schemes. The Chief Minister further advised the MLAs to interact with the local intelligentsia and people of their constituency to have a pulse of their expectation as well as to make them feel as an integral part of the Govt. machinery.

State Finance minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma while addressing the MLAs asked them to prepare a list of the proposed projects and submit the same to the Government.

Sarma further reiterated Government's commitment in implementing the schemes proposed in the Budget and sought the MLAs cooperation for preparing a pragmatic budget for the state.

Apart from the MLAs of the BJP, Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) VB Pyarelal, Additional Chief Secretary (Planning) KV Eapen, Commissioner & Secretary (Finance) Ravi Kota and several other senior officers of the State Government were present in the programme.

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8811073544, 7002514537 E-mail: ntdptsk1996@gmail.com I Website: www.nkdesign.weebly.com Changlaing which was washed out by flood and carpeting of road from Changliang to Dhuranallah point. “A Minor Irrigation Project (MIP), renovation of Community Hall, its RCC boundary was done.

Toilet for both Boys and Girls for the Govt. Sec School Changliang will be taken up this year and two extension of Classroom in next year from MLA LAD and improvement of drinking water and electricity will be taken up soon”, the MLA pledges. He further vows to implement every beneficiary’s schemes cutting across all political difference and appeals the Govt. Official and PRI to maintain uniformity to percolate development for the overall

development of the village. The MLA also donated a set of Computer to GSS Changliang.

While expressing serious concern of the village, Danish Ashraf DC said the flood issue has to address on priority to protect both habitant, Agriculture and Horticulture. He also appeal the villagers to reap maximum beneficiaries scheme and concentrate to produce orange which is best in quality in India and promote dairy, goatery production under self help group for self reliant economy. “We have lots of scope to till our land while dissuading from illegal opium cultivation for a healthy and prosperous society”, the DC pleads the villagers. He appreciates the

Indrajit Tingwa Namsai Dec 27

The programme was highlighted by C.A.Pomong, teacher and President of the 2nd GUPS Cluster Meet-2016.

Namchoom in his speech appreciated the organizing committee for bringing up such a programme which is very fruitful and gives an important

5.00

APCSU and Indian Army conducts career counselling

concept of development meeting to heed the grievances and overall progress of the village.

Earlier, Er CJ Mannou EE WRD discloses Rs 63 (Sixty three) Lakhs and Rs 10 (Ten) Lakhs from MPLAD Fund earmarked to build embankment on priority basis which he assured to start from first week of January next and said Rs 6 (Six) crores is submitted proposal at NIC for the village flood control. Moreover several Heads of the Department including, Medical, Education, Fishery, Horticulture, Agriculture, Veterinary, Food & Civil Supply and Bank SBI highlighted some of their key programmes and beneficiary schemes available to them.

2nd Lathao circle cluster meet begins The 2nd Lathao Circle Government Upper Primary Schools Cluster Meet-2016 was inaugrated by Chow Zingnu Namchoom MLA cum Parliamentary Secretary, Planning today at Government Upper Primary School, Sulongtoo. The programme commenced with tree plantation in the school compound followed by inspection of the school building. Next the Cluster Meet flag was unfurled followed by inspection of march past and lighting of Olympic Torch by the Chief Guest.

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benches,requirement of boundary wall and maintenence of class rooms.

In this Cluster Meet there are seven Government Upper Primary Schools under Lathao circle which are participating in Games and Sports, Literary and Cultural activities.

Namsai also spoke on the occasion which was attended

by C.K. Mounglang ZPC Namsai, Chow Mahajini Chaupoo ZPM Lathao, Shri Nani Rika DMO Namsai, Dr.C.M. Thamoung SEWA President, G.Bs from Lathao circle, PRIs members and general public.

Shri R.K. Sharma, D.C.

Later Namchoom with his

entourage visited the Primary Health Centre (PHC) Lathao and inspected the centre where he found many necessary requirements. A memorandum was submitted to the MLA during the meeting by Dr.S.K. Singh, Senior Medical Officer (PHC),Lathao for fulfilment of necessary requirements like Medical Officer ,staffs, toilets, laboratory room, wash basin in labour room with water supply,computer set with printer, invertor set, repairing of main gate and staff quarters.

Also in the memorandum some requirements for sub-centre of Jona-III and Sulongtoo like security fencing, electricity and water supply provisions were included.

During the meeting the MLA assured to fulfil the requirements as soon as possible.Shri RK Sharma DC,Shri Nani Rika DMO also spoke on the occasion. GBs ,Senior public leaders from Lathao village, ASHA workers and Medical staffs attended the meeting.

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ET CAPSULES

Dibrugarh, Wednesday, December 28, 2016

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28

P2 Aries What changes have there been in your life since this time last year?

Think about the events that have taken place. What have you accomplished? What decisions have you made? And most importantly, how much you have grown as a person? Try to make changes by following your intuition. Even though it seems stressful and sometimes painful, change means growth!

Taurus It may be upsetting to you, Taurus, but there's something you need to think about. You should finally get it through your head that the people you often call "brilliant" are only reflections of you. If this month you decide to have a little faith in yourself and assert yourself a little, you could be in for some very nice surprises! You'll see!

Gemini What a great day for you!

You seem to have the innate listening abilities of a therapist or counselor. Everyone comes to you with their problems or to cry on your shoulder. They know that you will listen without judgment. Have you ever thought about doing something like this for a living? Perhaps today will make you think about it.

Cancer If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. This is your maxim for the day, Cancer.

What have you done lately to improve the way you live your life? Would you consider taking off on some wild adventure without looking back? Today you may meet some people who will make you want to. They're adventurers looking for thrills and chills, with all the risks that come along with them.

Leo Strength of character will be your partner today, Leo. You seem to have an aura whose intensity scares some people and attracts others. Your force of character could be the cause of some wonderful feelings and emotions for the people close to you. Don't try and hide your emotions. They're the source of your creativity.

Virgo What an extraordinary day for you, Virgo! The dynamic energy in the air will help you set new personal goals. The positive feedback you get from the people around you could inspire you to make some life-changing decisions for the good of you and your family.

Don't hesitate to share the day's positive attitude with them.

Libra You can start your day without all the usual planning. Be free to discover your day as it unfolds. This might feel like it's against your nature, but it's good for you to enjoy life's sometimes arbitrary nature every once in a while. Otherwise, you may miss out on some of the best things life has to offer!

Scorpio In general, you tend to be critical of the way the government and politicians handle social issues and institutions. Your goal isn't just to criticize, however. You would also like to see some positive changes in these areas. The aura of understanding and comprehension in the air today helps you realize that if you want the world to evolve, you're going to have to get people to react.

Sagittarius Sagittarius, you may have felt as if something has been changing in your family environment over the last few weeks. Today you will find out what's been going on. Someone close to you has been going through some important changes in his or her life. You feel as if you need to be there and accompany this person on a journey of self-development.

Capricorn You tend to think of yourself as a lone warrior, Capricorn.

Today your efforts over the last few weeks pay off. You've found your place in a group of people. You may even call it a family. You now have a place to come home to, whether it's to celebrate your victories or lick your wounds. If you could just open up to other people, you'd soon find that you have more than one safe haven.

Aquarius You love the creative process, Aquarius. Even watering your plants or painting a picture will give you a feeling of joy. If this month you get a chance to finish a project that you really care about, you will be satisfied with the results. And you will be surprised to see people react positively. It's OK to be proud of yourself.

Pisces Pisces, your lighthearted attitude has given you a reputation as an eternal teenager. But levity is also a sign of a very wise person, a person who knows how to laugh at their wisdom. Whether you realize it or not, you can get involved in a serious relationship without losing your lightheartedness. If you're already in a committed relationship, you know how true this is.

Dibrugarh university signs MoU With BCPL for industry-academia linkage ET Correspondent Dibrugarh, Dec 27: With a view to strengthen industry academia linkage, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between BCPL and Dibrugarh University (DU).

The agreement was signed recently at the administrative building BCPL, Lepetkata by Deputy General Manager (HR),

BCPL, Ashit Das and Registrar of DU, Prof MN Dutta, in presence of Vice-Chancellor of DU, Prof Alak Kumar Buragohain.

As part of the agreement, senior technical personnel of BCPL having relevant expertise will be made members of the board of studies of the relevant academic department/centres of studies.

Senior personnel of BCPL will

also be invited as visiting fellow to various participating department/centre of studies of DU. Students from DU can also visit various laboratories and installation of the BCPL. Both BCPL and DU will host joint events like management development programme, special talks and will work jointly to develop industry relevant re-

search projects. The signing of this agreement is a major step towards professional excellence for both the institutions.

Among others, the MoU signing ceremony was attended by Director (Finance) BCPL,OP Trailor ,Chief Operating Officer, Ajay Tripathi, General Manager (O&M), Rip Hazarika, Prof.Emeritus, Dr B K Das.

Two principals of assam awarded international diploma ET Bureau Dibrugarh, 27 December: Additional Secretary of UGC ,New Delhi Dr(Mrs) Pankaj Mittal awarded two principals of Assam "International Diploma of Education Leadership's: Higher Education" (IDEL-HE) on behalf of Indian Colleges Forum(ICF) and Centre of Higher Education Studies and Training (CEST).

The awardee Principals are Dr. Sashikanta Saikia, principal DHSK College and Dr. Kiran Hazarika, Principal Tengakhat College. At the award ceremony Dr. Mittal said that the award will be helps to lead a higher education properly. She appreciated both the principals. The Award

Leopard killed in national highway in Dibrugarh A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Dec 27: A leopard was killed after it was hit by a speeding vehicle on the NH-37 at Bismile area of Chabua in Dibrugarh district on Monday night.

Locals found the leopard lying in a pool of blood on the middle of the busy highway at around 7pm. A police patrolling team took the carcass to the nearby Chabua police station. It was later handed over to the forest department. It is suspected that the leopard was hit by a speeding vehicle while trying to cross the busy highway.

On December 17, 2012, a leopard was badly injured in the same location after being hit by a speeding vehicle while trying to cross the highway. The big cat had to undergo long bout of treatment at the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation in Kaziranga before being released in the wilds.

Awareness meet in Doomdooma ET Correspondent Doomdooma, Dec 27 : An awareness meet was held between the National Agricultural and Rural Development Bank ( NABARD ) officials and the members of Joint Liability Groups ( JLG) in association with NGO Surjoday at Doomdooma Sakha Sahitya Sabha Bhawan .

The District Development Manager of NABARD Sameer Mazumdar explained how the relation between NABARD and other commercial banks had been playing an especial role in the economic development of the society . The meeting was also addressed by retired bank officer Binod Das and social activist Naren Koiry . Officers from different branches of Assam Gramin Vikash Bank , United Bank of India , Central Bank , Indian Overseas Bank and Assam Cooperative Apex Bank also addressed the meet .The programme was anchored by Akhil Chandra Baruah , the director of Surjoday . As a part of the itinerary , the Doomdooma branch of Assam Cooperative Apex Bank distributed loans among members of different Joint Liability Groups .

Ceremony held at a three day workshop on " Use of New Media, New Technology and Innovations for Improving Quality of Higher Education" at India Habitat Centre.

New Delhi. During the diploma period both principals are visited different higher educational institutions of Europe. At the award ceremonial program Dr Bikas Sanyal, former ViceChairman of UNESCO and former Secretary of UGC Dr. G D Sarma, former Prof IIT, technology expert and former PVC IGNOU MM Pant, former Head IIEP, UNESCO Prof N V Verghese were also present.

Forgotten Hero : First Indian President from Assam Dr. F. A. Ahmed ET Correspondent Golaghat, Dec 27: Dr. Fahkruddin Ali Ahmed the fifth president of independent India made the people of Assam to be proud as he was the first ever Assamese to be elected to the Supreme Position in India . Dr. Fahkruddin Ali Ahmed had invaluable contributions to the freedom struggle of India .

But this man is now a forgotten hero in his own native place in Assam . He hailed from Kacharihat in Golaghat . But there is nothing remained in Kacharihat region as a memory of this president .

His house has almost vanished without proper maintenance and there is no such street or institu-

tion on his name . Some conscious citizens of the region had formed a memorial trust and demanded help from the government for providing some aid to conserve memories of Dr. Fahkruddin Ali Ahmed.

After prolonged demand the then Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh offered an amount of fifty lacs rupees from Prime Minister's Fund to construct an auditorium at Kacharihat in memory of the fifth president of India .

But unfortunately till the time no results seen . Local people now have appealed the BJP led state government to take some fruitful steps to conserve the memory of this first President from Assam.

Margherita administration banned cock fight and dice ET Correspondent Margherita, Dec 27 : Margherita administration and Margherita Police have banned Cock fight and Dice(Gambling) at Margherita Region.At Margherita Region from many days Cock fight and Dice (Gambling) was going on where on Sunday Margherita SDO (Civil) Bikram Koiri and Margherita Police Sta-

tion Officer in Charge Girin Sonowal led by others conducted a raid at Lekhajan, Lalgola and Dehing TE under Margherita Police Station where notice was given to this area.

Guwahati High Court have put banned on cock fight and Dice(Gambling) where Margherita administration have issued notice and if anyone found in

cock fight and Dice (Gambling) shall be given strict punishment. Unfortunately on 21 November evening hours Pintu Mura a youth was brutally killed by some youths due to Cock fight and Dice(Gambling) at Lalgola under Margherita Police Station where one Sanjay Karmakar was arrested in this murder connection.

Interaction camp between army and ex-army at Sivasagar Rongghar Chariali. Photo by Firuz Ahmed

Sports

Tinsukia win by 8 wkts SPORTS REPORTER Dibrugarh, Dec. 27: Tinsukia Cricket Academy registered eight wickets victory over Dibrugarh Cricket coaching centre B in the Simang Arnold Phulari Cricket tournament organized

by Dibrugarh District Sports Association at DDSA stadium here today.

DCCC B were bunled out for 57 in 22.5 overs.

Samrat Bhattacharjee scored 18 off 18 balls, with four boundaries.

scored 69 by losing two wickets in 13.1 overs. Bankim Phukan remained unbeaten on 44 off 32 balls with seven boundaries.

For Tinsukia Cricket Academy, Bijay Xalxo and Shaik Sahil scalped three wickets a piece by giving away 11 and 12 runs respectively. Bankim Phukan took two wickets.

Prasurjoy Barua and Samrat Bhattacharjee took one wickets each for DCCC B. Bankim Phukan was adjudged man of the match.

Tomorrow, Sivasagar Driffon Club will play Dibrugarh Cricket Opting to bat first, In reply, Tinsukia Coaching Centre A.

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P3

APCSU and Indian Army conducts career counselling ET Bureau Diyun 27, Dec: One Day Career counseling programme has been organized by the Arunachal Pradesh Chakma Students Union (APCSU) in collaboration with 11th Grenadiers Indian Army, Dumba Camp at Auditorium Hall, Circuit House Diyun, Arunachal Pradesh today More than400 students along with teachers from different schools like Mahabodhi school, Sneha School, Govt. Higher Secondary School Diyun, Govt.

Secondary School Dumpather, Govt. Secondary School, Sompoi, Govt.

Secondary School, Gautampur and Govt.

Higher Secondary Sachool, Innao participated in the program.

Speaking on the occasion, Major Abhimanyu briefed on the history of Indian Army and the remarkable wars it fought in protecting and defending country and

urged the youths to join in Defense sector. He also briefed about the various exams for joining Indian Army such as NDA, CDS, SSC, etc. and he also urged the girl students to know and join it to serve the country.

The Indian Army also exhibited the military weapons to instill patriotic feeling among the students. The students asked questions from the Army personnel about the functions of the weapons, which they explained readily.

Supon Chakma, General Secretary delivered on the importance of education as key to community development and to serve the nation. In his motivational speech he stated, “Students of today are the future of tomorrow as catalyst or agent of social change and to render services to community and nation as a whole.

Sontosh Chakma, GS of

CCRCHAP briefed on the career prospect in the field of legal studies and shared his life experiences and the challenges he overcame throughout his life. He urged the students to make use of modern technology advancements like internet in the right way.

Mahendra Chakma, President of Right Cause Society spoke about good plan to be made by the students in order to achieve their goals which should be followed by determination, dedication, honesty and discipline.

Kaniska Chakma, Principal of Mahabodhi school stressed on health and education without which a person is unworthy and nothing in this world. He said, "We should focus on different factors like learning, cultural diversity, respecting elders and teachers.”

Other speakers like Protimoy Chakma explained

about impacts of school dropouts and various reasons related to early school dropout.

Apcsu Office bearers among others present were Nunez Kumar Chakma (Assistant Gen. Secy), Bipin Roshan Chakma (Orgainsing Secy), Sontosh Chakma (Sports Secy), Amit Chakma (Edn Secy), Bakta Chakma (Asst Sports Secy) and GS of Diyun Unit Atul Jivan Chakma, and Ganesh Sonar (EM), Pearson Dewan.

They thanked the Indian Army, School Principals, Teaching staffs and Public leaders for gracing the occasion and for inspiring the students to be a good citizens and future leaders of our country.

And finally Sonjit Chakma gave a special vote of thanks to all the dignitarie mls and students for participating and urged them to attend in such kind of programmes in future.

The function was started after lighting of the ceremonial lamp by the chief guest Kaling Moyong, MLA Pasighat. The other dignitaries present on the occasion were Deputy Commissioner Isha Khosla, OC CRPF Manoj Khajotia, Tajom Tasung and Ravi Chanakya and other members of the school managing committee. The celebrations included a wide variety of cultural items like songs, musical drama, instrumental music and folk dances. The performers set the stage on fire with their thrilling perfor-

mances. The dignitaries present on the occasion distributed prizes to the winners of cultural, literary and sports events on the occasion.

Addressing the function, Chief Guest Moyong urged upon the people to nurture the dignity of labour, which should be the 'mantra' to overcome all the failures and sufferings of human beings. This is one of the most essential things, which one should inculcate for self growth and as well as for the growth of the society. An educational system is not worth a great deal if it teaches young people how to make a living but does not teach them how to make a life.

Moyong told the students that there was no shortcut to be successful in life without edu-

cation. Students must be sincere, dedicated and work hard to achieve good academic result. He expressed satisfaction over the performance of the school and urged the teaching fraternity to serve with zeal and courage. They should keep the prestige of education high by devoting themselves in teaching and learning process stating that fair, generous, caring, and empathetic educators were always respected in the society. Teacher-student relationships shape students’ moral and emotional development, added Moyong.

While Guest of Honour, Isha Khosla in her message has said that the annual school function is also part and parcel of the academic session.

Special guest Manoj Khajotia delivering speech on national integration and nationalism has said that education was essential for all. Our educated youths could contribute their best services in nation building process and change the fate of the nation.

Chief coordinator Ravi Chanakya also spoke and shared his views.

Speaking on the occasion, Parliamentary Secretary

The extra-curricular activities like games and sports for boys and girls in schools are essential. Beyond bookish knowledge, it could teach students to behave morally high by instilling in them virtues and standards, a clear sense of right and wrong, stated the Chief Guest.

Community awareness cum school safety programme on disaster Management held in Longding ET Correspondent Londing, Dec. 27: A weeklong Community Awareness cum School Safety Programme on natural and man-made disaster for teachers & students, officials of all line departments, NGOs, CBOs, Chiefs, GBs, Panchayat leaders and traders associations was held at Longding, Kanubari and Pongchau administrative divisions under Longding district beginning from 20th Dec/2016 by the District Disaster Management Authority, Longding in collaboration with 12th BN NDRF, Doimukh, Arunachal Pradesh.

Sri. Vijay Mitte FO (Disaster Management) coordinated the Programme who also elaborated on different types of disasters and vulnerability of the Longding district. The NDRF

team was led by Inspt/GD Sri. Bhaskar Kumar Team Commander and his 30 personnel of 12th Bn NDRF team who demonstrated during the programme on basic survival skills during disaster. The focus of the programme was core lifesaving skills and essential emergency procedures with greater emphasis on practical hands-on engagements during disaster. It was a kind of familiarization programme as the NDRF visited the district for the first time to demonstrate on different survival techniques and dos and donts on various hazards On day one on 20/12/2016 at Kanubari, Earthquake simulation exercise was also carried out to demonstrate on search and rescue procedures fol-

lowed by the NDRF during any disaster.

A similar programme was held at Pongchau on 22/12/16 where Sri.L.Naam, CO urged all the participants to cooperate with the team and take advantage of the programme which will be of immense use during any exigency in future.

While the awareness programme was about to end, an information of breaking out of fire accident at wakka village was received by CO, Wakka who held an emergency meeting with FO (DM) i/c DDMO and 12th Bn NDRF team and a team was constituted to rush to the incident site along with first aids and reliefs materials which were distributed to the fire accident victims of wakka village. This was the first team

ET Correspondent Khonsa, Dec 27 : The District Planning Committee(PR) meeting was held in the NBF Hall, Khonsa on 27/12/2016 in connection with new guidelines issued by Government for GPDP and to reframing/scrutinise the schemes for the year 2015-20 and for final approval of DPC and for onward submission to the government.

Addressing the meeting,Shri Ravi Jha, IAS Chairman-cum-DC Tirap asked members to ensure that no villages are left devoid of any scheme, he further urged members to include education sector during selection of such schemes and site of work for schemes are to be indicated clearly in the proposals. Participatory and public attendance in GP meetings and public awareness regarding importance of Gram Sabha meeting and selection of the schemes should be ensured adding that Line Departments may be informed to attend GP meetings as and when conducted so that genuine / effective schemes are selected for benefit of the people. He further urged DPDO to initiate steps for formation of Monitoring Agency / Team to check execution of work.

DPVN celebrates 21st Foundation Day Maksam Tayeng PASIGHAT, Dec 27: The glorious 21st annual day of Donyi Polo Vidya Niketan, Pasighat was celebrated on 24th December last here at the Solung ground with much enthusiasm.

District planning committee (PR) meeting held at Khonsa

with relief materials which reached on the incident site.

The team returned back to the district headquarters in the early morning of 23/12/2016 to continue with their disaster awareness programme at Longding where large numbers of participants attended the programme. This was the concluding day of the programme however the Deputy Commissioner could not join the programme due to fire accident at Wakka village.

During the whole programme period, basic search and rescue skills and first aids techniques with practical demonstration was carried out by the team.

Leaflets on safety tips and Dos and Don'ts on Earthquake, Fire, Landslide, Cyclone and Flood were also distributed to the participants.

SPORTS

District level under 17 Subroto Cup Football kicked off

College playground.

Altogether, 12 Secondary and Hr. Secondary Schools of East Siang District are participating in the tournament. While speaking on the sideline of the tournament as Chief Guest, Moyong advised the players to be disciplined and maintain the sportsmanship spirit as winning and losing is a part of every game. He also encouraged young sportspersons to give greater emphasis on individual sports like track event, boxing,

weight lifting, gymnastic etc which gives more opportunities in the job market. He also informed the sportspersons that Government of Arunachal is giving more attention in individual sport in the form of job reservation in all departments including of police forces. Moyong also informed that, integrated sport equipments and facilities will be available in the district on completion of the under construction Sport Stadium. Along

with games & sports, excellence in academic pursuit is need of the hour in this competitive world, added Moyong.

DDSE Jongge Yirang also spoke about the importance of the tourney and said that the champion school will represent the district in state level. In today's inauguration match played between GSS Kiyit and GSS Mirku, former outscored later with 3-1 margin, informed DTO(S) Tanya Padung.

Earlier, the Zilla Parishad Chairperson, Smt. SontungBangsia while welcoming members present, informed that New GPDP guidelines has been received from the Govt. and all the schemes has been framed as per new guidelines. She further informed that duplicity of schemes has been fully checked and erased. She

also informed the house that 1st Instalment has already been released and utilised and after submission of the present proposals, 2nd Instalment for 2015-16 will be released by the Govt.

In his speech Executive Engineer (PHED) Er. TageNipa, said that proposal pertaining to water related scheme like water storage tank has been proposed in the my village my development plan adding that such scheme may be proposed in consultation with PHED for better implementation of project.

Er. T. Jerang, Executive Engineer (Power), Deomalisaid that in order void frequent power interruption due to heavy loads, Led bulb may be used instead of prevailing

normal electric bulb as a part of energy conservation.

ADC –cum- Member Secretary Deomali-Soha BopaiPuroik, Circle Officer, Asan Kri, ZPM Khonsa Block, Lengang Lowang, ASMC Ganwang Aran also spoke on the occasion.

After threadbare discussion, the house unanimously approved and passed the schemes for the year 2015-20 submitted in the meeting.

The meeting concluded with vote of thanks by DPDO, Shri Techu Aran.

The meeting was attended by Parl.Secretrary (Geo & Mining), HoDs, PRIs members from different block of Tirap District.

Rijiju flags off 3 ambulances, says top priority to road connectivity ET Bureau SEPPA, Dec 27: Union MoS for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Monday flagged off three ambulances and inaugurated an X-Ray machine for Health Department of the district at General Ground here.

Of the three ambulances, two were donated by IOCL and one by NFL under their CSR programme. The XRay machine was also donated by NFL. One ambulance each is meant for Pipu PHC, Bameng CHC and the District Hospital, Seppa respectively. The digital XRay machine was donated to the District Hospital.

Speaking after the brief flagging off programme, Rijiju highlighted the initiative of BJP-led NDA Government at Centre for

the welfare of the people and in making the country free from corruption.

Terming the demonetization a historic event and crusade against black money, corruption, counterfeit notes, and terrorism, the Union minister appealed to the people to extend their support to the government in its fight against corruption.

Rijiju also said that he has accorded top priority to road communication, stating that no development is possible without better road communication.

He also disclosed about upcoming and sanctioned projects for East Kameng district. Some of the upcoming projects included roads and bridges, IT,

education, socio-cultural projects such as PMGSY and NLCPR roads, and construction of classrooms, community halls, Nyokum and Sarok festival grounds, he said.

Rijiju said he had a dream to connect every village of the state by road by 2019.

He exhorted the youth and intellects and elite groups such as EKSWCO to don the role of messenger of social awareness and progressive development.

He urged them to be vigilantes against corruption and poor implementation of any projects.

However, simultaneously, he cautioned them not to become hindrance and obstacle to any developing works. He urged the public and youth in particular to

cooperate and become a part of the development. He pinned hope that one day Arunachal Pradesh will become one of the most developed States of the country.

The ambulances and X-Ray machine, in particular, were long-felt demands of the health department of the district and the matter was originally persuaded to Rijiju by former DC Sandeep Kr. Singh.

Parliamentary Secretaries Mama Natung, Karya Bagang, Ex-Minister Hari Natung, former MLA Tani Loffa, District BJP President LK Yangfo, officials of NFL, IOCL, DC, SP, ZPC, DMO (i/c), HoOs, and staff of health department, panchayat and public leaders, GBs, BJP workers, and general public were present on the occasion.

DFO calls for protection of wildlife ET Bureau Itanagar, Dec 27: DFO of Mouling National Park Boken Pao urged people living close to the park to protect and preserve the wildlife species in the park.

A Staff Reporter PASIGHAT, Dec 27: The District level Subroto Cup Football competition for under 17 was kicked off by local MLA Kaling Moyong on Monday in the presence of DDSE, East Siang Jongge Yirang, DSO (Sport), Nada Apa, Chief Councilor, Kaling Doruk, Organizing President, Tatem Taloh, Principal, IGJGHSS Pasighat, Organizing Secretary, DTO (S) Tanya Padung and host of public, students and teachers at JN

(Geology & Mining) Shri Tirong Aboh,urged the PR leaders to play proactive role for coordination among MLAs, PR Leaders and Government offices for larger development of the district. He suggested that schemes related to Power and Water should also be incorporated during selection of schemes under GPDP.

Addressing the public in a meeting to generate awareness among local people on the importance protecting and preserving wildlife at Kaying circle, DFO Pao termed the park a treasury of wildlife in the state, and appealed them to take responsibility in protecting it.

Narrating mankind’s relationship with animals,

Pao urged them not kill wildlife for selfish reason.

He indicated about the probability of presence of tiger in the park.

Conservator of Forests D Gogoi, who also is the nodal officer of State CAMPA, explained the gathering of the need to conserve forests and environment.

The Park established in 1986 covering an area of 483 Sqkm both in Siang and Upper Siang district is home to various mammals, reptiles and birds species.

A team of resource persons from State CAMPA, Itanagar and Kasser Valley Welfare

Organisation, Seppa also ers were also advised to took part in it. protect and preserve medicinal plants.

The resource persons highlighted the potentials Range Officer of Mouling of the park as a future National Park B Jongkey, tourist destination and re- Steering Committee lated activities. The team Member State CAMPA of resource persons Laji Panye, Project Diurged the villagers to stop rector Kassar Valley taking wildlife meat and Welfare Organisation suggested them to take Seppa K.Jokhio, Chairup poultry, pig and goat man Vigilance Committee farming to reduce depen- AAPSU Siang Dist Unit dence and pressure on Talong Takuk and GBs of wildlife meat.

Kaying Circle also spoke Citing the example of on the occasion.

Black Neck Crane that A large number of pubflock to Tawang attract- lic, GBs, students, ing tourists , they said panchayat leaders from Kaying could also be various villages close to tourist destination one the park of Kaying Circle day because of Mouling attended this awareness National Park. The villag- camp.

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28

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Serishpore Tea estate first illicit distilled liquor free tea garden in Assam A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Dec 27 : Serishpore Tea estate in Hailakandi district is well on its way to becoming the first illicit distilled liquor free tea garden, thanks to the slew of initiatives taken by the Distict Excise Department headed by Superintendent M. Amarendra Nath.

A team of Excise Department headed by Nath held a series of meetings with the tea garden workers of Serishpore tea estate on the hazardous effects of spurious alcohol and other intoxicants and asked them to give up the bad habit for their own good as well as for their families.

Nath and his team took pains to explain to them the debilitating effects of spurious liquor and how keeping away from it will help them to keep diseases at bay and enable them to raise production and make a steady flow of income.

"Detoxifying the lives of the tea garden workers hooked to addiction is not an easy task altogether given the fact that there is not much by way of entertainment in

Serishpore is a reward in itself," he quipped.

the gardens. Merry making quintessentially means indulging in boozing of the free flowing, locally brewed cheap or spurious liquor," he said.

The Excise team made the scores of garden labourers understand how alcohol takes a toll on their health, make them sick and force them to remain absent from work, further draining their

earning power.

Nath's main focus of his campaign is to target the vulnerable section especially the drop-outs who are suspectible to hitting the bottle with a vengeance.

"Our strategy is to deal with the serious issue of the tea garden youth getting hooked to addiction, especially the school drop-outs.

We are trying to wean them away from alcohol by spreading awareness on the ill effects of drinking," he added.

"I am feeling happy that more and more labourers are realising the adverse effects of illicit alcohol and vowing not to fall prey to it come what may. Our work is positively impacting the tea garden community of

The positive outcome is that the addicted workers have now intensified the drive to curb the illegal sale and production of spurious liquor.

"It's good to see that the addicted ones have not only expressed their wish to return to normal life by getting integrated into the mainstream but also to help reform other members to give up alcohol," said Nath, adding, "More than cracking the whip on the illicit brew, a workers' movement is a potent tool to uproot addiction. If the workers themselves keep a hawkeye vigil on illicit activities, then the battle against alcohol is won before it is waged. " Nath, who is on a mission, is now eyeing Koyah tea estate and making it free from illicit liquor. And the success he has attained will undoubtedly make his task much easier.

It may be mentioned that Hailakandi district has 17 tea gardens with a total workforce of 16,327.

Axom Sahitya Sabha and controversy are like the two sides of a Coin ET Correspondent Golaghat, Dec 27: It seems that controversy will never left Assam Xahitya Xabha. This oldest organisation of Assamese literature and controversy have now be-

come like the two sides of a coin. Today to mark the centenary celebration of Axom Xahitya Xabha the Golaghat Sakha Xahitya Xabha organised a programme where one hundred flags were

hoisted.

But when the programme started today it was seen that some flags were not hoisted properly. Another shameful incident was that some people were seen

Centenary Celebration of Axom Sahitya Sabha ET Correspondent Golaghat, Dec 27: The oldest organisation of Assamese literature the Axom Xahitya Xabha is going to celebrate its hundred years . To mark its golden jubilee year Golaghat Sakha Xahitya Xabha and several other Sakha Xahitya Xabhas in the district today organised a . Today one hundred flags were hoisted as mark of centenary celebration of

Axom Xahitya Xabha.

Golaghat Sakha Xahitya Xabha hoisted one hundred flags together and paid tributes to the founder president of AXX Padmanath Gohainbaruah .

Tributes were also paid to Baxhar Oja Hemchandra Baruah , Chandra Kumar Agarwalla . Later a rally was taken out in Golaghat town . Similar programme was also organised by

Furkating Sakha Xahitya Xabha, Janani Suraksha Xahitya Xabha . Regarding the ongoing controversies on Asom Xahitya Xabha's Senior Official Dr. Paramananda Rajbongshi the officials of Furkating Sakha Xahitya Xabha stated that Dr. Rajbongshi should resign from his post . All the people of Assam want to celebrate Xahitya Xabha's Centenary celebration without any controversy .

Assam Sahitya Sabha second day centennial celebration ET Correspondent Jorhat, Dec 27 :: Assam Sahitya Sabha second day of centennial anniversary celebrated with pomp and gaity on Tuesday morning.

A mammoth gathering of around one thousand people procession

Corrigendum on Govt Holiday list 2017 ET Bureau Guwahati, Dec 27: The Govt of Assam has issued corrigendum on the list of Holiday for the year 2017 in Assam which stated that - “Pleaseread the day as Thursday, 25th May, (4 Jyaistha) in the column of Restricted Holiday shown on the occasion of Tithi of Haridev instead of Tuesday and as 2nd September (11 the Bhadra) Saturday in the column of Holiday under Negotiable Instrument Act 1881 (XXIV of 1881) shown on the occasion of Id-Uz-Zuha instead of 25thSeptember on the list of Holiday for the year 2017 in Assam issued vide No.GAG (A)81/2016/151Dated 26/ 12/16”.

through the town started from its venue district library and concluded in the same.

More than twelve indigenous community participate in the procession in their traditional way.

Including the history of the 100 years of the Assam Sahitya Sabha,

which was compiled in four volumes consisting of 500 pages was supposed to released on the occasion, but surprisingly it was postoned .

Earlier on Monday the organisation was unabled unveiled the statue of Dr. Maheshwar Neog.

hoisting flags without removing their shoes. When these two incidents came to light Golaghat Sakha Xahitya Xabha's President Bella Goswami realised the mistake and felt sorry for the same.

However the other events were held accordingly .

But this two incidents today in Golaghat again added another controversy to the ongoing controversies on Asom Xahitya Xabha.

Asom Xahitya Xabha Centenary celebration held at Margherita ET Correspondent Margherita, Dec 27 : Asom Xahitya Xabha Centenary programme was today Celebrated at Margherita Sub Division such as Margherita Xakha Xahitya Xabha, Makumkilla Xakha Xahitya Xabha,Baragolai Xakha Xahitya Xabha,Jagun Xakha Xahitya Xabha,Pengree Xakha Xahitya Xabha and Buri dehing Xakha Xahitya Xabha.At Margherita Xakha Xahitya Xabha the two days programme begins on Monday with Smriti Tarpan of Founder President of AXX Padmanath GohainBaruah by Krishna Prasad Singh Former President of Margherita Xakha Xahitya Xabha followed by Programme for School children such as Drawing Competition, Creative dance,Bhupen Sangeet Competition,Spot Poetry Competition and Contemporary Speech Competition.The Second

day programme begins with Smriti Tarpan by Margherita MLA Bhaskar Sharma which was followed by hoisting of AXX flags by Distinguished persons of Margherita.

Again a Cultural programme was held by local Artist followed by Iterative Session and Open Session where Dr Ramen Hazarika Senior Professor of Margherita College was present as the Chief Guest where Barun Bora Literary Pensioner of Margherita and Gokul Sharma Dehinguria Poet of Margherita was present as Invited guest.A Souvenir was also released by Dr Ranjit Dutta Manager of Asansol Coal Mining Kolkata.Lakhyadhar Sonowal and Mulen Baruah both President and Secretary of Margherita Xakha Xahitya Xabha thanks all those who present for making the programme successful.

Governor meets Union Road Transport & Highways and Shipping Minister Gadkari Seeks Centre’s help for revamping National Highways and inland water ways

ET Bureau Guwahati, Dec 27 : Giving highest priority to develop National Highways in the State and to use it to act as a ‘force multiplier’ to State’s development, Assam Governor Shri Banwarilal Purohit today called on Honourable Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari and drew his attention to the existing road conditions in the State especially in Barak valley and demanded Centre’s immediate intervention.

In the meeting at New Delhi which lasted nearly 35 minutes, the Governor apprised Gadkari of the prevailing conditions of National Highways in Assam particularly in Barak Valley and impressed upon him on how the National Highways in the State need an immedi-

ate ‘face-lift’ to act vigorously as a harbinger of State’s economy. Shri Purohit also drew the Union Minister’s attention of the worsening road condition in Barak Valley which has virtually put a ‘spanner’ on the Government’s commitment to bring Barak Valley’s development in the agenda of priorities.

The Governor after assuming the gubernatorial position had extensively travelled every part of the State and took stock of the existing road conditions in both the Brahmaputra and Barak Valley and he was satisfied beyond any doubt that the National Highways in some parts of the Brahmaputra Valley and entire stretch in Barak Valley needs to be revamped.

Honourable Union Minis-

ter told the Governor that he will visit Assam shortly and hold a meeting with the Governor, Chief Minister, officials of the Central Government, State Government and other stake holders to draw a ‘road map’ for Centre’s intervention for National Highways. Honourable Minister Gadkari assured the Governor that he will give top priority to the road development and waterways development in Assam.

Shri Purohit while informing Gadkari the verdant Brahmaputra and Barak Rivers along with their tributaries which constitute the ‘life-line’ of the people of Assam sought the Centre’s assistance in improving and revamping the inland waterways to propel State’s development.

Arvind Kejriwal summoned

by Diphu Court Sushanta Roy Diphu December 27: In a stunning legal maneuver a criminal case under relevant section of Indian Panel Code has been registered against Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal by an Individual Surya Rongphar in Diphu court yesterday for twitting derogatory remarks against Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi.

The complainant is an elected member of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and a resident of Diphu town. Considering the cognizance of the case

justice Naba Kumar Deka Barua has issued summon against Arvind Kegrwal yesterday itself ordering him to appear in his court on January 30 2017. Case number 459/16 has been registered against him under section 499/500/501 of IPC. Appearing on behalf of complainant Surya Rongphar, advocate KK Dutta, B. Gogoi and Miss H.Teronpi filed the case; Rongphar also recorded his statement before the court.

It may be mentioned here that Arvind Kejriwal twitted in his own account on De-

cember 15, that Narendra Modi is only 12 pass and all other succeeding degrees are fake. "Modi Ji 12 pass hai uski baad degree fargi hai".

The whole issue has generated tremendous political excitement among all sections of the society, in spite of repeated attempt by media persons the complainant could not be reached nor his advocates, however sections of the IPC related to defamation has provision of both imprisonment ( maximum 3 years) and fine if proved guilty.

Free health checkup held at Pathsala

Various units in Sonitpur held various events to mark the inaugural event of centenary celebration of Asom Sahitya.

ETCorrespondent Tezpur, December 27. With the rest of the state various branch Committees of Asom Sahitya Sabha in Sonitpur District today held various events to mark the inaugural ceremony of the centenary year celebration of the apex literary body of the state the Asom Sahitya Sabha. It is to be noted that there are altogether 47 branch committees under the Sonitpur District Committee of the literary body.

In the morning, member and the office bearers of every branch committee, besides the common literature loving people associated with the literary body thronged their concerned venues to hoist the sabha's flag where one hundred sabha flags were unfurled to symbolize the completion of glorious

hundred years of it's existence.

Marking the day the Tezpur Sahitya sabha too mark the event by unfurling one hundred flags. Meanwhile, unfurling the main flag of the glorious event, president of the Tezpur Sahitya Sabha, Hemanta Kumar Baruah observed that the Asom Sahitya Sabha was born on this day in 1917 in the womb of Assam Association, a platform for a section of liberal people of the region which has today stepped into hundred years of it's existence with an ultimate aim of ushering upon the language and culture and heritages of different caste and creeds living in Assam.

Highlighting the history of Asom Sahitya Sabha Hemanta Kumar Boruah in

his speech further stated that taking oath of building a greater Assamese nation under sabha's flag in the days to come has become a demand of the time. On the otherhand taking part on the occasion as a distinguished guest, ex-president of the Tezpur Sahitya Sabha, Purneswar Nath in his speech mentioned that Asoma Sahitya Sabha is not an organization only for the Assamese people, it is an organization for every caste and community living in Assam. "Taking forward every caste and community and their language and culture and heritages is the main motto of Asom Sahitya Sabha. Sabha has witnessed many ups and down during long stint of 100 years of It's existence. Many unwated situations have been arisen

in the platform of the sabha thereby displeasing the common people. But I feel that good days will come to the literary body, because Asom Sahitya Sabha is a holy platform for the literature loving people where only positive thing is only expected." He mentioned.

In the Programme, Sahitya Akademy award winner, Geeta Upaidhai was given special felicitation. The event started with Sabha's theme song '…..sira senehi mur bhasa janani……." and conducted by Tezpur Sahitya Sabha Secretary, Pankaj Baruah was graced

by DC, Sonitpur, Manuj Kumar Deka, Krishna Das Nath, Nalini Baruah, Dr. Satish Chandra Bhattacharya, Dr. Suresh Kumar Arya, Madhab Das among others.

ET Correspondent Bajali, Dec 27 : A free of cost medical treatment camp was held at Bhagwati Khestra in Pathsala on Sunday in collaboration with Dhirumoni DasMemorial Trust.

MLA of Patacharkuchi constituency Pabindra Deka while inaugurating the medical camp lauded advocate and noted social worker Dhanjit Das for his efforts to organise the camp to help the poor and needy.

A team of doctors from GNRC offered free medical treatment to more than 1000 patients who attended the medical camp and the treat-

ment ranged from blood test, liquid profile, blood sugar test, blood pressure test, ECG etc.

Appreciating the work of Dhanjit Das, the head of Anandaram Baruah Academy (Pathsala) Ranjit Deka announced a scholarship in the name of Dhirumoni Das Memorial Trust for the students attaining highest marks in Philosophy in the H.S. examinations.

The free medical camp was attended by Chairman of Pathsala Town Committee Himangshu Roy, Advocate Giridhor Choudhury who also known him as a social worker, President Sri

Mridul Talukdar and Leader Lakheswar Das of AJYCP Bajali Zila Samiti, Journalists Hiren Kalia, Ranjit Das, Rana Deka, Gautam Das, Sasanka Talukdar, Vice President of KishanMorcha Nagen Choudhury along with numerous advocates and social workers from the region.AJYCP President Mridul Talkudar also appreciated the noble gesture and extended full cooperation in the next checkup camp that will be held in Pathsala on 23rd December 2017 as announced by President of Nyakhor Ganesh Sarma and Secretary Hirak Sarma during the checkup camp.

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28

REST OF

NORTHEAST P5 End of a saga: Salesian Samaritan BJP urges UNC Fr Busolin laid to rest in Tura to lift blockade

Tura, Dec 27 : An overcast sky and a gloomy afternoon formed an austere backdrop as nature and men of Garo Hills bid a final adieu to Fr Battista Busolin, the Italian Salesian priest who embraced Garo Hills as his home for the last five decades.

The final curtains had come down on an era marked by compassion and charity on the morning of Christmas eve when Fr Busolin (94) breathed his last at the Holy Cross hospital here.

The stars had perhaps scripted the timing, for as Garo Hills was preparing to celebrate the birth of the Messiah, he prepared for his final journey. In his death, Fr Busolin had been as in his life, a man at peace with himself, an icon of grace and dignity.

The sea of people congregated at the Sacred Heart Shrine in Tura Chandmari on Monday to pay their last respects during the funeral service of Fr Busolin said it all. From Shallang in West Khasi Hills to Damra in Assam and Rongjeng in East Garo Hills, many of those who had been touched by his good deeds did not forget as they congregated for the last farewell to Fr Busolin.

Bishop of Tura Rt. Rev. Andrew R Marak gave the complete picture when he said, “Fr Busolin was a man of God who welcomed anyone and everyone. From the leper he helped to the young child he took under his wings to provide education, he was beyond caste creed or colour. For him

The funeral service for Rev. Fr. Battista Busolin, who was laid to rest at Bosco Mount, Tura on Monday. (ST) preaching the word of God was his life and he never faltered despite coming face to face with many challenges in life.”

Bishop Andrew himself was once a Catechist under Fr Busolin. Another co-worker in the religious order was Bishop Emeritus George Mamalassary who worked for five long years (1960-65) with Fr Busolin in Tura.

“Today I have lost a very dear friend and member of the Church who touched the lives of many. I hope and pray the younger generation will emulate the life of Fr Busolin,” said the Bishop Emeritus.

Born on January 16, 1922, at Camposanpiero, Padua in Italy, Fr Busolin, on becoming a priest in 1949 willed his visit to India as a Missionary in 1950. Destiny, however, decreed that the then

young Fr Busolin be sent to Damra in Garo Hills in1950, a remote corner in India, and ever since it has been the tale of selfless sacrifice and relentless toil among and for those whom he called ‘Garos-my beloved people’, sculpting a narrative of faith, hope and education that lasted for more than half a century.

A steadfast believer in his dreams and aspirations to work for humanity, with a legendary love for children, Fr Busolin had the extraordinary ability to enable the young to discover their dreams, and it is perhaps this that led him to educate thousands of students many of whom now hold responsible positions in society.

Today, they were there to repay their debt of gratitude with a humble ‘Thank you’.

Famously known as the

mentor of Garo Hills’ most accomplished politician, late P.A. Sangma, he brought the young Sangma from the border village of Chapahati to ensure he continued with his education.

Absence of a high school coupled with poverty and the sudden death of his father, the young Sangma was staying with his mother when Fr Busolin spotted him during one of his visits to the village. He convinced the family to let Sangma return with him to Tura so that he could pursue his studies. They walked for long days before arriving in Tura and the rest is history.

The younger son of P.A Sangma and Tura MP Conrad K Sangma, together with his brother James and the family, were there at Fr Busolin’s funeral service to bid adieu to the missionary

who became a part of their family.

In the words of Conrad Sangma, “Fr Busolin was a father figure to my dad. Today we stand where we are because of our father and Fr Busolin.”

Many a person fought back tears listening to the host of dignitaries narrating their life’s experience and help rendered by the last Italian priest who made Garo Hills his permanent home. Fr Busolin had been an architect of both men and institutions.

He established the Rongjeng parish where he served for well over two decades. With an earnest desire to cater to both the physical and academic wellbeing of the people of his adopted home, Fr Busolin helped build numerous schools, youth centres, health centres and dispensaries.

Two of Tura’s landmark institutions, Don Bosco College and Don Bosco College of Teacher Education are monuments of his vision and commitment to the development of the Church and society in Garo Hills.

A man with a contagious sense of well-being and a childlike simplicity, Fr Busolin’s personality brings to mind Hillare Belloc’s words: “To get the heart of a child is surely the end of any religion”.

To Fr Busolin like Robert Browning’s Pippa, “God’s in his heaven/ All’s right with the world”. If things are not, then God would send a Fr Busolin again to redeem the world and the men who live there.

JAC rolls back counter blockade stand IMPHAL, Dec 26: The Joint Action Committee under the aegis of Meetei Youth for Human Rights Organisation of Assam (MYHRA), has decided to roll back the counter economic blockade plan at Assam in view of the changing scenario in Manipur and taking cognizance of the decision of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) to suspend its blockade on Manipur bound vehicles in Naga areas.

The JAC had earlier announced that it would soon launch a counter blockade and stop all goods trucks from travelling to Nagaland.

The decision to suspend the counter blockade plan was taken after a meeting of the JAC under the aegis of MYHRA was held on December 26 at Surpathar Bazar.

Nine organizations and representatives of Guwahati chapter of International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA) and branch secretaries of Gholaghat, Karbi Anglong, Jorhat and Sibsagar branches of the All Assam Manipuri Students’ Union and district branch secretaries of Assam Manipuri Literary Society attended the meeting.

The meeting discussed the

regular flow of essential goods and passengers from the Silchar-Imphal road under tight security coverage.

The meeting also discussed on the modalities of bringing back normalcy in all the districts of Manipur and extended gratitude to the NSF for temporarily lifting the blockade on Manipur bound passengers yesterday, conveyed the JAC in a press release.

Secretary of the Wingers’ Transporter Association was urged to move all the 57 stranded wingers to Silchar from Armajan Meetei village so that the vehicles may proceed to Imphal as

the lifting of the blockade is only temporary and there are high chances of the blockade being resumed anytime and the vehicles may be caught on the way if the Dimapur route is taken.

Passenger buses plying on Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati and Imphal-DimapurShillong routes were requested to follow SilcharJiribam-Imphal route.

According to a press release issued by the JAC, four wingers from Amrajan Meetei village have reached Imphal.

The meeting extended gratitude to the Chief Minister and the Centre for provid-

ing adequate security to the vehicles and also took note of the ruling of the Supreme Court which has ruled blockade as illegal.

The State Government was also urged to conduct regular survey to detect the movement of NSCN (IM) cadres and thwart possible ambush on the vehicles on the Silchar-Imphal route.

Activists who had earlier been stationed at strategic points to enforce the counter blockade have also been asked to return home, as the proposed counter blockade has been called off.

State will not Naga elders write to PM on surrender : Anand political and social issues IMPHAL, Dec 27: Congress MLA RK Anand has stated that the UNC’s indefinite economic blockade aimed at disintegrating Manipur should be fought back in a befitting manner and the Government would never surrender to such designs.

He was speaking at the inaugural functions of a market shed cum community hall at Malom Tulihal and newly constructed community halls at Malom Terakha and Malom Hawairou.

Anand stated that the Government was determined to tackle the unlawful economic blockade in a befitting manner.

The ongoing indefinite economic blockade was driven

by NSCN-IM’s ambition of Naga integration and this fact was also known to the State Government as well as the people of Manipur.

The seven new districts were created with the primary objectives of taking governance to remote hill areas.

NSCN-IM and UNC opposed the many development programmes taken up

by the State Government and UNC imposed the economic blockade in opposition to the Government’s development policy, said the MLA. The Government would not tolerate any activity aimed at disintegrating Manipur, Anand asserted.

The two UNC leaders were arrested and lodged in judicial custody because what they did was too much.

He also decried the allegations made by the Union Minister of State for Home against the State Government and also for making ambiguous statements.

Pointing out that AFSPA is enforced in larger part of Manipur including hill districts and both army and paramilitary forces are present in the State in large numbers, Anand asked as to why the Union MoS (Home) did not deal with the issue of indefinite economic blockade properly.

He further questioned the Government of India’s inaction when NSCN-IM violated cease fire ground rules by killing police personnel and snatching weapons from security forces in Manipur.

DIMAPUR, DEC 27 : Nagaland Senior Citizens Association(NSCA), a voluntary organisation of elders above 60, who claim to have been “weathered by varied experiences”, have written to the prime minister of India Narendra Modi to express concern over the Naga political and other social issues.

According to the NSCA memorandum, the members wanted to “sensitively understand” the evolving political and social issues around but reiterated that they were not driven by whatever motive but only “in the fair interest of India and our people.”

Framework Agreement: NSCA said that the non-transparent nature of the Framework Agreement “remains a repugnant enigma” as it has persistently “spawned unmitigated suspicion” in the minds of original stake holding majority from Nagaland.

The Association opined that the government of India would have “noticed that Nagas of Nagaland had politely clapped their hands when the Framework Agreement was signed but did not spontaneously jump with joy in celebration like those of our Southern brothers from Manipur”.

NSCA said it was important that any “monumental decision” which was to have irreversible impact on the destiny of people must be reviewed for majority consensus by those whose lives “are directly being put on the line.” NSCA re-

iterated that this was a universally acceptable norm that any honourable democratic society is expected to adhere to.

Inclusive solution: Specifically pointing to the Nagaland context, NSCA said it was imperative on the part of the government of India “not to casually misread or misjudge the complex ground reality” amidst presence of multiple armed factions holding divergent views on Naga sovereignty and integration and an explosive confrontation in the aftermath of a settlement with only one single faction, claiming dominance. The Association also cautioned that “shallow mandates and endorsements being propagated through collaborated consultations with self-serving sycophant leaders and yes-men do not necessarily represent the core concerns of the down-toearth majority”.

In the light of the above, NSCA has reaffirmed that there was no alternative to an inclusive approach of all stakeholders in pursuit of a genuine lasting peace.

NSCA also expressed concern that Nagas had never been taken into confidence when both India and Myanmar drew the international boundary. It said drawing of the boundary between the two nations caused dismemberment of Naga families and clans within the same village.

It also cited the unilateral abrogation by the government of India of the 9 Point Agreement between the Naga National Council (NNC) which envi-

sioned transfer of all Naga ancestral lands back to Nagaland.

NSCA also pointed out that some clauses in the 16 Point Agreement were also partially abrogated unilaterally by the government of India (such as Clause 2) by transferring Nagaland from the Foreign Affairs Ministry to Home Affairs and (Clause 11) discontinuation of Consolidated funding patter.

On the issue of integration, NSCA said Clause 13 of the 16 Point Agreement remain unfulfilled.

NSCA also expressed deep concern that attempts enact the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) throughout the country could also affect Article 371A, no matter how contentious the latter might be within the state as it remains the only reliable guarantee that Concern over UCC: NSCA said even if Article 371 (A) of the Indian Constitution may be contentious in Nagaland yet it is considered the only reliable guarantee that grudgingly provides even a bit of “confidence for Nagaland to moderate its troubled link with India under the present indefinite circumstance”.

It also cited various instances where courts had to redirect complex land disputes to the arbitrated by the tribal customary courts. NSCA cautioned that any attempt to disable Art 371A under the cloak of UCC for the Nagas, could even invite the flames of the January 10, 1926 “Simon Commission” memorandum.

Imphal, Dec 27 : Highlighting the scarcity of essential commodities faced by all sections of the State’s population on account of the economic blockade imposed since November 1, BJP Manipur Pradesh has appealed to the United Naga Council to lift the economic blockade.

Speaking to media persons at their Nityaipat Chuthek office today, BJP Manipur Pradesh spokesman and former Minister N Biren said the party is hopeful that UNC would consider their appeal favourably in view of the extreme misery being endured by all sections of people.

A dialogue can be initiated regarding the UNC’s demand and BJP Manipur Pradesh would extend all possible assistance to make the process fruitful, Biren said.

After deliberating minutely on the likely outcomes of the economic blockade and the counter economic blockade, a team of BJP Manipur Pradesh headed by president Ksh Bhabananda went to Delhi and met Union Home Rajnath Singh recently.

After the meeting, Rajnath Singh convened a high level security meeting and Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju was sent to the State.

Moreover top officers of army, Assam Rifles and CRPF were sent to the State and they ensured transportation of goods along Imphal-Jiribam highway with security escorts, Biren said.

With direct assistance from the Government of India, a large number of loaded trucks stranded at Jiribam have reached Imphal.

Development and maintenance of National Highways is the responsibility of the

Central Government but tackling law and order problems that break out on National Highways is the responsibility of the State Government.

The BJP team went to Delhi and met the Union Home Minister as they could not tolerate the State Government’s silence any longer despite knowing the fact that law and order is a State subject, Biren said.

BJP is committed to peaceful co-existence amongst different communities and the party abhors Congress party’s divide and rule policy.

BJP appreciated the pro-active roles shouldered by civil society organisations to ward off communal violence in the midst of the ongoing economic blockade and the retaliatory economic blockade.

The BJP team urged the Union Home Minister to divulge details of the Framework Agreement signed between the Government of India and NSCN-IM and also to restrict all such agreements and cease fire pacts within the territory of Nagaland.

Biren clarified that BJP Manipur Pradesh has not forged any alliance with NPF. He then asked the State Government whether it wrote any letter to the Government of India informing New Delhi not to extend any cease fire pact it signed with NSCN-IM into the territory of Manipur.

Pointing out that there are many NSCN-IM camps within the territory of Manipur, Biren went on to ask whether the State Government ever wrote to the Central Government to remove these camps.

He further questioned if the State Government had

taken up any action after the Lokchao ambush.

Asking who were the Ministers and MLAs that gave permission to hold a meeting on South Nagalim at Yangkhopao village, Kangpokpi, Biren questioned whether the State Government had initiated any action against the particular Ministers and MLAs. Categorically stating that creation of new districts is ‘election-oriented’ which invited the ongoing indefinite economic blockade, Biren asked if any fund was incorporated in the State budget for development of infrastructure for the new districts.

He also lambasted the State Government for the massive recruitment drives being carried out now when the election is round the corner.

The State reeled under the 120 days of economic blockade when the Congress led UPA was in power at the Centre. The State Government declared the UNC president as a wanted man then but he was not arrested, he recalled.

Biren further asked whether the Union Home Ministry then wrote to the State Government not to arrest the UNC president.

He also urged the State Government to give convincing answers of all the questions he has raised through the media.

BJP Manipur Pradesh general secretary Th Bishwajit asked Congress not float false propaganda about BJP working to disintegrate Manipur at the time of election.

He decried that the State Government was as good as dead as it could not give any reply to the acts of terrorism unleashed by NSCNIM in the State.

Mystery over Meluri blast

DIMAPUR, DEC 27 : A blast took place on Monday at Akhegwo, 6 kms from Meluri when troops of 46 Assam Riles were on a routine patrol. However, no casualty/injury was reported in the incident.

According to OC Meluri police station, the explosion took place at around 12.30 noon, while AR troops were on routine patrolling duty. Police said no debris/articles were

found at the blast site in order to ascertain whether it was an IED device or any other explosive device. No one has claimed responsibility for the blast till the time of filing the report.

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28

Today's quote

“

“You yourself as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection.” –

Mahatma Gandhi

There has been, in recent times, an unusually public conflict between the judiciary and the executive over the shortage of judges in various high courts.

Amidst the perception that the situation has reached crisis proportions and is threatening to cripple judicial functioning, it is somewhat disconcerting that as many as 43 names out of a list of 77 recommended for appointment have not found favour with the Centre. It has informed the Supreme Court that these names require reconsideration by the collegium. The Centre contends that it has cleared 34 appointments, and that there is no file pending with it. It appears to have taken the cue from the remarks of the Chief Justice of India, T.S. Thakur, that it is better to send back the names it is not happy with rather than keep the entire list pending. The collegium is now obliged to return to its recommendations and examine the government's specific objections about the suitability of each candidate. This may further delay the filling up of vacancies, which have been well above the 400mark at the high court level for some time now. The executive, of course, is bound to make the appointments if the collegium reiterates the recommendations, but it is quite unusual that such a large number of names should be returned. It raises the question whether larger differences between the judiciary and the executive are playing out in this form.

Chief Justice Thakur has been quite vocal and unsparing in his criticism of the delay on the part of the executive in filling up vacancies. In open court as well as in public forums, he has highlighted the grim situation as the judicial branch is grappling with an enormous work burden, on the one hand, and an exploding docket on the other. The executive feels it is being blamed for delays that are not entirely of its making, and contends that high courts have contributed to this situation by letting vacancies lie unattended. Another possible undercurrent is that the Centre is unhappy over the Supreme Court collegium delaying its nod to the revised Memorandum of Procedure for judicial appointments sent on August 3.

Despite the obvious difficulties in the task, the judiciary and the government should attempt to forge a quick consensus on the revised procedure and avert the crisis reaching a flashpoint. The Centre should not be seen as delaying appointments or seeking to dilute judicial primacy, while the judiciary should not be seen as stalling improvements in the appointment process. An agreement is vital to institutional reform.

Gathering Team Trump Even as protests continue to swirl across the U.S., the President-elect, Donald Trump, has embarked on the first and arguably most important project of transitioning to a new government: picking the White House team that will carry out his policy agenda.

The exercise acquires added significance given the earthquake-like impact of his election victory on a variety of constituencies, including different segments of the American people, and the U.S. Congress. In an ideal world, the team that he picks to run the White House would have to be capable of helping him balance the deep anxieties of liberal America with the irresistible demand from his conservative backers and independent supporters that he deliver on the promises made during the campaign. His task is more straightforward with regard to Capitol Hill as both the Senate and the House of Representatives are now controlled by the Republican Party. However, Mr. Trump's messy rise through the primaries divided the party's leadership over their acceptance of him as their nominee, and thus this relationship is also in need of healing.

Mr. Trump's initial stab at West Wing appointments is off to a start that could be characterised as astute yet polarising. In picking Reince Priebus as his Chief of Staff, Mr. Trump has signalled to House Speaker Paul Ryan his desire to put the nastiness of the campaign behind them. Mr. Priebus and Mr. Ryan are Wisconsin politicians who go back two decades. As the longstanding head of the Republican National Committee, Mr. Priebus walked a tightrope over the fraying ties between Mr. Trump and party heavyweights during the darkest days of the campaign.

Having thus proved his organisational acumen and loyalty to Mr. Trump, it is fitting that Mr. Priebus will soon be tasked with negotiating with Congress, executive branch agencies, and external political groups to implement Mr. Trump's agenda.

The other high-profile choice will be harder to swallow for many: Steve Bannon, the CEO of the Trump campaign and the former CEO of the "altright" media house Breitbart News, as his Chief Strategist and Senior Counsellor. Under Mr. Bannon, Breitbart was accused of being racist, anti-Semitic, misogynist and prone to conspiracy theorising. Yet Mr. Trump has indicated Mr. Bannon and Mr. Priebus will be "equal partners to transform the federal government", a possible hint of a plan to create a multipolar power structure within the White House. Mr. Bannon's appointment, a likely nod to the far-right constituencies that were so strongly with him, has been balanced by a more practical-minded and mainstream-focussed Mr. Priebus. Other key appointments will.

P6

Searching for an equilibrium Questions recur about the rightful limits of judicial intervention in the matter of policy choices in the executive and legislative domains Ashwani Kumar

Back to the collegium

EDITORIAL

In the 67th year of the Republic and 70th year of freedom, we find ourselves engaged in a heightened debate on the imperatives of preserving the constitutionally ordained jurisdictional equilibrium between the legislative, executive and judicial branches of the Indian state even as we celebrate the expansion of constitutional freedoms and the resilience of our democracy.

At the heart of this debate is the reach of judicial review power exercised by the Supreme Court. Given the tenuous relationship between the executive and judiciary, the subject is increasingly relevant to the functioning of our constitutional democracy. While the sterling contribution of the court in asserting the inviolability of and expounding the right to dignity as the core constitutional value has been universally acclaimed, questions recur about the rightful limits of judicial intervention in the matter of policy choices in the executive and legislative domains.

The foundational principles Some of the court's transformative judgments are recalled to indicate the evolution of our constitutional order, premised on protection against the arbitrary exercise of power, non-discrimination and "constitutionalisation of socio-economic rights". Establishing the procedural fairness and reasonableness test in Maneka Gandhi (1978) to determine the constitutionality of the exercise of executive power and declaring in M. Nagaraj (2006) that Articles 14 (right to equality), 19 (right to fun-

damental freedoms) and 21 (right to life) "stand at the pinnacle of the hierarchy of constitutional values, the court recognised that human dignity, equality and freedom were "conjoined, reciprocal and covalent values" (Sandra Liebenberg, 2005).

While expanding human rights jurisprudence and recognising as fundamental the citizens' right to food, health, education and clean environment, etc., the court in an expansive interpretation in V. Markendeya (1989) recognised the Directive Principles of State Policy as "the conscience of the Constitution" which give shape and meaning to fundamental rights. Having thus established the foundational principles for the exercise of a wider judicial review jurisdiction traceable to Articles 13, 32, 136, 142, 147 and 226 of the Constitution, the court declared that judicial review was a "constituent power" and an integral component of the unalterable basic structure of the Constitution (Kesavananda Bharati, 1973).

Expanding review jurisdiction

tional Judicial Appointments Commission or NJAC judgment, 2016), exercising review powers in what is popularly known as the AFSPA - Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act - case to hold that the use of excessive force by the Manipur Police or the armed forces of the Union was not permissible, has extended the courts' review jurisdiction to domains hitherto regarded as the exclusive preserve of the executive and legislatures.

Protagonists of a wide judicial review jurisdiction argue that it subserves the rule of law (Dicey, 1956), advances the cause of justice, is consistent with democracy and rules out only those choices that are obviously unreasonable and inconsistent with democracy (Ronald Dworkin, 1986). Socrates's condemnation to death by Athenian democracy is recalled to argue that liberal democracy needs to protect itself against "the rule of the mob". James Madison had argued for "auxiliary protections" to secure the fundamental liberties of citizens (The Federalist Papers).

Limiting the ambit

However, moving beyond the socio-economic rights, the court's review has been invoked in "public interest" to question major decisions of the government concerning policy choices, for instance in what are now known as 2G spectrum and coal mine allocations cases.

Challenge to proceedings of legislative assemblies and decisions of the Speaker have also been entertained by the court (Nabam Rebia, 2016). Recent decisions of the court voiding a constitutional amendment approved by Parliament to alter the procedure for appointment of judges (Na-

Even so, questions abound as to the rightful ambit of the court's judicial review jurisdiction within the framework of parliamentary democracy premised on the assumption that people exercise their sovereignty through elected representatives and not through the unelected judges. "Judicial supremacy", "judicial excessivism" or "judicial despotism" are seen as antithetical to democracy and contrary to its first principles. It is argued that representative democracy is as much a part of the basic structure of the Constitu-

tion and that judicial review, although constitutionally sanctioned, cannot be exercised to negate or subordinate other fundamental features of its basic structure.

In some of its recent judgments, the Supreme Court has itself cautioned against ever increasing expectations from it. In a substantive judgment in Santosh Singh (2016), a Division Bench of the court declined to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a mandamus for the inclusion of moral science as a compulsory subject in the syllabus of school education. In an eloquent exposition in the NJAC case, Justice J. Chelameswar in his minority judgment rejected a distrust of the legislators in securing the constitutional fundamental and argued: "To assume or assert that judiciary alone is concerned with the preservation of liberties and does that job well is an assumption that is dogmatic, bereft of evidentiary basis and historically disproved." In its opinion in a Presidential Reference, a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court had earlier opined that "Parliament and the legislatures, composed as they are of the representatives of the people, are supposed to know and be aware of the needs of the people and what is good and bad for them. The Court cannot sit in judgment over their wisdom". In a recent order, the court declined to entertain a PIL seeking the court's directions to restrain the Union government from incurring security and other expenses in respect of certain individuals in the State of Jammu and Kashmir on the ground that these writs are "judicially unmanageable".

Looking for the middle

Benjamin Cardozo, the celebrated American jurist, had cautioned years ago that "there is no assurance that the rule of majority will be the expression of perfect reason when embodied in the Constitution or in statute. We ought not to expect more of it when embodied in the judgment of the Courts". Nor can we forget that "… the great tides and currents which engulf the rest of men do not turn aside in their course and pass the judges by" (The Nature Of The Judicial Process, 1921).

Scholars supporting limited judicial review have argued that courts are at best 'platonic guardians' of democracy and that "it is entirely incompatible with democracy for courts to define their mission as one of correcting elected officials who have strayed too far either from what the judges think is right or from what they claim they know (and the legislators do not) that the people really think is right" (John Hart Ely, On Constitutional Ground, 1996).

The ongoing debate concerning the limits of judicial review in a parliamentary democracy is anchored in profound philosophical issues concerning the nature of representative democracy and the inalienable fundamental human freedoms that need to be insulated against the "impulses of transient majorities". In the light of our own experience of the political and judicial processes, it is legitimate to ask: o Can the original justification for the court's antimajoritarian role be used to equate constitutional supremacy and judicial independence with "judicial supremacy"? o How do we resolve disagreements over "constitutional-interpretative judgments" in the framework of

a functioning democracy, given the disclaimer of judicial infallibility by the court itself? o Assuming a decline in credibility of the political executive, can the judiciary act as "co-governor" of the nation? o Where do we locate the "equilibrium between the Scylla of insensitive detachment suggesting indifference and the Charybdis of unwarranted intrusion" to fix the frontiers of judicial power in a constitutional democracy without being on the wrong side of the "democratic faith"?

As we reflect on these questions, it seems self-evident that in the articulation of constitutional principles, Pascal's spirit of "selfsearch and self-reproach" reflected in recent judgments of the Supreme Court will best subserve to strengthen the institutions of India's liberal democracy and sustain over time the otherwise wide ambit of judicial review, so that the judiciary remains "a light unto the nations" without being a "sheriff unto the nations" (José A. Cabranes, 2015).

For the moment, we must accept that the weight of the court's authority and acceptance of the extensive reach of its judicial imprimatur is best explained in terms of popular trust in its moral and intellectual integrity rather than in a stretched philosophy of constitutionalism. The decline of Parliament as the highest forum of our democracy, the perceived insensitivity on the part of the bureaucracy to the pressing priorities of the people at large, a general distrust of executive power and loss of faith, generally speaking, in the moral and ideological integrity of the political class collectively account for an expanded remit of judicial review.

Artificially created distress To prevent further damage to the economy and to relieve distress, demonetisation should be revoked immediately Without adequate preparation or thought, the monetary authorities and the government have taken a drastic step declaring as worthless over 86 per cent by value of the currency notes in circulation with the public. A prior large increase of lower denomination notes should have been ensured through banks and ATMs, so that overall money supply did not reduce and a normal level of activity could be maintained.

This was not done, so effectively a very severe monetary contraction has been imposed, the purchasing power of the population has been suddenly taken away, reducing the level of economic activity and causing distress to people, which is getting worse as time passes.

The denomination puzzle The government's rationale for the extreme measure of demonetisation is not clear.

There is talk of targeting black money, but the denomination of notes has nothing to do with the existence of black money, which is not held in hoards of

notes but is a circulation of unrecorded and undeclared incomes. Those larger-scale activities where income is declared produce white taxable money, while large incomes generated in legal or illegal activities where these incomes are not declared in order to evade tax constitute black money.

There is a constant parallel flow of black money in the economy.

Clearly the monetary authorities or the government itself do/ does not naively believe that black money somehow is connected to Rs.500 and Rs.1,000 notes which they call 'high denomination' - if they did, they would not have chosen to issue a new note of Rs.2,000 which is of even higher denomination. So what is the point of the measure? Investigation of and raids on suspected tax evaders do not require such an extreme step as almost complete demonetisation, which in present conditions of lack of preparedness, amounts to economically disenfranchising the entire population.

The three races In old times, fable retells the story of the young athletic boy hungry for success, for whom winning was everything and success was measured by such a result.

One day, the boy was preparing himself for a running competition in his small native village, himself and two other young boys to compete. A large crowd had congregated to witness the sporting spectacle and a wise old man,

upon hearing of the little boy, had travelled far to bear witness also.

The race commenced, looking like a level heat at the finishing line, but sure enough the boy dug deep and called on his determination, strength and power .. he took the winning line and was first. The crowd was ecstatic and cheered and waved at the boy. The wise man remained still and calm, expressing no sentiment.

The adverse impact on the many regions, but producers are economy of sharp monetary unable to sell their crops owcontraction (to the extent of ing to the shortage of the new around Rs.14 lakh crore) is al- money. Many are being offered ready evident, and the greatest drastically lower prices for their sufferers are the rural popula- produce which runs the risk of tion, and the urban poor and damage in coming days. Farmmiddle class. The first impact ers who have already marketed is on the supply chain of goods their kharif crop and have exand services which is dis- isting notes in hand now canrupted, and this is then feeding not buy seed and fertilisers for back to impact sowing rabi since production. there is no lower Utsa Patnaik denomination or Traders and retailers have been substitute deprived overnight of the funds money available in their nearto carry on their business, and est banks. Delayed rabi sowthe former can neither source ing is bound to affect future goods after using up their ex- output. isting stocks, nor can they pay for the transport of the goods The majority of farmers are to the market. Retailers cannot net purchasers of food, and sell the goods since customers rural labourers and artisans are do not have money to buy entirely dependent on purthem, and they can provide chase from the market. They goods on credit to customers are in the greatest distress since only up to a point since they they cannot purchase basic neneed to pay their suppliers and cessities for their families with cannot obtain enough new their existing money, and their notes to do so. The entire chain attempts to change it for new of supply and distribution has money is fruitless since the latbeen thoroughly disrupted. ter is simply not available to In villages the kharif harvest the required extent in banks. is not yet fully marketed in Even in a relatively organised

The little boy, however. felt proud and important.

A second race was called, and two new young, fit, challengers came forward, to run with the little boy. The race was started and sure enough the little boy came through and finished first once again. The crowd was ecstatic again and cheered and waved at the boy.

The wise man remained still and calm, again expressing no sentiment. The little boy, however, felt proud

and important.

"Another race, another race!" pleaded the little boy. The wise old man stepped forward and presented the little boy with two new challengers, an elderly frail lady and a blind man. "What is t h i s ? " , quizzed the little boy.

"This is no race" he exclaimed.

"Race!", said the wise man.

The race was started and the boy was the only finisher, the other

sector like tea plantations, daily wages in the new money have not been paid to workers who are unable to meet their subsistence needs.

Hitting the most vulnerable The worsening situation in urban areas is well known - not only the wage-earning poor but the middle class too is adversely affected by the overnight artificial and extreme loss of purchasing power involved in the demonetisation exercise.

Millions of hours during working days are being wasted by people in standing in long queues at banks, and many are turned away eventually with the new cash running out. For the physically frail and senior citizens, it is a risky and indeed impossible exercise to obtain the new notes. A number of deaths have taken place already owing to the inability to purchase medicines or obtain timely medical care. The government has admitted that it will take many weeks to fill the gap in money supply.

two challengers left standing at the starting line. The little boy was ecstatic, he raised his arms in delight.

The crowd, however, was silent showing no sentiment toward the little boy.

"What has happened?

Why not do the people join in my success?" he asked the wise old man.

"Race again", replied the wise man, "...this time, finish together, all three of you, finish together" continued the wise man. The little boy thought a little, stood in the middle of the blind man and the frail old lady, and then took the

With the severe loss of purchasing power, the country is being driven into an artificially created recession and the level of economic activity is declining. To prevent further damage to the economy and to relieve distress among the people, the measure of demonetisation should be revoked immediately.

The government can replace existing currency notes with new notes, but in a more planned, orderly and phased manner and over a longer period, bearing in mind that the bulk of our population needs humble money to carry on myriad small daily transactions, and Rs.2,000 notes which cannot be changed are of no use to them. Citizens and leaders of all political parties, including the ruling party, should unite to demand immediate revocation of the demonetisation measure before the situation worsens any further. There is nothing to prevent the government from continuing to investigate or raid suspected tax evaders.

two challengers by the hand.

The race began and the little boy walked slowly, ever so slowly, to the finishing line and crossed it. The crowd were ecstatic and cheered and waved at the boy. The wise man smiled, gently nodding his head. The little boy felt proud and important.

"Old man, I understand not!

Who are the crowd cheering for? Which one of us three?", asked the little boy. The wise old man looked into the little boy's eyes, placing his hands on the boy's shoulders, and replied softly .. "Little boy, for this race you have won much more than in any race you have ever ran before, and for this race the crowd cheer not for any winner!"

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28

P7

5 Different Types of Extramarital Affairs There are five different types of extramarital affairs and each happens due to a mixture of motivations. At the very top of the list is the pure sexual affair. This often has little to do with the cheated on spouse and much more to do with the fact that having sex with a new person is incredible. It's a rush that you simply can't experience in a marriage and it drives a significant portion of all affairs. The release of hormones that comes from sleeping with a new person is where the drive for this type of affair is born. These affairs happen quickly and end just as quickly. Once the rush wears off there's no reason to continue the affair. Most of the married but looking men and women out there are into it for this reason.

1) The Revenge Affair Revenge is a common motivator for those looking to find an affair. Generally it begins with a great dissatisfaction in the primary relationship and anger towards the partner for that lack of satisfaction. The affair is both to get the pleasure you've been craving and to get a silent form of revenge on the partner that has denied you what you need for so many years. These affairs are the most commonly discovered because a big part of the motivation is to hurt the person you love. It sounds awful, of course, but it's one way of ending a marriage that just isn't working while having some fun along the way.

2) The Emotional Affair

Affairs can happen even if there's no sex. Some may even find an affair like this even more egregious than a night in the sack because they involve a genuine emotional connection and that can be a major betrayal. Emotional affairs tend to develop between coworkers or good friends that take it to the next level because someone needs that extra layer of emotional support.

When an affair of this type happens the marriage is almost always dead already and is simply being buried by the betrayal.

3) The Family Affair Believe it or not but extramarital affairs in the family happen more often than you might think. I'm not talking about incest of

course, but brothers and sisters in law sleeping with each other. It's not terribly common, but if you're

in an unhappy marriage and you're always at family events with someone in the same type of unhappy

marriage you might very well make that connection. If you take it to the logical conclusion you

will find an affair waiting for you. Would you take it?

4) The One-sided Affair

The one-sided marital affair is exceptionally common and almost always involves a woman sleeping with a man in the belief that he will leave his wife for her because he's so in love when in fact he's just having an affair because he wants new sex.

The woman is in a relationship and the man is in a perpetual married but looking state where he has multiple affairs, sleeping with someone new as soon as the old mistress gets frustrated with his lack of commitment. This is bad for both sides. The woman is being emotionally abused and the guy risks getting caught when his mistress gets angry and tells his wife.

5) The grass is always

greener affair The one type of affair that almost always leads to the destruction of a marriage is the one where both members feel as though they've met the person they were meant to be with. They connect on an emotional and physical level and it feels so good it's like a drug they just can't quit. This is dangerous because that kind of passion will almost certainly blow up a relationship for good and leave the married partners in the dust. It can end with everyone unhappy too, since that connection and passion isn't always genuine and honest and can be informed by a marriage that isn't going well.

7 Foods And Drinks That Are Banned Around The World Riya Gandhi Different places around the world have put a ban on different foods, and some of the reasons behind them are actually thought provoking. Are we eating food that is

toxic? Or should these countries just be jealous of us?

1. Samosas are banned in Somalia.

A very common snack in India, these triangular fried delicacies is banned

in Somalia. The AlShabaab leaders find the three sided snack offensive as it resembles the Christian Holy Trinity and the triangular shape is not compatible with their strict Islamic culture.

Ketchup is banned in primary schools in France.

Our perfect companion to fries and pakoras, ketchup, is banned from primary schools in 3. It is illegal to sell Kinder Eggs in the USA. Two of our favourite things as kids in one,

chocolate and a surprise gift. Kinder Eggs used to be our favourite. Their import, however, is banned in the United States as they contain a

non-edible object embedded in it. It works as a precautionary means as children might swallow the plastic toy. We feel for you America.

4. It is illegal to chew gum in Singapore, unless prescribed.

5. Bhang is banned in most parts of the world.

The fact that bhang's

main ingredient is Cannabis, makes this truly Indian drink banned in many parts

6. Raw almonds cannot be sold in California.

In California, it is illegal to sell raw almonds as it has been proven that they are one of the reasons behind salmonella outbreaks. People infected with salmonella usually develop high fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. The almonds need to be pasteurised before they can be eaten. But even after being that, they are labelled as "Raw Almonds".

France. They believe it poses a cultural threat to traditional French cooking among children as it "masks the flavour of whatever they are eating."

of the world. India seems pretty chilled out for a moment, doesn't it?

7. Absinthe is banned in US, New Zealand and Canada.

This strong alcoholic drink consists of large concentrations of warmwood, which can lead to hallucinations and violent outbursts, thus affecting mental health. It is therefore banned in the US, New Zealand and Canada.

Since 2004, Singapore has put a ban on chewing gums and only a few with therapeutic value are allowed.

Gums can be purchased

through a prescription from a doctor only. If anyone spits gum on the streets, there's a fine of $500 (Rs.32,000). The reason behind the ban was because of its sticky nature. No wonder Singapore is so clean.

7 bizarre mental disorders you don't know exist Sangeeta Soni We all live in a perpetual belief: 'My life is pathetic '. But do you know there are people who cannot even decide if they are dead or alive? Or even worse, they cannot even decide to decide? There are such rare psychological diseases that are bizarre, uncommon, and hard to accept. They can make you feel that your genitals are shrinking or can convince you that your best friend has been replaced with an imposter.

Read the following and you will end up with a sense of gratitude as your life is only pathetic and nothing worse.

Walking Corpse Syndrome magine feeling that you are dead already, your body is rotting, internal organs are out of order, and you are ceasing to exist.

That is how putrefying it feels like to the patients of Walking Corpse Disorder.

Though majority of the patients experience a lack of existence of their selves, there is a flip side to it - some feign immortality. It was discovered by neurologist Jules Cotard who described it as 'The Delirium of Negation'. The situation begins with selfhatred and can become as strong as experiencing severe delusions and chronic depression.

Erotomania Have you watched 'He Loves Me‌ He Loves Me Not'? Here we are dealing with a condition that Audrey Tautou had in the movie - Erotomania. This is a delusional disorder in which the patient thinks that someone, usually from a higher status, is in love with them. They feel

this through special signals, glances, and even telepathy. The delusion is so strong that even if the delusional lover comes and denies any feeling, the patient would still be unconvinced and think it to be an attempt at hiding his love from the world.

Capgras Syndrome Imagine feeling like Leonardo Di Caprio of Inception only without a totem to tell you if you are living in a real or unreal world. Capgras is a mental condition in which you feel that a close friend, spouse, family member or a pet has been replaced by an identical imposter.

People suffering from this disorder feel that their reality has become warped or substituted. It occurs more commonly in females than males and can be caused due to age, brain injury, migraine and in one odd case, it was caused due to the drug ketamine.

Alien Hand Syndrome A South Park fan? If so, you can visualize this syndrome in Eric Cartman who suffers from Alien Hand Syndrome in the episode titled "Fat Butt and Pancake Head". This one is about your hand getting alienated from your body.

In this neurological disorder, a discrepancy develops between one's intentions and his actions. The afflicted person's hand movement goes out of his control and can do things and reach out to objects without him wanting to do so. It is caused by damaged signals between the left and right part of the brain.

Aboulomania Maybe this is the name of

the medical condition that defines the Hamletian Prufrock of T.S Eliot. The vital question - To be or not to be? - is the beginning and premise of this disease. People suffering from Aboulomania suffer from a deranged willpower such that their everyday tasks become the deciding questions of their lives. To stay at home or go for a walk, to order Mexican food or Italian food, to call or text someone - these are questions they cannot answer without an eternity of dilemmas. This pathological indecisiveness is often associated with stress, anxiety, depression and anguish.

Synesthesia This disorder is what it feels like to be on a perpetual drug trip. A hippy disorder, Synesthesia can make the person confuse a sensory stimulation with another sense. This kind of confusion between senses can make people associate sounds with colors, tastes with sounds, smells with visions or all of them together resulting in what is often called "union of the senses".

Koro syndrome Also known as Shrinking Penis or Genital Retraction Syndrome, it is a delusional disorder in which a person feels that his genitals are retracting into the abdomen, may disappear one day and will kill him, all this without any physical proofs for the retraction. This disorder has struck people in masses and has a history of epidemic spreads in China, Southeast Asia, Africa, U.S, and Europe.

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28

NATION Centre misusing official machinery against BSP: Mayawati

LUCKNOW, DEC 27: A day after ED detected cash deposits totalling over Rs. 104 crore in an account belonging to her party, BSP supremo Mayawati today charged the Centre with misusing official machinery and trying to tarnish the party's image.

At a hurriedly convened press conference, the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said, "All deposits are as per norms and party rules and the money was collected before note ban. Should we have thrown it?"

Terming the issue as an effort to tarnish BSP's image ahead of UP Assembly elections just few months away, Mayawati said the "anti-Dalit" BJP managed a section of the media. "After I exposed the conspiracy of BJP in forcing an alliance between SP and Congress yesterday, BJP was taken aback and out of sheer frustration it indulged in such a petty act against BSP and family members of the party chief," she said.

On the deposits, she said, "We have account of every rupee deposited in bank...this money has been collected through membership fee all over the country and brought

BSP supremo Mayawati for deposit by converting it into big denomination notes as it is easy to carry from remote areas."

Mayawati, however, said this action of BJP is a "good omen" for her party as in 2007 too when the then BJP government at the Centre had raked up Taj corridor issue, it had helped her get absolute majority in the UP Assembly. "If Modi and central government take a few more decisions like note ban, it will make our return to power in UP easier ...they will pave our way for an easy victory and I will not have to toil much...I want to thank them for it," she said.

The ED yesterday detected cash deposits totalling over Rs. 104 crore in an account belonging to the BSP and Rs. 1.43 crore in an account belonging to Mayawati's brother Anand in a branch of United Bank of India in Delhi during a routine survey and enquiry operations to check suspicious and huge cash deposits in banks postdemonetisation.

Accusing the BJP of twisting facts while presenting routine deposits of her party and that of her brother, who is involved in his own business, Mayawati said there was, however, no talk about deposits of BJP and other

parties made postdemonetisation. "BJP and other parties have also deposited their money in banks. Nobody is talking about that," she said, adding it only went on to prove the "antiDalit and casteist mentality" of BJP. Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she demanded that he should make public the deposits made by BJP during the 10 months prior to November 8 decision of banning Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 500 currency notes.

"If BJP and the PM have any truth and honesty, they would have disclosed BJP's deposits 10 months before November 8 and after that date while making BSP's deposits public," she said.

The BSP chief said she has information that there could be a similar move against important people of her party to make them ineffective and warned that such actions reflecting political vendetta will not be of any help.

Mayawati, who has been targeted for Taj Corridor scam in the past, said, "If there was any wrongdoing it was at the level of the central government led by BJP or the central

government agency which carried out the works. Amit Shah keeps on referring to Taj Corridor in his speeches...it seems he was sleeping when BSP leader Satish Misra explained it...of the Rs. 175 crore project, works were carried out only worthRs. 17 crores...neither any file was put up before me nor did I sign any paper," she claimed.

Alleging that the Taj case was always raked up at election time by the party at the top at the Centre, especially by BJP, she said efforts had been made to show as if the BSP chief has committed a "big scam".

"The same was done before 2007 Assembly polls and this time too...BJP will gain less and lose more...this time again people will reject them and results are going to be like that in 2007 when BSP got absolute majority," she claimed.

"BJP leaders having casteist mentality do not want that a 'dalit ki beti' should get the master key of the biggest state's politics and work for the welfare of 90 per cent poor and deprived...it will bring an end to their capitalist politics," she said.

P8 Shiva Sena takes dig at PM Modi for greeting Nawaz Sharif on birthday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi PTI Mumbai, Dec 27 : The ally also voiced its displeasure over the BJP supporters chanting "Modi, Modi" during a public meeting addressed by the Prime Minister, which was also attended

by Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray.

In a veiled dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for wishing his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif on his birthday amid chill in relations between the two countries, Shiv Sena on Tuesday invoked Chhatrapati Shivaji saying the warrior king never extended such greetings to "the enemies of the nation." Significantly, the Sena's barb at Modi came within days of his laying the foundation

for a grand memorial to Shivaji in Mumbai.

The ally also voiced its displeasure over the BJP supporters chanting "Modi, Modi" during a public meeting addressed by the Prime Minister, which was also attended

by Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray.

"What is outstanding about Shivaji Maharaj's thoughts is that he considered enemies of Swarajya as enemies of the nation. Shivaji Maharaj never extended birthday greetings to Aurangzeb, Afzal Khan and Shaista Khan," an editorial in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' said.

During the build-up to 'jal pujan' for the memorial, Sena did not hide its feeling that BJP has sought

to "hijack" the event for claiming the legacy of the Maratha icon to secure political mileage. "We only ask politicians not to use Chhatrapati to play low-grade politics. Those who claim rights on Chhatrapati will bite the dust in the end. They would do well remember the history," the editorial said.

"Ensure that the memorial does not get trapped in selfish politics, thereby forcing Shivaji Maharaj to use his sword against these self-centred politicians," it said. The ruling alliance partner, however, said it understood the importance of Modi in the BJP, and that his party is what it is today only due to the "Modi tonic".

"While the Sainiks and Shivaji fans were chanting slogans hailing the Chhatrapati, BJP workers were shouting slogans in the name of Modi. Can anyone compare himself to Shivaji?

Modi himself will not approve of this," Sena said.

Notably, during the public meeting addressed by Modi on Sunday, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray's speech was interrupted for a while, apparently by BJP supporters present among the audience by chanting "Modi, Modi,".

Why is PM shying away from Being dalit's daughter is no an independent probe: Dikshit licence for corruption: Slight respite from cold as Ram Vilas Paswan

PTI New Delhi, Dec 27 : Toeing the party line, Sheila Dikshit today targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi wondering why he was shying away from an independent probe into the Sahara-Birla papers relating to alleged pay-offs, days after her comments questioning autheticity of the documents put Congress on the backfoot.

The Congress CM candidate in Uttar Pradesh also debunked speculation that she was distancing herself from the campaigning in the poll-bound state in the wake of the controversy.

"Why is @PMOIndia shying from an independent and a thorough probe into the #BirlaSaharaPapers?," Dikshit tweeted.

Dikshit, whose name allegedly figured in the Sahara diaries along with many

other politicians, had trashed it, putting party Vice President Rahul Gandhi in a tight spot as he had charged Modi with taking money from corporate houses based on the document.

"I have said what I had to.

The ball is in the court of the @PMOIndia & others now. Will he respond and come out clean? #Sa haraBirlaDiaries (sic)," Dikshit said in another tweet.

With BJP targeting it following Dikshits comments, Congress maintained that it wanted an independent and thorough probe into the "Sahara diaries" corruption issue.

There was speculation that Dikshit may not remain Congress chief ministerial face in Uttar Pradesh following the controversy.

Rejecting the speculations,

Dikshit also junked reports that she has suspended her scheduled programmes in Aligarh.

"I am amused to see Sheila distances herself from UP speculation in media.

Aligarh was not on my schedule. I will be in Barabanki tomorrow," she said.

The former Delhi Chief Ministers name purportedly figured in the list that Congress had put out in a tweet two days back as proof of its allegations against Modi which upset her.

On Sunday reacting strongly to the allegations, Dikshit had vehemently denied any wrongdoings calling the charges "all hearsay". He had said the Supreme Court had already made observations on the diaries, comments that appeared similar to BJPs argument in defending Modi.

Odisha panchayat poll in 5 phases begins in Feb PTI Bhubaneswar, Dec 27 : The State Election Commission (SEC), Odisha, today announced dates for the general elections to the three-tire panchayati raj institutions in five different phases to begin from February 13.

"The model code of conduct for the rural polls has come into the force from today.

This will remain effective till February 21, the last phase polling date," SEC Rabinarayan Senapati told reporters while annoucning the dates for the panchayat elections.

The polling will take place in five phases on February 13, 15, 17, 19 and 21, Senapati said adding that a notification in this regard had been issued by the SEC. Senapati said nomination papers filing would be done between January 11 and 17 except government holidays, while scrutiny of the same will be held on Jan 18. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is January 21 and the final list of candidates will be published on the same day, he said.

The notification said that the casting of votes would take place from 7 am to 12 noon and counting of votes will be

done from 1 pm onwards on these days.

Senapati said the elections would be held for the posts of 853 Zilla Parishad Members, 6802 sarpanchs, 6801 panchayat samiti members and 92,052 ward members. As many as 2,60,92,507 voters would participate in the elections, he said adding that eleborate security arrangement would be made after consulting the officials of home department and police.

Senapati said the model code of conduct would be observed by political parties and candidates throughout the state. Normal development works and programme which have already commenced, relief and restoration works, expenditure for which have been voted by the state Assembly will continue.

"No new scheme or project of any kind shall be started nor any financial concessions be promised or announced by the govenrment or any official agency which would have effect of influencing directly or indirectly the votesm", SEC said.

Senapati said the SEC has also intimated the state govenrment not to effect the transfer of any official including the collectors and SPs without concurrence of the

commission for smooth conduct of elections. The government had also been told to issue instructions for maintenance of neutrality by the govenrment employees related with elections, he said.

He, however, said that the election to the of Sarpanch and 23 number of ward members of Dhinki Gram Panchayat under Ersama block of Jagatsinghpur district would not be held this time as their term had not been completed.

Similarly, as per the interim order of the High Court of Odisha, elections to Panchayat Samiti members of Parjang Panchayat Samiti of Dhenkanal district, Dasarathpur Panchayat Samiti of Jajpur district, Kolabira and Laikera Panchayat Samiti of Jharsuguda district, Bhawanipatna Panchayat Samiti of Kalahandi district and Rengali Panchayat Samiti of Sambalpur district were not being notified, the SEC said.

The district collectors would be in over all charge of the elction. In addition to this, the commission had appointed senior officers as observers and expenditure observers to supervise and oversee the smooth conduct of the elections to Panchayati Raj Institutions.

Mocking Mayawati's strident opposition to demonetisation since it was announced on November 8, the LJP president said it has now become clear "why likes of her and RJD chief Lalu Prasad" have been its most vocal critics.

Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan New Delhi, Dec 27 : Slamming Mayawati for linking the Enforcement Directorate action against BSP to her being a Dalit, Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today said her Dalit origin does not give her a "licence" to indulge in corruption and she should let the law take its own course. Paswan, a prominent Dalit face of the ruling BJP-led NDA, hit out at the former UP chief minster over alleged deposits of Rs 104 crore in BSP's bank account following the note ban and said it was shocking that a party claiming to represent the most downtrodden sections of society has so much money.

"My party LJP works for Dalits. We have six Lok Sabha members and the total money in LJP's bank account is Rs 1,03,198.

Being a daughter of a Dalit does not give you licence to indulge in corruption.

She must let law take its course and let authorities probe her party's account," he told reporters.

Mocking Mayawati's strident opposition to demonetisation since it was announced on November 8, the LJP presi-

dent said it has now become clear "why likes of her and RJD chief Lalu Prasad" have been its most vocal critics.

"They were hit the hardest. That is why they are making so much of noise," he said. Referring to deposits of Rs 1.43 crore in bank accounts of Mayawati's brother, Paswan said she must come clean on the source of the money.

"Who is he? What is his source of income? Why is she afraid? She should let agencies probe all accounts and deposits," he said. The disclosure of deposits in BSP's bank account is not the end but only the first chapter and more details will come out soon, he said.

He also took potshots at joint programme by Congress, TMC, RJD and some other regional outfits against demonetisation.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is an ally of Congress and RJD, supports note ban and they are opposing it for political reasons, he said and dared these parties to withdraw support from Kumar's government if they are serious in their opposition.

temp increases in Kashmir

PTI Srinagar, Dec 27 : Cold wave conditions continued in Kashmir division even as there was slight respite as the mercury went up at most places, with the MeT Department predicting isolated rains or snowfall over the higher reaches of the Valley tomorrow.

Srinagar - the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir - recorded a low of minus 4.5 degrees Celsius, slightly higher than the previous night's minus 5.1 degrees Celsius, an official of the MET department said.

He said the state capital was the coldest recorded place in the Valley along with the north Kashmir town of Kupwara where the night temperature went up by a degree to settle at a low of minus 4.5 degrees Celsius.

The night temperature in Qazigund - the gateway town to Kashmir Valley went up from yesterday's

minus 4.3 degrees Celsius to settle at a low of minus 3.8 degrees Celsius.

The official said Kokernag, in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 2.7 degrees Celsius.

The famous ski-resort of Gulmarg, in north Kashmir, registered a low of minus 1.6 degrees Celsius - an increase of three degrees from the previous night's minus 4.6 degrees Celsius.

Pahalgam hill resort, in south Kashmir, witnessed a low of minus 4.3 degrees Celsius over two degrees up from minus 6.4 degrees Celsius 24 hours earlier, the official said.

Leh, in Ladakh region, was the coldest recorded place in the state as the night temperature there went settled at a low of minus 13.2 degrees Celsius, compared to minus 13. 9 degrees Celsius, the official said.

He said the nearby Kargil town recorded a low of minus 11.5 degrees Celsius.

Kashmir is currently under the grip of 'ChillaiKalan' considered the harshest period of winter, when the chances of snowfall are most frequent and maximum and the temperature drops considerably.

However, so far, the weather has remained dry, resulting in increase in ailments like cough and common cold.

The Meteorological Department here has forecast isolated rains or snowfall over the higher reaches of the Valley for two days from tomorrow.

'Chillai-Kalan', which, began on December 21, ends on January 31 next year, but the cold wave continues even after that.

The 40-day period is followed by a 20-day long 'Chillai-Khurd' (small cold) and a 10-day long 'ChillaiBachha' (baby cold).

Guj govt takes custody of 220 fishermen released from Pak jail PTI Vadodara, Dec 27 : The officials of the fisheries department of Gujarat Government took custody of 220 fishermen who were handed over by Pakistan to Indian agency, late last night, a senior official said.

"These fishermen were released from the Landhi jail in Karachi on December 25 as a goodwill gesture and were handed over to the Border Security Force (BSF) at the Wagah Border on Monday," Ashok Patel, superintendent of the fisheries department of the Gujarat government told PTI. "The team (of fisheries department) has been camping in Amritsar to make arrangements for bringing

these fishermen back to Gujarat," he said.

Ads by ZINC Talking to PTI from Amritsar, Ramesh Makwana, one of the released fisherman, who hails from Tad village in Una taluka of Gir Somnath district, said, "We never expected release of 439 fishermen by Pakistan at one go and it came as a surprise for all of us. Another batch of 219 fishermen will be released on January 5, 2017."

"The Edhi Foundation a Karachi based non government organisation made arrangements for bringing us to Lahore from Karachi by a special train," said the released fisherman.

He thanked Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani

among others for taking up the issue for their release with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who in turn took up the matter with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif.

Makwana, while describing the harsh conditions in which they stayed in Pakistani jail, said, "They had to face lot of hardships as about 100 fishermen were kept in a single room in the prison and had to face mosquito menace."

He said they realised that they had entered into enemy territorial waters only after Pakistani Marine Security Agency (PMSA) nabbed them. "Most of us are sole bread earners of our family," said Makwana.

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28

P9

BUSINESS

Experts brainstorm on jobs, India likely to host key farm woes at NITI Aayog RCEP meeting in July New Delhi, Dec 27 : Economists and experts brainstormed at NITI Aayog today on issues like job creation, agriculture and skill development, before briefing Prime Minister Narendra Modi on steps that could be taken in the upcoming budget.

According to sources, 45 sectoral groups have been set up to discuss new initiatives and budget proposals.

The mandate is to come up with concrete suggestions to neutralise the adverse impact of demonetisation, push growth with special fo-

Prime Minister Narendra Modi cus on employment generation and promote farm productivity.

Once firmed up, the suggestions will be placed before the Prime Minister

later.

As chairman of NITI Aayog, Modi has called a meeting of experts to take stock of the economy and get feedback on ways to

ICICI Bank launches mobile app Eazypay New Delhi, Dec 27 : Private sector lender ICICI BankBSE 1.97 % today said it has launched mobile app 'Eazypay' that enables merchants, retailers and professionals to accept instant cashless payments on mobile phones from their customers through multiple digital modes.

A first-of-its kind application, Eazypay offers customers the improved convenience of paying by using their mobile phone through Unified Payment Interface (UPI), any credit or debit card or Internet banking, ICICI Bank said in ..

"Any current account holder of ICICI Bank

can instantly download Eazypay app and start using it. A non-customer of ICICI Bank can also use the app after opening a current account with the bank," it said.

Currently, the app is available on smartphones with Android operating systems but soon it will be also available for smartphones using the iOS operating system.

The statement said that it is also possible to collect money for home delivery of goods/services, telesales and payment-ondelivery options by e-commerce companies where the buyer and the seller are not physically present at the same location.

The seller can raise an invoice in the app by simply entering the amount, se-

lecting the preferred mode of payment by the buyer along with the buyer's mobile number or Virtual Payment Address (VPA) for UPI based payments.

Thereafter, upon getting a notification on SMS, the buyer can simply enter his/her details to pay through credit or debit card or net banking or pockets, it said.

For payment using UPI, the buyer can pay either by scanning a Quick Response (QR) code displayed on the sellers phone or directly through their VPA. This secured app enable to transfer money collected directly to the current account of the merchants and professionals.

Tata Motors signs up Akshay Kumar as brand ambassador for CVs New Delhi, Dec 27 : Tata Motors today roped in Bollywood star Akshay Kumar as brand ambassador for its commercial vehicle (CV) business unit.

"Indian cinema's 'original Khiladi' will make his blockbuster entry in this new role at the launch of Tata Motors' latest offering in commercial vehicles, slated in January 2017," the company said in a statement.

Tata Motors' association with Kumar for commercial vehicles will be supported by a multimedia campaign, begin-

ning in the first week of January 2017, it added, Besides products and solutions, he will be actively involved in a host of innovative marketing and customer experience initiatives to be rolled out by Tata Motors.

On the partnership with the star, Tata Motors Executive Director, Commercial Vehicle Business Unit, Ravindra Pisharody said: "Today, we are catering to an audience that defines the driven, ambitious, forward-moving, non-stop pulse of India and Akshay understands the pulse of this audience

well."

He further said: "We are confident that Akshay's popularity will further help complement and articulate the future direction of the Tata Motors commercial vehicles brand."

Speaking on the association, Akshay Kumar said, "The Tata brand is one that most of us have grown up with and now to be associated with them is indeed an honour.

No one understands Indian trucking better than the Tatas and there couldn't have been a better and more apt brand to promote.

SME IPOs open, to raise Rs 18 crore PTI New Delhi, Dec 27 : To tap upbeat investor sentiment, two small and medium enterprises (SME) today launched their initial public offerings (IPOs) to raise nearly Rs 18 crore.

The companies -Libas Designs and Prolife Industries -will get listed on NSE's small and medium enterprises platform, Emerge. The initial share sale plans opened today and will close on December 30.

According to draft papers, Libas Designs plans to mop up Rs

13.60 crore through its IPO while Prolife Industries aims to garner Rs 4.22 crore.

The public issue of Veeram Ornaments is currently under way.

The IPO will close tomorrow and shares of the company will list on BSE's SME platform.

Proceeds of the issues will be utilised for business expansion plans and working capital requirements, among others.

The stock exchanges -BSE and NSE-- had launched SME platforms in March 2012, becoming the only two bourses to offer such a segment in the country. Since then,

several companies have got listed on them and some have even shifted to the main board.

The platform provides opportunity to SME entrepreneurs to raise equity capital for growth and expansion. It also provides immense opportunity for investors to identify and invest in good SMEs at an early stage.

SMEs together raised Rs 490 crore through initial public offerings this year so far. Most of the funds were raised in September. In the whole of 2015, small companies mopped up only Rs 260 crore.

deal with the problem of cash crunch post demonetisation.

The theme is 'Economic Policy Reform, Road Ahead', the sources said, adding that there are about 15 invitees for the conference.

The meeting assumes significance in view of various multilateral agencies and RBI lowering growth outlook for the current fiscal. RBI has reduced the forecast to 7.1 per cent from 7.6 per cent in its monetary policy review earlier this month.

Multilateral funding body Asian Development Bank (ADB) too

slashed growth projection to 7 per cent for the current fiscal, from its earlier 7.4 per cent due to the impact of cash recall on economic activities.

Indian economy expanded by 7.1 per cent and 7.3 per cent in first and second quarters of 2016-17, respectively.

According to an official, the Prime Minister will also take stock of various initiatives of NITI Aayog to promote digital economy like Lucky Grahak Yojana and Digi Dhan Vyapaar Yojana to incentivise digital payments. year.

Rupee down 10 paise at 67.84 vs US dollar in early trade Mumbai, Dec 27: The rupee weakened by 10 paise to 67.84 against the US dollar in early trade on Tuesday at the Interbank Foreign Exchange on month-end dollar demand from importers amid capital outflows.

The domestic currency on Monday closed at 67.74 per dollar with gains of 8 paise on some dollar selling as the dollar weakned against the Japanese yen.

Forex dealers said month-end dollar demand from importers and the dollar's firmness

against other currencies overseas mainly weighed on the rupee.

Foreign investors withdrew Rs. 1,095 crore on net basis from stocks markets yesterday.

Domestic stock markets were trading in the green in early trade which helped rupee cap some losses, dealers said.

The benchmark BSE Sensex was trading higher by 81.01 points, or 0.31 per cent, to 25,888.11 in early deals.

The rupee had gained by 25 paise, or 0.37 per cent in the last two trading days.

Sensex posts biggest single-day gain in 3 weeks, gold cheers PTI Mumbai, Dec 27 : Markets saw a big pullback rally today, with the Sensex logging its biggest single-day gain of over 406 points in nearly three weeks and gold rebounding from an 11-month low, but the rupee struck a discordant note as it weakened to breach the 68mark against the dollar.

The rally helped the broader Nifty get past the psychological 8,000 level.

Investors took comfort from Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's statement, who underlined the need to have globally compatible tax rates to broad-base the economy.

He has also sought to allay market fears that the government has no intention to impose tax on long-term capital gains on stock earnings.

The flagship BSE Sensex after a positive start continued its climb on increased buying activity and closed at 26,213.44, up 406.34 points, or 1.57 per cent.

Today's gain is the biggest single-day rise since December 8 when the 30-share barometer had jumped 457.41 points.

The gauge had lost 233.60 points yesterday, hit by talk of higher taxation after Prime Minister's remarks on securities.

At the close, the NSE Nifty was up 124.60 points, or 1.58 per cent, at 8,032.85.

Value-buying in several recently battered stocks and covering-up of short positions ahead of De-

cember monthly expiry on Thursday provided further momentum, traders said.

European stocks were trading higher as key indices such as Frankfurt, Paris and London's FTSE rose by up to 0.14 per cent.

Asian stocks ended mixed, with Japan's Nikkei rising 0.03 per cent and Shanghai Composite Index shedding 0.19 per cent. Hong Kong was shut today for a public holiday.

On the other hand, the rupee snapped its twoday rising streak by depreciating 32 paise to breach the 68-mark at 68.06 against the dollar due to month-end demand from importers and the American currency strengthening against other currencies globally.

Gains were widespread, led by metal, pharmaceuticals, FMCG, consumer durables, oil and gas, auto PSU and IT stocks that were widely lapped up.

Buying also extended to the broader markets, with mid-cap and smallcap indices advancing.

Gold prices in Chennai went up by a whopping Rs 1,330 to Rs 28,040 per 10 grams, while in the national capital, it firmed up Rs 475 to Rs 28,025 per 10 grams today, in tandem with a firm trend in the global market and revival of buying by local jewellers.

Globally, in London, gold rose by 1.31 per cent to USD 1,143.10 an ounce and silver by 1.37 per cent to USD 15.97 an ounce.

Image for representational purpose.

New Delhi, Dec27: India is expected to host in July next year the negotiations for mega trade deal RCEP which aims at liberalising norms for trade in goods and services and boost investment among 16-member countries.

"This will be a crucial meeting of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)," an official said.

Currently, the member countries are deliberating upon the single-tier system of duty relaxation under the proposed pact.

Under this system, the

members have to finalise the maximum number of goods on which duties will either be eliminated or reduced significantly.

The agreement aims to cover goods, services, investments, economic and technical cooperation, competition and intellectual property rights.

As the domestic industry has apprehensions over a deluge in imports from countries such as China after the duty cut under the agreement, India wants certain deviations for such countries.

Under deviations, India may propose a longer

duration for either reduction or elimination of import duties for such countries.

The talks for the pact started in Phnom Penh in November 2012. The 16 countries account for over a quarter of the world's economy, estimated to be more than USD 75 trillion.

The 16-member bloc RCEP comprises 10 ASEAN members (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Laos and Vietnam) and their six FTA partners India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

Trademark row: HC bars Intex from selling Aqua brand mobiles PTI New Delhi, Dec 27 : Delhi High Court has barred leading mobile phone maker Intex from selling its Aqua brand handsets and its accessories in the local market, taking note of a trademark infringement plea of market rival Aqua Mobiles.

Aqua Mobiles had moved the High Court against Intex in 2013 alleging that the handset brand of its rival has created confusion among customers due to the identical trademark and had sought interim injunction on the sale.

Granting interim relief, Justice G S Sistani said "the plaintiffs/applicants, having established a strong prima facie case for priority showing prior use and goodwill in the mark Aqua are entitled

to an interim injunction against the defendants."

The court said the "defendants (Intex and others), their directors, officers, franchisees, agents, employees, servants, and/or any other person acting for and on their behalf are restrained from using the infringing trademark Aqua or any other deceptively similar trademark in respect of mobile phones/cellular phones and their accessories, till the disposal of the suit."

The order will come into force after two weeks, starting December 24, to enable Intex dispose of their current stocks, it clarified.

Aqua Mobiles, in its plea, has claimed it had been selling "Aqua" trademarked mobile phones in India since 2009 and had

expanded its business by venturing into production of earphones, mobile chargers, USB cables and batteries under the brand.

It alleged that Intex had opted for an identical trademark in 2012 to "have a free ride on its (Aqua Mobiles) goodwill".

Intex, however, argued that Aqua as trademark was incapable of being distinguished for goods of Aqua Mobiles only and therefore, Aqua Mobiles cannot claim rights over the trademark and legal protection.

Intex also contended that it had spent a huge sum of Rs 27 crore on commercials to promote the brand in question and had also hired a Bollywood actor for this purpose.

The court, however, did not agree with the contention of Intex and granted interim relief to Aqua Mobiles.

Rupee extends losses by 14 paise to 67.88 per dollar PTI Mumbai, Dec 27 : The rupee slipped further by 14 paise to 67.88 against the US currency in late morning deals following bouts of month-end dollar demand from banks and importers amid continued capital outflows.

Earlier, the Indian rupee opened lower by 10 paise at 67.84 as against Monday's closing of 67.74 at the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) Market.

The domestic unit hov-

ered between 67.88 and 67.8150 per dollar during morning deals before quoting at 66.88 per dollar at 1025 hrs.

"The year-end markets are very low on liquidity and continue to trade in a tight range with the dollar index hovering around 103 levels," a forex dealer said.

"The rupee continues to trade in a very narrow range, despite continued FII's outflows," he further said.

The dollar index, which tracks the greenback

against a basket of six global peers, added 0.08 per cent to 103.09, half a percent below the highest level since December 2002 hit a week ago.

The dollar inched up against yen and euro today as some investors emerged out of the holiday lull to hunt for bargains as the market entered the last trading stretch of the year.

Meanwhile, the benchmark Sensex was up by 110.64 points or 0.43 per cent to 25,917.74 at 1030hrs.

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28

P10

INTERNATIONAL

Donald Trump says Barack Obama would never have defeated him this time

Obama, Japan's Abe to seek reconciliation at Pearl Harbor

Wasington, Dec 27 : Donald Trump has responded by saying "no way" to outgoing US President Barack Obama's claims of winning a re-election, the media reported on Tuesday.

In an interview to CNN on Monday, Obama, who will hand over the White House to Trump on January 20, 2017, said, "I am confident in this vision because I'm confident that if I had run again and articulated it, I think I could've mobilised a majority of the American people to rally behind it."

Trump responded in a tweet saying: "President Obama said that he thinks he would have won against me...He should say that but I say NO WAY! - jobs leaving, IS (Islamic State), OCare (Obamacare), etc," Politico reported.

In the interview, Obama also said that many people around the country, including opponents, keep telling him that the vision and direction of his message is the correct one.

Obama said, the Republicans were only able to engage in an exercise in disunity, insisting that Trump's victory does not show that the dreams of "one America that is tolerant and diverse and

Honolulu, Dec 27 : Putting 75 years of resentment behind them, the leaders of the United States and Japan are coming together at Pearl Harbor for a historic pilgrimage to the site where the bloodshed of surprise attacks thrust America into World War II. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit Tuesday with President Barack Obama is powerful proof that the former enemies have transcended the recriminatory impulses that weighed down relations after the war, Japan's government has said. Although Japanese leaders have visited Pearl Harbor before, Abe will be the first to visit the memorial that now rests on the hallowed waters above the sunken USS Arizona.

For Obama, it's likely the last time he will meet with a foreign leader as president, White House aides said. It's a bookend of sorts for the president, who nearly eight years ago invited Abe's predecessor to be the first leader that Obama hosted at the White House.

For Abe, it's an act of symbolic reciprocity, coming six months after Obama became the first sitting U.S. president to visit Hiroshima in Japan, where the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb in hopes of ending the war.

"This visit, and the president's visit to Hiroshima earlier this year, would not have been possible eight years ago," said Daniel Kritenbrink, Obama's top

Trump has been defensive regarding the election outcome, arguing that he could have won the popular vote if he wanted to and rejecting US intelligence that Russia meddled in the presidential election.

open" have failed, Efe news said.

Despite trailing by nearly 3 million in the national popular vote, Trump defeated his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton on November 8 presidential election, clinching major victories in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan en route to clinching a majority of Electoral College votes.

Trump railed against Obama and Clinton's policies on the campaign trail, telling supporters that Clinton was, in essence, running as an extension of the last eight years while portraying himself as the change agent who could shake up Washington and bring power back to the American people.

He has promised to repeal and replace

Obamacare once he takes office, derided the two Democratic politicians as founders of the Islamic State and slammed them for having supported free trade policies like the TransPacific Partnership.

Trump has been defensive regarding the election outcome, arguing that he could have won the popular vote if he wanted to and rejecting US intelligence that Russia meddled in the presidential election, allegedly to boost his campaign, Politico reported.

But he has softened his rhetoric on Obama and Clinton, praising the president and even seeking his counsel during the transition, and reneging on his pledge to jail Clinton.

Indo-US ties have bipartisan support: diplomat PTI Washington , Dec 27 : Indo-US relationship has bipartisan support and would keep going up irrespective of which ever government is elected, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India has said as he lauded the role played by the IndianAmericans in strengthening bilateral ties.

Taranjit Singh Sandhu was speaking at an event organised yesterday by the Sikh community in Maryland and Virginia to felicitate the diplomat in recognition of his efforts to address the concerns and issues of the Sikh community across the country.

After serving the Indian Embassy for three and half years, Sandhu, a 1988 batch Indian Foreign Service Officer is headed to be the Indian High Com-

missioner to Sri Lanka.

India-US relationship, is on "such a stable and bipartisan support" Sandhu said, irrespective of which ever government is elected "our countries" are so closely bound that the relationship would keep going up and up.

Contribution of IndianAmericans is extremely important in strengthening this relationship, he said.

"The hard work of IndianAmericans is very highly recognised and appreciated. This has all come out of your commitment and focus," he said and exuded confidence that in coming years there would be successful IndianAmericans in more prominent places.

Sandhu said IndianAmericans are facing the challenges of identity, modernisation and economic survival.

In his address, the Deputy Indian Ambassador stressed the importance of connecting second generation Indian Ambassador with India.

"Next economic potential where is it? It is in India.

That is where the economic generation, economic power to the world is going to come. And your children are uniquely placed. But they would be uniquely placed if you connect them back with India," Sandhu said.

Welcoming Sandhu, Virginia Republican leader Puneet Ahluwalia said the strength of the community lies in its unity.

"In this new world, we all have to participate in the mainstream." he said.

"In the coming years, USIndia relationship is going to be so critical" and "we have to play an important role in that," he said.

Afghanistan concerned over Afghan-centered summit in Russia The Afghan government has expressed its concern over a highlevel tripartite meeting taking place in Moscow between representatives from Russia, China and Pakistan to discuss Afghan issues, excluding Afghanistan among the invitees.

PTI Kabul, Dec 27 : The Afghan government is expressing concern over a high-level tripartite meeting taking place to discuss Afghan issues, but without Afghan representatives invited. Representatives from Russia, China and Pakistan are scheduled to meet today in Moscow to discuss Afghanistan.

Afghanistan is expressing concern over a highAfghan Foreign Minislevel tripartite meeting taking place to discuss try spokesman Ahmad Afghan issues, excluding Afghan representaShekib Mostaghni said tives. (Source: PTI Photo) today that that his government was not in- Mostaghni said this o f t h e p a r t i c i p a n t s , vited and hasn't been approach, regardless could not help the situbriefed on the agenda. of the good intentions ation in Afghanistan.

Asia adviser in the White House. "That we are here today is the result of years of efforts at all levels of our government and societies, which has allowed us to jointly and directly deal with even the most sensitive aspects of our shared history."

More than 2,300 Americans died on Dec. 7, 1941, when more than 300 Japanese fighter planes and bombers attacked. More than 1,000 others were wounded. In the ensuing years, the U.S. incarcerated roughly 120,000 Japanese-Americans in internment camps before dropping atomic bombs in 1945 that killed some 140,000 people in Hiroshima and 70,000 in Nagasaki.

Abe will not apologize for Pearl Harbor, his government has said. Nor did Obama apologize at Hiroshima in May, a visit that he and Abe used to emphasize their elusive aspirations for a nuclearfree future.

No apology needed, said 96-year-old Alfred Rodrigues, a U.S. Navy veteran who survived what President Franklin D. Roosevelt called a "date which will live in infamy."

"War is war," Rodrigues said as he looked at old photos of his military service. "They were doing what they were supposed to do, and we were doing what we were supposed to do."

After a formal meeting in the morning, Obama and Abe planned to lay a wreath aboard the USS

Obama, Japan's Abe to seek reconciliation at Pearl Harbor

Arizona Memorial, which is accessible only by boat.

Then they'll go to nearby Joint Base Pearl HarborHickam, where both leaders will speak.

Obama and Abe signed off on the visit last month when they met in Peru on the sidelines of an economic summit. Though the parallels with Obama's Hiroshima visit are palpable, both governments said that one visit wasn't contingent on the other.

Meanwhile, China criticized Abe's visit as an insincere attempt to absolve Japan of its wartime aggression.

"Trying to liquidate the history of World War II by paying a visit to Pearl Harbor and consoling the dead is just wishful thinking on Japan's part," said Hua Chunying,a Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman in Beijing, at a regular briefing.

"Japan can never turn this page over without reconciliation from China and

other victimized countries in Asia," she said. "Japanese leaders should stop being so evasive and dodging, and instead take a responsible attitude toward history and future, deeply and sincerely reflect upon the history of aggressive war, and draw a clear break with the past."

Abe's visit is not without political risk given the Japanese people's long, emotional reckoning with their nation's aggression in the war. Though the history books have largely deemed Pearl Harbor a surprise attack, Japan's government insisted as recently as this month that it had intended to give the U.S. prior notice that it was declaring war and failed only because of "bureaucratic bungling."

"There's this sense of guilt, if you like, among Japanese, this 'Pearl Harbor syndrome,' that we did something very unfair," said Tamaki Tsukada, a minister in the Embassy

of Japan in Washington.

"I think the prime minister's visit will in a sense absolve that kind of complex that Japanese people have."

Since the war, the U.S. and Japan have built a powerful alliance that both sides say has grown stronger during Obama's tenure. There are questions about what the relationship will look like under President-elect Donald Trump.

During the campaign, Trump suggested that Japan and South Korea should obtain nuclear weapons so the U.S. would no longer be burdened with costs of defending them, a disquieting notion in many Asian capitals. But after Trump's election, Abe became the first foreign leader to meet with him, sitting down in Trump Tower with the business mogul and Trump's daughter, Ivanka.

Though no Japanese prime minister has visited the USS Arizona Memorial, former Japanese leader leader Shigeru Yoshida visited Pearl Harbor in 1951, six years after Japan surrendered. He stopped there on his way home from signing the San Francisco peace treaty with the U.S. and others, and paid a courtesy visit to the office of Adm. Arthur W.R. Radford.

Other prime ministers have since visited Pearl Harbor and the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, known as Punchbowl.

Philippines searches for WB gets in touch with Pakistan 18 crewmen of ship sunk over water dispute with India PTI Manila, Dec 27 : The Philippine coast guard pressed its search today for 18 missing Filipino crewmen from a cargo ship that sank at the height of Typhoon NockTen, which struck the country on Christmas Day, spoiling holiday celebrations in Asia's largest Catholic nation. Coast guard spokesman Armand Balilo said 14 other crewmen have been rescued and one died after the M/V Starlite Atlantic sank off Mabini town in Batangas province, where the powerful typhoon passed yesterday on its way out of the country into the South China Sea. The ship sought cover in an anchorage area as the typhoon passed and its crew decided to move to safer waters but encountered huge waves and fierce winds, causing it to sink, Balilo said, adding that another cargo ship ran aground in Mabini.

At least seven people died from the typhoon, including the sunken ship's crewman and villagers who drowned from flooding or were pinned by fallen trees or a collapsed wall in Albay and Quezon provinces.

President Rodrigo Duterte was to fly to the hard-hit town of Virac on the eastern island province of Catanduanes, where the typhoon made landfall on Sunday night, to distribute food packs to residents. Ahead of the president's visit, Defence Secretary Delfin

Lorenzana and top military officials flew to Virac and were stunned by the extent of devastation.

"Their common perception is that Virac is completely devastated," military spokesman Brig Gen Restituto Padilla said of the coastal town of more than 70,000 people.

The province's coconut plantations, the primary industry, were destroyed and may take five to 10 years to recover, he said.

Nock-Ten, locally known as Nina, forced more than 420,000 villagers to abandon their Christmas celebrations for emergency shelters and other safer grounds.

It also knocked down power in several provinces, dimming holiday festivities. More than 300 flights were delayed or rescheduled and ferries were barred from sailing, stranding more than 12,000 holiday travellers.

The storm was one of the strongest to hit the Philippines since Typhoon Haiyan left more than 7,300 people dead or missing and displaced over 5 million in 2014. But officials in some provinces initially found it difficult to convince people to abandon their Christmas celebrations and head for the shelters before the storm hit. Some officials said they had to impose forced evacuations.

About 20 typhoons and storms lash the Philippines each year. In the past 65 years, seven typhoons have hit on Christmas Day, the Southeast Asian nation's biggest holiday.

Islamabad, Dec 27 : World Bank President Jim Yong Kim has held a telephonic conversation with Pakistan's Finance Minster Senator Ishaq Dar and discussed with him Indo-Pak water dispute, days after the country asked the global lender to "fulfil its obligations" on the issue.

Dawn newspaper quoted official sources as saying the call was made on Monday.

Mr. Dar on December 23 had written a letter to Mr. Kim over the dispute over two hydroelectric power plants - Kishanganga and Ratle -that India is building on the Indus rivers system.

Mr. Dar in his letter said that delaying arbitration would seriously prejudice Pakistan's interests and rights under the Indus Waters Treaty.

The letter explained that Pakistan was not withdrawing its earlier request to the bank to appoint the chairman of the Court of Arbitration and since this process had already been "inordinately delayed", Islamabad wanted the bank to appoint the chairman as soon as possible.

Pakistan believes that further delay would hurt its interests as India is working day and night to complete the two disputed projects.

And once they are completed, it will be difficult to undo them.

World Bank President Jim Yong Kim The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960, distributed the Indus basin rivers between the two countries, giving India control over the three eastern rivers - the Beas, the Ravi and the Sutlej - while Pakistan has the three western rivers - the Indus, the Chenab and the Jhelum.

The treaty empowers the World Bank to arbitrate any water dispute between India and Pakistan.

Earlier, last week Mr. Kim sent a letter to the finance ministers of India and Pakistan, informing them that he had decided to 'pause' the bank's arbitration and urged the two neighbours to decide by the end of January how they wanted to settle this dispute.

Tensions over the water dispute intensified in November when Indian Prime Minister

Narendra Modi threatened to block the flow of water into Pakistan.

In the formal request sent to the bank, Pakistan argued that the Court of Arbitration could be formed at the request of either party, if the party concludes that the dispute is not likely to be resolved by negotiation or mediation.

The bank would also be obliged to establish the court if the aggrieved party concluded that the other government was unduly delaying the negotiations.

Pakistan informed the World Bank that it has already exhausted the option to engage India for resolving the dispute through bilateral talks and was now exercising the option to take its case to the Court of Arbitration.

Hafiz Saeed asks Pakistan government not to forge friendship with India PTI Lahore, Dec 27 : Jamaatud-Dawah chief and the 2008 Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed has asked the Pakistan government to refrain from forging friendship with India claiming that its forces are committing atrocities in Kashmir. He

also alleged that the BJP government is trying to change the demographic status in Kashmir. "We are standing with Kashmiris and completely support freedom movement of Kashmir," he said and criticised the Indian army for committing atrocities in Kashmir.

He has urged the Pakistani government to solve problems of Kashmiris.

"The Pakistani government should not look towards India's friendship.

Blood is being shed in Kashmir. Therefore, it is Pakistani government's responsibility to solve their problems," he said.

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DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28

P11 Mumbai beat Hyderabad by 30 Gurpreet on lookout for bigger clubs in Europe runs to enter Ranji semi-final

PTI Raipur , Dec. 27: Mumbai's 'Man of all Seasons' Abhishek Nayar once again brought his best out in pressure situation to guide the defending champions to the semi-final of the Ranji Trophy beating Hyderabad by 30 runs in a closely-contested lasteight encounter.

Needing 232 to win, Hyderabad were dismissed for 201 on the final day as Nayar and left-arm spinner Vijay Gohil (5/64) doing the damage.

Top-order batsman Balachander Aniruddh's dogged unbeaten 84 off 187 balls with four boundaries and two sixes was not enough with seniormost pro Nayar's 5 for 40 enabling the title

favourites to survive a scare despite being in the pole position going into the final day.

All the three wickets were taken by the veteran all-rounder who finished with match figures of 9 for 100 and also scored a half-century once again proving that who has been Mumbai's most effective matchwinner for a decade now.

Starting the day at 121 for 7 needing another 111 runs to win, Hyderabad with their No 3 Aniruddh at crease fought well with Chama Milind (29) adding 64 runs for the eighth wicket with Aniruddh.

While Mumbai needed three good deliveries, a score of 185 for 7 was a biot worrying before Nayar bowled his mili-

tary medium stuff.

The man with the 'Golden arm for Mumbai' and the most ungainly action first got Milind to edge one to Adirya Tare and within two balls trapped Mohammed Siraj leg before.

Aniruddh now had a job of shielding No 11 Ravi Kiran (1) as well as score some runs. They did conjure up 16 runs for the final wicket before Ravi Kiran also edged to Tare as Mumbai once again made it to the last four of the competition.

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu stint. As per the contract, he has one more season left at Stabaek FC. "Especially with the injury coming in at a bad time... all in all it was an eventful year with a setback due to injury," he said.

Gurpreet felt the country must try and get its most promising players to ply

their trade in places like Europe if it has to improve its standing in international football.

"As short-term goals we need our best players, we need our young players to train in Europe or anywhere outside India where we can get better facilities, better coaching for instance.

"Until and unless things get sorted in India we need our young players to go outside so that when they come back they help our national team and we do better and Indian football gets benefitted from that.

"In India, developing players is not easy, it's going to take time."

10th edition of I-League launched amid fanfare

Brief Scores: Mumbai 294 and 217.

Hyderabad 280 and (Target 232) 201 in 71 overs (B Aniruddh 84 no, Abhishek Nayar 5/40, Vijay Gohil 5/64).

Mumbai won by 30 runs.

Azhar scores ton for Pakistan amid rain in Australia Test

10th edition of I-League launched amid fanfare

Azhar Ali

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AFP Melbourne, Dec. 27: Opening batsman Azhar Ali led the way as Pakistan consolidated their first innings on a rain-hit second day of the second Test against Australia in Melbourne on Tuesday.

Only 50.3 overs were possible on the day after 50.5 overs were bowled on Monday's opening day as rain again curtailed play.

At the close after rain forced an early finish, the tourists were 310 for six with Azhar providing the foundations.

Azhar was unbeaten on 139 with Mohammad Amir hitting a breezy 28 off 23 balls with six fours trying to lift the scoring rate after the dismissals of Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed.

Azhar, playing in his 56th Test, raised his 12th Test century and third against Australia with two runs behind the wicket to fine leg.

Azhar's hundred came off 218 balls in 338 minutes and consolidated his position as Pakistan's leading

runscorer this calendar year.

At the close Azhar had scored 1089 runs for the fifth highest aggregate for the year.

The last Pakistan opener to carry his bat through a Test innings was Imran Farhat (117 not out) against New Zealand in Napier 2009. It has never been done in Pakistan's Tests against Australia.

Only Mohsin Khan with scores of 152 and 149 back in 1983 has posted higher scores than Azhar as an opening batsman for Pakistan in Australia.

Shafiq reached 50 before he gave skipper Steve Smith his third catch of the innings ending an 115-run partnership with Azhar.

Jackson Bird got one ball to seam away and Shafiq was forced to play a shot and edged to Smith at second slip for his third wicket.

Shafiq, who scored a fighting 137 in Pakistan's narrow loss in the first Gabba Test, faced 123 balls for his 18th Test half-century over three

hours.

Josh Hazlewood got his reward for his nagging accuracy with the wicket of Sarfraz Ahmed for 10, snapped up by Matt Renshaw at first slip.

Hazlewood sent down 26 overs for the miserly figures of two for 33 with 11 maidens.

Mitchell Starc had problems with his front landing foot and struggled wicketless for 77 runs off 23.2 overs. Light rain sent the players from the field midway through the opening session, before play resumed and was then stopped again just before lunch.

It intensified during the lunch break and prevented any play to tea after washing out play post-tea on Monday's opening day.

A total of 78 overs have been lost so far, but play is scheduled to start 30 minutes earlier each day for the remainder of the match.

But more showers and storms are forecast over the remaining three days.

PTI New Delhi, Dec, 27: In the presence of Indian football stars, including striker Sunil Chhetri and goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, the 10th edition of I-League was launched here today amid much fanfare.

India's premier domestic football competition will see a return of representation from all four regions of the country -Mohun Bangan, East Bengal, Aizwal FC and Shillong Lajong from the East and North East; Mumbai FC, DSK Shivajians and Churchil Brothers from the West; Bengaluru FC and Chennai City FC from the South and debutants Minerva Punjab will bring the North back into top flight Indian football after a gap of five seasons.

All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Praful Patel said: "The 10 participating teams in the 10th edition of the Hero I-League are based from across the length and breadth of the country. I thank Hero MotoCorp for their support to the ILeague and Indian football.

"The league is the unifying factor for the football fans in India as right from Aizwal FC in the NorthEast to Mumbai FC in Mumbai, and from Minerva City Punjab FC in Chandigarh to Chennai City FC in Chennai, the clubs represent pan India.

The Hero I-League is the premiere league of the country through which teams participate in the AFC Cup and the AFC Champions League. I wish success to all the

participating teams."

AIFF general secretary Kushal Das said: "The competitive spirit of the ILeague has been outstanding over the last few editions. The League witnessed a substantial increase of almost 40 percent in spectator attendance and here we are, prior to the kick off of the 10th edition, expecting the graph to further go up."

He further stated: "This edition, the league has a pan India presence. I wish luck to all the teams. May the best team come out as the winner of the Hero ILeague. Hero Motocorp has been providing extensive support for the promotion of Indian football and I thank them for their cooperation."

The six-month league will kick off on January 7 in Bengaluru with defending

champions Bengaluru FC locking horns with Shillong Lajong FC. Pawan Munjal, Chairman, MD & CEO, Hero MotoCorp Ltd said: "Football has clearly become one of the most popular sports among youngsters in the country. As the title sponsor of all the marquee football tournaments in the country - Hero ISL, Hero ILeague and Hero Federation Cup - Brand Hero has been the pioneer in popularising the game in India.

"With over 100 matches to be played by the 10 teams in the fray, the Hero I-League and Hero Federation Cup will certainly bring a lot of excitement for the fans, and contribute towards the long-term development of the game.

Weightlifting Nationals: Jimjang Deru breaks national record in clean & jerk Nagercoil, Dec 27 : Jimjang Deru on Tuesday created a new national record in clean & jerk event in men's 62kg category with a lift of 153kg to secure the gold medal on day ywo of the Senior National Weightlifting Championships in Nagercoil.

In other weight divisions, Saraswati Rout of Railway Sports Promotion Board and Punjab's Jasvir Kaur bagged the yellow metals

in women's 58kg and women's 63kg respectively.

The highlight of the day was the performance of Services Sports Control Board's Jimjang, who lifted 113kg in snatch before breaking the national record in the clean & jerk with a brilliant effort of 153kg for a total of 226kg to finish on the top of the podium. The earlier national record was in the

name of Rustam Sarang of Chhattisgarh.

The silver and bronze in men's 62kg went to Anthony Raj with an overall lift of 261kg (114+147) and V Srinivasa Rao for picking up an overall weight of 255kg (112+143).

In women's 58kg, Saraswati's total lift of 187kg (81+106) saw her clinching the gold, while Amandeep Kaur won the silver after picking up

181kg (81+100) and L Premeshowri Devi settled for bronze with 176kg (80+96).

Jasvir Kaur topped women's 63kg category with an effort of 208kg (94+114). Vandna Gupta earned the silver medal on the basis of a total lift of 202kg (87+115), while Swathikrishna C Nair claimed the bronze when she lifted 177kg (79+98).

All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Praful Patel had spoken of his desire to see India work towards its objective of qualifying for the World Cup in 2022, and Gurpreet believed it is possible.

"Nothing is impossible in my opinion. No one would have ever though that an Indian would play in Europe two years ago. Thailand is another example.

We need to learn from examples around us."

After being named in India's 2011 Asian Cup squad as a young goalkeeper, Sandhu has established himself as the number one and is ready to lead the team through qualification for the 2019 Asian Cup. The tall goalkeeper from Mohali was recently nominated for the 2016 AIFF Award for Special Recognition.

Asked about Minerva FC's inclusion in 2017 Ileague, Sandhu hoped that it would revive the football culture in the Northern region.

Nasybullina shocks Russian compatriot Deviatkin PTI Mumbai, Dec 27 : Russian Womens Fide Master Alfia Nasybullina played a tactical game to upset eleventhseeded Russian compatriot, GM Dimitri Deviatkin, in the 2nd IIFL Wealth Mumbai International Chess Tournament here today.

In the biggest upset of the day, Deviatkin played an Anti-Sicilian game, but later bungled to end up with an exchange down and eventually lost the game to Alfia, rated almost 300 points below Deviatkin.

In another notable first round result, Mumbai lad Mithil Ajgaonkar, rated 2216, held second-seeded Italian GM David Alberto, who is rated 2574.

There were a couple of more notable draws in the games held on the top tables, with Delhi boys Puneet Jaiswal and Nishant Malhotra and West Bengals Debrashi Mukherjee holding higher rated players.

While Debarshi held Belgian GM Vadim Malakhatko, Puneet drew with Polish GM Jacek Stopa and Nishant drew with IM Narayanan Srinath, the highest rated International Master in the fray.

In the second round of the under 13 event being held concurrently, third-seeded Bengal boy Aronyak Ghosh was held to a draw by Om Manish Kadam, rated 700 points below Aronyak.

Results: Open category (Round 1): Sandipan Chanda (2593, IND) beat WIM Parnali S Dharia (2219, IND); Mithil Ajgaonkar (2216, IND) drew with GM David Alberto (2574, ITA); GM Ghosh Diptayan (2570, IND) beat Snehal Bhosale (2214, IND); FM Mohammad Fahad Rahman (2213, BAN) lost to GM Bernadskiy Vitaliy (2540, UKR); GM Sivuk Vitaly (2540, UKR) beat Jayakumaar S (2211, IND); Patil Pratik (2208, IND) lost to GM Movsziszian Karen (2523, ARM); GM Tukhaev Adam (2516, UKR) beat Likhit Chilukuri (2206, IND); Debarshi Mukherjee (2194, IND) drew with GM Malakhatko Vadim (2507, BEL); GM Horvath Adam (2501, HUN) beat Senthil Maran K. (2193, IND); Prasannaa S. (2191, IND) lost to GM Czebe Attila (2500, HUN). PTI SSR NRB RYS

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Aditya Tare struck two half-centuries in Mumbai's win Š BCCL

PTI New Delhi , Dec, 27: He has broken new ground by becoming the first Indian to play in the Europa League and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu today said he will explore and strive to go a notch higher in European club football next year.

After a humble beginning with the AIFF's developmental side, the 24-yearold Gurpreet went on to become the first Indian to play a competitive game in any European top tier, turning out for Norwegian team Stabaek FC. "I have one more season left in Norway, but personally, I would try to move on and explore more opportunities on a bigger level, bigger clubs in Europe and if I keep getting those opportunities I will try to explore for sure," Sandhu, who has age on his side, told PTI. After the high last season, the Punjabi boy suffered an injury setback at a crucial juncture that scuttled his overseas

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DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28

P12 Pressure nothing compared to Sunil Chhetri says Bengaluru growing up rigours: Geeta Phogat FC aiming for AFC Cup title PTI New Delhi, Dec 27: Geeta Phogat might be feeling the pressure of making a comeback at the upcoming Pro Wrestling League after a long injury lay-off but the celebrated grappler said it is nothing compared to the "tough training" she and her siblings went through during their formative days.

Inspired by the story of Phogat sisters -- Geeta and Babita -- and their hard taskmaster father Mahavir Singh, Aamir Khan-starrer 'Dangal' has set the cash registers ringing at the box office.

"We had a very hard training during our childhood and I don't want to live it again. There were so many times when I felt like running away from the akhada. But now that we are bearing the fruits of all the hard work, we understand its value," recollected Geeta after the unveiling of the new logo and squad of the Uttar Pradesh franchise -- UP Dangal -- for PWL sea-

Gujarat's Gohel breaks 117-year-old record, looks for Govt job PTI Jaipur, Dec. 27: Gujarat's 26-year-old opening batsman Samit Gohel today broke a 117-year-old record in first-class cricket by notching up the highest score while carrying his bat through the innings of 359 not out during his team's Ranji Trophy quarter-final against Odisha.

While Hanif Mohammed's epic 499 remains the highest score by an opener in first-class cricket, no one has scored more than Gohel while remaining not out in his team's score of 641 here.

Gohel in fact eclipsed the previous best of 357 by Surrey's Bobby Abel against Somerset way back in 1899 at the Kensington Oval ground.

Gohel's 723-ball-knock had 45 boundaries and a six but the shy boy from Gujarat's dairy hub Anand was very unassuming. While the match was dead as a contest on final day but nothing can take away from his effort.

"I did not know it was a World Record. The idea was to bat as long as possible.

Coach sir (Vijay Patel) and Parthiv bhai (skipper Parthiv Patel) ne bola thaa lamba khelo. I just tried to do that. I am happy that I could bat this long. Obviously this is the greatest day of my life. I am actually still not able to express myself," the right-handed batsman told PTI after his knock.

His father Bhanubhai Patel is a real estate property dealer and till now Gohel is happy to call himself a "professional cricketer".

One of his teammates Priyank Panchal has been the top scorer in this season's Ranji Trophy and Gohel said Panchal has been an inspiration for him.

"Priyank's performance and Parthiv bhai's show against England were an inspiration for all of us. Also I love to bat long. Even in the nets, I love to bat on and on. This lengthy duration at the nets also helped me in the middle.

My childhood coaches Devang Desai and Hiren Patel always told me that temperament is key in firstclass cricket," he said. For the record, Gujarat made it to the semi-final of the Ranji Trophy.

son 2.

"I am under a little pressure as I am making a comeback after a long time but I am confident as I have a very strong base and never shy away from my training."

Asked if she felt bad about being recognised more after the release of the movie than when they brought laurels to the country, Geeta confessed: "What I did in 2012 (won a bronze at the World Championship) or 2010 (gold in Commonwealth Games), I am getting recognised for it today.

"Obviously, it feels a little bad that we are not being recognised for our wrestling but more now that a movie is made on our lives."

Geeta will be facing the Rio Olympics bronzemedallist Sakshi Malik, representing the Delhi franchise at the PWL2, but the 28-year-old said she was all prepared to take on anyone in her weight category - 58kg.

"Be it Sakshi or Tunisia's Marwa Amri (also Rio Games bronze medallist), I am prepared. I have been training.

Sometimes it boils down to a move or two and that makes all the difference. One never knows how a bout is going to pan out and even in last 2-3 seconds things can change. It's all about applying a technique.

And I am working on it," she explained.

With the release of Dangal, Geeta and Babita are being seen at a number of places along with the cast of the movie but both Geeta and Babita insisted that they were still taking out time for their training.

"Yes, we have been busy with the interviews and all the promotion of the movie but still we make sure to train at least once everyday. Ideally we train twice a day.

We cannot ignore our wrestling as whatever we are today is because of that. We have to give time to training no mat-

ter what," Babita, who is also a part of the UP Dangal team, said.

Babita said she was looking forward to learning new techniques from foreign wrestlers and also gain valuable experience from the PWL, starting January 2.

"I think we have a strong team this season. We have some good foreign wrestlers in our side and we are looking at learning a few tricks of the trade from them," said Babita.

On whether PWL would be introducing grassroot d e v e l o p m e n t programmes in future like other leagues, Director Marketing of Investors Clinic, Sunny Katyal, associated with UP Dangal said, "We would whatever the demands to help it grow further."

Other members of the UP Dangal team -- Amit Dhankar, Amit Dahiya and Mausam Khatri -who were also present on the occasion, stressed on the importance of nurturing talent from an early age.

HIGHLIGHTS Geeta will be facing the Rio Olympics bronzemedallist Sakshi Malik in PWL-2.

Geeta said she was all prepared to take on anyone in her weight category.

Babita said she was looking forward to learning new techniques from foreign wrestlers "The concentration should be on nurturing the kids. If they are given the right food and training, we would have more champions in our country," said Amit Dhankar.

Two-time Commonwealth champion in the 97kg category Khatri, also agreed, saying: "Once someone gets the medal then giving him/ her facilities and money hardly make a difference. It has to be given to an athlete during the growing up years."

Dope, disappointing Olympics: Indian athletics PTI New Delhi, Dec. 27: A disastrous Olympic campaign where they made up just the numbers and a doping fiasco to add to the misery, Indian athletics yet again did little to shrug off the tag of country's most underachieving sport in the year gone by.

The only silver lining in an otherwise unfruitful year was the world junior record set by javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, who became the first Indian to own a world record, though in the junior category.

That gave the embattled Athletics Federation of India the bragging rights that India also can produce world beaters in athletics.

The 18-year-old lad from Haryana hurled the spear to a stunning distance of 86.48m at the IAAF World Under-20 Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland, nearly two meters beyond the earlier world Under-20 record of 84.69m which was in the name of Latvia's Zigismunds Sirmais.

Chopra, currently studying at DAV College in Chandigarh, also broke the existing national senior record of 82.23m which was in the name of Rajinder Singh.

His achievement was all the more stunning as his effort was better than that of Rio Olympics bronze-winner Keshorn Walcott (85.38m) of Trinidad and Tobago.

Chopra did not qualify for Olympics as his achievement came after the Olympics qualifying deadline of July 11 though he crossed the Rio entry standard of 83m.

Chopra also became the first Indian track and field athlete to win a gold in the World Championships. Legendary long jumper Anju Bobby George had won a bronze in the senior World Championships in 2003.

A record 34 track and field athletes (out of India's total 117) took part in the Olympics -the grandest of the world stage -- but in the end, except for Lalita Babar it turned out to be a mere presence.

The Rio performance was one of the worst in India's athletics history. In London 2012, two athletes -- Vikas Gowda and Krishna Poonia -- made it to the finals while two race walkers came up with national record timings.

But this time the performance was disappointing despite the Sports Ministry splashing crores of rupees on their training under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme.

Babar qualified for the finals in the women's 3000m steeplechase, the first time by an Indian in track events after P T Usha did 32 years ago in 400m hurdles in 1984 Los Angeles.

She finished a creditable 10th to be the only saving grace among her underperforming colleagues.

Image for representational purpose.

The build-up to the Games was not good either as it was rocked by dope flunks by two national record holders -- shot putter Inderjeet Singh and 200m runner Dharambir Singh.

Both were barred from taking part in the Olympics.

Dharambir was later banned for eight years last month as it was his second dope offence.

The case for Inderjeet is still in the hearing stage before the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel of the NADA. On the administrative front, Adille Sumariwalla was reelected unopposed as the president of AFI for a second term at its Annual General Body Meeting. Sumariwalla, also a member of the powerful IAAF's ruling council, was the lone nomination received for the top post and he will serve as president till 2020.

(REOPENS DEL 11) Despite being lightweights in the competitive arena, India continued to rule the roost as far as doping was concerned and the country was placed once again in the top three in a WADA report based on the information supplied by various national bodies.

India had the third highest Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) in 2014, with 96 cases, behind Russia (148) and Italy (123), according to a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) report.

In that, athletics contributed most dope cheats with 29 cases, followed by powerlifitng (23) and weightlifting (22) as the trend of the last few years continued.

The year 2016 was also a sort of achievement for Odisha sprinter Dutee Chand who came out of IAAF ban following a 'gender test' to qualify for the Olympics though her campaign in Rio ended disappointingly as she finished seventh in her 100m heats with a below-par 11.69secs.

The 20-year-old became the first Indian female athlete to qualify for the 100m dash in Olympics in 36 years after legendary P T Usha competed in the blue-riband event in the

1980 Moscow Games.

She qualified for the Olympics with a national record time of 11.24 seconds at the 26th G Kosanov Memorial Meet in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The year began with the Indian track and field athletes enjoying expected supremacy in the South Asian Games (SAG) in Guwahati by winning 28 gold medals out of the country's 188.

Veteran long distance runner Kavita Raut clinched gold in women's marathon and qualified for Olympics in the process.

Then, the domestic season began with the athletes making frantic efforts to make the Rio Olympics ticket. Federation Cup, National Inter-State Championships and three Indian Grand Prix legs served as the domestic events while many athletes embarked on training-cumcompetition tours outside the country to try and qualify for Rio. The notable foreign exposure trip was the 38-member Indian track and field team for a 12week training-cum-competition stint at the world class facility at Spala, Poland with dope tainted Yuri Ogorodinik among the support staff.

Several national records were broken in the process and the country saw some remarkable performances in the build-up to the Olympics, which also raised doubts about how clean they were in achieving these Rio standards.

It was, however, a stark contrast at the Olympics where the preGames 'remarkable' performances could not be matched and very few athletes could even achieve their personal best.

Topping the list of flops was none other than triple jumper Renjith Maheshwary who made it to his third Olympics after producing the season's third-best performance in the world at that time.

The Kerala jumper, who has flopped time and again on the world stage, touched down at 17.30m at the Indian Grand Prix in Bengaluru in July to qualify but crashed out in the first round in Rio managing just 16.13m.

Another big let down was dis-

cus thrower Vikas Gowda who travelled to Rio despite being on the recovery path from an injury. He ended his challenge with a best throw of 58.99m that was nearly six metres short of his best.

Gowda's female counterpart, discus thrower Seema Antil, finished a disappointing 20th in the qualifying round , and 20th overall, with a best throw of 57.58m, well below her personal best of 62.62 metres.

Legendary P T Usha's prodigy Tintu Luka came a cropper on the global stage once again as she failed to qualify for the semifinals of the women's 800m race after finishing sixth in her heat race.

The 27-year-old Luka clocked a season's best of 2 minute 00.58 seconds to finish sixth in heat number 3 and 29th overall out of a total 65 runners. It raised questions on how long Luka will take to make a mark at the global stage under Usha.

Rated high after their 2012 London show, the race walkers also produced a disappointing show this time in Rio and Manish Singh was the best Indian at 13th among men in the 20km race walk while Khushbir Kaur finished at 54th among women.

The women's 4x400m relay quartet finished seventh in the heats while the men's team faced the embarrassment of being disqualified.

O P Jaisha created an unnecessary controversy after returning home from the Olympics.

Jaisha, who finished 89th and also fainted at the finish line, accused the Indian officials for not providing her water and drinks during her Marathon race despite designated stations being given for the country, a claim denied by AFI. Her coach and AFI said she did not ask for drinks -- for which there will have to be permission a day prior to the race. A probe by Sports Ministry absolved the AFI from any inaction and blamed the athlete for the confusion.

Jaisha did not get the support of her coach Nikolai Snesarev who said that she herself had refused when asked by him if she would need personalised refreshment during the race.

He also said that Jaisha had never used personalised drinks during marathon competitions.

Sports Ministry set up a twomember inquiry committee to probe Jaisha's case but later ruled that there was no fault on the part of the athletics officials.

Towards the end of the year, the capital city witnessed a top class Delhi Half Marathon race with Kenya's reigning Olympic champion Kipchoge winning the event.

He said he came to run in the half marathon well aware of the poor air quality of Delhi to inspire the young generation of the country to take up running.

Bengaluru FC captain Sunil Chhetri IANS New Delhi, Dec 27 : Bengaluru FC captain Sunil Chhetri says they will try their level best to better the previous season's successful campaign with a title win at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup. Apart from clinching the 2016 I-League title, Albert Roca-coached Bengaluru became the first Indian club to reach the AFC Cup final, where they lost to Iraq's Air Force Sports Club 0-1 on November 5.

And Chhetri, the leading striker of the southern outfit, on Tuesday felt that it will be a cherry on the cake if they managed to defend the 2017 ILeague title and go a step ahead than last season at the AFC Cup. "It will be another tough season but we are hopeful of doing well. What we did this year -- to win the I-League and reaching the AFC Cup final -was great. This season (2017) it will be an absolute dream to win the AFC Cup," Chhetri said on Tuesday on the sidelines of the launch of the

I-League which starts on January 7.

"We experienced a great campaign at the AFC Cup. We now know the tasks that await us in 2017 and we need to be ready for that. We should give another try at it (winning AFC Cup)," the India captain added.

Asked about the challenges ahead in their ILeague title defence, the 32-year-old reflected on how the upcoming season will be different and difficult. Chennai FC and Minerva Punjab FC are new entrants into the league, while Churchil Brothers are back in the fold.

Chhetri acknowledged that the fight with Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan and East Bengal will be fierce but the new teams will look to leave their mark

by making life difficult for them.

"We will see a different and a difficult I-League season for us. Apart from the new clubs, we can see every club is getting better. We have a good team but we need to prove that by performance," he said.

"It was a little bit easier in the the first year (201314) for us than the last two seasons. When you are a new team, people tend to not take notice but once you win the trophy every club is after you," he added.

"In 2016, we were one of the contenders, so it was not at all easy. But ahead of the 2017 ILeague, people are talking of us being one of the favourites, so we can sense the difficulty."

"We experienced a great campaign at the AFC Cup. We now know the tasks that await us in 2017 and we need to be ready for that. We should give another try at it (winning AFC Cup)," -Sunil Chhetri

Virat Kohli chosen as captain of Cricket Australia's ODI team of the year

Virat Kohli (India, captain) PTI Melbourne, Dec. 27 : Accolades continue to pour in for India's dynamic Test captain Virat Kohli, who was today named skipper of Cricket Australia's ODI team of the year which also featured young yorker specialist Jasprit Bumrah.

Kohli, who was earlier also picked captain of the ICC's ODI team of the year, was preferred over Australia's Steve Smith. Smith was, however, picked in the 'All-Star' team.

"India's skipper played only 10 ODI matches in 2016, but he again underlined his status as one of the best in the 50over format," CA said in a state-

ment.

"The right-hander scored 45 or more in eight of his 10 innings for the year, notching back-toback centuries in a run feast against Australia in January and then a magnificent 154 (not out) in a successful pursuit of 289 against New Zealand, more than half of his team's total.

"He now averages an incredible 90.10 in 59 successful run chases for India, and has been out in the middle for the winning runs on 20 occasions," it added.

CA said Bumrah made the cut riding on his consistency.

"India's unorthodox paceman Jasprit Bumrah was a standout in 2016, his first year as an international player.

"While nine of his 17 wickets for the year came against Zimbabwe, it was his ability to keep scoring to a minimum that impressed us the most; he conceded more than 40 runs in an innings just once all year and his extraordinary economy rate of 3.63 is easily the best in the world for 2016," the CA stated.

Cricket Australia's ODI Team of Year: Virat Kohli (India, captain), David Warner (Australia), Quinton de Kock (wk) (South Africa), Steve Smith (Australia), Babar Azam (Pakistan), Mitchell Marsh (Australia), Jos Buttler (England), Jasprit Bumrah (India), Imran Tahir (South Africa).

Printed and Published by NIKH KHOPI and Printed at PEE GEE(India) Ltd., C/O Asomiya Khabar Pulibor, Jorhat-785006 and Published from T.C Borah Building, 1st Floor, Next to Sankardeva Hospital, Mancotta Road, Chowkidingee Dibrugarh-786001, Assam. Email: editor.easterntoday@gmail.com. For advertisement: advt.easterntoday@gmail.com

Editor: Prahlad Hammey

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