THE MILEAGE --- SEPTEMBER ISSUE

Volume No.II

Issue No.IV

September, 2015

Guwahati

Total Pages-24

INSIDE

BANNING PORNOGRAPHY

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The Mileage September, 2015

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ADVISORS Talmizur Rahman, Chandan Kr. Goswami Nurul Islam Laskar

Editorial

CONSULTING EDITOR Aniruddha Laskar

The power of Alternative Media

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Bijoy Ghimire EXECUTIVE EDITOR Deepa Kumari Basfore, Anupa Lahkar Goswami CHIEF SUB EDITOR

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CONTENTS

N the simplest term alternative media is whatever which empowers the voiceless by giving them a voice. The alternative media or the independent media are the ones that challenge the dominant capitalist forms of media production, media structures, content, distribution and reception. In the mainstream media one finds journalists as a professional wage-labour class that is confronted with corporate and political pressures, journalistic production conditioned by power process.

Contrarily, the model of alternative journalism, in which one finds the independence of writers from corporate and political influences and pressures, challenges this media conglomeration. Anybody can be an author without specific training or expertise. Ordinary citizens can become journalists, thereby paving way for citizencontrolled journalism.

The internet whistle-blowing website Wikileaks ran by Julian Assange is another very popular and important form of alternative media. Besides exposing America’s imperial ambitions by revealing America’s several war crimes, Wikileaks also has unearthed crucial classified information involving different countries. The names of

several Indian bigwigs who have stashed away black money in the foreign banks were also unearthed by Wikileaks. But unfortunately no notable steps have been taken towards bringing back the black money despite the government promises before the elections.

Moreover, the recent upheaval in the social media circle over the outrageous video footage ran by one of the leading news channels of Assam proves the power and growing capacity of the alternative media. The indecent video on the innocent teenage girls of Guwahati generated enormous heat in the social media whereby the netizens lambasted the concerned journalist and questioned the very quality of news content of the regional news channel. The regressive news content packaged and presented in a sensational way gets outrightly rejected by the viewers now.

The alternative media indeed has given an independent platform to the people at large to give vent to their grudges, feelings, emotions, their likes and dislikes.

ENVIRONMENT

UNIVERSALISING EDUCATION AND THE INHERENT CHALLENGES 4 SAIBAL KRISHNA SHARMA

THE CALL TO CONSERVE 10 NILAKSHI SHARMA

THYROID CANCER AND ITS TREATMENT 7 DR. SUNIL MALLA BUZOR BARUA

PORN BAN AND A FEW EXTRA YARDS 8-9 PARTHA PRAWAL

ASST. SUB EDITOR Dhriti Haloi, Paridhi Agarwal Correspondents Delhi: Debarati Das, Mumbai: Pranami Das Kolkata : Moonmoon Chakrabarty Bangalore : Banashree C. Chakrabarty Siliguri : Subhajit Ghosh, USA: Doleswar Bhandari UK: Kamal Bharati, Australia: Tuman Dahal Nepal: Sanjay Ghimire, Shillong: Rikhiya Chakraborty CREATIVE HEAD Bishnu Saikia PRO CUM LEGAL & CULTURAL REPORTER Swapnav (Mausam) Jyoti Baishya Saud GRAPHICS & DESIGNING Himangshu Lahkar Maqsood Ahmed FOR ADVERTISEMENTS Guwahati : Vivek Borah +91-98648-09333 email: themileage.ad@gmail.com Kolkata : Papan Chakrabarty +91-8486810143 Delhi : Anand K Newar +91-8474055518 CIRCULATION Manoj Sarma +91-8404020042 Sanjeev chetri +91 9577571388 Pradeep Chetry PHOTOGRAPHY Uddipta Sankar Pathak, Akash Harizan, Sandip Ghimire

OTHER REGULAR FEATURES EDITORIAL PAGE 3

PEOPLE AND PLACES

MUSIC 18

THE KOLLYWOOD SHOWMAN – TULSHI GHIMIREY 13 THE MILEAGE

ENTERTAINMENT 19

LIFESTYLE COVER STORY

SUB EDITOR Milton Alam, Saibal Krishna Sharma, Rudhir Prakash Sarma

Letters to the editor can be sent at editor@themileage.org or themileage.tab@gmail.com Articles and the feature write ups are invited and can be mailed at editor@themileage.org

EDUCATION

HEALTH & SCIENCES

Poulami Chakrabarty

HEEYA- A TRIBUTE TO NORTH EAST 14 BANANI DAS

EVENT 20-21 CHAT ZONE 22 FACES OF THE MONTH 23

DEALING WITH PEER PRESSURE 15 BANANI DAS CHOWDHURY

Dear editor, I always look forward for the Chat Zone page of THE MILEAGE. But you give prominence to mostly the celebrities in the field of acting and music. I earnestly request you to also give due coverage and promote some of the promising athletes from our region.

Angshuman Gogoi, Delhi

Dear sir, The Techcheck page is quite innovative on your part. But you give more emphasis on the coverage of latest development of the mobile industry.

I suggest you to do research on other scientific developments as well and inform the common readers about it.

Conveying my regards to the entire team of THE MILEAGE Raj Sharma, Guwahati

Dear Sir, I request you not to discontinue the photography page on your magazine. People of my age eagerly wait for the beautiful photographs captured by both the professionals and amateurs which gets published in your magazine. Great fan of the PICTORIAL page.

Sanjib Aryal Kalimpong

© All content of The Mileage, such as text, graphics, logos, button icons, images, data compilations is the property of The Mileage. Copying any portion of the content or reproducing it in any other form is not permissible in any part of the world. # The views or opinions expressed in the magazine are that of the authors and other content providers. The editor of this magazine does not necessarily subscribe to all the viewpoints presented by them.

Published and Printed by D.P. Upadhyaya on behalf of M/S THE MILEAGE from H/N. 39, By lane no.1, Ananda Nagar, Near Hotel Grand Starline, Guwahati -05 Email: info@themileage.org, themileage.tab@gmail.com, Contact no: 03612349928, 8876752400

EDUCATION

The Mileage September, 2015

Universalising education and the inherent challenges special attention to the Primary sector in Assam. School education in Assam is imparted through a number of pre-primary, primary, middle, high and higher secondary schools. The Government of Assam has implemented the free and compulsory education policy for students up to the age of 14. The syllabus at primary schools is set up by the Directorate of Elementary Education, Assam.

The medium of instruction in Assam at

Saibal Krishna Sharma

E

DUCATION is the doorway to the wider world. The education sector is crucial for developing the human capital of a country to innovate and find solutions for sustained and equitable growth. At present, Right to Education is the primary right of every citizen of India. According to the Article 45 of Indian Constitution the basic elementary education must be provided to all the children up to the age of 14 years. To provide basic education available to each and every children of the country, Government of India is making various plans and programmes.

Despite government initiatives, in various situations the socio-economic as well as environmental condition prevents the implementation of such policies.

Assam has an impressive track record with education. It has developed into a top educational destination at the state as well as at the national level. Its capital city; Guwahati is a key destination for higher education for students of the whole of north-eastern region. As per the Census Report of 2011, Assam’s literacy rate is 73.18% with the urban areas showing a higher percentage at 88.88%, and the rural areas with 70.44%. Statistically, males and females have a discrepancy in their literacy rates, but still the urban females at 67.27% are much higher than the all India female literacy rate (65.46%).

The Education system of Assam in the schools and colleges are either run by the state government or private organization.

The schools in Assam are affiliated either to State Education Board, Assam (SEBA), Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE), or to the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE).

The state Education Department gives

the school level is usually Assamese or English. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) affiliated schools in the state use English as their medium of instruction. English is also used to teach at most higher educational institutions in Assam.

Being part of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (Mission for the Education for All), initiated by the Central Government, the state provides free compulsory elementary education to children of the ages of 6 to 14 (Class I to VII). Under this initiative, students are provided with study materials, uniforms and even mid-day meals. Since the year 2002, the percentage of students out of school has decreased remarkably from 24.39%, in 2002, to 3.56%, in 2009.

As mentioned above, the literacy rate of rural areas in Assam is 70.44%. But, the education system of rural Assam is facing serious challenges. The existing schools of the village are unable to provide the required facilities. Natural calamities mainly flood affects the educational environment of the village every year. Also the economic condition of the villagers as well as various socio – cultural factors is creating hindrance to attain complete

education of the village children. Due to such reasons there are many drop out students in the villages. According to the District Information System of Education (DISE), 2013-14 and 2014-15, the district of Hailakandi has the highest dropout rate of 22.6% (Lower Primary level) and 20.5% (Upper Primary level) in the state followed by Dhubri which is 13.8% (LP) and 14.2% (UP), Goalpara with 12.2 % (LP) and 9.7% (UP), Darrang with 10.9% (LP) and 6.5% (UP) and Chirang with 10.0% (LP) and 6.4% (UP).

Every year government of India is adopting many strategies to develop the education sector of the country. Besides, such attempts in many areas of the country are still facing serious problem in the field of education. Implementation of proper government educational schemes are lacking in the villages. The villagers are not much aware of the importance of education. The poor condition of the existing schools and natural calamities are acting as the main hurdles in the very implementation of proper education system in the villages. Such reasons led to the creation of a good number of dropout students each year. Mainly the students are attracted towards money oriented small jobs rather than acquiring minimum required education for a better survival.

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EDUCATION

The Mileage September, 2015

Jainul Ali talks here about the necessity of properly understanding the term Branding and the need and compulsion to use it in an appropriate way by not only the bigger organizations but also by smaller ones to survive in this competitive globalised market...

BRANDING A CORPORATION T

HE most powerful word in corporate world is branding. The word branding has magnetic power with miracle results. Every organization has a brand but only you have to literate them in a right way. Most of the small entrepreneurs think that branding is not their cup of tea but practically branding strategy with marketing is the only solution for small organizations to survive in this competitive world and become a big shot.

There was a time when simple meaning of brand was only identification. Gradually, time has changed and we have started living in a brand specific world. From morning till evening, we remain attached with some brand in different categories.

Even we cannot think, do or live without brand. Brand enters in our life in a form of product, services, relationship and lots more. Now big question arises what is the expected meaning of brand and why and how it enters in our lives.

Branding flavour in India came around in 1990. Initially this word was only concerned with a company logo, colour combination, symbol, name, slogan etc.

Time was there when only identification resulted in more sales. But, gradually when markets started changing with the wind of globalization, the meaning of branding became more meaningful. Today we live in a brand saturated world for which organizations must find out where their brand stands in a brand dominated market. Organisations should also be very clear about its market position and likewise stand for it. What do you do for your audience? How do you make a relationship? What do you want to know?

What should audience know about your organization? Apart from all those factors, branding creates a story. And such stories

remain in the customers’ memory. The story which is concerned with a feeling, an experience, an image, an association, rumour, an ideology, a myth, behaviour, and a perception is a brand.

In this noisy world, organization must communicate all those things in the form of story so that one’s brand gives emotional touch to customers. Those emotions which create reputation. For example, the moment we say Wal Mart, Coco-cola, McDonald, LIC our sub conscious mind says low price with wide varieties, open happiness, I ‘m loving it and Zindagi ke sath bhi zindagi ke bad bhi, respectively.

To achieve this feeling of big mega brand in customers unconscious mind, organization must deliver the real meaning of branding to their audience just not only word of branding. So, marketing without branding strategy in today’s market is just short term game.

If you do effective marketing, customers must come once in your door step. And through proper branding, you can make them bound to come repeatedly to your doorstep.

Every day, we get lots of opportunities to build brand because every day we are interacting with customers. Only we need to be trained enough to treat them rationally and psychologically so that brand makes a positive differentiation. After using your brand, if customer experience is better he or she will certainly come to you and promote your brand amongst his friends and close circles. Organizations must remember that brand is always made by consumers not by company. Organizations only need to work for perception of customers.

Without a branding strategy, organizations are left with only two weapons to fight with a competitor - price and quality. Today’s customers demand what is there, beyond quality and price.

Today’s customers unconsciously think and want you to deliver beyond quality and price. So as per market demand, change the branding definition and its implementation.

The writer is a Branding & Marketing Consultant and can be reached at brandingavenue8@gmail.com.

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CAREER

The Mileage September, 2015

WORLD OF MERCHANT BANKERS List of Top Merchant Banks in India  Allianz Securities Ltd, Mumbai  Bajaj Consultants P Ltd, Mumbai  Rench & International Bank, Mumbai  Harvey Rud & Co. , Mumbai  SBI Capital Market Ltd. , Mumbai  The Mysore Merchant Co Op Bank Ltd. , Mysore

Paridhi Agarwal

N

OW-a-days people tend to follow Bollywood trends very often. It is trending so much that people change their jobs according to the jobs portrayed in cinemas like wedding planner from Band Baja Baraat or to work in a call centre as portrayed in the movie Hello. In my case, I first wanted to go for engineering but after watching Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara I wanted to become just like Hritik Roshan, a Merchant Banker. Like the other things in life, Bollywood has also contributed in deciding our career to a great extent. A merchant Banker fascinates me the most.

They are smart, they are positive, bright and the list goes on and on.

Now, instead of blabbering about my fascination for it, let me talk about the career in details. Merchant Banking is a combination of banking and consultancy services. It provides consultancy to its clients for financial, marketing, managerial and legal matters. Consultancy means to provide advice, guidance and service for a fee. It aids a businessman to start a business and raise finance. It supports to expand and modernize the business. Most importantly, it assists companies to register, buy and sell shares at the stock exchange.

Image credits © Prof.Mudit Katyani.

No doubt there are investment banks for the same purpose, but it is different from merchant banking. Pure investment banks raise funds for businesses and some governments by registering and issuing debt or equity and selling it in market. Traditionally, investment banks only participate in underwriting and selling securities in large blocks. However, Merchant banks primarily perform international financing activities such as foreign corporate investing, foreign real estate investment, trade finance and international transaction facilitation. Some of the activities that a pure merchant bank is involved in may include issuing letters of credit, transferring funds internationally, trade consulting and co-investment in projects involving trade of one form or another.

A banker who works at a merchant bank deals with large multi-national corporations. Merchant bankers operate much like investment bankers, in that, they don’t make loans or take deposits like retail lender institutions. Instead, they provide advice and brokerage services to large companies and high-wealth individuals.

To get an entry-level job as a merchant banker, you’ll need to have at least a Bachelor’s Degree in finance, accounting, business or economics. To work as a merchant banker directly with clients, most companies require a Master’s Degree in business, an MBA, with a specialization in finance.

You can expect to move around to every department in the investment firm during your initial training period, which could last a year or more. The on-the-job training engages you in the procedures, policies

List of Top Colleges Providing MBA DEGREE  Indian Institute of Management, IIM Ahmedabad  Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta  Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune  Department of Management Studies, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi  Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar  Birla Institute of Management Technology, Greater Noida

and strategies of the company. You’ll learn the technical aspects of the securities business and shadow senior bankers to better understand the inner workings of the company’s strategic selling plans.

Once you begin working with clients, you will be required to register with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and obtain a license to offer securities advice. FINRA offers two levels of examinations. You must pass the first test within 120 days from the date of your registration and then again after 120 days of the second anniversary of when you first registered. Exams are required every three years, in addition to continue education courses, conferences and workshops, to maintain your license as a securities adviser.

Successful merchant bankers move up in the company by increasing the portfolios they manage. They bring in new business and give service to larger accounts. Follow the path of many merchant bankers who earn designations through FINRA as financial analysts, which allows you to make increasingly more important financial decisions and work with larger portfolios.

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HEALTH & SCIENCES

The Mileage September, 2015

Thyroid Cancer and its treatment Dr. Sunil Malla Buzor Barua Endocrine Surgeon, GNRC Hospitals

D

O we really need to know about thyroid cancer? Is it an exotic disease that happens to some unknown person, one amongst millions, who we are unlikely to ever come across?

Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, President of Argentina, had it. So did actress Catherine Bell, Pulitzer Prize winning film critic Roger Ebert and Saturday Night Live comedian Joe Piscopo. Almost one out of every 25 people reading this article will develop it by the time they are in their old age. Don’t panic; if you are one of those persons, it is most likely a tiny cancer (micropapillary) that you won’t notice and won’t affect you in any significant way.

However, not all people are so fortunate.

The thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped organ situated in the front of the neck. It secretes hormones essential for normal metabolism, growth and development, and the maintainance of body temperature.

Many people concerned about their weight gain despite desperate efforts to slim down are becoming aware of the term hypothyroidism, a situation where the thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones for the body’s requirements. There are others in whom the opposite happens, where patients lose weight despite having a good appetite, a situation called hyperthyroidism.

But what happens in thyroid cancer?

More often than not, there are no dramatic symptoms to start off with other than a swelling in the neck; the thyroid hormone levels are usually normal. This swelling may grow over many months to years, eventually compressing the wind pipe and causing difficulty in breathing and swallowing, hoarseness and pain; or spread to other organs such as the lungs and bones causing coughing, pain in the bones, and occasionally bone fractures.

Thyroid cancers consist of a diverse group of diseases ranging from what pathologists like to call well-differentiated thyroid cancer (the good thyroid cancer), which has one of the best prognoses of all cancers,to anaplastic thyroid cancer, having one of the worst. In between, there are a range of tumors which will challenge both the patient and physician and punish any neglect on the part of either. Women are affected three times as often as men, but men have a worse deal when it comes to the eventual outcome. It can occur at any age, with around two out of three cases occurring under the age of 55.

Fortunately, the majority of these tumors belong to the well-differentiated

category which can be successfully treated if detected in time. In patients below the age of forty, the prognosis is so good that it is quite likely that the patient may outlive the surgeon.

Medullary thyroid cancer especially interests endocrine surgeons because in many cases it is associated with exotic syndromes with multiple hormone secreting tumors which often mislead physicians with their unusual presentations.

The neck lump may go unnoticed while the patient is treated for varied problems such as chronic diarrhoea, panic attacks associated with headache and sweating, hypertension, abdominal pain, bone pains, a tendency towards bone fractures, recurrent kidney stones, depression and fatigue. Some medical historians suspect that American president Abraham Lincoln had a rare syndrome called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2b, consisting of medullary thyroid carcinoma, a tall thin gangly appearance, swellings of the nerves and a hormone secreting tumor of the adrenal glands (pheochromocytoma).

Anaplastic thyroid cancer is the cancer that all thyroid surgeons dread; Although rare, it is one of the deadliest and most aggressive cancers known to man, a relentless boa constrictor that suffocates its victim. I still find it difficult to tell a patient and his relatives the true significance of this

diagnosis. It most often arises in an elderly person who has harboured an apparently harmless lump in the front of his or her neck for many years. In many cases, there is an underlying well differentiated cancer that has gradually gone bad under the influence of mutated genes. And all of a sudden, as if possessed by an awakened demonic force, it rapidly expands over a few weeks.

Most patients succumb within a year of diagnosis, despite all efforts. Newer drugs are being developed and tested which may provide a ray of hope in the future.

The treatment of thyroid cancer involves an operation removing the thyroid gland and any enlarged neck lymph nodes as the first step. For well-differentiated cancers (the good cancers-papillary and follicuar), this may be followed by what is called a radioactive iodine uptake test to see if there are any remaining cancer containing areas in the neck and other organs. Such areas are then treated with a dose of radioactive iodine taken as a liquid or in capsule form. Radiation and chemotherapy is not required for the majority of cancers, being reserved for inoperable and aggressive tumors.

Thyroid cancers need not be feared but must not be neglected. If you develop a swelling in your neck, please do get it evaluated at an appropriate healthcare centre.

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COVER STORY

The Mileage September, 2015

porn ban and a few extra yards The recent controversy revolving around banning pornography and lifting it within a couple of days had mixed reactions across India. Partha Prawal attempts assessing the views held by people belonging to different section of the society and presents his view on the issue...

Before the prologue Sex, a three letter word, is the most feared and hated word in India. Sex is the only word that has been solely responsible for the entire ‘moral degradation’ through which the country has gone through in the past several decades. Right from the time of the great war of Ramayana and Kurukshetra to the latest scams of several hundred thousand crores, sex is responsible for every bad in our country. Even though the country gave the world Kamasutra - world’s best and the most scientific sex module - yet talking about sex in public or for academic purposes has always been considered as a taboo. But had sex been a taboo in India, then it would have not raced to become the world’s highest populated country.

Anyhow, I do not have control over a few things which the ‘social clerics’ has adapted for the society as good and bad and which the major section of the society also follows ‘blindly’.

Few days’ back a journalist friend of mine asked me if I agreed to the government’s decision to lift its ban on porn which was imposed only a couple of days back. When I answered in the positive, he glared at me and gave me a mammoth lecture on porn.

Moreover, you are a rapist as well,’ I shot back.

Probably the words pierced him to the deep as he stared at me with rage, muffling, before making a hurried exit. Advocacy is a good thing, but advocacy without proper logistics is a dangerous thing and it may spell doomsday-not just to an individual but to a community at large.

Porn ban history

“Porn is unholy and it is simply the glorification of sex and it pollutes the Indian values and Indian society,” he said.

“What does porn teaches you? Does it infuse any moral values in you? No, it does not. It simply pollutes the young mind and entices men to rape,” he further added.

‘So you too have watched porn, haven’t you?’ I asked him calmly. He was not prepared for the question and he muffled over his reply with a yes and a no.

‘All right then, since you have watched porn that means you are morally degraded and your mind is polluted and you no longer are attached to the Indian values.

Watching or not watching porn is an entirely private matter and in no way shall this be checked by a third party (irrespective of whosoever the party is). I am in favour of banning porn as well, but not because it is polluting our society but simply because I can’t stand to watch the objectification of a human soul. What porn or pornography actually is - a guide to some unrealistic sexual postures, some of which are even depicted in the Kamasutra and also in our temple carvings? The Ajanta and Elora caves at the Arabian Sea are full of such depictions, but no questions have been raised to close down the caves!

The ban in porn was the result of a PIL filed by one Kamlesh Vaswani- an Indorebased lawyer. Vaswani, an advocate for more than 15 years, whenever heard of

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COVER STORY

violence against women, he felt he should do something and he ended up drawing a connection between pornography on the internet and sex-related crimes, and filed a public interest litigation in the Supreme Court in 2013 seeking a complete ban on all porn websites. His petition is the only such move against online pornography in India.

On August 2, 2015 (Sunday), when the government asked internet service providers (ISPs) to block 857 adult websites, Vaswani felt his two-and-half-year-long fight had finally taken off.

“I am extremely happy that the Modi government has finally decided to take action against online pornography considering the Supreme Court’s observations. The ban is definitely a step towards protecting the country’s women and children,” Vaswani told the media.

In his PIL, which was first heard by a Supreme Court bench headed by then Chief Justice Altamas Kabir in April 2013, Vaswani tried to put forward what he described as the ‘harmful effects’ of pornography, especially child pornography.

His petition challenged the effectiveness

The Mileage September, 2015 of the Information Technology Act of 2000 in dealing with pornography. Section 67 of the law criminalises “publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form” but not accessing it.

Vaswani in his petition said, “Watching porn itself puts the country’s security in danger, encourages violent acts, unacceptable behaviour in society, exploitation of children and lowers the dignity of women. Watching online pornography has a direct co-relation with crimes against women. Watching porn also promotes sexual violence against women and children.”

He further said that ‘porn propels men to commit crime against women’. Well, considering his theory, if certain things propel someone, then why are not women propelled to rape men as study shows that 25 pc of Indian women enjoy porn!

“If bare women chest can seduce a man, so can a bare male torso. But see the irony, a man can roam around wearing just a short but a woman is not safe even in a burkha,” Barasha Choudhury, a final year law student, said over the telephone from New Delhi.

“But I thank the government for lifting the ban. Earlier, I knew about only a 100 porn sites, but now I have the knowledge of about 757 more,” Barasha added.

Statistics on the platter Study reveals that around 30 per cent of all internet traffic is pornography and the biggest porn site gets over four billion page views and 350 million unique visits per month. It further revealed that an average Indian user spends almost 5 minutes on a porn website every day.

In another study carried out by a popular porn site it was revealed that UK tops the list of countries watching porn, followed by the US, Canada and India. If Vaswani’s claim of the ‘porn and rape’ is considered to be true, then UK should have topped the list of sex-related crimes in the world.

The study further revealed that most of the viewers view porn on their mobile

phones and tablets. Desktop is the least preferred device to watch porn. It also revealed that in India, people mostly watch porn on Saturday.

After the epilogue Some years back a court gave a judgement against homosexuality and termed it as ‘unethical’ and ‘immoral’. A number of TV discussions followed after the verdict and in one such discussion one LGBTQ activist said that if he is a homosexual, then no law can stop him from being one. In the similar manner, if one watches porn, then no ban can stop him from doing so. The correlation between watching porn and rape, which Vaswani brought forward, is just a myth and a hypothetical concept and it has no base of reality at all. If watching porn makes one immoral and his social and cultural values degrade, then I would blame the Indian society and its values for being so weak.

A country where the dreaded gangsters are glorified through movies, biopics are made on Indian porn actress of the yesteryear, literotica has been existing since a century and the country that gave the world’s first and best sexual manual, bans porn in the name of preserving culture. A country where godmen are accused of rape and molestation and the spiritual gurus are charged with charges of corruption of various sorts, believes that pornography is responsible for all the evils. A country in which a local community court (Viz: Khap Panchayat) bothers least about a woman’s sanity and takes no time in pronouncing a verdict against girls who committed no crime, some individual belonging to the educated class feel that porn will destroy it’s integrity.

If we are so very cultured then why can’t we stand by our sisters and mothers when they are raped by some sexually starved beasts? Before banning porn, why are such organisations like the Khap and political leaders making derogatory comments on women not taught a lesson?

That is a tougher thing to do as I guess that will result in whipping around 80 per cent of the total Indian population and 95 per cent of total Indian male.

Anyhow, the things have changed finally and the porn ban has been lifted and all those avid porn lovers thank the government for now you know 857 sitesnames of most of which were oblivious to you till now. Enjoy your watch, waste your time but please be a responsible viewer and do not harass the women on the streets or the wives/husbands on your beds. Let peace prevail!

References: Hindustan Times Dainik Bhaskar

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ENVIRONMENT

The Mileage September, 2015

10

The Call to Conserve Nilakshi Sharma elaborates here the tireless effort made by Nature’s Beckon towards conserving and protecting Hoolock Gibbon, a rare species found mostly in the Southern bank of the river Brahmaputra...

Photo: Akash Harizan

U

NDOUBTEDLY, the people of Assam are concerned with the state animal, the one horned Rhino.

However, the concern today is to save all the wildlife not only in Assam but in entire Northeast. Thankfully, we live in a region which is atleast blessed with a rich biodiversity and which has also attracted many tourists. We have thousands of species of flora and fauna which are endemic to this region, to name a few are the one horned Rhino, White Winger Wood duck and Hoolock Gibbon which is also called Golden Langur.

While the earlier ones are tagged as the state animal and state bird respectively, Hoolock Gibbon has terrible potential to bring tourism to the area. Hoolock Gibbon is found only in India and the concentration of this species is located in the southern banks of the Brahmaputra of Assam and parts of Arunachal Pradesh.

But unfortunately, the government has not taken any effective step for protection of this animal.

Nature’s Beckon, a wildlife conservation NGO from Northeast India, established in 1982 by Soumyadeep Datta is doing pretty well in saving this species. One

of the great achievements of Nature’s Beckon is the discovery of the Golden Langur (Trachypithecus geei) in the forest of Chakrashila Hills Reserve of Dhubri District. Conservation of Golden Langur was one of the most successful projects implemented by Nature’s Beckon.

Chakrashila is the only protected habitat (Sanctuary) of the Golden Langur all over the World. The efforts of Nature’s Beckon to save the Golden Langur of Chakrashila started in the year 1982.

Consequently, consistent effort and community driven conservation initiatives of Nature’s Beckon led to the creation of Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary in 1987 which is the woodland Wildlife Sanctuary covering an area of 45.568 sq.km, the first ever protected area curved out for the protection of natural habitat of the Golden Langur in Assam.

In 2014-15 the Oil India Limited (OIL) has come forward to provide their support to Nature’s Beckon in its initiative for the conservation of Hoolock Gibbon and their habitats. The concerted effort of Nature’s Beckon and Oil India Ltd has promoted Hoolock Gibbon based eco-tourism in many places in the Southern Bank of river

Brahmaputra. Nature’s Beckon and OIL India has been very actively working for the promotion of this Hoolock Gibbon based eco-tourism.

Concerned over the present scenario of the species, Soumyadeep Datta informed that State Zoo has not become an educational part, imparting knowledge to the people who come to visit. The visitors simply come for entertainment, they have no idea what the animals are going through. Datta made this statement focusing on the point that they have lost their independence and have become our slave. Datta also said that the coal in India with its open cast mining in the Patkai area has been destroying the habitats of Hoolock Gibbons. “We are not against the coal extraction but the habitats of the wildlife should not be destroyed” Dutta said. He further pointed out that government can launch a special eco tourism plan in the Hoolock Gibbon habitats; such an effort would also lead to the protection of the forests of the state.

Datta also added that Nature’s Beckon would launch a state-wide movement from November if the government fails to come up with a scheme for the protection of these Hoolock Gibbons.

OPINION

The Mileage September, 2015

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Amazing to be 'SHE'

Banani Das

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RE you a working woman or a homemaker? Doesn’t matter who you are, a CEO or a school teacher. What matters is that you are a woman!

Every woman is indulged in their own lives in one way or the other. Shilpa, a homemaker starts her day at 5 a.m., cooks food, nourishes her family and finally rests herself at 11.00 P.M at night. On the other hand, Maitree, CEO of a multinational company, starts her day boosting up her muscles, helps her maid in preparing the breakfast for herself and her family. Before she leaves home, she makes sure that she is ready with her presentation that she has to deliver to her client.

This is a scenario from every woman’s life where she hardly gets time to breathe and hence needs space for herself. After spending time for their family, kids, office commitments, I think a woman needs a particular day to rejoice, relax and entertain herself.

Hence, I propose a question as to how a woman would like to relax and enjoy a day for herself every week. In spite of being

in a busy schedule, women should be able to spend time for themselves, just to relax and make their soul happy. However, most of us are not able to do it due to family commitments, improper planning, time management and some because of laziness.

Give me a day of yours and I will make sure when you will come back to bed, you will feel awesome. The only thing you have to do is try the below steps. I hope I will not disappoint you.  Take a Sunday Morning, get up at 7 A.M.  Start your day by breathing exercise not more than 30 minutes.  Prepare something new in Breakfast; a South Indian should prepare Poha and a North Indian should go for Dosa. The main motive is to try anything you are not habituated with on your breakfast table. If anyone likes a continental breakfast but somehow had to hop on to Indian breakfast every day, please give it a break and go for an Italian or Mexican breakfast.  Today you are not going to do your laundry neither clean your house  Time is 10 A.M in the morning. Dress up as comfortable as you feel. Loose T-shirts and Jeans or if you are comfortable in something Ethnic, go for it!  Hop in to a bus or a Rickshaw. Today we are going to meet someone new. Yes! You heard it right, A stranger, whom you don’t know.  The perfect way of meeting a stranger is an NGO. It all depends on you which NGO you want to visit, an orphanage or an old age home.  Try to connect with the kids by providing books, toys, and clothes if you are visiting an orphanage. Spend some quality time with the old people if you are visiting an old age home.  Enjoy your lunch with those kids or the old age people. After lunch, now it’s time to move on and enjoy the rest of the day.  Spending time in a NGO is a way of sharing new hopes, a new life with people whom you don’t know. You end up with a feeling --- “We make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we give”.  Hobbies! Evening is the perfect time to do whatever you love.

If you love reading go to a book shop and pick your best book.

Enjoy your favourite story over a cup of hot coffee or green tea. If you love shopping, you should shop only for yourself today. But people who love to buy gifts are exceptions.  For people who love gardening, spend some time in your lawn and plant a new plant today. Don’t forget to give a check at other saplings also. Spraying water at your garden gives immense pleasure. Just for a day, do it by yourself. Give a day off to your gardener.  Now time to relax our body as well as mind. Go for a head massage or pedicure. I hope you will feel great. Go for a hot oil treatment.  Ensure that you are home by 8 P.M. Don’t cook your dinner today. Order your favourite food, it can be anything. Include Desserts also. I believe every 8 out of 10 women love ice creams or Panna cotta.  Hold on! Your day doesn’t end here. Its 10.30 P.M now and you have still half an hour to bed. Take a notepad or tablet to jot down the best moments of your day.  Capturing the best moments helps you to understand yourself better. It will help you to figure out who you are, what you are and why you can do things in a better way than others.

How are you feeling now? I am feeling happy and contended. Let me know your thoughts about this day and please let me know if you have better thoughts to pamper yourself. Cheers to Womanhood!

The writer can be reached at itsmebanani.das@gmail.com

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PEOPLE & PLACES

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The Kollywood Showman – Tulshi Ghimirey The Showman of Kollywood who ushered in a Golden Era in the Nepali film industry. A man of gargantuan talents, Kalimpong born filmmaker, Tulsi Ghimirey, shares his story of rise from a Bollywood apprentice to one of the most successful personality in the silver screen. With over two dozen hit films to his credit, Ghimirey recalls his struggle, grit and determination with The Mileage.

TM: How was the filmmaker in Tulsi Ghimirey born?

TG: I was studying in class 7, S.U.M.I, that’s way back in 1976-77, B.C Simmik- a teacher once asked us our ambitions and we sat soundless hiding behind our friends, he gave us three days to think and warned not to cry what our parents asked us to be. It was a long three days for me. I never gave a thought about my ambition till then, tossing and turning every night I decided to join a film industry. (He takes a deep breath and continues…) It was day three, Mr. Simmik entered our class and asked each one of us, everyone either wanted to be an army or a police officer, and it was my turn when he asked ‘Tulsi, what do you want to be?’ I answered, ‘Films sir, I want to join a Film industry.’ Everyone chuckled and I was embarrassed.

TM: So by now you were sure to venture out in the silver screen.

TG: After that I was scorned as friends started calling me with names like Dharmendra, Jitendra, Rajesh Khanna, etc, each time they saw me.

I had a tough time escaping them. But, I always had a question which I asked myself ‘how do I get into films now?’ Meanwhile a crew traveled to Sikkim from Bombay for ‘Romeo in Sikkim’.

I somehow trotted to Sikkim to watch the shooting as a bystander and later had a word with the Director. He sounded too Bombaiya, then I got involved with the crew in order to help them.

TM: What did you learn from the team of Romeo in Sikkim? Did it defy your dreams?

TG: It was harder than I thought, I don’t know if others (among the troop) paid an attention to me but the cameraman did, he observed my zeal while I assisted the team. Once, he abruptly asked me ‘Fannah ho saktay ho?’ Although I didn’t know the meaning of fannah I calmly

said yes. Then he said, ‘Toh kood par’. I didn’t understand what he was trying to say. I just learnt the word Fannah, and by the age of 22, I was in Bombay.

TM: What was your first assignment in Bombay?

TG: 'Shradhanjali.'

TM: What about your first Nepali movie Bansuri, how difficult was it?

TG: 'Bansuri' was really difficult, I didn’t have money to hire a screenplay writer or lyricist and no one would do it for free, I struggled. I was forced to write myself, it was similar with the lyrics as no one could write the type of lyrics I wanted. I constantly thought about the last sawan(monsoon) and its reflection replicated my mind and that’s when the type of lyrics I wanted was formed.

TM: Critics say most of your movies are entirely based on your life.

TG: Yes, most of my movies are related to my life where 'Dakshina' is very precious to me.

Most of us value our teacher and we tend to do something or the other for them. In one occasion of gurupurnima our Guru called everyone and asked something from us. There was a man named Pundarik, he was a master in editing videos but used to drink like a fish. Guru asked him to give up drinking which he gave up and similarly he asked me to make 10 Nepali movies when I was a learner in editing clips. That’s how my 10th movie was named as 'Dakshina' as a tribute to my teacher who died few days

Bansuri was really difficult, I didn’t have money to hire a screenplay writer or lyricist and no one would do it for free, I struggled. I was forced to write myself, it was similar with the lyrics as no one could write the type of lyrics I wanted. I constantly thought about the last sawan(monsoon) and its reflection replicated my mind and that’s when the type of lyrics I wanted was formed. after purnima.

TM: Finally, your advice to budding filmmakers back home.

TG: Kalimpong has a lot to improve and offer.

Many things have to be implemented in productions here. Things like the thoughts of prose and poetries are inborn but we need to learn alphabets in order to write it down, isn’t it? Similarly they should work on the technical aspects of films, rest is okay.

LIFESTYLE

The Mileage September, 2015

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Heeya- A Tribute to North East Banani Das

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HIS lady comes from a large family of six sisters and a brother, spending her childhood in a region which is rich in textiles and silks atop an incredible highlands of the North-Eastern India. Being from the richest place in weaving, she was disappointed by the fact that the marvellous handicrafts were not available outside the region. This thought gave birth to “Heeya” which means heart in Sanskrit, Assamese and Bengali and likewise also brought to limelight-Jonali Saikia Khasnabish.

She has helped create a vast market for the products from North East as well as created economic base for those brilliant artisans. Jonali left 14 years of her corporate career behind her and moved towards where her heart was calling. She started off producing selected products which were made of Eri silk and selling them online and through exhibitions. She also worked closely with weaving groups (Mishings, Bodos, and Nagas).

Heeya is all about pouring the heart of weavers into the work which turns into elegant handicrafts. Heeya does not only provide economic base to the artisans but also facilitate visibility, growth, skill development, respect to the craftsmen and their products too.

The road has been a challenging one for Jonali. She took lot of pain in bringing her dreams into reality. She travelled to the locations of various groups of weavers, spent time to understand them, their work and their capabilities. She also provides training wherever it is necessary. She works with the government to provide proper infrastructure and also technical training and support.

Heeya also organised health camps and counselling sessions. Heeya works with cooperative groups across North

Jonali Saikia Khasnabish

Heeya Sarees

A happy weaver

East, currently working in parts of Assam, Nagaland and Mizoram. It is going to spread its base in other states too in near future. Jonali believes that stories have power and especially in the space of products which are not available otherwise in the mainstream. She endeavours to present Heeya to people through stories and imagery of the land and people. When asked about the ups and downs, Jonali politely replied, “Ups, when the products find appreciation with people and when the weavers are happy. The down was when I did not have enough money and when the production in villages does not happen in the way they should”.

Jonali says her husband’s support is her biggest strength which allowed her to pursue with her dreams. She defines him as her mentor, guide and partner in every possible aspect. Jonali is also gifted with a 9 year old daughter who, she says, is also her biggest critic.

Heeya offers a wide variety of sarees which has the unique style of weaving

from North East. The colour combinations used in Heeya’s designs are bright and beautiful. Their target audience are women of all age groups who love and appreciate hand-crafted products. Heeya also weave stoles, dupattas, cushion covers and table mats. While buying a Heeya saree or a stole, you are sure to get references to the lush green tea gardens of the Brahmaputra valley as a Bhupen Hazarika melody wafts in the background, or the folk songs of Tetseo Sisters and references to Rewben Mashangva which truly describes the place.

Heeya’s sarees are exclusive, crafted from the best quality eco-friendly yarns available, and intricately crafted to precision by weavers from co-operative groups across the region. Each saree may take up to months for weaving and finishing, as every detail is looked into.

Heeya promotes their products through exhibitions and sells through online social media. They launch their collections in Facebook and users can get them by referring the product code numbers via messages. Heeya also sells through their website and e-Commerce store, viz: www.heeya.in.

Heeya featured its new collection “Brahmaputra Ballad” in one of the reputed e-Commerce stores www.jaypore. com.

I think we can do great things if we start appreciating our roots, take pain in understanding it better and start working on it.

LIFESTYLE

The Mileage September, 2015

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 Banani Das Chowdhury

“When you say YES to others, make sure you aren’t saying NO to yourself.”- Anonymous.

T

HE social, personal, educational, professional and likewise “peer” group we choose and deal with, can make a great impact upon our persona and lifestyle; leading to issues of “inferiority”, “superiority” complex and exerting various kinds of stress, strain and “peer pressure” in one’s own pysche. The effect of facing “peer pressure” creates not just physical but “emotional and psychological collapse”. Peer influence is felt in all age groups in life but teenagers and youths are the most vulnerable group relying under its clutches.

As per web definition, “Peer Pressure” is the influence that a peer group, observers or individual exerts that encourages others to change their attitude, values or behaviours to conform to group norms.

Peer pressure can have positive but mostly negative effects. However, its one’s mindset and choices that becomes the deciding factor.

Most amongst the youth, and teen group who are in their metamorphosis stage of life, get carried away by peer influence; ranging from lifestyles to ideologies. “Peer Pressure” can be forced upon by peers or be self-motivated. The pressure to fit in the peers’ group; to be popular, fear of rejection or being ridiculed etc., often makes many among the generation next to cultivate wrong habits and do activities they would not individually believe in to act upon.

“Peer pressure” often surfaces from mind conditioning of the myth “Everyone does it” syndrome. Various studies finds the fact that “Peer pressure” mostly influences a youth, a teenager’s decisions and actions ranging from first smoke, drink to drug and alcohol addiction; choice of friends to career; from having or not a

“date” to indulging in premature sex etc. which often lead to teen pregnancies and suicides. Illicit activities both in the eyes of law and morality is also an unhealthy effect of peer pressure.

A recent research shows peer pressure is mainly responsible amongst adolescents group to watch porn to “sexting” (sending sexually explicit content primarily by mobile phones); study adds that they percieve these as “popular” phenomenon.

Rahul (name changed) was a victim of harmful influence of “peer pressure”, succumbing to drug addiction since 8th standard, ultimately costing his life at an age of 17. Babita (name changed) was an obediant girl of principles for her parents, till she entered late teens; but “peer pressure” exerting unconstructive influence in her that she started lying to her family for wrong reasons; also left her with compromising her virtues in undergoing many failed relationships that not only disintegrated her physical but also moral health.

Identity crisis or shift is often a consequense when one gives in to negative peer pressure. Ayushi, a student pursuing graduation puts, “I think those with low confidence and insecured personality, most of the time get trapped into it, loosing their individuality.” She further adds, “I have’nt come under peer pressure to do things beyond my values and always look upto my older sibling for any guide and help”.

It’s valuable to get guided from parents, elders, teachers, confidant, experts, in coping with the stress of dealing with peer pressure. Amit, Assistant professor, teaching humanities in an educational institution, supporting the notion states, “Teachers can mould opinion and direct new generation to form groups with

knowledge rich abilities and moreover guide and make them to understand to abstain from bad acts.”

It takes guts to not give in to unhelpful impact of peer and make in own mind clear the definition of one’s own values and goals to deal with it. Nabanita, a student in early 20s, puts her experience of dealing with peer effect, “When I did not find my type of friends, it left me lonely, irritated, falling in concentration, a kind of emotional breakdown to adjust; but time plays the important role, making you explore your strengths, weakness to slowly gain over the situation.”

Souvik, a journalist in his late 20s elaborates his mantra to deal with “peer pressure”, “The way to tackle it is about tolerance, patience as well as accepting what’s my range of potential is; let not peer pressure dominate; but focus on my aim, peace of mind, dominate upon me.”

Peer influence is not always bad. One can get motivated to do good things from one’s peers. If you are average in studies but your friends are brilliant; the pressure exerted can be positive for you to excel in studies. If your peer group is good at sports, extracurricular activities, social services, you can be inspired by its positive influence to act the same.

Befriending with positive kinds of peers and learning to say “No” to what’s not your type of activities can make healthy difference; and parents and guardians landing a caring hand and opening in interactions with youth and teens can allay the problem of negative influence of “peer pressure”. Meditation, yoga sessions and positive creative activities can help channelise one’s energy in constructive ways as well as stablise mind to think clear and deal in all pressure with ease.

LIFESTYLE

Urvashi Baruah

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HE fashionable age here, I am not talking about the clothes or shoes one needs to wear. By the term Fashionable Age I am referring to the different levels of Age Group of the modeling industry and when one needs to start their career in this industry. To make a career in the Runways, Billboards or for that matter The Screens, one should be in the perfect age group. Modeling is a “Chasing Dream”, I am calling it so because here’s no routine; you could be in any part of the country on Monday doing thirteen castings and then have nothing to do for the rest of the month. So one needs to mentally and physically gear up themselves, that if “I have to build up my career in this world” I need to be sure about my age group.

Now let me tell the readers about different age group one can build up their career in this world.

First Age Group : 0 - 10 Years A very fine age group where one can build up their career in this world. This is a very tender age and the kids don’t have much idea about this world, many a times kids build up their interest due to various reasons, it could be the influence of electronic or print media. But that interest shouldn’t be avoided by parents, because you never know tomorrow he/she might have a ravishing career in this industry. Now let me tell you why this is the best age group; if we see an advertisement of any baby product the endorsement is always a girl/ boy within the mentioned age group, though depending upon the concept of the advertisement. In this age group there would be many exposures for kids, like there would be runway competition (Ramp Walk), there would be casting for different print advertisement and also for electronic media. The parents should be very much aware of not getting cheated. And talking about the portfolio, it is generally advised to get it made only once. The upper limit of this age group will be till 12 years of age group.

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Second Age Group: 13 - 17 Years

Third Age Group: 17 - 27 Years ;

This is a age group where it really becomes difficult for a boy/ girl to build up their career. There are specifically two reasons; first a feeling that undoubtedly plays with their minds when it comes to body image and body confidence. If not straight away, then later on in life. A young girl/boy doesn’t yet have a woman’s/ man’s body – but after a few years, when her womanly or manly figure wants to appear and the editors and designers want her/him to stay looking like a child?

Well. That’s a whole other full-length dissertation, isn’t it?

And secondly if you leave education straight after High School and enter the meat-processing-plant that is the modeling industry, you have absolutely nothing to fall back on once the industry spits you out. You might be lucky and have a long career, but equally, your long career might be dependent on you having something else going on other than very long legs and nice hair. These are the main two problems, along with that there’s a third problem and many agencies do not sign models at this age.

So its an advice that one need to complete their minimum level of studies, advice to be a graduate. Because if the meat processing industry doesn’t accepts you then one has an option to shift to any other industry.

Why this is the best age to grow your career because modeling is a little bit like living life in a parallel universe; whilst everyone else is off to work for nine in the morning and they might do the same thing five days a week, you’re doing something different every day. So in this age group one starts understanding the work life - culture of this industry. They start maintaining themselves and can prepare themselves for different runway pageants and contests. They tend to have much knowledge about the different techniques of posing and ramp walk and also acting; this is the time where he/she can decide in which arena he wants to build up the career.

And if at all stars don’t fall in place by 21 years of age or maximum 22 years of age, it is highly recommendable one can continue with other wishlist in his career. If at all one decides to make a career in the electronic media then he/ she should get the bottoms - ups (casted) maximum by 26 years of age, until and unless you decide to enter the industry later age or unless you’re fortunate enough to look much younger than you really are!!

This is the fashionable age I have been talking about, but what after that, after 27 Why??

What ?? Stops them : A very simple answer is Health, as the saying goes “ Health is Wealth” ; the entire 10 years of life a model’s body goes through many diet charts and cosmetic surgery and due to this reason physically after 27 years of age any kind of health diseases invade the human body.

To be continued…

The writer is a proprietor of Fame Model Management, Northeast and can be reached at: famemodel. ne@gmail.com

RUMINATIONS

The Mileage September, 2015

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So Live Your Life, Friend Neilay Khasnabish

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S I came from market, Ma informed me that Zoya had been admitted to the hospital. Putting the bags on the floor, I rushed to the hospital and found her elder brother, cousins, and parents in there. Her father told me that she was senseless, though out of danger. Well, Zoya has been my friend since my college days. She was my batch mate. Though she was not as beautiful as Trisha, many boys proposed to her while she was in college. Her smile charmed everybody. But I never tried to be her boyfriend. I’m happy to be her good friend till today.

For Aryan, Zoya rejected many guys.

Some of them were my friends. And one of them stood first in our class too; I knew she would never love that guy because a girl hardly loves a nerd. “Nerds are to be respected, but not to be loved!” Zoya often said.

Once Aryan, who enjoyed dating girls one after another, had ditched Zoya, she was shocked, and so deeply shocked that she’d decided to get rid of the disgrace in no time through the escape route of suicide.

After a couple of days when I visited her at her home, I found her in her bedroom. She was lying. Though she was now fine, she was still depressed and talked less. She forgot to smile that smile too. I sat beside her. “Zoya, let’s go out for a walk,” I said.

She agreed forthwith. While walking, I didn’t talk about Aryan, about her past life, and about her future, either. I simply talked about what we saw around us. As a good friend, I wanted to bring smile back on her face.

As we crossed the turning, a woman walked up to us. She was shabbily dressed and holding a baby in her arms. The baby was half-paralyzed. She begged money to feed her baby. I gave her ten rupees. She looked very happy and immediately went to the small snacks-store under the banyan tree. She bought two pieces of bread. One for her, one for her baby. The baby, who seemed to be very hungry, devoured the bread in seconds. The mother smiled happily. Now she offered her bread to the baby; the baby ate three fourth of the bread and then put the remaining portion into his mother’s mouth. We wanted to give her some more money, but both of us had no cash. After a long walk, we were now in front of Total Shopping Mall.

“When you feel bored, go to a mall, watch girls, check out new arrivals. This makes your mind fresh,” one of my friends had said. Zoya withdrew some money from ATM, and bought two bowls of pepper corn for us. She knows I like pepper corn.

The front of the Mall was crowded. So we went to the back of the Mall.

In spite of some people sitting there, that area was calm. Mild breeze was blowing. As soon as we sat down, the phone

Words of wisdom “Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.”

-Gautama Buddha

in the pocket of the girl who was next to Zoya rang aloud. “Hello,” the girl said and kept listening to the caller carefully before starting to shout all at once. We understood from what she said that she’d tried to find a job; she’d failed to qualify for previous interviews; she’d given the caller fifty thousand rupees so she could get a job; that caller now denied receiving any money from her.

To be continued…..

MUSIC

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Rendezvous with Allen McKenzie The 1960 born, Allen McKenzie has rocked and ruled the hearts of the music lovers since long. A rock musician in Firehouse, he is currently the bass guitar player of the group.

Ashok: What was the reason behind your step into music?

Allen: Ever since early childhood, I had musical aspirations, I was in my first garage band at age 12; we would cover hard rock songs. We were probably louder than we were talented, LOL! Ashok: What is your personal view over the genre you work on?

Allen: Our genre (melodic rock) is still going strong in many parts of the world (Guwahati and Northeast India are a very good example of this), but here in the USA, it’s pretty much a summer festival kind of thing. But the audiences are there.

Ashok: A bassist is regarded to be the backbone of a band. Is this the thing that attracted you to play bass instead of playing any other instrument in spite of having a vast knowledge of other musical instruments?

Allen: I’ll say, the power of the rhythm

section is the thing. I’ve always noticed popular music. The first bass player that really caught my attention was Dennis Dunaway of the original Alice Cooper group; his bass lines were so inventive and unique.

Ashok: This band was nominated as the best band in at the 2000 Cleveland Free Times Music Awards. Share your experiences when you look at those golden days?

Allen: Although we didn’t win the award, it was a thrill for Peacetree to be so widely recognized by our musical peers, as well as our fans. But at the same time, the band was splintering. We were all looking outside the band to pursue other creative pursuits, and ultimately Peacetree disbanded. Our lead singer, Elijah Black, began a solo musical and acting career that continues to this day.

Ashok: So, what’s your story behind

the joining of ‘FireHouse’?

Allen: In 2002, Warrant singer Jani Lane, who was from my home state of Ohio, released a solo CD called “Back Down To One”, and came back home to Ohio to seek musicians for a tour to support the CD. I was chosen to be the bass player and to sing harmony vocals, and I toured with him for about six months, after which time he returned to Warrant. Three months afterward, I was approached by Bill Leverty, who asked me to fill the bass player position in FireHouse. Needless to say, I was thrilled!

Ashok: Hope you had an amazing time with this band so far. Would you like to share your experiences with this band?

Allen: We have had an amazing run in the nearly 12 years that I have been with the band that continues still. We’ve circled the globe numerous times and played to thousands of the greatest fans in the world, including the incredible fans of Northeast India!

Ashok: Can you share the works you are taking up lately?

Allen: J.T. Teis of the JAK Band and I have been busy recording his upcoming CD, produced by Dylan Roth, who also plays drums on the CD. It’s a great mixture of melodic rock, country flavoured southern rock, and blues. We’re very excited to complete the new musical.

Ashok: So, can our readers know the future plans of this amazing bassist named ‘Allen McKenzie’?

Allen: My future plans are to continue on with FireHouse, as well as my other projects, and I plan to do so for a very long time!

Ashok: Advices by musicians like you will really be of great help for the upcoming artists. Please leave some valuable words for our upcoming artists.

Allen: Always practice. Don’t try to be someone else, be yourself. Stay away from the things that have destroyed so many musicians (drug and alcohol abuse, and smoking is horrible for the voice).

Source: String India

ENTERTAINMENT

The Mileage September, 2015

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Kiara Advani Ash in Sarabjit’s biopic Yet another feather on to play ARY KOM kangana’s hat Sakshi Dhoni Director Omung in M. S. Kumar is working with Aishwarya Rai Dhoni - The Bachchan to do his on Sarabjit Untold Story biopic Singh. Omung said in a

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meeting that Aishwarya was easily convinced with the role as she could see herself in the role.

Sarabjit Singh, an Indian farmer who was convicted of terrorism and spying in Pakistan, was sentenced to death. The biopic is from the point of view of Sarabjit’s sister Dalbir Kaur, to be played

by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who endured severe hardship in trying to get her brother released. The title role will be played by Randeep Hooda.

Madhur’s Calendar Girls to expose the dirty side of Bollywood

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FTER her Bollywood debut in Fugly and many fashion shows, Kiara Advani has been signed for her second film and this time, she is all set to play a real life character. Kiara has been roped in to play Sakshi, wife of Indian cricket team captain, M S Dhoni, in the upcoming biopic on the cricketer. The actress will be paired opposite Sushant Singh Rajput who is playing the titular character.

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HE sizzling trailer of Madhur Bhandarkar’s ‘Calendar Girls’ has been released. The twoand-a-half minute trailer follows the lives of five fashion models and highlights the glamorous and the ugly side of the modelling industry.

Bhandarkar, known for his female-oriented films, has always worked with established actors, but this time the director will be launching five new faces in the movie: Kyra Dutt, Akanksha Puri, Avani Modi, Satarupa Pyne and Ruhi Singh.

Produced by Sangeeta Ahir’s Mangalmurti Films, ‘Calendar Girls’ is slated to hit the screens on September 25.

RAHUL THACKERAY TO DIRECT A FILM ON LATE BALASAHEB THACKERAY

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MITA Thackeray, daughter-in-law of iconic politician, Balasaheb Thackeray, recently announced that she will be producing a film based on her late father-in-law titled Saheb. Saheb will be directed by her son Rahul Thackeray.

Rahul, who had already kick started his film career as an assistant to Rajkumar Hirani during PK, is supposed to be fulfilling the wish of his late grandfather, who always wanted a big launch for his grandson. However, the film is currently under the scripting stage and they are yet to finalize the cast too. It is also being said that they are planning to release the film on January 23, 2017, the birth anniversary of Balasaheb Thackeray.

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EEING how the Queen of Bollywood has charted her career and aced her performances, it comes as no surprise to see Kangana Ranaut tops the list of India’s Most Powerful Women 2015, based on a survey done by the latest edition of Femina Magazine. The list features business bigwigs, corporate CEO’s, pioneering philanthropists, fashion icons and various other game changers and creative minds, that have created a massive impact with their perspective and their contribution.

Kangana’s unilateral commitment, her inordinate talent and her never say die attitude has made her worthy of this top spot, a rarity. She’s a role model to girls who come with the promise of talent and are committed to see it through without any industry backing. The list includes beacons of change and icons so to have a rule maker and trend setter like Kangana.

RAJ KUNDRA’S NOVEL TO BE MADE INTO AN ENGLISH FILM

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COUPLE of years ago, Shilpa Shetty’s husband and entrepreneur Raj Kundra had written a novel titled ‘How Not to Make Money’. Two years later, the very novel (which was inspired by a real-life story) is now being adapted into a full-fledged English feature film by the same name.

And helming the screenplay is none other than the famous Ian La Frenais (who is best known for his film The Bank Job).

News reports state that the duo Ian La Frenais and Raj Kundra met over dinner last week and have planned to roll the film by the year-end.

Compiled by Saibal Krishna Sharma

EVENT

The Mileage September, 2015

REMEMBERING

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ORKHA Development Council organized a daylong program on 25th of August, 2015 at Kalakshetra on the occasion of Balidan Divas, presided over by its chairman, Sri Lokenath Upadhyaya. On 25th August, 1944 Shaheed Major Durga Malla was hanged by the Britishers. He sacrificed his life fighting against the Britishers. Gorkhas across India dedicate this day paying tributes to this great hero from the Gorkha Community who fought till the end to liberate the country from the yoke of the Britishers.

Gorkha Development Council which was instituted in the year 2010 works tirelessly towards the socio-economic and cultural development of Assamese Gorkhas. GDC had been quite instrumental since its inception in promoting and preserving rich cultural heritage of the Gorkhas living in Assam. Besides paying homage to Shaheed Durga Malla, GDC also gave financial assistance to the students who are pursuing masters in Nepali from IDOL, GU, research scholars, UPSC and APSC aspirants. It also felicitated and extended financial help to those who have excelled in the field of sports.

Rockybul Hussain, Panchayat and Rural Development Minister, Bismita Gogoi, Cultural Affairs Minister, Government of Assam, Dambar Dahal, President, All Assam Nepali Sahitya Sabha and host of other dignitaries from across Assam had graced the event. There was also an extraordinary showcase of different traditional dance forms of Gorkha community on the occasion. TMN

Photo: Bikash Chetri

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Commemorating 69th Independence Day

Photo: Swapnav Baishya Saud

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O commemorate the 69th episode of Independent India, the Gauhati High Court as usual conducted a daylong programme to celebrate the occasion in gaiety and with renewed vigour. The Chief Justice (Acting) K.Sreedhar Rao hoisted the National Flag at the Court premises where the function was attended by Judges of High Court, Magistrates, Judicial Officers, Academic officers, Administrative Officers, Support staff of High Court and distinguished guests.

The National Flag was hoisted by the Chief Justice (Acting) at 8 AM. It was drizzling but everybody present on the occasion was ready to get drenched. After hoisting the National Flag, the martyrs of freedom struggle were paid homage and the contributions of the freedom fighters were remembered.

Many senior journalists and legal alumni were felicitated on the occasion. An arrangement of refreshment was followed along with a bike rally initiated by Gauhati High Court Bar Association. TMN

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ORTHEAST, the region which is blessed by nature to be one of the most beautiful lands in the country has also produced enough talents who are shining in the entire world. Be it music, acting, fashion or dance, the region has contributed a lot in all the area. Modelling is not an exception and the region has enough talents in this industry too. Being held for the first time, Miss Diva auditions had selected 14 contestants from the region.

Miss diva auditions are the gateway to the Miss Universe title, the winner of Miss Diva will get a direct entry to the Miss Universe beauty pageant. Show Time Guwahati Event Management Group has conducted the event recently. It is co-owned by Jayanta Ray, Susmita Baruah, Bonita Dutta, Sumon Kalian Dutta and Chow Poran Gogoi.

With a motive to provide a platform for the aspiring models, the preliminary auditions were held in Red Hot Chilli Pepper on 9th of August. They were groomed by the renowned Fashion Designer Chow Poran Gogoi. Out of the 14 girls selected, seven would take part in Kolkata audition TMN and other seven for the Mumbai auditions.

Photo: Sandeep Ghimire

EVENT

The Mileage September, 2015

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Malestorm, 2015 The first male beauty pageant in the Northeast India facilitating spectacular platform to all the males aspiring to make a mark in the glamorous fashion industry

(From left) Premjit Karki, second runners up, Arindam Baruah, Malestorm Winner, Romoy Saikia, first runners up

Judges of Malestorm (From left) Dipankar Kashyap, Mehzabin,Nishita Goswami, Anjan Chowdhury

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VENTUALLY, the long wait came to an end and Mr. Arindam Baruah hailing from Tezpur achieved the prestigious title of 9th Malestorm, 2015, at Hotel Grand Starline with Romoy Saikia from Naharkatia as the first runners up and Premjit Karki as the second runners up. The entire event hosted one month of grooming sessions by some of the experts of glamour industry, and it was judged by fashion designers Mehzabin Ershad and Dipankar Models on ramp durin designer fest

Kashyap and also by grooming expert Anjan Choudhury along with the very beautiful Assamese actress Nishita Goswami.

The winners of 9th Malestorm 2015, will get an opportunity of a direct entry in the finals of Mr. India Global 2016 which will be held at New Delhi. The event also further witnessed a Designer Fest, where some highly eďŹƒcient designers showcased their designs wherein film actor Utpal Das was one of the show stoppers. The entire show on the whole can be counted as one of the best shows by far which kept its audiences engrossed till the end.

The man behind this stunning show Mr. Prasantt Ghosh has left no stone unturned in making this pageant a success. Mr. Ghosh is organizing Malestorm every alternate year since eighteen years and has helped many youngsters from the region to make inroads into the popular fashion shows both nationally and internationally.

Photos: Unique Borah

Utpal Das as show stopper on fashion designer Chandrama Baruah's designs

Contestant during introduction

Subtitle and Malestorm winners along with fashion designer and choreographer Prasantt Ghosh

CHAT ZONE

The Mileage September, 2015

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addicts to come to the mainstream society and learn MMA. Swapnav: You are a WUSHU fighter - why did you choose this style over the other forms like kick-boxing, wrestling, JiuJitsu, etc.

Bhabajeet: WUSHU could be commonly found than the other styles in terms of training.

The super fighter

BHABAJEET CHOUDHURY

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HE fascinating world of Martial Arts had always been alluring. Besides giving training on the fighting skills the primary objective of all Martial Art forms is to discipline one’s character and conduct. There hardly is any country which is not influenced by the extraordinary show of art and fighting skills of Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and many more other such fighters.

The state of Assam is also not lagging behind in producing such fighters. The Mileage is privileged to give due coverage in this issue to none other than Bhabajeet Choudhury, Gold Medal winner and International WUSHU Champion, who opens up his story of struggle and success with Swapnav Jyoti Baishya Saud.

Swapnav: Thank you Bhabajeet for being with us and congratulations for all your achievements so far.

Bhabajeet: It is my pleasure to be with you and Thank you for all the good wishes.

Swapnav: Martial Arts in India have not been widely popular. What inspired you to be a MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fighter?

Bhabajeet: I was born in Bajali (Choudhury Para) but as my father’s job was a transferable one I had my academic life in Goalpara. But more than academics I was fond of sports both

indoor and outdoor. I was inspired by Bruce Lee and used to practice the stunts at home. My parents always wanted that I be good in studies but my destiny led to the world of Martial Arts.

Slowly I got exposed to all forms of MMA and by 2002 I was into 7 or 8 forms of Martial Arts.

And in 2007 I started learning WUSHU at Nehru Stadium in Guwahati.

Swapnav: How has your journey been in establishing yourself in this field?

Bhabajeet: It was a bit difficult because when I was learning, there was no proper exposure.

After my appointment to ITBP Centre in 2009, I was more determined and developed the interest to go for professional fighting field and bring MMA to Assam. So I resigned and came back where I can carry on with my practice and teaching the upcoming generation. A lot of practice and meditation is needed. Establishing might be easy but maintaining is tough.

Swapnav: Bidang, your training institute has been an initiative to train the youths.

Tell us about it.

Bhabajeet: When I returned after resigning from ITBP Centre I thought of spending quality time for practice. But unavailability of the same tortured me. I thought of opening a center to impart training in Martial Arts. Thus formed Bidang. We also help the children who are drug

Swapnav: How does it make you feel when you won the national WUSHU Championship title?

Bhabajeet: I was deeply overwhelmed as being from Assam and that too from a small town holding the trophy made me feel proud of my region and nation.

Swapnav: If given a chance of film offers from any region, would you be interested?

Bhabajeet: That time will say. (Haaa...haah) As of now have not got any offers.

Swapnav: Do you think Northeast or Assam have sufficient infrastructure in providing best options for athletic training?

Bhabajeet: Absolutely No. When I returned from Delhi I realised to what extent our region was lacking in terms of infrastructural developmental. Hence, I just wish that as Sri Narendra Modi has made the announcement of establishing a Sports University in Nagaland, a separate MMA coaching should be provided there and if not then probably another set up where this training can be given.

Swapnav: Tell us about your achievements so far.

Bhabajeet: (Aah! Still have a long way to go).

Presently in SFL (Welterweight) my world ranking is 4th, I have also won 3 Gold medals in WUSHU National Championship, Silver medal in International Kick boxing, Bronze in Asian Championship, Bronze medal in Asian WUSHU championship (Vietnam). I have been also coveted with Asian Best Fight Finish award in 2013.

Message for the Youth: I want many MMA fighters to come out from the region and represent India on an international level.

The Mileage July, 2015

FACES OF THE MONTH

Name : Avkrit Koch Age: 22 Height: 5.8" Hobbies: Modelling, acting, photography Photographer: Vishnu J Dutta Name : Puja Dey Age: 19 Height: 5.5" Hobbies: Modelling, dancing Photographer: Unique Borah

Those who are interested to participate in THE MILEAGE face of the month contest , October Issue can contact : +91 9707587766, 9864809333

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