G Plus Vol 7 Issue 32 by G Plus

@guwahatiplus | /c/gplusguwahati www.guwahatiplus.com

INSIDE

Volume 07 | Issue 32 May 30 - Jun 05, 2020 Price `10 GMC supply water irregularity hits many parts of Guwahati

Cotton University boarders given just 24 hrs notice to vacate hostel rooms

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Vulture conservation centre at Rani doing remarkable work in boosting vulture population

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One year of CIL coal mining has always been legal: Modi 2.0 Manifesto promises delivered

Barasha Das @Barasha_mi2

G Plus News @guwahatiplus

he Narendra Modi government 2.0 completes one year on May 30. When the first year of Modi 1.0 had completed in 2015, the Bharatiya Janata Party had celebrated the occasion as a fiveday Jan Kalyan Parv. The first anniversary of Modi 2.0 is comparatively sober because of the Covid-19 pandemic, but the BJP has planned virtual rallies and outreach programmes to publicise the achievements of Modi 2.0. The first year of the Modi 2.0 government looked like it was all about fulfilling manifesto promises but the government was also criticised on the economic front as the finance ministry of both Modi 1.0 and 2.0 have seemingly not being able to make efficient economic decisions. General Secretary of the Virat Hindustan Sangam (VHS), Assam/ Northeast, Tony Das talking to G Plus said, “Modi 2.0 has been all about implementing the manifesto and they have done well in fulfilling some promises. But the government has failed on the economic front.” VHS is a proBJP organisation and follows the same ideology of Hindutva. Das, expressing his criticism about the finance ministry of Narendra Modi’s government, said that even during the recently announced schemes by the finance ministry, it was all about announcing loans to the citizens. “People are already in debt, how much more they should take?” questioned Das adding that any major economic decision taken by

Former Margherita MLA

Modi’s government has never been implemented properly and the country has not benefitted from the same. Talking about fulfilling manifesto promises, Das said that abrogation of Article 370 which stripped off the special status enjoyed by the people of Jammu & Kashmir was a massive success in favour of the saffron party. In a smart move, the party militarised the state and removed the article 370. The second most talked-about bill passed was the Triple Talaq Bill. The bill which was rejected by the Rajya Sabha in 2018 got the nod of the Upper House in this session. This bill seeks to ban the practice of instant Triple Talaq. This bill recognises the declaration of Triple Talaq as a cognizable offence, which may attract three years’ imprisonment with a fine.

Read Full Story Page No - 03

he coal mining activities carried out at the Patkai Hill mines by Coal India Limited (CIL) after 2003 was basically legal. This was stated by former Margherita MLA, Pradyut Bordoloi who was also the forest and power minister in separate terms in the erstwhile Congress government led by chief minister Tarun Gogoi. Bordoloi is currently a Congress member of parliament (MP) from the Nagaon constituency. Talking exclusively to G Plus, Bordoloi said, “As per Ministry of Coal, Government of India (GoI), mining lease is to be given for a period of 30 years and renewed for every 30 years thereafter. When CIL got the lease in 1973, the same was valid till 2003. From 2003, the GoI issued the next lease for mining to CIL in the area for another 30 years, i.e. till 2033. Now, when the first lease was given in 1973, there was no concept of taking a clearance from the Forest Department of the state. In 1980, the Forest Conservation Act was enacted by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. So when the lease was renewed in 2003, the concept of taking a clearance from the Forest Department came in.” Lately, a lot of hue and cry has been raised in the media about the “illegal” mining activities by CIL post the expiry of its lease in 2003. In his attempt to clear the confusion, Bordoloi added, “So the confusion is, the mining

done by CIL since 2003 is legal, with permission from GoI. But what they did not do is apply for the clearance certificate from the Forest Department as per rules. That is the violation or ‘hitch’ on their part.” Notably, CIL was slapped with a hefty penalty of Rs 43.25 crores for this after they had applied finally for the Forest Department’s clearance in 2012 from the Assam government.

History of coal mining in Margherita Ledo

A peek into the history of coal mining in the Margherita-Ledo area would give a better picture of the coal mining activities that have been going on over the last 250 odd years. The advent of coal mining industry of Margherita region is directly

related to the tea industry. Tea was first discovered by a Scottish adventurer and businessman Robert Bruce, amongst the Singpho tribesmen in 1823. After detailed examination of the tea plants in Calcutta, the first commercial tea gardens of Assam were planted by the British East India Company under the charge of Charles Alexander Bruce around 1834. Charles was Robert’s brother. With the gardens came in the factories where the tea leaves were further processed. These factories initially used wood logs for the tea manufacturing process. The logs were later replaced by coal as the more feasible substitute for heating. This black diamond – coal - was discovered in the Patkai hills around 1834. Systematic mining was started in the Ledo region by the erstwhile Assam Railways and Trading Company (AR&T Co). This company was incorporated in London in 1881. As mining began on a commercial scale, a railway track was laid between Brahmaputra River steamer ghat in Dibrugarh and Ledo in 1883. The main purpose of the railway track was to bring coal from the mines to the river bank from where it was transported further by river ways. The AR&T Co did scientific opencast as well as underground mining in Ledo and the nearby areas. The company exploited the natural resources of the region till 1973. In 1971, the Government of India nationalised all coal mines in the country and the lease of colleries in MargheritaLedo region was given to Coal India Limited.

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Lead Story

| May 30 - Jun 05, 2020

GMC supply water irregularity hits many parts of Guwahati New pumps worth Rs 4.43 Cr break down in 2 months Barasha Das @Barasha_mi2

any parts of Guwahati have reportedly been deprived of regular water supply over the past couple of months. Concerned citizens along with former mayor Mrigen Sarania and former councillor of Guwahati, Balen Bharali raised allegations against Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) for negligence in work. Reportedly, when Guwahati faced a major water crisis around 2017-18, the then Guwahati Development Department Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, had released a supplementary budget fund of Rs 9,07,00,000 for augmenting the three water treatment plants of the city viz Pan Bazar, Kamakhya and Satpukhuri. Reportedly, 3 water pumps were bought from a Pune-based company and the contract for their supply was taken by a Guwahatibased supplier. This information was provided by former councillor Balen Bharali to G Plus.

The allegations

Bharali, speaking to G Plus said, “In the early part of the year 201718 Guwahati had faced a massive water scarcity crisis that hogged media headlines and garnered a lot of criticism. For this, Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had called a meeting of the entire council with the Mayor. Having heard us and our schemes he asked us to make a comprehensive estimate. He said he would release the funds on a supplementary demand. Thereafter, he released Rs 9,07,00,000 to the GMC. The tender was floated during our tenure. The fund was not only for these pumps but also for repairs of our 8 deep tube wells and other repair work.” “There was some delay in getting the two pumps for Satpukhuri. These were supposed to be brought from Pune. The pumps were eventually supplied in December 2019 and they were installed between January and February 2020. The pumps broke down in March 2020 itself. We came to know about this from various media as also the local residents. Resultantly, areas like Latasil, Chandmari, Gandhi Basti to where Satpukhuri supplies the water suffered due to water shortage. The sad part is we spent Rs 4,43,00,000 to get the three

water pumps and we installed them in our projects,” said exmayor Mrigen Sarania to G Plus. As per rules that are to be followed while procurement of any machinery, the engineers and experts are to visit the suppliers and check the purchases prior to delivery. Further, the delivery and installation of the machineries are to be done by the company engineers and experts. However, after just two to three months of installation, the pumps have stopped working due to technical issues. Sarania alleged, “The thing is our engineers went to Pune and examined the machines before they were brought here and the installation was also done by the company who sold the pumps. Now machines can give problems but since it happened back in March itself, the company could have sent its personnel to repair the pumps before the lockdown. After all, it was emergency service. Our engineers have also been negligent. That is why the machines broke down. Now, how does a brand new machine stop working? The public is also raising questions. So I have asked the GMC commissioner for a proper investigation into the matter. And whoever the supplier was who had taken the contract should be hauled up.” Reportedly, the existing pump sets at Nabagraha, Chandmari Housing Colony and Satpukhuri water treatment plants are currently broken. “It is unfortunate. It was promised in the council meeting and general house that we would get regular water supply after these machineries were installed. This has not happened. Ward no 11 and 12 get water from Satpukhuri; there are a huge number of consumers here. Now we get water every 2-3 days. Nothing is regularized. Despite these machines, there is no proper timing of when the water will be supplied. Water may come at 1 pm someday, 6 am the other day, 5 pm on another. This has restricted the movement of the people in a household as one member has to stay back just to receive and hoard the water on the day it is supplied,” said Balen Bharali. “Also, the two tanks of our Housing Colony have their covers broken since a long time resulting in monkeys, birds, snakes and frogs entering the tank. This was flashed over media as well. While the concerned people came

An aerial view of the Dehing-Patkai region

Satpukhuri water treatment plant that supplies water to major areas of Guwahati | G Plus Photo to inspect the damage, nothing has been done so far. The covers need immediate repairs,” Bharali added.

GMC’s clarification and response

When G Plus reached out to GMC Commissioner, Devajyoti Hazarika, a clarification letter prepared for the media as a response to the allegations levelled was provided. The same read as, “The claim that people of Chandmari Colony, Chandmari, Sakuntala Phukuri, Nizorapar, Bapuji Nagar, Silphukri, Rudranagar, Amiya Nagar, Milanpur, Kornachal, Noonmati, Kharguli, Jyotinagar, Gandhibasti, Sarania, Paltanbazar, etc are not getting regular water supply is false. The son of the mechanic who

is responsible for the maintenance of the pumps at Satpukhuri Water Treatment Plant has tested COVID-19 positive. As such, he is not being able to attend to his regular duty. Other mechanics have refused to do his work. Further, the shops from where the mechanics buy the required parts are also closed due to the lockdown and it has been difficult to procure the same. “GMC has installed a few new pumps at the three water treatment plants of Guwahati - Pan Bazar, Kamakhya and Satpukhuri last year. Of these, the two new pumps at Satpukhuri have stopped working due to technical issues, so water supply was interrupted. However, water is being provided with substitute pumps. The supplier has been

asked to repair the new pumps. The claim that the pumps are of sub-standard quality is false. “As per rules, E-Tendering was done to get the best quality pumps.GMC water supply staff is working day and night during the lockdown. Currently repairing is being done by some other mechanics and water supply is restored.”

Water treatment and supply scheme of Guwahati

There are three water treatment plants in Guwahati that cater to about 3 lakh consumers in different parts of the city. The commissioning year of the treatment plants with their capacity.

Position of present water supply under GMC (Plant-wise) Plant Location

Installed Capacity (million litres daily –MLD)

Year of Commissioning

Present output from the plant

Panbazar

45 .00 MLD

1963

25.00 MLD

Satpukhuri

22.50 MLd

Original plant in 1930, renovated in 1984 (Supply network 1930)

15.00 MLD

Kamakhya

4.50 MLD

1992

3.50 MLD

At different time since 1981

1.50 MLD

Deep Tube Wells 2.00 MLD (8 functioning) Total

45.00 MLD

Cover Story

| May 30 - Jun 05, 2020

Chart showing areas where water is supplied to from GMC’s 3 treatment plants and 8 deep-tube wells PANBAZAR WATER TREATMENT PLANT 1.

Under D.C. Reservoir: Pan Bazar, Fancy Bazar, Machkhowa, Bharalumukh, Paltan Bazar (part), Chatribari, Athgoan, Goshala, Serabbati, Rehabari (part)

Sarania Reservoir: Lachit Nagar, Pub Sarania, Dakhin Sarania, Gandhi Basti, Ulubari, Rehabari (part), Kachari Basti, Solapara, Serabbhati

CIL coal mining has always been legal: Former Margherita MLA

SATPUKHURI TREATMENT PLANT 1.

Housing Hill Reservoir: Kharghuli (part), Housing Colony, Krishna Nagar, Nizarapar, Karnachal, Nabagiri, Pensionpara, Govt. Press area

Nabagraha Hill Reservoir: Nabagraha area, Kharghuli (part), Udaigiri

Chitrachal Reservoir: Chitrachal, Happy Villa, Chenikuthi Hill side, Nabagraha Path

4. 5.

Krishnachal Reservoir: Kharghuli Malibagan, Arikati Basti, Jahajghat area Octagonal & Belleview Reservoir: Chatrakar, Uzanbazar, Gauhati Club area, Latasil, Ambari, Silpukhuri, Barowari, Chenikuthi, Hedayatpur, Bamunimaidam area, Chandmari, Rajgarh (part) Representative image of a coal mine

KAMAKHYA TREATMENT PLANT 1.

Bhubaneshwari Reservoir: Kamakhya Township, Kamakhya Temple, Kamakhya Foothill and adjoining areas

Lalita Nagar Reservoir: Lalita Nagar, Ganesh Mandir area, Kamakhya Gate, Old Pad-Path and adjoining areas

Kalipur Reservoir: Kalipur area, Chakreswar, AT Road (north-side), Boothnath

Kamakhya Colony: Kamakhya Colony Pandu, Pandu Road, AT Road, Maligoan (north side)

DEEP TUBE WELLS 1.

TR Phookan Park: Kumarpara, GS Colony, Bharalu East (Part)

Horizon Colony: Horizon Colonies, Ambari, Bishnupur (Part)

Rangpathar: Rangpathar area, Fatasil Ambari Areas.

Santipur: Santipur Hill Area, Durgasarobar areas

Kalapahar: Kalapahar (Part), Lalganesh (Part), Cycle Factory area (Part), Shankarpur Boosting for Shankarpur area

New Field: Rehabari (Part), Bilpar area

Lalganesh: Barsapara, Udalbakra (Part), Lalganesh

Lalganesh Banikpara: Banikpara and adjoining area (not functioning)

One year of Modi 2.0

imilarly, Modi 2.0 passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 on 11th December 2019. It amended the Citizenship Act, 1955 by providing a path to Indian citizenship for illegal migrants of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian religious minorities, who had fled persecution from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan before December 2014. Muslims from those countries were not given such eligibility. All these bills were promises which were made by the BJP in the party manifesto before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and the Centre, especially the home ministry headed by Amit Shah, was seen acting strategically to get these bills passed. The first Parliament session of Modi 2.0 scripted history with the highest number of bills passed in six decades. Other than following the BJP manifesto, it is alleged that the government has done nothing out of the box. Senior journalist and activist Manjit Mahanta said, “They have done nothing.” While the Ram Mandir victory in the Supreme Court was a judicial decision, the saffron party promoted the victory as a decision made by the

government. Many saffron party units, during Modi’s first tenure, were upset because the Ram Mandir decision was pending. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) even split up with Pravin Togodia floating another Hindu organisation after leaving VHP on the issue of Ram Janmabhumi. Therefore, the Modi.20 government took all the credit amongst all the saffron units of the country. The RTI (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was also passed during the first year amending the RTI Act, 2005. On July 29, the Lok Sabha passed the contentious National Medical Commission Bill, 2019. The BJP called it one of the most significant reforms that will end ‘inspector raj’ in the medical education sector. Well, all these bills were passed and promises made but the next years to come will explain if the reformed law will be implemented properly as implementation of schemes and bills by the government are always questioned. Demonetisation and GST are some of the decisions taken by the Modi 1.0 government but their implementation was always criticised. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 saw nationwide opposition and protests, but its implementation is still confusing.

Present day The coal mining activities at the North Eastern Coal Fields of Coal India Limited have snowballed into a major controversy on social media recently and gathered further momentum after Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had, on 16th May last said, “Nearly 50 coal blocks will be offered immediately for auctions and any party could bid for the blocks and sell in the open market.” This was said while the finance minister was announcing the fourth tranche of the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Scheme. The movement against coal mining in the region was sparked off when Soumyadeep Datta, an environmentalist and director of the NGO, Nature’s Beckon, who was a strong voice in demanding for the wildlife sanctuary status for Dehing Patkai since 1995, had stated that his organisation would be standing in strong opposition to any kind of coal mining activities in Dehing Patkai. This was done through an update on the Facebook page of Nature’s Beckon, Northeast India, on 6th May last. Datta was joined by a number of university students’ unions including the Post Graduate Students’ Union of Gauhati University which started its own online campaign. Hashtag campaigns like #SaveDehingPatkai, #IamDehingPatkai, #I_Am_ Dehing_Patkai, #AmazonOfEast and other such went viral on social media. They continue to do so as the momentum has been strong and prolonged. While the opposition to coal mining in the region continues to remain strong on social media, a bit of a falter was noticed when on 19th May, Datta released a video on his NGO’s Facebook page saying that campaigners were confused about the area and that the area of mining is not located in the rainforest area and

he had no problems with the coal mining continuing since such activities would not harm the distantly located rain forests of Dehing-Patkai wildlife sanctuary. G Plus tried to contact Soumyadeep Dutta on phone to take further clarifications. However, Datta said that he would sticking by his last video that he had aired and had nothing more to add to it.

Latest Development: Dispur claims coal mining is possible if done legally

The Assam government has hinted that it will back the Centre’s decision claiming that coal mining in the Dehing-Patkai reserve will be allowed only if it is sanctioned to be legal. The state forest and environment minister, Parimal Suklabaidya, talking to G Plus exclusively said, “It is during our BJP government that we identified the illegal mining going on in Dehing-Patkai and accordingly action was taken.” He further added that this government is only trying to make things legal, and it is the illegal nexus which had benefitted all this while that is creating the controversy now. Explaining further he said that illegal mining has been continuing in the area since 2003. Moreover, it has never been reported that a single elephant has fallen victim to the illegal coal mining or its transportation in the area. “Is it really an elephant corridor where mining is taking place?” questioned the minister indicating that the “Amazon of the East,” i.e. the rain forest and the elephant reserve contained within it are far off from the actual area where mining of coal takes place. The forest minister further said that the state government has not yet given the approval, and it can happen only after proper scrutiny of the area.

4 In The News Snippets Himanta Expresses Confidence of State Returning to Normalcy Soon

n a press briefing from Gauhati Medical College & Hospital, post the inauguration of the Covid-19 super-speciality hospital, Assam health minister has indicated that the Assam government might well consider bringing life back to normal sooner than later with the phase-wise reopening of schools and malls. “I think we are becoming ready to go back to normal life. We should go in a staged manner. When we reopen schools and colleges, at first we should open for class 10 and 12 and then move on to Classes 9 and 11 etc,” said Himanta Biswa Sarma. Expressing confidence at the robust health infrastructure built up by the state to tackle arrival and subsequent treatment of symptomatic Covid-19 patients, the minister said that it is time that normal life came back to Assam. The minister however stated that the state government would prefer to continue with the night curfew, if not from 7 pm, at least from 9 pm as the move has helped the administration. He also said that the message of social distancing has been strongly disseminated among the masses and all have understood the importance of wearing masks and washing their hands. The minister, at the same time, clearly reiterated that all such decisions will be taken by the government of India and the state government will act accordingly. Only on approval by the Centre would the state government take the decisions as cited by him.

Dist Admin Suspends Boat/ Ferry Services on Brahmaputra till May 31

he Deputy Commissioner of Kamrup Metro, vide a notice dated 28 May, 2020, informed about the rising water level of Brahmaputra. In view of the same, the DC has directed that all kinds of boats/ferry services in the Kamrup Metropolitan District will remain suspended with immediate effect, till evening of 31 st May 2020. Re-commencement of such services is subject to recession of the water level. The notice further stated that the river is forecast to rise above the danger mark within the next 2 to 3 days. The directive has been given in view of public safety and security and in order to avoid any untoward incident.

| May 30 - Jun 05, 2020

Cotton University boarders given just 24 hrs notice to vacate hostel rooms Disarrayed students return to collect valuables even as the lockdown and curfew continues Barasha Das @Barasha_mi2

s schools, colleges, hostels, clubs and hotels across Assam are being requisitioned by the state government to be converted into quarantine centres, the Cotton University hostels have also been taken for the same purpose. However, the students who were living in these hostels but are currently back in their respective homes ever since the lockdown had left their valuables and baggage locked in their respective hostel rooms. Rahul Bordoloi, General Secretary of Cotton University Students’ Union, speaking to G Plus said, “I was in Lakhimpur. I got the notice around 2:30 pm of 25th May and I rushed back to Guwahati. We were never asked to take away our belongings with us when we left. And now this sudden announcement.” Reportedly, the government had already requisitioned the hostels and informed the boarders later. “We have six working hostels. I had not got any official notification until then. I had to ask the authorities to give the students some time to collect the belongings or permit me to collect for them all and store them in some other safe place,” added Rahul. Such a sudden notice to the boarders who are currently spread all across the state had led them to panic. Most had even left their expensive equipment like laptops behind as they were not even prepared for the prolonged lockdown when they left. When contacted by G Plus on 26th May last, Bordoloi was travelling to Guwahati from Lakhimpur. “I travelled half the way on a truck and now I am waiting for any other possible vehicle,” he had said. Such was the plight of the boarders given the sudden notification. As per the order issued by the district administration, all the hostels of Cotton University have been requisitioned for converting into quarantine centres. Post the sudden announcement by the government, vacating the hostels of Cotton University, which are set to become quarantine zones, became a mighty scramble

Boarders hurriedly vacating their hostel rooms at a Cotton University hostel | G Plus photo for the boarders. Aswini Phukan, a boarder of one of the hostels the G Plus had spoken to on 26th May said, “I am from Titabar near Jorhat. We got a notice at around 2.30 pm (of 25th May) that we need to vacate our rooms by 4 pm of 26th May. So I left Jorhat at 4.30 pm on 26th May and now am arranging to carry back my stuff. 24 hours is not proving comfortable for everyone. We should have been given at least 2 days. The sudden notice is proving to be a harassment for us. We would like to have our hostel premises the way it was before. But I doubt that will be the case any time soon. We get the feeling that things would get only worse. Instead of the hostels, they could have taken other premises like the bhawans or university classrooms.” “My sister is studying here. I left home at 5.30 am. We are from Jamugurihat, Sonitpur. My sister got the news yesterday that she needed to vacate her room within 24 hours. So we prepared overnight and came. The bad weather has added to the difficulties. A few of her friends from Dhemaji and Lakhimpur have not been able to come. So she and the other friends have taken the responsibility for their belongings as well. There are a lot of books and they are heavy as well. We actually needed a bit more time,” said a guardian when speaking to G Plus on 26th May last. However, the district

administration later extended the 24 hours notice period by 2 days. “It was obviously too short a notice. So all of us hostel superintendents went to the DC and asked for time till 27th May to vacate the all the hostels. They have given us time till the evening of 28th May. The students from the far off places will not be able to come. So their local guardians are helping out in the process of vacating. For those who will not be able to pick up their belongings, we are arranging to keep the stuff in our television and library rooms,” informed Devartha Morang, Superintendent of SNBC hostel. “A lot of students have left behind important documents in their drawers and it would not be possible for us to break those locks. These are their personal belongings,” he added. Given that the hostels would be teeming with strangers who would be quarantined for around two weeks, will the university management or the government for that matter be able to guarantee the safe keeping of the valuables? Further, at a time when public as well as private transportation is limited and most of the boarders are from far-off places and not well-off, could the government have not considered the disarray that the students and the guardians would be in before the sudden announcement was made? This also leads to a number of questions: Was the government

not prepared for the sudden surge in coronavirus cases? Had the state government not considered the number of quarantine centres that needed to be prepared? When the health minister first announced that hostels of educational institutions would be taken for quarantine, why were the college and university managements not asked to be prepared and notify the boarders and students before time? “We are carefully contemplating our next moves. After the quarantine situation gets over, the hostels will not be liveable for a long time and there would definitely be a mental block in our students about coming back and occupying them again. The government will have to take appropriate washing and sanitizing activities,” said Morang, the hostel superintendent. Reportedly, it has been speculated that hostels of the Cotton University and the Gauhati University might not be used until all other possible facilities have been used as quarantine centres. The government is preparing for more quarantine facilities to accommodate the thousands of returnees to the state. Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier mentioned that around 15 lakh people would return to Assam. Reportedly, Guwahati alone is to have around 80 quarantine centres apart from the hotels that are already being occupied.

City

| May 30 - Jun 05, 2020

Guwahatians offer varied opinions on effectiveness of lockdown 4.0 W

ith a hint of hustle returning to the streets of Guwahati, the city can now be seen going back to normalcy. Restaurants are now open for takeaways, stores are now open for customers, business establishments have opened up and so have offices, which are now working with full capacity. With more relaxations in place and the fourth stage of the nationwide lockdown moving towards a conclusion, G Plus took to the streets of Guwahati to find out what people had to say about the effectiveness of lockdown 4.0 and whether the lockdown should be extended. The number of novel coronavirus cases in Assam is inching closer towards the 1,000 mark. In such a situation, a woman said, “If the lockdown is extended, it would have many pros and cons. If it gets extended, there will be no community spread of the disease but it would cause problems for those who work for daily wages.” “I think in this condition, the lockdown could be extended in the entire country due to the manner in which cases are on the rise. However, it is a positive sign for us that most of these cases are coming from quarantine centres. So the government might give us some relaxation,” said Umesh Singh, General Manager of Eastrends store on GS Road. On being asked whether it is right for people to venture out on the streets, he said, “From Day 1, the government has been saying that people must come out only if necessary. We don’t see many people outside but when you go into the sub-lanes and the bylanes a virtual celebration is going on there!” On this, he added, “You’ll find 7 or 8 people coming out of nowhere, just to make petty enquiries about something as silly as the price of potato on a particular day.” Another Guwahatian, Suraj Singh (name changed) opined that it is absolutely unsafe for people to venture out even now. “I commute myself but I have stopped using public transport now as I find it unsafe. I have even

stopped riding my bike. I look after my safety. Why? Because when I see that my office is at a walking distance then I prefer walking. I converse with all my clients over the phone itself and only venture out when it is very necessary. When the need arises, one must venture out taking proper precautionary measures ensuring that they are safe themselves alongside ensuring safety of others. This is the way to do it and this is the only way we will be able to save ourselves and those in the society.” On educational institutions being turned into quarantine centres, Ravi Sarma (name changed) opined that it is not possible to stop people willing to return home and when the nation calls one must all serve its people. “We have no other option other than letting this happen. People are returning to Assam in such large numbers. If I was, for instance, outside the state and if my family was here in Assam, and if I was infected by the virus then I would want to see my family once. We Indians are emotionally very attached to our families. If I am willing to come home, nobody can stop me and there is no such rule but if one can stay where they are and stay safe, then they must opt for that option instead,” said a resident of Lachit Nagar. He also lauded the efforts of the state government for its immediate and prompt action to curb the spread of the dreaded virus.

On whether malls should open now that market complexes and large stores are open for customers, Guwahatians expressed conflicting opinions. While some believed that malls are safe spaces, less spaced and less crowded as compared to market complexes, some believed that opening of malls would attract a lot of public, defeating the very purpose of social distancing.

A Guwahatian speaking to G Plus with regard to lockdown and its effectiveness | G Plus photo

Janasanyog No. 668/20

Rifa Deka @dekarifa

6 Environment

| May 30 - Jun 05, 2020

Vulture conservation centre at Rani doing remarkable work in boosting vulture population Rifa Deka @dekarifa

he vulture is one of nature’s most efficient scavengers. Out of the 9 different species of vultures found in India, 6 are exclusive to Assam. Once a very common sight in the skies, these graceful creatures are now on the verge of extinction with 3 of these 6 being critically endangered. Efforts have been made to preserve these unique species and to ensure that they do not become extinct and one such venture is the Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre, at Rani on the outskirts of Guwahati. With their numbers rapidly decreasing, G Plus spoke to Sachin Ranade, a scientist with the Bombay Natural History Society and the Head of the Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre, who pointed out a few reasons why the vulture population has decreased in the recent past years. “We have six staff, one veterinary officer and I. For the last 20 years we are working and we are trying to save these birds from extinction. In early 1990s, we found that the vultures were declining in number and systematically we ruled out some cases like – things like there might be scanty food or loss of habitat. Ultimately we came to the conclusion that the vultures were dying due to the effects of a drug called Diclofenac which they consume from carcasses of domestic cattle,” he said. “The drug is generally given to cattle and if the cattle die within 72 hours of administration this drug remains in the liver and kidneys of the cattle. Vultures are scavengers

that feed on these cattle and they die of kidney failure. India has lost 99 percent of its vultures to this,” Ranade added. The most common problem faced by these birds is from accidental poisoning as the drug damages their liver thereby taking down large colonies of these majestic creatures. As it is, there are very few vultures that feed off disposed cattle carcasses, which means more food for stray dogs. In many cases, dogs harass livestock and farmers spray harmful chemicals and fatal poisons such as Carbofuran and Organophosphates to kill such dogs. The carcasses also attract vultures and these vultures thereafter end up consuming the dead carcasses of the animals, meant to kill stray dogs. Over 500 vultures have lost their lives to carcass poisoning and the chemicals, Carbofuran and Organophosphates, have already been banned in Europe and the Americas due to its harmful nature. It is said that these chemicals have taken a large number of animals as well as human lives due to its widespread use in India and Africa. The Whitebacked and the

The Vulture Conservation & Breeding Centre at Rani | G Plus photo Slender-billed vultures from Assam are on the verge of extinction, to prevent which, the Bombay Natural History Society and the Assam Forest Department took up the initiative to tackle this issue by setting up the Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre at Rani, Assam in 2007. The Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre is a joint project of the Bombay Natural History Society and the Assam Forest Department for conservation of the two species of vultures which is the dire need of the day. “We are working Ex-situ and In-situ; Ex-situ (offsite conservation) means we have brought some birds here and we are trying to breed those birds

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and we have been successful since last the 7-8 years. At the same time we are doing a different kind of work called In-situ (Onsite conservation or conservation of genetic resources in nature), trying to save these birds in the wild. We wanted to make some areas safe for vultures,” explained Ranade. From the time this conservation centre was started in 2007, till date, it has managed to breed 50 vultures and have released them into the wild. The goal is to continue this till these winged scavengers reach a sizeable number. Further explaining the poor population growth of vultures, Ranade explained that despite being long living birds, these birds have a very slow rate of reproduction. “Vultures live long, but the oldest birds here would be around 15 to 20 years old. The first five years

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of their lives, vultures do not breed. After that, one pair will be formed and the pair would lay a single egg per year,” he explained. “Vultures particularly like to be in a group, in a flock. These birds are kept together here in a big aviary which is 100 feet long and 40 feet wide where they are free, they can fly, feed together, have water and take a bath there, just like in nature. We are breeding these birds and after a few years of successful breeding, we will send these birds back in the wild,” said Sachin Ranade. The Conservation and Breeding Centre aims at establishing a population of 25 pairs of White-backed and the Slender-billed vultures and to produce a population of at least 200 birds in the next 15 years to eventually reintroduce them into the wild.

Concern

| May 30 - Jun 05, 2020

Assam gears up to fight locust attacks despite no immediate threat Nehal Jain @NehalJain96

he year 2020 has seen a global pandemic in the form of Covid-19, economic downturn, cyclone Amphan, deadly heat waves, raging forest fires and things are not turning for the better as a formidable army of locusts has been on the move. Further, the state of Assam is faced with flood resulting from incessant rains. Millions of locusts have affected around 100 districts in the five states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra and the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned that the voracious crop-destroying insects could reach Bihar and Odisha in the east in the coming weeks. Experts have warned that another swarm of locusts is expected to enter India from Pakistan around mid-June, which would provide fuel to locust activity in the region. With the locusts traveling eastwards, the state of Assam is gearing up to fight them. “We have informed all district officers to stay prepared and take necessary precautions. Chemical sprays like pesticides and insecticides have been made available and kept ready,” informed Manoj Kumar, Director of Agriculture, Assam. “Based on the reports we have been receiving, the attack will be vast. We do not know what could be the exact impact

of it yet, so we are preparing for the worst,” he told G Plus. In the same vein, Abdul Jalil, Director of Horticulture, Assam said, “Immediate actions will be taken if the swarms of locusts make their way to Assam and the directorate will provide all technical support required to fight them.” While there aren’t enough standing crops currently in the fields of Assam apart from some horticulture crops, the officials are worried that the locusts may damage seedlings and vegetables sown in recent times. The desert locust is a species of swarming short-horned grasshopper, known to devour everything in their path, posing an unprecedented threat to food supply and livelihoods of millions of people. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization’s Desert Locust Information Service bulletin, locusts can fly up to 150 km a day and a one-square-kilometre swarm can eat as much food as 35,000 people in one day. The infestation is a common phenomenon, associated with western Rajasthan and Gujarat from mid-July till November. But an early onset, also ravaging parts that were not necessarily prepared for the crisis, has added pressure on the already struggling farmers, threatening food security of millions of India’s poorest. In order to drive the locusts out, exasperated farmers have been banging plates, whistling or throwing stones at them, and sometimes even lighting fires to smoke them out. But many

Internet photo of locusts attacking a crop field are just forced to watch in frustration, with the lockdown restricting their access to pesticides and repellents. To combat the menace, the union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare too has stepped up locust control measures. The government has placed an order for buying 60 spraying machines from a UKbased company and two firms have been finalized for supply of drones for aerial spraying of insecticides for effective

Snippets IIT-Guwahati Develops Safety Systems Against COVID-19

esearch scholars from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have been developing innovative solutions amid the lockdown to fight against COVID-19. Recently, a team from IIT-G came out with a low cost heat-based sanitizer trunk, injection mould for mass manufacturing of face shield, disinfectant tunnel, universal foot operated hand sanitization system and high-grade quality face shields. The heat-based sanitizer trunk has been developed under the supervision of professor Uday Shanker Dixit, from the mechanical engineering department of the institute. These sanitizer trunks work on the principle of thermal heating along with some amount of

ultraviolet rays. The procedure is to place the objects to be sanitized for about 15 minutes in the sanitizer trunk. The temperature of the trunk is about 85 degree Celsius. The cost for making this trunk is only Rs 50. A 90 cm X 45 cm X 36 cm trunk may cost around Rs 300.

control over tall trees and inaccessible areas, the Union Ministry said in a statement this week. The ministry further added that 15 sprayers will start arriving from Britain in the next 15 days. Besides, 45 more sprayers will be procured in a month or one-and-a-half months. Drones will be used to spray pesticides, while plans are afoot to deploy helicopters for aerial spray. The control work is in full swing in close coordination with

State Agriculture Departments, Local Administration and BSF. It should be mentioned that as on May 28, the ministry reported some active swarms of immature locusts being active in Barmer, Jodhpur, Nagaur, Bikaner, Suratgarh, Dausa districts of Rajasthan, Jhansi district of Uttar Pradesh and Rewa, Morena, Betul, Khandwa districts of Madhya Pradesh and Nagpur and Amravati districts of Maharashtra for which the control operations are in progress.

8 In The News

| May 30 - Jun 05, 2020

Covid-19 Update: Assam inches closer to 1000-mark Nehal Jain @NehalJain96

he total number of coronavirus cases in Assam is fast closing in on the 1000 mark. Corona positive cases in Assam reached 935 on Friday with 55 more persons testing positive for the deadly virus. Earlier this week, the state witnessed the highest single-day spike in cases of coronavirus after 156 persons tested positive on May 25. The same day five patients, three from GMCH and two from JMCH were reported recovered from the disease and were also discharged from the hospital. While an increasing number of people are testing positive for coronavirus, a significant number of people are also being cured and discharged in the state. The total number of cases in Assam now stands at 935 with 803 active cases. While 109 persons have been cured and discharged, 4 deaths have been recorded till date in the state. Further, 3 persons have migrated to other states. Assam reported the first case of coronavirus on March 31, more than a month after the dreaded virus made its way to India. It took Assam close to 50 days to reach the 100 mark, with the 100th case being reported on May 18. However, it only took three days for Assam’s Covid-19 tally to double and it reached 200 on May 21. In less than 48 hours, the state of Assam reported crossing the 300 mark. The highest surge was observed this week as the number of cases went up threefold from 300 to 900. Earlier this week, India became the 9th country to have 1,50,000 coronavirus cases and the 14th country to record more than 4,000 covid-related deaths. The case tally took eight days to jump from 1,00,000 to 1,50,000, making India the 4th fastest country to

The latest Covid counter issued by Assamcares as we go to print do so. However, since the surge in the death count was not as big, the fatality rate has now declined slightly to 2.9 percent, after hovering around 3.2 percent for weeks. Within India, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, and Gujarat continue to be the worst affected states with the highest number of cases. These four states now account for 67 percent of confirmed cases and 72 percent of fatalities.

Kamrup (M) reports maximum caseload of Assam

With 31% of the total cases of coronavirus in Assam being reported from Kamrup (M), the district accounts for maximum caseload. As of May 29, Kamrup (M) has reported 293 positive cases of the novel coronavirus.

Out of these, 47 persons have been cured and discharged while 3 persons have passed away, leaving the total active cases at 240. In view of the increasing number of cases in Kamrup (M), many areas have been declared containment zones. These include Fancy Bazaar, Tarun Nagar, Haryana Bhawan, Bhootnath, and many more. Apprising the citizens of the situation, health and finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “In view of the rising number, I earnestly request you to #StayAtHome and follow #SocialDistancing and hygiene norms.” Golaghat district has reported the second highest number of cases in Assam with the tally at 143, followed by Hojai at 55, Cachar at 45, Karimganj at 35, and Nagaon at 33.

Assam Floods: Over 2.9 Lakh Affected, 2 Dead

loods in Assam displaced more than 2.9 lakh people on May 28 alongwith drowning two in Goalpara district. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) informed of incessant rains having led to flooding in 300 villages so far. Goalpara district happens to be the worst

affected with over 2 lakh people hit and two people dead by drowning so far. Floods in Assam have so far damaged 21,572 hectares of crop with 2 houses fully and 1280 houses partially damaged as per reports by ASDMA. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) stated that in Dhemaji, Nagaon,

Hojai, Darrang, Nalbari, Goalpara, West Karbi Anglong, Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts altogether 2,94,170 people in 300 villages or localities were affected by the floods. The Disaster Management Authority has performed rescue operations by deploying 24 boats, rescuing over 492 people in a day.

Two districts of Assam - Majuli and Baksa - have reported zero cases. Further, Bongaigaon has zero active cases, as all five patients have been cured and discharged.

Most positive cases in Assam are imported: Himanta Biswa Sarma

The exponential rise in the number of Covid-19 positive cases has sent a shock-wave across Assam and a panic-like situation now prevails across the state. Clarifying on the staggering increase in the number of cases, state health minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday, May 25 said that most of these cases are imported and not home-grown. Taking to the social media platform of Twitter, Sarma said, “It is clarified that all

swabs are collected from people soon after they arrive from outstation. Subsequently they are transferred to the quarantine centers. Therefore most of the positive cases in Assam are imported and not home-grown!” Earlier on Sunday, Sarma reaffirmed that majority of the COVID-19 positive cases have been found among the incoming people and at different quarantine centers. After Tablighi Jamaat attendees, Ajmer Sharif returnees and Fancy Bazaar Aloo Godaam incident, Sarusajai Quarantine Centre has emerged as a hotbed of coronavirus. A majority of the latest cases of coronavirus in Assam have been reported from the quarantine centre. It should be mentioned that the spike in cases was witnessed after Assam allowed for inter-state movement of citizens.

News This Week

| May 30 - Jun 05, 2020

A quick round up of the news that mattered during the past week

Ram Mandir construction begins in Ayodhya

The Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust chairman announced the construction of the Temple on May 26, ahead of which, a puja was performed to mark the commencement of the construction work. After a 27 yearlong period, the idol of Ram Lalla was shifted out of the makeshift temple in a palanquin in Ayodhya and erected in Manas Bhawan. The makeshift temple structure is made of fibre and is bulletproof. Bringing a century-old dispute to an end, the Supreme Court on November 9, 2019, had permitted the construction of the Ram Temple at the disputed site. The apex court in a unanimous 5-0 verdict also directed the Centre to allot a 5-acre plot to the Sunni Waqf Board for the construction of a mosque.

HRD Ministry devises new rules for schools to follow on reopening

Working with the National Council of Education Research and Training (NCERT), the Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry is devising new norms to be followed by schools once they reopen. Children from Class IX to Class XII are to attend school prior to all other students, abiding by new rules laid down to ensure social distancing and other precautionary measures. Students from Classes I to V, however, are not likely to return to school for 3 more months. School administrations will brief students on a new seating arrangement ensuring 6 feet distance between students with not more than 15 to 20 students in a class.

SC directs states to look after migrant workers

The Supreme Court of India (SC) released a detailed interim order related to the transportation of migrant labourers which had become a major issue of concern in the country. There have been cases of migrants dying of thirst and starvation as the Court signaled towards transportation and feeding of migrants to be the biggest problem. The Supreme Court, in the interim order, directed state governments in collaboration with Railways to provide for trains for migrant workers and that migrants must be allowed to travel by buses and trains without being charged. States must share the expense of migrant workers, incurred while travelling. The order also makes it imperative for migrant workers found walking on roads to be provided with food, shelter and all necessary amenities by the respective state.

CBSE students to give their exams from current locations

Union Human Resource Development Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal on 27th May, said that class 10 and 12 CBSE students who have travelled to different states, can appear for their pending board exams in the district that they are presently located. “Class 10, 12 students who have moved to different state or district during lockdown can appear for pending board exams there,” the HRD minister tweeted. He also pointed out that in the first week of June the students will be informed about the school in which they will be able to write the exams. Earlier it was informed that Class X and Class XII Board Examinations will be conducted in the respective schools of students where they are enrolled to ensure minimum travel.

China to ban pork imports from India

According to a joint notice issued by the General Administration of Customs of China and the Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, China is set to ban imports of pigs, wild boar and related products from India in an effort to prevent African swine fever (ASF) and ensure the safety of China’s animal husbandry. India reported its first case of ASF in both domestic pigs and wild boar in Assam earlier this month. ASF prevention and control in China has achieved initial results. Pork is the staple diet of the majority of the Chinese population.

Universities and colleges not to compel students into paying fees immediately: UGC

University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked universities and colleges to not compel students into paying fees immediately and look into individual cases sympathetically. In its letter to vice chancellors and principals, the UGC has said, “They (Parents and students) have represented that due to the financial hardship being faced due to the lockdown, they are not in a position to make payment of fee. It is requested, that in view of the prevailing extraordinary difficult circumstances, universities and colleges may consider the matter regarding payment of annual/semester fee, tuition fee, examination fee, etc. sympathetically and if feasible, may consider offering alternative payment options to students till the situation returns to normal.”

Locust spreads to Maharashtra, UP; High alert in Punjab

After Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Haryanamassive swarms of desert locusts have now moved towards Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. The government said it has stepped up its response to the country’s worst locust attack in nearly three decades. Locust containment measures and sprinkling operations have been conducted in 303 locations spread over more than 47,000 hectares till Wednesday in 20 districts of Rajasthan, nine in Madhya Pradesh, two in Gujarat and one each in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, sources in the Agriculture Ministry said. Officials from the Locust Warning Organisation (LWO) said, the pest, which threatens vegetable and pulse crops, have not impacted rabi (winter) produce in India but the government efforts are on to eliminate the insects before monsoon in order to save kharif crops.

Karnataka requests Aviation Ministry to allow fewer flights from 5 states

The Karnataka government has requested the Civil Aviation Ministry to reduce the number of incoming flights from five states - Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan - to contain the growing coronavirus infection in the state. Karnataka minister JC MadhuSwami said, “Karnataka has appealed to the Civil Aviation Ministry to take steps to lessen the air traffic to the State, with the sacred intention that there may not be adequate quarantine facilities, if there is huge turnout at a short span of time.” Further he also said that restrictions have also been imposed for people coming by road from the States of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat to ensure adequate quarantine facilities.

Railways increases advance reservation period for special trains

The Railways on May 28 increased the advance reservation period from the present 30 days to 120 days for all special trains - the 15 pairs operating since May 12 on Rajdhani routes and the 100 new pairs of special trains scheduled to run from June 1. “Ministry of Railways has decided to increase the advance reservation period (ARP) of all Specials notified from 30 days to 120 days. Booking of parcel and luggage shall be permitted in all these 230 trains,” the railways said in a statement. The statement also mentioned that, “The above changes shall be implemented with effect from 08:00 hrs of train booking date of 31st May 2020 onwards.”

UN: US should take ‘serious action’ after police killing of black man

The UN Human Rights chief, Michelle Bachelet on May 28 condemned the death in of George Floyd, demanding that US authorities should take serious action to stop the killings of unarmed African Americans. Bachelet said, “This is the latest in a long line of killings of unarmed African Americans by US police officers and members of the public.” Her comments came after a 46-year-old restaurant worker, died in the northern city of Minneapolis, US on May 25 while in police custody which led to angry protests. A bystander’s video showed a handcuffed Floyd gasping for breath as a policeman pressed his knee on his neck after detaining him for allegedly using a counterfeit $20 bill in a purchase. He was taken to hospital where he was declared dead.

10 G Talk E

| May 30 - Jun 05, 2020 T

Country sans assimilation

he phenomenon of people returning to their home state has thrown up a number of stories – some heartrending, others satisfying. There was one about 42 people reaching the Sarusajai Quarantine Centre. All of them were working as security guards, peons or waiters in Telengana and they had to plan their sudden departure for “home.” The relief on their faces on reaching Sarusajai was palpable. The bus journey from far-off Telengana had been arduous. And they were fully cognizant of the risks involved in such a treacherous journey through Covid-19 affected territories. This is one side of a story where a bit of spending by people who were earning some basic liveable wages managed to cobble together some funds to hire a bus. National media, on the other hand, is replete with stories of even poorer people whose lives depend on daily wages and who have taken the actual brunt of the pandemic lockdown – the migrant labourers. All of them have been “returning home” ever since the lockdown, walking on the highways in hunger and dehydration under a blazing sun that has sparked off a heat wave in northern India. The situation is so bad that the Supreme Court of India had to intervene and issue diktats to the respective

state governments so that the already pathetic and deplorable condition of these people doesn’t get any worse. The governments of each state through which these migrant labourers were passing through on their way “home” are to make provisions for them without any kind of discrimination. So now, where does this whole migrating and “returning home” episode leave the concept of “One-India” that was a national dream? Clearly, people who migrate to work and are forced to return “home” when circumstances become adverse for them. The situation of northeasterners having no option but to return home when faced with racial discrimination in south India around just two years ago is still fresh in the mind. The story repeating itself now speaks of an uncomfortable variety of federalism; there has been just no assimilation of people across cultures in India. For the migrant labour of all strata, their place of work has clearly not become their home. A single adversity and they have to pack up and leave – in this instance, overnight. I guess it is a long way before “One-India” can truly be a reality and assimilation a natural process.

Swapnil Bharali (Editor) @swapnilbharali

COVID lifestyle in the harsh season ahead

ow that we’ve all accepted that the “COVID lifestyle” is our new normal, the pressure of being careful about what we eat/ do/touch is kind of overwhelming. Does it have a “safety tag” on Swiggy? Is the shop owner someone you know and honest about his hygiene practices? Can I trust this delivery? So on and so forth… For example, if you notice, most people have a small mental ‘checklist’ that they run over before leaving for work. Under normal circumstances, it would be wallet, lunch, keys, maybe a laptop and you’re off. But now with the weather, you check your clothes, lunch, wallet, keys, backpack, mask, sanitizer, umbrella and water; don’t forget to carry your own water! But well, all this aside, we still have some interesting headlines stressing us all out. The monkeys that stole the COVID samples are going to haunt Meerut for some time. Although monkeys aren’t immune to the novel Coronavirus, according to studies if the monkey survives, it develops immunity to re-infection. Well for once, let’s be happy that we evolved from monkeys and hopefully, we too stay immune to re-infection. But there are no studies confirming this yet. The other headache adding to this all is the incessant rainfall and landslides. One morning, it is sunny out and by afternoon, it is raining cats and dogs. Although Guwahati has come a long way in dealing with its flash floods, urban flooding is a large challenge that the district admin and people would have to tackle together. It has been years since we’ve been hearing about rainwater harvesting, but it looks like we’re going to have to wait for some more time before this gets mandated. There is a change surely; just hoping it is all for the better. Sidharth Bedi Varma

@sid_bv

Restoring normalcy in India

he sea, rains, necessity, desire, the struggle against death ... these are things that unite us all. We resemble one another in what we see together, in what we suffer together. Dreams change from individual but the reality of the world is common to us all,” Albert Camus After the lockdown, what are the chances that we will be safe from the virus? What are the chances of a safe workplace? The root fear amongst people is whether moving around the city, the town, the village will ever be the same again. It certainly won’t.

The author writes about the bounden duty of all Indians to comply with the rules and regulations set down by the government and the WHO if the country is to come out of its locked down situation and restore the normalcy that they once enjoyed. The lockdown got us used to social distancing. While we always thought human touch like shaking hands or hugging was a gesture of life and had become a part of our style quotient, now we probably would think a zillion times before getting close to anyone. Remember those days when we would plan meetings at cafés or restaurants and we would spend hours over a meal, discussing and ideating? Now, we would become more wary about sitting for hours at a café and instead look around to see if the AC is from the ceiling, the wall or from the floor up which will be considered safer. Offices will probably have to be re-designed from having employees sit close together to being more spaced out. Maybe the archaic cubicle could be one option because employees and

employers will both now be exceptionally demanding about their health and security while they are at work. Masks will be the new normal for people on the streets and office-goers. People have already started keeping hand sanitizers in their bags and this is what they will have to continue doing for a pretty long time. Even during the lockdown, the country has seen a sudden spike in COVID cases and no one is obviously happy about it. The states of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu are in for some serious medical activity as new cases are being detected in a matter of just 24 hours. And we have ourselves to blame for it; every time! The government has been reiterating about social distancing, wearing masks, staying at home but then some people feel it’s their birth right to disobey whatever rules have been set by the government. One fails to understand why these people have been showing so much obstinacy. If we have been told we can flatten the curve by doing all those things set by the WHO and the government, then we must understand it is we who will benefit if we obey. If not, then there will be no way out from the lockdown. Now, talking about the spike in the three states of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, experts believe that this data could be the result of expanded testing or growth in the number of patients because of infection from the community. Either way, experts fear the start of an “avalanche” across the country since a vaccine or drug has still not been found to arrest the spread of the virus. Infections will continue to peak amongst the vulnerable till it reaches the 60% mark, a level at which it will probably stop. One welcome step by the government and the Disaster Management Act is banning

rThe need for true Gau Seva

O pinion Tinat Atifa Masood

Representative Image spitting in public places which could be devastating under the present situation. This vile act now carries a fine of Rs. 500. Spitting is a common habit of most people but what they don’t know is that their spit can be dangerous to public health since COVID-19 spreads through droplets. The saliva of an infected person has live germs and can carry the virus for more than 24 hours. Also, apart from saliva, the spit carries mucus, which is a habitat of many kinds of germs. Incidentally, the spitting in India occurs because of the excessive consumption of ghutka, which is a tobacco product. Young and old are addicted to the habit of chewing ghutka and spitting it across walls, streets, and footpaths. Now under the same act of Disaster Management, the government has banned the sale of tobacco and ghutka. Having said all this, I feel it is the bounden duty of every citizen to comply with the rules if they want a virus free country and want to resume activities like before. But till the time they continue to behave like immature adults, the chances of the country regaining normalcy are a far cry. (The views expressed by the author in the article are her own)

Letter to the Editor

y eyes fill with tears whenever I see the helpless and homeless cows wandering here and there and eating wastes like paper, plastic and sometimes decayed vegetable wastes too. I saw this yesterday when I went to buy my medicines. These cows have no shelter to live in and no one is there to look after them and so they are left with no choice. To fill their empty stomach they eat anything like plastic, paper, vegetable decays etc. which will just lead to their bad health and then death. The government can open 5 to 6 cow shelters in each city or town and with the help of the common masses they can raise funds to get proper and good quality food for the cows. And in our India, “Gau Seva” is a good deed, a holy action. So it is my appeal to the government of the state to seriously look into this matter and take necessary steps to ensure cow safety and health. Neha Singh Tezpur

In Focus

| May 30 - Jun 05, 2020

HBS urges people to return to Assam by June 10 W

e want that people should come and the chapter should be closed as early as possible. If we go on lingering, we will have the problem of floods. From Assam’s point of view, we want that before 10th June let the people come whoever wants to come, then we will have 14 days thereafter (for quarantine). By 30th June we will close this chapter. From July we will have to prepare for floods.” This statement was given by health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma while interacting with the media on May 25 at the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport. After repeatedly asking the people of Assam stranded in other states to take time in returning citing that the state will face difficulties in quarantining a huge number of returnees, the health minister has now informed that the state might limit returnees to 10th June only. This would be done to contain

the quarantine process till 30th June so that Assam can deal with the annual flood scenario of the state that causes havoc to life and displaces lakhs. Sarma had earlier announced the state government would continue to pay Rs 2000 per month (till June for now) under the Assamcares scheme to people who would not be returning. As for the annual floods that hit Assam, the first wave has already affected more than 3,00,000 people apart from destroying embankments, roads, crops and even causing the death of 2 in the Goalpara district. Guwahatians took to the social media handles of G Plus and expressed their views on the statement made by Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Ashwini Shukla said, “This decision should be reconsidered and discussed. People coming from outside will put all the local residents at risk. Even the ones who will be travelling will have chances of contamination during travel. Why to call people on an urgent notice? Let

everyone plan their own way.” Expressing his displeasure, Prabal Bharali said “Assam is not a separate nation. It’s a part of India. So no chapter can be closed by Assam government alone. It’s to be continuous fight, not a fight of a few months.” Rohan Gogoi said, “What kind of statement is this? He has no idea how the people are getting infected. All he knows is that people coming from other states are carrying it. So, according to him, after June 10, whoever will visit Assam won’t be carrying this virus and won’t need for any quarantine. This rate of infection will never stop or go away until this virus is completely vanishing from India.” Nasreen Ahmed said, “This is an unplanned lockdown. These people should have been allowed to travel to Assam during first week of the lockdown and then the lockdown would have been actually useful as contact tracing and further spread could be prevented. But now it is difficult to assess how to curtail the

At the departure termina of LGBI Airport | G Plus photo situation with lockdown being lifted. Other nations’ lockdown has been a success because it was not just blatant lockdown, it had a planning and strategy to decline the curve which I must say Assam’s leadership

did but sadly lockdown was a failed implementation by central government.” Abdul Salam said, “The state needs to first prepare a statewide quarantine centre with a capacity of 8-9 lakh people.”

AEC, GU and Cotton University hostels converted into quarantine centres. The suddenness of the notifications, especially for Cotton University, caught the boarders unawares. Guwahatians react! Mandeep Boro

Quarantine centres alone will not help anyway. What is important right now is that people who will use these centres follow social distancing rules. Authorities must ensure there are basic hygiene facilities and enough water. Don’t know about quarantine centres in and around Guwahati. But videos coming from other quarantine centres of Assam tell a different story. I doubt this is anyway going to help.

Anushka Phukan

Suryatapa Kar

It’s not possible for us to vacate a hostel in just 4 days. We live far from our college i.e. Assam Engineering College. Some people from Silchar, Dibrugarh, Duliajan, Dhubri etc are unable to come within 4 days. Poor management! The government should try to understand our situation. We are helpless.

Supritam Nayak

Anushka Phukan We have really big classrooms which, if properly managed, could host many of them. Try to have a look into this matter. It’s a time of national emergency and we understand but our travel is also not marked safe during such times. This way more cases will come up and people who were safe till now will also be a victim of this virus

Bold move! But I don’t think people should blame the government for this. These are government colleges, so they have the right over it. And moreover, it’s not the first time government schools and colleges are being used. During floods and other natural calamities, these institutions are used to provide shelter to the needy. I support this decision and I’m quite sure, this will help.

Anupam Kalita

Meghalee Das

From the current Covid scenario, it appears that the virus will stay with us for long period. At the same time people will also start moving in to the state from other states/countries. So the quarantine process will also continue. Then how the government will close these quarantine centres and give the students/institutions their hostels back is a big question for the immediate future.

Meghalee Das Horrible planning by the government. Should give students at least a few days’ notice to collect their belongings, otherwise this will create more chaos. Many students belong to humble backgrounds and cannot afford to buy items all over again or rush to Guwahati in cars. Just a little bit of planning and foresight can benefit both the authorities and the students.

12 Trotter

| May 30 - Jun 05, 2020

Sonu Sood’s hilarious response to Twitter user’s request wins hearts

Coronavirus-themed robots sanitise Chennai streets

ctor Sonu Sood has won hearts on social media by arranging buses for stranded migrants to help them reach their homes during the lockdown. The actor has been flooded with requests on Twitter from migrants and students stuck in different cities and he has already reached out to several people and assured them of his help - a gesture that has earned him a ton of goodwill. Now, a witty tweet by Sonu Sood, 46, is also earning him praise for his sense of humour. On Sunday, a Twitter user ‘stuck at home’ jokingly asked Sonu Sood for help in reaching a liquor shop amid the lockdown. “Sonu Bhai, I’m stuck at home. Please get me to a liquor shop,” the Twitter user wrote in Hindi. The Simmba actor responded to this unique request with a hilarious tweet that has left thousands chuckling. “Bhai, I can help you get home from the liquor shop. Let me know if that’s needed,” he quipped, ending his tweet with a laughing face emoji. Sonu Sood’s hilarious response has collected over 35,000 ‘likes’ and 4,000 ‘retweets’, along with a ton of amused comments. “Epic reply,” wrote one person in the comments section, while another

oronavirus-themed robots were deployed in a containment zone in Chennai to sanitise the area the latest in a long line of robots that have been enlisted to aid coronavirus relief and social distancing efforts. The robots, designed to resemble the shape of the virus, were carried on a bright green three-wheeler auto which was also based on corona theme. Gowtham, the designer of the robots said, “It can store around 30 litres of disinfectant. This is a prototype; we are building better ones.” Photos of the robots were shared on Twitter by news agency ANI, where they created a buzz and earned a number of appreciative comments. “Good to see,” wrote one person in the

said, “Superb”. Sonu Sood has been hailed for his contribution to coronavirus relief efforts. Besides arranging buses and food for stranded migrants, he has also opened his hotel in Juhu for healthcare workers. News agency PTI reported him saying: “It’s my honour to be able to do my bit for the doctors, nurses and para medical staff of our country that have been working day and night to save the lives of millions in the country. I’m really happy to open the doors of my hotel to these real time heroes.” (Source: ndtv)

NZ McDonald’s outlet lets diners eat inside a decommissioned airplane

McDonald’s in New Zealand lets diners eat inside a decommissioned airplane. Taupo, New Zealand, is home to a McDonald’s that has a dining room inside a decommissioned Douglas DC-3 plane. The dining room can fit 20 diners at 10 tables. It topped the Daily Meal’s list of the world’s coolest McDonald’s in 2013 and has gotten a lot of publicity ever since. “Our locals are very proud of it,” McDonald’s owner Eileen Byrne told of the restaurant. “It has become a landmark here in New Zealand.” Restaurants reopened in New Zealand in mid-May, after three consecutive days without new cases of COVID-19 being reported. Airplane food takes on a slightly different meaning in Taupo, New Zealand. That’s because the small resort town on the North Island is home to one of the world’s most unique McDonald’s restaurants, which happens to be attached to a decommissioned airplane. While you can’t order your food from the old Douglas DC-3 — the counters are located in the McDonald’s next door — 20 diners can eat their Big Macs inside the jet, which still features its original cockpit

comments section. “This is brilliant, what an idea,” said another. In March, a police officer in Chennai had raised awareness about coronavirus by wearing a “corona helmet” to dissuade commuters from coming out on the streets during the nationwide lockdown. Meanwhile, several robots have been deployed around the world during the pandemic to deliver food, conduct health checks and disinfect places. While authorities in Singapore have enlisted a robot dog to remind people to maintain social distancing in public places, a computer engineer in Tamil Nadu amused many by building a robot to stand in queue for him. (Source: dnaindia)

Man with shoe fetish steals 126 flip-flops to have sex with them

behind a glass door. The plane, emblazoned with the McDonald’s logo on its exterior, has sat in its current spot for over 30 years. It used to advertise a car dealership, the Aeroplane Car Company, but was purchased by McDonald’s in 1990 and made part of that location. Eileen Byrne and her husband Des have owned this McDonald’s since 2000, and have been franchisees since 1995. She says they were “thrilled” when they found themselves topping the Daily Meal’s list of the world’s coolest McDonald’s in 2013, and that the location has since become a huge tourist attraction. According to NPR, most businesses, including restaurants, reopened in New Zealand in mid-May. (Source: insider)

man has been arrested in Thailand for allegedly stealing his neighbour’s shoes in order to have sex with them. Theerapat Klaiya, 24, had a fetish for flip-flops and was found with a staggering 126 pairs that he had pinched from locals in Nonthaburi, central Thailand, police said. Officers identified Klaiya using footage from CCTV set up outside his latest alleged victim’s home. When they searched the man’s home, they found his sprawling collection of shoes that he claimed he had been collecting for more than two years. Klaiya said he would wear them around his home as it turned

him on, police claimed. He allegedly told officers that after several hours of wearing the flip-flops, he cuddled and kissed them, stripping off and rubbing them on his body, before ‘having sex with them’. Police said his collection included dozens of different brands, sizes and colours of shoes, all of them well worn. Klaiya admitted three charges of night time theft and snatching, possessing a digital transceiver without permission, and violating the coronavirus curfew, police said. Major Colonel Ekkaphop Prasitwattanachai told local media it was not Klaiya’s first offence for similar acts. He said, “After we arrested the suspect, we also found out that he had already been arrested last year for stealing flip-flops in another district. He fully admitted stealing the sandals for lewd purposes. So he will be detained at the station until a court appearance for prosecutors to decide on the next part of the legal process for him.” (Source: metro.co.uk)

Guest Column

| May 30 - Jun 05, 2020

Should we have a Virus Day?

GUEST COLUMN

he opening line may not sound comfortable to many of us but the unchanged fact will remain the same; we are all selfish and can never do or appreciate things until it has affected us. We are full of praise for the Army when the country is at war. We are thankful to the plumber when he fixes the leaking pipe. We thank the electrician when he fixes the power issue in the middle of the night. When we are caught on the wrong foot, we address the police constable as SIR. Currently we are thanking the Doctors, Nurses, Paramedics and the sanitary workers. We remain

The author writes on the chastening effect that the Corona Virus has had on humankind in general whereby priorities are being realigned by human beings and wonders whether it would be prudent to have a Virus Day as a commemoration to this new-found humility. grateful till our interest is fulfilled. Once our interest is over, we don’t hesitate to bargain price with the plumber and electrician. We don’t hesitate using foul language for the police and armed force. We don’t hesitate to physically assault the health worker and show where the sanitary worker stands. Surprisingly even God has not been spared from this.

Sandeep Roy

Representative Image He is remembered in time of problems and forgotten once our smile is back on our lips. Why do we behave in such a manner? The answer is probably with our mother. We have crossed the age of caste discrimination long time back but there is another discrimination that is growing silently: discrimination on the basis of work. To empower the woman folk, a maid is appointed; one is empowered while the other is exploited. We are taught to develop taste for the food cooked by the maid and at the same time we are taught not to sit with her and eat. The maid will have a different set of utensils. We are taught where the electrician or the plumber will sit once the task is over. We are taught who is big and who do we consider small. We are groomed from our childhood to be a doctor, engineer, lawyer and administrator; the other professions are never considered dignified. I hold

the mother responsible for my selfish behavior; she never taught me anything about dignity of labour. When the lockdown was announced, everyone ran to stock grocery. This grocery was never grown by any of the so-called dignified professionals. We have been running very fast breaking all traffic laws. The virus has offered us an opportunity to relax and think about our past doings so that we can correct the future. I remember as a kid the greatest joy was greeting a guest at home. A guest at home meant good food prepared by my mother. As time moved, the homemade snacks were replaced with assorted biscuits, bhujia and sweets. The process did not stop here; a guest at home now means arrival of Swiggy and Zomato. Since ages, a day consisted of twenty four hours, it is same even today. This lockdown made me nostalgic when I witnessed the remaking

of all the old time snacks at my home and on Facebook. I want you to ask yourself, why have we discontinued our traditions? Are we doing justice with our division of daily time? Are we living a life of excuse? The virus did not just reactivate our gastronomical settings; it has also ignited our buried or hidden talents. I find people have started drawing, painting and playing with colors. The singer is no more confined to the bathroom. The beat of the drum is now confident and the string of the guitar has found its tune. Empty bottles have turned designer and the old jeans has been reinvented with a makeover. The terrace is no long empty; flowers are blooming all around. Vegetables are being grown at home and children are being instructed not to waste food as a lot of hard work has gone into their growing. The virus has exposed the buried talent; the buried talent has finally germinated. At the end of the day I see the

Assam Govt Revokes Blanket Ban on Pork Sale After African Swine Fever Issue

he Assam government on Tuesday, May 26 revoked the blanket ban on sale of pork in Assam. The decision was taken after experts gave assurance of the African Swine Fever not having a chance of infecting humans. The move was necessary to ensure piggeries do not incur further losses due to the ban. The relaxation, however, will not be applicable in areas where the infection has been reported from. Inter-district and interstate supply of pork will also be prohibited until further notice. The Veterinary Minister Atul

Bora had informed that Bortamuli village in Biswanath district, Pipliguri village in Dhemaji district, Kotiari, Bhatgash, Nitaipukhuri and Kheluoi in Sivasagar district, Bormukoli village in Jorhat district and Gorchuk area in Kamrup (Metro) district have been identified as epicentres of the African Swine Fever, so far. A government press release also stated that sale of pork would continue to remain suspended within 1 km radius from these epicenters, also called the infected zones and within a 10 km radius these areas, referred to as the surveillance zone.

“We welcome the government’s move as it will provide some relief to pig farmers, but there should be strict monitoring on the sale in the affected districts and the government should also consider giving financial assistance or fodder to farmers in affected districts and there should be more testing of samples to ensure that the disease doesn’t spread further,” said Manoj Kumar Basumatary, president of North East Progressive Pig Farmers Association (NEPPFA). “The test results of samples collected from Lakhimpur, Dibrugarh, Majuli and Golaghat should also be declared

soon to take scientific decisions,” he added. On being asked whether the sale of pork in markets will pick up post the revocation of the ban, Basumatary said, “So long the weekly haats are not open, the sales will not take off in a big way.” The state government had imposed a ban on sale of pork on April 25 as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of African Swine Fever.

television being ignored by my family members, everyone busy playing a board game together. This virus has brought family members together. Each one is trying to help the other do his/ her work. At this point I need to ask you: will you be the same as you are now after the lockdown is over? The virus has created social distancing but it has also narrowed the heart-to-heart gap. We are now speaking with relatives and friends as earlier we could never manage time. We now understand and respect the vegetable, poultry, fish, grocery vendor etc. We understand the hard work of a farmer. We have understood work is not everything, being alive and living is a blessing. We have always had special days to celebrate relationships and occasions. We have dedicated days for mother, father, sister, brother, lover etc. An invisible element called Corona Virus taught us the biggest lesson of our life: respect everyone, respect all professions, and respect dignity of labour. It is in such time we understand the fine fabric connecting our society and realize that we don’t need specific instruction to clap for someone’s effort. We can thank everyone, everyday, with a thank you and a smile. At this point I ask you, can we not have a VIRUS DAY? A day to remind us that we are human and we need to behave like one. (The author is a writer, poet and columnist. The views expressed by the author are his own) sandeep.roy@megasolsystem. com

14 Guest Column

| May 30 - Jun 05, 2020

Managing sibling bond during the lockdown

GUEST COLUMN

sibling bond is one of the several other significant relationships we experience right from our childhood. It also plays a crucial role in shaping our relationships as an adult. Sibling rivalry is found in every family which has more than one child, in varying degrees, but managing it during the lockdown can be a challenging task for many parents. Unlike the times bygone, children are spending almost all the time home, either studying or playing online. In such a situation, these powerhouses of energy can explode in the form of friction with their sibling/s. Managing these can take a toll on parents who are equally exhausted while balancing the act of work from home. Instead of leaving the loose ends and waiting for them to get over it, parents can proactively foster a healthy relationship among siblings. Here are a few tips for parents.

1. Avoid, if possible STOP, comparing your children Psychologists have pointed out that sibling rivalry can have far reaching consequences in a child’s overall self development. When parents indulge in constant comparison among their children, the child can start doubting his/ her self-worth. For instance, saying “your brother could eat with his own hand when he was of your age” can have a long lasting effect on the child. This can further accelerate the belief of “I am not good enough;” such a child is bound to exhibit low confidence and heightened fear/ anxiety in scenarios outside their home as well. They may grow up to become adults who seek constant validation from others and avoid taking up leadership roles as they lack assertiveness. On the other hand, this can also set them on a ‘default competition mode,’ wherein

Dr. Shambhavi Samir Alve paper, crumble it and throw it in the dust bin.

4. Nourishing each child’s individuality

Representative Image the child’s only driving force is to win over the other. This attitude can translate into other areas of their adult life, where failures could have a detrimental impact. Instead of comparing their behaviours at a particular age, parents could rather help each of them set goals and tasks which are subjective and later help them evaluate themselves in their individual capacity.

2. Favouritism is a big NO

Often parents tend to take sides in a sibling fight which is picked up on by children at a subtle level; the thought “my sister/ brother is mommy’s/daddy’s favourite” gets established. This also carries the potential to result in future conflict which eventually disrupts the family environment. Moreover, amidst the sibling fight, parents end up in arguments while taking sides; it can further result in marital discord among the parents. To avoid creating a war-like scene at home, parents can take efforts to spend dedicated time with each child, at least once a week.

Psychologists have pointed out that sibling rivalry can have far reaching consequences in a child’s overall self development. While most of the parents consider it to be a ‘normal sibling conflict,’ research shows that adults who have survived sibling abuse report long lasting effect on their overall wellness. During the current lockdown period, parents could exchange roles of spending time with their children and consciously avoid taking sides or holding skewed

perceptions.

3. Lookout for physical or mental abuse

At times sibling quarrel can take up an ugly shape; they might indulge in physical or verbal abuse. While most of the parents consider it to be a ‘normal sibling conflict’ but research shows that adults who have survived sibling abuse report long lasting effect on their overall wellness. As a parent, one needs to be more vigilant and careful with their children’s behaviour with each other, especially during a fight. It is of utmost importance to encourage each child to set their boundaries. Also parents can facilitate setting ground rules, wherein bullying, verbal abuse, hitting, teasing can be explicitly be marked in red. Parents can introduce an emotional bin in the house, where a physical dustbin can be placed in some part of the house. Whenever the child/or even the parent himself/ herself feels the need to vent out a feeling which could possibly leave the other feeling upset too, he/she can write it down on a

It is a common a practice, especially in an Indian family setup, the elder child is forced to take up the younger sibling’s responsibility. This act should be executed cautiously by taking the child’s consent; in no way should the child feel the burden which could eventually show up in the form of resentment. If the child doesn’t really like looking after his/her younger sibling, but enjoys accompanying one of the parents in kitchen or gardening, respect him/her for that choice. In a scenario where a new child is brought into the family, the elder once should be respected and given equal amount of love and attention. Also, as a parent, one needs to organize his/her time well; balance the time between your children. Make sure you aren’t, unknowingly, indulging in behaviours that favor one over the other/s, may be because he/ she resembles you more. Praising all the children equally, also has to be consciously looked after. These are some simple yet effective ways of dealing with sibling rivalry at home, especially in the current times of COVID-19 outbreak. If parents are able to monitor and assist their young minds right from start, and on a daily basis, this sibling relation can turn out to be a fulfilling and strong bond. (The author is a Ph.D. Psychology, MBA-HR and Developmental Psychologist, Clinical hypnotherapist, and Arts Based Therapy Practitioner. Views expressed in the article are her own)

Weather report for the week Guwahati

SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

T-Storms

28°24° C

28°23° C

26°22° C

27°23° C

28°23° C

SATURDAY

T-Storms 29°-24° C

Feature

| May 30 - Jun 05, 2020

Of Independent Musicians and Their Ilk Families to feed, rents to pay, careers to build and opportunities to consolidate upon – yes, musicians have to do all this too! Being a part of an informal sector, independent musicians probably don’t fall within the ambit of any tangible noteworthy scheme or sarkari yojana as they say.

ovid-19 has shaken the world in unprecedented ways – affecting everyone across industries, pulling brakes on the entire economy, rendering people helpless and threatening us to reconcile with many new truths that will unfold in the days to come. What are we seeking solace in? Who are we looking towards to take us all away from the sustained and almost permanent like uncertainty? I know some of us have fallen back on the basics - of reconnecting with friends and family who were always there and yet we couldn’t see, of rediscovering talents and passions we were born with and yet didn’tpursue in the world as we understood it before. However, in these unsettling times, there is also this one group of people who have become constant entities in our virtual but personal space, people who are doing the crucial task of lending us an oar to wade through the troubled waters. I am talking about the scores of musicians, performing artistes, who are ‘online’ through this entire lockdown. Big or small, rich or poor, famous or unknown, each has struck a chord and stuck by us for different reasons. Some are performing just to raise funds, some to give voice to their own aspirations, some to be around in the circuit, some to share their own joy, sorrow, agony. But most importantly, every single artiste is doing this selflessly, because of an inherent urge to give us all a ray of hope in these dark times, albeit momentarily! They are doing so because music indeed brings peace, makes you look at a world that will be, should be……. And they are doing so honestly, truthfully and because they have been blessed with a rare gift that can make others happy in the face of adversity. But let us, for a change, go behind the curtains and take a peek at what awaits this very group of people. Families to feed, rents to pay, careers to build and opportunities to consolidate upon – yes, musicians have to do all this too! Barring a handful that is directly related to the Indian mainstream film industry, the rest are at the cusp of a frightening crossroad.

1) Most rely solely on live shows to earn a buck. With the rightful need for social distancing, one will see a complete withdrawal of these shows. 2) Events per se will take a totally new avatar and not necessarily embrace the ways of the past. 3) The Jingles market would shrink because marketing/ advertising budgets would be hugely slashed. “Being broke is a part of the journey,” the old adage often almost used loosely as a joke will not find humor anymore, at least not in my mind and I am sure, not in the minds of countless others. The ambit and connotations of ‘bankruptcy’ are often misinterpreted as being limited only to money. But the fact is that, in a post Covid-19 world, we are looking at a much wider form of bankruptcy for this very essential group of people in our society – of opportunities, of platforms to showcase their craft and of course, of means to simply survive. They are called independent musicians independent in their thoughts, actions, creations, style and way of living, but yet men and women who are an intrinsic part of our societal construct. Simply put, they have done their bit to bring us a smile. We have to think of doing our bit to put a smile back on them, isn’t it? The question is how? I guess at one level they themselves need to re-strategize, rethink and rejig their plans whether to say YES or say NO to all the ‘free gigs’ that are happening online at the moment! If yes, how many is too many? Is there an element of overexposure here? The answer to this lies within themselves. They need to decide and own their decisions. However, is there nothing that we the listeners, fellow musicians, patrons, corporates, POLICY MAKERS can or should do? I write policy makers in bold because of the sheer magnitude of broken lives that will need to be mended. We as members of the civil society unfortunately express solidarity and empathy that dwindle with every sunset. Also, people have scarce resources with which they need to put their own houses in order. Let’s face it. Most cannot help. And this is exactly where and

why government support needs to kick in. Can there be a one of a kind intervention? Being a part of an informal sector, independent musicians probably don’t fall within the ambit of any tangible noteworthy scheme or sarkari yojana as they say! Can the government of the day step in with a realistic blueprint to ward off what might be coming? Can they provide a minimal genuine relief? Undoubtedly a tall task, but is it not time to incubate that thought? For a moment though, let us also admit that a government can only do that much for that many sectors, purely because the onslaught of the slowdown is unparalleled in history. In which case, can corporate India take this up as a moral, if not social responsibility? After all, their events - bit it a celebration, a product launch or just a meet, did find pride of place amongst their peers when the performing artistes graced them. This was true right till the day the lockdown started. Should they now not lend a helping hand? My hunch is, even if each of these companies/brands choose to assist just that one lot of artistes who worked closely with them

in the last 5 years, they will have taken care of a cross section of the eco system these artistes breathe in with their brothers in arms – the sound engineers, managers, producers, helpers and so on. After all, there is little use in resuscitating the body when the arms and legs are amputated. So help needs to be holistic, should cover the spectrum of people who are both behind and under the arch lights. I realize there is no single correct answer and I am guilty of citing a page full of apprehensions without suggesting clear solutions. Some might even argue that I am not anymore directly a part of the industry I am talking about. But I’ve been privileged to be born in a family of musicians where I spent the greater part of my childhood oscillating between the four walls of a studio and the stage. And let me say, whether it were my parents Jayanta Hazarika and Manisha Hazarika or my uncle Dr Bhupen Hazarika, they all had to count and account for each penny they toiled to earn and were always engulfed by a veil of financial insecurity. So I have known what it is like beneath the splendor, the anxieties that come with an irregular flow of income, the fear

Mayukh Hazarika

of not being left with anything for a rainy day! So there ought to be a time when we begin to question, which is exactly what I have done through this piece. Also an appeal of sorts, that we first recognize the impending threat of losing livelihood and then take appropriate measures to at least minimize the threat, if not neutralize it. I am glad I can already see some from my ilk flagging off similar concerns. So without any further ado, do please think this through and do whatever it takes. Make forums, hold discussions, create support groups, host online chats, talk to clients you’ve continually entertained, engage with event curators, reinvent gig platforms, revisit monetizing methods, select representatives to present your case to people who make policy decisions. And above all, make yourselves heard by speaking out as much as you had touched everyone’s heartby singing out. You are on your own………but don’t lose heart! (Mayukh Hazarika is an independent musician and is VP, Head of Event for a national media channel. The views expressed in the article are his own)

16 Fiction

| May 30 - Jun 05, 2020

The Ambulance Driver K rishna Deka was a happy and contented man. He had just received news from his wife in his village at Doomnikuchi that they had had a very good harvest and the person who had tilled their land on sharing basis had delivered their share of the produce to them. The granary was full and the extra paddy bags had to be sent to her brother’s house for storage. He also learnt that their elder son had passed his fifth class exams quite well and the teacher had praised his effort in studies. He was looking forward to his annual leave during the Rongali Bihu holidays and was saving money to purchase gifts for the family. The ambulance that he was driving for the Star Nursing Home needed some repairs and the director of the organisation had told him to hand over his Maruti van next week to the garage for overhauling of the engine and other defects as required. The talk of the Covid-19 pandemic was

During the second lockdown, an ambulance driver of a private maternity hospital of Guwahati, Krishna, tried to make an extra buck using his vehicle to ferry healthy passengers to their villages from the city. One day, the police flagged him down at Sualkuchi and loaded a suspected Covid-19 patient onto his ambulance... being discussed by the doctors and he had asked about the details from a nurse who used to take a lift home as he was permitted to take the van home to his rented house in the hill top at Kharghuli. The nursing home specialized in maternity cases and Krishna had to respond to emergency calls at night for which it made sense for the ambulance to be parked with him. Often he had to pick up the nurse and even a doctor to bring a patient urgently for delivery at the nursing home. This was his eighth year of service in the nursing home and he had a good rapport with the management. When suddenly the dreaded virus struck Guwahati, all the medical hospitals and other facilities, doctors, nurses, staff, paramedics and support staff

were put under emergency work conditions, he realised the gravity of the situation. The authorities issued orders for training of all the above persons which was imparted to them by senior medical staff and government officers. The lockdown for twenty one days was announced without prior warning and there was no way that he could avail of any leave now. In fact as the main government hospitals had been made designated centres for treatment of Covid positive patients all the other private hospitals and nursing homes were allocated extra duties to serve the public. The nursing home he worked for was given paediatric cases to be dealt with besides the usual maternity patients. In addition, some of the nurses and doctors had to be requisitioned for special Covid duties for which specific training was conducted. Now Krishna had to use his ambulance to ferry these nurses and doctors to the training centre at the GMCH from early morning till late in the evenings. It became like a war time situation which Krishna had only heard of from the elders. The days passed and he was alarmed to hear about the various positive cases of different patients when the doctors and nurses discussed amongst themselves. Then again, the government announced the extension of the lockdown by another nineteen days and there seemed to be no end to the tension as people all around only talked about this dreaded virus that could attack anyone at anytime and anywhere in the world. Krishna could not understand why he could not travel a mere twenty five kilometres to visit his family when he must have been doing at least a sixty to seventy kilometres daily with the ambulance on duty. Niaz Ali, a wholesale poultry dealer in Machkhowa, knew Krishna well as they had grown up together in the same village. They used to meet up in the city and Niaz knew Krishna’s predicament about not being able to go home for Bihu with the presents lying packed in his bag. He seized the opportunity and told Krishna about a devious plan to make some money that would also allow Krishna to visit his home for a night and they could share the estimated earnings of around six thousand

rupees. The plan was to use the ambulance for taking some passengers as patients who had a desperate need to also go towards Baihata Charali which was on the way to Krishna’s house. So with some apprehension Krishna succumbed to the wiles of Niaz and informed his superiors that some repairs were required to be done in the van for which the vehicle would not be available for service for two days. For the first time in his life Krishna had to tell a lie to his employer and it was really disturbing his mind. However, once he had the money in hand from his ambulance passengers it overrode his feelings of guilt and he became greedy. The plan worked so smoothly that it emboldened Krishna. Towards the end of the second period of the lockdown he again took the plea about the van needing some minor work to be done and took the day off to run a taxi service to earn some extra money, of course with Niaz’s help. This time the trip was towards Hajo with a two-way arrangement with the amount going up to fourteen thousand rupees. As it was an ambulance, the police though noticing the number of people did stop the vehicle and asked for an

explanation but allowed them to proceed after checking his papers. While returning they had to make a detour to Sualkuchi when they were stopped by a group of people who were looking for an ambulance to take a suspected Covid case for checking to the centre set up at the Civil Hospital at Guwahati. The two policemen who were assigned to the case immediately seized Krishna’s ambulance, got the three passengers to get down and, with one paramedical person

who was to accompany the sick woman, Krishna was made to drive off to the city. He was in a panic firstly at being caught but the fear of catching the virus from the woman who was coughing profusely made him tremble. He had telephoned Niaz about the situation but Niaz cut him off and told him to sort out the problem himself. At the civil hospital, a team was waiting for their arrival and a doctor took charge of the patient and wheeled her off to the main quarantine centre. Krishna was also detained and after checking his symptoms like temperature and headache etc he was advised house quarantine for fourteen days. The person stamped his hand and informed him of the precautions to be taken while at home before releasing him. The ambulance van was kept at the hospital for fumigation and would be sanitized thoroughly before it could be returned to the nursing home. In fact this message was already conveyed to them and the director was quite surprised as to how the ambulance had reached Sualkuchi. For the time being, with Krishna quarantined, he could not be questioned immediately but after a few days he planned to send a

staff to his find out the

house to matter. Niaz had come to meet Krishna on the very first day of his confinement. He did not enter his two-room rented house but talked to him from outside. Krishna wanted to come clean but Niaz again had made a story that he could tell the director. There was a police sub-inspector that Niaz knew well who used to get his broiler supplies from him and owed him a favour. He got a false requisition slip made out for the ambulance and told Krishna

Ranjan Kumar Choudhury ranjanchou@hotmail.com

to say that their regular garage was closed so he had to use the services of another workshop near Betkuchi from where the van was seized. This explanation was given by Krishna to the staff as convincingly as possible even though he was not relishing telling one lie after another. He feared very much that the Almighty would definitely punish him with contracting the virus and as the days passed he imagined all the symptoms building up in his body. No amount of the broilers given to him by Niaz could ameliorate his fear and guilt and given the tension he actually came out with a fever. He broke out into a sweat and cried alone, begging his maker for forgiveness. The next morning was the tenth day of his quarantine period and Niaz was at his doorstep with a big smile on his face. He had ascertained that the patient that he had carried in his

ambulance turned out to be negative and was being treated for an acute bronchial infection. This time he was indeed very lucky and he decided that he would file his resignation letter and return to his village home to become a farmer. Niaz, the practiced fixer, also promised to help him to start a broiler farm with buy back arrangements. Krishna, like many in this pandemic, had become a victim of the Covid virus with collateral damage that would change his life entirely; whether for good or bad, only time would tell.

Fun

| May 30 - Jun 05, 2020

Horoscope of the week

These predictions are based on the month of birth, and are about an individual’s work environment, parents and extended family.

Jayashree Bose Certified Feng Shui, Chinese astrology, date selection consultant & author, www.facebook.com/geoprinciples

3rd June will be a great day for you to share your ideas with your seniors or simply just connect with them. You could schedule your important meetings on this day. On 5th June you need to be wary of dealing with the opposite gender. Avoid drinking with your work mates or seniors or parents on 30th May.

You will have an amazing week. 30th May, 2nd and 4th June will be great days for you to share your ideas with your seniors or simply just connect with them. You should schedule your important meetings on these dates. Avoid making any promises on 31st May; you will have to live up to them. 3 rd June will be a slow day for you.

It will be a good week for you. Use 31st May and 3 rd June to connect with your boss and share your ideas, for good results host your meetings on these dates. Get in touch or connect with your business network or extended family on 31st May. 4th June will be a slow day.

You will have a slow week. Just watch out on 30th May, avoid confrontations with your clients or people at work place. 31st May will be a great day for you to connect with your senior and share your ideas with him/her; you could host your important meetings on this day. On 2nd June, be careful while dealing with the opposite gender.

This will be a slow week for you. 30th May and 2nd June will be great days for you to share your ideas with your seniors and build a relationship with them. 31st May and 3 rd June you could have issues with your seniors and your parents. Avoid hosting any meetings on these dates. 5th June you could be betrayed or emotionally by someone close to you.

30th May and 3 rd June will be excellent day for you to schedule your important meetings. Your seniors will be receptive to your ideas. Avoid hosting any meetings on 1st June. You are bound to have disagreements. On 4th June you could feel your seniors and/or your parents are ungrateful, they don’t appreciate you.

31st May and 4th June will be great days for you to share your ideas with your seniors or simply just connect with them. You could schedule your important meetings on these dates. Avoid hosting any meetings on 2nd June. On 3rd and 5th June, you could be betrayed by someone at work and emotionally hurt by your family.

5th June will be great days for you to build a rapport with your seniors and people at work, host your important meetings on this day. 31st May and 3 rd June avoid making any promises, you will have to live up to them. 3rd June avoid hosting any meetings, 3 you will have disagreements. 2nd June you could be emotionally hurt by your seniors or parents.

2nd and 5th June will be ideal days to share your ideas with your boss or connect with people at work and family. Avoid socializing or making any promises on 1st and 4th June. Avoid hosting any meetings with your clients or superiors on 4th June you are bound to have disagreements

3rd June will be a great day for you to build your relationship with your seniors and people at work. 31st May you will be emotionally hurt either by your parents or your seniors. Be careful while dealing with your seniors on 2nd June. 5th June you could have a disagreement with your senior or work associate.

You could be emotionally hurt on 30th May. Watch yourself on 3 rd June, avoid making any promises or getting into a confrontation. Share your ideas with your seniors or generally build a relationship with people at work on 4th and 5th June, host your important meetings on these dates.

A great week for you. 3rd, 4th and 5th June are ideal days for you to mingle with your seniors and people at work and build your work network. These are the days when you need to host your important meetings. Be careful with your words and actions on 1st June, you will create your own problems.

Sudoku 23 7 6 8 9 4 6 3 2 2 2 3 1 87 9 3 16 4 38 9 8 6 2 5 6 98 6 74 7 4 9 7 9 5 3 4 2 7 5 8 4 5 7 7 6 1 4 8 Daily DailySudoku: Sudoku:Fri Sat29-May-2020 23-May-2020

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last week solution 11 59 68 34 87 74 95 59 26 42 33 97 52 31 16 65 45 83 77 28 69 98 24 16 78 67 49 82 33 15 82 41 94 26 51 73

23 2 7 59 74 46 8 6 13 22 1 5 8 87 95 7 4 92 38 39 1 9 41 66

68 31 46 89

25 82 3 5 74 17 53 95 6 1 35 43 12 54 7 2 6 89 97 68 9 3 28 51 74

Daily DailySudoku: Sudoku:Fri Sat29-May-2020 23-May-2020

curio-city

Dilbert By Scott Adams

1. Huyen Langlon of Manipur

Dr. Soubhadra Chakrabarty This quiz has been brought to you by Brain Jam, a property of Priya Communications

2. Magic Realism, made famous by the novels of Gabriel

6. Pic: Logo of which organisation?

adjective excessively smooth, suave, or smug.

Garcia Marquez and Salman Rushdie

5. Which unique cricketing distinction is shared by the legendary cricketers, Ajit Wadekar and Chandu Borde?

British Slang. exhausted; very tired

3. Freddie Mercury

4. Shahzada Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Shahjehan is said to have invented which popular and colourful mutton dish?

[ uhngk-choo-uhs ]

adjective [nak-erd]

4. Mutton Rogan Josh

3. Farrokh Bulsara, an Indian born in Kenya who was the flashy front man of a famous rock band, was better known by which name?

unctuous

5. They have represented India as player, captain, coach,

2. Juan Rulfo’s Pedro Paramo is said to be the precursor of which style of literature?

Word of the week Word knackered of the week

manager and chairman of selectors

1. Thang Ta (Armed Combat) and Sarit Sarak (Unarmed Combat) are the two components of which martial arts form of the North East?

6. Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries

curio-city

veryhard hard

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18 Lifestyle

| May 30 - Jun 05, 2020

Taking care of elders as per Vaastu

e are here because of our elders. They are enriched with experience, wisdom and knowledge. We must give due respect to them and take care in return. The present pandemic spread by COVID 19 has made the elders most vulnerable. Studies have revealed that people over 65 years of age have a very low rate of recovery especially those with heart, diabetes and breathing problems. Vaastu has laid down certain rules for the elderly people. The East and the Southwest direction of the house deal with the good health of the elderly. If there are Vaastu defects in these directions or if their bedroom is not in the proper direction, or there is some Vaastu defect in the interiors of the room, it directly affects the health, age and relationship of the seniors with the rest of the family members. Here are some things to keep in mind: 1. Keep the Southwest side higher and heavy. The energy of southwest assists the elder and a heavy southwest helps them in managing the household and keeps their importance in the house. It also helps their health,

maintains peace and prosperity and prevents problems. 2. The East direction should be open, low and clean. Having windows in this direction is very good. Keeping them open allows positive energy to enter the house. Constructing a store, toilet, staircase, higher floors, or planting tall trees in this direction leads to serious Vaastu defects. These defects influence the children negatively disrespecting the elderly as well. 3. The head of the family and that of the family seniors should stay in the room at Southwest or South. However, if the elders have retired from work and are more into spiritual and religious activities, they can be given a room in the Northeast, East or North. In case there is no extra bedroom, the bed can be placed in the Southwest part of the living room. 4. If the bedroom of the senior lady is located in the Southeast, it could lead to a lot of problem due to short temper. Similarly, if his or her room is in the Northwest, the senior may fall sick and become a source of concern for the entire family. 5. The head of the bed should be

Hemanta Kumar Sarmah

Engineer, Businessman, Advanced Pranic Healer and Su Jok Acupressure specialist.

in the South direction. If this isn’t possible, the direction can also be changed to East. 6. There should not be a beam on top of the bed of a senior. 7. If they have religious books and other literature, the same should be kept on a shelf in the West. 8. Generally, the health related problems increase with age. All medical papers, reports,

prescriptions and medicines should be kept in a cupboard or shelf that is in between the North and Northeast. If the same are kept in the South or Southwest corner, the person’s health may deteriorate and he may even become critical. 9. The rooms of the elderly should be painted with Light yellow and cream. Similar soft furnishings are recommended.

These colours are good religious purpose and promote good thoughts and well-being. If the person doesn’t like these colours, pale green and white colours can be used. Dark and deep colours should be avoided. 10. If photos of God are preferred, keep them at East. Photos of ancestors and family members who have passed away should be kept in the South. Photographs of the elders with younger members of the family should be kept at the West of Southwest to create a positive environment. 11. It is very good to keep a small sofa or a table and chair in the Northwest corner for reading. 12. Calendars and clock should be kept in the East, North or West directions at south. Never keep them at South. 13. If any elder person is ailing, shift them to a room at Northwest for early recovery.

How to control hunger pangs during lockdown

unger is a signal which is given by our body when either our body needs food or sometimes it may be due to dehydration in our body.Our hunger signals can be misunderstood by us.Thus to minimize our unhealthy hunger pangs, to get proper meaning out of it and to be healthy in all terms we must consider the following points: Chew well: This has probably been repeated several times since our childhood but often ignored. Mindful eating begins by sniffing the aroma and relishing every bite. When we chew the food properly, the flavours of the food linger in the mouth and this brings about a satiety value because of the feeling of fullness. This helps us tide over binge eating. Stay Hydrated: Quite often,when our body shouts for hydration we often misread that and end up stuffing food. Getting confused between thirst and hunger is very common. Drinking water from earthen pots quenches thirst as compared to refrigerated water. We can add lime water

(nimbupani) and buttermilk to your diet. Summer coolants like aampanna and kokum sherbet are great too. Adequate Protein: If in spite of eating breakfast, we are growling in anticipation for lunch then we need to look into the protein content in our diet. Research has shown that adequate amounts of protein

help one stay full for a longer period of time. Ghrelin, an appetite-stimulating hormone which signals to eat is lower with high proteins. Soup: This is a great rescue from the immense hunger pangs, especially in the evening. The high water content along with high fibre due to the veggies in the soup control

hunger pangs. Having a warm intake surprisingly reduces the appetite. Stick to broth-based soups and not creamy ones. Spice it up: Major Hunger pangs occur due to bland and unsatisfactory food. Adding a few spices not only curbs our appetite but aids digestion too. Spicy food is known to increase satiety. A simple salad can become interesting if we add a dash of lemon, sprinkle some chaat masala or throw in some mint dip!Hummus is great too when prepared with healthy ingredients. Healthy Snacking: What one eats when hungry during odd hours plays an important role to control hunger pangs. Having a small mid-meal snack is good but watch out for the quantity and quality. Seasonal fruits, nuts, seeds, non-oily

Sohini Chakraborty Chatterjee

popcorns, makhana are the healthy snacking options that will keep us full for a longer period of time. Excessive Sugar: There is a direct link between sugar consumption and increased hunger pangs. Besides keeping a check on high sugar food intake, watch out for all the hidden sugar in food labels. Opt for natural sugar like jaggery, dry fruits and fresh fruits to fight the odd hungry hours. Exercise: Majority of us have that notion that with exercise our appetite increases. Contrary to our belief, with regular aerobic exercise our appetite decreases. Sleep: Lack of sleep can have an impact on our eating pattern. Incomplete sleep leads to low energy levels. To compensate for lower levels of energy, we tend to choose high sugary foods which make us fall in the vicious circle of empty calories and overeating. Do follow these steps to control hunger pangs and stay healthy!

Catching Up

| May 30 - Jun 05, 2020

PIC OF THE

vIBES

WEEK

Seeking the Divine Grace | Photo: Surajit Sharma

#IAMDEHINGPATKAI| Art: Rifa Deka

Guwahatiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first streetlights & electricity Barasha Das @Barasha_mi2

odayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Guwahati is a metropolitan city. Almost every road and by-lane has streetlight posts, albeit at times without the bulbs and often without electric supply. Do you know when did the city get its first streetlight? History records Guwahati getting its first streetlights around 1888. These were actually gaslamps. During the early part of the twentieth century, around 1903, streetlights were incorporated in Guwahati on a contractual basis. These were kerosene lamps. Such lamps were reportedly seen at Uzanbazar, on Bharalumukh Bridge, Hedayatpur, Dighalipukhuri, Panbazar, Fancy Bazar and a few other areas. The lamp posts were made of iron.

Electricity was first introduced in Guwahati in 1927. The house for production and supply of electricity was located at Paltan Bazar, near the present Bijulee Bhawan. Opposite to that was the office of the Guwahati Electric Supply Company that supplied electricity to the city. It was majorly owned by Dr Bidhan Chandra Rai, former chief minister of West Bengal (1948-1962) and the mother company was Development of Industries Limited, Calcutta. Rajen Basu was the manager of Guwahati Electrics. Every consumer household had an aluminium plate above the main switch mentioning danger and the precautionary measures to be taken.

Printed & Published by Sunit Jain on behalf of Insight Brandcom Pvt. Ltd. and Printed at Janambhumi Press (P) Ltd., Kalapahar, Guwahati and Published at 4A, Royale Arcade, Ulubari, Guwahati - 781007, Editor: Swapnil Bharali. Phone: 0361 2522444, Email: info@g-plus.in, RNI No: ASSENG/2013/52641