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ASSENG/2015/64205
Vol. 1
Issue 204
Pakistani Diplomat with Terror Links recalled from Bangladesh Page 8
Dibrugarh, Tuesday, December 29, 2015
“People are with s as we have been working for their allround development. How can they play with the sentiment of the masses in the name of Democracy? Be on Guard. Our Govt is in majority, strong enough to continue to serve the people. We would not allow any move to weaken the party and the Govt,” said Chief Minister Nabam Tuki to the thunderous applause of the gathering. Addressing the Congress rank and file, senior Congress leaders, APCC office bearers, frontal organizations, DCC/ CCC/BCC, Councillors, PRI leaders and party workers, the
Rs 1700 crore of MSME business washed out by Chennai floods
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‘GOANKI OR CHALO’
Tuki warns the dissident MLAs to be on their gaurd.
Tuki give a clarion call ‘‘Goanki or Chalo” to have direct communication with the people at the grassroots and assess what we have achieved and what the people expect. The people and leaders of Arunachal Pradesh were taken for granted that led to holding of Assembly session recently in violation of the constitution. We would not allow any move to weaken the party and the Govt
Chief Minister said that the people and leaders of Arunachal Pradesh were taken for granted that led to holding of Assembly session recently in violation of the constitution. While attending the celebration of 131st Indian National Congress Foundation Day today at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan, Itanagar he said “ Pending Govt bills only can be taken under the Article 375 of the constitution, not holding as Assembly session to impeach the sitting speaker.” This had never happened in India that tarnished the image of the sensitive but peace-loving tribal people of the border state of Arunachal”. He further said to the uproarious taunting laughter of the gathering including APCC president Padi RIcho, Minister Takam Pario, Tirong Aboh, Parliamentary
Secretaries Shri Likha Saaya, NIkh Kamin, Bamang Felix, Karya Bagang and former Ministers and MLAs. He concluded by giving a clarion call” Goanki ore Chalo” to have direct communication with the people at the grassroots and assess what we have achieved and what the people expect. Shri Padi Richo, President APCC in his speech cautioning the party workers and leaders that so many negative forces were posing threat to the party and the Government. Richo exhorted everyone to remain alert and work with commitment toiling Congress ideology to defeat all such forces. Earlier, the programme started with welcome speech by Shri T.C Tok, Vice President (Hg. & Admin), APCC.
Arunachal gearing up for Northeast Film Festival 2016, releases website and calendar A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Dec 28
FEATURES OF NORTHEAST FILM FESTIVAL 2016 Website and Calendar for Film Northeast 2016 was launched by Chief Minister Nabam Tuki.
With the theme to promote an understanding and appreciation of the diversity of cinema in northeast, to provide a space for filmmakers of the region to interact and to create a network for northeast filmmakers from the northeast region Website and Calendar for Film Northeast 2016 was launched by Chief Minister Nabam Tuki here at press information centre Secretariat Office. Contd. on Page 3
ET CAPSULES School girl attempts suicide Golaghat, Dec 28: A sensational situation prevailed in Golaghat today when a schoolgirl attempted suicide. According to sources, a girl studying in Town Hindi High School of Golaghat came to the school to get the results of her annual examination. When she got to know that she had failed in the annual exam she became restless and went outside to the main road to commit suicide. She was rescued by onlookers and later taken to the hospital. This created havoc among the rest of the students and teachers. The incident clearly indicates the stress that students go through in this age of competition. (Correspondent)
NFS launched in Dibrugarh
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Dibrugarh, Dec 28: National Food security act was today launched in Dibrugarh District at a programme at Lohowal. While speaking in the programme, M. S Manivannan said that 10, 76485 lakh beneficiaries of the Dibrugarh district will be benefitted through this act. He later said that 84.17 thousand people in the Village areas and 60.35 thousand people of the town are would be benefitted though this new act. M.S Manivannan, who was present in the function as a chief guest stressed about the Women empowerment of Dibrugarh district. (Staff Reporter)
Festival will be held at Annexe Lawns, IG Park, Itanagar. 1 feature film from each state of the Northeast will be feature.
CM Tuki releases website for the upcoming Northeast Film Festival.
Film federation of the state will nominate 1 film for the segment.
3 Arunachal districts awarded for their best performances in Digital India Week WHAT AND WHEN OF DIGITAL INDIA! Launched on July 1, 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Includes plans to connect rural areas with highspeed internet networks Digital India has three core components: The creation of digital infrastructure: Broadband Highways, Universal Access to Mobile Connectivity
Three DCs from Arunachal Pradesh recieved awards for the best performing of their districts during Digital India Week. A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Dec 28
Union Minister of Communication and IT Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad awarded
5.00
Forget Tolerance-Intolerance, Where Is The Space For Dissent In This Country?
Be on guard. Our Govt is in majority: warns CM Tuki A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Dec 28
Price -
best performing states and districts during digital India week celebrated in July in a glittering function organized by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY), Minis-
Delivering services digitally: e-Governance, eKranti, DigiLocker Digital literacy: IT for Jobs, Upgradation of Indian IT
try of Communication and IT Govt of India today at New Delhi. Three districts from Arunachal Pradesh were selected among others and
Deputy Commissioners of the three districts received the awards today. Deputy Commissioner, RK Sharma from Namsai, DC, Mamta Riba from Kurung Kumey and Isha Khosla Deputy Commissioners of East Siang districts accompanied by Er Sanjiv Kr Das, Er Bamang Chai and Er Amujao P representatives of NIC/DICs attended the function in Delhi. Namsai stood 1st position followed by Kurung Kumey as 2nd and East Siang 3rd during the Digital India Week Celebration. The awards were presented to this best performing districts on the 'Good Governance Day' held on December 28 in New Delhi.
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Kejriwal's 'stupid' Odd-Even formula will only create chaos in Delhi: Congress
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75,000 women has been harassed during the past 15 years of Congress regime: Smriti Irani FIR filed against Nilamani Sen Deka ET Correspondent Rangia Dec 28
Smriti Irani addresses a massive workers meet held at the Gurdon HS play ground, Nalbari today. Pic - UB Photos ET Correspondent Nalbari, Dec 28
Union Minister of Human Resources Development (HRD) Smriti Irani said that the status of women is lowered in the state and during the 15 year Congress regime, as many as 75,000 women were harassed. Addressing a massive workers meet held at the Gurdon HS play ground here today she said that BJP Government is committed for the all round development of North East region. The Congress Government in their long tenure regime
could not succeed to link up the seven north east states with the train connection. The Union Minister said that a wave of change is blowing in the state and the BJP workers will retaliate against the misrule of Congress from booth level in the ensuing election. She added that in the state the Congress has forgotten the development issues as now there is no medicine in government hospitals, no salary for school teachers. The people want a change of the scenario in the state, she continued. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Smriti Irani stated that the Prime Minister
One, Benu Dhar Nath of Kamalpur filed an FIR at Kamalpur police station against Cong leader Nilamani Sen Deka for his comments against HRD Minister Smriti Zubin Irani. The Officer-incharge, Kamalpur forwarded the case to Rangia sub-divisional Judicial Magistrate court. It being alleged that Deka used an unparliamentary word against the central Minister. On the other hand the BJP activists of Rangia and Tulsibari burnt the effigy of the Congress Leader at NH 31 near Rangia Highway Chawk and Tulsibari Market separately. The BJP workers demanded immediate arrest of Deka. The protest program was led by Gopal Kakoty, Subal Paul, Dwipen Chakraborty and Dr. Khanin Kalita
belongs to a poor family and this why he can understand the pain of the poor. In order to empower the poor, the PM took such an initiative for the poor which opened the doors of the banks for the poor and the weaker section of the society. Contd. on Page 4
Protests rock throughout Assam for Nilamoni’s remark A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Dec 28
Protests rocked different parts of Assam on Monday seeking former minister and MLA, Congress leader Nilamoni Sen Deka`s ouster from the party for making objectionable comment against union Minister Smriti Irani on Sunday. Some Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators have filed FIR against Deka, a former Assam minister who while addressing a public meeting on Sunday in Assam`s Nalbari district said many refer to Irani as the "second wife of Prime Minister Narendra Modi". Contd. on Page 4
BJP workers burn the effigy of Nilamoni Sen Deka in Golaghat. Pic - Amit Nagori
Galo Students’ Union submits Memo regarding delay in construction of Basar-Bame road A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Dec 28
A team of Galo Students' Union (GSU) led by its spokesperson Marli Kamki (also Secretary, Border Affairs of AAPSU) called on the Commanding Officer of 1448 Bridge Construction Company (GREF) at his Aalo office and submitted a memoramdum regarding the slow pace of work
for construction/improvement/ widening of Road AkajanLikabali-Bame from 97.000 km to103.174 km to NHDL specification i.e from Basar to Bame road. The work has been awarded to one M/s Shivam Transcom Pvt. Ltd of Assam by BRTF authorities. As per records available, the works on the said stretch of road had commenced on 1st November, 2013. But it is really disheart-
ening to note that till date i.e after passing of two years only 6.44% of the work has been completed. The said firm seems not at all serious and committed to complete the work on time with length of the road being just 6.174 km due to reasons best known to them.
Contd. on Page 3
As the year ends, it’s good news for the small tea growers of Assam Bijoy Handique Jorhat, Dec 28
Good news for small tea growers of Assam as the New Year begins in a new shower with new leaves from the tea bushes “Ek kali do patta” which will shine and take a new twist following Centre’s decision to have five persons from Assam in the reconstituted Tea Board of India.
Members are saying that the focus will be on the small tea growers that plays a pivotal role for the state’s economy. The Tea Board of India after heavy pressure from several Tea bodies inducted five members directly or indirectly related to the tea industry. They are Prabhat Kamal Bezbaruah (tea planter), Ramen Deka (BJP MP), Dilip Moran (BJP MLA), Bidyananda Borkakoty
The Tea Board of India after heavy pressure from several Tea bodies inducted five members directly or indirectly related to the tea industry. They are Prabhat Kamal Bezbaruah (tea planter), Ramen Deka (BJP MP), Dilip Moran (BJP MLA), Bidyananda Borkakoty (tea planter) and Dineswar Tasa (Trade union leader).
(tea planter) and Dineswar Tasa (Trade union leader). With the induction of five grass root level members will help and boost the tea sector for the small tea growers, as Assam plays a crucial part in the tea sector of the country by producing half of the country’s total tea. It may be mentioned that the state produce 619.97 million kg in 2014 out of total production of 1,207.31 million
in 2014. The total outlay of the Tea Board in the 12thplan is Rs. 1,425 crore of which Rs. 200 crore is for small tea growers and lot of the activities has been proposed for the sector. Growers with area upto 10.12 hectors are considered small tea growers. Throughout the country the contribution from the small tea growers have gone up from 5% in early 80s to 30% now and is expected
to touch upto 55% from the New Year. On the other hand, though the Tea Board has reconstituted with more members but it still does not have permanent chairman for nearly two years. Mr. Santoskh Kumar Sarangi who holds dual charge as chairman i/c and is the also a joint secretary in the Ministry of Commerce has created lot of confusion for decision making.
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Dalam Studio Near parking stand Khonsa
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DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29
AIUDF president address public rallies in Darrang
Badaruddin Ajmal delivering his speech. Pic - UB Photos
ET Correspondent Mangaldai, Dec 28: AIUDF president and Dhubri MP , Badaruddin Ajmal followed his address at Dhula public meeting last afternoon addressed another public rally at Dalgaon in Darrang district this afternoon. Addressing the largely attended crowd at Dalgaon town field today, Ajmal lambasted the Congress party of playing double role in pre-poll alliance with his party and claimed that it is Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and not him who has been insisting for alliance. He alleged that on the contrary, APCC president Anjan Dutta with the help of a section of intellectuals from the religious minority community is indulging in negative publicity against the AIUDF. He added that the Congress party in the state is now di-
vided into four factions within themselves and hence the party which won 60 seats in last assembly polls will have to remain satisfied with only 15 seats in the upcoming 2016 elections. Earlier in Dhula, public field under Mangaldai LAC last afternoon Ajmal strongly criticized PM Narendra Modi for his recent visit to Pakistan to meet his Pakistani counterpart in a sudden manner without prior information and referred Pakistan as the exporter of terrorism. The AIUDF chief also criticized the State BJP president and Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal who became hero after scrapping of IMDT Act. The rally was also attended by many senior leaders of the AIUDF including MLA Aminur Islam , Mojibur Rahman among others.
Effigies of Congress leaders burnt
BJP workers burn the effigy of Nilomani Sen Deka. ET Correspondent, Haflong Dec 28: In protest against the irrational statement of Assam Congress leader Nilomani Sen Deka about Prime minister Modi and HRD Minister Smriti
Irani, the BJP unit of Dima Hasao burnt effigies of Assam CM Tarun Gogoi, Nilomani Sen Deka and Rupjyoti Kurmi in presence of BJP district president and other workers.
Central Govt. Officials assure NCHAC team of all-round development of Dima Hasao ET Correspondent, Haflong Dec 28: A team comprising of Subrata Thaosen, Niranjan Hojai, Debolal Gorlosa, Prakanta Warisa, Ramesh Thaosen, Mukut Kemprai met several ministers of Govt. of India recently in Delhi said Hojai in a press meet held at the conference Hall today. Appreciating the positive gesture, Hojai informed that they have submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister regarding the burn-
ing issues/problems of the district in general and implementation of MoS at the earliest. The issues raised during the various meetings were non-payment of salary of the council employees for the last eight months, allround development, financial paucity the district of Dima Hasao was facing, infrastructural development. They also submitted memorandum regarding sharing of free
BJP protest against Congress leaders’ remark Effigy burnt, policemen injured ET Correspondent Morigaon, Dec 28: Hundreds of Bharatiya Janata Party members took out a protest rally today in Morigaon district headquarters against the comment passed by Congress leader Nilamani Sen Deka regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union
HRD Minister Smriti Irani. The protesters burned the effigy of Nilamani Sen Deka at the main traffic point of Morigaon town and staged dharna against the Tarun Gogoi government. When police and security forces tried to control the agitated members, a fight broke out between them. A
BJP protest in Dibrugarh A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Dec 28: Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) Dibrugarh unit today protest against the derogatory remark made by a former Congress minister against the Prime Minister and Union Minister Smriti Irani. The protest led by Dibrugarh MP Rameswar Teli and MLA Prashanta Phukan at Amollapatty. Prashanta Phukan, Dibrugarh MLA said that Nilomoni Sen Deka has lost his mind and he needs treatment. He said he should be immediately arrested for his derogatory on Prime minister. Meanwhile, hundred activists of BJP gathered at the Amollapatty Charialia and
burnt the effigies of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, Nilomoni Sen Deka and Rupjyoti Kurmi. The District unit of BJP vehemently criticized Congress government. The BJP said that how Tarun Gogoi is running the congress government in Assam which such person who have no respect for woman. “Nilomoni Sen Deka should immediately sacked form his post,’’ said Hemaprabha Borthakur. Hemaprabha Borthakur, senior member of BJP said if he has no respect for a woman, he (Nilomoni Sen Deka) doesn’t deserve any post in the government.
One injured by miscreants, houses burnt in Hetou Chapori ET Correspondent Mangaldai, Dec 28: Tension prevailed in Hetou Chapori under Mangaldai Police Station since this afternoon following the attack on a person by unidentified miscreants equipped with sharp weapons. The person who has been undergoing treatment in Civil Hospital here with severe injury on his head and fingers is identified as Suklal Mandal aged 52, S/O Khusi Mohan Mandal of Mowamari Chapori. According to his family members, he was attacked with sharp weapons at around 1-
The injured Suklal Mandal 30 pm in the afternoon. The miscreants also set fire a couple of temporary huts
power, skill development of the officers, staffs etc. of N.C. Hills Autonomous Council in particular and the public of the district in general under the Ministry of skill development & entrepreneurship, Govt. of lndia. They said that Home Minister Rajnath Singh has assured them an amount of Rs.15 Crore for the current fiscal year at the earliest along with other financial assistance in the coming days.
supposed to be owned by some local farming community. However as there
were none in those houses at that time, no casualty has been reported. In the meantime, high level police officials of Darrang police including Superintendent of Police , Darrang Sunil Kumar rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control . Meanwhile, a section of supporters from the BJP Unit of Darrang along with some local youths resorted to a brief NH blockade programme here at girls’ school chariali at around 3 pm demanding that the miscreants are identified and brought to book quickly.
policemen was injured in the clashes. He was admitted to Morigaon Civil hospital with 40 percent burnt injuries. The situation was later controlled by the security forces.
BYSF regional unit formed at Bamunbari Monuj G. Phukan Rajgarh, Dec 28: Bengali Youth Students’ Federation (BYSF) regional unit was formed at Bamunbari Kalibari premises on Sunday. BYSF Rajghar regional committee president Prashanta Dev and General Secretary Tapan Sen were present during the forming of a new committee. A Thirty one new committee member was formed where Pratha Dev, President, Suraj Dev, vice president ,Surajit Dutta, General Secretary , Partha pratim Dutta and Liton Das, Assistant General Secretary were elected among the presence of a huge crowd.
Husband kills wife at Teok
A view of the meeting held in New Delhi recently. Pic - ET Photo
ASTRO FOR YOU Today you might feel homesick if you are out of station. And if you are contacting your family members, you should get in touch with your longneglected friends too. Knowing that you are loved gives a different kind of pleasure. There is a chance that your analytical ability will get noticed today by your boss. Such an analytical skill will add to your awareness and wisdom in the afternoon. You might go on a shopping spree to buy cassettes, CDs and similar electronic gadgets. You will be unable to cope with the flurry of demands made upon your time and person by those around you. You will try to break free of the rut and look for some new things to do in the evening. Some creative and constructive work will provide you with much needed respite from the demands of the day. Your natural talents will be rewarded at work. Later in the day, your peers will fully co-operate to help you achieve your goals. Your popularity will grow by leaps and bounds. But you should not let success get to your head. You will come into some money by accident today. There is a good chance of making a huge gain in the share market today. You will be filled with a lot of self-confidence. Nobody will be able to influence your opinion today. However, your strongly expressed views may end up hurting someone. Today you will feel nostalgic which will make you homesick and you will feel it is better to avoid contemplation. Today you will make earnest attempts to strengthen your relationships. Your energy levels will be very high. Rub-a-dub and scrub and scrub: that is your motto today as you pay extra attention to sanitation. Call it the quirky side to you, but today, you may plan to wash your car, rearrange the furniture, and take up cleaning tasks in the afternoon. There is no stopping you as you scrub away stress and strain with your light-hearted approach to things in general. Athletes will achieve prime fitness and form today. Engineers will design plans that will concentrate their resources on laying the foundation to new business ventures. Your social reputation will get a major boost later in the day. Interaction and exchange of ideas with like-minded people will rejuvenate you today. You may be express yourself better in front of them. Planning and execution of ideas at work may not be in sync today. Be practical and move on, look forward to a better tomorrow. For you family comes first. Your family members are the pillars of your success. You’ll kick start the day in high spirit and maintain it through out the day. Somebody may have more money than you have. But, prosperity is also measured in the number of hearts one conquers. And, today, you will be a rich man as you will win many of those.
Jogeshor Sahu ET Correspondent Teok, 28 Dec: In an unfortunate incident, a woman was killed by her drunk husband last night. The incident occurred at Teok Namsisu gaon under Teok police station of Jorhat district. According to sources, Jogeshor Sahu killed his wife Doneshori Sahu, by beating her with a wooden stick, last night after he came home completely drunk. Teok police has arrested the killer and registered a case.
NOSTALGIA...
The souvenir 'Enajori - 76' being released on the occasion of second meeting of 1976 batch of Jorhat Govt. Boys HS School in Jorhat today. Pic - Nekib Ahmed
You have been very busy, but today it is a different day. You will make efforts to be calm and relaxed, and go on the path of spirituality. You may visit a temple or any other religious place, or meditate to find solace. Shopping, probably for clothes, is also on the cards for you. A good day for investments and speculations, especially in the real estate markets. Your gains will outweigh the risks associated with your transactions. However, maintain some monetary reserves to invest in other opportunities, as even better times are round the corner. You will come across as a happy soul in the face of such good fortune.
PRASAR BHARATI (India's Public Service Broadcaster) ALL INDIA RADIO : DIBRUGARH (M.W.529.1m/KHz567 F.M. 101.30 MHz) Phone No.-03732325456 E-mail -dibrugarh@air.org.in Facebook Page-All India Radio Dibrugarh Programme Highlights
29-12-15 (TUESDAY) 5-35 A.M-Bhaktigeeti (Devotional Songs) 6-10 A.M-Swasthya Charcha (Health Programme) 6-50 A.M-Tokari Geet 7-15 A.M-Aajir Dinto (Morning Information Service) 7-30 A.M-Geetanjali(Assamese Modern Song) 8-35 A.M-Surar Panchoi(Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 9-05 A.M- Antara (Composite Programme of Hindi Film Song) 12-15 P.M-Teachers' Broadcast 12-45 P.M-Sponsored Programme-"Ei Path Hoise Bikashor" 2-30 P.M-Western Music Programme 3-45 P.M-Programme in Miju Mishmi 4-05 P.M-Programme in Khamti 4-25 P.M-Programme in Wancho 4-45 P.M-News for Arunachal Pradesh 5-00 P.M-Programme in Idu 5-20 P.M-Programme in Tangsa 5-40 P.M-Programme in Nocte 7-15 P.M-Chah Shramikar Aasor 8-00 P.M-Hindi Film Songs 9-30 P.M-Sahitya Kanan (Literary Magazine Programme) 10-00 P.M-Classical Music Sd-/H.O.P
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DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29
Minister distributes blankets to indoor patients as Christmas gift Khonsa, Dec 28: The Minister for Civil supplies, DoTCL and Mining Tirong Aboh distributed blankets to all indoor patients at District Hospital, Khonsa as Christmas gift in presence of Tirap DC Ravi Jha, ZPC Chahwang Lowang, DMO Dr. Neeba Lowang, Dr. Roto Robo, MD, all SMOs, MOs and all para medical staff including nursing staff. While distributing blankets the minister Tirong Aboh said that it is a fact that during the cold winter months the people of Tirap district, especially
poorer section of the society experienced great hardship due to extreme cold adding that blankets have also been sent to extreme cold villages of his 56-Khonsa West A/C constituency. He further assured the Medical administration to extend all possible help and support from his side. The DC, ZPC and DMO have appreciated the kind gesture of the minister. Earlier the minister visited to all wards including Male ward, Female ward, Operation theatre, Kitchen etc. (DIPRO)
Arunachal CM offers New Year gift for sportspersons Itanagar, Dec.28 (ANI) : Arunachal PradeshChief Minister Nabam Tuki has decided to offer cash incentives as New Year gifts to meritorious sportspersons, especially to those who have proved their talent at the national and international level.
Games held at Doha in October last. There is a 10 percent job reservation under the sports quota in the police and sports departments, while a five percent job reservation in the remaining departments. So far, 355 meritorious sportspersons have been offered government jobs.
Chief Minister Tuki said that he would hand over the cash incentives at a function in the first week of January.
The state government has launched the maiden Mission Olympic to identify potential talent to represent India in the next Asian Games and the Olympics.
Tuki, a footballer of repute himself, took the policy decision to evolve a sports policy to channelise youth power and create employment. Several Arunachalees have created a niche for them-
Nabam Tuki selves in the arena of sports. The latest example are weightlifters Jimjang Deru,
Lalu Taku and Kojum Taba, who had won gold medals at Commonwealth Youth
The Indian Weightlifting Federation had pinned all hopes on Arunachalee weightlifters to win medals in the next Olympics.
Arunachalee women archers Maselo Mihu and Netan Drema Khrimey had won gold medals at the 35th National Games in February last. The duo along with Sorang Yumi and Genung Takseng have qualified to represent India in the Asian Games. The cash prizes on offer for Olympic participants, bronze, silver & gold medallists is Rs.25 lakh, Rs.50 lakh, Rs.75 lakh and Rs.1 crore respectively. The sports department has been providing supplementary diets to players during coaching camps to ensure that they are physically fit before the events
they are participating in at the regional, national and international level. Chief Minister Tuki had launched the CM's Trophy for Volleyball and Football (men & women) with attractive prizes at state, district and block level to tap the hidden talent. The state government has announced the construction of seven outdoor stadiums of international standard at Chimpu, Aalo, Tezu, Pasighat, Ziro, Yupia and Daporijo at an estimated cost of Rs 243.23 crores. Amounts have also been sanctioned for mini and indoor stadiums, which are under various stages of construction.
CM releases State Calendar 2016 on the Arunachal gearing up for Northeast Film theme of "Heritage and Cultural sites' Festival 2016, releases website and calendar Itanagar,, Dec 28: Chief Minister Shri NabamTuki along with the Parliamentary Secretary IPR & Printing Shri BamangFelix , today released the State Calendar 2016 featuring the heritage and archival sites of Arunachal Pradesh in the Arunachal Media Centre here at Civil Secretariate. The Chief Minister also released the State Table Calendar 2016highlighting the developmental initiatives of State Government Beginning with the iconic Tawang Monastery in the January month , the Calendar also features the two heritage sites included in the tentative list of World Heritage list viz. picturesque Ziro and the 10th century ThembangDzong in West Kameng .The 19th century megalith remains in Borduria Village in Tirapdistrict,World War-II Memorial at Jairampur,Momong Buddha Monastery in Namsai, the historical Ruins of
Contd. from Page 1
Speaking on the occasion CM said that though Arunachal Pradesh is new commerce in field of film making and production but time is not so far when state will be competing with other state of the country.
CM Tuki releases website and calender for the upcoming Northeast Film Festival.
Malinithan,Itafort in Itanagar,Chagsam Bridge, Bhismaknagar Fort ,Walong, and GorchamChorten have been featured for this year. The Official logo of the state alongwith the Intiative GoalGovt outreach Advocacy&Leverage being implemented by IPR departmenthas also been fea-
tured in every monthly page. While, the Table Calendar, also designed in a visually pleasing and aesthetic way features the intiatives of state Government, ranging from the flagships programmesCM's Avenue Plantation in Capital & District HQs, Skill Development, Connectivity, Spice Mission, VIDYA,
APCMUHIS etc. The Govt of Arunachal Pradesh Calendar 2016& Table Calendar 2016 has been designed by the team of photographic cell of Department IPR and published by Directorate of Information & Public Relations and printed by the Directorate of Printing, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh.
On Duty Policeman Assaulted in Golaghat ET Correspondent Golaghat, Dec 28: Today a sensational situation prevailed in Golaghat when an on duty Policeman was physically assaulted by a man while the Policeman was performing his duty. A
constable of Golaghat Police named Pranob Chetia was on his duty near K K Civil Hospital in Golaghat. He saw a car was parked in the No Parking Zone. He asked the car owner to remove his car from the No
Parking Zone. But the car owner began to quarrel with the police constable and after some time he attacked the constable and tried to flee from the spot. But the police constable Pranob Chetia tried to stop the car
but the car owner dragged him away for some metres and thus he was critically injured. Later he was admitted to K K Civil Hospital. The police is investigating the matter but the car owner is absconding.
“We have to take this film festival as a mission to accomplish and including department of IPR entire organizing team should work together so that other people may know that Arunachal Pradesh now has a capacity to hold and produce good films,” added Tuki.
A herd of feral horses witnessed in the Dehingmukh area near Demow. Pic - Jaganath Gogoi
Informing that very soon state will be having film institute he also stated that in a days to come state’s filmmaker will be recognize in the world and the same too produce job opportunities for the unemployed youths of the state. Parliamentary Secretary
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Although small in length, Basar to Bame road is one of the important roads in the West Siang District and its non-completion to NHDL specifications is causing massive inconveniences to
tional Park in upper Assam’s Tinsukia district is a recorded species. A forest department source said that some among the feral horses of Dibru-Saikhowa might have taken shelter in the area after getting swept away during the high floods some years ago. Flocks of migratory bird too have added to the beauty of the location. Green groups have demanded proper conservation of the horses and also the other avian species which are flocking the area.
99th Foundation of Asom Sahitya Sabha observed
the commuters using this road. He also informed the officer that had when a team of GSU visited the project site, they found its office with very few men and machineries. The said firm is supposed to complete and hand over the completed road by March,
Asom Sahitya Sabha observed 99th Foundation in Doomdooma. Pic - Monoj Kr. Ojha stated that as instructed by its central committee, the Doomdooma unit of ASS also organized the programme to mark the historic occasion during which 99 flags were
hoisted by distinguished persons of the locality. Local BJP MLA Dilip Moran and senior social worker Chiranjilal Goyal were felicitated on the occasion. Doomdooma Town Com-
mittee President Dulu Aarandhara, Vice President Kapil Dev Pandey, representative of different schools and organizations and dignitaries hoisted the flag on the occasion.
2016. The Galo Students’ Union (GSU) strongly demanded the BRTF to make sure that the work is completed within the stipulated time. They also demanded that no time extension should be given to the constructing agency in case of failure to complete the
works on time and the tender allotted to it should be cancelled. The CO agreed with the student Union and assured them of speedy action. A copy of the memorandum was also submitted to the Deputy Commissioner of West Siang District regarding the matter.
Senior journalist Prabir Kr Chakraborty , Staff Reporter, Asomia Pratidin, Dibrugarh, receive Dilip Moran Memorial Journalist award at Philobari in Tinsukia District. Pic - UB Photos
No LPG subsidy to consumers having taxable income over Rs 10 lakh
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, in a statement released here, said this will be given effect to initially on self-declaration basis, while booking cylinders from next month.
Azad Road as Assam Sahitya Sabha enters in the 99th year of its foundation. The President and Secretary of ASS, senior journalist Arjun Baruah and Nituanand Das jointly
Chief Secretary Ramesh Negi in his speech while saying through film unheard voice can be let heard and see said film making is all about three Cs (Culture, Creativity, and Compassion) and it should be make for domain interest of bridge the gaping.
IPR secretary Sonam Chombay while briefing the category and programmes to be play during four days of film festival i.e from 17 to 20 February through power point presentation disclose that first day of the festival will be witness by Bollywood’s actors and actress. The festival will be held at Annexe Lawns, IG park Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh and 1 feature film from each state which will be curate by festival secretariat and IPR department and Film federation of the state will nominate 1 film for the segment.
RARE HONOUR
New Delhi, Dec. 28 (ANI): Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) subsidy will not be available to consumers having taxable income of more than Rs. 10 lakh in the previous financial year.
ET Correspondent Doomdooma, Dec 28: Several programmes were organized at the Doomdooma branch of Asom Sahitya Sabha Bhawan which is located at
for Information and Public Relations (IPR) Bamang Felix addressing gathers said “To showcase the talent and art of cinema and to promote cinema culture and viewing in across the NE region this is the real big opportunity that we have to take full responsible on our shoulder,”.
Galo Students’ Union submits Memo regarding delay in construction of Basar-Bame road
Feral horses catches sight of visitors Jaganath Gogoi Demow, Dec 28: A herd of feral horses witnessed in the Dehingmukh area near Demow in upper Assam’s Sivasagar district has been able to grab the attention of the people and visitors. Although, nobody is properly aware of the advent of the herd at Dehingmukh, local villagers said that several horses have been witnessed grazing in the area for the last three years. It might be mentioned that the feral horses found in Dibru-Saikhowa Na-
Informing that due to some technical problem and short of equipment the road construction from Banderdewa to Itanagar was not initiated he assure to complete the same construction before the starting of film festival on 17 February.
At present, there are about 16.5 crore LPG consumers in the country. Though many of them have given up subsidy voluntarily, it is felt that consumers coming in the higher income bracket should get LPG cylinders at the market price. As many as 57.5 lakh LPG consumers have so far opted
out of LPG subsidy voluntarily heeding to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to give up the subsidy. The subsidy saved from the 'Give it Up' campaign is being utilised for providing new connections to BPL families. The objective of the scheme is to ensure that the subsidy benefits go to the targeted group. This enables provision of LPG, a clean fuel, to poor households by replacing the conventional fuels such as kerosene, coal, fuel wood and cow dung. The ministry said the subsidy is being transferred directly to the bank account of 14.78 crore LPG consumers under the implementation of the PaHaL (Pratyaksha Hastaantarit Laabh Scheme) under the direct benefit transfer for LPG ( DBTL).
Dead body recovery creates sensation ET Correspondent Longding, Dec 28: The recovery of the dead body of a young businessman and shopkeeper Wangchak Wangsa, 28 years, a resident of Longkhaw cillage under Longding police station from an area in between Hahnan and Longding has created sensation throughout the district. The dead was found after six of intense search by the police and the local public. The body was recovered with its hands and legs tied up from backside which points that it might be a case of murder, local sources said. The two wheeler of the deceased has also been recovered. Wangsa has gone to Tissa on Dec. 22 in his two wheeler to take stock of his ongoing contract work. Local people has demanded a proper investigation into the matter.
PAGE 4
DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29
Fire at Sohum Mall in Jorhat ET Correspondent Jorhat, Dec 28: A fire broke out at the multicrore Sohum Mall in the heart of the city this evening. Property estimated to be lost in the fire in said to be worth several lakh of rupees. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained but fire brigade sources said it was due to short circuit from the system’s room where the entire monitoring of the mall is fitted. All together
five fire tenders were pressed into service to douce the fire that was spotted from the system room to the outer side of the display showcase boxes situated in front of the mall. As the incident occurred during the pick hours, the fire tenders had to take take different routes to reach the mall. As the fire alarm went off, a situation of panic gripped the customers as well the employees of the mall.
Devastating Fire in Golaghat
KCMSS gheraoed Digboi MLA house Agitation politically motivated : Dhanowar 2016 assembly election.
Laxman Sarma Digboi Dec 28: Following the agitational drive carried out by the Digboi Unit of Krishak Chhatra Mukti Sangram Samity (KCMSS)here this morning near the Digboi based residence of Rameswar Dhanowar the MLA 126 Digboi Lac, Dhanowar one of the senior most congress leader told media that the agitation was politically motivated driven by his antagonistic BJP leaders in Digboi together with some of his dissident congress workers with their malafide intention of defaming him and ruin his political image before the
dent body despised the MLA and alleged that the corruption reign supreme during his rule in some of the vital departments like Health.
Meanwhile, earlier in the morning the agitators belonging to the Digboi unit of Chhatra Mukti Sangram Samity shouted various slogans demanding the MLA concerned of accounting his 38 years of his developmental activities and tell the people of the constituency the welfare he brought during his rule. The agitators secondly alleged Dhanowar of erecting a school illegally infringing various norms and provisions and running it arbitrarily disturbing the peace in a
While speaking to media at his residence, Dhanowar repudiating all the allegations of the samity and terming it baseless and biased.
Rameswar Dhanowar residential area which was protested earlier also bringing into the notice of the DC Tinsukia,
4 dead and one injured in tragic accident
ET Correspondent Golaghat, 28 Dec: A devastating fire broke out in the heart of Golaghat town today at around 6:30 in the evening. In the fire,
houses of several families, a garage and an Anganwadi centre were gutted. Fire tenders from Golaghat and Titabor rushed to the spot and tried to douse the fire.
ET Correspondent Sonepat, Dec 28: Four members of a family were killed and a minor girl was injured in a road accident on PanipatGohana-Rohtak national highway near Mahra village when their car collided against a tree this morning. The victims identified as Anjubala of Joli village, her two sons Harsh (8) and Happy (2), daughter Moni (10) and her cousin Ram of Marot village in Jhajjar district, were going from Joli village to Marot in a Maruti car, driven by Ram. Ram lost control and the car
Relatives of the dead and injured. collided against a tree. ing treatment. On receivAfter the accident, the ing information, Gohana victims were rushed to police reached PGIMS PGIMS, Rohtak by the and after postmortem, drivers of other vehicles. handed over bodies of the Moni who has been seri- victims to their family ously injured is undergo- members.
tinuous effort to bring out an annual publication comprising articles from different sections of the society. On the other hand releasing Anubhawar Shabdajyoti, journalist Nava Thakuria expressed hope that the initiative of Kohima Sahitya Sabha will enrich the Assamese literary world in a different way. He also pointed out that Assamese writers based in northeast India should also initiate to publicize their creations through digital medium as well. Various speakers including senior librarian Rabindranath Pathak, Kohima Sahitya Sabha president Prahlad Sonowal, poet Lambit Barua, artist Debananda Ulup, Atul
Dignatories Bipanchika released. Bharali, Rabin Baruah, Hiramoni Pathak, Sewali Kalita, Nabajyoti Sikder, Runumi Bhattacharya,
125 year Jubilee of Bantou LP School concludes with grand success ET Correspondent Lakhimpur; Dec 28: Being the pioneer and epochmaking educational institute not only of Dhakuakhona, but also of the undivided Lakhimpur District in pre-independent India, No 13 Bantou LP School celebrated its 125th Foundation Day with grand success. The three day long program of 125 Jubilee of the school concluded yesterday amidst festive environment participating with the former teachers, officials, ex-students and the people of the Sub-Division. The program began on December 25 with cleanliness, plantation drive and Smrity Tarpanpaying homage to the departed soul and national martyr. 125 flags, initiated
by Bhuvan Chamua, the President of the Celebration Committee were unfurled as per agenda which was followed by book fair, cultural program show etc. Then a symposium on 'Roll of parents and teachers in allround development of the children' was organised which was participated by several eminent educationists. On the other hand different competitions among the students. The Get Together event of the ex-student held on this day turned to be much effective giving exemplary messages to the neo-generation. On the concluding day, the cultural procession, inaugurated by cultural activist Dr Hemanta Gogoi, organised at 9.30am re-
flected the culture of the Assamese people. It is witnessed that the procession attracted the mass. The major event of the day, that is the Open Session of the Program, chaired by Bhuvan Chamua and inaugurated by DEEO Jivan Dutta, commenced from the midday wherein lyricistsinger Lok Nath Goswami participated as Appointed Speaker who delivered a mesmerizing lecture. Former Principal of Majuli Kherkatiya College, Tarun Duarah delivered an inspiring lecture. Educationists Sewak Chandra Chutia, Likhan Chandra Buragohain also delivered speech in the meeting. The program concluded with a colorful cultural night.
Runu Goswami, Meghali Das, Chandan Das, Radhika Sonowal, Amiya Sonowal, Jayanta Sarkar, Baishali
Sharma etc also highlighted the need of regular interactions among various sections in Assamese society.
However, it is pertinent to add here that the issue centering round the wealth of Dhanowar and his family members, his estates and firms and educational institution have been the constant cover of the media house and Dhanowar who seems to be least bothered would taste the outcome of love and sympathy of his electorates in the next assembly election in 2016 to carry the litmus taste of his words and deeds.
75,000 women has been harassed during the past 15 years of Congress regime: Smriti Irani Contd. from Page 1
Third annual issue of Bipanchika released ET Correspondent Guwahati, Dec 28: The third annual issue of Bipanchika, published by Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bardoloi Puthibharal Paduoi Samaj, was released at Guwahati Press Club on Sunday. The same meeting also witnessed the release of Anubhawar Shabdajyoti, a collection of Assamese poems penned by Lambit Barua and published by Kohima Sahitya Sabha from Nagaland. Inaugurating the annual magazine Bipanchika, director of Assam Library Services, Uttam Sharma appreciated the effort of the readers attached to Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bardoloi Puthibharal for their con-
Educationa Minister and Chief Minister too which till date stands unheeded. Thirdly, the stu-
According to him, ‘pure gold does not fear the flame’ similarly, such activities directed against him by the rival political parties or any vested organization cannot shake his mind which is already made up for the
cause of the Congress and to bring glorious victory in the forthcoming election.
“Today, in the entire nation 20 crores bank account has been opened under Prime Minister's Janadhan Yojana and presently Rs 28,000 crore is deposited in them. This will immensely benefit the poor in future”, she said. Speaking in the meeting, Union Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare and State BJP President Sarbananda Sonowal strongly criticized the state
congress government. He said that now Tarun Gogoi is looking for Badaruddin Ajmal who had a link with 14 Islamic fundamentalist groups in 2005.He further said that another Saraighat war will be held in next poll where Tarun Gogoi will be the Ram Singha and Badaruddin Ajmal will be the Mirzumla. Speaking in the meeting former minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said that after BJP return to power 23 lakhs unemployed
youths will get employment. The meeting was attended among others by senior BJP leder and party in-charge for Assam Dr Mahendra Singh, MP Bijoya Chakravarty, National executive Chandra Mohan Patowary, MP RP Sarma, former MLA Jayanta Malla Baruah and Ashok Sarma among others. The workers’ meeting was held for six lower Assam districts Nalbari, North Kamrup, Baksa, Bajali, Barpeta and Chirang.
Protests rock throughout Assam for Nilamoni’s remark Contd. from Page 1
Deka`s comment came a day ahead of union Human Resource Development Minister Irani`s scheduled visit to the district for a public rally. The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) distanced itself from Deka`s statement, saying it was his personal comment and not the APCC`s official view. The former Assam minister, however, later withdrew his comment. But hundreds of BJP workers surrounded Deka`s residence at Rajgarh locality in Guwahati over the comment. Several women organizations and BJP units have also staged massive protests against the Congress leader across the state. Many organizations also burnt Deka`s effigies. Seeking a public apology from Deka, the BJP workers are demanding the
Congress to expel him and a disciplinary action should be taken against Deka, saying he not only disrespected the union minister but Assam`s entire women community. "We are going to stage the protest here (outside the residence of Deka) till 3 pm today. If the Congress does not take any action against him, we are going to file a criminal case against the former minister," said BJP leader Vijay Gupta. "The Congress must prove that they respect the women of the country and we are not going to tolerate this kind of nuisance against any woman," he added. Senior BJP leader Chandra Mohan Patowari demanded the APCC to expel Nilamoni Sen Deka for crossing all limits and alleged that Deka has been making such controversial statements ever since becoming a legislator and minister. "It is an insult of
the prime minister. How can anyone dare to disrespect the prime minister of the country? The statement of Deka only proved the Congress` attitude towards women of the country," the BJP leader said. "The APCC had immediately distanced itself from the statement of Deka, but why cannot they take action against such a person who can stoop so low?" he added. Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi termed the statement of former Agriculture Minister Nilamani Sen Deka on Union Minister Smriti Irani as despicable and unwarranted. In a statement here on Monday Gogoi said, “I disapprove such comment which is not the culture of Congress”. He further said, “I am happy Nilamani Sen Deka understands his fault and tenders an unconditional apology”.
CULTURAL CONGREGATION
A colourful cultural procession was taken out at Duliajan on the auspicious occasion of 15th Biennial State Conference of All Assam Moina Parijat on today. Pic - Rafique Uddin Ahmed
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REGION
DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29
State govt. yet to frame Darbhanga double murder case: One person arrested from Bahera Tibetan Rehabilitation Policy Darbhanga, Dec.28: The Darbhanga Special Task Force (STF) on Monday arrested one person from Bahera in connection with the double murder case of engineers in Bihar. The Darbhanga SP will later in the day, address a press conference at 2 p.m. Bahera Police Station SHO Ramashankar Singh was suspended on Sunday after a project engineer and assistant engineer of a private construction company were killed in Darbhanga. The Police had earlier detained six
1 person from Bahera arrested in connection with the double murder case of engineers in Bihar
persons in connection with the double murder case. Deputy Superintendent of Police, Darbhanga, Dilnawaz Ahmed had confirmed the death of the two. He also said that enquiry in the matter has been set up. Two engineers of a private road construction company were shot dead by unidentified two motorcycle-borne assailants. The deceased project engineers have been identified as Brajesh Kumar and Mukesh Kumar. (ANI)
Darbhanga engineers' murder: Nitish holds meet to review law and order Patna, Dec 28: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar chaired a meeting with senior state officials in Patna on Monday to take stock of the law and order situation in the state. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has time and again fired salvos at the Nitish government for the alleged rise in crime in the state. BJP leader Nand Kishore Yadav on Monday reiterated his party's stand and said there has been a substantive rise in crime rate, owing to the 'rising confidence in criminals of
being saved by the state administration'. The JD (U) has, however, rubbished all allegations and accused the BJP of 'playing myopic opportunistic politics'. JD (U) chief KC Tyagi said the allegations being made by the BJP regarding the law and order situation in the state is only a reaction to the elections that the latter
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar
lost in Bihar. Nitish Kumar has come under severe attack from the opposition parties following the murder of two engineers of a private firm in Darbhanga district. Police are suspecting extortion as one of the reasons behind the murders. One person has been arrested in connection with the case. (ANI)
"Nitish Kumar has come under severe attack from the opposition parties following the murder of two engineers of a private firm in Darbhanga district"
Four arrested for gang-raping two girls in Jharkhand Ranchi, Dec 28: Police here in the Jharkhand capital on Sunday arrested four people for gang-raping two girls. On December 20, two girls, aged 19 and 17 years, were gang-raped by a group of youths at a hilltop in Bariatu area of Ranchi. The medical report later confirmed rape. "Six people are involved in the gang-rape. Four have been arrested. They have a criminal background and have been in jail in connection with
criminal cases in the past," Ranchi Senior Superintendent of Police Prabhat Kumar told reporters. The two absconding accused will soon be arrested, he said. Police earlier said the two girls were abducted by six men in a car on December 20 when they had gone to the market to make purchases. The girls told the police they were taken to a hilltop at Bariatu and raped. They were later released on the same night. Both the
girls reached home and youth was arrested after filed a police complaint. the issue was highlighted The issue was raised in in the media. (ANI) the state assembly by the Bihar Govt. bans opposition. Jharkhand sirens to curb has seen a surge in crime noise pollution against women. The number of kidnapping Patna, Dec. 28: In an atand rape cases this year tempt to reduce noise poltill August stood at 996 lution in the state, the and 1,261, respectively, BiharGovernment has up from 792 and 905 dur- banned the use of all kinds ing the same period in of sirens. The vehicles of 2014. Recently, a girl in Governor and judges beRanchi stopped going to sides ambulance and fire school, saying she was brigade have been exbeing constantly ha- empted. (ANI) rassed by a youth. The
Kolkata, Dec 28: State government is yet to frame the Tibetan Refugee Rehabilitation policy, which Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced on 1 September, 2014. The state government had decided to include the Tibetans in the list of beneficiaries of MNREGA, NRHM, PDS, and extension of loan facilities by the nationalized banks. In India, there are around 1 lakh, 10, 095 Tibetans settled in 10 states in India. There are around 30,000 Tibetans staying in West Bengal alone. The draft guidelines framed by the state government said the government will provide educational subsidies for education of Tibetan children in schools and Universities. Special subsidy will be extended to Tibetan students who are pursuing professional courses like engineering, medical science etc. The state government will also provide special permission and separate land to the Tibetan refugees to run Tibetan bazaars, where they can trade Tibetan artifacts, handlooms and handicrafts. The draft guidelines also mention that the state government would extend financial grant-in-aid to the
Mamata Banerjee
chased away
Tibetan Co-operative societies and make them selfsustainable. The state government will also sign land lease agreement with the Central Tibetan Relief Committee (CTRC) so that Tibetans can get land rights. The CTRC will decide which portions of land are to be used for agriculture and commercial use. The rent
TMC national spokesperson Derek O'Brien
to reports, Roy had opened fire from inside a car on a mob on Sunday afternoon while trying to flee the scene of an accident, killing one person and critically injuring another in Malda. Roy, a TMC leader and local village council chief, rammed
Gurung raps TMC over shut garden Darjeeling, Dec 28: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha president Bimal Gurung today lashed out at the Trinamul Congress for allegedly vitiating the peace in the hills and held a trade union affiliated to the ruling party responsible for the "suspension of operation" in Tukvar tea garden. The estate in Gurung's GTA constituency is shut since Christmas day after an alleged attempt was made by Trinamul leader, Sadhav Mukhia, to attack the manager of the garden,
Rajesh Pareek. In a written statement, Gurung said: "Trinamul which has spread terror in the plains has started vitiating the peaceful atmosphere in the hills the future of the 1646 workers has been pushed into uncertainty after Jai Shree Tea and Industries Limited was forced to declare a lockout. Following the lockout, if any law and order situation arises in the garden, the Trinamul tea union, Darjeeling District Tea Employees and Workers Union, will be held
Bimal Gurung
responsible."The Morcha president urged the administration to act against the accused and the management to reopen the
garden as early as possible.In an FIR filed by the management of Tukvar garden, it was mentioned that Mukhia, the president of the Trinamul union's estate unit, and others had tried to attack Pareek with knives. Trouble started after the garden management had decided not to allocate work to labourers during the winter unless they had put in 120 days of work this year.J.B. Tamang, the general secretary of the Trinamul union, alleged that the
Morcha and the management had colluded to shut the garden."The issue (over the alleged attack on Pareek) had been resolved. But after Morcha
leaders held a meeting in the evening, the management decided to leave the garden. This is nothing but a drama orchestrated by the Morcha." (Agencies)
Gorkha Janmukti Morcha president Bimal Gurung today lashed out at the Trinamul Congress for allegedly vitiating the peace in the hills and held a trade union affiliated to the ruling party responsible for the "suspension of operation" in Tukvar tea garden.
Sunny Darjeeling hots up for year-end bash Darjeeling, Dec 28: Darjeeling is gearing up to usher in the New Year with gusto.Hotels and resorts are booked with domestic as well as international visitors and restaurants are busy deciding on mouth-watering spread for their New Year menu.After a cold and bleak week, the sudden change to sunny days seems to have buoyed Darjeeling into a festive mood."I always make it a point to visit Darjeeling during Christmas and New Year with my family. Darjeeling has a different flavour to offer during this time of the year," said Asish
Chakraborty , a state government official who was once posted in the Hill town.Unlike other places, the Hills have fewer "entertainment" options, but that does not spoil the party . Chowrastha, the popular Hills promenade, is buzzing with shoppers and visitors. Hotels and restaurants are rushing against deadlines to put all party arrangements in place. Special dinners, barbeque with bonfire and other cultural activities are being designed by hotels to regale their guests.The Park has planned an exotic spread, but the officials preferred
to keep it a surprise.But regular Thai servings, like `Pla Nung Manao' (fish in lemon juice), `Laab Kai' (northern chicken salad) and `Pla Choo Chee' (fish in shrimp paste), are on the offering. Badal Majumder, manager of The Elgin Hotels and Re sorts, said, "We will have candle light dinners, bonfire with cocktails and live band playing for our guests on the New Year's Eve. We are fully booked on that day ." The Darjeeling Gymkhana Club and different social organizations will also lining up fun-filled New Year's Eve programmes. (Agencies)
Patna, Dec. 28: A person has been arrested in connection with an explosion at Patna Junction parking lot on Monday afternoon. "When we heard the loud sound, we thought it was a tyre burst. But, later, we understood that it was a bomb explosion. A boy, who was running from the spot, was arrested by police," said a witness. Police inspector Pramod Kumar claimed that the blast was of a cracker, adding that police were investigating the matter. "One of the kids busted the cracker. We are investigating the matter. He had one or two friends with him. We are trying to detain them. There has been no injury or casualty," he said. (ANI)
"In India, there are around 1 lakh, 10, 095 Tibetans settled in 10 states in India. There are around Elephant enters village in 30,000 Tibetans staying in West Jharkhand, Bengal alone" tenancy certificate will be issued by the state government and the government will collect the revenue fee from the local settlement officer of the Tibetan settlement. Officials, however, added that a meeting is scheduled to be convened in January to discuss how the policy can be implemented for the Tibetans. (Agencies)
TMC distances itself from Pabitra Roy post firing incident Kolkata, Dec. 28: Confirming the suspension of Trinamool Congress (TMC) Panchayat member Pabitra Roy for firing from inside a car on a mob, the party said that it has zero tolerance for such issues. "Firstly, he is a Panchayat member and not a leader. The action has been swift, he allegedly used a gun, he has already been arrested. The law will take its own course, as it is equal for everybody. And he is already been suspended from the party. The party has zero tolerance for such issues," TMC national spokesperson Derek O'Brien told ANI here. Pabitra Roy was arrested on Sunday by the West Bengal Police for killing two villager in Malda. According
Boy held for busting cracker at Patna Junction parking lot
Darjeeling is gearing up to usher in the New Year.
"Firstly, he is a Panchayat member and not a leader. The action has been swift, he allegedly used a gun, he has already been arrested. The law will take its own course, as it is equal for everybody. And he is already been suspended from the party. The party has zero tolerance for such issues,"- Says Derek O'Brien his officially-allotted Bolero car into a cyclist around 3p.m. on Sunday and opened fire on a chasing mob, triggering massive protests in the area. (ANI)
Dumka, Dec. 28: Villagers chased away an elephant that entered their village after separating from its herd in Dumka district, Jharkhand. Forest Department officials were informed immediately and they visited the village in Dumka district to track the elephant. A forest department official, Abhishek Kumar, said the animal did not cause any damage as it was old. "We have no information about any damage. Our forest team is after it and they are tracking it. It is a tusker, it is old, as per the information we have, and it doesn't cause much damage to the people," said Kumar. The villagers chased the animal away by shouting, bursting crackers and lighting torch. "It came around 6 am. We together chased it away. We didn't let it enter the residential part of the village. There are 1500 to 2000 people reside in this village," said a villager, Akash Kumar. Attacks by elephants have been frequent in eastern India, causing serious injuries and deaths to villagers living near forests. (ANI)
State moves Centre for fund Shillong, Dec 28: The state government has sought another Rs 66.95 crore from the Centre for the completion of the Greater Shillong Water Supply (GSWS) Scheme phase III.An amount of Rs 123.49 crore has already been spent with the PHE department stating that 72% of the physical work has been completed. An official source said that the Urban Affairs department has moved the concerned ministry of the Central government for Rs 66.95 crore as fund is no longer available for the schemes under JNNURM mission.It was under JNNURM that the state government availed fund for the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme. The foundation stone for the project was laid by the former President Pratibha Patil on October 22, 2008.The Centre is likely to grant the required fund sought by the state government under the newly launched Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).The official of PHE admitted that the PWD had asked PHE not to carry on with digging of pipes as part of the project till the
completion of proper survey of the area where pipes will be laid.After the joint meeting of both PWD and PHE officials recently, the matter was sorted out, and the PWD will prepare estimate in this regard.Recently, the Estimates Committee of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly had criticized the PHE department for 'wasting money on purchase of excess number of pipes' rather than carrying out civil works leading to the delay in completion of the much awaited project.The Estimates Committee observed that 70 per cent of the total amount of money (Rs.193 crore) released for the GSWSS Phase- III was spent on purchase of pipes which are now lying idle.According to the Committee, PHE department is now complaining about paucity of funds while department would have used the sanctioned amount judiciously to avoid delay.The Committee pointed out that though the deadline to complete the project, which began in 2010, was set as March 2015, the new deadline is 2017. (Agencies)
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29
PAGE 6
Kejriwal's 'stupid' Odd-Even formula will only create chaos in Delhi: Congress New Delhi, Dec.28: The Congress Party on Monday lashed out at the Delhi Government for its 'Odd-Even formula' to curb pollution, saying that the 'stupid' idea will only create chaos in the national capital once it comes into force from January 1st. "The OddEven rule is a very stupid idea. And the reason for that is without augmenting public infra-
ISRO to have one launch mission per month on average Madurai, Dec.28: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre scientist Ingersoll has said that the organisation will be having one launch mission every month on an average. Speaking at the seminar in the Madurai Yadava College on Sunday, he said that the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System when fully operationalised, will revolutionise the GPS services apart from giving accurate information for navigation purposes. (ANI)
Civic polls underway in Chhattisgarh Raipur, Dec. 28: Polling for eleven civic bodies began amidst tight security in Chhattisgarh. The elections are being held for one Municipal Corporation, four Municipal Councils and six Nagar Panchayats. (ANI)
structure, you (Delhi Government) are going to throw the entire city into chaos," Congress leader Manish Tewari told. "The choice for some people would be either to die without a livelihood or to die because of air pollution. They are making the choices very starc. If the government is serious about cleaning the air of Delhi, there are smarter ways of doing it and this
Congress leader Manish Tewari
is completely knee-jerk you will see the chaos which will create on the streets of Delhi once this 'Odd-Even' begins," he added. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's ambitious scheme, set to roll out from January 1 for 15 days, has been proposed to curb pollution in the national capital by restricting movement of private vehicles based on their registration numbers. Vio-
lators of the scheme would attract a penalty of Rs. 2,000. VIPs, women drivers, CNG-certified vehicles, two-wheelers
and those carrying the differently-abled are among the 25 categories which will be exempted from the scheme. (ANI)
"The Odd-Even rule is a very stupid idea. And the reason for that is without augmenting public infrastructure, you (Delhi Government) are going to throw the entire city into chaos," Says-Manish Tewari
Asiya Andrabi takes on RSS, opposes NY celebrations in Gulmarg Srinagar, Dec. 28: Senior Hurriyat Conference (G) leader and chairperson of Dukhtaran-eMillat, Syedah Asiya Andrabi, has opposed the proposed New Year celebrations to be held at tourist resort of Gulmarg and alleged that these programmes are being organised under an agenda devised by the RSS to thrust upon Kashmir the shameless and
lewd culture of India. "This programme is not a Parvaaz of Kashmir, but the Parvaaz of a vulture which is always destined towards filth," she said. Andrabi described the night-long programme being organised by some "unknown group Kashmiriyat" on December 31 at Gulmarg as "cultural onslaught". "This programme is being sponsored by few Urdu and
English dailies and TV channels. In this proposed programme in the name of art music and comedy, shameless actors of Bollywood have been invited. These events are being branded as Kashmiriyat," Andrabi said. "In a clear attempt to counter the Islamic ideology of Kashmiris, the real culture of Kashmir is related to Islam and it has no place to celebrate
events like New Year. These events can be important for the Brahman culture but they don't have any connection with Islam," she added. Andrabi also alleged that these programmes are being organised under an agenda devised by the RSS to thrust upon Kashmir the shameless and lewd culture of India. Andrabi asked the people to remain away from
these programmes 'at any cost'. "On one hand our youth are laying down their lives for Islam and on the other hand these shameless programmes are being held. We should not play a part in these plans of the RSS otherwise on the day of judgement the martyrs will question us before Allah and we will not be able to face the Prophet," she said. (ANI)
Lot of tweets, no governance by Kejriwal Govt.: BJP New Delhi, Dec. 28: Taking a jibe at the AAP Government, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday said the people can expect lot of noise, wild accusations, lot of tweets, persecution mentality, but no work and no governance during Arvind Kejriwal's tenure. "Who's begging, I don't know. Kejriwal can say anything.
I think the people of Delhi will now have to reconcile that in his tenure we can expect lot of noise, all sorts of wild accusations, lot of tweets, persecution mentality...but no work and no governance," BJP leader Nalin Kohli told . Kejriwal had earlier alleged that the BJP is begging for an apology from him. "BJP almost begging
BJP leader Nalin Kohli
me for an apology. Sorry. I won't oblige them. Let Jaitley ji be cross-examined in defamation cases. Let truth prevail," he tweeted. The BJP has asked Kejriwal to apologise to Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for levelling false allegations against him in connection with the DDCA case. The AAP has, however, accused the
BJP of attempting to falsely project that the Delhi government's probe panel report has given a clean chit to Jaitley in the DDCA case. In a statement, the party said the city government has on the basis of the panel's recommendations set-up a Commission of Inquiry to probe the alleged irregularities. (ANI)
Hema Upadhyay murder case: Accused sent to 14day judicial custody Mumbai, Dec. 28: A Mumbai Court on Monday sent all the four accused in the Hema Upadhyay murder case to 14-dayjudicial custody. The four accused namely Vijay Kumar Rajbhar, Pradip Kumar Rajbhar, Azad Rajbhar and Shiv Kumar Rajbhar were produced before the Borivali court. Upadhyay's estranged husband Chintan
Rahul Gandhi to spend his New Year in Europe New Delhi, Dec.28: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will be travelling to Europe to spend his New Year. Confirming the news, Rahul Gandhi tweeted, "I will be travelling to Europe for a few days. A very Happy New Year to everyone. Hope the new year brings much joy and happiness to you and everyone close to you!" Earlier, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi along with the other accused in the
Congress Mumbai chief Sanjay Nirupam Darshan', questions are raised on the decision of party icon and India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, for the state of affairs in Kash-
mir, China and Tibet. The article clearly states that Nehru should have listened to freedom fighter and former home minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai
"Some words that have been used in some articles of 'Congress Darshan' are certainly objectionable. I accept the mistake. Action will be taken against people in editorial team who are responsible for this mistake,"Says Nirpuam Patel's views on international affairs. It also criticised Sonia Gandhi and said her father was a fascist soldier. (ANI)
New Delhi, Dec. 28: Congress president Sonia Gandhi unfurled the party flag at All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters on Moday as the party celebrates its 131st Foundation Day. Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi missed the event. Besides Sonia Gandhi, AICC members and senior party MPs, MLAs, invited guests and party workers attended a host of functions scheduled at the party headquarters here. The Congress party headquarter has been decked up for the occasion and massive security arrangements have been put in place. Mean-
New Delhi, Dec. 28: The long pending appointment of three Information Commissioners at the Central Information Commission (CIC) will be made only after the Supreme Court's verdict on a petition filed by the Centre in the matter. A senior official in Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said, "the government will wait for the Supreme Court decision in the case which is tentatively listed for January 4". The CIC, which is mandated to
Congress president Sonia Gandhi while, the state units of the Congress will also celebrate the party's foundation day today with a series of events during which floral trib-
utes will be paid to the statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and other Congress stalwarts. (ANI)
Congress mouthpiece shouldn't rake up decade old issues: NCP Dadri lynching: Meat found New Delhi, Dec. 28: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Monday said the Congress mouthpiece 'Congress Darshan' (Hindi edition) should not rake up decade old issues against former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and party President Sonia Gandhi. "Sonia has had her own experiences of success and turmoil in the last 20-25 years after Rajiv Gandhi and her mother-in-law's assassination. She has also successfully run Manmohan Government for about ten
NCP leader Majeed Memon
years," NCP leader Majeed Memon told. "These things which are being spoken are almost two decades old. It's a matter of history. It need not be raked up again without any justification. I am only wondering as to how Congress' own mouthpiece could just dig up these all ancient maters," he added. Memon further said that the editor of the mouthpiece Sanjay Nirupam has expressed his regret and apologised for the publication. In the December issue of ' Congress Darshan',
questions are raised on the decision of party icon and India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, for the state of affairs in Kashmir, China and Tibet. The article clearly states that Nehru should have listened
to freedom fighter and former home minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's views on international affairs. It also criticised party president and said her father was a fascist soldier. (ANI)
"Sonia has had her own experiences of success and turmoil in the last 20-25 years after Rajiv Gandhi and her motherin-law's assassination. She has also successfully run Manmohan Government for about ten years," - Says NCP leader Majeed Memon told
in victim's house 'mutton, not beef', says report
New Delhi, Dec.28: In a major revelation in the infamous Dadri lynching case, the report submitted by the chief veterinary officer said that the meat found in the victim's house was mutton and not beef. The veterinary officer in his report said, "Prima facie it seems that meat found in Dadri lynching victim's house belongs to goat progeny." The report also said that samples have been taken for final diagnosis, and have been sent to
National Herald case appeared before Metropolitan Magistrate Lovleen in response to summons issued against them. They have been summoned by the trial court on prima facie charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust and dishonest misappropriation of property under relevant sections of the law. The court will next hear the case on February 20. (ANI)
Govt. to appoint three ICs after SC order
Sanjay Nirupam apologises for criticism Sonia unfurls party flag to mark of Nehru, Sonia in 'Congress Darshan' Cong.'s 131st Foundation Day Mumbai, Dec. 28: Congress Mumbai chief Sanjay Nirupam on Monday apologised for criticism of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and party president Sonia Gandhi in party mouthpiece 'Congress Darshan', and said that action would be taken against the people responsible in the editorial team. "Some words that have been used in some articles of 'Congress Darshan' are certainly objectionable. I accept the mistake. Action will be taken against people in editorial team who are responsible for this mistake," Nirpuam said. In the December issue of 'Congress
Upadhyay was earlier this month arrested by the Mumbai Police in connection with the murder of his wife and her lawyer Harish Bhambhani. The bodies of Upadhyay and her lawyer, wrapped in plastic sheets, were found inside cardboard cartons dumped in a sewer in Kandivali on December 12. (ANI)
the forensic laboratory in Mathura. The report has come less than a week after the Gautambudh Nagar Police charged 15 people, including a minor, in this case. Akhlaq (50) was killed and his son Danish (20) were attacked by a mob after rumours spread that the family had consumed and stored beef in their house at Bishara village in Dadri in Gautam Budh Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh on September 28. (ANI)
hear complaints and appeals from information seekers under the RTI Act, comprises of a Chief Commissioner and ten Information Commissioners. At present, there are seven Information Commissioners. After a High Court order that directed the central government to appoint CIC and ICs within six weeks from among the 553 applicants who had applied for the posts in response to its advertisements last year, the DoPT moved the apex court challenging it. (ANI)
Girl abducted outside her college in Gurgaon Gurgaon, Dec. 28: A girl was kidnapped in broad day-light outside her college in Gurgaon on Monday. The police has begun its probe into the matter and is examining the CCTV footage of the college. "Around 9:30 in the morning, we got information in the control room that a girl was kidnapped. We are investigating the matter and will also examine the CCTV footage. Till now, no details are known," Assistant Commissioner of Police Anil Kumar said. An eyewitness here said that he could not see the number of the car as it was covered with mud. Another eyewitness said that the girl was screaming for help. (ANI)
Chandigarh building collapse: Death toll rises to six Chandigarh, Dec. 28: The death toll following the building collapse in Chandigarh's Sector-26 on Monday has risen to six. Senior Superintendent of Police Dr. Sukhchain Singh Gill said that the police would investigate the matter and file a charge of negligence. The exact cause of the building collapse is not yet known. (ANI)
DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29
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NEIGHBOURS
Two militants killed in Bangladesh Dhaka, Dec 28: Two militants of banned Islamist outfit Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) were killed in an overnight raid by security forces on their hideout at suburban Gazipur, the third such anti-militancy clampdown in the country in the past one week. "They (JMB men) hurled bombs as we laid the siege around the incomplete abandoned building house at the midnight yesterday, prompting us to retaliate the two JMB activists were killed instantly," elite anti-crime Rapid Action Battalion
(RAB) spokesman Mufti Mahmud Khan told newsmen.He said RAB carried out the raid on the basis of secret information that two JMB activists are hiding inside the abandoned house. Khan said they seized four improvised grenades and a bag containing explosives and detonators required to prepare grenades from the scene during the raid. A RAB official was also injured during the raid. Khan, who himself took part in the operation, however, did not name the militants killed in the operation, but Gazipur
of the mass circulation Prothom. The midnight raid was the third major anti-militancy crackdown in the past one week prompted by a series of attacks in the country on marginal Muslim sects including Shiites, minority Hindus and Christians and foreigners. On Thursday, security agencies Two militants of banned Islamist outfit were killed in an overnight raid by security forces
police identified them as Minhaz and Mahbub. Police said the two were in jail and came out on bail yesterday on a court order. "The RAB men
took the two to their custody as soon as they came out of the jail. They did not tell us anything about their operation last night," the online version
raided a house at Mirpur in Dhaka and arrested three JMB members. Yesterday, three JMB militants were arrested along with sophisticated weapons, ammunition and army uniforms, during a raid at a hideout in the countries eastern port city of Chittagong. (Agencies)
Two militants of banned Islamist outfit Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) were killed in an overnight raid by security forces on their hideout at suburban Gazipur
Beijing limits natural Chinese media piles scorn on expelled gas supply due to French reporter Ursula Gauthier temporary shortage Beijing, Dec 28: The Communist Party.The Beijing, Dec 28: Beijing has limited the amount of natural gas for heating public buildings and halted the supply to industrial enterprises for production since Saturday due to temporary scarcity. A shipment of imported liquefied natural gas by ChinaNational Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) was hindered by heavy fog, causing a shortage in north China, Beijing Municipal Commission of City Administration and Environment said in a statement. The ship failed to unload the gas after arriving at port, it said. The affected areas include
workplaces, department stores and entertainment venues. The measures are part of a contingency plan to ensure heating of residential buildings in the winter. The statement said the temperature of public buildings will be strictly controlled. Property developer SOHO China informed its Beijing clients that the temperature in its office buildings will be set no higher than 14 degrees Celsius, as required by the authorities. The commission said it is negotiating with the CNPC to resume normal gas supply as soon as possible. (Agencies)
Maldives police arrest three linked to Lankan sniper Colombo, Dec 28: Three people have been arrested over a recent assassination plot on the president that involved a sniper brought into Maldives from Sri Lanka, police announced Sunday.A police spokesperson said the three were taken into custody on December 17. They have been remanded for 15 days, he added.Confirming the arrest of the Sri Lankan sniper for the first time, police said in a statement early last month that the 27-year-old man was arrested on October 24. He has been remanded by the Criminal Court. Reports of the Sri Lankan sniper's arrest came a day after Maldivian security forces confiscated assault rifles and hand guns in what has been the biggest weapons bust in the country's history. The weapons had been seized from Hibilhadhoo Island in Baa Atoll being developed as a resort.The army had confirmed that two assault rifles found in the weapons bust belonged to the state armoury.The items showcased during a press conference included several hand guns, a T56 assault rifle and a MP5 submachine gun. In addition, a large quantity of bomb making material was also displayed at the press briefing .Maldives declared a month-long state of emergency last month after the discovery of a bomb near the presidential palace. The state of emergency was, however, later cut short after a week.Maldives military had confirmed that the suspected device found in a vehicle parked near the presidential residence of Muliaage in capital Male was an improvised explosive device which had been subsequently been diffused.The discovery of the IED came just
over a month after an explosion aboard the presidential speedboat carrying President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom now confirmed as an attempt to kill the president.President Yameen was unhurt but his spouse and two others were hurt in the explosion.The primary suspect in the blast appears to be former Vice President Ahmed Adheeb Abdul Ghafoor who was arrested on October 24 as soon as he arrived from an official trip to China.He is accused of high treason, a charge he denies.The Sri Lankan sniper's arrest affected the relations between the Maldives and Sri Lanka, which accused the Maldives of using historically warm bilateral ties to crackdown on Maldivian political and social media activists.In a statement, Sri Lanka's external affairs ministry had said Sri Lanka is deeply concerned about recent developments in the Maldives and events that have impacted on Sri Lanka, including the arrest of two Sri Lankan nationals in the Maldives and the questionable removal of a Maldivian social media activist who was in possession of a valid Sri Lankan visa. It is deeply disturbing that Sri Lanka, a country which has always maintained the closest friendly relations with the Maldives, is being used to initiate questionable action against political and social media activists, it added.The condemnation by Sri Lanka came a day after it summoned the Maldives top representative in the country over the arrest and subsequent repatriation of a suspect wanted in connection to the recent blast on the presidential speedboat. (Agencies)
Chinese media today celebrated the imminent expulsion of a French reporter accused of supporting terrorism, with a poll purporting to demonstrate overwhelming support for the decision. Beijing refused to renew Ursula Gauthier's visa after she published an article criticising government policies in Xinjiang, home to the mostly Muslim Uighur minority and a region which regularly sees violent incidents. China's foreign ministry last week said her essay in French news magazine L'Obs "flagrantly championed acts of terrorism and acts of cruelly killing innocents".The government's decision to expel Gauthier was approved by 95 percent of respondents to a poll on the web site of the Global Times, an often incendiary publication with close ties to the ruling
poll, which asked "Do you support expelling the French journalist who supports terrorism?", had more than 200,000 respondents by Monday afternoon. Among those who disagreed, many felt that the punishment was not harsh enough: "This kind of terrorist sympathiser should be arrested and sentenced to prison," wrote one poster.China commands a vast army of Internet commenters it can deploy to express vocal support for controversial decisions, which are notorious for filling the Global Times' comments sections with bile directed at those who criticise the state and its ruling Communist Party.The paper was one of the first to object to Gauthier's story, publishing a scathing criticism of her suggestion that violence by Uighurs against civilians
Ursula Gauthier might, in part, be driven by resentment against government policies.She also questioned China's motives in expressing sympathy for the victims of the November 13 Paris attacks, writing that they could be part of a calculated plan to tie Beijing's strict handling of Xinjiang into the broader fight against global terrorism.The article, the Global Times wrote in a November editorial, "severely distorted the real-
ity in Xinjiang" and represented a double standard on terrorism. The piece was part of a tidal wave of criticism that Gauthier said led to death threats against her from angry readers.The Global Times is known for its nationalistic stance. Following the Charlie Hebdo killings in Paris earlier this year, it said the murders were "payback" for the West's "historical acts of slavery and colonialism". (Agencies)
China passes controversial new anti-terror laws Beijing, Dec 28: China has passed controversial new anti-terrorism laws, saying they are needed to combat growing threats.The new laws, passed on Sunday by China's legislature, create a new anti-terror agency and security forces with significant powers.Critics say the laws are too broad and can be used against dissidents and religious minorities.China has blamed Muslim Uighur separatists from Xinjiang for several public attacks in recent years.Last week several Western governments issued warnings for foreigners in Beijing's Sanlitun neighbourhood citing intelligence of a possible threat there.Under the new law, China will have a single counter-terrorism body which the country's public security ministry says "will be in charge of identifying terrorist activities and personnel, and coordinate nationwide anti-terrorist work".The official Chinese media cited a knife attack which left 29 people dead at a train sta-
tion in 2014 as giving greater urgency to the the legislation.The attack by four assailants was widely attributed to a Uighur group, the mainly-Muslim minority in the western Xinjiang province. The Chinese government is keen that the undoubtedly tough measures it takes
there are viewed as "counter-terrorism" (similar to measures taken by Western countries) rather than as the oppression of an ethnic minority.The law will also give the authorities greater rights to monitor private communications. Just like in other countries, the government
What are the new measures? State media report that a new counter-terrorism agency and a national intelligence centre will be set up. Professional anti-terrorist forces will also be established Telecommunications and internet providers will have to "provide technical support and assistance including decryption", and will be made to "prevent dissemination of information" on extremism The military can now also venture overseas on counter-terrorism operations
Police forces can now use weapons directly in "emergency circumstances" when facing attackers with guns or knives Disseminating information about terrorist activities is now banned, as is fabricating stories about fake terror incidents Except for pre-approved news media outlets, nobody is allowed to report on a terror attack nor the authorities' response, online and offline
says this will not infringe liberty. China has repeatedly said that it faces legitimate terror threats and that the laws are needed to combat them. It has also denied repressing Uighurs and other minorities.Li Shouwei, a spokesman for China's legislature, told reporters on Sunday that the laws do not target any specific region, ethnicity or religion.Chinese commentators have long accused the West of double standards, saying that the West has refused to acknowledge the public attacks as terrorism by characterising them as human rights conflicts.But many of the public attacks, particularly those in Xinjiang, have been difficult for news media to independently verify as China severely restricts foreigners' travel into such areas and the flow of information during such incidents. China has also said that its new laws would not impinge on internet freedom and intellectual property rights.(Agencies)
Dhaka court orders investigation into sedition charge against BNP chief Dhaka, Dec. 28 : A court in Dhaka has ordered an investigation into a sedition charge filed against Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Khaleda Zia over her comments on the number of 1971 martyrs.The court also asked officer-in-charge of Shahbagh Police Station to take legal action against Khaleda after probing the matter.Metropolitan Magis-
trate Md Atiqur Rahman passed the order after Moshiur Malek, founding president of Bangabandhu Foundation, had lodged the sedition charge.Malek alleged that Zia at a programme, organised by Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal to mark the 45th Victory Day, said, "There are controversies over how many were martyred in the Liberation War". (ANI)
Khaleda Zia
Nepal pays tribute to Ghazal king Ghalib Kathmandu, Dec 28: A special programme was organized here to pay tribute to noted Indian poet Ghalib on his 218th birth anniversary for his outstanding contributions in the field of Urdu poetry. The programme was jointly organised by the Embassy of India and B P Koirala India-Nepal Foundation at the NepalIndia Friendship Library in Kathmandu. The programme started with paying tribute to Ghalib for his outstanding contributions in the field of Urdu poetry. Sanath Kumar Basti briefed on Ghalib's works and contributions on the occasion. He said that Ghalib started composing poetry at the age of 11. Before Ghalib, the Ghazal was primarily an expression of anguished love but Ghalib expressed philosophy, the travails and mysteries of life and wrote ghazals on many other subjects, vastly expanding the scope of the Ghazal. The programme had eminent poets, includ-
Mirza-Ghalib ing Manoj Neupane, Tripura Poudel, Abdul Momin, Momila Joshi, Gopal Ask, Imtiaz Wafa, Gyanuwakar Poudel and Krishna Jung Rana, reciting their poems in Nepali and in Hindi. The powerful recitations by these poets were well received by the audience. On the occasion, Abhay Kumar, First Secretary, press and culture, Indian Embassy recited his own poem on Ghalib and Laxmi Prasad Devkota, the poet from Nepal. On the occasion, a book titled 'Dhupchaya' authored by Dr Krishna Jung Rana, which includes dozens of melodious Ghazal pieces, was also released. (Agencies)
Taliban's Afghan offensive enabled by sanctuaries in Pakistan Washington, Dec 28: Taliban would not be able to mount attacks inside Afghanistan without the presence of their undisturbed sanctuaries inside Pakistan, top American experts have said. "This Taliban offensive is enabled by sanctuaries in Pakistan," David Sedney, who earlier was a top Pentagon official for Afghanistan and Pakistan, told the PBS in an interview released Sunday. He's currently a senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "It has also been enabled by an internecine struggle among different Taliban factions and with a new factor in Afghanistan, Da'esh, the Islamic State, which is seeking inroads there as well," Sedney argued. Agreed Barnett Rubin, from the Center on International Cooperation New York University,who was a senior adviser at the US State Department from 2009 to 2013. "The Taliban wouldn't be able
to mount all these offensives and so on, though they would exist and they would have to be dealt with politically, if they didn't have undisturbed sanctuaries in Pakistan," Rubin said. "And the reasons for that, other than Pakistan being evil or terrorist-supporting, Pakistan has certain interests in the region," he noted. "We are now trying to address those diplomatically. It's extremely difficulty. We have to have enough forces on the ground in Afghanistan, so that the situation remains relatively stable to give us the space to do that diplomatic work," Rubin said. "The main weakness on the Afghanistan government side is not whether their forces can fight the Taliban. It's the political divisions within the Afghan government which sometimes undermine the forces. And on the other side, the main issue is that the Taliban's sanctuary in Pakistan, not how strong or angry they are," he said. (Agencies)
Afghan security forces inspect the site of a suicide car bomb attack near the Kabul airport in Kabul
Kabul blast: One dead, Taliban claims responsibility Kabul, Dec. 28: At least one person has been killed and four others injured in a suspected suicide bombing near Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the blastsaying that their target had been a foreign troop's convoy. Ministry of Interior spokes-
man Sediq Sediqqi said that a suicide car bomber detonated his explosives in the Hawa Shinasi area ofKabul, which is close to the airport .The four injured were rushed to the airport, Sediqqi said .The explosion took place at about 8 am (AFT) which is an hour of peak traffic. (ANI)
At least one person has been killed and four others injured in a suspected suicide bombing near Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul.
PAGE 8
DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29
Pakistani Diplomat with Terror Links recalled from Bangladesh China Officially Ends The three-decade old 'One Child Policy' According to the latest figures, the number of people aged 60 or over in China has reached 212 million at the end of 2014, accounting for 15.5 per cent of the country's population, with the number of disabled elderly people approaching 40 million. The United Nations has predicted that people over age 65 will account for 18 per cent of China's population by 2030, double the number in 2011 which will have a negative bearing on China's labour availability. By 2050, China is expected to have nearly 500 million people over 60, exceeding the population of the US. China officially ended its one child policy on Sunday with the signing into law of a bill allowing all married couples to have a second child as it attempts to cope with an ageing population and shrinking workforce. The change, which was announced in October by the ruling Communist Party, takes effect from January 1. All married couples will be allowed to have a second child but the legislation maintains limits on additional births. The "one child policy", instituted in the late 1970s, restricted most couples to only a single offspring and for years authorities argued that it was a key contributor to China`s economic boom and had prevented 400 million births. It has been enforced by a dedicated national commission with a system of fines for violators and often forced abortions, leading to heartrending tales of loss for would-be parents. The policy led to sex-selective abortions or infanticide targeting girls, because of a centuries-old social preference for boys. Rural families were already allowed two children if the first was a girl, while ethnic minorities were allowed an extra offspring, leading some to dub it a "one-and-ahalf child" policy. As a result China`s population - the world`s largest at 1.37 billion - is now ageing rapidly, gender imbalances are severe, and its workforce is shrinking. These concerns led to limited reforms in 2013, including allowing couples to have two children if either of them was an only child, but relatively few have taken up the opportunity due to limited income and higher perceived opportunity costs. Experts say that the shift to a two child policy is likely too little, too late to address China`s looming population crisis and that the government is unlikely to dismantle enforcement mechanisms for reproductive control due to deeply entrenched bureaucratic interests.
Land encroachment Who will face the consequences? Land encroachment has become a serious threat in present time. Earlier vast acres of land lay unoccupied for years after years yet no one occupied illegally. But now even a small piece of land, if it lies unoccupied even for a year or two it becomes the target of land encroachers. Kamrup district, have come under the threat of land encroachers in a large degree. Land are occupied illegally especially for commercial purpose with the intention of earning some amount of money by adopting some mean ways. Adding to all these, around 7,002 bighas of government land is under encroachment by tea gardens in Assam. Government records say the encroachment is across seven districts, with Cachar topping the list with 3,946 bighas. In Dibrugarh, 1,014 bighas of government land is under illegal occupation of tea estates which include Durgapur TE, Diksam TE, Tiloijan TE and Belbari TE. Khowang TE, Sri Krishna TE, Mankhowa TE and other gardens have usurped around 650 bighas of government land in Tinsukia district. Despite repeated notices from the administration, the garden managements have not cleared the tracts. Instead, sources said, the garden managements want the government to hand over these tracts to them. But it is learnt that there has been no formal proposal moved in this regard by the managements. Assam government has now and then been writing to the district administrations to take possession of the encroached tracts. But it seems that these land encroachers have their own cool techniques of dealing with the administration. As per a Assam Government notification, the Govt. empowers the Collector to impose a fine amounting Rs. 200/- per bigha of Encroached Land per annum until encroachment is cleared. The fine shall be realized as arrear of Land Revenue each year. This may be assessed to as Land Revenue and included in the annual Doal. And in case of Encroachment of the Govt. Land (Ceiling Surplus Land of Tea Garden) by the Tea garden, the Settlement has to be carried out by realizing a premium at the rate of 200% per bigha on the prevailing market price of the Land along with a fine for encroachment at the rate of Rs. 200/- per bigha of encroached land as arrear land revenue till the premium has been paid by the encroachers( Tea Garden Authority). If they are reluctant to come forward to accept the settlement from Govt., Eviction should be carried out irrespective of their eligibility to get settlement and to make land free from encroachment. In respect of the encroached land having tea bushes, 200% of the prevailing market price and with a penalty at Rs. 3/- per tea bush should be paid to the government. Whenever the government writes to the deputy commissioners, notices are slapped on some garden managements. But the action stops there. No further step is taken. The district administrations, however, say "steps are being taken" to clear the encroachments. In some cases, the administrations say, the process is getting delayed due to pending court cases. The issue had been raised many times in the State Assembly. And every time, the government says necessary action is being taken. Legal action can be taken against the erring garden managements under the Assam Land Revenue Act, 1886. This problem of land encroachers should be deal with as soon as possible or else the consequences will be very dangerous for all of us.
This is the second such incident this year involving personnel at Pakistan's high commission in Bangladesh. In a diplomatic controversy, Pakistan has recalled a junior diplomat from its high commission in Dhaka after allegations by Bangladeshi authorities that the diploAnkit mat abetted and financed terrorist activities in Bangladesh. Farina Arshad, a relatively junior diplomat the Pakistani mission in Dhaka, left the country two days after the Bangladeshi government issued an informal request to Pakistan requesting her removal. Arshad's recall comes after the Pakistani high commission denied the claims against her. "All diplomatic norms and courtesies have been thrown out to the wind by publishing fabricated details of an imaginary 'sinister plot' to destabilise the host country," the Pakistani high commission
had said in a statement last week. A Bangladeshi newspaper, noted that authorities were able to make the request after an Panda aJ ar mr ea s' at teudl Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) militant, Idris Sheikh, confessed that Arshad had transported him in her car and provided him with 30,000 taka (roughly $380). The militant had additionally spoken with Arshad "several times," according to the paper. This incident is the second of its kind this year. Earlier this year, Mohammad Mazhar Khan, an attaché at the Pakistani high commission, was recalled after Bangladeshi intelligence found evidence of links to terror groups in the country. Khan was not a Pakistani diplomat but part of
the high commission's staff, according to a foreign ministry spokesperson. Bangladeshi media reports noted that Khan routed funds to terror groups including Hizb utTahrir, Ansarullah Bangla Team and the Jamaat-eIslami. The Arshad and Khan incidents will prove embarrassing for Pakistan, which is accused of sponsoring terrorist activity in the region-most prominently by India. In Bangladesh, the incident comes at a time of heightened national sensitivities about the legacy of the 1971 war of independence and the continued influence of Islamists in the country's politics. The origins of Arshad's ties to JMB remain unknown. The group, founded in 1998, aims to overthrow the Bangladeshi government
The flag of Pakistan. Source: www.encyclopk.com and install an Islamic state. The group has been responsible for prominent terror attacks against NGOs and a spectacularly coordinated 2005 attack in which militants detonated 500 explosive devices at
300 locations across the country. The 2005 attack resulted in 2 death and 115 injuries and affected nearly every corner of the country. Later that year, a JMB suicide bomber killed two
Bangladeshi judges. After facing trial for the 2005 attacks, the group's founders, Maulana Abdur Rahman and Shaykh Abdur Rahman were executed. The group's activity had died down since.
The COP21 Deal: What Does It Mean for Asia? Asian countries played a major role in Paris, and will remain at the forefront of climate change issues. What a difference six What changed? Quite simyears makes. In ply, Asia. The past few Copenhagen, it was the years has seen the environAsian giants, most nota- ment emerge as a serious bly China, who were issue across the region. In blamed for the failure of China, it is air pollution that COP15, is forcing the governwhich deNithin Coca railed global ment to a c t i o n take acagainst climate change tion, while in the Philipfor several years, during pines, it was Typhoon which greenhouse gas Haiyan two years ago that (GHG) emissions contin- really made it clear what ued to rise and extreme the highly vulnerable archiweather events became pelago nation would have more and more frequent. to deal with if climate Last week, in stark con- change continued untrast, all countries wanted abated. Moreover, in action on climate change, 2009, for most Asian and though deciding how countries, cutting emisto do this was a chal- sions sounded like a surelenge, in the end we got fire way to slash future an agreement that was, growth potential. Why cut though far from perfect, emissions for a problem more robust than many that was primarily caused had anticipated in the run- by the United States and up to COP21. Europe? But now, with "In Paris, there were no solar expanding rapidly in heroes or villains - all India, and China leading countries moved from the world in renewables, their positions in the end," peaking emissions in the said Lou Leonard, vice coming years no longer president of climate sounds like a burden, but change at the World Wild- an opportunity. life Federation. "In India…the private secIt included a mention of tor can take advantage and human rights in the pre- move towards a prosperamble, a strong ambition ous low carbon future by mechanism, a collective demanding as well as instocktake of emissions vesting in clean energy," reduction actions in 2018, said Krishnan Pallassana, followed by a regular, India executive director for ratchet-up mechanism to The Climate Group. "The ensure that the Internally benefits for business are Determined National Con- threefold: greater energy tributions (INDCs) each security, affordable supnation submitted prior to plies, and recognized leadCOP21 are scaled up over ership internationally." time. It also established So in Paris, China entered that support for capacity as a country pushing for building in developing change - having submitted countries - crucial for a strong INDC with a goal much of Asia - would of peaking GHG emissions launch in 2016, and en- by 2030. India was feared shrined transparency, a by many as being this key demand of many de- year's China. At times it veloping countries. seemed schizophrenic.
One day, it announced an ambitious, trillion-dollar International Solar Alliance, and then, days later, stood alongside fossil-fuel dependent Saudi Arabia in refusing to accept a 1.5 degree warming limit. In the end, though, India was less of a roadblock than expected, though it still makes any future emissions reductions dependent on robust finance and technology transfer. Conversely, another large Asian developing nation, the Philippines took on a leadership role at COP, as the chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, a grouping of 43 countries that pushed, successfully, for the inclusion of a 1.5 degree goal rather than a 2 degree one. They also were forceful in the inclusion of Loss & Damage, a mechanism to assist countries unable to prepare for climate change, in the final agreement. The CVF allowed the voices of developing nations - particularly the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) of the Pacific Ocean - to be far louder and more prominent in Paris than at any previous COP. "These negotiations have made enormous progress, not only because of the ice breaking leadership of the U.S. and China, but also and perhaps ultimately more important participation and engagement of developing country parties," said Gary Yohe, professor of economics and environmental studies at Wesleyan University. What Now? The deal is not perfect by any means, and one crucial weakness is the fact that emissions from ship-
ping and aviation were not included in the deal. Singapore, which relies on trade for its economy and has one of the continent's major shipping and aviation ports, was the main roadblock on this. Moreover, there was little mention of land-use emissions, the same year that we saw Indonesia's unprecedented fires, which emit massive carbon dioxide. It is likely that these will be a topic at a future COP and will require compromise - and leadership - from Asia. "The Paris Agreement did not reflect all we asked for…but Paris was never meant to be the last step," saidKrishneil Narayan, coordinator for the Pacific Islands Climate Action
now, we may emit enough GHG to get to 1.5 degrees in just the next five years. "If we are truly committed to 1.5 degrees, then we have to shut off the light on the Monday after COP to meet this goal," said Dr. Johan Rockström, executive director of the Stockholm Resilience Centre, at COP21. In other words, what came out of Paris is ultimately little more than a piece of paper that must now be acted upon, and fast. The mechanisms and operationalization of the agreement now fall to the United Nations, which much figure out how to disperse funds from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and develop a fair system
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with French President Francois Hollande at the COP21 conference in Paris. Source: www.eco-business.com
Network in a statement. "It was meant to be a progressive step in identifying new common grounds to address climate change together collectively through a new, universal agreement." Scientists themselves are concerned that the agreement does not do enough in the short term. They fear that, without drastic cuts
for carbon accounting. But emissions reductions actions are the responsibility of the nearly 200 member-states, meaning the ultimate success of the agreement depends on Asia, responsible for the biggest proportion of global emissions. Another crucial factor will be the robustness of the climate finance
mechanism, to be funded primarily by developed countries including Japan, and if technology transfer allows for the rapid expansion of clean energy as is hoped. Though French President Francois Hollande made it a center point of his postagreement speech that the $100 billion figure for the GCF was a floor, in the final agreement, the date for the fund's inception was pushed back by five years to 2025. "Developed countries have obtained another five years to deliver what they agreed to do. It is regrettable that this has happened as it delays action in developing countries who are in need," said Meena Raman, Legal Advisor at the Third World Network. Nevertheless, when the agreement was announced, there were cries of joys, and even tears, at the Le Bourget conference center in Paris, along with a sense that this was historic. Twenty-one years after the Rio Earth Summit, more than three decades after scientists first pinned global warming on carbon dioxide emissions, and despite intense lobbying efforts by fossil fuel companies, we finally have an agreement. Now the hard part begins. If this is truly Asia's century, then Asia has the opportunity to make it a green one. Nithin Coca is a freelance writer and journalist who focuses on cultural, economic, and environmental issues in developing countries. Follow him on Twitter @excinit.
Bolstering Congress-coffer Sir, Hardly had the dust centering round the Syndicate of Gourav Gogoi, Kaliabor M.P. in hewing down of tress on the edges of the National High ways, for converting the same into 'Four-Lane', yet another Syndidate, this time by the ex. M.P. Kaliabor, Dip Gogoi for allotment of license for indigenous liquor-storage (Mahal) rocks the entire state. The purpose of both the Syndicates by Gourav Gogoi and Dip Gogoi is to bolster the coffer of the congress for the forthcoming assembly election in the state. To the syndicates formed by members of Tarun Gogoi's family, another strong syndicate from forests contribute quite a fabulous amount to the congress coffers. But above all, the check gates contribute enormously to the congress. The saying, 'Old habits never die' finds its manifestation literally in congress. It is now an open secret that the poor, gullible voters, most of whom cannot manage a square meal a day for the family fall easy prey to the trap. Overnight the scenario undergoes radical change. Even those who are hell-bent to change the corrupted ruling dispensation may feel tempted to switch over their loyalty to an affluent party which is instrumental in bringing about the change overnight solely by money power. Immediately after independence, our nation's father Mahatma Gandhi wanted that as the very purpose of the con-
gress had been served (independence of India) so, it would not be plausible for the congress to exist as a Political party. But Mahatma Gandhi's suggestion fell on the deaf ears of the leaders who already tasted power. Winston Churchill unambiguously stated, if India were to be given independence, Power would go into the hands of the rascals, rogues and freebooters. This has really come true. Yours etc. Ashok Bodoloi Dibrugarh
Best Letter The best letter of the month in the Letter to the Editor section will be awarded an amount of Rs 200. So please keep writing. Letters to the editor and articles should be sent to : The Eastern Today Chowkidingee, Near Sankardeva Hospital Mancotta Road, Dibrugarh-786003 (Assam) Ph: 0373-2328944 Web : editor.easterntoday@gmail.com
DIBRUGARH, TUESNDAY, DECEMBER 29
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Forget Tolerance-Intolerance, Where Is The Space For Dissent In This Country? Ashutosh Tripathi The Oxford Dictionary defines intolerance as"unwillingness to accept views, beliefs or behavior that differ from one's own." As we stand at a juncture where everything - from our history to the preamble of the constitution, the celebration of Gandhi to the rebirth of Nathuram Godse as the patriot, the food we eat to the culture we seek, the boundaries of the pillars of democracies to the powers of the representative houses amidst other issues are being debated, the necessity for the right to dissent becomes extremely significant. When Rabindranath Tagore dreamt of a world where 'the mind is without fear, a world where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit,' he envisaged an India which six and a half decades post-independence continues to sound like a dream. And with every passing day when Rajnath Singh or Arun Jaitley reduces the protests to protestors and subsequently to mere labels, we take a stride farther from the Tagore dream. It is interesting to note at this point that all the major political parties seem to have an open admiration for the founder figures of the nation - even if the admiration is more unanimously pronounced for Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and Sardar Patel, and is only evident once in a blue moon, perhaps on a foreign territory for the likes of Pandit Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi. On the floor of the house on 27th November 2015, when Sitaram Yechuri, Arun Jaitley and Smriti Irani spoke on commitment to India's constitution - they all seemed to gain their inspirations from
Babasaheb Ambedkar and his work. While on the floor of the house a humbled government began to take cognizance of the voice of the opposition by restarting the process of dialogue, even if it were for a war of quotes, the dialogue on the more important front continued to be driven by orientations rather than reason. The National Divide India in its present state is largely divided into three sections - the first comprising of people who identify as the supporters of the Modi regime, the second comprising of those who are largely critical of their policies, actions and the third comprising of either neutral observers, or apolitical section of the masses. The disconnect of the social media with the bulk of Indian rural households imply that a major chunk of the Indian population lies in the third category. Unlike the first two sections, which are often seen involved in Twitter hashtag wars over issues, failings, and achievements of the central government, the third section is largely involved only in the allocation of power via elections. The political alignment of the majority in this third section is thus determined in retrospection post an election field battle. However, the opinion of the first two sections can be captured quickly through the humongous amount of content being shared across social media and in the hashtags that trend throughout the day. In the digital age, where opinions are formed, shared and spread faster than a bullet - the social media becomes an important tool, perhaps an unrecognized
secondary pillar in the Indian democracy. It is this pillar, which in my opinion, deserves the large share of blame and must accept responsibility for the growing intolerance in India. Politicians have always indulged in making controversial, often unpleasant remarks. The nature of these remarks vary depending upon the time, the party, the leader and the public composition in the concerned space. While a meaningful political discourse can be enforced upon the legislative assemblies and parliament houses, no such mechanisms exist in the
tant to recognize that when Anupam Kher calls for a protest against the protesters, the very act of doing so validates their concern. In upholding the self-contradictory idea of a protest to display India's tolerance, the role of social media masses has been phenomenal. While it is easy to understand the sycophant nature of Anupam Kher's protests, decoding the servile nature of the Twitter brigade seems an arduous task. While their intentions and motives may be hard to follow, the boundaries and powers of this brigade are certainly evident to the na-
and in case they happen to be Muslims, maybe even terrorists. Even several journalists have had to face the brunt of this brigade online and then the very real threats from a different category of hooligans operating on the ground. Rahul Kanwal and Rajat Sharma might be the rare outliers with no apparent threats. While the attempts to silence voices are omnipresent, these threats carry a much larger weight now as the government refusal to take strong stances on several enraging issues is a scary sign of willful ignorance if not passive
internet community. It is in this regard when the individuals begin to associate more strongly with the leaders concerned than the nation perhaps, the willful ignorance comes into practice. While the scarcity of options might compel us to allow politicians the luxury of the marred vision, it must be our duty to ensure that this disease does not begin to cloud our understanding as ordinary citizens. When we embrace denial as a solution to our real problems, nothing can stop us from moving towards tragedy. It is impor-
ked eye. Over the course of the past couple of years, while the tolerance of law enforcing agencies towards right-wing Hindu extremist organizations is on the rise, the Modi brigade on Twitter and Facebook have taken the onus upon themselves to ensure that the Prime Minister and his government are well respected by all patriots. And that those who do not subscribe to the Modi government's ideology and are vocal are targeted, abused, labelled anti-national, Pakistani agent
consent. Dabholkar, Pansare and Kalburgi's murderers are yet to be brought to justice. Sedition laws are being roped in to curb the freedom of expressions. NGOs receiving foreign funds are now seen as roadblocks to the developed India dream and thus without a thorough debate, attempts are on to silence NGOs which do not see eye to eye with the present government. The Oct 2 article in the New York Times carried the below story under the headline 'India's attack on Free Speech'. "Last December, the ac-
A Kashmiri Pandit Shares How Her Family Became 'Migrants In Their Own State' Amrita Hangloo The state of Jammu and Kashmir (India) has three main provinces - Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh. While Jammu has a predominantly Hindu population and Dogri as the most spoken language, Kashmir has a mostly Muslim population where Kashmiri is spoken; while Ladakh has a Buddhist population that speaks Ladakhi. All these 3 regions differ from each other culturally and have different weather conditions. J&K, as reports tell us, is the only state in India with a majority Muslim population. Nowadays, when everyone from the likes of famous writers to the common man is giving their take on various issues; issues which they might or might not even be a part of or have suffered on behalf of, I thought maybe it's time I narrate my side of the story. Born in a joint family in the beautiful valley of Kashmir, the beginning of my childhood was bliss a big three-storey house, awesome European summers, snow laden lanes in winter, and apple and walnut orchards all around. With no fans and no airconditioners, having only read about cockroaches, snakes, and lizards but never having seen them, it was the sort of ideal place one can only dream of! Coming back from school one day in April 1990, my cousin and I followed a
procession of people shouting slogans like "Kashmir humara hain, hum kya chahte azadi (Kashmir is ours and we want freedom)," the meaning of which we were too young to understand at that time. To us it was an adventure to see such a big gathering, so we followed it till we reached home. Little did I know these things were going to
borhood would gather in the evening and talk about leaving Kashmir for some time, till things got better perhaps. My father who was returning from Delhi to Kashmir heard about pandits fleeing the valley in Jammu as the situation was getting out of control. You have to understand that there was only one TV channel, hardly any telephones and people
change our lives forever‌ That evening we saw a group of men approaching our house with rifles/guns and we were told to switch off the lights and not to make any noise. That night onwards we did not turn the house lights on and used a small candle instead. We were too afraid lest we get spotted. Most of the Kashmiri pandits (Brahmin Hindus of Kashmir), as I saw it, were being seen as pro-India and were being targeted and killed. A couple of days passed and I stopped going to school. Those small processions started getting bigger and bigger, fiercer and more frequent. The elders from the neigh-
were still writing letters and telegrams, so the flow of information was next to none. Because of this lack of communication, my father had no idea about where exactly we were and so he got down at Ramban from the bus and tried to search through some 50,000 people. I can only imagine his feelings at that point of time when rapes and killings had become more of a norm in Kashmir. He finally got home and was relieved to see us alright. But next week something happened that forced us to fear for our lives and flee the valley like many other Kashmir pandit families from other parts of Kashmir. An elderly man
and his son living in close vicinity were killed. Their bodies were left hanging from a tree. The spot on their forehead, where Hindus normally put a tika (dot), was burnt with cigarette marks clearly visible, and their eyes had been carved out. Some of our Muslim well wishers told my father that it was not safe anymore and we should leave the valley. I remember my mother calling me and asking me to pack some of my frocks/ dresses saying that we were to leave tomorrow. I was so excited that I was going to ride a truck! I had no idea what was coming our way. We packed some clothes and took a stove with us as we thought we would be back after 2-3 months when things had settled down. We were convinced that this was just a temporary phase. Along with all our belongings, big house, apple and walnut trees, we left behind our 2 cows whom I loved very much. Like everyone else, we moved to Jammu. While many of the Kashmiri pandit population were given tents, we couldn't get a spot so we rented a room in a village. May in Jammu gets really hot going up to 40-46 degree celsius. Most of us were used to a 30-degree summer. All the elderly people and kids who had probably never traveled outside Kashmir were the worst hit by this weather. I saw people around me getting affected by sun strokes, there were many cases of people getting bitten by snakes and
scorpions, and many of them died because of these. It's very hard for me to explain this huge change that we all went through. From those big 2-3 storey houses and European summers, suddenly we were in a tent with 40-45 degree temperature outside! And in winters, people had to queue for the free blankets. Thanks to the fact that we are a small population and do not constitute a vote bank - we were barely visited by any politician on humanitarian grounds! Those months changed to years and the tents were replaced by small rooms and common toilets. Basically small colonies of Kashmiri pandits. Now we had to accommodate all family members in a room along with the kids and elders. We were called refugees and our status changed from Kashmiri pandits to migrants. All through these years, we have struggled to keep our culture and language. It's been more than 25 years since that time and I see many people from my community suffering from stress related diseases like depression, diabetes etc. But we continue to wait for that temporary phase to end to return to our home - Kashmir! In these years, I have come across people who have helped us and others who made our life more miserable, but I still believe in India and its goodwilled people and I will always remain a Kashmiri at heart and an Indian in my soul.
claimed author Perumal Murugan informed the police that he'd received threats from Hindu groups angered by a novel he wrote in 2010. Extremists staged burnings of his book and demanded a public apology from him. The police suggested he go into exile. Realizing he was on his own, in January Mr. Murugan announced the withdrawal of his entire literary canon. On Facebook, he swore to give up writing, in essence apologizing for his life's work out of fear for his family's safety. To ignore the increase in such attempts to strangle dissent and public discourse would be one thing, and to call them non-existent would be a blatant lie, if not a seditious act towards the nation." Similarly, Ravish Kumar had to retire his blogging activities and reduce onscreen time to restore some sense of peace in his life. To top it all, attempts are now being made to reduce this whole debate to mere identities. The Search For Identities In a world where what newspapers you read, what media channels you follow decides what opinion you'll make, the amount of cognizance that must be given to facts becomes paramount. It is ironical to note then that both parties to the debate lay equal claim to the media-bias. What is perhaps more ironical, is that both the parties may be just about right. Media has played both the villain as well as the hero in this debate. It would be safe to say that it played the hero in drawing the attention of the nation towards the protests of intellectuals, scientists, and artists. But it also went looking for fodder to the hotheads of the ruling government who obliged to be drawn into controversies.
As various BJP leaders obliged to give infuriating comments on topics encompassing culture, beef, women, and history, the government allowed the hotheads to do so without an iota of deserved criticism. Instead, the opposing ideas across the spectrum of domains were conveniently labelled as anti-national and people subscribing to these views were recommended transfers to Pakistan and lately Syria. Whereas the initial dissent and protests were more about the lack of justice to the murderers of the progressive thinkers Dabholkar, Kalburgi and Pansare - over time the debate accumulated several other issues ranging from attempts to alter history, to the attempted murder of scientific reasoning to the caste and communal struggle. When Aamir Khan, A R Rahman, Narayan Murthy, Gulzar, Raghuram Rajan or Shah Rukh Khan spoke on the rising intolerance, the argument had very little to do with the identities assigned to them by the public and the media. "I feel first of all why should I represent anyone and if I have to, why should I only represent just Muslims and not everyone?" Aamir Khan was spot on in emphasizing that this is not a realization of a Muslim or a pseudo-intellectual or a 'sickular' fanatic. By reducing the debate to the religious identities associated with the debate, the government and its supporters appear to take solace in the comparison of situation of Muslims in India to those in Pakistan or laughably enough, in Syria. What started as an integral element of the election campaign, continues to ride nearly a year and a half post elections as all forms of opposition to the government continues to be labelled as anti-national
and certain elements of the government and a large section of its Twitter/ Facebook brigade of admirers seem eager to provide them a free visa for transfer across the border. As the offshoot 'tolerance of India towards Muslims' takes center-stage, the government/Modi brigade has successfully dislocated the spinal cord of the intolerance debate. Nobody is denying that the incredible India is an incredibly tolerant nation. A country that encompasses enormous diversities in the forms of language, religion, caste in a largely peaceful manner indeed displays a certain amount of tolerance. The debate is not to determine whether India is tolerant or intolerant. By making it appear so, they seek to create a false sense of victory by citing the peaceful co-existence of Muslims and the lack of any apparent threat to most normal Muslims in India. But when Arun Jaitley invokes a comparison with the Emergency era, besides the ad nauseam nature of the argument 'where were you when', he also mistakenly admits the truth in the rising gravity of the issue at hand. It is high time we start caring about the message more than the messenger. It is high time we start questioning opinions fed to us on facts rather than our political alignments. It is high time twitter hashtag wars are transformed into meaningful debates based on facts rather than who has got the numbers. It is high time we stop being blind fans and refuse to turn a blind eye to misdoings of our preferred governments. We must learn to embrace the essence of Evelyn Beatrice Hall's quote "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." Because if there's no place for dissent in a democracy, where is the democracy?
"A Power Plant Would Just Destroy Our Life", Chhattisgarh Villagers Protest Adani's Move The Adani Group's 600MW power plant in Surguja district of Chhattisgarh has hit a roadblock after residents of nearly ten villages, whose land will have to be surrendered for the thermal plant, decided to oppose the project and brought about a deferment of the public hearing on the same. Surguja district is a Scheduled Area in Chattisgarh. The President of India declares an area as Scheduled Area based on the tribal population living in the area, the "under-developed nature of the area", and "marked disparity in economic standard of the people". The land acquisition Act of 2013 requires the prior consent of Gram Sabha for acquiring land in Scheduled Areas and provides for resettlement and rehabilitation, with specific safeguards for STs. The Adani Group is setting up a 4Ă—150 MW plant, Surguja Power, which is a 100 percent subsidiary of Adani Mining, near the Parsa East and Kete Basan coal blocks (which have around 10 million tonnes of coal reserves) in Udaypur block of Surguja. The public hearing for setting up the power plant, earlier scheduled for December 30, has been postponed, and the district Collector has said no new date has been fixed for the same. The plant would be using the coal washery rejects for its operations while the higher quality washed coal would be sent to Rajasthan. The project is slated to come up within
the 47.5 ha of land in the premises of Parsa East and Kete Basan blocks. Last week, a delegation of villagers had submitted a letter to Surguja Collector, seeking to cancel a public hearing for the plant, which was to be held on December 30. When asked about the issue, Collector Ritu Sain said the public hearing has been postponed "due to different reasons, and just not because of villagers". The villages, having a population of around 10,000, are predominantly inhabited by the Gond tribe, whose principal occupation is paddy cultivation and collecting nontimber forest produce. "The plant, if set up, would have a severe impact on the biodiversity of the region. Low-quality coal would be used in the power plant, which would release a high ash content of about 60per cent as its by-product, which would adversely affect the people, apart from forests and the Hasdeo Bango Dam", Parsa village sarpanch Bharam Sai Nareti alleged. The washed coal produced from Parsa East and Kete Basan blocks would be sent to Rajasthan for captive consumption by power companies there while the Surguja plant would utilise the rejected coal. Equally worried about the project, Salhi village sarpanch Raniyabai said, "We are already bearing the brunt of open-cast coal mining in the region, which was once a peaceful green zone. Setting up a power plant would just destroy our life."
Environmentalist and Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan convenor Alok Shukla said the project would create health complications and "destroy" agriculture, as the plant is expected to release 26 lakh tonnes of carbon dioxide and other toxic gases. "The environment ministry's clearance to the coal blocks explicitly says the location of the plant would be finalised in consultation with the villagers living in the vicinity, but the company has on its own decided the plant's location in violation of the ministry's order," Shukla alleged. Parsa East and Kete Basan coal blocks are located on the Hasdeo-Arand coalfield, spread over an area of 1,878 sq km in Korba, Surguja and Surajpur districts of north Chhattisgarh. Of this, 1,502 sq km are forests, rich in biodiversity. The coalfield has total estimated reserves of 5.2 billion tonnes. Minutes of a meeting held in 2013 of the Expert Appraisal Committee on Environmental Impact Assessm e n t o f T h e r m a l Power and Coal Mine Projects show that near the proposed plant in P a r s a i n S u rg u j a , a l though "there are no National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Heritage sites, tiger/Biosphere reserves etc. within 10 km of the site", the Hasdeo Arand Reserve Forests is only 2 km away from the project site. The minutes also note that about the project will create "50 Land oustees". PTI (inputs by Abhishek Jha)
DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29
BUSINESS
Rs 1700 crore of MSME business washed out by Chennai floods Mumbai, Dec 28 : Of the estimated Rs 15,000 crore losses due to the recent devastating floods in Chennai, coastal Tamil Nadu and the neighbouring Puducherry, MSMEs bore the maximum brunt of about Rs 1,700 crore, says a report. On a most conservative side, MSME sector has lost nearly Rs 1,700 crore to the calamity in just two peak weeks of the flooding," said SMERA Ratings lead economist Karan Mehrishi. This is a very conservative estimate and the actual financial losses in terms of lost opportunities and job losses could be much higher, he added. Various analysts have
pegged the overall loss to the industries in the region at over Rs 15,000 crore from the month-long floods which had even forced the airport and the railways to shut operations for nearly a week. City-based SMERA Ratings is a joint initiative of Sidbi and some state-run banks, and the private sector financial advisor Dun & Bradstreet Information Services India. He also said that this Rs 1,700 crore projected loss is only from the manufacturing side and if services are included, the damages could be much higher. "The impact of the floods has serious ramifications on not only the local
Fall in gold imports Chennai, Dec 28: Gold imports shrank 36.5 per cent to $3.53 billion in November on the back of falling prices of the yellow metal, something that will keep the country's current account deficit (CAD) in check. The prices have been declining at global as well as domestic markets. The gold imports stood at $5.57 billion in November 2014, according to commerce ministry data. The figure for November this year is the highest in the current fiscal. The contraction in imports helped narrow the trade deficit to $9.78 billion in the previous month. It stood at $16.2 billion in November 2014. This year, the imports of the yellow metal grew 62.2
per cent and 140 per cent in July and August, respectively. In September, the inward shipments declined 45.6 per cent. India is the largest importer of gold in the world, the demand of which mostly comes from the jewellery industry. During AprilNovember this fiscal, the imports dropped to $22.65 billion as against $24.49 billion in the same period last year. In 201415, gold was the thirdlargest commodity imported to India after crude oil and electronic items. That fiscal, the country's imports stood at $34.32 billion. CAD was down at 1.6 per cent of GDP at $8.2 billion in the September quarter, mainly due to a lower trade deficit. (Agencies)
DOWNFALL IN GOLD IMPORT o Gold imports shrank 36.5 per cent to $3.53 billion in November on the back of falling prices of the yellow metal. o The prices have been declining at global as well as domestic markets. The gold imports stood at $5.57 billion in November 2014. o The figure for November this year is the highest in the current fiscal. o The contraction in imports helped narrow the trade deficit to $9.78 billion in the previous month. It stood at $16.2 billion in November 2014. o This year, the imports of the yellow metal grew 62.2 per cent and 140 per cent in July and August, respectively. o In September, the inward shipments declined 45.6 per cent. o India is the largest importer of gold in the world, the demand of which mostly comes from the jewellery industry. During April-November this fiscal, the imports dropped to $22.65 billion as against $24.49 billion in the same period last year.
CEA urges FM not to bring petroleum products under GST
Chief Economic Advisor of India, Arvind Subramaniam. Source: media.newindianexpress.com
Dehradun, Dec 28: Petrol and other petroleum products would not be brought under the GST regime for some time after its roll out, Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramaniam said today. "Constitutionally petrol and other petroleum products will be within the GST system. But it would be out of the GST dispensation after its implementation for some time," he told reporters
on the sidelines of an event organised by ISI. He said that the GST council would decide for how long these products would be out of the new taxation regime. "Even after GST is rolled out, petrol and other petroleum products would continue to be taxed in the present way both by the Centre and states," he said. Asked about the rollout of GST, he said that Union Finance minister Arun Jaitley had said that the government was hoping that the GST Bill would be passed soon. "All depends on when the Constitution amendment bill gets cleared," Mr. Subramaniam said. Outlining the benefits of GST, he said that it would give the country a wider tax base and would give an impetus to 'Make in India' drive. (Agencies)
economy but also national economy as the Chennai metropolitan region's manufacturing economy is worth Rs 1,51,800 crore or around 3 per cent of the national GDP, Mehrishi said. The loss figure has been arrived at after calculating the weekly loss in lost businesses for the micro and small industrial sector, which bore the brunt of the killer floods at nearly Rs 840 crore, he added. This makes the annual size of the Chennai metropolitan region's MSME manufacturing GDP at around Rs 21,500 crore. According to SMERA analysis, seven major MSME cat-
HEAVY LOSS Of the estimated Rs 15,000 crore losses due to the recent devastating floods in Chennai, coastal Tamil Nadu and the neighbouring Puducherry, MSMEs bore the maximum brunt of about Rs 1,700 crore. The leather sector bore the maximum losses with estimated damages of over Rs 380 crore, followed by gold and jewellery sector at Rs 237 crore, auto components at Rs 105 crore, printing sector at Rs 37.50 crore.
egories of industry and industrial services in the region, were hit the most due to the floods. The leather sector bore
Various analysts have pegged the overall loss to the industries in the region at over Rs 15,000 crore from the month-long floods which had even forced the airport and the railways to shut operations for nearly a week.
The impact of the floods has serious ramifications on not only the local economy but also national economy as the Chennai metropolitan region's manufacturing economy is worth Rs 1,51,800 crore or around 3 per cent of the national GDP.
Rs 1,700 crore projected loss is only from the manufacturing side and if services are included, the damages could be much higher.
On a most conservative side, MSME sector has lost nearly Rs 1,700 crore to the calamity in just two peak weeks of the flooding.
the maximum losses with estimated damages of over Rs 380 crore, followed by gold and jewellery sector at Rs
237 crore, auto components at Rs 105 crore, printing sector at Rs 37.50 crore, Mehrishi said. (Agencies)
Post 2030 may bring in changed for Indian economy London, Dec 28: India could become the world's third largest economy after 2030 and its ascension could see France and Italy kicked out of the exclusive G8 group or its membership increased to 10 to accommodate India and Brazil, according to a new study. According to a report by the UK think tank Centre for Economics Business and Research (CEBR), China will overtake the US as the largest economy in the world in 2029 with the US slipping to second place and India close behind at third. India's projected GDP in 2030 was USD 10,133 billion, behind America's USD 32,996 billion and China at the top with a
projected GDP of USD 34,338 billion. However, India will become the largest economy in the Commonwealth in 2019 when its economy overtakes the British economy. The study also says that India is finally starting to catch up with China and will eventually overtake the Communist-giant in the second half of the century. Britain will move up to take fourth spot and Brazil will complete the top five. Europe's third and fourth largest economies will be replaced by India and Brazil in the G8 over the next 15 years, the report says. As Brazil and India meet the political criteria for membership of the exclusive G8 club of
Image for representational purposes only.
developed democracies, their ascension could see France and Italy kicked out of the group, or the club expanded to a G10 as more economies join, the report says. The UK meanwhile is set to become the best performing economy in the western world over the next 15 years, boosted by its lead-
ing position in global software and IT sectors. The CEBR said France's "dire" economic prospects will see it fall from the world's 5th to 9th largest economy by 2030. Italy - currently 8th in the global league table - is also going through tough times. Since joining the euro in 2000, GDP growth has remained flat, making it the slowest growing economy of any major developed nation. Europe's largest economy, Germany, will maintain its position in the world's leading economies as its declining population receives a welcome boost of a 1.5 million refugees and migrants, according to the analysis. (Agencies)
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Fling in FPIs selling continues; withdraw Rs 6,500 cr in December
Image for representational purposes only.
New Delhi, Dec 28: Continuing their selling spree, foreign investors have pulled out more than Rs 6,500 crore from the capital markets since beginning of the month on account of weak global cues. The latest sell-off comes after Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) withdrew Rs 10,826 crore from the capital markets (equity and debt) last month. Prior to that, overseas investors had infused a staggering Rs 22,350 crore in October. As per the data compiled by the depositories, net outflow in equities stood at Rs 3,949 crore during December 1-23, while the same for the debt markets was at Rs 2,588 crore taking the total to Rs 6,537 crore. With a couple of trading days still left for this month, experts believe the final tally for the equities may be even worse as foreign
investors have lately been on a selling spree. The capital poured in by the FPIs is often been called 'hot money' because of its unpredictability, but these overseas entities have still been among the most important drivers of Indian stock markets. "Weak global cues like fall in crude oil prices has dampened sentiment," Hem Securities Director Gaurav Jain said. In addition, Reserve Bank's report painted a grim picture of lender's deteriorating asset quality and lacklustre corporate profit growth. Besides, lingering uncertainty over passage of the key GST Bill has dampened investors' sentiment. So far this year, overseas investors have made a net investment of Rs 16,674 crore in equities and Rs 48,756 crore in debt markets. (Agencies)
After a year of slide, exports to Pranab Mukherjee: Skill development look up in 2016 should be focus of India Inc.
New Delhi, Dec 28: President Pranab Mukherjee emphasised the need for improving quality of education, skill development and creating adequate employment opportunities, at the inaugural session of the 98th annual conference of the Indian Economic Association (IEA). In his address, he said that the country has a critical role in complying with the recent Paris declaration by attaining socially-just and environmentally sustainable livelihood as part of its commitment to the cause of environment. Stating that India had been the world leader in education in the ancient past between the 6th Century BC and 12th Century AD with universities such as Takshila and Nalanda, President Mukherjee said that those days were only a thing of the past. "It is a matter of concern that
none of the 700 universities of the country including 44 central varsities, 30 NITs, 16 IITs and several IIMs have made it to the top 200 global learning centres," he observed. However, he noted that after concerted efforts and policy interventions two of the institutions Indian Institute of Science Bangalore and IIT Delhi had broken that dismal scenario and made it to the top 200 global varsities in September this year. He said the need of the hour was to focus not only on education but also on the quality of education in terms of accessibility on one hand and privatisation and globalisation of higher education on the other. "It is from the same education system we have Sundar Pichai and Satya Nadella heading top global companies," he reminded stating that
President of India, Pranab Mukherjee. Source: upload.wikimedia.org today's youth would not wait for opportunities but create them. The number of start-ups and their turnover were clear indicators in that direction, he pointed out. On the Indian economy, he said it had shown resilience by withstanding the US financial and Euro zone crisis with minimal economic downturn. "With its intrinsic strength the country's economy had
also succeeded in creating new jobs during that global recession", he said. Recollecting his association with IEA when he was in the government and outside, President Mukherjee said it had been playing an important role in shaping the country's economic administration and policy formulation. (Agencies)
Double digit growth for Maggi noodles aimed by Nestle Mumbai, Dec 28 : In the aftermath of the Maggi crisis, Nestle India is aggressively trying to increase the consumption of its flagship instant noodles brand eying double digit growth, a top company executive said. It is also sharpening focus on digital media and pushing other products so that all categories contribute almost equally to the company's overall revenue. "Results for the last two quarters of 2015 have been impacted by the Maggi Noodles issue. However, we are committed towards double digit (growth) that is triggered by actual volume consumption increase," said Suresh Narayanan, chairman and managing director, Nestle India. The Swiss major had taken a hit of Rs 450 crore including destroying over 30,000 tonnes of
the instant noodles since June when it was banned because of alleged excessive lead content. Maggi, which was relaunched in November after a 5month ban, is currently available in over 700 towns and sold by 3 lakh small and large shopkeepers, the company said. "We are investing significantly in the re-launch, and we will be ensuring that the consumer is aware that Maggi Noodles are safe to consume," Narayanan said. The company is now simultaneously pushing growth in other categories such as milk products and chocolates, along with the relaunch of Maggi. "We want to grow our business so that each category and brand contributes in more or less equal measure to the overall revenues of the firm. We are aggressively pushing growth in other cat-
egories such as milk products and chocolates," he said. The company is engaging actively in social media, and is building a strong digital presence to strengthen the Maggi brand. Along with TV and print campaigns the com-
pany is engaging with customers via Facebook and Twitter. "Digital and social media is central to our brand-building process. We believe that big things happen for brands when these two are in synergy," he said. (Agencies)
2X GROWTH AIMED o In the aftermath of the Maggi crisis, Nestle
India is aggressively trying to increase the consumption of its flagship instant noodles brand eying double digit growth. o The Swiss major had taken a hit of Rs 450 crore including destroying over 30,000 tonnes of the instant noodles since June when it was banned because of alleged excessive lead content. o Maggi, which was relaunched in November after a 5-month ban, is currently available in over 700 towns and sold by 3 lakh small and large shopkeepers. o The company is now simultaneously pushing growth in other categories such as milk products and chocolates, along with the relaunch of Maggi.
New Delhi, Dec 28: After remaining in the negative zone throughout this year battered by demand slowdown, India's exports are expected to show improvement in 2016, propelled by government incentives. But there is a word of caution. Improvement in outbound shipments would still depend largely on demand revival in the global markets and movement in prices of crude oil. The main markets of Indian exporters - the US and Europe - are not yet showing strong signs of demand revival. The two regions account for over 30 percent of the shipments. Multilateral body World Trade Organization too has lowered the trade growth projections for 2016 to 3.9 percent from 4 percent earlier. "I (would) like to have exports improving (in 2016)," Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said when asked about her expectation on exports performance next year. The minister's expectation is based on the incentives announced by the government this year. It has extended the 3 percent interest subsidy for exporters besides giving benefits under merchandise Export India Scheme (MEIS) and enhanced duty drawback rates. "We have given support under MEIS India Scheme. We have
also announced the interest subvention scheme. So there should be an improvement on our exports soon," she said recently. The government has also taken steps to improve ease of doing business for traders. It has reduced the number of mandatory documents required for import and export of goods to three in each case from 10 earlier. The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) has said meanwhile that improvement in export performance will depend on the crude oil and commodity prices. "Further softening of prices of crude oil and commodity may dampen the export's growth further. Since global situation will take some time to improve, a 15 percent increase in exports may take us to USD 305 billion in 2016," FIEO President S C Ralhan said. Last year, exports had stood at USD 323.2 billion. "In the 11 months of 2015, exports have reached USD 243.68 billion. Going by the current trend, we may end with exports of USD 265 billion this year, reflecting a decline of 21.9 percent as compared to 2014," Ralhan said. As for the growth in shipments during the coming year, he said the support extended by the government will help in pushing up exports. (Agencies)
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DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29
Features
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HEALTH & LIFESTYLE Top 7 Desserts of Assamese Cuisine Like the sumptuous Non vegetarian dishes of Assam, its desserts and sweet dishes can be absolutely mouthwatering. A majority of Assamese dessert are made Arnab of rice. Ingredients like coconut and jaggery are also widely used to make such dishes. These dishes are simple to prepare and do not require much time either. Below listed are top 7 desserts from the Northeastern state. Bora Chaulor Payash (Sticky Rice Payas) Made with sticky rice, this dessert has an amazing taste. You will need ingredients like 1 liter milk, 50 gms Sticky rice, Bay leaves, ghee, 100 grams sugar, a few cardamoms to make it. Soak the rice and drain the water. Let it dry on a platter. Heat the milk and reduce it to half on slow heat. Heat oil in a pan and then caramelize sugar. Gradually add the soaked rice, bay leaves and cardamom to it. Stir fry the mixture and add milk. When it gets thickened,
add the sugar. Stir a little and put off flame. Komolar kheer (Orange kheer) This is a typical Assamese dessert that tastes different Ghosh but enthralling. You will need ingredients like almonds, sugar, 1 liter of milk, cashew nuts and half cup of orange pulp. Boil the milk in a deep pan on slow heat and thicken it to half. Peel and chop the almond and chop the cashew as well. Add them to the thickened milk. Add sugar and occasionally stir the milk. When the kheer is ready put off flame and cool it. Before serving sprinkle the chilled orange pulp on kheer. Rice payash This is one simple pays that can be prepared quite fast. Assamese people use Joha rice to make it. You will also need a liter milk, ghee, sugar, raisins, bay leaves, crushed cardamoms. Soak the rice and drain water first. Caramel the sugar with ghee and fry
Narikolor laru.Source: nelive.in
Gooror Payash. Source: nelive.in the rice until it is golden. Boil the milk on slow heat and thicken it. Add the rice and a few bay leaves. After some time add remaining ingredients. Put off flame when payas is thick and sprinkle cardamoms on top. You can serve it chilled. Narikol Pitha This is another Assamese delicacy that can be prepared easily. You will require ingredients like 1 cup flour, half cup sugar, half cup grated coconut, baking powder, milk and refined oil. Roast the coconut and sugar at the beginning. Let it cool and mix all ingredients to form dough. Make balls with hands and flatten them. Deep fry the pieces in oil. These can be stored for many days. Narikolor laru This is one dessert that you can prepare with only two ingredients- it is that
simple! You will need fresh garter coconut and sugar in 2:1 ratio. Mix the grated coconut and sugar using your hands. Cook the mixture on slow heat and stir. After it is sticky, cool the mixture and make round small balls. Cool them and keep in airtight jars. Xutuli Pitha It is not very popular in Assamese cuisine but the taste is awesome. You need to use 500 grams sticky rice, 250 grams sesame seed, 500 grams jiggery. You will also need mustard oil. Wash, drain and dry the rice. Then grind it to make powder. Rinse the sesame seeds and rub well. Let it dry so the skin falls off. Roast the seeds and make coarse powder. Mix the powder with jaggery which will be the stuffing. For the dough mix jiggery with powdered rice and
add a small amount of water. Now take small sized dough on palms, make a ball and then flatten it. Spread a small amount of stuffing and fold the dough by pressing fingers. Deep fry the pithas in oil and serve them hot. Gooror Payash It can be made semi thick or thick as per your liking. You will need ingredients like 4 cups of milks, 1/4cup Grated jaggery, 1/2cup Rice, chopped cashew, chopped dates, bay leaves to make it. Simmer the milk for some time and then add rice, jaggery and bay leaves to it. Keep on stirring while simmering the mixture. Then add the rest of the ingredients and cook until the rice is cooked. Serve after chilling the payash. Courtesy: Nelive.in
Breaking the most common weight loss myth A recent study has shown there's more to the old "it takes a 3500 calorie deficit to lose a pound" formula. There are 3,500 calories in a pound of fat, so the most popular rule states if you create a deficit of that many calories, then you shed a pound. Well, in reality this is not the case, the Independent reported. Kevin Hall, who is a researcher at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, said that though dietitians use it all the time, making recommendations based off of it, it's completely wrong. The adage dates back to the 1950s, when medical researcher Max Wishnofsky measured
how much energy a pound of fat tissue represents, and found that it was 3,500 kilocalories, otherwise known as calories. Theoretically, he had calculated how many calories a person had to burn or forego in order to lose a pound of fat. But, according to Hall, Wishnofsky made a couple spurious assumptions. First, he assumed that when you lose weight you only lose fat tissue. The much bigger mistake Wishnofsky made was misunderstanding how our bodies react to weight loss. As soon as we start cutting calories from our diet, the number of calories our body expends begins to fall.
The reason Wishnofsky, and so many others since, have botched this biological fact is that it's fairly counterintuitive. The tendency is to assume that as you lose weight, the same calorie cut back should prove even more effective once you are lighter, and, presumably, in need of less food. At the very least, it should continue to produce the same results as it was when you were heavier. Hall has, in many ways, spearheaded the movement to shed the nutrition world of the 3,500 calorie rule. In 2011, he created a model, called the Body Weight Planner, which directly challenged the adage. Drawing from a vast pool of data, the tool approximated metabolic changes in
Source: fashionlady.in people trying to lose weight, and showed how greatly the 3,500 calorie rule overestimates weight loss. Hall noted that when they made the comparison between the 3,500 calorie rule and the revised prediction, they found that it over predicts how much people will
lose by a sizable margin. Hall prefers to say that losing weight is difficult. Most people who try to lose weight, he says, end up back to where they started in less than a year. But he blames popular but misleading rules for the longterm failure of so many diets. (ANI)
14 gram almonds a day keeps you healthy Eating a moderate amount of almonds daily can enrich the diets of adults and young children, says a new study. "Almonds are a good source of plant protein -essential fatty acids, vitamin E and magnesium," said one of the researchers Alyssa Burns from University of Florida in the US. For the 14-week study, the scientists gave almonds daily to 29 pairs of parents and children. Most of the adults were mothers with an average
Source: organics.org age of 35, while their children were between three and six years of age.
The children were encouraged to consume 14 grams of almond butter
daily and parents were given 14 grams of almonds per day. An online dietary recall was used to find out what adults had eaten and how much. That way, researchers could measure diet quality. The scientists based their conclusions about improved dietary intake on participants' scores on the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), a tool used to measure diet quality and adherence to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
The results indicated that when parents and children were eating almonds, their HEI increased for total protein foods, seafood and plant proteins and fatty acids, while they ate fewer empty calories. For all components, a higher score indicates higher diet quality. When parents and children ate almonds, their HEI score increased from 53.7 to 61.4. Parents and children consumed more vitamin E and magnesium when eating almonds, Burns noted. (Agencies)
Antibiotic resistance putting 'super gonorrhea' at untreatability risk An outbreak of a new strain of 'super gonorrhoea,' which is making the disease resistant to antibiotics, has led experts to warn about the risk of "untreatability. The outbreak of the sexually transmitted disease began in Leeds, with other cases having been reported in Oldham, Macclesfield and Scunthorpe. Some patients reported having sexual partners from other areas of England, the Independent reported. All cases to date have been transmitted through heterosexual intercourse. Usually, gonorrhea can be treated by taking two
Source: dd508hmafkqws.cloudfront.net different antibiotics simultaneously: ceftriaxone and azithromycin. The new strain is resistant to the azithromycin component of the treatment and is therefore currently untreatable. Chief medical officer
Dame Sally Davies has written to GPs and pharmacists to ensure that they are prescribing the correct drugs. In March, the BBC reported that only one half of the treatment was being sold to the patients by some online pharmacies. (ANI)
10 Points to consider before purchasing a flat
Source: thelogicalbuyer.com You have spent plenty of time in a rented property but have realized that it is high time to stop wasting money on this and it is necessary to move further. The next step is purchasing your own flat or house. If this is your first attempt, we offer you our checklist of 10 things to consider before doing this. Think about the area where you would like to live. You can spend some time in this area or just do some research work. Analyze the proposals present on the market to pay the real value for the property. You can consult real estate agents or independent valuers. It is also good to examine the recent sales in the area. Do not trust the seller or developers. Try to see as many places as possible that satisfy your demands to get the best for your money.
Therefore, if you have met you ideal option ‌ Be sure that the location of your new flat is close to social facilities you need, like schools, hospitals, shops, work, public transport, parks, gyms, etc. This will help you to save time. Clarify the closeness of you new flat to various music venues like clubs or cafes. Is it noisy here at pick hours? How will this influence you? Have you ever thought about visiting this area in the evening or at pick hours before making a final decision? If you have every lived near the bar, you have surely heard a lot of noise that disturbs you, not to mention the people get drunk and making a lot of noise. What is the age of the property? Do not forget that everything needs repairing in some time or even replacement. Find the reports of the architect or engineers as to
the building. Consider the security measures. Can somebody enter the building unnoticed? What about security measures? Would you like to have a balcony to enjoy the view? Have you ever had a chance to enjoy the sunshine? But what if you are blocked with other buildings or your house faces the wrong sun side? Is the maintenance necessary and how much will it cost? A lot of people forget about this. The price usually includes property tax, municipal tax, assessment tax, electricity, water and elevator charges, garbage cleaning and security. Clear out the cost of the maintenance and what is included into it. Do not forget about your car. Clarify the issues with parking and whether its price is included in general charge or you will have to pay more? Ask the seller about his/her parking space and whether it is available for you too. If the seller did not have a car, then it is necessary to talk to the secretary of the society about the parking. If you have read the article until the end, we are sure that you are now aware of some useful tips to consider while buying a flat or house. Courtesy: Northeasttoday.in
Tips to get rid of Migraine pain Migraine headaches are the most common and painful things that a person can experience. It can be triggered by many factors like stress, strong odours, hormones, dietary changes and smoking. Here are some ways to get rid of migraine: 1 Don't skip meals One should not skip meals even if you have a busy schedule. Always find a way to have healthy snacks throughout the day, even if you cannot manage to have three full meals. Do not wait too far into the day to consume your first full meal as this can also trigger migraine headaches. 2 Work Out Working out on a daily basis can minimize the number of migraine headaches. Exercising too much can cause them too although it is a good way to prevent headaches. 3 Watch the Caffeine Migraine headaches can
Source: fitnessandhealthadvisor.com be caused by drinking too many products that are high in caffeine. Instead of caffeine drinks substitute it with water, juices or caffeine free drinks. 4 Avoid bright lights Avoid bright or flashing lights as migraine headaches can be triggered when a person is exposed to them. Do not to look
directly at them as they can cause migraines. 5 Get a good sleep Try and maintain a regular sleep schedule as changes in sleep patterns can affect the quality of sleep cycles and trigger migraines. If possible go to bed at the same time everyday to avoid migraine.
DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29
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Guptill blitz crushes hapless Lanka by 10 wickets ANI Christchurch: Martin Guptill continued his rich vein of form as New Zealand cruised to a 10wicket win over Sri Lanka in the second ODI at Christchurch on Monday. Chasing a paltry target of 118, Guptill was at his menacing best from the outset and in the process claimed the record for the fastest ODI halfcentury by a New Zealander, taking mere 17 balls to score 50. Guptill made 93 not out from a mere 30 balls, which includes eight sixes and nine boundaries, as New Zealand wrapped up the match in just 8.2 overs. Tom
Van Gaal admits he's struggling to motivate Man Utd ANI London:Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has admitted that he is running out of new ways to motivate his players' mentality following their recent slump in form in the Premier League. Pressure mounted on United after they suffered their fourth consecutive defeat at the hands of Stoke City in their league clash on Saturday. "It is not so easy anymore, and after you lose four matches in a row it is much more difficult after the third match. It's like that, and the pressure of the environment shall increase so it is much more difficult," Van Gaal was quoted as saying. The 64-year-old Dutchman called on his side to do their professional work and prepare well before heading into their next match against Chelsea. "So I know there are no artificial ways to solve that, we need a victory and that's very important. But we have to do our professional work, the preparation and of course also the recovery and the training sessions, he added. Following his side's repeated poor performances, speculations began to emerge that Chelsea's sacked manager Jose Mourinho could replace the Dutchman if United suffered another defeat. United's slump in form is evident in their poor display as they have collected only three victories in their last 14 matches and scored just 11 goals in the process.
New Zealand's Tom Latham and Martin Guptill celebrate after defeating Sri Lanka in the second ODI at Hagley Oval in Christchurch
Latham remained unbeaten on 17. Earlier, Sri Lanka showcased an inept batting display as the tourists were bundled out for 117 within 27.4 overs. None of their batsmen were able to cross the margin of 20. Fast bowler Matt Henry claimed his consecutive four-wicket haul, while fellow paceman Mitchell McClenaghan took three wickets as Sri Lanka again struggled on a wicket conducive to strokeplay. With the win, New Zealand have taken a strong 2-0 lead in the five-match series and will next take on the tourists at Nelson's Saxton Oval on New Year's Eve.
Australia pile on runs to turn screw on Windies in second Test ANI Melbourne: Australia continued to display superior performance as they have accumulated a formidable 459-run lead over the West Indies at stumps on day three of the second Test in Melbourne on Monday. The hosts decided not to enforce follow-on after dismissing West Indies for 271 with captain Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh remaining unbeaten on their respective knocks of 70 and 18. West Indies showed a remarkable resistance for the first two sessions on day three as
Australia captain Steve Smith bats on Day 3 of the second Test at the MCG against West Indies
Darren Bravo top-scoring with 81 and all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite added 59. James Pattinson and offspinner Nathan Lyon grabbed four wickets each to bowl out the Windies for a third time in the one-sided series. First-innings centurion Usman Khawaja continued to produce rich vein of form with his breezy 56 off 61 balls before he was dismissed by Jason Holder. Australia are leading the three-match series 1-0 after crushing the tourists by an innings and 212 runs in Hobart.
Ronaldo's agent claims star player will retire at Real Madrid ANI Madrid: Cristiano Ronaldo will call curtains on his illustrious career at Real Madrid, according to the Portuguese international's agent. The 30-year-old, who has won prestigious Ballon d'Or three times,
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"It is not so easy anymore, and after you lose four matches in a row it is much more difficult after the third match. It's like that, and the pressure of the environment shall increase so it is much more difficult." Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal
Three time Ballon d'Or winner Christiano Ronaldo
has been linked with a move to Paris SaintGermain or former club Manchester United in recent times. "I am sure that he (Ronaldo) will play the next four, five, six or seven years at Real Madrid. He will end his career there," Jorge
Mendes was quoted as saying. "He's happy with Los Blancos. He'll hang up his boots when he's 40," the agent insisted while describing Ronaldo as the best player of all time. Ronaldo's contract with Madrid expires in June 2018.
Langer to don Australia coach's hat for Windies tour next year
Former Aussie opener Justin Langer
ANI Melbourne: Former Australia opening batsman Justin Langer will
step in for Darren Lehmann briefly as coach for next year's oneday series against the
West Indies in an attempt to prolong the latter's career. With Lehmann being encouraged to take an extended rest in June next year, Langer would get his first taste of international coaching during the Caribbean tri-series, which also features South Africa. Lehmann, under whose tutelage Australia won their fifth World Cup title and home Ashes series, expressed that he would like to lift an Ashes crown in the UK after two failed attempts, in addition to a rare triumph in the subcontinent and defend the ICC's pinnacle event's 50-over title before the end of his tenure. Lehmann will take his break after the World Twenty20 which concludes in early April and will be back with the national squad for the July tour of Sri Lanka.
Oil India FC emerge champions
Oil India FC, Duliajan with the winning trophy at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Tinsukia on Sunday. Pic- Arjun Mishra Sports Reporter Dibrugarh, Dec 28: Oil India Football Club, Duliajan defeated City Police, Guwahati 4-1 in the final of the fourth Swargadeo Sarbananda Singh Invitation Prize-money Football Championship organised by All-Assam Muttock Yuba Chatra Sanmilan Central Committee at Janamukh Rajiv Gandhi Sports Stadium in Tinsukia district. Oil India FC opened their
account through Jayanta Basumatary in the 14th minute. He added his second in the 30th minute. Two minutes later, Minto Boro added the teams’ third when he found the back of the net with a well-taken volley. Oil India FC players showcased great attacking skills and never let City Police to get a hold of the match. The scoreline read 4-0, after Minto Boro scored his second goal in the 30th minute.
Rahul Boro scored the lone goal for City Police in the 44th minute. The winning team received a cash prize of Rs 50,000 along with the champions trophy while the runners up got Rs 25,000. Sishu Ram Chutia of Oil India FC was adjudged the best player of the final. The prize distribution ceremony was attended by former national footballer Gilbertson Sangma.
Match drawn, Tinsukia earn three points Sports Reporter Dibrugarh, Dec 28: The match between Tinsukia and Bongaigaon of the Nuruddin Ahmed Senior Inter- district cricket tournament ended in a draw today at DDSA stadium. Tinsukia bagged three points by virtue of their first innings lead. Resuming at 56/1, Tinsukia were bundled out 187 in their second innings. Dipankar
Banerjee topscored with 40 off 41 balls slamming nine boundaries. Ajay Gohain
Nuruddin cricket and Amit Singh contributed with notable knocks of 37 and 35 runs. For Bongaigaon, Sunil Ranjan Gogoi scalped four wickets giving away 62 runs. Santanu Dhar and Pradip Sarkar claimed three and
Barca, Messi win laurels at Globe Soccer Awards Agencies Dubai: Spanish football giants Barcelona received big honours at the annual Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai on Sunday. The La Liga club, along with star player Lionel Messi triumphed at the seventh edition of the Globe Soccer Awards, taking home the prizes for best team and best player. FC Barcelona won a total of four awards -- Best Club, Best President, Best Player of the Year and Best Media Attraction in Football. Messi had travelled from Argentina to attend the ceremony on Sunday, FC Barcelona stated on their website. "It's very nice to receive these awards, but I always say that the team makes it possible," said Messi. "It is difficult to pick a single moment. It has been an extraordinary year and I'll take the whole
year that FC Barcelona had," he added. After receiving the award, Messi went quickly to the airport to catch a private flight to Barcelona to be ready for Monday's training session. Barcelona won five titles in 2015 -- the Spanish league title, the Copa del Rey, Champions League, European Super Cup and the World Club Cup. Only the Spanish Super Cup eluded them with a loss to Athletic Bilbao. Belgian coach Marc Wilmots was named best manager while Benfica took the award for best club academy. Italy's Andrea Pirlo and England's Frank Lampard were lauded for their long careers. Also in the winners' list was Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes who was named Best Agent of the Year.
two wickets respectively. Set a target of 250, Bongaigaon were 141/7 in 48 overs when the match ended. Fazlur Rahmanur was the only notable contributer scoring 86 runs off 133 balls laced with ten boundaries. For Tinsukia, Ajay Gohain claimed two wickets. Courtesy the draw, Tinsukia bagged three points while Bongaigaon managed one point.
DR College in semis Sports Reporter Dibrugarh, Dec 28: DR College, Golaghat beat JB College, Jorhat by two wickets in the third quarterfinal of the Inter-college cricket tournament organized by Dibrugarh University Sports Board at DU playground here today. Put into bat, JB College managed 119 runs in 33.2 overs before being bowled out. Gauranga Dutta topscored with 34 runs off 66 balls hitting three boundaries and one maximum. Kaustov Rajkhowa contributed a useful 22 runs with the help of one boundary. For DR College, Sanjeev Hazarika and Ronuj Phukan bagged three wickets each. Chasing the target, DR College managed to attain it losing eight wickets in 32.1 overs. Sonu Das topscored with 35 off 79 balls with the help of five boundaries while Sanjeev Hazarika scored a breezy knock of 26 runs. Sambhu Yadav and Samudra Bora of JB College claimed two wickets each.
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