Most puja pandals maintain a low-key affair

STAFF Reporter

GUWAHATI, Sept 24 – Dispur Barowari Puja committee will be celebrating Sri Sri Durga Puja and Sri Sri Lakshmi Puja for the 67th year. But unlike in the previous years, the puja committee has decided to keep it a low-key affair in memory of the blast victims of Ganeshguri.

“The main emphasis this year is on celebrating the puja in as simple a manner as possible because the nightmare is still fresh in our mind,” said Robin Das, a member of the puja committee. The celebrations will feature all the rituals and ojapali performance.

Das informed that all the security and fire safety measures have been adopted by the committee to ensure that pandal hoppers had a good time. “We have employed private security so that no untoward incident takes place.”

The oldest Durga Puja in the capital city, the Ujanbazar Barowari Puja will, in keeping to its tradition, celebrate the occasion in a simple way. In its 120th year, this mandap is thronged by devotees as both religion and history is intermingled in the genesis of the puja celebrations here. “Simplicity is our tradition and we have a small budget,” said a member of the Ujanbazar Barowari Puja Mandap Samity adding that the samity has always adhered to the fire safety guidelines and this year too all the guidelines will be followed. “We have fire extinguishers and a reservoir of 10,000 litre water capacity.”

The Latashil field was bustling with activities as the Guwahati Sarbajanin Durga Puja Samity members were running about giving the last minute orders to the labour force giving the final touches to the pandal and the idols. In its 33rd year, the celebrations here will feature Nagara Naam, screening of religious films and cartoons and a cultural show on Dashami. The samity has sought the services of private security agencies and has kept ready fire extinguishers, buckets filled with sand and water as advised by the fire department.

The 41st Maidam Beltola Lakshmi Mandir Sarbajanin puja will be marked by the traditional festivities.

The Kalapahar Durga Puja Committee in its 52nd year has innovatively designed the pandal in the ‘Agamoni theme’ based on traditional handicrafts of the State. The celebrations here will feature painting, quiz and Arati competition and a cultural show.

On the other hand, the puja spirit was dampened at the Brihattar Hengarabari Sarbajanin Durga Puja as a fire in the wee hours on Wednesday totally destroyed the pandal. The members of the puja committee informed that prayers will be offered to the goddess sans all the superficialities.

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78th edition of Bardoichila

STAFF Reporter
GUWAHATI, Sept 24 – The 78th edition of Bardoichila (2009-10) was formally released by TG Baruah, chairman of the Assam Tribune group of newspapers, at a function at Icon Academy today.

Editor of the magazine, Sivaprasad Baruah, explained the objective of the meet, while Kanak Chandra Sarma, vice-president, Asam Sahitya Sabha, was the chief guest. Kamaleswar Bora presided over the meet.

NACO to upgrade existing blood bank facilities

Mamata mishra
GUWAHATI, Sept 24 – Amid the rising cancer graph in the State, Dr B Barooah Cancer Institute (BBCI) has found a helping hand in the form of National AIDS Control Society (NACO)’s affiliation to its existing blood bank.

The well-known cancer institute of the region would now get technical and manpower support from NACO through Assam State AIDS Control Society, apart from specific manpower training from time to time.

Confirming this, Dr Amal Chandra Kataki, Director, BBCI told The Assam Tribune that the existing blood bank of the institute would be upgraded with regular supply of ‘consumables’ apart from manpower support through this tie-up.

“We have to incur an expenditure of around Rs 900 for testing on per bottle of blood, acquired from voluntarily donors. With the blood testing kits, now to be available from NACO, the BBCI would definitely get a certain amount of financial relief,” Dr Kataki added.

The total cancer cases during 2007-08 in the State, as per BBCI annual report, are 3,827, out of which 1,030 are recorded in Kamrup district alone.

Whereas the national incidence of cancer is 70 – 90 per lakh of population, the incidence of cancer as per Population Based Cancer Registry in the country is second highest in Kamrup (Metro) district, which is 180 per lakh of population.

“The list of consumables comprises various mandatory testing equipments, which includes blood bags for collection and preservation of blood, transfusion related transmissible infection test kits, HIV test kits, hepatitis test kits, laboratory equipments, blood grouping reagent supply and gloves among others,” Dr Narendra Singh Tisso, Deputy Director, Blood Safety of Assam State AIDS Control Society told The Assam Tribune.

With NACO’s affiliation, the BBCI blood bank would also be entitled to get technical support and lab technicians. To keep the technical staff upgraded with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act norms, orientation trainings would be conducted by NACO and ASACS.

“The ASACS would also receive monthly reports from the cancer institute,” added Tisso.

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Medicine, car loan made available in post offices

Medicine, car loan made available in post offices
GANGTOK, Sept 24 – The postal department today launched Project Arrow here to sell medicines, education schemes, auto loans and healthcare services in select post offices in Sikkim.

“Project Arrow would provide a centralised multi-purpose services such as off-the-counter medicines, education schemes, auto loans and healthcare services along with timely delivery of mails,” Director of Postal Services Abhinav Walia said today after unveiling the facilities at Head Post Office here.

The post offices will sell books, ayurvedic medicines, gold coins and railway tickets at the selected postal outlets, he said. – PTI

NPF not to contest Arunachal elections

Newmai News
KOHIMA, Sept 24 – The Naga People’s Front (NPF) has pulled out itself from the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly poll fray.

The plans of Naga People’s Front (NPF) to expand its base to other parts of the North East region seems to have been shattered with the Election Commission of India (ECI) not granting it approval to contest the ensuing Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections scheduled for October 13, 2009.

Talking to Newmai News Network today, NPF secretary general, KG Kenye said that after a threadbare meeting held yesterday at its central office in Kohima the NPF decided to withdraw from contesting the October 13 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections.

He said that the decision was necessitated following the delay of the ECI in approving the change in nomenclature of the party from Nagaland People’s Front to Naga People’s Front to contest Assembly elections in other parts of North East.

Kenye, squarely blaming the ECI on the issue, said the party had to withdraw because of the ‘ill-conceived motive’ of the ECI and paucity of time in filing nominations. He also clarified that the withdrawal was not because the party was demoralized or facing any threat.

He revealed that the party had formally applied for the change of nomenclature with the ECI during the first week of August this year but till date it has not given approval.

Terming the delay as ‘unnecessary and highly deplorable action’ of the ECI, he said the ECI does not have jurisdiction over the internal matter of the party as the NPF had put up the application for the change observing all formalities but they have taken advantage of it and caused this obstacles.

He also argued saying that only regional party of the State has been changing its nomenclature even in the past but such obstacles have never been caused. The party has changed from United Forum of Nagaland (UFN) to United Democratic Front (UDF), then to Naga National Democratic Party (NNDP), Nagaland People Council (NPC), Nagaland People’s Front (NPF). Now, it is trying to change it to Naga People’s Front.

Meanwhile, political observers are of the view that there have been lapses on the part of NPF while amending its constitution because of which the ECI might have not granted approval to contest the elections by changing the nomenclature.

It is pertinent to note that the All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU), the apex students' body of Arunachal Pradesh has been opposing the joining of Naga Peoples Party in Arunachal Pradesh politics.

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NEHU staff hold dharna on pay anomalies

NEHU staff hold dharna on pay anomalies
SHILLONG, Sept 24 – Staff of the North Eastern Hills University (NEHU) today held demonstration over UGC's alleged delay in rectifying anomalies and for not consulting a teachers' body in finalising the UGC regulations for their service conditions.

North Eastern Hills University Teachers Association (NEHUTA) president S K Mishra said the UGC's regulations had sparked discontentment among the University staff.

The dharna was organised by Federation of Central Universities Teachers Association (FEDCUTA), which alleged that regulations were finalised without consulting the body.

Mishra said the Central University teachers would appeal to the UGC to redress their legitimate grievances soon. – PTI

Concrete replaces 1,200 wooden bridges in State

STAFF Reporter
GUWAHATI, Sept 24 – Of the 5,000 wooden bridges identified across the State, the State Government has completed construction of more than 1,200 of them, while around 1,000 are still under construction. The bridge conversion project was undertaken to convert the wooden bridge with concrete structures, especially in remote areas, to improve on the existing communication system.

State Public Works Department Minister Ajanta Neog, while talking to media persons, said, “We are going about it in a phased manner and very soon most of the bridges would be replaced by concrete

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Egypt keen on tea import from Assam

Surajit Khaund

GUWAHATI, Sept 24 – Egypt has evinced a keen interest to import tea from Assam. To carry forward its plan, Head of Economy and Commerce of Egyptian Embassy, India, Mohammed Abdullah is arriving in Guwahati on October 2. “We will initiate a discussion with a group of tea producers in the State. Hopefully, we will be able to ink a deal in this regard,” Abdullah told this correspondent from New Delhi today. In this context, he said that the demand for tea in Egypt has been increasing over the years and therefore Assam can enjoy a sizeable market in the country.

According to available information, Egypt imports tea worth $ 60 million per annum. South Africa, Kenya are the main players dominating the Egyptian tea market. India’s tea export to Egypt is very little.

“Consumption of tea in Egypt has been increasing, to meet the demand, we can import from Assam. Moreover, Assam tea is a leading brand in the world market,” he said.

Asked about the nature of import, Abdullah informed that he would pursue the deal with the State tea producers. “It entirely depends on the tea producers of the State,” he added.

Abdullah who is also participating in the inaugural ceremony of the ‘Grassland’, a new resort developed near the Kaziranga National Park, said that tourism is also a core area in the region in which Egyptian Government is targeting. “We can jointly develop eco-tourism in the North East by utilizing its gifted resources . This will be a win-win situation for entrepreneurs engaged in the tourism sector,” he stated.

Expressing satisfaction with the current volume of bilateral trade between India and Egypt, the senior official said that the volume of trade between the countries has been growing exponentially during the last couple of years.

The present volume of trade between India and Egypt stands at $ 4 billion per annum . Egypt mainly imports textiles and auto components from India. The important sectors where the cooperation has increased are Information Technology, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, fertilizers, steel, energy and agricultural equipment.

Egypt and India are now aiming to increase bilateral trade volume to $10 billion in the next few years.

India’s investment in Egypt currently stands at around $800 million.

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Most city buildings adhering to safety norms: AREIDA

STAFF Reporter
GUWAHATI, Sept 24 – The Assam Real Estate and Infrastructure Developers’ Association (AREIDA) today assured the people that most of the buildings in Guwahati, including the high-rise ones, have been built strictly adhering to the safety standards set by the government. The association also warned of legal actions against those passing ‘expert’s comments’ on earthquakes to news channels and news papers, without proper knowledge of the subject.

“After the experience of 2001 Bhuj earthquake in Gujarat, the earthquake-resistant code was redesigned as BIS: 1893-2002. This is mandatory in Guwahati and is legally enforceable along with other associated codes such as code of practice for earthquake resistant design and construction of buildings (BIS 4326) and ductility requirement (BIS 13920),” said AREIDA president PK Sarma in a press meet here today.

There are 85,000 buildings of various types in Guwahati and over 1,500 of them are above four-storey.

While finalizing the earthquake codes, due consideration is given to affordability of the Indian citizens as the building cost of fully earthquake-proof buildings has gone up many times.

As per the set norms, no damage in the building is permissible during the minor earthquakes. During moderate earthquakes, non-structural damages like cracks in non load bearing brickwork, damage to plaster and other non structural members is permissible. During major earthquakes, the building must withstand collapse; even structural damage in the forms of cracks in RCC frame is possible, as per the norms, he said.

“Bhuj earthquake was the first major tremor in urban area in past 50 years, which was measured 6.9 on the Richter scale. Comparatively, the last earthquake of the magnitude of 6.2 has not done any major damage in Guwahati, except the tilting of one building and some minor non-structural damages on a few other apartments. It proves the structural strength of the buildings of the city,” Sarma claimed.

“The buildings have already faced 55 per cent of the maximum earthquake design load during the last jolt,” he added.

Referring to the Jagabandhu Apartment of Bhangagarh, which got tilted due to the September 21 earthquake, he said that the cause of the incident has to be investigated by structural experts using the techniques like X-Ray, rebound hammer, ultrasound along with the detail measurement of movement and analysis of structural design.

“The builder, Padum Gogoi, is constantly in touch with his clients and necessary steps would be taken after the tests are done,” he added.

“The Government of India has officially appointed IIT-Guwahati as a National Resource Centre for Earthquake Engineering and attached Assam and Jorhat Engineering Colleges to it for assistance. Technical opinion should be sought from these authorities,” he said.

“All sorts of professionals like geologists, geography professors, environment engineers, automobile engineers, among others, are giving their comments to the media on earthquake and building safety, spreading more panic than information,” he added.

“We are seriously thinking about filing defamation suits against those who have spread panic among the common people with their reckless comments in the media,” he said.

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Durga Puja festivities begin

STAFF Reporter

GUWAHATI, Sept 24 – Durga Puja, among the biggest festivals of the State, got under way on the auspicious Maha Sasthi today with observation of the rituals of bodhan, awahan and adhivas. According to astrology, the Goddess arrives on a dola this year and leaves on elephant back. Maha Sasthi marks the first day of her five-day earthly sojourn.

It is believed that the Goddess arrives on the earth to slay the evil demon king Mahisasura, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. She is accompanied by her children Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik and Ganesh.

The city wore a festive look with the colourfully-decorated and illuminated 500-odd puja pandals according a grand welcome to the Goddess. Devotees were seen visiting the pandals amidst the chanting of hymns. The real festivities, however, will begin from tomorrow, i.e., on the Maha Saptami day.

With arrangements that range from the modest to the extravagant, the puja pandals are leaving no stone unturned to entice the visitors. While the average expenditure on a pandal is around Rs 3 lakh, several have exceeded Rs 10 lakh in meeting the overall arrangements.

Most of the puja committees are also arranging elaborate programmes including cultural shows spanning over five to seven days to mark the festive occasion. Pub-Guwahati Rajahuwa Durga Puja Samiti, Chandmari Rajahuwa Puja Samiti, Guwahati Sarbajanin Durga Puja Samiti, Latasil, Silpukhuri Sarbajanin Sri Sri Durga Puja Samiti, Ujanbazar Barowari Puja Mandap Samiti, Sarbajanin Durga Puja Samiti, Hengrabari, Santipur Sarbajanin Durga Udjapan Samiti, Brihattar Panjabari Sarbajanin Durga Puja Aru Lakshmi Puja Udjappan Samiti, Geetanagar Sarbajanin Durga Puja Samiti, Purva Tirupathi Sri Balaji Seva Samiti, Kahilipara Durga Mandap Committee, and Srinagar Yuva Durga Puja Samiti, among others, have extended their best Durga Puja greetings to the people.

Meanwhile, the district administration and the police have braced themselves to ensure a smooth celebration of the festivities. Traffic arrangements have been altered at some busy localities for facilitating greater pedestrian movement. Puja committees are also maintaining close coordination with the police to thwart any subversive bids by anti-social elements. Volunteers have also been engaged to keep close watch in and around puja venues.

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Special package for hill districts soon: CM

STAFF Reporter
GUWAHATI, Sept 24 – The State Government will soon announce a special package for the development of the hill districts of North Cachar Hills and Karbi Anglong. This was disclosed by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today. Addressing a Press conference here today, Gogoi said that the Hill districts remained underdeveloped and militancy also contributed to lack of development. He said that the situation in NC Hills was even worse than Karbi Anglong as development funds were misused for years.

Gogoi said that the decision of the DHD (J) to come for talks by surrendering weapons is a positive side and hoped that it would result in overall improvement of the situation. He said that as many as 386 militants belonging to the DHD (J) have come over ground and surrendered 142 weapons to express their desire to solve the problems through talks. Even the top leaders of the outfit including the Commander in Chief Niranjan Hojai have come forward for talks, he added.

The Chief Minister said that the situation in NC Hills was a matter of serious concern for both the Central and State Governments and everyone had doubts on whether the outfit would come for talks by accepting the pre-conditions of the Government and the Centre was also concerned on whether the outfit would finally come over ground.

Gogoi revealed that the Government has initiated steps for the rehabilitation of the militants who return to the mainstream. He said that surrendered militants would be appointed in two battalions for their rehabilitation. He said that steps have also been taken for modernization of the police force and to fill up the vacancies in the force. The State Government will be a part of the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System to be created by the Government of India.

The Chief Minister, who was in USA recently on a private visit, said that the State Government would try to follow the model of community colleges of USA to provide vocational training to the school and college dropouts of the state.

Gogoi further revealed that the Government is planning an international conference of experts to devise ways to deal with floods.

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Employees to organize dharna

HAFLONG, Sept 20: The NC Hills Autonomous Council Employees Association has decided to organize a dharna in protest against the non-payment of salaries to the Council Normal employees for the last five months.

At a meeting held in Haflong yesterday, the employees association have decided to hold a dharna with effect from September 22 to September 24 at the Council main gate. The meeting further resolved to take agitation programme after Durga Puja if their grievances are not met at the earliest. This was stated in a press release.

Body found

Body found

From our Correspondent

TAMARHAT, Sept 18: The body of one Bulbul Brahma (28) of Basbari Village under Kokrajhar PS in Kokrajhar district was found lying near a forest at Basbari Village today. Sources said Brahma was missing since Wednesday after he came to the Basbari market. Local people found his body lying near a forest and immediately informed the police who rushed to the spot. The body was later taken by the police for post mortem. A man hunt has been launched after the recovery of the body but no one has been arrested so far in this connection. Further interrogation is on.

Black Widow surrenders weapons in Assam

Dima Halam Daogah

Guwahati, Sep 16 (ANI): Over 170 guerillas of the Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel) (DHDJ) or Black Widow have commenced surrendering their weapons from Wednesday.

Earlier on Sunday, nearly 193 rebels of the DHDJ had surrendered their weapons well ahead of the deadline given by Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram.

Chidambaram had asked the banned ultras to surrender weapons before September 15.

The DHD (J) is responsible for creating terror in the North Cachar Hill District of Assam for last six years, during which over 300 people have been killed.

Among those who surrendered arms were Daniel Dimasa, Daku Dimasa, David Dimasa and Nalo Dimasa who were considered as hardcore militants.

According to the new rules for facilitating peace talks with the militant organization, an outfit has to first abjure violence by depositing weapons and stay away from extortion by moving to designated camps. Only its top leadership will be allowed to sit for talks.

Defence spokesman, Col.R Kalia, said those who have deposited weapons have been kept in two temporary camps at Kapuchera and Jatinga under heavy escort by troops of the Red Shield Division of the Army.

A formal surrender ceremony would be held at Haflong later in the month in the presence of the State Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, sources said.

The breakaway group of the DHD (J) led by James Dimasa are still undecided on joining the peace process.

According to Additional Director General (Special Branch) Khagen Sarmah, all the cadres of the outfit are expected to surrender their weapons in the next couple of days.

The government has adopted a multi-dimensional strategy in North Cachar Hills with strong deployment of security forces.

The brigade headquarters of the Army at Haflong has coordinating all the efforts.

Till now 373 insurgents have come over-ground depositing 136 weapons including AK series weapons, M16 rifles, INSAS rifles, rocket launchers, grenades and wireless sets, sources said. (ANI)

Incense stick factory inaugurated

KOKRAJHAR, Sept 14: BTC EM of Agriculture Mitharam Basumatary, today formally inaugurated a new incense stick factory at Haltugaon, 12 km North of Kokrajhar town. The incense stick factory is a joint venture of National Bamboo Mission (NBM) and Bodoland Bamboo Development Board (BBDB).

The programme was also attended by secretary of BTC Rahela Brahma and Joint Director of Agriculture JD Brahma along with entrepreneurs. THE SENTINEL

Countrymen perform Boka Bhaona

JORHAT, Sept 12: Today, the right day of ‘Nandutsav’ next to the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. The people of various parts of the State observed this day as ‘Nandutsav’ so that the Hindu followers think that on this very day the countrymen of Gokul had celebrated this day due to the birth of Krishna as the son of Nanda Raja, the king of them.

This is a tradition, in fact continuing through centuries among the Hindu followers of the country. They have been celebrating this auspicious occasion as ‘Nandustav’ in high spirits since very long. The ‘Boka Bhaona’ is also a part of this celebration, which is very popular among the village people even today. At the same time, the celebration of this special show is very exceptional too.

Couple killed

From our Correspondent
UDALGURI, Sept 8: A couple Lakhikanta Basumatary and Lalita Basumatary were brutally killed by some unidentified miscreants at Rajatal Singa village in Udalguri. According to police sources, the miscreants killed the couple by slitting their throats. They are survived by two chidren, who are minors. A case has been registered at the Udalguri police station. THE SENTINEL

PDS licence cancelled

PDS licence cancelled
From our Correspondent
SIVASAGAR, Sept 6: Sivasagar Deputy Commissioner NM Hussain has cancelled the PDS licence of Gadhulibazar Gaon Panchayat Samabai Samity (GPSS) following reports of gross anomaly conducted by the secretary of the GPSS Rama Gogoi in distribution of PDS rice. Earlier, an inquiry was conducted by N Bora, Inspector of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs of Sivasagar regarding seizure of 16.28 quintals of PDS rice from the possession of Rama Gogoi. The inquiry brought to the light about the shortage of 25.39 quintals of PDS rice in the physical stock which did not have conformity with the book balance.

One killed by lightening

From our Correspondent

KOKRAJHAR, Sept 6: One Surendra Basumatary (52), of village Khakormari under Kokrajhar PS was killed due to lightening yesterday at 12.15 pm. According to the sources, he was in the field when the lightening struck him.

Eye check-up camp held

GUWAHATI, Sept 2: An eye check up camp was organized by the Lions club of Guwahati, Kamrupa, and Lions club of greater Guwahati at Chaygoan with the help of a local NGO, Abhilash, and District Blindness Control Society, Kamrup (R), stated a press release.
About 575 patients were examined by Guwahati Kamrupa Lions club president Dr Anil Agarwal, Eye surgeon Dr Dibakar Ranjan Kalita and by ophthalmic assistants from DBCS, Nolin Deka and Dimbeswar Das. Free medicines were also distributed to the patients in the camp. 147 cataracts patients were detected in the camp and these cataract patients will be brought to Guwahati Netralaya, Kumarpara, for their free cataract operation. Lions Kamrupa members largely participated in the camp. Leaflets on eye donation were also distributed in the camp.