Mizo man has 39 wives, 94 children

AIZAWL, Feb 20 – Believe it or not, a man in Mizoram has 39 wives, 94 children and 33 grandchildren – all living together under one roof in a picturesque village about 100 km from Baktawng in the north of the State.

The head of the family and leader of the “Chana” sect – which allows polygamy – is 66-year-old Ziona Chana who lives with his family in a 100-room, four-storyed house named ‘Chhuan That Run’ or the House of the New Generation.

Though all of Ziona’s family members live in different rooms in the building, they all share the kitchen where they cook for the entire family.

“Today I feel like God’s special child. He’s given me so many people to look after. I consider myself a lucky man to be the husband of 39 women and head of the world’s largest family,” says Ziona.

The sect believes in “Kum Sang Rorel” or the rule of 1,000 years by Jesus Christ on Earth as foretold in Bible’s Revelation Chapter 20 and that they would be soon ruling the world with Christ.

Previously known as Khuangtuaha Pawl, the sect was formed on June 12, 1942, after the followers of Khuangtuaha were evicted from Hmawngkawn village by the village chief for propagating “wrong and dangerous” theology.

The sect, till date, celebrates the “Bawkte Kut” or the festival of the hut on June 12 every year to commemorate the formal formation of the sect. – PTI

BJP demands reservation for Nepalis in Sikkim

GANGTOK, Feb 20 – Sikkim unit BJP president, Padam Chettri has revived the issue of Limboo-Tamang (LT) seat reservation in the State Assembly.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, Chettri said the LT community should demand reservation of seats as soon as possible, or else they would be deprived of this right until 2026.

He claimed that Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and his government are not in the mood to provide seats to LT community in the Assembly. The LT community is being kept away from their constitutional rights, Chettri alleged.

No special census has been conducted to find out the population of Limboo-Tamang people in Sikkim. That is the first and foremost step towards reservation of the seats, he said. He added that there is no provision of collecting data on LT population in the 2011 Census. However, the caste-wise population is likely to be enumerated after the completion of the data collection process of the census.

He alleged that the SDF Government has not even accepted the Limboo-Tamang population worked out by BJP, by extrapolation of voter list, at 15 per cent entitling them a minimum of five seats in the thirty-two member Assembly, as per Article 332 of the constitution of India.

The Sikkim Limboo-Tamang Tribal Forum seems to have claimed 17 percentage population and 10 seats, based on Article 371 f of the constitution; the same constitutional safeguard protecting the Bhutia-Lepcha (BL) seat reservation in the Assembly.

Chettri mentioned that the case filed by the BJP, regarding the Limboo-Tamang seat reservation is pending in the Supreme Court. On February 14, the Supreme has Court ordered to list the matter on non-miscellaneous days in the week, commencing from August 30.

The BJP feels that there should be reservation of seats for the entire Nepali community of the State as per the Article 371 f, and not only Limboo -Tamang as Scheduled Tribes, he asserted.

Arunachal celebrates 25th Statehood Day

ITANAGAR, Feb 20 – Acknowledging the pressing needs of building infrastructure in border areas of Arunachal Pradesh, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia today assured the State of all possible help from the Centre for all-round development of the land-locked mountainous State.

“Located in the northeastern most tip of the country, Arunachal, also known as the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’, is the first Indian State to greet the Sun at dawn. We, at the Centre and in Planning Commission, are putting all-out efforts to accelerate the development activities in all border areas of the State,” said Dr Ahluwalia while addressing a function that marked the silver jubilee celebrations of Arunachal’s Statehood Day at Indira Gandhi Park here.

Coinciding with the 25th Statehood Day celebrations, a three-day ‘Festival of Arunachal’ has also commenced at the venue which was later declared open by the Planning Commission Deputy Chairman amid thunderous applause from the huge gathering that also included State Governor Gen (Retd) J J Singh, Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu and Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court, Justice Madan B Lakur, among others.

While admitting that Arunachal especially its remote border areas were yet to see modern developments, Dr Ahluwalia said that the mega developmental package announced at the same ground three years ago by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh would be of immense help in that direction.

“It’s the responsibility of the government – both at the Centre as well as in the State to speed up the pace of development and ensure developmental fruits reach out to those border areas,” said Ahluwalia, who earlier released a festival souvenir.

Further avowing that there will be no dearth of fund from Central Government’s end, he said the State Government should endeavour for speedy implementation of the projects and judicious utilisation of the developmental fund.

The Plan panel’s deputy chairman also promised to consider the project proposals submitted by the State Government for infrastructure development.

The State Government had earlier submitted several project proposals to the Centre that included providing road connectivity to 22 unconnected administrative centres in border areas, drinking water facilities in remote areas, construction of Trans-Arunachal Power Grid, and maintenance and construction of foot suspension bridges, porter tracks and log bridges in border areas for easy movement of Defence personnel.

Earlier in his speech, Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu pleaded the Centre to provide a special financial package to Arunachal Pradesh (which shares about 1,900 km border with China, Myanmar and Bhutan) for speedy infrastructure development in the State to match with developments taking place in other side of the international border.

Citing the Prime Minister’s January 31, 2008 commitment – “We will surely provide the required funds for providing drinking water facilities in remote villages and settlements of Arunachal Pradesh”, Khandu said, “We have accordingly identified 1087 habitations covering a population of 1,25,655 in the border blocks of the State which should be taken up on an accelerated basis under this project.

“I earnestly request that the project amount of Rs 377.76 crore may be sanctioned to the State over a three year period to execute this important project. The required DPRs have already been submitted to the Planning Commission by my government.”

TOI

Ulfa jitters for Congress ticket seekers

GUWAHATI: The Ulfa hardliners' threat to punish Congress may force many party ticket aspirants to back out. Some of these aspiring MLAs hinted that they would be in the fray only if the government provided them with adequate security during the campaigning for the coming assembly elections.

Coinciding with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Assam, the anti-talks Ulfa hardliners, led by Paresh Baruah, had on Saturday threatened to punish the Congress with armed attacks for splitting their organisation. Though Singh hit out at the Ulfa hawks, saying that "people who are making such threats are living outside the country", many Congress ticket seekers appeared quite worried about their security.

"It's natural that those who want to fight the poll on a Congress ticket will be scared following the threat from the Ulfa hardliners. We appeal to the government to ensure that we have adequate security during campaign," said one of the aspirants, who has already filed his nomination for a Congress ticket.

"Security should be stepped up in the rural areas because the outfit may target these locations. Though security arrangements are more or less adequate in the urban areas, the government should review the system ahead of the elections," said another Congress ticket seeker.

Chief minister Tarun Gogoi, however, made it clear that the ruling Congress would never be cowed down to threats by the Ulfa hardliners. "Threats to our leaders and workers by Ulfa are nothing new. Let me make it very clear that we shall never be cowed down by such threats of attacks on our lives," he said.

"In almost every election Ulfa threatened us and even called the people of Assam to reject the Congress. But despite such threats, the people of Assam rejected their call and voted us to power twice since 2001," Gogoi said.

In an e-mail sent to media houses here on Saturday, the Ulfa hardliners' publicity in-charge, Arunodoy Duhotia had warned to attack Congress during the election campaign. "We will protest with arms against the Congress's divide-and-rule-policy. We ask people to keep a safe distance from the party's poll meetings because we do not want to harm them," Duhotia said.

In another mail sent to the media on Sunday, the Ulfa hawks said some of the pro-talks cadres, who came for dialogue led by Arabinda Rajkhowa, were threatening the hardliners' kin in Sivasagar district.

TOI

Orissa govt contacts mediators chosen by Naxals

Bhubaneswar, Feb 18 (PTI) Asking Maoists to extend their two-day deadline, Orissa government today said it has established contact with two mediators handpicked by the Naxals to negotiate the release of abducted Malkangiri District Collector R V Krishna and a junior engineer.

"They (Maoists) had given three names for negotiation. We have established contact with Prof Someswar Rao and Prof Hargopal (both from Andhra Pradesh). They are willing to mediate in the matter," Chief Secretary B K Patnaik told reporters in Bhubaneswar after a marathon meeting at the chief minister''s office here.

The two mediators have accepted the state government''s request to issue an appeal for extension of two-day deadline given by Naxals who kidnapped Krishna, a 30-year-old IAS officer, and the junior engineer Pabitra Majhi on Wednesday, the Chief Secretary said.

He said the state government has also contacted social activist Swami Agnivesh, who indicated that the Naxals were considering extending the time-frame of two days to meet their seven-point demands including halt to anti-Naxal joint operations, which has already been conceded, withdrawal of BSF, release of 700 tribal Naxals and scrapping of Polavaram water-sharing project with Andhra Pradesh.

Agnivesh said in New Delhi that he was willing to act as a negotiator if Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik himself talks to him and the state government is willing to release the jailed tribals.

The Chief Secretary said the government would consider the demands made by the Maoists. "Many demands may come up during discussions. We are open to discussions," he said.

Asked whether the state government would agree to the Maoist demand for release of seven persons, the chief secretary said, "Those will come up during the discussions with mediators."

The Chief Minister also appealed to the abductors to extend the deadline. "We have also appealed to them (Naxals) not to harm the collector and the junior engineer in their captivity," Patnaik said.

Meanwhile, social scientist Hargopal told a TV channel that the deadline set by the Maoists should be extended which is the first requirement for negotiations.

Similarly, the state government should adopt a positive approach and look into the demands of the Maoists, he said, adding it should not be difficult to release on bail some persons, including women, and it is in the government''s purview. .

BJP alleges Rs 63,000 cr scam in NE, meets President

New Delhi, Feb 18 (PTI) Alleging a scam to the tune of Rs 63,000 crore in developmental works carried out in the North-East, BJP today appealed to President Pratibha Patil to direct the authorities to carry out a detailed investigation into the "loot".

BJP President Nitin Gadkari today led a delegation to Rashtrapati Bhawan to hand over to Patil a memorandum on the issue as also a copy of party''s report on scams in the North East.

The report claimed that if the level of corruption in the region was quantified, it could be to the tune of Rs 63,000 crore. Various scams in Assam, according to the report, have been quantified to the tune of Rs 20,000 crore.

Talking to media after submitting the memorandum, Gadkari said, "The scandals in the North East have broken all records...there is a scam in PDS due to which poor are not getting their quota of rice which is sold in Bangladesh."

The report of the BJP team was based on evidence collected using the Right to Information, he said.

BJP has demanded setting up of special courts to deal with the issue of corruption in the region to ensure speedy disposal of cases.

The party also demanded a "coordinated investigation" by various investigation agencies, including the NIA and CBI.

"As the Constitutional Head, I would urge you to ask the concerned authorities to have a detailed investigation...such scandalous administration affects people''s faith in the democracy," the memorandum read.

The BJP leader alleged that when Congress leaders from the region realised that their counterparts in Delhi were indulging in "loot", they "decided not to lag behind".

Gadkari had recently said that he would urge senior party leader and PAC Chairman M M Joshi to take up the CAG report on North-East at the earliest.

Birdflu in Tripura, culling begins

AGARTALE: At least 3,000 poultry, including chicken and ducks were today culled in a state-owned poultry here following an outbreak of birdflu in Tripura.

State animal resource minister Aghor Debbarma told newsmen over two thousand chicken and ducks have died in the area since February 3 last and blood samples of some of them, which were sent to Regional Animal Diseases Diagnostic Centre in Kolkata tested positive for H5N1 virus.

The administration has also banned selling of any poultry in and around R K Nagar Poultry, six kms from here.

Avian influenza was first reported from Kamalpur, a subdivision in Dhalai district bordering Moulavi bazar district of neighbouring Bangladesh in April 2008.

TOI

Fifth day of bandh in Darjeeling

Normal life remained paralysed for the fifth day in the Darjeeling hills on Sunday because of the indefinite bandh called by the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) in protest against the police firing on its supporters at Sipchu in the Dooars of north Bengal last week.

With a woman succumbing on Saturday to injuries sustained in the firing, the death toll in the incident has risen to three.

The bandh, however, in the Terai and the Dooars area in the north Bengal plains was lifted.

Meanwhile the GJM leadership has dismissed the draft proposal sent to it by the Centre a few days ago on the alternative administrative arrangement to the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council for the Darjeeling hills.

“The draft proposal sent by the Union government is a non-statement about nothing. If the Centre invites us for further talks, they should be on a permanent solution which will have to include the inclusion of the Gorkha-dominated areas in the Dooars and the Terai in any future discussions,” Harka Bahadur Chettri, senior GJM leader and a member of the party told The Hindu over telephone from Kalimpong sub-division.

“There can be a permanent solution only with the creation of a separate Gorkhaland State. But the option of a Union Territory is still open,” he added.

Chief Minister, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, however, yet again ruled out any division of the State.Speaking on the fresh wave of trouble in the Darjeeling hills, he said that his government has repeatedly been saying that the only way to break the political impasse is through talks and not violence.

“The Trinamool Congress has found a new friend in them (those behind the violence in Darjeeling hills) and that's why it is quiet (on the developments there)”, he added.

Ramdev to visit Arunachal

ITANAGAR, Feb 13 – Renowned Yoga Guru, Swami Ramdevji Maharaj, widely known as Baba Ramdev, is arriving at Itanagar on February 15 next on a maiden five-day visit to Arunachal Pradesh to conduct yoga and public address, a press note said.

Baba Ramdev, presently on a North-east tour, will arrive at the State capital on Tuesday evening. He will hold a Yog Vigyan Shivir at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Naharlagun early next morning. Many distinguished persons including politicians, ministers, businessmen, professionals and government officials are expected to attend the yoga class.

This will be followed by a number of public functions, including interaction session with press persons, Karykarta Baithak of Patanjali Yog Samiti, Arunachal Pradesh (a sister organization affiliated to Patanjali Yog Peeth, Haridwar) at the State headquarters of Bharat Scouts & Guides at Polo Colony, foundation stone laying ceremony at Lingalaya Sewa Ashram and public address at Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya, Chimpu (Itanagar) ground.

Besides giving some yoga tips to school children, the spiritual leader will deliver a motivational speech at the VKV ground on Bharat Swabhiman, mainly focusing on India’s contributions and present day ‘deterioration’ of country’s politics and would suggest as to how India can emerge as a developed nation, according to organizers.

Before embarking on a Tawang trip on February 17, Baba Ramdev will have another yoga session at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Naharlagun in the morning. At Tawang, he will visit Tawang Monastery and War Memorial, and interact with officers of Army’s 5 Mountain Division prior to addressing a public meeting at Parade Ground, Tawang.

The same day, he will return to the State capital and pay a brief visit to Central Nyedar Namlo at Doimukh in Papum Pare district before proceeding to East Siang district where he will hold a Yog Vigyan Shivir at General Ground, Pasighat on February 19 morning. Visit to Dangoriya Baba Temple and Donyi-Polo Gangging at Pasighat and a public address at Rani village are also in his itinerary.

CM demands more rly projects for NE

GUWAHATI, Feb 13 – Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has requested Minister for Railways Mamata Banerjee for inclusion of a slew of projects in the Railway Budget for the year 2011-12.

In a letter to the Railway Minister, Gogoi requested Banerjee for new lines for strengthening the Railway infrastructure in the Northeast and Assam, which include a new railway line from Salona to Khumtai and Jorhat to Sivasagar for creating the transport corridors along the bank of the Brahmaputra, hitherto not covered by railway service so far; completion of the 6 kilometer Tirap-Lekhapani railway line for efficient and economical functioning of the Lekhapani coal mines to feed the upcoming 750 MW Bongaingaon Thermal Power Station (BTPS) of NTPC at Salakati in Kokrajhar district; double tracking of the railway line stretch between new Bongaigaon and Kamakhya via Goalpara to decongest the present railway line as an extension to the double tracking of the railway line stretch between New Jalpaiguri and Samuktala via Coochbehar; a new railway line from Silghat to Tezpur with a railway bridge for strategic reason; gauge conversion of the only meter gauge stretch between Badaigram and Durlabcherra.

Gogoi requested Banerjee to declare those infrastructures as ‘national projects’ for ensuring smooth fund flow, an official statement mentioned.

The Chief Minister also pleaded with the Railway Minister for decongestion of goods terminal at New Guwahati by expanding the freight terminal at Azara and opening up of a new terminal at Amingaon for attracting more volume of good traffic to the Changsari goods terminal.

Gogoi further requested Banerjee to introduce a new daily express train (Duranta) to Kolkata; very fast daily express trains with limited stops from Dibrugarh-Guwahati to Mumbai-Pune in the West; Vellore-Chennai; Bangalore; Trivandram-Kochi in the South and Amritsar Jammu in the North.

BSF to boost presence along Bangla borde

GUWAHATI, Feb 13 – Border management along the Assam-Bangladesh border is likely to see some major improvement in the days to come as the Government of India has decided to increase the strength of the Border Security Force (BSF) along the international border, while, a proposal has been mooted to increase police presence in the char areas with setting up of more char police stations.

Highly placed sources in the BSF told The Assam Tribune that the riverine international border in Dhubri district is always considered vulnerable as it is not easy to guard the border when the mighty river Brahmaputra is in full spate and smugglers and other anti-national elements always manage to take full advantage of the situation. But the situation will improve soon as the Government of India has decided to increase the strength of the border guarding force in the area.

BSF sources revealed that Assam has 134 kilometres of international border in Dhubri district, of which, 49 kilometres are riverine border, which is always considered the most vulnerable. Sources said that at present, three battalions of BSF are deployed in the Dhubri sector to guard the border there and one more battalion would be pressed into service shortly. The new battalion will be used mainly to guard the riverine international border, sources added.

The deployment of the new battalion along with additional boats will improve guarding of the riverine border, while, new border outposts in the chars located along the international border will also be established, which will reduce the gap between the existing outposts. The deployment of the new battalion is likely to be completed by March this year.

Meanwhile, commenting on the problems faced by the border guarding force in guarding the riverine border, BSF sources revealed that the riverine border is frequently used by smugglers, particularly cattle smugglers as there is no physical barrier in the area to prevent the same and it is impossible to guard every inch of the area round the clock. Though BSF personnel carry out regular patrolling by boats, that is not adequate while, the floating BOP concept was not very successful because of the fact that the water level of the Brahmaputra comes down during the dry season. Sources said that because of erosion, the char BOPs have to be shifted during the rainy season and there is very little presence of the administration in the chars located along the international border.

However, the situation is likely to see considerable improvement after the deployment of the new battalion and BSF is of the view that the Government should provide identity cards to Indian citizens living along the international border as soon as possible.

Kokrajhar Medical College foundation laid

Correspondent

KOKRAJHAR, Feb 11 – As per the clause of the historic Bodo Accord - 2003, the foundation stone for the Kokrajhar Medical College was laid formally on February 9 at Bodofa Nagar in Kokrajhar along with the Kokrajhar Nursing College and Udalguri Engineering College by the State Health Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Speaking on the occasion, Sarma said that a long-standing demand of Bodo people has come into reality for which it is a historic moment for this area and the State of Assam. He said that only the medical colleges in Dibrugarh, Guwahati and Silchar could not serve the purpose of the requirement of the State for medical practitioners and so the medical colleges at Barpeta, Jorhat and Tezpur are also getting needy, while two other medical colleges – one at Diphu and another at Kokrajhar have been planned by this Government.

He also assured that the Kokrajhar Medical College will be constructed at a cost of Rs 200 crore, and will be functional within a period of three years. This will create job opportunities for 1200 local youths of this region. He also said one IIM and one Agricultural University is also in the anvil in this area. At the same time he said to enhance better connectivity, the process is on to set up one airport at Kokrajhar.

Hagrama Mohilary, chief of the BTC, said that a series of developmental activities have been planned for this area for which the people have to assure a peaceful environment. He also praised Tarun Gogoi for his cooperation in the execution of developmental projects in BTC area. He also claimed that the Cong-BPF coalition will continue.

State Transport Minister Chandan Brahma in his welcome speech bestowed confidence on the leadership of Mohilary and said that quality education must proceed with quality institutions and infrastructure for the development of human resource in the area.

It may be mentioned here that Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi was to attend as chief guest, but he had to return back due to bad weather as his helicopter could not land.

Science Express exhibition from Feb 14

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Feb 11 – Science Express, an innovative exhibition of technology and science will welcome visitors in four places of Assam from February 14 to February 25.

With an aim to nurture curiosity among youth and encourage them to pursue studies and careers in science, the flagship programme of Department of Science and Technology will be on its fourth phase of its tour of the country.

It will stay open for visitors from February 14-15 at Lumding Railway Station, will be stationed at Mariani station on February 16-18, and will stay open at Dibrugarh Railway Station on February 19, 20 and 21. The exhibition will finally reach Kamakhya station on February 23 and will conclude on February 25. The Centre for Environment Education N E is organising an essay contest for high school students on the topic – Impact of Chemicals on Biodiversity. Essays should be written in English or Assamese within 2,000 words. Entries with particulars of school and class may be submitted to Centre for Environment Education, House No 10, KK Bhatta Road, Chenikuthi, Guwahati 3 on or before February 20.

Sahityarathi’s Orissa house to be a museum

GUWAHATI, Feb 11 – The State Government will convert the Sambalpur (Orissa) residence of Sahityarathi Lakshminath Bezbaruah into a museum. An amount of Rs 1 crore has already been sanctioned for the purpose.

Revealing this, Minister for Cultural Affairs Bharat Chandra Narah today told newsmen that the Sambalpur residence, where the doyen of Assamese literature spent a major part of his life, had a special place in the hearts of the people of Assam and the State Government would ensure that Bezbaruah’s legacy was preserved for posterity.

Narah also announced the names of the recipients of the Dr Bhabendra Nath Saikia Award-2009 (actor Biju Phukan), Bir Chilarai Award-2008 (educationist Ambika Charan Choudhury), Ganesh Gogoi Award-2010 (poet Ajit Baruah), and the Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Award for 2008 and 2009 (journalist MJ Akbar and Gandhian Hem Bharali respectively). The awards will formally be presented this year.

Giving an account of the different awards instituted by the State Government in the field of art and culture, Narah said the Congress government was more ‘nationalistic’ in that it cared for regional sentiments more than the AGP.

“The Congress has been pursuing a nationalist agenda — so much so that the regional forces of the State have been rendered irrelevant. The AGP, which swears by the State’s nationalist stalwarts since Bir Chilarai and Lachit Barphukan, did absolutely nothing to honour their memory. In contrast, the Congress government has taken up a number of projects for this,” Narah said, adding that before the Congress assumed charge in 2001 there were just five awards but now in has increased to 18.

Giving an account of the steps taken by the Government to promote art and culture, the minister said that a number of cultural complexes (kalakshetras) would come up across the State, such as Chilarai Kalakshetra at Bongaigaon, Madhavdev Kalakshetra at Bongaigaon, Aniruddha Kalakshetra at Tinsukia, Sati Sadhani Kalakshetra at Golaghat, Sati Radhika Kalakshetra at Batadrawa, Sarat Sinha Kalakshetra at Chapar, etc.

Narah said that the Government had started a policy of financing films made under public-private project (PPP) under which films on cultural themes would receive heavy subsidy. “In addition, we have constituted a corpus fund of Rs 1 crore for helping poor folk artistes,” he added.

Parties in hurry to finalise list for State polls

GUWAHATI, Feb 11– With the Assembly elections round the corner, major political parties of the State are in a hurry to finalise the list of their nominees. Nearly 700 aspirants have applied for Congress nominations so far, while around 650 aspirants have applied for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) tickets and over 550 aspirants for the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) tickets in this connection. About 286 aspirants have sought All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) nominations.

According to the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) sources, the process of filing application for the Congress ticket is still on. The deadline for submission of applications for APCC nominations is February 15.

Those who have applied for the party tickets so far include former Chief Minister Anowara Taimur, Ministers Nurjamal Sarkar and Dr Nazrul Islam, MLAs Dr Rumi Nath and Dr Tara Das, among others. The Chief Minister is yet to submit his application form for the purpose, said the sources.

It needs mention here that Dr Nath was expelled from the BJP for going against the party whip in the latest Rajya Sabha elections, while Dr Das is an associate member of the Congress in the State Legislature

As of now, the Congress is to field its candidates from all the Assembly Constituencies. The final list, of the party nominees is expected to be published by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) by the second week of March, said the APCC sources.

BJP sources said that the process of filing applications for party tickets has ended some time back and the party is publishing its first list of nominees within the current month. The party has by this time decided to field candidates in almost all the Legislative Assembly Constituencies (LACs) of the State, said the sources.

The AGP has by this time published the first list of its nominees containing the names of candidates for 31 LACs. The second list of nominees of the party is expected shortly. The party is to contest in more than 84 LACs, said the party sources.

The AIUDF has started the process of finalizing its list of nominees and it is expected that the party would be able to finalise the list by the first week of the next month.

According to party working president HRA Choudhury, they have received 286 applications for party tickets in 79 LACs. The party election committee decided yesterday that a 13-member committee will interact with the applicants and this interaction is likely to take some time.

The AIUDF is hopeful that it would be able to perform better this time, as, it is now an organized party, said Choudhury.

Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) leaders could not be contacted, despite repeated attempts, to know their electoral preparations.

Meanwhile, former Chief Minister Anowara Taimur told this newspaper that she is aspiring to contest from the Dalgaon LAC. She had earlier represented the LAC for five terms and rose to the position of the Chief Minister of the State, besides holding other Cabinet portfolios like education, PWD, agriculture, tourism etc, she said.

GJM bandh hits normal life in Darjeeling for third day

DARJEELING: Normal life was hit for the third day in Darjeeling Hills on Friday in response to the indefinite bandh called by the GJM to protest police firing at Sipchu in Jalpaiguri district that left two persons dead.

Shops, business establishments and markets were closed while vehicles were off the roads. Attendance was thin in government offices.

All the tea gardens in the hills were closed in response to the bandh.

The GJM has exempted the census work and students appearing for examinations from the purview of the indefinite bandh which it called after two persons were killed in police firing at Sipchu on Tuesday.

Official sources said the situation in the hills was now under control and no major untoward incident has been reported from anywhere since Wednesday.

The BSF had on Thursday conducted flag marches in Darjeeling town and Kalimpong sub-division, they said.

Top GJM leaders, including GJM president Bimal Gurung, would hold a meeting in the evening to decide the future course of action including whether the bandh would continue or not, GJM sources said.

The last rites of the two persons killed in the police firing was conducted on Thursday.

GJM general secretary Roshan Giri had on Thursday reiterated the demand for a CBI inquiry into the police firing at Sipchu and had stated that outfit would not return to the talks table if Gorkhaland was not the issue of discussion.

TOI

Ulfa holds talks with Centre, meets PC

NEW DELHI: Historic talks with the banned outfit United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa) got underway as an "ice-breaker" on Thursday with the government getting the insurgent group on board to work for reaching a "just and honourable solution" within the framework of the Indian Constitution.

Both sides agreed to set up a seven-member committee -- comprising three Ulfa members and two officers each from the Centre and Assam government -- to look into the issues of the outfit's camps, its locations, cadres, status of their arms, surrender policy and detailed modalities for discussions before the "substantive" round of talks begin after the assembly polls in May.

The outlawed group made it clear that it would not take part in the election, and also would not become an obstacle before "desire and aspiration of the people of Assam". The eight-member Ulfa delegation -- some of whom are out on bail -- was led by its chairman Arbinda Rajkhowa during the talks.

Terming Thursday's formal parleys as a "confidence building round", Ulfa `foreign secretary' Shashadhar Choudhury later said, "We did not raise any demand today. We will discuss broader issues when we meet next".

After the group's discussion with a team of officials comprising home secretary Gopal K Pillai and secretary (internal security) U K Bansal, Choudhury also made it clear that though the outfit had been in constant touch with its commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah, his (Baruah) absence would not cast any shadow over the talks. Ulfa opted for the talks after the `General Council' -- the group's highest decision making body -- gave its assent.

Choudhury maintained that "Baruah is still our commander-in-chief". But, security agencies believe that the stance might have been taken just to give an impression that the outfit's C-in-C may bounce back in case talks fail at a later stage.

Stating that the outfit is hopeful that the insurgency problem in Assam can be solved through an amendment in the Constitution, Choudhury -- flanked by `vice-chairman' Pradip Gogoi and `finance secretary' Chitraban Hazarika -- said, "We have noted a recent statement of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that the Indian Constitution is flexible enough to accommodate the desire and aspirations of all people."

He added, "Through the talks, therefore, we proposed to evaluate various facets of the Constitution and to explore the viability of protection and enrichment of the sovereignty of the people of Assam in all its dimensions -- political, social and cultural, within the flexibility as mentioned by the prime minister."

Declaring that the agenda of the future talks with the government and ULFA's demands would be decided by the "people of Assam", he said it was necessary to amend the Constitution to fulfill the hopes and aspirations of the people.

On the possibility of declaring a ceasefire, Choudhury said the initiative has to come from the government. "Anyway, we have not indulged in violence in last one year,"he said, adding that Ulfa is still a banned group. He said though the members were still outlawed, they were trying to be "good citizen" to bring a lasting solution to the "conflict".

Before the delegation went for first formal talks, home minister P Chidambaram, whom the Ulfa leaders met, said, "I assured them that the government of India and government of Assam will engage them in sincere and meaningful talks and I am confident that we will find a just and honourable solution". The outfit's delegation will meet the PM here on Monday.

TOI

East India Hill Stations

Darjeeling Hill Station:

Darjeeling , the queen of all hill stations,famous for its natural beauty, clean fresh air,year round plesent weather and above all, the ever smiling and welcoming local people.The 3rd highest pick in the world,mount Kanchenjunga is very close to this lpece and also gives the clearest view.Darjeeling is widely known as visitors paradise because every day it offers something new to everyone ,may be the first time visitoe and may be the regular one.The morning bell comes to the vewers when the firts ray of sun touchesthe mountaina pick.This is tiger hill,a steep ride of five kilometers from Ghoom, is the place where one can witness this hevenly feelings.Here the air is chilly ,but unique to get an experience.Here the new day starts with the world famous blend of tea,foggy and smokky weather,mountain view and smiling face of local Gorkhi people.

Darjeeling is also a place to know Tibetan culture,Himalayan Tribal Life, and to see the Tibetian Monasteries, Pine Trees,Tea garden etc.very closely.

Gangtok Hill Station:

Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim with a population of approximately 50,000 has emerged into the mainstream of the Tourism Industry, with more and more tourist visiting this little Himalayan state every year. Gangtok has developed into a cosmopolitan flavour where old-world charm and hospitality exist along with the Internet Age.

With different cultures and religion existing in perfect harmony, Gangtok has shown that "Unity in Diversity" exists in Sikkim. Sikkimese have strong bonding with their age-old traditions and customs. However, a quick survey of Gangtok shows that the bubble of modernization has burst with a bang in the town. The capital is definitely not behind the rest of the world in terms of urbanization - Broad roads, flyovers, posh markets, state-of-art hospital, educational institutes, fast food outlets, discothèques, and all other modern amenities that the heart can desire for. One imposing manmade landmark of the town is the 200 ft-high TV tower which overlooks the town and is situated near the Enchey Monastry below Ganesh Tok. A stroll along the Mahatma Gandhi Marg is shopper's delight- Hotels, restaurants, curios, footwear and almost everything is available. Be here to experience the magic.

Kalimpong Hill Station:

The first thing that strikes the traveler visiting Kalimpong is its quiet atmosphere. The peaceful ambience that pervades is heightened by the presence of monasteries and churches across the town.

Mirik Hill Station:

Mirik, the youngest hill station of India, is built around a 1.25 km long natural lake. The magical hill resort lies close to Siliguri in the West Benga l state of India. The peaceful and tranquil hill resort of Mirik boasts of several nature spots. The wild flowers, lovely lake and flourishing forests of Cryptomaria Japanica trees make Mirik appear as a tropical paradise. Mirik is surrounded by tea estates, orange orchards and cardamom plantations. There is a floating fountain in the middle of the lake and a quaint little footbridge connecting the flower garden on the eastern bank to the heavily forested ridge on the west. The lake is provided with boating facilities.

The place is only 49km from Darjeeling and 52km from Siliguri and can be reached from either place quite easily. This place is 1767 meters above the sea level and has a relatively thin population of 15,000 people. A relatively new tourist destination, Mirik came in the tourist map of Darjeeling District only in the 1970s. Mirik has all that it takes to attract tourists; it is surrounded by forests, flowers and is a very peaceful place, which attracts the tourists automatically.

Shillong Hill Station:

It is named after the "Shillong Peak" overlooking the city. There are many legends about the name Shillong.One of the many legends run that the name Shillong was derived from U Shylong, a supernatural half-deity born of a virgin human mother. In another legend, it is told that the name Shillong originated from the name of Shillong Deity who lived in a cave known as Krem Marai near Shillong Peak.The city was founded by Col. Henry Hopkinson, Commissioner of Assam in 1864.In that very year the headquaters of the District Officer of the khasi Hills were transferred from Cherrapunjee to Shillong.Shillong's picturesque setting and salubrious climate were found very suitable for sanatoria and holiday home of the British civilians, who were tormented by heat in the plains. It was also considered an ideal situation for the establishment of a military cantonment to keep vigil on the entire North East.Termed as "Scotland of the East", Shillong is situated at a height of 5,000 feet on the plateau of gentle hills. Cool colonnades of tall pine trees clad with whispering green leaves glistening in the sun surround the city. On its bosom lie several lovely waterfalls - Spread Eagle falls, Elephant Falls, Beadon Falls etc. sprightly dancing down from their hilly heights.

Shillong with its veritable beauty spots like Ward's Lake, the Lady Hydari Park with its mini zoo, and its 18-hole Golf Course, one of the oldest and best in the country, is a great tourist center, attracting people from far and near.

In the mini-zoo, various species of birds, such as, hornbills, pheasants, pelicans, and storks can be seen besides the animals like antelope, slow loris, clouded leopard, leopard cat, golden cat and golden langur.

Tawang Hill Station:

Tawang, perched at a height of over 10,000 ft, is world-renowned for its 400-year-old Buddhist Monastery, one of the biggest in India.

The Monastery was founded by the monk Mera Lama, a contemporary of the fifth Dalai Lama. The sixth Dalai Lama was born here. The Tawang Monastery has an interesting collection of Thangkas (Tibetan painting on cloth) and a large gilded statue of Sakyamuni (the historical Buddha) in the prayer hall. The Tawang Monastery, also known as the 'Galden Namgyal Lhatse', is beautifully situated on a spur about 2 km from the heart of the town. Before the establishment of the Monastery, Tawang was a centre of Tantric religion.

2 GJM supporters dead in Kolkata police clash

JALPAIGURI: Two Gorkha Janmukti Morcha supporters, including a woman, were killed and scores injured as police and central paramilitary forces opened fire at protesters from the Darjeeling Hills who were trying to defy prohibitory orders and force their way into Doors on Tuesday morning. The incident occured at Sibchu tea garden in the Nagrakata area of Jalpaiguri district.

Several policemen were also injured as Morcha supporters rained brickbats at police. Police alleged that a female home guard — Karuna Tigga — had been critically injured after being attacked by a khukri.

The incident immediately spurred Morcha supporters to set a district judge's car on fire in Darjeeling and set ablaze two NBSTC buses in Kalimpong. Road blockades were reported in Birpara and Nimchu, both known GJM strongholds. School and colleges remained closed.

The district administration were quick to declare a curfew in the hills. The state director general of police Naparajit Mukherjee said the situation was volatile.

Nordem Lama, GJM central committee member, alleged police had resorted to unprovoked fire and lathicharge. "Our relay hunger strike was going on peacefully. There was no violation of any prohibitory order. We will not budge from here. Let police do what they want."

SP Jalpaiguri Anand Kumar said police had initially tried to disperse the protesters. "The mob attacked police in a planned way. They had brutally attacked a female home guard," said Kumar. The SP also alleged that a few gunshots were fired at the police. It was only then, he said, police had to resort to firing.

The violence was a result of the simmering tension brewing over the GJM's avowed stance to set foot in Doors and the district administration's reluctance to let them do so. The Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad had threatened to stop GJM from setting foot in Doors. The administration, sources said, had clamped down the prohibitory orders sensing the proposed agitation.

For the past week, several hundred Morcha supporters, mostly comprising members of their women's wing (Nari Morcha), have been camping in Kumai, seven kilometers from Sibchu and along Darjeeling-Jalpaiguri border, staging a relay hunger strike.

GJM president Bimal Gurung had also frequented the place. For the past few days, supporters had making steady progress towards Jaigaon in a bid to enter the Doors. A few days ago, Joigaon had witnessed a bloody retaliation against GJM supporters by various splinter opposition groups forcing GJM to beat a retreat.

On Monday, based on reports that GJM supporters have already set base in Sibchu tea garden, police and CRPF forces reached the spot. Citing the prohibitory orders, police had given the Morcha supporters half-an-hour to disperse from their makeshift base. When protesters paid no heed, police resorted to lathicharge and forcibly dismantled around 25 tents. This led to an impromptu blockade by Nari Morcha supporters trying to stop police from returning.

This morning, the same place witnessed an influx of nearly 1,200 GJM supporters. Roads leading to Sibchu were dug up to prevent police and CRPF vehicles from entering. Trees were felled and lay strewn across the road. As police entered the area, they were surrounded by GJM supporters from all sides. When police tried to break free, they were attacked. It was in this melee that nearly 20 policemen, including the female officer, were injured. After a deputy magistrate from Malbazar, who was accompanying the police party, failed to reign in the protestors, police resorted to firing.

TOI

Festivals of Assam

Festivals of Assam

Assam is a land of fairs and festivals. Most of the festivals celebrated in Assam characterize the spirit of accommodation and togetherness in the diverse faith and belief of her inhabitants. This perfect fusion of heritage of her numerous races has made Assam the home of the most colorful festivals reflecting the true spirit, tradition and lifestlye of the people of Assam.

The major festivals celebrated in Assam are Bihu, Baishagu, Ali-Ai-Ligang, Baikho, Rongker, Rajini Gabra Harni Gabra, Bohaggiyo Bishu, Ambubashi Mela and Jonbill Mela and so on.

The people of Assam also celebrate Holi, Durga Puja, Diwali, Swaraswati Puja, Lakshmi Puja, Kali Puja, Idd, Muharram, Me-Dam-Me-Phi, the birth and death anniversaries of Vaishnava Saints Srimanta Sankardev and Madhabdev.

The tribals of Assam have their own colourful festivals like the Kherai Puja of the Bodos, the Baikhu and Pharkantis of the Rabhas, Ali-ai-ligang and Parag of the Mishing tribe, the Sagra-misawa wansawa and laghun of the Tiwas.



Bihu

Bihu is the most important festival of Assam. It is celebrated with joy and abundance by all Assamese people irrespective of caste, creed, religion, faith and belief.

Three Bihus are celebrated in a year: Bohag Bihu which augurs the wish for a good harvest because this is the time when farmers start sowing, Kaati Bihu which is observed to mark the cutting and binding of grains and Magh Bihu which marks the season of harvesting of grains.


Me-Dum-Me-Phi

The most important Ahom festival which deserves mention is the Me-Dum-Me-Phi, i.e., the ancestor worship festival which is observed by the whole Ahom community. This is performed annually on the 31st of January and helps to develop social contacts and community feelings among the Ahoms. Colourful processions with devotees in traditional finery are also taken out on the occasion.

Baishagu
Famous for its myriad colours and merriment, 'Baishagu' is generally celebrated by the Bodo Kacharis during mid April. It is the most cherished festival of the Bodo tribe. The Bodos also celebrate it as a springtime festival at the advent of the new year.

Ambubachi Mela

Is the most important festival of Kamakhya temple of Guwahati and is held every year during monsoon (mid-June). It is a ritual of austerities celebrated with 'Tantric rites'.
During Ambubashi the doors of the temple remain closed for three days. It is believed that the earth becomes impure for three days. During this time no farming work is undertaken.
Ambubachi mela is held at the Kamakhya temple, after being closed for the afore-mentioned three days. On the fourth day only the devotees are allowed to enter inside the temple for worship. Thousands of devotees from all over the country and abroad visit this mela.

Assam Culture & Dances

Assam Culture & Dances

Assam is an intermixture of various racial stocks such as Mongoloid, Indo-Burmese, Indo-Iranian and Aryan. The Assamese culture is a rich and exotic tapestry of all these races evolved through a long assimilative process. The natives of the state of Assam are known as "Asomiya" (Assamese), which is also the state language of Assam.

The state has a large number of tribes, each unique in it's tradition, culture, dresse and exotic way of life. Diverse tribes like Bodo, Kachari, Karbi, Miri, Mishimi, Rabha, etc co-exist in Assam, most tribes have their own languages though Assamese is the principal language of the state.

A majority of the Assamese is the Vaishnavas (a sect of Hinduism). The Vaishnavas do not believe in idol worshiping and perform Namkirtana where the glory of

Lord Vishnu is recited. The two important cultural and religious institutions that influence the cultural fabric of Assam: the Satras, the site of religious and cultural practice which have been in existence for over 400 years and and the Naamghar, the house of prayers.


Villagers generally associate on the basis of membership of a local center of devotional worship called "Naamghar". Villages are usually made up of families from a number of distinct castes. In Assam, the caste system, although it exists, is not as prominent as in other parts of India.

Other religions such as Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam etc. are also practiced in Assam. The national festival of Assam is the Bihu which is celebrated in three parts during a year with great pomp and grandeur by all Assamese, irrespective of caste, creed or religion.

Bengali-speaking Hindus and Muslims represent the largest minorities, followed by Nepalis and populations from neighboring regions of India.

The most important social and cultural celebrations are the three Bihu festivals observed with great enthusiasm irrespective of caste, creed and religious affinity.

From time immemorial, the people of Assam have traditionally been craftsmen. Artists, sculptors, masons, weavers, spinners, potters, goldsmiths, artisans of ivory, wood, bamboo, cane and hide have flourished in Assam from ancient times.

Weaving is one traditional craft that every Assamese woman takes pride in. The Assamese women produce silk and cotton clothes of exquisite designs in their looms. Assam is renowned for its exquisite silks namely Eri, Pat and the world famous Muga silk. Gandhiji complimented the Assamese weavers as artists who could weave dreams in their looms.
The Gamocha is one of the most easily recognizable cultural symbols of the Assamese people besides the tamol-paan (areca nut & betel leaf) which is an integral part of almost all socio-religious ceremonies.

The Gamocha, a white rectangular piece of cotton hand woven cloth with primarily a red border on three sides and red woven motifs on the fourth (in addition to red, other colors are also used) is put to many uses. It is used as a towel, as a waistcloth or a loincloth; a Bihu dancer wraps it around the head in a knot, it is also hung around the neck at the prayer hall and thrown over the shoulder to signify social
status or respect. Gamochas, also known as bihuwaans, are offered during Bihu as a token of love.

Significantly the gamocha is used equally by all, irrespective of religious and ethnic backgrounds.

DANCES

Bihu
Bihu is the most popular folk dance of Assam. Bihu dances are performed by young boys and girls during the Bihu festivities which represent youthful passion, reproductive urge and joy. The dances are accompanied by musical instruments like dhol(dholak), penpa, gagana, banhi(flute) etc.

Satriya Nritya
Satriya Nritya is the classic dance form of Assam which represents the Satriya culture, the basis of the religious and cultural fabric of Assam.

Barpeta's Bhortal Nritya

Bhortal Nritya of Barpeta district is an extension of Sankari culture.

Tea Folk's Jhumur Dance
The tea tribes have a synthesized form of dance called "Jhumur Nach", performed by girls and boys together, or, sometimes by the girls alone, with precision of footwork while clasping tightly each other's waist.

Bagurumba
Bagurumba is the most attractive dance of the Bodo community. Girls dressed in colourful attires perform this dance in tune of Bodo traditional musical instruments.

Deodhani
The Deodhani dance is associated with the worship of the snake goddess Manasa. A Deodhani girl, in a inspired state, goes on dancing to the accompaniment of Kham (drum) and Ciphung (flute) propitiating many a deity beginning with Shiva and ending with Lakshmi.

Bihu Festival

Origin of Festival

Originating in the pre-Aryan days around 3500 b.c., the festival of Bihu used to last for a whole month, though nowadays work pressure has reduced it to a week. A no holds barred dancing session is the most intriguing part of the festival and symbolises the fertility rites of the original inhabitants of the hilly regions of the northeast in India. The farmers fancied that the erotic content of the songs would sexually arouse the earth’s body, leading to an abundant harvest.

Bihag Bihu or Rangoli Bihu, the first of the three Bihus, is celebrated in the month of April on the dates coinciding with the sankranti, chait or baisak (13, 14 and 15 April).


Festival Celebration During The Assamese New Year

According to the solar calendar that the Assamese follow, the New Year usually falls on 14th April. Brilliantly-coloured flowers and luxuriant foliage dress the whole of Assam in all the hues of the rainbow during the month of April. An abundance of kopoful (orchids), mostly purple in colour, in unusual shapes and sizes dot the trees, and the bhebel creepers are in full bloom creating an enchanting kaleidoscope of colours. No one can fault the Assamese his choice of seasons for the Bihu festivals.

The vivid attire of the Assamese youth and the colourful accessories like kopoful adorning the hair of the young lasses blend with the hues of nature, spreading joy and good cheer. The day is marked with dancing, though restricted exclusively to men, who participate with unbridled enthusiasm and energy. But the winds of change have blown through this remote state also. Surrendering to contemporary trends, youngsters gather in the town centre and learn the steps from an old hand much in demand on this day.


Gomacha Weaving for Dance

Assamese women are experts at weaving the gomacha, a towel with intricately woven designs, ceremonially presented as any bihu (bihu presents) to the men of the family. A young girl too may gift these beautiful souvenirs to her beau as a token of love. Young lads love to flaunt their prizes by tying them around their waist or as headbands while dancing. But things start warming up as the Bihu Dals

approach. Now a few words about the bihu dals. They are wandering minstrels who come visiting through the week, dancing and singing devotional songs (hosari) in praise of Lord Krishna (the black god of the Hindus), invoking his blessings for health, wealth and happiness. They sing to the accompaniment of an eclectic collection of musical instruments like the dhol (drum), pepa (made of buffalo horn), gogona (made from bamboo and held between the teeth) and small cymbals. Bihu dals along with other groups gather in open grounds called bihu tolis where dancing competitions and beauty pageants are held, and the winners get to see their names in print in the local newspapers.


Garur Bihu

The first day or garur bihu also called uraka falls on the day of sankranti and is devoted to the cow that is considered to be a sacred animal in India. The rationale behind the worshipping of cows is very simple. They are the greatest assets of a farmer because not only do they produce milk but also help plough fields, transport men, crop and so on. A lot of tender, loving care is showered on cows on this day, starting with bathing them in the pond. The horns and hooves are brushed with whisks made from deegloti or makheatr (lilsoca salocrfolea). A mixture of twigs, turmeric and moong dal (pulses) acts as a disinfectant, and is applied as a paste. A hearty meal of gourd and brinjal is fed to the cows after which their foreheads are marked with vermilion. As the night falls, the tired but satiated cows are led back to their sheds and thoroughly cleansed. Only then does the household sit down for a sumptuous meal of assorted preparations of chirwa (flat rice) and a mind-boggling array of sweets.

The following day is welcomed as manuhor bihu or the bihu of human beings. The Assamese celebrate their New Year on this day. A lavish feast called bihu kabo loi is laid out for the day and married daughters along with other relatives are invited to partake of the meal. On this day, delicacies such as pitha (made from rice and coconut), laddoo (made from shredded coconut) and til laddoo (made from sesame seed) are prepared. of course, no festival in India is complete without buying new clothes and Bihu is no exception. Everyone receives gomachas as presents from the ladies of the house. Women look very graceful in their new mekhele chadar, woven with the golden-coloured muga silk that is indigenous to Assam. The chic look is completed with the accessories like gumkham bracelets made from an alloy of silver and gold nuggets found in the rivers.


Gabhori Bihu

Gabhori bihu falls on the third day of the festival and is earmarked as the day for young ladies. The fair maidens of Assam look gorgeous in their muga silk wear and ornate gumkham bracelets. The orchids adorning the hair of the ladies add a whimsical touch to the formality of the outfit. Swaying to the beat of the toka (drum) and gogona (made from bamboo held between the teeth), the women dance the night away under the gentle breeze of banyan trees. Couplets are created spontaneously. Starting with a slow tempo, the rhythm builds up to a crescendo. Once the merrymaking is over, it is customary to present fermented betel leaves over a gomacha to the dancers. On the final day, the festivities end on a religious note wherein families inscribe a mantra (religious hymn of the Hindus) on the leaves of nahar pat (Indian ironwood tree). Through this mantra, Lord Shiva (the Destroyer in the Holy Hindu Trinity of Creator-Preserver-Destroyer) is invoked to protect everyone against disease, storms and rain, and to bring peace and prosperity in the forthcoming year.


Kati Bihu

The second bihu named kati bihu or kangali bihu is held in the month of kartik (September or October). But there is a world of difference in the celebration of this bihu from the former.


This is a solemn occasion as people worship the deities for a rich harvest. The young learn to value hard work so that they do not squander money away.

Predictably enough, this bihu is dedicated to the worship of none other than Goddess Lakshmi who is the dispenser of wealth to mortals. As night falls, lamps are lit in the paddy fields where farmers have toiled through the day. At the end of a hard day’s work, all the members of a family pray to the benign Goddess for the well-being of their crop and cattle.
Sacred to the Hindus, the tulsi (basil) tree is planted or pruned in the courtyard of each household. Water is poured over the plant with great reverence after puja is performed every day.
The medicinal properties of tulsi are well known the world over; the age-old recipe of tulsi leaves mixed with a few grains of black pepper and misri (sugar in the form of crystals) is a surefire way to stay in good health.


Magh Bihu

The Magh bihu that generally falls on 14th January on the sankranti of the month, is the third bihu that calls for a grand celebration in Assamese homes. This is again a joyous occasion as the granaries are stocked with the recently harvested crop. Seven days of non-stop fun and frolic mark this festival. But the best thing about this bihu is the elaborate and sumptious cuisine that is prepared. This grand feast known as bhog is held on the night of the first day of the festival that is also called uruka.


Khel Dhemali-(Fun Games)

If you are an outdoor person who enjoys sports of all kinds, Assam is the place to be in at this time of the year. Everyone indulges in khel dhemali (fun and games). Each village holds its share of fights between various creatures, big and small including cockfights and buffalo fights, for the entertainment of the locals. An inexpensive way to have fun, though the poor animals might beg to differ. The chilly winters offer the best excuse to light bonfires in the great outdoors and dance around them with gay abandon. All this is reminiscent of the festivals of Lohri in Punjab, Pongal in Tamil Nadu and Goopi in Andhra Pradesh, which is not surprising as sankranti is a time for festivals all over India.

The Bihu Festival of Assam

Bihu is the National Festival of Assam, one of the most beautiful states of India, known for its tea gardens, lush green forests and the mighty Brahmaputra river. The origin of the word ‘Bihu" is said to be from the Sanskrit word ‘Vishu’.

The Assamese celebrate three types of Bihu in a year - Rongaali Bihu or ‘Bohaag Bihu’, Kati Bihu or Kongaali Bihu and the last but not the least Magh Bihu or Bhogaali Bihu’. The Bihus mark three distinct phases of the farming calendar for the native crop of Assam i.e. paddy. Bohaag Bihu marks the advent of the seeding time, the Kati Bihu marks the completion of sowing of paddy and transplantation of the saplings (‘Kothia’) and finally Magh Bihu marks the culmination of the harvesting period.

‘Rongaali Bihu’, the most important Bihu of all the three, is celebrated in the month of Bohaag (middle of April), the first month of the Assamese calendar and thus marks the advent of the Assamese New Year. This Bihu is also known as Rongaali ( ‘Rong’ denoting joy in Assamese) Bihu due to the merriment that predominates the celebrations. This festival also coincides with the advent of the spring season in the state. Bihu Dance and Bihu Songs are the main features of this Bihu. Bohaag Bihu is celebrated over a period of several days. The first day of the Bihu is known as ‘Goru Bihu’ on which day the cows and bulls are given a ritual bath with ‘halodhi’, ‘maah’ with the accompanying song "Lao Kha, Bengena Kha, Bochore Bochore Badhi Ja".

The next day is the main Bihu Day on which people greet each other and pay their respect to the elders in the family by presenting with a new ‘Gamosa’ ( a traditional Assamese hand-woven cotton towel with red designs with a white background). Gamosa forms an integral part of the Bohaag Bihu celebrations as the male danseuse wears them on the head as well as on the body. The tradition of presenting a Gamosa is also practised while welcoming any guest during anytime of the year.

Another item which forms an integral part of the Bihu celebrations and is also symbolic of Assamese Culture is the Japi – a traditional Bamboo hat with colorful designs. A more simple bamboo Japi is normally worn by the farmer while cultivating in the field protecting oneself from the sun and rain.


The folk songs associated with Bohaag Bihu are known as ‘Bihu Geet’; Bihu Geet is symbolic of communication of love and romance among the village youth and the village belles. The dances are accompanied by traditional Assamese instruments like the Dhol (the Drum), Pepa, Gagana, Toka etc..

Traditionally Bihu has been celebrated with Bihu dance and Bihu Geets in the village fields and courtyards, with groups of youths going from house to house, singing Bihu songs which is known as Husori. The same practice slowly got transformed to holding community functions mainly in towns and cities where cultural functions are held; such functions are based on Bihu dance and Bihu geets which depict mainly Bihu dances and songs.


The end of the Bohaag Bihu is marked by the celebration of Bohagi Bidaai, i.e. farewell to Bohaag.

Kati Bihu is the most quiet Bihu of the three without any funfare unlike the other two. Held in the beginning of the Kati (7th month of the Assamese calendar) (middle of October), the Bihu marks silent prayer in the form of lighting of earthen lamps in the paddy fields and also near Tulasi tree for the success of the crop.

Bhogaali Bihu is celebrated in January, immediately after the traditional paddy cultivation is harvested. An overnight community function is held in temporary thatched houses (made with thatch and dry plantation leaves/ trunk) known as Bhela Ghar or Meji Ghar) specially erected for the purpose mainly in the barren paddy fields from where the crop has already been harvested. A Community feast is one of the main features of this Bihu which is held near the Bhela Ghar. People spent the night of the community feast in the Bhela Ghar and early in the morning the same is lit with fire, culminating the function. A variety of traditional Assamese sweets and cakes like the Laru, Pitha etc. are prepared on the occasion in every home. The next day is spent by visiting relatives and friends to convey and exchange the Bihu greetings; the guests, neighbours and relatives are treated with the snacks prepared for the occasion.

One important aspect of the Bihu festival is that the entire Assamese Community irrespective caste, creed and religious followings celebrate it.

Sikkim Momos

Sikkim is India’s second-smallest (Goa is the smallest) and least populated state. That said, it also represents a confluence of diverse peoples and cultures. It is home to the indigenous Lepcha tribe, thought to be Sikkim’s original inhabitants; the Bhutias who migrated from Tibet in the 14th century; and the more recent migrant Nepalese (now almost 80% of the populace). Sikkimese cuisine is a reflection of this diversity.

Momos and thukpa (gya thuk in Sikkimese) are ubiquitous. Although I wanted to skip the Tibetan stuff and explore more traditional delicacies,

Cuisines of North East India

Assamese Cuisine
Assamese food is mainly based on rice and fish. For dessert, or for those with a sweet tooth, there is a wide range in "pithas" (cakes).

Rice is the staple diet in Assam and is eaten in various forms throughout the day. The Assamese eat a huge variety of rice-based breakfast cereals with milk, yoghurt or thick cream­akhoi (puffed rice), chira (chura), muri, komal chaul (a specially processed rice which doesn’t require cooking but just an hour’s soak in cold water) and hurum to name but a few. Normally jaggery or sugar is added but for those who prefer savoury items, salt can be added. Also there are the various kinds of pitha that are prepared from rice powder.

Authentic Assamese cuisine is bland and yet very delicious. Very little oil is used and practically no spices. All Assamese people are non-vegetarian. Chicken is taboo in orthodox families and there are some, who may not eat meat. But it’s difficult to find anyone who does not eat fish and duck’s eggs. Mustard oil is used for cooking and occasionally clarified butter or ghee.

Arunachali Cuisine
Traditional north-east delicacies, Chinese food and local food are available here. Poeple here generally take non-vegetarian diets. Most of their cuisines include non-vegetarian meals. Apong (local drinks made from rice or millet) is also take by the people here.

Manipuri Cuisine
The traditional Manipuri fine dining was a literally 'sit-down' affair with banana-leaf plates. Their love for rice can be seen in every household here. Some take rice with meat, and some others prefer a fish delicacy along with the main dish. In fact Kabok, a traditional speciality, is mostly fried rice with a world of vegetables added in. The Iromba, an eclectic combination of fish, vegetables and bamboo shoots is served fermented.

Meghalayan Cuisine
The Meghalayan cuisine is heavily tilted in favour of meat, particularly pork. Jadoh - a spicy dish of rice and pork is eaten almost any time. Besides, the local pork delicacies cooked Khasi-style, Shillong is also the Mecca of authentic Chinese food. Kyat, the local brew made from rice, adds zing to all the local celebrations. You can taste it at any of the bars spread all over Shillong Meghalaya.

Mizoram Cuisine
The people of Mizoram are basically non-vegetarian and love meat. The food is not spicy and is cooked in such a way that the nutritive value is actually retained. The locally made wine is a great favourite. "Zu" (tea) is a popular drink. Both men and women are fond of smoking.

Sikkimese CuisineSikkimese Cuisine
Sikkim has its own unique dietary culture with specific cuisine and food recipes. You can get a variety of food in Sikkim, but specialities like the Tibetan Thupka and Momos are very popular here. A beverage to be sampled is the local 'Tchang', a beer made of millet and served in a bamboo mug. You can find this at small restaurants serving Sikkimese cuisine.

Sikkimese are essentially rice-eaters. Alcoholic drinks are popular both amongst men and women. Various traditional fermented foods and beverages is very common. Beef eating is common amongst the Bhutias. Some of the common traditional cuisine with their food recipes are - Momos, Gya Thuk or Thukpa, Ningro with Churpi, Gundruk, Phagshapa, Sael Roti.

Tripuri Cuisine
The large Bengali community in Tripura makes for a non-vegetarian favoured cuisine, with fish being an integral part of the menu. Most of the household here serves authentic Bengali delicacies.

Naga youths visit Dhubri district

DHUBRI, Feb 3 – Under the Youth Club Exchange Programme (YCEP), a new Government of India programme being implemented by the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) under the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, a 10-member team of youths from Zonheboto district of Nagaland visited Dhubri district for 10 days as guests of a host youth club selected by the NYK, Dhubri, recently.

The visiting team led by Unice H Achand comprised seven boys and three girls. The NYK, Dhubri, entrusted ASHROM (A Society for Human Resource Overall Management), a local youth club of Nayahat under Bilasipara subdivision, with hosting the visiting youths from Nagaland. The guests camped at Suryakhata in Bilasipara town under the supervision of Sankar Sarkar, YC, NYK, Dhubri.

The Youth Club Exchange Programme is aimed at helping the youths to appreciate the living conditions of people living in other States, their day-to-day life, customs and traditions and emulate whatever progressive they find in them. Besides mutual understanding through interactions, the tour programme also includes sightseeing which may cover religious places, historical places, tourist spots, etc.

According to sources at the Nehru Yuva Kendra, Dhubri, the Naga youths were taken to the Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary, Dudhnath Temple, Brahmaputra Char, Florican Garden, Mahamaya Temple, Snanghat Temple, Panbari Mosque and various other places in Dhubri town. The Naga youths were also introduced to top officers of the Dhubri district administration before they were given a warm welcome at the NYK office.

ULFA-Govt talks on Feb 10

NEW DELHI, Feb 3 – The first rounds of talks between the Government and the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) will be held here on February 10, highly placed sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said.

Sources said that the modalities for the talks, to be held at the Home Secretary level, are being worked out. If the Union Home Minister stays in Delhi at that time, the leaders of the ULFA will also meet him, sources added.

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Opposition protests in Assam Assembly

Guwahati, Feb 4 (IANS): From cymbals to placards, many things made an unusual appearance in the Assam Assembly today as part of vociferous Opposition protests to demand the dismissal of ministers allegedly involved in the multi-crore rupee scam in North Cachar Hills district.

The only thing missing was the names of the allegedly corrupt ministers.

"We don't want to name the ministers, although we know their names," Chandra Mohan Patowary, president of main Opposition party Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), told IANS.

Assembly proceedings for the past four days have been stalled with the Opposition demanding that the corrupt ministers be dropped from the Cabinet. "Everybody knows who the corrupt ministers are and so there is no need to take names," said Bhuban Pegu, another vocal legislator belonging to the Gana Shakti Party.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Rameshwar Teli said, "No, no, I don't want to take their names as it is all known to the people of Assam."

It was no different with the Asom United Democratic Front (AUDF). Aditya Langthasa, a legislator of AUDF, said, "The government should know who the corrupt ministers are. In fact, ministers of all departments where corruption has taken place in the North Cachar Hills district should be dropped."

The financial scam in the North Cachar Hills is currently under probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation, the enquiry having been referred to the apex investigating agency by the Assam government in 2008.

"How can I simply drop a minister or some ministers without any charge? No ministers in my Cabinet have so far been interrogated or named by any investigating agency. The Opposition demand is simply obnoxious and nothing but politics," Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi told IANS. "If the Opposition knows the names of the ministers, they should on their own lodge a complaint with the CBI or hand over the list of corrupt ministers to me."

"This is election season in Assam and the Opposition is simply making this ruckus to draw the attention of the media and politicise the issue without any hard evidence," Gogoi said.

A politician-militant-bureaucrat-contractor nexus involving government funds siphoned off in the North Cachar Hills district was unravelled by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2009 after the State government asked for a probe. During investigations it was found that crores of development funds were channelised to a militant group, the Dima Haolam Daogah. The case was later handed over to the CBI since it involved politicians and bureaucrats.

CBI to has not named or interrogated any ministers so far.

One Horned Rhino Wildlife Tours

The Great one horned rhino is commonly found in Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan and in Assam, India. It is confined to the tall grasslands and forests in the foothills of the Himalayas. The Indian Rhinoceros can run at speeds of up to 25 mph (40 km/h) for short periods of time and is also an excellent swimmer. It has excellent senses of hearing and smell, but relatively poor eyesight.

However, no more than 2,000 remain in the wild, with only two populations containing more than 100 rhinos: Kaziranga National Park in Assam, India (1,200) and Chitwan National Park (CNP), Nepal (600). Despite joint efforts between Bhutan and India, the survival of a small population of rhinos living along the Indo-Bhutan border in Manas still remains doubtful (Jnawali et.at, 2000)

The Indian Rhinoceros, internationally known as the Great Indian One Horned Rhinoceros is a massively built beast of truly gigantic proportions that is next only to the Indian Elephant. A single One -Horned Rhino weighs about 1800 kg and is about 1.5 to 1.8 m tall. Though it could once be found throughout India in the grassy flood plains of the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers, it is now restricted to the banks of the Brahmaputra, for its natural habitat of marshes, grassland and swamps has gradually been turned into farmland.

The one-horned rhino is solitary in nature and spends hours wallowing in mud and water, or feeding on grasses. It usually confines its movements to within an area of 5 km sq, though the males may sometimes wander further in search of mates. One of their special features is the long noisy fights that occur between a male and a female at the time of courtship. Violent encounters ensue in a series of displays and postures involving curling of lips, and snorts and grunts. Rhinos can be amazingly agile despite their bulk and growth, and can charge at speeds of 4 to 8 km per hour.

The population of the one-horned rhino has decreased due to destruction of their natural habitat as well as unchecked and merciless poaching, for the mythical aphrodisiacal properties of its horn, as well as mythical medicinal properties of other parts of its body. One rhino horn can fetch as much as 20,000 US dollars, and even more in the international markets.

Indian Wildlife Authorities are now making a determined effort at rhino conservation. Translocation Projects are under operation, and the survival of the rhinos at all odds is the final goal. The Great Indian One Horned Rhinoceros can be found in the national reserves of Kaziranga, Manas and Jaldapara.

# Asiatic Lion

# Indian Elephant

# King Cobra

# One-Horned Rhino

# Royal Bengal Tiger

Assam Tea Garden

Assam is one of the world`s largest tea producing areas yielding roughly 200,000 tons of tea per year.Generally speaking in the world of tea,the best teas are grown higher up the mountains of Darjeeling and Sikkim.

The Assam Valley is an exception to this rule,producing excellent black teas at lower altitudes. Assam tea is known for its strength,dark color and rich malty flavour.

The Assam Valley floods every year during the monsoon season when the heat and humidity turn the entire region into a giant greenhouse.It`s a challenging environment due to hot weather and flooding,but is a perfect place to grow tea.The climate, the rich soil and the indigenous tea plants give Assam tea its characteristic strong,full bodied taste and flavour

History of Assam tea
Assam Tea Garden Wake up at morning and a sip of tea, perhaps it is one of the most rejuvenating experience one could have imagined and with Assam tea refreshment will be double. Assam is popular around the world for it's refreshing, full bodied malty tea. Assam tea had been cultured long back (about 2000 years ago) when tea was only consumed as a health drink or medicine by the tribes but it was the first time when Bodos, brought tea in the limelight. After the world recognition of this amazing beverage, geographical and economical configuration had been altered dramatically. Vast wild forest metamorphosed into beautiful embracing tea gardens.

Present scenario
Once neglected beverage is now the most prominent drink of world and India is the largest producer. About 400 millions kgs of tea per year comes from Assam. It contribute more than half of total countries tea production. Tea is an integral part of the amiable Assamese people as well as world. People starts their day with a steaming cup of brew and take it in a regular interval for refreshing mood. In India guests are welcomed by offering a cup of tea. In Assam the traditional way to taste the brew is in Bell Matel Bowl called "Banbati".


Production of Tea
Production of tea is much like wine. Most of tea undergoes fermentation process, green tea is only exception. Shape of leaf, climate, method of production and soil are causes to give its characteristics flavor. Tea is of three types- Black tea, which is most consumed (more than 90% in the world). Unfermented Green tea, which is important beverage of Chinese and now these days researchers find many medicinal values in it and Ooglong tea, which is partially fermented. Assam is number one production center of black tea. Popularly known as "tippy teas", which is black tea with golden tips. Black tea usually of two types a) orthodox, which more export and have a high demand in the International market. b)Indians are mostly consume CTC (crush-tear-curl) tea because it is less bitter and produce a red rich color when they are boiled. Mainly, Assam is popular for black tea and Darjeeling is for CTC.

Life at Tea Garden
Life at tea garden is oblivion to most of the outsiders.Trees are grown in bushes,the tea bushes are about 3 feet in height with an even surface from the top of which the pluckers pluck the tea leaves. The lay of the land in a tea garden is waving so that excess rainwater or irrigation water does not remain standing at the roots but flows away after watering the soil. Unfortunately, life of tea workers is worsening day by day, at least 700 tea workers have died from diseases linked with malnutrition over the past year after closure of tea estates. Daily wages of tea workers are much lower than tea workers in Kerala and other states.

ATTRACTIONS OF NORTH EAST

ATTRACTIONS OF NORTH EAST

Assam Tea Garden
Assam tea gardens are just an another feather in the cap of North East India.

one horned rhino
A corporal colossus, is one horned rhino, narrowed to the tall grassland and foothills.

Bihu Festival
Winds of Bihu festival warms up the atmosphere of whole Assam.Come and See

Trekking in Sikkim
Trekking in Sikkim is marked with beautiful gompas, hamlets and fascinating forest.


Nagaland Tribes
An iconic instance of tribe tradition, fond of embellishments distinguishes the Nagaland Tribes.
Kaziranga National Park
A dwelling for one horned rhino, the park is mustered in World Heritage Sites

Cuisines & Momos
A platter of redolent dishes is ready to flatter your taste buds.

Mighty Kanchenjunga

Is a classic virgin peak offering spectacular mountain view.

Opp stalls House over corruption

GUWAHATI, Feb 2 – The opposition members today stalled the proceedings of the Assam Legislative Assembly with noisy protests on the issue of corruption, forcing the Speaker Tanka Bahadur Rai to adjourn the House thrice, the last time for the entire day.

As soon as the House assembled for the day at 9 am, Leader of the Opposition Prafulla Kumar Mahanta demanded that the Ministers suspected to be involved in the financial scam in North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council should be removed in the interest of impartial probe and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should be entrusted with the responsibility of probing into all the financial irregularities in the Council.

However, the Speaker requested the Opposition members to allow the Question Hour to continue. But the Opposition members demanded that their demand should be fulfilled first before the House starts transacting normal business and all the Opposition members jumped to their feet to start vociferous protests. The Opposition members pointed out that the speech of the Governor did not mention the issue of corruption at all. Dr Kamala Kalita (AGP) alleged that the Speaker, with his action, was indirectly supporting corruption, while, Ananta Deka (CPM) said that the Government remained silent after a special audit by the Accountant General revealed large scale corruption in NC Hills. The Opposition members also started slogans displaying placards, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House at 9. 10 am and the Question Hour passed without transacting any business.

As soon as the House re-assembled at 10 am, the Opposition members continued their protests and the House was adjourned for the second time for half an hour. Similar situation continued as the House re-assembled for the third time and the Opposition members demanded that they did not want any more discussion on corruption and they only wanted action from the Government on their demands.

As the Opposition members did not raise their call attention motions, the Speaker asked Binanda Saikia (Congress) to start the discussion on the motion of thanks on the Governor’s address amidst slogan shouting and thumping of desks by the Opposition members. Saikia continued and finished his speech but nothing could be heard in the din and finally the Speaker adjourned the House for the day.

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Tripura asks for repatriation of tribals, Mizoram cites fund crisis

AGARTALA/AIZAWL, Feb 3 (IANS) - The Tripura government has again asked the central government to take steps to send back to Mizoram Reang tribal refugees, who have been in the state for 14 years. The Mizoram government, on its part, cites non-availability of funds from New Delhi.

The issue was brought up again when Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar visited New Delhi for the conference on internal security Tuesday and met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P. Chidambaram.

"He requested the prime minister and home minister to ask the Mizoram government to take back the refugees," a senior Tripura government official told reporters in Agartala Thursday.

"The presence of over 34,000 tribal refugees for more than 14 years has been a matter of concern. The long presence of these Reang tribals creates serious financial, social and law and order related problems," the official said, quoting the chief minister.

The Reang tribals, locally called Bru, have been living in six camps in north Tripura's Kanchanpur sub-division since 1997. They fled western Mizoram after ethnic clashes with the majority Mizos following the killing of a Mizo forest official.

The Mizoram government says it has its own problems.

"The process of repatriation of the refugees could not be started by the Mizoram government due to non-availability of funds from the centre," a Mizoram home department official told IANS on condition of anonymity.

The Union Home Ministry had sanctioned funds for the repatriation and resettlement of the refugees in their villages in Mamit district of western Mizoram, but the central grant was yet to be released to the state government, he said.

"The state and district officials have completed the identification process in the relief camps in Tripura but we could not proceed with the repatriation process due to non-availability of funds for the purpose," the official stated.

He added that the Mizoram government would push back the refugees to Tripura if they failed to prove they were bona fide residents of Mizoram.

The home ministry last month broadened the economic package for homebound refugees following mediation by the New Delhi-based rights group Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR).

ACHR director Suhas Chakma told IANS on phone from New Delhi: "Apart from Rs.80,000 cash assistance to each refugee family and free rations for one year, the home ministry will support self-employment schemes to be initiated by the Reang tribals."

A special development project for the western region of Mizoram where the Reang refugees are to be resettled is also under consideration of the Mizoram government and the development of north eastern region (DoNER) ministry, Chakma said.

Bangladesh wants to redraw sea border with India

DHAKA, Feb 3 (IANS) - Bangladesh will approach the UN seeking to delineate its maritime borders in the Bay of Bengal with India and Myanmar.

Bangladesh claims over 450 nautical miles from its coastline in the Bay of Bengal.

The country has long-standing problems with India and Myanmar on the issue of "starting point" to mark its marine boundary.

There are overlapping claims by all three neighbouring countries because of the funnel-like coastline of the Bay of Bengal, New Age newspaper said Thursday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wednesday approved her cabinet's "position paper" which will be sent to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in New York later this month.

M. Khurshed Alam, the foreign ministry's additional secretary for the UNCLOS wing, said: "The document was prepared following the Gardiner method under Article 76 of the UNCLOS."

Under the UN provision, no claims submitted by a country should be taken for final consideration before settling the overlapping claims.

A country is supposed to enjoy its rights to fishing and exploring and extracting other marine resources in 12-24 nautical miles of territorial sea from the coastline, 200 nautical miles of exclusive economic zone and maximum of 350 nautical miles of continental shelf.

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