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

Volume 06 | Issue 43 Aug 17 - Aug 23, 2019 Price `10

45 city hospitals/clinics implement 27 city restaurants served closure Photo feature: celebrated code system for bio-medical notice in 13 days the 73rd Independence Day with waste disposal great fervour

INSIDE PG 04 PG 10 PG 12-13 3 years on … Promised ‘HIGH’ still awaited... Is heritage a govt gimmick? ‘Lengthy paper work process, lack of support’ upset producers

Vodka. Meanwhile, G Plus News the producers who are @guwahatiplus attempting to produce heritage liquor are rather he upset with the government government’s for the lengthy paper work promise of process and lack of support. promoting traditional local Tbrews continues to remain a dream three years after Detailed story the state finance minister continued on Page 2. Himanta Biswa Sarma Includes the views claiming to bring up of the state excise products to compete with department. Goa’s and Russia’s 2 Lead Story G PLUS | Aug 17 - Aug 23, 2019

Snippets

School bus Heritage liquor a govt gimmick? accident in n a promise made in the Guwahati, driver state’s annual budget for 2016-17, state finance and students minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had said that while injured Ithe tribal brews were healthy and possessed high medicinal values, the government was looking to conduct proper research on these brews, ensure standard manufacturing practices and packaging them in such an attractive manner that these would compete with Feni and . Sarma had then however had not specified when this dream would turn into a reality. Kendriya Vidyalaya The policy was notified in May Khanapara, Guwahati bus 2017 after amending the Assam driver along with a few Excise Act 2000. The fee for a A students sustained minor license had been deliberately kept injuries after the school bus lost low at Rs 5,000. control and met with an accident. Even though the excise According to parents, the department has kept the fees original school bus driver had sent low, producers feel that the a substitute in his place and due to government is not doing enough this substitute’s negligence the bus to support what can turn out to banged straight into a road divider be a great industry. Representative image of heritage liquor of Assam pole. An upper Assam based One of the students alleged that producer, Akash Jyoti Gogoi, been a single window process the technology takes time. Gogoi the production will be better. the school authorities have been owner of North East Agro but here things are different. expressed that if everything goes “The government keeps saying neglecting the Hatigaon route for a Products and Services, talking The applicants need to submit no well enough hereafter and if he that start-ups will be extended long time. “The condition of the bus to G Plus said, “The government objection certificates (NOC) for gets the license his product will help, but in reality, if start- is not good. We have repeatedly has kept the paper work process everything - pollution certificate, be in the market by December. up subsidy is taken from the asked to change the bus but the for heritage liquor the same as food quality report and so on. The government does not have government, the production of authorities keep on changing the Indian Made Foreign Liquor He said, “The producers are to spend a single penny for these such products (heritage liquor) driver,” said a guardian. (IMFL). There is no special local, the ingredients are local projects, whereas it is expecting might take around 3 to 5 years,” In the meanwhile, the injured support other than a lower fee.” but still the process requires huge to generate huge revenue if the said Gogoi. have been taken to a nearby He explained that it’s been quite scrutiny creating a huge chaos.” projects are successful. While the Bharatiya Janata hospital for treatment. A case has some time that he had applied He said that since the last one Again, nothing has been said Party (BJP)-led Assam government been registered under Hatigaon for the license but every second and a half years he has been about the tax in the rules. The is trying to develop local industry Police station for further enquiry. day the excise department would trying to procure the licence but producers do not know how much as a policy, it seems they are not require some more or some other he is facing problems only due they will be taxed and they hope doing enough to help the start- paper. to the process. He is trying to and suggest that if for two years ups. Dreams of many ideas are ASTC to operate He said that it should have produce rice and preparing the product would be tax-free, shown but the reality is different. around 1,000 electric buses Trying best to help heritage liquor producers, claims excise department

efuting the allegations traditional drink Local name made by the heritage producers (Xajpani) Tribe Substrate used Local name (Liquor) liquor producers, the and one from Dimasa state excise ministry traditional drink ADIVASI RICE DABAI HARIA ssam State Transport claimed that it’s leaving producers (Zudima). Corporation (ASTC) plans Rno stone unturned to help these The excise department DIMASA RICE HAMAO ZUDIMA to operate around 1,000 entrepreneurs. cannot help in the XAJAR A electric buses which will be Public Relation Officerproduction of the liquor AHOM RICE PITHA XAJPANI provided by Indian distributer of (PRO) to the excise minister, as it deals with only duty the Hungarian firm, Csepel Holding Shailendra Pandey, talking to and not production. MISHING STICKY RICE APONG APONG in phased manner. G Plus said, “Excise deals with The excise KUSURE ASTC Managing Director Anand duty of products and as soon as department is also Prakash Tiwari said talks are in the the heritage liquor rules were mulling to amend the MISHING RICE AND CHAI MOD final stages and an agreement is discussed it was made sure that excise rules so that HERBS likely to be signed shortly. the license fees are minimal and illegally distilled According to a report, Csepel accordingly the excise act was liquor (Sulai Mod) will BODO RICE EMAO ZU Holding will lease out these buses amended.” be totally banned in /HO/ on an opex model where ASTC He claimed that very soon the the state which will KARBI RICE THAP HARLONG will be the lessee with no capital department is mulling to further directly increase the expenditure involved. amend the excise rules so that the demand for heritage MEITHEL RICE HAMEI CHAMELI The company will provide the paper work for heritage liquor is liquor, said the excise buses and ASTC will operate them. no more a lengthy process. minister’s PRO. APATANI DRIED MILLET/ EPO CHU However, in return, an amount will The state excise minister, He revealed that BOILED RICE be paid to them monthly. Parimal Suklabaidya, said that the there are around 13 NEPALI RICE/CORN MARCHA JARR It is to be mentioned that state government is welcoming types of traditional Csepel Holding will also set up the all the interested manufacturers liquor available in ANGAMI STICKY RICE YEI PEYAZU charging stations for the buses willing to produce heritage liquor. Assam and if produced and carry out the maintenance But till now they have and packaged properly, KHASI RICE U PHANDIENG which will be borne by the Special received applications from only it will be a multi-million SONOWALKACHARI RICE FATIKA, MOD Purpose Vehicle (SPV). two parties – one from Ahom rupee industry. G PLUS | Aug 17 - Aug 23, 2019 Governance 3

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Saumya Mishra several hospitals @saumyamishra03 and clinics which are yet to obtain authorisation total of 45 hospitals and from the PCBA. clinics in Guwahati have The absence so far implemented the of valid bar code system for bio- authorisation by medical waste which is the PCBA means meantA to help in keeping a track that hospitals of the quantity of biomedical not following waste being collected, treated mandatory norms and disposed. related to proper Authorities informed that treatment of bio- the implementation in other medical waste hospitals and clinics in the city could lead to is currently ongoing. such hazardous waste being mixed with the Bio-medical waste regular municipal waste, say health can be infectious experts. since it consists It could also result in the of discarded absence of records drugs, syringes, with the hospitals for the generation sharp waste, of day-to-day bio- microbiological and medical waste. According to biotechnological Bio- medical waste at GMCH | G Plus photo a report by the waste, human Comptroller The union environment The PCBA is implementing reached the spot and even and Auditor (CAG) in anatomical waste ministry had extended the the bar code system in detained a man in connection 2016, only 17 per cent of the and animal wastes deadline for implementation Kamrup (Metro) district in with the case. hospitals, clinics and nursing of the Bio Medical Waste collaboration with Fresh Air An official of Butterfly homes in the state have obtained among others Management Rules 2016 till Waste Management Services Software (which is involved in authorisation from the PCBA. and thus requires March 27, 2019. According to Pvt. Ltd. The authorities began bar coding system in healthcare Out of a total of 1,014 health union ministry of environment’s implementation of the new facilities) informed G Plus, “We care establishments in Assam, proper handling and guidelines for bar code system system since January this are implementing the bar code merely 178 have applied for disposal. for effective management of year. For this, Fresh Air Waste system in various hospitals on authorisation from the PCBA bio-medical waste, the bar code Management Services Pvt. Ltd. a continuous basis and all the which is a clear violation of the system would help in tracking conducted awareness drives in hospitals in Guwahati should mandatory norms. “The implementation of the of bio-medical waste from different hospitals and clinics to be bar coded by the end of the The guidelines on bar code system is ongoing in full source of generation to intended sensitise them about the process. year.” He added that every enforcement of barcode system swing in different hospitals as destinationLighter for final treatment and Itfaster is to be mentioned that a few single bag generating out of for bio-medical waste state that per the Bio Waste Management and disposal. instances of bio-medical waste a healthcare institute can be for each bag scanned by the bar Rules,” said DN Das, member Further, it would also enable being dumped illegally came to tracked and weighed as a result code scanner, all information secretary at Pollution Control daily checksScan on the stakeholders the QRfore during code the last year. In one of the system. including label information, Board of Assam (PCBA). involved in the bio-medical such instance, bio-medical waste As per the bio-medical waste date, time and weight of each Bio-medical waste can be waste disposal process. With was found dumped illegally at rules 2016, every healthcare bag will be automatically infectious since it consists of the introduction of the new bar Hatisila in December 2018. institution treating 1,000 or transferred to centrally discarded drugs, syringes, sharp code system,Get the identification the GThe Plus incident came app to light more patients in a month, has located bar code based waste waste, microbiological and of source of bio-medical waste when the locals complained to to obtain authorisation from the management system software. biotechnological waste, human generation becomes easy and the police about the disposed PCBA for generating, collecting, It further states that there anatomical waste and animal authorities are able to monitor of syringes, needles among receiving, storing, treating, should be no scope for manual wastes among others and thus waste generation, collection, other waste materials which disposing or handling of bio- intervention of the operator of requires proper handling and transportation, treatment and they found near their vicinity. medical waste. the waste picker with respect to disposal. disposal online. Following this, the police As per sources, there are the data transfer.n

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Get on board with us To advertise, Contact 8486002302 G PLUS | Aug 17 - Aug 23, 2019 City 5 Tata Magics charge arbitrarily and need to be regulated, feel Guwahatians

Saumya Mishra Road but the drivers insist “They bully the customers per authorities, the last fare @saumyamishra03 They bully the on charging no less than Rs and say that there’s no revision of these passenger 20. stoppage at certain places vehicles took place in 2012. customers and “When people raise their and thus they won’t stop if Secretary of Regional uwahatians have say that there’s no voice against the excess we pay them the standard Transport Authority, Bapan complained of a fare charged by them, they amount. They demand higher Kalita, said that while there lack of regulation stoppage in certain talk to the passengers very fares,” mentioned Kalita. are regulatory mechanisms on the plying mode places and thus they rudely. During one instance, He further added that in place to check the plying and fares charged I told a driver that I would he has often gotten into of Tata Magics, they have Gby the Tata Magics (shared won’t stop if we pay complain but he said that he quarrels with the drivers but received several complaints passenger carrying vehicles) them the standard wouldn’t budge and I could to no avail. against these drivers. - the widely used form of do as I please,” said Deka. “They just don’t listen and “District transport office public transport in the city. amount and demand Animesh Kalitam, a resident most of the time sport a foul has the authority to take Commuters say that they higher fares,” a of Narengi, who travels by mood. So many passengers action against them and they are often overcharged by Tata Magic on a regular basis do not confront them,” said would do it if they find it these minivan drivers over harassed passenger. had a similar story to relate. Kalita. appropriate,” said Bapan longer distances. The regular He said that while the On the other hand, as Kalita.n

An overloaded Tata Magic in Guwahati | G Plus photo passengers also complain usually target students as passenger of them being rude and maximum students are from vehicle misbehaving with passengers. outside Guwahati and are drivers ply Nitupan Deka, who travels unaware of the exact fares without often on the Jalukbari to along these routes,” said any trouble VIP Road stretch, told G Deka adding that there is during the Plus that he has often been an examination centre on morning charged arbitrarily by Tata the VIP Road where a lot of time, Magic drivers. students come every week to evening “I travel frequently from appear for different banking travel Jalukbari to VIP Road on Tata and other examinations. become Magic and I’ve seen that the Deka further informed that troublesome drivers charge excess fare the fare is usually Rs 15 for from the customers. They from Jalukbari stop to VIP passengers. 6 Concern G PLUS | Aug 17 - Aug 23, 2019 The sweeping recession: How and why the Indian economy is suffering

Harshita Himatsingka @HHimatsingka It is to be mentioned that the current t is not every day that you wake up to the news that government has one of India’s most well- devised a plan for known businessmen has died. On July 31, the country the country to Iwoke up to mourn the loss of VG emerge as a $5 Siddhartha, the founder of the popular coffee chain, Cafe Coffee trillion economy by Day. Since his death, speculation 2024-25, and results has been rife that he may have even taken his own life as he from economic could not cope with the pressures of running his business and was surveys for the at a loss, literally. And while his fiscal year 2018- demise is a great loss to all, it brought to the forefront some 19 have showed important issues regarding the that to attain that present economic condition of the country. goal, India needs to Based on a recent report by The sustain a real GDP Times of India, data compiled by the World Bank has shown that growth rate of eight India has slipped to the seventh percent. Representative image place in the global GDP rankings in 2018, losing its spot to France, fluctuations and slowdown in current government has devised percent. which is now placed in the sixth trillion, while in the previous growth.” a plan for the country to emerge However, since the government position. year, the country’s GDP was Even though India remains the as a $5 trillion economy by 2024- is currently struggling to It should be noted that in 2017, $2.65 trillion. fastest-growing major economy 25, and results from economic maintain a steady growth rate, India had made its place as the Based on the report, many in the world, its growth has been surveys for the fiscal year 2018- the ground realities have to be sixth largest economy in the economists and experts from the estimated to slow down to seven 19 have showed that to attain looked into to ascertain if the $5 world. Based on figures for the field have stated that the decline percent in the current fiscal year. that goal, India needs to sustain trillion economy is a far-fetched year 2018, India’s GDP was at $2.7 in position was due to “currency It is to be mentioned that the a real GDP growth rate of eight dream or an attainable goal. Post-budget analysis

t has been almost six weeks downward trend their jobs. since union finance minister in sales starting Based on another recent report Nirmala Sitharaman from 10 percent by The Times, Tata announced her maiden to 30 percent. Motors in Jamshedpur is another budget for the year 2019- According to company hit by the bad times I20 which promises sustainable experts, this because of the market slowdown. economic revival for the country. shifting trend It received 40 percent less orders However, based on various in the industry this financial year as compared to reports across numerous sectors is extremely the previous year. The company of the economy, the situation harmful for the has gone through a series of currently seems grim. Indian economy block closures, almost four times One of the worst hit sectors of as a whole because this year up until now to contain the economy currently reeling the automobile production. To add to that, it has is the automobile industry. A sector provides been reported that approximately report by Quint stated that for 10 percent of 30 steel sector companies just in Maruti Udyog, which acts as India’s economic that particular area are also on a denominator to measure growth. the verge of shutting down. the sales and profits of the It has also been The report by Quint also stated automobile industry sector as a reported that that since 2002, the month of July whole, has reported diminishing around 280 car this year saw the highest drop sales for the past few months. dealerships in in the share market. Shares fell In July itself, the company saw Representative image India have shut from anywhere between 10 to 50 a drop in sales by 36 percent. down its offices percent and even the biggest and Other industry giants such as sales by 12 percent, while Ashok Similarly, other companies in the and more than 30,000 people most successful companies were Mahindra tractors saw a drop in Leyland saw a drop of 14 percent. automobile sector have noticed a working in this industry have lost not spared from this downfall. G PLUS | Aug 17 - Aug 23, 2019 Concern 7 Constraints in the city

ust like anywhere else in industries as one thing is related to metropolis and there is no one some have even had to shut down the country, Guwahati too another and a drop in one section to buy them. Because of this, tax their businesses because of other The government has been hit by recession. almost always results in a drop volumes have decreased and just cheaper facilities available. has to make better Almost all sectors of the in the other section as well,” said like the automobile sector, sales Cinema halls in the city are economy have witnessed a prominent businessman in the have gone down on a huge scale. also facing a similar problem. policies that support Jthis shift and some, if not most city. It should be noted that this is also One need not look further than the industry and the are struggling to stay afloat. G He stated that since interest the condition in most major cities their movie booking app on their Plus spoke to some individuals rates have increased exponentially, of the country which indicates a phone which will show the user businessmen. GST in different spheres of the production has to be controlled so serious concern. that on any given day now, one is rates have to be cut economic sector to find out how that there is no surplus, as there is While speaking to small likely to get tickets for almost any down and interest their businesses are keeping currently no demand because of a businesses in the city such as retail popular movie show. This was not up in this current recession-hit lack of purchasing power. shops and saloons, G Plus found the case a few years or even a few rates have to be environment. When asked if there is any that the footfall in these sectors months ago, but now that people lowered so that the Speaking to some prominent solution to this problem, the have also diminished in the past have limited resources and other businessmen in the city, G Plus businessman explained that the few months. options, they do not prefer to market can pick up found that dealers of passenger government has to make better A clerk from a popular retail spend money on something that and get moving again,” vehicles have been facing the policies that support the industry store mentioned that people hardly can be availed at a later time for feel businessmen in brunt of the situation for almost and the businessmen. GST rates come in to purchase anything free. nine months now and commercial have to be cut down and interest these days and several common Therefore, while such the city. vehicle dealers are not far behind rates have to be lowered so that the MNC stores are found to be empty financially depressing periods as they have also witnessed a market can pick up and get moving on most days. If customers do frequently occur and economic which is leading to an excess in downward trend in sales since the again. show up, it is for very need specific sectors get through it, the current surplus, which in turn is leading past two-three months. G Plus also reached out to some purchases and they rarely ever period seems cloudy because the to a stagnant economy bereft of “There has definitely been a drop real estate experts in the city who overspend. Same is the case with new policies on tax collection any investment opportunities in sales, and it has been prevalent stated that the surplus problem personal care in the city. Except that the government is aiming because of high interest rates and for the past few months. This has exists in this sector as well. There for a few popular saloons that for is leading the economy to a poor returns. Thus, this is a vicious also caused a drop in sales for are a number of completed flats witness a good customer footfall, downfall. Since there is no buying circle that our current economy is manufacturing and other related that are lying unsold across the most others are facing losses and power, there is no consumption stuck in and has to find a way out.

Snippets Road mishap at Baghmari, public allege Himanta Biswa’s convoy of killing two

wo bikers were killed as they were hit by a truck at Baghmari in Biswanath district on August 15. T According to a report, the incident took place at around 8.30 PM on the national highway in front of a petrol bunker. The injured were rushed to a hospital at Tezpur where they were declared dead. The deceased duo has been identified as Bipul Majhi and Susen Jogdula. In the meanwhile locals in the area alleged that it was the convoy of Assam Finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma that was involved in the accident. A large number of people gathered at the spot and protested against the minister. It is to be mentioned that the Assam Finance minister and convenor of BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), clarifying the air around the incident, said that he, along with other police officials, had actually helped the victim in getting first aid in a nearby hospital and it was not his convoy but a truck that was involved in the accident. Speaking to media Sarma said, “I saw the bike hitting the truck and after seeing the ambulance I stepped outside and asked the DC to arrange for treatment of the injured and the victim was given treatment at GNRC through the entire night.” “It’s unfair to spread false news. Along with me, many others were present in the convoy. Why would everyone tell a lie?” Himanta added. 8 Governance G PLUS | Aug 17 - Aug 23, 2019 NE strategically located in GUEST COLUMN govt’s plans of multimodal

transport, trans-Asian railway Jayanta Kumar Sarma

here is no denying To ensure post-led development, modal hubs. Northeast finds at particularly improving to waterways for efficient the fact that a robust the Ministry of Shipping, in an important place in this connectivity in border areas and movement of industrial and transportation and April 2016, had adopted a scheme of things as one of far flung areas with an aim of agricultural produce saving time communication network National Prospective Plan called the waterways planned for quicker movement of cargo and and cost. Railways have already is a pre-requisite for boosting exports. One of the taken steps to develop Silghat as Trapid industrialization and selected economic corridors is a terminal station. Bharatmala socio-economic development Figure - 1 the Northeast Corridor tagged also has plan for developing of a region. It is also a as EC-44. One of the focuses 24 Multimodal Logistical Parks, twentieth-century realization of Bharatmala is improving including one at Guwahati, that development of any one connectivity in the northeast where rail, road and waterways mode of transportation alone is not going to adequately serve the changing economic Figure - 2 and political necessity globally. The need is for synergy among various modes of transportation and communication to support rapid economic growth of the so-called developing countries in the new millennium. A massive change is happening in the transportation sector in the northeast under the Act East Policy of the government. Some of the changes have become visible, but most of them are yet to become apparent as the scheme of the things are so huge that it would take a few more years to actually materialize. Nonetheless, the intention of the government is “Sagarmala” touted as “Building development was through clear and if the present plans Gateways of Growth.” The Brahmaputra linking Dhubri fructify, hopefully in another 5 essential component of this plan with Sadia (Fig-1). to 10 years, the socio-economic was to create adequate linkage scenario of northeast would be to ports, thereby reducing permanently altered making it logistical cost and to help BHARATMALA and leveraging synergies with would be interconnected for the doorway to south-east Asia. industries become competitive To complement Sagarmala, Inland Waterways already making economies of scale in and thus accelerating economic Ministry of Road Transport identified on Brahmaputra. transportation available. development. and Highways had unveiled The plan for improving One more interesting feature SAGARMALA The cost per tonne kilometre a massive road-connectivity connectivity in the Northeast of Bharatmala is the plan for India is a vast country of moving cargo by inland project called Bharatmala in under Bharatmala includes seamless connectivity with our strategically located in the waterways can be 60 to 80 October 2017. Under the project, development of Northeast neighbouring countries. Here middle of the major east-west per cent lower than by road or construction of almost 50,000 Economic Corridor connecting also, the Northeast would play a trade route connecting south- rail. Sagarmala envisioned first km of highways categorized as state capitals and development pivotal role. The plan envisions east Asia with Europe and developing a number of major National Corridors, Economic of seven waterways terminals an integrated Bangladesh– America. Our country has a and minor ports along the east Corridors, Inter-Corridors and on Brahmaputra River (Fig-2). Bhutan–Nepal–Myanmar 7,500 km coastline touching 13 and west coastlines of the Feeder Routes were targeted These terminals have the scope and Thailand corridors with states but adequate road and country and then developing across the country. It is the for being developed as multi- transit through Bangladesh for rail connectivity linkage to the inland waterways, roadways second largest highways modal transport hubs with improving connectivity and ports were not developed in and railways connecting these construction project in the facilities for trans-shipment making the Northeast a hub for tandem with port development. ports through some multi- country since NHDP, aimed of goods from road to rail East Asia (Fig-3). Weather report for the week Guwahati SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI

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T-Storms 33°26° C T-Storms Scattered T-Storms Scattered T-Storms Scattered T-Storms T-Storms T-Storms 34°26° C 33°26° C 33°26° C 32°26° C 33°26° C 32°26° C G PLUS | Aug 17 - Aug 23, 2019 Governance 9

Figure - 3 China with a seamless international inter-change points railway network for with Bangladesh Railways. Indian Snippets future trade and cultural Railway is also constructing a exchange. For this, border interchange point with new lines have to be Nepal. Inaugural constructed for some Construction of a railway line missing links. As can from Silchar in Barak Valley to edition of be seen from the figure (Fig-4), Northeast is Brahmaptra in the middle of this Dialogue held in connectivity plan. The TAR connectivity A massive change the city proposes trans-national is happening in railway lines from West Bengal through the transportation Bangladesh to Tripura sector in the and then from Tripura to Myanmar via northeast under the Mizoram. Another route Act East Policy of proposed is from Imphal to Moreh and then to the government such Tamu in Myanmar. that in another 5 to There are some missing links in this scheme and 10 years, the socio- the countries signing economic scenario the TAR agreement has started constructing of northeast would railway lines to connect be permanently these missing links. he inaugural edition of that traverse through Bangladesh. Northeast Frontier altered making it the “Brahmaputra Dialogue” TRANS-ASIAN As part of the agreement, India Railway has already started doorway to south- was organized on August 8, with a fireside chat on will build and rehabilitate rail construction of a railway line east Asia. T links with neighboring Myanmar from Agartala in Tripura to “Youth, Development, Economy RAILWAY in projects that are estimated to Akhaura in Bangladesh from and Culture: Future of North cost more than Rs 29.41 billion. where Bangladesh has a railway East and the greater South East (TAR) Bangladesh became a signatory to line connecting Dhaka and Imphal is in advanced stage of Asia region.” the agreement in November 2007. Chittagong port. Once this completion. Another line from The dialogue aims to serve No other plan has probably connection is completed, Akhaura Imphal to Myanmar border town as a platform for young leaders proposed more elaborate and would serve as border inter- Moreh has also been sanctioned. and professionals across grand integration of Asian and TAR AND THE change point for Indian Railways Once completed, we will have sectors to interact and engage European countries as the Trans- with Bangladesh Railways and a border interchange point at meaningfully on areas of Asian Railway Network plan NORTHEAST Northeast would have a direct Moreh or Tamu and one can mutual interest. The panellists under the aegis of the United link to the Bangladesh capital, possibly imagine travelling on for the dialogue included Dhruv Nations Economic and Social TAR plans to connect Dhaka and the sea-port in train from Guwahati all the way Piyush Goyal (Harvard Business Commission for Asia and the Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Chittagong via Tripura. On the to Yangon in Myanmar in the near School, ex BlackRock Asset Pacific (UNESCAP). It was during Bangladesh, Myanmar and then West Bengal side, India Railway future. Management, New York); Alpana the 1950s that a continuous Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia and has already established four Choudhury, (Educationist 8,750 miles (14,080 km) rail link and Director, Student Affairs between Singapore and Istanbul THE FUTURE - USTM Meghalaya); Allwin (Turkey) with possible further There have been increasing Agnel (Founder - Pagalguy. connections to Europe and Africa international engagements in com & Angel Investor, Wharton was thought of. The idea did not the fields of connectivity in MBA); Atreyee Borooah go further until 1990 and the end recent times. For example, Thekedath (Founder - Web. of the Cold War. a high-capacity undersea com India, Member - Board of UNESCAP’s Transport & cable at Chittagong in Governors, IIITDM Jabalpur, Tourism Division began work Bangladesh providing internet Independent Director - Balmer on the initiative in 1992 when connectivity is connected Lawrie & Co. Ltd.) and Hasina it launched the Asian Land with Northeast via Tripura. Kharbhih (Founder - Impulse Transport Infrastructure Numaligarh Refinery has built NGO Network/Impulse NGO Development project. And in a pipeline into Bangladesh. Enterprises, Ashoka/Aspen November 2006, the Trans-Asian Bangladesh and Myanmar Fellow). Railway Network Agreement have opened its road for Apart from the panellists, 23 was signed by 17 Asian Nations international drivers from other young leaders from diverse including India to build a India. Guwahati has got a professional backgrounds were transcontinental railway network direct flight with Bangkok. also invited to attend the between Europe and Pacific ports Tripura and Assam have session, leading to an engaging in China. The agreement formally started exporting perishable and lively discussion around came into force on 11th June 2009. commodities to countries in multiple areas of interest The Trans-Asian Railway the Far East. including overhauling the system will consist of four main All the current connectivity education system, promoting railway routes which would be plans of the government of entrepreneurship, how to connected to realize a seamless India – be it roads, railways, scale start-ups, role of social network of railway lines from waterways, telecommunication enterprises and non-profits in Europe to Asia. The existing or air-connectivity - as well inclusive development of the Trans-Siberian railway, which as that of all international region, honing human resources connects Moscow to Vladivostok, stakeholders’ points towards of the region, challenges and will be used for a portion of a multimodal connectivity opportunities of doing business the network in Russia. Another revolution in south-east Asia. in the region, promoting corridor to be included will And northeast is undoubtedly northeast as a strategic trade connect China to Korea, Mongolia, is in the middle of the eye corridor for SE Asia and so on. Russia and Kazakhstan. The plan of that revolution. The initiative was has sometimes been called the (The writer is Guwahati- conceptualized and curated “Iron Silk Road” in reference to based Public Relations by Gaurav Dasgupta and the historical Silk Road trade professional, researcher and Roshan Farhan. The leadership routes. The Trans-Asian Railway Media Communicator. The initiative plans to scale up network now comprises 1,17,500 views expressed in the article across , and km of railway lines serving 28 are his own). North East India with carefully member countries. This article originally curated events and networking The TAR plan includes three Figure - 4 appeared in Financial Express opportunities for young lines between India and Myanmar in a slightly different form. leaders. 10 In The News G PLUS | Aug 17 - Aug 23, 2019

Snippets Play school 27 city restaurants served students celebrate Raksha Bandhan with Assam Police closure notice in 13 days

Saumya Mishra @saumyamishra03

everal restaurants and food joints in the city have come under the scanner for serving unhygienic food over the Spast one month raising concerns among people. he students and Officials of the food safety management of Mothers department informed G Plus that Pride School Guwahati, the department has served closure T a premier play school in and improvement notices to as India, celebrated Raksha Bandhan many as 27 restaurants between with Assam Police personnel at August 1 and August 13. Further, Bhangagarh Police Station on out of these 27 restaurants, 15 were August 14. The children applied operating without license. tikka and tied rakhi to all officers Most recently, on August 13, who were on duty. The officers too a notice was issued to Gam’s reciprocated the gesture and gave Delicacy Restaurant located in the children chocolates and juice. Ganeshguri area of the city. According to authorities, the restaurant failed to maintain Independence basic hygiene standards resulting in its closure for seven days for Day celebrated proper renovation. at Don Bosco As per the officials of the food safely department, the restaurant A food safety oficer during a raid in a restaurant in Guwahati School, Guwahati used expired spices and stale fish and meat were found in the cold storage of its kitchen. These restaurants included senior food safety officer, Tarun of seven days. In addition to Gam’s Delicacy, Punjab Cabin, Shubhraj Hotel and Das. He added that apart from this The restaurants are allowed to a few other restaurants in Restaurant, Hotel Crown, Basanti they also conduct random checks re-open only if the inspectors are Ganeshguri area were also Hotel and Chakum Chakum Fast in nearby food joints as well. satisfied with the overall quality served with a seven-day closure Food. Das said that in most of these of the food joint. In some cases, notice. These restaurants include Further on August 3, a notice restaurants, the major issue was the restaurants also had to remain Dichang, Mandakini, Ashirbad was also served to the iconic low hygiene standards maintained shut for an extended period of Hotel and Laxmi Hotel. Reboti Chat House located in in the kitchen and sub-standard time after the seven-day period. “In Ganeshguri area, there are Panbazar, Nagkata Pukhuri food quality. Further, the department is many hospitals and people from on unhygienic grounds. It was “In addition to having an also mulling over starting a the hospitals come and eat food in found that the kitchen was not unhygienic kitchen, many of these helpline number wherein the these restaurants. Hence, we have in hygienic condition and lacked restaurants also face problems general public can register inspected these hotels and found sufficient space. In addition to the of drinking water. During our their complaints regarding any that the food served here is done kitchen, the infrastructure of the inspection we have found that restaurant. A proposal has already on Bosco School, so under unhygienic conditions,” overall restaurant was also not some places do not have safe been submitted to the state Panbazar, Guwahati said a food safety officer. maintained in a sound condition. drinking water or some do not use government in this regard. celebrated the 73rd Prior to this, five other Authorities informed that filtered water,” Das further added. In the wake of recent D Independence Day with restaurants in the city were issued they keep conducting continuous Food safety officials mentioned mushrooming of restaurants and a colourful programme at the the seven-day closure notice by random checks in various that in order to ensure that the food joints across the city, the school football field on the the food safety department for restaurants and eateries in restaurants which have been officials said there are several morning of 15th August, 2019. failing to abide by the Food Safety different parts of the city. served with improvement notices restaurants which are conducting The chief guest on the and Standards Act, maintain “We had received complaints show an actual improvement in business without license and occasion was Shashank Shekhar basic hygiene standards in their from some of the customers at the quality of food and hygiene are unregistered. For this, they Shastri, Managing Director, premises and unauthorized some of these places and then standards, they inspect the conduct random checks of Assam Co-operative Apex Bank operation. decided to inspect them,” said restaurants again after the period restaurants. Ltd, who unfurled the Tri- colour in the presence of school Principal Fr Sebastian Mathew, veteran Salesian Fr CV George, Parish Priest Fr Vincent Xalxo, Training on hygiene needed: Restaurant owners Vice Principal Fr PLM Joseph, students, school staff, NCC army, n the other hand, while these notices because there employees which would help categorised as A,” said Barman. navy, scouts as well as parents the restaurant owners should be some regulatory body them in the longer run as All Assam Restaurant and guardians. have appreciated the to look after the parameters imposing fines on restaurants Association was formed in July Certificates were also awarded government’s initiative related to hygiene. But it is would only be short-term this year with the objective to the scouts and NCC cadets to maintain safety and more important for them to measure and would not serve a to become a single voice who had excelled and won Oquality standards, they feel that educate the people involved in greater purpose. organization to represent laurels. A march past event and the government should take running a restaurant. A lot of “After conducting such the restaurant industry in cultural programme comprising other measures too apart from restaurants don’t know what drives the government should Assam. The association works patriotic songs and skits were just issuing a closure notice. the basic criteria for hygiene mark and classify restaurants towards the development of also part of the programme. Debo Barman, member of All are.” according to the quality and the restaurant industry and to The event ended with a formal Assam Restaurant Association Restaurant owners feel that hygiene levels maintained by find solutions for the difficulties vote of thanks by school Vice and owner of J14 fast food chain the authorities should consider them. They could mark them as faced by the stakeholders Principal and distribution of informed G Plus, “It is good conducting some workshop A, B or C grades where the most at different stages of their sweets. that the government has issued or training for restaurant hygienic restaurant will be operations. G PLUS | Aug 17 - Aug 23, 2019 News This Week 11

A quick round up of Padukone, the news that Priyanka Chopra among top mattered during the 6 celebrities with most fake past week Instagram followers: Report

Minty Agarwal becomes Actors Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra emerged among the top celebrities who have the maximum first woman awardee of number of fake followers on Instagram, as per a report 1 Yudh Seva Medal by the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP), London. According to the research, Deepika Squadron Leader Minty Agarwal, the woman fighter Padukone stood at the sixth place on the list of global controller who played an instrumental role in alerting celebrities with 48% of her followers being fake or ‘bots,’ the Indian Air Force about Pakistan’s attempt to intrude while Priyanka Chopra was placed at the tenth spot on into India’s airspace on February 27, was conferred with the list which stated that 46% of her followers are fake. Currently, Padukone has 37.9 million the Yudh Seva Medal. “From the time Wing Commander followers on Instagram, while Chopra has 43.6 million followers on the social media platform. Abhinandan became airborne, I was the one who was providing him with the air situation picture. I saw the fading of F-16 blip from my screen,” she told ANI. Single male service personnel With this, Agarwal became the first defence officer to to get child care leave get Yudh Seva Medal, which is awarded to recognise 7 distinguished service of a high order during war, conflict Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on August 10, or other hostilities. approved an extension of benefits of Child Care Leave (CCL) to single male service personnel. This is in line Government likely to ban with a recent order of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) extending similar benefits to civilian sale of loose cigarettes employees. Singh also approved certain relaxations of 2 CCL provisions to women officers in the defence sector. The Union Health Ministry has re-initiated the process Presently, CCL is only being granted to women officers in of amending the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products defence forces. Earlier, only parents of children below or Act (COTPA) which includes a ban on the sale of loose of 22 years with 40 per cent disability could only avail the cigarettes. The earlier draft proposed increasing the fine CCL. Moreover, the minimum period of CCL that can be amount to Rs 1,000, doing away with on-site advertising availed at a time has been reduced to 5-day instead of 15. of tobacco products and removing designated smoking areas from hotels, restaurants and airports. It is to be mentioned that currently the penalty for smoking in restricted areas is up to Rs 200. Former PM Manmohan Singh files nomination Ravi Shastri retained as 8 papers for Rajya Sabha Team India’s head coach 3 Dr Manmohan Singh filed his nomination papers for a until 2021 Rajya Sabha membership as a seat in Rajasthan has fallen vacant following the death of Madan Saini, the BJP The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) announced state president. According to an Election Commission that Ravi Shastri will continue in his capacity as the officer, the by-election for the seat shall be held on head coach of the Indian cricket team. The committee August 26. The last date to file nomination papers was comprising Kapil Dev, Anshuman Gaekwad and Shantha August 14 and the last date to withdraw is August 19. Rangaswamy, in a meeting, said that Shastri will be in Earlier, Dr Manmohan Singh was a Congress Rajya Sabha charge of the Indian cricket team until 2021 World T20. In member from Assam for almost three decades. His specialist coaching roles, Vikram Rathour has come on as tenure ended on June 14 this year. the batting coach - replacing Sanjay Bangar. There have been no changes in the bowling and fielding department with Bharat Arun and R Sridhar holding their posts respectively. Indian Army wins Chandrayaan 2 to land on International Army Scout 9 Masters Competition 4 moon on Spt 7: ISRO Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chair- The Indian Army won the 5th International Army man K Sivan said on August 12 that India’s second lunar Scout Masters competition held at a military station exploration mission will land on the moon on Septem- in Jaisalmer. A total of eight teams from India, Russia, ber 7. Sivan added, “On 14th early morning, around 3:30, China, Kazakhstan, Sudan, Uzbekistan, Armenia and we are going to have a manoeuvre called trans-lunar Belarus participated in the competition which was injection, by this manoeuvre, Chandrayaan 2 will leave held from August 6 to August 14. According to reports, earth & move towards the moon. On 20 Aug, the space- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was the chief guest for craft will be reaching the moon and we’ll be carrying out the closing ceremony on August 16.The Army Scouts lunar orbit insertion. By this process, Chandrayaan 2 will Masters Competition is a part of International Army be around moon on Aug 20, we plan to have series of ma- Games directed by Russia. It is designed to forge strong noeuvres around moon, finally on Sep 7 we’ll be landing ties with friendly foreign countries and enhance team on moon. This is our plan.” spirit.

Ace wrestler Babita Phogat, Tamil Nadu schools 5 father Mahavir Phogat join forcing students to wear BJP 10 caste bands face action Ace wrestler Babita Phogat and her father Mahavir Following a bizarre practice by school authorities for Singh Phogat joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on making school children wear wrist bands of various col- August 12 at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi ahead of ours to identify their castes, the Director of School Ed- the assembly elections slated to take place in Haryana. ucation has directed to identify such schools and take Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju, BJP action against those responsible for the discrimination. Haryana unit chief Subhash Badala and BJP’s General The circular also instructed to send a report containing Secretary Anil Jain were present during the occasion. As the action taken in this matter. It is to be mentioned that per reports, Babita Phogat told reporters at the BJP office, these wristbands, which come in shades of red, yellow, “I am a very big fan of . I have been his fan green and saffron indicate whether the students belong since 2014. He has worked a lot for the country. I think to a lower caste or upper caste. In addition to this, rings everyone would like to join the BJP.” and forehead tilak were also used as caste markers. 12 Centre Spread G PLUS | Aug 17 - Aug 23, 2019 73rd Independence Day 2019

Guwahati celebrated the 73rd Independence Day with great fervour. From the official government function to private celebrations, the city displayed its love for the country and how much it valued its independence. Enjoy the photos from 15th August. CM Sonowal offers greetings

CM hoists the National Flag Manifestation of culture Diversity on display Quenching the thirst on the hot day

The traditional march past G PLUS | Aug 17 - Aug 23, 2019 Centre Spread 13

CM Sonowal offers greetings Best contingent at the parade: CRPF

Quenching the thirst on the hot day Celebration time: public bike rally Honouring the best in police service Recognition to the Best NCC cadet

The Veerangana commandos In full regalia 14 G Talk G PLUS | Aug 17 - Aug 23, 2019 EDITORIAL Apps: New avenues of employment Opinion Bishaldeep Kakati The mandatory NE stint ’m a graduate from a reputed unemployment in the upcoming university, but the sad fact is years. hile it can be posting which cannot be that I could not find any jobs However in this very critical safely assumed avoided. And so, rather than to get myself employed. Life juncture, unemployed individuals that the erstwhile “serve” the region, they treat was quite difficult, till the are getting some sort of respite, Jammu & Kashmir it as a fiefdom to throw their Iapps over the internet came to especially because they are is on the track weight around, exploit and my rescue. I’m now designated getting this unique opportunity Wof development with the then leave with a sigh of relief. as a ‘Captain’ and I happily carry to earn money and manage a abrogation of Article 370, the This service rule is usually passengers from one destination livelihood without much difficulty union government can now applicable to the officers in the to another.” or fuss. The effectiveness of offer its undivided attention middle and top management/ This statement came from a using internet the right way to overhaul the northeast operations and includes both has even given a ray of hope to apps, in a very short juncture, and bring it at par with the engineers and administrators. the unemployed individuals, have actually refurbished the rest of the country. One area Now there is no point Apps like Ola, and directly or indirectly, it has unemployment scenario of the that needs attention is the blaming an engineer or an also revamped their desperate country to quite an extent. existing industrial operations administrator from say, Uber, Rapido, conditions. Furthermore, the palpable fact of the PSUs and its service upmarket Ahmedabad, who Zomato, Swiggy The unique concept of coming is that because of the operation policies which may be given a has to come and serve in up with one or the other life of these apps, almost every relook and thereafter suitably Nazira (obviously leaving his/ etc have opened changing employment-based individual possessing a two- altered. her family behind for reasons the floodgates of app over the internet has been wheeler now simply doesn’t gossip For long, PSUs that have of children’s education et al) a real game changer. And these around tea stalls about their presence in the NE - like the for being apathetic towards employment for apps have turned out to be a boon insecure future, but put their hard oil companies in both drilling the region and taking the many. In Guwahati both for the denizens wanting to work in earning higher incomes and refining - have been mandatory three-year stint enjoy its services, the companies via these apps, thus giving their managed by engineers and as nothing more than a we witness hundreds introducing the same and also best to secure their lifestyles. administrators who are not punishment. From the local of individuals getting for those middle persons who are However, although for a certain from this region. Can’t help perception, there is usually no actually helping the denizens to section of society, these jobs via it as qualified personnel are mass resentment about such employed over these enjoy the comfortable services the apps are not at all secure, not exactly available dime a officers and engineers serving apps, earning a that these apps provide. Thus they can never deny the fact that dozen locally. But a certain here simply because they when people wanted services to these apps have turned out to be a service policy states that it are “irreplaceable” locally. livelihood by simply arrive for them at a single click, blessing for all those unemployed is mandatory for engineers The point of concern is if the providing service. technology fulfilled their desires, individuals who were actually and administrators working policy remains the way it is, and while doing so it also acted as reeling earlier. in such PSUs to serve a three- would it really contribute a mode of employment for many This entire deliberation would year stint in the northeast. towards the growth of the “Rapido Captain,” who is today individuals. remain incomplete, if we do I have always wondered region mired with apathy busy serving people and earning Moreover, in the present not bring into conversation the about the intent of this rule as such professionals are his livelihood. In fact, the good context, almost every individual app called YouTube, which has and whether its purpose is to towards this mandatory stint news is that in this era, where possesses an android device and been actually paving the path of upgrade the quality of the local of “punishment?” unemployment has become it is not at all a herculean task to earning since years. In YouTube, human resources through The first step towards NE’s a major concern, conscious download an app from the app an individual can simply put their interactions with these growth would be revising this citizens are now slowly finding store present in their mobile videos of things or stuffs that more “qualified” engineers. If and other similar policies that out ways to curb the ill-effects phones. Thus the good thing is he or she adores - be it videos of that is so, the purpose of the may be in existence. of unemployment. However, the that from eating to traveling; now cooking or traveling - by opening intent has not been served; credit for this must of course be everything is available at one’s his or her own channel. If such such people take the three- Swapnil Bharali (Editor) given to the proper use of internet doorsteps within minutes. those videos become successful year stint as a punishment @swapnilbharali by some innovative persons. However, amidst all these, in engaging the crowd, YouTube In the current scenario, the one thing that the concerned offers the individual monetary unemployment issue of India has citizens have probably forgotten benefits based on certain left the government in a quandary is the very fact that these apps terms and conditions. And the where it is finding it difficult to have not only made lives easier success stories of YouTubers are come up with the best solutions. but also have given employment something that is known to one Celebrating Independence in troubled times In fact, according to an article of to thousands. Especially for a and all. India Today dated May 31, 2019, it country like India, apps like Ola, In a scenario, where getting a Dude 1: Hey man, I didn’t put up a post for Independence Day. stated that the National Sample Uber, Rapido, Zomato, Swiggy good job is not at all easy, these Dude 2: Okay, what about a meme, a WhatsApp forward or an Instagram Survey Office’s (NSSO) job survey etc have opened the floodgates apps have opened opportunities of story? for 2017-18 had shown a spike in of employment for many. And to employment for hundreds. Hence, Dude 1: Nope. the unemployment rate by over understand the importance of we have to be indeed thankful Dude 2: At least a WhatsApp status? 6 percent, a 45-year high. But the these apps regarding employment, to these apps for improving our Dude 1: Do people actually do those? report was not released by the we might simply take the example lifestyles, whether by providing Dude 2: Never mind, did you share anything about NaMo appearing on government which termed it as a of Guwahati, where, on a daily us good services or by simply Man vs Wild? draft report. But if by any means basis, we witness hundreds of giving us scopes of employment. Dude 1: No man. this report turns out to be true, individuals getting employed over In the current context, it won’t be Dude 2: Goddamit! You make it impossible to be friends with you. Okay, then we might have to conclude these apps, earning a livelihood by wrong if we say that these apps what about participating in a bike rally or marathon? that India might be facing her simply providing service. Thus, in have actually revamped the living Dude 1: Nada. worst nightmare in terms of short, we can simply say that these conditions of the burgess.n Dude 2: Well I’m sorry to say this, but I think you’ve officially qualified as a Class II Anti-National; you didn’t celebrate I-Day, you didn’t celebrate with people on the streets, you didn’t show that you appreciate the freedom that this nation allows you to enjoy. I feel like it is only in the last 5 years of the 72 years of our Nation’s independence that we are in r a position to celebrate actual “freedom.” We are liberated from garbage, Exodus from Congress Letter to the Editor joblessness, inflation, crimes, terrorism, poverty, communalism and so much more. These are India’s glory days! Dude 1: Are you serious? Dude 2: You doubt the reams of papers that I can present to substantiate this claim? It appears in the print media that a number of leaders have joined the BJP and this is not Dude 1: No no! Not at all. Honestly, I am a simple guy. For me, freedom is a good sign. It will affect the basic principles of the party because those who are joining are staying home on a National holiday or driving on GS Road at 60 kmph on mostly tainted leaders who are power hungry people. Those new leaders who joined BJP in the a Thursday afternoon. But that’s just me! last election do not know much about the sacrifice made by two leaders to bring the party to this Dude 2: I’m sorry to do this but the Bhakt Police will now take you in for level. They are Atal Bihari Vajpayee and LK Advani. If the state BJP keeps its doors open for the questioning. Any final words before we say goodbye? other leaders to join, they will not be able to give service to the people as they do not have that Dude 1: Well, I did watch Bharat on Amazon Prime. They’ve been mindset. Secondly they will be digging their own grave. The very concept of Modi’s dream of Sab showing me the promo for far too long. Ka Sath aur Sabka Vikas will not be in reality. Dude 2: Really? Thank heavens! You really are a good man. I take back everything I’ve just said. That gesture is the grandest of all! In fact… Krishno K. Borooah, Dude 1: …But then again, it was horrible; left it a 1 star on IMDB. Kharghuli, Guwahati Dude 2: GUAAARDS!!! G PLUS | Aug 17 - Aug 23, 2019 In Focus 15 Flash floods bring Guwahati to a standstill once more

n 15th August last, while celebrations for Independence Day and Raksha Bandhan were on in full swing, many Oparts of Guwahati city witnessed heavy rainfall for about two hours which immediately resulted in the city being flooded. The areas affected by the rainfall include GS Road, Zoo Road, Christian Basti, Hatigaon, Chatribari, Athgaon, Ulubari, Chandmari, Noonmati and many more. Because of the flash flood, numerous commuters who were caught unawares by the rains were stuck in prolonged traffic jams and reported knee- high water-logging in major commercial hubs of the city such as GS Road, Zoo Road, Beltola, no steps have been taken from Guwahati. All people busy with we throw, it Ulubari, Downtown Hospital the government, and neither are their own lives. We the public seems almost area, Kahilipara etc. Different we public aware. Huge amounts have no voice to raise against a given that parts of the city also witnessed of money are only being used government departments; we flash floods will power cuts, which only added to for construction everywhere. do not have any civic sense. occur. Actually the woes of the citizens. There are no proper traffic The basic features have to be we public have “It’s a normal problem in crossings, no traffic rules, no changed. Flash floods or water no sense of Guwahati city – a city without regulations we follow. We only logging condition still prevail environmental any proper urban planning, create pollution. All footpaths in because of poor drainage and protection,” said without proper drainage, big the city are occupied by shops, unplanned construction. Since Minakshi Dutta, buildings, big cars, it’s a so-called public can’t cross the roads. It the drains are clogged with a resident of the metro city, so-called smart city, is really a shameful situation in plastic and so much waste that city. Govt likely to ban sale of loose cigarettes The Union Health Ministry has re-initiated the process of amending the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) which includes a ban on the sale of loose cigarettes. Followers comment:

Indrajeet Baishya Arunav Majumdar When I visited Kerala in 2015, there was a ban on sale of loose cigarettes. You If you want to ban something then ban it totally, not partially. This type of could buy the whole packet or leave. But the people there haven’t become ideology will not work in Assam. Rather it will strengthen the value of sale for chain-smokers. The problem is with people and habits. The government tobacco companies. Such steps won’t help though we know the government can’t do anything and knowing the people of Assam, sale of loose cigarettes never cares for people. Hearing for a long time all tobacco products will will continue even if there is a ban. be banned but never saw in reality. Still people are consuming and most importantly, children are getting addicted to it.

Mohit Jajodia Not a very smart move by the government. That you do not want people Megha Anand below 18 years of age to get influenced by advertisements and start This action will not decrease the cigarette intake. Rather it will increase as smoking is understandable. But think if this move can change the way a the person who was earlier just buying one as a control measure not to end 35-year-old thinks. A 35-year-old has got the means. He might be stupid, up smoking the entire pack will have to buy a whole packet. Consequences he might be rich or he might be both. Better designate more smoking areas will be that the consumers will have more as compared to earlier leading to so that others don’t get affected. Heavily penalise people for smoking in more deaths in this country. public places and take action. And immediately stop pretending you care.

Jatin Chomal Rahul Gogoi Cigarette sale comprises the income of thousands of paan shops in the They should ban ITC and other cigarette companies but they cannot do northeast. Most of them are uneducated and earn a living to provide this because our government earns a large amount of money from these their children with education and food. This will help this lower section to companies. This is one of the most profit earning businesses. Its costs money generate more income and yes of course more tax goes to the government. and life of human beings. What can be worse than this? So, this decision has got nothing to do with people. It was a planned one to get more money from public. 16 Buzz G PLUS | Aug 17 - Aug 23, 2019 Assam boy finishes 4th at 33rd National U-9 Open Chess Championship

rinmoy Rajkhowa breaker score. from Assam came Rajkhowa won a trophy and a in fourth at the cash prize of Rs 8000. 33rd National The president and secretary Under-9 Open Chess of All Assam Chess Association, MChampionship organised by the Kandarpa Kalita and Rajib Dhar Gujarat Chess Association in congratulated Mrinmoy on his Ahmedabad held from August 3 achievement. to August 11. In the final round, NGO organizes cyclothon to spread Rajkhowa competed against Akash G from Tamil Nadu to secure awareness on deceased organ donation a draw and scored 9 points in 11 rounds. Akash G scored 9.5 ublee Foundation The cyclothon started at Approximately 30 cyclists, points and won the observed “World Organ 6 am at the Assam State Zoo who were accompanied by title and Rajkhowa, Donation Day” by & Botanical Garden, and volunteers and members of the who secured 9 points organizing a cyclothon - proceeded towards GS Road via foundation, took part in the along with two others, “Cycle 2 Recycle” - with Chandmari and Ulubari and back event. The event was flagged had to be contended Za motive to spread awareness on to the starting point, covering off by Partha Sarathi Mahanta with the fourth deceased organ donation among a distance of approximately 13 (Superintendent of Police, position after a tie- people on Tuesday, August 13. kilometers. Kamrup Rural). Assam boy wins national youth award in Nwew Delhi rishna Mohan Singha from Cachar district in Assam won the National Youth Award 2016-17 in the individual category in recognition for his Koutstanding work in the field of national development and social service. Singha won a medal, certificate and cash prize worth Rs 50,000. He was presented the award by Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Kiren Rijiju, at an event in New Delhi on Monday, August 12 on the occasion of International Youth Day. It should be noted that these awards aim to encourage young individuals and organisations to develop a sense of responsibility to the community and to improve their potential as good citizens. City school hosts capacity building programme with CBSE

iles Bronson Residential School (Kamrup), SERS Public Vinit Lal, Head, Department of School (MBRS) hosted School (Rangiya), St Anthony’s Mathematics, NPS Guwahati; a capacity building School (North Guwahati), Preety Rekha Bhattacharjee, programme in Nabaroon Public School (Mirza), ex-dean, Royal Global School, collaboration with Pranabananda Public School Guwahati and Maya Choudhury, Mthe Central Board of Secondary (Lumding), Heritage Public former principal, Maria’s Education (CBSE), New Delhi from School (Rangiya), Fatima Public School, Guwahati on August 5 to August 9 as the North Convent EM School (Rangia) topics like stress management, East Chapter. and the host Miles Bronson mathematics, life skills and A total of 108 delegates from Residential School (Borjhar) gender sensitivity. 11 CBSE schools including Sarala participated in the programme. Birla Gyan Jyoti (Guwahati), St The participants heard from In addition, participation Clare’s Convent High School various resource persons such certificates were given away (Borjhar), Faculty HS School as Afreen Alisha Hussain, to the delegates during the (Amingaon), Delhi Public ex-counsellor, APS, Narangi; valediction ceremony. G PLUS | Aug 17 - Aug 23, 2019 Feature 17 Couchsurfing through Vietnam (Part II)

was in Vietnam for 3 months for the street food stores rather get excited if a foreigner comes where it is usually difficult to after leaving my full time than fancy restaurants because up to me and asks “ki khobor?” reduce the cost although there comfortable job because I most of the time, the best food or “kiman daam?” to something I are some tips that will help felt I was missing something is found on the streets made by am selling. I would be thrilled and you immensely. Some simple in life - the excitement, the the locals rather than some fancy would gift the person something. techniques are booking the tickets Iadventure and something novel. restaurants with foreign chefs. in advance (but just know that Now you might think: 3 months And street food is cheap. But even sometimes booking too early can in a foreign country? Wow! That so, in some places, the locals might If you are ordering also be costly). For such situations, must have cost him a fortune. But want to charge you more if you you can take help of platforms like it actually didn’t. My whole budget look like a “typical tourist with something from Skyscanner, Kiwi, etc to decide was 50,000 INR which included fancy hats and sunglasses.” The the locals, try to and find the best time to book flights, food and accommodation. best way to do that is learn the the tickets. You will usually get But how did I do that? Is Vietnam basic numbers if you have time greet them in their the best fares. Also, try to choose that cheap? Well no, it is not cheap. and go to a stall with local people own language with a bit out of the main touristy The cost of living is similar to that present already and let the locals seasons. You will find that places in India. choose the food first and only your best effort. Try will be much cheaper, food will PRAGYAN While travelling, the major order after you see what they have asking for the price be cheaper and hotels and hostels expense heads are usually paid. I used that technique all the will give you the best offers. But BEZBARUAH accommodation, food and time and always got the best price. in their language here also, if you are way out of the transportation. I had discussed Another tip, although it may touristy seasons, things might get the aspect of inexpensive not work all the time. If you are and usually they way too expensive as well as there out to be. So if you are up for an accommodation in the last issue of out of the busy touristy areas offer free food or a is less sale. So take your time to adventure, hitchhiking is one of G Plus. Let me address the aspect and you are ordering something find the sweet spot. the best ways to travel and offers a of food and transportation today from the locals, try to greet them discounted price. Coming to transportation, there great chance for some meaningful to give you a clear view on how you in their own language with your is a popular way that you might cultural exchanges. Hitchhiking is can make your travel a memorable best effort. Try asking for the price It happens everywhere. have heard of - that is hitchhiking. fun and if you have the patience, experience without hitting your in their language and usually (it Another thing you can do is, It is a way where you ask for lifts to the right car will stop for you. If hitchhiking is something you are kind of skeptical of, the most basic way to travel is to take the public transport. Ask and talk to the locals what way you should take and usually you will see that you get from Point A to Point B spending way less money than you had anticipated. I did a lot of travels in local buses with a lot of students. I got the occasional surprised stares from the locals because I was there holding my mobile with Google Translator on and showing the bus conductor to let me know when my stop comes. But it was a fun way to travel. You meet a lot of people on the buses that will come up to you to talk and know about you and eventually make friends with them and share tips and tricks and knowledge. It is the best way to connect. So coming back to the question that I had wondered: Is travelling a luxury? It is not. Travelling is not a luxury. It is a way of life where you choose to learn and share. Travelling is not an expensive proposition if we know the right ways. Yes, here comes a tradeoff - if you have limited time, you may not want to spend so much time finding hosts, travelling in slower mediums of transportation or waiting for hours to find the right car to stop for you, or walking through the streets to find the best street food. But then again, my personal opinion, is it worth spending lakhs of rupees only to see the touristy places, to stay in a fancy hotel, to eat from the best places and you come back home with just a lot of pictures from a pocket hard. I did so. happened to me a lot of times), if you are staying in a hostel or people who are heading the same journey where you didn’t actually they offer free food or a discounted at a local’s home, you can cook way. Hitchhiking has its own pros interact with the locals and learn Food: price. This happened with me a your own food. You can also offer and cons. Pros will be - you get about their true culture or shared For a foodie like me, food is the lot in Da Lat, Da Nang and Hanoi. to cook your native dish to your to meet interesting people who yours? main head of expense where all I was also offered free meals host or learn some dishes from are really there to help you, you Think about it. Till then, happy my money goes - here in Guwahati because I was trying to talk in their them. The best way to exchange get more tips and tricks along the travelling and happy exploring! and everywhere I visit. Food is language and haggled a bit on the cultures, right? way and you save a whole bunch (The author is a pocket- difficult to resist, right? But there price using their numbers. I was of money. Cons will be - you never friendly traveler, a professional can be ways to save some bucks lucky I know but it was worth a try. Transportation: know who that person is and photographer and former data in this area as well. Try to aim I understand the feeling, I would Transportation is something how trustworthy he might turn analyst and designer). 18 Review G PLUS | Aug 17 - Aug 23, 2019

Starring: , , , , Kriti Kulhari, , Sharman Joshi Director: Jagan Shakti

and Ananth (HG Dattatreya). Moments of heightened drama in the screenplay are tailor- made to please the audience, Cinepolis, Christian Basti 12:20 PM, 05:50 PM especially those who don’t have a knack for theories, equations 09435025808 and numbers. Mission Mangal simplifies its complex subject Mission Mangal Grande Cines, Paltan Bazar so that viewers of all ages and backgrounds can engage 09854017771 with the story and the 08:30 AM, 09:20 AM, 11:00 characters. On the flipside, Mission Mangal the simplicity does get AM, 12:00 PM, 02:45 PM, a bit too convenient on 10:15 AM, 12:45 PM, 03:15 PM, more than one occasion. 03:05 PM, 05:40 PM, 06:10 The narrative could have 03:50 PM, 06:00 PM, 09:00 PM focused more on the nuances of PM, 08:10 PM, 09:15 PM the mission and the authenticity of the mission control at ISRO. Batla House At times, the characters get a bit over-the-top and then on 10:00 AM, 01:00 PM, occasions the screenplay gets 08:50 AM, 11:35 AM, 01:55 a bit pedantic. Even the CGI 06:30 PM, 09:30 PM is pretty average. But then, PM, 02:50 PM, 05:00 PM, Mission Mangal the feeling of patriotism and national pride does eclipse the 06:05 PM, 09:20 PM minor pitfalls of this mission. PVR Cinemas, Dona Planet dream doesn’t become glorious chapter in Indian The performances by the The Lion King (, 3D) reality through history. ensemble cast are strong. Akshay 08800900009 magic, it takes sweat, Writer-director Jagan Kumar leads the cast with Vidya 09:00 AM determination and Shakti’s film takes complex Balan as the parallel lead. Both Mission Mangal hard work to make it scientific jargon and simplifies actors team up to give measured Once Upon A Time In comeA true. That’s what Indian it for the common man. The and engaging performances as 09:35 AM, 12:30 PM, 03:15 scientists at ISRO have gone narrative also cleverly makes scientists who give their heart and soul to realise India’s dream Hollywood (English) through for the past five decades, use of logic, home science and PM, 06:10 PM, 09:05 PM leaving behind their personal alternate science to add quirky of being a big player in the lives, making their families entertainment into the mix. The international space race. They 11:20 AM, 08:35 PM Batla House second priority and propelling storytelling is backed by solid are ably supported by Sonakshi themselves into a pursuit of characters in the MOM team, Sinha, Taapsee Pannu, Kirti scientific achievement. One of who have scientifically thought Kulhari, Nithya Menen. Their 08:30 AM, 11:40 AM, the glorious chapters in their out solutions for their real-life team also has Sharman Joshi and Anuradha Cineplex, Noonmati success story was the 2014 problems, too. MOM’s team senior actor HG Dattatreya, who 06:10 PM, 09:20 PM Orbiter Mission (MOM), more comprises of five strong women bring in some moments of levity 0361 2656968 popularly called the Mangalyaan Tara, Eka (Sonakshi Sinha), Neha to the drama. Sanjay Kapoor in Once Upon A Time In Mission. Against all odds, India (), Kritika (Taapsee a brief cameo, looks outrageous became the first country in the Pannu) and Varsha (Nithya at best. Dalip Tahil, who plays Mission Mangal Hollywood (English) world to break many space and Menen) who wrack their brains the NASA-return scientist with a Earth barriers and reach the and come up with innovative, half-American half-Indian accent 09:40 AM, 03:10 PM, 08:40 PM 02:50 PM distant planet in its first attempt. low-cost solutions for the Mars doles out more laughs than ‘Mission Mangal’ is a film that mission. Part of the same team advice for the other characters. Batla House dramatises and recreates this are Parmeshwar (Sharma Joshi) (Review from Times of India)

headphone microSD card slot. Connectivity jack, while the options on the Vivo S1 include SIM tray is on Bluetooth 5, dual-band Wi-Fi, the left side. GPS, FM radio, dual 4G VoLTE, Vivo S1 Specifica- and the usual sensors. The Vivo S1 packs in a 4500mAh battery tions and and you get an 18W fast charger ivo has launched three variants of the in the box. Vivo S1 in India: the entry-level one with Software: Vivo does install a fair 4GB of RAM and128GB of storage; another The Vivo amount of bloatware on the with 6GB of RAM but 64GB of storage; and the top-end one with S1 is the first device, and we saw DailyHunt, 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. These variants are priced at Rs. smartphone Helo, Facebook, Gaana, Amazon 17,990,V Rs. 18,990 and Rs. 19,990 respectively. in India to be Shopping, PhonePe, Paytm, and powered by the a few other apps preinstalled. new MediaTek Verdict: Design: panel, the diamond patterns Helio P65 SoC. emerge, which does look catchy. The Helio P65 The Vivo S1 is yet another The Vivo S1 sports a 6.38-inch The phone has a triple camera is a mid-range smartphone from Vivo priced display with a tiny dewdrop- module which protrudes processor under Rs. 20,000. It has an eye- style notch at the top. Vivo has slightly but has a metal rim based on a catching design and a quick opted for an AMOLED panel, around it which should save it 12nm process. in-display fingerprint scanner. and the Vivo S1 sports an in- from getting scratched. It has a pair Vivo does bring the new display fingerprint scanner. Vivo has opted for a plastic of ARM MediaTek Helio P65 SoC to the The display has thin bezels on frame that is rounded which Cortex-A75 table, but it is only marginally the sides but the bottom chin is makes the smartphone cores clocked better than the MediaTek Helio comparatively thicker. comfortable to hold in the hand. at 2GHz, and P70 SoC in a few benchmarks. The Vivo S1 is available in The back does not meet the six Cortex-A55 In terms of processor power, two colours, Diamond Black and frame seamlessly, and you can The Vivo S1 also has a dedicated cores clocked at 1.7GHz. For the Vivo S1 is on par with Skyline Blue. It has a laminate feel rough edges when holding Google Assistant button just like graphics, it has a Mali-G52 smartphones powered by the back with a striking diamond the phone. Vivo has positioned the one on the Vivo Z1 Pro. The integrated GPU. Qualcomm Snapdragon 660, pattern design and a gradient the power button to the right Micro-USB port is positioned The Vivo S1 is a dual-SIM which can cost as little as Rs. colour finish. Depending on along with the volume buttons, at the bottom along with the device and has two Nano-SIM 10,000. how the light hits the back and they are all easy to reach. loudspeaker and the 3.5mm slots as well as a dedicated (Review from NDTV Gadget) G PLUS | Aug 17 - Aug 23, 2019 Trotter 19 Man boards plane to find he is only Zomato delivers 4-year- passenger on flight old’s request for ‘cars’ and

rescheduled flightonly person on the flight. So I proved to be a blessing arrived at the airport, which is ‘gifts’ in disguise for one a very tiny airport, and at the passenger after he found desk, they were like, “I don’t himself on what was know if we even need to make the ecently, Mumbai effectivelyA a private jet. announcement, because it’s just resident Irshad Vincent Peone, a writer and you.” Daftari shared a sweet director from New York, thought “I was like, “Oh, no. Do the post on Twitter about it was quiet when he arrived announcement.” Obviously his four-year-old son, for his 7 pm Delta flight from everyone really enjoyed playing staff member whether they have RRiaan, innocently messaging Aspen, Colorado. His flight home along. Well aware it was thus ever seen a lone passenger flying food delivery platform to JFK airport had earlier been potentially a once in a lifetime before. “Yes, I have,” she replies. Zomato to ask for “cars” and reorganised from that morning, experience, he seized the Inside the plane, a flight “gifts.” Riaan’s mother, Neeti but for once, the hassle was quite opportunity to document it all on attendant struggles to hide her Daftari, said that he managed Zomato’s eye, who took some the opposite of a source of misery. video. amusement as she continues to get his hands on her phone time off from delivering food to Upon reaching the check-in In the clip, which has gone protocols as if the 70-seater plane to ask Zomato for cars, toys and make the boy’s wish come true. desk, he discovered he was about viral on Twitter since he posted it is full. numbered balloons among other Just one day later, Daftari to enjoy the type of solo flight with nearly 30,000 likes and more Peone told The Washington things. shared an update to say that usually reserved for the few who than 4,000 retweets, airport Post that although Delta had not Sharing a screenshot of the Riaan received the “best surprise can afford it. “I had called them staff can be seen revelling in the reached out to him formally, they messages, Irshad Daftari wrote: ever” along with a picture of and got some information about experience as much as he was. quickly fired back to his video “In other news, my 4-year-old his son playing with a new car. what was available,” he said. “Will the only passenger on this on Twitter, saying: “Hi Vincent! son thinks that if he messages Riaan’s mother told that Zomato “Coming back (to the airport) at 7 flight kindly board at this time,” That looks like an awesome Zomato with his fav things, they delivered a remote-controlled pm meant I would have gotten to a boarding gate assistant asked experience! Thank you for the might deliver them to him.” car and a pizza to their family. see more of Aspen, because it was him. shout out and we truly appreciate His tweet was widely “It made my son super, super a short trip anyway, so I took the The clip shows Peone being you for choosing Delta! Take care. circulated and made a lot of happy,” she said. “It was really latter option. escorted across the tarmac AJM” people smile at the four-year- sweet of Zomato.” “I didn’t know that I was the towards the aircraft and he asks a (Source: independent) old’s innocence. It also caught (Source: ndtv) Homeless in Delhi to Forbes Under 30: Photographer’s post is viral

photographer’s day, clothes to wear and a the map. “People started inspiring journey roof over my head,” said buying my photos and I from living on Roy. “They even put me got to travel the world! I the streets to in school.” It was around was invited to New York, being featured this time that a British London, South Africa, inA the Forbes Asia “30 photographer visited them and even San Francisco!” under 30” list has gone and Roy was completely he said adding, “I’d never viral on Facebook. Vicky taken in by his work. even imagined that I’d be Roy shared able to change his story on my destiny to the popular this extent.” Facebook page According to “Humans of his website, Bombay” where Roy was it has struck awarded the a chord with MIT Media thousands. Fellowship in In his post, 2014 and was Roy spoke a part of the about how Forbes Asia he ran away “30 under 30” from home at list in 2016. the age of 11 Since and arrived in Delhi with “I was so fascinated by being shared online this hopes of a better life. “But his work. Living on the morning, the post has when I came here, I had streets showed me shades collected over 12,000 to rag pick, sell water in of humanity that I’d never ‘likes’ and hundreds trains and sleep in open seen before and I wanted of comments. “This is grounds so that I wouldn’t to show it in photos just amazing! As they say starve to death,” he said. like he did,” he said. there’s always sunshine He added that he worked So, at the age of 18, the after rain,” wrote one as a dishwasher at a dhaba NGO gave him a camera person in the comments and survived by eating worth Rs 499 and helped section. “Congratulations! other people’s leftovers. him get an internship with Well-deserved and This continued until a a local photographer. After inspiring,” said another. doctor put him in touch that, there was no turning A third wrote: “Such with an NGO called back. According to Roy, powerful story and this Salaam Balak that helps the photographer helped depicts the power of hope. rehabilitate abandoned him curate his first solo Feeling so so good for kids. “There life got exhibition titled “Street him.” better. I’d get 3 meals a Dreams,” which put him on (Source: ndtv) 20 Fun G PLUS | Aug 17 - Aug 23, 2019

Jayashree Bose These predictions are based on the month of birth, and are about an Certified Feng Shui, Chinese astrology, date selection consultant & Horoscope of the week individual’s work environment, parents and extended family. author, www.facebook.com/geoprinciples

19th & 23rd August will be great days to Avoid making any promises on 17th August It will be a good week for you. Use 17th Sudoku share your ideas with your seniors or simply as you will have to live up to them. 19th & 20th August to connect with your boss just connect with them. You could schedule August will be a great day to share your ideas & share your ideas. For good results, 1 5 2 with your seniors or simply just connect with important meetings on these dates. 19th host your meetings on these dates. On 9 6 3 August will be a slow day for you. On 22nd August, them. You could schedule your important meetings 18th August, you could have a Sunday get together 3 8 9 you need to be wary of dealing with the opposite on this date. 20th August will be a slow day for you. with your extended family or seniors. These are good 57 3 5 3 4 7 You could have a fall out with someone from work or gender. days for you to grow your business network. On 21st 7 1 2 5 extended family on 23rd August. August, just go with the flow. 1 5 1 8 34 1 5 17th August will be an ideal day to connect 19th August will be a great day to share your Avoid your extended family & your work 7 4 8 2 with your seniors & share ideas with them. ideas with seniors & host important meetings. mates on 18th August as you are bound 3 9 6 7 18th August will be a great day to hang On 17th & 20th August, you could have issues to have disagreements. 20th August will 6 37 1 8 out with workmates or extended family. with seniors or parents; there could be major be an excellent day to schedule important 6 6 4 91 On 19th August, be careful while dealing with the disagreements on 17th August. 22nd August you could meetings. Your seniors will be receptive to your 1 3 6 opposite gender. On 23rd August, avoid trusting be betrayed by someone at work or extended family. ideas. On 21st August, you could feel your seniors or 6 1 8 4 (c) Daily Sudoku Ltd 2019. All rights reserved. On 23rd August, be careful of your words & actions as Daily Sudoku: Fri 16-Aug-2019 hard anyone with your secrets. your parents are ungrateful, they don’t appreciate 4 2 3 you will create your own problems. you. (c) Daily Sudoku Ltd 2019. All rights reserved. Daily Sudoku: Thu 8-Aug-2019 very hard

17th & 18th August will be great days to share On 17th & 20th August, avoid making any 19th, 22nd & 23rd August are ideal days last week solution ideas with seniors or simply just connect promises as you will have to live up to them. to share ideas with your boss or connect 7 3 1 5 9 4 8 2 6 with them. You could schedule important On 19th August, you could be emotionally with people at work & family. Host your 96 85 42 23 78 76 1 95 43 meetings on these dates. Avoid hosting any hurt by your seniors or parents. On 20th important meetings on these dates. Avoid meetings on 19th August as you are bound to have August, avoid hosting any meetings as you socializing or making any promises on 18th or 21st 29 57 63 85 31 41 27 69 84 disagreements. On 20th & 22nd August, you could be will have disagreements. 22ndAugust will be a great August. Avoid hosting any meetings on 21st August 41 98 74 12 26 95 53 76 38 betrayed by someone at work & emotionally hurt by day to build a rapport with seniors & people at work, as you are bound to have disagreements. your family. host your important meetings on this day. 15 29 88 34 67 29 34 17 65 33 62 51 79 45 68 42 81 79 20th & 23rd August will be great days to Watch yourself on 20th & 23rd August, 22nd August is an ideal day to mingle 54 46 37 61 13 87 9 28 52 build your relationship with seniors & peo- avoid making any promises or getting into with your seniors, people at work & build ple at work. On 17th August, you will be a confrontation. On 23rd August, you could your work network. Host your important 62 71 96 48 84 52 75 33 91 emotionally hurt either by your parents or have a disagreement with your senior or meetings on this date. Be careful with 8 1 2 9 5 3 6 4 7 seniors. If you are in a habit of grabbing a drink with 7 3 5 6 9 1 8 4 2 (c) Daily Sudoku Ltd 2019. All rights reserved. work associate. Share ideas with seniors or generally your words & actions on 18th August as you will Daily Sudoku: Fri 16-Aug-2019 hard your seniors, then avoid doing so on 19th August. On 8 4 9 7 2 3 6 5 1

build a relationship with people at work on 22nd create your own problems. Avoid scheduling (c) Daily Sudoku Ltd 2019. All rights reserved. 22nd August, you could have a disagreement with August, host your important meetings on this date. important meetings on 21st August. Daily Sudoku: Thu 8-Aug-2019 very hard your seniors or work associates.

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Harry Maguire Maguire Harry

curio-city 6. http://www.dailysudoku.com/ Fattened goose liver goose Fattened

5. Word of the week

Manipur

1. Gopalswamy Iyengar drafted which controversial document 4. beadledom

Orthopaedics 3. knackered

in the history of independent India? noun [beed-l-duhm]

Elvis Presley Elvis 2. adjective [nak-erd]

2. If Michael Jackson lived in Neverland, which star lived in

a gratuitous or officious display or exercise of

Article 370 Article

Graceland? 1. authority,British as by Slang. petty officials. 3. Which branch of medicine gets its name from the Greek curio-city exhausted; very tired words for children and straight? 4. Which state has an Crossword indigenous martial Across Down art called ‘Huyen 1 Loosely woven cloth from 2 Fit (3) Langlon’? Scotland (6,5) 3 Person whose speech is not well 9 Impromptu (9) organised (7) 5. If you are having foie 10 Animal (with nine nine tails?) 4 Married partner (6) gras, what are you (3) 5 In which position? (5) actually taking? 11 Himalayan country (5) 6 Acquit — clear (9) 13 Excellent — shining bright? (7) 7 Entertainment area with coin- 6. Identify this footballer, 14 On ship (6) operated machines (5,6) the most expensive 15 Purist (6) 8 Narrator (11) defender in the world. 18 Arctic deer — a Rio cub (anag) 12 TV show (9) (7) 16 Issue (7) 20 Best possible (5) 17 Male domestic servant (6) 21 See 23 19 Bathroom basin (5) 22 Fling (9) 23, 21 UK resident who the tax man Dr. Soubhadra Chakrabarty This quiz has been brought to you by Brain Jam, a property of Priya Communications 24 Fifth book of the Bible accepts as having their "true" home elsewhere (abbr) (3-3) Dilbert By Scott Adams Last week’s solution G PLUS | Aug 17 - Aug 23, 2019 Fiction 21 A night atop a tree house

t was early January and its face. The elephant would some excellent Bengali cuisine part would have spooked the mustard fields were then turn round and go off to which I relished and looked the deer. I had put in an Eley ripening turning the land munch their growing crop as if forward to their invitations. Alphamax LG shot in the right barrel and a Rotweillor shot in into a riot of golden hues taunting them. Then they would Once Probir was visiting and Ranjan Kumar Choudhury amongst the green forests. regroup and taking long lighted was very keen to come with the left. I chose to fire the right [email protected] IWe were camping in a small flares and a very powerful me on a hunt to Dikhalmukh, barrel due to the longer distance farm being run by a group of spot light given to them by the where they were carrying out and taking careful aim released five young men from the town of WWF as per a scheme to help logging operations. He had been the trigger. The sambar deer successful hunt. Later it was Behali with whom I had become farmers in such conflict zones, to a couple of shoots but not at was hit and with a small jump time to retire after climbing friends due to my interest in they would fearlessly scare the night and on his insistence I it slumped to the ground. Tirok up the ladder and the stairs. hunting and was using their elephant away. It was a game agreed to take him along a week was off in a flash and quickly Probir managed fine and we tree top house to stay the nights of life and death and I felt later. He was about fifteen years found the deer dead with its must have fallen off to sleep as bad watching the scene unfold my senior but I requested him tongue protruding slightly; soon as we hit the sack tired below me. Other elephants like that there would be no drinking this was a sign that we would out as we were. After about 2 one called “Nezkata”, meaning before the hunt, even if it rained be getting another kill that hours, around three at night, Just as he was one with a cut tail, would come or got very cold. He understood night. Probir was transfixed at there was a huge hue and cry making his way down quietly, eat away at the fringes and nodded his assent. So, on the scene and he smiled at me as the elephants had come in a and move off quickly. This the due date, we went off in my happily that we had got a deer fairly large herd of about five the ladder Probir elephant was afraid of men jeep, picking up my friend Tirok when he was there. It was a adults and some adolescents. saw this huge python as once while coming to feed from the Nishi village inside mid size sambar buck which we They were on the lush paddy in a paddy field, a farmer who the jungle. There was a small tied to a pole and carried back that was being harvested and on the tree branch was guarding his field from a forest inspection bungalow on a to our jeep at the I.B. By the fell upon the balance areas that looking balefully machan cut off the tail of the hillock which I used to change time we reached the vehicle all remained to be cut. It took some elephant with a swipe of his up or have a cup of tea/coffee of us were drenched so we lit time for the men to arrange the at him. He saw the machete. Whenever I visited the before the walk on foot beside a fire to warm ourselves. After flares and the torches and we farm I always gave the hosts the stream leading to a salt a hot cup of coffee we revived could see the scene below quite snake clearly with some packets of firecrackers lick about one kilometre away. ourselves and started on the clearly. One of the men slipped the torch light and from my stock which I used It was an arduous walk on the return trip to the tree house to and fell but he managed to get to keep for my camps. I got boulder strewn river bed which spend the night. On the way we up and flee to safety and then let out a huge cry for caught in the middle of action we had to crisscross a number got a nice size hog deer which in a concerted move the men help. I was startled once when a small herd of five of times. In fact some small fish was in a small clearing eating burst the crackers and scared elephants came to the farm and were touching our legs in the some Amara fruits and it was the elephants away. Probir and asked him what in the chase two elephants got frigid water as could be seen an easy target. Probir wanted to was definitely shaken up and the matter was and separated and came towards me. by the light of the small torch celebrate there itself but I had he wanted to get down to the I somehow scrambled halfway we were using to make out our to restrain him as it was better bathroom. As luck would have he just muttered up the ladder and hung on till way. Before reaching the salt to reach our camp first. it, just as he was making his “Snake …big snake.” the two pachyderms passed lick I signalled a stop to catch In the camp my friends way down the ladder he saw below my outstretched legs. our breath and then moved were there and they had kept this huge python on the tree Near the town of Pabhoi, there very slowly to a high point in a nice bonfire going which we branch looking balefully at him. after the shikar in the nearby was a small saw mill owned by the river side on the right from gratefully acknowledged and He saw the snake clearly with hills of Arunachal Pradesh. a Bengali family from . where a good view of the salt then only enjoyed a drink. The the torch light and let out a Their farm was a multipurpose One brother used to manage lick could be seen. men got to cleaning the deer huge cry for help. I was startled one with vegetables, rice, fruits the mill works located on an My trusted companion carcasses and by and by got the and asked him what the matter and a small pond for duck and internal road linking Bargang Baruah slowly raised the main dinner warmed up. We used was and he just muttered fish rearing. It was located on town with Pabhoi Tea Garden. spot light and we saw the two to fry the liver of the deer to “Snake …big snake.” One of the the edge of the Bargang forest This brother’s name was Ashim eyes of a sambar deer glowing in munch with the drinks which men who had also spied the on the bank of the river - a and the one who looked after the distance. It was a long was a great python quickly climbed up the beautiful place just to relax far the sales in the big city was shot, difficult combination ladder and with a bamboo pole away from the humdrum lives Probir. My father had worked but had to be after a he pried the snake loose and it we lead for our survival. The with them for timber supplies tried as any fell down to the ground. It was only fear they had was from while building the factory in movement a medium sized python and the marauding elephants for which our garden and since then we on our men were able to guide it away they had built this quaint were on social terms with the from the camp site to the forest tree house to reach first with family visiting one another for trees ahead. However Probir a ladder to the base floor at a dinners etc. They made forgot all about the need to height of over fifteen feet. relieve himself and climbed From this enclosed floor which back to sleep getting up was used as a store room there again only when it was bright was a staircase leading up and clear. It was a memorable through a trap door to a small trip for him and he thanked room on top where a group me profusely and invited me could sleep safely. Whenever to meet him in Kolkata to I went I was given the use give him a chance to return of this tree house and I have the favour, but I could not spent many nights there. Most do so for some reason or the nights were incident-free but other. Their saw mill also on some occasions there was a got closed down in time and real threat from elephants that the last I had heard was that used to attack their crops from they shifted to supplying the open river side area. bamboos for a paper mill and They also had names for the also started a furniture unit elephants which made repeat based on cane and bamboo forages. I remember this huge in the Ganeshguri area of bull elephant in his prime Guwahati. My friends of the which they named “Ravan.” He tree top farm had all switched used to approach very quietly to growing tea in small plots and often stopped just short of they owned in their villages the men who would be sitting and have settled down well. We around a blazing bonfire. They still keep in touch over phone to used to spring up and picking reminiscence about those lovely the lighted marshal fires experiences we had together in charge at the elephant and fling their farm. And that memorable the lit oil dipped flares towards tree house!n 22 Lifestyle G PLUS | Aug 17 - Aug 23, 2019

Differing views Vaastu: Tips for finance and A thought upon the road we are on, It seldom meets at favoured junctures The truth hides behind cemented walls business That are put up by raging egos that reside Hemanta Kumar Sarmah growth. is why devout Hindus are dead vegetables or grass to In every being that has walked on Engineer, Businessman, Decorative boulders or against the slaughter of cows. cows on Wednesday can Advanced Pranic Healer this realm and Su Jok Acupressure curved pathways or pebbles In Arunachal Pradesh, the improve your effect of The road stops there, where we meet specialist. increase the movement of mithun or the hill buffalo is mercury. Offer soaked financial energy. So when the reared in place of the cow. It is gram and jaggery (gur) to the wall... aastu can be an business is not going smoothly, still used as a currency by the cows on a Thursday to get Undue importance given to the important factor in place these around the business Arunachalis in some remote the blessing of Guru or minute, dealing with finance premises. areas. Vaastu considers the cow Jupiter. The first made roti Questions on the self is met with and business related Windows, glass and crystal to be a part of Indian life and should be offered to the harshness, issues. By following items should be always kept culture. So, it has observed this cow. Feeding the cow on someV effective Vaastu tips, you clean and spotless. Dirty glass animal very closely and found Friday improves effects of We let none touch our space which we can invite profitable changes in restricts the flow of money in the following omens related to Venus. create your life. business. Clear glass products it. Keeping in mind our lofty ideas of the Crystals can produce effects will reflect clarity in finances. ›› It is considered to self of rainbows when sunlight falls be very good to see a One day, we find ourselves exposed in and passes through them. So it is Vaastu and the cow cow while going out very beneficial to hang crystals Hindus have always had a for journey. If a cow is the mirror near the window which gets high regard for the cow. In fact, seen with the calf after Which is shown by time whose job it direct sunlight in the morning. the cow is treated like a mother taking bath, then the is to show... Feng Shui says it is excellent because it gives milk. The day will be successful. That you speak of things beyond my to hang crystals near bullocks are used to plough the › knowledge a window having fields for cultivation as well as › If a cow comes near the sunlight for career pull carts. So, the cow is main door of the house Is proof that you and me, we are an inseparable part with its calf, then it different, of the Indian is found to be a very That you choose to look and see economy. It good omen. There is an interesting observation something else is believed In words that clearly show what I that by regarding forecast of donating rains which is signified decipher a cow, by flies and dogs Is tangible evidence that your way is lots surrounding the cow. not mine of ill- ›› However, tears from Is there some common ground for effects the eyes of the cow spell differing views? can be illness and bad luck. warded Arunav Barua off. That ›› Feeding green leafy Lose Weight with Yoga

and breath on the same platform. crazy diets too. But the truth lies supper might shri shri ravi shankar This phenomenon makes it more in the fact that there is no other not be a great Founder- Art of Living Foundation. interesting and easy and effective alternative to hard work, torching idea. compared to other workouts. those unwanted calories in a way Also, which is easy on your body and its tracking e often blame our Know The Difference fun too. For that you need to set your diet genes for us being on Between Weight Loss/ your mindset right. For the mind can help give the wrong side of the is where it all starts. If you are here you an idea scale. Don’t we? But Inch Loss: then we assume that you mean of where your try giving it a second Gearing up for your best friend’s serious business and honestly macronutrients thoughtW and you’ll see that there wedding; you start working out looking for an answer to weight are coming from. is a lot in our hands. This article before a month’s time so that you loss. Remember to track each and It’s important to be outdoors gives you an insight to weight are picture perfect on the wedding every thing which goes in. This as it elevates you, gives you the loss with yoga and for those who date. You lost an inch here and Control Your Weight will make you aware of what required break and helps you are swearing by their weight and there from those places where Before It Controls You: you are having throughout the prepare for the yoga routine would look to see a new you next you wanted it from and you are day and next time will make you coming week. Most important time in the mirror. ready to go. You feel happy about Age plays an important role in think twice before gulping down of all is that these activities have it, the wedding is over and what weight loss too, if you are young your favourite cup cake. The more helped you torch down calories. The Story So Far…. you notice is that those inches are then the chances of you getting you educate yourself with the You can excuse yourself for the Weight Loss and Yoga: back where it belonged too after into the shape are high with food labels, the more you become slice of pizza at the end of the day. the binging at the wedding. minimal efforts but it is though cautious and avoid them. It’s all Plan a beach trip – When Can yoga really help losing For those who are looking at for those who are on other side of about bringing it to awareness. was the last when you walked weight? The basic fact about yoga weight loss, should chalk out a thirties and looking for weight Sticking to your goals and barefoot on the white sands of is that it is an aerobic exercise proper plan with the calendar and loss. Once you cross thirties, diet plan and achieving those the blue seas and the froth of which can help you get in shape set small goals for themselves. special attention needs to be calls for applause. Keep yourself the waves kissing your feet? when done at moderate speed. These goals should be achievable; given to eating habits. motivated till the goal is Make the best of the beach trip If you are looking for a serious they give a lot of confidence when Fats, carbohydrates and accomplished. With your daily by walking on the never ending weight loss then it needs to be done achieved and act as fuel to reach proteins are the main contents of yoga routine try to include these shores and don’t forget to carry under the supervision of a yoga the next set of goal. any meal. Choosing them wisely over the weekend. your yoga mat. expert and over a period of time. over the different meals of the Go out with your friends on Bicycle anyone? Bicycling is Advantage of yoga is that it leaves Minding the Mind: day will help you to go a long way short trek on the outskirts of the another outdoor activity which you fresh and new every time you The secret to weight loss is in in achieving your goal. Complex city. Being outdoors help you to gives you a good workout and are done with your yoga workout. getting your act right. We tend to carbohydrates and healthy fats be close to the nature and gives with friends around you won’t The reason behind it being the fact find the solution to weight loss in can be a part of your breakfast you the required break from your even come to know the distance that yoga brings your mind, body those pills or bottles and the latest but including the same for your yoga schedule. you have travelled.n G PLUS | Aug 17 - Aug 23, 2019 Entertainment 23 Assam girl thanks Akshay Kumar on popular TV show for donating towards flood relief

girl from Assam, Bornalee show to thank Kumar for donating Deuri, thanked Akshay money for the relief of flood Kumar for donating Rs 2 victims in Assam and Kaziranga crores for the victims of National Park. the Assam floods on the popularA TV programme, The Kapil Further, she even sang and Sharma Show. danced with Kumar and his co- star Sonakshi Sinha. The episode, which aired on Deuri is a playback singer from Saturday, August 10, featured Jorhat. She has sung the popular movie stars Akshay Kumar, song, Babaji Ki Booti from the Taapsee Pannu, Sonakshi Sinha movie Go Goa Gone. and Kriti Kulhari, who had come to promote their upcoming film, It should be noted that Kumar Mission Mangal. donated Rs 2 crore for the Assam floods on July 17, contributing Rs 1 During the show, Deuri stated crore each to the CM’s Relief Fund that she had especially gone to and for Kaziranga Park rescue. Rima Das’s Bulbul Can Sing bags ‘Best Indie Film’ at IFFM Assam govt likely to ima Das’s critically acclaimed film Bulbul Can Sing won the “Best host Filmfare Awards Indie Film” award at the Indian Film Festival of he Assam government, on August 10, said that Rs 300 crores RMelbourne (IFFM) in Victoria, has been sanctioned to promote the state as a global tourist Australia on August 8. destination. Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, taking to Das’s film has already been Twitter said, “We have sanctioned Rs. 300 crore to Assam screened at international TTourism in the Assam Budget 2019. To promote the state as a platforms such as Toronto Film global tourist destination, for the 1st time we are exploring the Festival and Berlin Film Festival. possibility of hosting the @filmfare Awards in Guwahati.” Taking to Twitter Rima wrote, It should be noted that the Filmfare Awards are a set of “Thank you to the jury of Indian awards that honour artistic and technical excellence in the Film Festival of Indian Film Hindi-language film industry and is one of the oldest and most Festival of Melbourne @IFFMelb prestigious film events in the country. for awarding #BulbulCanSing the Best Indie Film. Kudos to the Festival Director Mitu Bhowmick and the whole team for putting together this unique festival.” It is to be mentioned that the festival will go on from August 8 to August 15, 2019. The festival will screen over 60 films from all across India and the subcontinent in over 22 languages.

Four NE directors bag awards at 2019

our directors from the northeastern region have won accolades at the National Film Awards 2019. Rima Das’s Bulbul Can Sing won the “Best Assamese Film” award, while Dominic Sangma’s Ma.Ama won the award for “Best Garo Film,” Bobby Sarma Baruah’s FMishing won the award for “Best Sherdukpen Film” and Manju Borah’s In The Land of Poisonous Women won the award for “Best Pangsenpa Film.” The winners for the National Film Awards 2019 were declared Bobby Sarma Baruah Dominic Sangma Manju Borah Rima Das on Friday, August 9. 24 Catching Up G PLUS | Aug 17 - Aug 23, 2019

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