G PLUS APR 23 - APR 29, 2016 1 4 commit suicide fearing App based call cabs Riya Kalita 1 impending bribe-for-job pushing Guwahati autos New CHIC on the block scam out of business? PG 03 PG 05 PG 24

VOLUME 03 | ISSUE 48 SEP 24 - SEP 30, 2016 PRICE `10

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Guwahati’s theatre extravaganza: the organizers’ perspective

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Priyanka Chopra as Brand Ambassador is mere speculation 2 G PLUS SEP 24- SEP 30, 2016 In The News GPLUS NEWS Priyanka Chopra as John Abraham Brand Ambassador is discusses issues mere speculation related Juthika Baruah to ISL with CM  Priyanka Chopra has not yet given confirmation to the proposal of brand ambassador of Assam tourism  The campaign of Awesome Assam will be launched by the end of September, 2016  The state government has allocated Rs. 15 crores for the campaign  The objective of Awesome Assam is to ollywood actor John Abra- promote Assam tourism ham, who is also the owner globally of North East United Foot- Bball Club, met Chief Minister Sar-  To promote home The news of Priyanka Chopra being appointed as the bananda Sonowal on Wednesday stay, the government evening, at the CM’s office cham- will construct 500 to Brand Ambassador of Assam Tourism and that she will ber in Assam Secretariat, and dis- 700 houses be paid Rs. 1.5 crores per day has been denied by ATDC cussed with him the preparations which says that it is a speculative piece of news with no of Guwahati as the venue for the confirmation by the department opening ceremony of the third edi- tion of the Indian Super League he government of Assam has 20,000 foreign tourists visited the Assam campaign has been launched However, according to a recent (ISL). launched Awesome Assam and state,” said Director of ATDC, Paul to promote tourism around the world report of Govt. of ’s Ministry of It may be mentioned that the it has also been published and Baruah. so that Assam tourism should not be Tourism, Assam along with the rest of opening ceremony of the third Tbroadcast that leading Bollywood Baruah added, “Assam has spe- confined within the country. Assam the northeast has been in a race down- session of ISL will be held before film actor Priyanka Chopra will be the cial things to offer but it needs to get has huge resources in the tourism sec- hill in the recent past. It is neither Goa the crowd in Sarusajai Stadium, Brand Ambassador of Assam Tourism. a framework in place to realize the tor which needs to be promoted and nor Kerala but Tamil Nadu which has Guwahati. The duo, besides talking The same has been termed fallacious benefits. Promotion is a major way the tourist is aware of only some of the emerged as India’s most popular state about a flurry of steps that were by Assam Tourism Development Cor- through which the rise in footfall can tourist destinations and many other for foreign tourists. pressed in to service for the open- poration (ATDC). be witnessed. We are working towards tourist spots need to be promoted. The The top five frequented states were ing ceremony, also talked on North Speaking exclusively to G Plus, promoting Assam in different states government will promote tourism as Tamil Nadu (4.68 million), Maharash- East’s contribution to the develop- Managing Director of ATDC, Anurag by penetrating into other cultures and an industry. Sarma said, “Young for- tra (4.41 million), Uttar Pradesh (3.1 ment of Indian football, and its po- Singh said that Priyanka Chopra has showcasing our culture on a national eign tourists are keen on visiting As- million), (2.38 million) and tential in shaping the future of the not yet confirmed the deal and the platform. Activities such as cultural sam and seeing the tea gardens where West Bengal (1.49 million) and these game in the country. news that has been published is specu- shows, road-shows, direct interac- their forefathers used to work at one states have been the consistently top Sonowal also informed Abra- lative. “We have offered her the role of tion with tour operators are being point of time.” ranked states in the country in terms ham that the administration would Brand Ambassador but she has not yet carried out. We have been to Bangal- The state government has allo- of tourism. The top 10 states contrib- extend all possible support and as- confirmed and all issues like she will uru, , , and cated Rs. 15 crores for the Awesome uted about 88.4% to the total number sistance for Guwahati to play the shoot in a foreign country and will be with Barsha Rani Bish- Assam campaign. of foreign tourist visits in the country host of the football carnival and as- paid Rs 1.5 crores per day are specula- aya as our ambassador.” To promote home stay, the gov- during 2015. These states also have sured all help to North East United tive. No one has confirmed the news With the launching of the Awe- ernment will construct 500 to 700 some of the major international air- FC. with ATDC before publishing it,” said some Assam logo, the tourism de- houses, Sarma said adding, “We will ports of India where tourists usually Singh. partment will aggressively promote also rope in film producers for shoot- arrive, before they go on to explore The state is set to take a big leap the new brand entity. Launching the ing in Assam and for this a single- other parts of the country. Meanwhile, Kolia into the money-spinning world of logo, state tourism minister Himanta window clearance mechanism will be Assam is endowed with plenty of tourism which includes ‘Awesome As- Biswa Sarma said that the Awesome put in place.” natural and cultural resources which Bhomora sam,’ a campaign to boost tourism in can form the basis of a very lucrative all its sectors of wildlife, spirituality, tourism industry, creating employ- Setu to shut tea, golf, adventure, leisure, monsoon, Yearly status of flow of tourist ment and generating income not only film and so on and the campaign will in the urban centres but also in the down toll be launched by the end of September, rural areas. 2016. Financial Footfall of Footfall of foreign Total Assam can become one of the gate “Assam will first have to overhaul year domestic tourists tourists most sought after destinations in the its image of a militancy-hit zone by 2010-2011 41,27,447 15,633 41,43,080 country because of its magnificent he toll gate on the Kolia re-branding itself and putting the lat- tourism products like exotic wildlife, Bhomora bridge was shut est technological innovations to use, 2011-2012 44,08,336 16,660 44,24,996 awesome scenic beauty, colourful fairs down today w.e.f. from 10 the draft Assam Tourism Policy, 2016, and festivals, age-old historical monu- TAM Thursday following an order 2012-2013 45,44,666 17,708 45,62,374 says. The policy proposes the creation ments, lush green tea gardens and golf from the Centre. The Centre ruled of a framework to transform tourism 2013-2014 44,44,393 19,086 44,63,497 courses, the massive Brahmaputra that toll could not be levied on into a major economic sector of the 2014-2015 48,63,826 20,005 48,83,831 River and its tributaries, serene and bridges that cost less than Rs 100 state and increase tourist inflow two tranquil country side and warm and crore on its construction. The Kolia to three-fold in the next five years. In 2015-2016 56,42,950 26,320 56,69,270 hospitable people. Bhomora bridge was built at a cost 2014, around 48,00,000 domestic and [email protected] of Rs 80 crore. G PLUS SEP 24 - SEP 30, 2016 3 Crime

been registered against Pulin in Dis- pur, Dhakuakhana and Moran police stations. 4 commit suicide In his suicide note which he wrote to the chief minister and other higher government officials, he mentioned that he and a police official from Na- fearing impending zira was involved in the matter and urged them to carry out an inquiry into the matter. Prasanta mentioned in his suicide note that he was forced bribe-for-job scam KALYAN DEB to take such a step as he was under Kingpin, allegedly from the police department, arrested late on Thursday night pressure. from upper Assam by Dibrugarh police After receiving news of the deaths, Prasanta’s elder brother, Hemanta n a bizarre incident four mem- ter, health minister and DGP of Assam reached here this afternoon along bers of a family were found dead where the deceased, Prasanta, admit- with his relatives and friends. They in a hotel in Guwahati city on ted that he committed suicide because too blamed Pulin for the tragedy. IWednesday last. According to initial of cheating and fraudulent acts of one “Prasanta was under severe mental investigations, four members of the Pulin Gogoi who is working in Assam pressure for the past few days as the family - father, mother, a relative and Police. It needs mention that Gogoi job aspirants from whom he had taken a child - committed suicide due to a had collected Rs. 77 lakhs from 62 money had given him a deadline for supposed bribe-for-job feud. How- persons by promising them govern- tomorrow to refund the money,” He- ever, police said they were looking at ment jobs through his connections. manta said. every possible angle. They were lodged The note also mentioned that it in Room No. 102 in the Sun City Hotel was due to mental pressure created Investigation so far in Ganeshguri area where the bodies by several others for which he had to were found. The deceased have been take this extreme step of committing As informed by police officials, identified as Prasanta Kumar (36), suicide with his family and sought preliminary investigation indicates his wife Pompi Kalita (26), her cousin exemplary punishment for the guilty this is a case of suicide. However the Anamika Kalita (21), and the couple’s persons. In another suicide note ad- cause of death can be confirmed after four-year-old daughter. dressed to his parent, the deceased the post-mortem report is acquired. It “The family came to the hotel elaborated his family matters and was also mentioned that according to on Tuesday evening and booked the begged for forgiveness for taking such family members of Prasanta, he was room. However, no one came out until an extreme step. Along with the sui- in depression for the past few days as late morning today. On suspicion, we cide notes, three containers, a packet he had collected huge sums of money peeped inside through the ventilator of which is suspected to be pesticides, from various people over the past year only to see that all the four were lying two mobile phone and some edibles assuring them of government jobs in on one bed,” said the manager of the were also recovered from the room. different departments. However, Pras- hotel, adding that thereafter, they in- anta had failed to secure such jobs for formed the police. The Pulin Gogoi those people and was under pressure connection to return their money. The incident “The cause of death seems to be According to sources, Prasanta consumption of poison but we are On 21st September at about 12 Kumar was reportedly involved in a waiting for the post-mortem reports,” noon, information was received by scam and took huge sums of money a police official said. “However, we Dispur PS from the manager of Sun amounting to Rs. 77 lakhs from 62 will investigate the matter thoroughly. City Lodge located at Ganeshguri people on the promise of giving them There might be more to it than what Chariali that the room number 102 jobs. He was associated with one Pu- meets the eye. We will take stringent of the lodge was found locked from lin Gogoi and Prasanta worked as a measures,” the official added. the inside and dead bodies of four mediator between him and the job as- Meanwhile, a case (Case number persons were seen inside the room. Pulin Gogoi in Custody | File Photo pirants. Pulin had asked Prashanta to 2295/2016) has been registered and Immediately after receiving the infor- covered the bodies door of the lodge was locked from the assure the unemployed youths of pro- investigation on the same has started. mation the police rushed to the spot The deceased were identified inside it was suspected that the family viding jobs in the police and adminis- Police officials mentioned that a Spe- and observed through the ventilator of thereafter and it soon came to light had committed suicide. trative departments. However, accord- cial Investigation Team has been put the room that the dead bodies of one that one Prasanta Kumar of Sipajhar After observing the crime scene, ing to preliminary investigations it in place following which Gogoi, whose male, two females and a child were ly- in Darrang District along with two an FSL team was requisitioned along was clear that Prashanta was unaware name surfaced in the suicide note of ing on the bed. The information was women and a child had checked into with CID and a team of Crime Branch of Pulin’s suspension from the police Prashanta Kumar, was arrested from soon passed on to senior police offi- the lodge at 7 pm of Tuesday on 20th in order to take follow-up actions. Two department. Pulin was suspended on Pothalibam of Moran late Thursday cials who also rushed to the spot. The September. They had entered the room suicide notes were recovered from the 12th September, 2011 for his involve- night by a team from Dibrugarh Po- police then broke open the room in at around 8 pm after having dinner in room of the lodge. Of the two notes, ment in many illegal activities. It may lice. the presence of a magistrate and re- a restaurant outside the lodge. As the one was addressed to the chief minis- be mentioned, that several cases have [email protected] Guwahati based bullion trader busted: Rs. 2000 cr racket comes to a halt GPLUS NEWS

Guwahati-based bullion detection of gold smuggling by any purity gold bars into India through through cargo. trader, Narendra Kumar Jain agency in India. Indo-Myanmar land borders. Once The Guwahati based bullion has been arrested for smug- Interrogation has revealed that the gold bars were received in Gu- trader fell into the Directorate of Agling 7,000 kgs of gold through In- Jain had made 617 trips to Guwaha- wahati, he would declare and book Intelligence net when his 10 kg gold do-Myanmar land border and bring- ti for the purpose of smuggling gold gold as valuable cargo in domestic consignment was seized at the do- ing it to Delhi through an airline. A over a period of past two and a half flights between Guwahati and Delhi. mestic terminal of IGI Airport early probe by the officials of revenue de- years. So far smugglers had been Interestingly he was using a partic- this month. He along with his Del- partment has revealed that the trader known to be using train and bus ular private airline for this purpose. hi-based aide was arrested by the made hundreds of smuggling trips routes to carry smuggled gold into This has also led to the questioning sleuths. He smuggled the gold into and is said to be the mastermind of a different parts of India. However, of the airline staff. Investigation has India’s Mizoram and Manipur states Rs 2,000 crore smuggling racket. This Jain had adopted a new modus ope- revealed that the airline staff was from Chin State and Sagaing Divi- probably is the single biggest case of randi. He used to smuggle 24 carat aware of the gold being transported sion. 4 G PLUS SEP 24- SEP 30, 2016 City Assam Govt COFA seeks govt intervention requests UK and Australia to regulate digitization Govt to make urgent Juthika Baruah of cable TV changes in travel  COFA demands advisories intervention of GPLUS NEWS state government to regulate he Assam state government, digitization on Wednesday urged the United Kingdom and Aus-  Cable TV Ttralia to immediately ‘rectify’ their operators demand recent travel advisories in which tax holiday up to they cautioned their citizens against 2018 travelling to Assam and four other north-eastern states.  The The two nations had updated digitization of 4th their advisories on Friday and had phase has been asked their citizens to either can- extended till 31st cel or reconsider their visit to the December, 2016 northeast India considering the in- cidents of terrorism and insurgency.  100% They also cited the incidents of the digitization has recent Kokrajhar shootings that been done in happened last month and the killing Guwahati of 18 soldiers by NSCN Khaplang rebels in Manipur last year.  COFA demands The British Foreign and Com- implementation of monwealth Office in its advisory the Cable TV Act said, “Although the overall security situation in the northeast of India  Subsidy in is improving, some areas, especially A&BT demanded in Manipur and Assam, still experi- for multiple ence sudden and random outbreaks connections | Adib zamali/G Plus of violence. There have been several incidents of violence in Assam in- A monopoly has been established as the DM, ADM and SDM fail to cluding a shooting in Kokrajhar on investigate the actual scenario of digitization of cable TV; COFA August 5 resulting in 14 deaths and demands intervention of the state government grenade explosions in Lakhimpur, Karbi Anglong and Guwahati.” he Cable TV Operators Fo- Cable Television Network (Regula- those who do not follow the rules are a minimum amount but after things The Australian advisory said, rum of Assam (COFA) has tion) Act, 1995. The various provi- not being hauled up by anyone. As we get digitalized they will be able to “We advise you to reconsider your demanded intervention of the sions of the Act and Regulation have abide by the law we have to face the charge fees according to. need to travel to these areas due to Tstate government for the irregulari- entrusted the District Magistrate, problem,” said Ahmed. According to the TRAI Act men- risk of armed robbery, kidnapping, ties that have taken place in the digi- Additional District Magistrate, Sub- Earlier, COFA also demanded tioned in broadcasting and cable extortion and separatist and insur- tization of cable TV and the TRAI divisional Magistrate at ground level that a tax holiday up to 2018 as op- services, the Multi-System Operator gent violence, including in rural ar- has implemented an Act which is not as the authorised officer for imple- erators are already over burdened (MSO) shall continue to have a right eas. Insurgent groups have attacked being followed by most of the opera- mentation of the same but the au- with investments in the transition of ownership of its network used to civilians and bombed buildings in tors. thorised persons have not taken any from analogue to digital. They have deliver cable TV services under this these states.” It has been alleged by the cable action regarding the implementation also demanded that subsidy should agreement and it may expand/up- However, state tourism minis- TV operators that they are being sub- of the Act.” be given in A&BT (Amusement & grade/change/replace/redesign any ter Himanta Biswa Sarma described jected to harassment from various Ahmed said that the TRAI and Betting Tax) in multiple connections part or entire network subject to the the inclusion of Assam in a list of quarters due to ignorance of rules the government have drafted the Act as most of the subscribers are having condition that any such activity does disturbed areas of the country ‘a and regulations by the authorised of- for the benefit of the consumers but more than one TV and therefore the not interrupt or degrade the quality careless oversight’ and urged his ficers under state government lead- as it has not been implemented the operators appealed to subsidise the of service provided to the subscrib- counterparts in the two countries to ing to closure of networks. Presently, customers and operators have to face A&BT rate for the multiple connec- ers. The MSO shall sign the inter- avoid referring to the state as a for- the state government has conferred the problem. There is also an order is- tions giving a relief to the subscrib- connection agreement with broad- bidden destination. the responsibility on Information sued by the Supreme Court of India ers. The state government shall take casters for retransmission of signals In a request sent out to the and Public Relation Department to mentioning that a distributor of a pay immediate and urgent steps to press of TV Channels as per prevailing government of the two nations, look after matters related to cable TV channel cannot be an operator but the authorised officers as defined in norms, policies, the applicable laws Himanta said, “Assam is an abode which is not the competent authority a CEO of a reputed news channel is the cable TV act to do the needful for and rules, regulations, directions and of natural beauty. Its people are as per act. They also alleged that the an operator and the government has implementation of provisions of the orders of the concerned authorities. peace-loving and give immense love state government is unable to collect chosen to remain silent in this regard. cable TV act. The MSO shall have the right to final- and affection to all those who come a single penny from the pay channel The consumers are not aware of The government has taken the ise the maximum retail price of each here. Any misrepresentation of the broadcasters who are collecting huge their rights and it is the responsibility decision to make cable TV operation channel, as payable by the subscriber actual situation creates unnecessary amounts of revenue. of the DM, ADM and SDM to create digital through which they will have in compliance with the provisions of fear and adversely impacts tourism Speaking to G Plus, General awareness among the people about the information on how many house- applicable laws and rules, regulations potential of the state.” Secretary of COFA, Iquebal Ahmed their rights and see that it is followed holds are having cable connections. and tariff orders. The MSO shall have He further said that, Assam said, “It has been clearly mentioned at the ground level. Ahmed said that The government will collect enter- the right to package the channels/ is a land of diverse ethnic and cul- in the TRAI website regarding the a service centre and a customer care tainment tax accordingly and the pay services offered on the network, as tural groups which have co-existed customers’ right about the rules and centre should be established between channels will also get the advantage per its business plan and as per pre- with enormous harmony and unity. regulations of digitization of cable 6 am and 10 pm which is mentioned out of it. The pay channels will get vailing norms, policies, the applicable Incidents like that of Kokrajhar is TV which needs to be followed at the in the quality of service agreement. to know how many households are laws and rules, regulations and tariff unfortunate, but was a ‘rare occur- ground level. The cable TV industry “It is because of the irregularities viewing which channels and accord- orders. rence’, and something of that sort is governed by Telecom Regulatory that we are facing problems as the ingly they will fix the rate. Through could have taken place in any mod- Authority of India (TRAI) and the rules have been followed by some and the analogue system they used to get [email protected] ern society. G PLUS SEP 24 - SEP 30, 2016 5 City App based call cabs pushing Guwahati autos out of business? What the Chandrika Das his is the golden age of trans- Tweet!? port options. Forget buses and owning your own car: Uber, #Brangelina TOla and the likes are offering fares that are turning out to be cheaper than au- divorce #Braxit to-rickshaws. Well, the cherry on the cake is the fact that while all the facil- and 2016’s ities are available with a tap of your phone, it brings along the convenience biggest tragedy of getting to travel in an air-condi- Sorabh Pant @hankypanty tioned cab. Who gives a shit about It seems that the revolutionary #Brangelina breaking up? app based call taxis are fast invading I’m still not over Sehwag the public commuting scenario in Gu- and Tendulkar not opening wahati with every passing day. And together! with the nascent but fast growing app based cab services, like Uber reducing Bhak Sala @bhak_sala After reading hashtags like its minimum fare to Rs 7 per km, and #Brangelina, I am really glad Ola Cabs reducing its base fare to Rs that Chunkey Pandey never 45, the segment has challenged the dated Tiya Sircar. auto-rickshaws of the city on their own turf. The growing popularity of Sand-d Singh @Sand_In_ app based cab services like Uber and Deed Ola has already eaten into the incomes This #Brangelina is a great of traditional auto and taxi drivers in opportunity for Arijit Singh to Guwahati. make some global fans. | Adib zamali/G Plus Taxi aggregators like Ola and Madhavan Narayanan @ Uber claim to cover near about 10 Uber has clearly emerged as the “One reason for the shift could be What’s wrong with madversity lakh rides daily. Ola alone says that leader in terms of fares, bringing a that the cab drivers have captured the the auto scenario in Someone on Facebook has it carries out 7,50,000 rides each day much needed relief for the people of market for long distance trips, and au- Guwahati? a new term for #brangelina within the country. In getting so pop- the city tos are still plying on shorter distanc- divorce: #braxit ular, these services are seen to be of- es” said an auto driver. The stubborn (read rude) behav- fering transparent pricing, ensuring What, apart from the “Ola and Uber have brought relief ior of the auto drivers and high fares Faizal Rosly @ijaicool ‘what you ride is what you pay for’ price, is making Guwahati for the people who need to stay out have compelled the public to go for Quite shocked to hear about sparing people the trouble of having people switch to app for some work or the other. Guwahati options other than hiring an auto for #Brangelina I guess no one told you life was gonna be this to haggle with the auto drivers to ply based cabs? streets would hardly see any auto after commuting. way by the meter and imploring them not 9 PM. That is when the cabs come to The Gauhati High Court in a re- *clap clap clap clap* to overcharge, leave alone ‘taking a lit- Most popular taxi cabs accept your rescue, be it 10 PM or 11 PM”, cent verdict said that the auto rick- tle extra.’ bookings only through applications. said a female professional of Guwa- shaws should install fare meters im- Joy @Joydas Unfortunately in recent times, And with the GPS option built in hati. mediately and that the auto-rickshaw The sacrifice #Brangelina has the situation has become bleak for the the apps making customers instantly Here’s how the two most popular owners’ association coordination made to divert IndiaPak Twitter auto drivers in the city with the reg- aware of where the cabs are and how app based cab services have taken the committee should implement the gov- from triggering Nuclear War is ulations of the app based cabs, which long it would take to reach them, run- city in hand, in the global market. ernment rate, i.e. Rs. 30 for the first 2 admirable are designed to create a smooth plying ning autos and taxis may be assured of km against the meter reading of Rs 10 Sagar @sagarcasm option round the clock. a dip in business. and Rs 3 for subsequent 200 meters or Breaking Brad A quick price check between the part, i.e. Rs 15 for subsequent 1 km. auto rickshaws and the app based cabs The waiting charge should be Rs. 3 for Angad Singh Ranyal @ within the city at various times of day: every 5 minutes, i.e. Rs 36 for every PiratedSardar hour. The fare at night time, i.e. from Forget Angelina-Brad, I just Zoo road Tin Ali to 10 pm to 5 am will increase by 50% want to know whether Hrithik Guwahati Railway Station over the normal fare. However, only left Kangana or Kangana left (9 AM – 9:30 AM) a few autos could be found following Hrithik. Reserved auto – Rs 150 – Rs 180 these guidelines directed by the court. billoo @MohitParmarr Stand auto – Rs 200 With auto drivers refusing to fol- brad pitt aur angelina bhi alag Uber - Rs 80 – Rs 100 low government guidelines, the sight ho gaye, ab toh shaadi karle - Ola – Rs 100 – Rs 120 of a working meter still being a rare indian mother phenomenon and the app based cabs Gitanagar to ISBT (6:30 providing hassle-free experience, a The Deuce @IBeBibby AM) sharp decline in the number of au- Don’t fall for it. This just Reserved auto – Rs 400 – Rs 450 to-rickshaws in Guwahati could be- marketing for Mr. And Mrs. Ola (Sedan) – Rs 329 come a reality in the near future. Smith 2. #Brangelina Uber – Rs 207 – Rs 263 Ashley Gunn @ViraGunn #BRANGELINA IS OVER. Guwahati Railway Station ROMANCE IS DEAD. LOVE IS A to Jalukbari (5 PM – 5:30 LIE. IF THEY COULDN’T MAKE PM) IT WORK, NO ONE CAN. Reserved auto – Rs 500 plus Ola – Rs 450 - Rs 500 Sierra Dallas @SierraDallas Uber – Rs 410 – Rs 535 Females all over the world just became “single” #brangelina Ulubari to Khanapara (6 PM) Erin Gloria Ryan @ morninggloria Bless Brad Pitt and Angelina Reserved auto – Rs 200 – Rs 250 Jolie for opening a door into a Ola – Approx Rs 200 room in my brain that isn’t full Uber – Rs 140 – Rs 175 [email protected] of Donald Trump. 6 G PLUS SEP 24- SEP 30, 2016 Health Super- Dengue onslaught alarming computing facility “Param- Ishan” unveiled in Kamrup (M), more than at IIT Guwahati

Juthika Baruah 1000 cases reported

Cases of dengue has reached the 1,000-mark and might increase as the season of epidemic disease continues till December In 2013, the number of cases of dengue were 4,121 while in 2014 it was 41 and in 2015 there were 933 nion Human Resource Development cases Minister Praksh Javadekar on Monday unveiled “Param-Ishan” – a super-com- Dengue Uputing facility at IIT Guwahati. The high-per- mosquitoes bite formance “Param-Ishan” has computing speed during daytime of 250 teraFLOPS and capacity of 300 tera bites (TB). The 250 teraFLOPS means that the com- There are more puter is capable of performing 250 trillion op- cases in urban erations per second. The supercomputer was areas as the installed in a partnership between the Centre for mosquito breeds in Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) clean water and IIT Guwahati. “It is a one of the glad moments to have fast- GMC has a est and most powerful computer in north-east- more important ern, eastern and southern regions,” Javadekar role to play to said after unveiling the Param-Ishan super prevent spreading computer. He said that C-DAC and IIT Guwa- | Adib zamali/G Plus of dengue by hati partnership will provide a boost to both continuously Cases of dengue will only increase as the season of the high performance computer users and the fogging and epidemic disease continues till December and this community through the deployed Param-Ishan spraying DDT in and several technology areas will be positively the vulnerable city year cases have been reported before the onset of affected through the introduction of the new su- areas the season percomputer. With a peak computing power of 250 Teraflops, PARAM-ISHAN is the fastest and ases of dengue in Kamrup Dr Hazarika said that there Aedes mosquito. Malaria and Japa- Dr Hazarika said that they have most powerful supercomputer to be deployed in (M) have reached the 1,000- are three types of dengue - general nese Encephalitis (JE) are reported been updating the daily report to the north-eastern, eastern and southern regions, mark and the number is dengue, dengue shock syndrome mainly in the rainy season. Guwahati Municipal Corporation outside . Clikely to be increase as the season of and dengue hemorrhagic and the Dr Hazarika said, “The people (GMC) and asked them to do fog- Prof. Gautam Biswas, Director of IIT Guwa- the epidemic disease continues till one who had died in Noonmati was residing in the hills are mostly af- ging in the areas. It has also been hati, said that Param-Ishan will not only augment December. from the dengue shock syndrome. fected as they preserve rain water suggested to the people to use mos- the research initiatives in the institute but also It was in 2013 that Kamrup In dengue hemorrhagic, when the and use it for household purpose as quito nets even in the afternoon help in creating an ecosystem for attracting right (M) witnessed the highest number platelet comes down to less than there is no municipal water supply and wear full-sleeved apparel. He talents to the field of research. Param-Ishan can of dengue cases with 4,121 from 50,000, the patient might reach the in these areas. If they are asked not also said that Assam is vulnerable be used in several scientific and engineering ap- which two people died followed danger level and can lose his or her to use the rain water they get angry to vector-borne diseases like den- plication areas including weather, climate mod- by 41 cases in 2014 and 933 cases life. “There is no vaccine for dengue as they do not have proper water gue, Japanese encephalitis and ma- elling and seismic data processing. This would be in 2015. The state this year has re- and the treatment is supportive as sources. They do not even keep the laria. Open dumping of solid waste helpful as northeast India receives heavy rainfall corded 1,205 dengue cases till date the dengue patient is prescribed preserved water covered making is common in the city and contrib- during monsoon, which leads to flooding and (1,080 in Kamrup-M alone) with medicines for fever, headache, it easy for mosquitoes to lay eggs utes towards the high breeding of landslides. Dibrugarh reporting the second pneumonia etc.,” said Dr Hazarika. which is harmful. A larva is formed mosquitoes. In his inaugural address, Shri Prakash Ja- highest number of cases of the ep- He said that the cases of dengue are and after seven days the larvae turn Moreover, it has been informed vadekar said, “We reiterated our “commitment idemic disease. more in the urban areas than in ru- into mosquitoes. All we can do is to by an official of health department to give a big push to research and innovation by “The city has four zones name- ral as the dengue mosquito breeds ask them to purify the water after that active part should be taken by empowering the educational institutes to trans- ly the Capital Zone (Dispur), South in clean water. seven days so that it doesn’t affect GMC by fogging areas and spraying form into higher seats of learning and platforms Zone (Dhirenpara), West Zone Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes opt them.” DDT in and around the city. GMC for advanced research. A nation’s potential for (Pandu FRU) and East Zone (East for breeding in tyres while the Ae- “We have organised camps in has been sanctioned a sum of Rs. growth today, is evaluated on the quality of its Guwahati State Dispensary) and des Albopictus prefer breeding in the vulnerable areas and have found 2 crores for fogging. The people research and development. As a big nation, we out of the four zones South Zone open battery boxes. Open dumping patients with cold, cough and fever are also not aware of the facts and certainly face a number of problems. Effective is the most affected. The highly af- of solid waste material is common which are the symptoms of viral they don’t allow spraying of DDT R&D activities carried out in a strategic mode fected areas under the zone are Lal in the city and this contributes to- fever. As dengue does not have any in the surroundings saying that it can be the solution to our most pressing prob- Ganesh, Odalbakra, Kalapahar, Pa- wards increased breeding of mos- treatment we have given medicines affects people adversely and walls lems. We need to amalgamate our strengths, hartoli and Fatasil Ambari. In the quitoes. Discarded earthenware, of cold, cough and fever and asked of houses get damaged. But they skills and resources to provide the right direction Capital Zone, areas like Kahilipara, paper cups and glass bottles are them to keep a healthy diet which are not aware that the lives of the to our research initiatives. The coming together Sarusajai, Gorolia, Nalapara and other sources of mosquito’s larvae. is equally important. The vacci- people are more important than of C-DAC and IIT Guwahati is a strategic move 8th mile are affected while in East Though dengue