THE HILLS TIMES

Page 1 Dec 30_Normal Pages 29-12-2023 09:40 PM Page 1

6 Russiaia fires 122 missiles and

36 drones

WORLD
Maine bars Trump from ballot as US

8
SC weighs states' authority
Nitish elected JD(U) president as party

ULFA’s pro-talks faction signs peace agreement

lauds his role in bringing together
NATION

President gives assent to bill for

appointment of CEC, ECs www.thehillstimes.in Voice of the hills people

Three cases of grenade-lobbing

Vol .No. XXIV Issue No. 344 RNI-ASSENG/2000/12862 DIPHU, KARBI ANGLONG, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023 PAGES 12 PRICE ` 8

Outfit to abjure violence, surrender arms, join democratic process solved: Assam DGP
Golden day for Assam: Himanta Big devp package for Assam on anvil HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Dec 29: In a major
As per Jorhat superintendent of
police (SP) ML Meena, two individ-
breakthrough, the Assam director uals, identified as Achyut Gogoi and
NEW DELHI, Dec 29: The ULFA’s pro- ment with the Manipur-based insurgent general of police, GP Singh, Biraj Kachari, allegedly involved in
talks faction on Friday signed a peace accord group UNLF were signed in 2023, he added. claimed that they have successfully a grenade attack near an army camp
with the Central and the Assam govern- With this agreement with the ULFA, a new cracked three recent grenade-lob- in Jorhat, were apprehended sepa-
ments, agreeing to shun violence, surrender era of peace is going to begin for the entire bing cases by arresting the cul- rately from Moran in Dibrugarh
all arms, disband the organisation and join Northeast, and especially Assam, Shah said. prits. district and Titabor in
the democratic process. A time-bound programme will be made by Taking to the micro- Jorhat district on Thurs-
Union home minister Amit Shah, who was the home ministry to fulfil the ULFA’s de- blogging site X, day.
present along with Assam chief minister Hi- mands and a committee will be formed for Singh share the “The motorcycle
manta Biswa Sarma at the signing of the ac- its monitoring, the home minister added. news on Thursday, used in the crime
cord in the national capital, called it a golden He said in all the agreements signed after stating, “In an ex- was also seized,”
day for the people of Assam. 2019, the Modi government is ahead of time cellent operation the SP added.
“Assam has suffered for a long due to the and efforts have been made to fulfil all the lasting weeks, the However, the af-
violence of the ULFA and 10,000 people conditions. This would not have been possi- three crimes of termath of the inci-
have lost their lives in this violence since ble without Prime Minister Modi’s broader grenade lobbing by dents took a tragic
1979,” he said. vision of an insurgency-free Northeast. a banned organisation turn as a 24-year-old
Shah said the United Liberation Front of Chief Minister Sarma termed the accord in Tinsukia, Sivasagar, man, Dipankar Gogoi, re-
Asom (ULFA) -- the oldest insurgent group Shah said the home ministry, under the per cent and kidnappings by 84 per cent. “historic” and said it fructified due to the and Jorhat have been portedly died by suicide after
of Assam -- agreed to abjure violence, sur- prime minister’s guidance, worked with the So far, 7,500 cadres have surrendered in guidance and leadership of Modi and Shah. cracked, perpetrators arrested, and being questioned multiple times by
render arms, disband the organisation, vacate vision of a Northeast that is free from ex- Assam alone, which will have additional 750 Sarma said among the 10,000 people motorcycles used recovered.” the police. Following this, Assam
their camps and join the democratic process. tremism, violence and conflict. after the accord’s signing. Thus, the surren- killed in ULFA violence, around 400 to 500 “People instigating these perpe- chief minister Himanta Biswa
A big development package will be given In the last five years, nine peace- and bor- der of a total 8,200 cadres in Assam alone were security personnel while the rest were trators through online platforms Sarma ordered an additional chief
to Assam as part of the accord. Every clause der-related agreements have been signed will be completed and it will be the begin- native people of Assam. have also been identified and would secretary-level inquiry into the mat-
of the pact will be fully implemented, he with several insurgent groups and among ning of a new era of peace, he said. According to the accord, about Rs 1.5 lakh be brought to book whichever cor- ter, while the DGP directed an in-
said. different states in the Northeast, establishing The home minister said the Modi govern- crore will be invested in Assam in various ner they are in. The evidence would quiry by the IGP (Eastern Range).
“The agreement is a significant milestone peace in large parts of the region, he said. ment signed an agreement with the Tripura- development projects. Besides, in future de- be presented in the appropriate court Earlier, the ULFA(I) had claimed
to fulfil Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vi- More than 9,000 cadres have surrendered based insurgent group NLFT in 2019, groups limitation exercises, the existing principle of law in due course,” he added. responsibility for the grenade at-
sion of a peaceful, prosperous and insur- and the Armed Forces Special Powers Act belonging to the Bru and the Bodo commu- will be applied in Assam so that the interests He affirmed the police’s commit- tacks, attributing them to the “arro-
gency-free Northeast and bringing (AFSPA) has been lifted from 85 per cent nities in 2020, a group of the Karbi tribals of of the indigenous people of the state are pro- ment to protecting the people of the gance” of DGP Singh. In response,
everlasting peace, prosperity and all-round area of Assam, he said. Assam in 2021 and with an Adivasi group in tected, he said. state from violent crimes, acknowl- Singh challenged the outfit, stating

NIA arrests five for Next steps after examining ruling, discussion Sarbananda Sonowal applauds
development of Assam,” he said and added Shah said that after the formation of the 2022. “The accord will give political security edging and commending the efforts they could target him directly in-
that the accord will be implemented in a Modi government in 2014, violent incidents in The Assam-Meghalaya and the Assam- and constitutional safeguards to the indige- of every officer and personnel in- stead of endangering the lives of in-
time-bound manner. Assam decreased by 87 per cent, deaths by 90 Arunachal border agreements and the agree- nous people of (CONTD. ON PAGE-9) volved in the operations. nocent civilians.

human trafficking
in Tripura with legal team: MEA on 8 Indians in Qatar historic ULFA peace agreement HT Correspondent “Today is a historic day for the
AGARTALA, Dec 29: The Na- NEW DELHI, Dec 29: A day after personnel range from three years to DIBRUGARH, Dec 29: Union people of Assam. Under the dy-
tional Investigation Agency has ar- a Qatari court dropped the death 25 years. minister Sarbananda Sonowal on namic leadership of Prime Minister
rested five persons from various sentences given to eight former In- “We would urge you again not to Friday hailed the peace agreement Narendra Modi, this historic agree-
parts of Tripura for their alleged in- dian Navy personnel, India on Fri- engage in speculation. The inter- with the ULFA pro-talks faction as ment with the ULFA has been
volvement in human trafficking, a day said it will explore the next ests of Indians and their family “historic and a moment of socio- signed, ushering a new beginning
senior police officer said on Friday. possible steps in the case after members is our foremost concern,” economic optimism for Assam.” for the people of Assam. This is
NIA teams arrived in the north- studying the verdict and holding Bagchi said. “Peace with ULFA reaffirms ‘Modi Ki Guarantee’ when
eastern state on Thursday and discussions with their legal team The MEA said on Thursday that ‘Modi Ki Guarantee’ for a resur- decades-old insurgency has come
made the arrests from Irani in Un- and family members. the Qatari court had reduced the gent, peaceful and vibrant Assam,” to a halt, powering socio-economic
akoti district and Belonia and Sab- The Court of Appeal in Qatar sentences of the Indians. proclaimed Sonowal, emphasising optimism in Assam.”
room in South Tripura district, the commuted the death penalty “We have stood by them since the transformative impact of the The Union minister extended his
officer said. handed down to the Indians and the beginning of the matter and we accord. congratulations to Union home
The probe agency carried out the sentenced them to prison for vary- spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said will continue to extend all consular The signing of the historic peace minister Amit Shah for his unwa-
operation with the help of the BSF ing durations on Thursday, weeks at his weekly media briefing. and legal assistance. We will also accord on Friday marks a pivotal vering dedication to steering the
and did not inform the state police after their family members filed an “The sentences have been re- continue to take up the matter with moment in the ongoing peace ef- peace process to a positive conclu-
about their plan, the officer added. appeal against the earlier order by duced. But till we have the details, the Qatari authorities,” the ministry forts, orchestrated under the lead- ULFA, the Union government, and sion. Acknowledging the efforts
The arrests came days after BSF another court. I do not want to comment. We will, said. ership of Prime Minister Narendra the Assam government. under the leadership of Prime Min-
director general Nitin Agarwal vis- The Navy veterans were sen- of course, be discussing the next The Indian nationals, who Modi. The tripartite agreement Addressing the significance of ister Narendra Modi and Amit
ited the state and inspected un- tenced to death by Qatar’s Court of possible steps with the legal team worked for private company Al sealed the commitment between this milestone, Sonowal stated, Shah, (CONTD. ON PAGE-9)
fenced borders and emphasised the First Instance on October 26. and the family members,” he said Dahra, were arrested in August last
need to fence those areas. “For the moment, I do not have while responding to a volley of year reportedly in a case of espi-
Himanta apologises for ‘incorrect HT B R I E F S

NSCN (K-YA) claims responsibility for killing former Arunachal MLA

“As many as five persons were any additional information to share questions. onage. Neither the Qatari authori-
arrested for facilitating human traf- till we see the judgment,” Ministry It is learnt that the prison terms ties nor New Delhi made the
Nilip Press Club
ficking (CONTD. ON PAGE-9) of External Affairs (MEA) handed to the former Indian Navy charges (CONTD. ON PAGE-9)
translation’ of Bhagavad Gita verse KOILAMATI: The 4th founda-
HT Bureau of Bhagavad Gita every morning tion day of Nilip Press Club
GUWAHATI, Dec 29: Chief Min- on my social media handles. Till (NPC) was celebrated with a
ister Himanta Biswa Sarma has date, I have posted 668 slokas. Re- daylong programe on December
ITANAGAR, Dec 29: The Yung Aung faction “For the last few years, the NSCN/GPRN ex- apologised for posting an incorrect cently one of my team members 28 at Sanglang Ghat picnic spot.
of banned militant outfit NSCN-K has claimed ercised maximum patience by overlooking his translation of a verse from Bha- posted a sloka from Chapter 18 A meeting was held which was
responsibility for the assassination of former misdeeds as to avoid unwanted situation in the gavad Gita on his social media verse 44 with an incorrect transla- chaired by NPC president, Sem-
legislator Yumsen Matey in Arunachal Pradesh interest of the Naga people. However, despite handle. tion. As soon as I noticed the mis- son Engti, principal, Chokihola
earlier this month. warnings, he continued his illegal activities and Sarma explained that the post, take, I promptly deleted the post,” Higher Secondary School, Dr
The former Congress lawmaker was shot went overboard to provoke and compelled the containing an incorrect translation Sarma wrote on micro-blogging sit Ronjit Ronghang mentioned the
dead by gunmen at Raho village in Tirap district NSCN/GPRN to take this extreme step,” it of a verse from the Bhagavad Gita, X on Thursday. roles and responsibilities of a
along the India-Myanmar border on December added. was shared by one of his team Sarma emphasized Assam’s journalist in disseminating infor-
16. The outfit, however, added that “this case is members. commitment to a casteless society, mation to the masses. Principal,
A statement issued by the outfit on Thursday not in any way related to the upcoming The chief minister promptly attributing it to the reform move- Longmirjeng College, Den-
said Matey was killed due to his “active in- Arunachal Pradesh state assembly election as deleted the post upon realizing the ment led by Mahapurush Srimanta taghat, Bibison Rongpi said
volvement in anti-NSCN activities”. conspired against the NSCN/GPRN and al- some suspected because the NSCN/GPRN will mistake and apologised for any of- Sankardeva. “The state of Assam media persons should not hide
“He was masterminding anti-NSCN propa- lowed himself to be the tool of the adversaries,” never meddle in state politics”. Matey, along fense caused. reflects a perfect picture of a caste- from truth and should give the
ganda in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh. He the statement said. with three of his (CONTD. ON PAGE-9) “As a routine I upload one sloka less society, (CONTD. ON PAGE-9) correct information to the

continue lifesaving services towards Karbi Youth Festival gears up

masses. The chief adviser of

India’s ‘generous gesture’ will help ‘The festival organisers have implemented a plastic-free policy, prohibiting polythene bags’ NPC, Elison Timung said he will
continue to support the develop-

for its golden jubilee edition

ment of NPC. Officer-in-charge
(OC) of Chokihola Police Sta-
tion, Jagodish Deka in his speech
explained the rights, restriction,
norms of journalists. He said the
Palestine Refugees: UNRWA press is the fourth pillar in a dem-
ocratic country and the duty of a
journalist is to provide true infor-
JERUSALEM, Dec 29: India’s Charge deAffaires in Ramallah, mation to the people. Assistant
“generous gesture” will help the Elizabeth Rodrigues, handed over HT Bureau laya, and Arunachal Pradesh will secretary, NPC, Pitor Teron and
United Nations Relief and Works the second tranche of USD 2.5 mil- DIPHU, Dec 29: The stage is set accompany the President. CEO of a portal news channel,
Agency for Palestinian Refugees lion to UNRWA to fulfil India’s an- for the Golden Jubilee of the Karbi Supervising the work, Tokbi fur- Kolomsing Teron participated in
(UNRWA) continue its lifesaving nual commitment of 5 million US Youth Festival (KYF), the oldest ther mentioned that the preparation the celebration.
services for Palestinian refugees, dollars for the year 2023-24. ethnic festival of North-east India, is 90 percent complete.
the UN agency said on Friday, a UNRWA is funded almost en- at Taralangso, scheduled from Jan- KCS president, Chandrasing Woman arrested
day after New Delhi released the tirely by voluntary contributions uary 12 to 19. Kro, informed that the construction
second tranche of USD 2.5 million from UN member states. In the festival, the Karbi Cultural of monuments and KYF golden ju- MEERUT (UP): A woman al-
to the UN agency. The Government of India had Society (KCS) will have the honor bilee memorial stone is in progress. legedly conspired with her lover
UNRWA, functional since 1950, released the first tranche of its an- of hosting the President of India, The construction of Rongbong to kill her husband and por-
carries out direct relief and works nual commitment in November, Draupadi Murmu, on January 17. Artu - Karbi traditional King and trayed the incident as robbery,
programmes for registered Pales- about a month ago. One of the highlights includes a Dignitaries complex, Rangsina police said here, adding that the
tinian refugees. The agency is struggling to keep bamboo stilts race aiming to set a Sarpo Open Stage, Kajir Rong- accused woman and her lover
“As we reach the end of a very up its functioning in the middle of record with 1500 participants. hangpi Achetai - Open Stage, and were arrested on Friday. Senior
difficult year in the region, the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and The festival venue, Taralangso, Cheleng Athepai - representation superintendent of police (SSP)
UNRWA is grateful for the support had appreciated and welcomed is bustling with activity as people of Cheleng cliff are complete. Re- of Meerut Rohit Singh Sajwan
of partners who continue to stand India’s “generous contribution” are engaged in preparations. Addi- hearsals are underway with 2000 said, “One Arun Prajapati, a na-
by Palestine Refugees,” Tamara last month as well because of the tionally, to promote an eco-friendly the Reception Committee (RC) for ram Ronghang, for taking the ini- dancers practicing the KCS theme tive of the Baghpat district had
Alrifai, a spokesperson for difficult situation in the region, environment, the festival organis- the KYF golden jubilee celebration, tiative to invite the President of song for the inauguration day. come to his in-laws place with
UNRWA told PTI. particularly in Gaza. ers have implemented a plastic- inspected the ongoing preparations India to grace the KYF.” It is worth mentioning, with few his wife Archana in the Saroor-
“The latest generous gesture by Palestinians in Gaza are bearing free policy, prohibiting polythene at various sites in Taralangso. President of India, Draupadi days remaining for the grand cele- pur police station area on Thurs-
India will help the Agency con- the brunt of the terrible conflict be- bags and plastics within the com- The EM expressed gratitude, Murmu, is scheduled to arrive on bration of the Golden Jubilee of the day. He was shot dead before his
tinue its lifesaving services to- tween Israel and Hamas, which has plex. stating, “We need to thank chief January 17 at 12 noon at festival, various construction and wife while returning the same
wards Palestine Refugees,” she been ruling the Gaza Strip since On Thursday, Richard Tokbi, the minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Taralangso. A large open stage has beautification projects are under- day.” The wife initially told po-
said. 2007. Hamas’ dastardly attack on executive member (EM) of Karbi and chief executive member been constructed for the Presi- way. Renovation and decoration lice that some men stopped
Amid the raging war in Gaza be- Israel on October 7 prompted the Anglong Autonomous Council (CEM) of Karbi Anglong Au- dent’s visit. The Governors and works are currently being under- them and shot dead her husband
tween Israel and Hamas, India’s Jewish (CONTD. ON PAGE-9) (KAAC) and general secretary of tonomous Council (KAAC), Tuli- chief ministers of Assam, Megha- taken by (CONTD. ON PAGE-9) in a robbery attempt.
Page 2 Dec 30_Normal Pages 29-12-2023 08:19 PM Page 1

Govt’s fiscal deficit in Nov exceeds

2 THE HILLS TIMES BUSINESS
Nephrocare

50 % of full year budget estimates

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023

secures ` 8.08cr
Indian steel demand
pre-IPO funding to surge this fiscal,
KOLKATA, Dec 29: Nephrocare
India, a Kolkata-based comprehen-
sive renal care institution, has
moderation expected in FY’25
raised ` 8.08 crore in its pre-IPO

stands at ` 9.06 lakh crore

Fiscal deficit of government at November end round paving the way for its ex-
pansion plans, the company said
on Friday.
The funding saw participation
NEW DELHI, Dec 29: The gov- crore of non-tax revenue and ` from marquee investors, who in-
ernment’s fiscal deficit at the end 25,463 crore of non-debt capital clude former HDFC chairman
of November stood at ` 9.06 lakh receipts. Deepak Parekh, HDFC Securities
crore or 50.7 per cent of the full- Non-debt capital receipts consist chairman Bharat Shah, and
year budget estimate, according to of recovery of loans and miscella- founder and MD of Macleods
data released by the Controller neous capital receipts. Pharmaceuticals Rajendra Agar-
General of Accounts (CGA) on As per the CGA data, total ex- wal, it said.
Friday. penditure incurred by the central The fresh infusion of capital will
In absolute terms, the fiscal government was at ` 26.52 lakh fuel Nephrocare India’s target of
deficit, the difference between ex- crore (58.9 per cent of correspon- establishing 22 high-end kidney
penditure and revenue, was at ding BE 2023-24) during April- care facilities across India by
` 9,06,584 crore during the April- November 2023. March 2026. Four centres are ex-
October period of 2023-24. Out of the total expenditure, ` pected to be operational by the end
In the corresponding period last 20.66 lakh crore was on revenue of the current fiscal, the company
year, the deficit was at 58.9 per account and ` 5.85 lakh crore was said in a statement.
cent of the budget estimates of on capital account. Its long-term vision is to estab-
2022-23. Continuing the path of fiscal lish 300 Nephrocare centres across KOLKATA, Dec 29: The Indian Awas Yojana are nearing conclu-
For 2023-24, the fiscal deficit of consolidation, the government in- the country within the next 8-10 steel sector has enjoyed a multi- sion, which could slow down the
year demand surge which will con- demand momentum in the steel

Centre sanctions
the government is estimated to be The central government re- of total receipts) up to November tends to bring the fiscal deficit years.
at ` 17.86 lakh crore or 5.9 per cent ceived ` 17.4 lakh crore (64.3 per 2023 comprising ` 14.35 lakh below 4.5 per cent of GDP by Highlighting the critical need for tinue in the current FY’24, but it is sector, he said.
of the GDP. cent of corresponding BE 2023-24 crore tax revenue (net), ` 2.84 lakh 2025-26. (PTI) such expansion, company officials expected to moderate in the com- Lodha said the recent surge in

` 1,170 crore for road

pointed out the vast demand for ing fiscal, global analytics com- steel imports, which has been
pany Crisil said. prompted by lower Chinese prices
RBI gives 3 more months to banks, kidney care units in India, the
The sector has witnessed double and strong Indian demand, has

projects in Ladakh
statement said.
With an estimated seven crore digit demand growth rate of 11 to raised concern among the domestic
13 per cent during three consecu- manufacturers.
NBFCs to implement modified norms patients struggling with chronic
kidney diseases and only around
12,881 haemodialysis centers na-
tive years and is likely to moderate
to 3 to 5 per cent in FY’25, Miren
Lodha, Director Research, Crisil
“The disparity between import
and domestic prices has triggered
significant imports,” he elaborated.
tionwide, access to proper treat-
MUMBAI, Dec 29: The Reserve Bank (RBI) on Fri- banking financial companies (NBFCs) using penal in- Market Intelligence and Analytics But it will self correct in the long
ment remains severely limited,
day granted three more months up till April 1, 2024 terest as a revenue enhancement tool, the Reserve said on Friday. run with the ongoing capacity ad-
Nearly one in eleven Indians are

Key infra sectors growth

to banks and NBFCs to implement the modified Bank on August 18 had modified norms, under which “We are clearly in the midst of a dition.
susceptible to renal failure which
norms for levying penal charges in loan accounts, as lenders would be able to levy only “reasonable” penal demand supercycle,” Lodha told “New steelmaking capacity of
is often driven by diabetes and hy-
part of fair lending practice. charges in case of default in repayment of loans. PTI. 12-13 million tonnes is expected to
pertension, the officials said. (PTI)

up at 7.8 pc in Nov
In August, the central bank issued a circular on ‘Fair The banks and other lending institutions will not be The moderation is likely in the come online in the second half of
Lending Practice - Penal Charges in Loan Ac- allowed to levy penal interest with effect from Jan- long steel segment in FY’25 ahead fiscal 25, aligning production with
counts’ and it was to come into effect from uary 1, 2024, it had said. of the general election. demand and reducing import de-
January 1, 2024. “Penalty, if charged, for non-compli- The only other instance of such pendence,” Lodha said.
“However, considering that cer- ance of material terms and condi- a demand surge in the last two Additionally, the potential de-
NEW DELHI, Dec 29: Union tain clarifications and additional tions of loan contract by the decades was between 2006 to mand improvement in China after
road transport and highways min- time has been sought by some borrower shall be treated as 2008, he said. the Lunar New Year coupled with
ister Nitin Gadkari said the govern- regulated entities (REs) to ‘penal charges’ and shall not NEW DELHI, Dec 29: The output Lodha said the infrastructure expected production cuts, could
ment has sanctioned ` 1,170.16 reconfigure their internal be levied in the form of of eight key infrastructure sectors sector, a key driver of the steel de- further curb Chinese exports to
crore for 29 roads projects in systems and operationalize ‘penal interest’ that is added increased by 7.8 per cent in No- mand, is expected to maintain its India.
Ladakh. the circular, it has been to the rate of interest vember 2023 against a 5.7 per cent momentum fuelled by ongoing Overall the Indian steel sector’s
In a post on social media plat- decided to extend the charged on the advances,” expansion in the year-ago period, government projects. outlook remains positive, albeit
form X, Gadkari said ` 1,170.16 timeline for implementa- the August circular said. according to the official data re- The infrastructure segment has with a projected dip in demand
crore has been sanctioned for 29 tion of the instructions by It further said the quan- leased on Friday. All sectors except been driving a lot of momentum next year. The industry’s focus will
roads projects, encompassing state three months,” the RBI tum of penal charges “shall crude oil and cement recorded in the steel demand and is ex- be on ramping up domestic pro-
highway and other major roads in said. be reasonable and com- healthy production growth in the pected to continue in the coming duction and tackling import con-
the Union Territory. Accordingly, regulated mensurate with the noncom- month under review. years. However, government cerns to maintain a robust
Additionally, ` 181.71 crore has entities, which include pliance” of material terms The core sector (coal, crude schemes like the Pradhan Mantri long-term growth, he added. (PTI)
been allocated for 8 bridges under banks and NBFCs, have been and conditions of loan contract oil, natural gas, refinery products,
the Central Road and Infrastructure
Fund (CRIF) scheme for the fiscal
asked to ensure that the instruc-
tions are implemented in respect
without being discriminatory
within a particular loan/product
fertiliser, steel, cement and elec-
tricity) growth in October was 12
per cent.
World stocks mixed in muted holiday
year 2023 24, the road transport of all the fresh loans availed from category.
and highways minister said.
He said Ladakh, the largest
April 1, 2024 onwards.
In the case of existing loans, the RBI said
Also, there should be no capitalisation
of penal charges and no further interest com-
Coal and refinery products out-
put recorded double-digit growth. trading as 2023 draws to a close
Union Territory in terms of area the switchover to new penal charges regime should be puted on such charges. The instructions do not apply The output growth of eight sec-
BANGKOK, Dec 29: European shares opened higher on Friday after a
and the second least populous in ensured on the next review/ renewal date falling on or to credit cards, external commercial borrowings, trade tors was 8.6 per cent in April-No-
mixed session in Asia on the last trading day of the year for most markets.
the country, will witness improved after April 1, 2024, but not later than June 30, 2024. credits and structured obligations which are covered vember 2023-24 against 8.1 per
Germany’s DAX rose 0.3% to 16,745.67 and the CAC 40 in Paris
connectivity to its remote villages Concerned over the practice of banks and non- under product-specific directions. (PTI) cent in the year-ago period. (PTI)
climbed 0.4% to 7,566.11. Britain’s FTSE 100 edged 0.2% higher to
through the approved initiatives. 7,736.52.
The enhancement in road con-
nectivity is expected to stimulate
economic activities, particularly in
Markets gain nearly 20% in 2023, fall on final trading day The futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average were
up 0.1%.
Some world markets logged solid gains in 2023 while many have
agriculture and tourism, contribut- MUMBAI, Dec 29: Equity indices Sensex and dustan Unilever, Tata Steel, Bajaj Finance and European markets were trading in positive sagged. Benchmarks in France and Germany made double-digit advances

Gold tumbles
ing to the overall infrastructural de- Nifty declined on the last trading day of 2023 UltraTech Cement were among the gainers. territory. The US markets ended on a mixed while Britain’s has climbed just under 3%.
velopment of Ladakh, he added. as investors preferred profit-taking after the re- “The market witnessed mild profit booking note on Thursday. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 gave up 0.2% to 33,464.17. It gained 27% in 2023,

` 350, silver
(PTI) cent sharp rally, finishing a record-setting year on the last trading day of the year. The euphoria Rising for the fifth consecutive day, the BSE its best year in a decade as the Japanese central bank inched toward end-
with benchmarks surging by up to 20 per cent. is expected to continue during the start of the benchmark jumped 371.95 points, or 0.52 per ing its longstanding ultra-lax monetary policy after inflation finally ex-
After a five-day winning run, selling pressure next year on account of the exuberance of rate cent, to settle at an all-time closing high of ceeded its target of about 2%.

plummets ` 1,000
emerged in energy, banking and IT counters on cuts and the drop in 72,410.38 on The Hang Seng index in Hong Kong ended flat at 17,047.39, while the
Friday, which dragged indices lower, traders bond yields. Oil prices, Thursday. Shanghai Composite index gained 0.7% to 2,974.93. The Shanghai index
said. on the other hand, fell The Nifty lost about 3% this year and the Hang Seng fell nearly 14%.
The 30-share BSE Sensex fell 170.12 points by 10 per cent during the climbed to 123.95 Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 shed 0.3% to 7,590.80, having gained about
or 0.23 per cent to settle at 72,240.26 after a year, which could ease points or 0.57 per 6% for the year.
weak beginning to the trade. During the day, it inflationary pressure and cent to settle at a India’s Sensex slipped 0.3% to 72,279.18. It has gained more than 18%
dropped 327.74 points or 0.45 per cent to support the operating fresh record of this year, reaching new highs as retail investors bought heavily on expec-
72,082.64. performance of the cor- 21,778.70. tations that the Federal Reserve will begin cutting interest rates next year,
The wider gauge Nifty declined 47.30 points porates. In the last five giving the US and other economies a boost after it managed to bring in-
or 0.22 per cent to settle at 21,731.40. In intra- “We feel that though trading sessions, flation down from a peak of over 9% in 2022.
day trade, the index slipped 101.8 points or 0.46 the outlook on broader the BSE bench- Taiwan’s Taiex edged 0.1% higher. It ended the year up more than 26%,
per cent to 21,676.90. indexes is moderate in mark rallied powered by strong gains for semiconductor makers.
In 2023, the BSE benchmark jumped the short to medium 1,904.07 points or Markets were closed in South Korea and Thailand.
11,399.52 points or 18.73 per cent, and the term, the large caps will 2.70 per cent, and On Thursday, Wall Street was mostly quiet ahead of the final trading
Nifty climbed 3,626.1 points or 20 per cent. maintain their vibrancy due to strong earnings the Nifty climbed 628.55 points or 2.97 per day of the year, though every major index is on track for weekly gains.
Among the Sensex firms, State Bank of growth and in anticipation of the continuation cent. The S&P 500 rose 0.1% and was on track for its ninth straight week of
India, Infosys, Titan, Tech Mahindra, IndusInd of premium valuation,” said Vinod Nair, Head Global oil benchmark Brent crude climbed gains. It is up more than 24% for the year. A two-month rally has also
Bank, NTPC, ICICI Bank, Power Grid, Re- of Research, Geojit Financial Services. 0.86 per cent to USD 77.81 a barrel. pushed the benchmark index closer to breaking its all-time high set in

Oil cos offer ` 6.87 a litre incentive on

liance Industries and Kotak Mahindra Bank In Asian markets, Tokyo settled lower while Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) bought January of 2022.
were the major laggards. Shanghai and Hong Kong ended with gains. equities worth ` 4,358.99 crore on Thursday, ac- The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.1% and has gained 3.5% in
On the other hand, Tata Motors, Nestle, Hin- Markets were closed in South Korea. cording to exchange data. (PTI) 2023. (AP)

by ` 81.90 lakh crore in 2023

NEW DELHI, Dec 29: Gold
prices tumbled ` 350 to ` 63,950
per 10 grams in the national capital
on Friday amid weak cues in
Equity market investors turn richer
global markets, according to
HDFC Securities.
In the previous trade, the pre-
cious metal had closed at ` 64,300
per 10 grams.
NEW DELHI, Dec 29: In a mem-
orable year for the equity market,
tor of Swastika Investmart Ltd,
said.
after the market capitalisation (m-
cap) of all listed companies on the
ethanol made from C-heavy molasses
Silver also plummeted ` 1,000 to
` 78,500 per kilogram, while it had
settled at ` 79,500 per kg in the
Dalal Street investors added a
whopping ` 81.90 lakh crore to
their wealth in 2023 as a raft of
According to him, 2023 is not
just a good year for the Indian
stock market but also a triumph for
BSE touched the USD 3 trillion-
mark on May 24, 2021.
Equity benchmark indices de-
Incentive offered to maximize ethanol production from C-molasses
previous close. positive factors powered a stellar retail investors. clined on the last trading day of NEW DELHI, Dec 29: State-
Meanwhile, in the futures trade, rally in stocks. “Retail investors, no longer 2023 as investors preferred profit- owned fuel retailers have offered `
the February contract of gold de- Experts said India’s strong prone to panic during corrections, taking after the recent sharp rally. 6.87 per litre incentive on ethanol
clined ` 244 to ` 63,145 per 10 macroeconomic fundamentals, po- are confidently holding onto their The 30-share BSE benchmark fell made from C-heavy molasses to
grams on the MCX. Also, the litical stability owing to the BJP’s investments, ready to ride the wave 170.12 points or 0.23 per cent to shore up supplies.
March contract of silver plunged success in recent elections in three of India’s economic ascent,” he settle at 72,240.26 on Friday. The “In order to maximise ethanol
` 1,166 to ` 73,793 per kilogram significant states, optimistic corpo- added. Nifty declined 47.30 points or 0.22 production from C-molasses route
on the bourse. rate earnings outlook, signals from Indian equities added another per cent to settle at 21,731.40. and improve the overall availability
In the overseas markets, gold the US Federal Reserve about feather to its cap as the combined “With the BJP’s sweeping vic- of ethanol for ethanol blended
and silver were trading lower at three prospective rate cuts next market valuation of all listed com- tory in the state elections of Ra- petrol programme, public sector oil
USD 2,070 per ounce and USD year and heavy retail investors par- panies on the leading stock ex- jasthan, Madhya Pradesh and marketing companies announce an
23.80 per ounce, respectively. ticipation played a major role in fu- change BSE reached the USD 4 Chhattisgarh, the confidence of in- incentive of ` 6.87 per litre for
Spot gold at Comex was trading elling the stock market rally in trillion-milestone for the first time vestors regarding political continu- ethanol from C-heavy molasses,”
at USD 2,070 per ounce, down by 2023. ever on November 29 this year. ity post 2024 Lok Sabha elections the oil ministry said in a post on X
USD 10 from the previous close in In the year 2023, the 30-share “The surge can be attributed to has received a big boost. Already on Friday.
the international markets. BSE Sensex jumped 11,399.52 a confluence of factors: the im- the sentiments were buoyed by a C molasses is a byproduct of
Comex gold dropped as traders points or 18.73 per cent. pending elections fostering polit- healthy trend in corporate earnings sugar factories and its utilisation for and Hindustan Petroleum Corpora- The government will decide the
locked profit after the precious The market capitalisation of ical stability, promising whispers growth and resilient domestic ethanol production is an effective tion Ltd (HPCL) announced the in- prices of ethanol produced from B-
metal prices hit a three-week high BSE-listed companies climbed of rate cuts in 2024, and a much- macros, and is now likely to way to promote green economy, it centive. heavy molasses and juice in a few
in the previous session, HDFC Se- sharply by ` 81,90,598.32 crore needed decline in energy prices, strengthen further. said. Oil firms are mixing 12 per The companies said the decision days. The government can offer ad-
curities’ Senior Analyst of Com- this year to reach an all-time high finally enticing foreign investors “This augurs well for macro and cent ethanol in petrol as part of a was taken to promote the supply of ditional ethanol from C-heavy
modities Saumil Gandhi said. of ` 3,64,28,846.25 crore. back into the fold. This influx of policy momentum for India, government programme to cut con- ethanol from C-heavy molasses. against lapsed allocations of juice
Following a recovery in the dol- The Indian market has demon- foreign capital propelled largecap which, at the moment, is seeing the sumption of fossil fuel and import The incentive amount will be or B-heavy ethanol.
lar and rising US Treasury yields strated resilience, emerging as one indices to new record highs,” highest growth among major dependence. payable over and above the pre- The government might also con-
are also additional factors that of the standout performers within Nyati said. economies,”according to a note by Oil marketing companies Indian vious Ethanol Supply Year vert the existing revised allocations
weighed down on the yellow the broader emerging markets bas- It took just two-and-a-half years Motilal Oswal Broking and Distri- Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Pe- (ESY) procurement price of ` of juice or B-heavy ethanol for sup-
metal, Gandhi added. (PTI) ket, Sunil Nyati, Managing Direc- to hit the USD 4 trillion landmark bution. (PTI) troleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), 49.41 per litre. ply as C-heavy. (PTI)
Page 3 DEc 30_Normal Pages 12/29/2023 9:11 PM Page 1

Develop nation based on Bharat’s time-tested Kiren Rijiju joins Viksit Bharat
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023 REGION THE HILLS TIMES 3

selfhood: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

Assam Rifles

Sankalp Yatra in Nagaon

hosts ‘Know
Your Army’
lecture
HT Correspondent

The Sarsanghchalak stressed the ALI, Dec 29: Assam Rifles

BISWANATH CHARI-

DIBRUGARH, Dec 29: The RSS importance of transforming per- conducted an interactive
HT Correspondent

chief, Dr Mohan Bhagwat, deliv- sonal virtues into organized efforts and motivational lecture for
ered a powerful message on the to build an empowered nation students and local youth at
imperative to develop the nation committed to global welfare, fos- Assam Rifles High School
based on Bharat’s time-tested self- tering a spirit of brotherhood akin in Lokra on Friday, accord-
hood during the grand ‘Luit Sub- to one large family. ing to a press release.
ansiri Samavesh’ of uniformed Quoting the Upanishad’s pro- The event included an in-
Swayamsevaks in Majuli. His ad- found teachings of “Isavasyam teraction with school stu-
dress sparked reflections on Idam Sarvam” and endorsing the dents and local youths,
whether Bharat has been able to value of ‘sanyam’ for a broader vi- receiving appreciation from
preserve its ‘Swa’ or selfhood de- sion, Bhagwat asserted that Bharat the school’s principal and
spite gaining independence, and he has been practicing secularism teaching staff who consid-
underscored the significance of pa- since ancient times. ered it a ‘unique opportu-
triotism and unity for the sustained He expressed the RSS’s vision these government-sponsored ini- nity’ for the attendees to
preservation of independence. of becoming an instrument of NAGAON, Dec 29: Union min- tiatives. experience the Army/Assam
HT Correspondent

Bhagwat noted that the formation global welfare by organising soci- ister Kiren Rijiju participated in Rijiju announced the docu- Rifles firsthand.
of the RSS was driven by the ob- ety holistically, bringing everyone the ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra’ mentation of beneficiaries and The gathering of 34 peo-
jective of awakening society to together while eschewing individ- at Borbari Sabajanin Natya Man- those yet to receive benefits dur- ple acknowledged the
principles of patriotism, organisa- ualistic selfish attitudes. cha in Kakomari Gram Pan- ing the journey, with a record to chance provided to young
tion, and a vibrant sense of self- The uniformed Swayamsevaks chayat, Nagaon, organised under be maintained by January 26, minds to understand the
hood. knowledge from the entire world Drawing attention to the geo- displayed impressive physical the Dalanghat Development 2024. The event featured a wel- challenges faced by
The RSS chief highlighted that while upholding our unique her- graphical protection Bharat histor- drills during the gathering, at- Block. come address by district com- Army/Assam Rifles soldiers
the foundation of ‘Swa’ should itage. Simultaneously, Bhagwat ically enjoyed against external tended by thousands from Majuli. Addressing the gathering, the missioner Narendra Kr Shah. in their daily efforts to
evolve in accordance with genera- warned against adopting faulty aggressions, Bhagwat illuminated Bhagwat’s two-day visit to Majuli minister underscored the govern- Key participants included maintain peace in the re-
tional needs, drawing from both models rooted in materialistic as- how this allowed our ancestors concluded with his departure to ment’s commitment to inclusive DDC Gunajit Kashyap, CEO of gion.
traditional knowledge and the best pirations that have plagued the ample peaceful time for spiritual, Dibrugarh for further delibera- development through various Nagaon Zila Parishad Ananta The positive role played
global insights. world in recent centuries. He high- artistic, and material development. tions, leaving behind a resonant flagship schemes initiated by Gogoi, MLA Sashi Kanta Das, by the Army/AR in offering
Quoting the Vedic mantra “Aa lighted that the Bharateeya model He urged adherence to the right- call for the integration of Bharat’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. officials from the district admin- support and motivation to
no bhadraḥ kratavo yantu vishwa- empowers society to achieve self- eous path exemplified by revered timeless wisdom with modern The primary goal of the Yatra istration, Dalanghat Develop- the youth was widely
to’dabdhaso aparitasudbhidah”, he reliance across various dimen- figures like Mahapurush Srimanta global insights to shape a self-re- is to ensure that all eligible indi- ment Block, and social activist praised by the school com-
advocated for the acquisition of sions. Sankardev and Lachit Borphukan. liant and harmonious nation. viduals nationwide benefit from Abhijit Nath. munity.

CM Himanta launches
WhatsApp channel
Two-day Kisan Mela kickstarts in Kokrajhar District level Khel Maharan
KOKRAJHAR, Dec 29: The
HT Correspondent The presence of key figures
such as MCLA Doneswar Go-
kicks off in Biswanath
eagerly awaited two-day Kisan yary, chief scientist KVK,
GUWAHATI, Dec 29: In a proactive step towards fostering direct Mela for 2023-24 commenced Kokrajhar Dr Sunil Kumar Paul,
HT Bureau HT Correspondent

communication, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated on Friday at the Gendrabil ME assistant manager ICRISET 29: The district-level Khel Maha-
BISWANATH CHARIALI, Dec

a WhatsApp channel and announced through his official social school playground in Kokrajhar. Harsh Vardhan Mane, and dis- ran event for Biswanath district,
media account on X, “I have started my WhatsApp Channel today. The event, organised by the trict agriculture officer Diganta covering LACs of Biswanath,
Looking forward to remaining connected through this medium!”. Centrally Sponsored Scheme Thapa added to the significance Gohpur, and Behali, commenced
The chief minister expressed enthusiasm for maintaining a direct Agricultural Technology Man- of the occasion. on Friday at Kamalakanta Khetra.
connection with the public through this newly established medium agement Agency (CSS-ATMA) MLA Islary expressed his sat- A total of 216 players from these
and encouraged citizens to join the channel by clicking on the pro- and the Department of Agricul- isfaction with the positive envi- three LACs participated in the
vided link. ture, Kokrajhar, was inaugurated ronment created by the mela, grand sports event. Dr Neha Yadav,
Emphasising its role, he stated that the channel is designed to keep by MLA Lawrence Islary, repre- highlighting its role in introduc- commissioner of Biswanath and
citizens abreast of the state’s developmental journey, underscoring senting Kokrajhar East LAC. ing new dimensions to crop pro- chairman of Biswanath district
the government’s commitment to transparency and active citizen The ceremony drew the partici- Khel Maharan, inaugurated the

Lanka PS seizes
duction and marketing of
participation. pation of farmers from various agricultural products across the event by hoisting the flag. The in-
regions and government offi- region. He highlighted the edu- augural session featured addresses

suspected ganja
cials. cational aspect of the event, pro- by MLA Pramod Borthakur and a district sports officer Ankur sports personalities from
The Kisan Mela showcased a viding farmers with valuable welcome speech by Dr Neha Pathak, among others. Commis- Biswanath district during the cere-
vibrant display and sale of di- knowledge and information Yadav. sioner Dr Neha Yadav adminis- mony.
verse farmers’ produce, about cultivating multiple crops During the ceremony, the Olympic tered the oath-taking ceremony. Following the inaugural session,
processed food items, locally and sustainable development Torch was illuminated in the pres- The inaugural session featured an athletic and kabaddi events were
crafted millet products, wines, strategies. Islary urged farmer ence of notable figures such as impressive march past by NCC held as part of the ongoing sports
and more. Over the two days, communities to engage in exten- Biswanath SP Subhasish Baruah, cadets from Behali Degree Col- extravaganza. The closing cere-
GUWAHATI, Dec 29: In a recent anti-drug operation led by Lanka
HT Bureau
the event also featured farmer sive crop production for the ben- CEO Biswanath Diganta Boishya, lege, JNV Biswanath, and Dakhin mony is scheduled for December
PS, law enforcement authorities arrested two individuals and con- training sessions on the safe use efit of citizens at large. The Zila Parishad chairman Labanya
fiscated a total of 40 kilograms of suspected ganja from their pos- Nagsankar High School, along 30, as per a press release. The Khel
of pesticides in agriculture crop Kisan Mela is poised to be a Charengiya, vice chairman of An- with players from the three LACs. Maharan serves as a platform to

Exhibition center inaugurated

session. fields, marketing of agricultural valuable platform for farmers to imal Husbandry Paresh Borkakaty,
A case has been registered to initiate legal proceedings against Cultural teams showcased their tal- highlight and nurture the sporting
products, and interactions with learn, share experiences, and SDO (C) Gohpur Lukumani Bora, ents through various performances, talents of the region, bringing the
the apprehended suspects. experts in pig rearing, fish farm- Amarjyoti Borthakur, chairman of

Demow Atul Bora attends Viksit 116th birth anniversary of poet

contribute to the growth of agri- adding vibrancy to the event. The community together through the
ing, and silkworm rearing. culture in the region. Biswanath Town Committee, and district committee felicitated 16 spirit of sportsmanship.

looks back Bharat Sankalp Yatra Ganesh Gogoi commemorated

at 2023!
GUWAHATI, Dec 29: The Publication Board Assam (PBA), the
HT Bureau

All Assam Publishers’ and Book Sellers’ Association, has inaugu-

rated the Information and Public Relations Department’s exhibition Gogoi, captivating the audience.
center at the ongoing Assam Book Fair in Guwahati. The formal skritik Mahasangram’, recognising SIVASAGAR, Dec 29: The 116th Actor Jayanta Borthakur added
HT Correspondent

opening ceremony was officiated by the secretary of the department, and appreciating cultural contribu- birth anniversary of renowned poet to the tribute by delivering an ex-
Arundhati Chakravarty. tions. The event witnessed the pres- Ganesh Gogoi, often referred to as temporaneous dialogue from a pas-
DEMOW, Dec 29: The year ‘Papori Kobi’, was observed with
HT Correspondent
This exhibition center by the Information and Public Relations ence of several notable dignitaries sage of Ganesh Gogoi’s famous
2023 brought a mix of joyous and and local residents, who actively par- a commemorative meeting at New drama ‘Sakunir Pratisodh’.
Department showcases a variety of publications, including Lachit somber moments for the resi-
Borphukon - Assam’s Hero who Halted the Mughals, Bardowa, Shri ticipated, making the program a col- Look Academy in Sivasagar on Surajit Bordoloi, another
dents of Demow and its sur- laborative effort towards the Thursday. teacher, spoke about the
Surya Pahar, and a compilation of chief minister’s speeches. The rounding areas.
display includes an array of books and literature, enhancing the book betterment of the community. The ceremony life and works of the
In January, Dr Sashidhar Simultaneously, Atul Bora seized the commenced with poet.
fair’s appeal. Phukan, born in Bokota Kukura-
The event saw the presence of Manabendra Dev Ray, director of opportunity to interact with dedicated Dipika Nath, a Fariha Taba-
suwa Gaon near Demow in party workers in Majuli and teacher, light- sum and
Information and Public Relations Department, Ratan Saud, deputy Sivasagar district, received the

Tragic suicide of Nagaon

director, and art adviser Indrani Deka. GUWAHATI, Dec 29: In a proac- Dhakuakhana, urging them to persist ing the cere- Priyadarshini
HT Bureau
prestigious ‘Assam Saurav tive engagement, minister of Agricul- in their grassroots efforts to fortify m o n i a l Dutta, both
Award’ in the healthcare and pub- ture, Animal Husbandry & the organisational foundation of AGP lamp in teachers, an-

Urban High School in-charge

lic services sector. Veterinary, Atul Bora attended the (Asom Gana Parishad). Recognising front of the chored the
However, the beginning of the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra event at their diligence, Bora highlighted the poet’s por- program.
year also saw a tragic incident in Boginodi Gram Panchayat in crucial role played by party workers trait to in- Students
Sitalia Naojan, where 24 vultures Lakhimpur, where he underscored in building a robust political struc- augurate from the
lost their lives after consuming the significance of various welfare ture. the function. school, in-
NAGAON, Dec 29: In a shocking incident, Partha Sarathi Laskar, the carcass of a dead cow. schemes initiated by the Prime Min- In another segment of his engage- Srimanta cluding Tanmi
HT Correspondent

the in-charge school head of Nagaon Urban High School, was found In March, the community ister Narendra Modi and chief minis- ments, Atul Bora took stock of the Borthakur, the Kalita, Amlanjy-
dead by suicide inside a classroom this afternoon. mourned the loss of Loknath ter Himanta Biswa Sarma. ongoing initiatives in the Agriculture principal of the oti Bora, Kabyasri
Laskar hanged himself from a ceiling fan, and the reasons behind Gogoi, a renowned Pepa artist Encouraging citizens to benefit from and Animal Husbandry & Veterinary school, highlighted Koch, Sanmilan
this tragic act are yet to be revealed, according to sources. from Palengi near Demow. these programs, Bora highlighted the Departments in Majuli. Meeting with Ganesh Gogoi’s multi- Saikia, Archan Ayan
Local police from Nagaon Police Station swiftly responded to the On a positive note, in April, pivotal role of Panchayat representa- district officials from these depart- faceted talent as a poet, Goswami, Prajna Priyam Dutta,
information and reached the scene. Demow Model Hospital secured tives and government officials in ef- ments, Bora gained insights into the dramatist, and lyricist, comparing Ayan Shafil Azam, Priyadarsini
The senior teacher’s body was then sent to Nagaon BP Civil Hos- the first rank in Swasthya Sewa fective implementation. progress of various projects, reaf- it to the likes of John Keats and Dutta, Shahid Ahmed, and Prantik
pital for autopsy. Utsav during the Sivasagar dis- During the program, minister Atul firming his commitment to oversee- Byron. Chetri, participated by reading out
An unnatural death (UD) case has been registered, and authorities trict evaluation. June brought the Bora took the opportunity to distrib- ing and promoting development Badan Sarma, a senior teacher, poems written by the celebrated
have initiated an investigation into the incident, as reported on Fri- sad news of the passing of Nir- ute prizes to the winners of the ‘San- works at the ground level. recited poems written by Ganesh poet.
day evening. mal Debnath, a businessman and
It’s worth noting that, at the time of the unfortunate event, a spe- resident of Demow Dehajan Pad-
cial program organised by the alumni association of the school was umoni Path.
underway within the school premises. A tragic incident occurred in
July in Nahat Deodubi, where a
Women trained in water hyacinth
The sudden suicide of the school head has elicited strong reac-
tions from the residents of the small town, creating a sense of shock woman lost her life in a lightning
crafts for sustainable livelihood
‘Katha-Saurabh: An Evening Tea
and sorrow in the community. strike. August witnessed a unique
event as Bhagyadeep Rajgarh, a
student from Deoriting Tea Es- & Tiger Reserve on the X microblogging plat-

Adda’ to be held in Majuli

tate, became deputy commis- GUWAHATI, Dec 29: In a bid to offer alter- form on December 26.
HT Bureau

sioner for a day. In the same native livelihood opportunities to women from Empowering women with water hyacinth craft
month, Sayantana Saikia, a class marginalised communities in the Borunguri- skills not only enhances their livelihoods but
10 student from Demow Kushal Bongaon area surrounding the Laokhowa- also contributes to conservation by transform-
Path, was selected for the State- Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary, a five-day ing an invasive plant into marketable products.
DIBRUGARH, Dec 29: The second installment of the engaging in- level Kala Utsav. workshop on water hyacinth crafts witnessed This sustainable approach fosters economic in-
HT Correspondent

tellectual gathering, ‘Katha-Saurabh: An Evening Tea Adda,’ is set to In December, Dipshika Boruah enthusiastic participation. dependence while creatively utilising resources
take place on Saturday at Kamalabari in Majuli. A collaborative effort from Deodubi Gaon participated Organised by prominent biodiversity conserva- to address environmental challenges.
by Jorhat-based state-level voluntary organizations: S I Media Foun- in the Sakura Science Exchange tion organisation Aaranyak in collaboration The training program, held from December 25-
dation (SIMFA) and Bonphul, the upcoming program aims to foster Program in Japan. with Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Re- 29, was graced by SK Gupta and R Gogoi,
a free and fair interaction on the topic ‘Journalism and Social Life: Unfortunately, the month also serve authority, Laokhowa-Burhachapori range officers of Dhaniya Range and Gorajan
As I See’ with the esteemed guest, veteran journalist and writer marked the tragic death of Rupali Wildlife Sanctuary, Nagaon Wildlife Division, Range of Laokhowa Burhachapori WLS,
Kishori Mohan Paul. Scheduled to commence at 3:30 pm, the event Phulkonwar, an elderly woman Nagaon Girls’ College, and Laokhowa Smarajit Ozha of Laokhowa-Burhachapori
will unfold at ‘Bhogali Joiba-Boichitrya Kshetra’ in the Kamalabari killed by a herd of wild elephants Burhachapori Conservation Society (LBCS), Conservation Society, senior Aaranyak official
area of the river-island district. Organisers anticipate the participation in Hiloibam near Demow Ni- the initiative received support from the US- Arif Hussain, and Bonojit Lalung and Abhijit
of conscientious citizens eager to engage in an exchange of views on taipukhuri. based conservation agency, International Rhino Bordoloi, members of Bongaon and Borunguri
the theme with the esteemed guest. It is worth noting that this pro- Ending the year on a positive Foundation. EDC, respectively.
gram, initiated on December 4, 2022, in Jorhat, aims to provide a plat- note, farmers in Nitaipukhuri cel- The training aimed to skillfully develop 25 Known for its diverse flora and fauna, the
form for discussing various socio-cultural issues with selected ebrated the export of 500 kilo- women participants, offering them an alterna- collaboration with LBCS and Forest Dept, Laokhowa Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary
personalities from the state. The initiative was launched at the special grams of lablab beans (Urohi) to tive livelihood to reduce dependence on forest hosts a Water Hyacinth Product Skill Training provides a habitat for the greater one-horned
initiative of Dr Nabajyoti Dutta, assistant professor at DHSK Com- London, a significant achieve- resources and contribute to conservation ef- for EDCs of Laokhowa Bongaon and Barun- rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tiger, and various
merce College, Dibrugarh, and Sanjit Kumar Bordoloi, writer. ment for the farmers of Dihing- forts. guri Bongaon. Building skills, fostering sus- bird species, making it a crucial area for biodi-
paria FPC in Sivasagar. “Empowering communities! @aaranyak, in tainability!” tweeted Kaziranga National Park versity conservation.
Page 4 Dec 30_Normal Pages 29-12-2023 09:44 PM Page 1

THE HILLS TIMES

A year in space exploration
4

VOL. XXIV, ISSUE 344, DIPHU, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023

QUOTE OF THE DAY

I
n the cosmic dance of new global record, elevat- in the brief window be-
The less you talk, the more you’re listened to. achievements, Chan- ing the total number of hu- tween 1966 and 1976, bar-
- Pauline Phillips drayaan 3’s gentle mans in orbit to an ring the three recent
touchdown on the lunar unprecedented 17. The Chinese achievements.
surface this year served as Tiangong space station However, the last four

Will 2024 be a year of a cosmic exclamation

point, solidifying India’s
esteemed position among
hosted six astronauts,
while the International
Space Station accommo-
years witnessed a collec-
tive lunar quest by private
and governmental space
reckoning for trade unions? the elite spacefaring na-
tions - rubbing shoulders
with the likes of the
dated a complement of 11
spacefarers during this re-
markable period.
agencies from India, Is-
rael, Japan, and Russia -
each endeavoring to softly

T
he trade union movement in India may be heading for a United States, China, and Amidst the celestial en- embrace the Moon, only
year of reckoning in 2024. The first half of the year will Russia. The triumph of the deavors, not all missions to face setbacks in the crit-
see much intensified, aggressive, and confrontational Indian Space Research Or- unfolded with celestial ical denouement: the ac-
protests against the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led ruling ganisation in this monu- grace. Russia’s Luna-25, tual landing.
establishment, especially till the Lok Sabha General elections mental mission is marking its return to inde- Chandrayaan-3 emerged
conclude by May-end. The course of the movement in the sec- undoubtedly a celestial pendent lunar exploration triumphant, illuminating
ond half of the year would depend on the decision of the feat, yet it merely echoes after decades, faced a bit- craft to touch down near enigma of asteroids pro- mension to the cosmic India’s lunar prowess,
elected government on implementation of the four controver- the crescendo of other tersweet fate as it crash- the Moon’s South Pole. vides a celestial Rosetta narrative. Yet, in the while Hakuto and Luna-
sial labour codes, hitherto deferred by the Centre due to stiff space odysseys that dared landed on the lunar Shortly thereafter, ISRO, Stone to decipher the ori- eleventh hour before the 25 served as stark testa-
resistance from the workers’ unions. The joint platform of 10 to redefine the limits of surface. Striving to ever on the cosmic move, gins and intricacies of our lunar rendezvous, a celes- ments to the lunar
Central Trade Unions (CTUs) and SKM, an umbrella organi- human imagination. achieve the unprecedented unleashed its inaugural solar system. Enter Psyche tial silence enveloped the challenge that persists in
sation of hundreds of farmers’ union in the country have de- While the current year feat of landing near the Sun-gazing spacecraft, - the dual-named asteroid ground teams, severing our cosmic pursuits.
cided jointly to continue their decisive protest action right from has showcased remarkable moon’s South Pole, the Aditya L1, embarking on and the captivating mis- the connection with the SpaceX’s remarkable
the beginning of the year in January against the PM Narendra achievements, it falls mission encountered an a journey to the first La- sion set to unveil its cos- lunar voyager. Over six achievement of orchestrat-
Modi’s anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate policies. It somewhat shy of the awe- unexpected setback. Simi- grange point, or L1, situ- mic secrets. Nestled more agonizing hours later, the ing two explosive specta-
is just a continuation of the long struggle of the farmers and inspiring events that un- larly, the Hakuto mission, ated 1.5 million than 500 million kilome- inevitable was confirmed - cles with the Starship in a
workers against Modi’s controversial three farm laws and four folded in 2022. That the trailblazing pioneer of kilometers away - a strate- ters away, a cosmic ex- ispace acknowledged a single year underscores
labour codes since 2020, that continued through 2021, 2022, pivotal year witnessed privately-led lunar explo- gic vantage point nestled panse that beckons a somber truth, conceding to the audacious ethos of the
and 2023. Though the three farm laws were withdrawn by PM NASA’s monumental ration, experienced a lunar between the Sun and 31-minute journey for the “high probability” that Elon Musk-led company.
Narendra Modi in November 2021, farmers are feeling launch of the Artemis 1 rendezvous ending in even the swiftest of light, the lunar lander had met a Amidst the fiery drama,
cheated on account of the unfulfilled promises. Moon mission, signifying a crash after nearly Psyche tantalizingly fateful collision with the SpaceX unfurls a para-
However, the Modi government is bent upon four controver- humanity’s initial stride five months in the DEGREE OF THOUGHT dances on the edge of our Moon, succumbing to the digm that resonates with
sial labour laws, which have just been deferred due to stiff re- toward the lunar embrace. cosmic expanse. observational reach. cosmic forces. Despite the Silicon Valley’s tech
sistance by CTUs, who feel that if Modi would come to power Preceding this, the unveil- Adding to the cosmic By: Dipak Kurmi NASA’s visionary time- lunar tragedy, the Hakuto mantra - embracing failure
again, these codes would be rolled out in the second half of ing of captivating images drama, Elon Musk’s line projects a rendezvous saga leaves an indelible as a catalyst for swift iter-
the year 2024. They allege that the four labour codes would by the groundbreaking SpaceX witnessed not one Earth. with this distant celestial mark on the spaceflight ation. The company’s
make the workers just “economic slaves.” Therefore, CTUs James Webb Space Tele- but two explosive inter- NASA’s OSIRIS-REx companion in six years. saga, signaling a transfor- modus operandi involves
and SKM led workers’ and farmers’ movements are bound to scope added a mesmeriz- ludes in the year. The mission embarked on a ce- Psyche, shrouded in the mative era. Merely a rapid development and de-
intensify during the election campaigns. As the country is ing chapter to our cosmic colossal Starship, touted lestial heist, snagging mystery of its celestial decade past, the notion of ployment of technology,
heading towards a more informalisation of workers, both in narrative. Let’s not forget as the largest rocket ever samples from the asteroid composition, is speculated a company like ispace punctuated by failures that
the informal and formal sectors, the trade union movement the resounding impact of constructed, faced spec- Bennu during its inter- to house a wealth of spearheading its lunar serve as invaluable les-
will have many other challenges ahead. Unemployment rate China as it accomplished tacular explosions during planetary caper and bid- metallic treasures. This odyssey would have been sons, fueling a continuous
in the country is very high and real-time wages have been on the construction of its in- its inaugural test flights, ding farewell in May 2021 cosmic anomaly raises the deemed implausible. cycle of improvement.
the decline due to price rise. Organised sectors have been augural space station, etching a fiery chapter in for a two-year sojourn tantalizing prospect of However, the celestial In stark contrast, the bu-
given rights to hire workers on contracts and many jobs are leaving ripples in the ce- its ambitious odyssey. homeward. Come Septem- being a planetesimal - a stage has witnessed a par- reaucratic intricacies en-
being outsourced. Trade unionism has been considerably lestial waters. India embarks on a dual ber 2023, the mission or- cosmic mason laying the adigm shift, with space tangling government
weakened ever since the Modi government came to power. While 2023 may not cosmic odyssey with its chestrated a cosmic foundational bricks of tech enterprises such as space agencies often lead
Trade unions would not face greater challenges in protecting quite match the stellar groundbreaking ventures - delivery, releasing a care- planetary systems. Unveil- SpaceX, Rocket Lab, and to prolonged development
workers rights but also themselves, in the fast changing world spectacle of space explo- the Chandrayaan-3 mis- fully packaged “parcel” ing the secrets harbored their ilk, boldly stepping cycles, sacrificing time
of work. Trade unions would need even widening their mem- ration witnessed in 2022, sion and the Aditya L1 containing the celestial by Psyche becomes a cos- into leading roles, herald- and resources in the
bership among informal sector workers to remain relevant in it would be a disservice to solar probe, marking sig- loot. The designated land- mic key, offering scien- ing a new era of cosmic meticulous crafting of
the present circumstances for which they would have to work deem the past year unre- nificant milestones in the ing spot, a Utah desert, tists a unique lens into the pioneers. missions. Enter the dy-
hard. markable. NASA, the stal- nation’s space exploration played host to the extrater- cores of rocky planets The endeavors of both namic realm of private
Larger coalition of workers can only be a solution to protect wart of American space narrative. Chandrayaan-3 restrial special delivery as mirroring our own terres- the Hakuto mission and space technology jugger-
the labour force and the gains achieved by the glorious labour endeavors, maintained its propels India into the per NASA’s cosmic itiner- trial abode. As the Earth’s Russia’s Luna-25 served nauts - SpaceX, Blue Ori-
movement of the country, especially at a time of political un- prolific trajectory with a league of the world’s four ary. Bennu, chosen for its core remains an elusive as poignant reminders of gin, Rocket Lab, and their
certainty in the election year. 2024 would therefore be a year string of landmark mis- nations capable of grace- role in this grand mission, enigma for direct study, the formidable challenges counterparts - architects of
of reckoning for the trade union movement, irrespective of sions. Notable among fully soft-landing space- is hailed as a celestial the exploration of plan- posed by lunar landings, a agility and speed. Fueled
whether PM Modi returns to power or not, on account of the them is the OSIRIS-REx craft on the lunar surface. “time capsule,” preserving etesimals like Psyche terrain that proved de- by distinct organizational
fast changing world of work at a time when the majority of the mission, which tri- Meanwhile, the Aditya L1 echoes from the infancy of emerges as a celestial win- manding until Chan- structures, these entities
workforce are without any social security coverage. umphantly brought back a mission carves its own our solar system. Upon dow, providing a cosmic drayaan-3’s successful emerge as nimble pio-
snippet of the asteroid niche as India’s inaugural scrutinizing the pilfered tableau to unravel the in- touchdown. Luna-25, neers, outpacing their gov-
Bennu, and the Psyche endeavor dedicated to un- samples, revelations tricate narrative of our marking Russia’s return to ernmental counterparts in
A year of historic mission, a celestial
odyssey aimed at unravel-
ing the mysteries sur-
raveling the mysteries of emerged - a tapestry
the Sun and probing the woven with high carbon
intricacies of space content and the subtle
planet and the solar sys-
tem’s genesis.
In the lunar chronicles
lunar exploration after a
hiatus of 46 years since
the erstwhile Soviet
the race to innovate. Star-
ship’s dual explosions
stand not only as py-

firsts: Unprecedented rounding the genesis of

planetary cores.
In a noteworthy
weather. Having demon- trace of water. This cos-
strated its prowess in soft mic loot, sourced from a
launches, ISRO sets its 4.5-billion-year-old aster-
scripted by the Hakuto
mission, Tokyo-based
space tech trailblazer
Union’s last landing, un-
fortunately concluded in
adversity, as the spacecraft
rotechnic displays but also
as a poignant reminder of
how the nimbleness and
achievement for human
events of 2023 space exploration this
year, China’s Shenzhou 16
mission embarked on a
sights on the next frontier oid, unveils the profound
- harvesting lunar sam- connection between celes-
ples. The ambitious Chan- tial bodies and the funda-
drayaan-4, slated for mental building blocks of
ispace took the helm,
charting a course to poten-
tially secure the title of the
first private lunar mission.
met a lunar collision. The
lunar landscape, though
seemingly conquered with
over 20 triumphant soft
agility inherent in private
space enterprises can pro-
pel the acceleration of
spaceflight endeavors,
historic journey to its liftoff in 2028, aims to life that have shaped our The prospect of ispace landings - six of which steering the cosmic narra-
Tiangong space station on bring back tangible lunar earthly existence. joining the esteemed hosted intrepid astronauts

2023 going on 2024, the great battles

tive toward uncharted
May 29, carrying a crew treasures. Chandrayaan-3 Embarking on a cosmic league, akin to India’s soft - reveals its capricious na- frontiers. (The writer can
of three astronauts into etched its name in history quest akin to the scrutiny lunar landing prowess, ture. Remarkably, all suc- be reached at di-
orbit. This mission set a as the pioneering space- of Bennu, delving into the added an intriguing di- cessful landings unfolded paknewslive@gmail.com)

against injustice ahead

A
s the year 2023 draws to a the past 1.5 million years by the
close, it is crucial to take Copernicus Climate Change
a moment to acknowl- Service of the European Union. temple at Ayodhya which has figures. But, in terms of GDP the Enforcement Directorate,
edge the extraordinary accom- The exponential rise in global been made into a State-spon- per capita, India was ranked the Central Bureau of Investigation
plishments and groundbreaking temperatures, attributed to cli- sored spectacle. lowest among the G20 countries and Income Tax Department
discoveries that have defined this mate change and relentless green- In BJP-ruled states, the mi- with 2600 dollars in 2023. Fur- have become cynical weapons
year as a monumental one in his- house gas emissions, poses an norities are being consigned to ther, whatever growth was reg- in the hands of the ruling party.
tory. From the unfathomable imminent threat to the sustain- the status of second class citi- istered has not translated into At the fag-end of the winter
depths of space exploration to the ability of our planet. This stark re- zens with restrictions on their increased employment. As per session of parliament, without
revolutionary advances in med- ality necessitates immediate and livelihood like the meat-trade the latest CMIE data, the unem- the opposition being present,
ical science and the alarming en- decisive action to mitigate the and periodic attacks and lynch- ployment rate in October this three new criminal law bills
vironmental concerns, the world catastrophic effects of climate ings of those accused of trans- year was 10.05, the highest level were adopted. This was sup-
has borne witness to events that change. porting cows or beef. The in the past 21 months, while posed to be doing away with the
have reshaped the course of hu- Amidst these environmental bulldozer has become a symbol youth unemployment was 23.22 legacy of colonialism whereas,
manity. concerns, the scientific commu- of vigilante action against Mus- percent. in fact, it was a form of re-colo-
One of the most remarkable nity achieved a monumental lims. Prices of essential commodi- nialisation. There are many pro-
feats of 2023 was the historic breakthrough with the unprece- Manipur witnessed the worst ties, particularly food items, visions in the new criminal laws
landing of the Chandrayaan-3 dented success of Gerthe-Jaan ethnic clashes from the month of continue to rise imposing a big which do away with basic safe-
spacecraft on the uncharted ter- Oskam, a paralyzed man from the May. Even after seven months, burden on the poorest sections guards of citizens and usher in a
rain of the South Pole of the Netherlands, who defied the lim- the ethnic divide between the of the people. With real wages police state.
Moon. On August 23, 2023, India itations of his condition with the Meitis and Kukis continues with on the decline, rising prices and The working class and peas-
achieved this momentous mile- aid of a digital implant. Through By: P. Sudhir port a resolution in the UN Gen- security forces manning the soaring unemployment, India’s antry have been struggling
stone, marking the first time in this revolutionary technology, eral Assembly in October call- buffer zone between the Valley ranking in the global hunger against the communal-corporate

T
history that a spacecraft had suc- Gerthe-Jaan was able to walk he year 2023 ends with ing for a ceasefire. It is only at and hill areas. The BJP chief index plummeted down to 111 regime. For the first time, the
cessfully made contact with this again by transmitting commands the dark shadow of the the second General Assembly minister is singularly responsi- out of 125 countries. Central Trade Unions and the
unexplored region. The signifi- from his brain to his spinal cord, genocidal massacre of vote in December on a resolu- ble for this conflagration be- The corporate-communal Samyukta Kisan Morcha repre-
cance of this achievement lies in marking a pivotal moment in the Palestinians in Gaza by the Is- tion calling for ceasefire that cause of his partisan politics. nexus was prominently exempli- senting the working class and
the potential discovery of water realm of medical innovation. raeli war-machine. Nearly three India voted for it reluctantly. The Centre has failed to bring fied in 2023. The Hindenburg kisan movements held a joint
beneath the moon's surface, a crit- The dichotomy of these un- months of Israel’s brutal aggres- Not doing so would have iso- about a political settlement Research company’s exposure convention in September and
ical element for human habita- precedented events of 2023 – sion has led to (till December lated India, as every other coun- through negotiations with all of the Adani group’s corporate gave a united call for a three-day
tion. The joy and pride felt by the valiant discoveries in space ex- 26) 20,915 people killed in try in Asia voted for the sides. Manipur is a standing tes- fraud and stock manipulation mahapadav in November. This
1.4 billion people of India rever- ploration and medical science Gaza, of which more than 8,000 ceasefire. timony to the havoc majoritarian became international news. But joint protest action was pre-
berated across the globe, uniting juxtaposed with the sobering en- are children; another 53,918 2023 marked the final year of politics can play in a sensitive the Modi government stub- ceded by a number of struggles
humanity in a moment of shared vironmental realities – epitomizes have been wounded and an un- the Modi government’s second ethnic region. bornly shielded Gautam Adani of different sections of workers
exhilaration. the complex fabric of human accounted number of people are term in office. It has been yet Federalism came under severe and refused to carry out a seri- and peasants in various parts of
However, amid the triumph of progress. While we grapple with still buried in the debris of another year which has seen the attack in 2023. Governors of ous investigation of its favourite the country. The year saw more
space exploration, 2023 also formidable challenges that im- bombed buildings. closing in of the walls for Indian opposition-ruled states became capitalist. An attack on Adani sections of the working people
brought to light a disconcerting peril our planet, we also witness Israel’s war on the Palestini- democracy, secularism and fed- more aggressive in interfering in was seen as an attack on India coming out against the neo-lib-
environmental revelation. the indomitable spirit of human ans is fully backed by the USA eralism. The shifting of parlia- the affairs of the state govern- under the Hindutva dispensa- eral policies of the BJP govern-
Japanese scientists made the un- ingenuity and the transformative which has sent more lethal arms ment to a new building has ments and in denying the rights tion. As a result of the Modi ment.
precedented discovery of mi- power of technology. and equipment to Israel since symbolised its new denigrated of state legislatures to pass laws. government’s benevolence to The latter half of 2023 saw the
croplastic particles in clouds, As we bid adieu to the year the start of the conflict on Octo- status. The last session of Parlia- The Supreme Court judgment the big capitalists, income and opposition parties coming to-
originating from the world's 2023, the legacy of these events ber 7. The US has been blocking ment this year saw 146 Opposi- on the abrogation of Article 370 wealth inequalities reached new gether to form the INDIA group-
oceans. This alarming finding will undeniably shape the course any call for an immediate cease- tion MPs, underlining the Modi and the court’s refusal to adjudi- heights. As per the Oxfam Re- ing consisting of 28 parties. The
underscores the pervasive threat of history, propelling humanity fire by vetoing such resolutions government’s intent to hollow cate on the use of Article 3 of port released in January 2023, aim of the opposition combine is
of plastic pollution, with far- into an uncertain but hopeful fu- in the United Nations Security out the essence of parliamentary the constitution to dismantle the the richest 1 per cent own more to put up a united fight against
reaching implications for the ture. The year 2023 will forever Council. democracy. state of Jammu and Kashmir and than 40 per cent of the wealth of the BJP in the general elections
environment and human health. be remembered as a turning point While the US administration’s The desecularisation of the In- create two union territories has the country, while the bottom to be held in April-May, 2024.
It reignites the urgent call to in our collective journey, chal- staunch support for Israel is not dian State has proceeded apace. given the stamp of judicial legit- half of the population together This will be a fight to defend
combat plastic pollution and lenging us to confront the press- a surprise, what is new, as far as With judicial connivance, the imacy to this gross violation of share just 3 per cent of wealth. democracy, secularism and fed-
safeguard the delicate balance ing issues of our time with India is concerned, is the Modi question of original religious the federal principle. 2023 also saw the sharpening eralism – all basic features of
of our planet. resolute determination and unwa- government’s big shift in favour sites at Kashi and Mathura are The Modi government goes of the instruments of repression the Constitution. New Year 2024
The year 2023 also presented vering innovation. (The author of Israel declaring full support being reopened and examined. on claiming that India is the and the widespread use of cen- will witness this great battle
another harrowing revelation – it can be reached at for Israel’s actions. India went The New Year will begin with fastest growing economy in the tral agencies to target the oppo- which will determine India’s fu-
was declared as the hottest year in shashankadas0007@gmail.com) to the extent of refusing to sup- the consecration of the Ram world citing the GDP growth sition. The raids and arrests by ture. (IPA Service)
Page 5 Dec 30_Normal Pages 29-12-2023 07:41 PM Page 1

Restoring mountain ecosystems as careers

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023 J OBS & C AREER THE HILLS TIMES 5

By: Ranjan K Baruah tion. struggles to survive. Steep based solutions, best practices sciences, environmental sci-
For us mountains are close to slopes mean the clearing of for- and investments that build re- ences, ecology, eco restoration,

W
e should know that of us as we have lived near moun- est for farming, settlements or silience, reduce vulnerability habitat management, wildlife
the 20 plant species tains and seen its importance. infrastructure can cause soil ero- and increase the ability of studies, etc.
that supply 80% of the Mountains are natural jewels sion as well as the loss of habi- mountains to adapt to daily There are also courses related
world's food, six originated and which we must treasure. They tat. threats and extreme climatic to adventure sports, tourism
have been diversified in moun- are home to 15% of the world's Erosion and pollution harm events. The day is observed in which not only might safeguard
tains: maize, potatoes, barley, population and host about half the quality of water flowing 11th of December all over the the mountains but also enhance
sorghum, tomatoes, and apples. of the world's biodiversity downstream and the productiv- world. economic activities for the
We should not forget that moun- hotspots. They provide freshwa- ity of soil. The healthier our ecosystems mountain dwellers and improve
tain ecosystems are under threat ter for everyday life to half of This problem affects us all. are, the healthier the planet - and their lives.
from pollution. humanity, helping to sustain We must reduce our carbon foot- its people. There are different online
Not to be surprised but the agriculture and supply clean en- print and take care of these nat- The UN Decade on Ecosys- courses which can be chosen by as we could see that though peo- course which is useful for peo-
fact is micro plastics have even ergy and medicines. ural treasures. tem Restoration aims to prevent, aspirants who are interested in ple live in healthy areas they are ple who want to work with the
been found as high as the sum- As the global climate contin- International Mountain Day halt and reverse the degradation working with the mountains. not healthy financially. mountain diversity. (The author
mit of Mt. Everest. According to ues to warm, mountain glaciers 2023, under the title “Restoring of ecosystems. There are differ- Choosing a career in the Social workers may get them is a career mentor and skill
the Intergovernmental Panel on melt affecting freshwater sup- mountain ecosystems” is a ent courses available for those mountains is best for those who engaged and work with the peo- trainer and can be reached at
Climate Change (IPCC) and Up plies downstream, and mountain chance to increase awareness who want to work alone with the are passionate. Apart from re- ple to improve their quality of 8473943734 or
to 84 percent of Endemic Moun- people - some of the world’s about the relevance of mountain great mountains. search and studies there could lives. Ecosystem restoration or bkranjan@gmail.com for any
tain species are at risk of extinc- poorest - face even greater ecosystems and call for nature- Few academic courses are life be activities related to livelihood eco restoration is an interesting career related queries)

How to Apply for DC Charaideo Recruitment ?

Anganwadi Recruitment 2024 – 42 Interested and eligible candidates may appear in the walk in interview as per the schedule
# Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Docs/Spreadsheets and
# Fluency in Assamese, Hindi and English is required.

Anganwadi Worker & Helper Posts mentioned below.

Date: 08/01/2024
How to Apply for DC Kamrup Metro Recruitment ?

Last Date: 02/01/2024 Interested and eligible candidates may appear in the walk in interview as per the
Time: 11:00 AM onwards. schedule mentioned below.
Office of the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO),Kathiatoli, Nagaon has Venue: O/o District Commissioner, Charaideo, Conference Hall.
released an employment notification for the recruitment of 42 Anganwadi Worker and Date: 09/01/2024
Anganwadi Helper (Sahayika) vacancy in various Anganwadi centres. Interested and Documents needed in the Interview Time: 10:00 AM onwards.
eligible candidates may apply. Venue: O/o District Commissioner, Kamrup Metro, Conference Hall.
1. Detailed Curriculum Vitae.
1. Anganwadi Worker 2. Photo Identity & Address Proof. Documents needed in the Interview
No of posts: 14 posts 3. Original Educational Certificates (HSLC onwards) for verification.
Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed Higher Secondary (Class 4. Work Experience Certificates 1. Detailed Curriculum Vitae.
12th). If HS passed candidates not available in a particular area, then HSLC/AHM 5. Photocopy of all the certificates, mark sheets, experience certificates etc. to be submitted 2. Photo Identity & Address Proof.
passed candidates will also be considered as eligible. in the Interview. 3. Original Educational Certificates (HSLC onwards) for verification.
Remuneration: ` 4,500/- per month 4. Work Experience Certificates

2. Anganwadi Helper UPSC NDA & NA (I) Recruitment 2024 – 5. Photocopy of all the certificates, mark sheets, experience certificates etc. to be sub-
mitted in the Interview.
No of posts: 28 posts
Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed HSLC/ AHM. If
HSLC/AHM passed candidates not available in a particular area, then Class IX passed
400 Vacancy, Apply Online DEE LP UP Teacher Recruitment 2024 –
candidates will also be considered as eligible. Last Date: 09/01/2024
Remuneration: ` 2,250/- per month
5550 Assistant Teacher Posts
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released an employment notification
Other Criteria of Anganwadi Recruitment for the recruitment of 400 vacancy for National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Last Date: 2/2/2024
Examination (I), 2024 (Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC)). Interested and eligible
Age Limit: Candidates age should be between 18 years to 44 years as on 1st January candidates may apply online. Directorate of Elementary Education (DEE), Assam has released two employment
2023. notifications for the recruitment of 5550 posts of Assistant Teacher in Lower and Upper
Name of exam: National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (I), 2024 Primary Schools of Assam under the Directorate of Elementary Education, Assam. In-
Resident-ship: The candidate who apply for the post of Anganwadi Worker/ An- No of posts: 400 posts terested and eligible candidates may apply online here.
ganwadi Helper shall be a permanent resident residing in the concerned Anganwadi
Centre survey area where Anganwadi Centre is located. Vacancy Breakup: Name of post: Assistant Teacher (LP) & Assistant Teacher (UP)
No of posts: 5550 posts
The residential proof of the candidate for the post of Anganwadi Worker/ Anganwadi # National Defence Academy: 370
Helper must be issued by the Gaon Bura/ Ward Member or the President of the Gaon # Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme): 30 # Lower Primary: 3800 posts
Panchayat. # Upper Primary: 1750 posts
Eligibility Criteria of UPSC NDA & NA (I) Recruitment
How to Apply for Anganwadi Recruitment ? Scale of pay: PB-2 of Rs.14,000 – Rs.70,000 plus Grade Pay and other allowances
Educational Qualification: as admissible under the rules.
# The prescribed application form will be available in the office of the Child Devel- Army Wing of National Defence Academy: 12th Class pass of the 10+2 pattern of
opment Project Officer, Kathiatoli, Nagaon between 11 AM to 3 PM. School Education or equivalent examination conducted by a State Education Board or a District-wise vacancy: The district-wise, medium-wise and category-wise break-up
# The filled up application will be received in the office of the Child Development University. of vacancies showing the reservation for EWS/ OBC/ MOBC/ SC/ ST(P)/ ST(H)/
Project Officer, Kathiatoli, Nagaon in all working days till 2nd January 2024. Air Force and Naval Wings of National Defence Academy and for the 10+2 Cadet PwD/Women etc. can be seen at Advertisement Details (Vacancy Breakup) in due course
Entry Scheme at the Indian Naval Academy: 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry of time.
Documents to Submit With Application Form and Mathematics of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent conducted by a
State Education Board or a University. Eligibility Criteria for DEE LP UP Teacher Recruitment
Candidates have to submit the self attested copies of the following mentioned doc- Candidates who are appearing in the 12th Class under the 10+2 pattern of School Ed-
uments along with the filled application form as required. ucation or equivalent examination can also apply for this examination Nationality: Candidates must be a Permanent Resident of Assam .
Age Limit: A candidate must not be less than 18 years of age and not more than 40
# Recent Passport Size Colour Photograph (2 copies). Age Limit: Only unmarried male /female candidates born not earlier than 02nd July, years as on 1st January 2023.
# Age Proof. 2005 and not later than 1st July, 2008 are eligible. Age Relaxation: The Category-wise age relaxation for different categories are as
# Educational Qualification Certificates and Marksheets. mentioned below:
# Address Proof. Application Fee of UPSC NDA & NA (I) Exam

#Others: ` 100/-
# Caste Certificate (If Applicable). # Ex-Servicemen: 2 years
# Disability Certificate (If Applicable). # OBC/ MOBC: 3 years
# Experience Certificate (If Applicable). # SC/ST Candidates/Sons of JCOs/NCOs/ORs: Nil # SC/ST(P)/ST(H): 5 years
#Women: Nil # Persons with Disability (PwD): 10 years
Important Dates of Anganwadi Worker Recruitment 2024 #Payment Mode: Online/ Offline
Small Family Norms: No person having more than two living children on or after
# Starting date of submission of application: 19th December 2023 Important Dates of UPSC NDA & NA Exam 2024 01/01/2021 from a single or multiple partners shall be eligible for appointment as per
# Last date of submission of application: 2nd January 2024 the Govt. policy on Small Family Norms .
+ Starting date of online application submission: 20th December 2023

DC Charaideo Recruitment 2024 – + Last date of online application submission: 9th January 2024 Medium of Instruction: Either the Language-I or the Language-II of both ATET and
CTET candidates shall match the medium of instruction of the school wherein the can-
didate wishes to apply
3 GIS Assistant Posts DC Kamrup Metro Recruitment 2024 ATET/ CTET Qualification: The candidates who have passed ATET/ CTET for LP/
UP will be eligible for applying.
Last Date: 08/01/2024

District Commissioner, Charaideo has released an employment notification for the

– 5 GIS Assistant Posts Educational Qualification: Post-wise educational qualifications for each posts are
as mentioned below .
recruitment of 3 GIS Assistant Posts under Charaideo District for engagement on con- Last Date: 09/01/2024.
tractual basis. Interested and eligible candidates may apply here . Assistant Teacher (LP)
District Commissioner, Kamrup Metro has released an employment notification for the
Name of post: GIS Assistant recruitment of 5 GIS Assistant Posts under Kamrup Metro District for engagement on con- Qualification: Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and 2-
No of posts: 5 posts tractual basis under Directorate of Land Records & Surveys etc., Assam. Interested and el- year Diploma in Elementary Education (by whatever name known).
Place of work: Respective Revenue Circle Office igible candidates may apply here.
Pay: Rs. 25000/- per month (fixed) Assistant Teacher (UP)
Name of post: GIS Assistant
Eligibility Criteria of DC Charaideo Recruitment No of posts: 5 posts Qualification: Graduate from the UGC recognized University and 2-year Diploma
Place of work: Respective Revenue Circle Office in Elementary Education or B. Ed. or D. Ed. (Special Education) or B. Ed. (Special Ed-
Age Limit: Above 21 years and not more than 45 years as on 01/01/2023. Duration of Engagement: Up to 31 March, 2024 subject to extension by Govt. ucation).
Pay: Rs. 25000/- per month (fixed)
Essential Qualification: Science Teacher (UP)
Eligibility Criteria of DC Kamrup Metro Recruitment
# Bachelor's degree in Geography/Geology/Mathematics/Geo Age Limit: Above 21 years and not more than 45 years as on 01/01/2023 Qualification: B. Sc. from the UGC recognized University and 2-year Diploma in
informatics/Physics/Computer Science or a related field with Certificate/Diploma in Elementary Education or B. Ed. or D. Ed. (Special Education) or B. Ed. (Special Edu-
GIS & Remote Sensing or in Geo-informatics. Essential Qualification: cation) .
Or
# M.Tech./M.Sc. in GIS & Remote sensing/ Geo- informatics; MCA/ M.A/ M.Sc. # Bachelor's degree in Geography/Geology/Mathematics/ Geo informatics/ Hindi Teacher (UP)
in Geography/Geology/Mathematics/ Environmental Science with Geo-informatics as Physics/Computer Science or a related field with Certificate/Diploma in GIS & Remote
one of the subject or Certificate or Diploma in GIS/ Remote Sensing or Geo-informat- Sensing or in Geo-informatics. Or Qualification: Graduate with Hindi as one of the subjects from the UGC recognized
ics. # M.Tech./M.Sc. in GIS & Remote sensing/ Geo- informatics; MCA/ M.A/ M.Sc. in Ge- University and 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education or B. Ed. or D. Ed. (Special
ography/Geology/Mathematics/ Environmental Science with Geo-informatics as one of the Education) or B. Ed. (Special Education).
Desirable Qualification: subject or Certificate or Diploma in GIS/ Remote Sensing or Geo-informatics.
Documents To be Uploaded with DEE Teacher Online Application Form
# Proficiency in GIS software such as ArcGIS, QGIS, Global Mapper or other in- Desirable Qualification:
dustry-standard applications. Documents as mentioned below should be coloured scanned and upload while apply-
# Familiarity with spatial data formats (e.g., Shape files, GeoJSON, KML) and co- # Proficiency in GIS software such as ArcGIS, QGIS, Global Mapper or other industry- ing online.
ordinate systems. standard applications.
# Knowledge of geospatial analysis, image processing techniques, data collection # Familiarity with spatial data formats (e.g., Shape files, GeoJSON, KML) and coordi- # Passport Size Photograph.
through drone survey and tools for development of geospatial data, use of HRSI for nate systems. # HSLC Admit Card.
land mapping, modem survey techniques using RTK GNSS Rovers, DGPS, ETS etc. # Knowledge of geospatial analysis, image processing techniques, data collection through # HSSLC Mark-sheet and Certificate.
# Effective communication and teamwork skills. drone survey and tools for development of geospatial data, use of HRSI for land mapping, # Graduation Mark-sheet and Certificate.
# Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks effectively. modem survey techniques using RTK GNSS Rovers, DGPS, ETS etc. # Any other Mark-sheet and Certificate of higher education.
# Prior experience in a GIS-related role or internship is preferred but not mandatory. # Effective communication and teamwork skills. # DElEd/ BEd Marksheet (1st Year & 2nd Year) and Certificate.
# Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks effectively. # Caste Certificate (in case of SC/ ST(P)/ST(H)/OBC/MOBC).
Experience: # Prior experience in a GIS-related role or internship is preferred but not mandatory. # Document in support of Permanent Resident of Assam.
# Certificate and Mark sheet of ATET/CTET for UPS.
# Preference will be given to those candidates having relevant work experience of Experience: # Candidates with disabilities will have to enclose certificates of disabilities issued
minimum Experience 1 year. by Govt. authority.
# Preference will be given to the RCCC trained candidates having command over # Preference will be given to those candidates having relevant work experience of min- # Certificate of Ex-servicemen issued by the Director, Sainik Welfare Board.
GIS. imum Experience 1 year. # Scanned Signature.
Skills: # Preference will be given to the RCCC trained candidates having command over GIS.
Important Dates of DEE TET Teacher Recruitment 2024
# Proficiency in Arc Desktop, Arc Pro, AutoCAD, Global Mapper Skills:
# Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Docs/Spreadsheets and # Starting date of submission of option: 2nd January 2024, 10 AM
# Fluency in Assamese, Hindi and English is required. # Proficiency in Arc Desktop, Arc Pro, AutoCAD, Global Mapper # Last date of submission of option: 2nd February 2024, 10 PM
Page 6 Dec 30_Normal Pages 29-12-2023 05:50 PM Page 1

Russiaia fires 122 missiles and 36 drones in what

Maine bars Trump from ballot as US SC weighs
6 THE HILLS TIMES W ORLD SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2023

states’ authority to block former president

The Ukrainian air force intercepted 87 of the missiles and 27 of the

Ukraine calls the biggest aerial barrage of the war

Shahed-type drones overnight

PORTLAND (US), Dec 29: Maine's Democratic Secretary of State has ever deprived a presidential
secretary of state on Thursday removed former Pres- candidate of ballot access based on Section 3 of the
ident Donald Trump from the state's presidential pri- Fourteenth Amendment. I am also mindful, however,
mary ballot under the Constitution's insurrection that no presidential candidate has ever before en-
clause, becoming the first election official to take ac- gaged in insurrection.”
KYIV, Dec 30: Russia launched 122 cording to authorities. Reports of tion unilaterally as the US Supreme Court is poised The Trump campaign immediately slammed the
missiles and 36 drones against deaths and damage came in from to decide whether Trump remains eligible to return ruling. “We are witnessing, in real-time, the at-
Ukrainian targets, officials said Fri- across the country. In Odesa, on the to the White House. tempted theft of an election and the disenfranchise-
day, killing at least 18 civilians southern coast, falling drone wreck- The decision by Secretary of State Shenna Bel- ment of the American voter,” campaign spokesman
across the country in what an air age started a fire at a multi-story res- lows follows a ruling earlier this month by the Col- Steven Cheung said in a statement.
force official said was the biggest idential building, according to the orado Supreme Court that Legal experts said that
aerial barrage of the 22-month war. regional head, Oleh Kiper. Two peo- booted Trump from the bal- Thursday's ruling demon-
The Ukrainian air force inter- ple were killed and 15, including two lot there under Section 3 of strates the need for the na-
cepted 87 of the missiles and 27 of children, were injured in the course the 14th Amendment. That tion's highest court, which
the Shahed-type drones overnight, of the Odesa attack, he said. decision has been stayed has never ruled on Section
Ukraine’s military chief Valerii Za- The mayor of the western city of until the US Supreme Court 3, to clarify what states can
luzhnyi said. Lviv, Andrii Sadovyi, said one per- decides whether Trump is do.
Air Force commander Mykola son was killed and eight injured and barred by the Civil War-era “It is clear that these de-
Oleshchuk wrote on his official three schools and a kindergarten provision, which prohibits cisions are going to keep
Telegram channel: “The most mas- with more air defenses to protect it- blocks and schools. were damaged in a drone attack in those who “engaged in in- popping up, and inconsis-
sive aerial attack” since Russia’s full- self against aerial attacks like Fri- Ukrainian President Volodymyr the region. surrection” from holding tent decisions reached (like
scale invasion in February 2022. day’s one. Their appeals have come Zelenskyy said the Kremlin’s forces Several dozen missiles were office. the many states keeping
According to the Ukrainian air as signs of war fatigue strain efforts used a wide variety of weapons, in- launched towards Kyiv during the The Trump campaign said it would appeal Bel- Trump on the ballot over challenges) until there is
force, the previous biggest assault to keep support in place. cluding ballistic and cruise missiles. night, with more than 30 of them in- lows' decision to Maine's state courts, and Bellows final and decisive guidance from the U.S. Supreme
was in November 2022 when Russia Western officials and analysts have “Today, Russia used nearly every tercepted, said Serhii Poplo, head of suspended her ruling until that court system rules on Court,” Rick Hasen, a law professor at the Univer-
launched 96 missiles against warned that Russia had limited its type of weapon in its arsenal,” Zelen- the Kyiv military administration. The the case. In the end, it is likely that the nation's high- sity of California-Los Angeles, wrote in response to
Ukraine. This year, the biggest was cruise missile strikes in recent skyy said on social media platform attack started a fire at a warehouse in est court will have the final say on whether Trump the Maine decision. “It seems a certainty that SCO-
81 missiles on March 9, air force months in an apparent effort to build X, formerly Twitter. the capital’s Podil district where five appears on the ballot in Maine and in the other states. TUS will have to address the merits sooner or later.”
records show. up stockpiles for massive strikes dur- Ukrainian Air Force spokesman people reportedly were pulled from Bellows found that Trump could no longer run for While Maine has just four electoral votes, it's one
Fighting along the front line is ing the winter, hoping to break the Yurii Ihnat said Russia “apparently the rubble. his prior job because his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, at- of two states to split them. Trump won one of
largely bogged down by winter Ukrainians’ spirit. launched everything they have,” ex- In northeastern Ukraine, Kharkiv tack on the U.S. Capitol violated Section 3, which Maine's electors in 2020, so having him off the ballot
weather after Ukraine’s summer At least 86 people were injured cept for submarine-launched Kalibr Mayor Ihor Terekhov said the city bans from office those who “engaged in insurrec- there, should he emerge as the Republican general
counteroffensive failed to make a and an unknown number were buried missiles, in the attack. was subjected to at least three waves tion.” Bellows made the ruling after some state res- election candidate, could have outsized implications
significant breakthrough along the under rubble during the roughly 18- The aerial attack that began Thurs- of aerial attacks overnight that in- idents, including a bipartisan group of former in a race that is expected to be narrowly decided.
roughly 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) hour onslaught, Ukrainian officials day and continued through the night cluded S-300 and Kh-21 missile lawmakers, challenged Trump's position on the bal- That's in contrast to Colorado, which Trump lost

1,151 BGB platoons on patrol across

line of contact. said. Among the buildings reported hit six cities, including the capital, launches. One person was killed and lot. by 13 percentage points in 2020 and where he wasn't
Ukrainian officials have urged the to be damaged across Ukraine were Kyiv, and other areas from east to at least nine injured, officials said. “I do not reach this conclusion lightly,” Bellows expected to compete in November if he wins the Re-

Iran executes four

country’s Western allies to provide it a maternity hospital, apartment west and north to south Ukraine, ac- (AP) wrote in her 34-page decision. “I am mindful that no publican presidential nomination. (AP)

Bangladesh ahead of Jan 7 polls

people for alleged links
NKorea’s new reactor at nuke site likely to be New Indian envoy to SL
with Israel's Mossad
formally operational next summer, Seoul says calls on PM to discuss
SEOUL, Dec 29: A light-water re- weapons-grade plutonium.
DHAKA, Dec 29: Bangladesh
multidimensional bilateral ties
actor at North Korea's main nuclear “(North Korea)'s commissioning TEHRAN, Dec 29: Iran executed
on Friday deployed a total of COLOMBO, Dec 29: India's new High
complex will likely be formally op- of a new light water nuclear power on Friday four people and sentenced
1,151 platoons of paramilitary Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha on
erational by next summer, South plant raises serious concerns, in- several others to prison for having al-
border guards across the coun- Friday called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gu-
Korea's defense minister said, amid cluding safety,” the US Mission to leged links with Israel's Mossad se-
try to ensure that the January 7 nawardena and discussed a wide range of
suspicions that the North may use the UN in Vienna said Saturday in curity service, local media reported.
general election can be held in topics related to the multidimensional bilat-
it as a new source of fissile materi- a message posted on X, formerly Mizan, the news website affiliated
a free, fair and peaceful manner eral ties. Jha assumed charge as the High
als for nuclear weapons. known as Twitter. “(North Korea's) with the country's judiciary, said
amid a boycott by the main Op- Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka last
Concerns about North Korea's nu- unlawful nuclear, ballistic missile three men and one woman were ex-
position BNP and its allies. week.
clear program deepened recently as programs continue to pose a grave ecuted Friday morning.
The Border Guard "High Commissioner called on H.E PM
the UN atomic agency and foreign cooling system-related activities threat to international peace & se- It identified the men as Vafa
Bangladesh (BGB) personnel @DCRGunawardena today. They dis-
experts said they've detected signs associated with the reactor last curity.” Grossi also noted the Hanareh, Aram Omari, Rahman Par-
will work in tandem with the cussed a wide range of topics pertaining to
indicating that North Korea had summer.Shin said the reactor ap- North's operation of the light-water hazo and the woman as Nasim Na- Since October 29, the BNP
police, the Rapid Action Battal- the multidimensional India-Sri Lanka rela-
begun operating its light-water re- pears to be in the stage of a trial op- reactor violates UN Security Coun- mazi. The report didn't say how the has been holding intermittent
ion (RAB), and armed forces tionship" the Indian mission posted on X.
actor at the Yongbyon nuclear com- eration and that it's expected to be cil resolutions. deaths were carried out, but Iran usu- nationwide strikes and trans-
for 13 days surrounding the They also emphasised that centuries-old
plex. officially operational around next The IAEA and foreign govern- ally applies hanging. port blockades.
January 7 polls, starting on Fri- linkages in Buddhism are central to the
IAEA Director General Rafael summer. ments have no access to Yongbyon The four were charged with kid- According to a media tally,
day. Typically, each platoon abiding connection between the people of
Grossi said last week that his North Korea has long produced and other suspected nuclear sites in napping several Iranian security 11 people died, 386 vehicles
consists of around 30 BGB the two countries.
agency had observed increased lev- weapons-grade plutonium from its North Korea, and they typically forces to extract intelligence infor- were torched, and four trains
troopers. From December 29 to A senior Indian diplomat, Jha was India's
els of activity at and near the reac- widely known 5-megawatt reactor rely on satellite imagery to monitor mation, Mizan reported. They were were derailed from tracks in
January 10, the BGB will oper- Ambassador to the European Union, Bel-
tor and since mid-October, a strong at Yongbyon. The light-water reac- the North's nuclear activities. North also accused of setting fire to cars the past two months in political
ate as a mobile and striking gium & Luxembourg before taking up his
water outflow from its cooling sys- tor would be an additional source Korea kicked out IAEA inspectors and apartments of some of Iran's in- violence. Police arrested thou-
force to ensure security in con- assignment in Colombo. Jha had also
tem. of bomb fuels. Yongbyon has a ura- from the country in 2009. telligence agents. sands of opposition activists
stituencies across the country, served in Colombo from 2007-2010 as
He said the reactor is “a cause nium enrichment facility as well. Outside estimates on the size of The report also said several others and figures, including de-facto
including Dhaka, the paramili- Counsellor at the High Commission, han-
for concern” because it can pro- There are questions about the reac- North Korea's nuclear arsenal vary, - working with the same group - BNP leader and party secretary
tary force said. dling work related to commercial and eco-
duce plutonium — one of the two tor's reported operation, as light- ranging from 20-60 to more than were each sentenced to 10 years in general Mirza Fakhrul Islam
Army personnel will be de- nomic matters. During this period, he
key ingredients used to manufac- water reactors are best-suited for 100. Since his diplomacy with the jail, without giving further details. Alamgir, over charges of vio-
ployed across the country from played a major role in building the architec-
ture nuclear weapons, along with electricity generation. US collapsed in 2019, North Ko- This came less than a week after lence. Hasina, 76, also the
January 3 to January 10 to help ture of India-Sri Lanka development coop-
highly enriched uranium. Shin noted there has been no rean leader Kim Jong Un has re- an alleged Israeli airstrike killed a President of the Awami Party,
maintain law and order before, eration. (PTI)
The South Korean Defense Min- country which has used light-water peatedly vowed to build more high-ranking Iranian general in alleged that BNP is hatching
istry said Friday that Defense Min- reactors to produce weapons-grade nuclear weapons and introduce Syria. during, and after the upcoming conspiracies from abroad, in an

Pak court allows Imran Khan’s party leaders

ister Shin Wonsik told local
reporters a day before that his
plutonium. However, many ob-
servers say North Korea could
high-tech weapons to cope with
what he calls intensifying US hos-
Iran and Israel have long accused
each other of spying and waging a
national polls.
Ailing former premier
apparent reference to the
party's acting chairman and
Indo-Canadian man
Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Na-
country had also spotted similar adapt one at Yongbyon to produce tility. (AP) shadow war for years. (AP) Zia's son Tarique Rahman who
arrested for break-ins

to hold election meetings with him in jail

tionalist Party (BNP) is carry- has taken refuge in the UK to
ing out an anti-election street evade jail terms.
campaign, calling for intermit-
tent strikes and transport block-
Several Bangladeshi courts
declared Rahman a “fugitive”
and thefts: Canada
ades, saying no election under as he took refuge in the UK to TORONTO, Dec 29: A 41-year-old Indo-
the incumbent government led evade jail terms for several Canadian man has been arrested for multi-
by Prime Minister Sheikh criminal charges, including a ple break-ins and thefts at Hindu temples in
ISLAMABAD, Dec 29: ahead of the elections. PTI counsel Shoaib Sha- He passed these remarks Supreme Court judge had Hasina would be fair or neutral. grenade attack on a rally of the Canada's Durham Region and Greater
The Islamabad High Court The plea filed by the 71- heen said the party needed in reference to Justice highlighted that it was the The BNP has also called for then-opposition Awami League Toronto Area, police said. However, the of-
on Friday granted leaders year-old cricketer-turned- to hold discussions for the Athar Minallah's additional Election Commission of civil disobedience against the in 2004 in which 24 people fences do not appear to be hate crimes or
and lawyers of Pakistan's politician also requested allotment of 700 tickets note in the cipher case Pakistan (ECP) and the Awami Party-led dispensation, were killed. Hasina narrowly motivated by hate, Durham Regional Police
former prime minister the court to instruct the su- while the AGP raised ob- against Khan and ex-for- government's duty to en- urging people not to pay taxes escaped the attack, which also said in a press release on Thursday. The po-
Imran Khan's party to visit perinten- jections to eign minister Shah Mah- sure that the public was fa- and utility bills to press its de- wounded some 500 of her lice identified the man as Jagdish Pandher
him at Adiala Jail and hold dent of the main- mood Qureshi. cilitated in expressing its mand for a non-party interim party leaders, activists and sup- from Brampton city. According to the press
election strategy meetings Adiala Jail tainability The cipher case is related will through a “genuine government for election over- porters. release, in the early hours of October 8, po-
in the run-up to the Febru- to ensure of the plea. to the alleged mishandling election”, adding that it was sight by amending the coun- Zia,78, was also convicted lice responded to a break-and-enter at a
ary 8 polls. privacy for Justice of a diplomatic document also bound to ensure that try's Constitution. and jailed on two graft charges Hindu temple in the area of Bayly Street
The order was passed by Khan dur- A u - sent by the Pakistan em- there was no perception of The BNP is boycotting the with a 17-year jail term. How- and Krosno Boulevard in Pickering.
Justice Miangul Hasan Au- ing his con- rangzeb bassy in March last year. oppression or repression election after its demand for an ever, she is now in a hospital Pandher was seen on security surveil-
rangzeb on a petition filed sultations expressed The Federal Investigation against one political party interim non-party neutral gov- with multiple health issues. lance breaking into the temple and taking a
by Khan seeking permis- with his displeas- Agency filed a case on Au- while others were treated ernment to organise the voting The US and other major large quantity of cash from the donation
sion to hold meetings with legal team. ure at gust 15 that the accused vi- favourably. was rejected by the govern- Western countries called for di- boxes. He fled the area before police arrival,
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf During Awan's ar- olated the secret laws of the Mentioning these re- ment. The party had boycotted alogue between the ruling it said. He was "seen on surveillance
(PTI) party members Asad Friday's hearing, Attorney- guments and asked: “Is the country while trying to ex- marks, Justice Aurangzeb the 2014 election but took part Awami League and particularly footage later that morning committing ad-
Qaiser, Junaid Akbar Khan, General for Pakistan (AGP) additional note from the ploit the cable for political said the AGP and advocate in 2018 polls, which party lead- with the BNP to ensure an in- ditional break-and-enters at Hindu temples
senators Aurangzeb Khan Mansoor Usman Awan, Supreme Court insufficient purposes. Both Khan and general were representing ers later said was a mistake al- clusive and credible election, in Pickering and Ajax," the release said.
and Dost Mohammad Khan lawyers of Khan's party and for you? Do you want me Qureshi were given bail by the caretaker government leging that the voting was

Around 500 climbers, including four Indians, conquer Mt Everest

which, however, saw no head- Police say the suspect has been linked to
and Ishtiaq Meherban the Adiala Jail superinten- to write a note against you the Supreme Court in the and should therefore be im- marred with widespread rig- way due to reluctance from numerous other break-and-enters at Hindu
among others to strategise dent appeared in the IHC. as well?” cipher case. In his note, the partial. (PTI) ging and intimidation. both sides. (PTI) temples throughout the year. (PTI)

in the 70th anniversary year of the first successful summit

Russian poet receives 7-year prison sentence
for reciting verses against war in Ukraine
MOSCOW, Dec 29: A Russian sands to flee Russia to avoid being
poet was given a 7-year prison sen- recruited into the military.
tence on Thursday for reciting Police swiftly dispersed the per- KATHMANDU, Dec 29: Despite concerns world record of climbing Mt Everest 28 times tain region.
verses against Russia's war in formance and soon arrested Ka- about rising temperatures, melting glaciers with two summits this season on May 17 and Three Nepalese Sherpa guides – Themwa
Ukraine, a tough punishment that mardin and several other and snow and increasing extreme weather May 23. Kami Rita's record till 2022 was Tenzing Sherpa, Lakpa Rita Sherpa and
comes during a relentless Kremlin participants. events, the mountaineering community cele- equalled by compatriot, Sherpa Pasang Dawa, Badure Sherpa – went missing on April 12
crackdown on dissent. Russian media quoted Ka- brated the 70th anniversary of scaling Mount 46, who made it to the highest peak for the after a massive ice sheet of more than 50 me-
Moscow's Tverskoi District mardin's friends and his lawyer as Everest with around 500 climbers, including 26th time this year on May 14 and the 27th tres tumbled down the mountain and buried
Court convicted Artyom Kamardin saying that police beat and raped four Indians, making it to the summit in 2023. time on May 17. But it is not just the Sherpa them deep under five to six metres of snow
on charges of making calls under- him during the arrest. Soon after, he Ever since New Zealander Edmund Hillary community that continued to break records on the most dangerous section of Mt Everest
mining national security and incit- was shown apologizing for his ac- and Nepal's Sherpa Tenzing Norgay sum- and test human endurance in the rarified air amidst an avalanche, making it the season's
ing hatred, which related to him tion in a police video released by mited the 8,848.86 metres (29,032 feet) high of the high-altitude Himalayas in Nepal. first accident at the world's tallest peak.
reading his anti-war poems during pro-Kremlin media, his face Mt Everest, a.k.a. Sagarmatha in Nepali, on Hari Budhamagar, 43, a double amputee Nepal granted a record 466 climbing per-
a street performance in downtown bruised.Authorities have taken no May 29, 1953, thousands of climbers from Four Indian nationals stood atop Mt Ever- ex-British Gurkha soldier scaled Mt Everest, mits, including 40 from India, for Mt Everest
Moscow in September 2022. action to investigate the alleged across the globe, including India and Nepal, est and one died in the high mountains this scripted history by becoming the first in the this spring, from climbers from 65 different
Yegor Shtovba, who participated abuse by police. have been attracted to the highest peak in the year. Yashi Jain, Mithil Raju, Sunil Kumar category to scale the world's highest peak countries. This broke the previous record of
in the event and recited Kamardin's During Thursday's hearing, Ka- world, scores of them reached the summit and Pinkhi Haris Chhed successfully scaled with artificial legs, on May 19. 2021, which was 409. In 2022, the number
verses, was sentenced to 5 1/2 years mardin's wife, Alexandra Popova, while many lost their lives. the highest peak in the world on May 17. On the same day, May 19, Shrinivas Sainis was 323. Mountaineering is a good revenue
on the same charges. was escorted out of the courtroom Official data showed that since 1953's Suzanne Leopoldina Jesus, an Indian Dattatraya, 39, an Indian-origin Singaporean stream for the tiny Himalayan nation of Nepal
The gathering next to the monu- by bailiffs after she shouted Hillary-Norgay summit, around 7,000 moun- mountaineer with a pacemaker, died near the climber went missing while returning from with a large mountain community dependent
ment to poet Vladimir Mayakovsky “Shame!” following the verdict. taineers have successfully scaled Mt Everest Everest Base Camp while attempting to climb the summit of Mount Everest. on mountaineering and related tourism in the
was held days after President Popova, who spoke to journalists while over 300 have lost their lives. the peak on May 18. No expedition in the high-altitude Hi- region.
Vladimir Putin ordered a mobiliza- after the hearing, and several other The year 2023 was no exception. A total of Officials said 11 climbers, including four malayas is complete without the help of the And, therefore, the depleting glaciers, ris-
tion of 300,000 reservists amid people were later detained on 478 climbers, including 103 females, sum- Nepalese, one Indian and one Chinese, died Sherpa community that lives around the ing temperatures and increasing extreme rain-
Moscow's military setbacks in charges of holding an unsanctioned mited Everest in the Spring of 2023, the only while eight went missing during their respec- foothills of the snow-clad mountains. That fall events are a cause of worry for the large
Ukraine. The widely unpopular “rally” outside the court building. narrow window available to climb the ex- tive expeditions to Mt Everest. also makes them the most vulnerable in the number of people whose livelihoods are at
move prompted hundreds of thou- (AP) tremely high altitudes. Nepal's Kami Rita Sherpa, 53, set a new dangerous treks to the world's highest moun- stake in the changing climate. (AP)
Page 7 Dec 30_Normal Pages 29-12-2023 08:49 PM Page 1

Govt aims at expansion of

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023 N ORTHEAST/R EGION THE HILLS TIMES 7
APIC implements

saffron cultivation in Northeast

hybrid mode of e-filing
Mizoram accords
general consent to of appeals
CBI to probe offences ITANAGAR, Dec 29: Arunachal
Pradesh Information Commission
(APIC) on Friday successfully im-

of ` 3.5 lakh per kg in market

plemented the hybrid mode of
Saffron, a popular spice costs minimum AIZWAL, Dec 29: The Mizoram
government has granted general
tion of offences in the state of Mi-
zoram. Our government is resolute
hearing and e-filing of appeals and
complaints, a senior official said.
consent to the Central Bureau of in eliminating corruption for the From now, the links for availing
Investigation (CBI) to probe of- welfare of our citizens,” CM Lal- the option of hybrid mode of hearing
the farmers involved in the project fences in the state. duhoma posted on X on Friday. will be published in the daily cause
where they were provided with saf- In a gazette notification on Soon after the swearing-in cere- list, APIC registrar Taro Mize said.
fron corms. Thursday, the state government mony on December 8, Lalduhoma He revealed that the provision for e-
At Mairang, Sister Reshmi, who said, “In exercise of the powers had announced that his Zoram filing of appeals and complaints is
is director of Foster Care home of conferred by section 6 of the Delhi People’s Movement government available on the APIC website
the Well Springs Social Service So- Special Police Establishment Act, will accord priority to anti-corrup- apic.arunachal.gov.in.
ciety said she planted about 100 kg 1946, the Government of Mizoram tion measures and will invite the Mize appealed to all stakehold-
of saffron seeds out of which over hereby accords consent to exercise CBI to probe graft cases in the ers, public information officers and
2,200 flowers were harvested. powers and jurisdiction of the state. litigants to avail the services.
Mairang is one of the coldest members of the Delhi Special Po- According to the Delhi Special In October, the Supreme Court
places in Meghalaya with a dry arid lice Establishment for investiga- Police Establishment (DSPE) Act, had set December 31 as deadline
environment from September till tion of offences in the state of 1946, the CBI requires the consent for information commissions
about March. Mizoram.” of the state government to conduct across the country to provide facil-
“We planted in the first week of “The Government of Mizoram an investigation within its jurisdic- ity of e-filing of complaints and
October this year and within a few grants consent for a CBI investiga- tion. (PTI) appeals. (PTI)
weeks, we harvested the flowers,”
she said, adding that NECTAR
buys back all the harvest.
She believes that saffron could
NFR’s Mizoram project to revolutionize
SHILLONG, Dec 29: The Centre from producer groups in Kashmir project.
become a cash crop for families in
the Mairang area considering that
the plant whose leaves are similar
communication, commerce in NE
is eyeing at expansion of saffron in 2020. At the NECTAR office here, to that of garlic is not affected by HT Bureau
cultivation in the northeastern The seeds were distributed to 64 Sarma has a team that looks after heavy frosting during winter GUWAHATI, Dec 29: The North-
states of Sikkim, Arunachal farmers in Sikkim, Arunachal the saffron cultivation project ex- months. east Frontier Railways’ (NFR)
Pradesh and Meghalaya in collab- Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Mizoram clusively which is being led by sen- “While all other plants have Bhairabi - Sairang New Line Rail-
oration with state governments to as part of a trial and the yield in ior officer Collin Z Renthlei, a died, including vegetables, saffron way Project will mark the dawn of
improve farm income, an official terms of Saffron seeds and flowers scientist, and other programme as- plants are all green, alive and thriv- a new era in terms of communica-
said. was above average in the pilot proj- sociates. ing,” she said. At Thangsning, 25 tion and commerce in the
Saffron is a costly spice fetching ect, NECTAR director general Collin, who had earlier been km South of here and located under northastern region of the country,
a minimum of Rs 3.5 lakh per kilo- Arun Sarma told PTI. posted in Jammu and Kashmir, Mawkynrew Community and especially in Mizoram.
gramme and is rich in bioactive The pilot project for the cultiva- played a crucial role in the pilot Rural Development Block, Pdi- The project is at an advance
compounds with therapeutic prop- tion of saffron found that the soil project of the NECTAR. anghun Kharumnuid reported sim- stage of completion. The Bhairabi
erties. and climatic conditions of certain “I am happy with the results of ilar yields. – Sairang project aims to create an
The North East Center for Tech- parts of the Northeast are suitable the saffron project because al- “We are grateful to NECTAR additional 51.38 km of railway
nology Application and Reach for cultivation of saffron, the offi- though we do not get snow in most and Bah Collin for having chosen track in the Mizoram. The project
(NECTAR), an autonomous body cial said. places in the Northeast except in us. We are the only saffron farmer has already achieved physical
under the Department of Science Sharma said his office in collab- Arunachal Pradesh, the yield is in the area. We were given about 40 progress of 91 per cent.
and Technology of the central gov- oration with the respective govern- good,” he said. kg of corms. We harvested more Construction of the Bhairabi –

Renowned Manipuri
ernment brought good quantity of ments of these states is ready for In Meghalaya, PTI visited than 2,000 flowers,” Kharumnuid Sairang railway project involves
saffron seeds for the pilot project expansion of the saffron cultivation Mairang and Thangsning and met said. (PTI) multiple tunnels and bridges in

singer Akhu
tough terrains. The total length of of this pier is 104 meter which is all efforts for fulfilling its commit-
tunnels in this project is 12853 42 meter taller than the Qutub ment of earliest commissioning of
MPCC celebrates INC foundation day meters out of which 12710 meters Minar. The project also includes the project.

Chingangbam abducted,
tunneling works has already been seven road over bridges and nine The new rail project will provide
completed. The project will have road under bridges. enhanced connectivity to the people

released later
IMPHAL, Dec 29: Manipur total 55 major bridges and 87 Though there are many chal- of the Mizoram, facilitate the
Pradesh Congress Committee minor bridges, out of which work lenges in execution of this project growth small scale industries in the
(MPCC) has celebrated the 139th for 12 major bridges and 85 minor like very less working days due to area and boost tourism of the state.
foundation day celebration of In- bridges have been completed so very heavy and prolonged mon- People of the region will get long
dian National Congress (INC) by far. The work of construction of soons, very tough and hilly terrain distance access across the country.
observing several programmes at the tallest pier of the project i.e through deep forests, poor accessi- I will ensure uninterrupted supply
the Congress Bhawan in Imphal. Pier P - 4 of bridge number 196 in bility, non-availability of construc- of essential goods at low costs to

Assam Guv visits sattra Sarbananda Sonowal unveils busts of

Apart from the main function at the approach of Sairang station tion materials and skilled labor in Mizoram to cater to the needs of the
Congress Bhavan on Thursday, the has also been completed. Height Mizoram etc., the NFR is making people.
day was also celebrated at district
and block levels across Manipur.
In the absence of the prominent
leaders including MPCC president
K Meghachandra, the main cele-
HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Dec 29: Assam Governor distinguished figures in Dibrugarh
bration function held at Congress Gulab Chand Kataria visited Konwerpur Sri HT Correspondent
Bhavan began with MLA Th Sri Barkhatpar Sattra in Sivasagar on Friday DIBRUGARH, Dec 29: Union minister of ports, shipping, and wa-
Lokeshwar who is also the treas- and offered his prayers there. On visiting the terways & Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal, unveiled the busts of two
urer of the MPCC, hoisting the sattra, the Governor said that the Sattra impec- distinguished personalities, Amaresh Datta and Phanindra Nath
INC flag in the presence of senior cably upholds the legacy of neo-Vaishnavite Ghosh at the India Club and Theatrical Institution in Dibrugarh on
leaders, members and workers of ideology, a profound vision promoted by Vais- Friday. In his speech, Sonowal highlighted the remarkable contri-
the party. hanavite saints Srimanta Sankardev and Mad- butions made by these two eminent personalities. Amaresh Datta
IMPHAL, Dec 29: Renowned solve the nearly eight-month old safeguard the territorial integrity of
The MPCC president, CWC havdev. The sattra has been very astutely (1919-2020) was a shining beacon in the field of education. Re-
Manipuri singer and lyricist Akhu crisis in the state. the state, while alleging that the
member Gaikhangam along with propagating the novel creations of the two garded as an esteemed scholar, critic, and poet of his time, his in-
Chingangbam was abducted by The crisis unfolding in the state unity of the people of the state is at
some other leaders of the party Vaishnava saints. The refined presentation of tellectual prowess gained recognition from prestigious institutions
unidentified gunmen from his res- since May 3 last has affected all stake under the present govern-
were out of station as they were in mukha bhaona, khul badon, and borgeet are such as Harvard, Yale, and Uppsala Universities.
idence in Imphal East district on sections of the society. The pro- ment. The MLA also appealed to
Nagpur to participate in a massive getting adequate patronage by the sattra. He “I am fortunate that I’ve attended his classes and learned a lot
Friday, his family said. tracted crisis has put the people at the people not to allow them to be
rally ‘Hai Taiyaar Hum’, which the said that these elements added to the enchant- from him. He was a true scholar and has a deep understanding of
However, he was later released the limit of their woes. carried away by rumors and propa-
All India Congress Committee ment of his visit. He also said, “Religious and English literature,” Sonowal said. Datta served as the head of the
unharmed around 20 km away “The state government, on the gandas which may create enmity
(AICC) organized in connection spiritual institutions play a crucial role in en- department of English at the Gauhati University from 1964 to 1980
from his house. other hand, did nothing to resolve among the different communities
with the 139th foundation day” of riching society, and fostering a bond of unity. and later held the same position at Dibrugarh University from 1980
“A few armed men barged into the crisis except lip service,” he living together in the state.
the party. These institutions serve as a bridge connecting to 1984. Datta’s deep understanding of Shakespearean literature fur-
Chingangbam’s residence in Khu- alleed. He hoped that peace and nor-
MLA Th Lokeshwor, in his the aspirations of our past to the future. These ther elevated his scholarly reputation.
rai area early on Friday morning The Congress leader then malcy will be restored in the state
speech on the occasion, came down establishments provide a platform for individ- Phanindra Nath Ghosh (1896-1956), another luminary of Dibru-
and took him to a place around 20 stressed on the need for a concerted with the coming of the New Year.
heavily on the BJP-led government uals to appreciate their heritage, and facilitate garh, achieved renown as a highly respected doctor, dedicated social
km away,” a close relative of the effort of the people to protect and
in the state for its “inability” to re- (NNN) a deeper understanding of our cultural roots.” worker, and compassionate philanthropist. Ghosh’s exceptional hu-
artiste said.
However, they released him later mility and approachability endeared him to the masses, earning him
unharmed at that location in Im-
phal West district.
Police also confirmed the inci-
Arms, ammunition recovered in Manipur widespread popularity. His heartfelt commitment to serving the
community resonated deeply with people from all walks of life. Ad-
ditionally, Ghosh held the position of Vice-Chairman of the Dibru-
dent, but did not divulge details. IMPHAL, Dec 29: Caches of arms and ammuni- bush. The recovered items were two 9mm pistols conducted the operation based on reliable input. The garh Municipal Board in 1935, further exemplifying his dedication
“We have received information tion were recovered as the police continued joint op- with magazines, one loaded with five rounds and operation started around 8.15 am and lasted till 10 to public service. The bust unveiling ceremony was also attended
that this person (Chingangbam) erations with the security forces in fringe and another two rounds, and an empty magazine of a am. The recovered arms and ammunition were by Union m ini9ster of state for petroleum and natural gas
was abducted by unidentified per- vulnerable areas of violent affected districts of Ma- 9mm pistol, the police also said. handed over to Lamlai Police Station for further Rameswar Teli, eminent litterateur and former Asom Sahitya Sabha
sons. And later, we received infor- nipur. Police sources said that a cache of arms and Arms and ammunition was also recovered in an- legal procedures. president Nagen Saikia, Assam Medical College and Hospital’s
mation that he has been released ammunition was recovered by Churachandpur po- other operation in the foothill villages of Pungdong- The police along with the security forces have principal Sanjeeb Kakati, India Club and Theatrical Institution’s
unharmed,” a police officer said. lice in a joint operation with the troops of 46 Assam bam, Sekta and Lousangkhong under the Lamlai been conducting search operations in the fringe and president Saikat Patra.
Chingangbam’s relative said that Rifles in the surrounding forest area of L Kanan vil- Police Station of Imphal East district bordering vulnerable areas across the violent affected districts
the reason for the abduction was lage under the Behiang Police station of the district Kangpokpi district, the police added. of the state since the middle week of September last
not yet clear but they were dis- on Thursday morning. One M16 rifle marked as M16A1 with a maga- to recover arms and ammunition in the possessions MISSING PERSON
turbed by what happened during The operation that started from 5 am and lasted zine loaded with four rounds and one M21 sniper of the miscreants.
the day. till 10 am, was conducted based on reliable input re- rifle marked nil with an empty magazine and three After the outbreak of ethnic violence on May 3
garding caching of arms and ammunition in the area, 36 HE grenades without detonators were found in last, a total of 5,669 different types of sophisticated

Anand Mahindra invites Meghalaya

The abductors did not demand
any ransom nor have the artiste’s the police said. During the operation, the combined the cache, the police further said. arms and around 500,000 rounds of ammunition

HNLC against shutting down of MCCL

family lodged a police complaint team came across a cache of arms and ammunition A combined team of police commandos, 22 were looted from different police stations and ar-
so far, the person added. (PTI) wrapped in polythene which was concealed in a Assam Rifles and a platoon of 12 battalion of CRPF mouries by mobs and individuals. (NNN)

CM to perform at Blues Festival

Bharati Ray —26 YEARS OLD.
The above is a photograph of missing woman
SHILLONG, Dec 29: The Hyn- ment issued today. namely Bharati Ray - 26 years old, complainant:
niewtrep National Liberation Council He also warned, “If he (Gavin) re- Narayan Ch. Barman, S/O: Manglu Barman of village
(HNLC) has expressed its opposition fuses to step down, the HNLC will Pokalagi Pt. II, PS- Golakganj, Dist- Dhubri, Assam who
to the Meghalaya government’s hold him accountable. Just as you
has been missing from his house, as reported by the
move to shut down the Mawmluh and your government dare to bury
Cherra Cements Limited (MCCL) MCCL alive, we will hold you ac- complainant at Chagolia OP.
even as it asked the NPP legislator countable by our own actions. Trai- CM’s performance with band members of Saga receives 17,000 views On receipt of the information, a missing entry
from Sohra Gavin M Mylliemngap to tors of the people should be punished vides Chagolia OP GDE No. 430, dated: 26/12/2023
take responsibility by resigning as with death.” SHILLONG, Dec 29: Im- dle, received over 17,000 was made and investigated into for tracing out the miss-
MLA of the area failing, which ac- The outfit leader further said, pressed by Meghalaya views on Friday.
Chief M Conrad K In his reply, the Megha- ing woman.
tion will be taken against him. “Currently, we do not see any other
At the same time, the outfit has feasible alternatives. Therefore, the Sangma’s performance of laya chief minister said, The descriptive roll of the missing woman as follows:-
also offered to provide the employees HNLC would like to extend an offer Iron Maiden’s solo guitar “Would love to
of the MCCL a monthly salary of `
1. Height - 5 feet.
to the employees of this factory, if on stage, Mahindra Group @anandmahindra... need
chairman Anand Mahindra more practice though”. 2. Complexion - swarthy.
25,000 if they join its cause. they are willing to join our cause, we
The statement also came at a time will provide them with a monthly has invited him for the pop- Sangma used to perform 3. Age - 26 years.
when the process of peace talks be- salary of ` 25,000. Eligible individu- ular Mahindra Blues Festi- with his band Saga during 4. Wearing - Red colour saree.
tween the Centre, state and the outfit als should be below 45 years of age val in February 2024. his college days in Delhi 5. W/O - Narayan Ch. Barman
is on. and undergo basic military training. “Uber cool... we need and would often meet up 6. Religion - Hinduism.
“If the government proceeds with If they demonstrate commitment to you out here at the with the band members for
@mahindrablues in Feb private jam sessions. All effort may kindly be taken to trace out the
the shutting down of MCCL, it our cause and ideology, we will con-
would be appropriate for MLA Sohra sider offering them an attractive @SangmaConrad,” Mahin- The chief minister fre- above woman with intimation to the undersigned.
Gavin to assume responsibility. In salary.” dra wrote on X. quently shares videos of Sd/-
fact, he should resign from his posi- “Finally, the government should The performance during himself playing the electric Superintendent of police,
tion as MLA,” HNLC general secre- cease sweet-talking and dilly-dally- his recent band reunion in guitar, covering songs by
Tura, which was shared on Iron Maiden and other pop- Dhubri, Assam
tary cum publicity secretary ing, and refrain from sugarcoating
Sainkupar Nongtraw said in a state- the truth or else,” he asserted.(NNN) Sangma’s Instagram han- ular rock metal bands. (PTI) Janasanyog /D/15520/23/30-Dec-23

5202 / 21
Page 8 Dec_Normal Pages 12/29/2023 9:45 PM Page 1

Nitish elected JD(U) president as party lauds his

8 THE HILLS TIMES NATION
Tribals, Dalits will Prez assent to bill for
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023

role in bringing together opposition parties

be eligible for
pension: CM Soren appointment of CEC, ECs
RANCHI, Dec 29: Jharkhand chief
minister Hemant Soren on Friday
NEW DELHI, Dec 29: Bihar chief with the BJP in August, 2022. announced that tribals and Dalits in
minister Nitish Kumar was elected Its general secretary Dhananjay the state will be eligible for pension
Janata Dal (United) president on Fri- Singh noted that it was Kumar who benefits on reaching the age of 50
day at the meeting of the party’s na- made it clear that there cannot be an years. Soren made the announce-
tional executive which lauded his opposition alliance without the Con- ment while addressing a function on
role in bringing together opposition gress when some regional satraps, Ranchi’s Morabadi ground organ-
parties and spearheading the demand including BRS leader K Chan- ised to mark the completion of four
for caste census. drashekar Rao, had floated the idea years of the JMM-led government in
Party’s chief spokesperson K C of a front of different non-BJP par- the state. “The government has de-
Tyagi said Kumar has agreed to take ties minus the Congress. cided to provide pension benefits to
over the mantle from Lalan Singh. The executive has also con- tribals and Dalits on reaching the NEW DELHI, Dec 29: President cals Bill, to replace a British-era law
Singh stepped down at the closed- demned the suspension of 146 oppo- age of 50 years. The death rate Droupadi Murmu has given her assent governing the publishing industry and
door meeting and proposed Kumar’s sition MPs from Parliament during among them is high and they do not to a bill that seeks to put in place a simplify the process of registration of
name, saying his leadership will be the recent Winter Session. get jobs after 60 years,” he reasoned. mechanism for the appointment of periodicals. The Bill replaces the Press
needed at this crucial juncture in the Kumar said in the meeting that he Soren claimed that only 16 lakh chief election commissioner and other and Registration of Books Act of
run up to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls will ensure that senior members of people had received pension bene- election commissioners, according to 1867. Rajya Sabha passed the Bill on
while he will be busy fighting his the party are given different roles. fits in the 20 years after the forma- a government notification issued Fri- August 3.
own election. He currently repre- Amid reports of rift within the ministerial candidate. Singh had on Thursday rebuffed tion of Jharkhand in 2000 but his day. The chief election commissioner “This bill is simple, smart and has
sents Munger constituency in Lok party, the chief minister has worked Among several proposals dis- reports about his likely departure as government has provided pension to and other election commissioners a simultaneous process for registration
Sabha. to project a picture of unity by keep- cussed in the meeting was the JD(U) president and any rift within 36 lakh people, mostly those aged (Appointment, Conditions of Service of newspapers and periodicals. Earlier
The national council meeting of ing him by his side. Sources within Kumar’s leadership in pushing for the party. above 60 years. and Term of Office) Bill, 2023, has newspapers or magazines had to pass
the party, scheduled to be held later the party have been dismissive of re- caste census and getting a “caste sur- “You are trying to set the narra- “In four years of our government, provisions to set up a search commit- through an eight-step registration
in the day, will ratify decisions, in- ports that Singh’s perceived proxim- vey” done in Bihar, leading to the tive... JD(U) is one and will remain we have given pension benefits to 36 tee chaired by the law minister and process. This can now be done at the
cluding on his presidency, taken in ity to the RJD was a reason behind state government enhancing the united,” he said in response to the lakh people above 60 years of age, two other persons not below the rank click of a button,” Union Information
the executive meeting. his ouster, noting that he has been a reservation from the existing 60 per media’s queries on his resignation widows above 18 years of age and of secretary, to prepare a panel of five and Broadcasting Minister Anurag
Sources said most key leaders close ally of Kumar for decades. cent to 75 per cent. and differences in the party, asserting also physically challenged persons...” persons for consideration of the selec- Thakur said responding to the discus-
within the party were of the view Kumar said in the executive meet- Every party is supporting it now, that it is a routine meeting, a view he said. Soren asserted that his gov- tion committee for appointment as sion on the bill in the Lok Sabha on
that Kumar being its most prominent ing that he was not personally keen it noted. also echoed by Kumar before he ernment was relentlessly working for CEC or ECs. December 21. He said newspapers
face should take charge of the organ- to take over as the party’s president Amid the JD(U)’s perceived un- boarded the flight from Patna to the welfare of the people and a large The bill also has provisions for a and periodicals will now be able to get
isation at this crucial time. but will abide by the decision of na- happiness with leading members of Delhi. number of schemes were being imple- Selection Committee, chaired by the registered within two months as
The party is part of the opposition tional executive members who the INDIA bloc for not giving its “If I have to resign, I will call you mented for the first time, including his prime minister, leader of the opposi- against the two to three years required
INDIA bloc. heartily endorsed the development, most preeminent leader a formal role (mediapersons) and consult you government’s outreach programme tion and a Union minister, to make earlier. The President also granted as-
Singh’s leadership style was also sources said. in the alliance, one of the proposals about what to write in the resignation ‘Aapki Yojna, Aapki Sarkar, Aaapke recommendations to the President for sent to the Central Goods and Services
criticised by several leaders within Many enthusiastic members of the has cited his role in reaching out to letter so that you can go to the BJP Dwar’ delivering benefits of the gov- appointment of CEC and other ECs. Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2023,

Raut irks Congress by saying seat-sharing

the party in their recent interactions party raised slogans at the venue, different opposition parties to bring office and get the draft,” Singh had ernment schemes to villagers at their The President also granted assent to and the Provisional Collection of
with Kumar, the sources said. projecting their leader as a prime them together after he snapped ties said sarcastically. (PTI) doorsteps. (PTI) the Press and Registration of Periodi- Taxes Bill, 2023. (PTI)

talks with it have to ‘start from zero’

Measures being put in place to deal with fog
impacting flight operations, says Scindia MUMBAI, Dec 29: Shiv Sena
(UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Friday
general secretary K C Venugopal
over seat-sharing.
if our party split, we won the And-
heri assembly bypoll and you (the
vice versa, said the former MP.
Of the 18 MPs of the Shiv Sena,
NEW DELHI, Dec 29: Amid dense fog disrupting said his party would contest 23 of the “We have said that we have been Congress) won the Kasba Peth as- more than a dozen MPs have de-
flight operations at the Delhi airport in the last few days, 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra, contesting 23 seats in Maharashtra sembly bypoll with our support,” serted the Uddhav Thackeray camp
Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Friday and the seat-sharing talks with the and (will also contest) Dadra Nagar Raut said. and joined the Shinde faction, he
said the ministry is coordinating with the airport and air- Congress have to “start from zero” Haveli,” Raut said, adding that “the The Congress, nevertheless, re- said.
lines, and putting in place measures to deal with the as the latter had `not won any seat’ Shiv Sena is the biggest party” in mains an important part of the MVA, “They don’t even have a guaran-
issue. in the previous elections, a statement Maharashtra while the Congress is a and the alliance partners will contest tee as to whether the remaining MPs
Terming the fog issue as a “transitory phenomenon”, that drew a sharp response from the national party. the coming elections together, he will stay with them,” Nirupam
the minister in an interview to PTI also said this year state Congress. The current MP of Dadra Nagar said. In the 2019 general elections, added.
the situation has been slightly unprecedented in terms The majority of the Sena MPs are Haveli is from the Sena. the undivided Shiv Sena under Ud- Milind Deora, another Congress
of the density of fog. now with the Eknath Shinde faction “We have decided that the seats dhav Thackeray’s leadership -- in al- leader from the state, tweeted that
Many flights were diverted and scores were delayed and the Congress now happens to be won by us (MVA allies) will be dis- liance with the BJP -- contested 23 any alliance in Maharashtra cannot
at the Delhi airport due to dense fog. the biggest party in the Maha Vikas cussed later. The Congress does not seats and won 18. It later broke off materialize without consultation
“Fog issue is an issue that we encounter 15-20 days Aghadi (MVA) alliance, state Con- figure in it as it has not won any seat the ties with the BJP, and in 2022 the with the state Congress leadership.
every year... this year, there has been unprecedented fog gress leaders Sanjay Nirupam and in Maharashtra. So talks with the Sena itself split after Eknath Shinde Deora, a former Mumbai MP
for the last three or four days. We are coordinating with Milind Deora pointed out. Congress have to start from zero in rebelled against Thackeray. who is now a joint treasurer of the
all the airlines to make sure that they have CAT II and The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv the state,” Raut further said. The NCP won four seats in Maha- Congress, said, “ I want to tell San-
CAT III-trained pilots during fog hours, thereby easing Sena, Sharad Pawar faction of the Asked about state Congress lead- rashtra in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls jay Raut that any alliance cannot
congestion,” Scindia said. “We are putting in place all those measures between Nationalist Congress Party and Con- ers pointing out that the Sena is no and the Congress only one. The Con- move forward without consultation
CAT II and III requirement pertains to operating airports and airlines.. it is slightly unprecedented in gress are part of the MVA. longer a united party, Raut said the gress’s lone MP from Chandrapur, with the Maharashtra Congress lead-
flights in low visibility conditions. The civil aviation terms of density of the fog but it is a transitory phenom- Speaking to reporters, Raut said Congress did not split up, and yet it Balu Dhanorkar, died earlier this ership.”
ministry is monitoring the fog situation on a daily basis. enon,” he added. the Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders, includ- lost the recent assembly elections in year. He also objected to Raut’s con-
He also said measures are being put in place, includ- On Thursday, airport sources said a total of 58 flights, ing Thackeray, have been holding Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam tention that despite losing 40 MLAs

NTA has hiked fee of 2024 CUET-PG

ing to monitor congestion at a landing airport so that the majority of them operated by domestic carriers, talks with Congress president Chhattisgarh. hit back at Raut, saying the Shiv to the Shinde faction , the Sena
take off is not allowed if there is no direct routing as were diverted due to bad weather between 0000 hours Mallikarjun Kharge, party leaders “A party is tested on the ground. Sena (UBT) cannot win any seat on (UBT) is the largest party in the

Shah’s Instagram
that will ensure there is no congestion. of December 25 to 0600 hours of December 28. (PTI) Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and Our party workers are with us. Even its own. It needs the Congress and MVA alliance. (PTI)

application forms, alleges SFI

followers cross 1 cr
Cooperatives should open accounts in co-op
NEW DELHI, Dec 29: Union home banks, says Shah; asks GSC Bank to create system
minister Amit Shah’s followers on Insta-
gram have crossed 10 million (one- AHMEDABAD, Dec 29: Union minister Amit Shah “Since Ajay Patel (chief of GSC Bank) is here, I
crore) mark, with BJP sources saying NEW DELHI, Dec 29: The Stu- postgraduate programmes in univer- “The SFI strongly opposes this on Friday urged the Gujarat State Cooperative Bank urge him to replicate this pilot project across Gujarat
their numbers saw a steep rise following dents’ Federation of India (SFI) on sities across the country is conducted logic and calls it out for being an- to develop a system so that all cooperative entities in and open bank accounts of various cooperative enti-
the passage in Parliament of some land- Friday alleged that the National Test- by the NTA. In a statement, the SFI other step that the government at the state can open accounts in cooperative banks. ties, such as dairies and APMCs, in cooperative
mark bills, including three legislations ing Agency has increased the fee of alleged that the NTA has hiked the large is taking towards the complete He made the suggestion while virtually inaugurat- banks,” said Shah.

by ` 200 for all categories “due to

which overhaul criminal codes and laws. 2024 CUET-PG application forms. In fee for CUET-PG application forms privatisation of education,” the SFI ing a building of Surendranagar District Cooperative Shah informed the audience the Narendra Modi
Shah, a key strategist of the party, has a letter to NTA Director Subodh said in its letter to NTA Director Bank. government has approved a plan to establish two lakh
over 34.1 million followers on X, 10.7 Kumar Singh, the student body’s lack of funds” and it will impact es- Singh. The delegation that met Gupta As part of a pilot project launched by GSC Bank new multipurpose Primary Agricultural Credit Soci-

of ` 2,500 crore has been earmarked.

million on Instagram and 15 million on Delhi state committee said the fee pecially those belonging to margin- at the NTA office comprised SFI recently, all cooperative societies in two districts have eties (PACS) across the country, for which a budget
Facebook, and he has been the most fol- hike is a “blatant attack” on higher alised communities and from members Mehina (Delhi University), opened their accounts with cooperative banks, said
lowed politician on social media after eduction opportunities for students in backward regions. Nadia (Jamia Millia Islamia), Sagar Shah, who holds the Home and Cooperation portfo- The new National Cooperative Policy will be
Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They the country. It is “anti-student” and a “The NTA highlighted that enough (Jawaharlal Nehru University) and lios in the Narendra Modi government. launched soon, the Union minister added.
noted that Congress leader Rahul step towards “privatisation” of edu- funds are not being released...which Vibhu (Ambedkar University). “At present, cooperative entities open their ac- On the occasion, he hailed the management of the
Gandhi, seen as the most visible oppo- cation, it said. There was no immedi- is leading to such hikes,” it said. The In a related development, students’ counts in other banks. Thus, cooperative banks do not Surendranagar District Cooperative Bank for turning

creased the fee by ` 200 for all cate- “In 2009, the bank had incurred a loss of ` 71 crore.
sition leader, has 6.8 million followers ate response from the agency to the agency, the SFI claimed, has in- outfits AISA and ABVP highlighted have cash when they need it. The GSC Bank launched it into a profit-making entity in just 14 years.
on Facebook, 5.1 million on Instagram letter or the allegation of the students’ the non-inclusion of the Jawaharlal a pilot project to open bank accounts of all coopera-

category students is ` 1,200, for stu- over, it has deposits worth ` 400 crore and it has given
and 24.7 million on X. Party leaders said wing of the CPI(M), even as an SFI gories. The current fee for general Nehru University in the list of col- tive entities of two districts in cooperative banks. As Today, the bank’s annual profit is Rs 7 crore. More-

posits of ` 800 crore,” said Shah in his virtual address.

Shah’s following has seen a consistent delegation met senior advisor, Na- leges taking CUET-PG 2024 applica- a result, such banks in these two districts received de-
rise after he became the BJP president in tional Testing Agency (NTA), HC dents from economically weaker sec- tion forms on the CUET website. loans to nearly 28,000 farmers of this arid region,”

`1,000, for those from scheduled

2014 following its massive victory as it Gupta, on the issue and demanded tions and other backward classes The university has now notified The Ahmedabad-headquartered GSC Bank is an apex said Shah.

castes and tribes ` 900, and ` 800 for area, was constructed at a cost of ` 10 crore and now

Temple visits, academic exchanges: Sangamam

for the first time won a majority in Lok the rollback of the “fee hike”. that it is a technical glitch and it will bank that serves the credit and financial needs of The new building, spread across 1,500 square meter
Sabha on its own with Modi as the The Common University Entrance be rectified within a couple of days, nearly 28 lakh farmers through 18 District Central Co-
prime ministerial face. (PTI) Test (CUET)-PG for admission to persons with disabilities, it claimed. the students’ outfits said. (PTI) operative Banks (DCCBs). has 1,000 lockers, said Shah. (PTI)

misuse of religious sentiments’, says Yechury delegates rediscover age-old Tamil Nadu-Kashi link
Ram temple inauguration by PM, a ‘gross
KANNUR, Dec 29: CPI(M) gen- this politicisation was to strictly ad- “As far as people are concerned, VARANASI, Dec 29: Cultural per- said. The consecration ceremony of
eral secretary Sitaram Yechury on here to secularism. the last 10 years is the worst as far formances, temple visits and aca- the temple is scheduled to be held on
Friday said the inauguration of “You cannot combat this sort of as their livelihood is concerned. demic dialogues on the banks of the January 22 and Prime Minister
Ram temple in Ayodhya by Prime religious fundamentalism of all Unemployment is at the highest. Ganga gave delegates attending the Narendra Modi will attend it.
Minister Narendra Modi in the these Hindutva offences by being a This government has been doing a Kashi Tamil Sangamam here an op- Stalls at the Namo ghat showcas-
presence of other Constitutional soft Hindutva or a soft saffron ap- lot of data fudging. Manipulation portunity to rediscover the age-old ing handloom, handicrafts and cui-
functionaries was a “gross misuse proach,” the senior Left leader said. of data. And now they have added links between Tamil Nadu and Kashi sine gave delegates an insight into the
of religious sentiments” for BJP’s The Ram temple will be inaugu- a new category to the employment two of the country’s ancient seats of rich aspects of Tamil Nadu’s and
political gain. Addressing the rated on January 22, where PM of unpaid labour,” Yechury said. learning. Kashi’s art and culture. Cultural pro-
media, Yechury said that the Con- Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister He claimed that there is an in- The second edition of the sanga- grammes, combining the cultures of
stitution clearly defines secularism Yogi Adityanath and more than ability for the industry to grow in mam, organised by the Union educa- the two places, organised during the
as the separation of religion from 6,000 people are expected to attend the country due to lack of domestic tion ministry, began on December 17 evenings, were a major attraction for
politics and the state. the grand “Pran Pratistha” cere- demand. and will conclude on Saturday. It is the visiting delegates.
He said that the inauguration of mony. Yechury also attacked the “As far as the industry is con- being attended by 1,400 delegates Seminars, discussions and lectures
the temple represents an overt BJP-led NDA government on vari- cerned, its inability to grow is be- from Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry. were organised to deliberate on liter-
politicisation of religion, which ous aspects, including the issue of cause of the lack of domestic “The visits to ghats and temples in ature, ancient texts, philosophy, spir-
contradicts the principles of the surveillance and the alleged failure demand. People don’t have the Kashi and Prayagraj... it has been a mada), writers’ group (Sindhu) and one-day trip each to Prayagraj and ituality, music, dance, drama, yoga,
Constitution. of the economy. money or purchasing power. For mesmerising experience. Each place group of traders and businessmen Ayodhya. “Till now, five delegate ayurveda, handloom and handicrafts
“Here, this function, the inaugu- Referring to the recent issue of the bulk of the Indian people, their has a huge significance for people (Kaveri). groups have visited Kashi,” he said. as well as modern innovations, busi-
ration is going to be done by the Apple phone notifications in con- actual purchasing power is declin- from Tamil Nadu, and the confluence Raj added that the academic ses- More than 42,000 people had reg- ness exchanges, EdTech and other
Prime Minister of India in the pres- nection with intrusion or monitor- ing. And when there is no demand, of cultures is not a new phenome- sions at the Namo ghat here were the istered till December 8 to attend the next-generation technologies.
ence of the UP chief minister and ing of handsets, he said, “this is a there are no future investments,” he non,” Satish Raj, a chemistry teacher most interesting for him. sangamam, of which 1,400 were se- Experts and scholars, local practi-
those who hold other Constitu- surveillance state that has been put said. Yechury said that as per the from Tamil Nadu, who was part of the Trustee at the Kashi Vishwanath lected by a committee, according to tioners of various disciplines and pro-
tional positions. We feel this is a in place” and it was not merely an government’s own projection for writers’ delegation, said. temple, K Venkata Ramana Ghanap- officials. fessions from Tamil Nadu and Kashi
gross misuse of the religious senti- intrusion into our privacy, which it this fiscal year, the proposals for The delegates have been divided ati, said delegates witnessed and ex- Raj Chenna, another delegate, said are participating in these exchanges.
ments of the people for their (BJP) is, but it is much more than that. new investments have come down into groups named after seven sacred perienced cuisines and different that he is excited about the last leg of The sangamam aims at rediscover-
political purposes. This is the open “It is a surveillance state where by more than 70 per cent, both in rivers of the country and each com- aspects of lifestyle and culture of the the trip, which is to Ayodhya. “We are ing, reaffirming and celebrating the
politicisation of religion which is everything is being monitored. the private and governmental sec- prises 200 members -- students’ regions. Ghanapati, who is the first less than a month away from the in- age-old links between Tamil Nadu
not in consonance with the Consti- Even conversations,” he added. tors.The Left leader also pointed group (Ganga), teachers’ group (Ya- trustee of Tamil origin at the temple, auguration of the Ram temple. I am and Kashi. The first edition was a
tution or the Supreme Court rul- The Left leader rubbished the out that in terms of per capita in- muna), professionals’ group (Go- said the itinerary of the delegates in- looking forward to visiting Ayod- month-long event organised last year
ings,” Yechury said. BJP’s claim of a “vibrant econ- come, India is at 142nd position out davari), spiritual group (Saraswati), clude a two-day outbound trip, a two- hya...I will definitely come back and more than 2,500 people from
He said the strategy to counter omy” and termed it as propaganda. of the 180 countries. (PTI) group of farmers and artisans (Nar- day return trip to Varanasi and a again after the inauguration,” Chenna Tamil Nadu participated in it. (PTI)
Page 9 Dec 30_Normal Pages 12/29/2023 9:30 PM Page 1

NJAC never given chance to work, led to friction

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023 NATION THE HILLS TIMES 9

in functioning of collegium: Justice S K Kaul

Rahul Gandhi ignored Amethi’s development
but built guest house for himself: Smriti Irani
AMETHI (UP), Dec 29: Union minister Smriti Irani
Friday alleged that former Congress chief Rahul
Gandhi ignored the development of Amethi, a con-
NEW DELHI, Dec 29: Former ing cognisance of a fault found, it stituency he represented in the Lok Sabha for 15 years,
Supreme Court judge Sanjay Kis- is for them to do so, we cannot do but built a guest house for himself.
han Kaul said on Friday the Na- so. Therefore, there is a responsi- During an interaction with people in Munshiganj
tional Judicial Appointments bility on us that the existing law is here, the villagers drew her attention to the drainage
Commission was never given a followed,” he said. problem in their area.
chance to work, leading to angst in Referring to the collegium’s Irani, a Lok Sabha MP of the BJP from Amethi,
political circles and friction in the pending recommendations with the said, “It has only been four-and-a-half years for me.
working of the collegium system government, he said the friction is Rahul Gandhi has been MP for 15 years but he did not
of judges appointing judges to “reflected” in the number of ap- pay any attention to this. He did not even think about
higher judiciary. pointments which remain pending. development and only built his guest house in Mun-
The Narendra Modi govern- The NJAC Act, which was shiganj.
ment, after coming to power in passed in 2014, provided for the “His government was at the Centre for 10 years but
2014, got enacted the National Ju- procedure to be followed for rec- he did not even think about the development of Ame-
dicial Appointments Commission ommending persons for appoint- thi. Here, work was being done only on paper. Rahul
(NJAC) Act. The NJAC, tasked ment as the Chief Justice of India, Gandhi could not even build a drain properly in Ame-
with the responsibility of making thi,” she said. The Union minister said that under the BJP govern-
other judges of the Supreme Court,
judicial appointments, comprised Irani was referring to a guest house on the premises ment, work has been done on the ground in Amethi and
and chief justice and judges of
the Chief Justice of India, two sen- of Sanjay Gandhi Hospital in Munshiganj which was development works were being done at a rapid pace.
high courts.
ior Supreme Court judges, the used by Rahul Gandhi and his family during their vis- Amethi is moving forward on the path of continuous de-
Responding to a question about
union law minister and two other its to the constituency. velopment, she stressed.
whether delayed disposal of cases
eminent persons nominated by the Later, an objection was raised citing the government During her visit to the constituency, Irani listened to
amounted to denial of justice to
CJI, the prime minister and the them in future. recommended, are pending. We had given the land to the hospital on lease and the the problems of the people through public dialogue pro-
common litigants, he said, “It is so.
Leader of the Opposition in the “Could NJAC have been dealt have to accept that there is a prob- guest house was built there. A notice was served to the grammes in Ramdevpur, Munshiganj, Sarai Khema, Lo-
But what is to be done? Can a
Lok Sabha. differently is a hindsight. Maybe, lem in the system. If we close our Sanjay Gandhi Hospital by the district magistrate after niapur, and Pithipur and directed the officials concerned
judge decide a hundred cases in a
However, in October 2015, the it could have been kept pending to eyes to the problem we will not which the guest house was converted into the resi- to solve the issues. Her plan to return to Delhi on Friday
day? No...”.
Supreme Court had struck down experiment. It was never given a come to a solution. You must ac- dence of the administrator of the Sanjay Gandhi Me- has been cancelled and she will continue to tour the con-
On the issue of judges taking up
the NJAC Act holding it unconsti- chance to work. When it was knowledge the problem first and morial Trust. stituency on December 30 also. (PTI)
post-retirement assignments, Jus-
tutional. In an interview with PTI, struck down there was angst in po- then only you can come up with a tice Kaul said he was not interested
Justice Kaul, who demitted office litical circles that a unanimous de- solution,” Kaul said. Justice Kaul, in securing one, and the issue Contd. from Page 1...
on December 25, said one has to cision of Parliament had been who was a member of the Supreme should be best left to the discretion
accept there is a problem with the struck down like this and the Court collegium for over a year, of retired judges.
collegium system and it will be
“unrealistic” to say that it is work-
judges are not letting the system
change. That has brought some
said at present the collegium sys-
tem is the law of the land and it
During his tenure of over six
years and 10 months as a judge of
ULFA’s pro-talks faction signs
ing smoothly. friction in the working of the (col- must be implemented as it stands. the apex court, Justice Kaul was Assam by way of delimitation, land rights,” Sarma said, adding 726 more cadres will join the mainstream
Justice Kaul, who was part of legium) system post the NJAC. “What should be the way for- part of several landmark judge- now.
the top court bench which refused “If people say it (collegium) ward is very difficult to say. Be- ments including those that held the ULFA leader Sashadhar Choudhary, while thanking Modi, Shah and Sarma, expressed hope that the pact
to accord marriage rights to same- works smoothly, that would be un- cause the collegium system is the right to privacy a fundamental will bring durable peace and stability in Assam.
sex couples under the existing realistic in a sense because that is law of the land. So the collegium right and upheld the Centre’s deci- Officials said a host of long-standing political, economic and social issues concerning Assam, besides pro-
laws, said the case was not strictly not a fact. That is reflected by the system, as it stands, must be imple- sion to abrogate Article 370 of the visions for cultural safeguards and land rights to the indigenous people, have been incorporated in the accord.

Congress to formally start seat-sharing talks with Blast near Israel embassy:
legal but involved social issues, number of appointments which re- mented. If in its wisdom, the Par- Constitution that bestowed special Besides the 16-member delegation led by ULFA ‘Chairman’ Arabinda Rajkhowa, representatives from 13
and the government may introduce main pending. Even till today, cer- liament tomorrow says some other status on the erstwhile state of civil society organisations were also present on the occasion. The accord came after 12 years of unconditional
a law to effectuate such a right to tain names which have been system should come in place tak- Jammu and Kashmir. (PTI)

Delhi Police finds

negotiations between the Rajkhowa-led ULFA faction and the government, the officials said.
The peace pact is expected to end the decades-old insurgency in Assam.
However, the ULFA’s hardline faction headed by Paresh Baruah is not a part of the agreement. Baruah is be-

‘crucial proof’ of conspiracy

lieved to be residing at a place along the China-Myanmar border.
Sarma said Baruah is likely to join the peace process now and that state government representatives are in
allies next week; alliance committee holds meetings touch with him.
The ULFA was formed in 1979 with the demand for a “sovereign Assam”. Since then, it has been involved
NEW DELHI, Dec 29: Congress’s National Al- in subversive activities that led to the central government declaring it a banned outfit in 1990.
liance Committee, set up to facilitate seat-sharing The Rajkhowa-led faction joined peace talks with the government on September 3, 2011, after an agreement
talks with allies, will hold meetings with party lead- NEW DELHI, Dec 29: After three for Suspension of Operations was signed between the ULFA and the central and the state governments. (PTI)
ers from the states here on Friday and Saturday, and
the negotiations with the allies will formally start
next week after the panel submits a report to party
days of investigation into the blast near
the Israeli Embassy here, the Delhi Po-
lice is planning to register an FIR as
NIA arrests five for human trafficking
chief Mallikarjun Kharge. they have found “crucial evidence” from Bangladesh. They were identified as Suman Tripura (24), Kangfru Mog (31) and Amalesh Das from
With the clock ticking for the 2024 Lok Sabha pointing to a conspiracy to threaten the South Tripura district and Nachim Ali (60) and his son Jubel Ali (21) of Irani in Unakoti district,” the officer
polls and preparations taking shape for the party’s envoy, sources said on Friday. said.
“Bharat Nyay Yatra”, the Congress, which sounded Delhi Police sources said security On November 8, the NIA had conducted operations in four bordering districts and arrested 20 people for fa-
its poll bugle at a rally in Nagpur on Thursday, is agency officials are contemplating the cilitating cross border movement of illegal migrants.
set to hold a series of high-level meetings. charges under which the FIR would be On December 21, Agarwal had inspected NC Nagar BOP in Sepahijala district and stressed on the need to
According to sources, Kharge held an interaction registered. plug the gaps in the fencing to stop infiltration. (PTI)
with the Congress general secretaries in-charge of
all states after the rally at Nagpur on Thursday
evening and discussed the upcoming polls and or- other leaders over the last few days. While broad
They are also analysing if the inves-
tigation can be handed over to the Na-
tional Investigation Agency (NIA).
Next steps after examining ruling,
ganisational issues. discussions were held on forming alliances, the Officials of the Delhi Police, who are against them public. Bagchi was asked whether the commutation of the death sentences makes it possible
The five-member National Alliance Committee meetings largely focused on organisational matters investigating the case, have scanned for India to invoke a 2015 pact with Qatar on the transfer of sentenced persons.
of the Congress is scheduled to hold meetings on and the strategy for the Lok Sabha polls. multiple CCTV footage around the site The pact provides for the citizens of India and Qatar who have been convicted and sentenced for criminal
Friday and Saturday with leaders from the states Another meeting will be held on January 4 with of the low-intensity blast and spotted a offences to serve their sentences in their home country.
where the party is likely to contest the general elec- party leaders, including Congress chiefs and leg- suspect who had come from Jamia “Yes, there is such an agreement. However, I am not sure whether such an agreement requires ratification by
tion in an alliance with other INDIA bloc con- islative party leaders from the states through which Nagar in an auto-rickshaw. both sides and I would have to check whether the Qatari side has ratified it or not,” the MEA spokesperson
stituents. the “Bharat Nyay Yatra” will pass. The final route They have questioned multiple auto- said.
The committee will then submit a report to the of the march will be decided at the meeting. rickshaw drivers, including the one It has been learnt that Qatar is yet to ratify the pact.
party president, providing details for the negotia- The detailed route of the yatra will be announced who brought that suspect to the spot be- India has entered into prisoner-transfer treaties with many countries that allow a person convicted of a crime
tion, including listing out the seats where the Con- on January 8 while a theme song will be released fore the blast occurred on December to be transferred to his or her home country to serve the prison sentence.
gress is in a strong position. on January 12. 26. The charges were filed against the eight Navy veterans on March 25 and they were tried under Qatari law.
The sources added that while in some states, talks The sources said the yatris will cover around 120 “We found some crucial evidence All the former officers had “unblemished stints” of up to 20 years in the Indian Navy and held important po-
with the allies have already started at the local level, kilometres a day, including around five to seven km suggesting a blast at Prithviraj Road. sitions, including that of instructors, in the force.
the negotiations will formally start next week, after on foot. The way the letter was put at the spot Al Dahra Global closed its operations in Doha in May and all those working there (primarily Indians) have
the report is presented. They also said while the A number of public meetings and interactive ses- also suggests that there was a conspir- since returned home. (PTI)
equations with other parties may differ in states, the
final call on the alliance will be taken from a “na-
tional perspective”.
sions with locals and marginalised groups have
been planned during the yatra.
The “Bharat Nyay Yatra” led by Gandhi will start
acy to threaten the Israeli envoys be-
cause of the Israel-Hamas conflict,” a
police officer privy to the investigations
Sarbananda Sonowal applauds historic
The committee formed last week is headed by from Manipur in the east on January 14 and con- said. Sonowal highlighted the commitment to ensuring permanent peace for Assam’s journey toward a new age
senior Congress leader Mukul Wasnik and has clude in Mumbai in western India in March. It will Although no one was injured in the of prosperity.
Ashok Gehlot, Bhupesh Baghel, Salman Khurshid cover 14 states and 85 districts. low-intensity blast, an “abusive” letter Sonowal elaborated on Modi’s deliberate efforts to elevate the region to unprecedented levels of development
and Mohan Prakash as its members. The march will traverse through Manipur, Naga- addressed to the Israeli ambassador was and progress.
The first meeting of the party’s manifesto com- land, Assam, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Bihar, found near the site, officials had said. “Not only does this bring closure to an age-old issue, but it also provides an opportunity for our society to
mittee for the general election, headed by former Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, According to them, Tuesday’s blast explore avenues to become active members of nation-building,” he remarked.
Union minister P Chidambaran, is scheduled to be Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maha- and the recovery of the letter is a grim Driven by the philosophy of ‘Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas,’ India, under the in-

Centre paves way for benefit of reservation

held on January 4. rashtra. reminder of the 2021 blast near the em- spiring leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is confidently surging towards a new age of economic
Kharge, along with former party chief Rahul Leaders from other INDIA bloc parties are also bassy in which some cars were dam- growth and social equality, consolidating the nation’s march towards an Atmanirbhar Bharat by 2047, as artic-
Gandhi and general secretary K C Venugopal, held expected to join the yatra, though the plans are yet aged. ulated by Sonowal.
a series of meetings with state Congress chiefs and to be finalised. (PTI) The NIA had probed the case. (PTI)
NSCN (K-YA) claims responsibility for

in promotions for its ‘divyangjan’ staffers

supporters, had gone to the village for some personal work when someone took the former MLA towards a
jungle on some pretext and shot him, killing him on the spot.
Matey was elected as an MLA from Khonsa West assembly constituency on a Congress ticket in 2009. He
joined the BJP in 2015 and earlier this year, declared his willingness to contest the assembly polls in 2024.
Before entering politics, he had served as a district adult education officer in Changlang district.
The state government had on December 21 decided to transfer the case to the National Investigation Agency
(NIA). Subsequently, the state home department forwarded the case to the Ministry of Home Affairs for appro-
NEW DELHI, Dec 29: In a major availability of the vacancy in which priate direction to the NIA in this matter.
move, the Centre has decided to give the promotion is to be made or till Of the 239 insurgency-related fatalities in the state since March 2000, 183 have been reported in the Tirap-
the benefit of reservation in promo- they vacate the post on their retire- Changlang-Longding (TCL) region, according to official data. (PTI)
tions to its employees with bench- ment, further promotion etc.,
mark disabilities (divyangjans),
according to an order issued by the
whichever is earlier,” it said.
The creation of such supernumer-
Himanta apologises for ‘incorrect
personnel ministry. ary posts will be personal to the PwD thanks to the reform movement led by Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva. If the deleted post has offended
The eligible staffers would be employee who is given the benefit of anyone, I sincerely apologise,” he added.
considered for the promotions on reservation in promotion on notional The controversy unfolded when an audio-visual post claimed to represent a Bhagavad Gita verse, leading to
“notional basis” with effect from basis. This post will stand abolished opposition criticism and accusations of regressive ideology.
June 30, 2016, the order said. on the date when such a PwD em-
“PwD (person with disabilities)
employees in posts and services of
ployee is adjusted against the avail-
able vacancy in the grade in which
India’s “generous gesture” will help
the central government will be con- the promotion is given or when the State to declare an all-out war against the Islamist faction and it has pounded the territory to its south-west
sidered for grant of the benefit of PwD employee vacates the post on with continued air and ground strikes.
reservation in promotion up to the his or her retirement, further promo- India’s support is meant to help the UN agency’s core programmes and services, including education, health-
lowest rung of Group ‘A’ on notional tion etc., the order said. care, relief and social services provided to Palestinian refugees.
basis with effect from 30.6.2016, All ministries and departments New Delhi has underlined its continued support for the agency’s activities in the region and the services it
subject to their fulfilment of the eli- assume or have already assumed the may be cases in which some officials have been advised to undertake an provides to the Palestinian refugees.
gibility conditions...,” the order is- charge of the promoted post, the may have to be placed in a select list exercise to ascertain the requirement Earlier on November 19, India had also delivered 32 tonnes of “humanitarian assistance to the people of
sued to the secretaries of all central order explained. or seniority list, subsequent to the of supernumerary posts and submit Palestine” via the El-Arish Airport in Egypt.
government departments read. The personnel ministry has also year of their existing or present sen- the proposal for the creation of the Since 2018, India has given USD 30 million to UNRWA.
Any such promotion during the suggested the creation of supernu- iority list or select list,” it said. posts to the Department of Expendi- Since the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel and the retaliatory action by Israel, more than two-thirds of
period from June 30, 2016 till the merary posts (permanent posts cre- This may have a chain effect as it ture through the Department of Per- the Gaza population – of approximately 2.3 million – has fled their homes to move southwards.
PwD employee actually assumes the ated under special circumstances for may result in a revision of the sen- sonnel and Training (DoPT), it The UNRWA has been struggling to provide basic services to hundreds of thousands of people in shelters.
charge of the post will only be on no- a specific period) so that the inter-se iority lists in the subsequent years in added. Before the war in Gaza, UNRWA was already facing an increased demand for services resulting from a
tional basis and the actual financial seniority of the officials in various many cases, which may cause ad- “It is clarified that the benefit of growth in the number of registered Palestine refugees, the extent of their vulnerability and their deepening
benefit of promotion will be effec- grades is not affected and to avoid ministrative inconvenience, the notional promotion, as proposed poverty. The agency is mandated to provide assistance and protection to some 5.6 million Palestine refugees
tive from the date he or she actually “administrative inconvenience”. order added. above, shall not adversely affect registered with it across its five fields of operation. (PTI)
assumes the charge of the promoted those PwD candidates who have al-
post, it said.
It means no financial arrear will
“Extending the benefit of reserva-
tion in promotion to the PwD em-
ployees on notional basis between
“In order to avoid such a situation,
supernumerary posts may be created
to adjust the lien of such PwD em-
ready been granted the benefit of
reservation in promotion in per-
Karbi Youth Festival gears up
be admissible to them for the period 30.6.2016 and actual assumption of ployees with effect from the date on sonam (made against a specific per- the respective departments. Government department stalls, including those of the Animal Husbandry and
between the date on which they get the charge of the post may affect the or after 30.6.2016, when they be- son) in pursuance of the orders and Veterinary department and the Dairy Development department, are receiving makeovers to enhance their at-
the benefit of notional promotion inter-se seniority of the officials in come eligible to get the benefit of judgments of various courts of law,” tractiveness. Tiles are being fitted on the floors and ceilings, partitions are being created inside the stalls for
and the date on which they actually various grades. Due to this, there reservation in promotion, till the the order said. (PTI) the exhibition of poultry and livestock items, and an attractive gate is being installed in front of the stalls.
Page 10 Dec 30_Normal Pages 29-12-2023 19:17 Page 1

GARY OLDMAN SAYS HE Kusha Kapila:

10 THE HILLS TIMES E NTERTAINMENT SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023

I have mostly
WAS ‘MEDIOCRE’ IN ‘HARRY essayed extremely
POTTER’ MOVIES urban characters
LOS ANGELES, Dec 29: honestly think I would have
Oscar-winning actor Gary played it differently," Oldman
Oldman says he is not a fan of said. The "Harry Potter"
his performance as Sirius movies were adapted from au-
Black in the “Harry Potter” thor JK Rowling's book series
franchise. During his appear- of the same title. The franchise
ance on the latest episode of titles are “The Philosopher’s
the 'Happy Sad Confused' Stone”, “The Chamber of Se-
podcast, the British actor said crets”, “The Prisoner of Azka-
his portrayal of the fan- ban”, “The Goblet of Fire”,
favourite character was “The Order of the Phoenix”,
"mediocre". “The Half-Blood Prince” and
"I think my work is “The Deathly Hallows – Part 1
mediocre in it. No, I do. & 2”.
Maybe if I had read the books Oldman had starred as Sir-
like Alan (Rickman, who ius Black in “The Prisoner of
played Severus Snape), if I Azkaban”, “The Goblet of

South film industry

had got ahead of the curve, if I Fire”, “The Order of the
had known what’s coming, I Phoenix” and “The Deathly

allows me to
explore acting:
Sneha Singh Sisodia
MUMBAI, Dec 29: Actress Kusha the past, Kusha said: “Interestingly,
Kapila, who plays Chhaya in the my character in ‘Dehati Ladke’ is
coming-of-age drama series ‘Dehati unlike any other roles that I have
Ladke’, shared how she has mostly done in the past. I have mostly es-
Hallows Part 2". The ing, ‘I’m terrible in that That, in itself, was … essayed extremely urban characters, sayed extremely urban characters.
65-year-old actor admit- movie. What are they that was hard because and in this show, she has played a I’ve never really played a professor,
ted that he often criti- talking about?’ It’s not there was a shift in the professor unlike her previous roles. especially somebody who quotes
cises his performances that. It’s (that) they’re industry where a lot of The social media personality and poets and imparts wisdom at the
in the films. seeing something else," productions were... in YouTuber, Kusha is known for her drop of a hat. So, that was very in-
“I’ll tell you what it he added. Hungary, Budapest, roles in ‘Selfiee’, ‘Plan A Plan B’, teresting.” Based on a best-selling
is. It’s like anything, I Recently, Oldman had Prague, Australia, you ‘Thank You for Coming’, ‘Case Toh Hindi novel, the narrative not only
think if I sat and revealed that being part know, all of these Banta Hai’, and others. evokes a sense of nostalgia for col-
watched myself in of popular franchises places. So, I turned Speaking about her role in ‘De- lege days, but also imparts valuable
something and said, 'My "Harry Potter" and down a lot of work. hati Ladke’, she shared: “Chhaya is life lessons about embracing life to
God, I’m amazing,' that Christopher Nolan's "Thank God for a liberal and progressive woman, the fullest. The series follows the
would be a very sad "The Dark Knight" tril- 'Harry Potter'. I tell you, who is an Assistant Professor at journey of Rajat, a simple boy from
day, because you want ogy "saved" him as a the two — Batman and Rajat’s university. She finds love in a small village, who embarks on a
to make the next thing single father. Harry Potter — really, Rajat’s mentor, Prashant. Chhaya quest to chase his dreams in the
better," Oldman said. In Nolan's movies, they saved me, because has a mind of her own; she is a glare of Lucknow city.
“It’s so subjective. which featured Chris- it meant that I could do strong-headed yet amicable person, This young adult series features
It’s such a personal tian Bale as superhero the least amount of and people find it easy to open up to Shine Pandey, Raghav Sharma, Tan-
thing that you’re look- The Batman, Oldman work for the most her. Besides being progressive, she ish Neeraj, Saamya Jainn, Aasif
ing at that other people had essayed the role of amount of money and is also unafraid to make mistakes in Khan, and Kusha.
are not seeing... It’s not Commissioner Gordon. then be home with the life.” Talking about taking up a role It is streaming on Amazon

Prabhas to
to disrespect someone "At 42 years old, I kids," Oldman had said unlike any other she has played in miniTV. (AGENCIES)
MUMBAI, Dec 29: Actress and offers roles that align with who says to me, ‘Oh, I woke up, you know, sort during his appearance
Sneha Singh Sisodia, known for my preferences. I'm getting the really love you in that of divorced and I had on "The Drew Barry-
her roles in 'Meri Chidiya', kinds of roles and content that movie,’ and I’m think- custody of these boys. more Show". (PTI)
'Chashmish', and 'Operation I've always wanted to do. It’s #Prabhas #PrabhasPon-

collaborate with
Mayfair', has opened up on why giving me opportunities to galFeast," it posted. Maruthi,
she prefers to work in the South learn, explore, and build myself known for directing films
film industry, saying it allows as an actor." "On the other such as "Ee Rojullo", "Bus
her to explore the core aspects hand, in the Hindi Film Indus- Stop", "Shailaja Reddy Al-
of acting and offers roles that try, I haven't received any ful- ludu", "Manchi Rojulochaie"

director Maruthi
align with her preferences. filling offers yet despite my and "Pakka Commercial",
Having worked in Hindi and efforts. The roles I'm being of- said he is excited to collabo-
South Film Industries, Sneha is fered are not very satisfying. rate with Prabhas for the up-
currently engaged in various Moreover, to reach a good di- coming project.
projects down south. Her up- rector, one has to get through "Excited and been waiting

for next film

coming film, 'Dakshina', set for many middlemen, like the cast- for this moment for a long
a 2024 release, features her as ing directors. The entire process time! Happy to present Rebel
the lead IPS officer. is tedious, and there's groupism Star #Prabhas in a brand new
Additionally, she will be part that often overshadows talent." avatar. See you all for Pongal
of a comedy movie with Ven- Reflecting on the differences #PrabhasPongalFeast," the
nela Kishore and Harsh Vard- in working patterns of both filmmaker posted on X.
han, as well as a film with South and Hindi industry, Prabhas currently stars in
Nikhil Siddhartha under Ram Sneha said: "The South Film in- filmmaker Prashanth Neel's
Charan Productions. Sneha re- dustry has an excellent techni- "Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire",
cently shared insights into her cal team, they always do things which grossed over Rs 500
experiences in both industries, ethically. They are particular crore in worldwide collec-
her preferences, and discussed about time and are very punc- tion.
her series 'Oh My Wife'. tual. If the shift starts at 7 AM, MUMBAI, Dec 29: Actor Prabhas is set to collaborate with Telugu di- He will next star in "Kalki
When asked about her pre- they wrap up by 7 PM, their rector Maruthi for an upcoming feature film, the makers said on Friday. 2898 AD", directed by Nag
ferred industry if she were time management is on point. The movie, which will be the 24th film of Prabhas' career, was announced Ashwin and also starring
given a choice, Sneha promptly Directors down South, give ac- by production banner People Media Factory on microblogging site X. The Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal
responded: "Without a second tors the chance to perform studio said the movie's title and first look will be released on the festival of Haasan, Deepika Padukone
thought, I prefer the South film freely and ensure that they get Pongal in January 2024. and Disha Patani. The film is

From multiplex mogul to singer: Life comes

industry. It allows me to ex- into the details of their charac- "People Media Factory proudly unveils the Dinosaur transformed into expected to be released in
plore the core aspects of acting ters." (AGENCIES) an absolute DARLING. First Look and Title will be unveiled on Pongal. 2024. (PTI)

full circle for PVR INOX chief Ajay Bijli

NEW DELHI, Dec 29: He had a college Shot in the scenic Pathar Sahib Gurudwara ficial release. He wanted to begin his musical Shah Rukh Khan, his friend from school asked if I could do some songs. I explained to
band and a love for music he says he left be- near Leh, Ladakh, the video is directed by journey by remembering god through a track days, was discussing the film with him when him that I am 56 years old and can't do frivo-
hind to handle the family business but when Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra with Sheykhar that also connects him to his roots as a Punjabi. Bijli realised that the song could find a place in lous stuff.
life gave him a chance to pursue his teen pas- Ravjiani attached as the composer and Ravi "My mother really likes the song and I also the movie that's set in Punjab. "It has to be fun and positive because Covid
sion he grasped it eagerly - and today Ajay Verman as the cinematographer. wanted to give a tribute to her through this," he "I spoke to Raju and said, 'Listen, I have was a time when everybody got very depressed.
Bijli, PVR INOX managing director, can be Bijli, who is a regular with his 'riyaz' (prac- added. Once he decided to record the song, sung this rendition of 'Ik Onkar' and I believe So I want songs of hope that bring a smile,"
heard crooning a song in "Dunki". tice) and has been taking music lessons from a Bijli approached Ravjiani as he had liked the the movie is set in Punjab and there is some gu- Bijli said, adding that his aim is to create songs
Bijli started with covers of the songs that he guru, said he always had a love for singing. composer's rendition of "Hanuman Chalisa". rudwara scene'.' He said, 'Yes, we have such that have "depth and longevity".
likes in English and Hindi during the COVID- "I have been very fond of music right from "I reached out to him and said, 'Shekhar, can scenes'. I said, 'Can I just send you my song'. Trivedi has written two songs that have been
19 pandemic. He then decided to take things to the beginning. I had a band in college called you do a favour for me. Can you do an original He said, 'Yes, send it and I will see if I can fit it penned by Swanand Kirkire and Bijli plans to
the next level by singing an original track and it Modus Operandi but in 1988 when I finished rendition of 'Ik Onkar'. And he said, 'Okay, I anywhere. But I have to like it and it has to res- record it soon.
resulted in "Waheguru, Ik Onkar", a spiritual college, the band also finished because I started will do it for you'. He did it for free without onate and go with the overall theme'. I said, Bijli is happy that music has become a part
number that features prominently in Shah Rukh work in my transport company and then my charging. I love the music he created, the loop 'Yes of course, I am just taking a chance'." of his life once again after so many years.
Khan's new release "Dunki" and is also avail- love for cinema started in 1990," he said. of 'Waheguru'." Luckily, Hirani liked the song and decided to "Life comes full circle. Of course, my first
able on T-series as a music video. His family had a transport business and Bijli thought he will shoot the music video at include it in the film's background and also job as the MD of PVR INOX is to run the com-
"It is a passion project and I hope that when owned Vasant Vihar's Priya Cinema, which the iconic Golden Temple in Amritsar or made it a part of the official album. pany, I have a responsibility towards the share-
people listen to the song, it helps them. I am Bijli later expanded into a multiplex chain Delhi's Bangla Sahib Gurudwara. But Mehra Post "Waheguru, Ik Onkar", Bijli plans to holders and 25,000 people who work in PVR
not a religious guru or anything. I am just called PVR. The company recently completed suggested that they shoot the video at Pathar share his music with the public through songs and 200 million visitors. But when people ask
singing a song that resonated with me. It's a its merger with INOX and is now known as Sahib Gurudwara near Leh, Ladakh. on the theme of hope. me, 'How do you get the time?' I always tell
prayer and has different meanings and interpre- PVR INOX. It was just a coincidence that the song be- "I am approaching music directors whose them that there are businessmen who play golf
tations for different people. I hope it touches Bijli, who now has a new band called Ran- came a part of "Dunki", directed by Rajkumar music I like. I like Amit Trivedi's music a lot, or tennis. They pursue other passions of riding
people's hearts," Bijli told PTI in an interview. dom Order, said the spiritual song is his first of- Hirani. so I reached out to him a few months ago and I or driving. This is my passion." (PTI)
Page 11 Dec 30_Normal Pages 29-12-2023 21:37 Page 1

Indian women’s team works with Rupinder Pal

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023 SPORTS THE HILLS TIMES 11

Singh to address penalty corner conversion woes

BENGALURU, Dec 29: In man had marked it as an area that finement. Rupinder has been in- bronze medal. only once from 11 penalty cor- ball faster. "Gurjit and Deepika are excep-
order to fix its perennial penalty- needed urgent improvement. strumental in guiding us. In that tournament, India had ners. However, they managed a "We also picked his brain on tional drag flickers. They quickly
corner woes, the Indian women's Ace women's drag flicker Gur- "As we gear up for the upcom- earned 69 penalty corners and 2-1 win over the Asian rivals. how to beat the first rusher, deter- understand and implement my
hockey team is engaged in a jit Kaur termed the camp, that ing tournaments, we are confi- converted just 16 of them at an Deepika, who regularly takes mining the line the rusher fol- pointers. This crash course will
skill-sharpening exercise with began on Wednesday at the SAI dent that the lessons learned here average of 23.1 percent. the penalty corner, said Rupinder lows, where to get the ball be a fantastic way to brush up
legendary drag flicker Rupinder Bengaluru, as a perfect learning will contribute significantly to That Achilles' heel haunted shared the nuances about drag stopped, which angle to take the their skills before heading to
Pal Singh during the on-going space ahead of the crucial quali- our performance on the field," them in the semifinal against flicking such as the angle to take shot in, and how to deal with Ranchi," said the towering full-
five-day camp here ahead of next fiers. said Gurjit. hosts China as India could not the shot and how to tackle the mis-trapped balls," noted back, who played a stellar role in
month's FIH Hockey Olympic The Olympic qualifiers are It was not tough to see why score off the six penalty corners first-rushers from the opposition Deepika. India's bronze-winning effort in
Qualifiers in Ranchi. scheduled to be held between Gurjit emphasised on improve- they earned. defence. Rupinder, who had scored a the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
Despite winning the recent January 13 and 19, 2024. ment as the women outfit's short- Eventually, India lost that "He shared insights on the first whopping 234 goals in 223 ap- In the Olympics Qualifiers

Final line will be drawn by players’ strength

Asian Champions Trophy in "We are learning new things comings in penalty-corner game 0-4. rushers, how they have become pearances before his retirement ahead of the 2024 Paris Games,

Premier League: India Women

Ranchi defeating Japan, India each day and looking to further conversion was quite evident in India nearly botched up the fearless and close down on the in 2021, said he was satisfied by India are placed in Pool B along
had wasted plenty of penalty cor- improve our game by focusing the Hangzhou Asian Games, bronze medal match against ball faster than before. To counter the lesson-intake ability of his with New Zealand, Italy, and the

INDIA ARE CLUBBED WITH AUSTRALIA, UZBEKISTAN & SYRIA

ners, and coach Janneke Schop- on specific aspects that need re- where they ended up with a Japan too as they could score this, he advised us to pick up the wards. United States. (PTI)

Arsenal beaten
face stern challenge
of character: Stimac on Asian Cup squad
2-0 by West Ham
for 1st home loss in 2nd ODI against
in this season
LONDON, Dec 29: Arsenal lost at
home for the first time since May as
a 2-0 defeat to West Ham cost
NEW DELHI, Dec 29: Lined up
to face strong sides like Australia
and Uzbekistan in the AFC Asian
Australia
MUMBAI, Dec 29: A test of character awaits Harman-
Mikel Arteta’s team the chance to Cup football in Doha next month, preet Kaur's India Women here in the second ODI against
return to the top of the Premier India head coach Igor Stimac on Australia on Saturday if they are to end their losing streak
League on Thursday. Friday said "strength of character" at home against the rampant visitors and keep the three-
Goals by Tomas Soucek in the will be the parameter to decide who match series alive.
13th minute and former Arsenal will be included in the final squad. India were outplayed thoroughly in the first ODI on
player Konstantinos Mavropanos in India are clubbed with formidable Thursday at the Wankhede Stadium despite the hosts
the 55th — combined with a stout Australia, strong central Asian side notching up their highest-ever total against Australia —
defensive display — gave West Uzbekistan and tricky Syria -- all 282/8 — riding on the brilliance of Jemimah Rodrigues
Ham a surprising win at Emirates above Stimac's team in the FIFA (82) and Pooja Vastrakar (62 not out).
Stadium and continued a midseason rankings -- in the group stage of the When it came to defending the total, India used seven
blip by the Gunners. Asian Cup from January 13 on- different bowlers including Harmanpreet (3-0-32-0) but
That’s just one win in its last four wards. to no avail, as Australia romped home with more than
league matches for Arsenal, which “All the boys in the (probable) list three overs and six wickets to spare.
was in first place for Christmas and are similar in their football qualities. India's crushing defeat was not only their eighth con-
needs to beat Fulham away on Sun- What we are looking for the final secutive at home but the manner in which the hosts went
day to be in that position heading list of 26 is definitely experience, down would create some concerns in the dressing room.
into 2024. Arsenal is currently in physical strength, and the final line After Sneh Rana flew to her left to take a diving catch
second place and two points behind will be drawn by the strength of to get rid of Alyssa Healy in the first over off Renuka
Liverpool, which doesn’t play again their character,” Stimac said on the Singh, India's fielding dropped and plenty of errors in the
until New Year’s Day. All India Football Federation's so- field assisted the Australian pair of Phoebe Litchfield and
It could have been an even bigger cial media handles. Ellyse Perry as they piled up a 148-run stand for the sec-
win for West Ham but Said Ben- “This is very important for us as ond wicket.
rahma had a penalty saved by Arse- a team, because no matter the talent, India's new ball bowlers, particularly Vastrakar, could
nal goalkeeper David Raya in the if there is no character nothing can not impose themselves and the fate was same for the sen-
sixth minute of stoppage time. be achieved,” he added. ior spinners Deepti Sharma (1/55) and Rana, who had
There was some controversy over Stimac will announce his final 26 created a lot of trouble for the visiting batters during the
the first goal, with cameras not players before the team's departure cally good, physically strong, with Bagan players, had suffered injuries Tigers and help them reach the one-off Test at this venue last week.
showing definitively if the ball was on Saturday. Regarding areas which great speed. So, we are not going to recently, which has given more needed level of confidence," he said As it was the case on her T20I debut, Saika Ishaque
out of play when Jarrod Bowen the team needs improvement, he have much difference in approach headache to Stimac. while speaking to the AFC Asian (6-0-48-0) faced troubles settling down as a bowler and
turned it back into the area for said, "I am looking for defensive of all these three games. Central defender Anwar Ali and Cup Local Organising Committee. plenty of mistakes in the field only added to the team's
Soucek to force home. Bowen’s leg compactness, offensive transition, "The main focus for us will be to winger Ashique Kuruniyan, two key On talismanic captain Sunil woes.
blocked the best sight of whether and the set pieces mostly. check the fitness level of our play- players in Stimac's scheme of Chhetri, the head coach said, Before Rodrigues and Vastrakar rescued India with
any of the ball was in play and the "It's also very important to work ers at present and see how much we things, were not named in the 50- "Chhetri is unbelievable. It's really their 68-run stand for the eighth wicket, India were strug-
referee stayed with the onfield de- on man marking inside the box, be- can develop in the next two weeks," player list due to long term injuries. important for our younger players to gling with the bat with most of the batters not able to con-
cision of giving the goal. cause I was not happy with that part he said. The 1998 World Cup bronze have such an inspirational figure as vert their starts as well.
A similar situation occurred with of our game, in the last few games. Stimac is also grappling with in- medallist from Croatia said he a captain. But the ask will be tough for India to put this loss be-
Arsenal at Newcastle, which scored We started leaking some unneces- juries to few of his key players. De- wanted the players to believe in "I hope the team can make the na- hind and recover quickly in a day's time for the second
the only goal of their game at St. sary goals inside the box because fensive midfielder Jeakson Singh, themselves and enjoy the game dur- tion proud by playing to the best of ODI, their seventh match across formats in the last 23
James’ Park on Nov. 4 amid debate marking was not properly done.” who underwent surgery on his left ing the Asian Cup in Doha, where its abilities." days in this packed home season.
over whether the ball was in play as India will face Australia on Janu- shoulder early last month, was they will be playing in the stadiums Stimac's former team-mate at Playing top-flight cricket consistently could take its toll
a cross came in for Anthony Gor- ary 13, before playing against named among the 50 probables but which had hosted the 2022 FIFA West Ham and England World Cup- and India Women will have to find their ways around it
don’s strike. West Ham lost Lucas Uzbekistan (January 18) and Syria he is uncertain to be in the final 26. World Cup. per Trevor Sinclair will assist him as they play an overall 11 matches across formats in a

Wrestling Federation of India office

Paqueta to an apparent left ham- (January 23). Midfielders Glan Martins and "I am sure our fans will turn out as part of the Indian team coaching mere 35 days.
string injury just after the half-hour “All three opponents are techni- Shah Abdul Samad, both Mohun in huge numbers to support the Blue staff during the Asian Cup. (PTI) It also remains to be seen if vice-captain and key open-
mark — the Brazilian had been a ing batter Smriti Mandhana, who missed the first ODI

moved out of Brij Bhushan’s residence

doubt at the start of the game — but for being unwell, would be available for the second

Tottenham
losing one of their key players match.
didn’t put the visitors out of their Similarly, there were no further updates on Rodrigues
stride. (AP) than that she struggled with hydration issues. The right-

outplayed in 4-2
handed batter, at one stage during her innings, ran to-
wards the team dugout to throw up as she battled intense

loss at Brighton
heat and humidity while producing one of her finest in-
NEW DELHI, Dec 29: The The new WFI office is located in being run from the premises con- harassment against Brij Bhushan and nings at the biggest stage.
Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) the Hari Nagar area of New Delhi. trolled by former office bearers (Brij the case is being heard in the Delhi The biggest challenge, however, for the think tank as
on Friday moved its office out of the The ministry, while suspending Bhushan) -- which is also the alleged High Court. well as those on the field, would be to find ways to stop
residence of its the newly- premises wherein sexual harassment After Sanjay Singh, a close aide of this long and daunting Australian batting line-up.
former president formed WFI of the players have been alleged and Brij Bhushan, was elected WFI chief The Indians will also have to find a way to stop the
and BJP MP Brij panel under present(ly) the court is hearing the on December 21, Sakshi decided to Australian vice-captain Tahlia McGrath, who has struck
Bhushan Sharan president San- matter," the ministry had said in its retire from wrestling, while Bajrang three fifties on this tour already and looks in prime form.
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND, Dec
Singh, after the jay Singh on letter. returned his Padma Shri and Vinesh The pitch for the first ODI was a batting-friendly sur-
29: Tottenham’s top-four credentials
sports ministry December 24, The ministry also said the new decided to give her Khel Ratna and face and is not expected to be a lot different for the re-
were damaged by a miserable per-
had recently three days after body was working under the "com- Arjuna Award back, alleging they did maining two matches at this venue, which implies
formance in a 4-2 loss at Brighton in
raised serious he was elected plete control of former (WFI) office- not want any close associate of the bowling would be India's biggest concern going into this
the Premier League on Thursday.
objections to it. its head, had bearers", which was not in BJP MP to run the federation. contest. For Australia, it was a near-perfect outing with
Late goals for Tottenham by Alejo
"The WFI will cited the office conformity with the National Sports The Indian Olympic Association the team putting up a fine show in the field even though
Véliz and Ben Davies gave the score
operate from a running from Code. (IOA) has once again instituted a they leaked runs in the death overs.
a respectable look but the visitors
new address in Brij Bhushan's Several top wrestlers, including three-member ad-hoc committee India scored 56 off the final six overs in one final push
were outplayed at Amex Stadium by

Rahul Gandhi shows Jiu-Jitsu skills during

New Delhi after residence as Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia under the chairmanship of Wushu which made Australia's task only tougher, but death overs
a Brighton team missing up to 10
vacating Brij Bhushan's premises," a one of the reasons for taking the and Sakshi Malik and World Cham- Association of India chief Bhupen- bowling and batting is one area that the visitors want to
players through injury. Jack Hin-
source told PTI on condition of stringent action. pionship medallist Vinesh Phogat der Singh Bajwa to run the affairs of improve upon. (PTI)
shelwood powered a shot into the
anonymity. "The business of the federation is have levelled allegations of sexual the sport. (PTI)
roof of the net in the 11th minute

meeting with Bajrang, other wrestlers

and Joao Pedro converted a penalty
in the 23rd after Dejan Kulusevski
pulled back Danny Welbeck in the
area. James Milner also struck the
post for Brighton in a first half that
saw Tottenham’s defense – missing
injured center backs Cristian
Romero and Micky van de Ven --
get sliced open time and again.
Richarlison also hit the post and had NEW DELHI, Dec 29: Congress also learnt some of the wrestling came to see how the wrestlers live "I didn't wan't to leave it (Padma
a goal ruled out for offside for Tot- leader Rahul Gandhi had demon- moves such as 'dhobi pachaad' and and train and everyone was very Shri).. if our sisters and daughters
tenham before halftime substitute strated his Jiu-Jitsu skills while en- 'dhak' with Bajrang explaining happy," Bajrang said in the video. are not safe then what I will do
Pervis Estupinan made it 3-0 with a gaging in a martial art bout with him the difference between "He (Gandhi) said he practices with these laurels. They are our
shot from 25 yards (meters) that wrestler Bajrang Punia during his wrestling on the mud and on mat. Jiu-Jitsu, he was telling us the pride, if they are safe then we will
flew into the top corner in the 63rd. visit to the Virendra Akhara in Gandhi is known to have an in- moves and how it starts and I get our pride on its own."
Joao Pedro scored his second – Haryana's Jhajjar district amid the clination towards combat sports showed the basics of our game like On December 21, Sanjay was
again from the penalty spot – in the row over Wrestling Federation of and is also trained in Aikido, a 'dhobi pachaad' and 'dhak'." elected as the WFI president as the
75th after Evan Ferguson was fouled India elections. Gandhi had a prac- modern Japanese martial art form. Dhobi pachaad is a famous panel led by the close aide of Brij
by Giovani Lo Celso, but Tottenham tice session with the wrestlers and According to Rahul's aikido move in which a wrestler lifts his Bhushan won 13 of the 15 posts.
then rallied late. Veliz netted his first displayed the Japanese martial art coach Sensei Paritos Kar, the Con- opponent on the shoulders and The wrestlers had demanded that
Premier League goal after Kulu- skills to them during the early gress MP appeared for a test in then slams him to the mat, and in no close associate of Brij Bhushan
sevski blocked Lewis Dunk’s clear- morning visit on Wednesday. 2013 which he passed and was dhak, the wrestler holds his oppo- should enter the WFI administra-
ance straight to Son, who set up the In a video uploaded by Bajrang subsequently awarded the black nent in a headlock before throwing tion. Following the election, Rio
Argentine forward in the 81st. When on 'X' on Thursday, Gandhi can be belt. Gandhi had breakfast with the him to the ground. Olympics bronze medallist Sak-
Davies headed in Pedro Porro’s seen showing the 'locks' and wrestlers during his meeting with Gandhi's visit to the wrestling shi Malik announced that she
cross four minutes later, a sensa- 'chokes' technique in Jiu-Jitsu as them. He had milk, 'bajre ki roti' academy came days after Punia, Punia took the decision follow- "If we don't raise the voice of would quit the sport, while
tional comeback was potentially on he pinned Olympic Games bronze and 'saag' and was also offered who has been at the forefront of ing the election of Brij Bhushan's our daughters and such people World Championship medallist
but Brighton held on despite more medallist Bajrang down on the some locally-grown vegetables the protests against former WFI close aide Sanjay Singh as the continue to curb them, then no Vinesh Phogat returned her Khel
chances for Tottenham, which mat. Jiu jutsu is a Japanese martial which he took along with him. president Brij Bhushan Sharan president of the WFI. The govern- daughter or sister will be able to Ratna and Arjuna Award to the
would have jumped back into the art form and a close combat sport. "Today Rahul ji came to our Singh, returned his Padma Shri to ment suspended the new commit- raise their concerns in future in our government in protest against
top four with a victory. (AP) The former Congress president akhada and we felt really good, he Prime Minister Narendra Modi. tee last Sunday. country," Bajrang said. Sanjay's election. (PTI)

Printed, published and owned by Rameswar Chauhan & Printed at Echo Printing Press, Printing unit of The Echo of India, AK Deb Road, Katabari, Gorchuk, Guwahati- 781035 and Published at Near office of the DFO (East) Div.,
Diphu, Karbi Anglong, Assam.782460 Editor -Rameswar Chauhan, Guwahati Office Ph - 0361 2220018, Diphu Office Ph 272106, Fax- 272106, e.mail: hillstimes@gmail.com and ads.hillstimes@gmail.com (only for advertisement)
Page 12 Dec 30 (New)_Normal Pages 29-12-2023 09:38 PM Page 1

Prasidh’s performance hints

12 THE HILLS TIMES S PORTS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023

at bare bench strength

CENTURION, Dec 29: A few weeks
ago, India’s bowling coach Paras Mham-
brey in an interview to PTI was very clear
that no coach can claim credit to have cre-
ated a pacer of Mohammed Shami’s cali-
bre.
On the second and third day of the first
Test against South Africa when Dean Elgar,
David Bedingham and Marco Jansen were
making a mockery of Shardul Thakur and
debutant Prasidh Krishna, Shami’s absence
was felt like never before.
It could be said with a degree of certainty
that Prasidh might have played his first and
last Test for some time and in the next
game Ravindra Jadeja and Avesh Khan
would walk into the playing XI in place of
him and Shardul Thakur.
The Indian fans got a reality check that
the country’s second line of red ball
bowlers aren’t exactly finished products have set the alarm bells ringing in the In- citement and confidence that Bumrah,
and the days of dominance due to Jasprit dian camp. Shami, Ishant and Siraj produced.
Bumrah, Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Ishant While Rohit Sharma, as any skipper “Avesh is same type of bowler like
Sharma and Umesh Yadav could be all but would do publicly, backed the Bengaluru Prasidh but plays red ball cricket more reg-
over. man, who was playing only his 13th first- ularly. So he might hit better lengths.
Ishant and Umesh are unofficially done class game, the manner in which Avesh Navdeep Saini is still playing India A for
with their Test careers and Shami is nearer Khan was summoned by the Indian team six years. That tells you the story,” the
to end rather than start. management after his five-wicket haul for bowler, who refused to be named, said.
They say it takes two to tango and Bum- India A indicated the panic that has set in Shardul Thakur’s long rope as bits and
rah without Shami is incomplete and the among the ranks. pieces cricketer also might come to an
vice versa is equally true. “Poor Prasidh... The kid isn’t ready for end as he is neither looking menacing
Siraj is the third angle to the triangle. Test cricket. He doesn’t have skills to bowl with the ball nor dependable with the bat.
“Shami has a chronic left heel issue. A second and third spells yet. They went with Had Hardik Pandya been interested in
lot of people don’t know that he took injec- him based on his ability to hit the deck. But playing red ball cricket, Shardul wouldn’t
tions regularly during World Cup and they forgot when has he last played a have been in the horizon of Tests but with
played the entire tournament through pain. proper season of Ranji Trophy? Just one lack of good multi-skilled cricketers in do-
“But you must understand that as you India A game isn’t enough,” a former India mestic set-up, he is considered to be the
grow older, recovery from each niggle or bowler told PTI. best among whatever talent is available in
big injury takes that more time,” a former He said that even Avesh’s inclusion store.
Bengal teammate of Shami, aware of his wouldn’t make much of a difference unless India might still handle this WTC cycle
situation told PTI on the condition of he is given a long rope. but possessing a bowling attack with an
anonymity. “The problem is India’s next generation ability to take 20 sticks is a distant
Prasidh’s shoddy performance must of pacers don’t evoke the same kind of ex- reality.(PTI)

NHM/D/2023-24/1709
India fined for slow over-rate, docked two
WTC points after 1st Test against South Africa
DUBAI, Dec 29: India’s heaviest defeat in South Africa in the fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the stipulated time.
first Test at Centurion came along with a fine of 10 per cent of Additionally, one point per over short is docked by the ICC
their match fees and Rohit Sharma’s team being docked two cru- for its WTC, which means India lost two points.
cial points in the World Test Championship (WTC). “India captain Rohit Sharma pleaded guilty to the offence and
India lost inside three days in an abject surrender to the South accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a for-
African side, suffering the heaviest defeat in the African nation mal hearing,” the ICC added.
by an innings and 32 runs in the first of the two Tests. The charges were levelled by on-field umpires Paul Reiffel
“Chris Broad of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Ref- and Langton Rusere, third umpire Ahsan Raza and fourth umpire
erees imposed the sanction after India were ruled to be two overs Stephen Harris.
short of the target after time allowances were taken into consid- Before the penalty India were placed fifth in the points table
eration,” the ICC said in a release on Friday. with 16 points and a PCT of 44.44.
As per the Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players After the penalty, they’ve dropped below Australia to sixth
and Player Support Personnel, which is in context to minimum spot with a PCT of 38.39. India play one more Test in South
over-rate offences, players are fined five per cent of their match Africa before returning home. (PTI)

Janasanyog /D/15492/23/30-Dec-23