Assam Live

AGP Stages Demonstration Agsinst Mega Dams

2010-09-03T17:12:00.000+05:30

AGP Protest Rally at Gerukamukh

Yesterday AGP (Asom Gana Parishad) demonstrated a massive protest against construction of mega dam in Arunachal Pradesh. The protest was organised against NHPC at Gerukamukh.

There were many senior leaders of AGP were present in that rally like Chandra Mohan Patowary, former Cheif Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, Birendra Prasad Baishya and Kumar Dipak Das. More than 10 thousand people from Dhemaji, Dhakuakhana, Silapathar, Majuli, Lakhimpur, Jonai and other parts of assam took part in the rally. The rally started from Santipur stepped forward to near LSHEP dam and demanded for stopping the ongoing construction work of the project.

Earlier, a protest meeting was organised at a distance of three kilometres from the LSHEP dam construction under the presidentship of Dilip Kumar Saikia, secretary, AGP central committee.

Addressing the huge gathering Chandra Mohan Patowary, president of AGP, MP Birendra Prasad Baishya, ex AGP MLA

Rains paralyse Guwahati city life

2009-10-09T21:02:00.001+05:30

Continuous rain since yesterday evening upset normal life in many parts of this premier city of North East India for the day today exposing yet again the indifference of the authorities in solving the city’s drainage system and the ill-effects of the rulers’ policy of placating the encroachers on the city hills. Experts here blame the situation to poor drainage system and the unabated encroachment and subsequent earth cutting in the city hills. The existing drainage system of the city has been made ineffective by the loads of silt generated by the bare hills and the garbage dumped by the irresponsible section of the Guwahatians. The indifference shown by the authorities concerned towards the issues has also added to the problem, said the experts.The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) here states that the city had received 72 mm of rainfall between 8-30 am of October 7 and 8-30 am today. It has also forecast that there is likelihood of a few spells of rain over the city with heavy downpours over some of its places during the next 24 hours. Moreover, the India Meteorology Department (IMD) website has forecast that there is possibility of moderate rain over the city also on October 9 and 10. It needs mention here that the South West Monsoon is yet to withdraw from the NE region and the IMD has stated that there was vigorous monsoon activity in Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh during the past 24 hours. RMC sources said that there is a likelihood of rainfall activities over most places of Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh and over many places in the rest of the NE region during the next 24 hours since this afternoon. They also warned likelihood of heavy rains over Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh during the period.The rain has inundated many parts of the city affecting movement of the people. People using the vital city roads, like the Gopinath Bordoloi Road, RG Baruah Road and GS Road, had to face a lot of problems, as, storm water has kept long patches of these roads inundated since this morning. In some parts, these roads were under knee-deep to waist-deep water. Long queues of stranded vehicles were seen on these roads for hours. For the pedestrians, the situation was worse, as, the line of demarcation between the road and the drains, along with the uncovered manholes, was not visible for them. They had to wade through knee-deep and waist-deep gutter-mixed storm water, thus risking their lives.Many persons fell into the drains or on the uneven footpaths and several persons were reported injured in such incidents.Most of the city bye lanes, like the Pub-Sarania Road, FA Ahmed Road, Srinagar bye lanes etc were also submerged by the storm water. Many Guwahatians had to remain indoor during the day because of this situation. Storm water forced most of the city buses off the roads while the auto-rickshaw operators, rickshaw pullers and the street urchins had a field day.However, rains in the month of October are not abnormal phenomena for Guwahati. In the recent past, the city received 96.9 mm of rainfall on October 2, 2006, 141 mm of rainfall on October 7, 2004 and 111.4 mm of rainfall on October 10, 2003.However, in October 2007, the monthly total rainfall received by the city was 118.7 mm. It received a total rainfall of 119.9 mm in October 2006, a total October rainfall of 117.2 mm in 2005, 354.4 mm in October 2004, 182.8 mm in October 2003, 185. 7 mm in October 2001 and 129.8 mm of rainfall in October 1999.But the October total mean rainfall calculated for the city by the RMC, based on its rainfall data, is 79.2 mm. Based on these data, the mean October rainy days for the city have been worked out as 5.3 and out of these the mean number of days with thunder for the city has been worked out as 4.5.The city today recorded a maximum temperature of 28.4 degree Celsius, while the minimum temperature it recorded today was 24.0 degree Celsius.

President’s Police Medals for 14 Officers

2009-01-27T13:03:00.000+05:30

Fourteen Assam Police personnel have been selected for President’s Police medals declared on the occasion of Republic Day. Police sources said Additional Director General of Police (OSD) Rajendra Prasad has been selected for the President’s police medal for distinguished service. The persons selected for police medal for meritorious service are Dr RP Meena , DIG, CID, Padmeswar Bora, ASI, APRO and Khargeswar Baglari, constable APRO.Sources said that 10 police personnel have been selected for police medal for gallantry. They are: Dipak Choudhury, SP, Jorhat, Shyamal Prasad Saikia, SP, Sivasagar, Manabendra Deb Roy, ASP, Guwahati, Ashim Swargiyari, DSP, Commando Battalion, Sanjib Kumar Saikia, DSP, Kamrup, Rajiv Kumar Saikia, SI ,OC Sonari, Madhad Kachari, Lance Naik, Sivasagar, Rajen Saikia, constable, Sivasagar, Raju Hazarika, constable, Sivasagar and Rudreswar Pegu, constable, 11th Assam Police battalion.

Govt Bans Book on Sankardev

2009-01-27T12:53:00.000+05:30

The State Government today imposed a ban on the sale of controversial book Sankar Bibrat throughout the state. Official sources said that Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi decided to impose the ban on sale of the book after receiving complaints from different quarters. The Chief Minister also directed all concerned officials to take necessary action in this regard. Asom Satra Mahashabha has hailed the decision.

Notice Served to NDFB by Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal

2009-01-24T16:41:00.001+05:30

The unlawful activities (Prevention) Tribunal has served notice to National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) to show cause as to why it should not be declared as an unlawful association and why order should not be made conferming the declaration, said an official press release here today. The unlawful activities (Prevention) Tribunal was constituted by the Central Government with Justice SN Agarwal, Judge of Delhi High Court for the purpose of adjudicating whether or not there is sufficient cause declaring the National Democratic Front of Bodoland as unlawful association.Mention can be made that the Central Government has already declared the NDFB as unlawful association under the provision of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal, which was also constituted as per provision of the aforesaid act has now served the show cause notice to NDFB, which may file its submission to registrar of the Tribunal at Delhi High Court Building and may also appear through a duly authorised person or lawyer on or before February 25 next.

Serial blasts rock Guwahati : scores injured

2008-10-30T12:32:00.004+05:30

Four serial bomb blasts rocked Guwahati on Thursday. The blast sites are reported as Pan bazar, Fancy bazaar and Ganeshguri. Two of these occurred in the crowded market of Pan Bazar area. All of these are busy commercial areas of the city and as of now more scores of people are reported to be injured in the blasts.

The blasts took place within 10 minutes of each other. One blast reportedly occurred near the Chief Minister's residence.

Three more blasts are reported in Barpeta, Bongaigaon and Kokrajhar districts in Lower Assam.
Reports of at least 6 more blasts in upper Assam are also coming in but they can't be confirmed as of yet.

There are also reports of blasts at Barpeta, Kokrajhar and Bongaigaon districts. Nature of explosives still unknown. More details awaited.

Update :

Eleven serial blasts rocked several districts of Assam on Thursday, including three in Guwahati, killing at least ten persons and injuring over 50 others.
The powerful bombs went off simultaneously at around 1130 IST, one of them exploding in front of the Kamrup district deputy commissioner's office in Guwahati, official sources said.
Two other bombs exploded at Ganeshguri, near the capital complex where five persons were killed, and Fancy Bazar area, they said.
There were three blasts also in Barpeta district, while two explosions occurred in Bongaigaon. Two persons were killed in twin blasts in Kokrajhar districts, the sources added.
Casualty figures are likely to rise as many of the injured are reported to be critical. The wounded included many women and children.
The first blast in Guwahati occurred at a vegetable and fruit market at Ganeshguri, near the flyover adjacent to the high security secretariat and Assembly.
The blast caused a major fire in the area, the smoke engulfing the entire market and nearby places.
The next blast occurred in front of the DC's office, injuring many and destroying several cars parked there.
The third explosion rocked areas near the police station of the busy Fancy Bazar, triggering panic among shoppers, many of whom were injured, the sources said.
Guwahati Superintendent of Police G P Singh said the police and fire brigade are engaged in controlling the fire.
In Kokrajhar, the explosives were suspected to have been planted on a two-wheelers.
Thick smoke billowed after the high intensity blasts which turned a number of cars, cycles and two wheelers into mangled heaps of metal.
Some roadside restaurants were among the worst hit.

Durga Puja in Guwahati 2008

2008-10-17T11:27:00.002+05:30

Janata Bhawan gutted by devastating fire

2008-09-11T13:43:00.002+05:30

A devastating fire destroyed a large part of heritage building Janata Bhawan that housed State Secretariat between 1975 and 2006. The fire started at around 6 pm yesterday and quickly engulfed office of the Information Commissioner and at least six other rooms. This is the third consecutive time in the past few years that a fire broke out in this building. Fortunately, there was none injured.

According to Information Commissioner seven Computers were gutted along with furniture worth Rs. 2.5 Lakh. He said that around 6,000 files in his office were damaged but most of them could be reconstructed from the concerned departments. A short circuit has been suspected as the cause of the fire, he added. Chief Secretary PC Sharma visited the place to take spot assessment.

Ordering an enquiry into the incident Chief Minister expressed deep concern over the inferno. He warned, anyone found to be guilty would not be spared.
Meanwhile the Kamrup Metro District Administration has ordered a magisterial enquiry into the incident. Additional District Magistrate Dimbeswar Kalita has been asked to probe the incident right from today.

It took more than an hour and fifteen fire tenders to douse the flames. A section of the employees of Janata Bhawan alleged that poor maintenance and faulty electrical system caused this incident.

Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami to get Prince Clause Award

2008-09-06T13:54:00.001+05:30

Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami has been chosen for the Principle Prince Claus Award 2008 along with 10 other persons from different parts of the globe. The awards ceremony will take place on December 3, 2008 in Amsterdam, a press release stated. Since 1997 the Prince Claus Awards have been given out each year to artists, intellectuals and cultural organisations in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. The theme of the 2008 Prince Claus Awards was ‘Culture and the Human Body’.

Flood situation in Assam improving

2008-09-06T13:27:00.000+05:30

Flood situation in Assam is improving little today as the weather condition is improved. But the water levels of rivers are going down very slowly. The NH 31 is yet to be opened for vehicular movement Puthimari Natun Bazar point. It is under water since last sunda.

The condition of Majuli is still grim because the floodwaters of the Brahmaputra & Subansiri, which entered the island are yet to drain out.

The Brahmaputra is still flowing about 1.4 metre above danger level in the Bohori-Pazarbhanga area in Barpeta district posing grave threat to that area.

According to the Central Water Commission (CWC), the Brahmaputra was flowing above the danger level (DL) at Guwahati (0.16 metre), Dibrugarh (1.17 metre), Tezpur (0.33 metre), Neamatighat (0.47 metre), and Dhubri (0.94 metre) at 3 pm today. The Jia-Bharali was found flowing above the DL (0.65 metre) at NT Road Crossing, Puthimari above the DL (0.41 metre) at NH Road Crossing, and Kushiyara above DL (0.06 metre) at Karimganj during that time, said the CWC flood bulletin.

The civil administration of Majuli sub-division today issued rice and dal for the four of the 20 flood-affected Gaon Panchayats (GPs). Almost equal quantity of foodstuff will be provided to four more GPs tomorrow and the process will continue to cover all the affected GPs, said SDO (Civil) of Majuli Pramod Chandra Deka, adding the second round of distribution of relief items started with this issue today. These items will be distributed among the flood victims tomorrow. There is no outbreak of any kind of epidemic disease in Majuli.

Majuli suffering from the worst ever flood

2008-09-05T18:38:00.001+05:30

Majuli is experiencing one of the most horrifying flood conditions with villagers trapped under water-logging situation since July 25. The situation of this water logging condition will continue till the end of monsoon, an assesment report prepared by a group of NGOs stated and total recession of the water to take effect by the end of October.

People are devoid of any employment opportunity becasue of this water logging situation. People are also fast exhausting their available food stock. There is a posibility of starvation if situaiton does not improve and immediate measures are not taken by State Govt. Due to inadequate response of the Government in terms of food support, the people have started to reduce their meal intake from the normal schedule in order to save the stock of food stuffs.

The report says that this year Majuli is experiencing the worst flood due to the breach of embankment at Matmara in North Lakhimpur district that channelled the entire water of Brahmaputra into Luit and raised the water of Luit to an unprecedented level. Luit being a small river compared to the Brahmaputra, could not resist the pressure of water from the Brahmaputra and breached embankments at two points channellising the entire water inside the Majuli island on July 25.

All the schools are closed and expected to remain closed for another two months. The mid day meal also not received by the students since last month and there is a chance of mass scale malnutrition.Although due to prevalence of superb coping mechanism many of the un-displaced affected families have shelters, but the livestock is totally without shelter and food. If this situation continues, then there is a chance of increased number of loss of livestock.

As 90 per cent of the drinking water source is completely inundated by water and with only 68 hand tube-well installed by the Government, majority of the affected families have been forced to drink flood water, so the prevalence of water-borne diseases has increased many fold and this may turn into an epidemic at any point of time.

A total of 2,543 lactating mothers are living without proper diet and hence the mother and children are at great risk of anaemia and other diseases associated with malnutrition.

ONGC tenders apology over Rangghar rig

2008-09-05T16:44:00.002+05:30

Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) Mr. R. S. Sarma has apologized on behalf of the ONGC before the people of Assam over the incident of installation of an oil rig near Rangghar in Sivasagar district. He agreed that it was a mistake on the part of the ONGC to start operations at the historical site. Sarma also said that the ONGC would take the responsibility of all the monuments for their upkeep, maintenance and repair, and that it would contribute immediately to the State Government’s relief fund for the flood-affected.

An official press release forwarded by Deba Kumar Bora, press advisor to the Chief Minister, said that the ONGC CMD during a high-level meting between the Union Minister of State for Chemical and Fertilizers, BK Handique and the ONGC management in New Delhi on Wednesday, tendered his apology over the incident.

“Handique expressed his concern over the recent development vis-à-vis ONGC and the local administration and also the installation of ONGC rig near Rangghar and subsequent agitational programme against the ONGC called by the All Tai Ahom Students’ Union. The Minister said that the situation could have been cordially sorted out avoiding confrontation,” the release said.

Rupnath Brahma Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) fully operational since 15th July 2008

2008-07-31T13:19:00.005+05:30

All long-distance buses has been finally shifted from Paltan Bazar to the Rupnath Brahma Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) at Betkuchi on the outskirts of the city since July 15th this year. In the first phase, nearly 300 inter-states buses were shifted to the ISBT from Paltan Bazar in April.

The Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) has been asked to run a shuttle bus service between important locations in the city and the ISBT. Apart from city buses, trekkers, autorickshaws and taxis are also available at the ISBT to ferry the passengers. The enforcement wing of the transport department and traffic police will have ensure that no long-distance buses enter Paltan Bazar.

Since these 700 buses will not enter the arterial roads of the city and be diverted to the ISBT from the Khanapara point through the bypass of the National Highway-37, it will reduce the volume of traffic on GS Road.

Chief minister Tarun Gogoi had inaugurated the terminus on December 8, 2006, but buses could not ply because of the construction of a flyover in front of the terminus by the National Highway Authority of India. The government decided to shift the inter-state buses to the new terminus now as the flyover is in its final stage of construction. A North East Council-funded project, the Rupnath Brahma Inter-State Bus Terminus was constructed at a cost of Rs 25.68 crore.

Designed by architect Ranjit Baruah, the bird-like architectural pattern of the terminus was constructed by the Assam Government Construction Company and Hi-Tech Construction, a private firm.

The terminal complex will cater to nearly 2,000 buses everyday and provide overnight parking facility to 200 buses. The terminus will also have of 772 square metres of parking area for private vehicles and 794 square metres for commercial vehicles.

CLICK ON THE PICS BELOW TO VIEW LARGE SIZE

Doctors dismissed from service

2008-07-22T19:18:00.007+05:30

Two doctors are suspended today for being absent from duty unauthorisedly by Assam Government. One of the doctor is resident surgeon Dr. Jayanta Das of Gauhati Medicla College and other is Asstt. Prof. of Dermetology of Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh.

Dr. Das has applied for a 3 year leave on 1st March 2000 to join in a private hospital in Bangaluru. But State Govt. denied his leave application. Still he left for Bangaluru to join the private hospital. Dr. Das has earlier signed a bond with State Govt. worth rupees fifty thousand to join a three year course in Master of Cardiology in Shreechitra Thirunal Institute of Medical Service and Technology from 1995 to 1998. According to the bond he has to work atleast 3 years for teh State Govt, but he left without completing 3 years. But neither he joined duty at GMCH nor he returned rupees fifty thousand.

On the other hand Dermatologist Dr. Barua took five days leave on 27 Sept' 2004 and did not join duty on 2 Oct 2004. Govt instructed her to join duty by 29 Nov 2004, but Dr. Baruah did not join duty and applied for extension of her leave till 1st Jan 2005 and State Govt. denied further leave. Govt. initiated departmental enquiry and served show cause notice to Dr. Baruah, but not satisfied with the reasons showed the State Govt. dismissed her from service for being negligent towards duty and unauthourised absense.

10 Exotic and Healthy Juice Recipes

2008-07-17T14:28:00.006+05:30

I am coming up with 10 Exotic and Health Juice Recipes. This is a sample proportion to make these Drinks. But you should experiment a little bit based on your likes and dislikes.

The Body Cleanser

Use 3 parts apple 1 part ginger and 3 parts carrot. The main benefits of this Juice include revitalization of the body, good for cold and glowing skin. Beauticians usually prescribe this juice because of its extremely good effects on the skin. But the benefits are not limited to the skin. It has a cleansing and boosting effect to the whole body.

The Cholesterol Buster

A juice made from Apple cucumber and celery is known to fight cancer and reduce cholesterol. It also improves any sort of stomach upset and headache. This juice is a must have once you have crossed your 30's. If you have this juice every other day, then you will not have to worry about your cholesterol level any more.Sample proportion - 2 parts apple, 1 part Cucumber and 1 part celery.

Super Breath

This juice is specifically for people who want to improve their skin complexion. The ingredients are Apple, Carrot and Tomato. For better effect use Green apples. This juice also had an added advantage of eliminating bad breath. This is due to the Apple, Tomato combination.Sample proportion- 2 part apple, 2 part carrot and 1 part tomato.

Super Cooler

A combination of Bitter gourd milk and Apple is used when one generates lots of internal body heat. This juice will instantly cool down your internal body heat and make you more comfortable. It also fights bad breath just like our previous recipe.Sample proportion- 1 part Bitter gourd, 1 cup milk, 2 full Apples.

Super Skin

It is a very well know fact that orange and cucumber are the most vital things to have if one is concerned about the skin. A combination of these two combined with ginger will act as a supper supplement for your skin. Its combined effect will improve the skin texture and moisture content in the skin. It is also a body heat reducing drink.Sample Proportion- 2 parts orange 2 parts cucumber ½ part ginger.

The Wild Thing

Now, this one is one of my favorites. Apple, Pineapple and Watermelon blends together to form a wonderful mouth watering juice which is excellent for you kidney and bladder. It also helps dispelling excess salts from your body. Some people use a tint of salt with this juice but I like to drink it as it is without the Salt flavor.Sample proportion- 2 Apples, ½ Pine apple and ¼ Watermelon (The seeds should be removed otherwise the taste will differ).

The Vitamin Juice

This is an extremely healthy drink with loads and loads of vitamin content. It is made from Honeydew, black grapes, watermelon and milk. If you have kids at home, they will love this. Other than Vitamin C, it also has Vitamin B2. It also increases the cell activity and strengthens body immunitySample Proportion- Mix in equal proportions.

The Sugar Fighter

This is a simple but very useful and easy to digest juice. It regulates the sugar content in our body. The juice is made of Pear and banana. Pear is good for an ulcer, constipation, and urination and also works for congestion, fever alleviation, and Cough Banana is good for people who have high blood pressure because it is low in salt. Banana contains tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin. Serotonin is a hormone that is known to make you feel happy and improve your mood.
Sample Proportion 3 parts pear and 2 parts banana.

Anti Oxidant

A juice made by mixing mango, pear, carrot and apple will act as an antioxidant. It clears the body heat, counteracts toxicity and decrease blood pressure. Apple is a well known anti oxidant. The addition of mango makes this juice a very tasty drink.Sample proportion- 3 parts mango, 2 parts peer, 2 parts carrot, 2 parts apple.

Purple Pine

Purple pine is made from pineapple and grapes. A black grape is usually used. The drink is high in iron and pineapple acts as a Potential Anti-inflammatory and Digestive agent. It is a good drink to have after your lunch or dinner. Grape juice is known to be good for heart.Sample Proportion- ½ Pineapple and 1 full cup of grapes.

Pink Floyd

This is an extremely tasty juice (Most of the times used as milk shake) which is made from a combination of banana and strawberry. The strawberries should be ripe enough and should be mixed or blend very well before using. Some people filter this drink but I like to drink it without filtering because I love those tiny strawberry pieces floating in the drink.Sample Proportion- 8 medium size strawberries and 3 bananas with half cup milk

GNRC is all set to promote Medical Tourism in Guwahati, Assam

2008-07-14T12:57:00.000+05:30

The GNRC (Guwahati Neurological Research Centre) has decided to promote medical tourism in the the North-East region to attract foreign tourists from the Asian neighbouring countries. “Since the private hospitals across the country are taking initiative to promote the medical tourism, we have decided to take the lead here. We will soon discuss with other top private hospitals offering latest medical facilities and other related agencies to chalk out a plan to promote Guwahati as a hub of medical tourism,” GNRC official Manoj Kumar Deka said here at press conference. We will soon devise a coordinated strategy after consultation with other top hospitals, travels agents, hotels as well as government agencies to attract tourists not only for tourism purposes but also to avail the latest but low-cost medical treatment facilities here.

“The hospitals here offer all the latest medical facilities like joint replacement surgery, heart surgery, cosmetic and obesity surgery, angioplasty and others. What we require is extensive publicity and co-ordination among hospitals, hotels, travel agents and government agencies.” Deka said. He also said though it is located near the South East Asian countries and have a huge tourism potential, the region is still way behind in attracting tourists for medical purposes due to lack of well organized publicity and co-ordination among the concerned agencies.

The GNRC will try to provide all hotels with information regarding medical facilities available; update tourism websites with medical tourism information and others. Patients from Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh have already visiting Guwahati for medical tourism purposes and there is enough potential to attract more tourists, Mr. Deka said.

AASU to launch agitation against illegal influx in Assam

2008-07-10T12:42:00.000+05:30

The All Assam Students Union (AASU) on Wednesday has decided and declared a vigorous and continuous agitation across the State against the Central and the State Government for failing to deport illegal Bangladeshi migrants even after the scrapping of the IM(DT) Act nearly three years back. The IM(DT) Act was scrapped on July 12 in 2005 by Supreme Court of India acting on the petition of former AASU president Sarbananda Sonowal.

Addressing media persons, the functionaries of the student body, adviser Dr Samujjal Bhattacharya, president Sankar Prasad Rai and general secretary Tapan Kumar Gogoi warned that the AASU would resist all attempts to provide safeguard to the illegal Bangladeshis. “The Congress Government has failed to honour the verdict of the Supreme Court which has compelled us to start our agitation again to save Assam from the Bangladeshis,” said Dr Bhattacharya regretting that the Congress Government has totally ignored the crucial issues like sealing the border, providing constitutional safeguards to the indigenous communities in the State, update of the NRC and implementation of the provisions of the Assam Accord.

Bhattacharya informed that from July 12 the agitational programme of the student body would commence, the day of the Supreme Court ruling in connection to the IM(DT) Act.

Majuli on the verge to miss place in Heritage List

2008-07-10T12:31:00.000+05:30

India’s proposal to include endangered Majuli Island in World Heritage Site List remains inconclusive when the 32nd session of the World Heritage Committee, winding up inscription of new sites yesterday. 19 cultural sites and 8 natural sites were added this year in the list. This year India has submitted only two proposals, one is Majuli and another is The 96 km long Kalka-Shimla Railway. UNESCO’s World Heritage List have a total of 878 sites, 679 cultural and 174 natural sites and 25 mixed in 145 countries.

Concerned officials did not get confirmation about the fate of the proposal on Majuli Island, as they yet to hear from the offcials who are in Canada and their meeting is scheduled to continue till 10 July.

Sources said that the technical Committee of the Heritage Committee had opined that the due to global warming, the Island might face submersion in the future. It had recommended that the proposal be deferred for now.

Ambubachi Mela in Guwahati

2008-06-25T12:00:00.000+05:30

The Ambubachi Mela is celebrated in the Kamakhya Temple located in the capital city of Guwahati, in the northeastern state of Assam in India. The Ambubachi Mela is the most important festival of the Kamakhya Temple. The Ambubachi is a ritual of asceses observed with “Tantrik means”. It is believed that the goddess of the temple, Maa Kamakhya, the Mother Shakti (Power), goes through her annual cycle of menstruation during this time period.

During the Ambubachi Mela in Guwahati, the doors of the Kamakhya Temple remain closed for three days. According to tradition, Goddess Kamakhya is impure during these three days as she is believed to be menstruating and is not worshipped. Besides, it is also believed that Mother Earth is also like a fertile woman, cultivable for crops and as such embodies the very essence of motherhood which manifests in the observance of Ambubachi indicating its importance in ancient agricultural concept. Daily worships and other religious performances are also stopped during the Ambubachi Mela of Guwahati in Assam. After the completion of three days, the doors of the Kamakhya Temple are reopened. But the doors of the temple are reopened only after Devi Kamakhya is bathed and the other rituals are executed. It is then believed that the Mother Earth has retrieved her purity. This is purely a ritual of the Tantrik cult.

The Ambubachi Mela in Guwahati is held at the Kamakhya Temple, after being closed for the mentioned three days. On the fourth day, the devotees of the Goddess are allowed to enter the temple for worshipping Devi Kamakhya. More than lakh of pilgrims and sadhus from all over the country and even abroad have flocked to the temple to mark the annual festival. The winding road to the temple atop the Nilachal hills has been turned into makeshift camps with hutments constructed by various organisations to house the devotees. The Kamakhya Ambubachi Mela Parichalana Samiti made arrangements for the devotees in association with the Guwahati Municipal Corporation, district administration, Public Works Department, Assam State Electricty Board, Health Department and several NGOs.

Click on the Photographs to view large size

Video

Guwahati : A Concrete Jungle

2008-06-21T17:41:00.000+05:30

Guwahati, the capital city of Assam and the nerve centre of the North East region is fast becoming a concrete jungle. Apartments, Shopping Malls, Residential buildings are coming up all over Guwahati without proper planning and drainage system. The rain-caused flash flood thrice in last week making a mockery of all the tall claims of the planners and policy makers concerning the city. The intensity of this deluge was much more compared to the previous ones.

Flood in Guwahati

2008-06-20T12:17:00.000+05:30

Rain created havoc in Guwahati city last night. Most part of the city was under knee to waist deep water because of the two hour heavy shower that started at around 8 pm and continued till 10 pm. The main roads of the city – GNB Road, MRD Road, G S Road, A T Road, Dinesh Goswami Road, RG Bauah Road, Zoo-Narengi Road, Panjabari-Narengi Road, Rajgarh Road and AK Azad Road were submerged by the storm water at several stretches. Ulubari, Ganeshguri, Zoo Road, Lalganesh etc are worst affected area. A landslide occured in Gopinath Nagar area and a person died and several others are critically injured.

Borthakur Mill Road, Ulubari

Lalganesh Area, Kalapahar

A Bylane at Ulubari

A Bylane at Ulubari

Kalapahar Area

A Bylane at Kalapahar Area

Lokhra Road

A Bylane at Ulubari

Gauhati University BA, BSc, BCom results out

2008-06-10T10:30:00.000+05:30

The results of the BA/BSc/BCom Part-II examinations-2008 conducted by Gauhati University were declared yesterday on June 9, 2008. In the BA exam, 13,966 candidates out of a total of 27,167 were successful, with the pass percentage being 51.41. In the BSc exam, 1,655 candidates out of a total of 2,494 passed, the percentage being 66.36. In the BCom exam, 2,378 out of a total of 3,186 passed, with the pass percentage being 74.64.

The result can be viewed online at Gauhati University Website http://www.gauhati.ac.in.

AGP calls for Assam bandh

2008-06-07T12:34:00.000+05:30

A 12 hour Assam Bandh call has been given by Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) from 5 am of June 9 in protest against the hike in the prices of essential commodities, including the petroleum products, in a statement party spokesman Apurba Kumar Bhattacharjee said here this evening.

Bandh disrupts life in Tripura

2008-06-06T12:36:00.000+05:30

The Left-ruled Tripura came to standstill following 12-hour bandh in protest against the abrupt hike in fuel prices.

All the roads in the state including Assam-Agartala National Highway No. 44 was deserted as vehicles, both private and public, went off the roads in response to the dawn to dask bandh called by the Left Front.

Few two-wheelers and private vehicles were seen plying in state capital, whereas buses and auto rickshaws avoided coming on road.

Various airlines suspended their operations till 6 pm. No flight took off or landed at the Agartala airport since this morning, official sources said.

Shops and Business establishments were closed as well as School and other educational institutions. The attendance in all government officials including Civil Secretariat was thin due to the bandh. However, no untoward incident was reported so far.

Chief Minister Manik Sarkar remarked to the UPA government’s move to hike the fuel products saying that it would only lead abrupt hike in the prices of essential commodities. Talking to reporters on Thursday, he said that the Congress led UPA government should have avoided the hike in fuel prices taking some positive steps but it did not pay heed to the request of the Left parties.

Partial response to Bharat Bandh

2008-05-02T10:53:00.000+05:30

Guwahati responses partially to the Bharat Bandh called by the Bharatiya Janata Party to protest against Govt's failure to control the price rise. The always busy area around Ulubari looks deserted today. Here are a few photographs of the area.

Kachari Basti Area

Lachit Nagar end of Ulubari Flyover

The parking place under the Ulubari Flyover

The Ulubari traffic intersection

Mamoni Raisom Goswami likely to quit ULFA peace talks

2008-05-01T13:36:00.000+05:30

Noted litterateur and peace interlocutor Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami today said that she is contemplating to withdraw from playing the role of mediator, if no significant development takes place to facilitate the peace talks between the Centre and the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) within the next six months. Talking to reporters on the sideline of a cassette release function at the Guwahati Press Club here, the Jnanpeeth awardee said, “It is high time for both the parties to come to some sort of understanding to facilitate the peace talks in the greater interest of the State before it gets too late.”

Read rest of the story here

SOURCE

Fire guts Hub, the first shopping mall of Guwahati

2008-05-01T13:18:00.000+05:30

A devastating fire broke out in Hub, the high rise shopping mall at GS Road, Guwahati early this morning. No person was injured in the blaze that destroyed two storeys of the building and damaged another. The fire started around 2.40 am and spread quickly from the second storey where it had originated. Fire personnel and fire equipment rushed in from all the stations of the city and were engaged for around two hours before the blaze could be controlled. The investigation is started for a possible cause of the fire. It has been lucky for everyone because had the fire broken out during day time when the building witnesses constant rush, the consequences could well have been catastrophic. The traffic is always congested because of the ongoing construction of a fly-over in that area and it would have been impossible for fire tenders to arrive at the spot in time. Preliminery estimate shows a loss of more than 10 crores incurred by the business houses located in the shopping mall. A short circuit has been ruled out since the main power connection is always cut-off during night hours.