GUWAHATI: An asteroid has been named after an 18-year old Assamese-origin girl Nandini Sarma for winning the first place in a science project which advocates garlic as a replacement for syntehtic chemical food preservatives.
The asteroid, discovered on November 21, 2000 by the Lincoln Laboratory Near Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) team in Socorro, USA, has been named as 23228 Nandinisarma.
LINEAR, a programme of Massachusetts Institute of Technology in collaboration with US Science Service and with the approval of International Astronomical Association has named the asteroid as an honour to her for winning the first place in the 2007 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for her microbiology project.
Nandini, an American citizen, has been conducting research to find solutions to common health hazards and her prize-winning research focussed on natural food preservatives. She has proved that garlic can effectively replace synthetic chemical preservatives.
Nandini, currently visiting her grandparents at Pathshala in Barpeta district, said she was happy with the honour. Her father Girish is the chief scientist of a US company. (PTI)
Pro-talks faction sets deadline for ULFA
Guwahati: The pro-talks faction of the ULFA which is comprised of cadres and leaders of the ‘Alfa" and "Charlie’ companies of the outfit’s 28th battalion has set December 31 as the deadline for the top leaders of the outfit to take a decision to hold dialogue with the Government of India.
The leader of the pro-talks faction of the ULFA, Mrinal Hazarika said over the last six months the pro-talks faction had rounds of discussions with people from all walks of life in Assam including social leaders, intellectuals exploring ways for a solution to the vexed insurgency problem.
"On the basis of our parleys with people, we have appealed to the top leaders of the ULFA to come forward for unconditional peace talks with the Government of India bowing to the wishes of the peace-loving people of the state. They have to take a decision by December 31, else we will be forced to take our own decision," he said.
About 150 cadres from pro-talks faction of the ULFA are now lodged in truce-time designated camps run by the State Government. The pro-talks leader had declared unilateral truce about six months back to ‘prepare ground’ for peace talks between top ULFA leaders and the Centre.
The faction have toiled to mount public pressure on the ULFA led by its fugitive commander-in-chief Paresh Barua and chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, both of them are suspected to be taking shelter in Bangladesh. But the response from the ULFA was not positive so far. \ In fact, the ULFA announced that the pro-talks faction leaders had been expelled from the outfit’s primary membership.
This has created a stalemate. And government of India’s stand to hold ‘unconditional talks’ only with the top-rung leaders of the outfit has further complicated the matter for the pro-talks faction.
NSCN (I-M) calls for concerted public campaign
Kohima: Chairman of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) Isak Chishi Swu on Sunday said a free nation of Nagas could only be established through conscious effort of the people concerned.
In his message to the Naga people and the ‘Naga national workers’ through some electronic means during a programme to commemorate his 50 years in ‘national service’ at Central Head Quarters of NSCN-IM (Hebron camp), Isak said the fighting of Nagas is principle based, so also the ongoing negotiation (peace talks) is principle based. "Any solution that betrays the principle is not a solution at all," he quipped while reassuring that "NSCN will never enter into any agreement against the will of the Naga people and also that we will not it take decision at the expense of the rights of the Naga people."
A brief autobiography of the NSCN leader released on the occasion maintained that everyone, friend and foe knows well that the case of the Nagas is unique and NSCN represents the issue. Realizing the futility of solving the political problem through military means Indian leadership sent feelers to the NSCN for political dialogue, he said, adding that they (feelers) too understand well that Khaplang or NNC do not represent the issue. He also pointed that 'dead organisations and wrong leadership' can never represent the Naga people.
"People from some quarters claimed India has stopped killing Nagas, but this defies the ground reality", he said while blaming that the enemy is still killing the Nagas through the persons of Nagas. "The enemies have invaded and occupied the mind and heart of many Nagas," Isak Chisi Swu said. He also maintained that "solution will neither come from the east nor from the west. It will come only from our firm stand for the principle."
General Secretary Th. Muivah in his speech read out by Emissary to the Collective Leadership, 'Lt. Gen. (Retd)' V. S. Atem on the occasion despite the unhappy happenings the NSCN will stand for the reconciliation process and at the same time will be vigilant to see that the reconciliation process is not mishandled or exploited.
He also expressed optimism that the Naga people now and the generations yet to come would be proud of Isak for his ‘unsparing sacrifices’ and the kind of leadership given to the ‘little but tough Nagas’ throughout the perilous years of the past. (NNN)
Militant gunned down in Manipur
Imphal: A militant was gunned down at Govajang under Chandel district in the state on Sunday.
The troops of 31 Assam Rifles (AR) of 26 Sector tracked the movement of a person at Govajang village and retaliated, when he opened fire, sources said.
The deceased was identified as SS Lt Bimol Singh of People's Liberation Army (PLA), sources said, adding one .38 Auto colt pistol with a magazine and four live rounds were recovered. The body and seized items were handed over to Moreh Police station, the sources added. Meanwhile, police was engaged in an encounter with two armed miscreants at Kwakta under Bishenpur district, the sources said, adding there was no report of any casualty. (UNI)
Culling ops on in Assam
Guwahati: Culling operations continued in some areas of birdflu-hit Assam on Sunday but resistance by local people hampered the effort of the authorities to create 'bird free zones' in some areas. Official sources said here that culling operations continued in new areas of Nagaon and Chirang districts with the respective Deputy Commissioners issuing instructions to ensure that the operations did not get hampered. Though the district administration had embarked on an awareness drive to educate the people about the perils of avian influenza and, villagers and poultry farmers opposed culling operation alleging that the compensation offered was not adequate. (PTI)
Tea exports hit a plateau; blame it on economic meltdown
Guwahati: The global economic meltdown has hit tea exports from India, much to the worry of the industry that is already reeling under over supply of tea in the market world wide.
Addressing a conference of tea planters at Gymkhana Club in Jorhat , the President of Tea Association of India (TAI) Shashank Prasad on Saturday informed that upward trend of tea export from the country had been stemmed during the last two months because of the global economic recession.
"Though tea export till October this year reached 156 million kilograms, a little higher than comparative figure for the year 2007, the trend has hit the plateau in the last two months due to global melt down that has reduced exports to the UK, Europe and Russia," he said.
"Since the domestic tea prices remained under pressure as an obvious fall out of declining exports in the recent past, there was oversupply in the domestic market, which created a glut. Revival of the fortune of Indian Tea and Specially of Assam Tea depended a lot on our export performance, for which we must free ourselves from the shackles of complacency acquired during our heydays," he added.
The planters were also concerned that ‘over supply’ of tea has outstripped the demand in the global market that stand in the way of realization of remunerative price for Indian tea. The Indian tea production in 2008 is expected to reach 965 million kilogram, a little higher than the last year’s production.
However, there is a silver lining -- the demand for Orthodox tea has increased in West Asian and Russian markets. The planters consider the recent grant of geographical indication (GI) to Assam Orthodox Tea will be a major boost for efforts to build and popularize Assam Orthodox Tea brand in the global market. The Government of India has already put in place a orthodox tea production subsidy scheme to encourage planters to go for bulk production of orthodox tea in Assam. "Special Purpose Tea Fund was introduced by the Union Government to provide financial assistance to the cash-starved Tea Industry for undertaking replantation and rejuvenation on a large scale to improve quality of the product.
Unfortunately, utilization of the scheme still remained below the desired level. I request the Assam Planters be aggressive in availing of the fund to replace ageing tea bushes with new ones," Prasad said.
‘State Govt employees can’t hold us to ransom’
Itanagar: Hardening his stance about fresh demand pay package demands by State Government employees, Arunachal Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu today said the employees cannot hold the state to ransom.
Asserting that the offer given to the employees on the 6th Pay Commission recommendation is not negotiable, Khandu said Arunachal Pradesh is the first one among North-Eastern states to announce implementing the pay package for its employees despite limited resources.
Khandu's comments came in the backdrop of fresh demands by the employees' body demanding arrears from January 2006, after the Chief Minister consented to implement the pay package from January next and pay arrears from July 2007, official sources said. He said it was time for the people to reciprocate the efforts by central and state governments to take the state to the top rungs instead of bogged down by "narrow interests". Besides appealing to the Prime Minister for a hefty 'green and peace bonus', for its eco-friendly move and enforcing law and order, the state government has sought funds from the 13th Finance Commission to bear the additional salary burden and meet its non-plan revenue gap. The Chief Minister, n a tour to East Siang district to inspect damages unleashed by recent flood, announced a host of schemes for Mebo area which included sanctioning Rs 18 crore for drinking water supply in Mebo and adjoining areas. (PTI)
More security forces deployed along India-Bangladesh border
Agartala: The Border Security Force(BSF) has deployed 500 additional security forces through two special aircraft, in the areas bordering Bangladesh in the wake of tension along India’s western border.
BSF sources on Sunday said altogether 750 personnel were called back here during the past two days, adding they were earlier deployed in the states where Assembly elections were held.
The BSF had brought back all three battalions of BSF, who were sent for the just concluded election in six states to step up vigil along Tripura-Bangladesh border, according to sources.
BSF Tripura Frontier’s spokesperson A K Singh told UNI that Union Home Ministry had enhanced security measures along international border following terrorist attacks in Mumbai and subsequent debate over Bangladesh’s role in propagating terrorism in the Northeast.
Mr Singh further informed that there were at least 117 insurgent camps in Bangladesh, used to train terrorists against India.
In the last Director General (DG) level meeting of border security forces of both the sides held in Delhi from April 9 to 11, a list of 117 hideouts was given to Bangladesh.
"After talking tough to Pakistan for an immediate and visible action against terror outfits based on its soil, the Ministry of Home Affairs uttered strong words against Bangladesh" Mr Singh said.
Conceding that there was evidence to suggest involvement of Bangladesh-based outfit HuJI in October 30 Assam serial blasts, the Ministry sought to put Dhaka on notice to get cracking on terror bases of Indian Insurgent Groups and their leaders operating from its territory.
Punching a hole in the neighbour’s ‘repeated assurances’ of curbing such activities, BSF officials said, "It is regrettable that many of the Indian insurgent leaders continue to use Bangladesh as a safe haven."
The officials also pointed out the presence of Ulfa top brass Paresh Baruah, Arabinda Rajkhowa and Anup Chetia, besides ATTF leader Ranjit Debbarma, NDFB chief Ranjan Daimary, in Bangladesh.
Moreover, Ulfa, NDFB, ATTF and NLFT trained their cadres on the soils of Bangladesh, they stated.
Senior BSF and intelligence officials had held a series of meetings with the commandant level and field officers of the Indian border guards to apprise them of the possible threats from across the border.(UNI)
Rhino killed in Kaziranga
Guwahati: In yet another rhino poaching, a full-grown female one-horned herbivore, of highly endangered species, was killed near Kaziranga National Park with its horn taken away.
Forest officials said the female rhino which had strayed out of the park alongwith two males last week, was shot dead by poachers at Kameri Chapori under Numaligarh forest beat office on the outskirts of the Park three days back.
The decomposed carcass of the animal was dug out today by the police after the villagers informed them of foul smell. rea. The poachers escaped with the prized horn of the rhino which fetches a high value in the international market. The forest personnel had traced the two male rhinos who had strayed out of the park and lured them back. (PTI)
Engineering, business schools
Guwahati: An engineering institute and a business school are coming up in Assam, with Governor Shiv Charan Mathur hoping that they would fill the void in educational infrastructure. (PTI)
-The Shillong Times
The asteroid, discovered on November 21, 2000 by the Lincoln Laboratory Near Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) team in Socorro, USA, has been named as 23228 Nandinisarma.
LINEAR, a programme of Massachusetts Institute of Technology in collaboration with US Science Service and with the approval of International Astronomical Association has named the asteroid as an honour to her for winning the first place in the 2007 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for her microbiology project.
Nandini, an American citizen, has been conducting research to find solutions to common health hazards and her prize-winning research focussed on natural food preservatives. She has proved that garlic can effectively replace synthetic chemical preservatives.
Nandini, currently visiting her grandparents at Pathshala in Barpeta district, said she was happy with the honour. Her father Girish is the chief scientist of a US company. (PTI)
Pro-talks faction sets deadline for ULFA
Guwahati: The pro-talks faction of the ULFA which is comprised of cadres and leaders of the ‘Alfa" and "Charlie’ companies of the outfit’s 28th battalion has set December 31 as the deadline for the top leaders of the outfit to take a decision to hold dialogue with the Government of India.
The leader of the pro-talks faction of the ULFA, Mrinal Hazarika said over the last six months the pro-talks faction had rounds of discussions with people from all walks of life in Assam including social leaders, intellectuals exploring ways for a solution to the vexed insurgency problem.
"On the basis of our parleys with people, we have appealed to the top leaders of the ULFA to come forward for unconditional peace talks with the Government of India bowing to the wishes of the peace-loving people of the state. They have to take a decision by December 31, else we will be forced to take our own decision," he said.
About 150 cadres from pro-talks faction of the ULFA are now lodged in truce-time designated camps run by the State Government. The pro-talks leader had declared unilateral truce about six months back to ‘prepare ground’ for peace talks between top ULFA leaders and the Centre.
The faction have toiled to mount public pressure on the ULFA led by its fugitive commander-in-chief Paresh Barua and chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, both of them are suspected to be taking shelter in Bangladesh. But the response from the ULFA was not positive so far. \ In fact, the ULFA announced that the pro-talks faction leaders had been expelled from the outfit’s primary membership.
This has created a stalemate. And government of India’s stand to hold ‘unconditional talks’ only with the top-rung leaders of the outfit has further complicated the matter for the pro-talks faction.
NSCN (I-M) calls for concerted public campaign
Kohima: Chairman of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) Isak Chishi Swu on Sunday said a free nation of Nagas could only be established through conscious effort of the people concerned.
In his message to the Naga people and the ‘Naga national workers’ through some electronic means during a programme to commemorate his 50 years in ‘national service’ at Central Head Quarters of NSCN-IM (Hebron camp), Isak said the fighting of Nagas is principle based, so also the ongoing negotiation (peace talks) is principle based. "Any solution that betrays the principle is not a solution at all," he quipped while reassuring that "NSCN will never enter into any agreement against the will of the Naga people and also that we will not it take decision at the expense of the rights of the Naga people."
A brief autobiography of the NSCN leader released on the occasion maintained that everyone, friend and foe knows well that the case of the Nagas is unique and NSCN represents the issue. Realizing the futility of solving the political problem through military means Indian leadership sent feelers to the NSCN for political dialogue, he said, adding that they (feelers) too understand well that Khaplang or NNC do not represent the issue. He also pointed that 'dead organisations and wrong leadership' can never represent the Naga people.
"People from some quarters claimed India has stopped killing Nagas, but this defies the ground reality", he said while blaming that the enemy is still killing the Nagas through the persons of Nagas. "The enemies have invaded and occupied the mind and heart of many Nagas," Isak Chisi Swu said. He also maintained that "solution will neither come from the east nor from the west. It will come only from our firm stand for the principle."
General Secretary Th. Muivah in his speech read out by Emissary to the Collective Leadership, 'Lt. Gen. (Retd)' V. S. Atem on the occasion despite the unhappy happenings the NSCN will stand for the reconciliation process and at the same time will be vigilant to see that the reconciliation process is not mishandled or exploited.
He also expressed optimism that the Naga people now and the generations yet to come would be proud of Isak for his ‘unsparing sacrifices’ and the kind of leadership given to the ‘little but tough Nagas’ throughout the perilous years of the past. (NNN)
Militant gunned down in Manipur
Imphal: A militant was gunned down at Govajang under Chandel district in the state on Sunday.
The troops of 31 Assam Rifles (AR) of 26 Sector tracked the movement of a person at Govajang village and retaliated, when he opened fire, sources said.
The deceased was identified as SS Lt Bimol Singh of People's Liberation Army (PLA), sources said, adding one .38 Auto colt pistol with a magazine and four live rounds were recovered. The body and seized items were handed over to Moreh Police station, the sources added. Meanwhile, police was engaged in an encounter with two armed miscreants at Kwakta under Bishenpur district, the sources said, adding there was no report of any casualty. (UNI)
Culling ops on in Assam
Guwahati: Culling operations continued in some areas of birdflu-hit Assam on Sunday but resistance by local people hampered the effort of the authorities to create 'bird free zones' in some areas. Official sources said here that culling operations continued in new areas of Nagaon and Chirang districts with the respective Deputy Commissioners issuing instructions to ensure that the operations did not get hampered. Though the district administration had embarked on an awareness drive to educate the people about the perils of avian influenza and, villagers and poultry farmers opposed culling operation alleging that the compensation offered was not adequate. (PTI)
Tea exports hit a plateau; blame it on economic meltdown
Guwahati: The global economic meltdown has hit tea exports from India, much to the worry of the industry that is already reeling under over supply of tea in the market world wide.
Addressing a conference of tea planters at Gymkhana Club in Jorhat , the President of Tea Association of India (TAI) Shashank Prasad on Saturday informed that upward trend of tea export from the country had been stemmed during the last two months because of the global economic recession.
"Though tea export till October this year reached 156 million kilograms, a little higher than comparative figure for the year 2007, the trend has hit the plateau in the last two months due to global melt down that has reduced exports to the UK, Europe and Russia," he said.
"Since the domestic tea prices remained under pressure as an obvious fall out of declining exports in the recent past, there was oversupply in the domestic market, which created a glut. Revival of the fortune of Indian Tea and Specially of Assam Tea depended a lot on our export performance, for which we must free ourselves from the shackles of complacency acquired during our heydays," he added.
The planters were also concerned that ‘over supply’ of tea has outstripped the demand in the global market that stand in the way of realization of remunerative price for Indian tea. The Indian tea production in 2008 is expected to reach 965 million kilogram, a little higher than the last year’s production.
However, there is a silver lining -- the demand for Orthodox tea has increased in West Asian and Russian markets. The planters consider the recent grant of geographical indication (GI) to Assam Orthodox Tea will be a major boost for efforts to build and popularize Assam Orthodox Tea brand in the global market. The Government of India has already put in place a orthodox tea production subsidy scheme to encourage planters to go for bulk production of orthodox tea in Assam. "Special Purpose Tea Fund was introduced by the Union Government to provide financial assistance to the cash-starved Tea Industry for undertaking replantation and rejuvenation on a large scale to improve quality of the product.
Unfortunately, utilization of the scheme still remained below the desired level. I request the Assam Planters be aggressive in availing of the fund to replace ageing tea bushes with new ones," Prasad said.
‘State Govt employees can’t hold us to ransom’
Itanagar: Hardening his stance about fresh demand pay package demands by State Government employees, Arunachal Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu today said the employees cannot hold the state to ransom.
Asserting that the offer given to the employees on the 6th Pay Commission recommendation is not negotiable, Khandu said Arunachal Pradesh is the first one among North-Eastern states to announce implementing the pay package for its employees despite limited resources.
Khandu's comments came in the backdrop of fresh demands by the employees' body demanding arrears from January 2006, after the Chief Minister consented to implement the pay package from January next and pay arrears from July 2007, official sources said. He said it was time for the people to reciprocate the efforts by central and state governments to take the state to the top rungs instead of bogged down by "narrow interests". Besides appealing to the Prime Minister for a hefty 'green and peace bonus', for its eco-friendly move and enforcing law and order, the state government has sought funds from the 13th Finance Commission to bear the additional salary burden and meet its non-plan revenue gap. The Chief Minister, n a tour to East Siang district to inspect damages unleashed by recent flood, announced a host of schemes for Mebo area which included sanctioning Rs 18 crore for drinking water supply in Mebo and adjoining areas. (PTI)
More security forces deployed along India-Bangladesh border
Agartala: The Border Security Force(BSF) has deployed 500 additional security forces through two special aircraft, in the areas bordering Bangladesh in the wake of tension along India’s western border.
BSF sources on Sunday said altogether 750 personnel were called back here during the past two days, adding they were earlier deployed in the states where Assembly elections were held.
The BSF had brought back all three battalions of BSF, who were sent for the just concluded election in six states to step up vigil along Tripura-Bangladesh border, according to sources.
BSF Tripura Frontier’s spokesperson A K Singh told UNI that Union Home Ministry had enhanced security measures along international border following terrorist attacks in Mumbai and subsequent debate over Bangladesh’s role in propagating terrorism in the Northeast.
Mr Singh further informed that there were at least 117 insurgent camps in Bangladesh, used to train terrorists against India.
In the last Director General (DG) level meeting of border security forces of both the sides held in Delhi from April 9 to 11, a list of 117 hideouts was given to Bangladesh.
"After talking tough to Pakistan for an immediate and visible action against terror outfits based on its soil, the Ministry of Home Affairs uttered strong words against Bangladesh" Mr Singh said.
Conceding that there was evidence to suggest involvement of Bangladesh-based outfit HuJI in October 30 Assam serial blasts, the Ministry sought to put Dhaka on notice to get cracking on terror bases of Indian Insurgent Groups and their leaders operating from its territory.
Punching a hole in the neighbour’s ‘repeated assurances’ of curbing such activities, BSF officials said, "It is regrettable that many of the Indian insurgent leaders continue to use Bangladesh as a safe haven."
The officials also pointed out the presence of Ulfa top brass Paresh Baruah, Arabinda Rajkhowa and Anup Chetia, besides ATTF leader Ranjit Debbarma, NDFB chief Ranjan Daimary, in Bangladesh.
Moreover, Ulfa, NDFB, ATTF and NLFT trained their cadres on the soils of Bangladesh, they stated.
Senior BSF and intelligence officials had held a series of meetings with the commandant level and field officers of the Indian border guards to apprise them of the possible threats from across the border.(UNI)
Rhino killed in Kaziranga
Guwahati: In yet another rhino poaching, a full-grown female one-horned herbivore, of highly endangered species, was killed near Kaziranga National Park with its horn taken away.
Forest officials said the female rhino which had strayed out of the park alongwith two males last week, was shot dead by poachers at Kameri Chapori under Numaligarh forest beat office on the outskirts of the Park three days back.
The decomposed carcass of the animal was dug out today by the police after the villagers informed them of foul smell. rea. The poachers escaped with the prized horn of the rhino which fetches a high value in the international market. The forest personnel had traced the two male rhinos who had strayed out of the park and lured them back. (PTI)
Engineering, business schools
Guwahati: An engineering institute and a business school are coming up in Assam, with Governor Shiv Charan Mathur hoping that they would fill the void in educational infrastructure. (PTI)
-The Shillong Times
No comments:
Post a Comment